Mashable

How did you spend your free time when you were 10? 

Maybe you rolled around in the dirt at soccer practice, curled up with a book, or played dress up in your mom's closet. Whatever you got up to, chances are no one was filming you for TikTok clout.

One of the latest trends to emerge on the app is filming tween girls while they browse skincare and makeup products at Sephora, the cosmetics retailer. And if they're not filming them, they're talking about them.

SEE ALSO: 2023's girl dinner, girl math, girlhood: What did we gain from a year of girl trends?

At the end of last year, TikTokker Chloe Grace asked, "Has anyone noticed that when they go into Sephora it's all little girls?" She shared her observations, describing how seeing younger girls buying beauty and skincare products is "really upsetting to see." The video set off a tidal wave of opinions.

Some describe young girls shopping at Sephora as an "epidemic", pointing to their rude behavior towards employees and the messy aftermath of sample stations once the "Sephora kids" leave. In response, some mothers took to filming their daughters picking up and putting back tubes and politely requesting Drunk Elephant (a particularly popular brand with tweens) products from employees. 

As the discourse has escalated, many have veered away from the core issue — criticizing the tweens who shop at Sephora, instead of a beauty culture that turns girls' insecurities into purchasing power. It's necessary to examine the effects of the skincare and beauty industry on girls, Sephora kids included. 

What does 'let girls be girls' actually mean? 

One mother posted, "My whole fyp is about 10 year olds at Sephora. So here's my 4 year old shopping at Sephora. Little girls just want to be like their moms, it's cute and fun. Stop being mean about younger girls." But this "let girls be girls" defense is missing the point.

"The idea of 'let girls be girls' is doing a disservice to girls, women, and all people because saying something isn't worthy of critique or isn't worthy of anger because it's attached to girl behavior is not enough," Jessica DeFino, beauty writer and author of The Unpublishable, a newsletter that turns a critical eye to the beauty industry, told Mashable. "Girls participate in very worrying trends because that's what our culture has created for them. Even if the girls want to do it, if it's not in their best interest, we have a responsibility as adults to examine that and to try to create a better world for them to exist in."

Girls obsessively buying skincare products suggests a greater preoccupation with appearance at a younger age and comes at a time of growing concern for teen girls' mental health. A report from the CDC in 2021 found that one in five teen girls felt persistently sad and hopeless, a 21 percent increase from 2011.

It's also proven that algorithms exploit girls' insecurities, and time spent on social media often leads to negative social comparison. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that about half of teens describe their social media use as "almost constant." On platforms like Instagram and TikTok, "Get Ready With Me" (GRWM) videos documenting 12-step skincare routines are ubiquitous, perpetuating an unrealistic standard of beauty that centers on "perfect" skin.

SEE ALSO: Slugging, gua sha, rice water, and more: How stolen cultural beauty practices feed viral videos

"Teen girls are experiencing loneliness, depression, and anxiety at record rates, and they're using skincare at record rates, which is not to say that skincare is necessarily causing all of that. But it's not a solution. It's not helping," said DeFino. "The beauty standards are not helping. Buying the product is not helping. We are still very anxious, very depressed, and no closer to a solution."

A 2022 survey of children between ages eight and 18 found that skin conditions outranked weight as the most common cause of negative body image. Another survey from 2010 revealed that the mere image of a beauty-enhancing product makes women feel bad about themselves. When girls see beauty-enhancing products constantly on social media, how will that affect their self-confidence?

SEE ALSO: Body neutrality is one way to reject diet culture. Here's what that means.

Donna Jackson Nakazawa, the science journalist and author of Girls on the Brink: Helping Our Daughters Thrive in an Era of Increased Anxiety, Depression, and Social Media, cautions that ages seven to 13 are important identity-forming years for girls. 

"[Shopping at Sephora] is part of this overall trend in which we're swapping out this period in brain development where that crucial sense of identity and belonging is formed, and we're replacing it with a more external and performative idea of who one should be," Nakazawa told Mashable. "We don't know how that's gonna play out in terms of depression rates in girls over the years to come."

Essentially, encouraging girls to invest in skincare at such a young age blurs the line between girlhood and womanhood, eating away at the formative final years of childhood. For brands, this is good for business; they become loyal customers at an early age, increasing profits. 

The cycle will only continue as these companies find new ways to market to even younger consumers. And the cosmetics industry just keeps expanding: In 2022, the global market was valued at $429.2 billion, with skin and sun care products dominating the market. It is projected to reach $864.2 billion by 2037. 

The beauty industry manipulates children's natural urge to model behavior

As children have become interested in skincare due in part to GRWM and shopping haul videos, some beauty brands have co-signed girls' use of their products. Other companies, like Glow Recipe, released lines to capitalize on the girlhood trend — pink packaging and ultra-feminine marketing.

We've put all of the fears and pressures that females have at every age and put it in a trash compactor, force feeding it to nine year olds on TikTok and Instagram and Snapchat 24/7. This is not the direction that we want to be going in. - Donna Jackson Nakazawa

For example, in December the founding partner and COO of Drunk Elephant, Tiffany Masterson, answered the question, "Can kids and tweens use Drunk Elephant?" on Instagram. She wrote, "Yes!" But cautioned them against using harsher products that include acids and retinoids. Some attribute girls' interest in Drunk Elephant — a skincare brand with a cult following known for its polypeptide firming moisturizer and glycolic acid night serum — to its brightly colored packaging. TikTokker @abbythebadassmom pointed to Drunk Elephant's Littles Kit and Mama + Cub set as examples of products designed to appeal to children.

Meanwhile, beauty mogul Charlotte Tilbury reimagined the Disney Princesses as makeup looks — down to the moisturizer. 

DeFino attributes some of the girls' interest in skincare to the collapse of media. "We see young girls caring about anti-aging. A lot of that has to do with the homogenous nature of social media and streaming advertising today," she explained to Mashable. "There used to be very specific channels and magazines for young girls that had different advertisements and products being marketed from the adult magazines and channels. Now those separate spaces are one giant space where we're all fed the same marketing, coveting the same products, and have the same concerns."

There used to be dozens of magazines for tweens and teens with targeted advertising, but that era ended in 2018 when Seventeen went out of print. Now girls turn to online spaces for these recommendations.

"We've put all of the fears and pressures that females have at every age and put it in a trash compactor, force-feeding it to nine-year-olds on TikTok and Instagram and Snapchat 24/7," Nakazawa said. "This is not the direction that we want to be going in."

SEE ALSO: 7 skills to teach your daughter by age 13

The impulse to imitate parents and other adults in a child's life is natural, and for girls that often involves their mothers' beauty routine. However, the combination of the rapid expansion of the cosmetics industry and the increasing influence of older girls and women on social media can turn that innate desire to mimic into something more dangerous. 

Nakazawa says the influence of social media on young girls is now greater than that of parents or guardians who have historically guided children in their communities. 

"This behavior is nothing new, but the times that we're living in are alarming," said DeFino. "We've created this world that is more obsessed with external beauty than ever before. The standard of beauty is more inhuman than ever before. We're looking to emulate AI-generated features from filters and Photoshop and Facetune and artificial intelligence."

Teaching better beauty behavior and social media habits

That's not to say young girls aren't curious about skincare and makeup, nor that this interest should just be ignored. Instead, DeFino and Nakazawa suggest educating yourself first.

"Just because something feels fun in the moment is not a reason to not look deeper or critique it. We have to ask, why is this "fun" for girls? Why is the manipulation of the body in service to an inhuman beauty ideal, fun for girls? Is that fun momentary or even real? Is that fun long lasting?"

"If you put in the time to research it, you will realize these things are not benefiting your children — or yourself — in any way," said DeFino, who regularly examines the psychological impact of beauty standards.

Nakazawa further suggests parents delay the age girls get access to social media and to teach them social media literacy. "Their brains are fully ready to kick back once they understand that they're getting played," explained Nakazawa. "It's our job as adults in their lives to help them see how that's happening, the same way that we would help them understand a pattern in history or a novel. We want to teach them to have that same sense of discernment about what they're seeing on technology which is glaring at them 24/7 and to relate it to how they feel on the inside."

Similarly, while playing with makeup and doing an involved skincare routine might feel fun or relaxing, it's important to interrogate its long-term effects. "Just because something feels fun in the moment is not a reason to not look deeper or critique it. We have to ask, why is this 'fun' for girls? Why is the manipulation of the body in service to an inhuman beauty ideal, fun for girls? Is that fun momentary or even real? Is that fun long-lasting?" asks DeFino.

How kids can foster healthier skincare habits

Dr. Jeremy Fenton, a dermatologist in New York, recommends a simple skincare routine for 10- to 12-year-olds without any active properties. "Wash with a gentle cleanser, apply a bland moisturizer that doesn't have a lot of fragrance or unnecessary ingredients, and apply sunscreen," he explained to Mashable. He suggested hypoallergenic brands like Cetaphil, CeraVe, and Aveeno. 

"My advice is to avoid products that have anything that can be drying or irritating, things like retinol or exfoliating acids and stick with things that are more gentle and hydrating," he continued. When tweens start going through puberty and producing more oil and potentially start having acne that's when they might start using harsher products.

As for anti-aging? "There's no need for [teens] to be using things that are anti-aging, but they should be protecting their skin from the sun," said Fenton. So don't forget sunscreen.

SEE ALSO: How Gen Z is using TikTok to learn about social etiquette

Girls experimenting with makeup and skincare is nothing new. Yet, social media raises the stakes. Tweens now face a landscape of unfiltered access to information with the potential to lead them down a path of damaged skin and lowered self-esteem.

We live in a culture that encourages and monetizes unrealistic beauty standards, exacerbated by filters on social media. So why are we shaming young girls for participating in a culture of our creation? The onus is on the adults, DeFino says. "We would help create a healthier, more stable society if all of us examined our attachment to beauty products and beauty standards, and did the work of divesting from them as much as we possibly can."

Apple is selling some really cool-looking AirPods Pro right now, but you may not be able to buy them.

According to MacRumors, there's a swanky new AirPods Pro model made to celebrate the imminent Lunar New Year in February, which will kick off the Year of the Dragon. There's no functional difference between these AirPods Pro and the ones you may have bought last year, but there is an important aesthetic difference: There's a cool dragon engraving on the charging case.

SEE ALSO: Blood oxygen feature now officially gone from Apple Watch

And now for the bad news. These AirPods are only on sale in east and southeast Asia, specifically in China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Maybe you can find a way to import them to the U.S., or maybe you already live in one of those places and can buy them the regular way. If not, though, you may have to just admire them from afar. It's one unfortunate thing (on a very long list) about living in the U.S.: We don't always get the coolest time-limited merch.

Awards season is in full swing now, with the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, and the Emmys all crowning their winners in recent weeks.

The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) is still a month away, but today it announced its list of nominees — and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer came out on top with a solid 13 nominations. In second was Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things with 11, while Killers of the Flower Moon and Jonathan Glazer's Zone of Interest tied for third place with nine each.

SEE ALSO: The complete list of winners at the 2024 Golden Globes And the nominees for the 2024 BAFTAs are:Best film

Anatomy of a Fall
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

Best leading actress

Fantasia Barrino (The Color Purple)
Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall)
Carey Mulligan (Maestro)
Vivian Oparah (Rye Lane)
Margot Robbie (Barbie)
Emma Stone (Poor Things)

Best leading actor

Bradley Cooper (Maestro)
Colman Domingo (Rustin)
Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers)
Barry Keoghan (Saltburn)
Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)
Teo Yoo (Past Lives)

Best director

Andrew Haigh (All of Us Strangers)
Justine Triet (Anatomy of a Fall)
Alexander Payne (The Holdovers)
Bradley Cooper (Maestro)
Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)
Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest)

Best original screenplay

Anatomy of a Fall
Barbie
The Holdovers
Maestro
Past Lives

Best adapted screenplay

All of Us Strangers
American Fiction
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest

Best documentary

20 Days in Mariupol
American Symphony
Beyond Utopia
Still: A Michael J Fox Movie
Wham!

Best animated film

The Boy and the Heron
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget
Elemental
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Best supporting actress

Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer)
Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple)
Claire Foy (All of Us Strangers)
Sandra Hüller (The Zone of Interest)
Rosamund Pike (Saltburn)
Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers)

Best supporting actor

Robert De Niro (Killers of the Flower Moon)
Robert Downey Jr (Oppenheimer)
Jacob Elordi (Saltburn)
Ryan Gosling (Barbie)
Paul Mescal (All of Us Strangers)
Dominic Sessa (The Holdovers)


Outstanding British film

All of Us Strangers
How to Have Sex
Napoleon
The Old Oak
Poor Things
Rye Lane
Saltburn
Scrapper
Wonka
The Zone of Interest

Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer

Blue Bag Life – Lisa Selby (director), Rebecca Lloyd-Evans (director, producer), Alex Fry (producer)
Bobi Wine: The People’s President – Christopher Sharp (director) [also directed by Moses Bwayo]
Earth Mama – Savanah Leaf (writer, director, producer), Shirley O’Connor (producer), Medb Riordan (producer)
How to Have Sex – Molly Manning Walker (writer, director)
Is There Anybody Out There? – Ella Glendining (director)

Best film not in the English language

20 Days in Mariupol
Anatomy of a Fall
Past Lives
Society of the Snow
The Zone of Interest

Best casting

All of Us Strangers
Anatomy of a Fall
The Holdovers
How to Have Sex
Killers of the Flower Moon

Best cinematography

Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest

Best editing

Anatomy of a Fall
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest

Best costume design

Barbie
Killers of the Flower Moon
Napoleon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

Best makeup and hair

Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Napoleon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

Best original score

Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Saltburn
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Best production design

Barbie
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest

Best sound

Ferrari
Maestro
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Oppenheimer
The Zone of Interest

Best special visual effects

The Creator
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Napoleon
Poor Things


Best British short animation

Crab Day
Visible Mending
Wild Summon

Best British short film

Festival of Slaps
Gorka
Jellyfish and Lobster
Such a Lovely Day
Yellow

EE Rising Star award (voted by the public)

Phoebe Dynevor
Ayo Edebiri
Jacob Elordi
Mia McKenna-Bruce
Sophie Wilde

The BAFTAs will take place on Feb. 18.

Netflix could be about to drop its feature that shows you how well you "match" with titles, according to The New York Times.

The streaming service currently shows users a percentage indicating how much they might be into a TV show or movie, sitting right underneath the title. It's part of Netflix's recommendations system that uses the platform's algorithm to make suggestions based on your viewing history and how you rated other titles. Right now, I'm apparently a 92 percent match for The Brothers Sun, which I bloody loved.

But according to the NYT, and also confirmed by IndieWire, the "Match" percentage feature's days are likely numbered. As reporter John Koblin notes, "That tool is apparently a bit confounding to most members, and it is probably on the way out."

Mashable has reached out to Netflix for further information.

SEE ALSO: The best Netflix shows of 2023

If Netflix does ditch the "Match" tool, it'll be the latest on the platform Netflix has experimented with then removed, following the "Surprise Me" button that was quietly binned in February. The shuffle tool used Netflix's algorithm to sway that heaving tombola of content and suggest something the user would have a statistically high chance of liking (using this button, my Netflix account constantly pointed me to Ginny and Georgia, which makes sense considering how much Gilmore Girls I've inhaled).

According to the NYT, Netflix is instead putting its energy into its more successful tagging function — when you're scrolling through the streaming platform, you might have noticed Netflix (or rather, 30 human taggers) adds certain adjectives under the titles of shows and movies like "irreverent" for Sex Education, "swoonworthy" for Bridgerton, "gritty" for Narcos, and so on. As Koblin notes, it's a strong point of difference for Netflix from its rivals like Max, Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV+, and more.

Meanwhile, Mashable's got our own recommendations of the good stuff to watch on Netflix, whether you want the best TV shows or movies or documentaries — we've got you covered.

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

The third round of the Australian Open has set up an all-American clash between Coco Gauff and Alycia Parks. We're expecting an exciting match between two impressive players, and you can watch every moment without spending anything.

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

When is Parks vs. Gauff?

Alycia Parks and Coco Gauff will meet in their third round match on Jan. 19 at around 2 p.m. AEDT.

How to watch Parks vs. Gauff for free

Every match from the 2024 Australian Open is available to stream for free on 9Now, including Parks vs. Gauff.

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. Steam Parks vs. Gauff 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 leading 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 Parks vs. Gauff for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There's a lot that was cringe-worthy about Samsung Unpacked in San Jose, where the company just unveiled its flagship S24 phone models with new tech it’s calling Galaxy AI.

The focus on "influencers," who had their own entrance to the event: cringe. The video of MrBeast, who was mostly there to pimp his chocolate bar: mega-cringe. The Samsung executive who introduced top Twitch streamer Pokimane live on stage as "Pokémon": oof. And then there was all that talk of Galaxy AI "empowering our creativity", matched to images of central-casting young folks making nonspecific short videos: How you doing, fellow kids?

SEE ALSO: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked, including Galaxy AI and Galaxy Ring

A year into the incessant AI hype, we're a bit wiser about its major symptom: marketing babble about new technology that sounds like it was written by ChatGPT. "Put AI in it" could have been the theme of this month's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. 

It's a shame that Samsung didn't anticipate this and try to cut through the noise with a different kind of presentation — because having spent some quality time with GalaxyAI, I can confirm it's actually kind of impressive, in a simple, understated sort of way.

What can AI do for you?

Here, when you dug down below the creativity/influencer pablum, is all that Samsung was claiming was included in Galaxy AI at Unpacked:

• That it can do instant translations, live on the device (meaning it should work even in Airplane Mode, which your phone may be in when you're on vacation and most need a translation). 

• It will write little summaries of your notes, format them for you, and tidy up your handwriting.

• It will turn your videos into slow-motion after the fact — also live on the device. 

• It will suggest alternate texts that say the thing you want to say in various modes such as “chill” or “Shakespearean.”

• It incorporates an entirely new mode of Google search where all you need to do is draw a circle around a part of any image or paused video. 

In my limited time with all three of the S24 models, I found all but one of all these Galaxy AI functions worked as advertised. That odd one out managed to hallucinate a little, which may be the most AI thing about this whole bundle of tech. 

SEE ALSO: My ‘golden hour’ with Galaxy S24 Ultra: How my short experience with it beats iPhone 15 Pro Max

Otherwise it's an open question whether any of them count as AI, because … well, because we’re still not agreed on what that term means. You might just as easily call them the latest breakthroughs brought to you by Moore’s Law. But they’re impressive regardless. Let's take a quick look at each:

Circle to search Rhymes with orange. Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

Yep, it works as advertised: Draw a simple circle with your finger around a piece of fruit in a picture, for example, get Google's best guess at which kind of fruit it is, exactly. The only downside is that you have to do a long press on the home button before the feature is activated. That makes sense if you don't want to accidentally Google something. But do we really do that much accidental circling on our screens?

Translation "Nine stitches, one in time saves." --Yoda Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

By putting the phone into Airplane Mode, I was able to confirm that the translation engine is indeed on board the device. Not only that, it's speedier than most internet-based translation tools.

The languages Galaxy AI offers to translate at launch are Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish (in Mexican, American, and original flavors), Thai, and Vietnamese. But how to judge the quality of the translations? Luckily, I had a fluent Hindi speaker on call. She suggested trying to translate the kind of English idiom that an AI could easily botch — "A stitch in time saves nine" — and was impressed with the result. (Galaxy AI literally rendered it as "one stitch saves nine in time": close enough.)

SEE ALSO: Galaxy AI: 3 Samsung Galaxy S24 features for monolingual travelers

Galaxy AI was less effective with a couple of famous quotes from Hamlet. "To be or not to be ..." became "whether or not, that is the question." And "to die, to sleep, perchance to dream" somehow came out as "in sleep, in sleep, and one for a dream" in Hindi.

And that wasn't the last Shakespearean test for Galaxy AI.

Alt text You know what, that's not ... never mind. Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

Here's one of those hallucination cases where AI can get it so, so wrong.

Galaxy AI can offer alternate suggestions when you type a message in one of several categories: "Remix", which is just regular phrases in modern English; Shakespearean; Chill; Lyrical; Excited; Formal. They all seem like novelties that will get old fast, but let's go with it for now.

All in all, it's probably best not to consult AI when making protest signs.

I tried entering the words "ceasefire now" — not just because it's the kind of thing many of those young influencers are texting at this very moment, but also because it's a deceptively complex call to action that could potentially trip an AI up if taken out of context.

And indeed it did. The first "excited" version from Galaxy AI contained the exact opposite sentiment from the original: "YAY! The ceasefire is now over! ." Likewise, the "chill" voice suggested a chilling Orwellian declaration: "time for the peace to stop." (The second suggestion was this head-scratcher: "Cool bro, can you make it now?")

At least AI Shakespeare got the concept: "My good fellow, cease the hostilities now," it offered. "Let us all make peace." Although its second suggestion was a touch too unilateral: "Be it known, I shall cease hostilities and lay down my arms."

All in all, it's probably best not to consult AI when making protest signs.

Slo-mo and Notes Accurate. Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

Even with all the influencers swanning around Samsung Unpacked, it was hard to get an exciting enough action video at the event that was worth asking Galaxy AI to turn into slo-mo. Suffice to say that it works, even in Airplane Mode, and it's highly customizable: you can select areas of the video to go slow, and areas that will return to normal speed.

As for Samsung Notes ... well, yes, it can provide little executive summaries of any old nonsense that you type or write by hand. ChatGPT and Google Docs can do the same thing, though, so this one doesn't feel like so much of a breakthrough. Still, the auto-formatting was neat, as was the handwriting rearrangement, and it definitely works offline.

We still have a ton of questions: Will all these features be available for Galaxy AI when it launches on the S23 as well, which is expected sometime this year? But for now, on the S24, well, let's just say that like a lot of influencers, Galaxy AI is ready for its close-up.

For more revealed at Samsung Upacked, Mashable's got you covered.

On Jan. 14, Iceland's Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted for the second time since December, when intense seismic activity prompted evacuations in the nearby town of Grindavík.

Following the new eruption, an earth crack opened around 450 meters from the town and lava from the fissure reached Grindavík, destroying several houses and damaging some local infrastructure. At the time of the eruption, residents had been evacuated, and the prompt assembly of protective barriers stopped the lava from inflicting further damage on the town.

Though the volcanic activity seemed to settle down post-eruption, the Iceland Met Office (IMO) warned on Jan. 17 that magma is still accumulating below the surface, making eruptions through the fresh fissures still a possibility.

The drone footage was captured by aerial photographer Björn Steinbekk.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for January 17 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for January 18

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024:

AcrossKiss sound

• The answer is mwah.

"... then again, I might be wrong"

• The answer is or not (no space).

Weather forecast symbolized by a yellow circle

• The answer is sunny.

Investigate furtively

• The answer is snoop.

Popular Greek sandwich

• The answer is gyro.

DownRock cover

• The answer is moss.

Squeezed the water from, as a towel

• The answer is wrung.

Bother

• The answer is annoy.

Give an award, e.g.

• The answer is honor.

Notorious feature of 1631's Wicked Bible, which read "Thou shalt commit adultery"

• The answer is typo.

Jacob Elordi will be hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend with, but only if he can work out how to walk down some steps first.

In the teaser above, the Euphoria and Saltburn star nervously confronts the little flight of steps that will take him down to the SNL stage, trying out a few different methods before ultimately taking a tumble.

Surely if he can handle being stalked through a maze by Barry Keoghan, he can handle this?

We knew it was coming, but now it's official: Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 no longer include the blood oxygen monitoring feature.

The change came as a result of a patent dispute between Apple and medical tech company Masimo, which briefly caused Apple to be banned from selling and importing its latest Apple Watch variants in the U.S. Now, to comply with the court's decision, Apple redesigned the new Watch variants without the pulse oximeter, which is used to measure the oxygen saturation level of the user's blood.

Apple now has a notice on top of its Apple Watch website, warning users that the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 now come without the feature. All mentions of the feature were removed from Apple's comparison tool for the Apple Watch as well.

Sorry. Credit: Apple

According to Macrumors, new Apple Watch devices sold by Apple will still include the Blood Oxygen app, but it won't be functional. The site says that the app still works for people who already own these Apple Watch models, though it's unclear how long that will last.

There's a silver lining, however, but only for folks outside the U.S. Since the court's verdict only applies to the U.S., the Blood Oxygen app should continue working on Apple Watch models sold outside of the U.S.

SEE ALSO: More Apple Vision Pro hands-on impressions: Heavy, but impressive

I've tested it out on my Apple Watch Series 9, and it worked as expected.

My blood oxygen levels are fine, according to my Series 9 Watch. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Apple has appealed the court's decision, and it's possible that the feature gets re-introduced if the appeal is successful. For now, however, Blood Oxygen monitoring, once touted by Apple as a "breathtaking innovation," remains off limits in the U.S.

Is it just me, or did some aspects of Samsung Unpacked remind you of the iPhone 15 event?

Samsung swiped a few features from the iPhone 15 Pro Max for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. But to be fair, both worlds are known for borrowing from each other. For example, when the iPhone 15 debuted last year, I couldn't help but notice some similarities with the Google Pixel 7 line.

As they say, "It's not about who did it first. It's about who did it better." Here are three things that Galaxy S24 Ultra copied from iPhone 15 Pro Max.

SEE ALSO: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked, including Galaxy AI and Galaxy Ring 1. Titanium Titanium made a splash at the iPhone 15 event. Credit: Apple

I can't believe that neither Apple nor Samsung took the opportunity to blast Sia's "Titanium" tune at their respective events, but both the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with new titanium frames.

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max with titanium frames Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Apple claimed that it used titanium for the iPhone 15 Pro models' enclosures because it's "incredibly strong and durable," but lightweight, too.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in Titanium Yellow Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

At Unpacked, Samsung also boasted that its latest top-tier phone is equipped with titanium, the toughest metal it's ever used for a Galaxy S series handset. Samsung added that it has "higher corrosion resistance, yield strength, and hardness."

2. A flatter display

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra now has a flat display — à la the iPhone 15 Pro Max. In other words, it no longer has a screen that curves around the edges.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra display Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

According to Samsung, this flat display makes it easier to use the S Pen. I'd also add that installing screen protectors on the Galaxy S24 Ultra will be a more seamless experience, too.

3. Gaming

Determined to show off the graphical prowess of the A17 Pro chip inside the iPhone 15 Pro models, Apple announced that games previously only available on game consoles, PCs and Macs — like Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 Remake — can now run natively on the new-generation phones.

Credit: Apple

Similarly, Samsung boasted that graphics performance, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, improved by 30%.

Credit: Samsung

As such, the South Korea-based giant claims that it's the "best smartphone for gaming." Plus, similar to the iPhone 15 Pro models, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts heightened ray-tracing effects for better dynamic lighting across mobile titles.

Final thoughts

Despite these similarities, I could pull out a scroll of unique features that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra does not share with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, including the Galaxy AI camera effects and productivity features that are designed to make users' lives easier.

Stay tuned for in-depth our review of the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra $549 Get Deal

TL;DR: As of January 18, get these Wireless Clip-On Microphones for Phones, Tablets, and More for only $23.99 — that's a 20% discount.

Never underestimate the power of a quality microphone. From viral podcasts to recent controversial award-show speeches, the underlying element is a powerful device that captures words while filtering out unwanted noise (or uncomfortable silence). If you’re a content creator, online student, or remote worker, it might be time to upgrade your own.

This pair of wireless, clip-on microphones that work with iPhones and iPads is a top contender for quality, usability, and affordability at just $23.99 (reg. $29.99).

Improve sound and recording quality for work or play

Unlike other so-called user-friendly mics, these require no complicated setup or pairing — just plug the receiver into your Apple device’s lightning port (check out a list of compatible devices), power on the microphone(s), and start recording clear audio. 

Content creators might see a noticeable boost in engagement after improving their sound quality, and students and remote workers may get better feedback from peers when presenting, interviewing, or chatting in meetings.

Convenience at its best

Professional-level noise-reduction technology works to minimize the amount of background noise, like chatter in public areas or traffic sounds, that can be distracting in your TikToks, vlogs, or virtual meetings. The mics also have a sponge windscreen to reduce, well, wind noises.

Convenience doesn’t stop there. These nifty microphones have a wireless range of up to 65 feet, so you can step away from your device when recording things like a workout routine or cooking tutorial. Plus, their powerful batteries support up to five hours of working time before needing a recharge. And, don’t forget the clips that allow for hands-free recording and free range of movement.

Get your hands on this pair of wireless clip-on microphones for iPhones and iPads for $23.99 (reg. $29.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech Wireless Clip-On Microphones for Phones, Tablets, and More! (2-Pack) $23.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of January 18, get The Complete 2024 Microsoft Tech Certification Training Super Bundle for only $79.99.

Whether you’re looking for a career change or a fun hobby, this Microsoft Tech Certification Training bundle might be up your alley. Having more certifications and skills on your resume can be a great way to stand out among candidates applying for a role, or even to make moves in your current IT position. With 11 courses and 246 hours of content, this collection of lessons teaches you the ins and outs of Microsoft-powered IT, while allowing you to learn at your own pace. And for a limited time, it's on sale for $79.99.

It’s no secret being computer-savvy is the key to success in an ever-evolving tech world, but finding the right tools can be a challenge. This course bundle has everything you need to get started on your IT education journey no matter your level of experience.

The bundle was designed by IDUNOVA, a specialized platform that focuses on IT education. The curated courses are taught by industry experts and help learners be equipped with the most relevant skills to earn IT vendor-specific certifications.

Dive into the Microsoft 365 Identity & Services and dissect the latest version of Microsoft Office or check out the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst course if you’re interested in tackling cyber threats — the learning opportunities are infinite. 

A few more highlights from this bundle include:

• Managing Modern Desktops 

• Managing Microsoft Teams

• Microsoft Mobility & Security

• Microsoft Azure Administrator

• Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions

• Microsoft Azure Security Technologies

For a limited time, get this Microsoft Tech Certification Training bundle on sale for just $79.99 (originally $429). 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: IDUNOVA The Complete 2024 Microsoft Tech Certification Training Super Bundle $79.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of January 18, get this Mirrored Digital Alarm Clock With Dual USB Ports for $21.99 — save 33%.

Does this sound familiar? At night, you set your alarm to wake up earlier than usual — maybe to hit the gym or get more me-time in the morning — but as soon as it goes off in the morning, you hit snooze or turn it off altogether. We’re definitely guilty of this habit too, but we found this cool digital alarm clock that could help motivate you and it’s only $21.99 (reg. $32.99).

Level up your morning wake-up routine

With a mirror surface that brings elegance and style to your nightstand, it’s not your ordinary alarm clock. However, it can certainly function like one with the option for 12- or 24-hour clock modes and a large snooze button with customizable time between five and 60 minutes. 

The alarm clock even has two USB-A charging ports to function as a hub for your devices overnight. Plug in your smartphone and smartwatch charger (or virtually any other compatible device) and keep your nightstand free of cord clutter.

You can also choose between three brightness levels manually or set them to change automatically, like if you want super bright numbers in the morning and dimmer ones in the evening.

Start and stick to a habit of waking up earlier

Along with upgrading your alarm clock, there’s more you can do to motivate yourself to wake up earlier. Everyday Health recommends slowly adjusting your wake-up time up to where you want it, winding down a couple of hours before you want to be asleep, and keeping a consistent schedule on your days off.

Start your days a little bit brighter (literally) with this mirrored digital alarm clock with dual USB ports for $21.99 (reg. $32.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hongkong UGR Tech Co. Ltd Mirrored Digital Alarm Clock With Dual USB Ports $21.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of January 18, get Curiosity Stream's lifetime subscription for just $169.97 — usually $399.

In a world where some car makers charge drivers monthly fees to use their heated seats (yup, that’s a real thing), Curiosity Stream’s lifetime subscription is a diamond in the rough. There’s no catch or password-sharing rules (like some other platforms) — just pay once and stream documentaries and nonfiction content for life.

And, with this limited-time price drop, Curiosity Stream’s lifetime plan is only $169.97 (reg. $399.99). That’s a price you won’t find anywhere else online.

Never run out of documentaries to watch

What will you watch first? Curiosity Stream has content on all of your favorite subjects like science, technology, history, nature, and art. Take a look at a few of the included series: Into the Jungle, Deep Time History, Polar Bears, The History of Home, and the award-winning Stephen Hawking’s Favorite Places.

Discover thousands of movie-length documentaries and shorter shows, and always look forward to something new to watch with regular content updates.

Not your ordinary streaming service

Just like other streaming services, Curiosity Stream offers high-definition content on multiple devices, search tools to help you find your next binge-worthy series, and a watch-later list to bookmark everything that interests you. You’ll even have the option to download content ahead of time to watch offline, like on your commute or flights.

But, unlike your other streaming services, you’ll never be charged monthly or yearly fees to enjoy content. Plus, with so many documentaries and docu-series at your fingertips, your mode of entertainment may also turn into an avenue for learning.

Get a lifetime subscription to Curiosity Stream while it’s on sale for $169.97 (reg. $399.99) until January 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT. No coupon is needed for this best-on-web price.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Curiosity Stream Curiosity Stream Standard Plan: Lifetime Subscription $169.97 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

Pauly Shore will star in a biopic about fitness guru Richard Simmons, having previously portrayed him in the unrelated upcoming short film The Court Jester. However, it seems that the project will go ahead without the real Simmons' blessing.

Announced on Wednesday, the film will be produced by Warner Bros. Discovery subsidiary The Wolper Organization. Though no writer, director, or other cast members have yet been confirmed, president Mark Wolper appears confident that Shore's casting will be the pivotal piece ensuring everything else falls into place.

"We have been dancing around the idea for years, but it never coalesced until several months ago when I saw the press about Pauly Shore being touted by social media as the ONLY person that could play Richard," Wolper said in a statement, adding that they were aiming for a tone similar to the gently optimistic dramedy Little Miss Sunshine.

"We all need this biopic now more than ever," said Shore. "Simmons represented mental health, getting people in shape, and being his authentic silly self!"

SEE ALSO: Here's why everyone's obsessed with that Missing Richard Simmons podcast

Unfortunately for them, it looks as though there's at least one person who doesn't think we need this biopic at all. Just hours after the announcement, the film's reclusive subject Simmons took to social media to explicitly disavow the project.

"You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore," Simmons wrote Wednesday on his Facebook account. "I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read. I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support."

A popular fitness icon in the '80s, Simmons suddenly retreated from the public eye in 2014. His mysterious disappearance sparked considerable concern at the time, and caused some fans to worry about his welfare. It even prompted the creation of popular 2017 podcast Missing Richard Simmons, which investigated his vanishing by talking to various associates of his. Fortunately, Simmons has clarified that his newfound reclusive lifestyle is simply a matter of personal preference, and that he wanted to focus on taking care of himself.

Considering Simmons' public desire for privacy, it isn't surprising that he's less than thrilled by the prospect of his story being dragged back to the fore. Even so, Simmon's disapproval doesn't appear to have deterred The Wolper Organization from pressing on with its plans. Speaking to Variety, the production company stated that though it would have liked to have Simmons involved, it would "respect his desire to privacy" and proceed with making "a movie that honors him" without him.

"We know he is deeply private and we would never want to invade that, however he is an amazing person that changed millions of peoples’ lives, and the effect he has had on the world needs to be recognized," The Wolper Organization said in a statement to Variety.

It sounds as though Simmons might dispute that, though.

TL;DR: A wide range of free online courses from UC Berkeley are available to take for free on edX.

This seems too good to be true, but a wide range of online classes from UC Berkeley are available to take for free on edX. Yep, you can become a student of UC Berkeley without spending anything at all.

You can learn all about topics like Bitcoin and crypocurrency, the science of happiness, mindfulness, creative writing, and much more for free. We have checked out everything on offer from UC Berkeley and lined up a selection of standout options to get you started.

These are the best free online courses from UC Berkeley this month:

• Academic and Business Writing

• AP English Literature and Composition Part 1: Stories

• AP English Literature and Composition – Part 2: Poems

• AP English Literature and Composition – Part 3: Plays

• Beyond Diversity: Navigating the DEI Landscape

• Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies

• Blockchain Technology

• Bridging Differences

• COVID-19 and Global Inequalities

• Discrimination and Diversity in the Modern Workplace

• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence at Work

• English for Journalists (Part 1)

• English for Journalists (Part 2)

• Entrepreneurship For All: Idea to Launch

• Entrepreneurship For All: To Product-Market Fit and Beyond

• How to Write an Essay

• Improving Workplace Climate

• Mindfulness and Resilience to Stress at Work

• Psychedelics and the Mind

• The Foundations of Happiness at Work

• The Science of Happiness

• Writing for Social Justice

These free courses do not include a certificate of completion, but if you really need something to stick on your CV, you can get your hands on something for a small fee.

Find the best free online courses from UC Berkeley at edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: UC Berkeley UC Berkeley Courses Free at edX Get Deal

TL;DR: Find the best free online ChatGPT courses on Udemy. Learn how to make the most of ChatGPT without spending anything.

Anyone who has used ChatGPT will know all about its enormous potential, but knowing about this chatbot doesn't mean you'll know how to really squeeze everything you can out of it. That's where an online course could really help.

Fortunately, platforms like Udemy are offering a wide range of free online courses on ChatGPT. We've checked everything out and lined up a standout selection of free courses to kickstart your learning journey. We're nice like that.

These are the best online ChatGPT courses you can take for free this month:

• ChatGPT 101: The Complete Beginner's Guide and Masterclass

• ChatGPT CV and Cover Letter Writing Crash Course

• ChatGPT for Beginners: The Ultimate Use Cases for Everyone

• ChatGPT, Midjourney, Firefly, Bard, DALL-E, AI Crash Course

• ChatGPT/OpenAI Development for PHP Developers

• ChatGPT Plugins: Unleash the Power of Integration

• ChatGPT Prompt Engineering for Beginners

• ChatGPT Quick Guide: Prompt Engineering, Plugins, and More

• ChatGPT Security: Privacy Risks and Data Protection Basics

• ChatGPT SEO Mastery: How to Rank with AI SEO Content

• Cracking the Code: ChatGPT Prompt Engineering Secrets

• Exploring ChatGPT in 2 Hours: Practical Guide for Beginners

• Generative AI: ChatGPT and 25 Game-Changing AI Applications

• Learn how to use ChatGPT to Make Money

• Make Teaching Easier with Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT)

• Master Basics of ChatGPT and OpenAI API

• Master ChatGPT, Midjourney, GPT-4, and More

• Midjourney and ChatGPT: Unleash AI for Unique Image Generation

• Revolutionize Your Business With ChatGPT

• SEO Fundamentals: Post AI and ChatGPT World

These free online courses do not include certificates of completion or direct instructor messaging, but that's the only catch. You still get unrestricted access to all the video content, so you can learn at your own pace.

Discover the best free ChatGPT courses on Udemy.

Opens in a new window Credit: Udemy ChatGPT Courses Free at Udemy Get Deal

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

Novak Djokovic is the guy to beat in the Australian Open, and next in line to give it a go is Tomas Etcheverry. The 30th seed has already sent Andy Murray and Gaël Monfils home, but this is going to be a much tougher challenge.

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

When is Djokovic vs. Etcheverry?

Novak Djokovic and Tomas Etcheverry will meet in their third round match on Jan. 20.

How to watch Djokovic vs. Etcheverry for free

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

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. Steam Djokovic vs. Etcheverry 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 to stream live tennis, 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. Etcheverry for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: A one-year subscription to Laxis AI Meeting Assistant is on sale for £37.96, saving you 70% on list price.

We’ll start with the bad news: In recent years, video meetings have grown from one-off occurrences to daily events. The good news? An online format means you can integrate tools, like Laxis AI Meeting Assistant, to save time and make your work life easier. It’s truly like having a virtual assistant, from meeting notes to transcriptions and follow-ups. 

More good news: You can get a one-year premium subscription to Laxis AI Meeting Assistant for just £37.96.

No matter if you’re in sales and communicating directly with clients, content marketing and collaborating with colleagues, or working as a business professional, you could benefit from having an AI assistant for all things meetings with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Cisco Webex.

Laxis AI Meeting Assistant is useful before a meeting even starts. Create a template with the agenda, topics, or keywords for organised note-taking. During the meeting, you can turn on real-time transcriptions of video or phone chats; this not only improves listening comprehension but allows you to highlight key insights or action items.

More AI-powered features come in after a meeting. You’ll have access to LaxisChat, which is similar to ChatGPT but has the knowledge and transcription of your conversation. Use this to ask questions about the meeting without digging for the information yourself. Laxis also has an AI writer that can turn meeting notes into summaries, follow-up emails, action items, and more.

Streamline virtual conversations with a one-year premium subscription to Laxis AI Meeting Assistant for £37.96.

Opens in a new window Credit: Laxis AI Tech Laxis AI Meeting Assistant (1-Year Subscription) £37.96 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal