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TL;DR: The GoCable 8-in-1 EDC packs 100W fast charging, multiple connectors, data transfer, and handy everyday tools into one compact keychain — and it’s just $29.99 (reg. $49.99) for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: GoCable GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable $29.99
$49.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal

There are tech gadgets that people wind up living in a junk drawer for months — and then there are the ones that quickly earn a permanent spot in someone’s daily routine. The GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable falls squarely into the second category. It’s the kind of practical, tech-forward surprise that makes people say, “Wait … this does that too?”

At first glance, GoCable looks like a sleek little keyring accessory. But once you start using it, it quickly proves it’s more than just a charging cable.

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Designed as an everyday carry essential, it combines ultra-fast charging with genuinely useful built-in tools, all wrapped in a compact, tangle-free design that clips neatly onto a bag, belt loop, or keychain.

With 100W charging capabilities (when paired with a compatible power source), GoCable can power everything from phones and tablets to laptops, drones, and cameras.

Universal connectors mean you’re covered whether you’re using USB-C or Apple’s Lightning — no more digging through tangled cords or carrying three different cables just in case.

What makes it especially satisfying, though, are the thoughtful extras. An LED power display shows your real-time charging status. The magnetic wrap keeps things neat and frustration-free. There’s even a built-in bottle opener and a safe-proof cutter for impromptu moments like opening a package on the fly or cracking a drink at a picnic.

The GoCable makes an ideal asset for travelers, creators, commuters, and anyone who lives even slightly tethered to their devices.

Priced at $29.99 (reg. $49.99) for a limited time, the GoCable is an everyday gadget that feels both smart and genuinely helpful — grab it while stock lasts.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

SAVE $31.99: As of Aug. 5, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones are on sale for $38 at Amazon. That's a 46% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH520 $38 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $31.99   Get Deal

You don't need to splash out hundreds of dollars for good headphones. In fact, with this latest Amazon deal on the Sony WH-CH520, you don't even need to spend a hundred dollars, not even close.

As of Aug. 5, this popular pair has dropped to just $38. Already a steal at the normal list price of $69.99, we can't resist a deal like this. You can choose from a wide range of colors, with everything from standard black, blue, and white discounted, as well as options with a pop of color like yellow, pink, and cappuccino.

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These budget headphones have many premium features you'd find on much more expensive sets. For example, enjoy up to 50 hours of battery life with quick charging, making them ideal for holidays, commutes, and extended listening without constantly recharging. They're designed for long sessions, built with a lightweight frame, adjustable headband, soft ear pads, and swivel earcups.

The sound quality is impressive too, and can be customized through EQ Custom in the Sony app. And if you use your headphones for calls or voice notes, the built-in microphone won't let you down with its support for hands-free calls.

Find this Sony headphones deal at Amazon right now.

SAVE $300: As of Aug. 5, the EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro robot vacuum is on sale for $699.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ecovacs EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro $699.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $300   Get Deal

The EcoVacs Deebot X11 Pro robot vacuum is back on sale on Amazon, and this time it's at a record-low price. As of Aug. 5, this robot vacuum is down from $999.99 to $699.99, saving you $300. According to price tracking by camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest price it has ever been.

So, what are you getting in addition to your $300 discount? This robot vacuum combines both vacuuming and mopping technology to tackle everyday dirt, spills, and pet hair. It has an OZMO Roller 2.0 that uses a high-density nylon roller with continuous pressurized self-washing to scrub away stubborn messes and dried stains while cleaning with fresh water.

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For vacuuming, it pairs a 19,500Pa BLAST suction with an optimized airflow to help lift embedded dust and pet hair from carpets and hard floors. It also benefits from a Triple Lift System that automatically adjusts the cleaning approach when it detects liquids or carpets, even lifting the roller to help keep the carpet dry.

And you won't have to clean awkward corners yourself. The TruEdge 3.0 extends the roller closer to edges and corners for improved coverage, so no spot is missed.

Head to Amazon now to secure this robot vacuum deal.

SAVE $70: As of Aug. 5, the Beats Studio Buds+ are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a 41% discount on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds+ $99.95 at Amazon
$169.95 Save $70.00   Get Deal

Whether you've lost one earbud or your current pair is starting to give up, this latest Amazon deal on the Beats Studio Buds+ could save you some cash on a replacement. They're a reliable pair of wireless earbuds with great sound quality, and as of Aug. 5, they're $70 off. That brings the cost down to $99.95.

And for under $100, you're truly getting a great deal. They feature Beats' custom acoustic platform for great sound, along with two listening modes: Active Noise Canceling (ANC) to reduce external noise and Transparency mode to let background sounds through when needed. The earbuds also support Spatial Audio for a more immersive listening experience.

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For battery life, you'll get up to 36 hours of listening time with the charging case, so you won't need to recharge them after every use.

They come with four sizes of silicone ear tips, ensuring a secure, comfortable fit and improved acoustic performance. This also makes them idea workout earbuds, especially since they are IPX4-rated for sweat and water resistance.

Head to Amazon to grab this great Beats earbuds deal.

TL;DR: The Motorola Razr is available for free with T-Mobile. To qualify for this offer, simply activate a new line on an Experience More plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola Razr Free when you activate a new line on an Experience More plan. Shop Now

Samsung and Apple dominate the smartphone news cycle, but Motorola has quietly built one of the most practical foldables on the market. And better yet, you can pick up this popular phone for free right now.

T-Mobile is giving away the new Motorola Razr for free, with no trade-in required, when you activate a new line on its Experience More plan. The total cost is covered via 24 monthly bill credits. If you cancel or switch carriers before the two-year mark, you’ll owe the remaining balance on the phone’s full retail price.

If you’re already planning to add a line, getting a high-end foldable without trading in your current device is easily one of the best mobile carrier deals live right now.

The Motorola Razr offers a 3.6-inch external display that's big enough to reply to Slack messages, check Google Maps, and sort through emails without flipping the phone open. Under the hood, the 4,800mAh battery outlasts most compact foldables on the market, and the 50MP main camera sensor handles quick WFH video calls and casual shots with ease.

Score the new Motorola Razr for free with T-Mobile.

My first reaction to the announcement of Ted Lasso Season 4 could best be summed up in one word: Why?

SEE ALSO: 'Ted Lasso' Season 4 teaser reveals Richmond's women's football team

The Emmy-winning series had already come to a close with Season 3, which saw coach Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) returning to Kansas City to be with his son Henry (Gus Turner, replaced with Grant Feely in Season 4). Following three seasons of working on his mental health and his family relationships, the move home was the natural conclusion to Ted's arc. What more could the show have to say? And more importantly, did we need more? Season 3 was fairly lackluster, fumbling key character moments, languishing in overly sentimental melodrama, and dragging thanks to hour-long runtimes. If Ted Lasso was going to come back and recapture some of its earlier magic, it had some serious lessons to learn.

Three years after its supposed finale, it seems like Ted Lasso has finally learned these lessons. With Season 4, the series finds new purpose thanks to a surprising move: having Ted step out of the spotlight.

Ted Lasso Season 4 is all about women's sports. Tanya Reynolds and Jason Sudeikis in "Ted Lasso." Credit: Apple TV

Don't worry, Ted is still very much around, ready to dole out folksy one-liners and Beastie Boy quotes at the drop of a hat. But Ted Lasso wisely recognizes that its lead has found closure to his most pressing emotional challenges. Now, Ted acts as more of a conduit through which the show can introduce its newest focus: women's sports.

Ted Lasso hinted at this focus in its Season 3 finale, when Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) pitched a Richmond women's team to Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham). Three years later, that dream is becoming a reality, and Rebecca wants Ted back to coach the Lady Greyhounds.

She, Keeley, and Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift) win him back over the course of the season's first episode, which falls into some Season 3 pitfalls: overly on the nose and far too long. (Trimming episode runtimes, tragically, isn't a lesson Season 4 has learned.) Thankfully, Ted Lasso finds its footing again from episode 2 onward once Ted lands back at Richmond.

SEE ALSO: The NWSL is finding its next generation of fans online

Here, Ted Lasso begins to recapture some of its Season 1 magic. In its first outing, the series worked best when Ted was breaking down the walls of those who doubted him, from Richmond's players to its fanbase. His empathetic curiosity in the face of his skeptics is the reason the show became COVID's feel-good hit, even if later seasons tackled darker material. With a new team in Season 4, Ted Lasso finds itself at a similar starting point to Season 1. There's a new crew of players to win over, along with a new assistant coach in the no-nonsense Alice Chilton (Tanya Reynolds). But perhaps most importantly, there's a good chunk of the footballing world that doubts whether a Richmond women's team even needs to exist.

Women's sports are on a meteoric rise. In 2025, a Nielsen Sports report estimated that women's soccer could become one of the world's top five sports by 2030. In the United States, viewership and fandom of the NWSL has increased drastically over the past year. Sexist detractors will tell you otherwise, downplaying the work of incredible athletes and the leagues they're building. Ted Lasso represents these detractors as a Greek chorus of jerks: drunken bozos at a round of pub trivia, or disgruntled Richmond shareholders who are flabbergasted that their money is going toward funding a women's team. Even Rebecca must confront her own internalized misogyny. After all, she fails to consider a woman for the head coach job and often wonders above all else whether the team will be profitable. A financial report from Leslie doesn't help, although the pair are still determined to support the team.

SEE ALSO: Everything coming to Apple TV in 2026

Here's where Ted Lasso jumps into its Believe-mobile and puts its engine into full throttle. This time, though, Ted isn't in the driver's seat. He (and Rebecca and Leslie) are happy passengers to Keeley, whose unbridled enthusiasm is the true heart of the season. Already a capable entrepreneur by the end of Season 3, the years between seasons have allowed her to blossom even further into a tenacious go-getter. From fighting for a better locker room to sorting out jersey delivery issues, she is on fire — not just with the determination to build something new, but with the deep-seated knowledge that this team is necessary. Look no further than the Lady Greyhounds' multi-generational fans. Pub owner Mae Green (Annette Badland), whose bar has shown men's soccer for years, is over the moon that she now gets to watch a women's team. Meanwhile, Roy Kent's (Brett Goldstein) niece Phoebe (Elodie Blomfield) and her friends get new athletic role models to look up to. Yes, the messaging can be a bit heavy-handed. (It's Ted Lasso, it comes with the territory.) But the joy the show builds around the Lady Greyhounds made my eyes misty, in much the same way that seeing a young girl in a WNBA or NWSL jersey does. It's awesome to watch athletes break barriers, to see people build a long-lasting love of women's sports, and to highlight both of these great things on a show as big as Ted Lasso.

Ted Lasso's Lady Greyhounds steal the show. Brendan Hunt, Jason Sudeikis, and Tanya Reynolds in "Ted Lasso." Credit: Apple TV

As for the Lady Greyhounds themselves, they are an absolute blast to watch. Like the Greyhounds in Ted Lasso's earlier episodes, they're more of a boisterous ensemble, with the exception of a few characters pulling focus. Law student Gemma (Abbie Hern) doubles as an ace striker. Goalie Boots (Jude Mack) brings a wild edge to the team. Twins Niamh (Aisling Sharkey) and Siobhan (Rex Hayes) bicker up a storm. Mother Lizzie (Faye Marsay) deploys her maternal instincts on the field, often acting as a foul-mouthed mediator. In the first four episodes sent to critics, these characters begin as sketches who are steadily being filled in, with the potential for so much more down the line.

But the truest scene-stealer here is assistant coach Alice. Reynolds has consistently been a bright spot in every project she's in, from Sex Education to The Other Bennet Sister. Ted Lasso is no different. As the ultra-direct Alice, Reynolds is a master of deadpan, and the perfect counterpoint to Sudeikis' boisterous Ted. Her straight-shooting leads to some of the early episodes' best comedic moments, but her intense quest for total perfection on the pitch suggests some serious personal growth ahead. As the show pulls focus away from Ted and onto the Lady Greyhounds, Alice is primed to be a great new co-lead.

That shift is proof of Ted Lasso's welcome evolution in Season 4, which so far seems to be avoiding Season 3's biggest pitfalls. As someone who was skeptical of the show's return in the first place, its embrace of women's sports, like Ted coaxing Rebecca with his divine shortbread, has won me over.

The first episode of Ted Lasso Season 4 is now streaming on Apple TV, with new episodes every Wednesday.

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

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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.

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

SEE ALSO: 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: Throw this

• Green: First overall pick

• Blue: Trading cards

• Purple: Types of scorecards

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Things That Are Thrown

• Green: Last Four NFL Draft No. 1 Picks

• Blue: Descriptors for Types of Trading Cards

• Purple: Can Follow "Score"

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 #681 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Things That Are Thrown: BASEBALL, DART, FRISBEE, HAMMER

• Last Four NFL Draft No. 1 Picks: MENDOZA, WARD, WILLIAMS, YOUNG

• Descriptors for Types of Trading Cards: AUTOGRAPH, PARALLEL, PATCH, ROOKIE

• Can Follow "Score": BOARD, BUG, LINE, SHEET

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 5, 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 5, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 5 Pips

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 2-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

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

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 5 Pips

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

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

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 5 Pips

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 6-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Hairy.

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

FURRY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Force.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 5, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

VIGOR

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Separate.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 5 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 5, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

APART

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A plan.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

DEIGN

Final Hurdle hint

Defective.

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

BUGGY

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a fashionista.

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.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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 5, 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: To guide

• Green: Good denim

• Blue: Architecture

• Purple: Supply

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

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Navigate

• Green: Jeans brands

• Blue: House styles

• Purple: What "stock" might refer to

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 #1151 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Navigate: DRIVE, MANEUVER, PILOT, STEER

• Jeans brands: DIESEL, GAP, LUCKY, WRANGLER

• House styles: CAPE COD, MISSION, RANCH, TUDOR

• What "stock" might refer to: BROTH, CATTLE, INVESTMENT, MERCHANDISE

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 5, 2026

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

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're a good planner.

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 5, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: All things considered

The words are related to ideas.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe strategizing.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Brainstorming.

NYT Strands word list for August 5

• Notion

• Concept

• Brainstorming

• Thought

• Plan

• Idea

• Opinion

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 have good ideas.

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 5, 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 5, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To propose.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

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...

POSIT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

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

TL;DR: Get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more when you get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for $33 through August 9.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $32.97
$219.99 Save $187.02   Get Deal

Microsoft 365 costs $99.99/year. It costs even more if you pay for it monthly, but that’s not your only option. If you want to get rid of Microsoft 365, you can now replace it with a lifetime license for Microsoft Office for just $32.97 (reg. $219.99).

We know what you’re thinking, but rest assured, this isn’t some stripped-down lite version either. It’s the real deal, and there are no strings attached. Whether you’re writing reports, crunching numbers, building presentations, managing emails, or wrangling databases, the lifetime version of Microsoft Office has you covered.

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This version of Office comes with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams (free version), OneNote, Publisher, and Access. These apps may be a little different from the ones you get with Microsoft 365, but they still get the job done. The biggest difference is they don’t have the new AI integrations that Microsoft is still refining, so your workspace stays nice and clean.

It’s a one-time download for one Windows PC, so once it’s yours, it’s yours. The full pro-level toolkit, minus the stress of a subscription. Plus, with instant license delivery and free customer support, getting started is as painless as your new spreadsheet workflow.

No more “trial expired” pop-ups. No more surprise charges. Just the latest versions of Microsoft’s best apps, ready to support all of your work and personal needs.

Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license while it’s on sale for $32.97. Sale ends August 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Texas is putting a halt to data center projects that try to tap into public utilities under new regulations issued by Governor Greg Abbott.

The new order mandates the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) complete extensive audits of data center developers before they can connect to the state's utility grid. Notably, developers must provide information on "state and local tax incentives, grants, abatements, or other public financial assistance," prospective water and electricity use, and controlling interests in their projects.

SEE ALSO: How 3 very different people use AI chatbots

There are currently 1,800 projects awaiting ERCOT approval to join the state grid. Around 90 percent of them are for data centers, and the projects would cumulatively demand 474 gigawatts of electricity, according to the governor's office. The projected demand is more than five times the grid’s peak record, reported the Texas Tribune.

"Our top priority is to protect Texans’ safety and quality of life. Any project that fails to comply with the requirements set forth by the PUCT and ERCOT, and by state law, must be denied connection to the Texas grid. Simply put, Texans must come first," Abbott wrote in a press release issued Aug. 3.

Texas has been beset by power outages in recent years, including an infamous power crisis in 2021.

Texas is home to over 500 data center projects, according to the tracking website Data Center Map. Texas is second only to Virginia in the number of data centers, often referred to as the nation's "data center alley."

The proliferation of such centers in Texas has been linked to a regulatory permitting loophole that has allowed companies to build energy-intensive facilities without providing public notice, according to recent reporting by Wired. Many communities have said they feel blindsided by massive construction projects appearing in their backyards, and several coalitions have emerged calling for a statewide moratorium on all data center initiatives.

Recent crowdsourced data compiled by environmental advocate Erin Brockovich documented more than 1,300 residential complaints tied to utility usage and environmental health concerns from data centers — more than double the next highest state, Pennsylvania. Residents of Sulphur Springs, Texas, home to a controversial data center campus project led by MSB Global, have submitted nearly 400 complaints alone.

The state's new audit process will also require developers to provide plans to protect communities in surrounding areas, such as "noise mitigation, light controls, traffic improvements, and emergency response coordination," with the understanding that every community is "unique."

The internet moves fast. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend all day refreshing your browser to keep up with it.

Mashable push notifications deliver our latest news, trending stories, and hottest deals directly to your screen. Here’s how to turn them on in just a few clicks.

Google Chrome on Android

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That’s it. We’ll take it from here.

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1. Open Safari and visit Mashable.com.

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3. If the request doesn’t appear, go to Safari > Settings > Websites > Notifications. Find Mashable and select Allow. You should also make sure Allow websites to ask for permission to send notifications is turned on.

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Help! I signed up, but I’m not receiving notifications

If you followed the steps above but Mashable alerts remain suspiciously absent, don’t worry. A browser or device setting may be getting in the way.

1. Check your browser settings

Start by returning to Mashable.com and clicking the site information icon beside the URL. Make sure Notifications is set to Allow.

You can also check the notification permissions in your browser’s settings:

• Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications

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Find Mashable and confirm that notifications are allowed.

2. Check your device settings

Your browser may have permission to send alerts while your computer is quietly blocking them.

On a Mac, open System Settings > Notifications. Select the browser you used to sign up, turn on Allow notifications, and choose Banners or Alerts as the notification style. On older versions of macOS, you may find these controls under System Preferences.

On a Windows PC, open Settings > System > Notifications. Make sure notifications are turned on for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or whichever browser you used.

3. Make sure notifications aren’t silenced

Finally, check whether a focus setting has put your alerts on mute.

On a Mac, open Control Center > Focus and make sure Do Not Disturb is turned off.

On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Notifications and check that Do not disturb is disabled. If you’re using Windows 10, open Focus assist and make sure it is not set to Alarms only.

Once those settings are cleared, Mashable notifications should be free to make their grand entrance.

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Barbara Pavone contributed to this article.

In the creator world, one of the biggest questions surrounding AI has been how creators should disclose to audiences that they're using AI. Platforms like YouTube rolled out AI labels. Companies built watermarking tools. Creators openly debated where ChatGPT fits into their workflow and when its use should be disclosed. The underlying assumption was that audiences wouldn't mind AI so long as they knew it was there.

SEE ALSO: Hank Green apologizes for relying too heavily on ChatGPT

Hank Green's recent apology suggests that assumption may no longer hold.

Although the longtime science creator said ChatGPT didn't write his scripts — and Complexly later clarified it wasn't used to write, edit, or fact-check the video that sparked the controversy — many of Green's viewers are still uncomfortable with the role AI played in his research process. The backlash wasn't really about whether Green disclosed his use of AI. It was that, for some viewers, any use of ChatGPT raised questions about the integrity of the creative process itself.

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Every era of the internet develops its own authenticity tests. At various points, creators have been accused of buying followers, secretly outsourcing content, overusing Photoshop, or faking candid moments for engagement. Generative AI has quickly become the latest measure by which audiences evaluate whether creative work feels "real."

Few internet creators seem better positioned to experiment with artificial intelligence than Green, whose career has been built on helping audiences understand emerging technologies without sensationalizing or dismissing them. If audiences should expect any creator to have firsthand experience with large language models before explaining their capabilities and limitations to millions of viewers, it would seem to be someone like him.

At the same time, Green's audience has always expected that the curiosity behind his work is entirely his own. His Reddit post suggests he believes that, too.

He described how using the chatbot had subtly changed the way he approached research. While AI helped him discover papers and resources more quickly, he wrote, it also prevented him from finding his "own ways into and around a topic."

It's an observation that feels increasingly familiar as generative AI becomes more deeply embedded in creative work. The concern isn't always that AI will fabricate information or replace human creativity altogether. It's that by making the early stages of the creative process frictionless — brainstorming, outlining, searching for sources — it may also change how ideas take shape in the first place.

View on Threads Creators aren't asking for permission to use AI

Despite controversies like this, AI adoption among creators continues to grow.

Adobe's 2026 Creators' Toolkit Report, which surveyed more than 16,000 creators across multiple countries, found that three-quarters of creators now describe AI as either integrated into or essential to their workflow. Nearly nine in 10 said AI had helped grow their business or audience. Yet the same report found that most creators also believe audience expectations around AI disclosure are increasing, underscoring the disconnect between how common these tools have become behind the scenes and how audiences feel about them.

The backlash Green received reflects that gap. Many of the comments in response to his apology didn't accuse him of deception. Instead, they questioned whether AI should have been involved in the research process at all. One Reddit user argued that if the pressure to produce a video meant turning to ChatGPT instead of a human researcher, "we don't need the video." Another described AI as creating the illusion of productivity while merely "pushing the food around on your plate."

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If trust is the currency of the creator economy, some viewers worry AI has the potential to devalue it. Green's comments didn't just prompt scrutiny of his own workflow; they also raised questions about creators more broadly. As one Bluesky user put it, "The thing about Hank Green using AI is not only that it mars his credibility forever, but it has now cast a large, looming shadow of doubt over all my favorite video essayists and their own usage of AI in their research and even writing process."

For years, the creator economy rewarded speed. Platforms favored consistency, algorithms rewarded frequent uploads, and creators often found themselves under pressure to produce more content than ever before. Generative AI arrived promising to make that pace sustainable by summarizing research, organizing ideas, drafting outlines, and handling repetitive tasks that once consumed hours.

Green's response suggests that promise comes with tradeoffs. In his Reddit post, he described the "dopamine" he was getting from interacting with large language models and from doing "more and more and more and more." The technology wasn't simply helping him work faster. It was encouraging him to work differently.

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Green's apology also arrives at a moment when audiences are becoming increasingly vigilant about AI's presence online, sometimes to the point of overcorrection.

Audiences are on alert for any sign of AI

Over the past year, creators, artists, authors, and even hobbyists have found themselves defending work accused of being AI-generated despite insisting it wasn't. On Archive of Our Own (AO3), fanfiction writers have been accused of using ChatGPT for everything from sentence structure to frequent em dashes, prompting moderators and readers to warn against turning AI detection into a form of online vigilantism. Digital artists have similarly found themselves pressured to prove paintings were created by hand after viewers mistook stylistic choices for AI artifacts.

At the same time, audiences have shown little hesitation in criticizing brands and creators that openly embrace generative AI. Coca-Cola's AI-assisted holiday campaign drew criticism for prioritizing technology over artists. Duolingo faced consumer backlash after announcing an "AI-first" strategy that many users interpreted as a move to replace human workers. In gaming, publishers have faced criticism for AI-generated marketing materials, while indie developers have seen games scrutinized for suspected AI-generated assets.

AI has become something of a reputational minefield. Use it, and audiences may question the authenticity of your work. Avoid it, and you may still find yourself defending against accusations that you used it anyway.

Rather than defend that workflow, Green announced he would slow down. He plans to publish fewer videos on @Hankschannel, pause development on two daily online word games, and spend more time creating videos where, as he put it, "the writing was the whole thing."

That decision feels notable, especially as creators across industries wrestle with the same pressures. AI companies often frame large language models as productivity tools, promising to eliminate busywork so people can focus on what matters most. Green's experience points to a more complicated reality. Sometimes the busywork — the rabbit holes, the dead ends, the unexpected paper you stumble across while looking for something else — is part of the creative process itself.

Whether audiences ultimately agree with Green's use of ChatGPT is almost beside the point. His apology illustrates how much the conversation around AI has changed in just a few years. The debate is no longer confined to disclosure or labeling. As generative AI becomes more common behind the scenes, audiences are paying closer attention to where it enters the creative process and where they believe the line should be drawn.

And for creators whose careers depend on trust, that distinction may become one of the defining challenges of the AI era.

A movie date can tell you a lot about a person. For some women who went to see The Odyssey, it may have told them too much.

Since Christopher Nolan's epic arrived in theaters, women have been sharing what happened when their dates encountered Odysseus, the Trojan Horse, and nearly 3 hours of Greek mythology.

The results have included questionable ticket purchases, confidently incorrect movie trivia, and at least one reaction to a plot development that has been public knowledge for roughly 2,700 years.

On Aug. 2, TikTok user @.finfan posted that her boyfriend "gasped when they came out of the Trojan Horse."

"Is he still your bf?" one asked. Another offered a correction: "*Ex boyfriend." Clearly, not all men are as obsessed with the Roman Empire as the internet led us to believe back in 2023.

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Some commenters diagnosed the moment as a prime example of an "intelligence ick," a loss of attraction triggered by something that makes a person question their partner's knowledge or critical thinking.

People don't necessarily mean IQ when they describe an intelligence gap in a relationship. As Vice explained, they’re often responding to differences in curiosity, communication style, emotional awareness, or whether they get each other's references. A 2023 study of more than 3,000 Finnish and Dutch twin-spouse pairs found that partners tended to have similar levels of education. The researchers concluded that educational background and shared social circles both influenced whom people chose as partners.

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Of course, knowing the story of the Trojan Horse is hardly a reliable measure of intelligence. It may simply come down to what someone learned in school or encountered growing up. But when a partner does not recognize something you assumed was common knowledge, that difference can suddenly feel much bigger.

The Trojan Horse was only the start of the ick conversation, though.

One woman said her date confidently told her The Odyssey was directed by James Cameron. Another discovered that her self-described "film bro" did not know what 70mm IMAX was.

Meanwhile, the man onscreen was making some real-life dates look worse. "I fear the bar has been risen when it comes to dating," one creator wrote, referring to Odysseus' (Matt Damon) determination to return to his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), after a decade apart.

SEE ALSO: Are all men obsessed with the Roman Empire? We investigate.

The specificity of these complaints is funny, but they are circulating at a time when many women already feel exhausted by dating.

A 2025 study found that 80 percent of women reported experiencing some level of dating-app burnout, compared with 74 percent of men. Respondents blamed the difficulty of finding a connection, disappointment, rejection, repetitive conversations, and endless swiping.

Still, one ick does not necessarily mean it is time to end the relationship. An awkward comment or missing piece of movie knowledge may be harmless, especially if everything else is going well. Nevertheless, the "ick can also save us a lot of time in simply giving small flags of general incompatibility," writer Kitty Winks wrote for Mashable back in 2023.

Icks can also be influenced by internet dealbreakers — kind of like these. A 2022 study found that 35 percent of respondents had been influenced by icks they encountered online. So before sending a date on his own odyssey home, it may be worth deciding whether the ick is yours or TikTok's.

SAVE $49.01: As of August 4, get the 11-inch A16 Apple iPad for $399.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $449. That's a discount of 11%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) $399.99 at Amazon
$449 Save $49.01   Get Deal

If you've been looking for a new tablet, an iPad is always a good idea, especially when you can get one for a low price. The 11-inch A16 iPad is back on sale again for an extremely palatable discount, so if you've been biding your time and waiting to get your hands on one, now's your opportunity to do so.

As of August 4, get the 11-inch A16 Apple iPad for $399.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $449. That's $49.01 off and a discount of 11%. This price applies to the Silver and Blue colorways only for right now, as the Pink and Yellow options are not similarly discounted.

SEE ALSO: Apple launching its first water-resistant iPad soon

This A16-powered iPad is a fast and responsive model that'll give you smooth, reliable performance. Whether you're gaming, taking photos, editing media, or browsing the internet, it can do all with gusto and zip. Thanks to its Liquid Retina display, it can give you a crisp, colorful picture that's both responsive and comfortable to use. Its 11-inch display gives you sharp detail, and True Tone technology will automatically adjust the screen based on your surroundings.

This model offers USB-C charging and connectivity, Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, and a lengthy all-day battery life so you can keep using it while on the go. And if you want to give it even more purpose, you can use an Apple Pencil or Apple Magic Keyboard to turn it into a "laptop" of sorts to help you get more done on the go, or just give yourself a more comfortable user experience.

Whatever you decide to use it for, this affordable iPad is a great deal that you'll want to snap up before it's gone -- especially if you know someone with a birthday coming up or if you want to save it for a holiday gift.

SAVE $700: The 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED GX9 curved gaming monitor (45GX900A-B) is on sale at Amazon for $999.99, down from the normal price of $1,699.99. That's a 41% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED GX9 curved gaming monitor (45GX900A-B) $999.99 at Amazon
$1,699.99 Save $700   Get Deal

We can often rationalize getting a little treat here and there. A nice iced coffee, a pastry, or a pizza on Friday night are all small ways to pat yourself on the back. But sometimes, we deserve a bigger treat. If you're a gamer who's in the mood for an excellent upgrade, check out this deal.

As of Aug. 4, the 45-inch LG Ultragear curved gaming monitor (45GX900A-B) is on sale at Amazon for $999.99, down from the normal price of $1,699.99. That's a 41% discount that takes a major $700 off.

There's something next level about using a curved gaming monitor that also happens to be massive. The LG Ultragear has an 800R curve that pairs well with its 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03 millisecond response time. Additionally, it can reach up to 1,300 nits of brightness on the crisp OLED display. LG mentions this is the Ultragear's brightest OLED.

The immersive experience is made even better thanks to the low glare and flicker-free display LG incorporated with this model. You can also use advanced gaming features like black stabilizer to brighten dark scenes and crosshair to enhance precision.

SEE ALSO: Upgrade your study setup for under $100 with this rare Sony noise-canceling headphones deal

The multitasking hub is great for both gaming and replying to work emails. There's an HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and USB-C with a 65W power delivery.

Consider gifting yourself a huge treat for once while the 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED GX9 curved gaming monitor (45GX900A-B) is on sale at Amazon for $999.99.

Microsoft says the WiFi at your hotel might be compromised.

In a post on its Threat Intelligence website (via ABC News), Microsoft warned of a new hacking operation called "CaptiveCrunch," which the company claimed had some ties to Russia.

Starting in May, Microsoft said it had observed a "widespread compromise of Wi-Fi networks at hospitality-related organizations," including WiFi networks at hotels.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Teams users will lose Calendar access in weeks unless they update

The hacking operation works by tricking users to download malicious files via pop-ups that appear when connecting to a hotel WiFi network. Those who are doing this are able to get screenshots and keystrokes, and can even remotely hijack devices if necessary. There are also fake login screens that could give the hackers access to a user's personal email address.

According to Microsoft, the best way to avoid this is to use something more private when traveling, like a mobile hotspot. If that's not an option and you must use hotel WiFi, be on the lookout for any kind of pop-up window that appears after logging into the network. These can appear as Windows Update pop-ups or other kinds of update windows you might normally see on your device, but if they appear right as you've logged into hotel WiFi, they might be up to something.

In other words, if you aren't expecting any kind of update pop-up, maybe avoid any of them that appear.