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NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 4

Mashable - Wed, 09/04/2024 - 04:37

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 4, 2024:

AcrossUnwanted emails
  • The answer is spam.

Glam rock?
  • The answer is geode.

Symbol on an "I'm With Stupid" shirt
  • The answer is arrow.

What a fitness tracker counts
  • The answer is steps.

Future's opposite
  • The answer is past.

DownBig name in mattresses
  • The answer is Serta.

Distinctive features of a sponge
  • The answer is pores.

Take into one's family
  • The answer is adopt.

Cries from a kitten
  • The answer is mews.

[I'm shocked ... shocked!]
  • 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 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.

NYT Strands hints, answers for September 4

Mashable - Wed, 09/04/2024 - 04:33

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 4 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: American beauty

These words are quite the sites.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The 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 today

Today's spangram is NationalParks.

NYT Strands word list for September 4
  • Redwood

  • 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.

Get this all-in-one PDF editor and OCR scanner for just £38.15

Mashable - Wed, 09/04/2024 - 00:00

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 app

UPDF 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 type 

With 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 Shop
£114.45 Save £76.30 Get Deal

How to watch Haddad Maia vs. Muchova in the 2024 US Open online for free

Mashable - Wed, 09/04/2024 - 00:00

TL;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 free

Fans 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:

  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 Australia or New Zealand

  4. Visit 9Now or TVNZ+

  5. Watch Haddad Maia vs. Muchova in the 2024 US Open 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 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.

How to watch Swiatek vs. Pegula in the 2024 US Open online for free

Mashable - Wed, 09/04/2024 - 00:00

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 free

Fans 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:

  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 Australia or New Zealand

  4. Visit 9Now or TVNZ+

  5. Watch Swiatek vs. Pegula in the 2024 US Open 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 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.

How to watch Sinner vs. Medvedev in the 2024 US Open online for free

Mashable - Wed, 09/04/2024 - 00:00

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 free

Fans 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:

  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 Australia or New Zealand

  4. Visit 9Now or TVNZ+

  5. Watch Sinner vs. Medvedev in the 2024 US Open 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 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.

How to watch Draper vs. De Minaur in the 2024 US Open online for free

Mashable - Wed, 09/04/2024 - 00:00

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 free

Fans 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:

  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 Australia or New Zealand

  4. Visit 9Now or TVNZ+

  5. Watch Draper vs. De Minaur in the 2024 US Open 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 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.

How to unblock Redtube for free

Mashable - Wed, 09/04/2024 - 00:00

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 free

VPNs 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:

  1. Sign up for a 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 that supports access to Redtube

  4. Visit Redtube

  5. Watch Redtube content 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 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:

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy

  • Fast streaming 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.

Unblock Redtube for free with ExpressVPN.

Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 4

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 22:00

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.

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 4

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 21:00

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 deleted

Each 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 deleted

Players 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 categories

Want 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

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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 today
  • Very 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.

Dell is giving the XPS 13 laptop a Lunar Lake upgrade, and you can pre-order it now

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 16:51

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.com
Pre-Order Here

Dell'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 staff

Beyond 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."

'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' review: Tim Burton's triumphant return is rightfully deranged

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 16:11

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 Inc

Beetlejuice 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. Pictures

Devotees 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. Pictures

O'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. Pictures

There'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. Pictures

Refashioned 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.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold battery life: It lasts 3 hours and 22 minutes longer than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 16:00

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 / Mashable

One, 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 life

According 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 / Mashable

This 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's X / Twitter has a new TV app dedicated to watching videos

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 15:06

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 video

The 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.

Amy Adams transforms into a dog in wild 'Nightbitch' trailer

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 14:46
"Nightbitch," based on the novel by Rachel Yoder, sees Adams playing a stay-at-home mother who thinks she's becoming a dog.

PlayStation shuts down 'Concord' two weeks after launch

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 13:12

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 flop

If 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.

This ChatGPT pizza is a hit — here's what's in it

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 13:08

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.

Prep for cozy season with our favorite Kindle, currently on sale at Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 13:03

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 Amazon
$264.97 Save $32.00 Get Deal

Welcome 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.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review: The most comfortable foldable yet

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 13:00

I may never have the combination of deep pockets and genuine interest that'll motivate me to purchase a foldable phone. But if I ever do, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold would most likely be at the top of my list. 

Google’s debut foldable, last year’s Pixel Fold, was a respectable enough effort, but its hefty form factor kept it from greatness, especially compared to the competition (i.e., the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5).

This year, however, Google may have taken the top spot with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a renamed successor to the Pixel Fold with better displays both inside and out, plus a killer redesign that makes it the most comfortable foldable I’ve used yet.

Sure, I’m not a huge fan of Google’s recent AI push, but if you ignore that stuff, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold might be the winner of the whole Pixel 9 family. Just as long as you can swing $1,799 — and don’t mind missing out on a few premium Pixel 9 Pro features.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold price and specs From behind. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Just like the Pixel Fold, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts at $1,799. Here’s what that gets you:

  • 8-inch interior display

  • 6.3-inch external screen

  • Tensor G4 processor

  • 16GB RAM

  • 256GB storage

The only other option when you buy a Pixel 9 Pro Fold is 512GB storage, which balloons the price up to $1,919. It’s a little puzzling that there’s no 1TB option, considering the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers that. One key trend you’ll notice with Pixel 9 Pro Fold is that it’s the most expensive phone with “Pixel 9” in the name, but it’s missing a couple of key premium bonuses that you’d get with a Pixel 9 Pro.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold design Look at how thin that thing is. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

While the other three Pixel 9 phones all feel iterative in terms of hardware redesigns (sporting new flat edges and a different camera visor on the back, but changing little else), the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a pretty substantial change from its predecessor. Here are the exact dimensions:

  • Folded: 6.1-inch height x 3-inch width x 0.4-inch depth

  • Unfolded: 6.1-inch height x 5.9-inch width x 0.2-inch depth

  • 9.1 oz weight

When folded, the new foldable is both taller and more narrow than the old one. Aside from that, Google has made it remarkably light and thin. The weight is the most noticeable difference; Google shaved nearly an entire ounce off of this phone from year to year, going from 9.98 oz to 9.1 oz.

Even when folded, it's thin and light. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

With a shocking 0.2-inches of depth when unfolded (and only 0.4-inches when folded), combined with the new lighter weight, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is easily the most comfortable foldable I’ve ever held. It feels fantastic to use in either configuration, notably moreso than the Pixel Fold did. Last year’s model was just a little too wide and heavy for use as a regular phone when folded, but Google totally fixed that this year.

I found myself using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold in its folded configuration most of the time, barely even noticing I was holding a foldable.

One ding against the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's design is the choice of colors. You just get Obsidian and Porcelain, or black and white, in other words. Boring!

Pixel 9 Pro Fold displays This outside screen is great, too. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Like any foldable in this form factor, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has two displays. Here are the exact specs for each:

  • 6.3-inch internal display with 20:9 aspect ratio, 1080 x 2424 resolution, adaptive refresh rate between 60 and 120Hz

  • 8-inch external display with 2076 x 2152 resolution, adaptive refresh rate between 1 and 120Hz

Both of these displays top out at 2,700 nits of peak brightness, which is the same as the Pixel 9 and is remarkably nice for when you’re outside in direct sunlight. I really don’t have a bad word to say about either screen here. 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.

The same goes for the external display. Honestly. I preferred reading articles on that to reading them on my regular iPhone. Google bumped the external display up from 5.8-inches to 6.3-inches, making it identical in screen size to the Pixel 9. This adds to the notion that you feel like you’re using a regular flagship smartphone when the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is folded, rather than using a weird bulky thing that’s a little uncomfortable whether folded or unfolded, as was the case with the original Pixel Fold.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold foldable features Made you look! Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

One of the better aspects of the Pixel Fold was its suite of useful and intuitive foldable UI features. Google didn’t reinvent nor even really change the wheel here, as far as I can tell.

When unfolded, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold still lets you swipe up from the bottom of the screen to pull up a customizable taskbar full of your most commonly used apps. You can tap an app to open it normal-style, or drag two apps up from the taskbar to have more than one open at once. The display is certainly large enough for multitasking, just as the Pixel Fold’s was. Essentially, what worked well a year ago still holds up today.

The only really unique new addition worth mentioning is “Made You Look,” a frankly adorable feature that is one of the most useful applications of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s outer display in photography yet. The idea is that you unfold the phone, activate the rear camera, and pick from one of a few cute little animations to play on the outer screen. The subject of your photo (ideally, a small child) will look at the animation, at which point it will do something fun and make the kid smile while looking directly at the camera.

I have to be honest: I don’t have any kids, so testing this in the real-world is challenging. But I got hands-on with it at a Google event and it works as advertised on adults, so I imagine it might work on children, too.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold AI features Pixel Screenshots (seen here on a regular Pixel 9 phone) is the best use of AI on these devices. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

Unfortunately, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold suffers from the same AI nonsense as every other Pixel 9 phone. I wrote about this at length in my Pixel 9 review, so I don’t want to repeat myself too much. I’ll keep this brief:

Google keeps leaning on generative AI features, largely having to do with photography, that I feel take the zest out of life. Having the ability to take a photo of a road and turn it into a river is cool, but it’s not as cool as just taking a photo of a river. The same goes for using the new “Add Me” feature to create group photos that never happened; a fake will never count as much as the real thing. Rinse and repeat for things like using AI to write text messages or emails for you. 

The Pixel 9 family uses AI to do all of these things and more. Aside from a new Pixel Screenshots app that is a legitimately useful searchable database of all the screenshots you’ve ever snapped, these are all just party tricks with very little real-world use. 

Pixel 9 Pro Fold performance

Performance-wise, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is right in line with the other Pixel 9 phones, in that daily usage feels fine, but the metrics don’t paint a super pretty picture.

Compared to the other Pixel 9 phones, the Fold is looking great. Its 4,706 Geekbench multi-core score is the highest of the bunch, as one would expect and hope from the most expensive phone in Google’s lineup this year. The only problem is that 2023’s Samsung Galaxy S23, which isn’t even the newest Samsung flagship, has a higher score at 4,977.

I don’t really know what to make of this, especially considering the Pixel 9 Pro Fold feels great to use on a practical basis. I never noticed any slowdowns; apps loaded quickly. And the phone never got hot on me, which was a problem with the Pixel Fold. I trust my gut on this; I can confidently say the Pixel 9 Pro Fold performs just fine, but the numbers aren’t particularly kind to it.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold battery

On the surface, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's battery life doesn't look as good as its Pixel 9 brethren, but that's not actually the case. 

That’s according to our testing, anyway, which involved looping a TikTok video on the internal display at 50 percent brightness until the battery died. This took 16 hours and six minutes, which is a couple hours short of where the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL landed using the same testing. My only hypothesis here is that the bigger internal display uses more battery life.

Considering that this is a device with two displays and thus a lot more screen real estate to render at all times, I'd say 16 hours is actually really good.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold cameras

Another weird blip for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the camera array. Specs-wise, it's basically the same as last year:

  • 48MP main lens

  • 10.5MP ultra-wide lens

  • 10.8MP telephoto lens

  • 10MP selfie cameras both folded and unfolded

I think it's strange that the less expensive Pixel 9 Pro has, at least in terms of megapixel counts, a better camera array. That phone has a 50MP wide lens with 48MP ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. It's also capable of 30x zoom, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is only capable of 20x zoom. Both phones have access to all of the same camera algorithms and AI features, at least.

Even if the specs aren't remarkable for the price, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold does produce some good shots. Having 20x zoom is better than having no zoom.

Left: No zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable Right: 20x zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

The ultra-wide lens is real nice, too.

Brooklyn at sunset is great. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

After sunset, Night Sight is still able to produce quality low-light shots, though I didn't notice any particular improvements over last year.

Night Sight had to do a lot of work here. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Night Sight works with Portrait Mode, too.

Portrait Mode with Night Sight. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable Is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold worth it?

I’m not a foldable guy at heart — and I likely never will be. But if that changes, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold is at the top of the podium — for now.

That’s almost entirely because of how comfortable it is to hold. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is so light and thin that you almost forget it’s a foldable. Combine that with bigger and better displays inside and out, and you get a device that looks and feels incredible to use. 

Sure, I don’t love Google’s suite of AI features, but they’re easier to ignore on a phone that has a gigantic inner display that you can use for watching movies and reading books. I wish its storage and camera features were at least on par with the Pixel 9 Pro, but those couple of complaints aside, Google made a heck of a jump from year one to year two of its foldable experiment.

Don't sleep on all the Best Buy Labor Day deals still live now

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 12:33

These are the best deals still live during the Best Buy Labor Day Sale as of September 3:

Best Buy Labor Day Sale Deals Still Live Now Best Tech Deal Apple MacBook Air, 14-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 at Best Buy (Save $200) Get Deal Best Headphones Deal Sonos Ace $399 at Best Buy (Save $50) Get Deal Best Appliance Deal Samsung Bespoke 29 Cu. Ft. 4-Door Flex French Door Refrigerator $2,049.99 at Best Buy (Save $2,050) Get Deal

Labor Day may have come and gone, but that doesn't mean all the deals have dried up, too. Eagle-eyed shoppers can still take advantage of plenty of sales that are still live right now. Case in point: some of the discounts that were part of the Best Buy Labor Day Sale are still available now, so you can rack up the deals while supplies last.

Though these deals were originally scheduled to disappear on Monday, September 2, it looks like many of them have been extended. We've sifted through all the discounts that are still available now, and there are still tons of different goods on sale. Essentially, if you see something, snag it while you can. There's no telling when things will disappear from virtual shelves or those prices will jump back up.

Below, find some of our favorite last-minute picks from the Best Buy Labor Day Sale that are still live. Add to your cart, no promo code required, and stack up the savings.

Best tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Our pick: Apple MacBook Air, 14-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799.00 at Best Buy
$999.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you've been looking to pick up a MacBook without breaking the bank, this is an excellent price for an affordable model that's still more than capable of running the latest version of MacOS. It's light, ultra-thin, and portable. It comes with a 14-inch Liquid Retina display as well as 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD and a 1080p HD webcam, which makes it great for taking classes or keeping up with friends and family on the go. This reduced price takes this laptop into a more affordable category alongside some of its competitors as well, so if you're a student, or just prefer Macs, it's worth taking the plunge.

More tech deals:Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Our pick: Sonos Ace $399.00 at Best Buy
$449.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Sonos Ace cans are a great option for heavy hitting headphones at a discounted price. Mashable Deputy Editor Miller Kern reviewed the headphones and proclaimed them worth buying for "true audiophiles" and those with a Sonos ecosystem at home. They're lightweight at just 11 ounces, offer up to 30 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation turned on, and can connect via Bluetooth or USB-C, complete with fast charging that grants three hours of playback with three minutes on the charger.

More headphone deals:Best appliance deal Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Our pick: Samsung 4-Door Flex French Door Refrigerator $2,049.99 at Best Buy
$4,099.99 Save $2,050.00 Get Deal Why we like it

It's time to upgrade to a smart fridge. This Samsung model is all about keeping things convenient. It's a roomy appliance with a special Beverage Zone that can keep your drinks and desserts cooled to your choice, with customizable door panels, an auto-open door, automatic ice maker, and a UV deodorizing filter to keep things clean and sanitary. It can integrate with your Samsung SmartThings ecosystem and can assist you with lowering your monthly energy bill. There's even an automatic light that goes on as you get closer so you can get a quick view of what you have in the fridge.

More appliance deals:

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