Mashable

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 27 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 27 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Pixar fare

These words are a delicious combination.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers all relate to ingredients for a Pixar movie namesake dish.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Ratatouille.

NYT Strands word list for August 27

• Peppers

• Onions

• Ratatouille

• Tomatoes

• Zucchini

• Eggplant

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.

The Alienware m16 r2 is very demure and very cutesy. It doesn't need to have all the glitz and glam, equipped with a flashy design, to be a gaming laptop.

Compared to its predecessor, the Alienware m16 r2 is designed to be more subdued and less "gamery." (No, that's not a word, but I'm sure you understand what I mean.)

It also doesn't have balls-to-the-walls performance numbers, but it still delivers impressive benchmark figures on our tests, particularly for a mid-level gaming laptop.

There are some aspects about the m16 r2 that I don't quite love, like brightness and audio, for example. But overall, this gaming rig isn't half bad. Read on to find out whether we're placing the m16 r2 on our best gaming laptops list.

Alienware m16 r2 price and specs

The Alienware m16 r2 I tested for this review is $1,899 at Best Buy and comes with the following specs:

• Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU

• 16GB of RAM

• 1TB of SDD storage

• 2560 x 1600-pixel display with a 240Hz refresh rate

If you want more storage, you can grab the 2TB configuration via Amazon for $1,949.99 as of this writing. But in my opinion, 1TB should be sufficient if you're fine with uninstalling games once you're done with 'em.

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Alienware m16 r2 $1,899.99 at Best Buy
Get Deal Alienware m16 R2 design

The Alienware m16 r2 is the successor to the Alienware m16 r1. Design wise, the Alienware m16 r2 no longer has a weird-looking, LED-lit thermal shelf that protrudes behind the hinge.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Dell says it discovered a way to reduce the cooling system inside the Alienware m16 r2 to completely remove the eyesore — er, I mean "thermal shelf" — that jutted beyond the laptop.

I've always preferred a minimalist design. I've never cared for gaming laptops that look like a flashy disco party. In fact, the Alienware m16 r2 is designed for killjoys like myself — gamers who want a subdued gaming experience without all the glitz and flash.

However, no matter how much Dell may have tried to subdue the "gaminess" of the m16 r2, it still very much looks like a gaming laptop — as if it was ripped out of an autobot from Transformers or a futuristic spaceship control panel. On the lid, you'll find Alienware's logo that features the head of an extraterrestrial. On the bottom right, you'll find a gigantic "16" in techno-inspired, cybernetic text.

The anodized aluminum chassis is draped in a colorway that Dell calls "Dark Metallic Moon."

If you, like myself, are not down to party with your gaming laptop, you can turn off the RGB lighting on the two alien heads (on the lid and deck), as well as the keyboard and touchpad border, via the Alienware Command Center app.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

You may be wondering, "Is the Alienware m16 r2 portable?" I would say it's more portable than its predecessor, but I'm not someone who believes that a 16-inch, six-pound laptop with 0.79-inch thickness can be portable. It will definitely add quite a bit of weight to your luggage if you're traveling with it. And commuting with it won't be pleasant either, but to be fair, not many gaming laptops are truly portable (save for maybe the MSI Cyborg 14).

You'll find honeycomb-style vents above the keyboard as well as some intake vents on the underside. Oh, and there are some vent exhausts on the sides, too.

The sturdy, well-built chassis fends off fingerprints well, but it does collect grease.

Alienware m16 R2 display

The Alienware m16 r2 comes with a 16-inch, 2,560 x 1,600-pixel display with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 3ms response time.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

It supports Nvidia G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync. This means you should get smooth gameplay with G-SYNC and Freesync, which ensure that the frames are seamless, so you don't have to worry about screen tearing and stuttering.

My only wish is that Dell offered a configuration with a miniLED or OLED panel for better contrast, improved color accuracy, and more power efficiency.

Otherwise, the Alienware m16 R2 display is fine, whether I gamed on it, or played Netflix or YouTube on it. While watching Netflix's The Union on the m16 r2, a bellhop's rich, ruby-red-and-gold uniform caught my eye. In one scene, I could see the tiny vellus hairs appearing on Halle Berry's skin.

I played Cyberpunk 2077 on the Alienware m16 R2, and while I was impressed with the contrast and vivid colors, I wished that the m16 r2 300-nit screen was brighter in some dark scenes.

By the way, the m16 r2's display screen folds all the way back 180 degrees. Not really sure why I'd need this, though. (I guess if you have a rambunctious child who loves testing displays' flexible capabilities, this might be useful to prevent breakage.)

Alienware m16 R2 ports

The Alienware m16 r2 has I/O options all over the shop: the sides and the back.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

On the left:

• RJ-45 Ethernet jack

• Headset jack

On the back:

• USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 4)

• USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2)

• HDMI 2.1

On the right:

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

• microSD card reader

• Type-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1)

• Type-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1)

For me personally, because my power source is to my left, I wished the DC-in port was also on the left side. But it's a minor gripe that doesn't affect my overall assessment of the Alienware m16 r2 (especially since everyone's desk setup is different).

Alienware m16 R2 audio

The m16 r2's audio system, which feature side-firing speakers that you can find on the edges of the laptop, is so-so.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

On the plus side, they get pretty darn loud. However, after launching the "Today's Hits" playlist from the Apple Music app, tunes on the m16 r2 sounded too hollow, tinny, and flat for my tastes. This is definitely not a laptop for a music producer by any means.

Alienware m16 R2 keyboard and trackpad

As a keyboard snob, the m16 r2 keyboard island-style keyboard with 1.8mm of key travel is satisfying. It's super clicky with that springy "bounce back" feel once you hit the actuation point.

Alienware m16 r2 keyboard Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The black, squircle keys, which feature white letters and symbols, are large and spacious. The keyboard supports one-zone and per-key lighting. There are also plenty of shortcuts. For example, you can turn on "quiet mode" by hitting the Fn and F2 keys. But if you want to turn on "performance mode," you can hit the Fn and F1 keys.

The touchpad is fine, too. It's smaller than I'd expect for a 16-inch laptop, but it still has ample space. It also responds quite well to my Windows 11 touchpad gestures, including pinch-to-zoom and dual-finger scrolling.

Alienware m16 R2 performance and benchmarks

To reiterate, the m16 r2 has 16GB of RAM, an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, a 1TB SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. (You can't get any better than a 4070.)

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Let's talk about the GPU for a bit. The m16 R2 supports Nvidia's Advanced Optimus feature, which means the system can automatically switch between the m16 r2's integrated graphics (which would be the not-really-for-gaming Intel Iris Xe graphics) and the discrete GPU (i.e., Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU), depending on your task.

For example, if you're just web browsing or running video playback, the m16 r2 will tap into the Intel Iris Xe graphics. However, when it's time to fire up a triple-A game, it will lean on the RTX 4070 GPU.

I found the swapping to be quite seamless.

This gaming rig also features a MUX switch, which lets you manually turn off the Intel Iris Xe graphics in favor of the 4070 GPU, which is useful if you want to focus on getting the most out of your dedicated graphics.

Performance-wise, the m16 R2 kicked its rivals butt. Take a look at the frames per second I got while running the Cyberpunk 2077 "High" benchmark :

• 98.7 frames per second

• 167.9 frames per second (DLSS on)

Compare that to the HP Victus 16 we reviewed, which sports an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and a RTX 4060 GPU:

• 92 frames per second

• 122.93 frames per second (DLSS on)

On 3DMark's TimeSpy benchmark, which assesses graphical prowess, the m16 r2 churned out a score of 12,224, which beats the HP Victus' 9,328 score.

Alienware m16 R2 battery life

The Alienware m16 r2's battery isn't that great — even if it's just a gaming laptop.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

At just 59 minutes via PCMark 10's gaming battery life test, the Alienware m16 R2 has the second-worst runtime among gaming laptops we've tested. (The 4090-packed Lenovo Legion 9i was the worst at 41 minutes.)

For more battery life, consider the HP Victus 16, which lasted almost 2 hours during a non-stop gaming session. (But you'll have to stomach a bit of a performance hit with its 4060 GPU.)

Alienware m16 R2 webcam

The Alienware m16 r2's 1080p webcam is about as mid as you'd expect it to be.

In a selfie, I found that the colors were slightly off and the photo was quite noisy.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

On the plus side, it supports Windows Hello facial recognition, thanks to the IR camera.

Is the Alienware m16 R2 worth it?

The Alienware m16 R2 outputs impressive performance numbers on demanding games, but don't bother unplugging it from an outlet. (Yes, it's a gaming laptop, but even compared to the rigs we've tested, the battery runtime is quite short.)

You should also consider the tinny, hollow audio, the low-brightness display, and lame webcam. I'd say it's worth it, as long as you don't care about the aforementioned flaws.

There's not much you can do about the panel nor the shooter, but at the very least, you can grab yourself some headphones.

Despite its minor flaws, the Alienware m16 r2 is worth a spot on our best gaming laptops list. After all, this is the ultimate RTX 4070 beast of a gaming laptop you can get.

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Alienware m16 R2 $1,899.00 at Best Buy
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The Champions League fate of Galatasaray and Young Boys is still unclear. The two sides battled it out last week in a thrilling first-leg matchup, with Young Boys taking a 3-2 advantage back to Turkey. They might be behind, but Galatasaray will be confident of securing a win in front of their passionate support.

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At its core, Only Murders in the Building has always been about storytelling: the personas we build, the alibis a criminal constructs, even the narratives we make up about the neighbors around us we don't really know. The show reflects this love of stories by highlighting different modes of storytelling from season to season. Seasons 1 and 2 took on true crime podcasting, Season 3 took a turn for the theatrical, and Season 4 jets off to Hollywood for a movie-centric whodunnit.

SEE ALSO: 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 4 trailer: Charles, Oliver, and Mabel meet their Hollywood doppelgängers

Only Murders in the Building's focus on film adds a new layer of chaos to Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel's (Selena Gomez) adventures this season. Not only are they investigating the disappearance of Charles' stunt double, Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch), they're also dealing with a nonstop parade of Hollywood executives and demanding actors, any of whom could be homicidal. But don't let the trio's excursions to Los Angeles fool you — Only Murders in the Building is still firmly rooted in the Arconia, a setting that remains as twisty, intriguing, and fun as the series itself.

Charles, Oliver, and Mabel take Hollywood in Only Murders in the Building Season 4. Zach Galifianakis, Eva Longoria, and Eugene Levy in "Only Murders in the Building." Credit: Disney / Eric McCandless

As Season 4 opens, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel receive some potentially life-changing news: Their Only Murders in the Building podcast has been optioned for a movie adaptation, and the studio is fast-tracking the production. So our trio is off to Hollywood, where they'll sign away their life rights to producer Bev Melon (Molly Shannon) and meet the actors playing their movie counterparts. Enter Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis, and Eva Longoria, all playing exaggerated versions of themselves in their quests to embody Charles, Oliver, and Mabel. 

Yet despite all the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, something doesn't feel quite right to Charles. Following Oliver's Death Rattle Dazzle opening night party, Sazz has seemingly fallen off the face of the earth. Audiences will remember that she got shot in Charles's kitchen at the end of Season 3, but by the start of Season 4, all traces of her have vanished from his apartment, leaving our podcasters in the dark. As Charles begins to piece together that something bad might have happened to his dear old friend — and that he may have been the intended target — he and his co-hosts return to New York for more sleuthing, with the film production following close behind.

SEE ALSO: Should you sign up for Hulu? Our film critics weigh in.

Once there, Only Murders in the Building Season 4 adds several new twists to what we already know about the Arconia, including introducing a whole crew of suspicious tenants living in the building's West Tower. Played by the likes of Richard Kind, Kumail Nanjiani, and Daphne Rubin-Vega, the "Westies" are an eclectic bunch, with hobbies ranging from ultra-competitive card game nights to overzealous Christmas decor. (But could their interests extend... to murder?) This batch of suspects fits right in with the rest of the Arconia's kooky residents, proving that even after three seasons, Only Murders in the Building still has plenty elements of its titular building to explore.

Only Murders in the Building Season 4 is a grand time at the movies.  Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, and Martin Short in "Only Murders in the Building." Credit: Disney / Eric McCandless

On top of the Westies, Season 4's film elements keep Only Murders in the Building feeling fresh, just as the Broadway storyline did in Season 3.

Take the addition of Levy, Galifianakis, and Longoria. Their appearance here feels like the logical progression of Only Murders in the Building's tradition of having major guest stars like Sting, Matthew Broderick, and Mel Brooks play themselves. Only instead of being quick cameos, Levy, Galifianakis, and Longoria are in it for the long haul, appearing across multiple episodes and serving as funhouse mirrors through which our characters see themselves.

This new trio of actors also gives Only Murders in the Building several new character pairings to play with. The usually chipper Oliver has a tough time with Galifianakis, who points out his every flaw and dismisses him at every turn. Elsewhere, Levy and Martin prove a bumbling match in comedy heaven, and Longoria brings a healthy dash of Desperate Housewives energy to her scenes with an often-confused Mabel.

Beyond its casting, Only Murders in the Building uses its focus on movies as an opportunity to pay homage to some classics. Each episode takes its name from a movie, including Once Upon a Time in the West and Valley of the Dolls, and often features a callout (some more direct than others) to said film. The result is a winding road through the movies and a love letter to how they get made, spotlighting writers, directors, stunt men, and more.

Exploring films across time also prompts Only Murders in the Building to experiment a bit with its own form, including a documentary-style episode that, while sometimes feeling a bit forced, still shows that the series is ready and willing to take more risks. All it needs is a great story and a desire to tell it, and Season 4 has both in spades.

Only Murders in the Building Season 4 premieres Aug. 27 on Hulu, with a new episode every Tuesday.

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StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Crafty E-Learning The 2024 Leadership Essentials Bundle $29.99 at the Mashable Shop
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Opens in a new window Credit: MagellanTV MagellanTV Documentary Streaming Service: 1-Year Subscription $35.99 at the Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: Get top-tier sound and comfort with Beats Solo 4 headphones, featuring clear audio, Bluetooth 5.3, and quick charging for just $129.99.

When you really care about sound and comfort, a good pair of headphones is essential. Whether you're diving into your favorite music, catching up on podcasts, or cranking up the tunes for a workout, having high-quality audio can make all the difference.

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Beats headphones for under $150

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Opens in a new window Credit: beats by Dre Beats Solo 4 On-Ear Headphones (Open Box) $129.99 at the Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: For a limited time, this 3-in-1 Wireless Travel Charger for Apple Watch with USB-C and a 5,000mAh power bank is on sale for just $34.99 (reg. $59).

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Sometimes, planets go rogue.

Scientists used the powerful James Webb Space Telescope to spot six of these rogue objects, which move through the cosmos untethered from any solar system. They're a little bigger than the gas giant Jupiter, and the discovery suggests these worlds formed similar to the way stars form — rather than how planets are usually created.

Astronomers have waited for years to harness the abilities of the Webb telescope, whose large mirror gathers bounties of distant, faint light, to find such free-floating objects.

"It has been in planning for a decade," Ray Jayawardhana, an astronomer at Johns Hopkins University and senior author of the study, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

You can see three of these rogue planets below, circled in green. They're located about 1,000 light-years away in our galaxy, inhabiting the nebula NGC1333, an enormous region of dust and gas where stars form.

"It has been in planning for a decade."

Although it's possible they originally formed as planets around a star, the researchers think they're more likely failed stars — but didn't have nearly the mass needed to ignite a stellar engine like our sun. (Stars form when enormous clouds of gas collapse and heat up, ultimately creating the immense pressure and heat needed for star creation.) The lowest-mass object found, about five times the mass of Jupiter, shows evidence of a dusty disk around it, and space dust often spins around a central object amid star formation. What's more, it's hard to imagine a planet getting ejected from its solar system and maintaining such a disk.

"The objects more likely formed how stars formed," Rayawardhana said.

The research has been accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal, a peer-reviewed science chronicle.

The green circles show three of the recently observed rogue planets in the nebula NGC1333. Credit: European Space Agency

The rogue objects are similar in mass to other large gaseous planets found beyond our solar system, called exoplanets. If they aren't failed stars, these objects would have needed to get thrown out of their solar system, perhaps by a close gravitational interaction with another planet, or a second star (most solar systems have two or more stars).

The investigation of rogue objects continues. The astronomers have been awarded more competitive time with the Webb telescope to peer at such objects with dusty disks. Could they be "mini-planetary" systems like the many curious moons orbiting Saturn and Jupiter? As we know in our own solar system, these planetary systems include intriguing moons, some of which harbor oceans beneath their icy shells.

A bonus sighting: Although not a part of this research endeavor, the Webb image above shows telltale evidence of a newly forming solar system. Look near the bottom right, below the black bar, where you can see two dark cone-like features emanating from a bright central spot. That's Webb, from our perch in the Milky Way galaxy, viewing the dusty disk of the solar system side-on, as we might view the side of a frisbee. The nascent system's dust-filled disk blocks starlight, creating those two dark flares.

The Webb telescope's powerful abilities

The Webb telescope — a scientific collaboration between NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency — is designed to peer into the deepest cosmos and reveal new insights about the early universe. But it's also peering at intriguing planets in our galaxy, along with the planets and moons in our solar system.

Here's how Webb is achieving unparalleled feats, and likely will for decades to come:

- Giant mirror: Webb's mirror, which captures light, is over 21 feet across. That's over two-and-a-half times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope's mirror. Capturing more light allows Webb to see more distant, ancient objects. As described above, the telescope is peering at stars and galaxies that formed over 13 billion years ago, just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. "We're going to see the very first stars and galaxies that ever formed," Jean Creighton, an astronomer and the director of the Manfred Olson Planetarium at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, told Mashable in 2021.

- Infrared view: Unlike Hubble, which largely views light that's visible to us, Webb is primarily an infrared telescope, meaning it views light in the infrared spectrum. This allows us to see far more of the universe. Infrared has longer wavelengths than visible light, so the light waves more efficiently slip through cosmic clouds; the light doesn't as often collide with and get scattered by these densely packed particles. Ultimately, Webb's infrared eyesight can penetrate places Hubble can't.

"It lifts the veil," said Creighton.

- Peering into distant exoplanets: The Webb telescope carries specialized equipment called spectrographs that will revolutionize our understanding of these far-off worlds. The instruments can decipher what molecules (such as water, carbon dioxide, and methane) exist in the atmospheres of distant exoplanets — be they gas giants or smaller rocky worlds. Webb looks at exoplanets in the Milky Way galaxy. Who knows what we'll find?

"We might learn things we never thought about," Mercedes López-Morales, an exoplanet researcher and astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics-Harvard & Smithsonian, told Mashable in 2021.

Already, astronomers have successfully found intriguing chemical reactions on a planet 700 light-years away, and have started looking at one of the most anticipated places in the cosmos: the rocky, Earth-sized planets of the TRAPPIST solar system.

Apple's big September event is fast approaching, bringing us all the latest gadget goodies from the multi-trillion dollar tech giant. 

Set to kick off on Sept. 9 with the tagline "It's Glowtime," Apple's event is expected to introduce the next generation of several popular devices. Anticipated announcements include the new iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple AirPods 4. It wouldn't be surprising if we got an update on AI platform Apple Intelligence either, particularly with artificial intelligence currently the hot trending topic in tech.

Here's what to expect from Apple's September event.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 16: Every single rumor we know so far iPhone 16

Unsurprisingly, the main attraction of Apple's event will be the launch of its new iPhone 16 series of smartphones. 

We've already heard a slew of rumours about the iPhone's next iteration, with reports suggesting that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will be the same size as their predecessors. However, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max's displays will apparently grow by 0.2 inches, measuring 6.3 and 6.9 inches respectively. The next generation of iPhones will also reportedly have slimmed down bezels.

Another reported change is the implementation of the Action Button across the entire iPhone 16 line. A customisable shortcut button on the side of the phone, the Action Button was previously only seen on Apple's higher-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. The iPhone 15 line's camera-focused Capture Button will reportedly make its way into the iPhone 16 series as well.

There's also some talk about the iPhone 16 Pro getting solid-state buttons, which offer haptic feedback instead of physically moving. It's unclear whether the Action Button will be one such solid-state button, but it wouldn't be surprising.

Rumours are circulating about the iPhone 16's camera as well. Leaks suggest that the iPhone 16 series will move to a stacked design for its rear camera, which should improve its performance. Apple may also tackle lens flare and ghosting with an anti-reflective coating on its camera lenses. The 16 Pro series will apparently have 5X telephoto zoom, a feature previously only on the 15 Pro Max, while its ultrawide camera will reportedly get a significant resolution bump from the 15 Pro's 12MP to 48MP.

Leaks further suggest that the 16 Pro series will be available with up to 2TB of storage, offering plenty of room for you to keep your 48MP photos. It may also come in a bronzed gold colour option called "Desert Titanium."

Apple Watch Series 10

Apple is also expected to announce its new Apple Watch series. Rumours from multiple sources claim that the Apple Watch Series 10 will get a screen size bump with 45mm and 49mm versions, making its larger size comparable to the Apple Watch Ultra 2. For comparison, the Series 9 comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes.

There's also a chance that the Apple Watch 10 might be thinner than its predecessor. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is working to make its devices notably thinner, with May's iPad Pro just the first of many slimmed down products. While we aren't expecting to see the iPhone impacted until next year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said the Watch 10 will feature a thinner form factor. 

We may also see a new magnetic system for attaching Apple Watch bands, though Gurman notes it's unclear whether it will be ready for the Series 10 or arrive in a future generation.

Apple Watch Ultra 3

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 may be announced but isn't expected to get a major design change, still rocking the same look from 2022. Rumours suggest it may get more case colour options, as well as a new chip alongside the Series 10, but otherwise the next Apple Watch Ultra doesn't seem to be getting much of an upgrade.

Apple has reportedly been working on introducing new health tools to both the Watch and Watch Ultra, including a blood pressure monitor, sleep apnea sensor, and glucose monitor. However, ongoing legal disputes have significantly hampered their implementation, leaving big questions regarding when we might see these features introduced.

Apple AirPods 4 

The fourth generation of Apple AirPods is expected to arrive in September as well. Rumours suggest that while an AirPod Pro refresh is unlikely to happen until 2025, Apple may replace the AirPods 3 and 2 with new mid-range and entry-level AirPods 4 options this September.

Both these new AirPods will have updated designs, potentially new colours, and make the switch to USB-C charging. Apple's mid-range AirPods 4 will reportedly have active noise cancellation as well, a feature which the tech giant previously only offered on the AirPods Pro.

How to watch Apple's September 2024 event

Apple's event will kick off Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. PDT / 1 p.m. EDT. Fortunately for those of us unable to make it to Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California, the keynote will be livestreamed. You'll be able to watch the event on Apple's official website, via the Apple TV app, and on YouTube (video embedded below):

TL;DR: Through Sept. 3, get Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (10TB) for just £53.04 — that's a 96% discount from the usual £566.26 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pexels Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (10TB) £53.04 at the Mashable Shop
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It might be time to do away with the low storage warning for good. If you want to clear some room on your phone, tablet, or laptop’s hard drive, all you need is the right cloud storage solution. Prism Drive gives you 10TB of cloud storage for life that you can access from an unlimited number of devices, and for a limited time, this lifetime pass is only £53.04 (reg. £566.26).

You don’t need a coupon code to access this pricing at The Mashable Shop, but this deal is only around through Sept. 3.

Get 10TB of cloud storage for life 

Prism Drive gives you 10TB of cloud storage to use however you want. Upload from an unlimited number of devices and store any file type. Get your video library off your computer or clear out all those huge HD photos off your phone to make room for apps you had to delete. 

Prism Drive does have a 10GB per upload size limit, so you might have to split large folders into separate uploads. Once your files are online, you can access them from any of your devices and share them using links you can send to friends or colleagues. Prism also makes it easier to peruse your uploads with file previews. Those previews even let you view videos online. No need to download large video files when you’re just going to upload them once you’re done watching anyway. 

Safety is a must for long-term cloud storage. Prism Drive has no-knowledge encryption, so you’re the only one who can actually see what you have uploaded. Prism Drive also claims to have the strongest available transfer encryption. If it’s user error you’re worried about, then take advantage of Prism Drive’s 30-day trash history. If you delete something, you can find it in the trash for 30 days before it’s gone forever. 

A safe place for your photos, videos, and more 

Give your devices some room to breathe and download an app that solves all your storage problems. Get a 10TB lifetime subscription to Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage on sale for £53.04 (reg. £566.26). This sale ends Sept. 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

Stack Social prices subject to change. 

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

The Las Vegas Aces and Dallas Wings are back on the court as the WNBA season continues. Both teams have had a strong season, positioning themselves well for the playoffs. Las Vegas Aces are one of the top performers of the season so far, but they'll face tough competition from the Dallas Wings as both teams look to finish strong.

Don't miss out on this next match. If you want to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.

When is Las Vegas Aces vs. Dallas Wings?

Las Vegas Aces vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Aug. 27. This fixture takes place at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.

How to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Dallas Wings

WNBA fans can live stream Las Vegas Aces vs. Dallas Wings and the rest of the 2024 WNBA season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.

The WNBA League Pass may not show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. But not to worry, there's a way around this. You can beat these geo-restrictions by using a VPN. This is a useful tool that works by hiding your real IP address to help you connect to secure servers in other locations. So, you'll be able to bypass any blackouts and watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.

You can access every WNBA League Pass game by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

5. Stream the WNBA 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 What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

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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. Dallas Wings in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

In a world where scammers seem to be working overtime, protecting yourself from fraud has become an essential life skill. While a good antivirus will make this a much easier task (and these days there are impressive free tools that focus on scam protection), there are still important lessons that everyone should learn in order to protect themselves. Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, so staying informed is crucial. With that said, let's dive into some practical tips to keep you and yours safe online.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

This is rule number one for a reason. This age-old wisdom still remains the golden rule of scam detection. That secret investment opportunity promising 1000% returns? It's more likely to multiply your problems than your money. We’ve all heard stories of the temporarily embarrassed Nigerian Prince, or seen banner ads promising a free MacBook if you click in the next 10 seconds. But over time, these scams have gotten a lot more sophisticated. Remember, in the real world, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Pressure is a red flag

Scammers love to create a sense of urgency. "Act now or lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" they'll say. But here's a little secret: legitimate opportunities rarely disappear in the blink of an eye. If someone's pushing you to make a quick decision, especially about money or personal information, take a step back. Genuine offers can wait for you to think things through.

Check the source

In this digital age, it's easier than ever for scammers to impersonate legitimate organisations. That email from your bank might not be from your bank at all. This is a process known as Phishing, and is becoming more and more common, especially with the rise of AI chatbots. Most Antivirus tools will make these much easier to spot, but it's important to stay vigilant.

Before clicking any links or providing information, verify the source. Call the company directly using a number you trust, not one provided in the suspicious message. It's a small step that can save you from a world of trouble.

Guard your personal information

Your personal details are the keys to your digital kingdom. Scammers are always fishing for this information, often through seemingly innocent requests. Be wary of unsolicited calls, emails, or messages asking for any sensitive data like your bank details or passwords. Legitimate organisations typically don't ask for this information out of the blue.

Be sceptical of unsolicited contact

If you receive an unexpected call, email, or message, especially one that requests action on your part, proceed with caution. Scammers often initiate contact, posing as everything from ATO officials, trusted colleagues, and tech support for ISPs and major banks. When in doubt, end the communication and reach out to the relevant organisation or person directly.

Keep your devices up-to-date

Keeping your devices and applications updated ensures you have the latest security patches. These can often fix vulnerabilities in the ways that your devices interact with each other that if left unchecked, can attract cybercriminals like flies to… yeah.

Use strong, unique passwords

Yes, it's a pain to remember multiple complex passwords. But it's a bigger pain to have your accounts hacked because you used "password123" across all your profiles. The best way to solve this problem for yourself is to use a password manager to keep track of unique, strong passwords for each of your accounts. Bitdefender Password Manager currently stands out as the PCMag Editors’ Choice for Browser-based Password Management, but there are many options out there. Often, the best password managers also come included in premium Security Suites. In the case of Bitdefender, this comes in Bitdefender Premium Security and above.

Be wary of unusual payment methods

If someone insists on payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, your scam radar should be beeping loudly. These payment methods are often favoured by fraudsters because they're difficult to trace or reverse.

Do your research

In the age of information, ignorance is a choice. Before engaging in any financial transaction or sharing personal information, do some digging. A quick internet search can often reveal if others have encountered similar scams. There are some great resources out there to keep yourself up-to-date on the latest threats.

Trust your gut

If something feels off, it probably is. Your intuition is a powerful tool in recognising scams. If a situation makes you uncomfortable or seems strange, listen to that inner voice. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

–

Remember, protecting yourself from fraud isn't about becoming paranoid; it's about being prepared. By cultivating a healthy scepticism and following these practical tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to scams. Even if you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on antivirus, there are plenty of lightweight, free options available to provide a bit of extra peace of mind. As well as tools like Bitdefender Scamio, a free AI scam detector for Web, Messenger, and WhatsApp.

In the end, the best defense against fraud is an informed and vigilant mind. So keep your wits about you, your personal information close, and those Nigerian princes at arm's length. Happy scam-spotting!

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 August 27'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 August 27 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Heavy is the head that wears this.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter 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...

CROWN.

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 August 27's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 26 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: Eruptive

• Green: Scoville rating

• Blue: Barber tools

• Purple: Card decks

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: Explosive Sound

• Green: Chili Pepper Quality

• Blue: Classic Barbershop Supplies

• Purple: Kinds of Cards

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 #443 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Explosive Sound: BOOM, CRASH, ROAR, THUNDER

• Chili Pepper Quality: FIRE, HEAT, KICK, SPICE

• Classic Barbershop Supplies: BRUSH, CAPE, CLIPPERS, GEL

• Kinds of Cards: BASEBALL, MAGIC, SET, TAROT

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.

Lyft is rolling out a new feature designed to make rides more inclusive for pet owners across the U.S. Just in time for National Dog Day, the company announced the launch of "Pet Rides," a service allowing riders to bring their pets along for the trip. Riders will pay an additional $4 fee, which goes directly to the driver.

This new option aims to ease the stress of traveling with pets, ensuring that riders are matched with drivers who are comfortable with having animals in their cars. Whether it's a quick trip to the vet or a day at the park, pet owners can now bring their furry friends without hassle.

How to use Lyft Pet Rides

To book a Lyft Pet Ride, users can select the option in the Lyft app. The service is currently limited to one cat or dog per ride, with pets required to be in a carrier, on a blanket, or at the owner's feet. While drivers can opt out of participating, they are still required to accommodate service animals.

With Pet Rides, Lyft catches up with competitor Uber, which has had the feature since 2021. As part of the rollout for the feature, Lyft is partnering with animal shelters and rescue organizations, encouraging pet adoption with special promotions.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models are reportedly getting some camera upgrades. Brace yourselves; the tech bro in your life is about to get even more insufferable — Apple's got another event lined up, And yes, that means the iPhone 16 is on its way.

Naturally, this spells more camera upgrades because we all know that’s what truly matters.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16: 5 new rumored features that may make you ditch your phone

We've been all over the iPhone 16 rumors since the iPhone 15's debut last September — and keeping track has been like a full-time job. The buzz is all about Apple Intelligence and how it'll integrate into the flagship device, but expect to see the additions of fancy new buttons and gloriously slim bezels. However, for some of us, the main event here is the camera.

For all you shutterbugs and Insta-addicts, we’ve rounded up the three juiciest new camera features coming to the iPhone 16.

1. New capture button

Available on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max

The most significant camera upgrade, beyond the new ultrawide lens, is the introduction of the capture button.

All the iPhone 16 models, including the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, are reportedly getting a new capture button. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

While the action button on the iPhone 15 was a nice touch, the capture button takes things to the next level, offering more control with less effort — a win-win.

This new feature gives users enhanced camera functionality through intuitive swiping gestures. Zooming in and out, focusing on subjects, and even handling more technical aspects like activating the shutter becomes smoother and more streamlined.

2. Better Night Mode

Available on iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

A design refresh is always a crowd-pleaser, and the iPhone 16’s rumored new stacked rear camera design on its Pro and Pro Max models is no exception.

For all you night owls, this is especially exciting. The stacked design, paired with Sony's CMOS image sensor, promises to boost light capture and deliver a wider dynamic range. Translation: your low-light shots are about to get a serious upgrade.

3. New ultrawide sensor

Available on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are poised to step up their photography game with a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, a major upgrade from the current 12MP setup on the iPhone 15 Pro models.

Only the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models are reportedly getting the new ultrawide sensor. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

This new lens promises better light gathering, meaning your shots in dimly lit environments are about to get a whole lot better. A late August report from Apple Insider gives this rumor some solid backing.

The ultrawide camera normally falls short in the sharpness department compared to the main camera. If this 48-megapixel upgrade is the real deal, it could finally iron out those nagging issues with crispness and clarity.

For more information on what's to come from Apple, check out our rumor hubs for the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series 10.

SpaceX is about to send its human spacecraft farther than ever before in space, and it will do it with a crew of four civilians. 

During the five-day Polaris Dawn mission, the Crew Dragon capsule is expected to reach its highest-ever orbit of 435 miles above Earth. That's about 185 miles beyond the International Space Station, where the company's spacecraft regularly ferry NASA astronauts. 

The journey will also attempt to make history with the first commercial spacewalk. The purpose of having the crew exit the spacecraft is to test the company's new spacesuits, designed to adjust to different body types. The mission will also involve 36 research studies and experiments.

SEE ALSO: A space company is headed to Mars this fall. No, it's not SpaceX. During the five-day Polaris Dawn mission, the Crew Dragon capsule is expected to reach its highest-ever orbit of 435 miles above Earth. Credit: SpaceX

The crew is composed of regular people — that is, if you consider a billionaire, two SpaceX engineers, and a retired U.S. Air Force combat pilot to be "regular." They include Jared Isaacman, who funded the mission and will serve as its commander. The others on board are pilot Scott "Kidd" Poteet, mission specialist Sarah Gillis, and medical officer Anna Menon.

If all goes according to plan, Menon will beat her husband, Dr. Anil Menon, to space. Prior to his recruitment for NASA astronaut training in 2021, Dr. Menon was SpaceX's medical director. 

How to watch the Polaris Dawn launch Tweet may have been deleted

Polaris Dawn is targeted for liftoff on a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, at about 3:38 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Two more launch opportunities are available within the four-hour window at 5:23 a.m. ET and 7:09 a.m. ET. 

A live broadcast will begin about 3.5 hours before the launch on X, the social platform owned by SpaceX founder Elon Musk, through the space company's account. It will also stream on SpaceX's website. 

The Polaris Dawn crew will be the first to test SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications in space.

Uber has been hit with a monster fine in the EU for failing to safeguard the transfer of driver data.

On Monday, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) announced that it is fining Uber 290 million euros, or $325 million USD, for violating the EU's sweeping General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws.

Uber accused of insufficient protection of personal data

According to the Dutch DPA investigation, Uber collected sensitive data about its drivers — including account details, taxi licenses, location data, photos, payment details, identity documents, and criminal and medical data — and stored them on US servers without using proper "transfer tools" for transferring data outside of the EU. "Because of this, the protection of personal data was not sufficient," said the announcement.

The fine is the end result of a complaint filed by 170 French Uber drivers to a France-based human rights group. The complaint was then escalated to the Dutch DPA since Uber's European headquarters is in the Netherlands.

This isn't the first time the EU has brought the hammer down on Uber for data privacy violations. In 2018, the transportation and delivery giant was fined 600,000 euros for a data breach and 10 million euros in 2023 for privacy infringement of its European drivers.

Other Big Tech companies have faced the consequences of the EU's strict laws around protecting user data. In 2021, Amazon was slapped with a $886 million penalty for failing to comply with the GDPR, and more recently, Meta was hit with a whopping $1.3 billion fine for improper transfer of data to the US.

The Dutch DPA said in its announcement that Uber has "ended the violation." However, in a statement to The Verge, Uber says it plans to appeal the ruling.

SAVE 32%: As of Aug. 26, you can grab a refurbished Dyson Airwrap Complete for just $339.99 at Dyson and Walmart. Typically, refurbished Airwraps go for $499.99, so this deal saves you $160 and costs you $260 less than the Airwrap brand-new at full price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Refurbished Dyson Airwrap Complete Long $339.99 at Dyson and Walmart
$499.99 Save $160.00 Get Deal

Dyson dropped a brand-new Airwrap today, but Dyson's older Airwraps are still bringing the heat.

As of Aug. 26, you can grab a refurbished Dyson Airwrap Complete Long at Dyson.com and Walmart for just $339.99. This is one of the best prices we've seen the refurbished model drop to, saving you $160 over the full price of the refurbished model and $260 compared to a brand-new model.

I tested out the Airwrap Complete when it first became available and again when the curly hair attachment dropped. Though it was definitely a luxurious hair tool and simplified some styling, it was one that I found hard to justify the $600 price tag in most situations, especially when the Shark FlexStyle exists and has a starting cost of $279.99.

SEE ALSO: Dyson Airwrap vs. Shark FlexStyle: Here's which hot air tool is worth your money

However, a $339.99 price tag makes the Airwrap much more of a competitor. The airflow generally feels better on the Airwrap, the attachments are more streamlined, and the curling barrels don't require you to switch them out to change the direction of your curls. With this deal, you'll get six attachments, while the FlexStyle that starts at $279.99 only comes with three attachments — the model that starts at $300 comes with five different attachments.

If you have curly hair, unfortunately, this deal only applies to the straight-to-wavy model, meaning there will be no diffuser or wide-tooth comb in the attachment selection. Instead, the Complete Long comes with the following: a Coanda smoothing dryer, a 1.2-inch Airwrap long barrel, a 1.6-inch Airwrap long barrel, a firm smoothing brush, a soft smoothing brush, a round volumizing brush, and a carrying case. Whether you buy from Walmart or Dyson, your product will also come with a one-year warranty.

There are very few scenarios where I think the Airwrap is worth springing for over the FlexStyle, but this refurbished deal is one of them. You can grab the multi-styler in the blue/blush, nickel/copper, or ceramic pop colorways.