IT General

FREE ENGRAVING: As of Sept. 10, preorder the Apple AirPods Pro 3 from Apple for $249 and get free engraving with your purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $249 at Apple
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Apple finally unveiled the newest addition to its lineup of headphones and earbuds on Sept. 9: the Apple AirPods Pro 3. This marks the first update for the Pro lineup since 2023, and with preorders now live, you can be sure to snag a pair. If you plan on heading to Apple to lock yours in, there's an important little freebie you can get when buying.

As of Sept. 10, preorder your Apple AirPods Pro 3 at Apple for $249 and get free engraving with your order. All you need to do is select the "Add Engraving" option directly at the top of the page under "Free and fast personalization" and choose the emoji, names, initials, and numbers you want on the front of your AirPods Pro 3 case.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: What's different this time?

You get about 21 characters' worth of space and a wide selection of emoji to choose from when engraving, which will appear in light gray on the AirPods' case. When finished, continue selecting options as usual, such as whether you're getting AppleCare or not, and then add to cart. Check out as usual from there.

These new AirPods Pro 3 come with twice the ANC power of the previous generation, with live translation, heart rate monitoring, integrated fitness features, and much more. They offer IP57 sweat- and water-resistance, acoustic design changes for better spatial audio performance, and eight hours of battery per charge with 10 hours in transparency mode when using ANC.

These are more than just an iterative model, so if you're thinking about buying some new AirPods, snag them now and get the free engraving so you always know which ones are yours.

From Good Will Hunting and School Ties to Air and The Last Duel, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck remain one of Hollywood's most enduring duos. Now, the pair team back up in Netflix's crime thriller The Rip.

Written and directed by Joe Carnahan (The A-Team, The Grey), The Rip stars Damon and Affleck as members of the Miami PD. While their unit focuses on drug busts, most of their work is actually made up of cash seizures. That's what brings them to a derelict stash house on their latest job — but what they discover in the house is more than they could have ever bargained for.

SEE ALSO: How much does Netflix cost per month?

As the teaser for The Rip reveals, Damon and Affleck's team head to the house off a tip that they'll find $300,000 there. Instead, they find $20 million. After that, things unravel, and fast. A mysterious caller threatens the police, giving them 30 minutes to get out of there without anyone getting hurt. But with this much money on the line, there's no way the team is giving up that easy.

With outside forces closing in on the cash, Damon and Affleck's team will question everything, including who they can trust. Suddenly, team members' jokes about just taking the money and running feel a lot less like jokes and a lot more like hints of betrayal.

On top of Damon and Affleck, The Rip boasts an impressive cast, including Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, and Kyle Chandler.

The Rip hits Netflix Jan. 16.

Scientists have detected methane gas glowing faintly above Makemake, an icy dwarf planet smaller and farther than Pluto in space. 

Until now, Pluto was the only object that far out in the solar system known to have gas. The study, led by the Southwest Research Institute, made the discovery using the James Webb Space Telescope, a joint observatory of NASA and its European and Canadian counterparts. 

The new results could mean Makemake has an ultra-thin atmosphere, or that methane is bursting out of its frozen surface in plumes, similar to the geysers observed on Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Either way, they show the small distant body isn't just a frozen leftover, but a world that's still active and evolving. 

The findings will soon be published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

"Makemake is one of the largest and brightest icy worlds beyond Neptune, and its surface is dominated by frozen methane," said Silvia Protopapa, lead author, in a statement. "The Webb telescope has now revealed that methane is also present in the gas phase above the surface, a finding that makes Makemake even more fascinating."

SEE ALSO: Webb scientists wonder if this planet lost then rebuilt an atmosphere

Makemake, discovered 20 years ago, is named after the Rapanui god of fertility. It is only 890 miles wide — just two-thirds the size of Pluto. 

The dwarf planet is so far out in the solar system, about 4.25 billion miles from the sun, that it takes about 305 Earth-years for it to make a complete trip around it. In 2016, astronomers figured out that it doesn't make this journey alone: NASA's Hubble Space Telescope saw a moon orbiting it. 

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope spotted a moon orbiting dwarf planet Makemake a decade ago. Credit: NASA / ESA / Southwest Research Institute /A. Parker / M. Buie

The new Webb data offer the best look yet at Makemake's surface chemistry. The observations have revealed that some of the tiny world's frozen surface is turning into gas. Webb was able to detect this because when sunlight hits the gas molecules, they give off a faint glow. 

Where Makemake’s supply of methane comes from is unclear. Some scientists think it may have formed inside the dwarf planet through water–rock chemistry and later escaped. Others think it could be leftover methane from the birth of the solar system.

Over time, sunlight and radiation break down methane into more complex molecules. Scientists already found some of these on Makemake, such as ethane, ethylene, and acetylene, which match this process. 

But the results can't yet conclude whether the gas is from an atmosphere or a plume-like cloud. Neither explanation is a perfect match for the data, so follow-up Webb observations are necessary. The atmosphere, if one exists, is extremely faint — billions of times thinner than Earth’s and much weaker than Pluto’s. 

Scientists wonder if methane is bursting out of Makemake in plumes, similar to the geysers seen here on Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SSI

"If this scenario is confirmed," said co-author Emmanuel Lellouch in a statement, "Makemake would join the small handful of outer solar system bodies where surface–atmosphere exchanges are still active today."

If the methane isn't forming an atmosphere at all, Makemake could be releasing "a few hundred kilograms" of methane bursts every second, Protopapa said, comparable to what's been seen on Enceladus, which blasts water into space.

Webb and other infrared telescopes also showed that spots on the dwarf planet are unexpectedly "warm" for the outer realm — about -190 degrees Fahrenheit. But so far the researchers haven't seen any direct evidence of leaking gas from the warm spots.

If someone connected all the dots, they might assume Makemake has a methane-based weather cycle, but Ian Wong, one of the coauthors, cautions it's premature to draw that conclusion. 

"While the temptation to link Makemake’s various spectral and thermal anomalies is strong," Wong said in a statement, "establishing the mechanism driving the volatile activity remains a necessary step toward interpreting these observations."

All of the late night shows have taken aim at Trump and the Republicans trying to defend him after the House Oversight Committee published Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday book, which contained a creepy letter and drawing allegedly penned by the president.

Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel both spent their shows on Tuesday mocking the Republicans scrambling to claim Trump's signature could be a fake, and The Daily Show follows a similar line in the clip above — before taking things a step further with a parody ad.

"Trump is playing this thing all wrong," says host Michael Kosta. "If he just admits that he wrote this card everyone can move on, and then he can do one of his favorite things of all time: Find a way to make some money out of it."

Cue a fake Trump ad for various creepy greeting cards.

This is a moment to savour. A moment to enjoy. And a moment to remember.

Spotify has finally launched lossless audio, four-and-a-half years after initially announcing it in February 2021. In this period, the company teased and promised that the feature – which every other major music streaming service already offers – is actually coming one day.

SEE ALSO: Spotify is now a chat app, too

The day is finally here, and we've got some additional good news to share. On its official blog, Spotify said that lossless audio is going to be a part of Spotify's Premium subscription. The company originally hinted that the feature might be a part of a new, pricier plan, but there's no such plan at the moment.

Instead, lossless audio is now rolling out to Premium subscribers, who will be able to listen to their favorite tunes in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz quality by way of the FLAC audio format.

In the simplest of terms, this means better-sounding audio. But you do need good audio equipment to take advantage of it - which is also why the feature only works with wired headphones, not Bluetooth. For a detailed overview of what lossless audio is and how it works, go here.

“The wait is finally over; we’re so excited lossless sound is rolling out to Premium subscribers,” said Gustav Gyllenhammar, VP Subscriptions at Spotify, in a statement.

You got that right, Gustav.

“We’ve taken time to build this feature in a way that prioritizes quality, ease of use, and clarity at every step, so you always know what’s happening under the hood. With Lossless, our premium users will now have an even better listening experience," he said.

Now that it's here, it's not very hard to enable it. Credit: Spotify

To enable lossless audio, open your Spotify app, tap your profile icon in the top left, go to Settings & Privacy → Media Quality, and choose where you want to enable lossless audio, with the choices being Wi-Fi, cellular, and downloads only. While ticking all the boxes might seem like a no-brainer, have in mind that lossless audio takes up considerably more streaming data, which might reflect on your monthly cellular plan.

If you don't see the feature just yet, don't worry. According to Spotify, subscribers in Australia, Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, the US, and the UK have already started to get access. But lossless audio will gradually roll out to "more than 50 markets through October," said Spotify.

You know exactly what you're going to get when Only Murders in the Building co-stars Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez appear together on a late night show, and that is 10 minutes of them gleefully roasting both the host and each other.

In the Tonight Show clip above Short wastes absolutely no time in setting the brutal tone with his opening dig at Fallon. "Jimmy Fallon," Short says. "Or as the Epstein files know you: 'Redacted'!"

"I have to say, and I know we're being funny here, but honestly of all the late night hosts I'll miss you the most," Martin chips in.

The following 10 minutes sees the trio all taking shots at each other, while Martin even makes time for a quick roast on himself: "I'm actually in a fantastic mood tonight because I was recently added back on to the Cracker Barrel logo," he says.

SAVE $20: As of Sept. 10, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale for $39.99 at Amazon. That's $20 off its list price of $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20 Get Deal

Nothing beats having a solid streaming setup, especially with everything from football to new shows and movies available to watch on top services right now. If you've been hoping to upgrade to something new that supports 4K streaming, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max can get the job done. It's even discounted right now at Amazon, which is a huge bonus.

While it's normally listed for $59.99, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is currently marked down to $39.99 for a limited time. Some of the Mashable team also have access to a special discount code that can be redeemed on the store page and drops the price even further to $29.99 (saving you $30). We can't promise you'll have access to the 4KTVMAX code, but if you're lucky and win this seemingly random code lottery, it's a deal that beats even this year's Prime Day price. Plug the code into the box at the checkout. What do you have to lose?

SEE ALSO: The Amazon Fire TV 4-Series is over $100 off for a limited time

Alongside support for 4K Ultra HD, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max also features support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ so you can take in every color and detail that comes across your screen. It even supports Dolby Atmos audio, so you can feel truly immersed in what you're watching, and has WiFi 6E support, so you can enjoy fast and stable streaming quality, too. And with 16GB of storage, you have plenty of space for your favorite apps.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max even features the Fire TV Ambient Experience. In the spirit of TVs like The Frame from Samsung, this allows you to display art and photography on your screen when you're not watching something on it.

There's no better time than now to score the Fire TV Stick 4K Max while it's down to $39.99. And if you're not looking to go all the way to 4K, you can also save on the Fire TV Stick HD right now at Amazon.

TL;DR: India vs. UAE in the 2025 Asia Cup is available to live stream for free on Tamasha. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Asia Cup is primed and ready to deliver weeks of fascinating competition between some of the best T20 sides in the world. The defending champions India start their campaign with a matchup against UAE. Fans will be expecting a confident win from the pre-tournament favorites.

If you want to watch India vs. UAE in the 2025 Asia Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is India vs. UAE?

India vs. UAE in the 2025 Asia Cup starts at 10:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 10. This game takes place at the Dubai International Stadium.

How to watch India vs. UAE for free

India vs. UAE in the 2025 Asia Cup is available to live stream for free on Tamasha.

Tamasha is geo-restricted to Pakistan, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Pakistan, meaning you can unblock Tamasha from anywhere in the world.

Live stream India vs. UAE in the 2025 Asia Cup for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Pakistan

4. Visit Tamasha

5. Live stream India vs. UAE for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch the 2025 Asia Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to watch the tournament for free.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live streaming is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Tamasha?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming on free sites like Tamasha, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Pakistan

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Asia Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

When Apple introduces new iPhones, it's easy to get caught in the jargon. Thirty minutes in, and you're craving a phone with a "vapor chamber thermal management system" and earbuds that have a "workout buddy" speaking in your ear.

Looking past all the shiny stuff and the marketing speak, what do you really want from a new phone? One of the first things I look for is battery life improvements, and, fortunately, Apple delivered on this one. In fact, perhaps the most important upgrade across all of the new devices — iPhones, Watches, and AirPods Pro — was battery life.

With one exception, that is, but we'll get to that one later.

Long commutes shouldn't be a problem anymore, even if you're using Transparency or Hearing Aid. Credit: Apple

Starting with the AirPods Pro 3, the battery life is now up to 8 hours with Active Noise Cancellation above; a big leap from the 6 hours you get on the AirPods Pro 2. If you use the Hearing Aid feature, the difference is even more pronounced; 10 hours of listening time vs. 6 hours on the old model.

A very good reason to finally get the Watch

Then there's the Apple Watch Series 11, which now has 24 hours of battery life (a bare minimum for a smartwatch if you ask me; this is up from 18 hours on the old model, which just isn't enough). If you opt for the Ultra, you get 42 hours of battery life vs. 36 hours on the old model. The only new Watch that still only has 18 hours of battery life is the Apple Watch SE 3, but I guess Apple had to cut costs somewhere.

With 42 hours of normal operation and 72 hours in Low Power mode, even people who go on multi-day hikes might find the new Ultra 3 a good fit. Credit: Apple

Let's take a moment to appreciate these upgrades. After so many iterations, the Apple Watch finally graduated into a smartwatch with a full-day battery life (and a bit more if you use Low Power mode). For me, short battery life was a key issue that prevented me from fully enjoying the Apple Watches I've had over the years.

These figures will be laughed at by those who own smartwatches or sports watches from other companies such as Garmin or Polar, which typically boast multi-day battery life. But Apple's approach was always to focus on the "smart" part first, and then let the users figure out how to make the watch last throughout the day (personally, I just keep a bunch of chargers everywhere and charge my Series 11 whenever I remember to do it. It doesn't work great).

The new iPhones are battery life kings, too The new iPhone 17 Pro Max has the largest battery Apple ever put in an iPhone. Credit: Apple

Finally, the iPhone. The iPhone 17 now boasts up to 30 hours of video playback, compared to 22 hours on the iPhone 16. This is a massive upgrade; so big, in fact, that I'll believe it when I actually get to test the device out.

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have been similarly upgraded. The iPhone 17 Pro now has up to 33 hours of video playback (up from 27 hours on the 16 Pro), and the Pro Max — which has the largest battery in iPhone history — has up to 39 hours of video playback, up from 33 hours on its predecessor.

SEE ALSO: The iPhone 17 has officially landed. Here's how and when you can preorder all 4 phones.

As a person who is able, willing, and capable of making every battery-powered gadget run out of battery fast — in the industry, they call this a "heavy user" or just, simply, an "annoyance" — I very much appreciate these updates. This is the stuff that makes me throw my money at Apple. Again, I'll believe it when I see it, but Apple's figures are typically quite close to what you get in real life.

Wait, what about the iPhone Air? The iPhone Air is a little behind on battery life, but it's not as bad as it may seem at first glance. Credit: Apple

Finally, there's the outlier - the super-thin, new iPhone Air. It's sexy, it's new, it's slim, but it has the lowest advertised battery life of all the new models — up to 27 hours of video playback, three less than the iPhone 17.

While this sounds bad, it's still exactly the same as what you get on last year's iPhone 16 Plus. It should comfortably last a full day, maybe more. Unfortunately for Apple, it will be measured against the new crop of devices, which means endless complaining about battery life. Including, possibly, by me.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: What's different this time?

Apple knows this, which is why it's pushing iPhone Air buyers to also get the optional MagSafe battery. It even lists battery life figures with and without that optional battery in its technical specs. With it, battery life goes to a whopping 40 hours, but the iPhone Air's thin figure is thin no more.

The jury is still out on the iPhone Air. But overall, if you're looking to buy a new iPhone, Watch, or AirPods Pro, Apple just gave you a very good reason to consider the new models. Some of these battery life improvements are the biggest leaps Apple has ever made with these devices. And yeah, you can never have too much battery life.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Sept. 10, the ASUS ROG Strix QD-OLED gaming monitor is on sale for $649 at Amazon. That's 14% off its list price of $759.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ROG Strix QD-OLED Gaming Monitor $649 at Amazon
$759 Save $110 Get Deal

With so many great video games set to arrive on PC this fall, it's worth having a sleek gaming monitor to enjoy every thrilling detail at its best. If you're on the hunt for an upgrade, Amazon is offering excellent discounts at the moment. This includes the 26.5-inch ASUS ROG Strix QD-OLED gaming monitor, which is over $100 off right now.

The 26.5-inch ASUS ROG Strix QD-OLED gaming monitor is usually listed for $759, but it's currently down to $649 in a limited-time deal at Amazon. This saves you $110 and is very close to its lowest-ever price of $629, so now is as good a time as any to grab it.

SEE ALSO: Snag the MSI Vector 16 HX AI for $260 less at Amazon

Alongside its 26.5-inch screen size, this ASUS ROG Strix gaming monitor has a QHD QD-OLED (2560 x 1440) display that'll provide you with incredible color and clarity when playing your favorite games. It also boasts a 360Hz refresh rate and features ROG-exclusive OLED Anti-flicker technology to help your games look as smooth as possible. On top of that, to help keep the OLED panel protected from burn-in, it also comes with ASUS OLED Care+ software, a custom heatsink, and an advanced airflow design.

If you've been looking to invest in something new, this deal on the 26.5-inch ASUS ROG Strix QD-OLED gaming monitor is worth jumping on while it's still available. And if you're looking to pick up a slightly bigger monitor, you can also save on the Samsung 32-Inch Odyssey G50D right now at Amazon.

It's been a couple of days since the House Oversight Committee released Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday book, including a letter and drawing allegedly penned by Donald Trump. The president, of course, has denied it was written by him, and various Republican allies have quickly jumped to his defence — but Stephen Colbert isn't buying it.

In the Late Show clip above, the host plays footage of Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett suggesting Trump's signature on the letter is a forgery.

"Of course, it's so easy to do," responds Colbert. "I mean that might look like Trump's signature, but we all know what really happened. Follow me down the truth hole: The year is 2003, and everyone agrees Stacey's mom has got it going on. The scene? The 50th birthday party of renowned financier Jeffrey Epstein. Suddenly, a time-travelling Joe Biden bursts into the room! He's there to sabotage Apprentice host Donald Trump by forging his signature in a birthday book that will be discovered in 22 years. As Joe sets up his notorious autopen, he hesitates: 'Maybe this is wrong, we can't really frame America's greatest future president, can we?' The answer comes from an obscure Illinois politician, who utters three words that will change history forever: 'Yes, we can. Joe, when you're done, let's make me a fake birth certificate.'"

Colbert isn't the only late night host to go after Republicans for their reaction to the letter, either — Jimmy Kimmel had a similarly blunt response.

TL;DR: Live stream England vs. South Africa (T20 Series) for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Asia Cup is taking up a lot of the oxygen in the world of cricket right now, and for good reason. This tournament promises weeks of electric T20 cricket from some of the best teams in the world, but it's not the only T20 series taking place at the moment.

South Africa are touring England. Fresh from winning the ODI series 2-1, South Africa will now be looking to dominate England in a three-match T20 series.

If you want to watch England vs. South Africa (T20 Series) for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is England vs. South Africa (T20 Series)?

South Africa's tour of England includes three T20 internationals:

• England vs. South Africa (T20) — Sept. 10 at Cardiff Wales Stadium

• England vs. South Africa (T20) — Sept. 12 at Old Trafford

• England vs. South Africa (T20) — Sept. 14 at Trent Bridge

It is possible to live stream every T20 on this schedule without spending anything.

How to watch England vs. South Africa (T20 Series) for free

England vs. South Africa (T20 Series) is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream South Africa's tour of England for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access (like France). This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream England vs. South Africa (T20 Series) by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access (like France)

4. Visit ICC.TV

5. Live stream England vs. South Africa (T20 Series) for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming aren't free, but leading VPN providers do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you'll be able access free live streams without actually spending anything. This is a temporary fix, but it gives you enough time to stream England vs. South Africa (T20 Series) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free live streams from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live streaming sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to live stream sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months of coverage for free — 61% off list price. This deal includes a year of unlimited data backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream England vs. South Africa (T20 Series) for free with ExpressVPN.

Where do you go once you've (almost) reached the peak?

It's a problem frequently seen in the tech world, on everything from Sony headphones to Apple Watches and robot vacuums. Whether it be an expectation for year-over-year turnarounds or reaching a threshold in the available technology, it's not uncommon these days to see devices' designs remain consistent, and their upgrades minor.

Yes, that's largely the case with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) earbuds, but that's not exactly a knock against them. After all, the first-generation Ultra earbuds were excellent when we first tested them and have remained our favorite noise-cancelling earbuds since.

Considering Bose did bring some quality of life improvements, and introduced the earbuds at the same price as the previous generation, I'm still impressed with the result, and wouldn't be surprised if these remain one of the best — if not the best — noise-cancelling earbuds of the next few years. So are they worth investing in? Let's get into it.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen): Specs and price The second-gen Bose QC Ultra earbuds are available in black and white smoke upon launch. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds will run you $299, the same as the first generation (which are now discounted). They are one of the more expensive pairs of noise-cancelling earbuds on the market, but here's what you get for the price:

• Adjustable active noise cancellation

• Immersive Audio for spatial listening experience

• Custom equalizer with four audio presets

• Three sizes of stability bands and ear tips with wax guards

• Six hours of battery life (four hours with Immersive Audio), and up to 24 hours with the case

• Wireless charging for case

• 20 minutes of quick charge for two hours of playback

• Toggle touch controls on/off

• Bluetooth 5.3, Google Fast Pair

• Bose SpeechClarity, an AI-powered technology to promote better voice quality on calls

• Improved adaptive ANC, especially in Aware Mode

• IPX4 water- and sweat-resistance

So what's upgraded from the previous generation? Three main features: the wireless charging case, the inclusion of Bose SpeechClarity for improved call quality, and improvements to the transparency mode of their adaptive ANC. These earbuds also get a small design change in the form of a wax guard and some more customization in the ability to toggle touch controls on/off.

Still the best for noise cancellation

Bose has long been known as the noise-cancelling class leader in the consumer headphone space, and these earbuds are no exception. I found their noise cancellation to be even more seamless than that found on the first generation, where I occasionally dealt with some louder hissing, and occasionally even crackling noises (though I could've been using a faulty unit).

Though a small amount of hissing still persists on these earbuds, it's really only noticeable when you have no other audio playing. Beyond that, the eight microphones packed into the buds make putting these earbuds on feel like turning down the volume knob on the world. I'm not going to claim pure silence, because I've yet to encounter that with any noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds, but the QC Ultra buds get you as close you can get to that standard.

SEE ALSO: The best noise-cancelling headphones we use and love

Everything from my air conditioning humming to planes flying over my apartment all day to my partner working and taking calls in the other room is essentially silenced, even with minimal or no audio playing. Maybe the best test was the afternoon I spent working in a large coffee shop with plenty of patrons, concrete floors, and not a rug in sight — the perfect spot for music and conversations to amplify and echo. Still, with just ANC and no music, these earbuds brought the noise level from a nine to a five — I could still make out the conversation of a couple of friends a few tables down from me, but I had to focus to make out their words clearly. With music, their talking became a hum of background noise, and I was able to make my peace with the tastefully modern, but acoustically nightmarish, space.

Sound quality: Really good, but not the absolute best

Out of the box, you'll get a relatively balanced sound with the QC Ultras, which is great, considering the equalizer is a little lackluster. Yes, it's customizable (which is more than we can say for the AirPods Pro), but the fine-tuning is more limited compared to Sony's audio companion app, with only four presets.

The equalizer was nothing exciting. Credit: Screenshot: Bos

Still, these earbuds can handle the bounce and weight of Doechii's "DENIAL IS A RIVER" as deftly as they let singer-songwriter dodie's dulcet vocals shine on her song, "I Feel Bad For You, Dave." K-pop and pop hits like NewJeans' "Ditto" and Sabrina Carpenter's "Manchild" generally sounded well-rounded and full, with only the slightest bit of the mid-tones sounding fainter than I'd prefer, even with some equalizer adjustments.

As for the spatial audio, I wasn't blown away — but as a personal preference, I tend to not love spatial audio. Bose goes for a distinctly "live" sounding audio, with plenty of resonance, and with classical pieces like Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Piano Concerto No. 2" and Maurice Ravel's "Piano Concerto in G Major," I found that the soundscape actually completed the fullness of both pieces, letting both the orchestra and piano breathe and come alive.

Still, I wish that for $299, Bose's sound offered something a little more — whether it be more presets, a true plug-and-play experience, or the option for the app to really help you fine-tune your equalizer settings — all of which can be found on Sony's companion app.

On the topic of call quality, one of the main improvements of these earbuds is Bose's SpeechClarity tech. I used both the first-gen and second-gen buds to call my partner and friends, and everyone said the second-generation earbuds sounded noticeably clearer.

Bose kept things comfortable on the design

Let's start with the good: These are possibly the most comfortable and secure earbuds I've ever worn. Thanks to the three sizes of separate ear tips and stabilizers, it's easy to get these earbuds to fit just right, without causing any ear soreness. They're snug enough to work out in, or to wear for an entire workday.

I prefer using the small ear tips, but medium stabilizers. (All the sizes like to attract dust). Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

However, I would've said that about the first-generation Ultras, as these essentially have the exact same design. The only real difference is the addition of a wax guard on the ear tip, for easier cleaning and ideally, less damage to the audio quality with prolonged use.

Bose kept the design consistent between the first gen QC Ultra earbuds (left) and the second gen buds (right), minus the wax guard. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Like the first-gen Ultra earbuds, these have a slightly bulky case and earbud design — the touch panel functioned as intended most of the time, but occasionally I'd have to press more than once to pause or play my music. If you find touch controls particularly annoying, the second-gen earbuds do come with the option to toggle them off completely.

Battery life stays the same

There's not too much to say here, other than I'm a bit disappointed Bose stayed with the six-hour battery life per charge and 24 hours in the case found on the first-generation earbuds. It's not that I ever found myself truly annoyed at the battery running out, but it does limit these earbuds somewhat for use on long-haul flights, where their noise-cancelling and comfort would otherwise make them an excellent option.

Plus, with the new Apple AirPods Pro 3 boasting a newly improved eight hours of battery life (and 30 hours with the case) for $249, it's hard to make the case that the battery life is justified at this price point.

All of that said, the addition of wireless charging for the case is a nice one and (somewhat) helps soften the blow of the unchanged battery life.

Connectivity is better, but still not on par with the price point

As much as I love Bose headphones and earbuds, my longstanding issue with them is that their multipoint connection isn't the most consistent. Sometimes, I can connect to two devices just fine with a pair of Boses, but more often than I'd expect, I'd experience audio skipping with devices connecting simultaneously, or difficulty getting Bose headphones or earbuds to connect to my intended device. Usually, my fix was just to toggle off multipoint pairing, which isn't ideal.

The experience of pairing with multiple devices was improved, but not flawless. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

However, the second-gen QC Ultra earbuds are somewhat improved on this front. I only experienced minor skipping once during my testing period while connected to my phone and using my laptop in clamshell mode. I would say 90 percent of the time, they connected and switched flawlessly between two devices, only "streaming" from the incorrect device a couple of times.

While it's definitely an improvement over past Bose earbuds and headphones I've tried, this is certainly one of my bigger gripes with the brand — for $300, easy connection should be a given. Thankfully, there are workarounds, and it's not the biggest deal, but it's a quirk to be aware of before purchasing these earbuds.

Are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd gen) worth it?

As a premium option, you'd be hard-pressed to find earbuds with a better combination of comfort and noise cancellation than the Bose QC Ultra earbuds (2nd gen).

However, if you already own the first-generation buds, I can't say the changes for the second generation really justify the upgrade, especially considering the cost. More of a revamp with heavily used aspects of the earbuds, like the sound quality, battery life, or noise cancellation maybe would've changed my mind here — but I get that in most categories, Bose is already excelling.

It's also hard to justify a $300 price point when there are genuinely great budget noise-cancelling options out there, and when cheaper earbuds, like the new AirPods Pro, are coming packed with excellent ANC and features like heart rate monitoring and live translation.

Still, if my top priority was noise cancellation, and I didn't already own a pair of premium earbuds, I could see myself being very pleased with the QC Ultra 2 earbuds.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd gen) $299 at Amazon
Shop Now

Apple finally told us all about the iPhone 17, and right now, countless Apple users are asking the same question: Do I need to upgrade to the new model?

We've already compared the iPhone 17 to the 16, but what about the iPhone 15? Apple's 2023 handset is by no means long in the tooth, but there are certain aspects of the iPhone 17 that jump out as huge improvements. Between display upgrades, battery life, and performance, there are some genuinely good reasons to upgrade, even if your phone is only a couple of years old. Of course, there are also some very compelling reasons not to upgrade.

Let's get into it.

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 15: Price

For starters, the iPhone 17 is launching at $799. That's the same price the iPhone 15 launched at in 2023. One thing to note, though, is that you can't get an iPhone 15 straight from Apple's website anymore. That means there isn't really an easy price comparison here. Though, the iPhone 16 is now priced at $699, and needless to say, choosing not to upgrade will always be the more economical choice.

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 15: Specs Here's the iPhone 17. Credit: CNET

Here are the basic specs for iPhone 15:

• 6.1-inch display with 2556x1179 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate

• A16 Bionic chip

• 128GB/256GB/512GB storage

• Rear cameras: 48MP wide, 12MP ultrawide

• Front camera: 12MP

And here are the iPhone 17's specs:

• 6.3-inch display with 2622x1206 resolution and adaptive 120Hz refresh rate

• A19 chip

• 256GB/512GB storage

• Rear cameras: 48MP wide, 48MP ultrawide

• Front camera: 18MP

The display is the big thing here. For the iPhone 17, Apple finally introduced a 120Hz refresh rate, after years of lagging behind the rest of the industry in that regard. That also coincides with the iPhone 17 having a slightly larger display than the 15, with a higher resolution. If you care a lot about display quality but don't want to shell out for an iPhone 17 Air or Pro, there's your main selling point for the iPhone 17.

That's not the only thing, though. The iPhone 17 comes with a newer chip that should provide stronger performance, as well as a minimum of 256GB of internal storage, twice that of the iPhone 15's cheapest variant. There are, needless to say, camera improvements too, but we'll get to those in a bit.

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 15: Design The new color options this year. Credit: Mashable/Apple

Apple did not necessarily reinvent the wheel when it came to the physical design of the iPhone 17.

It still has the same vertically stacked dual-lens camera bump on the phone's backside, which is the main visual difference between the iPhone 17 and 15. The latter phone's camera lenses are diagonally stacked. Interestingly, the two phones are nearly identical in terms of height, weight, and depth, despite the iPhone 17 having a larger display. The newer model also weighs marginally more, coming in at 6.24oz instead of 6.02oz.

Lastly, the iPhone 17 comes in five colors: Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, and Lavender. As for the iPhone 15, you also get five different colors: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Pink.

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 15: Performance and battery life

As I mentioned earlier, the iPhone 17 has a newer A19 chip inside of it, contrasted with the A16 chip in the iPhone 15. That will more than likely mean the iPhone 17's performance is stronger than the 15's, but it's impossible to say by how much without directly testing the new phone, something we can't do just yet.

The same goes for battery life. Apple is promising up to 30 hours of video playback on iPhone 17, but without a unit in our hands, we can't verify that for now. That should be a huge leap compared to the iPhone 15, however, as that phone was only rated for 20 hours by the same metric. It's probably safe to assume the new phone will last longer than the old one, but again, we can't prove that yet.

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 15: Camera The iPhone 17 can take portrait and landscape selfies — without turning the phone. It's a pretty neat trick. Credit: Apple

Lastly, the iPhone 17 promises a couple of big camera improvements over the iPhone 15. So, if you take a lot of photos or videos, or you're a creative professional, then the iPhone 17 has some big advantages.

Specifically, the new 48MP ultrawide lens is a lot bigger (at least numerically) than the 12MP module on the iPhone 15. We can't demonstrate how that difference manifests in everyday use yet, but that will be something to look at over the coming weeks. Similarly, the new 18MP Center Stage selfie cam promises big upgrades over previous models thanks to its higher megapixel count and larger field of view. You should theoretically be able to fit more people into a selfie on iPhone 17, which could be a selling point for plenty of folks.

Needless to say, our upcoming review of the iPhone 17 will feature plenty of photos and analysis, so watch out for that.

Tinder is introducing Modes, different ways of seeing (and hopefully matching with) potential connections. At launch, there are three "modes": For You Mode, Double Date Mode, and College Mode.

For You Mode (wonder where Tinder got that name from) is described as the "classic Tinder experience" in a press release shared with Mashable — basically, it's everyone you can swipe on.

SEE ALSO: The 11 best hookup apps reviewed: I swiped until my thumb hurt

Double Date Mode is the evolution of the Double Date feature that the app launched this summer. It allows users to invite friends and pair up for dates. The mode will now be a dedicated space in the app to see other pairs. In a Tinder test run this month, Double Date Mode led to a 10 percent increase in the feature's adoption globally.

Meanwhile, College Mode jumps off of Tinder U, a feature for college students. It compiles other users in college into one place, and those enrolled in university can switch to College Mode and see college-specific aspects of their profile, like where they attend school and their major.

The Modes navigation bar will be at the top of Tinder's home screen. It is available globally, as is Double Date Mode. College Mode will start coming to eligible U.S. users this fall on Apple and Android.

Tinder Modes Credit: Tinder

Tinder also plans to release more Modes in the future. At first glance, the purpose of the feature seems reminiscent of the Tinder Explore page, which also sought to somewhat tailored matches.

"Gen Z has been craving easier, low-pressure ways to connect, because what you're into and how you want to connect can change from day to day," senior director of global product marketing at Tinder, Cleo Long, stated in the press release. "We've heard our users loud and clear, and they're looking for better matches, not just more of them. Modes is part of our ongoing effort to create products that lead to more meaningful connections."

Modes is the latest release from Tinder since its new CEO, Spencer Rascoff, took the reins back in July. Rascoff, also the CEO of Tinder's parent company Match Group, wants Tinder to shed its hookup reputation and draw in more Gen Z users. One of his seven new product principles for Tinder is speed and urgency, which may explain the quickness of new releases.

Given that the number of people paying for Tinder declined in the second quarter, we'll see if Modes draws them back.

UPDATE: Sep. 10, 2025, 9:33 a.m. EDT This article has been updated to correct Cleo Long's quote attribution.

SAVE UP TO $9.33: As of Sept. 10, Prismatic Evolutions Mini Tins are $23.95–$32.89 at TCGPlayer vs. $33.28 at Amazon. Two-pack blisters are $31.88 at TCGPlayer vs. $35.22 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Prismatic Evolutions Mini Tins $23.95 at TCGPlayer
$35.22 Save $11.27 Shop Now

If you’re looking to collect Prismatic Evolutions without overspending, TCGPlayer currently has the best prices on both Mini Tins and two-pack blisters. That means more packs for less money compared to Amazon’s random tin and higher-priced blister listings. Amazon lists the Mini Tins at $33.28 each, with a random Eeveelution design sent your way. TCGPlayer, on the other hand, lets you choose from all eight tin artworks for as low as $23.95 — saving you up to $9.33 per tin.

The two-pack blister is also cheaper at TCGPlayer, coming in at $31.88 compared to Amazon’s $35.22. Even with Amazon’s slight discount from $36.94, TCGPlayer is still the more budget-friendly way to crack two packs at once.

If you’d rather skip promos and tins altogether, single Prismatic Evolutions booster packs are just $9.25 each at TCGPlayer, and Booster Bundles with six packs are $56.96 shipped. That bundle price works out slightly higher per pack than singles, so the absolute cheapest option is just grabbing loose boosters.

For collectors chasing Eeveelution tin art or players restocking for league night, TCGPlayer’s pricing gives you flexibility and value Amazon doesn’t match right now.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Even though chasing them in packs can be tough, Prismatic Evolutions is stacked with some truly valuable cards. Here are the top five you might consider picking up directly instead of ripping through endless boosters:

• Umbreon ex – 161/131
  Special Illustration Rare
  Darkness / 280 HP / Stage 1
  Moon Mirage (160): Opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Confused
  Onyx: Discard all Energy from this Pokémon and take a Prize card
  Weakness: Gx2 | Retreat: 2
  Current Price: $840
  Market Price: $841.43
  Launch Value: $1545.31

• Sylveon ex – 156/131
  Special Illustration Rare
  Psychic / 270 HP / Stage 1
  Magical Charm (160): During opponent’s next turn, Defending Pokémon’s attacks do 100 less damage
  Angelite: Choose 2 of opponent’s Benched Pokémon and shuffle them into their deck
  Weakness: Mx2 | Retreat: 2
  Current Price: $290.99
  Market Price: $300.46
  Launch Value: $598.66

• Leafeon ex – 144/131
  Special Illustration Rare
  Grass / 270 HP / Stage 1
  Verdant Storm (60x): Does 60 damage for each Energy attached to all opponent’s Pokémon
  Moss Agate (230): Heal 100 damage from each of your Benched Pokémon
  Weakness: Rx2 | Retreat: 2
  Current Price: $220.89
  Market Price: $220.89
  Launch Value: $441.95

• Espeon ex – 155/131
  Special Illustration Rare
  Psychic / 270 HP / Stage 1
  Psych Out (160): Discard a random card from opponent’s hand
  Amazez: Devolve each of opponent’s evolved Pokémon by shuffling the highest Stage into their deck
  Weakness: Dx2 | Resistance: F-30 | Retreat: 1
  Current Price: $199
  Market Price: $200.93
  Launch Value: $326.39

• Vaporeon ex – 149/131
  Special Illustration Rare
  Water / 280 HP / Stage 1
  Severe Squall: 60 damage to each of opponent’s Pokémon ex (ignores Weakness/Resistance)
  Aquamarine (280): During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack
  Weakness: Lx2 | Retreat: 2
  Current Price: $190
  Market Price: $192.33
  Launch Value: $321.53

New photos of a rare interstellar comet reveal details in its glowing head and growing tail as it gets closer to the sun. 

The images of Comet 3I/ATLAS were captured by the Gemini South telescope at Cerro Pachón in Chile on Aug. 27 as the icy traveler flew through the inner solar system. It's now about 238 million miles away from Earth in space, in the constellation Libra, according to TheSkyLive.com.

These pictures allow scientists to study the comet's light, which can give them insight into its chemical makeup. So far the data suggest 3I/ATLAS is made of dust similar to the comets native to our own solar system, perhaps indicating that the ingredients for making planets around other stars is similar. 

"As 3I/ATLAS speeds back into the depths of interstellar space, this image is both a scientific milestone and a source of wonder," said Karen Meech, a University of Hawaii astronomer, in a statement. "It reminds us that our Solar System is just one part of a vast and dynamic galaxy."

SEE ALSO: How rare runaway dead stars are tricky clues for a cosmic mystery

Unlike the swarm of comets circling the sun, Comet 3I/ATLAS formed in another star system and got ejected into interstellar space, perhaps by the gravity of a nearby planet or star. After drifting for hundreds of millions of years, the massive space snowball has arrived in our neck of the galaxy.

Comets are icy, rocky objects that glow when they're warmed by the sun, streaking the sky as they leave a trail of gas and dust in their wake. They're thought to be the leftover building blocks of the solar system when it was formed 4.6 billion years ago. Scientists have identified over 4,000 of them, though many more are thought to hide beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt or in the distant Oort Cloud, a shell of frozen debris about 50 times farther from the sun. 

But unlike Halley's Comet and other regular visitors, 3I/ATLAS ain't from around here. First discovered on July 1 by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System telescope, it was found more than 400 million miles from Earth and traveling 137,000 mph. That's far too fast for the sun's gravity to capture. 

Despite its feverish speed, it poses no danger to Earth. The closest it will come to the planet is about 149 million miles away — over 1.5 times the distance between Earth and the sun. At that point in October, it will be hidden on the other side of the sun, according to the European Space Agency, but it's expected to reemerge out of the glare in November. 

Scientists say this is only the third interstellar comet ever confirmed. The first, a weird cigar-shaped object called 'Oumuamua, passed through in 2017. Two years later, 2I/Borisov, which more closely resembles native comets, showed up. 

This image combines red, green, blue, and ultraviolet exposures that cause the background stars to appear as colorful streaks while the comet stays centered in the frame. Credit: International Gemini Observatory / NOIRLab / NSF / AURA / Shadow the Scientist / J. Miller & M. Rodriguez / T.A. Rector / M. Zamani

Computer simulations suggest 3I/ATLAS could have originated in a lesser-known part of the Milky Way rife with older stars. If that's true, the comet might be over 7 billion years old — nearly twice the age of our own solar system — preserving material from an earlier period of the galaxy. 

Because it is already venting gas and dust in the warmth of the sun, astronomers know it's a comet. Still, some people are floating an idea to the media that this icy interloper could be some form of alien technology. 

"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence," Larry Denneau, one of ATLAS' co-principal investigators, told Mashable in August, "and the object is behaving very much like a comet."

SAVE $500: As of Sept. 10, the DJI Power 1000 portable power station is on sale for $499 at Amazon. This is 50% off its list price of $999.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 1000 Portable Power Station $499 at Amazon
$999 Save $500 Get Deal

A portable power station is always nice to have on hand, whether it's for taking out on camping trips or as backup power around your house for emergencies. And it's especially nice when one of these portable power stations goes on sale — get 50% off the DJI Power 1000 portable power station for a limited time.

This discount has dropped the price of the DJI Power 1000 portable power station from $999 to $499, which saves you $500 on list price. It's currently listed as a limited-time deal, so be quick to pick it up while it's still at this low price.

SEE ALSO: Amazon is giving away free Bluetti portable solar generators — here's how to qualify for the deal

The DJI Power 1000 features a 2200W stable output, offering plenty of power for all your devices. If you're in need of a recharge, it can boost you back up to 100% power in just 70 minutes if you use grid power or 80 minutes if you use a solar panel. It also features a variety of outlets, including two AC output ports (2600W Max), two USB-A ports (24W Max), two USB-C ports (140W Max), one AC input port (1200W Max), one SDC Port (400W Max), and one SDC Lite Port (400W Max).

This deal only appears to be sticking around through the end of today, so be quick to save big on the DJI Power 1000 portable power station at Amazon. It's not the only power station deal worth a look right now, because you also can save on the massive Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Kit.

The Prismatic Evolutions Lucario and Tyranitar Collection is making its way back to Sam’s Club on Sept. 16, both in-store and online. At just $55.98, you’re saving more than $60 compared to TCGPlayer’s current $118.99 price tag, making this one of the most worthwhile restocks of the year.

Big-box deals like this don’t come around often. TCGPlayer’s market value sits even higher at $118.99, while Sam’s Club is charging less than half that. If you’ve been on the fence about grabbing this collection, the price difference alone should push you over.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Prismatic Evolutions Lucario and Tyranitar Collection (From Sept. 16) $55.98 at Sam's Club
$118.99 Save $63.01 Shop Now

Each box is packed with value: 14 Prismatic Evolutions booster packs, four promos (two Lucario and two Tyranitar), and a jumbo Lucario ex card that looks great on display. Chasing pulls new promos for your binder never felt so good.

Collectors will love the exclusivity of having both Lucario and Tyranitar of this collection, while players get a hefty stack of boosters to crack for SIR Umbreon gains (hopefully). Plus, the jumbo card is a neat display piece that casual fans can appreciate.

With the price gap this wide, it’s worth planning ahead. Sam’s Club Plus members get early in-store access on Sept. 16, and a membership comes with perks like free shipping on orders over $50. Memberships themselves are currently discounted to $70 from $110 for 12 months, so now’s the perfect time to join and lock in this deal.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Although it's a high order, there's plenty of amazing and ridiculously valuable Prismatic Evolution chase cards to pull. Here's the top five, which you could just buy now and avoid buying stacks of booster packs to pull:

• Umbreon ex – 161/131
  Special Illustration Rare
  Darkness / 280 HP / Stage 1
  Moon Mirage (160): Opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Confused
  Onyx: Discard all Energy from this Pokémon and take a Prize card
  Weakness: Gx2 | Retreat: 2
  Current Price: $840
  Market Price: $841.43
  Launch Value: $1545.31

• Sylveon ex – 156/131
  Special Illustration Rare
  Psychic / 270 HP / Stage 1
  Magical Charm (160): During opponent’s next turn, Defending Pokémon’s attacks do 100 less damage
  Angelite: Choose 2 of opponent’s Benched Pokémon and shuffle them into their deck
  Weakness: Mx2 | Retreat: 2
  Current Price: $290.99
  Market Price: $300.46
  Launch Value: $598.66

• Leafeon ex – 144/131
  Special Illustration Rare
  Grass / 270 HP / Stage 1
  Verdant Storm (60x): Does 60 damage for each Energy attached to all opponent’s Pokémon
  Moss Agate (230): Heal 100 damage from each of your Benched Pokémon
  Weakness: Rx2 | Retreat: 2
  Current Price: $220.89
  Market Price: $220.89
  Launch Value: $441.95

• Espeon ex – 155/131
  Special Illustration Rare
  Psychic / 270 HP / Stage 1
  Psych Out (160): Discard a random card from opponent’s hand
  Amazez: Devolve each of opponent’s evolved Pokémon by shuffling the highest Stage into their deck
  Weakness: Dx2 | Resistance: F-30 | Retreat: 1
  Current Price: $199
  Market Price: $200.93
  Launch Value: $326.39

• Vaporeon ex – 149/131
  Special Illustration Rare
  Water / 280 HP / Stage 1
  Severe Squall: 60 damage to each of opponent’s Pokémon ex (ignores Weakness/Resistance)
  Aquamarine (280): During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack
  Weakness: Lx2 | Retreat: 2
  Current Price: $190
  Market Price: $192.33
  Launch Value: $321.53

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.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 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: Shame on you

• Green: To speed through

• Blue: Played by an iconic comedian

• Purple: Royalty

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

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

• Yellow: "You should know better!"

• Green: Move quickly

• Blue: Eddie Murphy roles

• Purple: King ___

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 #822 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• "You should know better!": BAD, SHAME, TSK, TUT TUT

• Move quickly: BARREL, FLY, RACE, ZIP

• Eddie Murphy roles: AKEEM, DOLITTLE, DONKEY, FOLEY

• King ___: CAKE, COBRA, KONG, TUT

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 2, 2025

Are you also playing NYT 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 today's Connections.