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TL;DR: For $379.99, score a refurbished MacBook Pro with a 3.1GHz i5 processor, 512GB SSD, and the surprisingly useful Touch Bar.
Let’s stir the pot a little — the Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro is one of those features that’s easy to overlook but genuinely useful once you give it a shot. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just someone who appreciates a little extra convenience, this 2017 MacBook Pro could quickly become your favorite piece of tech — on sale for $379.99 (reg. $1,499) for a limited time.
With a 3.1GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage, it’s built to handle your daily grind with ease.
The Touch Bar adds a layer of customization to your workflow that you might not have known you needed. From volume sliders to quick access tools in Photoshop, the possibilities are endless — and customizable to boot. Plus, Touch ID makes logging in or making purchases a breeze, without the hassle of passwords.
This MacBook Pro doesn’t skimp on the essentials either. The Retina display is as stunning as ever, making everything from photo editing to Netflix binging look crisp and vibrant. And since it’s refurbished with an "A" grade (meaning it's near-mint), you get all this power and functionality for a smaller price tag than buying one brand-new.
So, why not give the Touch Bar a chance? This MacBook Pro might just surprise you in all the right ways.
Get a refurbished 2017 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar on sale for $379.99 for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 13" Touchbar (2017) 3.1GHz i5 8GB RAM 512GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $379.99TL;DR: Get a lifetime subscription to 1minAI’s Pro Plan for $39.99 (reg. $234) and supercharge your content creation process with AI-powered tools.
Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1minAI: Lifetime Subscription $39.99Content creation can be a grind. From coming up with fresh ideas to tweaking drafts and optimizing for SEO, it’s easy to hit a wall. That’s where 1minAI comes in.
Designed specifically for content creators, this AI-powered tool takes the heavy lifting out of your workflow. And for a limited time, you can get a lifetime subscription to the Pro Plan for just $39.99 (reg. $234), saving you from the ongoing costs of other AI services.
1minAI leverages advanced AI models to assist with creative tasks, making it easier to overcome writer’s block and improve content quality. Whether you’re drafting a blog post, rewriting existing content, or fine-tuning your SEO strategy, 1minAI provides tools that help you get the job done faster and more efficiently. However, like any AI tool, it’s important to remember that while 1minAI can handle a lot, human oversight and editing are still essential to ensure your content hits the mark.
What makes this deal even sweeter? The Pro Plan comes with free monthly credits, allowing you to make the most out of your subscription without constantly worrying about extra costs. Plus, the value of a lifetime subscription means you won’t have to shell out for monthly fees like with other AI services.
With a lifetime subscription to a 1minAI Pro Plan for just $39.99, you’ve basically got nothing to lose — except maybe that writer’s block.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, September 4, 2024:
AcrossUnwanted emailsThe answer is spam.
The answer is geode.
The answer is arrow.
The answer is steps.
The answer is past.
The answer is Serta.
The answer is pores.
The answer is adopt.
The answer is mews.
The answer is gasp.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 4 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: American beautyThese words are quite the sites.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThe answers all relate to national parks.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram starts vertically and finishes horizontally.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is NationalParks.
NYT Strands word list for September 4Redwood
Arches
NationalParks
Glacier
Saguaro
Badlands
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
TL;DR: As of Sept. 4, you can get the UPDF Pro: Lifetime Subscription for just £38.15 (reg. £114.45) — that's a 66% discount.
As common as PDFs are, they can be a hassle to work with. Part of their appeal is that they keep their style and formatting, even when transferring between devices or viewed with different programs. But that compatibility also means you need specialised software to adjust PDFs, and a reliable PDF editing app can be hard to find.
If you want to read, convert, edit, and scan PDFs from one app, try UPDF Pro. For a limited time, new users can purchase lifetime access to this all-in-one PDF app for £38.15.
Edit, read, and create PDFs in one appUPDF Pro can make working with PDFs easier. When you open a file, you're given options for page layouts, dark and light modes, multi-tab views, and slideshows. You can even add bookmarks to locate vital information quickly, which is crucial when reading long documents for school or work.
This app also lets you add custom annotations such as stamps, stickers, signatures, shapes, and more. Plus, your recipients won't need their own copy of UPDF Pro or special PDF software to view your annotations.
If you need to edit a PDF's text, UPDF Pro makes it easy. You can add or remove text and images or rearrange content as quickly as working with a Word document. Additional editing tools include font, size, colour, style, and typeface modifications.
Image-based PDFs are also a walk in the park for this app. UPDF Pro utilises optical character recognition (OCR) to transform images into PDFs with editable text. Finally, you can organise multi-page files by adding, deleting, or rotating pages, rearranging their order, splitting them into separate files, or pasting additional images.
Make PDFs your favourite file typeWith UPDF Pro, working with PDFs doesn't have to be complicated. For a limited time, you can purchase a lifetime subscription to UPDF Pro for £38.15 (reg. £114.45).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Superace UPDF Pro: Lifetime Subscription £38.15 at the Mashable ShopTL;DR: Live stream Haddad Maia vs. Muchova in the 2024 US Open for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Reaching the quarter-final stage of the US Open is a real achievement, but once you're there, the focus must be on winning the whole thing. Haddad Maia and Muchova are meeting in an interesting quarter-final battle, with both players surely dreaming of going all the way.
If you want to watch Haddad Maia vs. Muchova in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
How to watch Haddad Maia vs. Muchova in the 2024 US Open for freeFans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:
These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone from around the world can access these sites with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia or New Zealand
Watch Haddad Maia vs. Muchova in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of Haddad Maia vs. Muchova without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the US Open?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Haddad Maia vs. Muchova in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Swiatek vs. Pegula in the 2024 US Open for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The US Open is reaching its conclusion, with only a handful of players left competing for the prize. The defending champion Coco Gauff is out of the women's draw, leaving the door open for the likes of Swiatek. The Polish star is looking to win the US Open for the second time, but home favorite Jessica Pegula stands in her way.
If you want to watch Swiatek vs. Pegula in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
How to watch Swiatek vs. Pegula in the 2024 US Open for freeFans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:
These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone from around the world can access these sites with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia or New Zealand
Watch Swiatek vs. Pegula in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of Swiatek vs. Pegula without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the US Open?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Swiatek vs. Pegula in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Sinner vs. Medvedev in the 2024 US Open for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Nobody would have predicted that the US Open quarter finals would not include Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, but here we are. There are some surprising names still in the competition, but top seed Jannik Sinner will be favorite from this point on. He has a tricky quarter-final matchup with Medvedev to get through, but a lot of fans will fancy the Italian to go all the way.
If you want to watch Sinner vs. Medvedev in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
How to watch Sinner vs. Medvedev in the 2024 US Open for freeFans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:
These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone from around the world can access these sites with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia or New Zealand
Watch Sinner vs. Medvedev in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of Sinner vs. Medvedev without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the US Open?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Sinner vs. Medvedev in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Draper vs. De Minaur in the 2024 US Open for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The US Open has been incredibly unpredictable this year, with huge stars like Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic all falling short of the latter rounds. That presents an opportunity for new players to make a statement, including Jack Draper and Alex de Minaur. Both players will be desperate to make it through to their first semi final.
If you want to watch Draper vs. De Minaur in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
How to watch Draper vs. De Minaur in the 2024 US Open for freeFans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:
These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone from around the world can access these sites with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia or New Zealand
Watch Draper vs. De Minaur in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of Draper vs. De Minaur without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the US Open?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Draper vs. De Minaur in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Unblock Redtube from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
The online world is full of restrictions and blockades. There is usually a good reason for these rules, but sometimes, your access to your favorite sites will be restricted and it will feel a little unfair. In this situation, a VPN is your best friend.
If you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like Redtube from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.
How to unblock Redtube for freeVPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions to secure access to porn sites like Redtube from anywhere in the world. This might sound complicated, but you can unblock your favorite porn sites in just a few simple steps:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Redtube
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Watch Redtube content from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling or temporarily away from home.
If you want to retain permanent access to everything the online world has to offer, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for porn?ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like Redtube, for a number of reasons:
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Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unblock Redtube for free with ExpressVPN.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for September 4's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 4 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Serious and unrelenting.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no reoccurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
STERN.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for September 4's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Just a pinch
Green: Just got a new pet
Blue: Party Planner
Purple: Useful keyboard symbols
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Very Small Amount
Green: Puppy Purchases
Blue: Help Put on a Party
Purple: Symbols on a Keyboard
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #451 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayVery Small Amount: HINT, SHRED, TOUCH, TRACE
Puppy Purchases: BED, BOWL, COLLAR, CRATE
Help Put on a Party: CATER, HOST, PLAN, THROW
Symbols on a Keyboard: BRACE, CARET, HASH, STAR
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
PRE-ORDER NOW: Set for a mid-September release, the new Lunar Lake-powered Dell XPS 13 is now up for preorder on the Dell website starting at $1,399.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Dell XPS 13 (Intel Core Ultra7 256V, Intel Arc graphics, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,399.99 at Dell.comDell's smallest XPS machine is getting upgraded with new Intel Core Ultra 200V processors, and preorders open today.
The American tech giant announced Tuesday that its new XPS 13 laptop will feature fresh "Lunar Lake" CPUs with a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for seamlessly handling AI functions like content generation and editing. It can be configured with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage starting at $1,399.99 on Dell's website, with delivery as soon as Sept. 19 at the time of writing.
AI isn't new territory for the XPS 13: Dell has been selling a "CoPilot+ PC" version of the thin 13-incher with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X series CPU since mid-2024. This new model will support the same Windows AI features, but it should be slightly better at optimizing them with up to 48 Tera Operations per Second of AI performance (or TOPS) compared to the Snapdragon chip's 45 TOPs. And, more crucially for most people, it won't run into the same Arm-related app compatibility issues.
SEE ALSO: The 9 best laptops of 2024, tested by Mashable staffBeyond its CPU, the new XPS 13 is basically identical to its predecessor: Its keyboard and glass haptic touchpad both span edge to edge, and it's available in the same monochromatic Graphite and Platinum finishes. It's also still upgradable with a tandem OLED display (à la Apple's latest iPad Pro), a brighter and more power-efficient option than a traditional OLED display. This OLED model is just 0.58 inches thin and weighs 2.6 pounds, while the FHD+ and QHD+ configurations clock in at 0.6 inches and 2.7 pounds.
Dell said the XPS 13 will offer up to 26 hours of battery life with an FHD+ display, which is up from 18 hours in the previous Intel-powered model but a one-hour downgrade from the Snapdragon version — on paper, at least. (As with any laptop, that may pan out differently in testing.)
No word yet on whether Dell's other 14- and 16-inch XPS laptops will be getting the same Intel Core Ultra 200V series treatment. When asked about their fate, the company's rep told Mashable that "[it's] Dell policy to not discuss future products and roadmaps."
Nothing is truly dead in Hollywood. Franchises can be resurrected after decades of turnaround purgatory. Sequels can rise, even if their heroes have been slain. Even dead actors can reprise roles through the use of CGI. All of this has happened this very summer, for better for for worse — mostly for worse.
Which is why I approached Beetlejuice Beetlejuice with a stomach-churning blend of excitement and anxiety. I grew up with this movie, and 36 years later, I can still quote most of it by heart. Michael Keaton's ghost with the most shaped my sense of humor, while Winona Ryder's and Catherine O'Hara's chic, vaguely goth sartorial explosions shaped my personal style.
More than anything, I wanted this long talked about sequel to 1988's Beetlejuice to be good. But between a summer of cinema soured by fan-service pandering and the recent string of underwhelming, underperforming Tim Burton movies, I had some profound cynicism about this sequel going in.
Sometimes it's fun to be wrong. And Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the most fun I've had being wrong in quite a while. This movie is outrageous in all the right ways, and even some of the wrong ones.
Burton is back, baby. Beetlejuice is back in the waiting room with some of the recently deceased. Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment IncBeetlejuice Beetlejuice is set thirty-some years after the Deetz family moved to the quiet town of Winter River, where they collided with the recently deceased Maitlands and their eponymous bio-exorcist for hire. Now, Lydia Deetz (Ryder) is a widow, whose teen daughter Astrid (Wednesday's Jenna Ortega) regards her with precisely the level of esteem and affection that she offered her stepmother Delia (O'Hara) all those years ago. (Naturally, Delia relishes pointing out this "karma.") Mother-daughter tensions aside, when Astrid winds up trapped in the land of the dead, Lydia calls on an old frenemy for help.
Through this premise, Burton is able to bring back all kinds of Beetlejuice iconography and catchphrases without much strain. (Looking at you, Alien: Romulus!) Along with Lydia's enviably sharp baby bangs, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice brings back stop-motion sandworms, that iconic black-and-white striped suit designed by Colleen Atwood (who has also returned!), and shrunken-head ghosties. Beyond that, Burton — with the help of screenwriters/Wednesday creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar — expand the realm of the dead, offering up creepy and comical new characters as well as darkly hysterical gags.
Where films like Dark Shadows, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, and the live-action Dumbo felt like hollow Burton entries — channeling his aesthetic, but lacking in his subversive strangeness and feral heart — Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is alive with the best of the director's indulgences. It's not just that the movie looks like one of his sketchbooks come to vivid life. It's that the film's humor is unrepentantly oddball, treating everything from shark attacks to baby ghouls as fair game for laughs and gasps. The childlike wonder of Pee-wee's Big Adventure and the juvenile provocations of Beetlejuice are refreshed with Keaton's madcap performance, which is at full throttle every moment.
Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara give audiences want they want. Jenna Ortega and Winona Ryder play mother and daughter. Credit: Warner Bros. PicturesDevotees of the original movie might quibbles over some tweaks to character and plot, like a quick line of dialogue that explains the Maitlands' absence, or a revised motivation for why Beetlejuice wants to reconnect with Lydia. But Burton and his collaborators understand that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is also for fans of canon-breakers — like the 1989 Beetlejuice cartoon series, in which the pair were buddies, and the hit Broadway show. Over the decades, Beetlejuice has become beloved, despite being an absolute heel in the original movie. And Keaton sharply threads the needle, being both wickedly charismatic and an absolute cad.
The rightfully acclaimed actor who starred in Birdman, a film about feeling trapped by one's most iconic roles, plunges back into Beetlejuice with no apparent reservation or ego. Once more, this ghastly ghoul has a pronounced beer belly, deeply sunken eyes, and rot and moss ringing his chin. He has the swagger of Elvis and the manic patter of a cartoon. But the looseness of his physical comedy? That's all Keaton. He is gloriously goofy and totally game, and it's a pleasure to see his juice unloosed once more.
Catherine O'Hara, still a style icon. Credit: Warner Bros. PicturesO'Hara is similarly sensational as the uncompromising, egocentric artist Delia Deetz. Where she was once seen as an evil stepmother with a questionable taste for interior design, the world has caught up with Delia, embracing her passions for ghost stories, dopamine dressing, and self-obsession. This time, her eccentric artist becomes the voice of reason! Still, O'Hara and Burton find moments to revel in Delia's personal brand of audaciousness. Bless them.
Likewise, Ryder — who's been entrenched in the dark, squelching horror of Stranger Things since 2016 — relishes the return to Burton's brand of macabre levity. With her dark, bulging stare, it's easy to trace her path from isolated, suicidal goth teen to ghost-hunting TV star, whose daughter finds her tragically unhip. Though Lydia's arc is studded with loss, Ryder and Burton keep things light by embracing the absurdity of life and death. And that's mostly a great thing.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice may be too much? Maybe? Willem Dafoe plays a bad actor, and he's brilliant. Credit: Warner Bros. PicturesThere's a lot of plot to this sequel. Not only does Lydia return to unfinished business in her formative haunted home, but she's also got a producer/boyfriend (Justin Theroux, oozing sketch) pushing her to wed. Plus, Astrid experiences first love with a local boy (Arthur Conti), while Beetlejuice is ducking his vengeance-seeking ex-wife (Monica Bellucci) and a dead cop (Willem Dafoe), who was a blowhard B-movie actor that played a cop in his past life. All these threads are not so much woven together as they are chucked into a pile.
The upside to all this story is that audiences get to enjoy some truly unhinged subplots. Bellucci is viciously entertaining as a ferocious and sexy femme fatale, swanning around as if poison and red wine runs through her veins. Dafoe — who is never afraid to push himself into theatricality — is brilliant as a "bad" actor who is comically fixated on his craft more than actually solving crimes. Conti's subplot with Ortega is enchanting, bringing a swoon that recalls the chaste romance of Edward Scissorhands. Theroux's subplot, however, is predictable, veering into annoying.
Monica Bellucoi goes Corpse Bride in "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice." Credit: Warner Bros. PicturesRefashioned as a new spin on the first film's opportunistic Otho (Glenn Shadix), Theroux's character Rory lacks the silly yet smug self-satisfaction of Delia's old friend, using in its stead the kind of therapy-speak you can pick up on TikTok without ever comprehending its actual meaning. Sure, his character is meant to be a creep, but most of the con men, creeps, and critters of this world are fun. His is a bit too unsavory, perhaps because he feels the least heightened. Like, I imagine you could find a Rory on any dating app within a few swipes.
In the end, the screenplay of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is so jam-packed with characters, threads, and set pieces, that it feels less like a movie and more like a jumble of Post-it notes for several could-be sequels combined. This make for a climax that is as confounding as it is chaotic. Like, I'm not sure the ending actually makes any sense. But I'm also at peace with that, because logic has never been what Beetlejuice was really about.
In Beetlejuice, the land of the dead was absolutely perplexing to the living and recently deceased alike; the Handbook for the Recently Deceased was repeatedly described as reading "like stereo instructions," and nothing about the afterlife was intuitive to the Maitlands. Burton and his team use this setup as license to riff and revel without the limiting constrictions of a traditional — or even coherent — plotline. I admit the third act is a mess, made up of musical numbers, stunts, dream sequences, and absolutely bonkers choices. But I can't say I am bothered, because they're an absolute blast. Do you question the logic of a rollercoaster?
Ultimately, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is pure Burton, passionate, untethered, and indulgent. Fans of the original movie will have plenty of reason to cheer, and even more to cackle.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opens nationwide on September 6, also in IMAX.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is Google's second-generation iteration of its foldable line that launched in 2023 with the Google Pixel Fold.
Although the flexible and fun nature of foldables have caught my eye, I've decided against purchasing one for several reasons.
Google Pixel Fold Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableOne, they're too expensive while having inferior camera systems compared to their mono-display counterparts. Two, they're too fragile. (The jury is still out whether the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has longevity). And three, a dual-display device typically means not-so-great battery life.
As it turns out, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's long battery life has proven me wrong on that last point.
SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: The longest battery life we've ever recorded Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold battery lifeAccording to our testing, which launches a TikTok video rundown at a display brightness of 50%, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold lasted over 16 hours.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThis is much better than the battery runtime of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the Pixel 9 Pro's Samsung competitor, which lasted nearly 13 hours on a charge.
Take a look at the battery life runtimes of the foldables we've tested this year:
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold - 16 hours and 6 minutes
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 - 12 hours and 44 minutes
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 - 12 hours and 13 minutes
Mashable's Alex Perry reviewed the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. And while he's not a fan of the AI bloat, yawn-worthy color choices, and less-impressive camera array (compared to the Pixel 9 Pro models), he gushed about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's "fantastic" 6.3-inch internal display.
"The internal Pixel 9 Pro Fold screen is absolutely massive, moving up from 7.6-inches to 8-inches, making it ideal for reading or watching things. Everything looks crisp, smooth, and colorful. It’s just fantastic," Perry said.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold's closest competitor is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. Unfortunately for Samsung, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold beat it in the battery life department. The Google foldable lasted longer on a charge by 3 hours and 22 minutes.
However, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a smidge heavier than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 by 0.64 ounces, but the Google foldable is slimmer than the Samsung rival (0.20 inches vs. 0.22 inches in height).
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts at $1,799. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is $100 pricier at $1,899.
Elon Musk really wants X to compete with YouTube. Musk personally intervened to encourage MrBeast, YouTube's biggest star, to start posting full videos on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Earlier this year, X CEO Linda Yaccarino claimed that X was becoming a "video first" platform.
Now, X is taking another step in its moving image pivot: A dedicated smart TV app just for viewing videos posted on the platform.
"Beta version of X TV is out," Musk posted on X on Monday night.
X TV: Musk's pivot to videoThe first public release of the X app for TV is now available — and users can install it via the smart TV versions of Google Play, Amazon’s app store, and LG’s app store. The X TV app has not yet been released for Apple TV nor the Apple App Store for tvOS.
According to the X TV app details, users will be able to browse video uploaded to X, as well as access livestream video on the platform. Users must sign in to their X account to use the TV app.
Previously, the only way to watch X's video content on television was to cast videos through a secondary device like an iPhone or Android smartphone.
Elon Musk wants X to be a lot of things. From a social media service to a banking app, Musk and company have been persistent in its goal to make the platform formerly known as Twitter, an "everything" app.
Unlike financial services, X users do currently post videos, so X TV isn't too far off from what the main platform does. However, it seems like most users watch videos on X in passing, as they scroll through their feed. So, it will certainly be interesting to see if the X TV app successfully changes or just confirms current user behavior.
Two weeks. That's how long Concord, a seemingly high-budget first-party PlayStation game, got to live.
Sony announced on the PlayStation Blog on Tuesday that the team-based first-person shooter would shut down on Sept. 6, just a fortnight after its launch on PS5 and PC. In the blog post, game director Ryan Ellis said parts of the game landed with people — but too much of it didn't.
"However, while many qualities of the experience resonated with players, we also recognize that other aspects of the game and our initial launch didn’t land the way we’d intended," Ellis said.
As part of this, Concord is no longer for sale and anyone who bought it has been refunded.
SEE ALSO: ‘Concord’ review: Sorry to say it, but it's a flopIf you've been following along with Concord's story, this outcome is as sad as it was inevitable. First announced back in May, Concord was the result of years of work by Firewalk, a new studio formed by industry veterans. However, from minute one, fan reactions to the reveal were fairly muted — and a beta later in the summer didn't do much to ratchet up player enthusiasm.
Reviews praised the gunplay when it launched on Aug. 23, but noted the generic art style and the broad outdated-ness of an Overwatch-style game launching in the era of Fortnite. All of that, combined with a $40 price point, led to staggeringly low sales across both PlayStation and PC. And two weeks later, it was all over.
The PlayStation Blog post is vague about what's next for Concord. The most likely answer is "nothing," but the post did leave a door open for some kind of return down the line. As always, hopefully nobody loses their job over this.
In case you missed it, in Dubai, the restaurant and delivery chain Dodo Pizza added a new ChatGPT-created pizza to its menu — and it’s flying off the shelves like hot cakes, according to the BBC.
Spartak Arutyunyan, the head of menu development for the pizza franchise, leaned on ChatGPT because he wanted a recipe that would satisfy the palette of the many diverse cultures that populate Dubai.
What is in the ChatGPT-created pizza?The BBC report didn't give away the full recipe, but the ChatGPT-created pizza, in part, consists of the following:
shawarma chicken
Indian grilled paneer cheese
Middle Eastern Za'atar herbs
tahini cheese
Arutyunyan said that Dubai is made of up "Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos, Arab people, and European guys," so he was hoping that the Open AI-produced chatbot would suggest a pizza that represented a "cultural mix."
As it turned out, as mentioned at the outset, Dodo Pizza customers are loving the new ChatGPT-created pizza.
Arutyunyan admitted that, as a chef, he'd never consider mixing ChatGPT's suggested ingredients together, but they work.
Arutyunyan added that ChatGPT conceptualized other pizza recipes that included strawberries and pasta, and another that consisted of blueberries and breakfast cereal, but they didn't make the cut for Dodo Pizza's menu.
SAVE 12%: The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition bundle is on sale at Amazon for $232.97, down from the usual price of $264.97. That's a savings of $32.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition bundle $232.97 at AmazonWelcome to sweater weather. Ok, maybe we're still a bit early since some areas of the country are still in the depths of sweaty summer, but it'll be here soon enough. When the leaves turn and you start stocking up on tea, you'll want to snuggle up with a good book. Amazon has a deal in store today that'll help with just that.
As of Sept. 3, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition bundle is on sale at Amazon for $232.97, marked down from the normal price of $264.97. That's a 12% discount on the bundle that includes the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition device (32GB), leather cover, and wireless charging dock.
Since the dawn of ebooks, the Kindle device has been a frontrunner. Amazon now has a decent lineup of Kindle devices, but we have a favorite. It's the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. In Mashable's review, senior editor Stan Schroeder explains the Signature Edition has a few noteworthy advantages over the original Paperwhite. For starters, it comes with double the storage — 32 GB to hold all your favorite titles and series. It also comes with a wireless charger which means you can prop it up in its stand while still getting a great reading experience and a full charge.
This bundle also includes a leather cover and a power adapter. But you won't need to concern yourself much with the wireless charger since Amazon says this Kindle can get up to 10 weeks of life on a single charge.
The Kindle Paperwhite is well known for its paper-like screen, giving an experience that's pretty darn close to reading a physical book. However, unlike a traditional book, the Kindle is waterproof, so if it's gets splashed by the pool or it's in your backpack during a fall rain storm, you'll be ok.
If you're looking for a fall treat, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition bundle is the perfect purchase, providing plenty of enjoyment in the upcoming cozy season. And thanks to today's sale price, you can snag the bundle for 12% off.
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