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If your world is feeling a little less colorful these days, it might be because the iconic Fruit Stripe gum has been discontinued.

Ferrara Candy Company quietly discontinued the colorful confection, which has been giving fans a burst of fruit flavor since 1969. The gum offered five fruit flavors, which admittedly all tasted the same. It was all about fun over flavor, though, with individual sticks stamped with matching colors and each pack with its own temporary tattoo of mascot Yipes the Zebra.

“We have made the difficult decision to sunset Fruit Stripe Gum, but consumers may still be able to find the product at select retailers nationwide,” a spokesperson said in a statement to news outlets.

It's been a staple of the checkout aisle for many, from childhood through adulthood, so this loss has left fans feeling understandably morose. As a result, the remaining packs of gum still available at select stores have been flying off the shelves, making the treat difficult and even somewhat impossible to find now that it's no more.

However, this is the internet, where you can find just about anything as long as you're willing to pay. So, for the sake of all Fruit Stripe fans out there, we asked the question: where can you still find a pack of Fruit Stripe gum online?

How to find Fruit Stripe gum online

Unfortunately, as of Jan. 11, it looks like there are little to no retailers currently selling what's left of the Fruit Stripe gum inventory. Ever since the news dropped that the brand would be discontinued, eager fans have been scooping up the remaining packs left and right. That means, right now, it's unavailable at big box retailers like Amazon and Walmart and even smaller candy stores, as even mom and pop online stores are seemingly completely bereft of the product.

While you can still find the gum available on eBay, the remaining listings at the moment are sparse, and we can't wholeheartedly recommend you spend over $100 on a pack of discontinued gum. Your best bet right now is to keep an eye out and keep searching some of the smaller retailers to see if the gum comes back in terms of stock that still needs to be sold, or look around stores in your area that you know to have stocked it previously. You may happen upon a few packs that people haven't yet purchased.

Fruit Stripe gum alternatives

Don't give up hope just yet. If you're looking for something to satisfy that Fruit Stripe craving, there are a few options you can buy right now to scratch that itch. While they obviously won't be the same, these fruity gums and candies still packed with flavor and should at least tide you over until you can find a coveted pack of your favorite gum.

• Juicy Fruit gum 10-pack — $18.43 $30.99 (save $12.56)

• PUR Jumbo gum — $4.49

• Original Chiclets gum (380 pieces) — $9.99

• Trident Pineapple Twist (12 packs) — $17.43

• Orbit Strawberry (12 packs) — $15.48

SAVE $95.88: Starting Jan. 24, T-Mobile customers on the Go5G Next plan will get Hulu (with ads) for no extra cost — that's a $7.99/month value (or $95.88 per year) for free. Hulu will join Netflix, Apple TV+, and MLB.tv in T-Mobile's stacked streaming suite.

Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile / Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free for T-Mobile Go5G Next customers (save $7.99/month) Get Deal

T-Mobile phone plans are the gifts that keep on giving — particularly the Go5G Next phone plan. If you have even the smallest gripe with your current mobile provider, T-Mobile is making a really convincing argument for switching. Currently, T-Mobile customers on the Go5G Next plan get Netflix, Apple TV, and MLB.tv for no extra cost. And this month, Hulu is joining the mix as well.

As of Jan. 24, T-Mobile Go5G Next customers will unlock Hulu's entire library without paying a cent. Usually $7.99 per month for the The Hulu with ads plan usually costs $7.99 per month, so Go5G Next customers will save $95.88 per year just for being a T-Mobile customer. Hulu joins the already stacked T-Mobile streaming suite alongside Apple TV+, Netflix, and MLB.tv, adding up to about $400 in savings per year. Ironically, the same day, Netflix access will be demoted to the standard with ads version for customers as well (bummer, but at least it's still free).

SEE ALSO: Top streaming deals in January: Get a free month of Paramount+ ahead of the Grammys and the big game next month

T-Mobile isn't the first provider to offer streaming services as a hook for customers. Similarly, Verizon debuted its streaming bundle last month, which includes Netflix and Max for $10 per month. Unlike Verizon, however, T-Mobile is offering these streamers for no extra cost.

"T-Mobile customers get the best value and the best entertainment streaming bundle in wireless — just for being customers, without having to pay a penny more,” wrote Mike Katz, T-Mobile's president of marketing and strategy.

Hulu is brimming with excellent content, including some of our favorite original series like Only Murders in the Building and The Bear, as well as gems like The Creator, Palm Springs, Rye Lane, and Infinity Pool. Not to mention, you can get your reality TV fix with its extensive library of shows like The Masked Singer, The Bachelor, Love Island (UK), and The Kardashians. While having to watch a few ads every hour isn't ideal, it's easier to overlook the intrusion when you're paying zero dollars for the streaming service.

CES brings cool tech products — and products that make you say "WTF" — to the forefront. One sextech highlight this year is the Oh!, a new vibrator from Norwegian tech company Ohdoki. The company made waves (or…jerks) at CES last year for its flagship product, an automated penis stroker called The Handy.

Oh!, however, is for people with vulvas, and resembles a TV remote. The toy uses "ResoTouch technology," according to Ohdoki's press release, which utilizes sound waves — not motors — to create vibrations. Sound waves can apparently "enable individuals to create their own vibrational patterns with more flexibility and customization," the release states.

SEE ALSO: CES 2024: This smart mirror doubles as a mindfulness coach

The vibe can sync with audio, video, and VR content using Bluetooth. It can also act as an actual remote(!) to control a Handy or another Oh! even from a different location. The Oh! website claims that no sign-ins are needed to do this, so you can be totally anonymous.

Former Mashable reporter Jess Joho warned against using Bluetooth sex toys back in 2020 because they didn't function that well (one reason being that water repels Bluetooth signals, and our bodies are mostly water). Since these Ohdoki toys are for external body use, though, perhaps you'd have better luck with them.

"We aim to empower individuals of all genders to elevate their intimate sexual experiences, as we all deserve to explore ourselves and find new levels of pleasure," said Ohdoki CEO and co-founder Jens Petter "JP" Wilhelmsen in the press release. "That's why I'm so excited to bring Oh! to market and create even more ways to elevate pleasure and joy."

"We've seen incredible positive feedback on our flagship product The Handy and have continued to learn from our community to innovate and create a vibrator for our vulva-owning customers like they've never experienced before," Wilhelmsen continued.

The Oh! will be available for purchase this spring on Ohdoki's website and Amazon. The pre-order price is $74.95, and will eventually double to $149.95.

For more big tech reveals from CES, here's Mashable's CES 2024 highlights.

Last week, people at Target nearly bloodied each other as they fought to get one of the new, special-edition Valentine's Day cups from Stanley, a company known for its TikTok-famous tumblers.

Stanley is a good tumbler. It keeps your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold, even in a burning car. But it isn't "commit an act of violence" good, and there are a lot of tumblers that do it better. So why are we so obsessed with them that we're willing to camp out in front of a Target to buy them in Cosmo pink?

SEE ALSO: The pink Starbucks x Stanley cup is going for $200 on eBay. Shop these dupes instead.

It's partly due to the scarcity effect, according to a New York Times piece on the phenomenon. The tumbler is a fashion item, and exclusive colors are only available for a short amount of time, making people more inclined to buy them when they drop. But TikTok is also a huge piece of the puzzle.

After gaining some attention from an Instagram blog, the Quencher, Stanley's 40-ounce tumbler, became the It-item on the app, with people showing off their collections of Stanley tumblers which take up entire walls in their homes and sharing affiliate links to accessories for their cups. If TikTok users didn't already have one before Christmas, they likely had it on their lists. And each tumbler is around $50, making them expensive for a cup but still attainable for most shoppers. 

SEE ALSO: Our favorite TikTokkers of 2023

The frenzy for the tumblers points to a sensation becoming all too popular on TikTok: The app makes us feel insecure and uncertain of ourselves, and those very insecurities and uncertainties are being exploited for spending power.

Spending to be seen

The Stanley tumbler has become a $50 status symbol, as the Wall Street Journal pointed out, usurping the status symbols of yore: Jimmy Choo shoes and Armani suits. It points to a rise in a centuries-old trend with a new twist fueled by social media: conspicuous consumption.

Conspicuous consumption — a term coined by economist Thorstein Veblen that describes the act of buying something specifically to show off your economic or social status — is not new, but is most often associated with the upper class who have an abundance of disposable income. It's like someone who isn't particularly interested in collecting watches spending thousands of dollars on a Rolex instead of a Timex that has the same functionality. And, as @resumeofficial on TikTok pointed out, "We as the middle class took [conspicuous consumption] and adjusted it" despite not having the same kind of privilege for spending.

Partially, this is because wealth inequality has moved us away from seeing luxury products as aspirational — and some of that aspiration was replaced by parasocial relationships that encourage us all to spend on anything the influencers we see own. Not all of them accumulate luxury products, but a lot of them have smaller in-demand items like Stanleys.

SEE ALSO: Were these 8 viral TikTok products worth the hype in 2023?

"Many parasocial relationships between online content creators and their audiences is based on aspiration," Ali Fazal, the Vice President of Marketing at GRIN, told Mashable. "Consumers have always been fascinated by the lifestyles of those they follow, but in 2024, instead of those subjects being athletes or major celebrities, they are often influencers and online content creators whose lifestyles seem more within reach. As a result, being able to share products, goods, or services that someone you aspire to be like also deepens the connection."

The Stanley tumbler was quietly advertised to you through TikTok, but not all of those videos were ads. Instead, a few influencers posted about liking them, and the trend snowballed. One study from Binus University showed that there is a direct link between TikTok usage and conspicuous consumption, fueled by a "bandwagon effect." As the Association for Consumer Research points out, "this effect is an attempt to 'keep up with the Joneses' in order to preserve one's self-esteem."

You're willing to spend $50 on a Stanley cup instead of $20 on a Hydro Flask, which tends to perform at a higher level with regards to keeping the temperature of your drink consistent, because of what it symbolizes. You want the Stanley so other people know you're in the know; you are in their same social status; you can afford to spend $50 on a cup; you are the hottest mom on the soccer field and the most desirable vet tech in the office. According to research from Lending Tree, nearly 40 percent of Americans have overspent on clothes, shoes, and accessories — like the Stanley tumbler — to impress others. And in 2022, social media apps made $11 billion from children and teens. The TikTok algorithm feeds us videos that make us feel uncertain and insecure in our lives, showing us something to buy to better fit in or fit a certain ideal.

Buying our way out of uncertainty

In a study in the National Library of Medicine, "The link between self-uncertainty and conspicuous consumption: Tolerance of uncertainty as a moderator," researchers found that people who are uncertain of themselves were more likely to engage in this kind of spending and that people who are less comfortable being uncertain about themselves are even more likely to engage in conspicuous consumption. 

While conspicuous consumption isn't new, the way we interact with it is. Fazal said that one of the more significant changes to conspicuous consumption has been that "consumer attention follows influencers now more than anyone else, and as a result, social networks are where this trend is displayed the most." We're no longer trying to fit in with our close-knit community — we're trying to fit in with a community of thousands of people online. TikTok is changing the way we think about ourselves, and how much money we're willing to spend to prove it.

SEE ALSO: Despite trend fatigue, these TikTok aesthetics ruled 2023

And these trends might be picking up speed. Urvashi Ajmera, senior strategist at digital agency Barbarian, told Digiday that TikTok Shop will transform the experience we have on social media even more than it already has. 

"More and more organic content will have the Shop feature, and you’d be scrolling through an infinite feed of shop and sponsored content," Ajmera said.

Social media will only get better at convincing us we need to spend money on stuff to fit in, enjoy life, or inch closer to morphing into our favorite influencer. And the trends will shift.

Now that Stanley tumblers are so popular, consumer trends analysts are predicting that we're all going to hate them soon — and the Stanley obsession will inevitably be replaced with something new that you'll be convinced to buy, too. The cycle always continues, but it's getting more difficult to determine what is being advertised to us and the real motivations behind our purchases.

Be careful what your mind does on social media; before you know it, you might reach for your wallet.

What's trickier: high-profile espionage or marriage?

That seems to be the question at the heart of Prime Video's Mr. and Mrs. Smith, a new take on the story that first debuted as a TV series in 1996, then as a 2005 film starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Created by Atlanta's Francesca Sloane and Donald Glover, the upcoming series stars Glover and Maya Erskine (PEN15) as lonely strangers John and Jane. They've each landed jobs at a glamorous spy agency, where they'll be posing as a married couple in order to attract less attention. But amidst all the high-profile missions, car chases, and explosions, could they develop real feelings for one another?

SEE ALSO: 38 TV shows we can't wait to see in 2024

The show's trailer teases this growing romance with shots of steamy kisses and confessions of love — all sandwiched between blowout arguments and awkward attempts to dispose of bodies. Oh, and the show promises an all-star cast too, with Paul Dano, Parker Posey, Wagner Moura, John Turturro, Ron Perlman, Michaela Coel, Alexander Skarsgård, Sharon Horgan, and Sarah Paulson.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith premieres Feb. 2 on Prime Video.

When a parent flips on the TV, it often affords them 30 minutes or more of relative silence. That's enough time to make dinner, fold a load of laundry, or quickly chat with a friend. TV makes achieving certain parenting goals possible.

Their kid often enjoys it, too. It's time spent in an imaginary world when, importantly, their parent isn't bugging them to put on their shoes or do homework.

But research increasingly suggests that too much TV at a young age may come with risks.

A study published this week in JAMA Pediatrics found an association between TV screen time and what's known as atypical sensory processing. This can include developing sensory-seeking behaviors, like obsessively watching a spinning object, as well as becoming slower to respond to stimuli, like hearing one's name called, and avoiding certain sensory experiences, such as resisting new foods and noisy environments.

Though the researchers did not study children with autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, such sensory processing difficulties can be common with both conditions.

SEE ALSO: What to know about an 'ADHD watch'

The study's association between screen time and atypical sensory processing builds on past research suggesting a similar link between TV-watching at a young age and language delay, attention problems, emotional dysregulation, brain findings, autism symptoms, and sleep problems.

However, there is no evidence that too much TV causes autism, ADHD, or other conditions. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not consider watching too much TV as a risk factor for autism.

Known risk factors for autism include advanced parental age, genetics, and very low birth weight. Genetics also plays a role in the development of ADHD; other potential risk factors for ADHD include environmental pollutants and premature delivery.

The study's lead author, Dr. Karen Heffler, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine, was drawn to this field of research after her own son was diagnosed with autism.

If TV-watching is a risk factor for atypical sensory processing, it is one that can potentially be changed, Heffler said.

"We want to empower parents, we want kids to develop to their potential," she added.

To better understand the role of TV screen time in your child's life, here are five things you should know about the subject:

1. What the guidelines say about screen time for young kids

Heffler strongly urges parents to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for media, which say to avoid digital media use for children younger than 18 to 24 months. The guidelines make an exception for video-chatting, which may be enriching and appropriately engaging when done with family members, for example.

When you do play digital media for toddlers between 18 to 24 months, the AAP recommends turning to high-quality programming and watching it together.

Children between the ages of 2 and 5 should be limited to one hour of high-quality programming per day, which you should also watch with them.

2. Research findings on risks of TV screen time

Heffler's study analyzed data reported between 2011 and 2014 by the parents of 1,471 babies and toddlers. The parents shared how frequently their children watched TV or DVDs. The parents weren't asked about mobile devices, since they were less prevalent at the time.

She and her co-authors found that for 1-year-olds, any TV screen exposure was associated with a doubled likelihood that they would go on to exhibit atypical sensory behaviors when they were nearly 3 years old compared to children with no screen time.

Toddlers between the ages of 18 and 24 months also had higher odds of a similar outcome, but not as marked as infants exposed to TV.

For every hour of TV screen time beyond no screen time at all, 18-month-olds were 23 percent more likely to display behaviors related to avoiding certain sensations and being less responsive to stimuli when they were older.

It's important to remember that while many young children have sensory processing differences, such as sensitivity to a specific noise, those reactions may be fleeting or short-lived. Heffler and her co-authors were specifically looking for atypical behavior in four distinct categories of sensory processing, including sensitivity and avoidance, as reported by the children's parents.

While it's unclear how TV exposure could affect sensory processing, Heffler said one possible explanation is that young children's brains aren't yet prepared to take in and process sensory features of TV, like lights, movement, and colors. It's also possible that TV displaces other behaviors and activities that contribute to typical processing development, like talking, babbling, cooing, playing, and being outside.

3. Does it matter if screen time involves television or a smartphone or tablet?

Heffler's study couldn't evaluate screen time that takes place on a smartphone or tablet, but she suspects that it could lead to similar results. Some research already indicates that screen time on mobile devices is associated with language delay and dysregulation for young children.

If anything, Heffler worries that exposure to screen time at young ages is far more pervasive than it was a decade ago, though more research on smartphone use among babies and toddlers is needed.

"The concern is that children have access to video through mobile devices at a much higher rate than they did even when the study was done," Heffler said.

4. Testing what happens when you reduce screen time for young kids

In her research, Heffler is exploring what happens when parents reduce screen time for young kids, particularly those with autism symptoms.

In the very limited research on the topic, there are glimmers of improvement for some children and their families.

In a pilot study Heffler published in 2022, nine children between the ages of 18 to 40 months old with an autism diagnosis had a history of watching an average of five hours of screen content per day. After their parents received educational information and one-on-one in-home support visits to help them replace screen time with social engagement, testing revealed significant improvements in core autism symptoms and reduced stress for parents.

Heffler said that parents who notice that their child's atypical sensory processing is interfering with their everyday routine could consider doing a trial run of turning off screens and integrating more social, sensory, and play activities to see if it leads to improvements.

Importantly, screen time is just one potential risk factor for atypical sensory processing; some families may reduce screen time and see little or no improvement.

5. Alternatives to TV screen time

Heffler understands just how pressed parents are for time, and that some may experience mental health challenges, like postpartum depression. She believes society should consider the needs of families so that parents can have more support as they raise young children, rather than putting them in a position where TV presents their one break between work and parenting.

Lori Frome, an early childhood interventionist who co-authored Heffler's 2022 pilot study, said parents who feel comfortable with reducing TV time can try various strategies.

That starts with removing the screens themselves, as much as possible. Some parents Frome has worked with have put TVs away or draped them with a blanket. Removing remotes, unplugging TVs, and placing phones and tablets out of reach (for both a child and a parent) can help, too.

Frome recommends that parents frequently involve their children in household routines instead of turning on the TV in order to get something done. Helping with dinner could be as simple as putting carrot sticks in a bowl or napkins on the table. As an alternative to screen time when a parent is present but not available, children can play in a nearby safe, closed-off environment with standard toys, like dolls, blocks, cups, and balls. Children might particularly enjoy toy characters or stuffies featured in their favorite movie or TV show.

But Heffler isn't expecting parents to perform miracles.

"We just hope that they can use this information to the best of their ability under their circumstances," Heffler said.

Halo Season 2 is coming and war is on the cards.

Paramount+ has dropped the trailer for the second season of the Xbox game-inspired TV series from showrunner David Wiener, with Master Chief John-117 (Pablo Schreiber) back to lead the Spartans against the dastardly Covenant. As the alien threat gathers to attack humanity (they do that), Master Chief has got to find the eponymous Halo to save the world — classic.

Natascha McElhone is back as Dr. Halsey alongside Jen Taylor, Bokeem Woodbine, Shabana Azmi, Natasha Culzac, Olive Gray, Yerin Ha, Bentley Kalu, Kate Kennedy, Charlie Murphy, and Danny Sapani, with a host of new cast members too.

Halo Season 2 will premiere the first two episodes globally on Feb. 8 on Paramount+.

A24 has defined its brand as a killer film studio, unleashing such critically heralded marvels as Ari Aster's menacing folk horror hit, Midsommar; Greta Gerwig's universally praised coming-of-age comedy, Lady Bird; and the Daniels' Oscar-winning action adventure, Everything Everywhere All at Once. As the studio expands into television — with edgy offerings like Beef, Euphoria, and The Curse – a venture into adult animation seemed almost inevitable. Where better to give a visual storyteller the space to spin a narrative where literally anything is possible? 

Though known for its big swings, Hazbin Hotel seems a safe bet. The animated musical-comedy series has been brewing its brand online through creator Vivienne Medrano's inventive teases, which boast 93 to 156 million views. Plus, co-producer Amazon Studios has an established stable of adult-aimed animated series, like Invincible, The Boys: Diabolical, and The Legend of Vox Machina. But can this perky pink cartoon show about sinners and singing thrive as a fleshed-out series? With Season 2 already confirmed, Season 1 has a lot to prove. 

What's Hazbin Hotel about?  Charlie is like the Disney Princess of hell. Credit: Prime Video

Imagine a halfway house for demons and the damned, a sort of purgatory with room service and a bartender who only knows how to serve drinks and tough love. That's the Hazbin Hotel, the passion project of the princess of hell, Charlie Morningstar (Erika Henningsen). Perky and relentless, this leggy blonde in a red tuxedo gives big theater kid energy as she makes her pitch to sinners and angels alike, advocating for rehabilitation over annihilation. 

You see, heaven's angels like to invade hell to wipe out the dastardly denizens to prevent overcrowding and ensure the golden gates can never be toppled. But if Charlie and her motley crew of hotel staff can change hearts and minds, maybe the damned can be redeemed and ascend? 

Hazbin Hotel struggles to find its footing.  Valentino is a pimp with guns. Credit: Prime Video

Creator Vivienne Medrano (through her online alias VivziePop) charted her course to this Prime Video series through a crowd-funded YouTube-released pilot, webcomics, and a sultry music video, each contributing to the construction of a promising fandom that could ensure the show's success. However, the first three episodes of Hazbin Hotel are unremarkable, at least to a newcomer not already besotted by hell's quirky characters. 

The first episode is weighed down by exposition, explaining not only Charlie's whole deal but also Medrano's revisionist version of Christian lore. The second episode builds on this, developing the rivalries between various demons, who deal in propaganda, prostitution, and drugs. And while jaunty song numbers like "Happy Day in Hell" serve to establish the weird world, full of temptation and deranged decadence, they play more Broadway than badass. 

The dialogue — thick with curse words — feels jarring, especially contrasted with an animation style that seems to be aping Disney XD. Indeed, it's easy to imagine Charlie popping up in shows like Gravity Falls, Amphibia, The Owl House, or Star vs. The Forces of Evil. The only thing that would clash would be her minimalist red/black/pink color scheme. And while Disney vibes plus dirty talk may be surprising, it's not satisfyingly subversive. Kids shows dealing in colonization, family skeletons, and queer characters finding love and themselves feel more thrilling and vital. But Hazbin Hotel flirts with turning things around in episode 4. 

Blake Roman and Keith David elevate Hazbin Hotel.  Blake Roman and Keith David, as Angel and Husk, sing a duet. Credit: Prime Video

The titular hotel is peopled by rowdy residents like surly sidekick Vaggie (Stephanie Beatriz), kinky maid Niffty (Kimiko Glenn), and the shit-talking Radio Demon (Amir Talai). But the standouts are provocative porn star Angel Dust (Blake Roman) and snarling bartender Husk (Keith David). In "Masquerade," both score the spotlight, inviting audiences into the enticingly dark side of this candy-colored series. 

Trapped in a deeply toxic relationship with his boss/beau Valentino (Joel Perez), Angel drops his swaggering facade to let loose with his pain with "Poison," a song that scorches, not only in context but also as a pop banger. Like Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, Paula Abdul, or even Olivia Rodrigo, Roman unleashes a dizzying blend of ecstasy and agony, perfectly bolstered by a montage of kinky sex acts, dance breaks, and moments of jolting fear. 

Here, the song number sensationally explores the inner workings of a character whose survival tool is playing the flirty fool. Then, Hazbin Hotel doubles down with a duet, wherein a spiraling Angel finds unexpected — but un-cuddly — comfort from Husk, who has denounced him as "fake." It's in these moments that Medrano's series transcends its aesthetic of cutesy meets crass. Keith David's deep, grumbly voice sings of loss, grounding the low point with bravado. Then he chimes, "You're a loser, baby!" And so is born a coarse chorus that plays like an anthem unhinged and cathartic. 

However, as the series is focused on Charlie, the most childish and cheery of the crew, I'm doubtful about how much more any daring emotional beats might probe. The very next episode, "Daddy Issues," brings in more characters, but little depth. Perhaps over the nine episodes of its first season, Hazbin Hotel will overcome its growing pains to strike a chord that feels unique, instead of a reaction to the cavalcade of hyperactive heroines who have come before. At present, Medrano's expansion of her online works is flashy but thin. 

Hazbin Hotel Season 1's first two episodes will debut with early access on the A24 app on Jan. 12 before hitting Prime Video on Jan. 18 at 8 p.m.

Mashable reporter Matt Binder takes a look at the Displace Mini. A 27-inch, wireless TV that can stick to just about anything.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for January 11 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for January 11

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024:

AcrossDream outfit, for short?

• The answer is PJs.

Sometimes it hurts

• The answer is truth.

Juliet's lover

• The answer is Romeo.

"My money would be ..."

• The answer is idbet.

Another name for our sun

• The answer is sol.

DownPokes

• The answer is prods.

Very large

• The answer is jumbo.

Material for New York City's Chrysler Building

• The answer is steel.

Three: Prefix

• The answer is tri.

Faucet that's marked with a "C" in Italy, somewhat confusingly

• The answer is hot.

In one of the films we can't wait to watch in 2024, the Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black has released an international teaser trailer.

From Nowhere Boy director Sam Taylor-Johnson and writer Matt Greenhalgh, the film stars Industry's Marisa Abela as the inimitable British singer. Back to Black follows Winehouse beginning her colossal career in London and New York in the 2000s, dealing with the press and a turbulent private life, charting her incredible rise to fame before her death in 2011.

The Crown's Lesley Manville plays Winehouse's grandmother Cynthia, with Jack O'Connell as her ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil, Eddie Marsan as her father Mitch, and Juliet Cowan as her mother Janis. And of course, Back to Black is brimming with a soundtrack of Winehouse's catalogue alongside music production by 1917 and The Power of the Dog's Nina Gold.

Before you watch the film, we can highly recommend watching Asif Kapadia's documentary Amy, which examines Winehouse's rise to fame and the events and people surrounding her death.

Back to Black hits cinemas in the UK and Ireland April. 12 and cinemas in the U.S. May 10.

Apple's Vision Pro is finally coming to the U.S., with pre-orders starting on Jan. 19 and in-store availability beginning two weeks later on Feb. 2.

The augmented reality headset (or spatial computer, as Apple likes to call it) is very expensive. At $3,499, it's far pricier than most VR headsets out there. But there's a way to try it out before you buy, or even pre-order, the Apple Vision Pro.

SEE ALSO: How many Apple products can you buy for one Vision Pro headset?

In an email sent to customers that subscribed to the mailing list with news on Vision Pro, Apple announced the availability of Apple Vision Pro demos at Apple Stores.

"Starting at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 2, we invite you to sign up for a demo of Apple Vision Pro at your local Apple Store. Demo times will be available Friday through the weekend on a first-come, first-served basis. We can’t wait to see you there," the email read.

There's a lot we don't know here. We can only assume that the demos will be available on a first come, first serve basis, and it sounds like you'll have to physically go to an Apple Store to sign up, though it may be possible to sign up for a demo online as well. The "8:00 a.m." time probably refers to local time. Finally, we don't really know what these demos will be like, or how long they'll last.

SEE ALSO: Apple says its new Vision Pro isn't VR or AR, it's 'spatial computing'

Still, this is good news for folks who are interested in demoing in Vision Pro. It's a pricy device, and trying it out before you dish out the eye-watering sum of three-and-a-half thousand dollars is probably a good idea.

As well as writing and starring in the new Mean Girls movie, Tina Fey was also heavily involved in the casting — and in the Tonight Show clip above, she tells Jimmy Fallon some roles were easier than others.

Fey says they knew they wanted Renée Rapp to reprise her Broadway role as Regina, and wanted to cast Avantika as Karen ("She's so gorgeous it's like, stupid," says Fey) — but Gretchen took a lot longer.

"I had one day where I was like, 'I'm going to go back and watch every single tape of every Gretchen that's come in," Fey explains. "So I spent a whole day watching all of them, and then I was like, 'This girl, I love this girl, Bebe Wood, she's perfect, she's Gretchen!' We hired her and then we went to look at her IMDb page, and then I realised that I had worked with her when she was 10 on 30 Rock."

On casting Christopher Briney as hearthrob Aaron, meanwhile, Fey explains that she herself can't process him that way — so she casually FaceTimed a group of her daughter's friends during a Zoom callback with Briney to get their approval.

Mean Girls opens in theaters Jan. 12.

TikTok is now TV-compatible, thanks to an update to Chromecast. At CES 2024, Google made the announcement that TikTok videos can be streamed on the big screen through its device.

Starting today, TikTok content can be cast to your television from your phone or laptop via any Chromecast device, whether that's a dongle or one that's built-in to your TV. All you need is your device and Chromecast to be connected to the same WiFi and the latest version of the TikTok app.

How to cast a TikTok video to your TV using Chromecast Total Time

• 2 mins

What You Need

• TikTop app (latest version)
• Chromecast
• smart TV
• WiFi connection

Step 1: Open the TikTok video you want to cast in the app.

Step 2: Tap "Share" in the lower right corner.

Step 3: Select "Cast" from the options.

It's in the bottom row between "Save video" and "Turn off captions".

Step 4: Select the Chromecast device you want to use.

Step 5: Enjoy your TikTok video on the big screen!

TikTok LIVE videos will also be able to be cast to the big screen soon. TikTok is the latest supported mobile app to join the Chromecast family, which includes over 3,000 apps.

SEE ALSO: 'Come with me on a first date.' The TikTokkers live-vlogging their love lives.

The tech giant also revealed more plans for Chromecast's expansion, like the fact that Chromecast will be built-in to more devices including the 2024 LG TV series. Later in the year, the feature will additionally work with LG Hospitality and Healthcare, so devices in hotels and hospitals will have the streaming option, too.

Google additionally announced that Fast Pair will be available for Google TV devices later this year. Fast Pair allows users to find and connect nearby Bluetooth accessories to devices, which means people can listen to TV via Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

For more big tech reveals, here's Mashable's CES 2024 highlights.

The Bear might be a show about family, but that doesn't mean it'll appeal to the whole family. Especially if the family member in question happens to be a very religious grandparent who doesn't like curse words.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Golden Globe winner Ayo Edebiri shared a video clip of her own grandmother sharing her (very honest) opinions on her granddaughter's show.

The good news? She loves the acting. The bad news? The swearing – illustrated by the many bleeps in the video – is "too much".

OpenAI launched its custom GPT Store on Wednesday, opening up user-created bots for customers.

The store makes its debut after a delay, originally intended to launch in November. The platform will allow people who have created their own chatbots to share them publicly.

SEE ALSO: 5 ways AI changed the internet in 2023

OpenAI says that users have already created 3 million custom versions of GPTs. Popular and trending GPTs will be featured weekly, across categories like DALL·E, writing, research, programming, education, and lifestyle. Only paying customers can make custom GPTs.

Tweet may have been deleted

Available GPTs include a coding tutor from Khan Academy, an AI guide to literature, and a creative writing coach by ChatGPT itself. The likes of Canva, WebPilot, and VEED have also presented their own GPTs.

The AI mammoth also announced its new ChatGPT plan aimed at smaller businesses. Called ChatGPT Team, the service will be open to teams of all sizes and will have GPTs "securely published" to workspaces.

Sophisticated political deepfakes have warped elections overseas. Can U.S. legislators act fast enough to make A.I. campaign ads more transparent?

New A.I. tools could enable a Silicon Valley dream: bots that customize learning for pupils. Prior attempts have not lived up to the hype.

When I first stumbled upon the Frenz Brainband AI sleep device at CES earlier this year, I was skeptical. Who wouldn't be? You're telling me this crown-like thingamajig can actually cure my insomnia — with AI and binaural beats?

Pfft, no way. Nope. I don't believe it.

However, Earable Neuroscience (the team behind Frenz) sent me a unit for me to test ahead of its CES 2024 showcase. And to my surprise, after using the Brainband for a month, my doubts were quieted.

However, there are still some flaws that need to be rectified before the product is truly ready for prime time.

Frenz Brainband price

The Brainband costs $520 via Amazon.

Along with the funky-looking, avant-garde crown, it ships with a charging cable.

At first, I thought the device was overpriced. However, I must take into account that the Frenz Brainband is very new to the market, so it's trying to appeal to early adopters who don't mind experimenting with fledgling tech. In time, as it grows in popularity, the price should drop.

Second, in my experience, the device actually works, so the question is, would I drop over $500 on a device that promises to improve my sleep? Hell, yeah.

If a wearable can cost $800 and do nothing for my sleep but track it (I'm lookin' at you Apple Watch Ultra 2), the Frenz Brainband's price is actually quite reasonable.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Frenz Brainband $520 Get Deal How does the Frenz Brainband work?

To give you a little background about myself, I suffer from insomnia. There are times I can't seem to fall asleep until 7 a.m. My mind is simply too busy; it's running a million miles per minute, and I can't make it stop.

The Frenz Brainband promises to help you wake up refreshed ... does it work? Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

I'm not new to sleep tech. For example, I've experimented with the Apollo Neuro, a wearable that, in part, claims to help lull you to sleep. In that review, I explained that it did absolutely nothing for me in terms of improving my slumber. I've tested smartwatches from Apple and Samsung. They track your sleep, but they're not designed to improve it.

The Frenz Brainband, on the other hand, does claim to enhance your sleep, ensuring that you knock out faster and deeper. And not only that, the Frenz Brainband promises to help you wake up refreshed — by using on-device machine-learning that offers personalized sleep and coaching programs. To put it succinctly, the Frenz Brainband relies on sensors to learn who you are and delivers science-backed audio and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) voice coaching that is customized for you.

What I love about the Frenz Brainband

There are pros and cons to every product I review, so first, let's start with what I appreciate about the Frenz Brainband.

Setup was easy

You must connect the Frenz Brainband to your phone via Bluetooth, which lets you interact with a companion app called "FRENZ sleep."

The companion app walks you seamlessly through setup. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The way that the companion app takes you through the setup process step-by-step is thoughtful — as if the Earable Neuroscience team anticipated every head-scratching thought that would plague n00bs during the onboarding journey.

There's a slideshow that walks you through how to wear the Brainband properly, how to connect it to your phone, how to turn off the band, and how binaural beats and voice coaching work in unison to deliver sleep magic.

Sensors detect seven different data points

One thing that shocked me about the Frenz Brainband is that it knows if I'm wearing it upside down. And get this — it can even detect whether you're sleeping on your back, your side, and other positions. How? It's got plenty of sensors that can detect the following:

• brain signals

• eye signals

• muscle signals

• motion detection

• oxygen levels (spO2)

• heart rate

• breathing/acoustic sounds

In collecting this data about you, the on-device machine-learning models determine which voice coaching and soothing audio to deliver to you before you sleep. The more you use it, the better it gets at "understanding" you.

The Brainband has sensors detecting a ton of data about how you sleep. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

If you're wondering about privacy, a Frenz rep assured me that all the data is stored locally, and the company does not have access to users' tracked information.

It actually works

I was initially baffled by this AI-powered brainband, and my expectations were low. I thought, "How is this going to work?" On top of that, I thought that even if it did work for some, it wasn't meant for me, because I don't like to sleep with noise. I like complete and utter silence.

I woke up in the morning — well-rested, mind you — and thought, "What just happened?" Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

However, I kept an open mind and gave it a go.

The tunes the AI selected for me sounded like meditation music — ethereal, soothing, and ambient. The voice coaching is reminiscent of any "AI voice" you'd hear in a sci-fi movie. It doesn't sound robotic, but "Siri-esque," if that makes sense. Still, I thought, "Come on; this won't help my insomnia!" Soon after, I woke up in the morning — well-rested, mind you — and thought, "What just happened?"

I sat up in my bed that morning, and at first, I thought something had gone wrong. I no longer heard music or voice coaching, but as it turns out, when the Brainband detects that you've fallen asleep, it ceases all sound. After falling asleep so quickly the first time I used it, I thought, "This must be a fluke."

However, I tried it again and again for a month, and each time I used it, I no longer laid on my back wondering when my mind would stop racing.

It's comfortable to wear (for me)

When I saw the Frenz Brainband, which looks like something straight out of Star Trek, I thought, "Would I feel comfortable wearing that?" As it turns out, it's made out of a material called thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) that feels very soft, durable, and pliable — and it's hypoallergenic, too.

Keep in mind that not everyone would agree. One of my coworkers tried it on and didn't find it pleasant to wear.

In-app activity tracking is awesome Get ready to find out a whole lot more about how you're sleeping. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Under the "Insights" tab in the companion app, you can get a wealth of information on your sleep:

• Total sleep time

• Sleep efficiency (measures your actual sleep time compared to your total time in bed)

• Time to fall asleep (the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep after getting into bed)

• Bedtime routine (the time you tend to sleep during the week)

• Wake up routine (the time you tend to wake up during the week)

• Average heart rate (it should be between 60 and 100)

• Blood-oxygen level (it should be between 95% and 100%)

It even picks up on your favorite sleep position! Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

It even tells you which sleeping position is your obvious favorite. I seem to prefer sleeping on my back or sleeping on my left in a fetal position.

What's "eh" about Frenz Brainband?

There are aspects about the Frenz Brainband that neither thrill me nor disappoint me; they're just there.

It uses bone conduction

You may be wondering, "If the Brainband wraps around your forehead, how can you hear the audio that emanates from it?" The AI sleep device uses bone conduction, which relies on the the user's skull to conduct sound to the ear, to get around this issue.

It may be difficult to hear sounds from the Brainband when sleeping in certain positions. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

In order to hear the Brainband emanate "full sound," there must be some pressure applied between the Brainband and your skull. This means it was difficult for me to hear sounds in certain positions, particularly while sleeping on my back. In this posture, most of the pressure is applied to the back of my head, where there isn't enough exposed skin for bone conduction to do its thing. Sleeping on my side, on the other hand, allowed me to hear the sounds in all their divine glory, thanks to my exposed temples.

It's worth noting, however, that according to a Frenz rep, you don't need to fully hear the voice coaching and ambient audio. Just hearing faint sounds from the voice coach and music should be enough to lull you to sleep.

The Smart Alarm feature is cool, but it can be a bother

I'm sure you've experienced moments when you're suddenly awakened by your phone alarm — and it feels like your soul was electrocuted out of slumber. It's an awful feeling.

Well, the Frenz Brainband has a feature that rectifies this issue. It's called "Smart Alarm," and it's designed to make sure you wake up during the most optimal moment during your sleep stages, so you're refreshed and ready to go.

I tried this feature, and it does, indeed, leave me feeling revitalized in the morning. My only gripe is that sometimes it will wake you up 10 minutes earlier than your target time. Still, I understand that sometimes that needs to be the case, because it's that moment that will bring you the most peaceful wakefulness.

You can't forget to charge it every night!

Considering that the Frenz Brainband is a relatively sleek device, the battery isn't half bad. It lasts about eight hours on a single charge. However, that means you have to remember to charge it every night before you go to bed.

What I don't like about Frenz Brainband

There's plenty I love about the Frenz Brainband, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have flaws.

I want a tighter fit

The Brainband wraps around my forehead with a clasp, but I wish it had some sort of mechanism to tighten the Brainband against my forehead for a more snug fit. This would help the sensors get a better read on my movements and sleep activity. At times, the Brainband shuts off the music and voice coaching prematurely, thinking I've fallen asleep, but I'm still awake.

Suspicious hypnosis

I don't love that the voice coach often starts off by telling users — somewhat hypnotically — that they should use Frenz AI continuously to get the best results.

The Frenz Brainband does have a few flaws, in my opinion. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

I understand this may be innocuous, but I can't help but get this nagging feeling that it's a subtle form of hypnosis.

Good for iOS, but not Android

When I tested the Frenz Brainband on my iPhone 15 Pro Max, it worked flawlessly. However, on Android, the companion app doesn't allow the AI to choose the audio and voice coaching on your behalf. It prompts the user to choose from a library for both categories, which takes away from the whole fun of a machine-learning model customizing an optimized sleep program for you.

According to a Frenz rep, this is something they're working on.

Final thoughts

I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Frenz Brainband does, indeed, help in lulling me to sleep.

It's difficult, however, to develop a habit of remembering to use it every night. On top of that, you have to make the effort to charge it every day, too. As such, the main challenge that Earable Neuroscience faces with the Frenz Brainband isn't the AI sleep device itself — it's consumer compliance. However, finding a way to increase battery life may help (if they ever come out with Frenz Brainband 2).

TL;DR: As of January 11, get The 2024 Java Programming Certification Bundle of courses for just $24.99 — a 94% discount.

Java may have been released in 1995, but it continues to be one of the most popular programming languages thanks to its flexibility and scalability, not to mention user-friendliness. Those looking to pivot to a career in software development can pick up Java without feeling intimidated, as it does away with sophisticated syntax. Even those without any prior coding background can find it easy to learn — but with the proper guidance, of course.

If you wish to learn the ins and outs of Java programming, this Java Programming Certification bundle offers seven courses and nearly 90 hours of expert-led instruction. Whether you want to develop a game or build an app for your business, this training is aimed at equipping you with the skills to create whatever you want with Java. Through January 14, it's on sale for $24.99.

All seven courses are taught by Packt Publishing, an e-learning provider for IT professionals. Regardless of your skill level, this training collection will help you gain proficiency in Java and teach you how to utilize it to engineer various digital projects. Aside from theoretical lessons, you'll enjoy hands-on learning by embarking on practical tests to test your new skills. You can expect to learn how to write both simple and complex programs, create production-ready apps, build APIs, and more. While you'll be gaining technical skills, you'll also get to beef up your logical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving prowess through these courses.

Make 2024 the year to explore a career in tech. You can start by learning Java with this training, which is on sale for only $24.99 until January 14, 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Packt Publishing The 2024 Java Programming Certification Bundle $24.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal