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This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Online dating is now the norm. "We met on Tinder" is the new "we met in a bar." And this isn't going to change any time soon.

Countless children have been born to parents who met via an online dating app like Match or eharmony, and according to eharmony, more than 50% of couples will meet online by 2031. They would say that, but it’s understandable given online dating’s popularity.

The only real problem with online dating is that there are so many services out there to consider. With so many options on the table, it can be difficult to know where to find the best crop of potential lovers. Each dating app will have features that will matter differently to you depending on your lifestyle, what you are actually looking for, and what's most important to you. Looking for Ms. Right? Or perhaps just Mr. Right Now? It's helpful to know how each dating app is different so that you can surround yourself with people who want the same thing as you.

What are the benefits of using a dating site?

Dating sites and apps allow you to get your information out there to a massive network of like-minded individuals. Plus, you can save a lot of time, energy, and cash by testing out a potential relationship on an app before actually meeting. We know that some dating apps can be expensive, but just think about all those wasted coffees you could avoid by chatting through an app first.

Should you use free dating apps?

There are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are seriously popular options with massive networks of users. Plus, most of the biggest and best dating sites have free versions with limitations on certain features. So yes, you can easily enter the online dating game without spending anything. There are levels to this game though, and sometimes free apps just don't cut it.

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for women

This won't be a surprise to hear, but you get what you pay for with dating sites and apps. For the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up the cash. We're sorry to break it to you, but the best dating sites don't come cheap.

What is the best dating app?

Whether you're looking for something super specific or have tried every app on the market, we have put together a handy guide that breaks down what the deal is with each of these online dating experiences. We have lined up a selection of your best options for finding love, finding a hookup, and more, including leading services like EliteSingles and AdultFriendFinder.

These are the best dating apps in 2024.

Google's Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are now available in a new color: Mint.

The latest shade comes after a not-so-subtle teaser by Google, with the company announcing that "something fresh is coming" on Jan. 25.

Tweet may have been deleted

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro in the new Mint color will be available for purchase in the U.S. on Thursday at 8 a.m. ET.

In Europe, however, the verdant hue is already available. In the UK, for example, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is now available in four colors: Mint, Bay, Obsidian, and Porcelain, while the Google Pixel 8 comes in Mint, Hazel, Obsidian, and Rose.

Credit: Google

The new color is (unsurprisingly) a gentle, minty green. From pictures alone, it looks to be a little less flashy than the other "colorful" option, which is the blue, Bay color. It's a nice option, though, especially since green in all its shades is sadly underutilized by smartphone makers for some odd reason.

SEE ALSO: Gmail: Google is reportedly adding an AI voice feature

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones in Mint have the same specs as they do in other colors, but are only available from the Google Store.

It's also worth noting that the latest Pixels, regardless of the shade, come with Google's new AI features including Circle to Search.

Copying is the best form of flattery, eh? That calming garbage your parents told you to assuage your annoyance at your BFF stealing your painstakingly crafted look doesn't fly in ADULTHOOD, people.

Nor does it sit well with The Pokémon Company, well aware of a certain game that's been accused of more than sharing a likeness with the franchise: Palworld.

Developed by Japanese developer Pocketpair, the instantly popular, survival crafting game has already sold over 5 million copies in a few days, dropping on Steam, Xbox, and Windows PC on Jan. 18. But as Mashable's Amanda Yeo writes, "Palworld's overwhelming success has been overshadowed by accusations of art theft and plagiarism."

SEE ALSO: The controversy around 'Pokémon with guns' game 'Palworld,' explained

A game that encourages players to catch a range of cute creatures with round "Pal Spheres" in order to battle (among other things), Palworld's likeness to Pokémon has fans understandably mad. There's already a Pokémon mod for the game, which has been reportedly issued with a DMCA takedown by Nintendo.

But Palworld's rise has been clocked by The Pokémon Company itself, which posted a statement on Thursday declaring the company's "intent to investigate" and "address any acts that infringe on intellectual property rights"— and without actually naming Palworld itself:

"We have received many inquiries regarding another company’s game released in January 2024. We have not granted any permission for the use of Pokémon intellectual property or assets in that game.

We intend to investigate and take appropriate measures to address any acts that infringe on intellectual property rights related to the Pokémon. We will continue to cherish and nurture each and every Pokémon and its world, and work to bring the world together through Pokémon in the future."

One word for Pocketpair: eep.

Ring will no longer facilitate police requests for footage from its cameras without a warrant. At least, not public ones.

The Amazon-owned company announced on Wednesday that it is sunsetting Request for Assistance (RFA), a tool found in its Neighbours app. Introduced in 2021, RFA was designed to let police publicly request information such as doorbell camera footage from Ring users. Such requests couldn't be deleted, meaning there was a public record that the police had asked for footage from a certain area.

SEE ALSO: 14 reasons not to get a Ring camera

RFA wasn't quite enough to allay concerns about Ring's close relationship with law enforcement, but it did provide at least some element of transparency and accountability. If Ring is going to hand over your camera footage to the police, at the very least you'd want to know about it. Unfortunately, that transparency is apparently now a thing of the past.

"Public safety agencies like fire and police departments can still use the Neighbors app to share helpful safety tips, updates, and community events," Ring's Eric Kuhn wrote in a blog post on Wednesday. "They will no longer be able to use the RFA tool to request and receive video in the app. Public safety agency posts are still public, and will be available for users to view on the Neighbors app feed and on the agency's profile."

To be clear, the end of RFA won't prevent police from continuing to request Ring camera footage without a warrant — requests the company has previously demonstrated it's happy to comply with. There will just be no publicly visible record of their interest.

In a statement to The Verge, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed that Ring will continue to comply with police requests for footage without a warrant in "emergency" situations, such as where there is a threat of physical harm or death. Such requests "are reviewed by trained professionals who disclose information only when that legal standard is met."

Basically, it's Ring's decision whether your private security camera footage is given to the police, and you may not even know that it's been handed over. In 2022, Amazon admitted that it had given private Ring security camera footage to police multiple times since RFA had been implemented, despite not having a warrant, nor the knowledge or consent of the cameras' owners.

Mashable has reached out to Ring for comment.

Ring previously came under fire for its relationship with law enforcement after a 2019 report by Motherboard revealed it had secret deals with dozens of US police departments. In exchange for the police advertising Ring to their local community, the company agreed to provide free products as well as a private portal through which law enforcement could request footage from specific users without a warrant.

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

The group stage is over. The comfort of knowing that you don't need to win every game is gone. The knockout stages are here, and it's win or bust in the Africa Cup of Nations.

We're braced for a bunch of big games in the first round of knockout fixtures, but it doesn't get much bigger than Nigeria vs. Cameroon. If you want to watch this huge game for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Nigeria vs. Cameroon?

Nigeria vs. Cameroon kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Jan. 27. This fixture takes place at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

How to watch Nigeria vs. Cameroon for free

The match between Nigeria and Cameroon will be broadcast live on BBC Three, with coverage starting from 7:50 p.m. GMT on Jan. 27. You can also live stream this fixture for free on BBC iPlayer.

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

Access BBC iPlayer to stream AFCON 2023 by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream Nigeria vs. Cameroon for free from anywhere in the world

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

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

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 94 countries including the UK

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to five simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Watch Nigeria vs. Cameroon for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Stream Fulham vs. Newcastle United in the FA Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The FA Cup is all about small clubs taking on the big boys, but we're in the fourth round of the competition now, so it's inevitable that a lot of Premier League teams will be coming together to battle it out.

That's what's going down at Craven Cottage this weekend as Fulham take on Newcastle United. If you want to watch this FA Cup fixture for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Fulham vs. Newcastle United?

Fulham and Newcastle United will kick off at 7 p.m. GMT on Jan. 27 at Craven Cottage.

How to watch Fulham vs. Newcastle United for free

You can watch the FA Cup fixture between Fulham and Newcastle United live on ITV4, with coverage starting from 6:15 p.m. GMT on Jan. 27. 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.

Unblock ITVX by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Stream Fulham vs. Newcastle United for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By capitalising on these offers, you can gain access to ITVX without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it gives you time to stream Fulham vs. Newcastle United for free.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• Servers in 94 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to five simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Watch Fulham vs. Newcastle United for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Stream Ipswich Town vs. Maidstone United in the FA Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The fourth-round of the FA Cup is here, with a lot of tantalising fixtures to keep fans entertained all weekend. There are plenty of matchups between Premier League sides, but that's not what the FA Cup is all about. It's about games like Ipswich Town vs. Maidstone United.

If you want to watch Ipswich Town vs. Maidstone United for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Ipswich Town vs. Maidstone United?

Ipswich Town and Maidstone United will kick off at 12:30 p.m. GMT on Jan. 27 at Portman Road.

How to watch Ipswich Town vs. Maidstone United for free

The FA Cup fixture between Ipswich Town and Maidstone United is live on BBC One, with coverage starting from 12:15 p.m. GMT on Jan. 27. 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 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 BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream Ipswich Town vs. Maidstone United for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs 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 obviously not a long-term solution, but it gives you time to stream games like Ipswich Town vs. Maidstone United before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 94 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to five simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Watch Ipswich Town vs. Maidstone United for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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

The first Grand Slam of the year is coming to an end, with only a handful of players left fighting it out for victory. The Australian Open has delivered some truly special tennis, and we're hoping for more of the same between Medvedev and Zverev in their semi-final.

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

When is Medvedev vs. Zverev?

Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev will meet in their semi-final match on Jan. 26 (AEDT).

How to watch Medvedev vs. Zverev for free

Every match from the Australian Open is available to stream for free on 9Now, including the semi-final between Medvedev vs. Zverev.

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.

Access 9Now from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Stream Medvedev vs. Zverev for free

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to 9Now without actually spending anything. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2024 Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 94 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to five simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Stream Medvedev vs. Zverev for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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

Is anyone capable of beating Novak Djokovic? We keep asking that same question, but player after player falls short of beating the Serbian. And now we're into the Australian Open semi-finals, so it's looking increasingly likely that Djokovic is on his way to another Grand Slam victory. Unless Sinner can stop him.

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

When is Djokovic vs. Sinner?

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner will meet in their semi-final match on Jan. 26 (AEDT).

How to watch Djokovic vs. Sinner for free

Every match from the Australian Open is available to stream for free on 9Now, including the semi-final between Djokovic and Sinner.

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.

Access 9Now from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Stream Djokovic vs. Sinner for free

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to 9Now without actually spending anything. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2024 Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 94 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to five simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Stream Djokovic vs. Sinner for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: The Microsoft Office Pro 2019 for Windows lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro Bundle is on sale for £62.97, saving you 80% on list price.

You can drop hundreds (or maybe even thousands) on a PC with the best technology, but you won't be able to get the most out of it without high-quality software and an upgraded operating system.

Pay just £62.97 for a lifetime license to both the Microsoft Office Pro 2019 and Windows 11 Pro, discounted for a limited time.

This software package enables you to install the entire MS Office suite on a single computer. You'll get the Pro versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access — tools you could use to increase your productivity. You'll get immediate access to the software license keys and download links upon purchase, plus free customer service for life in case you encounter a problem with any of the programs down the line.

Your experience using the suite is made even better by the included Windows 11 Pro license, which packs your computer with advanced security, management, and productivity features, transforming it into an ideal tool for work and play. Apart from a brand-new interface and a more seamless UX and UI, it comes packed with a variety of security functions, including Windows Information Protection that separates personal and work data, Microsoft Information Protection integration that protects your information from leaks, and BitLocker Encryption that encrypts data on the hard drive.

With both MS Office Pro 2019 and Windows 11 Pro, you can enjoy a modern, more secure computing experience. Grab it on sale for just £62.97.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Pro 2019 for Windows Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle £62.97 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

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. 20's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

Cube.

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 B.

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 #950 is...

BLOCK.

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.

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 20's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Green - Part of a written character

• Blue - Like "to tax"

• Yellow - Huge

• Purple - Starts with anatomy

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:

• Green - PICTOGRAPH

• Blue - IMPOSE AS A PENALTY

• Yellow - OF-THE-MOMENT

• Purple - WORDS BEGINNING WITH BODY PARTS

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to Connections #228 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Green - PICTOGRAPH - CHARACTER, GLYPH, ICON, SYMBOL

• Blue - IMPOSE AS A PENALTY - ASSESS, CHARGE, FINE, LEVY

• Yellow - OF-THE-MOMENT - BIG, HOT, IN, POPULAR

• Purple - WORDS BEGINNING WITH BODY PARTS - HANDSOME, HIPPO, LEGEND, LIPID

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.

When Steve Jobs unveiled the Macintosh computer 40 years ago this week, it seemed like there was no limit to the things this futuristic device could do, or the number of units Apple could shift. Some 72,000 Macs were shipped during its first 100 days on sale, far outstripping Apple's goal of 50,000 Macs — even at a price tag that was the equivalent of $7,300 in today's money.

But if you'd treated those figures as a sign of corporate health, you would have been badly mistaken. Apple couldn't make the machines at scale, and would lose the PC wars to the makers of copycat beige boxes that ran MS-DOS and its successor, Windows. Within a year, Jobs would be ousted in a boardroom feud. His company was destined to spend the next 12 years in the wilderness.

SEE ALSO: Apple's Vision Pro is sold out

History doesn't repeat, but it does rhyme, and something similar is happening today with Apple's Vision Pro. The $3,500 augmented reality headset has sold out its preorders. Apple isn't saying how many units that is, but analysts estimate upwards of 160,000. Half the price of that first Macintosh, with more than double the sales, in three days instead of 50? Clear some space on the tech history wall of fame!

The bots are coming

Not so fast. Turns out the deeper we dig into those numbers, the worse they look for Apple. Not only do sales seem to be slowing after the initial rush of early adopters, but not all those early adopters were on the up-and-up. A chunk of them were scalpers, buying large numbers of headsets at a time so they can turn around and sell them on eBay.

Apple's safeguards to prevent unscrupulous actors from buying multiple Vision Pros have failed, and "several thousand" units were sold to bot accounts, according to a report by Kasada, a company that specializes in defending against bots. Technically you can only buy one Vision Pro per Apple ID, but Kasada found a script that can circumvent that limit — and evidence that one bot alone generated multiple IDs to successfully check out 1,592 Vision Pro pre-orders.

Given that eBay sellers are already offering Vision Pros for up to $10,000 — a clear profit of more than $6,000 each — there's a significant incentive for scalpers using bots to break the rules. Even at a more conservative markup of $2,500 per unit, that one bot "would represent $4 million in profit" if it sells the lot, Kasada says. That's quite a payday for one weekend of work.

So the pre-sale numbers were skewed by scalpers. But there may be worse news for Apple in the fact that the ship dates for Vision Pros are holding steady at roughly 5 to 7 weeks out from the time you order. Contrast that with the iPhone, where the number of weeks you have to wait when a new model is released can climb into the double digits.

The steady wait time "indicates that demand may quickly taper off after the core fans and heavy users place their orders," wrote Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities and an expert on Apple's global supply chain. Kuo calls the Vision Pro a "niche product" and points out that it only took 0.007 percent of Apple's global user base to sell out pre-orders of the headset.

So who's it for?

With the Macintosh, the value proposition was clear. Here, for the first time, was a mass-market point-and-click PC designed so that pretty much anyone could use it. Graphic design, word processing, spreadsheets: all were now accessible for the first time.

With the Apple Vision Pro, however, Apple has struggled to explain exactly who needs one or why. The Black Mirror-style launch video is a case in point. Its main character, Will, hasn't used the Vision Pro before, and repeats "oh, wow" several times as an Apple product manager walks him through displaying his photos, entering immersive environments, and firing up an app called Encounter Dinosaurs.

But so what? What is going to keep Will coming back to the Vision Pro after the "oh, wow" factor has faded? Where's the repeatable "must have" aspect, the sales-driving feature we call a killer app? (No, killer dinosaurs don't count).

To be fair to Apple, this is a common problem for VR and AR headset makers. Fun fact: three of the last four most recent citations for "killer app" in Merriam-Webster's online dictionary are all from articles pointing out that neither the Meta Quest 3 nor the Vision Pro have one.

Perhaps the killer app is a game; perhaps it's the fact that you can have multiple virtual monitors open on your real-life desktop. (Although speaking as someone who's bought a couple of external monitors in the past year, I can say I'm heartily glad I don't have to use them with a bulky battery-hogging device strapped to my face.)

While we're waiting for the killer app, the mood of most tech observers is turning hostile. After an initial burst of excitable stories from Apple's hand-picked reviewers, we seem to be in the backlash stage: Witness today's articles on how often headsets end up in closets, and how the Vision Pro's weight might lead to neck pain and muscle fatigue.

All the sales so far has told us is that Apple has successfully appealed to its one-percenters (or its 0.007%-ers), the deep-pocketed hipsters who want to be the first to make their friends go "oh, wow" by showing off new tech. And it has successfully attracted scalpers, who know there's a massive markup to be found in selling headsets to hipsters — the ones who can afford to not wait five weeks to show it off.

Perhaps the killer app will be found, in which case Tim Cook will look like Steve Jobs circa 1997, when the founder returned in triumph. But at the moment, he's looking a little more like Steve Jobs circa 1985 — and these supposedly strong sales figures aren't helping.

UPDATE: Jan. 25, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EST This post has been updated with the latest streaming deals and streaming service bundles.

Best streaming deals this week: Best Netflix deal One year of Netflix Free for Verizon customers who sign up for a +play annual subscription (save $185) Get Deal Best deal for students Hulu monthly subscription $1.99 per month (eligible college students save $6 per month) Get Deal Best travel and streaming deal combo Up to one year free of Peacock Premium for JetBlue Mosaic members Free (save up to $59.99) Get Deal

Streaming services have become a modern cultural staple: we build them into our monthly bills alongside rent and electricity. However, there are always loopholes to get out of paying full price for the top apps. If you've had your eye on a particular streaming service, see if this week's best streaming deals are the incentive you've been waiting for.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix One year of Netflix Free for Verizon customers who sign up for a +play annual subscription Get Deal Why we like it

Netflix will officially be axing their cheapest ad-free (aka their most affordable) subscription plan. Though there are no details on if or when this will affect U.S. users, folks in the UK and Canada will no longer be able to access the plan in the second quarter of this year.

So how to get around what is essentially a price raise for the service? Go for the deals. Though Netflix's are rare, if you're a Verizon customer, you're in luck. Through +play, (which comes at no additional cost), when you buy one valid seasonal or annual subscription, you get Netflix Premium for a year, cost-free. That's a year of Netflix's highest plan, which usually clocks in at $22.99 per month. You can also bundle Netflix Premium and Starz for $25.99 per month, saving you $6.99 per month (or $83.88 annually).

More streaming deals and bundlesAmazon Prime Video

• Try it with a 30-day free trial

AMC+

• No current standalone deals, but try it with a seven-day free trial

Apple TV+

• Get three free months at Best Buy just because (save $6.99 per month)

• Get three free months with the purchase of an Apple product

• Students get free Apple TV+ along with an Apple Music subscription (save $6.99 per month)

• T-Mobile customers with a Go5G or Go5G Plus plan get a free subscription

Curiosity Stream

• No current standalone deals

DirecTV Stream

• Get three free months of Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz, MGM+, and Cinemax with purchase of an Entertainment, Choice, or Ultimate package (save $161.97)

• Get DirecTV Sports Pack free for two months and save $25 per month with a Choice or Ultimate Plan (save $50)

• Get $200 in Visa Reward cards when you sign up for two years of a Choice package or higher, or get $100 in Visa Reward cards with an Entertainment package

Disney+

• Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ (with ads) — $14.99 per month (save 44%)

• Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ (no ads) — $24.99 per month (save 41%)

• Disney+, Hulu (with ads) — $9.99 per month (save 37%)

• Disney+, Hulu (no ads) — $19.99 per month (save 37%)

• Verizon customers with myPlan can add a Disney bundle, that gives them access to Disney+ Premium (no ads), Hulu, and ESPN (with ads) for just $10 per month (save $8.99 per month)

discovery+

• No current standalone deals, but try it for free with a seven-day trial

FuboTV

• Try it with a seven-day free trial

• New subscribers get 30 days free of FuboTV Pro if you're a My Best Buy Plus or Total member (save $74.99)

Max

• Max (with ads) — $99.99/year (save $1.66/month)

• Max (no ads) — $149.99/year (save $3.50/month)

• Max Ultimate (no ads) — $199.99/year (save $3.33/month)

Hulu

• Eligible college students can get a monthly subscription for $1.99 per month (save $6 per month)

• Try for free with a 30-day trial

MGM+

• Get six free months when you buy a Fire TV device at Amazon

• Try for free with a seven-day trial

Netflix

• Verizon customers can get a year of Netflix for free when they purchase select annual subscriptions through +play

• Verizon customers with myPlan can add a Netflix and Max bundle (with ads) for $10 per month (save $6.99 per month)

• T-Mobile customers with Go5G and Go5G Plus plans can save between $9.99 and $15.49/month on Netflix Basic or Standard while you maintain at least two qualifying lines

NFL Sunday Ticket

• No current standalone deals.

Paramount+ with Showtime

• Select MyPanera members can get a free three-month Walmart+ subscription and select Verizon MyPlan members can save $2.95/month on a Walmart+ subscription (Walmart+ unlocks Paramount+ Essential)

• AARP members get a 10% discount on monthly and annual Paramount+ Essential and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plans

• Students get a Paramount+ Essential plan for $4.50 per month (save $1.49 per month)

Peacock

• Peacock Premium for students — $1.99/month for 12 months (save $3/month)

• If you're a JetBlue TrueBlue member, get 1,000 TrueBlue points when you sign up for a new Peacock subscription (save $11.98)

• If you have JetBlue Mosaic status, you get one year free of Peacock (a $59.99 value)

• Instacart+ members get a free Peacock Premium annual membership (save $59.99)

Philo

• No current standalone deals, but try it with a seven-day free trial

Sling TV

• Get 50% off your first month of Sling Orange, Sling Blue, or Sling Orange & Blue

Starz

• No current standalone deals.

Vudu

• No current standalone deals.

YouTube TV

• New users can lock in their first three months of the YouTube TV Base Plan for just $62.99 instead of $72.99 (save $30)

Snapchat has an answer to the question, "What if Chat GPT was man's best friend?"

The social media platform popular among teenagers is planning to debut a generative AI pet. Yes. An AI pet — for when you need a companion.

The news has not yet been confirmed by Snapchat, but apparently, the option is rolling out to Snapchat+ subscribers. SocialMediaToday and ZD Net both reported on the new feature.

Twitter/X user Jonah Manzano posted screenshots that seemingly show the new AI feature. It uses AI — how, exactly, isn't clear — to create a Bitmoji based on a real or imaginary pet.

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The screenshots appear to show that you can create your pet and then have it show up next to you on your Snapchat map. That's kind of neat but also doesn't seem to add much value.

Everything has to be AI these days, I suppose. Just add pets to the list.

SEE ALSO: Snapchat+ subscribers can now send custom generative AI images

Hillary Clinton is back on the campaign trail — not for the presidency, but in the pursuit of Oscars justice for Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and 2023's Barbie.

Fellow soldiers include horror writer Stephen King, pioneering athlete Billie Jean King, actor John Stamos, and… the founder of common sense gun reform group Moms Demand Action, Shannon Watts. 

You might be wondering how all these minds came together to agree that the Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Actress should include the billion-dollar icons. Yesterday (Jan. 23), after a measly eight nominations were announced for the blockbuster, mass hysteria took hold of fans of the film. 

SEE ALSO: 'Barbie' fans shocked: Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie got snubbed by Oscars

To many, the omission of Gerwig and Robbie's names felt like a slap in the face — an obvious, maybe even intentional, "snub" to the most popular movie of the year. It seemed to rub people the wrong way given the pro-woman, feminist messaging of the film, especially as co-star Ryan Gosling picked up a nomination for his role as Barbie's Ken. It should be noted that Gerwig received a nomination alongside her co-writer Noah Baumbach for Best Adapted Screenplay and Robbie for Best Picture as the executive producer of Barbie. The Academy awarded the other star of the film, America Ferrera, with a nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Following the Oscars announcement, others recoiled at the Barbie attention, some arguing that the film itself wasn't deserving of Academy consideration and that the fans were out of touch or victims of Mattel's marketing. More importantly, the contingent pointed out that it distracted from Lily Gladstone's historic Best Actress nomination for Killers of the Flower Moon, Justine Triet's place on the Best Director list for Anatomy of a Fall, and the lack of spots for women of color.

Fans hurt over their favorite director and actress being overlooked got quickly twisted up with a misinterpretation of Barbie and the deployment of social justice language in favor of the film, leading to the most universally discussed drama on Twitter/X in a while, reminiscent of the platform's glory days.

Mashable's culture and tech reporter Elena Cavender and social good reporter Chase DiBenedetto dive into the pink haze that's swept over the internet. Again. 

What's going on in Barbieland?!

Elena: When I logged on yesterday morning post-Oscar nominations, I expected to be commiserating with fellow members of Charles Melton nation. What I didn't expect was a Barbie meltdown. 

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Chase: And I certainly didn't anticipate former presidential nominee Hillary Clinton posting to the grid about Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie. #HillaryBarbie.

Elena: Clinton just rode the coattails of a 24-hour nonstop posting session by Barbie fans. Cast members Gosling and Simu Liu both posted in what they must have deemed necessary solidarity with Gerwig and Robbie. 

Chase: It's not entirely surprising, since rallying around your favorite movies of the year picking up, or losing out on, Oscars nominations is part of awards season culture. But I think we agree this particular fervor feels different, possibly because of the varying interpretations of the film (and Gerwig's intent) and some cultural trends that took over 2023.

Elena: When Barbie first came out, Ferrera's now Oscar-nominated monologue about the plight of women became a point of debate. Critics took issue with its simplicity, calling it "Feminism 101," while others saw it as articulating something important. 

There was further friction among viewers over Ken's centrality to the film and its inherent consumerism, being produced by a toy company and all. 

Chase: The debate became, What is Barbie's feminist message? Is it doing enough? The Oscars announcement simply revived those sides. 

I think the news also rekindled 2023's focus on "universal girlhood," which we criticized for its narrow views of what it means to be a woman and its focus on consuming products rather than building community.

Elena: Girlhood and the anger around Barbie's nominations are part of a larger issue of gender essentialism pervading culture and debate. To not like Barbie is to be a "pick me"; to defend the Academy's choices is to be "anti-woman"; to criticize Mattel's choices is to be a killjoy instead of "just a girl"; to like Barbie is to be "cringe."

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Chase: Yep. Exacerbating that is a wider trend of people online conflating the media we consume and the things we like with our personal identities and our politics. 

Elena: This insistence on the films we enjoy being a stand-in for our personalities makes the Oscars consequential on a personal level, leading to the heated discussions we're seeing. 

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Chase: People need their favs validated now more than ever. And they see the Oscars as representative of cultural agreement. 

Elena: Which is frankly revisionist history. 

The 2024 Academy Awards is still a win.

Chase: Using Gerwig's lack of nomination as the sole feminist criticism of the Academy and its voters is strange, too. As Variety reported, this year marks a record-breaking achievement for women directors, with the most Best Picture nominations for women-directed films (Barbie, Anatomy of a Fall, and Past Lives) in Awards history.

Robbie also pulled a historic nomination as a producer of Barbie, and Gerwig pulled her third Best Picture nomination in her relatively short career as a director. Two Black women were nominated for Best Supporting Actress (Danielle Brooks of The Color Purple and Da'Vine Joy Randolph of The Holdovers), and the Best Actress list got its first Indigenous American woman, Gladstone, leading the predicted wins. According to a USC study published in 2023, only 0.14 percent of Oscar nominations have gone to Indigenous creatives (that's just 19 people). Only three have won an award at all. 

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Elena: But these wins are being overshadowed by outrage. In a perfect encapsulation of the danger of this type of thinking, LA Times columnist Mary McNamara wrote, "If only Barbie had done a little time as a sex worker. Or barely survived becoming the next victim in a mass murder plot. Or stood accused of shoving Ken out of the Dream House's top window."

McNamara manages to dismiss the exploration of womanhood in Poor Things, Anatomy of a Fall, and Killers of the Flower Moon in one fell swoop, a feat that is more offensive than Gerwig not getting nominated. Instead of celebrating diverse stories, she places all films about women in competition with each other, implying that it's not the exploration of genocide, but a movie about a toy, that is the most important. 

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And her comments are what everyone sounds like online! 

Chase: This mentality is also ignoring the many women of color who were genuinely snubbed of nominations in their respective categories. Celine Song, director of Best Picture nominee Past Lives, and its star Greta Lee didn't pull any individual nominations, despite their critical buzz. The cast of The Color Purple, a story about the abuse and liberation of Black women, only garnered one nomination: Danielle Brooks for Best Supporting Actress. 

SEE ALSO: 2024 Oscar nominations: See the full list

Elena: Not to mention, if we are all so up in arms about dismissing stories of "girlhood," where is the love for Sofia Coppola's haunting Priscilla and the moving coming-of-age story Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. It's the year of the girl only when it's your favorite movie or when corporations are involved, right?

Chase: To be upset at a single woman's dismissal in the grand scheme of things, within a race packed with history-making nominations and a year of great women-led films, is plain weird. It's also doing a disservice to Ferrera, who received her first Oscar nomination (adding to the small 1.7 percent of Hispanic and Latino nominees) over a long career defined by telling women's stories. 

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Elena: Fans weaponized her aforementioned monologue to point to the "injustice" of Gerwig and Robbie's snubs, which is a misunderstanding of the monologue and the film's politics.

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Chase: Barbie would not be down for all of this. The monologue argues that women should be allowed complexity. They should be allowed to make mistakes and push back against the systems in place for them. But even more to the point, the film itself isn't championing simple gender parity. The role reversal in Barbieland, where girls just do everything that we expect boys to do and vice versa, leads to more problems than it solves. Applying the logic of OG Barbieland to the Oscars — arguing that more women should just be grabbing awards that have always gone to men and leaving it at that — is ignoring a larger political and historical reality. You're replacing the horses with gold statues.

Elena: Did we all forget about #OscarsSoWhite? There was a point where we were collectively boycotting the institution itself. Now, we are once again reducing women's work to the attention of bodies of white men. 

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Chase: What can we expect from a body that is still 80-percent white men, doesn't even historically award comedies, and is generally not focused on the blockbuster success of its entries — unlike the recent shifts at other awards shows. 

Don't forget about the big money of it all.

Elena: When it comes down to it, there are truly no sides to this. It's just us versus Mattel, and we should do everything in our power not to align ourselves with massive corporations. 

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Chase: I think it's fair to point out the irony of a year-defining movie going unrecognized, if that's really what was going on here. But the film earned a billion dollars and broke records for Gerwig as director and Robbie as producer, earned acclaim in other awards bodies, and is still Oscar-nominated, eight times — the fourth most-nominated film of the awards.

The ire over these specific categories is simply garnering more attention and industry authority on behalf of Mattel, which, don't forget, is planning on turning all of its toy products into feature length, money-making films. 

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Elena: With tie-in products and brand collaborations, if Barbie is anything to go off of. Mattel makes movies in pursuit of brainwashing viewers into more overconsumption. 

We must dream of a better world where art is made for arts sake, and we no longer hold up systems of oppression. But we don't have an Academy Award for that.

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A stunningly surreal season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City came to a close Tuesday night after airing Part 3 of its reunion special. And it was the reunion episode in that it addressed the most shocking plot points from the season.

In case you missed it — you shouldn't have! — I wrote a primer on the season finale. But the TL;DR: It was revealed that new cast member Monica Garcia was, in part, behind a gossip account focused on bringing down Housewife-turned-convicted fraudster Jen Shah as well as shading the other women in the cast. Then, while talking about this fact, cast member Heather Gay revealed Shah had been responsible for giving her a black eye a few years back, which had been a long-running mystery.

SEE ALSO: When you Google 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' this hilarious banner pops up

Garcia didn't apologize for running the account, though perhaps didn't bring the best retorts to the episode, either. Gay, meanwhile, did apologize for lying for Shah, who was sentenced to more than six years of prison time in 2023.

The internet had lots of thoughts about the episode. Bravo fans, celebrities, Bravolebrities, and everyone in between jumped on board. After all, a literal member of Congress quoted this season of RHOSLC while in Congress. This event was like the NFL playoffs for Bravo fans.

Some people didn't love Garcia's attempt at a Mean Girls tie-in. (To be honest, I agree.)

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Others were upset with Gay going so hard on Garcia while covering up for Shah. (Fair point.) And then some are mourning the loss of Garcia, who reportedly won't be back next season.

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Many people even backed Garcia, noting there wasn't all that much proof that the gossip account posted bad things about the other women. The most damning info appeared to be sharing things Shah had said about her castmates. Though it's entirely possible and, in fact, very likely there wouldn't be enough time on the show to parse through every last post.

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Yet the women did have some info on Garcia appearing to drive by Shah's house before her imprisonment, which isn't illegal but it is kind of unsettling.

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Lots of folks wondered where the show would go without Garcia and the drama she brings.

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Bravolebrities and cast members reacted to the episode.

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The show is wrapped for now and, with Garcia's future in question, it's a mystery where RHOSLC will go. But if the franchise has taught us anything, it's that we have zero idea what the answer will be.

While standing onstage to accept The Daily Show's 2024 Emmy for Best Writing for a Variety Series, comedian Roy Wood Jr. turned heads by mouthing "please hire a host" in the background. The moment came after a yearlong search for Trevor Noah's replacement, during which The Daily Show was hosted by a rotating cast of guests, Wood included. (Wood, a potential permanent host himself, left The Daily Show after not being offered the role.)

On Jan. 24, Comedy Central answered Wood's Emmy plea with the announcement of a (kind of) new, (kind of) permanent host: Jon Stewart. Host of The Daily Show from 1999 to 2015, Stewart returns to the news desk on Feb. 12. He'll be hosting on Monday nights through the 2024 election, and will also be serving as an executive producer. On the nights when Stewart isn't hosting, The Daily Show's correspondents — the current lineup of which includes Jordan Klepper, Desi Lydic, Ronny Chieng, Michael Kosta, and Dulcé Sloan — will run the show.

The news comes months after Stewart walked away from his AppleTV+ show The Problem, when disagreements reportedly arose between Stewart and Apple about episodes covering China and AI.

“Jon Stewart is the voice of our generation, and we are honored to have him return to Comedy Central’s The Daily Show to help us all make sense of the insanity and division roiling the country as we enter the election season,” Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, said in a statement.

Stewart tweeted that he is "excited for the future," while the official Daily Show X account posted one simple image of Stewart back on set for a Moment of Zen.

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We're not even a month into 2024 and tech companies are already ruining lives by the thousands.

While that may sound harsh, there's not much of a better way to describe mass layoffs by enormous corporations that make popular products. The latest is eBay, which announced its decision to lay off 1,000 employees this week despite posting profits of $1.3 billion in the last fiscal quarter.

But eBay isn't the only one. Here are five other big tech companies that have cut huge swaths of jobs this January alone.

SEE ALSO: eBay is laying off 1,000 workers 1. Twitch

First up is Twitch, the preeminent video game streaming platform in the U.S. Gamers frequently flock to Amazon-owned Twitch, which recorded massive profits in a fiscal report back in October. From the outside looking in, one would think Twitch wouldn't need to cut hundreds of staff, but that's not the case, apparently.

Twitch confirmed in a company blog post that "just over" 500 roles were cut in its latest round of layoffs.

"I know many of you are wondering why this is happening." Twitch CEO Dan Clancy wrote. "Over the last year, we’ve been working to build a more sustainable business so that Twitch will be here for the long run and throughout the year we have cut costs and made many decisions to be more efficient. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, it has become clear that our organization is still meaningfully larger than it needs to be given the size of our business."

2. Google

Last week, the company behind the one website people probably use more than any other announced huge layoffs. Google confirmed in a company blog post that a staggering 12,000 roles were slashed. CEO Sundar Pichai wrote that the layoffs were caused by Google hiring for a "different economic reality" than the one currently in play.

In case you were wondering, Google parent company Alphabet reported $69 billion in revenue and just under $14 billion in profits in its most recent quarterly earnings report.

3. Amazon

We've already established that Amazon made a lot of money in 2023, way back in the Twitch portion of this article. Now it's time to talk about the mothership itself.

Just this month alone, Amazon laid off "several hundred" employees in its streaming division, as well as 30 employees in its "Buy with Prime" division. Per TechCrunch, Amazon has eliminated 27,000 jobs in just the last two years.

"We regularly review the structure of our teams and make adjustments based on the needs of the business and, following a recent review, we’ve made the difficult decision to eliminate a small number of roles on our Buy with Prime team," An Amazon spokesperson told TechCrunch.

Again, Amazon makes a lot of money.

4. Riot Games

In case you aren't in the loop, Riot Games is the company behind several hit video games, including League of Legends and Valorant. Unfortunately, the popularity of those games did not preclude Riot from joining the layoffs bandwagon this month.

Riot confirmed in a blog post that 530 jobs were cut globally this week. That's roughly 11 percent of the company's total workforce.

"Over the past several months, we’ve tried to alter our trajectory in many different ways," CEO Dylan Jadeja wrote. "We asked leaders to make tradeoffs in the things their teams are working on. We rolled out hiring slowdowns, and in some cases hiring freezes. We put an emphasis on controlling costs while strengthening our revenue growth. All of which has without a doubt been tough for our teams." 

However, according to Jadeja, these tactics didn't move the needle. "As I’ve dug in with leaders across Riot, it’s become clear to all of us that these changes aren’t enough."

Exact financial data about Riot isn't as easy to find as the other companies on this list, but data research firm Priori Data estimated that League of Legends had 180 million monthly active players in 2022.

5. TikTok

TikTok is the current social center of the internet, but that's not enough to keep parent company ByteDance from doing layoffs.

Around 60 employees were let go from TikTok earlier this week, according to NPR. This is despite north of 150 million active users in the U.S. and a ByteDance company valuation of $225 billion, per the NPR report. Again, no matter how big or important a product is, the people behind is are never safe from layoffs.

According to AP, TikTok did not provide a reason for the layoffs.

Sick of always manually typing in your password on Elon Musk's X? Do multiple people in your household use your devices so things like password managers aren't always the most secure?

Well, if you're an X user with an iOS device, you're in luck. The platform formerly known as Twitter just launched its passkeys login option for iPhone and iPad users.

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What does this mean for you? Face ID or Touch ID can now be used to login to your X account instead of a password.

How to set up Face ID or Touch ID on X

The steps to setup Passkeys on X for iOS are fairly simple. Mashable was able to set it up in seconds. Let's run through the steps so you can access X with Face ID or Touch ID.

1. Open the X app and log into your account.

2. In the sidebar menu, tap on Settings and Support.

3. From the drop down menu, tap on Settings and privacy.

4. Tap on Security and account access.

5. In the new list of options that open, select Security.

6. On the Security page, under the Additional password protection section, tap the slider for Passkey to turn it on.

7. Type in your X account password and tap Confirm.

8. On the next screen, tap on Add a passkey

9. Click Continue on the iPhone pop-up prompt that asks if you want to Use Face ID to sign in.

And that's it!

Don't worry about Elon

We should note that some accounts that Mashable tested this on did not yet have the passkey option yet. According to X's FAQ, new accounts will not be able to use this feature. However, the accounts in our test were not new, so it seems like passkeys may still be rolling out to all users.

And, perhaps the most important question that some of you may be asking is: Does Passkeys provide Elon Musk with my biometric data? Your fingerprints and facial biometric data all remain on your device, according to Apple. Third-party apps, in this case Elon Musk's X, never have access to this data.