Technology

If you're like me, your computer desk is one of the most important places, so you're always looking for ways to tweak and improve your workstation. While many desk upgrades can cost hundreds of dollars, there are plenty of small gadgets that can do a lot for your setup without breaking the bank.

I don't know about you, but I'm one of those people who will watch their favorite movies multiple times. Some movies I watch every year, perhaps on special occasions, others I'll dust off every few years, or whenever I'm in the mood.

If you used Facebook at any time during a 15-year period, keep an eye on your bank account.

Settlement payments related to the several-years-old Cambridge Analytica data breach scandal are starting to roll out this month, per CBS News. A court filing cited by CBS News says the average payment amount will come out to around $29 per person, with the maximum going all the way to $38.36. The first payments will be sent in September, with the rest going out over the course of 10 weeks. Anyone who is getting a payment should get an email a few days ahead of time. The total settlement amount came out to $725 million.

SEE ALSO: Facebook is bringing back the poke (again) for the youths

Those who are eligible for these payments are people who used Facebook between 2007 and 2022 and remembered to file a claim before the deadline in Aug. 2023. Apologies to those who forgot or never heard about it until now.

This money is related to a court settlement Facebook reached regarding the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which a British data firm of that name was accused of scraping data from more than 50 million Facebook users without their knowledge or consent. Cambridge Analytica was employed by the 2016 Donald Trump presidential campaign, and took some credit for Trump's victory in that election due to its recognition of demographic shifts that the campaign took advantage of.

Approximately $30 per person may not feel like enough to compensate for...all of that, but hey, it's something.

Do you have a backup battery in your homelab? I didn’t for a few years, and it was a risky move. While I didn’t suffer any data loss (thankfully), things could have turned out much different. Now? I have a backup battery deployed in my homelab to make sure I have enough time to shut things down if the power goes out.

If you have an appetite for great entertainment, finding an awesome new movie or TV show is like pulling up to a loaded buffet. After all, hitting that “keep watching” button is like refilling your plate, again and again. And when the shows and movies are good enough, it’s hard to stop eating–er, streaming.

Google loves AI and cameras, which is why both are front and center on the new Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL smartphones. While I have mixed feelings about AI appearing everywhere, its use in Google's new Pro Res Zoom (100x) camera mode is not only impressive, it's almost too good.

Netflix is a hotbed of viewing entertainment activity that I, for one, just can’t quit. There’s so much to choose from, I find that, at any given moment, I’m watching a myriad of titles in different genres.

Who's not a fan of an affordable pickup? They offer something unique, making it easier to get around the city and get the job done. They catalyze business initiatives to take off and then some. Individuals aspiring to pursue entrepreneurship (sound the trumpets) find them to be the perfect gateway to bigger opportunities later. That's if the need ever arises.

When the original Galaxy Fold launched, I was impressed with the foldable technology, but wasn’t convinced I needed it. Then came the compact flip phones, and I was immediately much more interested. I’ve tried many of them since, but one problem keeps popping up.

Finding the right tool for the job can sometimes be a challenge, but once you do, it'll level up your DIY game and make even the most difficult projects easier. If you've just bought into the Ryobi ecosystem, or are considering it, here are five must-have Ryobi tools.

1982 was a fantastic year for genre film lovers. There was plenty of sci-fi and fantasy for all ages, ranging from violent revenge in the time of sorcery to charming alien adventures fit for the family. Whether it was swords or spaceships, there was something for you.

It was a particularly interesting week in the Android world. One of the oldest and most beloved apps by long-time Android users was put out to pasture. We also reviewed both the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10. And some Google apps got some new goodies.

Despite how my job and hobbies mostly revolve around the digital world, even I have my limits. It may well be 2025, but I still refuse to throw my money into the "modern" digital versions of certain products.

TL;DR: Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka 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 big games just keep coming in the 2025 Asia Cup, with Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka next up on the stacked schedule. Group B is tougher to predict than Group A, with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan all gunning for the top two positions.

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

When is Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka?

Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka in the 2025 Asia Cup starts at 10:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 13. This game takes place at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

How to watch Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka for free

Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka 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 Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka 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 Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka 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.

Hybrids are having a moment, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re more efficient, punchier to drive, and no longer carry the steep premium they once did.

The year of the Linux desktop may be a bit of a joke, but switching to Linux is not. You've either done it at some point, or you're probably considering it. Linux is quickly improving, while Windows is increasingly becoming hostile. I've outlined four ways that Linux will gain ground on Windows.

This was another busy week in tech news, with Apple's September event, IFA wrapping up, Plex reporting a security breach, and a lot more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

The JLab JBuds Pods ANC are affordable buds with excellent battery life and a svelte carrying case. They check off the spec wishlist, but that doesn't quite mean they're up to par with more premium buds.

I dream of having a huge garden, but I also refuse to live outside of a city (at least for now). So that backyard garden is a bit of a pipe dream. However, I’ve found a great alternative that allows me to harvest fruits, veggies, herbs, and flowers while living in an apartment.

Gardyn is an indoor hydroponic garden that uses a water tank and bright grow light to foster plant growth in indoor conditions that wouldn’t be typically conducive to garden life. I’ve been using the Gardyn Studio in my apartment for about three months, and I love it.

SEE ALSO: The 2025 guide to recycling electronics, beauty empties, and clothing Gardyn vs. other indoor smart gardens

What drew me to Gardyn over, say, AeroGarden or Click & Grow is the sheer size and number of plant slots. My Gardyn Studio holds up to 16 plants and measures 1 foot 5 inches W x 1 foot D x 4 feet 6 inches H. It fits nicely in a corner of my apartment and takes up about the same amount of space as my snake plant.

Gardyn also has a Home version, which has a larger footprint and holds up to 30 plants. This would be a great option for families or households that are trying to be self-sufficient and rely less on grocery store produce. 

I like Gardyn’s options more than the typical countertop size of other indoor gardens because they feel like I can actually harvest real amounts of food, rather than just snipping some herbs now and then.

The Gardyn Studio has 16 slots for plants. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable How Gardyn works

Setup is fairly easy and straightforward, if a little bit time-consuming. I assembled the posts and popped each yPod into place. There is a handy guide for each starter kit that shows which yCubes each plant should go in.

The Gardyn Studio fits nicely in the corner of my living room. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

After placing all of my plants on the Gardyn, I filled the tank with water and plant food, and it’s been relatively self-sufficient since then. I’ve been using Gardyn’s AI assistant, Kelby, which creates schedules for me. So my Gardyn regulates its own light and water schedules. I just have to refill the tank, occasionally clean the tank, maintain roots, and trim/harvest the plants.

I saw growth within a few days

The Gardyn app says to expect sprouts within seven to 21 days, depending on the plant. I saw sprouts for most of my plants within three days, with a couple of stragglers coming past the seven-day mark.

This was taken three days after I set up the Gardyn Studio. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

I received the Budding Florist starter kit that includes seven greens, three herbs, and six flowers. Each plant grew at a different rate, but after two months, my entire Gardyn was bursting with life.

At the three-month mark, I’ve had to frequently harvest and trim back my plants to avoid them growing out of control. Not everything in the starter kit is something I’d eat, so I got a little lazy with my harvesting. But if I were growing only flowers, fruits, and veggies that I like, the abundance would be incredible.

The Gardyn app hosts a wide selection of plants you can buy to swap into your Gardyn. And if you pay for a membership, you get five free shop credits each month to use toward new plants.

Harvesting the plants

My leafy greens grew faster than the rest of the plants, so for my first harvest, I simply grabbed some butterhead lettuce to go on top of some burgers I grilled. As the rest of my plants have matured, I’ve been experimenting with different salads and adding chopped bunching onions and purple basil to dishes for some extra flavor. (They were particularly good on a baked potato and lasagna soup, respectively.)

I have to confess, I am historically not a big salad eater. I hate the crunchy white parts of romaine, so most salads from restaurants or grocery stores just aren’t my cup of tea. However, the butterhead and green salanova lettuce from my starter kit are the perfect leafy greens for my tastes. I make a little honey lemon dressing and croutons from homemade sourdough to create a refreshing side salad with my dinners throughout the week.

The butterhead lettuce I grew made for the perfect burger topper. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable Side salad and bunching onions courtesty of my Gardyn. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

The produce from Gardyn tastes so fresh, and it feels good knowing exactly where my food came from — and that it’s pesticide-free. 

The flowers have been a little more difficult to harvest, just because their stems are so short. But I’ve made some mini bouquets, and I also just love the brightness and color they add to the corner of the room where my Gardyn sits. Gardyn also sells a vase that accommodates yPods that would be a great option to let the flowers shine on their own.

I grew a whole freakin' sunflower in my living room! Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Like I said, sometimes I get lazy with pruning my plants, but after everything is full-grown, you will definitely need to manicure the Gardyn to avoid overcrowding. If I neglect my plants for a week, they’re fighting each other for space.

Kelby is my new best friend

Gardyn users have the option to pay for Kelby, which is Gardyn’s AI assistant. A one-year membership costs $22 per month (or $264 per year), and a two-year membership costs $19 per month ($228 per year). 

It’s super helpful to be so hands-off and let things happen automatically. But you could definitely get by without Kelby if you don’t want to dish out that kind of money — especially if you already have some experience taking care of plants.

Kelby set my watering and light schedule for me, and I’ve been able to make adjustments as needed — I shortened my light schedule and adjusted the brightness during certain hours because having a bright light blasting in my living room at 11 p.m. simply was not in the cards for my journey.

The reminders to clean my tank or add more water have been really helpful. I don’t need to pay too much attention to the device itself since I get these alerts directly to my phone.

Vacation mode was nice when I went on a week-long lake trip with my family. I knew my plants wouldn’t die while I was gone, but they also wouldn’t grow out of control.

A Gardyn membership also includes the five monthly store credits, free shipping monthly, exclusive member-only plants, 60% off all plants and plant food, vacation mode, and unlimited timelapse videos.

Is Gardyn worth it?

As someone who lives in a city and has no plans to move somewhere with a yard anytime soon, the Gardyn feels totally worth it. I can’t count the number of times I’ve frustratedly thrown out produce from the grocery store that I swore I would eat before it went bad. Being able to just snip what I need from my Gardyn lets me eat fresh produce whenever I want and cut down on food waste.

I also have such a sense of accomplishment harvesting food and flowers that I grew by myself — made even more satisfactory by how little work it’s actually required from me. 

If you just want to grow a few herbs and maybe some cherry tomatoes, you’d probably be better off with a smaller (and cheaper) tabletop hydroponic grower. Yes, Gardyn is pricy, but if you truly want to commit to a garden but don’t have the outdoor space, it’s a worthy investment.

Where to shop Gardyn Amazon Gardyn Studio $499 Shop Now Gardyn Gardyn Studio $499 Shop Now The Home Depot Gardyn Studio $499 Shop Now Amazon Gardyn Home $899 Shop Now Gardyn Gardyn Home $899 Shop Now The Home Depot Gardyn Home $899 Shop Now

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: Vital

• Green: Exclusive

• Blue: Money

• Purple: A city in upstate New York

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: Important

• Green: Intimate and undisclosed

• Blue: Global currencies

• Purple: Buffalo ___

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 #825 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Important: CRITICAL, KEY, MAJOR, PRINCIPAL

• Intimate and undisclosed: INNER, PERSONAL, PRIVATE, SECRET

• Global currencies: DOLLAR, POUND, STERLING, WON

• Buffalo ___: BILL, NICKEL, SOLDIER, WING

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.