Mashable

Apple has once again invited a slew of journalists to try out its spatial computer (or virtual reality headset, if you prefer), the Vision Pro.

From what we've read, the demos weren't all that different from the ones Apple carried out last year. About 20 minutes in length, they consisted of a short setup for fit and eye tracking, and then a little bit of video (including spatial video), some spatial and panoramic photo, an overview of the Disney+ app's beta version, a meditation experience, a virtual reality setting with dinosaurs in it, and a brief time with the Vision Pro's virtual keyboard.

So what's it like?

The verdict on the actual virtual reality experience is unanimously positive. Engadget's Cherlynn Low wrote that of all of VR, AR, and MR headsets she'd tried, "the Apple Vision Pro is far and away the best, and easily the most thought-out." The Verge's Victoria Song called the experience a "whirlwind."

"I spent a half-hour like a kid gawping at an alien planet — even though I’d never left the couch," she wrote.

Tweet may have been deleted

And The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern praised "how easy and natural it is to navigate with just hand movements. It's freeing to have no controllers and getting around the interface is just second nature."

Heavy and not all that comfy

Most of the reviewers in this latest round of demos had spent some time with the Vision Pro before. It's no wonder, then, that they had more time to focus on details such as comfort of the Vision Pro's straps and overall comfiness of the headset after a session.

The impressions here aren't nearly as positive, though. Stern said she "really felt the weight of the face computer on my face" while wearing the Solo Knit Band, though she did note that the Dual Loop Band is "not as elegant looking but definitely more comfortable."

SEE ALSO: Apple's Vision Pro demos will reportedly last 25 minutes

Song mentioned that "like any other VR headset, you feel it sitting on your head and wrecking your hairdo once you slip it on." And Low said that, while the strap she used was "wide, ridged and soft," fifteen minutes into the experience she "started to feel weighed down by the device."

"Five more minutes later, I was in pain," she wrote.

Tweet may have been deleted

Perhaps the most damning is video producer Marques Brownlee's verdict. Brownlee tweeted that the first time he tried it on, the Vision Pro felt "a little heavy"; the second time, he noted that "this thing is really heavy," and the third time, the heaviness of the device was basically all he could think about.

Still fun, and still interesting

Overall, most people's ultimate verdict after this final round of testing was positive. Engadget's Dana Wollman said that it is "fun to use," and Song said she "kept replaying the demo over" in her head.

One thing appears unanimous among the folks who tried on the Vision Pro: No one is really sure that it's a must-purchase.

"I’m just still trying to see where it fits in the real world," wrote Song.

Newsletter platform Substack now has a "report" button its app, allowing readers to flag posts and publications directly.

The feature has been available on the web version of the platform for the past four months, enabling users to report profiles and "Notes", Substack's fairly new replication of Twitter/X posts. The latest update on the app was spotted by Chris Messina, and first reported by The Verge.

Credit: Screenshot / Apple Store.

Substack is in the midst of controversy, as a flurry of users have left the platform amid accusations of content moderation issues. The platform came under fire for reportedly allowing white supremacist, alt-right, and "explicitly Nazi newsletters" to build a home on its site, according to a November 2023 investigation from The Atlantic. In response, hundreds of Substack publishers wrote an open letter to the company's leadership.

SEE ALSO: The ongoing content moderation issues behind Substack's meltdown

In the letter, the writers asked of Substack's team: "Why do you choose to promote and allow the monetization of sites that traffic in white nationalism?"

The "Substackers Against Nazis" campaign cited Mashable's reporting on a previous exodus of Substack writers, again pointing to the prevalence of bigotry — namely transphobia — on the platform. The letter questioned Substack's "hands-off approach to content moderation", writing, "But there’s a difference between a hands-off approach and putting your thumb on the scale. We know you moderate some content, including spam sites and newsletters written by sex workers."

"Your unwillingness to play by your own rules on this issue has already led to the announced departures of several prominent Substackers," the letter continued, "including Rusty Foster and Helena Fitzgerald. They follow previous exoduses of writers, including Substack Pro recipient Grace Lavery and Jude Ellison S. Doyle, who left with similar concerns."

In 2022, Mashable reported on the significant amount of COVID misinformation flourishing on Substack, to which the platform responded, "While we remove content that is illegal, calls for violence, doxxes someone, and other things you can see in our content guidelines, it’s not against the rules to be disagreeable or wrong. This means erring on the side of free press and free expression, even for those we don’t endorse or agree with."

It appears Substack may be continuing to double down on its policies, despite this new addition of report features and an ongoing discussion between the company's leadership team and Substack users.

Following the concerns of Nazi content on Substack in 2023, the site's co-founder Hamish McKenzie wrote a response on Dec. 21, stating, "I just want to make it clear that we don’t like Nazis either—we wish no-one held those views. But some people do hold those and other extreme views. Given that, we don't think that censorship (including through demonetizing publications) makes the problem go away—in fact, it makes it worse."

The Beekeeper director David Ayer and actor Josh Hutcherson talk to Mashable about who Jason Statham's titular character is and why he's needed within the film's universe.

The Beekeeper is now in U.S. cinemas.

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 January 17 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for January 17

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024:

AcrossDirector Guillermo del ___

• The answer is spa.

"Put ___ in it," advice for solving four answers in this puzzle

• The answer is apin.

Backbone

• The answer is spine.

Sound of a Slack message

• The answer is ping.

Greek god of war

• The answer is Ares.

DownAnimal that looks like an elephant/pig hybrid

• The answer is tapir.

Offer a viewpoint

• The answer is opine.

Parts of the Olympics logo

• The answer is rings.

Number of stars on Puerto Rico's flag

• The answer is one.

Place to get a massage

• The answer is spa.

We're not sure exactly how it came about, but it's now an Emmys tradition for celebrities to shoot tequila with Jimmy Kimmel's co-host Guillermo backstage after the awards.

This year he was joined by the likes of The Bear cast, Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson, and Supporting Actress in a Drama winner Jennifer Coolidge, among others.

The highlight? A very silly conversation with John Oliver, that culminates in Guillermo telling him to, as they say in England, "f*ck off".

Doja Cat's ongoing Scarlet tour is coming to life — virtually.

The singer's sold-out Detroit show from Dec. 2023 is premiering in Meta Horizon Worlds’ Music Valley, with the help of the Meta Quest 3 VR headset. The show, entitled Doja Cat: The Scarlet Tour in VR, was filmed on-location at the Little Caesars Arena and will make its digital debut on Jan. 20 at 5 p.m. PT.

Doja Cat's set was custom-made for VR, directed and produced by the Diamond Bros (who also produced Meta's VR Blackpink concert) in partnership with Meta. The immersive VR show aims to capture the depth of Doja Cat's on-stage performance, which was full of supplementary, mind-bending visuals, from a giant spider to a spinning stage. Fans who own a Quest VR headset will be able to watch the show for free. The artist performed some of her biggest hits, including "Woman", "Paint the Town Red" and "Agora Hills".

Viewers can RSVP for the show on Meta's website. Replays will take place for another couple of weeks following the first show.

Has your Google Search experience changed for the worse? You may not be alone.

This revelation comes from a new study by German researchers from Leipzig University, Bauhaus-University Weimar, and the Center for Scalable Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. The researchers posed the question "Is Google Getting Worse?", examining 7,392 product review queries on Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo for a year.

SEE ALSO: Google Search's AI image generator lets you dream up products — and shop the real versions

In response to these product-related searches, the researchers discovered that "a torrent of low-quality content, especially for product search, keeps drowning any kind of useful information in search results." A significant amount of results found in response to such queries were "outright SEO product review spam."

The research showed that spam sites are hyper prevalent, showing up at the top of Google's rankings in what is "a constant battle" between the sites and search engine. In other words, they write, "search engines seem to lose the cat-and-mouse game that is SEO spam."

"SEO is a constant battle and we see repeated patterns of review spam entering and leaving the results as search engines and SEO engineers take turns adjusting their parameters," reads the report. Despite Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo taking down spam, the researchers stated this only results in "a temporary positive effect."

However, the report did show that Google results did improve "to some extent" between the start of the researchers' experiment and the end. Still, they found "an overall downwards trend in text quality in all three search engines." With the presence of AI-generated spam, this is only likely to get worse, the research warns.

"We conclude that dynamic adversarial spam in the form of low-quality, mass-produced commercial content deserves more attention," wrote the researchers.

As reported by 404Media, Google being flooded by spam is being noticed by other researchers. Search Engine Land, for example, declared that Google was overcome "by a massive spam attack" in December 2023 – one that lasted for days.

I’ve spent the last decade of my life hopelessly devoted to Apple products. From my first iPhone to (finally) splurging on my first Macbook, I’ve always been committed — aside from my week-long attempt at switching to a Blackberry — and happy with my decision to purchase Apple products…until I tried the new Samsung Galaxy Buds FE.

Here’s the thing. I know this is going to sound wild. It’s going to sound like I’m exaggerating somehow, like I’m trying to get clicks on this article, but I need you to understand that I’ve been obsessed with Apple for as long as I can remember. My trusty iPhone 11 Pro? Love it. Well-worn iPad? Obsessed. The AirPods Pro I’ve owned for exactly four years? Fantastic. You can even read some of my past reviews to see that I don’t pull my punches, and I’ve given some incredibly popular products a resounding “meh” review.

But these tiny little earbuds from Samsung have put a chink in my Apple-plated armor, so I’ll ask you to suspend your disbelief for a few more paragraphs while I tell you why.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about the Samsung Unpacked event First Impressions of the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE I was impressed unboxing these earbuds. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

Before I opened the box, I was prepared to be underwhelmed by the Galaxy Buds FE. I’ve always preferred the look and feel of AirPods, so there was a definite bias against the wingtip design of the Buds FE that — in all honestly — I still hold to this day. Something about them looks a little silly, at least in my ultra-small ears, so I wasn’t prepared to love (let alone like) these earbuds straight away. 

And then I did. The packaging was fantastic, simple, and streamlined, and the glossy white charging case is a bit smaller, lighter, and shinier than my AirPods Pro case. With three different ear tips, the Buds FE are also easily customizable to get that perfect fit — and include a second size of wingtip — so it only took me a few tries to find what works for me. 

The sound quality of the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE is unreal

Once I connected the Buds FE to my iPhone, I experienced a full jaw-drop moment, which is surprisingly rare for someone who loves reviewing products. It’s uncommon for something to truly blow me away, but the Buds FE truly did. Over the next few minutes, I found myself frantically switching between my AirPods Pro, JBL Vibe Beam, and the Buds FE so I could marvel over the difference in sound quality — and even did several rounds of telling my partner, “Hold on, hold on, now listen to the same song on these.”

Not only is the sound quality of the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE robust, crisp, and surprisingly bass-heavy, these tiny earbuds almost rivaled the sound quality of my beloved Bose QuietComfort 45s — something no earbud has ever done before. From podcasts to EDM, hip-hop, Top 40, and classical, the sound quality blew my AirPods Pro out of the water, so much so that I haven’t reached for my AirPods at all since that first day. 

The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE converted me from a die-hard AirPods user. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

The active noise cancellation (ANC) was also pretty good and comparable to my Airpods Pro, which was a nice bonus. It was also super easy to switch between ANC and ambient mode with a single long press of the touchpad, so I was able to toggle between listening to music and having a conversation without any extra hassle. 

Now, I will say that the one area where the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE don’t perform quite as well as the Apple AirPods Pro is the microphone quality. Everything sounded a bit fuzzy and far away, which was kind of a bummer, but it wasn’t bad enough to make phone calls super difficult. 

SEE ALSO: The best headphones for 2024 (and why they've made our list) The initial pairing was easy, but swapping between devices was annoying

Straight out of the box, I was able to pair the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE to my iPhone within seconds. I just opened the charging case to put the buds into pairing mode, navigated to my Bluetooth settings on my iPhone, and selected the Galaxy Buds FE. Unfortunately, while the initial pairing was surprisingly effortless, I did have some struggles from that point on.

Because the Buds FE are a Samsung product, I wasn’t able to use Samsung’s companion app on my iPhone to customize my Buds FE experience — which was understandable — so the AutoSwitch functionality didn’t work with my Apple devices at all. If I wanted to switch between my iPhone and Macbook, for example, I’d have to turn off Bluetooth or forget the Buds FE on my iPhone, put them into pairing mode, and connect them with my Macbook in a separate step. 

Even switching between my Samsung M7 Smart Monitor and my Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ gave me the same issue, which was pretty disappointing. I was expecting difficulty with my Apple products, but struggling with my Samsung ones was a surprise. That being said, I am pretty new to Samsung products, so I’m willing to admit that it could’ve been user error. 

I did consider using the Galaxy Wearable App on my Samsung Tab, but after learning it required permission to access pretty much everything on my device (including my calendar, calls, contacts, and even my files), I decided to ditch it. Apparently, the app does make some things easier — like switching between devices, accessing an equalizer, and changing the touchpad actions — but using the Buds FE without the app was a pretty solid experience. 

Are the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE worth the price? 

At $99, the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are absolutely worth purchasing — unless you’re an Apple user who relies on easy switching between devices or you’re someone who wants a better microphone. 

The sound quality is unreal for a sub-$100 earbud (especially considering they’re frequently on sale for $79), and the overall product quality is top-notch. The Buds FE are also available in two different color options, solid black or solid white, which is a nice perk. Compared to my Apple AirPods Pro, which retail at $249, switching to the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE feels like a no-brainer. 

Aside from the microphone quality and the ease of switching between devices, the Buds FE either match — or surpass — my original AirPods Pro in every single way. The sound quality is noticeably better, but features and specs like active noise cancellation and battery life are on par. In fact, the battery life is slightly better than my original AirPods Pro, which advertised five hours of playtime, with the Buds FE offering six hours of playtime with ANC or 8.5 with it off — as well as an additional 21 to 30 hours of playtime from the charging case depending on whether or not you’re using noise cancellation. 

Honestly, Samsung has delivered an excellent product with the Galaxy Buds FE, so much so that this lifelong Apple user is starting to have serious doubts about whether only owning Apple products — and paying their high price tags — is actually worth it anymore.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is an absolute mouthful. It’s a budget-friendly alternative to Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Tab S9 while still touting a durable IP68 dust- and water-resistant rating, as well as a 12.4-inch screen, 20-hour battery life, and an included S Pen…all for a decently affordable price of $599. But is it worth it? 

As a long-time Apple user who is tip-toeing into the world of Android, I was eager to try out the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ for myself to see if it was worth the hype — and maybe even worth the switch. 

SEE ALSO: The best tablets: iPads are great, but have you tried literally anything else? Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ specs

Priced at $599, the FE+ packs some pretty impressive specs into a decently affordable tablet. A few highlights include: 

• Screen Size: 12.4-inch TFT LCD display

• Refresh Rate: 90 Hz

• Resolution: 2560 x 1600

• Storage: 128GB with 8GB of RAM (with the option to upgrade to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage for an additional $100)

• CPU: Samsung Exynos 1380 processor 

• Cameras: 12MP (front camera), 8MP and 8MP ultra-wide (rear cameras)

• Operating System: Android 13

• Connectivity: WiFi 6, Bluetooth v5.3

• Battery life: up to 20 hours

And if you’re someone who doesn’t care much about specs? The biggest differences between the S9 FE+ and the S9+ are the display and the CPU, which will be noticeable for hardcore users, but probably won’t make a difference for first-time buyers or casual users. And I have to mention the $400 price difference.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about the Samsung Unpacked event What I liked about the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+

I’m not going to lie; this was my first time using an Android device. I’ve dabbled in Samsung products in the past, like the Samsung M7 Smart Monitor and my much-loved Samsung Galaxy Buds FE, but I was nervous about using a Samsung tablet after a lifetime of using Apple products. 

The S Pen is a very welcome addition to the tablet. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

Thankfully, making the switch was easier than I anticipated. The S9 FE+ is a fantastic tablet that functions as a great little productivity device — it boasts the ability to use as many as three apps on the screen at once, with two in split screen view and one in pop-up view, and the entire experience was way more intuitive than using Split View on my eighth generation iPad. 

I also loved the fact that the S9 FE+ came with an S Pen, which is Samsung’s version of the Apple Pencil, and the tablet has a magnetic strip under the back cameras to store your S Pen. While I love my Apple Pencil, using the S Pen felt far more natural — especially when it came to jotting down notes — and I found myself reaching for it more than I expected. Plus, the S9 FE+ offers a pretty solid gaming experience for casual gamers. While it’s certainly not a hardcore gaming machine, I was surprised to discover how much I loved playing chill games on this tablet — something I’ve never really done before — but it was the perfect tablet for scrolling through social media, playing a relaxing game, or watching a movie on the go. 

What I didn’t love about the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+

First and foremost, the S9 FE+ is big. The 12.4-inch display is pretty hefty, and — as a casual user — it felt a little too big for my taste. However, screen size is definitely a personal preference, and someone who enjoys a larger display might feel otherwise. I will admit that the large screen did come in handy when I was doing some light graphic design work on Canva or doodling on Infinite Painter, but I never felt like I truly needed that much screen real estate.

That being said, as an Apple user who was experiencing Samsung products for the first time, I did love being able to use Samsung DeX on the S9 FE+. The ability to convert the tablet into a laptop-like device was wonderful, and I was tempted to splurge on Samsung’s $299 Book Cover Keyboard. 

However, while Samsung DeX is pretty freakin’ cool to use, it’s also fairly limited when it comes to the S9 FE+, which is my biggest disappointment with this tablet. The Tab S9 FE series doesn’t support DisplayPort Out, so you can’t use any external displays through wired or wireless DeX. This is a major missing feature, especially considering older models of Samsung tablets like the S7 FE included wireless DeX, and it doesn’t quite make sense why Samsung would remove this functionality from the S9 FE lineup. 

And, I’ve got to add, as someone who has heard wonderful things about Samsung’s devices and their cameras, the built-in cameras on the S9 FE+ were also pretty underwhelming. The 8MP front camera does a decent job, and it’s a solid camera for things like video conferencing, but the 8MP back camera and the 8MP ultra-wide back camera both fell pretty flat. The placement of the front camera was pretty interesting, considering it’s in the center of the right side of the tablet, perfect for when you’re using your tablet in landscape mode, but all things considered, I don’t really see myself using the cameras on this tablet unless my iPhone isn’t nearby.

The rear cameras just weren't that impressive. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ worth the price? 

At $599, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ definitely isn’t cheap, but it’s also way more affordable than some of the other tablets on the market. If you’re a casual user who is looking to invest in a tablet for things like note-taking, reading, watching movies, or light gaming, then the S9 FE+ might be a great option for you. If you want to save a few bucks and don’t care about the display size, you might even want to consider the S9 FE, which touts similar specs — 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and one back camera instead of two — as well as a 10.9-inch screen and a $449 price tag. 

If you’re a hardcore tablet user who is looking for something that packs a bit more punch, you might want to stick with Samsung’s Tab S9 or S9+. They’re a lot pricier, with the S9+ clocking in at $999 for the base specs, but the S9 also boasts a dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a superfast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, and the ability to use DeX to connect your tablet to an external monitor — which is something many users might be on the lookout for in their tablet.

As far as Apple versus Samsung? It’s still too hard for me to decide. There are definite perks to each, and I still use my iPad just as much as I use the S9 FE+, so deciding between the two is probably going to be more of a personal preference. There are probably some good reasons to choose one over the other, but at the end of the day, it comes down to price, functionality, and convenience. If you’re looking for a cheaper tablet that is great for most users, Samsung generally offers a slightly lower price point for a pretty great product. If you’re looking for an Apple-specific functionality, or it’s important for you that your devices connect easily within the Apple ecosystem (like via iCloud), then you should probably stick with an iPad. If you’re like me and can’t decide? Pick one, try it out, and see what you like best.

TL;DR: As of January 17, get a lifetime subscription to Write Bot™ AI Content Creation for just $29.97 — usually $539.

Writing may sound easy on paper, but chipping away at writer's block one word at a time can be tough and time-consuming. When you have a ton of other things you need to get done, you might not have time to do the job justice. 

Generative AI writing tools may be able to speed things up. While its no replacement for your own human brain, an AI content generator could help you quickly get the bulk of the work done so you can focus on fine-tuning. With Write Bot™, that means you can use AI to quickly come up with ideas, outlines, drafts, and more, and a lifetime Pro subscription is $29.97 instead of $539 but only until January 21. 

Is Write Bot™ the right bot for the job?

Write Bot™ is an AI-powered content generator that could help you craft quality content magnitudes faster. This Generative AI lets you choose from various use cases like blog ideas, business proposals, social media ads, product descriptions, and more when you're ready to craft a new text. Then you just fill in some information and let the AI do the rest. It may only take seconds for the AI to generate what could have taken hours otherwise. You can even edit and polish the final document right there. 

The Premium plan lets you generate up to 1,000,000 words per month across 12+ use cases. You also get access to priority email and chat support. Plus, you can access Write Bot™ from all your devices, so you can use it at work, at home, or on the go. It's accessible through any modern browser on desktop or mobile devices. This subscription is only available to new users. 

Goodbye rough draft, hello robot draft

Don't miss your chance to get your own AI writer for life for a limited-time low price. 

You have until January 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get a lifetime subscription to Write Bot™ for $29.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Write Bot Write Bot™ Harness the Power of AI Content Creation: Lifetime Pro Subscription $29.97 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of January 17, get this Wolfgang Puck Outdoor Wood Pellet Pizza Oven and Grill for just $149.99 — a 65% discount.

Is cooking good food at home on your list of goals for 2024? While there are plenty of ways you can improve — like with cookbooks and YouTube tutorials — sometimes you just need to invest in some equipment. And if you or your family happen to be pizza lovers, there's currently a great tool you can score for a steal.

This Wolfgang Puck Outdoor Wood Pellet Pizza Oven and Grill is an open-box item, which means it has likely been returned from a retail store back to the warehouse, and is being sold at a significant discount This particular model typically retails for $437, but you can snag this one in near-mint condition for only $149.99 right here for a limited time. 

Who's ready for pizza night? It can be every night at your house with help from the Wolfgang Puck Outdoor Wood Pellet Pizza Oven and Grill. This handy appliance is portable and ready to install easily anywhere outdoors, letting you whip up some yummy wood-fired pizza anywhere. It can cook up to 12" fresh pizzas in just 90 seconds — and can make a frozen pizza a little more glamorous in just under four minutes, depending on the thickness of the crust. 

Made of high-quality stainless-steel construction, this oven is durable and versatile, as it can also grill steak, fish, wings, or chicken thanks to the reversible pizza stone that includes a glazed grill surface on the other side. This particular model hails from 2023 and has gone through verification that it's still in new condition, and has been placed in clean packaging for your peace of mind. 

Become a pizza-making extraordinaire with this Wolfgang Puck Outdoor Wood Pellet Pizza Oven and Grill, just $149.99 (reg. $437) right here for a limited time. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Wolfgang Puck Wolfgang Puck Outdoor Wood Pellet Pizza Oven and Grill $149.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of January 17, get this Python for Software Engineering course bundle for just $24.99 — a 94% discount.

Learning to code can be daunting, but you don't have to wait for an in-person class or a tutor to get started. If you want to try your hand at Python, you could start from the beginning with this Python for Software Engineering bundle while it's on sale for $24.99. 

This eLearning course pack starts at the beginning with the absolute basics of Python in seven courses covering 165.5 hours of content, and there's no time limit once you have it. All course materials are yours for life. 

Learn Python on your schedule

Beginner programmer? Start at the beginning. This Python eLearning bundle opens up with a 35-hour overview course to help you cultivate effective habits as a Python developer. No experience is needed for this course, but later courses may be easier if you have this introduction to the language. If you want a quicker intro, the Quick Jump Start Course is only 4.5 hours and also covers the basics. 

After you have the basics down, you can move on to more advanced topics like concurrent and parallel programming or Python for machine learning if you're interested in AI. This bundle even has you put your skills to the test with two different courses that have you craft actual projects. Just keep in mind that the certification is only a certificate of completion, but the skills are real. 

Programming beginner no more

Start learning Python at the pace that works for you. 

Get this Python for Software Engineering Bootcamp Certification Bundle on sale for $24.99 (reg. $420). 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Packt Publishing Python for Software Engineering Bootcamp Certification Bundle $24.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: Through Jan. 21, get a lifetime subscription to the OneAir Elite Plan for only $79.97 — normally $790.

Got a lot of travel plans in 2024? Whether you're hoping to see more of the world or fit in more family time, you can get deals on big travel expenses — from your flights to your hotel fares — with a subscription to OneAir Elite Plan.

You could save big on your upcoming trips, as you can book business, first, and premium class flights in 2024 and beyond with this lifetime subscription to a OneAir Elite Plan. Though it typically retails for $790, it can be yours for just $79.97 through January 21.

Though it sounds too good to be true, OneAir uses the power of artificial intelligence to help you save big on all kinds of travel expenses. This members-only app's AI-powered scans track airline rates and let you know when you can score a great deal, sending a blast to your email and mobile so you can take advantage of the low prices. 

Not only can OneAir help you save on flights, but rental cars and hotels as well. You can set up destination-specific deal alerts and pick 10 different departure airports to monitor. OneAir also makes sure you're not hit with hidden fees or extra costs thanks to their all-inclusive prices, and you'll have added peace of mind with 24 hours of cancellation available. 

Until January 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, save big on a lifetime subscription to a OneAir Elite Plan, now just $79.97 (reg. $790).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: OneAir OneAir Elite Plan: Lifetime Subscription (Save on Business, First, Premium Class Flights, Hotels & More!) $79.97 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

It’s hard to watch your business’ property at all times. But with a total of 606,282 crimes against businesses in England and Wales occurring every year, it’s easy to understand why you want eyes and ears on everything. 

Having an all-encompassing, reliable security system for your business not only prevents you from being a victim of crime, but actually improves the performance of your business. So when it comes to choosing your business’ security technology, you shouldn’t ever have to compromise. 

Rather, you deserve a range of surveillance cameras, access control, intercom, and audio systems engineered to withstand a wide range of extreme conditions and situations. Whatever the environment, you should always feel safe and be able to rely on your security systems. 

That’s what Axis Communications has created their products for since 1984. Part of Canon Group, Axis enables a smarter and safer world by creating solutions for improving security and business performance. Their systems are designed to push us forward - taking business safety to a whole new level.

They create security technology that withstands a range of complicated environments. Whether there’s a wildfire outbreak, a flood, or all manner of extreme environments, Axis Communications equipment is designed to persevere and continue protecting your people, your property, and the performance of your business. 

Using network video technology, they film every single moment for your viewing - the good and the bad - in a crisp picture quality that never wavers - even if extreme weather strikes. 

And to truly put this technology to the test, Axis has demonstrated their elevated picture abilities and the robustness of their equipment in a fun and unexpected way: by filming a hockey game from underneath the ice. Yes, really. 

The Impossible Angle 

Fans of ice hockey will know there’s one angle of the game you never get to see: the underneath. It’s never before been possible to film from this perspective. After all, there’s a pretty hefty (40 mm thick) block of ice you have to deal with to be able to make it happen.

But the modular cameras from Axis Communications literally change the game. 

With ice hockey being such a lively game of bold colours, fast movements and intense play, Axis knew it would pose a real challenge to test the quality of their products, but result in some exciting gameplay footage. 

It was no easy feat, though. To pull off filming a hockey game from beneath the rink, the Axis team knew the equipment would need to be perfectly waterproof and not only robust enough to withstand a large amount of ice weighing it down, but the players who’d be skating right above it too. 

Though there were clear difficulties involved with the experiment, the potential for pay off was worth it, and so the team got to work. With this innovative technology made to withstand any and all weathers, the modular cameras from Axis Communications should be able to sit within the rink, encased in ice, and still record footage of the game from every angle. 

So, they tested it out. But it took a lot of work to mount the camera beneath a hockey rink. Together with an ice hockey team and a film crew, engineers from Axis Communications performed the experiment.  

A modular setup was chosen for the experiment: One AXIS F2135-RE Fisheye Sensor was frozen in the ice together with a cable connecting it to AXIS F9114 Main Unit outside the rink, which provided power to the camera – as well as processing the video feed coming off the sensor.

Despite the small size of the sensor, it still would not fit underneath the surface of the ice. So, the camera was mounted horizontally, leaving enough space for the camera to be completely covered in the ice, and a mirror was used to reflect the action above the ice into the camera. To keep everything in place during the freezing process a 3D printed jig was created, and the right lens adjustment was selected before freezing the camera away in a completely solid block of ice - where players would be slamming into each other over the top.

Content Captured without Compromise 

Would the camera still operate efficiently and work despite these extreme conditions and difficulties getting it beneath the ice? It was a novel but tough experiment to test the camera's capabilities, but it performed brilliantly- capturing every swipe of the puck, each slice of the player’s boots crunching against the ice, and every slide the player’s faces sliding against the ice post-injury. All the stuff you usually miss, immortalised in film.

For the camera to still do its job - and a stellar one at that, catching hockey from all angles, showed its true hardiness and adaptability. 

The final result: a vibrant and unique capturing of a very intense game that offers a unique viewing experience for hockey fans.

This kind of imaginative, innovative technology is behind all security cameras at Axis, creating a safer and smarter world. If Axis Communications cameras can deliver excellent, high-quality footage that shows every detail of a scene while encased in thick ice, it can certainly provide the security measures you need for your properties. 

Cross one worry off the list for your business by setting up a security system that not only withstands tricky situations but offers succinct and versatile solutions. Axis Communications are consistently using sight and sound mixed with detailed analytics and intelligence to continually improve the security systems on offer and keep businesses everywhere safe. 

Whether you’re looking after a business susceptible to extreme weather or filming a hockey game from every angle, Axis cameras will capture every moment without faltering - no matter what interruptions you might face. 

To find out more, please visit AXIS

TL;DR: Live stream Alcaraz vs. Sonego in the Australian Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are plenty of intriguing matchups in the second round of the Australian Open, including Alcaraz vs. Sonego. They've only played each other once before, and Sonego won in straight sets. But Alcaraz is seen by many as the greatest threat to Djokovic this year, so fans will be expecting the young star to come through this game unscathed.

If you want to watch Alcaraz vs. Sonego in the Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Alcaraz vs. Sonego?

Carlos Alcaraz and Lorenzo Sonego will face off on Jan. 18.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Sonego for free

Every match from the Australian Open is available to stream for free on 9Now, including Alcaraz vs. Sonego.

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TL;DR: Live stream Emma Raducanu vs. Wang Yafan in the Australian Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Emma Raducanu cruised through the first round of the Australian Open against Shelby Rogers, but the next matchup promises to be challenging. Wang Yafan began her campaign with a stunning victory over 22nd seed Sorana Cirstea, so she'll be coming into this match with a lot of belief.

If you want to watch Raducanu vs. Wang in the Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Raducanu vs. Wang?

Emma Raducanu and Wang Yafan will battle it out on Jan. 18.

How to watch Raducanu vs. Wang for free

Every match from the Australian Open is available to stream for free on 9Now, including Raducanu vs. Wang.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can gain access to this free streaming platform 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 connect to 9Now from anywhere in the world.

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to 9Now without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Raducanu vs. Wang before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing 9Now, for a number of reasons:

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• 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.

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TL;DR: Stream Sale Sharks vs. La Rochelle in the Champions Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The European Rugby Champions Cup brings together some of the best teams and players in the world. And if you're looking for the very best, you should check out the team that is going for its third title in a row.

Can anyone stop La Rochelle from winning the Champions Cup this year? They've not exactly had it all their own way so far, so they'll be looking for a comprehensive victory over Sale Sharks in their next fixture.

If you want to watch Sale Sharks vs. La Rochelle for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Sale Sharks v La Rochelle?

Sale Sharks and La Rochelle will kick off at 1 p.m. GMT on Jan. 21. This key fixture will take place at the AJ Bell Stadium.

How to watch Sale Sharks v La Rochelle for free

You can watch the Champions Cup fixture between Sale Sharks and La Rochelle live on ITV1, with coverage starting from 12:30 p.m. GMT on Jan. 21. You can also live stream this fixture for free on ITVX.

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

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ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing ITVX from anywhere in the world, for a number of reasons:

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• 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 Sale Sharks vs. La Rochelle for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Stream Chelsea Women vs. Manchester United Women for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Women's Super League continues to grow in popularity, and it's clear to see why. The quality improves every year, the rivalries become more and more heated, and the best players in the world join the competition to see what all the fuss it about.

It seems like there are massive games lined up every week, but it doesn't get much bigger than Chelsea vs. Manchester United. First meets fourth in this key fixture, and you can catch all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch Chelsea Women vs. Manchester United Women for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Chelsea Women vs. Manchester United Women?

Chelsea Women vs. Manchester United Women kicks off at 12:30 p.m. GMT on Jan. 21. This fixture will take place at Stamford Bridge.

How to watch Chelsea Women vs. Manchester United Women for free

The match between Chelsea Women and Manchester United Women will be broadcast live on BBC Two, with coverage starting from 12:15 p.m. GMT on Jan. 21. 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.

Unblock BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:

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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 BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Chelsea Women vs. Manchester United Women without actually spending anything.

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

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• 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.

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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 Jan. 17'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 Wordle answer for Jan. 16.

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 place of law and order.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that 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 #942 is...

COURT.

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.