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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: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 12 SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for September 11 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: This could be right up your alley

These words are as much about the journey as the destination.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers all relate to types of paths.

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 Thoroughfare.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 12

• Lane

• Street

• Road

• Avenue

• Highway

• Boulevard

• Thoroughfare

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.

If you’ve spent any time on Instagram lately, you’ve probably heard of gua sha. The traditional Chinese practice, which involves using a tool to scrape across the skin to treat various illnesses or pain, has exploded in popularity over the past few years with celebrities, influencers, and skincare fans raving about the beauty benefits. As countless gua sha tools have emerged claiming to deliver incredible results, it can be hard to tell which tools are worth the investment versus those that are jumping on the beauty bandwagon.

SEE ALSO: Slugging, gua sha, rice water, and more: How stolen cultural beauty practices feed viral videos

Enter the ProSculpt Gua Sha by YouthLab. Marketed as a “next generation” tool, this device pairs the form factor of traditional gua sha with added heat, vibration, and red light therapy, making it the ultimate all-in-one beauty tool for those looking to make the most out of their gua sha practice. But is it actually effective? 

First impressions of the ProSculpt Gua Sha

Straight out of the box, I wasn’t super impressed with the ProSculpt Gua Sha. The lightweight device features a plastic casing, with a removable lid over the stainless steel massage tool. With a single button to toggle between four different settings and a covered USB charging port, it’s shaped like many of the stone or metal gua sha tools available today, but the light plastic exterior makes it feel a little cheap. 

This probably isn't something you want to display prominently on your vanity. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

The device itself is easy to use — just press the power button, and it comes roaring to life in the vibration and red light mode, and it’s a simple click to toggle between the other three modes: heat and red light; heat and vibration; and heat, vibration, and red light. I tried each of the different modes, but I mostly stuck with the last one since it was so different from my trusty rose quartz gua sha tool, and I wanted to see if the added features would be worth the upgrade. 

From there, the device works like any other gua sha tool. I followed the brief instructions in the manual, applying my favorite facial oil to my skin before starting the process, and gently scraping the device across my face, neck, and jawline with light to medium pressure. 

What I liked about it: Heat and battery life

First, I was surprised by how much I liked the added heat benefit of the gua sha tool. It took a few seconds to warm up, but it felt amazing on my skin — especially after a long day. One of my favorite ways to use the tool was to massage the area between my eyebrows, where I tend to carry a lot of facial tension, and the heat made the massage feel even better. 

The heated massage did feel nice — until it got too hot. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

The device also held its charge pretty well, so I didn’t need to charge it very often. Plus, I liked having the little plastic lid so I could store it without worrying about getting it dirty. Unfortunately, what I liked about the device pretty much stopped there.

What I didn’t like: Poor design and questionable benefits

There are countless skincare devices on the market claiming to different technologies to boost your skin’s health and appearance, and — while some are effective — others feel more like gimmicks. And, as much as I liked the added heat provided by the ProSculpt Gua Sha, it fell into the latter category for me. 

The longer I used the tool, the hotter the device got — uncomfortably so — until I was worried it might damage my skin. The vibration feature which claims to use 8,000 rpm micro-vibrations to “shake up sluggish skin cells”, didn’t really feel good or bad — nor did I feel like it was doing anything. And, while red light therapy is certainly a popular skincare technique that boasts potential benefits like treating wrinkles, acne, scarring, and more, the built-in red light was incredibly dim. It also sat behind the metal plate, pointing outward more than downward, so the light was further away and didn’t really feel like it was penetrating my skin. 

Plus, the device was incredibly hard to keep clean. Because I was using facial oil to help the device glide over my skin, the oil ended up all over the device — not just the metal massage plate — and it ended up sticky and covered in grime even after wiping it clean. 

Is the ProSculpt Gua Sha worth it? 

Honestly, this device is a hard pass for me. I love gua sha, and I think it’s an incredibly effective technique — in the past, it’s helped depuff my face, reduce facial tension, and improve my skin’s overall appearance — but those benefits happened with just a simple rose quartz gua sha. And if I want the benefits of red light therapy, I'll reach for my Solawave wand over this tool.

Yes, technically, the ProSculpt Gua Sha “worked” when it comes to the benefits of gua sha. My face was less puffy, my neck and facial tension were reduced, and it was a great way to relax at the end of the day…but it didn’t feel much different from a traditional gua sha tool. The heat felt nice, but none of the other features felt like they did anything. I didn’t notice any improvements that were better than any other gua sha tool, so it didn’t feel worth the $45 price tag.

YouthLab ProSculpt Gua Sha $39.99 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $5.00 Shop Now

SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission finally launched on Tuesday, after a series of delays pushed back its commencement date. Now the crew of the private spaceflight are scheduled to take the first ever commercial spacewalk — and the entire thing will be livestreamed so we can watch it here from Earth.

Launched via a Falcon 9 rocket on Sept. 10, the Crew Dragon Resilience reached its highest point of around 1,400km (870 miles) above Earth on the second day of its five-day mission. Today's spacewalk will take place a little closer to home though, with crewmembers scheduled to attempt the world's first all-civilian spacewalk on day three at approximately 700km (435 miles) up.

SEE ALSO: Japanese billionaire cancels private SpaceX moon mission, crew devastated How to watch SpaceX's Polaris Dawn spacewalk

If all goes to plan, two members of Polaris Dawn's all-civilian crew will attempt the first commercial spacewalk on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 5:58 a.m. EDT / 2:58 a.m. PDT. The livestream will begin approximately one hour prior to this at 4:55 a.m. EDT / 1:55 a.m. PDT.

You'll be able to watch the spacewalk on the SpaceX website, SpaceX's X account, and on the recently launched X TV app if you actually installed it. Space.com will also host a livestream on YouTube (embedded below).

If all doesn't go to plan and today's spacewalk is cancelled, Polaris Dawn's crew will try again tomorrow.

What are the objectives of Polaris Dawn's spacewalk? Credit: SpaceX

Though the thrill of being in space is undoubtedly enough for Polaris Dawn's crew, today's spacewalk does have a purpose. Polaris Dawn's spacewalk will be the first outing of SpaceX's Extravehicular Activity (EVA) suit, with the civilian crew putting it to the test. 

Unveiled this May, the EVA suits build on the Intravehicular Activity (IVA) suits previously worn by those aboard Crew Dragon spaceflights. The EVA's 3D-printed helmet includes an updated visor designed to reduce glare, as well as a new heads-up display and camera. This can show wearers information on their suit's pressure, temperature, and relative humidity.

"Developed with mobility in mind, SpaceX teams incorporated new materials, fabrication processes, and novel joint designs to provide greater flexibility to astronauts in pressurized scenarios while retaining comfort for unpressurized scenarios," SpaceX wrote in May. "The suit also incorporates enhancements for reliability and redundancy during a spacewalk, adding seals and pressure valves to help ensure the suit remains pressurized and the crew remains safe."

The EVA's design is also intended to be scalable in order to allow people of different sizes and body types to venture into space. According to SpaceX, this is a step toward creating thousands of spacesuits to establish "a base on the Moon and a city on Mars."

Tweet may have been deleted

Today's civilian spacewalk is just one of several mission objectives for Polaris Dawn. Yesterday the Resilience's 1,400km apogee achieved Polaris Dawn's goal of reaching the highest Earth orbit since the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Apollo program. Polaris Dawn's crew also intends to conduct 36 studies and experiments, researching human health as well as testing Starlink's laser-based communications in space. 

Who is on Polaris Dawn's spacewalk? The crew of SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission. From left to right: Mission Commander Jared Isaacman, Mission Pilot Scott "Kidd" Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon. Credit: SpaceX

Polaris Dawn has a crew of four, led by Mission Commander Jared Isaacman. The billionaire CEO of payment processing company Shift4, Isaacman was previously commander of SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission, the world's first all-civilian spaceflight.

Accompanying Isaacman is Mission Pilot and retired U.S. Air Force member Scott "Kidd" Poteet. SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon are also on board as Mission Specialists, with the latter also serving as the mission's Medical Officer. Both Gillis and Menon are Lead Space Operations Engineers at SpaceX.

Not all of the Resilence's crew will exit the spacecraft during the spacewalk. Isaacman and Gillis are currently the only people scheduled to emerge from the Crew Dragon today, doing so one after the other rather than simultaneously. However, all four crew members will still don SpaceX's EVA suits and be exposed to the vacuum of space. This is because the Crew Dragon lacks an airlock, so opening it up to let Isaacman and Gillis out will require the entire spacecraft to be depressurised.

The spacewalk is scheduled to last for two hours, from the initial venting of the Resilience to its repressurisation. Isaacman and Gillis' actual external spacewalk is expected to last around 20 minutes per person.

Among the most polarizing of the movies shown at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival was The End, a two-and-a-half-hour musical about humanity's last days on Earth. 

Far from the show-stopping spectacle of apocalyptic action movies like The Day After Tomorrow or even the razzmatazz of modern American movie musicals like The Greatest Showman, director Joshua Oppenheimer embeds his audience in a bizarre bunker a half-mile underground. There lives a wealthy industrialist family who has turned a blind eye to the dying world above them. That is, until a survivor finds her way to their doorstep. Will her unexpected arrival upset their delicate psychological equilibrium? You bet.

SEE ALSO: TIFF 2024 preview: 15 movies you ought to know about

What follows is certainly not for everyone. Some critics I spoke with at TIFF complained that Oppenheimer's musical is indulgent in its runtime, ugly in its relentless blue-gray palette, and even infuriating in its plotting. Others see the length, the dismal colors, and that frustrating plot to be precisely the point, and embrace it as such. I am in the latter camp, finding this mournful and fanciful musical utterly captivating, jarringly funny, and savagely profound. 

The End is doomsday prepping by way of Downton Abbey.

Forget what you think you know about bunkers. Deep, deep underground this family — whose names are never uttered — has built something not metal and cold but very old-money. Housed within a cavernous salt mine with spiraling walls and noisy ventilation systems lies their home away from apocalypse. It contains crown molding, classic works of art in gilded frames, a wood-paneled library, a grand dining room, a complicated model train set-up, an inexplicably endless food supply, and above all, pristine order down to the paper-flower bouquets arranged in delicate vases.

Here, a 25-year-old man born in the bunker (George MacKay) has only ever known his doting mother (Tilda Swinton), his chummy father (Michael Shanon), their devoted butler (Tim McInnerny), a cheeky chef (Bronagh Gallagher), and a dour doctor (Lennie James). And despite possibly being the last people on Earth, they seem happy enough, singing songs of gratitude for their circumstances. Well, when they're not conducting dramatic emergency drills, that is. (You can never be too careful.)

Featured Video For You Why 'Problemista' star Tilda Swinton will never do SNL

The absurdity of their profound privilege is made all the clearer when an above-ground survivor (Moses Ingram) stumbles upon them. Understandably, she is utterly bewildered by all they possess while people on the surface scrape and starve. The political commentary only gets more overt as this young Black woman hears the selective history the white son's been taught, like how the oil industry that made its fortune definitely didn't contribute to the climate crisis that forced the family underground as they left everyone else to burn! With a cocked eyebrow and a patient tone, she not only pushes back on this propaganda but also brings a dry humor to the household. 

The End offers a bleak view with winsome song and dance.

While the son is in awe of the stranger, who speaks openly about her own regrets and urges the others to do the same, a raw tension emerges between her and the mother, who would rather the family's skeletons stay neatly tucked away in the closet, thank you very much. Anxieties rise as a romance blooms between the son and the stranger. Happily for us, this leads to a charming duet and a dance number where salt is kicked about the mines, which sit cold and unimpressed by the pair's passion. Such energy surrounded by the towering, uncaring setting echoes West Side Story. But with nowhere to escape but a dying world above, where can this story go? 

Oppenheimer and co-writer Rasmus Heisterberg mire the audience in the push-and-pull between the mother's strategic repression and the stranger's emotional outbursts. Reflecting her character's emotional strain, Swinton sings in a shrill falsetto, as if her mother might crack at any moment. MacKay has a Broadway-bright performance style, while Ingram delivers soulful ballads of loss and hope. Shannon and McInnerny join in with vaguely vaudevillian numbers of tap and banter, but the jocularity of this bit is undercut by the father cruelly reminding his butler buddy of his rank.

'The End' traps us in a ruthless loop, where its core family risks change or growth, only to deny it.

Trapped in this beautiful bunker under unblinking blue light, they are all specimens trapped under glass. Here are the last people on Earth, preserved but without purpose, objects in a museum of their own making. Still, there are moments where it seems these characters might just break out — not of the bunker but from the pretty molds they've built to survive in the guise of civility. A brutal verbal battle in the parents' bathroom gives Shannon's signature intensity a place to explode. Swinton's eyes, bright and on the brink of tears, show the deep hurt hiding behind this mother's practiced smile. MacKay, with a frantic enthusiasm that trembles into nerve-rattling, seems often on the brink of breaking this cycle of deranged self-mythologizing. But then Oppenheimer will quick-cut to some time later, when the drama has passed and routine has reasserted itself. The tension is bled out, and we bleed with it.

The End traps us in a ruthless loop, where its core family risks change or growth, only to deny it. Both those who liked and loathed the film agree this cycle makes for a very frustrating viewing experience. But this feels intentional. As he did in his two Oscar–nominated documentaries, The Look of Silence and The Act of Killing, Oppenheimer is itching his way under our skin with incredible artistry to expose the revolting reality of human capabilities — not just what horrors we can do to each other, but also what we can ignore to maintain even a fragile sense of civility. 

In The End, even as the director presents us with people who have done horrible things, Oppenheimer doesn't lose empathy for them. While their lies are abundant, this incredible cast makes their pain feel real, so even in spite of our vexations or political opinions, you might well ache for the mother who fears she's losing her son. And yet — as absurd as this sounds — the most devastating line in the whole movie is about cake. Literal cake. 

Defying expectations of genre, both musical and apocalypse narrative, The End is a challenge thrown down to audiences. The songs and dances are not glistening perfection, but occasionally clunky or tinny. But this works because each instance is a reflection of that character, and where they fall short of their projection of perfection and happiness. The suffocatingly dull colors bleach the rosiness out of flushed cheeks, making everything feel vaguely dead, or maybe even embalmed. The film's plot leads to a place that is well earned and yet hard to bear. Yet it's thrilling to see a musical take so many risks, especially when movie studios seem afraid to even promote that a movie is a musical. (See trailers for Mean Girls, Wonka, and Wicked, all of which hide the actual singing.) Frankly, it was refreshing to be this surprised and emotionally wrecked by a new musical. 

All in all, The End is a gutsy film that is thrillingly unnerving, raw, and original. 

The End was reviewed out of its Canadian premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. It opens in limited release Dec. 6.

TL;DR: Secure lifetime licenses to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for £42.16 until Sept. 29 and avoid subscription hassles.

Owning lifetime licenses for essential software can provide peace of mind and security knowing it's yours and it's not going anywhere. This bundle of Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro gives you control and efficiency without the obnoxious recurring costs of subscriptions. This month, you can get this useful combo on sale for £42.16 (reg. £335.91).

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, providing you with everything you need to complete personal and professional tasks. With its ribbon-based interface, you can create documents and presentations with ease. This lifetime license means you won't be affected by service interruptions or subscription renewals, providing predictable budgeting and long-term cost savings.

Windows 11 Pro is tailored for modern professionals, offering a seamless interface and advanced security features like biometrics login, TPM 2.0, and Smart App Control. For content creators and gamers, DirectX 12 Ultimate delivers stunning graphics. The AI-powered Copilot is like your personal robot assistant, answering queries, summarising web pages, assisting with coding, and more.

This bundle not only offers significant cost savings compared to buying the software separately, but also grants you the freedom to use these powerful tools without restrictions imposed by subscription terms.

Take advantage of this deal so your digital workspace is always up-to-date and fully functional.

Until Sept. 29, you can get this bundle of lifetime licenses to Microsoft Office 2021 and Windows 11 Pro on sale for £42.16.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle £42.16 at the Mashable Shop
£335.91 Save £293.75 Get Deal

TL;DR: Live stream Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Miami Dolphins are taking on the Buffalo Bills in the next round of Thursday Night Football, and you can watch all the action without spending anything. That's great news for fans, because this matchup could go either way. Both sides won their first game of the new season, and will be looking to build some momentum with a midweek victory.

If you're interested in watching Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills for free, we have all the information you need.

When is Dolphins vs. Bills?

Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills takes place at 8:15 p.m. ET on Sep 12. This fixture will be played at the Hard Rock Stadium.

How to watch Dolphins vs. Bills for free

Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills is available to live stream on Prime Video in the U.S., but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills (plus more Thursday Night Football fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

Fans from outside the U.S. will need to use a VPN to watch the NFL for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

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

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

5. Watch Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills for free from anywhere in the world on 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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. It's a short-term solution, but this gives you enough time to watch select NFL fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently available for $99.95. Within this limited time deal you'll get an extra three months at no additional cost, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup for free, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Dolphins vs. Bills for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The WNBA season continues and next up it's the New York Liberty taking on the Dallas Wings. The New York Liberty have already claimed their postseason spot, but sadly it's all over for the Dallas Wings who have been eliminated from playoff contention.

If you want to watch New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out how.

When is New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings?

New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Sept. 12. This fixture takes place at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.

How to watch New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings

New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings is free to watch on Prime Video in the U.S. If you're not subscribed to this platform, don't worry, you can still watch this latest fixture for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video in the U.S.

For fans not in the U.S., don't worry — to watch the WNBA, just use a VPN to stream for free on Prime Video. The process couldn't be easier, just follow the below steps:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

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

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

5. Watch New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings for free from anywhere in the world on 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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch the WNBA on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select WNBA games before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

• 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 New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA for free with ExpressVPN.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for September 12'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 12 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Opposite a woodwind.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one letter that appears twice

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

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...

BRASS.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for September 12s 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 12 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: Gonna come back to this

• Green: In service of

• Blue: Icons of the NBA

• Purple: Maybe food, maybe the greek alphabet

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: Mark Online for Later

• Green: Behalf

• Blue: NBA Legends, Familiarly

• Purple: Ending with Greek Letters

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 #459 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Mark Online for Later: BOOKMARK, FAVORITE, LIKE, SAVE

• Behalf: ADVANTAGE, BENEFIT, INTEREST, SAKE

• NBA Legends, Familiarly: BIRD, CURRY, KOBE, MAGIC

• Ending with Greek Letters: BIOTA, FETA, MOCHI, PEPSI

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.

Bluesky has launched the one major feature that was missing from the platform, keeping it from being a total replacement for Elon Musk's X for social media users.

On Wednesday, Bluesky announced that it has finally added native video to the site. Bluesky users can now upload videos directly to the platform to embed in their posts.

"Bluesky now has video!" the platform's official account posted. "Update your app to version 1.91 or refresh on desktop! We’ve begun gradually rolling out the ability to post video. Thanks for your patience!"

Bluesky now has video! Update your app to version 1.91 or refresh on desktop! We’ve begun gradually rolling out the ability to post video. Thanks for your patience! Estamos gradualmente implementando a capacidade de postar vídeos. Obrigado pela sua paciência!

[image or embed]

— Bluesky (@bsky.app) September 11, 2024 at 1:11 PM

Bluesky had promised that the long-requested feature was on the way in an update last month. On Tuesday, the official Bluesky account warned users that they might see video posts show up on their feed as they tested native video and put the "final touches" on the feature.

Just one day later, Bluesky's video feature is now live across the platform for all users.

Bluesky's video feature details

As a brand new feature, there are some limitations to video uploads on Bluesky as further detailed in a post by the company. 

According to Bluesky, each video can be up to 60 seconds long, and posts can only contain one video. Users can currently upload 25 videos or 10GB of video per day. Bluesky says it may tweak those limits in the future. Video uploads support .mp4, .mpeg, .webm, and .mov file types. 

Bluesky says users can add subtitles to their videos as well as labels, such as ones that denote adult content. Videos will also auto-play by default, although Bluesky says auto-play can be turned off in Settings.

Users will be required to verify their email address before uploading videos if they haven't already. The platform also shared content moderation details and noted that each video will be scanned for content that requires a warning, or illegal content that needs to be removed completely, such as child sex abuse material.

Bluesky takes on Elon Musk's X

Since acquiring X, formerly known as Twitter, Musk has pushed hard for a pivot to video on the platform.

Some users looking for an X replacement due to Musk's leadership found a new home in Bluesky. However, the lack of native video on the platform was a common frustration among new Bluesky users.

By launching video features, Bluesky has solved this problem. And it couldn't have come at a better time. Last week, Bluesky shared that it had gained 3 million new users in just one week as a result of Musk's feud with Brazil's Supreme Court and X's subsequent ban in the country.

Cheers to Robbie Williams. The English singer-songwriter who made the leap from boy band to tabloid target to record-breaking solo artist has delivered once again. Better Man is a biopic that folds in hits from across his career — including "Angels," "She's the One," and "Rock DJ" — to bolster the artist’s highs and lows. But Williams — in collaboration with writer/director Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) — has done something daring in the space of the music biopic, which has too often proved achingly clichéd, pandering, or downright dull. He's turned himself into a literal dancing monkey. 

Better Man unfurls a tale of Williams' hardscrabble youth in Stoke-on-Trent, his bad-boy years in the British group Take That, his substance abuse issues, rocky romance with a fellow pop star, celebrity feuds, and family dramas, all while portraying the singer as a CGI chimpanzee in the vein of the Planet of the Apes reboots. At first, it might seem a cheeky gimmick (or cheeky monkey) meant to hook audiences with the sheer oddness of the choice. But Gracey nurtures this concept, weaving together a collaborative performance with actors and the legendary VFX studio Wētā FX to create a uniquely moving portrait of an artist at war with himself. 

While the cadences of Williams' story fall into a familiar pattern, allowing himself to be presented as a literal animal brings a fresh perspective and an enthralling blend of humor and vulnerability. This results in the best music biopic since the rousing splendor of Elton John's Rocketman (which Gracey notably executive produced). 

Who plays Robbie Williams in Better Man?  Michael Gracey, Robbie Williams, and Jonno Davies attend the "Better Man" Canadian Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Credit: Monica Schipper / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

This is a complicated question. Williams lends his voice to the narration, the words of which were penned by Gracey, Oliver Cole, and Simon Gleeson from interviews with the sensational singer. However, in the flesh, English actor Jonno Davies (Hunters) shoulders the role, blending a physicality that is part hulking chimpanzee and part swaggering sex symbol. While everyone around him on set is in period costume, Davies wore a motion-capture suit with a small camera perched above his face to track his expressions. From there, Wētā built chimp Robbie using Williams' own eyes (and various hairstyles) as inspiration. And the final touch: a voice that mixes Davies' and Williams' performances. All this blends seamlessly into a powerful performance that is one of the most surprising yet riveting of the year. 

In the narration, Williams introduces himself with a smirking tone and a slew of insults that have been lobbed against him. Davies picks up that rough exterior with macho posturing, but complicates it with goofball bravado in churlish outbursts, juvenile gestures, and a self-pleasuring bit that's lewdly hilarious. But more than funny, Better Man is riveting because it embraces a warts-and-all approach that doesn't shy away from Williams' darkest moments. 

You might think that scenes about drug use, infidelity, and self-harm would be undercut by this furry gimmick. But by the end of the first sequence — in which a young Robert (Jack Sherran) has a rough day at the playground — the chimp device makes sense. The animation Wētā created is so emotive, the performance behind it so grounded, that it just works, not only in moments of drama, but also in truly epic musical numbers. 

Better Man is stuffed with showstopping song and dance.  Michael Gracey directs Raechelle Banno on the set of Paramount Pictures’ "Better Man." Credit: Paramount Pictures

As in Rocketman, Gracey employs songs anachronistically. For instance, Take That's rise to fame is backed by "Rock DJ," which is a hit from Williams' solo career. This is not a glitch but a feature, as both films focus on the feeling of their story over cumbersome facts. This freedom to play Williams' hits as they make sense in the story (versus when they came in his life) allows for electrifying sequences of joy, agony, and romance. 

SEE ALSO: 'Kneecap' review: A welcome middle finger to Oscar-bait biopics

In the case of "Rock DJ," the young band celebrates their record deal by dancing together through several locations, from posh shops and double-decker buses to the streets of Piccadilly Circus, collecting more and more revelers along the way until the whole of London appears to share in their reveling. While this is perhaps the most ambitious musical sequence, among the most moving is "She's the One," where chimp Robbie performs a heartfelt duet while dancing a Golden Era ballroom number and dipping his female partner (Raechelle Banno) with eloquence that is utterly swoon-worthy. Yes, even when the leading man is a chimp. 

However, not every song is a celebration. And it's in moments of anxiety that Better Man's monkey gambit is most impactful. 

Robbie Williams' self-saboteur is made literal. Chimp Robbie Williams performs in "Better Man." Credit: Paramount Pictures

Embracing the visual language of music videos (of which Gracey has directed many), Better Man blends realistic settings with surreal scenarios. So a car crash in the rain results in a nightmare sequence where chimp Robbie is plunged underwater, then swarmed by fans who tear at him for mementos and paparazzi whose blinding cameras make his struggle to the surface all the harder. More traditional moments are in the mix, like a montage of Williams' magazine covers and music videos to chart his rising fame. But what might be a barrage of nostalgic or clichéd concert scenes is given fresh blood through bringing more chimp Robbies into frame. 

When he looks out into the crowd roaring in appreciation, among them he sees himself, scowling. At first, it's one or two of his own faces staring back at him. But as Robbie's self-doubt grows, his self-saboteur, who hisses he's a failure, a fraud, unlovable, multiplies and becomes legion. The sharp cuts from the dancing chimp with his performative grin to the snarling doppelgängers, all reminders of an embarrassment or failure, hit like a gasp. Even when the world seems to be at his feet, Robbie is running from himself. And this builds to an internal war made external through a brilliantly vicious battle scene  that gives Planet of the Apes a run for its money. 

This poignant use of CGI animation is also surrounded by a terrific supporting cast. Whether it’s Steve Pemberton as Williams’ conniving deadbeat dad or Alison Steadman as his devoted grandmother, the actors bring a pulsing authenticity that makes this family, broken as it is, feel achingly real. This is all the more impressive considering they were acting opposite an actor wearing all that mo-cap gear. Together, cast and crew build a glorious complex look into the life a world-class entertainer whose arrogance and vulnerability are on balanced display. The result is a film that feels grandiose, outrageous, deeply personal, and joltingly relatable. It’s Billy Elliot meets Rocketman meets Planet of the Apes. And it’s so much more. 

Rich in vibrant emotion, body-rocking musical numbers, daring performances, and a scorching tenderness, Better Man more than rocks. It rules. 

Better Man was reviewed out of its Canadian Premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. Paramount has acquired distribution rights; a release plan is TBD. 

French AI startup Mistral has dropped its first multimodal model, Pixtral 12B, capable of processing both images and text.

The 12-billion-parameter model, built on Mistral’s existing text-based model Nemo 12B, is designed for tasks like captioning images, identifying objects, and answering image-related queries.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI Strawberry might release sooner than expected. Everything we know so far.

Weighing in at 24GB, the model is available for free under the Apache 2.0 license, meaning anyone can use, modify, or commercialize it without restrictions. Developers can download it from GitHub and Hugging Face, but functional web demos aren’t live yet.

According to Mistral's head of developer relations, Pixtral 12B will soon be integrated into the company’s chatbot, Le Chat, and API platform, La Platforme.

Tweet may have been deleted

Multimodal models like Pixtral 12B could be the next frontier for generative AI, following in the footsteps of tools like OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Anthropic’s Claude. However, questions loom over the data sources used to train these models. As noted by Tech Crunch, Mistral, like many AI firms, likely trained Pixtral 12B using vast quantities of publicly available web data — a practice that’s sparked lawsuits from copyright holders challenging the "fair use" argument often made by tech companies.

The release follows Mistral raising $645 million in funding, pushing its valuation to $6 billion. With Microsoft among its backers, Mistral is positioning itself as Europe’s response to OpenAI.

Apple's "Glowtime" event on Sept. 9 came and went, and now we know everything we need to know about the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. But what about next year?

If the iPhone 16 announcement didn't do much for you, or you don't need to upgrade for another year, there's always the iPhone 17 to look forward to. Of course, Apple hasn't officially said anything about the iPhone 17 yet. All we have to go on are rumors, leaks, and news reports.

Thankfully, a handful of those are already out there regarding the next iPhone. Let's dig in. Here's what we know so far about iPhone 17.

SEE ALSO: Apple 'Glowtime' event 2024: iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and everything else announced A new model?

Easily the biggest potential iPhone 17 development that we've heard about so far involves a new addition to the iPhone family. According to multiple sources, including analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and The Information, Apple plans to get rid of the Plus model and put a new, thinner iPhone in its place. Folks have called it "iPhone 17 Slim" or "iPhone 17 Air," though we don't know what its official name will be just yet.

This new slim iPhone would reportedly be much thinner than existing iPhones and feature a display somewhere in the neighborhood of 6.5 or 6.6-inches in size. There's not much else to say about it yet, however, as different sources disagree on what this phone actually is. The Information says it will be the most expensive and high-end phone in the new lineup, while Kuo says that won't be the case.

SEE ALSO: 'Should I upgrade to iPhone 16?’ Only do it if you fall into these 5 categories

We'll have to wait for a while to find out more.

ProMotion for all

One thing Apple typically does when there's a new generation of iPhones is add features that used to be exclusive to the Pro models to the new base models. It seems that ProMotion is next.

According to MacRumors, all four iPhone 17 models will feature 120Hz refresh rates thanks to ProMotion display technology. This is a godsend that is not quite on the same level as Apple finally adding USB-C ports to iPhones, but it's not far off, either. Apple's base-level iPhones have been stuck on 60Hz displays for years, while competitors like Google have bumped even their budget handsets up past 90hz or more.

It's one of the main ways in which base model iPhones have felt outdated for a while, so ideally, Apple will fix this soon.

A19 chips

There isn't much info about this yet, but Apple always includes newer and faster chips in at least its Pro iPhone models every year. The iPhone 16 Pro models feature an A18 Pro chip, for example, which is new for this year.

As such, we can reasonably expect to see some kind of A19 chip in the new iPhones. If precedent matters at all, it might only be in the iPhone 17 Pro models, while the regular iPhone 17 gets a slightly older chip. However, Apple does weird things all the time, so who knows what will happen when it comes to chips next year.

A better selfie camera

While selfies taken on iPhones never look bad, necessarily, they could always be better. Rumors indicate the iPhone 17 will help out with that.

According to Apple analyst Jeff Pu (via MacRumors), all four new iPhone 17s will have a 24MP front-facing camera, up from 12MP on the iPhone 16 models. Who knows yet how much this will actually improve things, but that's a hefty increase.

Other camera upgrades

In another report by Kuo, the prominent Apple prognosticator said that the iPhone 17 Pro Max (at least) will have a trio of 48MP camera lenses on the rear for the first time. The wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses will all be 48MP next year, in comparison to the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, both of which only have 12MP telephoto lenses.

Hopefully, that means even deeper levels of zoom, too.

Facebook is reportedly taking down important safety information as wildfire season spreads across the western part of the country.

An investigation by The Washington Post found dozens of instances of the tech giant flagging and removing posts since June, in areas that saw a total of 20 active fires. Posts often contained links or screenshots from the fire safety app Watch Duty, for example, a nonprofit resource that provides live alerts of wildfire movements. Daily posts from federal and state agencies, such as Cal Fire, warning residents in fire-prone California towns were also removed — including those made on dedicated fire update pages.

Many of these takedowns affect small town community pages, vital resources for live updates and information sharing. According to the publication, volunteer responders, fire and sheriff departments, news stations, and disaster nonprofit workers have also been targeted with takedowns across multiple states.

SEE ALSO: 5 details Apple didn't tell you at iPhone 16 launch event

Facebook's automatic explanation for the removals implies the posts have been taken down not for spreading misinformation, but for violating community spam guidelines: "It looks like you tried to get likes, follows, shares or video views in a misleading way," the reports told users. The Post found that most of the targeted takedown involved external links, even those to official, government sources. Another problem: None of the users were notified that their posts were removed.

Facebook has long been faced blowback for its role in spreading deceptive information and posts, and now works with third-party experts to combat political and public health misinformation, including spotlighting reputable sources. As the platform's misinformation policy reads: "We remove misinformation where it is likely to directly contribute to the risk of imminent physical harm...We focus on slowing the spread of hoaxes and viral misinformation, and directing users to authoritative information." But its Community Guidelines, under which these posts are removed, are more broad. "We seek to prevent abusive tactics, such as spreading deceptive links to draw unsuspecting users in through misleading functionality or code, or impersonating a trusted domain," the platform writes. "Online spam is a lucrative industry."

Across the site, posts frequently slip through the platform's moderation gates, or are unfairly taken down and then reinstated, but emergency and fire workers told the Post that the problem has escalated in recent months — and in this case it could threaten lives. Facebook spokesperson Erin McPike told the publication that the company is "investigating this issue and working quickly to address it.”

SAVE $108.96: The Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian headphones with two years of AppleCare+ are on sale for $269.99, down from the list price of $378.95. That's a 28% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian headphones $269.99 at Amazon
$378.95 Save $108.96 with two years of AppleCare+ Get Deal

If you're an avid music fan, or you're always listening to a podcast, you might spend a decent amount of the day wearing headphones. Instead of opting for a ho-hum pair, you want headphones that are comfortable to wear, offer great sound quality, and come in a range of colors to suit your preferences. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, a pair that matches all those criteria are over $100 off.

As of Sept. 11, the Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian headphones with two years of AppleCare+ are on sale for $269.99, marked down from the usual price of $378.95 which makes for a savings of $108.96. This sale price is also a better deal than the one we spotted last month that offered the bundle for $299.95.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best noise-cancelling headphones for flying in 2024

This collaboration brings special Kim K. colors to the Beats Studio Pro headphones — Moon, Dune, and Earth, which take on the celebrity's favorite neutral tones. But the Beats Studio Pros are more than just looks. With custom 40mm drivers, the headphones are designed for great sound clarity.

Depending on what you're up to, you can either activate noise cancellation or shift into transparency mode, which'll allow you to hear the sounds around you. Plus, the Beats Studio Pros can get up to 40 hours of listening time before they need to recharge. If you're short on time, a 10-minute charge will give you four hours of listening power.

This deal also includes two years of AppleCare+ support, which offers you both protection and service directly from Apple. It covers unlimited repairs for accidental damage, and you'll have access to help 24/7.

In the box, you'll get the Beats Studio Pro headphones, a carrying case, and a charging cable.

With a range of neutral shades, the Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian headphones could be your next favorite pair. Thanks to Amazon's sale price, the headphones with accident protection are currently an impressive 28% off, which means this is a great time to grab this collab.

Save on this week's best smart home deals, including $50 off the Echo Hub with the code HUB50 at checkout.

Our top picks: Best smart home deal overall Echo Hub $129.99 at Amazon (save $50 ) Get Deal Best smart plug deal Kasa Smart Plugs (4-pack) $33.99 at Amazon (save $16) Get Deal Best smart light bulb deal Kasa Smart Bulbs (4-pack) $24.99 at Amazon (save $15) Get Deal

If you’re looking for new ways to make your smart home even smarter, or you’ve decided to take the leap and trust Alexa to help manage your daily routine, there are tons of deals on smart home devices at Amazon right now.

SEE ALSO: Here's why a smart lock should be the first smart home device you own

Here are the best smart home deals we've spotted, from the Echo Hub to gadgets like smart plugs, lightbulbs, and more.

Best smart home deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Hub $129.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $50.00 $50 off with code HUB50 Get Deal Why we like it

The all-new Echo Hub is exactly what it sounds like: a smart home control panel where you can manage all your connected devices, from lights and plugs to cameras and sensors. It’s for pro-smart-home-owners who want to make their days a little easier.

This eight-inch display panel works with thousands of Alexa-compatible devices, and it’s on sale for $50 off with the code HUB50. You can mount it wherever there’s an outlet or plop it on a shelf (stand sold separately). It also doubles as a home speaker system; connect it to any smart speaker for music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more.

Best smart plug deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kasa Our pick: Kasa Smart Plugs (4-pack) $33.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $16.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Smart plugs are one of the easiest, most affordable ways to make your home smarter. I love that my nightstand is connected — all I have to do is ask Alexa to turn the nightlight on, or I can set a schedule for it to turn on and off automatically. These little devices are also ideal for the holidays, so you can turn your Christmas lights on and off at set times.

You can get a four-pack of Kasa Smart Plugs for just $33.99, marked down from $49.99. Setup is easy, and they're compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and more.

Best smart light deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kasa Our pick: Kasa Smart Light Bulbs (800 lumens) $24.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Smart lights are another quick and easy way to start automating your home. You can control the brightness, color, and schedules with voice commands or with an app. We like this four-pack of Kasa Smart Light Bulbs (800 lumens) because they’re easy to set up and don’t need a smart hub to use them.

The Kasa light bulbs are on sale for $24.99, down from $39.99.

During a moment where singles are increasingly sick of dating apps and turning to IRL events, the apps themselves are leaning harder into technology to find love, particularly artificial intelligence.

The latest announcement comes from Bumble, the dating app known for "women making the first move." The app plans on expanding its AI features in the coming months, TechCrunch reported. During Goldman Sachs' Communacopia + Technology Conference this week, Bumble CEO Lidiane Jones said that the app is planning to add an "AI photo picker" to help create one's profile, as that's something users have anxiety doing.

SEE ALSO: People are using AI to date you

This comes months after Tinder announced its own AI photo picker tool, Photo Selector. Tinder users provide a selfie for facial recognition, allow Tinder access to their photos, and Photo Selector curates the photos for one's profile. (Mashable found that this photo tool is relatively safe from a privacy perspective, but users should always stay cautious when sharing sensitive data like this.)

During a time where major dating apps are competing against each other — and growing dating app fatigue — these apps have started introducing very similar features and blurring the distinctions between them.

Additionally, Jones said over the fall and winter, there will be a focus on "authenticity" when it comes to product rollouts at Bumble. She mentioned Opening Moves, a prompt women can give on their Bumble profile so men can technically make the first move now. Opening Moves launched in May. Jones also mentioned additional filters, more support for engendering healthy conversations (perhaps AI-generated icebreakers that are already on Bumble for Friends), and continuing to use AI for safety purposes. Earlier this year, Bumble launched Deception Detector to weed out scam and fake profiles.

Jones emphasized that the use of AI at Bumble isn't about replacing users, but wanting users to be themselves. These announcements follow Bumble founder and former CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd describing the future of dating as using an "AI concierge" to date for you. As NBC News reported, people were not impressed. It remains to be seen how users will react to these upcoming AI features.

Ready to track your steps this autumn? You're in luck, because this is a great week to score a new smartwatch from top brands like Apple and Garmin. Here are some deals we're found during the week of Sept. 11:

Best smartwatch deals this week Best overall smartwatch deal Garmin Forerunner 265 $349.99 at REI (save $100.01) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch SE (2nd gen, 40mm, LTE) $189 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal Best Samsung smartwatch deal Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm, LTE) $189.99 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal

A smartwatch comes in handy for all sorts of reason. For some, it's essential to track a daily workout, while others enjoy getting texts to their wrist instead of having to check your phone. For whatever reason you fancy, a smartwatch can be a great addition to your tech lineup.

If your old smartwatch or fitness tracker isn't performing its best anymore, we're seeing some nice deals this week for those who need an upgrade. These are some of our top picks if you're looking for a deal during the week of Sept. 11:

Best smartwatch overall deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Our pick: Garmin Forerunner 265 $349.99 at REI
$450.00 Save $100.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Garmin is consistently a trusted leader in the fitness tracker industry, which makes this deal on the Garmin Forerunner 265 pretty great for any serious or aspiring athlete. Through Sept. 22, REI is offering the Garmin Forerunner 265 for just $349.99, down from the list price of $450, which works out to a 22% discount.

From the moment you wake up, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is ready. You'll get a morning report that includes metrics about how well you slept, your recovery trajectory, a daily training outlook, and the weather report. The Garmin calculates a "training readiness" score based on your sleep quality, recovery time, training history, and more, which is kinda like having a mini running coach on your wrist.

The Garmin also comes with impressive battery life, getting up to 13 days of life in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode. Plus, the Garmin is friends with Android and Apple smartphones, so you'll be good to go regardless of which operating system you prefer.

More Garmin smartwatch deals

• Garmin Forerunner 55 — $169.99 $200 (save $30.01)

• Garmin Venu 2 — $319.93 $400 (save $80.07)

• Garmin Forerunner 965 — $499.99 $600 (save $100.01)

Best Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen, 40 mm, GPS) $189.00 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple Watch SE is a solid contender when it comes to smartwatches, and thanks to today's sale price, it's an even better option. As of Sept. 11, you can grab the Apple Watch SE at Amazon for just $189, down from the usual price of $249 which means you'll be getting a 24% discount.

The Apple Watch SE comes packed with features for iPhone users like fitness tracking, water resistance, and perfect synching to your other Apple devices. You also get handy features like Apple Pay and fall detection, which can be great for older folks.

Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon put the Apple Watch SE in a head-to-head test with the more expensive Apple Watch Series 9 where she found the Apple Watch SE to have very similar battery life to the Series 9.

Best Samsung smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm, LTE) $189.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

While it's not the newest model of the Samsung Galaxy Watch, the Galaxy Watch 4 is a great option thanks to its sale price of $189.99 at Amazon. You'll get a 24% discount off the standard price of $249.99.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 gets bragging rights as the first smartwatch to come with on-wrist body composition data. It can give you readings on body fat, skeletal muscle, body water, and more. Thanks to the LTE connectivity, you'll still be linked to your phone's calls and texts even if your phone is nowhere near.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 also comes with wellness tracking like sleep metrics, counting steps, and tracking your workouts.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Sept. 10: OUR TOP PICK Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) $59.99 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal BEST HOME DEAL eufy HomeVac H11 cordless handheld vacuum $35.98 at Amazon (save $44.01) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL FoodSaver PowerVac vacuum sealer $61.88 at Amazon (save $33.11) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian + 2 years of AppleCare+ $269.99 at Amazon (save $108.96) Get Deal BEST CAMERA DEAL Canon PowerShot V10 camera $349 at Amazon (save $80.99) Get Deal

Happy hump day! Celebrate being halfway to the weekend with a handful of deals from brands like Beats, Amazon, Canon, and more. We scoured the lengthy list of daily deals at Amazon and sorted through the noise to curate our own batch of the best deals worth your money.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these speak to you, be sure to take a look back at our top picks from Monday, Sept. 9 and Tuesday, Sept 10. Many of those are still live, including a record-low Apple Watch Ultra 2 and 30% off a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ (also its biggest discount to date).

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) $59.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

With a 13-hour battery life (an extra hour compared to the previous version), USB-C charging support, a strengthened aluminosilicate glass display, and hexa-core processor (which is 30% faster than the previous model), the Fire HD 8 tablet is a solid tablet for basic tasks. If you're looking for something to stream shows, read, scroll socials, or consume media in any capacity, it won't let you down. As PCMag noted in its review of the tablet, "It won't wow you, but it doesn't need to." Regularly $129.99, it's on sale at Amazon for only $59.99 as of Sept. 11. That's 54% in savings and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker eufy HomeVac H11 cordless handheld vacuum $35.98 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $44.01 Get Deal

When you can't get all the crumbs in cracks and crevices, reach for this eufy HomeVac H11. A handy complement to your upright vacuum, the cordless HomeVac H11 is a lightweight handvac ideal for tight spaces. It comes with different attachments for various cleaning tasks, from keyboard crevices to seat cushions, to those sharp angles beneath the seats in your car. And although it's tiny at just 1.2 pounds, it offers 5,500 Pa of suction power. Usually $80, it's on sale for just $35.98 as of Sept. 11. That's 55% off and the lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: FoodSaver FoodSaver PowerVac vacuum sealer $61.88 at Amazon
$94.99 Save $33.11 Get Deal

With the outrageous price of groceries in 2024, we can't afford to be wasteful. Invest in the FoodSaver PowerVac vacuum sealer and keep your food fresh in the freezer up to five times longer. It's on sale for just $61.88 as of Sept. 11 — that's just $2 away from its all-time low. This particular model is slim and space efficient, making it ideal for smaller kitchens, and seals with 35 percent less bag waste than previous models. It features customized dry and moist settings for different food types and comes with one 11-inch by 8-foot roll, three quart-sized bags, and two gallon-sized bags to get you started.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian + 2 years of AppleCare+ $269.99 at Amazon
$378.95 Save $108.96 Get Deal

The Beats Studio Pro collaboration with Kim Kardashian offers three earthy neutral tones opposed to the typical boring black, white, and gray varieties. And this deal gets you a pair plus two years of AppleCare+ for only $269.99 — that's 28% in savings and the lowest price on record for this bundle. Not to mention, it's $80 cheaper than buying the headphones alone. Other than the aesthetic, the Kim K. model isn't any different than the standard Beats Studio Pro headphones. But that's not a bad thing — as Mashable's Alex Perry put it, "It's hard to find a pair of over-ear headphones with a better all-around experience than Beats Studio Pro."

Opens in a new window Credit: Canon Canon PowerShot V10 camera $349.00 at Amazon
$429.99 Save $80.99 Get Deal

The Canon PowerShot V10 is a pocket-sized vlogging camera you can comfortably fit in your hand to capture content from anywhere. It includes a kickstand for tabletop recordings, a fixed 19mm wide-angle lens for expansive landscapes or tight interiors, multiple image stabilization modes, and an 8-bit 4K video capture at up to 30 fps or full HD video capture at up to 60 fps. Our pals at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) appreciated its clever design and attractive 4K video, but weren't so enthusiastic about its flexibility. The battery life could also be better, but for the discounted $349 price tag (reg. $429.99), it's still a pretty sweet deal.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

We gathered the best air fryer deals as of Sept. 11:

Best Air Fryer Deals Best air fryer deal overall Ninja Air Fryer $89 at Amazon (Save $40.99) Get Deal Best medium air fryer deal Cosori 9-in-1 Compact Air Fryer $89.99 at Amazon (Save $30) Get Deal Best large air fryer deal Instant Pot 7-in-1 Air Fryer $130.42 at Amazon (Save $19.57) Get Deal

Football season is here again. If you're planning on having the gang over for some brewskis while you take in the big game, there's one thing you're going to need: snacks. After all, what are sports without munchies to chow down on while you root for your team?

If you're prepping snacks, you obviously need something to cook them with. Sure, you could toss a bunch of wings into the oven and prep them for everyone, but that's going to take a while. And you could get catering, but that's expensive. What's an easy and affordable compromise? An air fryer, of course! Air fryers can help you sling out some serious (and seriously delicious) food in a small amount of time, without the mess.

It's time to bring home an air fryer to prep all the mozzarella sticks and chicken wings you can eat for your next tailgating party. You can save big right now on some of the biggest brands in the space. Below, find our picks for the best deals on air fryers this week and get ready to serve up some crowd-pleasing eats.

Best air fryer deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Ninja Air Fryer $89.00 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $40.99 Get Deal Why we like it

This Ninja air fryer is a great all-around pick for anyone looking for an all-in-one solution for smaller families. Its 4-quart capacity means you can whip up plenty of snacks for the crew and make a few batches of goodies to take on the go in a short amount of time. It has a simple interface and can handle a variety of cooking tasks beyond air frying as well, including roasting, reheating, and dehydrating. So if you don't need anything complex and just want to prep some tasty goodness without a lot of cleanup at a low price, this is a model you'll love for football season and beyond.

Best medium air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Cosori 9-in-1 Compact Air Fryer $89.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Have more people to feed? This Cosori air fryer has you covered. With its larger 6-quart capacity, it's got plenty of room to swap out batches, but it also has 9 other functions for whatever you need to prep for the day's tailgating festivities. That includes baking, roasting, dehydrating, reheating, and broiling. Plus, despite its larger size, it's compact enough for only a small footprint on your kitchen counter. It also has customizable preheating options that will adjust how long you need to preheat based on the temperature chosen, as well as a five-fan speed airflow system to cook things faster and more evenly.

Best large air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Instant Pot 7-in-1 Air Fryer $130.42 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $19.57 Get Deal Why we like it

You may know the Instant brand for its pressure cookers, but the company makes a mean air fryer as well. This larger air fryer and toaster oven is super spacious, with a 10-quart capacity that should feed a small legion compared to most other smaller units. It's also quite compact as well, so you don't need much real estate for it. It can broil, roast, dehydrate and all the other functions its competition can perform, but it can also rotisserie with the best of them. That means you can whip up some seriously great tailgating snacks with this bad boy.