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Apple's iPhone 16 may have headlined Sept. 9's "Glowtime" event, but the introduction of the next generation of AirPods is where things got interesting. AirPods 4 arrives in the standard model and an Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) edition, a first for Apple’s entry-level earbuds.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: What are the differences?

ANC, coupled with a refreshed design and a host of other features, marks a significant shift for the AirPods lineup. But the real question is: Should you upgrade from the 3rd-gen model to the 4th-gen? We've broken down the key changes to help you decide.

Apple AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: Price

Apple's 4th-gen AirPods are set to launch on Friday, Sept. 20. Pricing starts at $129 for the regular version and $179 for the Active Noise Cancellation model. At its $129 price point, the former makes an affordable entry-level earbud over competitors like the Bose Ultra Open or the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3.

This price undercuts last year's AirPods 3, which debuted at $179.

Typically, Apple reduces the price of previous-gen products when newer versions are released. However, no such discount for the 3rd-gen AirPods has appeared on Apple’s official site yet. That said, you can find used or refurbished 3rd-gen models available from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, priced between $155 and $169.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods (4th-gen) $129.99 at Best Buy
Pre-Order Here Apple AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: Design

The AirPods 4 are touted as Apple’s "most comfortable design yet," thanks to extensive research on ear shapes. Design-wise, they follow their predecessor with shorter stems and skip the silicone ear tips, leaving fit up to individual ear shapes.

Both models still lack on-bud volume controls, a common user complaint, but the AirPods 4 take functionality a step further with Active Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Audio, features not available in the 3rd-gen model.

Apple AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: Features and Sound

The design of the AirPods 4 brings notable improvements, debuting two models for the first time. The standout feature is Active Noise Cancellation, powered by Apple's H2 chip. Additionally, the new AirPods introduce Adaptive Audio, which dynamically reduces background noise based on your surroundings, and Conversation Awareness, which adjusts volume when the earbuds detect you're near someone speaking on a call.

A new Siri interaction allows users to answer calls with a simple nod or shake of the head, bypassing the need for voice commands.

SEE ALSO: I just took the new hearing test with AirPods Pro — and it hurt my feelings

While AirPods 3 lacks these new features, the overall differences between the two generations aren’t substantial beyond ANC and some external audio enhancements. Both models feature USB-C charging cases, offer over 30 hours of battery life, and support Spatial Audio, though neither supports lossless audio on Apple Music. Both also have Audio Sharing and auto-pause functionality when removed from the ear.

Sound quality is up in the air for the AirPods 4 as they haven't been released yet, but Apple claims that they are the "best-sounding AirPods ever." However, based on Mashable's Alex Perry's review of the AirPods 3, these buds already have the best sound quality in the game, so expect the 4th-gen to be no different.

An immersive article shows readers what a New York Times reporter has tracked for nearly a decade: Robot taxis still need human help.

Ukrainian AI company Respeecher is helping preserve the endangered Crimean Tatar language by integrating it into everyday tech.

Apple just dropped the iPhone 16 at the Sept. 9 "Glowtime" event on Monday — and curious consumers are asking, "Should I upgrade?"

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends. While the iPhone 16 lineup — which includes the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max — got unveiled with a handful of new features, the question is, do they benefit you?

I'm going to break down five categories of consumers who will gain the most advantage from upgrading for both the entry-level iPhone 16 variants and iPhone 16 Pro models.

This way, you can determine if you should make the purchase plunge — or wait until the iPhone 17.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 17: 3 credible rumors that may convince you to skip iPhone 16 iPhone owners with XS and older

Before I dive into the niches that will benefit from an iPhone 16 upgrade, it's important to note that the new iOS 18 update will officially roll out to iPhone users on Sept. 16.

iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max Credit: Mashable

However, this new update isn't rolling out to everyone. That said, if you have anything older than iPhone XR, including iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, iPhone X, and iPhone 8, and more, you'd be better off upgrading — Apple's new updates will no longer support your phone moving forward.

If you have the original iPhone SE, you should consider upgrading, too. It will not be supported by iOS 18.

Credit: Mashable

Having a phone that supports regular iOS updates means that your device remains protected from security vulnerabilities — and you'll get the latest-and-greatest software features Apple has to offer. Plus, if you have an iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max or newer, you can benefit from Apple Intelligence, the company's new suite of AI features.

Want to know what you'd be missing with the next major update? Check out some of the wildest features coming out of iOS 18.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: Should you upgrade?

Now that we got that out of the way, let's dive into which consumers will benefit from upgrading the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.

You love the idea of an intuitive button that gives you easy access to camera features

The entry-level models in the new iPhone 16 lineup are arguably the most attractive they've ever been in years. Apple typically reserves a lot of the fun new features for the upper-tier models.

Zoom in with the iPhone 16's new Camera Control feature Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

For example, last year, with the iPhone 15 series, only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models got the cool new "Action Button," a customizable side button that lets you assign apps and other features to it so you can conveniently launch them.

Credit: Apple

For the iPhone 16, Apple debuted the new Camera Control button. But this time, Apple didn't make this cool new perk exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models. You can find it across all iPhone 16 models.

The new Camera Control not only provides instant access to picture taking and video capture, but it lets you quickly do things like zooming in, swapping to the ultrawide lens, changing Photographic Styles, and more, with simple gestures. (To learn more about Camera Control, check out our hands-on experience with it.)

You want that 'Action Button'

As mentioned, only 2023's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max had the Action Button, but now you can find it on the iPhone 16.

iPhone 16 Action Button Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You can assign one of your favorite apps, whether its Gmail, Calendar, Slack, Instagram, or TikTok, to the Action Button, allowing you to access it with just a press of a button.

You want a more durable display

The updated Ceramic Shield on the new iPhone 16 models is, according to Apple, 50% tougher than the original variant that debuted on the iPhone 12. Plus, the company claims that the new-generation Ceramic Shield has twice the durability of other smartphone glass displays.

iPhone 16 in Teal Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

So if you have a cracked screen, and you tend to have butterfingers, consider upgrading to the iPhone 16. You'll get a brand new, uncracked screen — and it should be more resistant to your clumsiness (within reason, of course.)

You're getting 'FOMO' on AI features

Apple announced Apple Intelligence for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but the entire iPhone 16 lineup is getting Apple Intelligence, too.

Credit: Apple

Enjoy perks like creating your own AI-created emoji with a text prompt, a new-and-improved Siri, summarized notifications, the Clean Up tool, and more.

You love bold, vivid colors

It looks like Apple finally heard our feedback to quit all the pastel-esque, subtle colorways for the iPhone. (Mashable's Elizabeth de Luna begged Apple to roll out a deep pink color, and it looks like she got her wish.)

iPhone 16 in Pink colorway Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The iPhone 16 comes in Ultramarine, Teal, and Pink, and as someone who has seen these colors in person, they're as gorgeous as they sound.

iPhone 16 in Ultramarine colorway Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The iPhone 16 also comes in White and Black; perfect for those who like their phone colors as exciting as a tax form. (And yes, that was sarcasm.)

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max: Should you upgrade?

With the iPhone 16 Pro models, you get all the aforementioned features, as well as some updated camera features (i.e., new 48MP ultrawide sensor), improved studio-quality mics, and more.

In my opinion, the iPhone 16 Pro models are a tougher sell for Apple. Why? The audiences that will benefit from the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are more niche.

You want a mega display

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a whopping 6.9-inch display. For reference, I know of tablets that have 7-inch screens. (Hence why I jokingly called the iPhone 16 Pro Max a phablet in my hands-on).

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You may be thinking, "If the iPhone 16 Pro Max's display is nearly 7 inches big, will it feel awkward in my hands?" The answer is no. I clutched the iPhone 16 Pro Max around my fingers and it felt natural and ergonomic, settling into the contours of my hand with ease.

It also has ultra-thin bezels, giving you more screen real estate than ever.

You want super long battery life

If a long battery runtime is one of the biggest selling points for you, you'll likely get some satisfaction with the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

According to Apple, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the longest battery life ever seen on an iPhone. (But of course, we'll have to test these claims to know for sure.)

For reference, the iPhone 15 Pro Max lasted nearly 15 hours when we tested it in-house. This phone was the battery life champ for months — until the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL knocked it off its throne.

You're an on-the-go content creator

The content creator space (e.g., YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram) is competitive. If your videos aren't sharp, it'll be difficult to build an audience. As such, you'll benefit from the fact that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max can now shoot 4K videos at 120Hz.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

This means that you'll get higher-quality videos that appear smoother and zippier to your followers. Plus, editing your videos to get that cool slow-mo effect is easier than ever on the Pro models.

You record videos in loud environments

Let's say you record a video and there's too much going on in the background: wind, side conversations, and the rustling of leaves.

Audio Mix on iPhone 16 Pro models Credit: Apple

The iPhone 16 Pro models are capable of reducing unwanted noise, thanks to an easy-to-use slider lets you turn down the background cacophony to your liking.

You love to play around with music

In the Voice Memos app, if you have an existing recording, you can layer another track on top of it.

New Voice Memos feature on iPhone 16 Pro models Credit: Apple

For example, if you want to sing on top of a previously recorded beat, you can do that by simply adding another layer and hitting record.

The iPhone 16 entry-level models start at $799. The iPhone 16 Pro variants start at $999.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPhone 16 Pro $998.98
Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPhone 16 $799.00
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This iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra showdown is for OS agnostic users who don't care whether they have an iOS device or an Android.

They just want a darn-good phone.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max, in particular, warrants comparison to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra because these are both the biggest and most expensive (non-foldable) flagships that Apple and Samsung make. Both phones have the same starting price and similarities across the board regarding specs and features, but two very divergent mobile operating systems and a couple other bells and whistles make for some pretty big differences, too.

Here's how the iPhone 16 Pro Max compares to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra price and specs That purple is nice. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 and comes with the following specs:

• Apple A18 Pro chip

• 6.9-inch display

• Adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz

• 256GB starting storage

• 8GB of RAM

Samsung customers, on the other hand, must shell out $1,299, as of this writing. (Its MSRP is $1,419.99.)

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip

• 6.8-inch display

• Adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz

• 256GB starting storage

• 12GB RAM

Comparing the chipsets powering these two devices is difficult right now because Samsung went with a third-party Qualcomm chip and Apple went with in-house silicon, as it has for the past few years. It's also difficult because the iPhone 16 Pro Max isn't out yet, so we can't say which phone performs better right now.

Both phones also go up to 512GB or 1TB of storage, for an increased price, of course. We'll get into more granular display differences in a moment. But when it comes to size and refresh rate, it's basically a wash between these two phones. Apple's is 0.1-inches bigger, but they're both huge.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max $1,199.00
Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Get Deal iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra display and design

The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in four colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium.

It's a minimalist set of colors, especially considering the fact that the entry-level iPhone 16 comes in bolder colors (e.g., pink, teal, and more). The Galaxy S24 Ultra beats the iPhone 16 Pro Max handily in terms of colors, coming in Titanium Grey, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Yellow. Purple and Yellow beat grey and beige any day.

Boring. Credit: Apple

Aside from that, these two phones look about how you'd expect. Samsung positions its rear camera lenses vertically without a bump, while Apple is still using the same bump with a diagonal pattern for the lenses that it used a year ago.

Really, the colors are the big thing here. Go with your gut.

I've already covered that these two phones have almost the same size of display with the same refresh rate, Samsung beats Apple in one major area: peak brightness. Outdoors, the iPhone 16 Pro Max peaks at 2,000 nits, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra peaks at 2,600 nits. Both phones should be perfectly usable outside, but Samsung is just a bit brighter here.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features Styluses are cool! Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

On an OS level, the iPhone 16 Pro Max can do everything inherent to iOS, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra can do everything inherent to Android. These are new phones with new chips and you shouldn't be locked out of anything.

Instead, it's worth looking at AI because that's what every big phone company is leaning on this year. Apple and Samsung have their own suites of AI features, called Apple Intelligence and Galaxy AI, respectively. There isn't exact feature parity between the two, but there are some similarities. Both phones can use AI for speech translation, visual searches, and making edits on text messages or emails.

Samsung has a bit more going on photographically, with a Photoshop-like image editor that uses AI included in the Galaxy S24 Ultra, as well as the ability to turn selfies into cartoon portraits. But Apple, sooner than later, is set to offer features like a text prompt-based image generator and the ability to create custom emoji using AI.

Probably the most major difference between these two phones is Samsung's inclusion of the S Pen stylus with every S24 Ultra. The phone supports the stylus for all sorts of features (or just general daily phone usage), and you can conveniently hide the stylus in a slot on the phone itself. Maybe you don't need that, but for the people who do, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is probably the way to go.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Cameras

It's not possible to do deep and direct photo comparisons between these two phones because we don't have an iPhone 16 Pro Max in our hands yet. However, we can at least look at the specs. Here's what you get from the iPhone 16 Pro Max:

• 48MP wide lens

• 48MP ultrawide lens

• 12MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom

• 12MP selfie lens

And here's what Samsung packed into the Galaxy S24 Ultra:

• 200MP wide lens

• 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom

• 12MP ultra-wide lens

• 12MP selfie lens

As you can see, the specs are very similar with the exception of the main lenses, which have a pretty sizable gap in megapixel counts between the two of them. That said, don't just assume the Galaxy S24 Ultra's camera is better than the iPhone 16 Pro Max's just because it has more megapixels. These things often shake out quite differently in practice.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra battery life

In Mashable's battery testing, which involves looping a TikTok video on a phone's display until it dies, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lasted 13 hours and 1 minute.

There's no way of knowing yet how it compares to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but here's some food for thought: The iPhone 15 Pro Max, last year's model, came in at 14 hours and 53 minutes in the same test. Also, it's also worth noting that Apple claimed that the iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers the longest battery ever on an iPhone.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra final thoughts

Without proper and rigorous testing, we can't firmly recommend one of these phones over the other just yet. As always, your preference for iOS or Android is probably what matters the most when making this decision. Are you ashamed of green text bubbles, or do you believe that iPhone owners need to get over it? That's up to you.

These phones both seem pretty good. Credit: Apple

These phones are so similar in terms of basic specs and AI features that OS may, in fact, be the deciding factor. Unless you like styluses, at which point you should definitely get the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max $1,199.00
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TL;DR: A wide range of free online courses from Stanford University with edX.

edX is a popular online course provider that hosts absolutely loads of online courses from famous schools like Stanford University.

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These are the best Stanford University courses you can take for free this month.

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These free courses do not include certificates of completion, but that's the only catch. You can still learn at your own pace with unlimited access to all the resources on offer.

Find the best free online courses from Stanford University at edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: Stanford University Stanford University Courses Free at edX Get Deal

I have this friend — let's call him Mike because that's his name — who loves iMessage Tapbacks. You know, those little reaction bubbles that appear when you click on a text on your iPhone. Send a good joke in the group chat, and he'll give a "haha." Ask to meet at a specific time, and he'll respond with a "thumbs up." Send a corny dad joke, and you'll get a "thumbs down" in return.

You get the picture; I hate the picture.

Tapbacks are annoying, and I don't like them. Write a real response! It takes five seconds.

I fully understand this is an "old man yells at cloud" take — this series is called Don't @ Me, after all — but sometimes the grouchy take is the correct one.

Tapbacks, which is how Apple has branded reactions in iMessage, launched with iOS10 in 2016. Even at the time, people were calling it lazy. Those people were correct.

Text messages should be a place for familiarity. It is primarily a place for conversation. Why would we willingly turn it into a workplace-like chat? Or, worse, social media? Do you want your conversation with friends to resemble Instagram, with mindless Likes sprayed about? Do you want it to look like Slack, where you thumbs up your latest assignment?

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Just answer your texts. Write a couple of words. I know I sound like a Boomer complaining that nobody makes phone calls anymore — but seriously, are our lives so busy, our attention so short that we cannot be bothered to do more than a Tapback reaction? If I'm giving you comedy gold in the group chat, I want a hahaha or a lmao or, hell, even a lol.

I understand I am in the minority here. Most people use and like Tapbacks — one coworker at Mashable couldn't comprehend how I'd communicate without them. It's impossible to ignore the fact that they do hold some utility. Thumbs-upping a message like "Dinner's at six" makes sense. But watch any horridly long tech event, and you'll see a long parade of executives touting how efficient their tech will make your life. But a good portion of communication with loved ones happens over tech. I neither need nor want Tapbacks to make those conversations more efficient.

I should tell my buddy, "Sounds great, excited to see you," instead of mindlessly reacting to a text making plans. It's a little thing but a thing that matters. My life doesn't need to be reduced to its finest parts. I don't need to reclaim a minuscule amount of time at the expense of another human being on the other end of my inbox.

Think about it. What feels better: a thumbs up or a "sounds great?" An "omg that's cool" or a heart? A "gahahaha" or a little haha emoji?

SEE ALSO: No one agrees on what iMessage Tapbacks actually mean

Let's also not forget there's still no consensus on how to interpret some Tapbacks. They can easily come off as dismissive, rude, and passive-aggressive. A thumbs up so easily becomes the dreaded "ok." Perhaps some of this confusion will be alleviated with expanded emoji Tapbacks in iOS18.

I'm not saying to remove Tapbacks from your life entirely, though I rarely use them. They have utility for business-like interactions. But we must realize that Tapbacks are an insidious part of a broader movement to make our lives as efficient as possible. And do we need or want that? Do you need to signal to a friend that you're too busy to type five words? That you can't be bothered to have a reaction of your own? You don't need to heart or thumbs-up everything and everyone in your life. Use your words.

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Opens in a new window Credit: SplitmediaLabs XSplit Broadcaster Premium: Lifetime Subscription (Windows) $59.99
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Opens in a new window Credit: Windscribe Windscribe VPN Pro Plan: 3-Yr Subscription $79.00
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Opens in a new window Credit: Evaris Media Undetectable Humanizer: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
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Jon Stewart has broken down the key moments of the Harris-Trump presidential debate.

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 Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, September 11, 2024:

Across"You're slaying!," to a drag queen

• The answer is Werk.

"Same here"

• The answer is SodoI.

"Pipe" or "pump" instrument

• The answer is organ.

Ran away from the scene

• The answer is fled.

Things often skipped while listening to podcasts

• The answer is ads.

DownNew York ___, newspaper that published the first crossword puzzle (1913)

• The answer is World.

A cube has 12 of them

• The answer is edges.

The Beatles sang about a long and winding one

• The answer is road.

Family members, collectively

• The answer is kin.

Place for a couch potato

• The answer is sofa.

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 Games

Are 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 Mashable

By 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 11 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 11 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Play-with words

These words are fun.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers all relate to children's toys.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is ToyStore.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 10

• Truck

• Puzzle

• Tricycle

• ToyStore

• Blocks

• Puppet

• Doll

• Slime

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!

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Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has named Australia's viral Olympic breakdancer Rachael "Raygun" Gunn as the No. 1 B-Girl in the world. Sure, why not.

Raygun rose to international notoriety during the Paris Olympics, with her widely panned moves failing to score her a single point across all six rounds in all three battles she danced in. Of particular note was a move in which she curled her hands in front of her and hopped like a kangaroo. Her performance quickly went viral, with people across the globe mocking her unorthodox style.

SEE ALSO: Viral Australian breakdancer Raygun stands by her moves in first post-Olympic interview

Despite this, Raygun has now managed to snag the top place on the WDSF Breaking World Ranking List of B-Girls. She is currently followed in rankings by Riko Tsuhako from Japan and Anna "Stefani" Ponomarenko of Ukraine. Australian breakdancers Molly Therese "Holy Molly" Chapman and Hannah Georgina Belet are ranked fourth and fifth, having also won second and third place at the competition where Raygun qualified for this year's Olympic Games.

How did Raygun become the No. 1 B-Girl in the world? Credit: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

According to WDSF, its world rankings are governed by the organisation's Breaking Rules and Regulations Manual and are based on each competitor's top four performances at ranking events within the past 12 months. 

However, such events were deliberately suspended from the start of this year in the lead up to the Paris Olympics. In a statement released on Tuesday, the WDSF said that this was in order to allow dancers to focus on qualifying for the Olympics without having to split their attention to ranking events.

While most of the Olympic qualifying breaking events were held in 2023 (including the Oceania Breaking Championships which resulted in Raygun's qualification), the final Olympic Qualifiers Series were held in May and June 2024. The results of both these qualifiers and the Olympic Games themselves weren't taken into account when determining the WDSF's rankings "due to limited athlete quotas."

Due to this disruption in the competitive breaking circuit, the WDSF noted that many competitors only had a single event contributing to their ranking. As such, Raygun's 2180 points across two events was enough to snag her the top position. 

Credit: Screenshot: Mashable

"Until WDSF ranking events recommence later this year, therefore, the world rankings as they currently stand should be interpreted in conjunction with results from recent global Breaking competitions for a more accurate reflection of the global competitive landscape," said WDSF.

Riko technically earned more points overall than Raygun as well. However, the WDSF stated that more weight was given to Raygun's 1000 points from the Oceania Breaking Championships than Riko's 1000 from the Breaking for Gold World Series, as the former is considered a higher-level competition.

Basically, Raygun is only ranked first in the world right now due to a few technicalities. Even so, it's unlikely she'll hold her No. 1 position for long. Raygun's WDSF ranking points from the Oceania Breaking Championships are due to expire at the end of October, the same month another competition will be held in Shanghai.

Raygun stands by her Olympic performance Credit: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

Raygun recently defended her Olympic performance in her first interview after the event, attributing the deluge of criticism she'd received to "people not being very familiar with breaking." When asked whether she thought she was the best breakdancer in Australia, the 37-year-old stated that she believes her "record speaks to that."

"It's just a different approach in breaking," Raygun told Australian talk show The Project. "You have the athletics style breakers, you also have the more artistic style breakers, and all of them are very valid."

Even so, the general public remains largely unconvinced. 

Reddit Reddit Breakers vs. The World DanceSport Federation Credit: Elsa / Getty Images

Unfortunately for the WDSF, the organisation's continued insistence on Raygun's skills has only undermined its authority to many who saw her performance with their own eyes. Some have further questioned the WDSF's suitability to govern breaking at all, particularly as the organisation's roots are in competitive ballroom dancing. 

These criticisms aren't new. In 2017 over 2000 people signed a Change.org petition by B-Boy Serouj "Midus" Aprahamian entitled "Get the WDSF's Hands Off Hip-Hop". Like Raygun, Midus is also a university professor with a focus on dance. Unlike Raygun, he stated in his petition that WDSF "has absolutely no connection or credibility with any legitimate entity in the worldwide breaking community." Midus accused the WDSF of pivoting to breaking merely to get a foothold in the Olympics, with the hope of eventually convincing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to add ballroom dancing.

Though the WDSF has denied such accusations, it had initially contracted consultant Jean-Laurent Bourquin to petition the IOC for ballroom dancing's inclusion in the Olympics. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Bourquin convinced the WDSF to shift its focus to breaking as having a better chance of success. Sadly, he hadn't realised at the time that the WDSF held no authority in the breaking community.

The end result is the situation we are now living in, with breakdancing bringing to mind Australian university lecturers kangaroo hopping at the Olympics. Considering the international attention Raygun garnered with her performance, it's likely to be a while before that association fades.

TL;DR: Watch Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The next WNBA fixture is coming up and the latest teams to the court are the Seattle Storm and Los Angeles Sparks. The Seattle Storm have already claimed their postseason spot, but it's sadly all over for the Los Angeles Sparks who have been eliminated from playoff contention.

If you want to watch Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.

When is Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks?

Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Sept. 11. This fixture takes place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

How to watch Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks

You can watch Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks with the WNBA League Pass. However, keep in mind that the WNBA League Pass might not live stream locally televised games in the participating teams' local areas.

You can get around this with just a few simple steps, however. You'll need to use a VPN, a tool that works by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to secure servers in other locations. This means you can watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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.

Stream Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Through Sept. 29, you can sign up for a 1-year subscription to Windscribe VPN Pro Plan for only £37.43.

Having a VPN seems essential nowadays with the thousands of cyber criminals roaming the web.

Along with providing digital safety, a VPN can also help you maintain online privacy from your internet service provider, who may or may not be keeping track of your activity. And some VPNs like Windscribe go the extra mile to shield you from being bombarded with pesky ads whenever you hop online. Right now at the Mashable Shop, the price of 1, 2, and 3-year subscriptions to Windscribe have been reduced for a limited time.

Available as both a desktop app and a browser extension, Windscribe works to protect your online privacy, help you bypass geo-restrictions, and remove ads and trackers from your everyday browsing. Touted for its simplicity, the service features a no-frills interface, so you won't have to deal with confusing settings to enjoy digital protection.

Free VPNs often come with strings attached, with many providers collecting your data and selling them to third parties. Windscribe prides itself on a strict no-logging policy and anonymous sign-up, meaning you won't even have to provide an email address.

Windscribe has servers spread across 69 countries and 112 cities worldwide. There are bonus features you may find helpful, too, including Time Warping (changing your timezone to make it appear like you're somewhere else), Cookie Monster (keeping track of cookies and deleting them upon closing the tab), and Split Personality (rotating your user agent to lessen the chances of basic fingerprinting).

Grab an exclusive 1-year Windscribe VPN Pro Plan for only £37.43 (reg. £52.71) through Sept. 29 at 11:59 pm PST. 

Prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Windscribe Windscribe VPN Pro Plan: 1-Year Subscription £37.43 at the Mashable Shop
£52.71 Save £15.28 Get Deal

TL;DR: Live stream the final match of the England vs. Australia T20 international series for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

T20 cricket is a lot of fun, and even though the upcoming T20 series between England and Australia will be seen by some as a warm up to the upcoming ODI series, it doesn't change the fact that both sides will be desperate to win every match. This is England vs. Australia we're talking about. It doesn't get much bigger than this.

If you want to watch the England vs. Australia T20 international series for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is England vs. Australia?

The England vs. Australia T20 international series takes place on the following dates:

• England vs. Australia (T20 1 of 3) —6:30 p.m. BST on Sept. 11

• England vs. Australia (T20 2 of 3) — 6:30 p.m. BST on Sept. 13

• England vs. Australia (T20 3 of 3) — 2:30 p.m. BST on Sept. 15

The good news is that the final match is available to live stream for free.

How to watch England vs. Australia for free

The final match of the England vs. Australia T20 international series is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access free live streams on BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of England vs. Australia by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream England vs. Australia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the final England vs. Australia match without committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream the T20 game before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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.

Stream the final match of the England vs. Australia T20 international series for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The next WNBA fixture sees the Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky come together to battle it out. The Chicago Sky have already claimed their postseason spot, but the Washington Mystics are still hoping to secure the last available place. Currently fighting for this spot alongside the Atlanta Dream, this is a game you won't want to miss.

If you want to watch Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.

When is Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky?

Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky in the WNBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Sept. 11. This fixture takes place at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

How to watch Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky

You can watch Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky with the WNBA League Pass.

However, bear in mind that the WNBA League Pass might not live stream locally televised games in the participating teams' local areas.

You can get around this with just a few simple steps. You'll need to use a VPN, a tool that works by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to secure servers in other locations. This means you can watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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.

Stream Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The next WNBA fixture sees Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever go head-to-head. Both teams have secured their playoff positions, so will be looking to improve their positioning. This is especially true for the Indiana Fever, who sit in sixth place right now.

If you want to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.

When is Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever?

Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever in the WNBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 11. This fixture takes place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

How to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever

You can catch the remainder of the 2024 WNBA season with the WNBA League Pass.

However, it's worth noting that the WNBA League Pass might not show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. But all you need to get around this is a VPN. These tools work by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to secure servers in other locations. This means you can watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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.

Stream Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Everyone's favorite childless cat lady, Taylor Swift, took to Instagram on Sept. 10 to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris after the presidential debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump.

SEE ALSO: Swifties for Kamala: How Taylor Swift fans are creating a new blueprint for political organizing

Swift wrote, "I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them."

This comes after Trump shared AI-generated images of both Swift and her fans on Truth Social, falsely claiming both the Tortured Poets Department singer and Swifties endorsed his campaign for re-election. (Meanwhile, a cohort of Swift fans created Swifties for Kamala to campaign for the Vice President.) Swift addressed Trump's claims, writing, "Recently I was made aware that AI of 'me' falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this."

View this post on Instagram

In recent weeks, pressure has been mounting for Swift to get political following the AI incident and the photograph she took hugging Trump supporter Brittany Mahomes at the U.S. Open.

In 2020, a month before the presidential election, she endorsed President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris in a V Magazine article. She also posted a photo holding Biden Harris 2020 cookies to social media. But in the past couple of years, Swift has reached unprecedented levels of stardom, leading to questions over whether she would risk her career highs to endorse Harris publicly.

Tweet may have been deleted

Swift first broke her silence on political issues in 2018 when she endorsed Tennessee U.S. Senate candidate Phil Bredesen, calling his opponent Marsha Blackburn "Trump in a wig." Her decision to talk about politics was a major focus of her 2020 documentary, Miss Americana. It shows her, her father, and her team discuss her choice to come out for Bredesen. On the verge of tears she expresses regret that she didn't use her voice against Trump in 2016. "I can't change that...I need to be on the right side of history," she said in the documentary.

She's since posted several Instagram posts about Black Lives Matter, tweeted about her terror after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and encouraged her followers to vote, resulting in 35,000 new registrations.

Now, she's taken the opportunity to come out against Trump and for the potential first female president, something "The Man" singer can certainly get behind.