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The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a film buff.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games 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 today'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.

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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.

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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 Pips hints, answers for August 25, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: It's not that deep

• Green: Defies science

• Blue: Classic films

• Purple: A sweet treat

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Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Surface-level

• Green: Sci-Fi phenomena

• Blue: Stephen King film adaptations, with "The"

• Purple: Ending in ice cream orders

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 #1171 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Surface-level: COSMETIC, ONE-DIMENSIONAL, SKIN-DEEP, SUPERFICIAL

• Sci-Fi phenomena: HYPERSPACE, PARALLEL UNIVERSE, TELEPORTATION, TIME WARP

• Stephen King film adaptations, with "The": GREEN MILE, LONG WALK, RUNNING MAN, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

• Ending in ice cream orders: HARLEM SHAKE, INSIDE SCOOP, LICKETY-SPLIT, TRAFFIC CONE

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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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.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 25, 2026 Superficial meaning

Lacking deep meaning.

Hyperspace meaning

A movie or a sci-fi mode of transport.

Harlem Shake meaning

A viral internet dance.

Lickety-split meaning

To do or achieve something quickly.

Running Man meaning

A popular dance or one of two movies adaptations.

Traffic cone meaning

A conical device used to block or direct traffic.

Time warp meaning

A disruption in time. Possibly a dance from cult-classic film The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Long Walk meaning

A lengthy, exhausting journey. Possibly the title of a movie adaptation.

One-Dimensional meaning

Lacking profound depth or meaning.

Parallel universe meaning

An alternate timeline.

Green Mile meaning

A popular Stephen King book.

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Inside scoop meaning

Possessing information before the general public does.

Cosmetic meaning

Relating to physical appearance

Shawshank Redemption meaning

An award-winning film starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman.

Teleportation meaning

Instantaneous transportation between two points.

Skin-deep meaning

Something that is only at the surface level.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know watch European soccer.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 the latest 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: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise 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 before the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: AFC North

• Green: Host cities

• Blue: European champions

• Purple: Football Giants

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: An AFC North Player

• Green: European Cities to Host Olympics, Since 2000

• Blue: Champions League Winners

• Purple: New York Giants

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: Sports Edition #701 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• An AFC North Player: BENGAL, BROWN, RAVEN, STEELER

• European Cities to Host Olympics, Since 2000: LONDON, MILAN, PARIS, TURIN

• Champions League Winners: AJAX, JUVENTUS, PORTO, REAL MADRID

• New York Giants: BURNS, DART, HOLLAND, LIKELY

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports 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.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 25, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 25, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 25 Pips

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally

Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 25 Pips

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 6-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 25 Pips

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally.

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy for those who love being outside.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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: Answer, hints for August 25, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Enjoying nature

The words are adjectives related to the Great Outdoors.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe an outdoorsy activity.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Take a Hike.

NYT Strands word list for August 25

• Path

• Canteen

• Take a Hike

• Trailhead

• Woods

• Wildlife

• Market

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you can connect the dots.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today'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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 25, 2026 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 was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

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 Pips hints, answers for August 25, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To snap.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter C appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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...

CLICK

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.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Shy.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

TIMID

Hurdle Word 2 hint

By oneself.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ALONE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

The start.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 25, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Aug. 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BIRTH

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Ceasefire.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

TRUCE

Final Hurdle hint

Pelvic area.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

GROIN

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

When Apple announced price hikes across many of its product lines earlier this summer, there was one product that was noticeably absent: the iPhone.

But, just like it did with the MacBook and iPad, it appears that Apple will soon be raising prices on the iPhone, too. It looks like the tech giant was just waiting to adjust prices until the new iPhone 18 lineup is announced, which will almost certainly happen at the company's annual September event.

According to Bloomberg Apple expert Mark Gurman, the source of virtually all news about unreleased Apple products, the company is currently preparing for iPhone price hikes. Just how high will prices go? That's what Apple is still deciding, Gurman reports.

iPhone prices could increase by $100 or more

An iPhone price hike has seemed inevitable for months. The ongoing global memory shortage has significantly raised manufacturing costs, and the tech world has seen waves of price increases on smartphones and laptops.

As Gurman points out, Apple raised the price of its non-smartphone products by varying amounts. The iPad Air went up by $150. The MacBook Air price was raised by $200. The Mac Studio saw a whopping $500 price increase. Apple may feel that iPhone users are locked into the iOS ecosystem and that it can raise prices a significant amount without losing customers.

However, at the same time, Apple does have to compete with other companies' devices. Samsung and Google only raised the prices of their new Galaxy and Pixel line of smartphones by about $100 each (foldable phones have typically seen much larger price increases). Apple may feel like they need to either match that or stay within that general price range. That would see a base model iPhone 18 Pro priced at around $1,199 at launch.

In addition, Gurman says that Apple may feel like it could compete with higher price hikes than its competitors thanks to the company's new Upgrade program. Apple Upgrade is essentially a leasing model in which Apple users can pay a recurring monthly fee for a device and then easily swap the device in for an upgrade when a new model comes out. If the iPhone gets more expensive, those users who may have previously been priced out after a price hike can instead just opt to lease the device in the Apple Upgrade program.

All of our questions about the foldable iPhone Ultra and price increases will likely be answered in just a few weeks at Apple's big September event.

Unfortunately, iPhone price increases now seem inevitable.

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If you’ve used ChatGPT to make complicated information easier to understand, the Sterling Stock Picker takes a similar focus to stock research. Its Finley AI financial coach can answer questions about markets and portfolios in plain English, using real-time market data to explain what’s happening without requiring you to decode financial jargon on your own.

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The stock picker does more than individual stock research, too. A five-minute risk-tolerance questionnaire helps personalize recommendations, while the Done-for-You Portfolio Builder can create a diversified portfolio based on your goals and risk profile. Stock Rockets surfaces companies with 50%+ quarterly revenue growth and high North Star ratings, while sector and industry insights provide a broader view of where market momentum is developing.

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We are now just weeks away from Apple's big September iPhone launch event, where we expect the new iPhone 18 lineup to be announced, along with the company's first foldable iPhone.

Now, the lucky people who acted as early testers for the foldable iPhone, which is rumored to be called the iPhone Ultra, have shared their experiences with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. And according to Gurman, it seems like Apple will have a big hit on its hands. However, it does seem like early reviewers have a couple of specific complaints with the device.

The iPhone Ultra is a hit among testers

Over the weekend, Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman shared that he has spoken with individuals who have actually used the iPhone Ultra. After hearing what they had to say, Gurman says he "couldn't be more excited" for the foldable device.

According to Gurman, iPhone Ultra testers love that the device is pocket-sized, something our phone reviewers also love about foldable phones. When the iPhone Ultra is opened, the inner display is reportedly just slightly smaller than an iPad mini, making the small size of the foldable device quite impressive. Gurman says that testers also liked the iPad-esque UX, made possible by that flexible internal display.

It also seems like all that work Apple put into perfecting the foldable device's hinge paid off. Gurman reports that the "feel and durability of the advanced hinge mechanism" has received high praise.

Gurman specifically mentions the iPhone Ultra excelling as a camera viewfinder as well.

iPhone Ultra is missing two big things

However, according to the testers that Gurman spoke to, there are two major features that are missing with the iPhone Ultra.

Crucially, as we've seen in leaked renders, the iPhone Ultra only has two rear cameras. That means there is no telephoto lens, which has become standard on most premium phones. This has been rumored for a while, but Gurman is now reporting that testers were disappointed with the camera array.

As Gurman points out, the iPhone Ultra will likely cost $2,000 at least, and "the Venn diagram of people willing to spend top dollar on an early-adopter product and those who appreciate advanced camera capabilities — including deeper zoom — is probably pretty close to a circle." Current iPhone Pro users who are looking to upgrade might view the loss of one of their camera lenses as a downgrade and choose to buy the new (and almost certainly less expensive) iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max instead of the iPhone Ultra.

In our recent reviews of Samsung's new foldables, the camera arrays were one of our chief complaints. Both the smaller Galaxy Z Flip 8 and the larger Z Fold 8 (which matches the rumored shape and specs of the iPhone Ultra) had disappointing cameras compared to Pro and Ultra devices from Samsung, Google, and Apple.

The second big omission is that the iPhone Ultra lacks Face ID. Gurman confirms a long-time rumor that the phone uses Touch ID to authenticate users, reportedly disappointing users who have gotten used to Apple's Face ID feature.

These omitted features, along with anything else missing from the iPhone Ultra, will likely be added to future models. After all, this is Apple's first foldable phone, but most likely it won't be the last.

Take-Two Interactive Software, the parent company of Grand Theft Auto-maker Rockstar Games, is stepping up its efforts to unmask the anonymous leaker known as Cyberleek, who is still actively sharing GTA 6 leaks online.

On Aug. 21, Take-Two asked the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York to sign subpoenas against Google and X Corp to compel them "to produce the identity of entities or persons believed to be infringing on the copyright of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc."

One of the subpoenas includes a copy of a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown request sent to X, which seemingly confirms the leaked gameplay videos posted by Cyberleek are legitimate. While an earlier subpoena filed by Take-Two referenced "stolen content," the latest filing contains even more details.

SEE ALSO: GTA 6 Cyberleek update: Everything leaked so far, what might be next

Take-Two requested that X Corp remove "Images and videos extracted from an unreleased copyrighted work GTA VI," as the takedown request states. In addition, Take-Two also wrote, "The reported post contains unauthorized, leaked gameplay footage from the unreleased game Grand Theft Auto VI. This material reproduces our Client's copyrighted, unreleased game assets and was published and distributed without any authorization from the copyright holder. The content is presented as genuine leaked Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay from Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., and its distribution constitutes unauthorized reproduction and public disclosure of our Client's copyrighted work." (Emphasis added by Mashable.)

A DMCA takedown request sent to Google includes screenshots of Cyberleek videos posted to YouTube. Credit: U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York YouTube indicated that it complied with the takedown request in an email included with a recent subpeona. Credit: U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York

The action against Google and X Corp follows two similar subpoena requests filed against Microsoft and Discord, as Mashable reported on Friday. It's all part of Take-Two's ongoing efforts to scrub Cyberleek's videos from the web, while also identifying the leaker's digital footprints.

"The DMCA Subpoena is directed to X Corp., the service provider of an account with the username @cyberleek_ar_io. Infringing content was posted via the @cyberleek_ar_io account," the filing states. "This content infringes copyrights held by Take-Two for GRAND THEFT AUTO VI, proprietary software owned by Take-Two. The copyrighted material includes but is not limited to audiovisual content, artwork, images, dialogue, or other creative elements."

Likewise, the subpoena directed to Google states, "This infringing content is believed to be associated with the following online personas: CyberLeeks, Surfer24k, CyberLeek_ar_io."

Cyberleek seems undaunted by Take-Two's investigation, and they recently released more alleged gameplay footage showing a nudist colony, a gas station carjacking, and glimpses of a cutscene.

In fact, Cyberleek has been very busy over the past week, posting new Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay videos, polls, and map images on a daily basis. Scheduled for release on Nov. 19, the game has been in development for over a decade and has been subject to repeated delays, making it one of the most highly anticipated video games of all time. Before the GTA 6 leaks started, Rockstar announced it would finally debut an "extended look" at the game on Netflix on Aug. 27, but Cyberleek has disrupted those promotional plans.

Even as YouTube, X, and Discord remove infringing content, the GTA 6 leaks are still easy to find, and they're spreading widely on social media.

Meanwhile, the subpoenas provide a glimpse into Take-Two and Rockstar's efforts to unmask the leaker.

In the original Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown requests filed on Aug. 21, Take-Two demanded that Microsoft remove infringing material posted on a specific Github repository associated with Cyberleek. That repository was still online Friday, but the URL now produces a 404 error. In its filing against Discord, Take-Two requested information related to specific Discord users and servers.

Take-Two is seeking a wide range of data from Google, X Corp, Microsoft, and Discord. For the accounts associated with Cyberleek, the company is demanding the account ID, server metadata, telemetry records, original message logs, IP access logs, email addresses, phone numbers, connected accounts, registration timestamps, and any device identifiers.

If caught, Cyberleek will almost certainly face criminal charges, though that depends on how they obtained the leaked material and where the leaker is located.

So far, Rockstar Games and Take-Two haven't said anything about the alleged leaks outside of the subpoena requests. Mashable has contacted both companies repeatedly with questions, and we'll update this story if we receive a response.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Pexels Internxt Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (5TB Plan) $169.97
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Apple's smart home lineup has stayed mostly frozen for years, but that appears likely to change.

Between a recent Bloomberg report and a trove of references buried in Apple's own beta software, it appears the company is ready for a new Home push. Especially now that, reportedly, Apple has been waiting on its revamped Siri to finally be ready. Here's everything that's been reported so far.

SEE ALSO: Apple's next Beats headphones have reportedly leaked (again)

For years, much of Apple's rumored Home hardware has reportedly sat ready for release, only to be delayed pending the company's overhauled Siri. According to 9to5Mac, that logjam is finally clearing. The new Siri, upgraded with Apple Intelligence, is set to ship with iOS 27 this fall, and a wave of Home products is reportedly not far behind.

Everything we know so far

Citing the Bloomberg report, 9to5Mac lists seven Home-related products said to be in Apple's pipeline for the year ahead:

• A new Apple TV 4K

• HomePad, a HomePod-style device with a built-in display

• HomePod mini 2

• HomePod 3

• A security camera

• A video doorbell

• A tabletop robotic home hub

9to5Mac notes that the new HomePad, Apple TV 4K, and HomePod mini are reportedly slated to launch this fall. The larger HomePod and security camera could follow soon afterward. On that last point, 9to5Mac points to new HomeKit Secure Video features arriving in iOS 27 as a possible hint that the camera hardware is close.

The most detailed picture so far on the HomePod comes from Engadget, which combed through references in a recent macOS 26.7 beta. According to Engadget, the code points to a new device internally labeled "HomeAccessory" — widely believed to be the long-rumored HomePod with a built-in display, a concept that has been rumored in various forms for years.

Engadget also reports that the device's interface centers on "Faces" and a "Face Gallery" — essentially an Apple Watch-style face system scaled up for a larger screen, with faces that can be customized with different widgets and Smart Stacks that change throughout the day.

The beta code reportedly also points to a next-generation HomePod mini, internally codenamed B525. Engadget characterizes expectations for this update as modest — likely a minor refresh rather than a significant overhaul — though it cites a MacRumors report suggesting new color options are on the way.

Despite the fresh leaks, some skepticism is warranted, given how long these rumors have circulated. As 9to5Mac notes, Apple's home efforts have been comparatively limited so far. Still, given that we now know for sure that Siri AI is actually coming, the company may finally be ready to give its smart home lineup some long-overdue attention.

Are the Grand Theft Auto VI leaks an inside job?

As the anonymous online group known as Cyberleek continues to drop new GTA 6 footage on a near-daily basis, some gamers are starting to speculate that these leaks were orchestrated by Rockstar Games itself.

On social media platforms like Reddit, fans have begun to concoct various theories suggesting that Cyberleek could be part of an elaborate marketing campaign by the GTA developer. Could they be right?

GTA 6 leak conspiracy theories

To be fair, the conspiracy theorists have done a good job of explaining themselves. Fans have pointed out that Cyberleek appears to be following a marketing campaign-esque style schedule by releasing one or two videos per day. They have also noted that the leaked footage consistently focuses on game mechanics and never seems to reveal much about the GTA 6 story, which could genuinely spoil the game’s November launch.

Based on Cyberleek’s footage, it appears that the group may have access to a playable build of the game. If so, the leakers could theoretically produce almost any footage they wanted, provided the content was included in whichever version of the game they possess. 

SEE ALSO: What is CyberLeek? Everything we know about the alleged GTA 6 leakers.

As some have pointed out, even the gameplay footage that Cyberleeks has released doesn't reveal too much. Whoever is playing the game doesn't seem to explore the world as the character passes things by, instead passing potentially interesting locations without investigating them. The footage has also largely avoided action. No car crashes, no widespread destruction, no explosions — none of the things that make GTA, well, GTA.

Another interesting theory posed by gamers is that Cyberleek may be an actual character from the game. The group has used an animated Cyberleek mascot to watermark some of the footage and screenshots it has shared. Some fans believe that the Cyberleek name and art style feel like something Rockstar Games would create for an in-game GTA 6 persona. Could there be a leaker or hacker group named Cyberleek within the world of the game?

While some of these theories are surprisingly well thought out, the available evidence strongly suggests that Rockstar Games is not behind the GTA 6 leaks.

Why the fan theories fall apart

There are two major reasons the marketing-stunt theory doesn’t hold up.

First, there’s the memecoin factor. Throughout the daily leaks, Cyberleek has consistently promoted a cryptocurrency bearing the same name. When the group publishes polls asking viewers what type of GTA 6 footage they want to see next, users are required to use Cyberleek’s memecoin to participate.

It seems very, very extremely unlikely that a major company — especially one as big as Rockstar Games — would promote a memecoin as part of a marketing campaign. Alternative cryptocurrencies are frequently associated with pump-and-dump schemes and other financial scams. The potential legal and reputational headaches would almost certainly outweigh any promotional benefit.

Then there’s the much bigger piece of evidence: Take-Two Interactive filed subpoenas in federal court last week over the GTA 6 leaks., and here's the big one that seemingly debunks the conspiracies, Rockstar Games filed subpoenas in federal court last week related to the GTA 6 leaks.

"The reported post contains unauthorized, leaked gameplay footage from the unreleased game Grand Theft Auto VI," reads a takedown request sent to Discord and included with the subpoena. "This material reproduces our Client’s copyrighted, unreleased game assets and was published and distributed without any authorization from the copyright holder. The content is presented as genuine leaked Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay from Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., and its distribution constitutes unauthorized reproduction and public disclosure of our Client’s copyrighted work."

Again, this is a legal document filed in federal court in which Rockstar Games attests that at least one specific post is "unauthorized, leaked gameplay footage." Filing subpoenas to identify the people behind your supposedly orchestrated marketing campaign would be an extraordinarily risky stunt. The daily release schedule may feel suspiciously polished, but the legal filings — and all that memecoin promotion — make a Rockstar inside job extraordinarily unlikely.

With just a few days to go before Grand Theft Auto VI makes its big official debut (of sorts) on Netflix, the leaker known as Cyberleek is still on a tear.

Over the past week, someone (or perhaps a group of people) called Cyberleek has been busy sharing short gameplay clips of GTA VI left and right. On Aug. 20, Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of GTA-maker Rockstar Games, filed subpoenas against Microsoft and Discord to try to unmask the leaker. Those filings specifically cited "stolen content," seemingly confirming that at least some of the Cyberleek videos are legitimate.

The GTA 6 leaks represent the first glimpse of gameplay from the hotly anticipated title. In addition, countless AI-generated videos posing as "leaks" are also circulating widely on social media. So, we've put together a quick list of everything Cyberleek has released so far. We're not going to embed or link to any of these clips, and we can't verify their authenticity. However, they're easy enough to find on X or Reddit if you look hard enough.

SEE ALSO: What is Cyberleek? Everything we know about the alleged GTA 6 leakers. Every GTA 6 leak from Cyberleek so far

At the time of publication, several clips and screenshots have been posted by Cyberleek that purportedly show different aspects of GTA 6, from the game's map to glimpses of cut scenes. The leaker has avoided posting major plot spoilers, at least so far.

Here are the GTA 6 leaks Cyberleek has shared:

• Map sneak peek 1: A small, cropped portion of the in-game world map, showing a location called Dalton Island.

• Map sneak peek 2: Another cropped portion of the map showing locations called Tequesta Retreat, Gloriana Key, and Catalan Key.

• Basketball video: A clip of protagonist Jason Duval throwing a basketball into a hoop in a mini-game.

• Full map: An alleged view of the entire in-game map.

• Random video 1: A clip of Jason driving around for a little bit before beating up a truck driver.

• Taser video: A clip of Jason driving at night, stealing a security guard's taser, and using it on him. Jason then repeatedly kicks the guard while he is on the ground.

• Junkies video: A clip that appears to show a healing drug called Zombix. A tooltip indicates that Zombix's effects will weaken over time if the player uses it too much.

• Plane video: A clip of Jason flying a plane over Vice City, with much of the game world visible below. At the end, whoever is playing the game in the clip shoots the word "LEEK" into a wall with bullets, suggesting the leaker has a playable build of the game.

• Hypercar part 1: A clip of Jason driving a high-end sports car around Vice City.

• Hypercar part 2: A clip of Jason driving the sports car some more, before committing armed robbery.

• Strip club: Jason wanders around a strip club, then a short clip of an in-game cutscene is shown.

• Gas station: Jason causes trouble at a gas station, steals a truck with a bed full of gasoline, and crashes and dies; more of the previous cutscene is shown.

• Nudist colony: Jason explores a nudist hangout spot (where the NPCs are, obviously, nude) and attacks NPCs

Again, we can't authenticate any of the Cyberleek videos. That said, as someone who has played nearly every GTA game, I found them fairly convincing. GTA games all move in a certain way, and that movement appears to be recreated remarkably well in these videos. Everything from character movement to NPC interactions looks relatively on-brand for a modern Rockstar game. That said, we live in a world where it's easy to generate convincing AI videos.

As for what's next, we can't say. But Cyberleek is actively running polls on its website that allow people to pay in cryptocurrency to vote on what should be leaked next. You can also wait for real, official gameplay footage, which is set to debut on Netflix on Aug. 27.

So far, Rockstar and Take-Two have said nothing about the leaks outside of the subpoenas filed last week. Mashable has contacted the companies repeatedly with questions about the leaks, and we'll update this story if we receive a response.

Updated on Monday, Aug. 24 at 1:30 p.m. ET — We've updated this story to reflect the latest Cyberleek leaks.

Updated on Friday, Aug. 21 at 3:00 p.m. ET — Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., the parent company of Grand Theft Auto-maker Rockstar Games, has filed two subpoenas naming Microsoft and Discord as it hunts the leaker known as Cyberleek. The legal filings specifically cite "stolen content," seemingly confirming that the leaks are legitimate. Take-Two is also requesting the removal of leaked material that violates its copyrights, as well as information that could unmask the leakers.

Read more about the Microsoft and Discord subpoenas.

TikTok Shop has already convinced users to buy everything from pickle kits to questionable supplements. Its latest obsession is considerably shinier.

Livestream auctions for loose, lab-grown diamonds are suddenly everywhere on the app, turning stones that once required an intimidating trip to a jeweler into something users can buy from bed in about 15 seconds.

The streams, largely produced by lab-grown diamond company Royale Diamonds, feel like QVC after several espressos. An auctioneer holds a stone beneath bright lights, briefly flashes its specifications or grading report, and starts a countdown that may last only 10 to 30 seconds. Bids fly across the screen while the host urges viewers to keep tapping. Then the clock runs out, a winner is announced, and the next diamond appears before anyone has time to reconsider what just happened.

Naturally, people are getting hooked.

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Users across TikTok are showing off their auction finds, comparing collections, planning custom jewelry, and admitting that they keep returning to the streams, finding themselves "addicted," despite having no particular need for another loose gemstone. In recent weeks, buyers have begun comparing notes about how they stumbled into the diamond-auction rabbit hole — and how quickly one purchase became five, 10, or several dozen.

TikTok creator Ryan Roth is one of them. After accidentally winning his first lab-grown diamond for $700, he bought another for $94 while scrolling in an Uber and soon had roughly 10 more stones on the way.

"I don’t know what to do with them or about it, but it's addicting," Roth said in one video. His justification for the expensive hobby? Simple: "I have adult money and free will."

Users like Roth who have purchased from Royale Diamonds say every stone they bought came with a grading report from the International Gemological Institute, or IGI. Royale Diamonds has clearly recognized its newfound virality and is capitalizing on it. The company connected with Roth for what it called a "mega live" on Sunday, Aug. 23. The account streamed for nine hours, from 1 to 10 p.m., turning diamond sales into something closer to an all-day telethon.

Roth is hardly the biggest collector. One frequent bidder interviewed by Rolling Stone said she accumulated around 50 diamonds and other gemstones in one month. Having assembled her own sparkling collection, she compared herself to "Thanos gathering Infinity Stones." Another woman told The Guardian that the streams had become her nightly viewing ritual. She has reportedly purchased more than 30 diamonds since discovering them in June, including pink and blue stones.

You don’t even have to bid to get invested. One 21-year-old said her family sometimes projects the livestreams onto a larger screen and watches them together, turning an online jewelry sale into appointment television. That is part of the appeal: There is always another stone coming. If one doesn’t interest you, the next might be bigger, cheaper, pinker, or shaped like the pear-cut diamond you’ve suddenly decided would make an excellent necklace.

Why are the diamonds so inexpensive? Credit: Screenshot: TikTok @royalediamondslive

Those prices aren’t magic. Most of the stones are lab-grown diamonds, which have essentially the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds but cost much less to produce. As manufacturing has expanded, prices have fallen: Smaller stones can sell for under $100, while many go for roughly $100 to $200 per carat.

That affordability has changed what buying a diamond can mean. Instead of reserving them for engagements or anniversaries, TikTok users are collecting colorful stones, planning custom jewelry, or simply enjoying their tiny piles of gems.

The loose stone, however, may be the cheapest part. One buyer reportedly spent about $500 on a 3.78-carat diamond, then another $1,100 to set it in a 14-karat gold ring.

A low price also doesn’t guarantee a bargain. TikTok requires some jewelry sellers to provide authenticity documents or test results, and its policy prohibits fraudulent, low-quality, and inaccurately described products. Still, bright lighting can conceal imperfections, and a grading report can’t fully convey how a stone will look or sparkle in person.

Before bidding, buyers should verify the report with the issuing laboratory and check the diamond’s measurements, carat weight, origin, cut, color, clarity, and treatments. The FTC also requires sellers to clearly disclose when a diamond was created in a laboratory rather than mined.

Finally, TikTok says livestream auction purchases are generally final sale. Buyers may have recourse if a stone is damaged, missing, or not as described. Realizing the next morning that you have no use for a three-carat oval diamond may not be enough.

Diamond auctions are part of TikTok Shop's much bigger takeover

The ease with which idle scrolling can become a credit card charge is the bigger story here. Customers spent an estimated $50.3 billion globally through TikTok Shop during the first half of 2026. That was a 92 percent increase from the same period in 2025, with U.S. shoppers accounting for $11.8 billion of the total.

SEE ALSO: TikTok shoppers spent $50 billion in six months on the platform

By July, TikTok Shop represented approximately 2 percent of U.S. online retail spending, up from 1.2 percent one year earlier, according to Consumer Edge data reported by Business Insider. For the month, spending on the platform reportedly surpassed the individual online businesses of Target, Costco, and Home Depot, though TikTok still trails far behind Amazon and Walmart.

A relatively small group of enthusiastic customers is helping fuel that growth. Shoppers who made at least 20 TikTok Shop purchases during the second quarter accounted for only 5 percent of buyers but generated around 30 percent of spending. Meanwhile, consumers over 35 were the platform's fastest-growing age group.

The diamond craze makes it easy to understand why. TikTok hasn't invented livestream shopping, impulse buying, or fast-talking auctioneers. It has simply squeezed all three into a personalized feed where entertainment and checkout happen on the same screen.

You don’t need to open TikTok looking for a diamond. You only need to pause long enough to watch one sparkle.

With less than a week to go until Rockstar Games shows us official Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay on Netflix, there's even more unofficial gameplay footage leaking online.

Cyberleek, the anonymous leaker who has hit the big time in the last week or so by leaking a steady stream of GTA VI gameplay clips, posted a few more over the weekend and into Monday morning. Mashable is not linking to any of the leaked clips or map images, but they can be pretty easily found on various social networks if you look hard enough.

SEE ALSO: GTA 6 map: Community mapping project resembles what CyberLeek revealed

Anyway, here are descriptions of the four clips that have gone out since last Friday:

• More supercar footage: shows the protagonist Jason driving a high-end sports car and then engaging in an armed robbery

• Strip club: Protagonist wanders around an in-game strip club before a snippet of a cutscene is shown

• Gas station: Protagonist wreaks havoc at a gas station and steals a truck; the truck bed is filled with gasoline, and it crashes and explodes. Another clip of the same cutscene is shown.

• Nudist colony: Protagonist wanders around some sort of nudist hangout spot and attacks NPCs

The nudist colony video appeared to be the winner of the latest poll on CyberLeek's website. Users can vote in the poll by spending cryptocurrency, because, of course, that's how this works. At the time of publication, it's unclear exactly how much of the game CyberLeek has access to, or how they came to access it. While we can't authenticate any of the videos, subpoenas recently filed by Take Two Interactive (the parent company of Rockstar Games), specifically reference stolen material, seemingly confirming the leaks are legit.

In all likelihood, the leaker has access to an older build of the game that's not up to par with what Rockstar will show later this week.

SAVE 44%: As of Aug. 24, you can get the Keurig K-Mini Mate single-serve coffee maker for $49.99, down from $89.99, at Amazon. That's a 44% discount, or $40 in savings.

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Coffee is a non-negotiable for a lot of us, but counter space is hard to come by. Whether you're headed back to campus, moving into a tiny apartment, or just want a personal brewer for your office desk, finding room for a bulky coffee machine isn't always realistic.

SEE ALSO: The Ninja HydraSense is a compact countertop water filtration system that removes up to 99% of stuff you don't want to drink

If you want a quick cup of caffeine without sacrificing half your kitchen counter, Amazon has some pretty good deals on Keurig models right now, including the K-Mini Mate. As of Aug. 24, you can get the Keurig K-Mini Mate single-serve coffee maker for $49.99, down from $89.99, at Amazon. That's a 44% discount, or $40 in savings. It looks like this discount applies to the Pink Sands and Red Rocks colorways as well.

At just four inches wide, the K-Mini Mate is built for tight spaces like dorms or small kitchens. Just add fresh water to brew up to 12 ounces at a time, or pop out the drip tray to fit a 7.25-inch travel mug right underneath.