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How to watch Congo DR vs. Guinea online for free

Fri, 02/02/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Stream Congo DR vs. Guinea in AFCON for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Africa Cup of Nations has been full of surprises. If anyone was able to correctly predict the teams left in the quarter-finals, we would like to talk to them about lottery tickets.

What has been more predictable is the level of entertainment provided by this tournament. You never know what's going to happen next, and that makes for a very watchable competition. And you can see for yourself without spending anything.

If you want to watch Congo DR vs. Guinea for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Congo DR vs. Guinea?

Congo DR vs. Guinea kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Feb. 2. This fixture takes place at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

How to watch Congo DR vs. Guinea for free

The match between Congo DR and Guinea will be broadcast live on BBC Three, with coverage starting from 7:50 p.m. GMT on Feb. 2. You can also live stream this fixture for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Access BBC iPlayer to stream AFCON 2023 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 the UK

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

  5. Stream Congo DR vs. Guinea for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch key AFCON knockout games before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 94 countries including the UK

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

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

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to five simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch Congo DR vs. Guinea for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

This comprehensive Excel and data science training bundle is on sale for 88% off

Fri, 02/02/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: The Complete Excel, VBA, and Data Science Certification Training Bundle is on sale for £39.34, saving you 88% on list price.

Shuddering at the thought of crunching numbers on Excel? You may want to change that. Apparently, data science remains the most appealing job in the 21st century, and if you want to be a data scientist who takes home a cushy paycheck, you have to be comfortable with analysing data on the popular spreadsheet software, Excel.

Granted, navigating the app alone and getting to grips with its many functionalities are overwhelming for any beginner, which is why receiving proper training is a must. This Excel, VBA, and data science certification training bundle can help you on that front, and you can get it on sale for £39.34 for a limited time.

This instructional package, put together by Mammoth Interactive, a company that specialises in programming, design, and project management, contains 13 comprehensive courses and 52 hours of expert-led training. It touches on the basics and intricacies of Excel, as well as the ins and outs of the Python programming language. At the start, you can expect to gain a fundamental understanding of how Excel works and how it relates to synthesising and analysing data, and receive a primer on the syntax of Python and how it can create databases and perform data manipulation.

Once you've familiarised yourself with the building blocks of both tools, you'll proceed with learning how to apply them in data science. For instance, with Excel, you'll be trained on how to manage and sort data, visualise mounds of information, and do financial analysis. With Python, you'll learn how to automate tasks, build a tool that scrapes data from a page, and put together charts.

All lessons included are beginner-friendly, so you don't have to worry about not having any prior experience. You can also access the courses anytime, anywhere, using any device, so you can learn at your own pace, on your own time.

For a limited time, you can get this Excel, VBA, and data science certification training bundle on sale for just £39.34.

Opens in a new window Credit: Your First Program Complete Excel, VBA, and Data Science Certification Training Bundle £39.34 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

How to watch Australia vs. South Korea online for free

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 23:00

TL;DR: Stream Australia vs. South Korea for free on 10Play. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The AFC Asian Cup is reaching a dramatic climax, with only the very best teams still competing for the trophy. Australia have cruised through the competition so far, but South Korea are going to give the Socceroos a serious challenge at the quarter-final stage.

If you want to watch Australia vs. South Korea in the AFC Asian Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. South Korea?

Australia vs. South Korea kicks off at 3:30 p.m. GMT on Feb. 2. This fixture will take place at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, Qatar.

How to watch Australia vs. South Korea for free

You can watch Australia vs. South Korea live and free across Network 10, with free live streaming also available on 10Play.

10Play is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can access 10Play from anywhere in the world.

Access 10Play to stream Australia vs. South Korea by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a 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 Australia

  4. Visit 10Play

  5. Steam Australia vs. South Korea for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to 10Play without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Australia vs. South Korea in the Asian Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 10Play?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking 10Play, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 94 countries including Australia

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

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

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to five simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch Australia vs. South Korea in the AFC Asian Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for February 2

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 22:00

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for Feb. 2's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A split chin.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No letters appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #958 is...

CLEFT.

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

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

John Oliver's 'Hot Ones' episode reduces him to a pool of tears and regret

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 21:11

Hot Ones has finally come for Last Week Tonight host John Oliver. It is unclear why he agreed to subject his mild British palate to Sean Evans' infamous gauntlet of spicy sauces, but one might speculate it's some sort of self-flagellation.

Though Oliver immediately expressed concern upon sampling the first and mildest condiment (Hot Ones' Original Buffalo Hot Sauce), he pushed through with both good humour and an air of resignation. He did have a few choice words for some of the sauces, though.

"That is just an objectionable thing for humanity to do," Oliver declared upon trying Da Bomb Beyond Insanity. "It's not the worst thing we've ever done, but it's part of our worst instincts."

Expressing increasing apprehension as he worked his way through Evans' collection of hot sauces, Oliver explained why Last Week Tonight is able to delve into less popular topics, recounted being tricked into believing he was meeting Louis Theroux, and recalled bombing so spectacularly at a standup show that an audience member threatened to stab him.

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for February 2

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 21:00

Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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 February 2's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Vacation

  • Green: Belt lingo

  • Blue: Pear pairs

  • Purple: Types of wood

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: Time Off

  • Green: Features of a Belt

  • Blue: Homophones

  • Purple: ___Wood

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 Connections #236 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Time Off: BREAK, HOLIDAY, LEAVE, RECESS

  • Features of a Belt: BUCKLE, HOLE, LOOP, STRAP

  • Homophones: HOLEY, HOLI, HOLY, WHOLLY

  • ___Wood: DOG, DRIFT, HOLLY, SANDAL

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Vision Pro apps are now visible on Apple's App Store website

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 16:43

The Vision Pro's official debut is just hours away, so Apple updated the App Store website to reflect that.

As noted by MacRumors, the web version of the App Store now showcases Vision Pro compatibility for apps that support the new headset.

If you want to find out whether or not an app supports Vision Pro or even seen what the app looks like on Vision Pro, you can head to the website and do so now.

SEE ALSO: What’s inside the Apple Vision Pro box? 9 things that come with the headset. Here's Zoom on the Vision Pro. Credit: Zoom/App Store

For instance, there's a special Vision Pro version of Zoom with a bunch of features unique to that device. If you want to see how Zoom looks through the lens of a Vision Pro, there are now some images on its App Store page.

This isn't a revolutionary, massive change, but it does make the impending release of Apple's $3,500 headset feel all the more real.

Perhaps this is the beginning of the future of computing — or maybe this will be Apple's biggest failure yet.

Listen to this ‘Biden' call sent to voters. No wonder the FCC is cracking down on AI robocalls.

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 16:22

Some voters in New Hampshire received a call from someone who sounded a lot like President Joe Biden. The call encouraged those New Hampshire residents to stay home during the primary election last week and "save your votes" for the general election in November.

Of course, that makes no sense. Voters can vote in both elections. Why would Biden tell them such a thing? Well, that's because he didn't. These were AI voice-generated robocalls created to sound like Biden. You can listen to one here, courtesy of The Telegraph:

This is just one real-world example of how AI can already be weaponized by bad actors. And it's likely a big reason the FCC now wants to take action against AI-generated calls.

FCC's proposal to outlaw AI robocalls

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel released a statement on Wednesday announcing a proposal that the FCC recognize calls generated by artificial intelligence as "artificial" voices under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). By doing this, the FCC would make AI-generated robocalls illegal.

SEE ALSO: The FCC just fined a robocall company $300 million after blocking billions of scam calls

The TCPA is often used by the FCC to limit junk calls received by consumers from telemarketers. Under this law, the usage of artificial or prerecorded voice messages as well as automatic telephone dialing systems is prohibited. 

"AI-generated voice cloning and images are already sowing confusion by tricking consumers into thinking scams and frauds are legitimate," Rosenworcel said in a statement. The statement continues:

"No matter what celebrity or politician you favor, or what your relationship is with your kin when they call for help, it is possible we could all be a target of these faked calls. That’s why the FCC is taking steps to recognize this emerging technology as illegal under existing law, giving our partners at State Attorneys General offices across the country new tools they can use to crack down on these scams and protect consumers."

The timing of Rosenworcel's statement seems to show that the Biden robocalls have sparked concern regarding how these AI-generated voices can be used in telemarketing scams as well as potential election fraud.

As of now, the only real steps to prevent worst case scenarios caused by AI-generated voices have been taken by the AI companies themselves. As Bloomberg reported, the AI company ElevenLabs suspended the user who created the Biden robocalls from their platform last week.

"We are dedicated to preventing the misuse of audio AI tools and take any incidents of misuse extremely seriously," ElevenLabs said in a statement.

However, as we've seen with the recent nonconsensual AI-generated pornographic images of Taylor Swift, there are those in the space who may not feel the same as ElevenLabs when it comes to usage of AI products.

The best Valentine’s Day gifts for your girlfriend

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 13:23

Valentine’s Day can be a weird holiday to shop for, especially because every gift option seems to be covered in hearts. Ew.

Skip the heart-shaped jewelry this year and get your girlfriend something she really wants for Valentine’s Day. Whether she’s a plant mom, into tech, or a beauty guru, you'll be able to find a gift she loves. And look, we know V-Day is a sexy holiday — we've got you there, too.

SEE ALSO: Best gift ideas for people in long-distance relationships

Who says Valentine’s Day gifts have to be cheesy and romantic? Not us. You can get something thoughtful and useful. What a concept!

We dug around the internet to help you find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your girlfriend. You can still opt for traditional V-Day gifts like red roses or lingerie, but seriously: Steer clear of the heart-shaped stuff this year. Get your girlfriend something that suits her personality and shows you really know her and care about her interests.

P.S. If you're looking for Valentine's Day gifts for your boyfriend, check out our gift guide for him.

Google releases sneak peek of its Super Bowl commercial

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 12:50

One of the more preposterous things about the Super Bowl is how we get commercials for upcoming commercials. Google is participating in that trend this year.

The folks behind the internet's primary search engine released a behind-the-scenes look of its upcoming Super Bowl ad.

The two-and-a-half-minute video focuses on the "Guided Frame" feature that dropped with the Pixel 7 a year and a half ago. This perk allows low-vision users to capture well-composed shots — and the Pixel 8 expanded it to the rear camera system last year.

SEE ALSO: Taylor Swift fans celebrate that Travis Kelce and the Chiefs are headed to the Super Bowl

The commercial will center on a blind man in a romantic relationship who uses Guided Frame to capture memorable moments with his partner. Director Adam Morse is blind himself, and in the BTS video, he talks about how they did things like rub petroleum jelly on the camera lens to simulate blindness for the viewer.

Some Super Bowl ads try to make you laugh and some of them try to make you cry. This seems like it might be the latter, though we'll have to wait until two Sundays from now to find out.

Work from anywhere with the Netgear Nighthawk M1 mobile hotspot, on sale for under $185

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 12:31

SAVE 39%: The Netgear Nighthawk M1 4G LTE mobile hotspot is just $184.14 at Amazon, down from the MSRP of $299.99. That's a savings of $115.85.

Opens in a new window Credit: Netgear Netgear Nighthawk M1 4G LTE WiFi mobile hotspot $184.14 at Amazon (save $115.85) Get Deal

The work-from-home revolution certainly has its perks. If you work remotely, your office might be at home one day, in an airport the next, and on a beach soon after. There's only one caveat to the remote work situation: you need a reliable connection no matter where you are. Today's deal at Amazon will help solve this problem for good.

As of Feb. 1, the Netgear Nighthawk M1 4G LTE mobile hotspot is just $184.14, marked down from the normal MSRP of $299.99. That's a 39% discount or a savings of $115.85. Netgear says this unlocked hotspot works best with AT&T or T-Mobile, but it's also possible to use it with Google Fi or Verizon. You'll want to grab a micro SIM card from your preferred carrier for activation.

SEE ALSO: Home gym starter kit: Everything you need to work out from home

When your home internet or the connection on the road isn't cutting it, a mobile hotspot can come to the rescue to keep devices connected reliably. The Netgear Nighthawk M1 uses a 4G LTE connection, allowing up to 20 devices to work, game, or stream.

Should you decide to head to a remote location, packing the Netgear Nighthawk M1 is your ticket to staying in the loop. From the LCD screen, you can alter settings and monitor data usage. Its ultra-portable design weighs about half a pound and measures about four inches in width and length, so it won't take up much space in your weekend bag.

Stay connected wherever you go with the Netgear Nighthawk M1 mobile hotspot, and thanks to today's deal, you'll be spending under $185 for the peace of mind of always having WiFi.

Google Bard now has an AI image generator — how it plans to avoid another Taylor Swift deepfake fiasco

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 12:07

You can now generate images with Bard, Google's AI chatbot.

Today, the company announced Bard's new text-to-image capability that's powered by Imagen 2, Google's latest diffusion model. With this release, Google also shared that any image created with Imagen 2 — on Bard or Google's other generative AI tools — will have digital watermark called SynthID.

SEE ALSO: A new tool could protect artists by sabotaging AI image generators Via Giphy

Previously, you could upload images to Bard and ask it to recognize or help you with something related to that image. But asking Bard to generate an AI image for you is new.

Google has already launched AI image generation in other products like SGE (Search Generative Experience), which is still in Labs (its testing ground), and Duet AI. Imagen 2 in Bard joins the likes of other image-generating features in chatbots like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.

To ensure safe and responsible creations of AI images, "there's a clear distinction between visuals created with Bard and original human artwork," the Google announcement said. It also bans the generation of "named people" in an effort to avoid the creation of deepfakes like the recent example of Taylor Swift.

Bard's text-to-image generator is currently available in English. Other releases coming to Bard today is the availability of Gemini Pro in all supported languages and countries.

The Amazon Echo Frames are under $210 to help take productivity to the max

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 11:29

SAVE $60: The prescription-ready Echo Frames with smart audio are just $209.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $269.99. That's a 22% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Frames (3rd gen, prescription ready) $209.99 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal

We've seen a few iterations of smart glasses come and go, never to heard from again. But all is not lost. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, you can grab some stylish glasses frames that come with incredibly useful audio and Alexa features.

As of Feb. 1, the Echo Frames (prescription ready) are just $209.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $269.99. That's a 22% discount or a savings of $60. Note that the frames come with demo lenses and you'll need to take them to an optician to get your prescription lenses added to the frames.

For anyone who doesn't love using headphones or earbuds, listen up. One of the coolest functions of the Echo Frames is the built-in smart audio. From the Echo Frames, you can cruise along while playing your favorite playlist, catching up on podcasts, or listening to that ever-growing list of audiobooks. The speakers in the Echo Frames are designed to direct the sound into your ears, and your ears only — minimizing the sound that could leak out to others around you. The frames do all of this without blocking your ears, so you can still take in and communicate with the world around you.

In addition the streaming audio from the Echo Frames, you can also take calls from the glasses for a hands-free experience. With continuous media playback, the glasses stay charged for up to six hours but that extends to about 14 hours with moderate usage throughout the day. It takes about 2.5 hours to recharge the frames. Removing and folding the Echo Frames automatically turns them off.

In terms of comfort, the glasses are designed with lightweight material and are both sweat and water resistant. Amazon mentions your vision insurance provider might offer a reimbursement for the Echo Frames, which is something worth checking in on if you have vision insurance.

Today's deal means you'll be spending less to give your glasses a major boost in functionality with the Echo Frames.

Ditch the winter blues with a Verilux HappyLight Luxe for under $70 at Amazon

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 10:37

SAVE 30%: The Verilux HappyLight Luxe is just $69.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $99.95. That's a savings of $29.96.

Opens in a new window Credit: Verilux Verilux HappyLight Luxe $69.99 at Amazon (save $29.96) Get Deal

Welcome to February — the month when we all become convinced that winter will never end. If the cold feels like it's seeped into your bones and you dream of only warm summer nights in the backyard, today's deal at Amazon will leave you feeling refreshed.

As of Feb. 1, the Verilux HappyLight Luxe is just $69.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $99.95. That's a 30% discount or a savings of $29.96.

We're past the darkest days of winter, but that doesn't mean seasonal affective disorder (SAD) has left. The American Heart Association estimates that up to 10% of people living in North America could be experiencing SAD, a type of depression that's associated with the seasons, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The overall thought is that short days can trigger a chemical imbalance in the brain which leads to symptoms of depression that show up seasonally.

Fortunately, one of the easiest and most readily available proven treatments to help with SAD is light therapy. With 10,000 lux of UV-free full-spectrum light, the HappyLight's aim is to make you, well, happy. Verilux mentions soaking up these light rays is essential to our wellbeing with impacts on our sleep schedule, overall mood, ability to focus, and our energy levels.

Inside of the Verilux HappyLight Lux lies 168 LED bulbs, ready to boost your mood with safe UV-free light. The American Heart Association recommends exposure to light therapy is most effective in the morning for 30 to 45 minutes. The Verilux HappyLight Luxe aims to make this light therapy task simple by coming with an included but detachable stand, so you could easily set it on your bedside table or on the desk at your home office. It's thin design means it weights about two pounds, so it's travel-friendly. The back of the Verilux HappyLight Luxe also has a wall mount, so you can easily hang it next to the kitchen table to use while sipping some morning coffee.

The HappyLight Luxe has four brightness levels and three HappyHue color temperature options, so you can customize your rays. There's also a programmable timer that you can set in five minute increments, up to one hour.

Soon spring blossoms will arrive, but until then, investing in health and wellness with the Verilux HappyLight Luxe could make a world of difference.

Is your iPhone secure? How to check your privacy settings

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 10:28

It's a new year which means it's a great time to do a privacy checkup on your iPhone. Follow these simple steps to make sure you know who has access to your data.

'Bridgerton' Season 3 sneak peek is full of longing

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 10:19

If you've been craving more of Bridgerton's swoon-worthy Regency romance, you'll be pleased to know that Netflix has released a sneak peek of the highly anticipated Season 3.

The brief clip centers on this season's main romantic pairing, Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). (Sorry Peneloise shippers!) We kick off in yearning central, with Penelope and Luke staring deep into each other's eyes.

"Your eyes... A most remarkable shade of blue," Penelope whispers. "And yet somehow, they shine even brighter when you are kind."

The compliment shocks Colin into speechlessness, at which point Penelope reveals that that's the kind of thing she might say to him if he were a suitor. Looks like these two have some major feelings to process. Good luck watching the clip and not screaming, "just kiss already!" at the screen. I certainly failed.

The first four episodes of Bridgerton Season 3 premiere May 16 on Netflix, and the last four on June 13.

Apple's Vision Pro will launch with 600 new apps

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 09:29

Apple Vision Pro will launch with more than 600 apps and games, designed exclusively for the new headset, Apple has announced.

The Vision Pro, which launches on Friday, Feb. 2, will start with entertainment apps such as Disney+, Max, PGA Tour Vision, NBA, and Red Bull TV. Users will also have access to productivity tools including Box, which allows them to collaborate and securely manage files and content, the brainstorming app MindNode, Microsoft 365 productivity apps, data visualization and project management apps OmniFocus and OmniPlan, as well as apps such as Fantastical and Numerics.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro reviews are in: Here are 8 key takeaways

As far as games go, a subscription to Apple Arcade will give users access to 250 games on the Vision Pro, including NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition, Sonic Dream Team, and TMNT Splintered Fate. Titles created specifically for the Vision Pro include Synth Riders, LEGO Builder's Journey, Super Fruit Ninja, and more.

Time to slice that fruit in 3D. Credit: Apple

Finally, users will also get access to apps such as Carrot Weather, a spatial version of the snarky weather app, and The Archive, which will allow them to explore locations and artifacts from the Stark Trek universe, among others.

Of course, it won't be just 600 apps at launch; Vision Pro users will also have access to more than 1 million iOS and iPadOS apps which are compatible with Vision Pro.

“Apple Vision Pro is unlocking the imaginations of our worldwide developer community, and we’re inspired by the range of spatial experiences they’ve created for this exciting new platform,” Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, said in a statement.

The Vision Pro becomes available in a little under 24 hours, as visualized on Apple's website with a handy timer. It will be tough to get the $3,499 headset at launch, as it was effectively sold out soon after pre-orders became available in January.

Netflix is dropping a bucketload of movies and TV shows in 2024. Watch the trailer.

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 09:00

Netflix released a mind-blowing number of films and TV shows in 2023, but it looks like 2024 is set to be equally jam-packed.

The streamer has some big movies on the slate for the coming year, from Adam Sandler space drama Spaceman to Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver, while on the TV side we have new seasons of Bridgerton and Squid Game too look forward to as well as Arcane and Avatar: The Last Airbender.

SEE ALSO: The best Netflix movies of 2023

Without further ado, here's Netflix's full list of movies and TV shows, ordered by release date.

Here's Netflix's movie lineup for 2024:

Bitconned — January 1

Society of the Snow — January 4

Good Grief — January 5

Lift — January 12

The Kitchen — January 19

The Greatest Night in Pop — January 29

Orion and the Dark — February 2

Lover, Stalker, Killer — February 9

Players — February 14

Einstein and the Bomb — February 16

Tyler Perry's Mea Culpa — February 23

Through My Window: Looking At You — February 23

Code 8 Part II — February 28

Spaceman — March 1

Damsel — March 8

Irish Wish — March 15

Shirley — March 22

The Casagrandes Movie — March 22

The Beautiful Game — March 29

Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver — April 19

Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story — May 3

Mother of the Bride — May 9

Thelma the Unicorn — May 17

Hit Man — June 7

The Union — August 16

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F — Summer 2024

Trigger Warning — Summer 2024

The following films are scheduled for release in 2024, but don't yet have a release date:

Atlas

Back in Action

Carry-On

A Family Affair

Gut Health: The Secret Science of Eating

His Three Daughters

It's What's Inside

Lonely Planet

Meet Me Next Christmas

Our Little Secret

Rez Ball

Scoop

Six Triple Eight

Spellbound

The Deliverance

The Imaginary

The Piano Lesson

The Shadow Strays

The Tearsmith

That Christmas

Time Cut

Ultraman: Rising

Uglies

What Jennifer Did

Woman of the Hour

Joy

Here's Netflix's TV lineup for 2024:

One Day — February 8

Love Is Blind S6 — February 14 (releasing weekly)

The Vince Staples Show — February 15

Al Rawabi School for Girls S2 — February 15

Ready, Set, Love — February 15

Rhythm + Flow Italy — February 19 (episodes 1-4) + February 26 (episodes 5-7) + March 4 (episode 8)

Avatar: The Last Airbender — February 22

Formula 1: Drive to Survive S6 — February 23

The Mire: Millennium — February 28

The Gentlemen — March

The Netflix Slam — March 3

Hot Wheels Let’s Race — March 4

Full Swing S2 — March 6

Supersex — March 6

The Signal LS — March 7

Young Royals S3 — March 11 (Episode 1-5) + March 18 (Series Finale)

Girls5eva S3 — March 14

3 Body Problem — March 21

Is It Cake? S3 — March 29

Ripley — April 4

The Upshaws Part 5 — April 18

A Man in Full — Spring

Buying Beverly Hills S2 — Spring

Netflix Is A Joke Fest — May 2-12

Bridgerton S3 — May 16 (Part 1) + June 13 (Part 2)

That ‘90s Show S2 — Summer

The Green Glove Gang S2 — Summer

Arcane S2 — November

The following TV shows are scheduled for release in 2024, but don't yet have a release date:

American Primeval

Another Self S2

Anthracite

The Asunta Case

The Believers

Black Doves

Bodkin

Cobra Kai S6

Crooks S1

Dead Boy Detectives

The Decameron

The Diplomat S2

Echoes of the Past

Élite S8 (Final Season)

El Eternauta

Emily in Paris S4

The Empress S2

Eric

Exploding Kittens

Furies

Heartstopper S3

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar S1

The Helicopter Heist

Jentry Chau vs The Underworld

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

LaLiga 24

Love Is Blind Germany S1

Love Is Blind UK S1

The Madness

Mo S2

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

The Night Agent S2

Nightmares and Daydreams

No Good Deed

One Hundred Years of Solitude

Our Living World

Our Oceans

Outer Banks S4

Outlast S2

The Perfect Couple

Perfect Match S2

Rhythm + Flow S2

Selling Sunset S8

Senna

Sprint

Squid Game S2

Supacell

Sweet Tooth S3

Terminator: The Anime Series

Thank You, Next

To Kill A Monkey S1

The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On S3

The Umbrella Academy S4 (Final Season)

Unsolved Mysteries, Volume 4

Unstable S2

Untitled Erin Foster Show

Untitled Katseye Global Girl Group Music Series

Untitled Mike Schur/Ted Danson Comedy Series

Vikings: Valhalla S3

Cant wait until then? Here's the best TV shows and movies streaming on Netflix right now.

Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix All of Netflix's TV shows and movies Check out Netflix Start streaming here

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 1

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 06:43

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for February 1 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for February 1

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024:

AcrossUp to the job
  • The answer is able.

Quiet periods
  • The answer is lulls.

Animal in the Andes
  • The answer is llama.

Nickname for the N.F.L.'s Giants
  • The answer is Gmen.

The "Y" of N.Y.C.
  • The answer is York.

Down100%
  • The answer is all.

Like an overstuffed backpack
  • The answer is bulgy.

"Me ___" (Spanish for "My name is")
  • The answer is llamo.

Cartoon character who says "Be vewy vewy vewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbits"
  • The answer is Elmer.

Opposite of floated
  • The answer is sank.

'Shortcomings' review: Messy, rock-bottom characters make Randall Park's comedy

Thu, 02/01/2024 - 06:27

Shortcomings opens with a movie in a movie. We meet Mrs. Wong (Everything Everywhere All At Once's Stephanie Hsu), a woman in a fancy yellow gown, just as her application for a penthouse apartment gets rejected. Seconds later, her suit-wearing husband (M3GAN's Ronny Chieng) buys the entire building, prompting the two to kiss passionately in the elevator up to their new luxury home. Fireworks erupt, fairy tale music swells, and a title card proclaims that this is "just the beginning..."

Cut to an audience of rapturous viewers at the East Bay Asian American Film Festival. Everyone leaps to give a standing ovation except one disdainful man. That man is Ben Tanaka (Justin H. Min), and he will be our misanthropic guide through Randall Park's hilarious feature directorial debut, based on the graphic novel by Adrian Tomine.

SEE ALSO: Is going to a movie during the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike crossing the picket line?

While everyone around Ben gushes about the film, acknowledging that it's "a little glossy, but it's ours," he can only muster up the weak statement that it was "quite an event." As he later tells his girlfriend and festival organizer Miko (Ally Maki), he couldn't stand the "garish, mainstream" romantic comedy they just sat through, which, yes, bears a pointed resemblance to Crazy Rich Asians. Is it really a win for Asian American representation if this is the movie the community chooses to celebrate?

Ben — a struggling filmmaker himself as well as a certified film bro — would much rather Asian characters in movies have flaws, like himself and everyone he knows. It's a bit of a meta ask, as Shortcomings, itself an "event" of Asian American representation, is all too happy to oblige. Its characters are messy, selfish, and often just inches away from hitting rock bottom, and none are more so than Ben. And herein lies one of Shortcomings' most intriguing tensions: Ben is so determined to preach about how much he wants to see flawed characters, but he has absolutely no intention of addressing his own failings.

Shortcomings' Ben is a jerk who won't acknowledge his flaws — and you can't look away. Ally Maki and Justin H. Min in "Shortcomings." Credit: Sony Pictures Classics

In Shortcomings' opening minutes, Park and Tomine, who wrote the screenplay, hit us with Ben's many, many red flags. For one, he can't even pretend to be interested in the film or in Miko's work at the festival. As his and Miko's banter about representation escalates to an all-out argument, he resorts to belittling her and calling her crazy. Later, we learn that Ben has a type, and that type is "blonde white women." His unwillingness to even discuss this with Miko or understand why it might put a strain on her makes it crystal clear that this relationship is on the rocks, and has been for a while.

So when Miko gets an internship opportunity in New York, the distance between her and Ben may be just what they need. They decide they're taking a break — a term almost strategic in its open-endedness. When left to his own devices, Ben immediately takes their separation as a pass to pursue white women like movie theater employee Autumn (Tavi Gevinson) and grad student Sasha (Debby Ryan). The results are often deeply awkward, including feigned appreciation of overly edgy art and conversations about fetishism and public perceptions of interracial relationships. Shortcomings steers away from any clear resolutions on these issues, content to let the discussions speak for themselves.

But the common thread in all these conversations is Ben, who remains a messy, often hypocritical lead whether he's attempting an ill-advised hookup or hanging out with his best friend Alice (Joy Ride's Sherry Cola). While he is certainly not a "likable" main character, you just can't look away from him. Min's portrayal of Ben's own brand of assholery is proof of Shortcomings' hyper-specific characterization, something we see in Alice as well. And as much as we may disagree with these characters' actions, we immediately recognize just how real they are, and in that way, we're able to root for them to better themselves.

After a shaky start, Shortcomings finds its way. Sherry Cola and Justin H. Min in "Shortcomings." Credit: Sony Pictures Classics

Shortcomings takes several scenes to solidify its rhythm and tone, but once it does, you're in for a slice-of-life comedy that prefers understated, wince-worthy jokes to out-there laugh riots. For the most part, Tomine's dialogue is very natural, helping solidify the film's lived-in feel. There's no question that Shortcomings' best scenes are between Ben and Alice: Min and Cola volley dialogue in such an easy way that there's no doubt these are two kindred spirits. Shortcomings especially picks up momentum in the third act, when an unexpected quest unites them in strange circumstances.

The movie's opening suggests that Miko is the third point in Shortcomings' trio of main characters, but unfortunately, she doesn't get the same treatment or level of specificity as Ben or Alice. Part of this is by design: She's off in New York for most of the film, while the action remains in the Bay Area. Yet in her absence, she becomes a blank canvas for Ben's own anxieties and fear of change, and any later argument from her, delivered passionately by Maki, reads more as a life lesson for Ben.

Despite this weakness in characterization, Shortcomings remains an otherwise strong feature directorial debut for Park. If he were to watch Shortcomings, Ben may not necessarily like what it has to say about him. However, he wouldn't be able to deny that its characters have fascinating flaws — and that winds up being the film's superpower.

Shortcomings is now streaming on Netflix.

UPDATE: Aug. 4, 2023, 9:47 a.m. EDT Shortcomings was reviewed out of the Tribeca Film Festival on June 11, 2023.

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