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Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for September 13's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 13 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Cruel.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one letter that appears twice

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter H.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

HARSH.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

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

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

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for September 13s Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 13 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: That special water MJ gave the Looney Tunes

• Green: Palindromes

• Blue: Items in the famous beanstalk story

• Purple: Types of cares

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Vitality

• Green: Palindromes Featuring "E"

• Blue: Featured in Jack and the Beanstalk

• Purple: Car Models

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #460 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Vitality: ENERGY, JUICE, LIFE, ZIP

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

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

• Car Models: BEETLE, CIVIC, FOCUS, VOLT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The new Flappy Bird game

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

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

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

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

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

The return of Flappy Bird? Sort of.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reddit

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

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

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

OpenAI's advanced reasoning model has arrived.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Amazon update was first noticed by AdWeek.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Dating predictions for the rest of 2024

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

Is there a dating app for weed users?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We have to talk about Tinder

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

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

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

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

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

What's the best dating app for professionals?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to start sexting

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Dating predictions for the rest of 2024

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

Do dating apps work for most guys?

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

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

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

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

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

Surprise: Fitbit wearers will now get a feature previously reserved for Premium subscribers.

As 9to5Google noted, the fitness company has rolled out its readiness score for free to its trackers and watchers. This update was in conjunction with the launch of the Pixel Watch 3 this summer. (For the unaware, Google owns Fitbit.)

So...what is a readiness score? In short, it's exactly what it sounds like. It's a number that tells you how prepared you are for the day. It takes your activity levels, sleep, and heart rate data to calculate your readiness score.

SEE ALSO: The Google Pixel Watch 3 has arrived — here's how to snag one

As Fitbit describes, "Daily Readiness Score uses your Fitbit data to assess whether you're ready to work out or should prioritize recovery. Over time, it will help you understand how your activity levels, sleep patterns, and heart rate variability from previous days contribute to how energized you feel today."

Basically, Fitbit will spit out a score between zero and 100, corresponding to low, moderate, or high amounts of readiness. So long as your Fitbit app is updated, the readiness score should be available to any watch or tracker, including the Luxe, Charge 5/6, Inspire 2/3, Sense, Sense 2, and Versa 2/3/4.

Driven by new technology called OpenAI o1, the chatbot can test various strategies and try to identify mistakes as it tackles complex tasks.

For the first time in history, a private citizen has left the confines of a spaceship while flying through space — an exercise that before now was only performed by trained astronauts. 

The unprecedented commercial spacewalk was part of SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission, which sent four civilians into orbit to test the company's new spacesuits. Tech magnate Jared Isaacman, who funded the spaceflight, was the first to conduct a spacewalk. 

"From here, it sure looks like a perfect world," he said during a livestream on X, formerly called Twitter, that captured the whole event. 

SEE ALSO: Yes, NASA astronauts will still pee in their new spacesuits Polaris Dawn Commander Jared Isaacman exits the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule during a spacewalk on Sept. 12, 2024. Credit: SpaceX / X screenshot

Around 6 a.m. ET on Sept. 12, the crew depressurized the cabin and proceeded to open the capsule's forward hatch. Isaacman then popped out of the hole into the vacuum of space like a prairie dog, about 450 miles above Earth. The bright blue marble backlit Isaacman as he clung to guardrails mounted outside the ship with one hand. His other arm was strangely posed as if it were inside a sock puppet.

Despite having "walk" in the term, a spacewalk doesn't necessarily involve walking, but merely the act of going outside a spacecraft in flight. At the International Space Station, astronauts routinely leave the orbiting lab, dangling on a tether, to perform maintenance tasks.

Wearing a helmet camera, Polaris Dawn commander Jared Isaacman emerges from the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. Credit: SpaceX / X screenshot

The five-day Polaris Dawn mission has so far accomplished its goals on the Crew Dragon capsule. The main purpose of the flight is to test the fit and mobility of the spacesuits.

Tweet may have been deleted

The X post above was the livestream of the Polaris Dawn spacewalk on Sept. 12, 2024.

The crew is composed of regular people — that is, if you consider a billionaire, two SpaceX engineers, and a retired U.S. Air Force combat pilot to be "regular." They include Isaacman, who founded the Shift4 credit card-processing company, pilot Scott "Kidd" Poteet, mission specialist Sarah Gillis, and medical officer Anna Menon.

Mission specialist Sarah Gillis performs a spacewalk to test the flexibility of her spacesuit on Sept. 12, 2024. Credit: SpaceX / X screenshot

Menon actually beat her husband, new NASA astronaut Anil Menon, to space. Prior to his recruitment for astronaut training in 2021, Dr. Menon was SpaceX's medical director. Anna Menon, however, did not leave her seat during the spacewalk, nor did Poteet. 

Following Isaacman, Gillis exited the spacecraft for a similar test, flexing her arms but never letting go of the bars outside the hatch for a free float. 

Mission specialist Sarah Gillis exits the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule for a spacewalk on Sept. 12, 2024. Credit: SpaceX / X screenshot

NASA administrator Bill Nelson congratulated SpaceX in a post on X, the social platform owned by SpaceX founder Elon Musk. 

"Today’s success represents a giant leap forward for the commercial space industry and @NASA's long-term goal to build a vibrant U.S. space economy," he said.

Nevada will become the first state to pilot a generative AI system designed to make unemployment claim decisions, marketed as a way to speed up appeals and tackle the nation's overwhelming backlog of cases. It's a risky, first-time experiment at integrating AI into higher-level decision making.

Google is behind the program's tech, which runs transcripts of unemployment appeals hearings through Google's AI servers, analyzing the data in order to provide claim decisions and benefit recommendations to "human referees," Gizmodo reported. Nevada's Board of Examiners approved the contract on behalf of its Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) in July, despite broader legal and political pushback against integrating AI into bureaucracy.

SEE ALSO: Facebook flagged and removed emergency wildfire information as 'spam'

Christopher Sewell, director of DETR, told Gizmodo that humans will still be be heavily involved in unemployment decision making. "There’s no AI [written decisions] that are going out without having human interaction and that human review. We can get decisions out quicker so that it actually helps the claimant," said Sewell.

But Nevada legal groups and scholars have argued that any time saved by gen AI would be cancelled out by the time it would take to conduct a thorough human review of the claim decision. Many have also noted concerns about the possibility of private, personal information (including tax information and social security numbers) leaking through Google's Vertex AI studio, even with safeguards. Some have hesitancies surrounding the type of AI itself, known as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), which has been found to produce incomplete or misleading answers to prompts.

Across the country, AI-based tools have been quietly rolled out or tested across various social services agencies, with gen AI integrating itself further into the administrative ecosystem. In February, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ruled against using AI (including generative AI or algorithms) as a decision maker in determining patient care or coverage. This followed a lawsuit from two patients who alleged their insurance provider used a "fraudulent" and "harmful" AI model (known as nH Predict) that overrode physician recommendations.

Axon, a police technology and weapons manufacturer, introduced its first-of-its-kind Draft One — a generative large language model (LLM) that assists law enforcement in writing "faster, higher quality" reports — earlier this year. Still in a trial period, the technology has already sounded alarms, prompting concerns about the AI's ability to parse the nuance of tense police interactions and potentially adding to a lack of transparency in policing.

Diplomats are calling for the release of Tigran Gambaryan, an employee of the crypto exchange who was arrested in February.

SAVE 37%: The Sony SRSXB13 portable Bluetooth speaker is on sale for just $38 at Amazon, marked down from the list price of $59.99. That's a savings of $21.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony SRSXB13 portable Bluetooth speaker $38.00 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $21.99 Get Deal

A portable Bluetooth speaker can make any gathering better. Think beach tunes as the sun sets behind the waves, or just getting into the right frame of mind when you're cleaning out the garage. Nice, right? If you're in need of a small speaker that can go anywhere, Amazon has a sweet deal in store today.

As of Sept. 12, the Sony SRSXB13 portable Bluetooth speaker is on sale for $38 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $59.99. That's a savings of $21.99, or a 37% discount.

Designed with extra bass, the Sony SRSXB13 aims to achieve the perfect balance of portability with ideal sound quality. Plus, the speaker can get up to 16 hours of battery life, so you'll be set for the weekend of camping or while you're folding clothes in the laundry room. It also has a built-in mic and paired with its Bluetooth connectivity, you can use the speaker for taking a hands-free call.

SEE ALSO: We tested the best Bose headphones of 2024

Plus, it's waterproof and dustproof, so you'll have the freedom to take it along on any adventure. The speaker comes with a multiway strap which makes it easy to attach it to your backpack, tote bag, or bicycle.

If you're looking to jazz up an event with some portable music, take advantage of Amazon's sale price on the Sony SRSXB13 and rock out for less.

SAVE UP TO $120: This week, explore deals on a variety of headphones including Beats Fit Pro for $159 for $40.95 off and 20% savings. Plus find AirPods Max starting at $429, giving you $120 in savings for 22% off.

Best headphone deals Best earbud deal Beats Fit Pro $159 at Amazon (Save $40.95) Get Deal Best headphone deal Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian with two years of AppleCare+ $269.99 at Amazon (Save $108.96) Get Deal Best AirPod deal Apple AirPods Max From $429 at Amazon (Save $120) Get Deal Best deal on a budget JBL Vibe Beam $29.95 at Amazon (Save $20) Get Deal

This week kicked off with big news in the headphone world. AirPods are finally getting an upgrade, and pre-orders are now open on the AirPods 4 and upgraded AirPod Max and AirPod Pro headphones. While we're looking forward to the new drops on some of our favorite tech, new releases typically mean that current models take a dip in price. Early in the week we saw deals on AirPods, but there's a bigger world than just Apple's flagship headphones.

Beyond AirPods, we found markdowns on headphones and earbuds from Beats and JBL. The savings are plentiful, taking up to 40% off headphones and earbuds. Whether you're looking for a pair of headphones that are as stylish as they are functional, or a new set of earbuds for your workouts, discover what's on sale this week.

Best earbud deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Beats Fit Pro $159.00 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $40.95 Get Deal Why we like it

In his review of the Beats Fit Pro, Mashable's Alex Perry boldly says, "Apple may not put its name directly on any Beats products, but the Beats Fit Pro are so much better than the new AirPods that maybe they should start doing that."

Loaded with active noise cancellation and water- and sweat-resistance, these earbuds are built for workouts of all kinds. Plus, iPhone users will enjoy the same benefits of easy connectivity that you find in AirPods. At $199.95, they're already more affordable than a pair of AirPods Pro.

However, the Beats Fit Pro are currently down to $159, saving $40.95 for 20% off. Even with AirPods Pro current discount, the Beats Fit Pro are cheaper.

Best headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian with two years of AppleCare+ $269.99 at Amazon
$378.95 Save $108.96 Get Deal Why we like it

Say what you will about Kim K, but she's a certified style icon, whether it be through her red carpet looks or Skims shapewear. In a maybe unexpected turn, she's bringing her knack of style to headphones through a Beats collaboration. Kim K has brought her favorite neutral tones to Beats Studio Pros through the shades of Dune, Moon, and Earth, for some utterly chic headphones.

While this Beats Studio Pro x Kim K collab is rather new, an early deal has arrived, giving you two free years of AppleCare+. Now, for the price of just the headphones, $269.99, you'll also receive AppleCare+. That's $108.96 in savings for 28% off.

More headphone deals

• JBL Vibe Beam — $29.95 $49.95 (save $20)

• JBL Tune 510BT — $29.95 $39.95 (save $10)

• Soundcore P30i by Anker earbuds — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Soundcore Anker Life Q20 headphones — $39.90 $59.99 (save $20.09)

• Soundcore by Anker Space A40 earbuds — $47.99 $79.99 (save $32)

• JBL Tune Flex — $49.99 $99.99 (save $50)

• JBL Live 660NC — $139.96 $199.95 (save $60)

• Apple AirPods Pro — $189.99 $249 (save $59.01)

• Beats Studio Pro — $249.99 $349.99 (save $100)

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones — $249.99 $399.99 (save $150)

• Apple AirPods Max — $429 $549 (save $120)

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Sept. 12: OUR TOP PICK Roborock S8 Pro Ultra $949.99 at Amazon (save $650) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Beats Fit Pro $159 at Amazon (save $40.95) Get Deal BEST SOUNDBAR DEAL JBL Bar 9.1 soundbar $584 at Amazon (save $615.95) Get Deal BEST SMART HOME DEAL Amazon Echo (4th gen) + Sengled smart color bulb $64.99 at Amazon (save $54.99) Get Deal BEST BLUETOOTH SPEAKER DEAL Anker Soundcore 2 Bluetooth speaker $27.99 at Amazon (save $12) Get Deal

Looking for some sweet deals to close out your week? We've got you covered. Brands like Roborock, Amazon, Anker, and Beats are major standouts on today's lengthy list of daily deals at Amazon. We've already sorted out the noise and rounded up the best gadgets worth adding to your cart on Sept. 12.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these jump out at you, be sure to take a look back at our top picks from Tuesday, Sept 10 and Wednesday, Sept. 11. Many of those are still live, including a record-low Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet and a sub-$300 Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock S8 Pro Ultra $949.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $650.00 Get Deal

Unveiled in April 2023, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra — on paper — is one of the fanciest robot vacuum and mop combos you can buy. It features self-washing and self-drying mopping pads, above average suction power, reactive 3D obstacle avoidance, floor type customization, and liftable brushes and mop that adapt to different tasks. Former Mashable intern Stacia Datskovska tested it out and found that while it may be loaded with perks, they don't justify the outrageous price of $1,599.99. Fortunately, though, it regularly goes on sale. As of Sept. 12, it's down to just $949.99 — that's 41% in savings and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Fit Pro $159.00 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $40.95 Get Deal

Though they're a few years old, the Beats Fit Pro still stand up to the latest earbuds on the market. Mashable's Alex Perry reviewed them and noted they "offer excellent active noise cancellation, magnificent audio output, elite comfort, and a long-lasting battery," putting them lightyears ahead of the third-generation AirPods. Typically just under $200, you can pick up a pair on sale for just $159 as of Sept. 12. That's 95 cents cheaper than the sale price they've been chilling at for months — a 20% savings overall.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Bar 9.1 soundbar $584.00 at Amazon
$1,199.95 Save $615.95 Get Deal

Upgrade your game day viewing experience by pairing a worthy soundbar with your big screen. The JBL Bar 9.1 is on sale for just $584 as of Sept. 12 — that's 51% off its usual cost — and offers a cinematic 9.1-channel surround sound experience. The two ends of the soundbar detach to become separate speakers you can place behind you to hear every agonizing call this NFL season. The soundbar packs Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and four upfiring speakers that bounce sound up to the ceiling and back down to you. Plus, the 300W, 10-inch wireless subwoofer gives you deep bass that really brings the action to life.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon / Sengled Amazon Echo (4th gen) with Sengled smart color bulb $64.99 at Amazon
$119.98 Save $54.99 Get Deal

While we just featured the $64.99 fourth-generation Amazon Echo earlier this week, today's deal brings you a free Sengled smart color bulb on top of it. That means that not only are you saving $35 on the Echo itself, but also an extra $19.99 on a smart color bulb to pair with it. One of the best ways to introduce Alexa's smart home capabilities into your home, the Echo serves as a sleek, simple speaker that responds to your voice commands, plays your tunes, and so much more. Add the Sengled bulb in your favorite room and ask Alexa to turn it off and on at certain times a day, change the color, or dim the lights for ambiance.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore 2 Bluetooth speaker $27.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $12.00 Get Deal

Small, yet mighty, the Anker Soundcore 2 Bluetooth speaker is tough to beat in terms of value. It offers impressive stereo sound, a durable design with IPX7 protection against rain, dust, spills, and more, and a 24-hour battery life to keep your tunes coming all day and night. For those specs, the price tag is pretty insane at just $27.99 on sale. That's 30% off its usual price as of Sept. 12.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.