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• One lucky orbiter caught the SpaceX rocket crash site on moon

  07-08-2026 01:03 via mashable.com
  
  A South Korean lunar orbiter got the shot that virtually every telescope and spacecraft attempted to snap on Wednesday when a wayward SpaceX rocket accidentally smashed into the moon. The Danuri lunar orbiter recorded the site before and after the collision. It started watching the zone about 30 minutes before the crash, then adjusted its orbit to pass over the site several times, according to the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, or KARI. Officials said the Falcon 9 rocket made moonfall
  
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• Write your next 300K manuscript with AI for just $37

  09-08-2026 00:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Write a 300K-word manuscript for just $37 with this YouBooks AI lifetime subscription.Opens in a new windowCredit: YoubooksYoubooks AI Non-Fiction Book Generator: Lifetime Subscription$36.75 $540 Save $503.25 Get DealWriting is just one step in creating a book. Before that comes research, outlining, drafting, and editing. But for only $36.75 (reg. $540), you’ll be able to craft publish-ready 300,000-word manuscripts for life through Aug. 9 with code AUG25. Even the busiest educ
  
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• Flock pitched turning Uber and Lyft drivers into a mobile surveillance network

  08-08-2026 21:31 via mashable.com
  
  Flock Safety, the company behind a nationwide network of automatic license plate readers, pitched a plan to convert hundreds of thousands of Uber, Lyft, and delivery drivers into a mobile extension of its surveillance system, according to a company presentation obtained by 404 Media. 404's Joseph Cox wrote that the document describes equipping driver vehicles with dashcams capable of scanning license plates along their routes, effectively expanding Flock's network beyond its usual fixed cameras
  
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• X retires revenue sharing for new Original Content Rewards program

  08-08-2026 18:21 via mashable.com
  
  X is overhauling how it pays creators, phasing out its long-running Revenue Sharing program in favor of a new system called the Original Content Rewards Program. The platform's Creators account announced the change in a post, saying the program is meant to "reward creators who bring original ideas, expertise, reporting, creativity, and commentary to X."According to the announcement, X stopped accepting new Revenue Sharing enrollments immediately and will wind the program down entirely after Sept
  
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• What is OpenAI Astra? Everything we know about the new — and possibly dangerous — new model

  08-08-2026 11:01 via mashable.com
  
  Do you understand quantum parallel repetition? What about quantum complexity, lattice cryptography, or extremal combinatorics?The new OpenAI model Astra knows all about them.Recently, OpenAI confirmed the existence of Astra, calling it "our next major model." On Aug. 1, the ChatGPT-maker revealed that "an internal version of Astra" solved 10 major open math problems, some of which have been unresolved for decades. Then, on Aug. 7, OpenAI announced that Astra had developed such advanced cyber cap
  
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• The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 is a tablet to compete with MacBooks

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  Lenovo does something no other tech brand does — make a tablet specifically for gaming. A continuation of its Legion computers, the Lenovo Legion Tab puts gaming content into a smaller, more portable package.Previous generations of the Lenovo Legion Tab have been impressive tablets, so my expectations were high for the recently released Gen 5 model. And here's the thing about the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 — while it's built for gaming, I think it's a great everyday tablet. Lenovo Legio
  
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• Pluto has a heart. Scientists discovered that its bleeding.

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  Pluto's famous heart is bleeding, according to new research, hinting that the distant world is more alive than it looks.That bright, heart-shaped glacier has been a fan favorite ever since NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew past the cold outer world in 2015. Scientists now say the heart isn't just the dwarf planet's special cutie mark, it may be slowly leaking liquid — yes, liquid — onto the surface. Researchers say dark streaks along the heart's rim are actually stains left by
  
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• Lock down your online privacy for life for just $2 a device with this VPN deal

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Lock in a safer internet forever with this lifetime subscription to FastestVPN PRO, on sale now for only $29.99 (reg. $600) with code Aug25 until Aug. 9.Opens in a new windowCredit: FastestVPNFastestVPN PRO: Lifetime Subscription (15 Devices)$29.99 $600 Save $570.01 Get DealYou lock your front door, your smartphone, and your laptop — but what are you doing to protect your internet? A VPN is a super easy way to upgrade your cybersecurity with just a few taps.Right now, you
  
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• Lifetime access to Claude, GPT, Gemini, and 17+ other AI models is $60 with this promo code

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: ChatPlayground gives you lifetime access to dozens of major AI models, and it’s only $59.25 (reg. $619) for life with code AUG25.Opens in a new windowCredit: ChatPlayground AIChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan)$59.25 $619 Save $559.75 Get DealAI has so much potential to work quickly, but there are tons of little time-wasters and expensive frustrations. Using multiple models is a good way to produce a lot of work, but it requires you to copy pro pts be
  
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• How to watch the 2026 European Athletics Championships online for free

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 European Athletics Championships for free on BBC iPlayer. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.We're still a couple of years away from the next quest for Olympic medals, but that doesn't mean the best athletes are just sitting back and relaxing. No, there are PBs to chase, rivals to beat, and world records to set. And some elite athletes will be targeting all of that and more in the 2026 European Athletics Championships.The Alexand
  
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• How to get a free Apple iPhone 17 from T-Mobile this weekend

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Get the iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Power users can get the Apple iPhone 17 Pro for free when they switch to T-Mobile and bring their number to an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).Opens in a new windowCredit: AppleT-Mobile: Free iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro Get DealFresh from Samsung's impressive Unpacked event, where they announced three new foldable smartphones, two s
  
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• Google Pixel 11: Every rumor, leak, and teaser before Made By Google

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  Samsung just announced a bunch of fancy new phones, but don't relax just yet. Google has a big product launch just around the corner too, and we're keeping a close eye on the latest Pixel 11 leaks, rumors, and official teasers.The Android maker has already confirmed that it will announce the next batch of Pixel phones at a Made By Google event on Aug. 12, and it recently announced that comedian Trevor Noah will be hosting, with special guests like Stephen Curry and Alex Cooper. Google has also s
  
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• AI companies keep destroying old books. Heres why.

  08-08-2026 11:00 via mashable.com
  
  The AI industry, not content with alienating top creators, seems to be intent on alienating book lovers too. That much is clear in the wake of a 404 Media report on ISBNdb, a company that tracks book data and briefly offered "AI training data" in the form of "the world's largest book database." So far so normal; AI companies looking to build better AI models are hungry for fresh data from any source that isn't the internet. Books — generally better edited and more cogent than your average
  
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• Fill your Kindle for free: This weeks Stuff Your E-Reader event has 100+ free books (ends today)

  08-08-2026 08:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Aug. 5-8. Stuff Your E-Reader, hosted by Indie Author Collective, is offering free books in a variety of subgenres.We're not in the habit of complaining about free giveaways, but if there is one thing that bothers us about Stuff Your Kindle Days, it's that they sometimes come and go in the blink of an eye. We need time to prepare. We need to properly assess our options and lovingly handpick the books that speak to us on a spiritual level. 24
  
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• Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on August 8

  08-08-2026 06:00 via mashable.com
  
  We're getting closer to the New Moon, so the Moon's visibility will drop significantly over the coming nights. Keep reading to find out what, if anything, you can spot tonight.What is today’s Moon phase?As of Saturday, Aug. 8,NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waning Crescent phase, with 26% of its surface visible. Without visual aids, you should be able to catch a glimpse of the Aristarchus Plateau and the Kepler Crater. Plus, binoculars or a telescope will help
  
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• Hurdle hints and answers for August 8, 2026

  08-08-2026 06:00 via mashable.com
  
  If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine. There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from pr
  
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• Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 8, 2026

  08-08-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a good actor. If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.SEE ALSO:Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO:NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 7, 2026
  Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer
  
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• NYT Strands hints, answers for August 8, 2026

  08-08-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you easily lose your train of thought.Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a specia
  
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• NYT Pips hints, answers for August 8, 2026

  08-08-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each
  
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• NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 8, 2026

  08-08-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've ever watched baseball.As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans. Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you ov
  
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• NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 8, 2026

  08-08-2026 04:00 via mashable.com
  
  The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you have a good sense of smell.Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump
  
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• Whoa — Curiosity Stream lifetime subscription drops to $112.49

  08-08-2026 00:00 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Get a Curiosity Stream lifetime subscription for $112.49 (reg. $399.99) with code Aug25, through August 9.Opens in a new windowCredit: Curiosity StreamCuriosity Stream Standard Plan: Lifetime Subscription$112.50 $399.99 Save $287.49 Get DealEvery streaming app has the same problem: 20 minutes of scrolling, nothing worth watching. Curiosity Stream aims to change that experience by only stocking mind-catching documentaries.The large library covers science, history, nature, and technolo
  
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• Meta ordered to pay $567 million in New Mexico case

  07-08-2026 21:27 via mashable.com
  
  Meta has been ordered to pay $567 million to fund youth mental health services in New Mexico in the final phase of a child safety trial. Meta lost the lawsuit in March when a New Mexico jury found the social media company liable for misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms and endangering children.At the time, Meta was ordered to pay the maximum penalties for each violation of New Mexico’s consumer protection laws, amounting to $375 million.SEE ALSO:Digging into Gen Z's love/
  
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• Confidence in election fairness

  07-08-2026 20:35 via pewresearch.org
  Weekly Roundup The latest findings from Pew Research Center · Subscribe ↗ From our research The share of Americans who are confident that all citizens who want to vote in the midterms will be able to. Far more Republicans than Democrats hold this view (83% vs. 53%).
  
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• Old Reddit might be on the chopping block. Here’s why.

  07-08-2026 19:05 via mashable.com
  
  Reddit's legacy experience may be under threat.The internet's home page is constantly undergoing little changes here and there, but as Engadget reported, there's reason to believe Old Reddit might not be long for this world in its current state. The legacy version of the message board website, which some users prefer to the modern interface, will see unspecified "changes" over time, according to an official blog post. The idea is to combat AI scraping, which has been rampant on Reddit over the l
  
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• Heres where to buy legit solar eclipse glasses thatll arrive before Wednesdays eclipse

  07-08-2026 18:28 via mashable.com
  
  Another solar eclipse is coming. If you're ready to look up to the sky for the special event, don't forget to protect your eyes. As Europe gears up to witness a total eclipse, parts of North America will enjoy a partial eclipse.The solar eclipse is taking place on Wednesday, Aug. 12. According to NASA, a total solar eclipse will be seen in Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and a small corner of Portugal. However, partial eclipses can be seen in the northern U.S. (fr
  
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• The 11-inch M4 iPad Air is marked down right now at Amazon — buy now for $689

  07-08-2026 18:11 via mashable.com
  
  SAVE 8%: As of Aug. 7, you can get the 11-inch Apple iPad Air (M4) for $689 at Amazon, down from $749. That's an 8% discount or $60 in savings.11-inch Apple iPad Air (M4) $689 at Amazon $749 Save $60 Get Deal at Amazon
  With back-to-school shopping in full swing, finding a deal on a brand-new iPad is tough — especially after recent price hikes across Apple's lineup. But if you're looking for a powerful tablet for classes, note-taking, or general productivity before the semester starts,
  
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• Tax-free weekend: The best deals on laptops, power stations, and more you can get right now

  07-08-2026 17:29 via mashable.com
  
  TL;DR: Now through Aug. 9, several states are waiving or cutting sales tax on select purchases. To get the biggest savings, skip the cheap school supplies and use the tax break on high-dollar items like laptops, power stations, and home tech.I hate paying taxes as much as anyone, so whenever there's a (legal) way to keep a little extra cash in my wallet, I'm going to take full advantage of it.This weekend is the biggest tax-free shopping event of the year. While state lawmakers pitch these sales
  
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• GTA VI pre-orders hit eye-watering levels for Take-Two Interactive

  07-08-2026 17:20 via mashable.com
  
  We're getting an extended look at Grand Theft Auto VI in a few weeks, but until then, we have some financial data to look at.Take-Two Interactive, the parent company behind GTA VI publisher Rockstar Games, reported its earnings for the quarter ending on June 30 this week, per Variety, which included the first five days after the game became available for pre-order. According to Take-Two, the company recorded $1.4 billion in net bookings during the quarter, an industry metric that tracks orders p
  
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• Ditch the TV: TCL’s A1s 1080p smart projector with Google TV and Netflix drops by $60 at Amazon

  07-08-2026 17:16 via mashable.com
  
  SAVE $60: As of Aug. 7, the TCL A1s smart projector is on sale for just $339.99, down from $399.99. That's a savings of 15%.Opens in a new windowCredit: TCLTCL A1s Smart Projector$339.99 at Amazon $399.99 Save $60 Get DealPortable projectors have come a long way in recent years, even rivaling big-screen 4K TVs. The prices aren't too shabby either — especially if you can find one on sale. If you prefer a flexible TV experience and want a massive screen that won't break the bank, the TC
  
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