Feed aggregator

Two best bros plus trouble in a bubble equals good times, as established by the 1996 comedy Bio-Dome.

This year's sci-fi sleeper, Biosphere, holds true to this formula, and though it doesn't boast the daffy '90s whimsicality of the Pauly Shore/Stephen Baldwin classic, it is surprisingly funny. In fact, this slyly hilarious film is surprising in many ways, most of which are beyond the scope of its marketing campaign. Its first trailer has an art-house sci-fi vibe, given gravitas by critically heralded dramatic actors Sterling K. Brown and Mark Duplass. Adding to the mystique is the promotional campaign's noble efforts to preserve the pivotal plot twist that makes this movie a sensational surprise. 

I know you're tempted, but don't search for spoilers. 

In an age with globe-trekking promotional campaigns, trailers that flaunt the very final moments of a climax, and a social media landscape that is polluted by spoilers for every possible franchise and hotly anticipated title, it is an increasingly rare thing to be truly surprised in the cinema. And props to Mel Eslyn, who makes her feature directorial debut with this gem from a script she co-wrote with Duplass: Biosphere is brilliant in its surprises. 

Wait, what's Biosphere about?  Credit: IFC

Without major spoilers: Biosphere centers on two men, trapped in a bunker, outliving the end of the world as we know it. What's happened to Earth is not directly revealed, and frankly isn't really important. What is important here is who these two are to each other at the end of the world. They are best friends since childhood. 

On the surface, they seem an unlikely band of brothers from other mothers. Ray (Brown) is an intellectual whose contributions to this survival sphere are not only its construction and various life-preserving devices but also a library of science books. Billy (Duplass) is a garrulous goofball who spends his time pondering the metaphorical importance of the Mario Bros and doodling in Ray's books. 

Right off the bat, Billy doesn't fit the mold of what we imagine when we think of humanity's last great hope for survival. While these two converse and bicker in a shorthand that expresses not only long-honed intimacy but also years in this quarantined roommate scenario, we are encouraged to wonder how they came to be here. 

Biosphere will reveal those details, and with them comes a subtle satirical edge about power and politics. 

Biosphere has shades of Swiss Army Man.  Credit: IFC

Don't mistake me. Nothing so outlandish as a farting corpse jet ski will spring from this indie offering. However, like the double-handed fantasy film that launched the Daniels, Biosphere centers on a friendship tested by isolation that's ultimately so close, so committed that it is literally transformative. It all begins with a development that has Billy excitedly exclaim, "Life finds a way!" 

Appreciation for Jurassic Park is a surface-level commonality Swiss Army Man and Biosphere share. The score from Biosphere recalls Swiss Army Man as well, favoring a chorus of quirky voices humming and bah-bah-booping along. It's a detail not immediately noticeable, but the creeping charm of these voices, happily combining to create something bigger than they can alone, becomes a reflection of the movie's moving and hopeful message. Trapped alone at the brink of extinction, Billy and Ray find love in a hopeless place. 

Where Swiss Army Man compared farts and sweded movies, Biosphere talks Mario Bros and offers subtle send-ups of comedy cliches, like dancing in the kitchen (see Practical Magic or The Big Chill). But the best bits are those that are unique to the plotline, including props like a shoe-box coffin, a hand mirror, and a hastily modified bedsheet. Within such sequences, there's a lot of silliness as these friends are confronted with their fears of death, change, and growth. But through it all, Eslyn captures their struggle with humor, heart, and humanity. We're not invited to gawk at these men under glass and laugh at them; we're invited to be embedded with them, sharing in their joys, sorrows, and their evolving, remarkable reality. 

Sterling K. Brown and Mark Duplass share remarkable chemistry in Biosphere.  Credit: IFC

An odd couple for the post-apocalypse, Brown and Duplass are opposites visually and in attitude. While Billy is constantly rumpled and a bit paunchy despite their shared jogs around the biosphere, Ray is chiseled and chic — even though they both wear similar T-shirts and sweats. It's careful costuming, but it's also an energy. Ray behaves as if the world might pick back up at any moment, and when it does, he'll be ready to run right into it. Billy behaves like they're on an extended spring break, killing time. The unspoken is the annihilation beyond their bubble. That it's unspoken keeps things pleasantly light, which is how they have survived this long. Plus, they seem to really enjoy each other. 

Brown and Duplass share a kinetic chemistry that instantly sells that they've known each other since a long-ago birthday party. It instantly grounds us into Ray and Billy's reality, where the worst has already happened, but at least they have their best friend. And it makes the transformation of this friendship all the more believable, even when things turn from science fact to science fiction. When moments get tense or tender, Brown and Duplass don't flinch. Together, they are deeply committed, and so pull us in to marvel at every moment of its tale of fragile hope. 

More movies should dare to explore like Biosphere. 

Some might snark at the mysterious center of Biosphere, applying to it an agenda or decrying it as a gimmick. Personally, I think such a read is cynical. Biosphere does not succeed or fail based on whether you know what it's actually about or not. It succeeds because it's so much more than that second-act twist. 

Amid a movie scene glutted with huge-budget, wanna-be blockbusters that aim to satisfy with fan service instead of daring, Biosphere is a rebellion. 

It's not flashy. It's not stuffed to the gills with stars or shocking cameos. It's a much lower-budget affair with modest special effects and very little in the way of spectacle, unless you consider fish scales fascinating. Instead, it's about a story that unfolds methodically, reveling in chemistry and human connection rather than sheer star power. It's a sci-fi tale that doesn't jet us into a far-flung future, but one that feels achingly familiar in its crisis and quarantine. It's a comedy that gets silly and outrageous but never makes its heroes into clowns. And it's a drama that bares its teeth as these men bare their hearts, for better or worse. It's heart-warming, heart-wrenching, soul-soothing, and belly-laugh funny. 

So, don't miss out, because Biosphere might be the best movie of the year that you won't hear enough about. 

How to watch: Biosphere is now streaming on Hulu.

UPDATE: May. 9, 2024, 1:17 p.m. EDT This review was updated to reflect current streaming options.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for May 10 SEE ALSO: 'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for May 10

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, May 10, 2024:

AcrossWhat "10" is, for the airplane seat 10A

• The answer is row.

Another helping

• The answer is more.

Name that means "lioness"

• The answer is Leona.

Knight's "suit"

• The answer is armor.

Impatient and ill-tempered

• The answer is testy.

DownStudy, lounge, library, hall, kitchen, conservatory, etc.

• The answer is rooms.

"Ready ___, here I come!"

• The answer is ornot.

Very tired

• The answer is weary.

___ mortals

• The answer is mere.

Back muscle, for short

• The answer is lat.

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 May 10's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Moxie

• Green: For pet perambulation

• Blue: Turn about

• Purple: Epic names

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Chutzpah

• Green: Accessories for Dog Walking

• Blue: Things That Spin

• Purple: Lead Singers of '70s Rock Bands

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 #333 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• CHUTZPAH: BRASS, CHEEK, GALL, NERVE

• ACCESSORIES FOR DOG WALKING: COLLAR, HALTER, HARNESS, LEAD

• THINGS THAT SPIN: CAROUSEL, GLOBE, RECORD, TOP

• LEAD SINGERS OF '70s ROCK BANDS: FERRY, MERCURY, NICKS, PLANT

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.

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 May 10'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:

Music, movies, videos

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 M.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

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 #1056 is...

MEDIA.

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.

Apple has apologised for the extremely tone-deaf iPad Pro ad it released during its Let Loose event on Tuesday. It turns out that tech giants destroying implements of creative human expression doesn't play so well to a crowd — especially when creatives' jobs are being threatened by generative AI.

AdAge reports that Apple has abandoned plans to run its "Crush!" ad on television, admitting that it didn't quite send the message the company had been aiming for.

SEE ALSO: The new iPad ad essentially flips AI-weary creatives the bird

"Creativity is in our DNA at Apple, and it’s incredibly important to us to design products that empower creatives all over the world," Apple's VP of marketing communications Tor Myhren told AdAge. "Our goal is to always celebrate the myriad of ways users express themselves and bring their ideas to life through iPad. We missed the mark with this video, and we’re sorry."

Tweet may have been deleted

Set to "All I Ever Need Is You" by Sonny & Cher, Apple's minute-long iPad Pro ad shows a giant hydraulic press slowly crushing a collection of equipment for various hobbies and creative pursuits. These include an upright piano, paints, a trombone, an arcade machine, cameras, and a dressmaker's mannequin.

The press then lifts to reveal Apple's new iPad Pro, while a voiceover declares that "the most powerful iPad ever is also the thinnest."

Apple's commercial was no doubt intended to convey the idea that the iPad Pro can also do many of the tasks that the various obliterated tools could. Unfortunately, the result looked more grimly dystopian than the tech giant intended.

The widely derided ad was ridiculed as "destructive," "heartless," "cruel," and "soul-crushing," with viewers appalled to see Apple literally crush so many symbols of human creativity only to replace them with a single cold gadget. Some even stated that it would have been a much better commercial if it were played in reverse.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Apple's ad felt particularly callous considering the threat that generative AI is currently posing to creatives. Numerous reports of companies replacing artists with AI have emerged since the technology gained widespread prominence, from viral fashion brand Selkie to streaming giant Netflix. 

As such, seeing a trillion-dollar tech company symbolically obliterate human creativity and expression rubbed many people the wrong way. 

Tweet may have been deleted

Several viewers further unfavourably compared "Crush!" to Apple's famous "1984" ad directed by Ridley Scott. The commercial featured a woman in bright athletic gear running through a monotonous grey dystopia, before smashing a screen displaying a Big Brother-like dictator. In it, Apple portrayed itself as a beacon of hope and originality in a world of dull conformity. 

"Crush!" offered a stark contrast, inadvertently placing Apple in the position of an oppressor destroying the creativity and colour it used to align itself with.

This isn't the first time a tech company has tried to sell a product by destroying objects people love. Apple's ad prompted some social media commenters to resurface a startlingly similar ad LG ran in 2008 for the KC910 Renoir smartphone, crushing cameras, musical instruments, and speakers.

TL;DR: Live stream every Brazil match from the 2024 Copa America for free on Globoplay. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

This is a huge summer for sport. The French Open, Euro 2024, Wimbledon, the Olympics, and more top events are being squeezed into just a few months. What a time to be alive.

We're not going to suggest which event will provide the best entertainment, because that's on you. But for passionate fans, electric stadiums, and some of the most talented athletes on the planet, you should check out the 2024 Copa America. The likes of Lionel Messi, Vinícius Júnior, and Federico Valverde will be on display, which is a pretty good lineup of stars.

If you want to watch the 2024 Copa America for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is Copa America?

The Copa America is the top men's football tournament contested by national teams from South America. It is the oldest still-running continental football competition, and determines the champions of the continent.

The 2024 Copa America will start with four groups of four teams, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout rounds. The 10 CONMEBOL members are automatically granted entry, plus six North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football teams that qualified through the CONCACAF Nations League.

When is the 2024 Copa America?

The 2024 Copa America will be the 48th edition of the tournament. This year's event will be held in the United States from June 20 to July 14.

How to watch the 2024 Copa America for free

TV Globo has exclusive rights to broadcast all of Brazil's matches on free-to-air television, with free live streaming available through Globoplay.

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

Access free live streams of Copa America 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 Brazil

4. Visit Globoplay

5. Watch Copa America fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 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 obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures from the 2024 Copa America before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for streaming sport?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on sites like Globoplay, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 94 countries including Brazil

• 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 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 select fixtures from the 2024 Copa America for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 MotoGP French Grand Prix for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

MotoGP is a whole lot of fun for all the family, and we won't shut up about it until everyone knows. It's a thrilling form of racing without all the predictable results, pit stops, and yellow flags that haunt other events (we're talking about you, F1).

If you're interested in watching the 2024 MotoGP French Grand Prix, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2024 MotoGP French Grand Prix?

The MotoGP French Grand Prix takes place at Le Mans. The 2024 MotoGP French Grand Prix race starts at 8 a.m. ET / 1 p.m. BST on May 12.

How to watch the 2024 MotoGP French Grand Prix for free

Every MotoGP 2024 race is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, 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 Austria, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Connect to ServusTV

5. Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2024 MotoGP French Grand Prix before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for MotoGP?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking ServusTV to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 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 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 MotoGP French Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Gujarat Titans vs. Chennai Super Kings in the IPL for free on JioCinema. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There's just over two weeks left of the IPL, and excitement is rife among fans. In the next fixture, team captains Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad will be leading their teams, Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings.

Want to tune in and find out who wins? Keep scrolling to find out how you can watch Gujarat Titans vs. Chennai Super Kings for free from anywhere in the world.

When is Gujarat Titans vs. Chennai Super Kings?

Gujarat Titans vs. Chennai Super Kings starts at 3 p.m. BST on May 10. This fixture will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.

How to watch Gujarat Titans vs. Chennai Super Kings for free

JioCinema is giving you the chance to catch free live streams of every IPL cricket match this season in 4K resolution on its app.

But to access it, you'll need to use a VPN. JioCinema is geo-restricted to India, but with a VPN you can unblock this free streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access JioCinema from anywhere in the world.

Unblock JioCinema to stream the IPL 2024 by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for 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 India

4. Visit JioCinema (you will need an Indian phone number to subscribe)

5. Watch Gujarat Titans vs. Chennai Super Kings for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

Most of the best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch IPL live streams without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select IPL fixtures for free.

What is the best VPN for JioCinema?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including India

• 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 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 the IPL for free with ExpressVPN.

Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson join Mashable for a special Doctor Who edition game of "Choose Your Squad."

People in the creative world widely panned a commercial showing a giant hydraulic press squishing objects ranging from paint cans to a piano.

It's official: All three major video game consoles are now getting rid of their integrations with Elon Musk's social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

On Wednesday, Nintendo became the last of the big gaming companies to announce that gamers would no longer be able to post directly to X via the Nintendo Switch gaming console. Other X-related functions would be dropped as well.

Tweet may have been deleted

"As of June 10, 2024, it will no longer be possible to post screenshots and videos to X (formerly Twitter) from the Nintendo Switch's Album, or send friend requests to social media users via the Friend Suggestions feature," Nintendo of America posted on its official account on X.

With this announcement, X has officially lost direct integrations with all three major video game console companies. Microsoft was the first gaming company to announce it was dropping its X integration in April of last year, with Sony following with a similar announcement in November.

What's being removed

In a more detailed post on its website, Nintendo provided more information about what exactly will be removed from Switch.

Nintendo says gamers will no longer be able to use the feature that allows the posting of screenshots and videos to X from the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu. Nintendo does note, however, that users will still be able to post screenshots and video from Switch directly to Facebook, although that feature may also possibly be removed at a later time.

In addition, sending friend requests to social media users via the Friend Suggestions menu will also be removed.

There are game-specific changes as well. Before this change, it was possible to post to X in Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3 via the mailbox option seen in hub worlds like Inkopolis Square. That will no longer be available.

According to Nintendo, Switch users will be able to share screenshots and videos to X by saving the media to the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu and then transferring the data wirelessly to a smart device or by connecting their Switch to a PC via USB cable.

Why Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft dropped X

Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft have yet to specifically provide a reason for the removal of X integrations. However, the first company to do so, Microsoft, dropped X shortly after Elon Musk rolled out a new, paid model for its API, which is necessary for these integrations. 

Since then, both Sony and Nintendo followed Microsoft's lead in dropping X from its social media integration list.

The new API plans are quite exorbitantly priced, with Enterprise access starting at $42,000 per month. It is very likely, based on how many users Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft gaming consoles have, that their API usage would result in a bill of hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more) per month.

This change will likely save Nintendo money with little-to-no blowback. The biggest loser, though? Musk's X, which loses major video game partners and their hundreds of millions of users who were sending free content to X from their gaming consoles.

If one was to just listen to Elon Musk, they might think the first Neuralink implant in a human was a flawless achievement.

"Successful 100 days with first human implant of @Neuralink," Musk posted to his social media platform X on Wednesday.

It is fair to call Neuralink's first human implant a success – certainly more successful than some of the test animals that Neuralink had implanted the device in – as it helped a quadriplegic patient interact with his surroundings in ways that he previously couldn't before. 

But, this success certainly wasn't without at least one major bump in the road. And, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, it appears that Musk and company may have only divulged these problems to the public due to the outlet inquiring about the issue.

SEE ALSO: Neuralink's first patient can play chess using only his mind Neuralink's implant problem

Neuralink's report, which the Wall Street Journal said was published only after they had reached out to the company, looks at the first 100 days of the brain implant in the company's first test subject, 29-year-old Nolan Arbaugh who was paralyzed from the shoulders down after an accident nearly a decade ago.

Neuralink had previously shown a demonstration of Arbaugh playing Chess and video games like Mario Kart and controlling a mouse with his mind, all thanks to Neuralink's brain implant.

However, until this report on Wednesday, the public had not been informed of a problem that resulted in Neuralink even considering removing the implant. Some of the implant's "threads" placed in Arbaugh's brain had come out resulting in data loss.

The Neuralink microchip, which is implanted in the patient's brain, contains 1,024 electrodes across 64 electrode threads or thin film material. These threads are thinner than a strand of hair and can basically transmit signals to the brain's neural network.

While Arbaugh's health was never in any danger, the issue led to a "reduction in bits-per-second" or how fast and accurate Arbaugh was able to control his computer with his brain.

Neuralink's own report on its 100 successful days after the implant doesn't spend too much time on the details. It's all wrapped up in a single, four-sentence paragraph.

"In the weeks following the surgery, a number of threads retracted from the brain, resulting in a net decrease in the number of effective electrodes," Neuralink writes in its post. "This led to a reduction in BPS. In response to this change, we modified the recording algorithm to be more sensitive to neural population signals, improved the techniques to translate these signals into cursor movements, and enhanced the user interface. These refinements produced a rapid and sustained improvement in BPS, that has now superseded Noland’s initial performance."

According to the Wall Street Journal report, Neuralink is working on the issue so that it hopefully does not happen in future implants. The belief is that the threads retracted due to "pneumocephalus," a condition where air became trapped inside Arbaugh’s skull after his implant surgery. This caused some of the threads to become disconnected.

Again, obviously things could have gone a lot worse and the Neuralink's first implant thus far can be considered a successful endeavor. However, based on the company's alleged history of concealing information, including the reports of monkey deaths related to Neuralink implants, it's crucial that both the positive and negative aspects are transparently disclosed.

OpenAI is open to allowing NSFW responses generated by ChatGPT and its API, but porn is a hard no.

On Wednesday, the company published a Model Spec, a document that pulls the veil back a little bit on how the models are trained to respond to various prompts. In the Spec, OpenAI shared rules for how ChatGPT and the API are directed to respond, including prompts for breaking the law, questions about chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) threats, and yes, prompts for explicit content.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI's GPT-5 release could be as early as this summer

OpenAI's current policy bans NSFW content. But just below its policy statement, OpenAI noted that it is "exploring whether we can responsibly provide the ability to generate NSFW content in age-appropriate contexts through the API and ChatGPT." The reasoning is "developers and users should have the flexibility to use our services as they see fit" as long as they adhere to OpenAI's policies. So NSFW content is not allowed now, but it might be in the future.

But that doesn't mean all NSFW content might be allowed. "We have no intention to create AI-generated pornography," an OpenAI spokesperson told Mashable. "We have strong safeguards in our products to prevent deepfakes, which are unacceptable, and we prioritize protecting children. The spokesperson continued, "we also believe in the importance of carefully exploring conversations about sexuality in age-appropriate contexts," which lines up with the note in the Model Spec.

The wording about NSFW content was brief and slightly ambiguous, leading some to speculate that OpenAI might soon allow users to generate AI porn. The only mention of specific types of NSFW content was in the statement about what AI models should not provide responses for: "The assistant should not serve content that's Not Safe For Work (NSFW): content that would not be appropriate in a conversation in a professional setting, which may include erotica, extreme gore, slurs, and unsolicited profanity." The notable omission of "pornography" initially generated confusion over what was allowed or soon to be allowed.

Porn in the generative AI era has potentially dangerous and disastrous consequences because of the threat of nonconsensual deepfakes. A 2023 study from cybersecurity firm Home Security Heroes found that 98 percent of all deepfake videos were pornography, and 99 percent of the subjects were women. Even Taylor Swift, a powerful and recognizable celebrity, was the victim of a rash of viral pornographic deepfakes, underscoring the issue's prevalence and highlighting the disturbing notion that it could happen to anyone.

There's a new iPad Pro and it might be more powerful than the most powerful MacBook Pro.

At least, that's what Geekbench says. According to the popular benchmarking software's website (as spotted by MSPowerUser) the new iPad Pro's single and multi-core scores are 22 and 25 percent faster than the 2023 MacBook Pro. It should be noted that the new iPad starts at $999, while the MacBook is a full $1,000 more than that.

SEE ALSO: What's missing: 6 features the new iPad Pro 2024 doesn't have

Of course, there's a reason the tablet has a higher Geekbench score than the laptop: the M4 chip powering it. Apple's latest in-house silicon debuted in the new iPad Pro, and it's not really surprising that M4 would be faster than the M3 Pro chip powering the MacBook Pro. At least, not on paper, but a tablet being more powerful than a laptop is still pretty cool.

Apple first confirmed the existence of the new iPad Pro during an event on Tuesday. It comes in 11-inch and 13-inch models, features an OLED screen for the first time, and is being marketed as Apple's thinnest ever device. And on top of all that, it might be more powerful than the best MacBook Pro.

New 'Doctor Who' villain Jinkx Monsoon revels her fandom of Michelle Gomez and where she drew her inspiration from for 'Maestro'.

TikTok is taking another stab at curbing the rise of AI-generated misinformation taking over social media platforms, as it announces a new way its watermarking (or labelling) AI.

The platform announced today that it is joining the Adobe-led Content Authenticity Initiative and the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), a nonprofit-backed project to align tech and social media companies on best practices for what is known as "content provenance," or the "basic, trustworthy facts about the origins of a piece of digital content."

While TikTok already labels AI-generated content (AIGC) made using its own AI effects, and requires users to label their own uploaded AI content, the new policy will apply automatic oversight to content made offsite. TikTok's stated intention with the collaboration is for an auto-labeling system to read Content Credentials in order to parse an image or video's metadata and quickly identify it as AI-generated.

The platform also said it would begin attaching Content Credentials to TikTok content itself, so that others can learn when, where, and how the content was made or edited. It's now the first social media company and video platform to sign on to Adobe's Content Credentials standards, Fortune reports.

SEE ALSO: TikTok sues the U.S. government over ban

"While experts widely recommend AIGC labeling as a way to support responsible content creation, they also caution that labels can cause confusion if viewers don't have context about what they mean," the company wrote in its announcement. "That's why we've been working with experts to develop media literacy campaigns that can help our community identify and think critically about AIGC and misinformation."

TikTok will also release 12 new media literacy resources created alongside the Poynter Institute's Mediawise, a youth-focused fact checking project, and WITNESS, a human rights organization that teaches civilians how to use tech to record and protect themselves. WITNESS also provides guidelines and advice for discerning deepfakes and other AI threats.

Other tech platforms, similarly flooded with the products of generative AI, have taken their own paths toward better labeling and watermarking. Meta announced new AI content labels in April. Not long after, Snapchat announced it was adding an automatic, but user-visible, watermark to all content created using its in-house AI tools. The transparent Snapchat logo watermark is added to images once they are downloaded to a device or exported off the platform.

TikTok, meanwhile, launches these intended AI protections within a flurry of attention aimed at the platform's role in global organizing and its potential impact on the upcoming presidential election. The new policies also come in the midst of the company's last ditch effort to save the app's place on U.S. phones, including a recent lawsuit against the U.S. government for its Biden-approved ban.

SAVE $99.01: As of May 9, get a pair of Apple AirPods Max for $449.99, down from $549. That's a savings of 18%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirPods Max $449.99 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $99.01 Get Deal

Thinking about investing in a new pair of over-the-ear headphones? There are tons of great options out there, but if you regularly use Apple devices, you might want to stay within that ecosystem. In that case, the AirPods Max are a formidable option for you that you can opt for over AirPods. And right now, you can shave some nice savings off their hefty price tag.

As of May 9, you can get the AirPods Max at Amazon for $449.99, which is reduced from their list price of $549. That's $99.01 off and a discount of 18%. This price is only $20 more than their lowest price ever, and it's still a great deal if you want to try out these luxe cans.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best noise-cancelling headphones for flying in 2024

You get what you pay for with Apple's most expensive pair of headphones. There's fantastic active noise cancellation, which has become a staple for Apple headphones, so they sound great no matter where you are. They also offer a transparency mode option, should you need to be able to hear what's going on around you.

Like the AirPods Pro, they also offer spatial audio support for total musical immersion with dynamic head tracking. And let's not forget they look pretty cool, too, with a cooling knit mesh headband and cushy ear cups to boot.

If you've had your eye on these unique-looking headphones for a while, it might finally be time to get a pair. Be sure to do so while they're on sale.

Three beach cleaning robots have been deployed to help clean pollution in Lake Tahoe.

UPDATE: May. 9, 2024, 1:00 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with the latest robot vacuums on sale during the first half of May, including 50% off the Roomba Combo j5 and new all-time-lows on several self-emptying Eufy models.

A quick look at the best robot vacuum deals for mid-May: Best budget deal Eufy L60 $199 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal Best self-emptying deal Shark Matrix RV2300S $299 at Walmart (save $200.99) Get Deal Best vacuum-mop combo deal Eufy X9 Pro $549.99 at Amazon (save $350) Get Deal

Only three things are certain in life: Death, taxes, and a few days each month when you need to vacuum but just don't have time. Whether you detest the chore or hope to make your home upkeep a bit breezier, a robot vacuum is a lifesaver.

SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum Best non-mopping robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Matrix RV2300S ¤299.00 at Walmart
¤499.99 Save ¤200.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Bring home both automatic emptying and smart mapping — two major features that keep you from having to babysit a robovac — for less than $300 with the Shark Matrix RV2300S. Shark's most "basic" Matrix model is also capable of entering Matrix mode, where the vacuum creates a virtual grid and vacuums in a crosshatch pattern to loosen and lift debris from multiple angles. The chic gray color scheme is also unique in a world of black-and-white robot vacuums.

More robot vacuums (that don't mop) on sale

• Ionvac SmartClean 2000 — $68.99 $129 (save $60.01)

• iHome AutoVac Juno — $79 $199.99 (save $120)

• Eufy L60 — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)

• Roborock Q5+ with self-empty station — $359.99 $699.99 (save $340)

• Eufy Clean X8 Pro with self-empty station — $399.99 $649.99 (save $250)

Best robot vacuum and mop hybrid deal Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy X9 Pro $549.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $350.00 Save with Prime Get Deal Why we like it

Eufy's X9 Pro debuted in fall 2023 and sits right in the sweet spot between the X8 Pro (on sale for $399.99) and the X10 Pro Omni (a CES 2024 debut that goes for nearly $700 on sale). As of May 9, use code EUFYX9PRO at checkout to knock the sale price to $549.99.

The X9 Pro is more reminiscent of its pricier successor: It has a flat edge to get into corners, it mops, washes, and dries its own mopping pads, and uses AI to detect and avoid small obstacles like phone cables. As a mopper, the X9 Pro provides more elbow grease than many competitors thanks to double-pressurized, rotating mopping heads. These automatically lift above the ground if carpet is detected.

More robot vacuum hybrids on sale

• Yeedi Vac 2 Pro — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100 with on-page coupon)

• Eufy G30 Hybrid with self-empty station — $249.99 $429.99 (save $180)

• iRobot Roomba Combo j5 — $299 $599.99 (save $300.99)

• Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 — $299.40 $449.40 (save $150)

• Shark IQ 2-in-1 RV2402WD — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)

• iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ — $349 $549.99 (save $200.99)

• Ecovacs Deebot N10+ with self-empty station — $349.99 $649.99 (save $300)

• Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 with XL self-empty station — $399.60 $699.60 (save $300)

• Roborock Q8 Max — $429.99 $599.99 (save $170 with on-page coupon)

• Roborock Q7 Max+ with self-empty station — $459.99 $869.99 (save $410)

• Roborock S8 — $499.99 $749.99 (save $250)

• Roborock Q8 Max+ with self-empty station — $579.99 $819.99 (save $240)

• Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni with self-empty station — $649 $1,099.99 (save $450.99)

• Eufy X10 Pro Omni with self-empty station — $679.99 $799.99 (save $120)

• Roborock Q Revo with self-empty station — $679.99 $899.99 (save $220)

• iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ with self-empty station — $699 $1,099.99 (save $400.99)

• Yeedi M12 Pro+ with self-empty station —  $799 $1,099 (save $300 with on-page coupon)

• Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni with self-empty station — $999.99 $1,499.99 (save $500)

• Roborock S8 Pro Ultra with self-empty station — $999.99 $1,599.99 (save $600)

SAVE $69.01: As of May 9, get a pair of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) for just $179.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 28%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) $179.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $69.01 Get Deal

Spring is a great time to head outside, walk around the block, and listen to some of your favorite songs. Maybe you want to get caught up on all the diss tracks rapper Kendrick Lamar has released with Drake in his sights. Or you might still be digesting Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Society. Whatever the case may be, make sure you have a great pair of headphones to do it with. You can get some excellent earbuds for less right now, as the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) are on sale for a price that's just a smidge away from their lowest price ever.

As of May 9, you can get a pair of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) for $179.99 at Amazon. That's $69.01 off their list price of $249 and a discount of 28%. You can also get these earbuds for the same price right now at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart.

SEE ALSO: The Beats Studio Buds are back down to their lowest price ever

These are the best AirPods on offer, and they come boasting fantastic active noise cancellation as well as overall great sound. Their support for spatial audio make them a superb choice for immersing yourself in your favorite songs, and they also offer Transparency Mode, which lets in outside noise for when you need to hear what's going on around you.

With four pairs of included silicone tips to help you find the right fit, a lengthy battery life, and a charging case for additional juice when you need it, you can't go wrong with these buds. If you're an Apple device user, you'll also love their seamless connectivity.

Mother's Day is coming up, so these AirPods could make a good last-minute gift, or you can get a pair for yourself. Whoever these AirPods are for, they'll be hearing their music in a whole new light.