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Online dating has its share of horror stories. It's also a rite of passage dating back to the Craigslist m4m era. It's a high risk, high reward activity.

But if you're a member of the LGBTQ+ community, the horror stories look a little different. For gay men, online dating can present a unique set of challenges which can sour the experience. Ghosting and catfishing are still common, but you might also find people asking unnecessary questions about your past, straight guys who shouldn't be in your feed, and even some not-so-subtle fetishization. Not exactly the butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling we're all after, right?

Yet, despite the BS, the best gay dating apps have helped millions of men make meaningful connections.

SEE ALSO: I got stood up. I refuse to let dating app culture break my spirit.

According to the Pew Research Center, about one-quarter of LGBTQ+ adults say they met their match through online dating. The problem? Not all dating apps are created equal, especially for the LGBTQ+ community.

What is the best gay dating app right now?

We can't talk about the gay dating scene in the 21st century without talking about Grindr, the undisputed king of gay dating mobile apps. However, there are a lot of other options, especially if you want to foster real connections.

"Grindr is a tried and true app that many queer men gravitate toward to find partners or for relationships that require lesser commitment, so it’s easy to point to it as the #1 app," Michelle Herzog, LMFT, AASECT-certified sex therapist, tells Mashable. "However, like Tinder, it’s gained a reputation as a hookup app — but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t men looking for long-term commitments, either."

Other popular dating apps have a lot to offer, and that's where you'll find the most queer users. Keeping Tinder on the back burner isn't just a straight people thing (especially for guys in less-populated areas where apps like Scruff offer slim pickings). Plus, mainstream apps deserve credit for trying to create a more inclusive atmosphere. OkCupid gets kudos for embracing change and making inclusivity a core part of its compatibility scoring. You can also try niche gay dating sites if you tend to like a certain type of man, but in general, the more popular apps offer the greatest chance of success — it's a numbers game.

Whether you're looking for something serious, a hookup, something that stays strictly online, or an altogether different definition of connection, there's an ideal queer dating app out there for you. So, here's a breakdown of the best dating apps for gay men to help you find your perfect match.

Jack Karlson, the Australian man who became a viral meme due to protesting his arrest after a "succulent Chinese meal," has died. He was 82.

Karlson rose to fame by virtue of his vocal objection to being arrested outside the China Sea Restaurant in Brisbane, Queensland in the early '90s. In the viral video shot by 7NEWS, Karlson dramatically resisted several police officers' efforts to escort him into a car. Rather than go quietly, Karlson theatrically declared that what is happening to him is a demonstration of democracy in action, and demanded to know the reason for his arrest.

"Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest," Karlson announced. "What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?"

SEE ALSO: The best memes of 2024 (so far)

He also shouted at the police to "get your hand off my penis," and complimented them on their headlock, saying, "I see that you know your judo well." Karlson is not seen in a headlock during the video, and later admitted that nobody had touched his genitals.

While Karlson's arrest was filmed on Oct. 11, 1991, it didn't make its way online until almost two decades later. Uploaded to YouTube in 2009, the short clip eventually permeated the public consciousness, becoming a viral meme enjoyed across the globe. The clip is now so well-known that it was even referenced in Netflix's Australian series Heartbreak High.

"What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?"

Despite the video going viral, Karlson's identity remained a mystery until 2020, when he publicly stepped forward as the man in the clip. His later years were spent on art, with Karlson attempting to earn money by painting scenes from his famous arrest.

Karlson had been battling prostate cancer at the time of his passing. He died in hospital, surrounded by loved ones.

Tributes have poured in on social media, with many stating their intention to enjoy a succulent Chinese meal in his honour. 

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Among those paying their respects is 7NEWS senior reporter Chris Reason, whose work as a junior reporter brought us the meme. Karlson and Reason recently met for the first time in June, when 7NEWS reunited them and Stoll Watt, one of the arresting officers. The men shared a succulent Chinese meal at the China Sea, which had relocated to Milton in the intervening years and still has the same owner.

The reunion was sparked by a documentary about Karlson's life that is currently in production, with The Man Who Ate A Succulent Chinese Meal currently scheduled for release in March next year.

The history of the 'succulent Chinese meal' man

Born as Cecil George Edwards, Karlson already had an interesting history prior to his famous arrest, Australia's ABC News reports. A criminal, actor, and serial prison escapee, Karlson survived childhood abuse and spent much of his life in various homes, institutions, and prisons.

Karlson's first prison break reportedly took place in 1966 when, charged with stealing, he slipped his handcuffs and jumped from a train, taking him from jail to court. Subsequently incarcerated at an island prison farm for another theft, Karlson's second escape reportedly occurred in 1968 when he persuaded a local fisherman to take him to Australia's mainland.

He was arrested yet again just three months after that escape, caught with safe-cracking tools in a stolen car. This time Karlson impersonated a police detective and simply walked out of his cell in the court shortly before his trial, an escape he later said he was "pretty proud of."

After he was finally caught for good, Karlson was sentenced to eight years in prison. However he was eventually released after only four, thanks to his work with his cellmate Jim McNeal. McNeal discovered a talent for writing, eventually becoming a celebrated playwright whose works were staged across Australia. Meanwhile, Karlson discovered an affinity for acting, performing in his cellmate's plays while the two were behind bars. 

They remained good friends after their release, with Karlson even naming his son after McNeal. Though legal issues prevented him from attending McNeal's funeral in 1982, Karlson claimed he used a fake identity to buy "hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of flowers and wreaths."

Karlson also continued to act, appearing on crime shows such as Homicide and Matlock Police. However, his theatrical ambitions were brought to a halt when he reportedly went underground after his 1991 arrest.

Was the 'democracy manifest' man wrongly accused?

Though speculation has long persisted that the "democracy manifest" man was a prolific dine-and-dasher, Karlson always maintained he was having a perfectly legal lunch when he was arrested.

On that fateful day in October 1991, Karlson and a friend had been enjoying said "succulent Chinese meal" at one of his favourite restaurants when the police showed up to arrest him. Due to a call from a private fraud investigator, the authorities believed Karlson had been paying for his meals with stolen credit cards — and was one of Queensland's most wanted criminals.

"He was happy to go with us. Well, as happy as you can be, to be arrested," Adam Firman, another police officer involved, told the ABC. "Until he saw all the media. And that's when he just went berserk."

Karlson successfully made bail after his arrest, despite being wanted for questioning for fraud in another state. He then disappeared, keeping a low profile for decades. To this day, it's still unclear whether he was the dine-and-dasher the police had been searching for, or if he had been wrongly accused.

He also gave varying accounts as to why he behaved as he did on the day of his arrest. When he was first identified as the viral video's star in 2020, Karlson stated that he had wanted the police to think he was mentally unwell.

"I wanted them to think I was… a lunatic so they’d send me to a lunatic asylum so I could escape from there," said Karlson, per The Sydney Morning Herald.

Then in a 7NEWS Brisbane interview in 2022, the viral star claimed it was an effort to demonstrate his innocence — as well as a result of the wine he'd drunk.

"I thought, 'Here’s an opportunity to prove my innocence, because they’ve dragged me out, thinking I was some sort of international gangster, when I knew that I wasn’t," Karlson explained to the broadcaster. "Here’s a chance, the camera, for the people of Australia and to let democracy manifest itself gloriously. That’s why I carried on like that. Of course, I was somewhat influenced by the juice of the red grape."

However, he told ABC News earlier this year that he couldn't remember why he made such declarations. Whatever the reason, his words will now live forever as one of the most prolific memes in Australian culture.

"It was a great line, I think he should have gotten the Academy Award," Watt said of Karlson's false claim that the former had touched his penis. "I think he would have been a great actor."

Over the last three wild seasons of The Umbrella Academy, we've followed the Hargreeves family through a metric fucktonne of capers. In case you forgot, these superpowered, time-travelling siblings have destroyed (and saved) the world multiple times. They've infrequently murdered and resurrected each other, started a sex cult, destroyed the moon, grieved their robot mother and chimpanzee caretaker, had a "Footloose" dance battle, fallen in love during the Vietnam War, joined the Civil Rights Movement in '60s Dallas, and were somehow involved in the JFK assassination. 

Plus, they've grown closer as a family. Maybe. Not really. Wait, absolutely not.

Nevertheless, it's brutal to say goodbye to the Hargreeves, having become such wonderfully flawed characters in our TV overloaded lives, thanks to the Netflix adaptation of Gerard Way's comic series. Watching Luther (Tom Hopper), Diego (David Castañeda), Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman), Klaus (Robert Sheehan), Number Five (Aidan Gallagher), Ben (Justin H. Min), Viktor (Elliot Page), and honorary Hargreeves member Lila (Ritu Arya) bicker like children as they attempt to stop the world from combusting has been an unshakeable, dark delight for five years. 

SEE ALSO: 'The Umbrella Academy' final season trailer combines Santa, stripping, and saving the world

And with the fourth and final season, The Umbrella Academy takes just six episodes for a glorious and surreal victory lap. It's a fond and daring farewell to a truly undefinable show, with superb performances from the core cast with incredibly welcome newcomers, festive fever dream action sequences that must have been hard to pitch, and a good hard narrative look at some of the series biggest unsolved mysteries — though it leaves most behind. It's messed-up family reunion time, one last time.

What is The Umbrella Academy Season 4 about? ROAD TRIP! Credit: Netflix

As far as farewells go, this is one of the most unhinged and “just go with it” goodbyes you'll see on TV this year. And thanks to Season 3, the bar is hilariously high. Last time around, the Hargreeves siblings shoved the Kugelblitz into a sentient cube called Christopher, had a wedding at the end of the world, and fought samurai made of cockroaches in the Hotel Oblivion before their alien dad Sir Reginald (Colm Feore) created a new timeline and caused everyone to lose their powers.

The series could have ended there, but Season 4 gives fans a final, six-episode hurrah. When we catch up with the Umbrella Academy this time, however, the Academy itself doesn't exist. Here, the powerless Hargreeves are struggling with human mediocrity (despite the set design team's insistence on dazzling neon hues in every scene). Reunited at a six-year-old's birthday party, things are awkward and boring and normal. Ka-blam! There's a kidnapping, a crucial missing person, a timeline cult, and a revelation that Ben could be a ticking time bomb for the end of the world. FAMILY ROAD TRIP!

Jen and Ben. Credit: Netflix

In this new timeline, there's a growing threat in the form of extremist conspiracy theorist organization The Keepers. The group was established by the phenomenally cast Nick Offerman and Megan Mullaly as lovers, disgraced community college professors, and Umbrellaphiles Gene and Jean Thibedeau (yes they make “who is the dominant Gene/Jean" jokes). There's a growing suspicion of the existence of multiple timelines among the group, and Gene and Jean seem to have a plan to expose it. Here, and I have to say it, The Umbrella Academy both makes conspiracy theorists the villains and makes them right?! Sure!

At the heart of the final season is Ben, whose volatility toward his siblings only grows stronger after he lost all his Sparrow siblings last season. But he's the key to a global disaster, and his siblings need to figure out what the mysterious "Jennifer incident" means for their brother before everything goes to shit. And while all that is happening, the Hargreeves have some final confrontations and mysteries to handle, with plenty of individual moments for our beloved core siblings — including a truly unexpected enemies to lovers storyline.

A final airing of Hargrievances The rival to buddy cop trajectory is real. Credit: Netflix

One of the best elements of The Umbrella Academy has always been throwing extremely different personalities together as family. The talented cast chews through the punchy script, selling it full deadpan with either nihilism or hilarious earnestness; Raver-Lampman genuinely saying "I'm sorry you left Canada for this," in a moment of peril is perfection.

Probably the standout of the season is Hopper as leading himbo Luther, who bulldozes awkwardness with unhinged optimism. Watching Hopper losing his shit over antique sconces and stress eating cupcakes is a delight, and he's wonderfully teamed up with a hilarious Castañeda this season, moving Luther and Diego from sibling rivals to buddy cops.

But honorary Hargreeve sibling Lila really gets the most impressive arc, with Arya delivering the most nuanced performance of the season, pushing our favourite assassin to moments of relatable reflection and heartbreaking vulnerability. And Gallagher finds a softness to Five we haven't seen before, hidden among all that teen bravado.

Uh, where are we? Credit: Netflix

Meanwhile, Raver-Lampman's Alison gets the redemption she deserves after they did that to her character last round — Alison's "ballbuster" scene is worthy of The Boys. Not the hedonistic, immortal Klaus of seasons gone, Sheehan navigates a sober, paranoid Klaus this season, playing between extreme vulnerability and the character’s signature theatricality. 

Page is characteristically flawless as Viktor, whose daddy issues find their moment in the blazing sun, while Min gets to find Ben's true heart (he has one!) amid a True Romance-style on-the-run adventure. Plus, we get a welcome new addition to the cast with Victoria Sawal, bringing a brilliant energy to a character integral to the fate of the Hargreeves but who we can't talk about without spoiling anything. 

So we'll move on to the biggest casting treat of all: Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman.

Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally are the ultimate dastardly duo These two ❤️‍🔥 Credit: Netflix

Whomever managed to cast real-life loves Offerman and Mullally in this season of The Umbrella Academy deserves a raise. A dastardly duo of Fargo-like villains cruising around in their '80s Chrysler LeBaron Town and Country, wearing matching aviator spectacles, alpaca wool coats, and fanny packs in every scene, and stealing the whole damn season with a Cher-based dance sequence, Gene and Jean are the true highlight of Season 4. 

They're conspiracy theorists kicked out of academia for their claims, and they have a grudge to bear, setting up an apocalypse cult HQ in the middle of an American fast food chain restaurant. Somehow, Mullally and Offerman make you want to hang out with these weirdos and join their cause. Watching Jean and Gene flirt will forever be my twisted happy place, as Offerman and Mullally lend a physical comedy and earnest, cheeky delivery that plays to both of their strengths.

The damned dream team are offset by another delightful addition to the cast, David Cross, who channels his signature comedy style to earnest dry cleaner Sy Grossman. And they're all perfectly lit by a strange narrative set element: the whole thing's set at Christmas.

Season 4 is a festive fever dream Uh, Viktor? Credit: Netflix

The final season of The Umbrella Academy seems bedecked with yuletide cheer, from a festive small town with a secret to the tinselled halls of the CIA. Visually, The Umbrella Academy has always been one of the best shows on TV, with bizarro action sequences aplenty lit with every neon gel around, but this season it’s completely decorated with Christmas accoutrements. Season 4, for some reason, is set during the holidays, meaning every scene is lit with twinkly lights and whimsy even when the bullets and blood are flying. Somehow, it makes the whole season feel like a six-episode Christmas special we deserve, a festive fever dream to unite and farewell the Hargreeves in the weirdest way possible. 

And of course, this is The Umbrella Academy, so you know there's going to be plenty of needle drops during fight scenes — including a slew of Christmas carols and the ultimate song to end the series on. The season's insistence on using the pretty outdated "Baby Shark" song feels overdone, mind you, but I'll forgive them seeing as it scores a whole scene of projectile vomiting.

It's scenes like this disgusting, glorious, slow-motion moment that make me realise how much I'll miss The Umbrella Academy. After four seasons of genuinely unpredictable twists and turns with a magnetic cast, sublime set and costume design, and enough needle drops to start out our own Amoeba Music, The Umbrella Academy has felt like strange TV family to fans like myself. Season 4, a brief but bonkers last ride, makes for a magnificent send-off. 

Finally, with no more episodes of The Umbrella Academy ahead, I think we're alone now. 

The Umbrella Academy Season 4 is streaming on Netflix from Aug. 8.

Things aren't looking very bright for Humane.

The company's only product, Humane AI Pin, is being returned en masse, with returns actually outpacing sales in the past couple of months.

This is according to The Verge, who spoke to people with knowledge of the subject, and saw Humane's internal sales data. According to the report, more AI Pins were returned than purchased between May and August. And as of today, only 7,000 to 8,000 units have not been returned.

The Humane AI Pin is an interesting product, a rectangular wearable gadget with speech recognition, AI smarts, a camera, and a tiny laser projector that can display a rudimentary "screen" onto your palm. Unfortunately, it was met with scathing reviews, exacerbated by issues with a charging case that turned out to be a fire hazard.

SEE ALSO: Humane to AI Pin owners: Don't use the charging case, it may burst into flames

I've personally spent a few minutes with the Humane AI Pin and found it to be an incredibly cool gadget, though Humane's ambitions of the AI Pin replacing the smartphone seemed unrealistic.

Judging by this latest sales/returns data, the novelty of the AI Pin wears off fast (and the $24/month subscription fee probably doesn't help). Humane reportedly shipped a total of around 10,000 AI Pins so far, falling far behind its expectations to sell 100,000 units in the first year.

To make matters worse, Humane reportedly cannot refurbish returned items due to a technical limitation related to T-Mobile's service, which effectively turns returned items into waste (and a total loss for the company).

When asked for comment, Humane said that The Verge's report contained inaccuracies, without specifying what they are.

A Bloomberg report in May said that Humane was looking for a buyer, and an NYT report in June said HP was interested. Given how its only product currently in the market is doing, Humane better start looking harder.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 8 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 8

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, August 8, 2024:

AcrossQ-tip, for instance

• The answer is swab.

Bracelet dangler

• The answer is charm.

Pricey watchmaker with a crown logo

• The answer is Rolex.

Rubs the wrong way

• The answer is irks.

Spanish for "kiss"

• The answer is beso.

DownPlace to find seashells

• The answer is shore.

"Enjoys long ___ on the beach" (classic phrase in a personal ad)

• The answer is walks.

Retort to "Am not!"

• The answer is retort.

Stunt rider's sport, for short

• The answer is BMX.

Bed with a blankie

• The answer is crib.

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.

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

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 8 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 8

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.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Splashy event

The hint for the theme is that each of these words are great in the summertime.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are related to pool parties.

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 PoolParty.

NYT Strands word list for August 8

• Noodles

• Floats

• PoolParty

• Drinks

• Towels

• Music

• Sunscreen

Looking for other daily online games? Find one you might like – or hints for another game you're already playing – on Mashable's Games page.

This Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max face-off will help you understand how Google's new addition to the Pixel series compares to Apple's most premium flagship phone.

The Pixel series is now more similar to the iPhone series than ever. Instead of having a dual-phone family, Google added a third model this generation. (One could even argue that the Pixel series has a four-phone family if the launch of the new Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold counts.)

Whether you're stuck in iPhone vs. Android analysis paralysis, or you're just curious about the differences between the Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 15 Pro Max, you've come to the right place.

SEE ALSO: I tested Apple Intelligence on my iPhone 15 Pro Max: 3 ways it spoiled me rotten Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max price and specs

The Pixel 9 Pro XL starts at $1,099 and comes with the following specs:

• Google Tensor G4 processor and Titan M2 security coprocessor

• 16GB of RAM

• 128GB of storage

• 6.8-inch, 2992 x 1344-pixel OLED display

• Android 14 (Android 15 coming soon)

You can also upgrade the Pixel 9 Pro XL to 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage variants. In my experience as a phone reviewer, 128GB becomes full in just under two years, so I'd opt for 256GB for worry-free usage (if you have the money to blow, of course).

The iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, has a starting price tag that is $100 pricier than the Pixel 9 Pro at $1,119 via Apple (or $33 per month for 36 months via Verizon or AT&T via Best Buy) and it comes with the following specs:

• A17 Pro chip

• 8GB of RAM

• 256GB of storage

• 6.7-inch, 2796 x 1290-pixel display

• iOS 17 (iOS 18 coming soon)

Right off the bat, the biggest difference is the RAM. As a rule, more memory implies that app juggling will be smoother and more seamless. However, in my experience, despite having less memory, the iPhone 15 Pro Max doesn't have any issues with balancing multiple apps. This is likely do to its optimized operating system (iOS manages resources quite effectively without needing too much RAM).

So far, when it comes to pricing, the Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 15 Pro Max are tied. The former may be cheaper, but offers less storage.

TLDR: The Pixel Pro XL may have more RAM (internals that benefit app juggling), but the iPhone 15 Pro Max runs on iOS, which known to be quite efficient at app management, even when multiple apps are running in the background. The Pixel 9 Pro XL's starting price may be $100 cheaper, but it offers less storage.

Winner: Draw

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max $1,119.99 at Best Buy
Get Deal Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max design

Both the iPhone and Pixel series have a signature look, but Google slightly tweaked the design of its new-generation line. For example, the Pixel series' design language once featured a camera bar that extends to the chassis' edges.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, Google has made the camera bar on the back of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the other new Pixels, more island-like.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL, made out of recycled aluminum. comes in the following colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose Quartz.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a height of 6.4 inches and is 0.3 inches thick. If you're wondering about how heavy it is, it weighs 7.8 ounces.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max, packed inside a titanium frame, continues to have its triple-camera array on the top-right corner. It comes in four colorways: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, and Natural Titanium.

Credit: Apple

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a little shorter than the Pixel 9 Pro XL at 6.3 inches. It's also slightly thicker (0.33 inches).

Both have an IP68 water resistance rating, which means they can handle water submergence of up to about five feet.

TLDR: The Pixel 9 Pro XL has an island-style camera bar on the back while the iPhone 15 Pro Max continues its upper-left camera array signature design language. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is taller and thinner than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Winner: Pixel 9 Pro XL

Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max display

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch, 2992 x 1344-pixel display. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, has a 6.7-inch, 2796 x 1290-pixel panel. Based on these specs, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a slightly larger display and higher resolution.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a Ceramic Shield panel, which Apple claims is tougher than other phone displays. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which can be found across the entire non-foldable Pixel 9 line.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has less of a distracting display with a hole-punch selfie camera in the top center. In the same spot, the iPhone 15 Pro Max sports the pill-shaped Dynamic Island, which delivers animated information like Apple Pay transactions, low battery warnings, AirDrop transfers, and more.

iPhone 15 Pro Max Credit: Apple

In my experience, both have a zippy panel. After all, they both support a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Now, let's take a look at brightness:

Pixel 9 Pro XL: Up to 2,000 hits (HDR)

iPhone 15 Pro Max: Up to 1,600 nits (HDR)

When it comes to high dynamic range (HDR) content, the Pixel 9 Pro XL can reportedly climb to 2,000 nits compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 1,600 nits.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

As far as peak brightness is concerned, the Pixel 9 Pro XL can jump to 3,000 nits. Compare this to the 2,000-nit peak brightness of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

TLDR: The Pixel 9 Pro XL, compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, has a brighter display as well as a higher resolution panel.

Winner: Pixel 9 Pro XL

Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max cameras

Let's take a look at the selfie camera first:

Pixel 9 Pro XL - 42MP, f/2.2 aperture

iPhone 15 Pro Max - 12MP, f/1.9 aperture

On paper, it appears that the Pixel 9 Pro XL has an edge of the iPhone 15 Pro Max with its selfie camera delivering a higher megapixel count, which should offer better detail and higher-resolution pictures.

Pixel 9 Pro XL with a slight glimpse of the Pixel 9 Pro on the left Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max's selfie camera should perform better in dim environments and offer superior bokeh (that cool blurry background effect) due to its wider aperture.

Next, let's check out the wide camera:

Pixel 9 Pro XL - 50MP, f/1.68 aperture

iPhone 15 Pro Max - 48MP, f/1.8 aperture

Here, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, just based on specs alone, appears to have a tiny edge over the iPhone 15 Pro Max when it comes to the main camera with a slightly higher megapixel count and a possible advantage in low-light conditions.

Thirdly, let's look at the ultrawide camera, which is helpful for capturing as much background as possible. (You'll want to choose this lens for any sweeping landscape shots.)

Pixel 9 Pro XL - 48MP, f/1.7 aperture, 123-degree field of view

iPhone 15 Pro Max - 12MP, f/2.2 aperture, 120-degree field-of-view

Based on the information we have, the Pixel 9 Pro XL should offer a wider field of view compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It may also offer more visually pleasing photos in low-light conditions.

iPhone 15 Pro Max Credit: Apple

Based on the megapixel count, the Pixel 9 Pro XL may deliver better details.

Finally, let's check out the telephoto lens, which is ideal for portraits and zoomed-in shots.

Pixel 9 Pro XL - 48MP, f/2.8, aperture, 5x optical zoom

iPhone 15 Pro Max - 12MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom

The similarities here are that the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the iPhone 15 Pro Max both rely on the telephoto lens to deliver 5x optical zoom. Once you zoom in beyond 5x, the software kicks in.

On the Pixel 9 Pro XL, it can climb up to 30x digital zoom. I've experimented with it myself, and it's pretty darn incredible. From two miles away inside a building in Manhattan's Pier 57, I could zoom in on sightseers visiting The Edge, the tallest observation deck in New York City.

Zooming in on The Edge with the Pixel 9 Pro XL's Super Res Zoom at 30x Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The iPhone 15 Pro Max's digital zoom can climb up to 25X. Both have excellent telephoto in my experience, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL's Super Res Zoom can hone in on objects just a little bit more.

On paper, it may seem like the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the win. However, there are plenty of other factors at play when it comes to cameras, including image processing, software algorithms, and more.

TLDR: The Pixel 9 Pro XL can zoom in closer on objects compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Pixel 9 Pro XL's cameras appear to outperform the iPhone 15 Pro Max's lenses, but there are other factors to consider. We'll have to test them both first to know for sure.

Winner: Pixel 9 Pro XL

Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max AI features

Apple plays it a little safe when it comes to AI. For consumers who are very privacy focused and concerned about the responsible use of AI, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the one for you. Earlier this year, the Cupertino-based tech giant debuted Apple Intelligence, Apple's new suite of AI features.

Using Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Apple Intelligence, which currently has some features available to try on the beta version of iOS 18, offers perks like Call Recording and Writing Tools, as well as AI-powered Siri, Mail, Messages, and Safari.

Apple is taking a very delicate approach with AI. Some of the more complex features, like Genmoji (AI-generated emojis) and Image Playground (AI-generated images via prompts) aren't even available yet for testing. This is likely because Apple wants to take its time with a tricky space like AI.

Google, on the other hand, is going all out. Check out some of the following AI features you can use on the Pixel 9 Pro XL:

• AI-powered weather app - AI-generated summaries of the weather with recommendations on how to dress

• Screenshot search - Find screenshots in your screenshot album with natural language search

• Pixel Studio - Create AI-generated images

• Reimagine - Select an object in any photo and transform it into something else

Below, watch Reimagine transform a road into raging rapids. And those don't even scratch the surface of what Google has to offer in terms of AI.

Left: Before using Reimagine Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Right: After using Reimagine Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

These features are available now on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Apple Intelligence will be available some time later this year when iOS 18 officially drops, but some features may be delayed.

TLDR: Apple Intelligence is best for privacy-focused consumers who don't mind that Apple plays it safe when it comes to AI. For those who want to dive head first into AI, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is your best bet.

Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max battery

Apple claims that, according to its video playback battery test, the iPhone 15 Pro Max can last up to 29 hours. Google, on the other hand, reports that the Pixel 9 Pro XL can last over 24 hours based on a mixed usage profile of talk, data, standby and other features.

Pixel 9 Pro XL Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Because Google's test is slightly more intensive than Apple's investigation, it's difficult to compare both runtimes. As such, you'll have to wait until we test both phones in-house to determine which truly has the better power efficiency.

Based on past experience, the A-series chip inside the iPhones tend to be more energy efficient compared to the Google Tensor processors inside the Pixels. As such, if I was a betting woman, I'd put my money on the iPhone 15 Pro Max for best battery life. We'll have to test them both to know for sure.

Winner: iPhone 15 Pro Max

TLDR: We don't have any tests done yet, but based on past experience, the iPhone 15 Pro Max may beat the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Which is best?

Without having the opportunity to do any in-depth testing, on paper, it looks like the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the edge — for now.

We'll update this page once we've got our hands on the Pixel 9 Pro XL and we review it thoroughly.

TL;DR: Live stream France vs. Spain at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Paris 2024 football final is finally here and it's been an incredible few matches. The semi-finals saw both Egypt and Morocco lose out on a place in the final, as France and Spain both compete for the chance of a gold medal.

Spain will be looking to continue their winning streak after taking home the European Championship title earlier this summer. But they'll face tough competition from host nation France, after they beat competitors Egypt in the semi-finals in an incredible 3-1 defeat. It's really not going to be a game you want to miss.

If you want to watch the final of the football and France vs. Spain at Paris 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading because we have all the information you need.

When is France vs. Spain at Paris 2024?

France vs. Spain at Paris 2024 takes place at 12 p.m. ET on Aug. 9.

How to watch France vs. Spain at Paris 2024 for free

You can live stream France vs. Spain at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is a streaming platform that is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. VPNs are tools that hide your real IP address and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock free streaming sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for 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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream France vs. Spain at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it gives you time to stream France vs. Spain (plus the bronze medal match) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream France vs. Spain at Paris 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Through Sept. 3, this Microsoft Visual Studio software and online course bundle gives you the tools and the knowledge to create apps, websites, and games for £44.09.

The problem with most online coding courses? They only give you half the tools you need to succeed. Sure, knowledge is great, but you still need a coding environment where you can build, execute, and debug your programs. And that's what makes this bundle such an exciting deal for novice coders.

Explore 15 online courses on popular programming languages like Python, C++ and JavaScript and get a lifetime pass to Microsoft Visual Studio for Windows — all on sale for £44.09 (reg. £1,574) through Sept. 3.

Microsoft Visual Studio can help you code faster and more efficiently with highlighted functions, suggested next-best sections, and auto-completed lines and blocks of code.

After downloading the software to your PC (the download includes a lifetime license for one device), you can dive into courses in Python, Java, and Ruby on Rails.

Looking to create websites, a game, an app, or an e-commerce store? These courses also cover languages like C++, Unity, Flutter, Dart, and OpenCV. With this offer, you'll have lifetime access to course materials to study on your own time.

As you write code — especially as a beginner — you’ll make mistakes and that’s totally natural. That’s why Visual Studio is designed with hot reload capabilities to allow you to debug your software without having to refresh the page. It’s like adding time onto the microwave while it’s still running.

Give your wildest coding dreams a shot with this bundle of courses and Microsoft Visual Studio for Windows on sale for £44.09 (reg. £1,574) through Sept. 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT. No coupon is needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shutterstock Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 + The 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle $44.09 at the Mashable Shop
$1,574.00 Save $1,529.91 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 8's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 8 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 8 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A flavorful liquid.

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 S.

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...

SAUCY.

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

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

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

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for August 8's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 7 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: Pool dives

• Green: Speak again

• Blue: The Ace

• Purple: Types of radios

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: Splashy Ways to Enter a Pool

• Green: Reiterate

• Blue: Mainstay

• Purple: ___Radio

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 #424 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Splashy Ways to Enter a Pool: BACKFLIP, BELLYFLOP, CANNONBALL, JACKKNIFE

• Reiterate: ECHO, PAROT, QUOTE, REPEAT

• Mainstay: ANCHOR, BACKBONE, CORNERSTONE, PILLAR

• ___Radio: HAM, PIRATE, SATELLITE, TALK

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

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

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

You might be affected by one of the biggest data breaches ever and not even know it.

A recent class action lawsuit filed against Jerico Pictures Inc., a background check company that does business under the name National Public Data, claims that the company was breached by hackers earlier this year.

As a result, the lawsuit says, confidential data for 2.9 billion was exposed and stolen by a hacker group known as USDoD. 

SEE ALSO: Microsoft says CrowdStrike outage affected many more devices than reported

Making matters even worse, those affected by this cyberattack may not even know they could be involved. National Public Data reportedly gathers its data by scraping information about individuals from non-public sources without their knowledge or consent.

The exposed information contains varying details for nearly 3 billion people which include full names, former and current addresses, and Social Security numbers as well as personal data tied to family members and relatives who are both living and deceased.

This breach was previously unknown to the public. It's unclear when exactly the breach occurred. Named plaintiff Christopher Hofmann says he only became aware of the issue when an identity theft protection service notified him in July that his personal information had been compromised and leaked on the dark web.

The group posted a "National Public Data" database containing the leaked information on a dark web hacking forum in April, and sought $3.5 million from a potential buyer.

Just last month, Mashable reported on RockYou2024, another large data leak which saw nearly 10 billion users' password credentials being exposed. However, that data was an updated compilation of previous leaks and breaches from years earlier.

With billions exposed, the National Public Data breach appears to be one of the biggest single data breaches ever, seemingly rivaled only by Yahoo's 2013 data breach which affected 3 billion accounts.

Mashable has reached out to National Public Data for comment and will update if we hear back.

The days of grinding to complete those Fortnite Battle Pass quests to unlock exclusive items may soon be coming to an end.

On Wednesday, Epic Games announced a major change to Fortnite and its Battle Pass, the paid tier of the hit free-to-play online video game.

"Items in future Fortnite Battle Passes might be offered for purchase in the Fortnite Shop after 18 or more months from the Battle Pass’ expiration," reads a statement posted on Fortnite's official website.

This means that Emotes, Pickaxes, Back Blings, Wraps, Loading Screens, Outfits, and – most importantly – outfits a.k.a., skins that were once Battle Pass exclusives may be available for purchase in Fortnite's in-game Shop, even if the player missed out on the Battle Pass that these items were a part of.

The company says all other Battle Pass benefits will remain the same, including the price of the pass which costs 950 V-Bucks, Fortnite's in-game currency, or $8.49.

SEE ALSO: 'Fortnite' players vow to destroy all Cybertrucks they see in the game A huge change to Fortnite

While Fortnite is free to play in its online multiplayer mode, the game is monetized via skins and other items that are sold in-game. 

These items don't give players any advantage in the game. However, as Fortnite has continued to partner with popular media properties such as Marvel and Star Wars, players have spent billions of dollars each year in Fortnite in order to play as their favorite characters.

However, some items can only be locked via Fortnite's Battle Pass. 

Every few months, Fortnite starts a new season with new characters, new maps, and new additional features. Players can purchase a Battle Pass for that season, and they can then complete quests to earn XP, level up, and unlock more than 100 exclusive rewards during that season.

But, previously if a player missed out on gaining enough XP by the time the Battle Pass ended, they would permanently lose out on being able to access items that were locked beyond their level in the Battle Pass. 

If someone was completely new to Fortnite, that means they permanently missed out on ever being able to play as character skins that were part of previous Battle Pass seasons such as Optimus Prime or Darth Vader. 

According to the Fortnite Team, this was one of the major factors in their decision to change the exclusivity of items in future Battle Pass offerings.

Why allow Fortnite players another chance?

"One reason for this change is that we want players down the road to enjoy Battle Pass content such as Outfits based on popular licensed characters," reads the statement. "While there is no guarantee that a Battle Pass item will come to the Shop after this change, IP content from future Battle Passes might come to the Shop at least 18 months after the Battle Pass expires."

It's unclear if this means that previous Battle Pass outfits and items are still forever unobtainable by those who missed out. Mashable has reached out to Epic Games for more information on this.

However, it is clear that going forward some Battle Pass items will no longer be exclusive. The purpose of the Battle Pass rewards will now be the guarantee of getting those items and the lower 950 V-Bucks price point to try and unlock them all.

Fortnite is still a massively popular game with hundreds of millions of active players. But, the number of players that Fortnite has at any given time seems to ebb and flow with that particular season's offerings. Perhaps, this change will interest some new players who were previously turned off because they missed out on the Battle Pass that would've let them unlock their favorite characters.

A seemingly-innocuous photo of strawberries in a garden posted by Sam Altman has AI enthusiasts freaking out.

On Wednesday, the OpenAI CEO shared the photo accompanied by a cryptic comment that said, "i love summer in the garden." But Altman wasn't just musing about his appreciation for the late summer crop. He was teasing a secretive OpenAI technology dubbed "Project Strawberry."

Tweet may have been deleted

According to a Reuters report last month about the project, the ChatGPT-maker is working on a model capable of advanced reasoning that's one step closer to autonomous AI agents. Internal documents leaked to the outlet describe Strawberry (formerly called Q*) as a model that enables "the company’s AI to not just generate answers to queries but to plan ahead enough to navigate the internet autonomously and reliably to perform what OpenAI terms 'deep research.'"

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and Sam Altman again after dropping his previous lawsuit

More advanced reasoning capabilities means the technology can execute more complex tasks beyond step-by-step user prompts. Reasoning has been one of the trickiest problems to solve in the pursuit of human-level intelligence, so Strawberry would be a breakthrough in achieving AGI (artificial general intelligence).

Temper those expectations for a Strawberry harvest

That said, plans and a timeline for the reported technology are unknown. Plus, Altman's post could just be an attempt to cultivate buzz during a tumultuous time for OpenAI. As of this week, co-founder John Schulman quit and co-founder Greg Brockman announced his sabbatical, which added to the growing number of executives that have left (or taken leave in Brockman's case). Compound that with growing concerns about the bursting AI bubble and cooling interest in AI on Wall Street, and OpenAI's future suddenly looks a little more precarious.

Progress has slowed since OpenAI rocked the industry with ChatGPT. Altman touted GPT-5 as a "significant leap forward," but there's still no word on the timing of its release. Researchers suggest that models are running out of data to train on, and OpenAI is reportedly hemorrhaging billions of dollars. None of these are positive signs for the shipping of new products in the near future.

So, Altman’s tweet could suggest that official news about Strawberry is imminent, but it could also just be empty words from the ultimate hype-man who has a track record of "outright lying." Maybe let's take these strawberries with a grain of salt.

PRE-ORDER NOW: The new Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) is now available for preorder at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store for $279.99. It will start shipping on Aug. 20.

Quick links: Amazon Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) $279.99 Pre-order Now Best Buy Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) $279.99 Pre-order Now Google Store Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) $279.99 Pre-order Now

Google is refreshing its smartest thermostat for the first time since the Obama administration.

The tech giant announced the fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat Tuesday (a week ahead of its big Made by Google event), a long-awaited successor to its 2015 model that's been redesigned and upgraded with new features. It now comes with a new second-gen Nest Temperature Sensor for keeping tabs on separate rooms, too, helping justify its $30 price bump.

The new Nest Learning Thermostat will retail for $279.99, and preorders have opened at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store ahead of its official release on Tuesday, Aug. 20. (Take your pick from three metal finishes: polished obsidian, polished gold, or polished silver.) Extra sensors can be purchased separately for $39.99 apiece or $99.99 for a three-pack.

SEE ALSO: What to expect at Made by Google 2024

The device's makeover includes a 60 percent bigger footprint and a new curved, bezel-free crystal LCD display that's inspired by "[the] shape and movement of water," according a company blog post — picture a droplet sitting on the surface of a coin. It's slimmer than the older model, and its dial requires a lighter touch to twist. There's also a new Dynamic Farsight feature that lets users customize its home screen to show the time, temperature, weather, humidity, or outdoor air quality. Google calls it "our smartest and most beautiful thermostat yet."

Users can customize the new Nest Learning Thermostat's home screen with Dynamic Farsight. Credit: Google

As for those smarts: The purpose of the Nest Learning Thermostat is still to save energy while keeping you comfy — it's just better at it now. For starters, a new AI-powered "Smart Schedule" feature makes it capable of learning your everyday routines and temperature preferences faster. You can enable changes to this schedule automatically or opt to approve them manually. It can also now tweak your home's temperature based on the weather outside.

Relatedly, if you have a ventilation system, a new "Smart Ventilation" feature will pump in fresh air when outdoor air quality is good and pause it if conditions worsen (like during heat waves and wildfire season).

Google says the new Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with most HVAC systems, and also capable of monitoring their performance. If your heater isn't kicking on after you turn the temperature up, for example, you'll get an alert. You'll handle all controls through the Google Home app.

SAVE UP TO $80: Save on noise-cancelling headphones that can help you concentrate with this week's best deals from Bose, Sony, and other top brands.

Best Noise-Cancelling Headphone Deals Best overall Noise-Cancelling Headphones deal Bose Headphones 700 $349 at Amazon (Save $30) Get Deal Best Comfortable Noise-Cancelling Headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra $349 at Amazon (Save $80) Get Deal Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones deal for Flying Sony WH-1000XM5 $328 at Amazon (Save $71.99) Get Deal

Whether you're listening to your favorite songs or trying to get some studying done with a podcast in the background, sometimes you need to tune out what's going on around you. You can do that easily with a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They're the perfect option for helping you focus when you need to, and when you're ready to have some fun, they're great to zone out with awesome music or to help you enjoy shows and movies in private.

But contrary to popular belief, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg for a great pair of noise-cancelling headphones. In fact, some of our favorite picks are actually on sale right now, so you can save big while still bringing home a pair of quality cans.

We've rounded up some of the best deals on noise-cancelling headphones around this week, so if you're looking for a great pair to bring home, now's the time to do it. Save big on brands like Bose and Sony, and find the right pair for you without breaking the bank. Check out our picks below.

Best overall noise-cancelling headphones deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Bose Headphones 700 $349.00 at Amazon
$379.00 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Bose Headphones 700 are fantastic in terms of active noise cancellation. They boast 10 levels that you can customize to your liking in addition to a transparency mode, so ambient noise and distractions get blocked, but you can still hear everything that you need to. While they're no longer the best and brightest in Bose's lineup, they're still more than formidable options and offer some of the best noise cancellation we've heard from the brand. If you want noise cancelling that you can fine-tune to your liking without having to adhere to what the manufacturer thinks you want, this is the pair you'll want to bring home.

Best comfortable noise-cancelling headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Bose QuietComfort Ultra $349.00 at Amazon
$429.00 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are insanely comfortable for long stretches of wear. If you're the type of person who gets aggravated after wearing headphones for a long time and needs something that might cradle your sensitive ears, these are for you. They don't bear down on your head with a tight headband, and they're extremely plush. You don't feel compelled to take them off, and they still do a great job of blocking out the noises you don't want to hear. They also offer long-lasting battery life, so the music doesn't have to stop until you're ready. Plus, they're easy to pair and provide support for spatial audio.

Best noise-cancelling headphones deal for flying Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM5 $328.00 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $71.99 Get Deal Why we like it

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are excellent for audiophiles, but they also truly shine while flying. They offer fantastic noise cancellation, but they're also just great headphones in general. They offer balanced sound with crisp treble and booming bass, which means you can still enjoy your favorite songs even above the hum of an airplane cabin. They also work great for when the plane lands and you want to call up your loved ones to tell them you made it. With long-lasting battery life, you can use them for an entire flight if you need to. At this price, they're yours for the taking.

If House of the Dragon's Season 2 finale left you wondering, "Wait, what comes next?" you're in the right place.

The finale, titled "The Queen Who Ever Was," set a lot of pivotal storylines in motion without much payoff, leading to a fairly frustrating outcome (that definitely could have benefitted from two more episodes). Luckily, House of the Dragon's source material, George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, gives us a pretty good roadmap for what we can expect next.

SEE ALSO: The 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 finale, explained

Read on to learn more about what Season 3 might have in store, but be forewarned: Spoilers are in full effect here, so get ready to learn about some pretty big deaths. It's also worth noting that House of the Dragon has made some considerable deviations from Fire & Blood, which is in itself a fictional historical account full of ambiguities, so what plays out on the page might play out differently on-screen. With that in mind, let's get into what we might see in Season 3.

Yes, we'll get the Battle of the Gullet soon. Steve Toussaint in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

For all of Season 2, Corlys Velaryon's (Steve Toussaint) naval blockade of the Gullet — a stretch of sea near Dragonstone and Driftmark — has held strong, creating massive problems for King's Landing. But by the end of the season, Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) has a plan to break it. He sends Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) as an emissary to the Triarchy, where he secures the help of their navy and admiral Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn). In Season 2's finale minutes, we see them riding towards the Gullet — just as Corlys and Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) ride out to join the blockade.

SEE ALSO: Why in the seven hells didn't 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 have 10 episodes?

We'll have to wait until next season to witness the clash between the two forces, but when they do meet, you can bet it will be a spectacle to behold. In Fire & Blood, many dragonriders join the fight, including Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) on Vermax, Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty) on Seasmoke, Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew) on Vermithor, and Ulf the White (Tom Bennett) on Silverwing. The dragonseed Nettles and her dragon Sheepstealer are also present, but House of the Dragon appears to have cut her entirely and merged her story with Rhaena's (Phoebe Campbell) journey in the Vale.

In what is bound to be Season 3's tragic first loss, Jace dies in battle. Meanwhile, his younger brothers Aegon and Viserys, sailing from the Vale to Pentos on the ship the Gay Abandon, are captured by the Triarchy. Aegon manages to escape on his fledgling dragon Stormcloud, but Viserys finds himself in Lohar's grasp. Basically, if you're one of Rhaenyra Targaryen's (Emma D'Arcy) sons, you should stay away from the Gullet.

Many other battles will soon follow. Matt Smith and Emma D'Arcy in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

"The Queen Who Ever Was" doesn't just end with a promise of naval action, but with a promise of land action too. By now, Aemond and Criston Cole's (Fabien Frankel) forces, along with those of House Lannister and House Hightower, are moving towards the Riverlands, where Daemon has consolidated the Riverlords' armies. Meanwhile, the Winter Wolves, introduced a tad earlier here than in the book, are on their way south to support Rhaenyra.

SEE ALSO: How 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is different from George R.R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood'

When these armies inevitably meet up, there will be significant bloodshed. At the Battle of the Honeywine, Prince Daeron and his dragon Tessarion will prove their mettle in the war, while the Battle at the Red Fork and the Fishfeed result in costly losses for the Lannisters and Team Green as a whole.

House of the Dragon Season 2 did a great job of choosing which battles we got to see play out on-screen, prioritizing Rook's Rest and effectively cutting around the Battle of the Burning Mill and the Taking of Stone Hedge. (The only exception to this is teasing the Gullet, then not following through.) So while we probably won't be seeing all these battles play out in their entirety, expect to hear about them and how important they are.

King's Landing and Harrenhal switch hands.

Aemond finally takes Harrenhal during the chaos of the many battles following the Gullet — but he does so without facing Daemon.

That's because as soon as Aemond leaves King's Landing, Daemon rejoins Rhaenyra and her dragonriders for an assault on the city. Without Vhagar's protection, and in the face of an onslaught of dragons and the Velaryon fleet, King's Landing falls in less than a day. It's not long before Alicent surrenders it, after which she's imprisoned.

SEE ALSO: How 'House of the Dragon' staged Daemon's Harrenhal invasion

Based on Alicent's proposal in the Season 2 finale, we already know that she plans to give King's Landing over to Rhaenyra. But part of that proposal was giving up Aegon Targaryen's (Tom Glynn-Carney) life as well. And there's one small problem with that: Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) has smuggled Aegon out of King's Landing. Aegon's absence surely won't sit well with Rhaenyra. She might even think Alicent was responsible! And if that's the case, it's straight to jail for Alicent.

Aemond doesn't take too kindly to losing King's Landing, so he goes on a one-man barbecuing tour around the Riverlands. He also shakes things up at Harrenhal, killing beloved, fashion-forward castellan Ser Simon Strong (Sir Simon Russell Beale) and kicking off a relationship with witch (and possible barn owl) Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin). Will her signature ghost vision therapy work on him, too?

The dragonseeds betray Rhaenyra at Tumbleton. Tom Bennett in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

"The Queen Who Ever Was" teased some tension between Rhaenyra and new dragonrider Ulf, whose lack of decorum — like putting his feet up on the Painted Table! — knows no bounds. He's also made some big demands of her, including basically ordering her to make him a knight in front of everyone. But given what happens in Fire & Blood, that's just the beginning.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2, episode 7: Who are Vermithor and Silverwing's new riders?

The book sees Ulf grow too big for his britches. His desire for more power leads to him betraying Rhaenyra at the Battle of Tumbleton, turning Silverwing against his Queen's own forces. Joining him in this endeavor is Hugh, whose show counterpart seems far more deferential to Rhaenyra at this moment. Of course, a lot could change between now and Tumbleton, but one thing is certain: The betrayal at Tumbleton will push Rhaenyra even further down the warpath.

In Fire & Blood, Rhaenyra questions the loyalty of remaining dragonseeds Nettles (still presumably cut from the show and replaced with Rhaena) and Addam. Addam narrowly escapes questioning and imprisonment and sets out to prove his loyalty.

Aemond and Daemon face off. Ewan Mitchell in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

Remember when Alys told Daemon he would die near Harrenhal? And when Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) prophesied that Aemond would die and be "swallowed up in the Gods Eye"? We'll likely see exactly what both of those eerie statements mean in House of the Dragon Season 3.

SEE ALSO: ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 finale: What does Helaena’s prophecy about Aemond mean?

Aemond will finally get the Daemon fight he always wanted when his uncle returns to Harrenhal. The two take to the skies on Vhagar and Caraxes and have a spectacular dragon dogfight above the Gods Eye lake. In the end, though, there are no victors: Both Daemon and Aemond perish in the battle, along with their respective dragons. And as if the loss of Caraxes and Vhagar wasn't enough, more dragon death is on the menu for the rest of House of the Dragon...

The King's Landing smallfolk storm the Dragonpit.

The smallfolk of King's Landing have grown restless during Rhaenyra's tumultuous reign. Their discontent reaches a fever pitch when Helaena dies by suicide. Rumors spread that she was actually murdered, sparking a massive riot throughout the city. During this time, a one-handed prophet named the Shepherd — who we may have already met in the show — leads a mob to the Dragonpit, where the rioters decide, "You know what? We can take on a bunch of dragons and live!"

Obviously, hundreds of smallfolk get toasted in this endeavor. But since there are so many of them, it's not long before four of the chained-up dragons in the Dragonpit — including Helaena's Dreamfyre and Joffrey Velaryon's (Oscar Eskinazi) Tyraxes — are dead as well.

Over in the Red Keep, Joffrey decides to steal his mother's dragon so he can get up to the Dragonpit and put an end to this madness. Syrax does not take kindly to having a new, unbonded rider and bucks him off mid-flight, down to his death. She then heads over to the Dragonpit to help her scaly brethren, only to fall victim to the smallfolk as well. Without her dragon, and grieving the last of her sons with Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr), Rhaenyra flees King's Landing.

And where's Aegon been this whole time? Tom Glynn-Carney and Matthew Needham in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Liam Daniel / HBO

Meanwhile, Aegon's been hiding out in the most unexpected of places. House of the Dragon's version of Larys proposed that the two hide out in Braavos for the time being. However, Fire & Blood sees Aegon heading to Team Black stronghold Dragonstone, where he stages a coup and takes over. By the time an overthrown Rhaenyra returns from King's Landing, she's in for a rude surprise — and a violent family reunion. But isn't that par for the course for the Targaryens?

House of the Dragon Season 2 is now streaming on Max.

GET FREE SIX MONTHS OF PRIME, THEN SAVE 50%: All students and young adults between 18 and 24 are eligible to sign up for a free 6-month membership to Amazon Prime. After that, it'll auto-renew at just $7.49 per month, or $69 per year. That's a 50% discount off the usual price of a Prime membership.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Free 6-month Amazon Prime membership Eligible to students and young adults (ages 18-24) Get Deal

No one will argue that being a student or a young adult (or both simultaneously) comes with some challenges. Whether you're navigating life as a young adult or you're deep into studying for a degree, you deserve a break. Thanks to Amazon, you're in for an exclusive savings on a Prime membership and a small savings on a future purchase.

As of Aug. 7, students and young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 can sign up for a free 6-month membership to Amazon Prime. Once the free membership is over, your account will auto-renew at $7.49 per month, or $69 annually. Both are a 50% discount compared to the usual Prime membership price of $14.99 per month or $139 annually.

But there's one more element to know about this deal: Until August 31, Amazon is offering $10 off of a future purchase for all who sign up for Prime for Young Adults. But if you're already a member, you can get $5 off a purchase of $50 or more on eligible items. Everyone wins!

Amazon Prime for students and young adults comes packed with benefits. For starters, you'll get free two-day shipping on thousands of items Amazon sells. That means if you need extra notebooks or a mattress topper to make your dorm bed actually comfortable, it'll arrive ASAP. In some locations, you'll find items eligible for free same-day shipping.

Not only can you get supplies and essentials delivered to your doorstep, but Amazon Prime comes with a free membership to Grubhub+ food delivery, so you'll be set if you're too busy to make dinner.

SEE ALSO: Grubhub+ is officially a full-time Amazon Prime perk — celebrate with $5 off $25

Prime also comes with access to Prime Video, Prime Gaming, and Amazon Prime Music for when you have some down-time to relax and chill. The Prime membership for young adults also comes with discounts on textbooks, as well as free audiobooks and e-books.

Throughout the year, Amazon offers special discounts to Prime members, especially during the (usually) twice a year Prime Day event, which we expect to happen again in October.

If you're between the ages of 18 and 24, or you're a student, sign up today for a free 6-month Amazon Prime membership. After that, you'll get 50% off the usual price of the membership and pay just $7.49 per month. Until the end of the month, new members to Prime for Young Adults will also get $10 off a future purchase.

Some subreddits might be paywalled as part of Reddit's revenue-boosting strategy since going public earlier this year.

In its second earnings call as a public company on Tuesday, CEO Steve Huffman teased this and other changes for Reddit.

SEE ALSO: Reddit's traffic is way up – but why? It's Google. Inside Reddit's new money-making strategy

The platform has stayed notably consistent over the years and hasn't been monetized into oblivion like other social media sites. However, all that may change now that the company has shareholders to satisfy.

"I think the existing, altruistic, free version of Reddit will continue to exist and grow and thrive just the way it has," Huffman said per Engadget. "But now we will unlock the door for new use cases, new types of subreddits that can be built that may have exclusive content or private areas, things of that nature."

In the months leading up to Reddit's IPO, and continuing since then, the site has aggressively pursued new revenue sources. The most controversial change was Huffman's decision to hike up its API fees, which many third-party apps couldn't afford. More recently, Reddit signed a deal with Google, which allows the search engine giant to train its models on Reddit posts. Reddit also blocked other search engines from crawling the site unless they pay for access and recently signed a licensing deal with OpenAI, meaning user posts and comments are used to train ChatGPT.

In addition to monetizing user data and paywalling certain subreddits, Reddit plans to explore AI-generated search capabilities.

"Later this year, we will begin testing new search result pages powered by AI to summarize and recommend content, helping users dive deeper into products, shows, games and discover new communities on Reddit," said Huffman who said AI-generated search could eventually generate ad revenue.

Reddit's Q2 earnings reported a 54 percent increase in sales from the previous year and narrowed its net losses from 41 million to 10 million. So things are looking better for shareholders — just not for Redditors.

SAVE $100: As of August 7, you can get an Apple iPad (9th gen) at Amazon for just $229, down from $329. That's a $100 discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 9th generation (64 GB, WiFi) $229.00 at Amazon
$329.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

If you weren’t able to get your hands on an iPad during the chaos of Prime Day, Amazon’s gifting us another chance to snag one at a super low price.

As of August 7, you can score an Apple iPad (9th gen) at Amazon for just 229, down from 329. That’s not only a 100 discount, but it’s the lowest price we’ve seen this model go for yet.

SEE ALSO: New iPad Pro has a massive, hidden improvement, and it has to do with the battery

This iPad has everything you need to get in your nighttime scrolling session, read some news, fire off emails, and even get a little work done. It has a 10.2-inch Retina display, an A13 Bionic chip, and an ultra-wide front cam for video calls or taking selfies. It also has an all-day battery life for on-the-go use.

Since it’s compatible with the Apple Pencil (1st gen) and Smart Keyboard, you can use it as a mini laptop if you’re in a pinch. Plus, with 64GB of storage, you’ll have enough space for your basic apps and documents.

While it's not the latest model, this iPad is still a solid choice for anyone who wants a reliable tablet without spending too much.