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Netflix has dropped its teaser for Timo Tjahjanto's "The Shadow Strays".

Apple's iPhone 16 is due to launch in two weeks, but we're already seeing rumors about its successor, the iPhone 17.

On Wednesday, a Chinese leaker said that the iPhone 17 will be a huge upgrade compared to iPhone 16 when it comes to RAM. Apple's iPhone 16 models will come with 8GB of RAM, he said, but iPhone 17 will have 12GB of RAM, which will apparently make it more capable to handle advanced AI applications.

SEE ALSO: What to expect from Apple's September event: iPhone 16, Apple Watch 10, and more

Then, Apple sleuth Ming-Chi Kuo chimed in in a tweet. According to Kuo only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will come with 12GB RAM, with the other models still limited to 8GB RAM.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Enhanced on-device AI capabilities will likely be a major selling point for the iPhone 17 Pro Max," he wrote.

Kuo also said that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have an "upgraded cooling system combining vapor chamber (VC) technology and graphite sheets," while the other new iPhones launched in 2025 will use graphite sheets alone for thermal management.

There's a lot of assumptions here: We don't even know how much RAM the iPhone 16 will have, as this device hasn't come out. We do know, however, that the iPhone 15 models come with 6GB of RAM, while both the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have 8GB of RAM.

Artificial intelligence (or Apple Intelligence, as Apple calls it) can be resource hungry, so it makes sense for Apple to beef up RAM for next year's models.

This is not the first rumor we've heard about Apple's iPhone 17. Previous reports said that Apple is working on a "slim" iPhone 17 variant; we've also heard that the iPhone 17 will have an upgraded, 24-megapixel selfie camera, and that the rear camera will be relocated to the top center of the phone's back.

It's fun to speculate about next year's iPhone, but for now we're far more interested in this year's iPhone 16. Apple is scheduled to launch new iPhones, along with new Watches and perhaps a few other devices, on Sept. 9.

If you're a scholar of Greek mythology, froth over The Iliad, The Odyssey, and Metamorphoses, couldn't put Hades or Assassin's Creed: Odyssey down, or love movies and TV shows like Blood of Zeus, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Disney's Hercules, you'll be able to watch Netflix's Kaos with little confusion. If you're not up on the major deities of the Greek pantheon or heroes like Odysseus, Perseus, and Theseus (a lot of 'euses'), the series might have you scrambling to Google who's who.

But luckily, narrator Prometheus is there to guide you through Kaos. He's just having his liver pecked out by an eagle as he does.

SEE ALSO: 7 ancient Greeks who might be your friend in 'Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'

From The End of the F***ing World writer Charlie Covell, with directors Georgi Banks-Davies and Runyararo Mapfumo, Kaos is a deadpan, dark, soapy take on Greek myths, staying mildly true to their stories and taking liberties where it works — often to make political statements, and sometimes just because it's fun. With a sprawling, talented, mostly British cast (some of whom are deeply underused; hello, Billie Piper), arresting production design, and enough IYKYK ancient asides to sink a galley, Kaos is a nerdy, modern foray into legend, with a tempestuous, sybaritic, divine family at its core.

What is Kaos about? Janet McTeer as Hera and Jeff Goldblum as Zeus in "Kaos." Credit: Justin Downing / Netflix

In modern Krete, gods meddle with human lives like egomaniacal kids in a worldwide candy store, gathering to watch the mortals' tribulations on TV over family dinner. Televised human sacrifices are given on the regular to appease Olympian braggadocio and king of the gods Zeus (Jeff Goldblum). Human political leaders like President — not King, but pretty much — Minos (Stanley Townsend) pander to the whims of pescatarian playboy Poseidon (Cliff Curtis). Women voluntarily slice off their tongues to become loyal earthly followers of power player and divine queen Hera (Janet McTeer). Among it all, Dionysus (Nabhaan Rizwan) drowns his daddy issues in excess.

Nabhaan Rizwan as Dionysus. Credit: Justin Downing / Netflix

But not everyone's happy with the gods, and dissent simmers throughout the streets. Worried about a pesky little prophecy predicting his downfall, and refusing to tolerate blasphemy without consequence, Zeus decides to zap his human underlings with a little divine punishment.

Crucially, there are three humans essential to Zeus' prophesied downfall: There's Ariadne or "Ari" (Leila Farzad), dutiful daughter of Minos, who's crushing on her security guard Theseus (Daniel Lawrence Taylor) and hoping to peacefully sort out Kretians sharing their city with persecuted Trojan War refugees; there's Eurydice or "Riddy" (Aurora Perrineau), doomed muse of Chris Martin-like pop musician Orpheus (Killian Scott); and there's Caenaeus (Misia Butler), a trans man who had to leave the Amazons, was murdered, then ended up working in the Underworld.

Leila Farzad as Ariadne or "Ari." Credit: Justin Downing / Netflix

Covell's observational wit and clear love for the Greek myths comes through his ill-fated narrator, Prometheus (Stephen Dillane), who, hanging from a cliff face, gives Guy Ritchie-style commentary about the events — all while his liver is pecked out daily by an eagle. Constant shots back to Prometheus breaking the fourth wall do get a little tiresome, but they're crucial to keeping the audience aware of the importance of seemingly banal moments. 

Kaos plays with figures of Greek myths like toys in a sandbox Debi Mazar as Medusa? Yes, yes, yes. Credit: Justin Downing / Netflix

The Greek pantheon is already a heaving soap opera of adulterous, murderous, power-hungry narcissists, so Covell has plenty to work with fitting them into a modern TV series. Kaos plays on recent shows like Succession and The Fall of the House of Usher centred around tyrannical, powerful families, with Covell attempting to bring a little Roy family venom to the Olympian dinner table. The gods were the originals, after all.

Covell wields the major players of Greek mythology as if playing in a sandbox, slightly tweaking well-worn detail for a contemporary-feeling narrative that avoids going full caricature. The series plucks these legendary figures from their reverent pedestals on ancient amphorae and gold-framed masterpieces, plunging them into human bodies in 2024. The show's depiction of such well-known names as Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon wandering through our world feels very Terry Gilliam and more adult than Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Cliff Curtis as Poseidon. Credit: Justin Downing / Netflix

Covell's modern updates often feel like theatrical jests. For one, the entrance to Hades lies in a skip bin at the back of a desert dive bar called The Cave, the crumbling haunt of The Fates (Suzy Eddie Izzard, Sam Buttery, and Ché) owned by Poly (Joe McGann), an eye-patched version of the cyclops Polyphemus. The Underworld itself isn't a writhing seven circles of Hell as we thought; instead, it's a boring, bland pit of bureaucracy and middle management, where a disinterested Medusa (Debi Mazar) trains newcomers. Charon's (Ramon Tikaram) legendary Styx ferry is a crappy fishing boat. The mighty three-headed Cerberus, guardian dog of the underworld, is shrunk down to the cutest platoon of three-headed sniffer dogs you'll ever see. They're all clever, thoughtful interpretations of famous figures, brought to life by a talented cast that commits.

Move over, Zeus: The supporting characters of Kaos are the real gods The Fates themselves! Sam Buttery, Suzy Eddie Izzard, and Ché. Credit: Justin Downing / Netflix

The big drawcard and marketing emphasis for Kaos is Jeff Goldblum as king of the gods Zeus, with the promise of the gregarious actor dabbling in various lightning-bolt knee-jerk reactions and narcissistic bad management. And Goldlbum does deliver, playing both the frivolous party god and the brutish, thunderous bully. But the monarch of Olympus is arguably outshone by the other members of the pantheon and the show's human heroes. 

Curtis pretty much steals every scene he's in as the bored, indulgent Poseidon, lounging about on his superyacht The Trident and providing the infusion of humor this show needs — a talent Mazar shares as the deadpan Medusa. David Thewlis is perfectly cast as Hades, a tie-wearing bureaucrat who'd probably bore you to death before anything, and Rakie Ayola gives Persephone an amiable practicality lacking in the other gods. McTeer's Hera, a steely queen giving Claire Underwood energy, gets the lion's share of the characteristically bonkers Greek god activities: shapeshifting into Zeus for a human sexual tryst then turning his lovers into bees, slicing off the tongues of her followers and using them as macabre listening devices. The usual.

Although he's given ample screen time and brings credulous, romantic sweetness to the god, Rizwan feels relatively safe as Dionysus, the PG god of wine, madness, ecstasy, and hedonism. A fine True Blood purveyor of Bacchanalian excess, this Dionysus is not.

Billie Piper is in "Kaos" for a second as Cassandra. More please! Credit: Justin Downing / Netflix

On Earth, the supremely talented Billie Piper is criminally underused as Cassandra, making an impact despite her small role as the prophet who'd never be believed. Farzad and Perrineau are compelling and earnest as Ariadne and Riddy, two smart, strong women who are simultaneously put on a pedestal and undermined by the men in their lives, and who are determined to reclaim their agency. Butler is an understated treat as Caenaeus, making romantic even a place as morose as the Underworld. And though Scott brings the right lovelorn theatricality to Orpheus, the show crushed his characterisation for me with one overwhelmingly cheesy song performed at a concert right from the start. This man's musical talents need to be able to pull his wife out of Hell. That "Eurydice" song is not it.

The trustiest supporting stars of the series are those who dwell in The Cave, with Izzard and her fellow Fates making me want to join whatever band they're forming. Similarly, the justice-delivering Furies (Cathy Tyson, Natalie Klamar, and Donna Banya) bring a consistent, swaggering Western vibe to the series.

For me, a mythology nerd, the series slightly suffers from its extremely limited pantheon, with Dionysus the only one of the "kids" to show up to Zeus and Hera's family barbecues. It's possible Covell is keeping the rest of the gods and goddesses for next season, but Olympus feels empty without a trace of Demeter, Aphrodite, Athena, Artemis, Apollo, Ares, Hephaestus, and Hermes — all rife for comedic characterisation of their own. 

Kaos leans little on CGI, instead making every last physical detail count David Thewlis and Rakie Ayola as Hades and Persephone. Credit: Justin Downing / Netflix

Greek myths are often difficult to depict, challenging ancient amphorae painters and Renaissance artists alike. But Kaos leans away from too much CGI (though there is a little; three-headed dogs don't just draw themselves) and toward opulent, theatre-like production design from Dick Lunn for the various environments. Covell developed Kaos from a short play called The Company Project, so that tracks. Eurydice's pain at not being able to submerge in the River Lethe is beautifully done, with Perrineau seemingly walking on water through hidden, old-school production tricks. If you label a simple door as "Earth" and want your audience to believe it's a portal, it takes a lot of work around that option to make it make sense — and Kaos makes it happen.

By no means is set decoration and design in Kaos an afterthought, with meticulously detailed and tongue-in-cheek Easter eggs hidden through every scene. Costuming by Rebecca Hale and hair and makeup by Vickie Lang is sleek and subtle, with lightning-bolt trimming for Zeus' leisure suit and Medusa's snake hair kept at bay with a headscarf. The set design and decoration includes miniscule references to people and places of Greek myth — a Tyndareus Gasoline petrol station; cereal aisle full of Gaea's Granola, Achilles' Heels, and Spartan Crunch; stores selling toy versions of Poseidon's trident and Zeus' lightning bolt; and sports teams named for beings like the Satyrs. There's ample amount of foreshadowing of characters' fates in fly-by references, like Eurydice buying Underworld fave the pomegranate at the supermarket.

Set-wise, Kaos is a sumptuous feast on one hand, an intentionally soulless pit on the other. Mount Olympus is a palatial, verdant complex with elegant fountains, gilded baroque dining sets, casual peacocks, and gluttonous feasts on the lush lawn. In the Underworld, Kaos joins Loki, Good Omens, and The Umbrella Academy in the insistent trend toward fantasy realms as mid-century modernist, with all-powerful deities inexplicably using chunky telephones and outdated technology to communicate with each other. Much of the action takes place in the Underworld, where Kaos relies on a black and white filter to represent the lifeless realm; it works from a budget perspective while lending an easy elegance.

Misia Butler as Caenaeus with a liiiiitttlle Cerrrrrberuuuuus eeeeee. Credit: Justin Downing / Netflix

The future for Kaos is left on a cliffhanger, teasing a second season and leaving a fair few storylines unaddressed at the close. Narrative-wise, the story seems to be leading to more of its titular chaos, so we can probably expect more Greek mythology-level bonkers pandemonium in Season 2. As for the first season, lovers of Greek myth will inevitably spend the eight episodes smugly pointing out references, while newcomers might feel slightly adrift as to who's who. But it's an entertaining, soapy, surreal series that plays well with the gods, wrath be damned.

How to watch: Kaos is now streaming on Netflix.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL came out swinging with an impressive set of features that threaten Samsung and Apple's dominance in the smartphone market.

From its Super Res Zoom feature that allowed me to see strangers more than 5,000 feet away to its record-breaking battery life, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the best Android phone I've ever tested. (And this is coming from someone who daily drives the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the latest and greatest phone Samsung has to offer.)

The Google Pixel 9 has great zoom, but it's not as impressive as the Pixel 9 Pro XL Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The Pixel 9 Pro XL couldn't get any better — until I spotted some chit-chat about a new display feature across the Pixel 9 series.

Called "Adaptive Touch," Google says that it's a touch sensitivity feature that "will automatically adjust to your environment, activities, and screen protector." The Pixel 9 series, by the way, has a similar touch sensitivity feature called Screen Protector Mode, but it's not new. The novel Adaptive Touch tool is designed to auto-adjust to various conditions, but Screen Protector Mode kicks the sensitivity up a notch to compensate for users' screen protectors.

Water droplets on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Google never explicitly said that Adaptive Touch supports wet fingers, but some tech outlets put it to the test and got optimistic results. "The Pixel 9 works much better with wet fingers than the Pixel 8 Pro," Android Authority said. "The Pixel 9 handles wet fingers like a champ, offering a smooth scrolling experience even with water standing on the screen," Chrome Unboxed said.

I'm skeptical, so I decided to test this Adaptive Touch feature myself with the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Pixel 9 Pro XL: How does it fare in the shower?

No, I didn't totally submerge the Pixel 9 Pro XL in water or anything wild like that, but I did recreate a scenario I often find myself in: interacting with my device, wet fingers and all, while blasting music in the shower.

The Touch Sensitivity feature should already be on by default, but you can toggle it off. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Yes, I'm one of those people who brings their phones into the bathroom to play music for a shower soirée. (Hey, if I'm going to slip on soap, at least I'll do it to a good beat.)

I accessed Adaptive Touch by navigating to Settings > Display > Touch Sensitivity. As it turned out, Adaptive Touch is toggled on by default for Pixel 9 devices.

So the question is, after drenching my fingers in water, and getting some droplets on the screen, how did the Pixel 9 Pro XL fare in the shower? Here are my ratings:

• Tapping on apps - Good. The Pixel 9 Pro XL was responsive to all the apps I tapped on via the home screen.

• Swiping (up and down) - Terrible. Exiting apps require an upward swipe, but I needed to employ this gesture several times before the screen responded.

• Swiping (left and right) - Good. The Pixel 9 Pro XL was responsive as I swiped through my collection of apps.

• Scrolling - Terrible. I experienced some glitches and phantom touches.

• Fingerprint unlock - Good. No issues while using biometric authentication to unlock the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

To sum it up, I was able to tap on apps and other UI elements without any issues. For example, I was able to skip to the next track on my playlists seamlessly. Swiping through my apps on the home screen was a smooth experience, too.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, when it comes to scrolling through long-form content, I experienced "screen jumping" in which I'd try to scroll down to the bottom of the article, but it'd jump back up to the top. Swiping upward to escape apps was the most frustrating; I sometimes found myself repeatedly swiping up to 10 times before I finally got a response.

Although fingerprint unlock worked well with my wet fingers, as ExtremeTech (Mashable's sister site) pointed out, the Pixel 9 series' new ultrasonic in-display sensor likely played a bigger role in my positive experience with it.

Without getting too technical, the ultrasonic sensor, an upgrade from the Pixel 8 series' optical sensor, is designed to detect your fingerprints even while wet. My Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra also has an ultrasonic in-display sensor — and it, too, can detect my fingerprints while they're wet.

While the Pixel 9 Pro XL fares well in the shower for some gestures, I wouldn't say that it excels in supporting wet fingers. However, if you ever get caught in the rain, or you just came out of a dip in the pool (or you, like me, enjoy jamming out in the shower), the Pixel 9 Pro XL can handle simple taps without malfunctioning.

The OnePlus Ace 2 Pro famously has a "Rain Water Touch" feature that is designed to handle pesky water droplets on a display, so perhaps it's about time that Google, Samsung, and Apple seriously considers wet-finger support.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Google Pixel 9 Pro XL $1,099.00
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There are a lot of locations around the world that will block access to your favorite porn sites, and that's probably a good idea. However, there is a time and a place for everything. And when the time is right, you'll want to be able to access sites like Xnxx without hassle.

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TL;DR: Live stream Sinner vs. Michelsen in the 2024 US Open for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Jannik Sinner is the top-seeded player at the US Open, but most people would probably favor Djokovic or Alcaraz over the Italian. That puts Sinner in the strange position of seeking his second Grand Slam title of the year as an unfancied favorite.

Whether Sinner can truly compete with Djokovic and Alcaraz is yet to be seen, because first he needs to get past Alex Michelsen in the second round.

If you want to watch Sinner vs. Michelsen in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Sinner vs. Michelsen in the 2024 US Open for free

Fans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:

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• New Zealand — TVNZ+

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5. Watch Sinner vs. Michelsen in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these offers to access free live streams of Sinner vs. Michelsen without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the US Open?

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

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Live stream Sinner vs. Michelsen in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Alcaraz vs. Van de Zandschulp in the 2024 US Open for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The US Open has started with a bunch of exciting matchups between top players, and that's not going to stop as we move closer to the finals.

Someone who will have his heart set on making the final will be Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard did drop a set in his first-round match, but that won't worry him. He'll firmly believe that he can go all the way and win his third Grand Slam title of the year.

If you want to watch Alcaraz vs. Van de Zandschulp in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Van de Zandschulp in the 2024 US Open for free

Fans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:

• Australia — 9Now

• New Zealand — TVNZ+

These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone from around the world can access these sites with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open 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 Australia or New Zealand

4. Visit 9Now or TVNZ+

5. Watch Alcaraz vs. Van de Zandschulp in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these offers to access free live streams of Alcaraz vs. Van de Zandschulp without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the US Open?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand

• 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 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.

Live stream Alcaraz vs. Van de Zandschulp in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Clean the pet dander and other allergens from the air with the Turonic PH950 Air Purifier and Humidifier, now $279.99 (reg. $389). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Turonic Turonic PH950 Air Purifier & Humidifier Combo $279.99
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Allergies, like the things that cause them, come in all shapes and sizes. A tiny sniffle after your cat rubbing against your face? No problem. But what about when your sneezes sound like two freight trains wrestling in a tiny tunnel? You can't get rid of Mr. Mittens, and allergy pills aren't always the best option. You know what doesn't have side effects? An air purifier. 

The Turonic PH950 is part air purifier, part humidifier. Together, it's a full atmospheric revamp for your room, and anyone with seasonal or pet allergies will probably want one, especially now that they're $110 off. 

Why would I pay $280 for an air purifier?

In short, this air purifier is worth the price because it works really well on a big area. 

For more details, the PH950 is a beast when it comes to cleaning the air in your home. It starts with an 8-stage purification system that leaves no stone unturned. First up is a mesh pre-filter that grabs pet hair and dust, the usual suspects in homes with pets. Then, the cotton filter catches smaller particles, and the true HEPA filter swoops in to take care of those ultra-fine allergens that have you sneezing up a storm.

If you’ve got odors from pets or anything else lingering around, the activated carbon filter and cold catalyst filter are on it. And just when you think that’s all, the UV light steps in to eliminate bacteria and viruses, giving you peace of mind that your air has gone through the wringer and come out better for it. 

The PH950 also has a built-in humidifier, which is a game-changer, especially if you’re battling dry air or allergies. Maintaining the right humidity levels may do wonders for your respiratory comfort.

And the best part? This powerhouse is quiet. With a noise level as low as 36 dB, it’s quieter than a whisper, so it won’t disturb you or your pets. It’s also got the muscle to handle large spaces, purifying up to 4,200 square feet in just two hours. Whether you're dealing with a sprawling living room or a large bedroom, the PH950 can clear the air.

Breathe easy — get the Turonic PH950 Air Purifier while it's on sale for $279.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

TL;DR: Pump iron to a bumpin' beat with noise-cancelling TREBLAB Z2 Over-Ear Headphones, now on sale for $65.99 (reg. $89). 

Opens in a new window Credit: TREBLAB TREBLAB Z2 Over-Ear Bluetooth 5.0 Headphones $65.99
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A workout without music is like a party without a DJ — it's a lot harder to get in the zone. So make sure you have a pair of headphones that fit while you get fit. 

The TREBLAB Z2 over-ear headphones are here to spot you with long-lasting battery and active noise cancellation, and they're on sale now for only $65.99 (reg. $89.97). 

Why are these headphones so good for the gym?

Distractions happen. Maybe the sounds of your squeaky shoes on a hard floor are just a little too much today. Either way, the Z2s have T-Quiet active noise-cancelling technology, and it's like having a personal sound bubble. And you can stay bubbled up for up to 35 hours on a full charge. 

If you're all about high-quality sound to power your workouts, the TREBLAB Z2 Bluetooth headphones are about to become your new best gym buddy. The Hyper-HD aptX sound quality means you’re not just hearing your music — you’re living it. Deep bass, crisp highs, and rich tones will make every beat hit just right, keeping you pumped up and pushing through those last few reps. 

Durability is key when you’re sweating it out, and the TREBLAB Z2 has you covered. They’re IPX4 water-resistant, which means they can handle your sweat and the occasional splash without missing a beat.

Bluetooth 5.0 keeps your connection smooth and seamless, so you can stay wire-free and hassle-free. Plus, if you need to take a call or chat with your voice assistant, the built-in mic has your back. 

Your new gym buddy

No need to cancel your gym membership to make room in the budget for quality workout headphones. Get a pair of TREBLAB Z2 Over-Ear Headphones on sale for just $65.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

TL;DR: Visualize your dream home with a lifetime license to Ashampoo 3­D CAD Software, now just $39.99. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Ashampoo Ashampoo 3­D CAD Professional 11⁠: Lifetime License $39.99 at Mashable Shop
$330.00 Save $290.01 Get Deal

So you’ve just bought a new house and are eager to transform the outdated kitchen into a modern culinary haven. Or maybe you’re planning an ambitious home renovation, and a few of those walls just gotta go. In moments like these, having a tool that lets you visualize every detail and make precise adjustments can turn your grand ideas into reality. Or at least keep your grand ideas from becoming a grand pain.

Ashampoo is an easy-to-use 3D CAD tool to help you visualize your complex designs, and right now it's on sale for just $39.99 (reg. $330) for life.

Why would I buy this if I'm not an architect?

Homeowners, DIYers, and 3D artists can get some serious mileage out of this CAD software. Visualizing major changes to your house isn't hard when you can create a customizable 3D model of every room. How would the kitchen and living room look as an open plan? Easy to find out. 

If these walls could talk, they'd probably approve 

When you start using Ashampoo 3D CAD Professional 11, you’ll quickly find that it’s built to easily handle complex design tasks. If you need to tweak a room layout — maybe adding a partition or changing the size of a window — the advanced wall editing tools let you make those adjustments quickly. Whether you're adding new walls or modifying existing ones, it’s straightforward and doesn't take an architecture degree.

And if you’re managing multiple projects, you can even copy entire floors or buildings between them, which is especially useful if you’re working on similar designs or need to reuse certain elements without starting from scratch. 

This 3D design software also comes with a comprehensive object catalog featuring over 250 ready-to-use groups like pre-designed kitchens, garages, and garden houses. If you’re designing a backyard and need to add a garden shed, you can just pick a model from the catalog and drop it into your plan. For more customized designs, the numerical editing tools let you fine-tune dimensions and placements, ensuring everything fits perfectly, whether it's a window, door, or piece of furniture.

Time to work like an architect. Get an Ashampoo lifetime license for just $39.99 (reg. $330). 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

TL;DR: Art software can actually be affordable if you get an Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements 2023 Lifetime License (Windows) on sale for $99.99 (reg. $149). 

Opens in a new window Credit: SoftwareDiscount Adobe Photoshop & Premiere Elements 2023 (Windows) $99.99
$149.99 Save $50.00 Lifetime license Get Deal

Being a digital artist can be expensive, even without all the paint and canvas and brush costs. Most art apps have subscription fees that can cost you thousands of dollars throughout your career. If you use Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements, this could be the deal you've been waiting for.

Get a lifetime license for Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements (Windows) on sale for just $99.99 (reg. $149.99). That's 33% off.

Are Photoshop and Premiere Elements worth it? 

If you're looking for versatile design apps for adjusting photos, creating digital art, or fine-tuning videos, this is the industry standard.

Photoshop Elements comes with advanced tools to fine-tune brightness, contrast, and saturation. You can push and pull a photo until it matches your creative vision, or grab a stylus and draw something entirely new. Elements also shines with its collage and composition features, allowing you to blend and arrange your images into striking works of art. 

The smart library is a game-changer too, automatically tagging and organizing your visuals so you can quickly access and perfect your favorites. Plus, sharing your creations on social media is a breeze, letting you connect with your audience and showcase your talent effortlessly.

When it comes to video, Adobe Premiere Elements 2023 makes editing a smooth and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re splicing together a short film, crafting a dynamic music video, or editing a documentary, the user-friendly interface makes it easy to achieve professional-quality results.

The smart media library helps you stay organized by sorting your footage by events, people, and more, so you spend less time hunting for clips and more time creating. With a range of professional effects, like color corrections and slow-motion, you can give your videos a polished, standout look.

Pay once for Adobe software

Create art without a subscription. Get a lifetime license Photoshop and Premiere Elements 2023 for just $99.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

The best streaming deals to watch 'Kinds of Kindness': BEST FOR NEWBIES Hulu with ads trial free for 30 days Get Deal BEST OVERALL Hulu with ads annual subscription $79.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal BEST BUNDLE DEAL Duo Basic Bundle: Hulu and Disney+ $9.99 per month (save 37%) Get Deal BEST FOR STUDENTS Hulu Student Deal $1.99 per month (save 75%) Get Deal BEST FOR T-MOBILE CUSTOMERS Hulu with ads free for customers on Go5G Next plan (save $7.99 per month) Get Deal BEST NON-STREAMING OPTION Buy 'Kinds of Kindness' on Prime Video $18.49 for Prime members (save $1.50) Get Deal

Following the massive acclaim from Poor Things, director Yorgos Lanthimos and Academy Award-winning actress Emma Stone teamed up again for Kinds of Kindness. The cast is stacked, which is to be expected at this point. Besides Stone, Kinds of Kindness stars other Poor Things alumni Willem Dafoe and Margaret Qualley, plus Jesse Plemons (Killers of the Flower Moon), Hong Chau (Showing Up), Joe Alwyn (Conversations With Friends), Mamoudou Athie (Elemental), and Hunter Schafer (Cuckoo). This time around, however, Lanthimos shifts gears away from his mainstream successes (The Favourite, The Lobster). Kinds of Kindness is presented as three short films whose stories are connected only thematically. Whether the new approach pays off is up for debate.

If you missed it in the theaters, the film is officially set to make its streaming debut on Aug. 30. Here's what you need to know about how to watch Kinds of Kindness at home.

What is Kinds of Kindness about?

As noted above, Kinds of Kindness is made up of three distinct, but loosely connected absurdist stories. The all-star cast recurs across each story, playing different roles.

The first story, "The Death of R.M.F.," centers around Robert (Plemons) fighting to take back control of his life from his boss Raymond (Dafoe). Raymond controls every aspect of Robert's life, so when he says "no" for the first time, it leads to dire consequences.

Part two, "R.M.F. is Flying," follows Daniel (Plemons), a quiet cop whose wife Liz (Stone) has gone missing. He's reunited with her under bizarre circumstances, leading him to believe she's an imposter.

And last, part three, "R.M.F. Eats a Sandwich," Emily (Stone) and Andrew (Plemons) are investigators for a cult led by Omi (Dafoe) and Aka (Chau). They're searching the country for a prophesied person with the ability to raise people from the dead, but the search leads Emily back to the life she left behind.

The trailer doesn't give much away as far as the plot goes, but it does give you a dose of the bizarre vibes and stellar cast:

Is Kinds of Kindness worth watching?

Mashable reviewer Robert Daniels described the film as "prickly, dark" and a return to Lanthimos' "unconventional roots, his older, spikier films like Kinetta and Dogtooth." Critics overall weren't blown away by Kinds of Kindness but didn't hate it either. On Rotten Tomatoes, it received a 72 percent critic rating (as of the time of writing).

Audiences, on the other hand, were completely torn. At the time of writing, the film only has a 49 percent audience rating out of over 100 reviews. Some called it one of the weirdest movies they've ever seen.

"Ultimately, Kinds of Kindness circles the drain as more of a thought experiment," our reviewer adds.

Of course, everyone is different and reviews are subjective. You'll have to watch it for yourself to decide whether Lanthimos' latest work is weird in a good way or just plain weird.

Read our full review of Kinds of Kindness.

Can I watch Kinds of Kindness at home?

If you missed Kinds of Kindness in the theater, the bizarre dark comedy is available to buy from digital-on-demand retailers like Prime Video, YouTube, and Apple TV. It will also be available to rent at a later date. If you'd rather wait and stream the film, keep reading for more information.

Here are some of the platforms where you can purchase the film online:

• Prime Video — $18.49 to buy for Prime members (save $1.50)

• Apple TV — $19.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home (Vudu) — $19.99 to buy

• YouTube — $19.99 to rent or $24.99 to buy

• Google Play — $19.99 to rent or $24.99 to buy

Is Kinds of Kindness streaming?

Kinds of Kindness will officially make its streaming debut on Hulu starting Aug. 30. The Searchlight Pictures film will also be available to stream via Hulu on Disney+ for Bundle subscribers. If you're not a Hulu subscriber, you'll be happy to learn that the streamer offers a generous 30-day free trial to newbies. For everyone else, subscriptions start at $7.99 per month, but we've rounded up the best ways you can save on your subscription below.

The best Hulu streaming dealsBest Hulu deal for most people: Hulu annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $79.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal

While the $7.99 per month streaming cost isn't terrible, it could be cheaper. By subscribing to a Hulu with ads annual plan, you can save 16% and pay just $6.67 per month instead. Of course, you'll have to pay the full cost of $79.99 upfront. But it certainly beats the $95.98 you'd pay by dishing out monthly payments. Plus, you might get lucky and save yourself from inevitable price hikes for a year.

Best bundle deal: Get Hulu and Disney+ for 37% off Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Duo Basic bundle: Hulu and Disney+ with ads $9.99 per month (save 37%) Get Deal

For more bang for your buck, sign up for the Duo Basic Bundle and get access to the full Disney and Hulu libraries for only $9.99 per month. That's just $2 more than paying for Hulu on its own — or a savings of 37%. Even better, if you're a sports fan, you can also throw ESPN+ into the mix and pay $14.99 per month. That's a savings of 44% on all three services.

Best for students: Hulu Student Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student $1.99 per month (save 75%) Get Deal

Students wanting to stream Kinds of Kindness can sign up for Hulu for the very low price of $1.99 per month. That's 75% in savings compared to the full cost of Hulu with ads. Just enter your college email address into SheerID to verify your eligibility and score the deal.

Best for T-Mobile users: Hulu (with ads) included for one year for Go5G Next customers Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile / Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free for select T-Mobile customers Get Deal

If you're looking to sign up for streaming services for free, one of the best ways is to switch your mobile plan to T-Mobile's Go5G Next plan. Customers on this plan not only get Hulu with ads included but also Netflix and Apple TV+. Already on the Go5G Next plan? Be sure to claim your offer over on the T-Mobile promo page. Just enter your T-Mobile number and account details in order to sign up.

Note: After your initial 12-month promotional period, you'll also have to take action in order to keep your subscription alive.

In the 40 years since a low-budget action film from a relatively unknown filmmaker and crew blasted onto film screens, the Terminator has proven to be an incredibly resilient, if not relentless property. James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd's creation has spawned five sequels, including the iconic Terminator 2: Judgement Day, the TV series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, as well as numerous books and graphic novels, and countless parodies. With all this, one might wonder if there's any life left in this franchise. But if we've learned anything from this science-fiction series, it's that you can't keep a good Terminator down. 

Set in 1997 Tokyo, the new Netflix series Terminator Zero embraces hand-drawn animation to tell the story of a brilliant scientist named Malcolm Lee (voiced by André Holland) and Kokoro (voiced by Rosario Dawson), the advanced AI system he has created to decide the fate of humanity. Nuclear war is merely hours away. Can Malcolm convince Kokoro to stop Skynet? Meanwhile, a soldier (voiced by Sonoya Mizuno) from the post-apocalyptic year of 2022 has traveled back in time to save the scientist's children — and maybe the world — from a Terminator (voiced by Timothy Olyphant).

The story itself is compelling, as the scientist tries to justify humanity's existence and avert a nuclear apocalypse. However, it's the emotionally engaging and visually stunning animation that makes Terminator Zero a must-see. To learn more about how Terminator Zero was built, Mashable reached out to the series' showrunner/writer Mattson Tomlin and director Masashi Kudō, who shared insights into the design of their Terminator, the real-world history that informed the series' hardest-hitting imagery, and why it matters this animation is hand-drawn. 

Writer Mattson Tomlin found anime to be freeing. Credit: Netflix

It just so happened that Mattson Tomlin was just the guy for the job. His feature-length directorial/screenwriting debut, Mother/Android, is a live-action sci-fi thriller about humans fighting to survive after their robotic helpers turn against them. "Ironically, I was walking around town saying, 'This is not my audition for Terminator,'" he told Mashable in a Zoom interview. "And I got a call on set. 'Hey, they're thinking about doing Terminator as a series, and it's going to be animated. Do you want to meet about that?' And I said, 'Absolutely, I do.'" 

Given the talent involved, it's perhaps no surprise the series is visually stunning and narratively engaging. The real revelation is how wrapped up we can get in the perilous fate of characters who are, after all, drawings.

Netflix had already partnered with the Japanese animation studio I/G Productions for the project, as Tomlin explained. "They had all the pieces set up, and they were looking for someone with a fresh take." He added, "I said, 'This is what I want to do [in terms of the story], and this is how I want to do it.' And everyone just said, 'Yeah, man, sounds good. You should do that.' It was a remarkably smooth development process."

Tomlin found the use of anime further freed up the narrative "because you can do anything." He explained, "When you're doing something live-action and you write 'EXT. Night,' then suddenly this is a night shoot. One hundred or 1,000 or 3,000 people are going to have to turn their clocks around. And [if it's a scene with rain], you need a rain machine, and the actor needs a wetsuit. [With anime,] all of that just goes away." 

The challenges, Tomlin said, came "around performance and emotion. You take a traditional film like Alfonso Cuarón's Roma, in which you have a lot of static shots — a lot of it is wide [shots], characters at a distance. And then, when you finally have the face, you are just absolutely compelled by that face." With animation, Tomlin acknowledged, "It's a little difficult in terms of performance, because you're not looking at a real human being." So, when his writing called for big emotions, Tomlin had to ask himself: "How long can I push this scene with this kind of emotion before I break my own spell?"

Director Masashi Kudō brought Tomlin's words to vivid life. Credit: Netflix

That's where director Masashi Kudō came in. Translating the Terminator to anime was a challenge that the animator embraced. Kudō, best known for his work on the anime series Bleach, found Tomlin's storytelling was less dialogue-heavy than many Japanese anime scripts.  

"[This meant] the human emotions needed to be conveyed through their actions,"  Kudō told Mashable via email, "which is a style I appreciate." He felt the use of hand-drawn "detailed expressions and performances" could drive the story and engage the viewer. A simple image in the first episode — a young girl sitting alone on a couch, her eyes shimmering with unexpected tears — is so compelling that you'll keep watching just to find out what happened in her mysterious past.

The design work is perhaps most vivid when Kokoro appears to Lee through colorful avatars. The word "Kokoro" roughly means "heart," but in Buddhism it connotes our spiritual essence, tying together mind, wisdom, feeling, and aspiration. To reflect these inspirations, Kudō said, "[My team] incorporated the look of goddesses or heavenly maidens from Japanese mythology. My aim was to give the viewers the impression of a higher spiritual being that humans are in awe of." 

Through the work, Kudō's team found that "it was a joy to challenge ourselves by doing something visually interesting, such as making the Kokoro room transform into a fantastical space during the dialogue scenes between Kokoro and Malcolm."

Another challenge was translating the iconic Terminator into an anime character. In Terminator Zero, he is Japanese in appearance and less muscular than his predecessor Arnold Schwarzenegger, but no less frightening. 

Kudō said of his Terminator: "I wanted to create an eerie, unsettling vibe that creeps up on you… For the design, we wanted to go for a reptile-ish image with an expressionless face characterized by its small, widely spaced pupils." 

The nuclear apocalypse of Terminator Zero comes from Japanese experience. Credit: Netflix

Many of us will never forget how terrifying the images of nuclear war were in Terminator 2: A playground full of children incinerated, while a nuclear blast rolled over Los Angeles, obliterating buildings and freeways, and leaving us breathless. Terminator Zero's portrayal is just as visceral and immediate, and just as gravely serious, despite — or perhaps because of — the limitless nature of animation, as well as the story's setting.

The idea of nuclear war resonates differently in Japan, the only country ever to experience the devastation of nuclear weapons. As an American, Tomlin was determined to make clear to his audience that "nuclear war is not fantasy. It's the killer cyborgs at the moment that are kind of a fantasy. But, [nuclear war is] real. And it happened. And it happened there… This is a story that takes place in Japan… [So] there was definitely a desire to take it seriously and not have it feel fun or thoughtless."

Tomlin entrusted Kudō and his animation team "to imbue [the images of nuclear devastation] with that kind of horror because [nuclear war] is still a very vivid concept in Japan, whereas over here in the States, a little bit of it is kind of like it's an idea."

Kudō shared via email, "Most Japanese learn about the horror of nuclear weapons from childhood. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum has numerous exhibits and documents vividly documenting the devastation. I believe this shared knowledge within the team helped us create an animated representation with a strong impact."  

Hand-drawn animation brings an essentially human touch to Terminator Zero.  Credit: Netflix

As the Terminator franchise focuses on the fear of humans being overtaken by computer tech, the hand-drawn animation in Terminator Zero underscores the central message about the value of human creativity. 

"We definitely wanted it to feel like humans made it," Tomlin said. "[The animators] are at the top of their game, and I knew they would make it look great. On the writing side, the job was to imbue it with emotion, a real sense of purpose, and stake out why it needs to exist." 

With AI moving from science fiction to our everyday life, Tomlin's goal is more relevant than ever before. 

We live in an era in which the threat of AI launching a nuclear war is not so immediate.  Yet, many creators believe that generative AI apps "devalue human art" by producing a cheap imitation without the craft of human hands. Hollywood writers fear they will one day be hired simply to refine AI scripts, for little pay, rather than developing their own ideas. Voice actors fear their performances could be replicated by an AI program, which would then replace their labor and destroy their source of income. Already, AI programs are being trained on visual artist's copyrighted work "without credit and compensation." Musicians, as well, have argued that AI's widespread adoption "threatens the livelihood" of working artists, by replacing their voices and musicianship with a digital simulation. Dazzled by the novelty and power of AI, we now risk casting off and forgetting the wonders that the human imagination can achieve when creators have a chance to develop their own talents and express their emotions.

SEE ALSO: Is AI good or bad? The answer is more complicated than 'yes' or 'no.'

And so it's especially thrilling to see how Terminator Zero puts real storytellers and their craft front and center. An emotionally driven narrative along with vivid, hand-drawn animation, enhanced judiciously with digital technology, makes a strong and compelling case for trusting human creators to use their skills and imagination with total freedom. The results can be absolutely stunning, as they are in Terminator Zero, revealing what human imagination and human hands are capable of building.

Terminator Zero premieres on Netflix Aug. 29.

Shudder has released its teaser for "V/H/S/BEYOND", a new instalment in the horror anthology featuring shorts from Mike Flanagan, Kate Siegl and Justin Long.

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, August 29, 2024:

AcrossThrows, as a fishing line

• The answer is casts.

Omega's opposite

• The answer is alpha.

Hybrid fruit similar to an "aprium"

• The answer is pluot.

Get the shampoo out

• The answer is rinse.

Signed, as a contract

• The answer is inked.

DownIsland that lends its name to a style of pants

• The answer is capri.

Betting every last poker chip

• The answer is allIn.

Moxie

• The answer is spunk.

"It's just one of ___ days"

• The answer is those.

Happily full

• The answer is sated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 29 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 29 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Wake up and...

These words run hot and cold.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers all relate to types coffee.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is CoffeeOrder.

NYT Strands word list for August 29

• Iced

• Espresso

• Mocha

• Latte

• CoffeeOrder

• Cappucino

• Black

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.

TL;DR: Through Sept. 3, you can get The Ultimate Cybersecurity & IT Career Certification Pathway Training Bundle — worth £139.49 — for just £22.72.

If we’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that the internet needs some regulation. While most people have good intentions, there are plenty who don’t — and it’s costing the world trillions of dollars. Cybercriminals are ruthless, but little do they know that cybersecurity professionals are outsmarting them at every twist and turn.

If you’re interested in giving hackers a dose of their own medicine, a career in cybersecurity might be right for you. And it’s easier than you think to get started — especially if you’re already involved in the IT world.

The Ultimate Cybersecurity and IT Career Certification Pathway Training packs 169 hours of exam prep content into a £22.72 bundle. With help from experts like David Bombal, a Cisco Certified Systems Instructor with many years of experience, as well as Mike Meyers and the Total Seminars team of instructors, you can further your IT career by acing some of the most essential industry exams. 

The bundle features eight courses in total, each one centred on a specific exam. Think of each course as a study guide — you can work through the content at your own speed and go over it as many times as you need, whenever is suitable for you.

There’s a 75-hour guide for the Cisco CCNA 200-301 exam, which will teach you how to configure Cisco routers and switches, help you understand how Kali Linux can be used to hack networks, show you how to apply what you’ve learned to real-world networking scenarios, and more. Then, you’ll switch gears to CompTIA certifications — industry-leading credentials to grow your IT career. There are guides for the CompTIA ITF+, A+ Core 1 and Core 2, Network+, Security+, CySA+, and PenTest+ exams. And like the Cisco guide, you can work through them all at your own speed until you feel confident enough to take each exam.

This massive cybersecurity exam prep is designed for beginners and intermediate IT pros looking to further their careers. It's normally valued at £139.49, but you can sign up for only £22.72. Keep in mind that this limited-time offer is only available through Sept. 3.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: David Bombal The Ultimate Cybersecurity & IT Career Certification Pathway Training Bundle £22.72 at the Mashable Shop
£139.49 Save £116.77 Get Deal

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 29'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 29 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

You failed...bad.

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 F.

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...

FLUNK.

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 29'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 29 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: Keyed instruments

• Green: Considered in a specific way

• Blue: College

• Purple: Second half of brand names

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: Kinds of Pianos

• Green: Deem

• Blue: U.S. College/Universities

• Purple: Second Names in Companies with Ampersands

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 #444 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Kinds of Pianos: ELECTRONIC, GRAND, PLAYER, UPRIGHT

• Deem: CONSIDER, COUNT, JUDGE, REGARD

• U.S. College/Universities: BROWN, DUKE, HOWARD, SMITH

• Second Names in Companies with Ampersands: GAMBLE, JOHNSON, NOBLE, YOUNG

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Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski is so bullish on AI that the Swedish buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) platform plans to cut it's workforce by 50 percent in the next few years.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Siemiatkowski said that Klarna is hoping to scale its workforce down from 3,800 to 2,000 employees. The current employee count was already reduced from 5,000 after Klarna conducted mass layoffs last year. With almost half the workforce at the company, Siemiatkowski plans to shift customer service and marketing duties to AI. "Not only can we do more with less, but we can do much more with less," he said to the FT.

SEE ALSO: How does 'Buy Now, Pay Later' work?

None of this is coming out of the blue. Siemiatkowski has been vocal about the cost-saving benefits of AI. Klarna implemented a hiring freeze last December, with the end-goal of "shrinking" the company and replacing certain tasks with AI. In an archived post on X that has since been deleted, Siemiatkowski received backlash for boasting about the millions of dollars saved by automating tasks like AI image generation, implementing an AI assistant, and doing more with half the size of its marketing team.

In the short term, Klarna's approach seems to be paying off. As reported in its Tuesday Q2 earnings call, the BNPL company has greatly narrowed its net losses from $84 million to $980,000 when converted from Swedish Krona to US dollars. But betting big on AI automation is a gamble that might not pan out. Economic experts in a Goldman Sachs report see "limited US economic upside from AI," and if history tells us anything, automation of certain services like self-checkout kiosks and customer service can backfire and create new problems.

Klarna isn't the only tech company to cut its workforce in favor of investing in AI. In January Duolingo cut 10 percent of its contractors, and attributed the redundancy of workers to AI. Meta and Google have also laid off employees as they invest deeper in AI.