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The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, September 13, 2024:

AcrossClothed (in)

• The answer is Clad.

Ring of light

• The answer is Halo.

Black ___ (dangerous spider)

• The answer is Widow.

Longtime talk show host known for pulling pranks on her guests

• The answer is Ellen.

Worker with a comb, perhaps?

• The answer is Bee.

DownSouth American country with a 4,000-mile coastline

• The answer is Chile.

Tool for a soup kitchen volunteer

• The answer is Ladle.

Succulent in some health drinks

• The answer is Aloe.

"I'm reading a book about antigravity. I can't put it ___!" (groaner)

• The answer is Down.

One "w" in www

• The answer is Web.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 13 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 13 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Boots and saddles

These words are very Red Dead, very Redemption..

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers all relate to the Old West.

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 Westerns.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 13

• Outlaw

• Cowboy

• Sheriff

• Duel

• Westerns

• Horse

• Bounty

• Saloon

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.

I recently made the move from New York City to Florida and one of the biggest things I’ve had to adjust to is the weather, especially those big rainstorms and hurricanes — which means there are likely days where I may experience power outages and am going to want a backup supply of power. 

For some background, I am a fairly technologically savvy person — my home office consists of my laptop and a monitor which I was able to successfully hook up without many issues. I have also had my fair share of experience using portable chargers and power banks. However, I admittedly have never used a power station as large as the Anker 535 PowerHouse. 

I recently got my hands on one and wanted to see if it lived up to the 4.6-star Amazon rating I saw when I wrote this and its $500 price tag. To test the product, I fully recharged it and tested the AC, USB-C, and USB-A ports to charge my iPhone, MacBook Air, Nintendo Switch, and Bluetooth headphones. I also tested to see if it could be used to power the lamp placed by my desk. 

I was able to charge all my devices at once. Credit: Jenna Clark / Mashable

The verdict? The Anker 535 PowerHouse did effectively charge and power up multiple of my devices simultaneously. At $500, I can say that it is worth the investment for somebody who needs to be prepared for inclement weather (like myself living in Florida) or spends lots of time in remote areas and may not have access to outlets such as campers or those on a road trip. However, for a person looking to charge their phone or power devices regularly, it is a bit pricey and heavy for day-to-day use. (Though we have seen the power station's price dip below $350.)

The Anker PowerHouse is easy to use even for beginners

When I opened the box, I immediately saw the user manual which was filled with helpful diagrams showing how to recharge the power device and the various ports (four AC, one USB-C, and three USB-A ports). I was able to easily unwrap the car port charger and power adapter and plug it in for charging. 

The portable generator houses four AC ports, three USB-A ports, and one USB-C port. Credit: Jenna Clark / Mashable

I also liked that it came with a light. Although I did not need to use it, I still tried turning it on and off which could be easily done with the push of a button. 

However, it is important to note that any Lightning or other cables that may be required to charge a laptop, phone, etc. are not included with the Anker 535 PowerHouse. Although I wish they were included (considering the $500 price tag), I luckily had them at my apartment, so I could get right to testing without having to order any additional cables. 

How long does the Anker 535 PowerHouse battery take to charge?

Since it was my first time using the device, the instruction manual advised that I fully charge it first. The box advertised that the device could be fully recharged using the in-box adapter in four-and-a-half hours and I wanted to see if I would experience that quick charge time. When I initially plugged in the power adapter charger to the outlet in my apartment, the device was already at 27 percent (I had assumed it would be at zero percent considering the instructions read to fully charge it before use). It took three-and-a-half hours to reach 100 percent (from 27 percent) which I thought was in line with the box’s claim and extremely quick considering the battery’s capacity of 512Wh. 

The LCD screen lets you know the battery's charge and how much time you have left until the power station dies. Credit: Jenna Clark / Mashable The Anker 535 PowerHouse can charge and power up multiple devices fairly quickly

To test the portable generator’s charging capabilities, I charged my MacBook Air, iPhone, Bluetooth headphones, and Nintendo Switch simultaneously. 

• It took two hours and 20 minutes for my phone to charge from zero percent to 100 percent. 

• It took two hours and 10 minutes for my laptop to charge from zero percent to 100 percent.

• It took two hours and 50 minutes for the Nintendo Switch to charge. 

Considering all of the devices were charging at the same time, I thought that under three hours to fully charge all three devices was fast. 

I found it helpful that the LCD display showed how many Watts of power were being used as the devices were being charged as well as the remaining battery hours. This makes it easier for one to prepare. 

I tested the AC port by plugging in the lamp by my desk and it turned on easily with no issues. 

Even with all of the charging that was being done, the battery only lowered to 74 percent, which was impressive considering it was charging four devices for three and a half hours. 

The Anker 535 PowerHouse was unable to accept three-prong AC power cords

I wanted to fully power my home office using the Anker 535 PowerHouse, but unfortunately, I was unable to plug in my monitor as it was equipped with a three-prong AC power cord. The machine is only able to accept two-prong AC power cords. This was slightly disappointing and is something to make a note of in case you want to use this power station to connect an appliance that is equipped with a three-pronged cord. 

However, I was able to plug in some of the electronics in my office, including my lamp.

Is the Anker 535 PowerHouse worth it? 

Do I think the Anker 535 PowerHouse is worth the value? I think it depends on who you’re asking or what one plans on using it for. As someone who lives in Florida, I think the Anker 535 PowerHouse is definitely worth the price, especially during hurricane season. Although it can efficiently charge and power multiple devices at once with its nine ports, the battery is fairly heavy and would be kind of a pain to transport. 

If you're solely looking to use the Anker 535 PowerHouse for day-to-day use to charge your phones, laptops, etc., then it is not worth the price as there are other smaller, more portable, and cheaper chargers on the market. However, if you’re looking to use it while camping to power multiple appliances including lamps, mini coolers, or the like, then I would say it is worth the $500 investment — or $330 investment if you can snag it on sale. 

Anker 535 PowerHouse $329.00 at Anker
$499.99 Save $170.99 Shop Now

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

The next WNBA fixture is coming up and the latest teams to the court are the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever. Both teams have secured their postseason spot, so this match will be about improving their standings.

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

When is Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever?

Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever in the WNBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 13. This fixture takes place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

How to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever

You can watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever with the WNBA League Pass. But keep in mind that the WNBA League Pass might not live stream locally televised games in the participating teams' local areas.

But don't worry, you can get around this with just a few simple steps. You'll need to use a VPN, a tool that works by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to secure servers in other locations. This means you can watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.

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

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

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

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

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

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

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

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

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

TL;DR: Through Sept. 29 at the Mashable Shop, you can get PDF Reader Pro For Mac or Windows for just £22.83 or £19.02, respectively — that's a 50% discount.

Have you ever met a teacher in the modern age who doesn’t use PDFs? Between readings, worksheets, and syllabi, there are plenty of opportunities for you to encounter this ubiquitous file type in school, and if you don’t have the right software, PDFs might get a little frustrating. 

But PDFs don’t have to be so annoying with a lifetime membership to the PDF Reader Pro Premium Plan for Mac or Windows. This PDF-reading and editing software gives you a whole host of tools for making this once-frustrating file type more accessible, and during this back-to-school event, plans start at just £19.02 for a limited time. 

Make PDFs manageable 

PDFs are the third most common file type on the internet, so you likely aren’t going to get through secondary school or university without them. As a student, PDF Reader Pro might become your favourite app on your computer. The next time an instructor sends you a reading for class you can annotate, highlight, underline, and make notes directly on the page. And if you’re tired of the glaring white borders around your reading, you can switch on Night Mode, which may be easier on the eyes. PDF Reader Pro also provides interactive fields for text, checkboxes, combo boxes, signature sections, and more. 

This PDF reader can also transform images imported from your iOS device into a PDF, or convert PDFs into iWork, Text, JPH, PNG, and HTML files. If you’re making a professional portfolio for a class, you could even add your own watermark. 

Stop worrying when you see a PDF attachment in an email. Instead, get PDF Reader Pro For Mac or Windows. The Mac version is on sale for £22.83 (reg. £45.70), and the Windows version is on sale for £19.02 (reg. £45.70) through Sept. 29.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: PDF Technologies PDF Reader Pro For Mac £23.64 at the Mashable Shop
£45.70 Save £22.06 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: PDF Technologies PDF Reader Pro For Windows £19.02 at the Mashable Shop
£45.70 Save £26.68 Get Deal

TL;DR: Until Sept. 27, new and returning customers can get a three-month subscription to Disney+ (standard with ads) for £1.99 per month.

Opens in a new window Credit: Disney+ Disney+ Standard with Ads: 3-Month Subscription £1.99 per month Get Deal

Disney+ has got a lot planned for the coming months. The popular streaming service is launching new premieres like In Vogue: The 90s, animated films like Inside Out 2, Marvel’s Agatha All Along, returning franchises like Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, and big hits like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and Kinds of Kindness in the near future.

With all of that in mind, wouldn't it be nice if there was some sort of appealing subscription deal on offer?

SEE ALSO: Disney data breach: Disneyland, Disney Cruise guests and employees personal info leaked

Good news, streamers! Until Sept. 27, new and returning customers can get a three-month subscription to Disney+ (standard with ads) for £1.99 per month. That's a saving of £9 compared to normal rates.

After the three-month promotional period, your Disney+ (standard with ads) plan will automatically renew at full price. But you can cancel this at anytime, so there's no pressure to pay anything more than the discounted rate. Just don't forget and caught out if you have no intention of continuing with the service. You've been warned.

Subscribe to Disney+ for under £2 a month with this limited-time offer.

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for free on ORF, ServusTV, or RTBF. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

F1 is having a moment. After what seemed like a lifetime of Max Verstappen dominating every weekend, we've got competitive racing once again. The big question is whether McLaren have enough time to close the gap, and whether they will continue to let their two drivers battle it out with each other.

All eyes will be on Baku City Circuit this weekend. If you're interested in watching the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

The 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place over 51 laps of the 6,003-kilometre Baku City Circuit. The full schedule can be found here:

• Practice 1 — 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 13

• Practice 1 — 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET on Sept. 13

• Practice 1 — 4:30 to 5:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 14

• Qualifying — 8 to 9 a.m. ET on Sept. 14

• Race — 7 a.m. ET on Sept. 15

It's possible to stream the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix without spending anything.

How to watch the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for free

You can find free live streams of F1 on these platforms:

• Austria — ORF or ServusTV (12 races each)

• Belgium — RTBF (every race)

ORF, ServusTV, and RTBF are geo-restricted, but anyone from around the world can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free live streams of F1 from anywhere in the world.

Unblock free streaming services by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria or Belgium

4. Connect to ORF, ServusTV, or RTBF

5. Watch the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams for free. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can stream the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix without actually spending anything.

What is the best VPN for F1?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming F1 for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria and Belgium

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.

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

The next WNBA fixture is coming up and the latest teams to the court are the Washington Mystics and the Atlanta Dream. Neither team has secured their postseason spot, and there's only one place left to take. It's set to be a great game, and not one you'll want to miss.

To watch the Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.

When is Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream?

Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 13. This fixture takes place at the Gateway Center Arena at College Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

How to watch Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream

You can watch Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream with the WNBA League Pass. However, it's worth keeping in mind that the WNBA League Pass might not live stream locally televised games in the participating teams' local areas.

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

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

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

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

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

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

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

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

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA from anywhere in the world 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 13'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 13 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Cruel.

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 H.

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...

HARSH.

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 13s 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 13 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: That special water MJ gave the Looney Tunes

• Green: Palindromes

• Blue: Items in the famous beanstalk story

• Purple: Types of cares

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: Vitality

• Green: Palindromes Featuring "E"

• Blue: Featured in Jack and the Beanstalk

• Purple: Car Models

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 #460 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Vitality: ENERGY, JUICE, LIFE, ZIP

• Palindromes Featuring "E": LEVEL, PEP, REFER, TENET

• Featured in Jack and the Beanstalk: BEANS, COW, GIANT, JACK

• Car Models: BEETLE, CIVIC, FOCUS, VOLT

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.

Ten years ago, a simple mobile game called Flappy Bird took the world by storm. The game became a massive hit in early 2014 on both iOS and Android, and quickly brought its creator, Vietnam-based Dong Nguyen, fame and fortune. Flappy Bird at one point was reportedly bringing in tens of thousands of dollars in ad revenue per day.

By February 2014, however, Nguyen had completely removed the game from all mobile app stores. Others have attempted to clone the game over the years, but were never able to replicate the success of the original.

SEE ALSO: Kim Kardashian's once-popular mobile game to close in April

Now, more than ten years later, a group called the Flappy Bird Foundation is re-launching the game. The group, which describes itself as "a new team of passionate fans," has the trademark to Flappy Bird – although it appears it wasn't obtained from Nguyen. The creator of a game that many believe inspired Flappy Bird is also backing the project.

One thing the Flappy Bird Foundation doesn't have, however, is Nguyen.

The new Flappy Bird game

The Flappy Bird Foundation released a trailer on Thursday showcasing what fans can expect from the new game.

Tweet may have been deleted

It is called Flappy Bird. The original yellow bird character is back. Players still tap on the screen to flap their wings and move up and down to avoid hitting pipes. 

However, there's much more to the new Flappy Bird now too according to the game's new website.

There are additional playable characters as well as different levels. The trailer shows a world map which suggests there will be a storyline mode. There's also other gameplay modes which involve guiding your Flappy Bird character through basketball hoops. It appears there will be an online mode called Flappy Bird Rivals too where players can take on 99 other competitors.

The new Flappy Bird is set to release in October on the web and other platforms with dedicated iOS and Android apps coming in 2025.

The return of Flappy Bird? Sort of.

Flappy Bird's "return" is odd as its creator Dong Nguyen is not involved. In fact, Nguyen apparently has nothing to do with Flappy Bird's comeback whatsoever, and reportedly didn't sell the rights to it.

Nguyen said he was unhappy with the attention Flappy Bird brought, and has previously said that he did not want Flappy Bird to exist at all.

"Flappy Bird was designed to play in a few minutes when you are relaxed," Nguyen told Forbes in an interview in February 2014 shortly after taking the game off of the app stores. "But it happened to become an addictive product. I think it has become a problem. To solve that problem, it's best to take down Flappy Bird. It's gone forever."

So, how is the Flappy Bird Foundation reviving the game?

In its post announcing "I AM BACK!!" the Flappy Bird account on X shared that "the decade-long mission" to revive the game "involved acquiring legal rights and even working with my predecessor to uncage me and re-hatch the official Flappy Bird® game!"

But the Flappy Bird Foundation acquired the rights from Gametech Holdings LLC., not Nguyen. According to court documents, Gametech Holdings LLC acquired the Flappy Bird rights by filing to take over the abandoned trademark rights from Nguyen. As Inverse points out, Gametech Holdings LLC used Nguyen's own public statements about abandoning Flappy Bird in order to successfully take over the trademark in September 2023.

While Nguyen's lack of involvement in every step here may leave a bad taste in some fans' mouths, the Flappy Bird Foundation does have a member with ties to the original Flappy Bird.

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The apparently anonymous creator of the game Piou Piou vs. Cactus is reportedly part of The Flappy Bird Foundation. Back when Nguyen found success with Flappy Bird, he was criticized for allegedly "borrowing" elements of Piou Piou vs. Cactus, such as the design of the infamous yellow Flappy Bird character. Some have even speculated that Nguyen really shut down Flappy Bird in order to avoid legal issues with the creator of Piou Piou vs. Cactus.

So, Flappy Bird is back, albeit with a murky new backstory. Will The Flappy Bird Foundation pull off the comeback? It's possible. However, there are already critics of the new game based on what appears to be a new addition to Flappy Bird: The dreaded micro-transaction.

We'll have to wait and see when it comes out.

OpenAI's advanced reasoning model has arrived.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI clarifies: No, "GPT Next" isn't a new model.

Initially dubbed "Project Strawberry," the model was released to the public as "o1" on Thursday. As expected, o1 is able to "think" (process) before answering a prompt, which differs from previous large language models that use predictive text to form their responses. "We've developed a new series of AI models designed to spend more time thinking before they respond," said OpenAI in the announcement.

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In a demo shared on the OpenAI site, the video shows a user asking o1 in ChatGPT to "write a grammatictlly [sic] correct sentence without using any letters more than once." The model then uses its new reasoning skills to weigh options and evaluate the sentence. According to the demo, after 39 seconds, o1's cheeky response to the query is "go fix my bed."

Another video features Research Lead Jerry Tworek asking o1 to solve a logic puzzle about the ages of a prince and princess. The model is shown decoding the problem, by understanding the different variables and determining which equations are needed to solve the problem, and goes step by step answering the age equation.

As demonstrated from the demos, o1 works best for solving complex math problems in the realm of science, physics, and coding. "o1 can be used by healthcare researchers to annotate cell sequencing data, by physicists to generate complicated mathematical formulas needed for quantum optics, and by developers in all fields to build and execute multi-step workflows," said the announcement.

That also means the o1 preview comes with certain limitations. It can't browse the web or take in uploaded files and images. For tasks like those, OpenAI says, GPT-4o is still the best model to use.

In a section about safety, OpenAI said the U.S. and UK Safety Institutes were granted early access to testing o1, per the previous mandates from President Biden's AI executive order.

OpenAI's o1 model is available through the developer AI and ChatGPT Plus users in preview. When you go to the ChatGPT app, you can select o1 in the dropdown menu.

Apple's newly announced hearing aid capability is officially the first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid software to be approved by the FDA. And it should be available on devices soon.

The federal agency formally ushered in the tech giant's new "Hearing Aid Feature" (or HAF, as the agency refers to it) mere days after the company's keynote "Glowtime" event, which unveiled a series of new health features. The HAF allows AirPods Pro users to conduct a personalized Hearing Test on their device, which is then used to customize audio settings in the hearing assistance software, effectively turning the in-ears into a form of hearing aid.

SEE ALSO: This state is allowing AI to help rule on its unemployment claims

Apple announced the Hearing Aid mode on Sept. 10, noting the company anticipated federal approval to come "soon," but the FDA moved quicker than expected.

"Today’s marketing authorization of an over-the-counter hearing aid software on a widely used consumer audio product is another step that advances the availability, accessibility and acceptability of hearing support for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss," wrote Michelle Tarver, FDA director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

The FDA's approval also provided more information on the feature's clinical testing. Apple's HAF was evaluated in a study featuring "118 subjects with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, at multiple U.S. sites," the FDA explained. "The results demonstrated that subjects who used the HAF self-fitting strategy achieved similar perceived benefit as subjects who received professional fitting of the same device. Results also showed comparable performance for tests measuring levels of amplification in the ear canal, as well as a measure of speech understanding in noise. No adverse events related to the device were observed in this study."

SEE ALSO: I demoed the new AirPods Pro 2 hearing test — and here's how it went

The feature's consumer approval bolsters the agency's recent new OTC hearing aid regulations in 2022, which allowed consumers with "perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment" to purchase hearing aids without first obtaining a medical exam, prescription, or audiologist approval.

Hearing Aid capabilities will be available for compatible AirPods Pro devices in a future software update.

Given the presidential debate this week, you probably heard plenty of misinformation and conspiracy theories. 

Indeed, reporters and fact checkers were working overtime to specifically determine whether Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating domestic pets, as grotesquely alleged by Republican presidential contender Donald Trump, and his vice presidential running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance. Neither has produced evidence proving their claim, and local officials say it's untrue. Still, the false allegation is all over the internet.

Experts have long worried about how rapidly conspiracy theories can spread, and some research suggests that people can't be persuaded by facts that contradict those beliefs.

But a new study published today in Science offers hope that many people can and will abandon conspiracy theories under the right circumstances. 

SEE ALSO: Jon Stewart breaks down the biggest Harris-Trump debate moments in live monologue

In this case, researchers tested whether conversations with a chatbot powered by generative artificial intelligence could successfully engage with people who believed popular conspiracy theories, like that the Sept. 11 attacks were orchestrated by the American government and that the COVID-19 virus was a man-made attempt by "global elites" to "control the masses." 

The study's 2,190 participants had tailored back-and-forth conversations about a single conspiracy theory of their choice with OpenAI's GPT-4 Turbo. The model had been trained on a large amount of data from the internet and licensed sources.

After the participants' discussions, the researchers found a 20 percent reduction in conspiracy belief. Put another way, a quarter of participants had stopped adhering to the conspiracy theory they'd discussed. That decrease persisted two months after their interaction with the chatbot. 

David Rand, a co-author of the study, said the findings indicate people's minds can be changed with facts, despite pessimism about that prospect.

"Facts and evidence do matter to a substantial degree to a lot of people." - David Rand, MIT professor

"Evidence isn't dead," Rand told Mashable. "Facts and evidence do matter to a substantial degree to a lot of people."  

Rand, who is a professor of management science and brain and cognitive sciences at MIT, and his co-authors didn't test whether the study participants were more likely to change their minds after talking to a chatbot versus someone they know in real life, like a best friend or sibling. But they suspect the chatbot's success has to do with how quickly it can marshal accurate facts and evidence in response. 

In a sample conversation included in the study, a participant who thinks that the Sept. 11 attacks were staged receives an exhaustive scientific explanation from the chatbot about how the Twin Towers collapsed without the aid of explosive detonations, among other popular related conspiracy claims. At the outset, the participant felt 100 percent confident in the conspiracy theory; by the end, their confidence dropped to 40 percent.  

For anyone who's ever tried to discuss a conspiracy theory with someone who believes it, they may have experienced rapid-fire exchanges filled with what Rand described as "weird esoteric facts and links" that are incredibly difficult to disprove. A generative AI chatbot, however, doesn't have that problem, because it can instantaneously respond with fact-based information.

Nor is an AI chatbot hampered by personal relationship dynamics, such as whether a long-running sibling rivalry or dysfunctional friendship shapes how a conspiracy theorist views the person offering counter information. In general, the chatbot was trained to be polite to participants, building a rapport with them by validating their curiosity or confusion. 

The researchers also asked participants about their trust in artificial intelligence. They found that the more a participant trusted AI, the more likely they were to suspend their conspiracy theory belief in response to the conversation. But even those skeptical of AI were capable of changing their minds. 

Importantly, the researchers hired a professional fact-checker to evaluate the claims made by the chatbot, to ensure it wasn't sharing false information, or making things up. The fact-checker rated nearly all of them as true and none of them as false. 

For now, people who are curious about the researchers' work can try it out for themselves by using their DebunkBot, which allows users to test their beliefs against an AI. 

Rand and his co-authors imagine a future in which a chatbot might be connected to social media accounts as a way to counter conspiracy theories circulating on a platform. Or people might find a chatbot when they search online for information about viral rumors or hoaxes thanks to keyword ads tied to certain conspiracy search terms.

Rand said the study's success, which he and his co-authors have replicated, offers an example of how AI can be used for good. 

Still, he's not naive about the potential for bad actors to use the technology to build a chatbot that confirms certain conspiracy theories. Imagine, for example, a chatbot that's been trained on social media posts that contain false claims.

"It remains to be seen, essentially, how all of this shakes out," Rand said. "If people are mostly using these foundation models from companies that are putting a lot of effort into really trying to make them accurate, we have a reasonable shot at this becoming a tool that's widely useful and trusted."

You can't escape advertising on the internet…even AI chatbots are starting to send ads your way.

In an update provided to its advertisers, ecommerce giant Amazon has shared that it will start serving ads via its AI-powered shopping assistant chatbot called Rufus.

SEE ALSO: New evidence claims Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon could be listening to you on your devices

"To help customers discover more products in Amazon’s generative AI-powered shopping assistant, referred to as Rufus, your ads may appear in Rufus-related placements," reads Amazon's September update to its Amazon Ads platform. "Rufus may generate accompanying text based on the context of the conversation."

The Amazon update was first noticed by AdWeek.

According to Amazon, Rufus will serve ads based on the information users provide. Ads will be tailored to what the user is looking for based on their search terms, and the conversation they're having with the chatbot.

Rufus was first launched earlier this year and rolled out across Amazon to all users in July. The AI chatbot helps provide more information on products, recommendations, and comparisons in a conversational format. Rufus uses the information available on Amazon's product pages for its knowledge base.

As TechCrunch points out, this is not the first time an AI chatbot has been used to serve advertising. Last year, Microsoft started testing out ads in its own AI chatbot Copilot.

Adult video site Clips4Sale is celebrating its 20 year anniversary in 2024, and it's looking back on the last two decades of fetish content.

According to the site, some fetishes are timeless — like foot fetishes, which thrived on Clips4Sale (C4S) since the very beginning. But so much has changed in terms of how we watch porn in the last 20 years. In 2004, porn was dominated by studio productions, and people accessed porn by buying DVDs or downloading videos. In the time since, streamable content made tube sites like Pornhub exploded with content and viewership. With sites like C4S as well as OnlyFans and the like, independent creators were able to create and distribute content by themselves. As C4S says in its blog post, this "allowed them to carve out ever more specific niches."

SEE ALSO: Most adult creators use AI in their work, new data says

C4S identified some fetishes that only began to emerge in our intensely-online era. One is ASMR, which can be non-sexual but is also beloved by NSFW audiences. C4S also identified digital submission (being surveilled by a dom via webcam, AirTag, or other tech) and gooning (masturbating and edging for hours) as being digital-bred fetishes.

Based on the site's data, here are the ten fetishes that define two decades of online kink, according to C4S data:

1. Feet: C4S started as a feet pics and clips website, and it continues to be one of the most top-desired fetishes.

2. Bondage: BDSM content was actually difficult to sell years ago according to C4S, but since the site's launch creators have been more vocal about consent and safety practices.

3. Taboo: Porn featuring "step" family members is popular. As C4S states in its blog, it's less to do with family and more about how taboo it is.

4. Ass worship: The rise of the BBL has also led to the rise of ass worship.

5. Superheroines: The MCU is to blame for this one.

6. Cuckolding: The act of watching your partner with someone else (and getting turned on by it).

7. Pegging: The act of penetrating someone (usually a cis man) with a dildo (and a cis woman doing the penetrating), and C4S's 2023 fetish of the year

8. Findom, aka financial domination: The internet has made it easy to pay your favorite creators

9. JOI, aka jerk-off instructions: Adult creators tell viewers how to masturbate.

10. Giantess: This one is growing (no pun intended) in popularity, so much so that C4S named it its 2024 fetish of the year.

Finding someone who you like enough to hang out with on a regular basis is hard enough. But finding someone who you like enough to smoke with regularly? That's a different ball game, and the best 420-friendly dating apps can help you find someone to share your next joint with.

"I don't care that you're a stoner" are words any weed enthusiast would love to hear during a hangout sesh — ideally from Chappell Roan herself's mouth during an a cappella serenade of Red Wine Supernova, but from any old date works, too. And while it may or may not be a tricky subject to bring up on a blind date or otherwise serendipitous meeting, putting the feelers out on a dating app can help prevent any awkward run-ins with someone who's not about that life.

SEE ALSO: Dating predictions for the rest of 2024

Past that, if ingesting weed in your preferred form comes to mind when listing off your hobbies, it's completely valid to prefer that a potential match who also considers Netflix, the couch, and a laser bong as a date.

Is there a dating app for weed users?

Finding a weed-friendly partner doesn't require a weed-centric dating app, though a few of those technically do exist. High There! and 420 Singles would probably be considered the two "main" ones, though "main" is a bit of a stretch when the lack of an active user base or name recognition come into play. While it would be nice to guarantee that every single person on your feed is down to get high, a good number of user reviews point back to the same issues: of the few profiles that aren't dead or bots, said apps are often used just to buy and sell weed.

SEE ALSO: The major dating apps are collapsing into each other

In many cases, you'll simply fare better on a general dating app that happens to be weed-friendly, like most of the ones we're suggesting in this list. Regardless of whether or not recreational weed has been legalized and/or decriminalized in your state, many top dating apps allow you to disclose your usage directly on your profile or and weed out the non-believers through filters.

However, it's worth mentioning that not all of these advanced matchmaking features that would be helpful for fellow stoner seekers are free. On Hinge, for example, you can't filter based on marijuana stance (or height, political views, or religion) unless you're a paid subscriber.

Below, we've pulled the best 420-friendly dating apps out there in 2024 — one specifically designed just for stoners, and the rest more broad, popular options where you can bond over more than leaf emoji things — while high, of course.

Meeting people in real life is ideal, but waiting for a meet-cute to happen organically isn't always realistic. That's especially true when your life involves working late into the evening, launching a startup, juggling multiple clients and side hustles as a busy freelancer, and just generally trying to have it all.

So, how do you find time to meet people when you're too busy for happy hour? Fortunately, the philosophy of "work smarter, not harder" can be applied to your love life, too. 

Enter the world of online dating, but not the kind you're used to. We're talking about elite dating sites for professionals, curated for singles who understand the challenges and rewards of a demanding career.

SEE ALSO: How to balance your side hustle with a full-time job

Yes, we know you're online all day for work, and the last thing you want to do is spend more time on your computer or phone trying to find a partner. But the best dating apps and sites for professionals let you connect with potential partners on your own time and terms.

This means you can forego the awkward, almost-maybe-not relationships and immature time-wasters to create a dating experience that fits your lifestyle.

We have to talk about Tinder

When you think of dating apps, two things probably come to mind: hookup apps like Tinder (or worse, Facebook Dating) and the question of how you'll ever find someone who understands that your busy lifestyle is just who you are.

First, let's deal with the Tinder problem. Yes, it's super popular, and for a good reason: people are getting laid! But if you're looking for something more than a casual fling, endless swiping is not the answer. Many dating apps have features designed for single professionals interested in making meaningful connections. You don't even need to download Tinder (unless you want a hookup app on standby).

SEE ALSO: TikTok is obsessed with the 'power struggle stage' of relationships. But what is it?

Now, let's talk about finding someone who understands and respects your busy lifestyle. You're hardly the only single person with an excess of ambition and a shortage of time, and the right dating app will connect you to like-minded professionals. You deserve someone who can lift you up and support you, not someone to settle for.

How can you find this person? Through the very peculiar power of niche dating sites.

What's the best dating app for professionals?

If you want to cut right to the chase: Based on our testing, we think Match is the best dating app for professionals, but runner-ups Raya, Bumble, and The League are also worth downloading.

Whether you're looking for the top dating sites for professionals over 50 or dating apps for people earning six figures (or more), you have options. To get your search for a partner started, we've created this guide to the best dating apps for professionals. Keep in mind that paid dating apps will be your best bet, as they act as an automatic filter on time-wasters.

Sexting (dirty talk, swapping nudes, sending explicit audio messages...the list goes on) is one way to take your dating life to new heights.

Whether you're single and ravenous for some sexy screen time with a stranger, in a long-distance relationship keeping the passion alive through digital intimacy, or interested in amping up your solo sex toy sessions with steamy instructions from an AI companion, mastering the act (art?) of sexting leads to a more fulfilling physical and emotional experience.

And, no, we're not talking about flirting with your crush on Facebook Messenger or sliding into someone's DMs uninvited on Instagram. We're talking about good old-fashioned dirty talk with a modern twist (think: video chat, sexy snaps, and erotic audio messages, with self-destructing features for added privacy). We made a lot of accounts to test the best sexting apps, and we've gathered our favorites below. You'll recognize some of them from our guide to the best dating apps, and for more adult fun, check out our review of the top hookup apps, too.

Once viewed as taboo, sexting is a mainstream way to communicate your desires Sexting should always be consensual, sexy, and fun. Credit: Zain Bin Awais / Mashable

According to a 2023 survey of U.S. adults by the market research platform Statista, 77 percent of participants said they've sent at least one sext. Other research surveys have found even higher rates of sexting. We also know that millennials are the most likely group to engage in sexting, though they're hardly the only demographic sending naughty messages and nudes.

We're also pretty sure these numbers will only rise as messaging apps get more advanced and our society evolves to be more accepting and sex-positive.

SEE ALSO: The cherry emoji and 14 other emoji you can use to sext

Sexting isn't just a saucy way to get off; it's a great tool for building trust and intimacy and sharing or exploring your wants and fantasies in a consensual and safe manner. It can also help you and your partner feel more connected and maintain a strong sexual bond (so the next time you get together IRL, it may be even hotter). This is especially true in long-distance relationships or during periods of physical separation.

How to start sexting

For some, just the thought of sending an explicit message or racy photo can be intimidating. (And that's OK!) Fortunately, there are so many apps and resources out there to help the most novice sexters feel empowered and confident. If you need some inspiration or tips, Mashable's Beginner's Guide To Sexting is a good place to start. Just remember: Sexting is supposed to be consensual, fun, and sexy.

And to make sure you're using the right apps for sexting, we have some practical suggestions. Based on our research and hands-on testing, we've narrowed down the best sexting apps of 2024 to the following top contenders:

A lot of guys have a love-hate relationship with the apps, but what's the alternative?

Sure, even the best dating apps for men can be a pain, yet meeting someone organically, or "in the wild," can feel nearly impossible. Between work, hobbies, and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, who has the time to actually meet people? That's where online dating comes in.

If you're already rolling your eyes, we hear you. Dating as a man in the 21st century is tough. It's not just the pressure to make the first move or the fear of rejection — it's the endless swiping through fake profiles, AI-generated thirst traps, bots posing as potential matches, and the relentless Instagram models trying to lure you into their OnlyFans scam. It's easy to get discouraged.

SEE ALSO: Dating predictions for the rest of 2024

Despite these challenges (and the very long list of others we didn't mention), there are still plenty of real people out there looking for love, just like you. It's just a matter of finding the best dating apps and putting in the effort to weed out the fakes and the flakes.

Do dating apps work for most guys?

Yes! We're not going to sugarcoat it and say everyone finds love on their first swipe (or even their first app). But here's the thing: Real men and women are finding real connections on these apps every day. One 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that one in 10 partnered adults met their significant other through online dating. The numbers are even higher for young people and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

When asked about their experiences with dating apps, 53 percent of users said they had a positive experience, with 14 percent even rating it as "very positive." Of course, your mileage may vary depending on who you are and what you're looking for. But the good news is that guys seem to be having a pretty decent time, with 57 percent reporting positive experiences and results compared to 48 percent of women.

SEE ALSO: Dating app coaches promise to upgrade your love life. But what do they actually do? Which dating app should I use as a guy?

The dating apps we've highlighted in this roundup are a great starting point for guys who are serious about finding a connection, whether it's a casual fling, a serious relationship, or something in between. Each app offers unique features and caters to different dating styles, so there's bound to be one that fits your personality and goals.

Don't be afraid to experiment; try out a few different apps and see what works for you. And most importantly, don't get discouraged by the occasional bad date or disappointing match. Remember, there are plenty of fish in the (digital) sea, and with a little effort, we're sure you'll find the one that's worth reeling in.