IT General

If you're looking to save big on a flagship Google Pixel phone, get a new laptop for heading back-to-school, or want a fancy pair of headphones or a portable speaker, these are the best deals this week.

Linux is wonderful, and like you I have fond memories of spending a whole weekend compiling Red Hat's kernel in the 2000s and then just giving up with nothing to show for it. These days, Linux is more user friendly than ever, so getting it all up and running is a breeze in comparison.

After a short delay and a few days later than expected, Samsung is finally ready to deliver the Android 16 beta to more Galaxy devices. As previously announced, Samsung has released the One UI 8 (Android 16) beta for the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and more.

Timothée Chalamet has wowed audiences across a variety of genres, from sci-fi blockbuster Dune to charming musical Wonka to Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. In the upcoming Marty Supreme, he embraces yet another genre: the sports film.

Directed by Josh Safide and distributed by A24, Marty Supreme takes viewers into the high-stakes world of 1950s table tennis through the eyes of ping pong star Marty Mauser (Chalamet). Marty is inspired loosely by real-life American table tennis legend Marty Reisman.

The film's first trailer introduces Marty as a man with a very big, very specific dream of achieving greatness in ping pong. While the sport may not be the most popular in the US, it sells out stadiums overseas, and Marty believes the US won't be far behind. Next up: stardom, and a coveted spot on a Wheaties box. One paper is already calling him "the chosen one"... wait, does that make Marty the Lisan al-Gaib of ping pong?

Safdie co-wrote the film with Ronald Bronstein. The film marks his first solo directorial project since 2008's The Pleasure of Being Robbed. Since then, he's directed films with his brother Benny Safdie, including A24 collaborations Uncut Gems and Good Time. Benny Safdie also has an A24 sports movie coming out this year with The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as wrestler Mark Kerr. Could we be seeing a Safdie showdown come awards season?

Marty Supreme also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A'zion, Kevin O'Leary, Tyler Okonma (aka Tyler, the Creator), Abel Ferrara, and Fran Drescher. See them in action, along with Chalamet's sick ping pong moves, in the full trailer above.

Marty Supreme hits theaters Dec. 25.

Gmail has long been one of Google’s tentpole services, but for a brief period of time, the company experimented with a different email app. It was called “Inbox by Gmail,” and despite a loving fanbase, it eventually got the axe.

Whether you're a student, teacher, or parent gearing up for the new school year, taking care of your mental and physical health is more important than ever due to our reliance on technology for learning. Fortunately, technology can also be part of the solution, offering many tools to help you take better care of yourself.

If you were looking to cast a lead in an action movie involving a lot of fight scenes, Bob Odenkirk might not be your first choice. You'd be wrong, of course; the 2021 action thriller Nobody, starring Odenkirk as a retired hitman, was a success both critically and at the box office.

If you're going to nearly lose a pet snake anywhere, you might as well at least nearly lose it somewhere memorable.

Appearing on Late Night in the clip above, Zoë Kravitz tells a story of staying at Taylor Swift's house with her mother, actor Lisa Bonet, and how the latter's pet snake nearly made its escape through a snake-sized hole in one of Swift's bathrooms.

Fortunately the snake was reclaimed unharmed, but sadly Swift's bathroom didn't fare quite so well.

Meyers' reaction? "I feel like that snake's gonna get like three songs on the next album."

Dorms are loud, chaotic, and full of distractions, like hallway parties and questionable guitar solos. Since your study schedule won’t always sync with your roommates and hallmates, a good pair of headphones with ANC isn’t a luxury; it’s survival. Here's why.

Tropical Storm Erin is expected to reach to hurricane strength as it hurtles across the Atlantic this week.

The National Hurricane Center's prediction cone shows a westward trajectory, but doesn't paint a clear picture whether or not it's likely to impact the east coast of the United States. Spaghetti models, which represent a collection of predicted paths generated by multiple computer models, paint a more definitive picture as of Wednesday morning.

All the major models show the storm turning north and eventually northeast before reaching the United States mainland, according to data and analysis shared by meteorologist James Spann.

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

As of Wednesday morning, Tropical Storm Erin is packing 45 mph sustained maximum wind speeds as it moves westward at 20 mph. It is expected to turn gradually northwestward sometime Thursday and reach hurricane status late Thursday night or early Friday morning, according to the 5 a.m. ET Wednesday NHC forecast.

There are no coastal watches or warnings currently in effect.

The latest forecasts, updated multiple times daily, can be tracked online on the National Hurricane Center website.

SAVE OVER $30: As of Aug. 13, the Lego Star Wars The Dark Falcon set is on sale for $145 at Walmart. This is $34.99 off its list price of $179.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars The Dark Falcon Building Set $145 at Walmart
$179.99 Save $34.99 Get Deal

If you're a Star Wars fan, there are plenty of exciting Lego sets to consider from a galaxy far, far away. August alone has seen some fun new drops, but if you're on the hunt for a good deal on a Star Wars-themed Lego set, you're in luck. Walmart's offering a discount right now on the Lego Star Wars The Dark Falcon set that's worth a look.

The Lego Star Wars The Dark Falcon set is usually listed for $179.99, but it's currently marked down to $145. If you've had it on your radar, now is a great time to grab it. It's a set that's worth the pickup.

SEE ALSO: Our 13 favorite Lego sets, sourced from actual Lego fans

Coming to 1,579 pieces and recommended for ages 10 and up, the Lego Star Wars The Dark Falcon set allows you to piece together a dark version of the Millennium Falcon that was seen in the Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy Disney+ special. Alongside the ship — which features a detailed interior, removable cockpit, spring-loaded shooters, rotating cannons, and a removable gunner post — it also comes with six minifigures of Darth Jar Jar, Bounty Hunter C-3PO, Darth Dev, Darth Rey, Beach Luke, and Jedi Vader.

Don't miss out on the Lego Star Wars The Dark Falcon set on sale at Walmart for $145. And if you'd prefer to build the regular Millennium Falcon, the good news is the Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon is also on sale right now at Amazon.

SAVE $16.75: As of Aug. 13, the Pokémon TCG Scarlet and Violet Black Bolt Binder Collection is $51.74 at TCGPlayer, compared to $68.49 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Scarlet and Violet Black Bolt Binder Collection $51.74 at TCGPlayer
$68.49 Save $16.75 Get Deal

If you play or collect the Pokémon TCG, you have probably heard the buzz around Scarlet and Violet’s Black Bolt and White Flare expansions. They have been filling card shops and trade binders with stunning special illustration rares, strong competitive trainer cards, and some eye-catching secret art rare ex Pokémon that are making an impact in tournaments.

The Black Bolt Binder Collection is an easy way to dive into the set without having to track down booster packs one at a time, and right now TCGPlayer has it for much less than Amazon.

SEE ALSO: A new Nintendo Switch 2 'Pokémon Legends: Z-A' bundle is available for preorder

Amazon is asking $68.49 for the collection, which is well above the current market value. TCGPlayer has it for $51.74, saving you $16.75 that you could put toward extra boosters or a few singles to finish your deck. Inside the Black Bolt Binder Collection you get a durable nine-pocket binder with set artwork, five Scarlet and Violet Black Bolt booster packs, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live so you can bring your pulls into the online game.

This product works for both sides of the Pokémon TCG hobby. Players can crack the boosters in hopes of pulling a card that improves their tournament list, while collectors can use the binder to store and display their favorite pulls from Black Bolt and White Flare. The binder is sturdy enough for regular use and the pockets fit cards snugly, so your rares and holofoils stay in top condition.

Opening sealed product is a big part of the fun in this hobby, and the Black Bolt Binder Collection offers that thrill along with a practical storage upgrade. It is also a neat way to keep your cards from the paired White Flare expansion together, since many collectors like to display both sets side by side.

TCGPlayer market data shows the Black Bolt Binder Collection averages around $52.94, which makes Amazon’s price more than 29% higher than what most people are paying. If you want to enjoy the excitement of Black Bolt and White Flare without overspending, TCGPlayer is the clear winner.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: The Pokémon Company / Mashable Photo Composite

Here are the most valuable cards you can pull in Black Bolt and White Flare right now. Don't want to leave it to chance? You can just buy them for the best price on TCGPlayer right now:

1. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $450
   Market price: $474.25
   Most recent sale: $450

2. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $420
   Market price: $445.20
   Most recent sale: $418

3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $400
   Market price: $406.80
   Most recent sale: $445

4. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $430
   Market price: $430
   Most recent sale: $438.60

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $203
   Market price: $208.05
   Most recent sale: $199.95

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190
   Market price: $203.13
   Most recent sale: $188.99

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 4 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 get one's attention

• Green: A section

• Blue: Popular singers

• Purple: Five-pointed shape

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: Captivate

• Green: Excerpt

• Blue: Member of a girl group

• Purple: Star ___

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 #795 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Captivate: CHARM, ENTRANCE, RIVET, THRILL

• Excerpt: CLIP, EXTRACT, PASSAGE, QUOTE

• Member of a girl group: BANGLE, CHICK, GO-GO, SUPREME

• Star ___: BOARD, FISH, GATE, STRUCK

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 August 4

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 the latest Connections.

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

Strands 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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Hitchcock festival

The words are media-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are popular movies by an iconic director.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Film Title.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 13

• Topaz

• Notorious

• Vertigo

• Lifeboat

• Psycho

• Rope

• Film Title

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 the latest Strands.

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for 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 today: Hints and answers for August 4 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's The Mini crossword answers for August 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A fermented milky drink.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter K.

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...

KEFIR.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

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 the latest Wordle.

SAVE $12.66: As of Aug. 13, the Pokémon TCG Unova Victini Illustration Collection is $38 at TCGPlayer, compared to $50.66 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Unova Victini Illustration Collection $38 at TCGPlayer
$50.66 Save $12.66 Get Deal

If you’re a Victini fan or just love promo cards, the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet Unova Victini Illustration Collection is looking like a great pickup right now. TCGPlayer has it for $38, which is $12.66 cheaper than Amazon’s $50.66 price tag. That’s a solid chunk of change saved, especially if you’ve been holding out for a better deal.

Amazon currently lists the set at $50.66, but TCGPlayer’s price undercuts it by about 25%. If you’re after the promos, this is one of the lowest prices you’ll find on a sealed box that still gives you booster pack variety.

SEE ALSO: Surprise! Pokémon drops adorable new puzzle game on mobile and Switch

The collection includes one full-art foil promo card featuring Victini, one premium parallel foil Victini, and one oversize illustration rare-style foil card. You’ll also get two Black Bolt booster packs, two White Flare booster packs, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

For collectors, this is a Victini showcase piece with both standard and oversized cards to display. For players, it’s a chance to pull from two different sets in the Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet era while picking up useful promos for Fire decks.

If you’re looking to add Victini’s latest promos to your binder or you just want more packs at a better price, now’s a good time to strike. The savings here are significant enough that you can throw in a few extra singles or accessories without going over Amazon’s price.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Here are the most valuable cards you can pull in Black Bolt and White Flare right now. Don't want to leave it to chance? You can just buy them for the best price on TCGPlayer right now:

1. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $450
   Market price: $474.25
   Most recent sale: $450

2. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $420
   Market price: $445.20
   Most recent sale: $418

3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $400
   Market price: $406.80
   Most recent sale: $445

4. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $430
   Market price: $430
   Most recent sale: $438.60

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $203
   Market price: $208.05
   Most recent sale: $199.95

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190
   Market price: $203.13
   Most recent sale: $188.99

The 2026 Genesis Electrified G80 isn’t just a good-looking luxury EV—it’s a full-blown attention magnet. And now that it’s bigger, sleeker, and more upscale, it’s turning heads even harder.

Recteq set out to do something unique with its new X-Fire Pro 825 pellet grill—replace your gas grill. Like most pellet grills, it can easily do low and slow cooks, but its Dual Mode feature gives you the speed and sear of a gas grill and can reach 1250°F. After cooking some burnt ends, brisket, and a 24-oz porterhouse, I'm sold.

SAVE OVER $50: As of Aug. 13, Amazon is offering a like-new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) for $126.99. This is $53 off its list price of $179.99, and also marks a return to its best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Like-new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) $126.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $53.00 Get Deal

If you're a big reader, or know someone who is, it's worth picking up a Kindle to boost your digital library. And every once in a while, these e-readers get some nice discounts at Amazon, and today is one of those lucky days. If you don't mind getting a refurbished model, you can actually score a like-new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) back at its best-ever price right now.

This like-new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) is usually listed for $179.99, but it's currently marked down 29% to $126.99. Again, this marks a return to its lowest-ever price, so there's no better time than now to buy.

SEE ALSO: Stuff Your Kindle Day is live until Aug. 16 — download 100s of free historical fiction and contemporary books

We consider the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition to be the best upgrade on our list of the best Kindles, offering "twice the storage with 32GB". Alongside its hefty storage, it also boasts 25% faster page turns, a higher contrast ratio, an auto-adjusting front light, and it offers wireless charging.

On top of that, its slim design is perfect for travel and its battery can last up to 12 weeks, so you can stay busy working through your book list. Who knows how much longer this deal will last, so act fast to score this refurbished like-new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) back at its best-ever price on Amazon. There's also a refurbished like-new Kindle Paperwhite on sale there as well, if you'd prefer the standard version.

People are still using Threads! And according to the man in charge, the numbers are actually getting bigger.

On Tuesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took to Threads to share an update on the platform's monthly users.

SEE ALSO: Threads unveils improved Insights metrics to help creators understand their audience

"Threads on the up and up," he wrote. "Just passed 400M monthly actives on here."

View on Threads

Threads' monthly user figures have been steadily climbing since the app launched in summer 2023. Starting with around 100 million sign ups in its first week, Threads had reached 275 million monthly active users by November 2024.

X, by contrast, has been struggling since Elon Musk took over. The site has been losing users in the EU in recent months, and recent data suggests that Threads is nearing X in terms of daily active users.