Mashable

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 January 17'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.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

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: Intro to stats

• Green: Intro to chemistry

• Blue: English lit

• Purple: Disc jockeys

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: Data Set Data

• Green: Chemistry Terms

• Blue: Adjective Intensifiers

• Purple: Radio Hall of Fame Members

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for December 28

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 #220 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Data Set Data: MEAN, MEDIUM, MODE, RANGE

• Chemistry Terms: BASE, BOND, ELEMENT, SOLUTION

• Adjective Intensifiers: AWFUL, PRETTY, RATHER, REAL

• Radio Hall of Fame Members: GLASS, GROSS, KING, STERN

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.

MrBeast may be the king of YouTube, but now he's trying out something new with his content: Cross-posting his YouTube videos directly to Elon Musk's social media platform, X.

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On Monday night, MrBeast, who is also known by his real name Jimmy Donaldson, uploaded a video directly to the Musk-owned social media platform for the very first time.

"$1 Car vs $100,000,000 Car!!!" posted MrBeast, sharing the title of the video alongside the full 16 and a half minute upload. "I’m curious how much ad revenue a video on X would make so I’m reuploading this to test it. Will share ad rev next week."

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Musk immediately shared MrBeast's post to his more than 169 million followers.

"First MrBeast video posted directly on 𝕏!" Musk posted. 

MrBeast's about-face

The owner of the platform formerly known as Twitter has been quite active over the past year in reaching out to notable creators, podcasters, and political commentators on X, and asking that they upload their content to the site. In fact, Musk has previously replied to a few public posts from other users who had asked MrBeast to upload his videos to X, adding extra encouragement to their requests.

SEE ALSO: YouTuber Rosanna Pansino claims MrBeast 'lied and edited [her] out' of a video

MrBeast's recent decision to upload directly to X is an interesting one as he had been vocal about why he had not previously done so. In one post on X from Dec. 30, MrBeast replied directly to Musk and explained why he was hesitant to upload his content to the site.

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"My videos cost millions to make and even if they got a billion views on X it wouldn’t fund a fraction of it," MrBeast said, adding a frowning smiley face. "I’m down though to test stuff once monetization is really cranking!"

YouTube has long-been the best platform for creators looking to directly monetize their content based on revenue share. As of now, no other social platform – and X is certainly included – has been able to provide its users with such a lucrative revenue model based on ad share monetization.

But, roughly two weeks later, MrBeast is now running such a test.

The results for MrBeast are "fixed"

It certainly will be interesting to see how MrBeast fares when it comes to monetization on X. As of publication, MrBeast's video upload post has over 27,000 retweets and more than 277,000 likes. The MrBeast post containing the video embed has been viewed more than 68 million times as of this writing. (Note: X does not show how many times the video itself has been viewed. Musk removed this metric, which was previously public, last Spring.)

However, X's monetization rules only count views from X Premium subscribers. This means that unless a user who views the content is paying $8 per month (or $16 per month for X Premium+) for X's subscription service, a view from that user will not count towards a creators' monetization.

With all that said, MrBeast will very likely receive a large payout from X. 

Due to that monetization policy, payout amounts seem arbitrarily counted on the platform. For example, when the monetization program first launched, Musk's favorite accounts, a group made up primarily of right-wing political commentators, influencers, and meme accounts, made as much as tens of thousands of dollars from a single payout. 

On the contrary, when the monetization program widened to a broader pool of users, even popular accounts on the platform found that their highly viewed content generated much less than those highly publicized large payouts to Musk's favorite posters.

Musk has a lot riding on the idea that MrBeast's content will thrive on X, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the platform paying him out beyond what revenue is actually generated from the revenue share.

In addition, MrBeast has pre-roll video ads displayed on his uploaded content. This is part of a pre-Musk program known as Amplify that's not available for most X users. Before Musk came along with his own monetization program, selected publishers were getting paid by then-Twitter for running video ads that displayed before their own video content. X has continued running that program, and it still appears to be unavailable for most users.

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Furthermore, the ecommerce company Shopify has shared that they are running video ads specifically on MrBeast's X video. This basically guarantees MrBeast's X video will be monetized on multiple fronts, and in ways that most creators cannot monetize on X.

However, while this experiment will have enlightening results for MrBeast, it's very clearly not an example of the broader creator monetization experience on X.

As if artificial intelligence wasn't already scary enough, ChatGPT will get video capabilities. This comes directly from recently reinstated OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who spoke with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on his Unconfuse Me podcast.

This nightmare blunt rotation of tech overlords sat down on the pod to discuss the future of ChatGPT and the upcoming update, GPT-5. Altman says that this new generation of the lauded language model that powers ChatGPT will be "fully multimodal with speech, image, code, and video support."

The most interesting bit of news from this podcast is the aforementioned video capabilities, on top of the GPT-5 release confirmation. The current version of ChatGPT already supports image and audio but with video, the breadth of what generative AI can do will massively expand.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI policies got a quiet update, removing ban on military and warfare applications

The potential use cases for an AI system like ChatGPT that can perform video analysis could lead to more reliability, and create a contextually aware chatbot, but applications for this new version could also be rife with misuse — especially in terms of privacy, which OpenAI has not had a great track record in. A lawsuit filed in June claims that OpenAI's models were trained with "stolen" data.

When is GPT-5 coming out

Users can expect GPT-5 to drop sometime this year, according to Altman.

Altman has made it clear that he hopes to push ChatGPT's capabilities further and further. The dizzying speed of these developments was rumored to be part of the reason Altman was briefly ousted as CEO by the nonprofit board of directors at OpenAI amid concerns about the ethical dilemmas and potential far-reaching implications of these technologies.

Microsoft, the company that generated Gates' enormous fortune, has invested billions into OpenAI, integrating its models into its Copilot product, which offers a hint as to why Altman may have chosen this podcast as a place to break news. Altman said during his sit-down with Gates that as of right now, the current interactions of ChatGPT "is the stupidest these models will ever be." The goal with GPT-5 then, Altman elaborated, is that this new model will be able to reason better and be more reliable — particularly in light of the application's famous "hallucinations," in which the chatbot confidently blurts out untrue statements. Altman wants this more accurate ChatGPT, then, to know everything about you and your data — to a degree that sounds eerily personal.

"People want very different things out of GPT-4," Altman said on the podcast. "We’ll make all that possible, and then also the ability to have it use your own data."

He added that a crucial part of the development of his company's products will be the ability to deeply understand personal details — things like emails and calendars, as well as further connection to "outside data sources" so that ChatGPT gets the full scope of you.

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, OpenAI knows its tech is in the hot seat. The Washington Post dubbed this year's race the "AI Election," and the World Economic Forum’s recent "Global Risks Report 2024" ranked AI-derived misinformation and disinformation alongside challenges like climate change.

In a blog post shared today, OpenAI outlined the ways it intends to protect the integrity of elections and handle election interference, including "misleading 'deepfakes', scaled influence operations, or chatbots impersonating candidates" on its platforms.

DALL-E Images

In its post, OpenAI notes that "tools to improve factual accuracy, reduce bias, and decline certain requests" already exist. DALL-E, for example, can decline "requests that ask for image generation of real people, including candidates," though the blog post doesn't specify if or when DALL-E makes that decision.

SEE ALSO: Just how restrictive is OpenAI's DALL-E 3 on ChatGPT?

OpenAI also promises better transparency around the origin of images and what tools used to create them. By the time DALL-E 3 rolls out later this year, the company says, it plans to implement an image encoding approach that will store details of the content’s provenance.

OpenAI is also testing a new tool that can detect whether or not an image was generated by DALL·E, even when the image has been "subject to common types of modifications."

Chat GPT content

OpenAI doesn't announce anything too new when it comes to ChatGPT and instead points to its existing usage policies for the platform and its API.

They do not currently allow people to build applications for political campaigning and lobbying, for example, or to create chatbots that pretend to be real people, including candidates or governments. It is also against ChatGPT's usage policies to create applications "that deter people from participation in democratic processes" or that discourage voting.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft's Bing AI chatbot Copilot gives wrong election information

The blog post does promise that ChatGPT will soon offer users greater levels of transparency by providing access to real-time global news reporting that includes attributions and links. The platform is also improving access to authoritative voting information by teaming up with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and directing users to CanIVote.org when asked "certain procedural election-related questions" like "where to vote?"

Users should also be empowered to report potential violations while using the platform, an option available on the company's "new GPTs."

Be safe out there and use your best judgment as the election approaches. If you'd like to learn more about how to identify how to spot election misinformation, check out ProPublica's guide.

Ayo Edebiri is a supremely talented actor and comedian. She's quickly become a person whose mere presence in a project likely makes it worth watching.

The Bear? Beautiful, moving, stressful, and, at times, hilarious. Theater Camp? No business being as stupendously funny as it was. Bottoms? Fantastic film.

But she's also funny in a way that comic geniuses from a different era might not be able to pull off. She's clearly a person well-versed in how the internet works who enjoys a good online bit. She has a sense of humor that works on the internet. And, importantly, she understands that committing to a bit only makes it funnier.

And that's how we got to Ayo Edebiri being Ireland's favorite daughter. You see, back in March, Edebiri joked with a Letterboxd interviewer that she played Jenny the donkey in the Irish film The Banshees of Inisherin. Edebiri, slipping into a pretty solid Irish accent, joked about spending months on all fours, working her, ahem, tail off in the role. This, of course, was just a bit. But a funny one.

"I lived in Ireland for about four months, and I got really in character, and I was on all fours for four months, and it was really painful, but beautiful, as well," she joked.

But she has stuck with that bit. And Irish folks have loved it. Edebiri, who is actually from Boston, thanked the country after winning a Critics' Choice award. She also shouted out Irish cities and her Irish brethren at the Emmys this week, which is how a lot of people learned about the bit.

"Shoutout to my people! Shoutout to Derry! Shoutout to Cork! Shoutout to Killarney! Shoutout to Dublin!" Edebiri said in an interview.

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The bit has fully caught on. When Edebiri was nominated for the BAFTA Rising Star Award, for instance, the Twitter / X account @filmindublin ran with the joke, claiming her as an Irish great.

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From there the jokes have kept on coming. It's a good bit, and honestly, some wholesome internet fun.

And it's not the first time Edebiri pulled off something like this. She had large swaths of the world believing she was the showrunner behind FX's Kominsky Method simply because it seemed like a funny idea. Edebiri sort of just mentioned it in interviews and her bio and...it worked.

"I just thought what an incredible world that would be if a young Black woman in her mid-20s created this show where Michael Douglas and Allan Arkin are acting," she said on The Late Show. "Have I watched a single episode? No. But I already get the gist, you know what I mean?"

So if you see Edebiri in a project you should probably watch it, but just maybe don't believe all of her supposed biographical information on the internet.

Watch 'The Marvels' at home with these quick links: PURCHASE ON PRIME VIDEO 'The Marvels' in UHD $19.99 Get Deal PURCHASE ON APPLE TV 'The Marvels' in 4K $19.99 Get Deal PURCHASE ON VUDU 'The Marvels' in 4K $19.99 Get Deal STREAM AT A LATER DATE Disney+ $7.99/month (with ads) Get Deal

The Marvels, the latest theatrical MCU release, is already headed to the small screen. While the film only flew into theaters in November, it's making its streaming debut this month — well, kind of. It won't be available on Disney+ quite yet, but it will be available to watch on digital video-on-demand (VOD) services like Apple TV and Prime Video starting Jan. 16. Physical DVD and Blu-Ray editions will also be landing in stores Feb. 13. Here's what you need to know.

What is The Marvels about?

A superheroine-stuffed sequel to 2019's Captain Marvel, The Marvels' premise centers on Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) learning her powers have become entangled with those of Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and super-fan Kamala "Ms. Marvel" Khan (Iman Vellani). Of course, there's a space baddie causing the character collision named Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton). Dar-Benn is determined to save her dying planet by stealing the atmosphere and life-sustaining resources from others. The Marvels must get it together and join forces to stop her.

Like most films in the MCU, a little back story could help you get a better grip on the plotline of The Marvels. You should definitely watch Captain Marvel beforehand, and the shows WandaVision and Ms. Marvel are recommended.

Get a sneak peek at the story in the trailer below.

Is The Marvels worth watching?

The Marvels is the shortest Marvel flick to date, coming in at one hour and 45 minutes. You'd think that would be a welcome relief, but alas, Mashable's Kristy Puchko notes in her review that its length might actually be its biggest blunder. She writes that the "space-trekking romp with action, comedy, charm, cameos, and a cat that spews tentacles" unfortunately is riddled by a "panicked pacing that doesn't so much reflect the characters onscreen battling for their lives, but the Disney execs desperate to battle off the audience's superhero fatigue."

"The Marvels is at its best when it takes a breath to let its heroines have fun. A training montage of transporting while playing double-dutch, cutaways to a gawking Monica and agog Kamala while Carol sings to a dazzling prince — these are when this movie comes alive," Puchko concludes in her review, adding that Vellani's Kamala is a "ray of light" and a stand-out in the film. All in all, it's a short and sweet film with a lot of star power, but once again MCU compromises tend to weigh it down.

When is The Marvels coming to Disney+?

The Marvels will definitely be headed to Disney+ at some point, but that day is not today. While we await its appearance on the streaming service, you can still watch the film via digital VOD services like Apple TV or Prime Video starting Jan. 16. The Disney+ release will most likely be shortly after its Blu-Ray and DVD release on Feb. 13. We'll keep you updated when we get the deets.

How to watch The Marvels at home

In the meantime, those who are dying to see the superheroines take on a space baddie in The Marvels can add the film to their digital film collection beginning Jan. 16. With your purchase, you'll also get access to some fun exclusive bonus content, including bloopers, behind-the-scenes making-of content, and other Easter eggs.

Here are the best digital platforms for purchasing the film.

• Buy in UHD on Amazon Prime Video — $19.99

• Buy in 4K UHD on Vudu — $19.99

• Buy in 4K on Apple TV+ — $19.99

• Buy in 4K on Google Play — $19.99

• Buy in 4K on YouTube — $19.99

Best Disney+ deals for those who can wait

If you can wait a month or so until the Disney+ streaming release date to watch The Marvels, you'll undoubtedly save some money. Below, we've rounded up the best ways to sign up for Disney+ and keep some extra cash in your pocket.

Best Disney+ deal for most people Opens in a new window Credit: Disney+ Disney+ monthly subscription $7.99/month with ads or $13.99/month no ads Get Deal

You can secure a Disney+ subscription for a single month for only $7.99, as long as you don't mind watching a few ads throughout the film. Technically, you won't save any money, but you also won't waste any if you remember to cancel your subscription immediately after watching The Marvels. If you can't bear the interruptions caused by ads, you'll have to pay $13.99/month instead.

Best Disney+ bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Disney Bundle Duo Basic (Hulu + Disney+) $9.99/month with ads Get Deal

Already have a Hulu account? Bundle it with Disney+ for just $2 more per month and save 37% compared to paying for each separately. That brings your grand total to just $9.99/month for both. You could also throw ESPN+ in the mix for another few bucks and pay just $14.99/month for all three (with ads). Once again, you'll have to deal with ads interrupting your viewing experience, but since you'll technically be getting Disney+ for only $2 per month (depending on how you look at it), it's really not so bad. Ads just give you time for discussion or bathroom breaks, obviously.

Best Disney+ free trial Opens in a new window Credit: Verizon Disney+ Premium (no ads) free for 6 or 12 months with eligible Fios internet accounts (save up to $109.99) Get Deal

Those who use Fios home internet can score either six or 12 free months of Disney+ Premium (no ads) depending on your plan. If you're on the 2 Gig Streaming or 2 Gig Complete Package, you can get an entire year of streaming for free, while those on the 1 Gig Streaming or 1 Gig Complete Package can secure six free months. Check the terms over on the Verizon website to see if you're eligible and learn how to activate your offer.

Best Disney+ free trial runner-up Opens in a new window Credit: Verizon / Disney+ Disney+ Premium (no ads) free for 6 months with eligible Unlimited plans (save $65.94) Check your plan

Extended free trial alert: Verizon Wireless customers with eligible unlimited plans can score six free months of Disney+ Premium (no ads) as well. While most of these eligible plans are no longer available, you can still activate your free trial if you signed up previously. The following accounts are eligible for the free six-month Disney+ promotion:

• 5G Do More

• 5G Start

• Welcome Unlimited

• One Unlimited for iPhone

• Get More Unlimited

• Do More Unlimited

• Play More Unlimited

If you're on the 5G Get More or 5G Play More plan, you're also eligible for the Disney Bundle for free. Check your plan and learn more about eligibility and terms over at the Verizon website. The Disney+ promo through Verizon is only available through midnight on May 17, 2024, so be sure to activate your free trial before that date.

Best free Disney+ deal Opens in a new window Credit: Total by Verizon Disney+ Premium (no ads) free with the Total by Verizon $60 plan Check your plan

As long as you're on the $60/month prepaid unlimited plan through Total by Verizon, you can access Disney+ Premium (no ads) completely free. No fancy eligibility terms; just keep your account in good standing. If you cancel or switch, your Disney+ subscription is no longer valid. Those on the $50/month prepaid unlimited plan can also score six free months of Disney+ as well, which is plenty of time to watch The Marvels and other MCU favorites.

Private Facebook groups can be the most fun places to exist online — but they can also be a bit dangerous.

The "Are We Dating the Same Guy?" Facebook group is a page designed for women who date men to get references on their male partners, warn other women about "red flags," and see if they're dating the same guy. But that page is a lot less fun if you're one of the guys. So much less fun that one of the aforementioned guys is suing.

SEE ALSO: Are we dating the same guy? This Facebook group might know.

Nikko D'Ambrosio, a Chicago man, is suing 27 women, one man, and multiple social media platforms including Meta for "false and defamatory statements." While the Facebook group describes itself as a "Red Flag Awareness group across the country where women can empower each other and keep each other safe from toxic men," the complaint filed last week in the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleges that it maintains "a platform to permit women to anonymously dox, defame, and attack the moral character of men they've met online."

D'Ambrosio went on a few dates and had consensual sex with a defendant — a relationship the complaint calls "unremarkable." She posted him in the group asking for info from other women. In response, some women called him "very clingy" and a "psycho." One woman said they went out but he ghosted her after they slept together. He and his attorneys asked the defendant to delete the post, and she did. But, the complaint alleges, she reposted it under an anonymous handle.

He is seeking $75,000 and also to stop the defendants from continuing to post in the "Are We Dating the Same Guy?" Facebook page, Business Insider reported.

No one outside the group is ever supposed to know about the goings on inside the group — but, as it is the internet, that hasn't stopped them. Nothing said in these posts is verifiable, and, as we know, the posts themselves can have an effect on a person's reputation, which, as Mashable previously reported, "seems to be the whole point, for better or worse."

It's not clear how this suit will play out, but it'll be interesting to see who is held accountable for what is said in private groups online — and what kind of effect this will have on public speech and safety on social media.

The next-gen OLED iPad Pro may be here soon if new rumors are to be believed. According to Korean-based The Elec, the OLED iPad Pro is scheduled to go into mass production in March, with a release date of sometime in April.

Given what we know from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, The Elec's report matches previously established timelines. Both Gurman and Kuo reported in 2023 to expect some form of announcement to be made of the OLED iPad around March 2024. Gurman even wrote in his newsletter, Power On, that we can also expect the iPad Air in two sizes for the first time.

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

The OLED iPad has generated some exceptional hype since rumors about the swanky tablet display propagated last year.

It's a significant upgrade of the iPad Pro, which has been unfortunately left to the wayside by Apple's focus on the iPhone, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro. Soon though, the iPad will get the OLED upgrade that the iPhone and Apple Watch both received.

With the OLED upgrade, customers can expect superior display quality and potentially improved energy efficiency. However, that improved quality, and inclusion of Apple's powerful M3 processor, will come with a hefty price tag of around $1,500 to $2,000, according to a rumor reported on by MacRumors. The OLED displays are "three times the price of those used in iPhones" and may be part of the reason why the launch of the new redesign was delayed to the backend of Q1, according to Kuo.

Gurman expects this — as well as iOS 17.4 and the iPad Air — to be announced at a spring event in March.

We don't know Apple's ambitions, but according to speculation from Gurman and Kuo, the Cupertino-based tech giant wants to reignite sales of the iPad that haven't recovered since its peak during the pandemic.

Curious about how to watch Samsung Unpacked? If you didn't get an invite to San Jose for the big event, don't worry, you can watch it in the comfort of your own home.

Samsung Unpacked, poised to reveal the new Galaxy S24 phones, as well as some new Galaxy AI features, will launch on Jan. 17.

How to watch Samsung Unpacked 2024

As mentioned, you can watch Samsung Unpacked on Jan. 17 at 1 p.m. ET. on Samsung's website or Samsung's YouTube channel.

For your convenience, here are some other time zones that may spare you from doing time conversions:

• Los Angeles, California - 10 a.m. PT

• Dallas, Texas - noon CT

• Honolulu, Hawaii - 7 a.m. HAST

• New York, New York - 1 p.m. ET

• Halifax, Canada - 2 p.m. AST

• London, United Kingdom - 6 p.m. BST

• Berlin, Germany - 7 p.m. CEST

• Delhi, India - 10:30 p.m. IST

• Dubai, United Arab Emirates — 9 p.m. GST

SEE ALSO: What to expect from Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked January event What to expect at Samsung Unpacked 2024

As always with the Unpacked events that take place in January or February, this one is expected to be all about the heavily rumored and leaked Samsung Galaxy S24 line of phones.

You can likely expect the usual suite of upgrades to the displays, processors, and cameras, but those probably won't get as much attention this year if rumors about "Galaxy AI" are to be believed.

Yes, Samsung is reportedly filling these phones full of AI features. Leaks point to things like live translation and a photo editor, so it might be wise to at least expect those features. Anything else, as usual, will have to wait until the stream itself.

Buckle up, folks.

SAVE $150: As of Jan. 16, you can get the Google Pixel 8 for just $549 at Amazon. That's a discount of 21%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel (128GB) $549 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal

Before you go to your carrier to upgrade your current smartphone, you might want to head over to Amazon first. There are some great prices on some of the latest models there and you can get your favorite smartphone unlocked so it can be used with any carrier. If you're ready to grab a new model, now's a good time to do so, as Google's newest Pixel device is going for a great price over at Amazon right now.

As of Jan. 16, you can get an unlocked Google Pixel 8 (128GB) for just $549 at Amazon. That's $150 off its normal price of $699 and a discount of 21%. This price applies to the Hazel, Obsidian, and Rose color options. You can also upgrade to the 256GB model for $609, which is a 20% discount and $150 off the normal price of $759.

SEE ALSO: Today's best deals on unlocked Google Pixel phones, including an all-time low price on the Google Pixel 8

The Google Pixel 8, while only adding a few iterative features over last year's model, is every bit a great Android smartphone. Mashable reviewer Alex Perry praised it for its "great cameras" and "strong performance" as well as good battery life and a crisp 120Hz display.

"These are going to be the best Android phones you can get if you care about great cameras, strong performance, and AI," Perry wrote.

The Pixel 8 boasts a 6.2-inch display, a Google Tensor G3 chipset with an Arm Cortex-X3 CPU core, four Cortex-A715 cores, and four Cortex-A510 cores for a powerful setup with 8GB of RAM. It's more than capable of handling any task you throw at it with that in mind, and it's an attractive device that can get you where you want to be with a daily driver phone. If you're interested in grabbing one, now's a good time to do so. It'll likely sell out soon at this discount.

SAVE 50%: The Soundcore by Anker P20i earbuds are just $19.99 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $39.99. That's a savings of $20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore by Anker Soundcore by Anker P20i wireless earbuds $19.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal

Back in the day, the easiest thing to misplace was car keys. That changed when wireless earbuds arrived. They have an unrelenting affinity for dropping down the storm drain, disappearing forever into the couch cushions, or becoming the dog's new toy. If you've lost one or both earbuds recently, today's deal at Amazon will help ease the pain of needing replacements.

As of Jan. 16, the Soundcore by Anker P20i earbuds are just $19.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $39.99. That's a 50% discount, matching the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

It's hard to find anything at an affordable price in this economy, but with today's deal you'll be getting a solid pair of earbuds for a fair price. The Souncore by Anker P20i uses oversized 10mm drivers to deliver powerful and clear sound quality. Connect to the Soundcore app and you'll be able to choose from 22 EQ presets which can be especially useful if you listen to both music and podcasts with your earbuds.

With the charging case, you'll get 30 hours of playtime with the P20i earbuds. A 10-minute quick charge adds two hours of life back to the buds. And to help combat losing this pair, the included case comes with a lanyard to clip onto your backpack or tote bag.

SEE ALSO: I'm in love with my new Bose noise-canceling earbuds and I want everyone to know it

You can also use single-earbud mode with the Anker P20i. If you take one bud out to tune into the world around you, the remaining earbuds will continue to provide sound. They're also water resistant so there's no need to worry about some light rain or wearing them on a hot day.

Snag the Soundcore by Anker P20i earbuds for the affordable price of just $19.99 thanks to today's deal at Amazon.

The best Solawave deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand and Activating Serum Kit $140.70 at Solawave (save $60.30) Get Deal BEST FOR ACNE SPOT TREATMENT Bye Acne: 3-Minute Pimple Spot Treatment $48.30 at Solawave (save $20.70) Get Deal BEST FOR ANTI-AGING Wrinkle and Bacteria Clearing Light Therapy Mask $279.30 at Solawave (save $119.70) Get Deal

If glowing skin is on your 2024 goals list, you might want to check out Solawave's sitewide sale. Through Monday, Jan. 22, Solawave is running a flash sale that slashes 30% (or more) off their impressive beauty tech tools.

Last year, we had a chance to test both the celeb-favorite skincare wand and acne spot-treatment device and were pleasantly surprised by how far beauty tech has come. The former even earned a Mashable Choice award — a badge of honor we grant to the best products we test — as well as a near-perfect rating. TL;DR: Solawave is a brand that truly delivers.

The last time the brand held a sitewide sale, the light therapy mask sold out pretty quickly. So, if it's on your wishlist, be sure to grab it ASAP. Scroll to see our top picks from the sale.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Solawave Our pick: 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand and Activating Serum Kit $140.70 at Solawave (save $60.30) Get Deal Why we like it

Solawave's 4-in-1 skincare wand mixes red light therapy treatment with galvanic current, facial massage, and therapeutic warmth to tackle all sorts of skin concerns: wrinkles, fine lines, acne, dark circles, etc. When Mashable's reviewer first tested the skincare wand, she was surprised by the near-immediate results. She noticed improvement of old acne scars, diminished redness, and an overall glow after just a couple of weeks of regular use. You can grab the wand and a bottle of the Renew Complex activating serum, which helps boost the results of the wand, for only $140.70. That's a savings of $60.30. You could also grab the wand on its own for just $118.30 (reg. $169).

Best for spot treatment Opens in a new window Credit: Solawave Our pick: Bye Acne: 3-Minute Pimple Spot Treatment $48.30 at Solawave (save $20.70) Get Deal Why we like it

It may not be the best beauty tech for ongoing breakouts, but the Bye Acne device could be a great companion for those looking for convenient spot treatment. It uses red and blue light therapy to reduce inflammation from mild to moderate acne in just a couple of minutes. Mashable's Bethany Allard tested it firsthand and found that it would work best for "someone who gets a nasty pimple or two regularly and has the cash to spare." It may not have wowed us like the skincare wand, but we're more inclined to recommend it while it's on sale for just $48.30 (reg. $69).

Best for anti-aging Opens in a new window Credit: Solawave Our pick: Wrinkle and Bacteria Clearing Light Therapy Mask $279.30 at Solawave (save $119.70) Get Deal

Finally back in stock after selling out during the Solawave holiday sale, the light therapy mask claims to offer professional-level wrinkle and acne-clearing results at home. The user-friendly design makes skin therapy sessions pretty easy and convenient. Just pop the mask onto your face, select red (anti-aging) or blue (anti-acne) light therapy, and relax for 10 minutes. For noticeable results in the first month, Solawave recommends 10-minute sessions per day for at least three days per week. The mask typically will run you $399, but for a limited time, you can grab it on sale for $279.30. There's no guarantee it will stay in stock, so grab it while you can.

Nothing is safe from AI copying it.

Researchers at the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi say they developed an AI tool that can pretty closely copy a person's handwriting. The researchers said that the model needed just a few paragraphs of writing to be trained.

"[People] could not distinguish the mimicked handwriting from the actual handwriting, and it was satisfying to see that kind of validation of the performance," researcher Salman Khan said in a press release.

SEE ALSO: CES 2024: Actors' union agrees to AI voiceovers for video games

AI has proven relatively capable of copying voices and creating images out of whole cloth. Of course, handwriting was next up. Right now the model is primarily focused on mimicking English writing and is not yet available to the public. The researchers were recently granted a patent for the tool.

The team also acknowledged that the potential for forgery and other nefarious uses was very real.

"We are very cautious about it because it could be misused," researcher Rao Muhammad Anwer said in the press release. "Handwriting represents a person’s identity, so we are thinking carefully about this before deploying it."

Researchers on the team told Bloomberg in an interview that they'd work on tools to prevent forgery and that their invention could also be used to interpret illegible writing — looking at you, doctors everywhere.

SAVE $70: The Birdfy Feeder is just $149.99, marked down from its normal price of $219.99. That's a 32% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Birdfy Birdfy Feeder $149.99 at Birdfy (save $70) Get Deal

If you're unfamiliar with the joy and excitement of bird watching, you're missing out on one of life's greatest pleasures. Sure, it's a quiet hobby, but keeping an eye on which birds frequent your yard can be highly enjoyable. If you're interested in getting to know the local birds in your neighborhood, today's deal on a feeder with a camera is the perfect introduction.

As of Jan. 16, the Birdfy Feeder is just $149.99, down from the typical price of $219.99. That's a discount of 32% or a savings of $70.

The Birdfy Feeder is everything a new or experienced bird watcher is looking for. It dispenses bird seed in a similar way to a traditional bird feeder, but incorporates a camera into the design. Not only will you feed the birds, you'll get a recording of every bird that visits. The camera's 1080p high-definition picture combined with the wide-angle lens means you'll get an up-close view of your new neighborhood pals. When the camera detects motion, it'll send a notification via the Birdfy app to your phone. You can choose to watch it live or tune into the playback anytime.

The Birdfy design includes a perfectly positioned perch so the camera's recording captures feathered friends while they hang out and enjoy the bird seed. Plus the camera also has full color night vision, so you won't miss out on any birds that choose to visit during dark hours. The camera's battery can last for up to six months, so you won't have to worrying about recharging it often.

You can install the Birdfy Feeder to your home's wall or the wall of a garden shed. It can also sit in your yard with the support of a pole or attach to a tree. Should any unwanted visitors arrive, like a squirrel, open the Birdy app and use the two-way audio to explain in real time the squirrel's not invited to this bird party.

Become the neighborhood bird expert thanks to today's deal on the Birdfy Feeder.

SAVE $60: As of Jan. 15, get Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) for just $189 at Amazon. That's a discount of 24%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) $189 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal

There's a ton of great music out lately. Make sure you have the best possible way to enjoy your favorite tunes on the go, whether you're a big Lil Nas X fan or you're a Swiftie still spinning 1989 (Taylor's Version) on repeat. Pick up a pair of Apple AirPods Pro for a great price.

As of Jan. 16, you can get a pair of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) for just $189, down from $249, at Amazon. That's a 24% discount, and a savings of $60. It's also the lowest price we've seen since Black Friday.

These great-sounding buds come with everything you'd expect from AirPods, including excellent active noise cancellation. You can also customize your fit with four pairs of silicone tips from extra small to large. They also feature spatial audio, which helps to deliver a more immersive listening experience. And because many of us listen to earbuds when walking around in public, you can rely on Transparency Mode to help you stay aware of your surroundings when it matters most.

At this price, it's a great idea to go ahead and lock your pair in — this is still the lowest price we've seen these earbuds go for. If you don't need them for yourself, they can always make a great gift for when the next birthday or holiday rolls around. No doubt your recipients will be thrilled to receive them.

SAVE $70: The DJI Pocket 2 is just $279 at Amazon, down from the typical price of $349. That's a 20% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Pocket 2 $279 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal

Sharing is caring, and sharing high-quality content has never been more popular. If you regularly post to TikTok, update your YouTube channel, or have any plans to document your travels in 2024, Amazon has the perfect camera on sale.

As of Jan. 16, score the DJI Pocket 2 for just $279 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $349. That's a $70 savings or a 20% discount which matches the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Content creators, if you've been lugging around a heavy camera or settling for filming on your phone, your deserve an upgrade. The DJI Pocket 2 excels when it comes to portability: it's small enough to fit in your pocket (depending on your pocket size). It weighs just 116 grams, which is about a quarter of a pound. This compact size makes it ideal for content creation to take place anywhere, anytime. But just because it's lightweight doesn't mean it skimps on performance.

The DJI Pocket 2 gets up to 140 minutes of battery life and uses a three-axis gimbal for stabilized recording in 4K. The Pocket 2 is also equipped with excellent audio thanks to four microphones. It uses ActiveTrack 3.0 to follow subjects during quick movements, so you won't have to worry about losing focus.

In addition to the DJI Pocket 2 camera itself, you'll also get a cover, a mini control stick, a tripod mount, wrist strap, and a power cable. No need to purchase a bunch of extras.

If you've been uploading videos you're less than pleased with in terms of quality, upgrade to the DJI Pocket 2 while getting a great price thanks to today's 20% discount.

SAVE $75: As of Jan. 16, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with 64GB of storage is on sale for just $104.99 — that's 42% off its regular price and a new all-time low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (64GB) $104.99 at Amazon (save $75) Get Deal

Contrary to popular belief, the iPad is not the best tablet for everyone. It all depends on what matters most to you. If you want a tablet strictly for streaming, playing games, and browsing on the go, but you have a tight budget, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet will suit you and your wallet better — especially while it's on sale.

As of Jan. 16, the 64GB version of the Fire HD 10 tablet with lockscreen ads is on sale for just $104.99 at Amazon. That's 42% in savings compared to its usual $179.99 cost and its lowest price to date. The version without lockscreen ads is also down to an all-time low of $119.99 instead of $194.99 — a savings of 38%.

SEE ALSO: The best tablets: iPads are great, but have you tried literally anything else?

Mashable's SaVanna Shoemaker recently tested the Fire HD 10 tablet and was pleasantly surprised, calling it "lighter and faster than its predecessors, with a long battery life and vivid picture that makes it great for on-the-go entertainment." She noted that the Amazon Silk browser has improved tremendously, the display is generous and crisp, the sound is solid for streaming, there's a vastly improved front-facing camera, and it even works decently as an e-reader.

It's not perfect — the Amazon App Store is pretty limited compared to Apple's App Store or the Google Play Store. But, for the price, it's hard to complain.

Space missions and marriage drama combine in Spaceman, the upcoming film from Johan Renck (Chernobyl).

Spaceman stars Adam Sandler as Jakub, an astronaut on solitary research to the edges of the solar system. Six months in, he begins to worry that his relationship with his wife Lenka (Maestro's Carey Mulligan) won't be waiting for him on his return.

Enter Hanuš (voiced by Dumb Money's Paul Dano), a giant spider creature from the dawn of time, who has stowed away on Jakub's ship. Together, the two endeavor to sort through Jakub's memories and figure out how he can reconcile with Lenka. Trippy space walks ensue.

Spaceman hits Netflix March 1.

Apple has taken over Samsung to become the top smartphone supplier in the world, a first for the Cupertino company.

According to analytics company IDC, Apple shipped 234.6 million smartphones in 2023, compared to Samsung's 226.6 million. Xiaomi is in third place with 145.9 million shipped.

Apple surged into number one spot thanks to an extremely successful final quarter of 2023, in which it shipped 80.5 million smartphones, compared to Samsung's 53 million, and Xiaomi's 40.7 million. Apple was also the only smartphone maker in the top three to achieve growth this year.

SEE ALSO: What to expect from Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked January event

Apple's results show resilience for the company's smartphone business, as they were achieved against a fairly poor macroeconomic backdrop in which overall smartphone shipments declined 3.2% year-over-year. IDC's research director Nabila Popal claims this is largely due to Apple's rapid growth in the emerging markets, as well as the "increasing trend of premium devices, which now represent over 20% of the market, fueled by aggressive trade-in offers and interest-free financing plans."

SEE ALSO: Apple Watch redesign will remove blood oxygen monitoring amidst patent dispute

Despite being among the largest smartphone manufacturers for over a decade, Apple has never been in the top spot on a yearly basis. The company entered the race when it launched the iPhone back in 2007, when the top smartphone manufacturer globally was Nokia. Since then, Samsung spent most of the time in the first place, with Apple battling the likes of Huawei and Xiaomi for the number two spot.

In 2011, contemporary artist Ai Weiwei was arrested for 81 days, imprisoned by the Chinese government in Beijing for criticizing the communist regime and surveillance, and championing human rights. His legacy and body of work often explores such themes, including his widely-reported arrest, shedding light on power and humanity.

His latest exhibition is no exception. This time around, Ai is taking on technology, presenting 81 big questions to artificial intelligence systems. In other words: Ai v AI.

SEE ALSO: 5 ways AI changed the internet in 2023

Commissioned by the Cultural Institute of Radical Contemporary Arts (CIRCA), Ai's questions are being projected on billboards across major cities including London, Seoul, Berlin, Lagos, Nairobi, and Milan, with each showcasing the range of spiritual, personal, wide-thinking, and intimate questions put forth by Ai and his collaborators. Described as "an 81-day quest for enlightenment", a set of 81 questions will be publicly broadcast daily at significant global hotspots, including London's high-traffic Piccadilly Circus and other busy areas worldwide.

Ai v AI in Seoul. Credit: CIRCA.

The questions vary from the political ("Is true democracy possible?", "Are you controlled by the privileged class?", "Will capitalism have an end?") to the abstract ("Do plants have feelings?", "Why do tortoises live so long, and do they know about lunar eclipses?"). Then there are the essential questions, those addressing the fundamentals of being human: "Does 'not-knowing' absolve people of guilt?", "Are you capable of self-destruction?", and "What are the most essential values of human life?". Subjects vary from karma to sex to justice to the idea of time itself.

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Most of the questions appear to be posed to OpenAI's ChatGPT. CIRCA has published the answers on its website, too, so the public can view AI's responses to the most thoughtful of questions. Ai's own thoughts are posted alongside those of AI's.

Their views, inadvertently, differ. For example, to the question "If an artist is not an activist, can he/she still be considered an artist?", the two have vastly opposing views. Ai posited that "An artist who is not an activist would, without a doubt, be akin to a lifeless entity", while ChatGPT took a predictable stance: "Yes, an artist can still be considered an artist even if they are not an activist."

Behind-the-scenes of Ai's project. Credit: CIRCA.

Ai also asks questions of AI itself, speaking to the interiority — or lack thereof — within the machines that are now omnipresent in daily life: "What is the one question you would like to ask humans?", for example, and "How much energy did you use to answer this question?".

Ai v AI in London's Piccadilly Circus. Credit: CIRCA.

The project is derived from a set of 172 questions (entitled "Tiānwèn" or "The Heavenly Questions") written to the gods by Chinese poet and aristocrat Qu Yuan, who inscribed his queries on the walls of a temple nearly 2,300 years ago. Simultaneously, it is inspired by the interrogation by authorities that Ai himself faced when in detention. The latter examines who has the power to question.

"This is not about freedom of speech. This is about freedom of questions," says Ai in a statement. "Everybody has the right to ask questions."

Each query will be presented on specific dates, running from Jan. 11 to March 31. In the selected cities, the billboards will display Ai's thoughts at 20:24 local time each day, displaying answers by Ai and AI systems comparatively. The nod to the number "24" is, too, intentional: according to the Chinese zodiac cycle, 2024 is a year of transformation, evolution, and change.

The project platforms not only rising systems of technology with its emphasis on artificial intelligence, but also brings to light access to information, the power within questioning, and the importance of doing so.

"If humans will ever be liberated, says Ai, "it will be because we ask the right questions, not provide the right answers."