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If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To brag.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

BOAST

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Signaling.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 8, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CUING

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Hurdle Word 3 hint

Fine and ___.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 8 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 8, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

DANDY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Sibling's daughter.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

NIECE

Final Hurdle hint

A pastime.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

HOBBY

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

We're getting closer to the New Moon, so the Moon's visibility will drop significantly over the coming nights. Keep reading to find out what, if anything, you can spot tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Aug. 8, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waning Crescent phase, with 26% of its surface visible.

Without visual aids, you should be able to catch a glimpse of the Aristarchus Plateau and the Kepler Crater. Plus, binoculars or a telescope will help you to see the Grimaldi Basin, the Gassendi Crater, and the Mare Humorum.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon's appearance changes throughout the month as it orbits Earth, completing one full lunar cycle approximately every 29.5 days, according to NASA. During that journey, the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon are constantly shifting, altering how much of the Moon's illuminated surface is visible from our perspective. That's why we see the familiar sequence of phases, from a slim crescent to a half Moon, then a Full Moon, before the pattern begins again.

The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you have a good sense of smell.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games 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 today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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 Pips hints, answers for August 7, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Happy sounds

• Green: Communication

• Blue: Eye rhymes

• Purple: Same first words

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Quaint expressions of excitement

• Green: Convey

• Blue: Words abbreviated with letters as homophones

• Purple: Safety ____

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 #1154 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Quaint expressions of excitement: HOT DOG, HURRAH, WHOOPEE, YAHOO

• Convey: COUCH, EXPRESS, FRAME, PHRASE

• Words abbreviated with letters as homophones: CUTIE, EASY, EFFECTS, I OWE YOU

• Safety ____: BELT, GOGGLES, PIN, RAZOR

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 7, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you easily lose your train of thought.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 7, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It has its ups and downs

The words are related to a thrill ride.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe aspects of a popular amusement park attraction.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Rollercoaster.

NYT Strands word list for August 8

• Drop

• Loop

• Rollercoaster

• Cutback

• Track

• Tunnel

• Corkscrew

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a good actor.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today'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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 7, 2026 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 was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

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 Pips hints, answers for August 7, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To have insight into something secret.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

PRIVY

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.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've ever watched baseball.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 the latest 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: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise 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 before the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Game start

• Green: Youth baseball championship

• Blue: Award-winning pitchers

• Purple: Final

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Ways a Game Begins

• Green: LLWS

• Blue: AL Cy Young Award Winners

• Purple: Precedes "Final"

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: Sports Edition #684 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Ways a Game Begins: FACEOFF, FIRST PITCH, JUMP BALL, KICKOFF

• LLWS: LEAGUE, LITTLE, SERIES, WORLD

• AL Cy Young Award Winners: BLUE, COLE, COLON, VIOLA

• Precedes "Final": QUARTER, SEMI, STANLEY CUP, WORLD CUP

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports 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.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 8, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 8, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 8 Pips

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 8 Pips

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 8 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

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

TL;DR: Get a Curiosity Stream lifetime subscription for $112.49 (reg. $399.99) with code Aug25, through August 9.

Opens in a new window Credit: Curiosity Stream Curiosity Stream Standard Plan: Lifetime Subscription $112.50
$399.99 Save $287.49   Get Deal

Every streaming app has the same problem: 20 minutes of scrolling, nothing worth watching. Curiosity Stream aims to change that experience by only stocking mind-catching documentaries.

The large library covers science, history, nature, and technology, with thousands of titles and new ones added on an ongoing basis: ancient Rome, wildlife, deep space- you name it. It’s also home to a solid lineup of David Attenborough programs, which is reason enough for many people. Series like Engineering the Future, Deep Time History, and Into the Jungle each dig into a different corner of how the world actually works, rather than another true-crime rehash.

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It streams in HD across phones, tablets, and TVs, and the iPhone and iPad apps let you download episodes ahead of time, so a flight or a long drive doesn’t mean staring at a loading spinner. Search is built to handle specific topics well, so chasing a rabbit hole about deep-sea creatures or ancient Rome doesn’t take much digging, and the interface itself stays out of your way.

Bookmarking and resume playback mean you can always get back to what you want to watch.

It’s also just a good thing to fall asleep to. Swap out reality TV or a movie you have to actually pay attention to for a low-stakes documentary, and it’s a lot easier to drift off without missing anything that matters. Between that and the actual educational value, it’s a natural fit for anyone who’d rather spend an evening learning something than rewatching a show for the fourth time. And since it’s a one-time payment rather than another monthly line item, it’s also a reasonable way to trim the streaming budget without losing anything worth watching.

Get Curiosity Stream lifetime access for $112.49 (reg. $399.99) with code Aug25 before it ends August 9 at 11:59 p.m.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Meta has been ordered to pay $567 million to fund youth mental health services in New Mexico in the final phase of a child safety trial.

Meta lost the lawsuit in March when a New Mexico jury found the social media company liable for misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms and endangering children.

At the time, Meta was ordered to pay the maximum penalties for each violation of New Mexico’s consumer protection laws, amounting to $375 million.

SEE ALSO: Digging into Gen Z's love/hate relationship with AI

On Thursday, a New Mexico judge assessed the new financial penalty after deciding Meta was liable for causing a teen mental health epidemic in the state. The penalty will fund treatment for young people harmed by Meta's platforms, as well as pay for mental health prevention and awareness services.

“For years, Meta knew its platforms were harming New Mexico’s kids, from feeding a youth mental health crisis to connecting predators with children, and it chose engagement and profit over their safety," said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. "Today, Meta is paying for that choice."

In total, Meta is required to pay nearly $942 million.

Andy Stone, vice president of communications for Meta, shared in a statement on X that the company disagrees with the ruling and will appeal it.

"We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and have been transparent about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors and harmful content," the statement said. "We remain confident in our record of protecting teens online and will continue to defend ourselves against claims that misrepresent the facts."

In addition to creating an abatement fund to address harms, Chief Judge Bryan Biedscheid also required the company to implement certain safety features, such as ensuring that no account for a user under 18 is recommended to an adult and preventing minors from engaging in romantic or sexual interactions with Meta's AI chatbots.

Last year, Reuters found that Meta's policies had allowed chatbots to "engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual." Such guidelines were removed from the company's policies. In January, Meta made its AI characters temporarily inaccessible to teens pending an "updated" experience for them.

Reddit's legacy experience may be under threat.

The internet's home page is constantly undergoing little changes here and there, but as Engadget reported, there's reason to believe Old Reddit might not be long for this world in its current state.

The legacy version of the message board website, which some users prefer to the modern interface, will see unspecified "changes" over time, according to an official blog post. The idea is to combat AI scraping, which has been rampant on Reddit over the last few years.

SEE ALSO: Reddit is ramping up its AI moderation tools. Moderators aren't happy.

Reddit has already made some changes to Old Reddit in this regard, as you currently can't use Old Reddit without being logged into a real account.

One Reddit admin admitted recently that the company "can't promise it will be around forever." However, that doesn't necessarily mean a total shutdown; CEO Steve Huffman also recently said Reddit is looking into limiting access or rebuilding it with modern tech rather than getting rid of it wholesale.

So, not only is AI making everything more expensive, but it's also making it harder for older websites to exist. At a certain point, one has to wonder if it's all worth it.

Another solar eclipse is coming. If you're ready to look up to the sky for the special event, don't forget to protect your eyes. As Europe gears up to witness a total eclipse, parts of North America will enjoy a partial eclipse.

The solar eclipse is taking place on Wednesday, Aug. 12. According to NASA, a total solar eclipse will be seen in Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and a small corner of Portugal. However, partial eclipses can be seen in the northern U.S. (from Alaska to North Carolina), most of Canada, much of Europe, and northwestern Africa.

If you're planning on watching the eclipse, you'll need a pair of solar eclipse glasses. Be wary, there are plenty of solar eclipse glasses available, especially on Amazon, but you must make sure they're ISO 12312-2 Certified for the safest eye protection. The American Astronomical Society has a list of approved manufacturers you can verify too.

Since the glasses are delicate, make sure to check them before use, making sure there are no punctures or tears. To test them, wear them inside your home, and you shouldn't be able to see any light fixtures besides a small filament.

To prepare for the upcoming solar eclipse, here's a list of all the options available at Amazon. All the options on this list are either CE, ISO, or AAS-certified to protect your eyes during the eclipse. Plus, they all arrive before Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Solar Eclipse Glasses in the UK

• Absolute Eclipse Solar Eclipse Glasses — £4.79

• Soluna Solar Eclipse Glasses — £5.99

• Solar Optics Solar Eclipse Glasses 5-pack with Phone Filters — £14.99

• Lunt Solar Eclipse Glasses 5-pack — £15.99

• Kesseph Solar Eclipse Glasses — £17.99

Solar Eclipse Glasses in the US and North America

• PNJ Solar Eclipse Glasses — $9.85

• Lunt Solar Eclipse Glasses — $9.95

• Soluna Solar Eclipse Glasses — $14.99

• AAA Eclipse Solar Glasses — $17.95

SAVE 8%: As of Aug. 7, you can get the 11-inch Apple iPad Air (M4) for $689 at Amazon, down from $749. That's an 8% discount or $60 in savings.

11-inch Apple iPad Air (M4) $689 at Amazon
$749 Save $60   Get Deal at Amazon

With back-to-school shopping in full swing, finding a deal on a brand-new iPad is tough — especially after recent price hikes across Apple's lineup. But if you're looking for a powerful tablet for classes, note-taking, or general productivity before the semester starts, any markdown on their latest tech is worth jumping on.

SEE ALSO: Tax-free weekend: The best deals on laptops, power stations, and more you can get right now

Right now, the 11-inch Apple iPad Air (M4) is on sale at Amazon for $689. While it did hit an all-time low of $519 back in June, this is still a great way to save. While it did hit an all-time low of $519 back in June, this is still the best price you'll find on an M4 model right now. It's also worth noting that Amazon's pricing varies by color: if you choose space gray, you'll pay $709.

This deal is for the 128GB WiFi model in Starlight. It comes equipped with an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, Touch ID, WiFi 7, and all-day battery life. It also features 12MP front and rear cameras, which are ideal if you have a lot of virtual classes or video calls on your schedule. Plus, the new M4 chip keeps everything running fast, even with heavy multitasking, and you can pair it with a Magic Keyboard or Apple Pencil Pro if you need it for typing up papers or drawing.

TL;DR: Now through Aug. 9, several states are waiving or cutting sales tax on select purchases. To get the biggest savings, skip the cheap school supplies and use the tax break on high-dollar items like laptops, power stations, and home tech.

I hate paying taxes as much as anyone, so whenever there's a (legal) way to keep a little extra cash in my wallet, I'm going to take full advantage of it.

This weekend is the biggest tax-free shopping event of the year. While state lawmakers pitch these sales tax holidays as a nice little break for families buying notebooks and backpacks, buying cheap school supplies only saves you a couple of bucks. If you want to make the tax break worth your time, you should use it on high-ticket tech items where skipping the tax saves real money.

SEE ALSO: We found the 6 best laptops for college students going back to school

Here's the breakdown of every state participating this weekend (plus a few running sales through August), along with the best ways to maximize your savings.

State-by-state breakdown Active this weekend (Aug. 7–9)

• Iowa (Aug. 7-8): Clothing and footwear under $100 per item.

• Illinois (Aug. 7-16): The state isn't eliminating the tax completely, but it is lowering the state sales tax rate from 6.25% to 1.25% on qualifying clothing (under $125) and school supplies.

• Massachusetts (Aug. 8-9): All personal retail purchases of $2,500 or less per item are tax-free.

• Missouri (Aug. 7-9): Covers clothing ($100 or less), software ($350 or less), graphing calculators ($150 or less), and computers and accessories up to $1,500 per item.

• Ohio (Aug. 7-9): Clothing ($75 or less) and school supplies ($20 or less).

• Oklahoma (Aug. 7-9): Clothing and footwear under $100.

• South Carolina (Aug. 7-9): Hands-down the best state to shop in this weekend. They waive tax on computers, printers, software, school supplies, and bed/bath products with no price caps.

• Texas (Aug. 7-9): Clothing, footwear, and backpacks under $100.

• Virginia (Aug. 7-9): Clothing ($100 or less), school supplies ($20 or less), and Energy Star items ($2,500 or less), plus portable generators up to $1,000 and gas chainsaws up to $350.

Other August sales tax holidays to keep on your radar:

• Florida (July 20 to Aug. 20): Computers and accessories up to $1,500, clothing up to $100, and school supplies up to $50.

• Maryland (Aug. 9-15): Clothing and footwear ($100 or less) and the first $40 of a backpack purchase.

• Connecticut (Aug. 16-22): Clothing and footwear under $300 per item.

• Mississippi (Aug. 28-30): Firearms, ammunition, and hunting supplies with no price cap.

Yes, you can shop online

These tax breaks still apply if you shop online from your couch! As long as your shipping address is in a participating state, online retailers are legally required to honor the sales tax holiday. Just keep a close eye on the final total before you click "buy." Different states have varying rules about how shipping and handling fees are treated. If a shipping charge accidentally bumps your laptop over your state's price limit, it might suddenly become taxable.

The 3 best big-ticket deals to shop this weekend

To get the best deals, look for the categories where states set high price limits (or no limits at all).

1. Mid-range laptops under $1,500 (Florida and Missouri)

If you live in Florida or Missouri, your state caps the tax-free limit on computers at $1,500 per item.

What to look for: Current-generation laptops priced between $500 and $1,200. Stacking an existing retailer markdown with a 4% to 6% tax drop saves you anywhere from $30 to $80 on top of the sale price.

Apple MacBook Neo $688.49 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple MacBook Neo.

2. High-end tech and gaming rigs with no price caps (South Carolina and Massachusetts)

South Carolina has zero price limit on computers and computer accessories, and Massachusetts covers almost any personal purchase up to $2,500.

What to look for: This is the time to buy expensive MacBooks, gaming desktops, or OLED monitors. Waiving a 6% tax on a $2,000 Apple or gaming setup keeps $120 in your pocket.

Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5) $1,399 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $100   Get Deal at Amazon

Read Mashable's full review of the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M5).

3. Portable generators and power stations (Virginia)

Virginia explicitly includes emergency supplies in its weekend holiday, so you can save on portable generators priced up to $1,000. (Something you'll definitely need on the East Coast; did you see how flooded Norfolk got earlier this week?)

What to look for: Portable battery power stations or compact gas generators priced right under that $1,000 threshold. On an $800 to $900 unit, you'll save around $45 to $50 on state tax alone, which is ideal if you're trying to prep for storm season without paying extra fees.

DJI Power 2000 $719.98 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $579.02   Get Deal at Amazon

Read Mashable's full review of the DJI Power 2000 portable power station.

We're getting an extended look at Grand Theft Auto VI in a few weeks, but until then, we have some financial data to look at.

Take-Two Interactive, the parent company behind GTA VI publisher Rockstar Games, reported its earnings for the quarter ending on June 30 this week, per Variety, which included the first five days after the game became available for pre-order. According to Take-Two, the company recorded $1.4 billion in net bookings during the quarter, an industry metric that tracks orders placed. It's not the same as pure revenue, but considering the game isn't actually out yet, it's as good a metric as we've got.

Our big Guessing Game is back! Learn how to enter for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

SEE ALSO: A 'GTA VI' extended look will air on Netflix in August

“I can say that the level of pre-orders is unprecedented and astonishing, and we’re very grateful for that,” CEO Strauss Zelnick said. “But they are so unprecedented that we just don’t know how it’ll translate into sales, which is a question I answered earlier. We genuinely don’t, and we just don’t believe in claiming victory before it occurs.”

It should be emphasized that other Take-Two games, such as NBA 2K, probably contributed to that $1.4 billion number. That's also just a snapshot for a period that ended in June, and the game has certainly brought in even more pre-orders since then, despite its high price.

So, with months left before the Nov. 19 release date, it's clear that GTA VI is on track to surpass $1 billion in preorders, if it hasn't already.

No one is surprised to hear that GTA VI is being pre-ordered in high quantities, but it is still interesting to get an actual number that, to some extent, reflects the hype. And all of that is coming before we've seen actual gameplay footage yet.

'Grand Theft Auto VI' for PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X $79.99 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy See It at GameStop 'Grand Theft Auto VI' for PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X $79.99 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy See It at GameStop

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SAVE $60: As of Aug. 7, the TCL A1s smart projector is on sale for just $339.99, down from $399.99. That's a savings of 15%.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL A1s Smart Projector $339.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $60   Get Deal

Portable projectors have come a long way in recent years, even rivaling big-screen 4K TVs. The prices aren't too shabby either — especially if you can find one on sale. If you prefer a flexible TV experience and want a massive screen that won't break the bank, the TCL A1s smart projector is a solid pick that's cheaper than usual this weekend.

As of Aug. 7, Amazon has the TCL A1s smart projector on sale for $339.99. That's $60 off its usual list price of $399.99.

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Compact and convenient, the all-in-one TCL A1s can display images up to 150 inches, letting you set up a private movie theater experience from just about anywhere. It features a 1080p native resolution, up to 600 ISO lumens of brightness, autofocus, keystone correction, and 8W speakers with Dolby Audio. It also has Google TV built in, making it easy to access all of your favorite streaming services.

The A1s weighs in at less than four pounds and has an adjustable carrying handle attached. So it's ideal for bringing along on camping trips, setting up casual backyard movie nights, or posting up in your living room. It's not the most advanced projector on the market, but it delivers where it matters: a portable, flexible, and immersive home theater experience. Plus, it won't cost you an arm and a leg.

The best SSD deals at a glance: Best internal SSD deal Samsung 9100 Pro SSD, 2TB $399.99 (save $280) Get Deal Best external SSD deal Lexar ES5 Magnetic SSD, 2TB $269.99 (save $130) Get Deal Cheapest SSD deal Kingston NV3 SSD, 500GB $99.99 (save $38) Get Deal

Everyone's talking about RAMageddon, A.K.A. the global memory crisis driven by the growing demand of AI. Tech prices are on the rise, and now there's an even bigger demand for SSDs.

Even with the rising prices, there are still deals to shop. As of Aug. 7, we rounded up the best SSD deals to shop right now. Both internal and external SSDs are on sale from Samsung, Lexar, Kingston, and more.

So if you're on the hunt for SSDs, these are the best deals to shop now, saving you up to $280.

Best internal SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung 9100 Pro SSD, 2TB $399.99 at Amazon
$679.99 Save $280   Get Deal

Whether you're building your own PC or just looking for an SSD upgrade, the best internal SSD deal right now is on the Samsung 9100 Pro. Designed for heavy-duty computing, whether that be for AI, gaming, or running graphics, the Samsung 9100 Pro with 2TB is there to handle it. It's power-efficient too, running faster while staying cool.

Right now, you can grab it for 41% off at Amazon. Normally $679.99, the Samsung 9100 Pro is marked down to $399.99, saving you $280. That's huge savings, especially in the midst of RAMageddon.

More internal SSD deals

• Kingston NV3 SSD, 500GB — $99.99 $137.99 (save $38)

• Kingston A400 SATA3 SSD, 960GB — $129.99 $215.99 (save $86)

• Kingston NV3 SSD, 1TB — $162 $215.99 (save $53.99)

• Samsung 990 SSD, 1TB — $229.99 $269.99 (save $40)

• Samsung 9100 Pro SSD, 1TB — $249.99 $339.99 (save $90)

• Samsung 990 SSD, 2TB — $369.99 $529.99 (save $160)

Best external SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lexar Lexar ES5 Magnetic SSD, 2TB $269.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $130   Get Deal

In need of an external SSD? Lexar has the best deal on its ES5 Magnetic portable SSD. Normally, $399.99, it's down to $269.99 at Amazon. That saves you $130, for 33% off.

The Lexar ES5 Magnetic SSD has 2TB of storage, but the real draw is its convenience. It's MagSafe compliant, so it attaches to your devices, so it's always on hand when you're on the go.

More external and portable SSD deals

• Lexar D50E SSD, 512GB — $116.99 $139.99 (save $23)

• SSK Portable SSD, 1TB — $143.99 $159.99 (save $16)

• Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD, 1TB — $224.13 $256.23 (save $32.10)

• Kingston Dual Portable SSD, 2TB — $329.99 $379.99 (save $50)

• SSK Portable SSD, 4TB — $377.99 $419.99 (save $42)

August is shaping up to be a big month for fans of celestial events, with both the Perseid meteor shower and a solar eclipse set to light up the skies. While the annual Perseids will deliver one of the year's most popular meteor displays, the solar eclipse will offer a different kind of spectacle as the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun.

While parts of Europe will experience a full show in the form of a total solar eclipse, those based in North America will still have a chance to catch the celestial event as a partial eclipse. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about this latest celestial event.

When is the solar eclipse in North America?

On Aug. 12, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across parts of North America and most of Canada. While the continent won't experience the same totality as parts of Europe will, it will still be a rare opportunity to witness an exciting solar event.

According to NASA, viewing times will vary across North America, with Alaska and northern Canada seeing the eclipse in the morning, eastern Canada in the afternoon, and parts of the northern U.S. from midday into the afternoon.

It will peak in Anchorage, Alaska at 8:21 a.m. ET. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., it will peak at around 1:53 p.m. ET.

How to watch the solar eclipse

Because the Sun is never completely covered from anywhere in North America during this eclipse, it's never safe to look directly at it without proper eye protection.

Anyone planning to watch should wear certified eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. If you're using binoculars, a telescope, or a camera, you'll also need an approved solar filter fitted to the front of the optics.

What causes a solar eclipse?

According to NASA, a solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun, temporarily blocking some or all of the Sun's light. During a partial solar eclipse, the Moon covers only part of the Sun, creating the appearance of a crescent-shaped Sun rather than plunging the landscape into darkness. This is what will be visible in North America.

Where can you see the partial solar eclipse in North America?

NASA says the best places to spot the eclipse in North America include parts of the northern U.S. (from Alaska to North Carolina) and most of Canada. While parts of the world will see a total solar eclipse, viewers in North America will experience a partial eclipse.

Solar Eclipse livestream

NASA is livestreaming the eclipse on YouTube, Twitch, X, Amazon Prime, Facebook, Instagram, and NASA+.

If you use the new Siri AI correctly, you might cut down how much you're on your phone. CNET’s Bridget Carey explains how to set up your iPhone to get the most out of the new Siri, and how it’s saved her sanity as a working parent.

SAVE $349: As of Aug. 7, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $2,550, down from its usual $2,899. That's a savings of 12%.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo $2,550 at Amazon
$2,899 Save $349   Get Deal

There's no denying that the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is a seriously impressive drone. It's also very expensive, making it overkill for anyone looking to just dabble in drone content. It's built for video professionals and serious content creators looking to elevate their cinematic footage. If that sounds like you, then this deal is right up your alley.

As of Aug. 7, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo — which includes the drone itself, the DJI RC 2, three batteries, a charging hub, and more — is on sale at Amazon for $2,550. That's $349 cheaper than its usual $2,899 price tag, saving you about 12%.

The Mavic 4 Pro features a 100MP Hasselblad camera paired with a 48MP medium telephoto at 70mm and a 50MP far-reach telephoto at 168mm. Across the three cameras, you can shoot 4K/120fps HDR video, or you can shoot 6K/60fps HDR video on the main camera. There's also an infinity gimbal that can freely shoot forward, down, side-to-side, or upward, allowing for more creative and magical shots.

Each battery will give you about 51 minutes of flight time, and you can swap them out for longer sessions. The Fly More Combo also comes with a fast-charging hub, so you can get back up in the air quicker.

If you're looking to elevate your vlogs, real estate videos, home movies, travel content, or other professional projects, it's hard to beat the DJI Mavic 4 Pro — especially if you can grab it while it's on sale.

Best deals on Sony headphones at a glance: Best budget pick Sony WH-CH720N $87.95 (save $92.04) Get Deal Best for workouts Sony ULT Wear $147.95 (save $102.04) Get Deal Best overall deal Sony XM6 $398 (save $61.99) Get Deal

Sony's headphone lineup is on sale at Amazon right now, with several of its best models discounted, some by more than half off. Whether you're after Sony's current flagship, a budget-friendly pair, or something with extra bass, there's a solid discount to grab across the board.

Best Sony headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones $398 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $61.99   Get Deal Why we like it

The WH-1000XM6 runs on a new chip, the HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3, that Sony says is seven times faster than the one in the older XM5 model, and it uses that speed across 12 microphones to block out background noise as it happens. Calls hold up well thanks to a six-mic system that picks out your voice and cuts background noise, even in loud places like a train platform or a busy street.

Since you might be wearing these for hours, comfort matters: the headband is wide and soft, made of synthetic leather, and the headphones fold down into a compact case for travel. Battery life is rated at up to 30 hours, and if you're in a rush, a three-minute charge gets you about three hours of playback.

Not sold yet? Here's the rest of the lineup that's on sale:

• Sony MDR-ZX110 — $9.99 $12.99 (Save $3)

• Sony WH-CH520 — $38 $69.99 (Save $31.99)

• Sony MDR-ZX110NC — $48 $59.99 (Save $11.99)

• Sony XM5 — $248 $399.99 (Save $151.99)

Whichever pair you pick, your ears just got a serious upgrade for less. Grab the Sony headphones at Amazon while they're discounted.