Today’s Wordle Hints (and Answer) for Sunday, September 1, 2024

If you’re looking for the Wordle answer for September 1, 2024 read on. We’ll share some clues, tips, and strategies, and finally the solution. Today’s puzzle is easier; I got it in three. Beware, there are spoilers below for September 1, Wordle #1,170! Keep scrolling if you want some hints (and then the answer) to today’s Wordle game.

How to play Wordle

Wordle lives here on the New York Times website. A new puzzle goes live every day at midnight, your local time.

Start by guessing a five-letter word. The letters of the word will turn green if they’re correct, yellow if you have the right letter in the wrong place, or gray if the letter isn’t in the day’s secret word at all. For more, check out our guide to playing Wordle here, and my strategy guide here for more advanced tips. (We also have more information at the bottom of this post, after the hints and answers.)

Ready for the hints? Let’s go!

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Does today’s Wordle have any unusual letters?

We’ll define common letters as those that appear in the old typesetters’ phrase ETAOIN SHRDLU. (Memorize this! Pronounce it “Edwin Shirdloo,” like a name, and pretend he’s a friend of yours.)

There are three letters from our mnemonic today. One is pretty common, one is less common.

Can you give me a hint for today’s Wordle?

A quality you probably don't want your vegetables to have.

Does today’s Wordle have any double or repeated letters?

There are no repeated letters today. 

How many vowels are in today’s Wordle?

There is one vowel and one "sometimes" vowel.

What letter does today’s Wordle start with?

Today’s word starts with M. 

What letter does today’s Wordle end with?

Today’s word ends with Y. 

What is the solution to today’s Wordle?

Ready? Today’s word is MUSHY.

How I solved today’s Wordle

I started with RAISE and TOUCH. Instead of eliminating remaining letters, I decided to guess a solution: MUSHY. This would have helped narrow down answers, including letter placement and letters found in other possibilities, even if it hadn't been correct.

Wordle 1,170 3/6

⬛⬛⬛🟨⬛
⬛⬛🟨⬛🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

---

Yesterday’s Wordle answer

Yesterday’s Wordle was medium difficult. The hint was “found on a teapot” and the answer contained four common letters and one pretty common letter.

The answer to yesterday’s Wordle was SPOUT.

A primer on Wordle basics

The idea of Wordle is to guess the day’s secret word. When you first open the Wordle game, you’ll see an empty grid of letters. It’s up to you to make the first move: type in any five-letter word. 

Now, you can use the colors that are revealed to get clues about the word: Green means you correctly guessed a letter, and it’s in the correct position. (For example, if you guess PARTY, and the word is actually PURSE, the P and R will be green.)

• Yellow means the letter is somewhere in the word, but not in the position you guessed it. (For example, if you guessed PARTY, but the word is actually ROAST, the R, A and T will all be yellow.)

• Gray means the letter is not in the solution word at all. (If you guessed PARTY and everything is gray, then the solution cannot be PURSE or ROAST.)

With all that in mind, guess another word, and then another, trying to land on the correct word before you run out of chances. You get six guesses, and then it’s game over.

The best starter words for Wordle

What should you play for that first guess? The best starters tend to contain common letters, to increase the chances of getting yellow and green squares to guide your guessing. (And if you get all grays when guessing common letters, that’s still excellent information to help you rule out possibilities.) There isn’t a single “best” starting word, but the New York Times’s Wordle analysis bot has suggested starting with one of these:

• CRANE

• TRACE

• SLANT

• CRATE

• CARTE

Meanwhile, an MIT analysis found that you’ll eliminate the most possibilities in the first round by starting with one of these:

• SALET

• REAST

• TRACE

• CRATE

• SLATE

Other good picks might be ARISE or ROUND. Words like ADIEU and AUDIO get more vowels in play, but you could argue that it’s better to start with an emphasis on consonants, using a starter like RENTS or CLAMP. Choose your strategy, and see how it plays out.

How to win at Wordle

We have a few guides to Wordle strategy, which you might like to read over if you’re a serious student of the game. This one covers how to use consonants to your advantage, while this one focuses on a strategy that uses the most common letters. In this advanced guide, we detail a three-pronged approach for fishing for hints while maximizing your chances of winning quickly.

The biggest thing that separates Wordle winners from Wordle losers is that winners use their guesses to gather information about what letters are in the word. If you know that the word must end in -OUND, don’t waste four guesses on MOUND, ROUND, SOUND, and HOUND; combine those consonants and guess MARSH. If the H lights up in yellow, you know the solution.

One more note on strategy: the original Wordle used a list of about 2,300 solution words, but after the game was bought by the NYT, the game now has an editor who hand-picks the solutions. Sometimes they are slightly tricky words that wouldn’t have made the original list, and sometimes they are topical. For example, FEAST was the solution one Thanksgiving. So keep in mind that there may be a theme.

Wordle alternatives

If you can’t get enough of five-letter guessing games and their kin, the best Wordle alternatives, ranked by difficulty, include:

• Wheeldle, which lets you play one puzzle after another

• Dordle and Quordle, which ask you to play two (Dordle) or four (Quordle) puzzles at the same time, with the same guesses. There is also Octordle, with eight puzzles, and Sedecordle, with 16.

• Waffle, which shows you several five-letter words, scrambled in a grid; you play by swapping the letters around until you solve.

• Absurdle, which changes the solution after each guess, but needs to stay consistent with its previous feedback. You have to strategically back it into a corner until there is only one possible word left; then you guess it, and win.

• Squabble, in which you play Wordle against other people with a timer running. You take damage if you spend too much time between guesses; winner is the last one standing.

• Antiwordle, in which you are trying not to guess the day’s solution. You’re required to reuse any letters that you (oops) guessed correctly, so the longer it takes you, the better you are at the game.

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Why You Need to Check Your Garage for Leaks Now

If you have a garage, shed, or other outbuilding, now is the perfect time to check it for leaks. Leaks can develop in warmer weather as the materials your structures are made of expand and contract with changing temperatures. In the summer, a small leak might not be such a big deal, but moisture can wreak havoc once the weather cools down and water freezes and expands inside of cracks. Getting ahead of any small issues before they become big ones can save you a lot of money on repairs. Here are a few simple steps you can take now to prevent damage down the road.

Look for wet spots

Begin by inspecting the floor, walls, and ceiling for any wet spots. It’s best to do this soon after it rains, before any moisture dries up. Water that’s leaking from the roof might not collect immediately under a leak but could run down the roof beams to the walls, so look for wet spots at the base of walls where they meet the floor. Another common place water can get into your garage is under the door. A shed door can also be a source of potential leaks.

Check the roof

The roof of your garage can be damaged by wind or falling branches from storms. Look for dislodged shingles or any place where the roof looks disturbed. You should also look for any clumps of leaves or debris, as these can trap moisture close to the roof, causing damage from freezing water once the temperature drops. A good blast from the hose usually works to dislodge clumps of leaves. If you find a gap in the shingles, you might be able to do a DIY repair if only a few are loose, but if there is more extensive damage, it’s a good idea to get a professional involved.

Check your slab

Now is also a good time to inspect the concrete slab that your garage or shed sits on. If you notice any small cracks, you can use a concrete repair sealer to fix them and prevent water damage. If you notice larger cracks or see that your slab is moving, you might need to have a professional come take a look.

Check weather stripping

The weatherstripping around doors and windows can wear out over time, allowing drafts as well as moisture to get in. You can use a garage door weather-stripping kit to seal around a roll-top door, and you can also find weather stripping for windows and regular doors. If you have an issue with water coming in under the door, you can replace the under-door seal to keep water out or you can add a threshold strip under the door to keep water from running in when the door is open.

Check your drainage

If you have water collecting on the outside of your shed or garage, it could be a problem with grading or your downspouts might not be working properly. To address issues of grading, you should make sure that the ground around your structure slopes down at a rate of about one inch to every one foot of distance away from your structure for about five to 10 feet. To address issues with your downspout, try clearing it of leaves or using a downspout extension to aim water away from the building.

Cut back vegetation

Bushes and trees that touch your structure can keep moisture close to the walls, allowing ice to form in areas it shouldn’t. In addition to increasing the risk that a brush fire could jump to your garage, having plants in close contact with walls can cause water damage over time. Pruning back shrubs and trees at least 18 inches from walls can increase the lifespan of your siding and prevent damage from ice as the weather changes.

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Apple Now Has Its Own 'Magic Eraser' for iPhones

When Apple announced Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of generative AI features, one of the new options it highlighted was "Clean Up." This new Photos feature lets you identify unwanted subjects and objects in your images, and, through the power of generative AI, remove them from your photo.

If that sounds familiar, it's because Google did it first. The company's Magic Eraser feature works much in the same way, and has evolved from a Pixel-exclusive feature to a Google Photos option on both Android and iPhone. But most iOS users don't have Google Photos, so Clean Up is likely the first generative AI-powered object-removal tool iPhone owners will have tried for themselves.

While you can't try Clean Up and other Apple Intelligence features with the latest public version of iOS, the feature is available for those who don't mind a little risk: Apple included it with the third developer beta release for iOS 18.1, the future software update that will introduce Apple Intelligence to compatible iPhones. (Right now, that's just the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.) If you enroll your compatible iPhone in the latest developer beta for iOS 18.1, you'll be able to try it out.

A disclaimer: Running any beta software on your device is risky, as the software is still currently being tested. There may be bugs or other glitches that haven't been discovered and squashed yet, which could mess with your device and its data. If you choose to install the iOS 18.1 beta, do so at your own risk.

How Apple Intelligence's "Clean Up" feature works

Once you have the latest developer beta of iOS 18.1 running on your iPhone, choose an image from Photos and hit Edit. You'll see a new Clean Up button along the bottom tool bar. Tap it, and iOS will tell you to, "Tap, brush, or circle what you want to remove." So, if you want to get rid of a photobombing seagull in your beach photo, circle it; if you want to remove a stranger from the background of a group shot, tap the person; if you want to clear some trash from the table in your image, brush over it.

While these gestures usually all work the same, apparently they can do different things in various situations. For example, you can add pixelation to people's faces in your photos by circling them, as evidenced in this post on X.

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These JBL Earbuds Are up to 50% Off

All three models—Tune Buds, Tune Flex, and Vibe Beam—deliver JBL’s core signature bass sound. They all feature wireless Bluetooth connectivity for tangle-free listening and include smart ambient features that let you converse without removing your earbuds. And right now, all three are on sale for up to 50% off.

At $49.95 (down from $99.95), both the Tune Buds and Tune Flex give you noise-cancelling features and sound quality. JBL says the Tune Buds have a battery life of 10 hours when noise-cancelling is engaged. However, as noted by a user, these earbuds need to be removed from the case to power on. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if you’re in a rush and leave the case behind, it could be an inconvenience. The Tune Flex, on the other hand, offers six hours of battery life but adds some extra perks, like four mics for clearer calls. With an IPX4 rating, they’re also sweat-proof and water-resistant. On the downside, some users have reported issues with the earbuds not charging properly over time. Read PCMag's detailed review of the JBL Tune Flex for more information.

For those on a tighter budget, the Vibe Beam at $29.95 (down from $49.95) offers eight hours of battery life and durability with splash- and dust-resistance. However, one reviewer noted that the earbud's EQ tends to flatten the bass, and its presets don’t do much to improve it. At this price, they’re a decent option, but don’t expect earth-shattering bass.

Comparable options on the market, such as the EarFun Air Pro 3 or Anker's Soundcore P40i, make for good alternatives but come with slightly higher price tags at $79.99 and $59.99 (down from $69.99), respectively.

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How to Test the AI Capabilities of Your Computer

Artificial intelligence, and generative AI in particular, are now such prominent technologies, they'll often get mentioned before anything else at product launches—from the Pixel 9 series to the Microsoft Copilot+ PC range. These devices are getting more AI features, and more components dedicated to AI tasks. If you're wondering just how well your computer can handle the most common AI tasks of the moment, turn to the newly launched Geekbench AI 1.0, from the benchmarking experts at Geekbench.

For those of you new to benchmarking, it essentially stress-tests your hardware with specially designed tasks, to help you get an idea of how powerful your system is—and how it compares to others. You can benchmark many different components of your computer, but for this situation, we're specifically interested in testing for AI performance.

What AI benchmarks are actually testing

Geekbench AI will give you three final scores. Credit: Lifehacker

Run an AI benchmark such as Geekbench AI, and it will look at how well your computer can perform tasks that are normally handled by AI: detecting objects and faces in pictures, generating a new image based on the style of an existing one, or translating between languages. You might use web apps for these jobs, but these benchmarks tell you how well your computer can handle them locally.

These different tests utilize different types of AI, including machine learning (training models on vast amounts of data) and deep learning (a more complex version of machine learning). They also measure different aspects of AI performance: how quickly AI tasks can be processed, for example, as well as how accurate they are.

Modern-day systems now often have dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs), processors built for processing AI tasks. These tasks often require different types of calculations and workflows than more general computing processes, so having hardware components made specifically for them can speed everything up (in the same way a GPU or Graphics Processing Unit is designed specifically to handle visuals).

Geekbench AI produces three scores at the end: Full Precision, Half Precision, and Quantized. Full Precision reflects AI tasks where high levels of accuracy are required and most demands are placed on the system, whereas the other two compromise a little on accuracy versus speed (often required if efficiency is important).

"Just as CPU-bound workloads vary in how they can take advantage of multiple cores or threads for performance scaling (necessitating both single-core and multi-core metrics in most related benchmarks), AI workloads cover a range of precision levels, depending on the task needed, the hardware available, and the frameworks in between," explains Geekbench's John Poole in a blog post.

How to run Geekbench AI on your computer

Geekbench AI on macOS. Credit: Lifehacker

Head to the Geekbench AI download page to find the packages for Windows, macOS, and Linux (as well as links to the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store if you want to run benchmarks on your mobile devices). All of these programs are straightforward to use, even if you have no experience running benchmarking software.

The main Geekbench AI interface on the desktop shows some information about your system first of all, including the operating system you're running and the processor you have installed. You then get a description of what the benchmark is going to cover. (Note that it'll take several minutes to complete.)

You then get drop-down menus to configure the benchmark. First is the AI Framework, which is essentially the AI toolset you want to use for the test: The ones you'll see will depend on your system, and may include ONNX (the open-source Open Neural Network Exchange) and Core ML (the AI framework used on Apple hardware).

Then there's the AI Backend, which means the system component you want to test the AI capabilities of. This will depend on what's inside your computer, but you will see CPU, and perhaps GPU and NPU (or Neural Engine) too. On some systems, you'll also see an AI Device option, which lets you switch between available processors.

When you're happy with the way the benchmark is configured, click Run AI Benchmark to set it in motion. Your system's results will pop up in a web browser, and you can check out other results posted from other devices through the same portal. Note that scores are calibrated against a baseline of 1,500, which reflects the performance of an Intel Core i7-10700 processor. Higher scores indicate more capable AI handling.

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Are You a 'Financial Mutant'? (And Why You Should Be)

In the world of personal finance, I often see the word "financial mutant" floating around. It sounds ominous, but the use of "mutant" here is a good thing. These aren't your average savers or spenders—they're people with certain habits and mindsets that make them unusually good with money. So what exactly is a financial mutant, and could you be one without even knowing it?

What is a financial mutant?

Brian Preston from The Money Guy coined the term "financial mutant" as a way to describe people who "focus on what's important and ignore the rest." In this video, Preston says if you could boil what a financial mutant is in simple terms, it would be "deferred gratification," or "the ability to sacrifice a little bit today for a more beautiful tomorrow."

The term has caught on as a catch-all to describe someone who has developed a nuanced understanding of money management. They recognize when it makes sense to be frugal and when it's appropriate to spend. Unlike strict budgeters or impulsive spenders, financial mutants have a flexible approach to money that adapts to different life stages and circumstances.

The financial mutant mindset

Financial mutants think about money differently. They don't adhere to rigid rules or succumb to societal pressure to spend. Instead, they recognize the true value of purchases beyond just the price tag. They can zoom out and are comfortable with financial trade-offs, like understanding how to have good debt.

Key traits of a financial mutant include:

• Adaptive spending habits

• Value-based decision making

• Long-term financial vision

• Comfort with financial fluidity

Are you a financial mutant?

You might be a financial mutant if:

• You can comfortably switch between frugal and generous spending depending on the situation.

• You make purchasing decisions based on value rather than just price.

• You're not afraid to spend on things that truly matter to you, even if they seem luxurious to others.

• You can adapt your financial strategy as your life circumstances change.

How to become a financial mutant

Again, "financial mutant" is just a buzzy way to distinguish people who have a healthier, savvier money mindset than most. Here are some small ways you can start to become a financial mutant, with resources to start your journey now:

1. Develop financial self-awareness: Understand your spending triggers, financial fears, and long-term goals. You should consider asking yourself some tough questions about the root of your relationship with money.

2. Practice intentional spending: Before each purchase, ask yourself if it aligns with your values and goals. Physically write down the things you want to buy before you buy them, and learn to differentiate between price and value in your purchases.

3. Embrace financial education: Continuously learn about personal finance, investing, and economic trends. These free courses are a great place to start.

4. Challenge financial norms: Question conventional wisdom about money and find what works best for you. Be prepared to adjust your financial strategies as your life evolves. For instance, don't let these myths stop you from investing.

5. Plan for the long-term: While being adaptable in the short term, always keep your long-term financial health in mind. For instance, here are all the kinds of retirement accounts you could be taking advantage of.

The bottom line

By combining the best aspects of frugality with smart spending and long-term thinking, financial mutants know how to practice delayed gratifications. Whether you're already a financial mutant or aspiring to become one, remember that the key lies in flexibility, continuous learning, and aligning your financial decisions with your personal values and goals. If you need a professional opinion for reviewing and managing your debts, look into a financial advisor or even a financial therapist.

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Complete Your Fall Home-Maintenance Tasks With These Labor Day Sales

Getting ready for cooler weather means tackling some regular maintenance around the house. Prepping for the heat to come on, for more rain, and for spending more time indoors means there are a few things you might need to make sure everything runs smoothly for the changing seasons. Here are a few deals that can help you get your house squared away for fall.

Furnace prep

Around Labor Day weekend is a good time to swap out your furnace filters if you haven’t already. A four-pack of Filtrete 16 by 25-inch furnace filters is on sale for $71.24, 34% off their regular price. A four-pack of Filtrete micro allergy grade 20 by 25-inch furnace filters is on sale for $41.78, 43% off its regular price. The four-pack is a one-year supply unless your filters are exposed to excessive dust or smoke. If anyone in your household has health problems like asthma, you can opt for a high-filtration furnace filter. A Lennox MERV 16 air filter is on sale for $82.49, 43% off its regular price. You should make sure that your HVAC system can handle a higher filtration filter before you install it to avoid damaging the fan.

Lennox Carbon Coated X6672 Healthy Climate MERV 16 Filter

$82.49 at Amazon

$145.00 Save $62.51

$82.49 at Amazon

$145.00 Save $62.51

Winterizing

While you're getting your house ready for colder weather, make sure that you have a faucet cover for outdoor spigots to keep them from freezing. These faucet covers are on sale for $7.45, 43% off their regular price. You can also seal up any drafty windows and doors. Frost King window insulation kits are on sale for $6.78, 76% off its regular price. Frost King also has patio door insulation kits on sale for $7.98, 65% off its usual price.

Frost King V76H Shrink Window Kit 84-Inch by 110-Inch, Clear

$7.98 at Amazon

$22.49 Save $14.51

$7.98 at Amazon

$22.49 Save $14.51

Maintenance

Cleaning out your dryer vent as the seasons change is a good practice to avoid dangerous buildup of lint that can cause a fire. This dryer vent cleaning kit is on sale for $7.99, 53% off its usual price. The kit comes with a long vacuum hose attachment and a brush for clearing your dryer vent and duct. You can also check your walkways and driveway for small cracks. Quikrete concrete crack seal is on sale for $12.98, 50% off its usual price.

Checking your downspouts and gutters as fall approaches is also a good call. In addition to clearing leaves and debris, you should make sure that downspouts drain away from your home. A Flex Drain downspout extension is on sale right now for $3.83, 52% off its normal price.

Quikrete Concrete Crack Seal Natural 1 Qt

$12.98 at Amazon

$26.09 Save $13.11

$12.98 at Amazon

$26.09 Save $13.11

Home safety

Checking batteries and testing smoke detectors is a good idea going into a season where fireplaces, furnaces, and other indoor fire hazards are likely to be used more frequently. If you discover that you need new smoke alarms, a six-pack of Aegislink smoke detectors is on sale for $104.65, 39% off its usual price. These smoke detectors are also carbon monoxide alarms and are connected to each other wirelessly, so a problem in one area will set off the alarms in other areas, allowing you to respond to issues more rapidly. You can also add some anti-slip tape to outdoor steps ahead of snow and heavy rain to prevent falls. Trazon anti-slip tape is on sale for $17.59 for a 35-foot roll, 30% off its regular price.

AEGISLINK Smoke Carbon Monoxide Detector, Interlinked Combination Smoke CO Alarm, Battery Powered, Wireless Interconnected, Digital Display, SC-RF220, 6-Pack

$104.65 at Amazon

$170.99 Save $66.34

$104.65 at Amazon

$170.99 Save $66.34

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You Can Hide Your Mac’s Yellow Dot Without Sacrificing Security

The yellow dot (or maybe orange, depending on how you see it) is one of the best privacy and security features on your Mac. It's a simple indicator that lets you know that an app is using your Mac's microphone. When it's live, you'll see the yellow dot in the menu bar, right next to the Control Center icon. Even though I love this feature, it can be rather distracting sometimes, but fortunately there's a way to find a balance between aesthetics and security using a free app called YellowDot. It changes the yellow privacy indicator to black (or other colors) and lets you dim a few other menu bar system icons, too.

Why to change the color of the Mac's Yellow Dot

When I'm writing, I use my word processor in full-screen mode so I can focus on writing. If I'm logged into an online meeting and taking notes, the yellow dot appears in the top-right corner of the screen. This is the opposite of the distraction-free writing experience I'm looking for, since my eyes keep drifting towards the dot from time to time. 

I also deal with migraine problems and one of the symptoms is sensitivity to bright lights. It's why I use dark mode on every device I can and I try to use neutral or dim colors whenever I'm staring at a screen for any length of time. This is how I found YellowDot, and it's been really helpful.

What YellowDot does and how to use it

Once you download and install YellowDot, you'll have to give it access to Screen and System Audio Recording permissions. This allows it to tweak the appearance of items in your menu bar. With this set up, YellowDot takes care of the rest. The app will automatically change the privacy indicator to a different color, but you can click its menu bar icon and go to Dot color to change it to other colors. You can choose one of the following options:

• Black

• Default (yellow)

• Adaptive

• Dim

• White

The default choice is Adaptive, which dynamically adjusts the color of the privacy indicator based on your activity. I changed it to Black because I find that to be aesthetically pleasing, and it doesn't distract me. You'll notice that YellowDot also dims a few other menu bar icons that can't otherwise be dimmed, including location and screen recording indicators. This can be very useful when you're presenting something on your Mac and don't want everyone to be distracted by bright icons in the menu bar.

While you're at it, check out Unclack, which automatically mutes your Mac's mic while you're typing.

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These Bathroom and Kitchen Fixtures Are up to 90% Off Right Now for Labor Day

Whether you're planning to gut and redo your kitchen, or you're just looking for a new faucet, you know how expensive bathroom and kitchen fixtures can get. Luckily for you, Labor Day sales are upon us—so there's no need to completely blow your DIY budget.

Kitchen fixture sales

The right fixtures can transform your kitchen—but getting just the right set-up can be expensive. Here are some deals on kitchen fixtures for a DIY upgrade you can be proud of.

• The Forious brushed nickel pulldown sprayer faucet is on sale for $39.90, 50% off its regular price. The fixture is compatible with a one or three-hole sink, so it’s likely to fit your existing sink.

• The Basdehen matte black pulldown sprayer faucet is on sale for $31.99, 47% off its typical price. This fixture has a 10-inch mounting plate to cover a one or three-hole sink.

• The Frigidaire ¾ HP corded garbage disposal is on sale for $119.36, 40% off its normal price. This unit mounts underneath a kitchen sink. You’ll need some tools for installation, but if you're an intermediate-level DIYer, you can manage this.

• The Tobusa Sputnik chandelier is on sale for $27.99, 60% off its typical price. This kitchen ceiling fixture is semi-flush mounted to allow for free space below it.

Forious Kitchen Faucet with Pull Down Sprayer

$49.88 at Amazon

$79.99 Save $30.11

$49.88 at Amazon

$79.99 Save $30.11

Bathroom fixture sales

Upgrading your bathroom can add value to your home in addition to making it more comfortable. While moving plumbing and other major renovations shouldn’t be a DIY project, you can install new fixtures yourself with a little know-how. With these deals, you can upgrade your bathroom without blowing your budget.

• The Pfister Weller matte black bathroom sink faucet is on sale for $90.71, 43% off its typical price. This faucet is compatible with a single or triple-hole sink.

• The Kingston Brass Restoration four-inch bathroom faucet is on sale for $57.16, 56% off its usual price.

• The Aquacare high-pressure, 8-mode shower head is on sale for $29.98, 63% off its regular price. It comes with a mounting bracket and can be hand-held as well for use as a shower wand.

• The Zarbitta three-light vanity light fixture is on sale for $39.99, 43% off its usual price. This fixture is 17 ½” wide and can illuminate a standard-sized vanity mirror.

Aquacare high-pressure, 8-mode shower head

$29.98 at Amazon

$79.99 Save $50.01

$29.98 at Amazon

$79.99 Save $50.01

Spa fixture sales

If you have the space and the inclination, why not set up a spot for self-care at home? Fixtures for a home spa are generally expensive, though. Luckily, there are some good deals on home spa fixtures currently on sale.

• This 129-gallon cold plunge tub is on sale for $95.99, 90% off its regular price. The recovery tub is designed to be filled with ice or cold water to help soothe sore muscles. The tub is collapsible for storage and comes with a lid for if you choose to use it outdoors.

• The Lanhado dual-head rainfall showerhead is on sale for $39.99, 40% off its regular price. The dual head has one large rainfall shower head as well as a hand-held shower wand.

• The Megeem 25-liter towel warmer is on sale for $79.99, 92% off its typical price. The towel warmer has an automatic timer with three settings and can accommodate larger linens like bathrobes and blankets.

129-gallon cold plunge tub

$95.99 at Amazon

$999.99 Save $904.00

$95.99 at Amazon

$999.99 Save $904.00

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How to Take a Screenshot on an iPad

Pics or it didn't happen. The internet adage goes beyond taking screenshots on your iPhone. You can take screenshots of anything on your iPad screen, too, whether it's a particularly juicy iMessage conversation or something to help your parents with tech issues. On all iPad models, there are multiple ways to take screenshots, from using hardware buttons, to keyboard shortcuts, to a couple of taps on the screen. We'll cover all the best options below.

How to take a screenshot on iPads without a Home button

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

All the latest iPads available today, from the classic iPad, to the iPad Air, and iPad Pro, feature a design similar to the iPhone. Instead of the Side button on the iPhone, you have the Top button (this is also the button you hold to power on the iPad). On the side, you'll find the Volume buttons. The only exception is the iPad Mini, where all the buttons are at the top.

To take a screenshot, simply press the Top button and the Volume Down button at the same time. After you take a screenshot, you'll see a thumbnail appear temporarily in the bottom left-hand corner of the iPad. You can tap the thumbnail to open the Markup view, or swipe left to dismiss it. It'll also dismiss automatically after enough time has passed, but don't worry—your screenshot will be saved.

How to take a screenshot on iPads with a Home button

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

If you have an older iPad with a Home button, you can use the old-fashioned way to take a screenshot. Press the Home button and the Top button together, simple as.

How to take a screenshot with keyboard shortcuts

Just like with the Mac, the iPad can take screenshots using keyboard shortcuts This will work for Bluetooth keyboards and Magic keyboard accessories.

Command-Shift-3 will take a screenshot of the entire screen.

Command-Shift-4 will take a screenshot and immediately open the Markup view, where you'll be able to annotate, edit, or crop the screenshot before saving it to the Photos app.

How to take screenshots using corner gestures

If you're using the latest iPadOS software (anything above iOS 15), you have access to a hidden feature that can be great for taking screenshots. It's called Corner Gestures.

To enable this feature, go to Settings > Multitasking & Gestures. Then, enable the Swipe Finger from Corner feature, and in the Bottom Left Corner or Bottom Right Corner boxes, choose the Screenshot option.

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

Now, when you swipe in with your finger from the bottom-left corner, it will take a screenshot and instantly take you to the Markup feature. Here, you're free to crop or annotate. Tap the Share button to save the screenshot to the Photos app, or to share it with any other app.

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

How to take a screenshot by tapping on the screen

If you don't want to use keyboard shortcuts or button presses, or your Volume buttons aren't working, you can instead use an Accessibility feature to take screenshots by tapping a floating button on the screen.

First, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn on the AssistiveTouch feature.

Credit: Khamosh Pathak.

Now, tap the Customize Top level Menu option, add a new icon, and choose the Screenshot feature.

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

Now, when you tap the floating circle anywhere on the screen, you'll find the Screenshot option right there.

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The Next Generation of Robot Lawn Mowers Do More Than Just Mow

The next batch of robot lawn mowers do so much more than just mow. For the last six months, I have had fun testing robot lawn mowers, and even in that short time, I've seen innovation happening. (For instance, Mammotion and Segway finally pushed their lawn printing features live.) I generally keep an eye on new models, and you know precisely what kind of nerd you are when giant yard robots with names like the Mowrator get you psyched.

First generation lawn robots are great for the average lawn

For those of us with suburban or even urban lawns, most robot lawn mowers are just fine. The good ones (and it turns out there are so many bad ones) will handle dips and curves in the lawn, are not deterred by a bump here and there, and can tackle multiple areas of your yard, even crossing walkways and driveways. These robots use a lot of different methodologies from LiDAR to RTK (different positioning technologies), but their goals are the same: to knock down grass that's under five inches or so to an HOA-acceptable level, and do so reliably on schedule without you having to own or operate a regular mower. Beyond the suburban lawns are pastures that most mowers are not equipped to handle, which is where models like the Yarbo and afore mentioned Mowrator come in.

For bigger lawns or overgrowth, you need a more powerful mower

These new robot lawn mowers are beefier and more powerful—the Mowrator clocks in at 120 pounds, and the Yarbo even more, at 200 pounds. They're substantially bigger than even the Mammotion Luba 2, the largest of the robot lawn mowers I'd previously tested, at under 40 pounds. You're not likely to use these bigger models on a small patch of lawn—that would be akin to using a vacuum on a doily. If you've got overgrowth anywhere, though, from stubborn weeds to blackberry vines, these machines can eat it up more effectively than a herd of goats, and they seem to do so pretty effortlessly.

Earlier this month, I took the Mowrator out to a field to do the only thing I could think of: mow crop circles into an empty field. I was shocked both at how well it traversed the land, and how fun it was. You don't have to have a pasture, either. If you've got a substantial lawn or anything over 4,000 square feet of land, I could see how bumping up to a heftier model could be worthwhile. Regardless, standard robot lawn mowers, which used to seem so cutting edge to me, now feel a little one-note. They just mow.

The best new features for all seasons

These newer, bigger models have some exciting new features. The Mowrator will collect its own grass clippings, towing them behind the mower, and then dumping them wherever you want them. It also vacuums up leaves, and there's even a mulch attachment so you can fully blitz the leaves before dumping them. The Yarbo, a more traditional robot mower, is not content to be toted out of storage just for the summer—it can be transformed into a leaf blower, a snowblower, and a snow plow (I actually want snow this winter so I can test it out). What I most look forward to, though, is hitching a wagon to the Yarbo and having the robot tow compost and mulch all over my yard, instead of the Amanda-bot (who is tired). The Yarbo can tow 3,500 pounds and can just "follow you."

These lawn robots create accessibility

What these newer robot lawn mower models point to is a growing presence of robots in the yard, helping with both labor and accessibility. More importantly, the cost of these robots (the Mowrator starts around $3,000, and the Yarbo around $3,500) can be spread across multiple homes (assuming you get along with your neighbors), which can help make them more affordable. While you may not want to shovel the sidewalk for your whole block, you might not mind letting the machine handle the work, which creates accessible sidewalks and removes labor for those who would struggle to do so. Putting all of that aside, these robot lawn mowers are so much fun to use, making these chores seem a lot less loathsome.

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I Quit Twitter Two Years Ago (Here’s How It Went)

Twitter was an important part of my life; for a decade it was the main place I hung out online. I made friends there I still talk with daily. I met the people who would become my editors, which is how I built my career. I felt a sense of community with other internet weirdos around the world. It's a major part of why I am who I am today.

And I haven't used it in two years. In 2022 I quiet-quit Twitter. I still post, but not really: I have an automated script that pushes links for my articles there. I also set up Beeper so that DMs still get to me, which I recommend—I can stay on top of that without ever logging in.

Other than that, though, I'm gone. I don't scroll, I don't reply, and I don't see ads. At some point, I assume, Beeper and my automation will break, at which point I'll delete my Twitter account.

If you're reading this, and still on Twitter (which is now, of course, X), it's probably because you're thinking of doing the same thing—but something is keeping you there. I'll share what I was thinking before I left; maybe it will help you decide. I'll also talk about where I've found community online since leaving.

Twitter is already dead

Twitter was important to a lot of people for a lot of reasons, and many of them have left. I'm writing this two days after XOXO, a conference full of idealists who believe the internet can be a force for good in spite of everything. The collective mourning for Twitter at the festival was palpable.

And that makes sense: Twitter was a website where people could hang out, crack jokes, build things, and possibly even solve problems. There are so many beautiful projects and friendships that started on the site, not to mention valuable activism. But that was all a long time ago. The truth is that Twitter has been more bad than good for most people for a long time—way before whatshisname bought it.

I am not here to glorify the early days of Twitter. The truth is that the site, and the community around it, has always had problems. At some point, though, the negatives of the site outweighed the positive. The exact time this happened is going to vary from person to person, but for me I think the shift began around 2014. If you don't know what Gamergate is, great: Keep living your life. But something about that particular harassment campaign destroyed my ability to assume goodwill. Going viral shifted from being a reward to a punishment, and in general everything felt less fun.

And you know what? There's no good reason to stay on a social network that isn't fun. The exact time that shift becomes necessary might differ for you—there are a lot of factors—but I encourage you to at least pay attention as you're scrolling. Are you enjoying yourself? Or learning things? Or are you just generally feeling kind of bad?

My brain works better now

In 2020 my therapist asked me if I needed to have Twitter for my job. We'd only done two sessions together and she already knew that the website was bad for my brain. This was during the depths of lockdown, when the thought of giving up one of the tools I was using to feel in touch with the world felt impossible.

She was onto something. When I left Twitter in 2022, I noticed rather quickly that I felt less anxious. I think a big part of this is that I'm no longer exposed to a constant stream of negativity. At some point, the main thing on Twitter became people intentionally saying horrible things to get attention and people who should know better giving them attention by dunking on them. And sure, sometimes those dunks were funny, but the thing about spending all day making fun of terrible people is that you're spending a good chunk of your day giving attention to terrible people.

The things you pay attention to shape your brain. Twitter, for me, was shaping it to be worse. I was astounded at how much less anxious I felt after leaving, and how much easier it became to focus on work and enjoy hobbies. I don't know if the same benefits await you, but I believe there's a good chance you'll be surprised.

I found new (and better) online spaces

The past few years have been about slowly teaching myself to enjoy the internet again. I primarily hang out on Mastodon right now, and I enjoy it a lot. I've reconnected with some of my favorite people from Twitter and met plenty of new ones. I also find that people there that actually click links, read the articles, and respond to specific points in the article instead of just reacting to the headline. The fact that this felt surprising only goes to show how terrible a place Twitter became, and how low my expectations for online interaction had gotten.

An even bigger revelation, though, has been starting Connectivity, my newsletter. It's not huge at this point—only 300 people or so—but it's given me more of a feeling of community than any social network has in a long time. People write back to me. Some are friends, some are family, and some are strangers, but plenty of good conversations have started there.

These approaches may or may not work for you—you may need to try something else. My point is that you can rebuild online community in other places, and putting in just a little bit of effort can remind you why online community is valuable in the first place.

Sometimes things end and that's okay

Multiple XOXO speakers, not to mention people I talked to, referred to the social network as "zombie Twitter," which is a great descriptor. The soul of Twitter is gone, and has been gone for a while. What remains is a husk of the thing that was, walking the earth long after the end of its natural lifespan.

There's a moment in most zombie movies where a character needs to kill or abandon the zombie of a loved one, usually while another character says that the loved one in question is already dead. And that's what I'm here to say: Twitter is already dead. I'm grateful, in a way, that whatshisname rebranded the site, allowing us to separate the site that was from the site that is.

Twitter is dead. We can mourn that, and we should. But part of mourning is moving on.

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How a Stock’s Opening Price Is Set for the Day (and Why It Matters)

For the average investor, the headlines have been terrifying lately: Japan's stock market in free fall, the NASDAQ dropping precipitously, and the constant threat of a looming U.S. recession. Sometimes, news like this can cause many stocks to open much lower (potentially signaling a correction) or higher (possibly indicating a rally). These movements at market open can be the start of broader, longer-lasting market trends.

The opening price of a stock is the first trading price of the day for that particular security. Understanding how this price is determined and what influences it can be crucial for investors of all experience levels. Let's dive into the details of how the opening price is set and why it matters.

What is the opening price for a stock

Opening prices often reflect the market's initial reaction to overnight news and events. If many stocks open significantly higher or lower than their previous closing prices, it can indicate a strong market-wide momentum. This can set the tone for the trading day and potentially influence short-term market trends.

How is the opening price set

The opening price is influenced by several factors that occur overnight or in the early morning hours before the market officially opens:

1. Pre-market trading: Many exchanges allow trading before regular market hours. These pre-market trades can significantly impact the opening price.

2. Overnight news and events: Economic reports, company announcements, or global events can shift market sentiment and affect stock prices.

3. Changes in supply and demand: Investors may place buy or sell orders before the market opens, influencing the balance of supply and demand for a particular stock.

4. Futures market activity: Movement in related futures markets can indicate potential trends for stocks when the market opens.

5. International market performance: For stocks of multinational companies or those with significant overseas exposure, performance in foreign markets can impact opening prices.

6. Analyst upgrades or downgrades: Changes in analyst recommendations often occur before the market opens and can sway investor sentiment.

The actual process of setting the opening price varies by exchange. For example, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) uses a combination of algorithmic matching and human oversight to determine opening prices, while the NASDAQ relies on what it calls an Opening Cross method.

What about closing prices?

While opening prices are influenced by overnight and early morning factors, closing prices are determined by trading activity throughout the day. The closing price is typically the last traded price before the market closes, though some exchanges use a closing auction to determine the final price.

Closing prices are important because they're often used to calculate daily returns, update index values, and serve as a reference point for the next day's opening.

Why understanding opening prices matters

Understanding opening prices can provide insight into how news and events impact the stock market. For day traders, the opening price can set the tone for the day's trading and provide opportunities for quick profits or losses. And for long-term investors, significant gaps between the previous day's closing price and the new opening price can signal important changes in a company's outlook. So, whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting to learn about investing, understanding opening prices can help you:

1. Make more informed investment decisions by recognizing how various factors impact stock prices.

2. Interpret market reactions to news and events more effectively.

3. Develop a better sense of market timing if you're considering buying or selling stocks.

4. Understand the volatility and liquidity of different stocks.

5. Grasp the interconnectedness of global markets and how they influence each other.

Keep in mind, even professional traders struggle to outperform the market over the long term. The opening price is just one piece of the complex puzzle that is the stock market, and understanding its significance can provide valuable insights for investors at all levels. By paying attention to opening prices and the factors that influence them, you can develop a more nuanced understanding of market dynamics and potentially make better-informed investment decisions.

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How to Watch Tomorrow's Nintendo Direct

It is once again time for another Nintendo Direct. The company announced its upcoming presentation in a Monday post on X, giving just one day's notice for the Direct. While this presentation might not be what all Nintendo fans are looking for, there should be some interesting news nonetheless. If you want to see the news break as it happens, make sure to tune in live.

What will Nintendo announce during its latest Direct?

Nintendo usually shrouds its Directs in secrecy, revealing few details before the actual announcement. This time around, however, we do know the Direct will feature two presentations: The first will be an Indie World Showcase, a chance for Nintendo to show off upcoming indie titles for the Switch, while the second will be a Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, so we'll likely see some games from Nintendo partners on the horizon.

Nintendo's latest Direct didn't come out of nowhere. Rumors suggested the company would hold one of its virtual conferences sometimes this week, with some speculating the event would finally showcase the Nintendo Switch 2 for the first time.

Unfortunately for those of us who are desperate for some Switch 2 news, this event ain't it. In a short sequel post, the company succinctly said, "Please note, there will be no mention of the Nintendo Switch successor during either of these presentations."

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While we still have to wait for a Switch 2 reveal, this Direct should be interesting in its own right: Nintendo is allotting 40 minutes for the presentation, so if you're a Switch fan, chances are there will be at least one game here you'll find appealing.

How to watch Tuesday's Nintendo Direct

Nintendo will livestream its latest Direct Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 7 a.m. PT (10 a.m. ET). To watch the presentation live, just make sure to head to the company's YouTube page before that time.

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If You Want Quiche Without the Work, Make This Savory Cobbler

I consider quiche to be an all-day kind of food. Sure, it’s egg-forward and that makes it a prime candidate for breakfast, but pile a loose salad next to it and suddenly you’ve got a lovely lunch or dinner. Sadly, many people avoid making quiches because the pie crust means extra work. Consider, then, a quiche cobbler. It's quick and easy—and bonus, it can feed a crowd.

What is a "quiche cobbler"?

I wanted a dish that had all of my favorite parts of quiche sans the rolled-out flaky crust. A logical person would just make a frittata—the Italian crust-free answer to the French quiche—but I didn’t want to lose the carbs entirely. That would be an unnecessary demotion. After some soul searching, I remembered how fruit cobblers have their easy-breezy dollops of biscuit dough. 

The quiche cobbler is a savory twist on a fruit cobbler. Instead of cooked-down fruit sauce, you drop quick-cooking biscuit dough on top of scrambled egg, meats, and cheeses. It’s an extremely flexible dish, a real fridge-clean-out meal. You can make the egg mixture with whichever ingredients you have on hand, and you can use whichever biscuit dough recipe you like. 

How to make a quiche cobbler

1. Make the egg mixture

I whisked eight eggs together with a bit of cream, and seasoned the mixture with salt and a dash each of garlic powder and onion powder. Then I added some chives, cooked potatoes, chopped ham, havarti hunks, and sautéed mushrooms to the bowl. You can really go anywhere with this: Add cooked bacon and cheddar, try onions and peppers, or mix in salmon and cream cheese chunks. Anything you’d eat with eggs will work in this dish. Pour the mixture into a buttered baking dish. 

2. Prepare the biscuit dough

Once again, the world is your casserole. You can use any drop biscuit recipe you’d like for this and maybe even cut biscuit dough (I haven’t tried that type yet, so keep me posted). Drop biscuit dough is different from flaky, cut biscuit dough because of its texture. It’s soft, shapeless, and delightfully low maintenance. Instead of fussing with cold butter chunks or using a knife or biscuit cutter to shape them, you just scoop the dough and drop it by the spoonful. You can make this type of biscuit with pancake mix, Bisquick mix, or from scratch with my recipe below or your favorite go-to. 

Mix the dough together until just moistened. Spoon and dollop the biscuit dough into the casserole dish. Stagger the biscuits so it looks cobbled together. I like to spoon a little bit of the egg mixture over the biscuit tops as a lazy egg wash to help the biscuits brown. 

It's never been easier to egg wash biscuits. Just spoon the raw egg over top. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

3. Bake your cobbler

Bake the quiche cobbler in a 375°F oven for about 25 to 35 minutes depending on how large your casserole dish is and how deep the layer of quiche is. I baked mine in a seven by nine-inch dish, which made it rather deep, and on a sheet tray to prevent the bottom from over-browning. These factors meant my quiche needed the full 35 minutes.  

Once the edges are puffed, the biscuits are risen and browned, and the center is set but slightly gelatinous, take the casserole out of the oven and let it cool. The resulting dish is sliceable, tender, and savory with a puffy, moist biscuit for each person. It's a great way to start your day (or continue or end your day).

Quiche cobbler is best enjoyed within the day, but it keeps in the fridge for up to four days and reheats decently in the microwave.

Quiche Cobbler Recipe

Ingredients:

• 8 eggs

• 2 tablespoons cream

• 1 to 2 cups of add-ins (I used cooked potatoes, mushrooms, ham, and cheese.)

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• Pinch garlic powder

• Pinch onion powder

For the biscuit dough:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 3 tablespoons canola oil

• ⅓ cup milk

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and butter a baking dish. Set it on a sheet pan. 

2. Whisk the eggs thoroughly with the cream. Add your add-ins and seasonings. Mix them together and pour them into the casserole dish.

3. Make the biscuit dough by stirring the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Add the wet ingredients and stir until they’ve just combined. The batter will be soft and lumpy but there shouldn’t be any flour pockets. Drop spoonfuls of the batter all around the quiche mixture. Spoon a bit of the egg over the biscuits as a lazy “egg wash.” Bake the quiche cobbler for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the biscuits are set and brown on top, and the egg is no longer liquidy in the center. Cool thoroughly before eating. 

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