Mashable

Last week, Stephen King took to X (formerly Twitter) to share some Dark Tower fan art — along with a comment that immediately caught fans' attention.

"Mid-world is still there," wrote the author, referring to the universe in which his eight-book series is set. "The tower still stands."

SEE ALSO: 10 of the best Stephen King book endings

Over the weekend, he did it again. The author shared an image posted by a fan account for Roland Deschain, the series' main character. The image showed a road sign reading "Crimson King Dr" (the Crimson King is one of the main antagonists in the books).

Tweet may have been deleted

"He lives," King wrote.

Given that the Crimson King's fate at the end of the series is uncertain – due to various complicated factors that would require an article of their own to explain – King's comment is especially interesting.

Is he just teasing us with all these Dark Tower posts, or are they building to something? News of the Mike Flanagan TV adaptation? Or could there be another book in the works?

It wouldn't necessarily be that surprising. King likes returning to previous characters and worlds, and has already returned to the Dark Tower universe with another novel – The Wind Through the Keyhole – that was published eight years after the core series had ended.

There's no mention of anything Dark Tower-related on his official site, but maybe that'll soon change.

TL;DR: Update your computer with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for £31.10 (reg. £171.16).

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License £31.10 at the Mashable Shop
£171.16 Save £140.06 Get Deal

For cost-conscious small business owners, college students, freelancers, and other professionals, popular Microsoft Office tools like Word and Excel are essential — and expensive. That's why finding a budget-friendly, reliable productivity solution is crucial. And for a limited time, Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows is on sale.

So, if you can make do with a slightly older version of this productivity suite (and for most people, that's very doable), you can get a lifetime pass over 75% off. With your one-time purchase, once you have Microsoft Office set up on your laptop or desktop, the license never expires.

One of the most appealing aspects of Microsoft Office 2021 is the substantial cost savings. With Microsoft 365, you face recurring subscription fees that can add up over time. In contrast, purchasing a lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2021 means a one-time expense. This single payment gives you permanent access to essential productivity tools.

A lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2021 offers the benefit of a fixed, upfront cost and helps you avoid potential price increases (not to mention annoying subscription renewal fees). This software suite includes the most popular Microsoft tools. This includes Word to create and edit pro-level documents, Excel for managing and analysing data, PowerPoint to design presentations to impress clients and colleagues, and Outlook to organise emails, schedules, and contacts in one place. 

The suite includes OneNote for streamlined note organising and managing, as well as Teams. You'll also get Publisher so you can produce professional-quality publications and marketing materials, plus Access for database management.

For a limited time, grab a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for £31.10 — 81% off from the usual price. Your new MS Office license will cover one Windows device for life (its life, not yours, of course).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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 19's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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.

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

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 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 18 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Non-imperial unit of measurement.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.

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...

METER.

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

One of the elements of Industry Season 3 that most intrigued Ken Leung was the brand-new dynamic between his character, Eric Tao, and Marisa Abela's Yasmin Kara-Hanani.

"Before we shot anything, I was told that something would happen between Eric and Yasmin," Leung told Mashable in a video interview. "For everything that happens on the show, and things that I could imagine or predict, that kind of came out of nowhere. Up until then, Eric has nothing to do with Yasmin, and suddenly they were going to come together in some way, so I was most curious about how that was going to happen."

SEE ALSO: 'Industry' Season 3 review: There's no better time to invest in HBO's finance drama

The catalyst for Eric and Yasmin's sudden proximity in Industry is none other than their shared connection to Harper Stern (Myha'la), Eric's former protégé and Yasmin's frenemy. When Eric fired Harper at the end of Season 2, that left Pierpoint & Co. with a huge seat to fill — and who else should fill it but Yasmin?

However, it's clear right from the Season 3 premiere that Eric and Yasmin's relationship won't be anything like Eric and Harper's. He's unsympathetic towards her status as tabloid fodder and unimpressed by her performance. In his mind, Yasmin is devoid of Harper's drive and hunger, hampered by external forces that make her a liability to Pierpoint.

The difference between Harper's and Yasmin's respective backgrounds and approaches to work were key for Leung's understanding of how Eric would view Yasmin. "Harper is a known entity. The reason Eric is attracted to her is that he recognizes something in her of himself. Yasmin is the other side of that," Leung explained. "She is a complete unknown. She's not your typical grad. She has personal wealth; she doesn't know why she's there, or what she wants — or it doesn't seem like she does. So she's a big question mark."

Marisa Abela in "Industry." Credit: Simon Ridgway / HBO

Yasmin's "unknowable" qualities begin to reveal themselves to Eric later in the premiere, during the pair's impromptu cocaine-fueled night out with Yasmin's lawyer (Fiona Button). The HR violations pile sky-high as Yasmin, rocking a barrister wig, bares her soul to Eric. She confesses she finds Eric terrifying, while Eric says he feels like they've "just skipped several awkward stages of a relationship." Pierpoint's HR department should be bursting into the room any second now, right?

At the crux of this coked-up conversation is the sense that Yasmin and Eric can be equals now on the trading floor. "Let's try to remember that feeling when we're sober," Yasmin implores Eric.

She holds Eric to that request in episode 2, after he reproaches her for manipulating rumors about Lumi's IPO launch. "Why don't you just talk to me how you talked to me last night," she tells him. "You know, like I'm a human being."

This is the exchange that truly changes Eric's mind about Yasmin, according to Leung. "Lo and behold, she steps up to Eric in a way that we maybe don't expect. She has the wherewithal to say, 'Drop the bullshit. Stop this show you're putting on all the time,'" Leung said. "In that moment, Eric sees that this unknown entity has an element of known. It pulls him in gradually to the point where she becomes an obsession."

That Eric's "obsession" with Yasmin coincides with his separation from his wife is no accident. Eric has leapt back into the dating pool, is having casual sex (including with Yasmin's lawyer), and has started using drugs again. Basically, he's acting like the young grads all the way back in Season 1, even as he joins the ranks of partner at Pierpoint.

"With Eric's struggles with aging out of this young man's business, [Yasmin] represents something new and something young," Leung said. "She represents everything he's desperately trying to recapture and hold on to."

Industry is now streaming on Max, with new episodes airing Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

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

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 19 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: Types of music

• Green: Things at a hot dog station

• Blue: Body exercises

• Purple: Words that are also maybe Pixar movies

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: Music Genres

• Green: Bratwurst Go-Withs

• Blue: Yoga Poses

• Purple: Starting with Pixar Movies

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 #435 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Music Genres: BLUES, COUNTRY, FOLK, ROCK

• Bratwurst Go-Withs: BRAT, BUN, MUSTARD, SAUERKRAUT

• Yoga Poses: CHAIR, MOUNTAIN, TREE, WARRIOR

• Starting with Pixar Movies: COCONUT, SOULMATE, UPDO, WALLET

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

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

OpenAI, the company that brought us ChatGPT, said on Friday that it discovered and banned "accounts linked to an Iranian influence operation." The accounts were allegedly using ChatGPT to "generate content focused on multiple topics, including the U.S. presidential campaign," OpenAI said in a statement.

The group is known as Storm-2035 which, according to Axios, has a reputation for attempting to influence elections by creating fake news websites and sharing them on social media. The OpenAI statement said the group used ChatGPT to "generate content focused on a number of topics — including commentary on candidates on both sides in the U.S. presidential election – which it then shared via social media accounts and websites."

It generated content about both major party presidential candidates — Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump — along with Israel’s invasion of Gaza, Spanish and English-language discussions about the rights of Latinx communities in the U.S., Venezuelan politics, and Scottish independence. Storm-2035 also created some fashion and beauty content which, OpenAI suspects, is an attempt to "appear more authentic" and to "build a following."

However, OpenAI reported that the attempt did not achieve "meaningful audience engagement."

"The majority of social media posts that we identified received few or no likes, shares, or comments," OpenAI said. "We similarly did not find indications of the web articles being shared across social media."

"Notwithstanding the lack of meaningful audience engagement resulting from this operation, we take seriously any efforts to use our services in foreign influence operations," OpenAI said.

The biggest matchup of the day is between X and Brazil.

X, formerly known as Twitter, said on Saturday that it's closing its operations in Brazil "immediately" due to "censorship orders" from Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes. According to a document that, X says, are "censorship orders," de Moraes secretly threatened X representative Rachel Nova Conceicao with arrest if it did not agree to take down some content on the site.

"Last night, Alexandre de Moraes threatened our legal representative in Brazil with arrest if we do not comply with his censorship orders. He did so in a secret order, which we share here to expose his actions," X said in a statement posted to the site. "Despite our numerous appeals to the Supreme Court not being heard, the Brazilian public not being informed about these orders and our Brazilian staff having no responsibility or control over whether content is blocked on our platform, de Moraes has chosen to threaten our staff in Brazil rather than respect the law or due process."

X decided to close its operations in Brazil, but the social media site will still remain available to people in the country. Mashable has not verified the validity of the document that X shared, and Brazil's Supreme Court refused to confirm nor deny the authenticity to Reuters.

"We are deeply saddened that we have been forced to make this decision. The responsibility lies solely with Alexandre de Moraes," the post continued. "His actions are incompatible with democratic government. The people of Brazil have a choice to make - democracy, or Alexandre de Moraes."

Tweet may have been deleted

Along with the statement, X posted photos of a document allegedly sent by de Moraes to X that states that if X doesn't comply with de Moraes' orders, it will face a daily fine of 20,000 reais ($3,653). Moreover, X representative Rachel Nova Conceicao could face arrest, according to the document.

This fight — particularly between X owner Elon Musk and de Moraes — is not new. According to Engadget, Musk said in April that he would not comply with Brazilian orders to block certain accounts, which resulted in de Moraes to open an obstruction of justice inquiry against Musk. X changed its take and later said it would comply with Brazil's orders.

This comes as the U.S. House Judiciary Committee claimed Brazil is attempting to force X to censor hundreds of accounts, including the accounts of former Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, current Brazilian Senator Marcos do Val, and Brazilian journalist Paulo Figueiredo Filho.

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: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 18 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 18

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, August 18, 2024:

Across"Oh, and another thing ..."

• The answer is Also.

Part of the plane that's last to get off, usually

• The answer is Rear.

Fruit with orange flesh and a large pit

• The answer is Mango.

Celebrity

• The answer is Star.

Have a relaxed get-together

• The answer is Hang.

DownWhere the funny bone is found

• The answer is Arm.

What a dog may be let off at a dog park

• The answer is Leash.

"Miracle on 34th Street" figure

• The answer is Santa.

Instrument with pipes

• The answer is Organ.

Association: Abbr.

• The answer is Org.

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.

TL;DR: Match colors precisely with the Nix Mini 3 color-matching sensor, on sale for just $79.99 (reg. $97) for a limited time.

It's a safe bet that most of us have seen a color that made us want to know more about it at some point in our lives. Maybe you've seen a vibrant plate in a store that would be perfect as an accent color in the bedroom you're redoing. Or maybe the color of that old, pink beat-up blanket your kid loved years ago could be used as part of a big-kid room redo.

On sale for $79.99 (reg. $97), the Nix Mini 3 is a portable color sensor with a built-in light source that can make your life a lot easier. It delivers accurate, reliable color matching wherever you go.

The Nix Mini 3 is ideal for professionals who need to know colors, including interior designers, graphic designers, those in the construction and architecture fields, artists, and more. It's also terrific for DIYers, homeowners, and the casual project do-ers.

All you do is hold the Nix Mini up to any flat surface and press scan. The Mini works with the Nix Toolkit app to match it to over 200,000 brand-name paints. It will also help you find color codes such as RGB, HEX, and CMYK. You can even opt for advanced color system access via a premium subscription, which could be helpful if you need it for professional reasons.

This latest version of the Nix Mini has fine-tuned the color readings for accuracy. It also uses a USB-C for charging and is dust- and water-resistant. It's compatible with both iOS and Android devices, and the accompanying app is available on both app shops. The battery also holds a longer charge than previous models.

Pocket-sized, so it's super easy to take with you anywhere, this little color sensor could be just the thing to help you recreate that color you love so much.

For a limited time, the Nix Mini 3 color-matching sensor is on sale for $79.99 (reg. $97).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nix Sensor Nix Mini 3: The #1 Color Sensor for Designers, Contractors, Architects, & Homeowners $79.99 at The Mashable Shop
$97.00 Save $17.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more with a Microsoft Office 2019 license for Windows at $24.97 for a limited time.

Your credit card is exhausted from all of today’s subscription fees. While you probably don’t want to cancel Peacock and never see the ending of Yellowstone or say goodbye to two-day shipping with Prime, you could swap your Microsoft 365 subscription for a Microsoft Office lifetime license.

Instead of spending $7 monthly (or $70 yearly), you can pay once and use the apps as much as you’d like. For a little while longer, the Windows software suite is on sale for $24.97 (reg. $229).

What apps are included?

Microsoft Office 2019 isn’t the newest version available, but it’s the cheaper one for people who just need to use the apps and don’t care about what they look like inside. However, it does have a classic, timeless design.

Here's a list of the apps you get:

• Word

• Excel

• PowerPoint

• Outlook

• OneNote

• Publisher

• Access

Differences between Microsoft 365 and a lifetime license

This purchase is a no-brainer if you aren’t taking full advantage of Microsoft 365’s OneDrive storage, mobile app access, and cloud-based backups. Those just wanting the apps should be more than comfortable with a Microsoft Office download.

You might actually like this license more than the subscription. The apps are downloaded directly onto your PC instead of hosted on the cloud. While this does mean there are no built-in cloud backups, you don’t have to worry about the hassle of trying to work offline.

Plus, now that Microsoft added Copilot’s AI features to Microsoft 365, you might be looking for a way to escape them. Not everyone is crazy about having a virtual robot interfere with their work, and these classic apps won’t ever bug you about it.

The price drop on this Microsoft Office 2019 for Windows ends soon, so get your download for $24.97 (reg. $229) now. No coupon is needed.

Shop other Microsoft deals in our collection.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows $24.97 at The Mashable Shop
$229.00 Save $204.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Save $40 on an open-box iRobot Roomba E5 vacuum. It works with Amazon Alexa and the iRobot Home app.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba E5 (5150) Wi-Fi Robot Vacuum (Open Box) $159.99 at The Mashable Shop
$199.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

It happened again: Your kid (or dog, who may as well be your child) just tracked in you-don’t-even-know-what from the backyard. Grass? Dirt? You’d rather not know — it's time to drag out the vacuum for the second time today. You deserve a hand.

Why not grab one of those robot vacuums you’ve been seeing all over social media and have it clean up that mess while you do literally anything else? You can get an open-box model of the iRobot Roomba E5 for $159.99 (reg. $199.99) and save 20% while supplies last.

Open box? What’s that?

It’s a hack that saves you cash on a new robot vacuum. Specifically, they’re customer returns. Picture this: Someone bought this vacuum, opened the box, it wasn’t what they expected, and they returned it. Stores often don’t sell items with tampered packaging, so you get a new item at a huge discount, even though nobody’s used it. Cool, right?

Let’s talk features

The next time your kids or pet make a mess, imagine kicking back and saying, “Alexa, have Roomba vacuum the kitchen.” This robot can do just that. You can also schedule regular cleanings using the iRobot Home app. No more back-breaking cleanings for you.

Your floor’s dirt, dust, pet hair, and questionable residue are no match for the iRobot Roomba E5. It has rubber brushes, an edge-sweeping brush, and powerful suction to clean carpets, hardwood floors, and tile — so you don’t have to.

A common concern with robot vacuums is that they’ll get stuck under furniture or fall down the stairs and injure themselves, but this model has sensors to avoid casualties. It also runs up to 90 minutes before automatically docking and recharging itself.

Does this mean you’ll never have to vacuum again? Find out with the iRobot Roomba E5 for $159.99 (reg. $199.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get your fill of educational and documentary content with a lifetime subscription to Curiosity Stream, on sale for $159.97 (reg. $399.99). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Curiosity Stream Curiosity Stream Standard Plan: Lifetime Subscription $159.97 at The Mashable Shop
$399.99 Save $240.02 Get Deal

Now that the Olympics have wrapped, it's time to pass the torch to a new type of content. If you’re craving something more substantial than the usual TV fare, why not dive into something that feeds your brain? Sure, Netflix and Hulu have a few documentaries to offer, but their selection can feel pretty limited, especially if you want to marathon a library of high-quality docs. 

Time for Curiosity Stream to step up to the podium. This educational streaming service is loaded with a vast library of high-quality documentaries and docuseries that cover everything from nature and technology to true crime, history, science, and philosophy. There are even a few documentaries about the Olympics, and a lifetime subscription is $159.97 (reg. $399.99). 

Watch and learn

Curiosity Stream is a documentary streaming service that provides unlimited access to thousands of documentaries, films, series, and shows. It's a lot to take in at first, but Curiosity Stream gives you a few ways to sort the content. You can check out curated collections on different topics.

Some recent collections include documentaries on deep space, prehistoric life, extraordinary women, and feel-good films. There's even kid-friendly content for families. The extensive library is continually refreshed with new content each week, so there's always something new to watch.

Love falling asleep to a familiar voice? Search for your favorite narrators. Curiosity Stream has some popular voices like Sir David Attenborough, and you can even find some major celebrities narrating docs. Harrison Ford and Nick Offerman have both narrated Curiosity Stream docs, and wait until you see who else is on there. 

You can access your Curiosity Stream on multiple devices, and it even supports a range of device types. Watch docs on Android, iOS, Apple TV, or Xbox, among other devices. 

Learn with your eyes closed

Give the Olympics the gold-medal follow-up it deserves. Get high-quality documentaries at your fingertips forever. 

Get a Lifetime Subscription to Curiosity Stream for $159.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

TL;DR: If you want a convenient interface to take calls, manage navigation, and change songs, get the Seven-Inch Wireless Car Display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on sale for $79.97 (reg. $139). 

On a road trip, pretty much anything that'd take your eyes off the road falls to the passenger. That means navigation, music selection, and maybe they screen your calls for you. Unfortunately, you might not always have your favorite passenger while you're on the road, but a good wireless car display is the next best thing. Graduate from screening calls to calls on screen and check out what this display can do. 

This seven-inch Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Display simplifies navigation, media, and more by giving you one interface — and you don't have to look at your phone to use it. Plus, this versatile car display is on sale for 42% off. This is your chance to get one for $79.97 instead of $139. 

How is this better than a phone mount?

A phone mount is good for a lot of things, but you're still stuck with a small screen, and it doesn't do much for cars without Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. This mount takes your older car into the modern age with a 1024x600 screen you can wirelessly connect your phone to. Then it's distraction-free navigation, media, and hands-free calls. It even takes voice commands. 

Installing your display is super simple. You can mount it onto smooth surfaces like windshields or dashboards with the included suction lock, or attach it to your dash with the pad mounting disk. Either way, the process is quick and painless. Your display also comes with a car charger, 3.5mm audio cable, and USB-C to USB-A cable for a quick and easy setup.

Your new favorite passenger

Add some modern amenities to your ride. 

Get the Seven-Inch Wireless Car Display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility for $79.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart 7" Wireless Car Display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Compatibility & Phone Mirroring $79.97 at The Mashable Shop
$139.99 Save $60.02 Get Deal

The bisexual community has an inside joke describing what it's like to date as a bi person: People think it means double the options and double the fun, but it really just means double the rejection (sad trombone sound effect).

You have to be able to laugh at self-deprecating jokes like this if you're a member of the Lonely Hearts Club, regardless of whether you're diving into the straight or gay dating scene. But bisexual people do face extra roadblocks in the dating world.

Online dating absolutely sucks for everyone, but the fact that there's only a single bisexual dating site that caters specifically to this community (and even then, we're kind of iffy about it) means many folks are frequently swiping on people who don't take bisexuality seriously. In 2024, that shouldn't be the reality.

There's [an] issue of bi people feeling invisible when they're deemed too "straight passing," which can often happen in queer spaces. This kind of invalidation contributes to many bisexual folks' struggles of not feeling queer enough.

The "B" in LGBTQ+ makes up 50 percent of the queer community, according to data from the Human Rights Campaign, but it's also one of the least-acknowledged letters in the acronym. What makes the bisexual dating landscape — especially the online one — so tricky to maneuver?

Before we get into the best dating apps for bisexuals, let's tackle this question for a sec.

Bisexuality is hyper-sexualized on heteronormative apps

Something bisexual women are all too familiar with when navigating online dating is the concept — one as old as time — of men being straight-up creeps. It's like heterosexual men can't seem to grasp that bisexuality is not a green light to ask a woman how many girls she's been with or if she likes men or women better. Such comments, especially from absolute strangers online, are disconcerting at best and threatening at worst.

Megan, a 23-year-old woman from Virginia, told us via Facebook that she couldn't even count the number of gross (slash ignorant) messages she'd received from men in reference to writing "bi" in her Tinder bio. "There were times when they would be like, 'Oh, you never seemed gay in high school' or whatever, because gay is obviously a personality trait 🙃," she said. "Like my sexuality wasn’t a real thing, or it was just a fetish to these people."

On most dating apps, there are a lot of couples only looking for bi women to hook up with. We aren't saying that threesomes are wrong, but let's not assume that every bi person is dreaming of hooking up with you and your beau. You'd think the user base on queer dating apps would be more enlightened than on comparatively heteronormative apps, but that's not always the case.

Catfishing is also an issue bi folks have to grapple with. Some men have such a rabid obsession with queer women that they'll sign up for a dating site as a woman just to see an all-women swiping field. It's a total privacy breach and certainly doesn't boost your willingness to meet up with someone IRL. That's why the best dating sites require some form of Facebook or ID verification these days; in the case of Tinder, built-in background checks are (thankfully) now a mainstay feature of the app.

Queer dating apps aren't always inviting, either

Does "gold star lesbian" sound familiar to you? Not everyone sees the label as a positive, despite its cheerful-sounding name. It refers to lesbians who have never slept with a man. Countless bisexual women have reported being ghosted after disclosing that they have been with a guy before, and even on the best dating apps for bisexual women, profiles with "gold stars only" in the bio have popped up.

Then there's the issue of bi people feeling invisible when they're deemed too "straight passing," which can often happen in queer spaces. This kind of invalidation contributes to many bisexual folks' struggles of not feeling queer enough.

This feels a lot like the impossible Goldilocks principle, doesn't it, of being too much and never enough?

SEE ALSO: Bisexuality and the anxiety of not feeling 'queer enough' Why you might still want to put "bi" in your dating app bio

Adding those two simple letters to your bio may draw unwanted attention, and it's going to be a pain in the ass. But in the long run, it also acts as an asshole filter to weed out people who try to put sexual orientation into a box.

Just think about it: Would you want your partner to think that being bisexual is just a pit stop on the road to being a "full-blown gay"? Of course not. Then there's the old stereotype that bisexuality means you want to bang anything that moves. The easiest way to ensure that you won't be left heartbroken over someone rejecting or questioning your sexuality is to let them know how you identify from the jump. You deserve the very best, which means only those people who accept you as you are.

With all of this in mind — and it's a lot to keep in mind — we wanted to review the best bi dating apps. We can't promise you'll never have a bad experience on these (indeed, mishaps are all but guaranteed when you brave dating apps), but we believe these particular apps give bisexual men, women, and non-binary folks the very best shot at finding a compatible partner.

TL;DR: Canyon Pro, an AI resumé checker and interview coach, is currently on sale for £54.18 (reg. £529.49) — an 89% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Canyon Canyon Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription £54.18 at The Mashable Shop
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Today's job market isn't like the one we had ten years ago — or even five. While change is inevitable with something as fluid as the employment market, many of us could use some support to keep up with the competition. Canyon is a comprehensive platform designed to help streamline and optimize your job search from start to finish using new AI tools, and a lifetime subscription to the Pro Plan is majorly discounted today.

Get a Canyon Pro Plan lifetime subscription for only £54.18 (reg. £529.49) and have a multi-tool, AI-enhanced job application platform on your side for life. 

Canyon uses modern tech and artificial intelligence to help optimize your resumé, giving it a better chance to shine through the crowd. The app's AI resumé builder suggests optimal wording, layout, and skills tailored to your industry and the specific jobs you're applying for. It even provides a score with tailored insights to see how well your resumé is optimized and allows for unlimited use.

You can also auto-fill your job applications through this platform, saving you crucial time and effort. To use this feature, you will have to download the Chrome extensions for free from the Google Chrome Store. It can then be used to autofill your info on almost any job application site.

To help you keep your job applications and resumé organized, there's a management feature that shows you where you've applied and tracks and prioritizes your job applications. And when you're ready to head in for an interview, there are AI-powered mock interviews specific to the job you're applying to that you can use to brush up on your interview skills.

Having this all-in-one job application tool at your disposal could be a game-changer in making the job hunt easier and less time-consuming.

Get a Canyon Pro Plan lifetime subscription for only £54.18 (reg. £529.49) for a limited time only.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream the Green Bay Packers vs. the Denver Broncos for free. You can watch the NFL preseason games for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It might be "American" football but NFL action has never been more popular outside of North America, which is why fans around the globe want to know how to catch all the action — even this week's preseason games.

Among the games being played this weekend is the Green Bay Packers vs. the Denver Broncos. The Packers are following a promising 2023 season, which saw them reach the divisional round in the playoffs. The Broncos, however, continued a disappointing streak of failing to reach the playoffs.

Both teams notched up wins in the first week of preseason, and have their sights on kicking off the proper 2024 season with some momentum.

If you want to watch the NFL preseason games for free, no matter where you are around the world, here's all the information you need.

When is the Packers vs. the Broncos?

The Green Bay Packers vs. the Denver Broncos takes place at 8 p.m. ET on August 18. This fixture will be played at the Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.

How to watch the Packers vs. the Broncos for free

You can watch the NFL preseason games for free by signing up for free trials with DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, or fubo. Simply register for free trials with each of these subscription-based platforms, one trial at a time, which will cover the remaining weeks of the NFL preseason. Just remember to cancel these memberships before the trial ends and you incur subscription costs.

Alternatively, you can register at DAZN, which is showing the NFL preseason fixtures for free to viewers outside the U.S., Canada, and China.

All of these streaming services are geo-restricted to specific regions, which means you'll need to first sign up for a VPN in order to access them. If you've never used a VPN before, it's a handy tool that can obscure your real-world IP address (digital location) and then connect you to a secure server in other countries, allowing you to sidestep geo-restrictions and unblock streaming services from around the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL 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 free coverage of the NFL preseason

4. Visit DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, fubo, or DAZN.

5. Watch the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world.

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free themselves, but VPN services usually offer sweetener deals that include free trial periods or money-back guarantees. Simply leverage these deals to gain access to NFL preseason live streams, and it won't cost you a dime in the long run. This is obviously a quick fix solution, but you can watch all the NFL preseason action before you recovering any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale for $99.95 — an overall saving of 49% but for a limited time only. Within that plan you get a bonus three months at no additional cost, plus a year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the New Orleans Saints vs. the San Francisco 49ers for free. You can watch the NFL preseason games for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's only preseason, which as football fans know, is really just an an exhibition. Even so, the 49ers are one of the top picks to win the Super Bowl but dropped their preseason opener to the Tennessee Titans. And the preseason games can be important for figuring out the roster — particularly for the 49ers, who have some injury problems.

The Saints, however, had a promising opening week in preseason with a narrow win over the Cardinals. The win came via a last ditch 37-yard field goal from rookie Charlie Smyth, while rookie quarter back Spencer Rattler — who led the winning drive — also impressed fans. Can the Saints do it again against the 49ers this weekend?

The good news is that you can watch the NFL preseason action without spending anything. If you want to watch the NFL preseason for free, no matter where you are around the world, we have all the information you need.

When is the Saints vs. the 49ers?

The New Orleans Saints vs. the San Francisco 49ers takes place at 8 p.m. ET on August 18. This fixture will be played at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

How to watch the Saints vs. the 49ers for free

To watch the NFL preseason games for free, sign up for free trials with either DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, or fubo. You can register for free trials with each of these streaming platforms, one trial at a time, which will give you time to watch the remaining weeks of the NFL preseason for free. But be sure to cancel these trials before you incur any subscription charges.

Alternatively, you can register at DAZN, which is showing the NFL preseason for free to viewers outside the US, Canada, and China.

Because all these streaming services are geo-blocked to specific countries, you'll also need to sign up for a VPN to access them. A VPN is a handy tool that can mask your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country, allowing you to unblock free streaming services from around the globe and therefore access region-specific streaming platforms.

Access free live streams of the NFL 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 free coverage of the NFL preseason

4. Visit DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, fubo, or DAZN.

5. Watch the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world.

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not actually free to use, but the top VPN services do tend to offer deals such as free trial periods or money-back guarantees. All you need to do is sign up and take advantage of these deals to gain access to NFL preseason live streams — and all without committing any cash in the long run. It's a short-term solution, but the trial period will allow you to watch the NFL preseason action before you have to recover any initial investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale for $99.95, which means an impressive saving of 49% for a limited time. The plan also includes an extra three months at no additional cost, plus a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the NFL preseason for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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

The Connecticut Sun and Atlanta Dream are set to take to the court as the WNBA season continues.

Don't miss out, to watch Connecticut Sun vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.

When is Connecticut Sun vs. Atlanta Dream?

Connecticut Sun vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA starts at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 18. This fixture takes place at the Gateway Center Arena at College Park, Georgia.

How to watch Connecticut Sun vs. Atlanta Dream

WNBA fans can live stream Connecticut Sun vs. Atlanta Dream plus the rest of the 2024 season from anywhere in the world with the WNBA League Pass.

However, it's worth noting that the WNBA League Pass may not show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. However, not to worry, fans can beat these geo-restrictions by using a VPN. These tools work by hiding your real IP address (i.e. digital location) so you'll be able to connect to secure servers in other locations, meaning you can bypass blackouts to watch every WNBA League Pass game live, barring 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 every WNBA game live (barring 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 Connecticut Sun 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 August 18's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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.

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

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 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 17 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Tall and skinny.

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 L.

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...

LANKY.

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

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

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 18 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: Alarm configuration

• Green: "Here me out, bro"

• Blue: Iconic candies

• Purple: Misspelled Disney dwarfs

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: Alarm Clock Buttons

• Green: "Here's A Thought"

• Blue: Candy Pieces

• Purple: Seven Dwarfs Minus Last Letter

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 #434 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Alarm Clock Buttons: ALARM, HOUR, SNOOZE, TIME SET

• "Here's A Thought": PERHAPS, SAY, SUPPOSE, WHAT IF

• Candy Pieces: KISS, NERD, RUNT, WHOPPER

• Seven Dwarfs Minus Last Letter: DO, DOPE, GRUMP, SLEEPY

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

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