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SAVE $300: As of Jan. 29, you can score an Apple MacBook Air, 15.3-inch (Apple M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) for just $999 (its lowest price) at Best Buy. That's a $300 discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15.3-inch (Apple M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $999 at Best Buy (save $300) Get DealIf you're on the hunt for a new laptop, we recommend sprinting to the nearest Best Buy to scoop up this deal on the Apple MacBook Air, 15.3-inch (Apple M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD).
As of Jan. 29, you can snag this top-notch laptop for just $999. That's the lowest price we've seen since last December and a $300 discount off the original listing price. This deal is so good that Amazon sold out almost immediately after publishing it. (Now, you can only find used, refurbished, or third-party listings at slightly higher prices.)
The Apple MacBook Air, 15.3-inch (Apple M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD), features a 16-core neural engine, a stunning Retina display, and an impressive battery life (up to 18 hours). It also has a 1080p FaceTime HD camera and a three-microphone array for crystal clear video calls and recordings, so you can stay connected with friends, family, and work colleagues without worrying about background noise.
This MacBook is so feature-packed that it made Mashable's East Coast tech editor Kimberly Gedeon ditch Windows for good.
"The 15-inch MacBook Air is a power-efficiency beast," writes Gedeon. "I got sick and tired of seeing the “battery low” errors on my Windows laptops, so I switched on over to macOS. After spending a month with the 15-inch MacBook Air, I’d recommend it in a heartbeat."
SAVE 25%: Normally $599, the Apple iPad Air (WiFi, 64GB) is on sale for $449.99 at Best Buy as of Jan. 29 — a $149.01 savings and its lowest price ever.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 10.9-inch (WiFi, 65GB) $449.99 at Best Buy (save $149.01) Get DealApple's iPad Air is reportedly poised for a spring hardware refresh involving the M3 chip and a second larger size, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Needless to say, those interested in upgrading should simply bide their time until it drops (supposedly in March). But if you're good with forgoing next-gen specs in favor of a great deal, head to Best Buy in the immediate future.
As of Jan. 29, the electronics store has the entry-level configuration of the current iPad Air marked down to just $449.99. (Meanwhile, it's completely sold out on Amazon.) That's 25% off its $599 MSRP — a savings of just under $150 — and its lowest price to date, trouncing its Black Friday 2023 deal by $50.
SEE ALSO: iPad Air, iPad Pro: The rumored release date window for the ‘biggest revamp ever’A 2022 release, this fifth-gen iPad Air is a lightweight tablet featuring Apple's M1 chip, a 10.9-inch Retina display, a 12MP rear camera that can capture 4K video, and a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage support; the base model comes with 64GB of storage and no cellular connectivity.
Mashable's Stan Schroder said it's "elegant, powerful, and versatile enough for both casual users and professionals," and noted that it sports "all the key features of the 11-inch iPad Pro." We wish it started with a bit more storage, but overall, it's nice enough to nab a Mashable's Choice Award and a spot on our list of the best tablets.
4 FOR $214 + FREE GIFT: Fun Factory's Anti-Valentine's Day sale is a four-for-$214 (plus a FREE gift) bundle featuring a range of their best-selling toys and accessories.
Opens in a new window Credit: Fun Factory Fun Factory Anti-Valentine's Day Sale 4 FOR $214 + FREE GIFT Get DealGerman sex toy manufacturer Fun Factory is promoting self-love and empowerment this Valentine's Day with an anti-Valentine's Day campaign. (It may sound counterintuitive, but hear us out.)
The message: "Fuck Valentine's Day. Fuck every day." Now, that's a statement we can get behind.
Instead of pushing the traditional narrative of romantic love, Fun Factory wants you to embrace self-pleasure by prioritizing self-care, self-exploration, and unapologetic self-indulgence.
SEE ALSO: The best sex toy deals to shop this weekTo help you get there, they're offering a four-for-$214 (plus a FREE gift) bundle featuring a range of their best-selling self-love toys and accessories, ensuring that you have everything you need to go fuck yourself this Valentine's Day and beyond. To be clear, this means you'll get three sex toys, one accessory, and a mystery gift for $214. That's basically a 45% discount.
Click the Valentine's Day tab and choose your experience: Going solo or partnered up. From there, you can start creating your kit. Each step of the bundle-building process is based on stimulation.
First, pick your power player:
VIM (featured in our best sex toys for women roundup)
Then, choose an enhancer:
Add an all-silicone essential:
Finish off with some fun accessories:
Boyslut by Zachary Zane
Shameless Sex by Amy Baldwin and April Lampert
Once you have an item from each category, the site will auto-apply the discount to your bundle at checkout.
Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs have made it to the end game. Following Sunday night's AFC Championship victory, the Chiefs are officially headed to the 2024 Super Bowl — and for Swifties, it's the start of something new.
SEE ALSO: Will Taylor Swift attend the Super Bowl? Tokyo 'Eras Tour' concert will complicate thingsTaylor Swift became a mainstay at Chiefs games back in September, and Sunday night was no exception. After clinching their Super Bowl spot, the tight end and the pop star celebrated on the field with a kiss, much to the delight of people with parasocial relationships everywhere.
Of course, fans had a lot to say.
SEE ALSO: Deepfakes of Taylor Swift have gone viral. How does this keep happening?Fans were quick to point out how packed the next two weeks are for the couple. Swift is set to perform at the Grammys next Sunday, then she kicks off the next leg of her international Eras Tour dates in Tokyo, and the next day is Super Bowl Sunday. Her jam-packed schedule led to much speculation about whether she'd make it from Tokyo to Las Vegas in time to cheer on Kelce.
One Swiftie wrote on X / Twitter, "The fact that Taylor actually has plenty of time to make it to the Super Bowl because her final Tokyo Dome show on The Eras Tour is the previous night AND she’s on the correct side of the international date line to arrive AND be rested is the closest I’ve felt to believing in god." Another said, "grammys > tokyo shows > superbowl is gonna be wild. my girl better be resting up in that private jet i’ll plant the trees for you queen."
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedOthers were less concerned about the logistics and more obsessed with what the couple represents.
Fans called the couple "the closest thing to American royalty" and their relationship "the plot of a rom com." Many likened the pair to High School Musical high school sweethearts Troy and Gabriella. An X user wrote, "Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce having the Grammys, the Eras Tour Tokyo and the SuperBowl all in one week is literally the plot of high school music but if Gabriella had a jet." Another posted the lyrics to Troy's most iconic song, "Get'cha Head in the Game."
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedHigh School Musical lyrics weren't the only verses shared in celebration. Fans pulled from Swift's extensive catalog to refashion lines to fit the moment.
Images of the pair celebrating the Chief's win on the field have been steadily circulating on social media with Swift lyrics as captions. There's "Flash forward and we're taking on the world together" from Speak Now; "Our secret moments in a crowded room" from Reputation; and Midnights' "Do I really have to tell you how he brought me back to life," to name a few.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedFearless hit "You Belong With Me" got its time in the spotlight as well as the images were reminiscent of the song's football-centric music video. One user referred to Swift as a "manifestation queen" for going from "on bleachers" to the field.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedAnd what does it mean that the Super Bowl date (Feb. 11) adds up to Swift's lucky number, 13? Whatever it may be Swifties are...ready for it.
It's almost new iPad season, reportedly.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a prominent Apple prognosticator, doubled down on a previous report, stating that Apple will launch new iPads by the end of March. Beyond that release window, Gurman added that this could be the "biggest revamp ever" for Apple's tablets.
SEE ALSO: iOS 17.4 code may have accidentally revealed new iPad Pro camera featureAs for what that specifically means, we have only a few crumbs of information to go on at this point. Gurman has said since last year that Apple is planning on making 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pros with new M3 chips, and for the first time, OLED displays. There may also be a new 10.9-inch iPad Air and a larger 12.9-inch Air, which would put it on par size-wise with the Pro. However, those will likely not have OLED displays.
We could also see the new iPad Pros ditch the current camera orientation (the front camera sits on top if you hold the iPad Pro vertically right now). Some stray code found in iOS 17.4 more or less confirms that Apple is planning on putting the front camera on the tablet's longer side so it'll be more conducive to video calls. We may also see a new Magic Keyboard accessory, per Gurman.
If you've been waiting for a new iPad upgrade, you may not have to wait much longer.
Here's the TL;DR: Taylor Swift can probably make it to the Super Bowl to watch her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, take on the San Francisco 49ers. It'll just take some effort.
Swift is scheduled to stop in Tokyo to perform her Eras Tour show from Feb. 7 through Feb. 10. The Super Bowl, meanwhile, is scheduled to take place Sunday, Feb. 11 in Las Vegas. It's roughly a 12 or 13 hour flight from Tokyo to Vegas, which would make you think it'll be hard to get to Vegas in time for the big game.
But now I'm going to do my best to explain time zones in writing.
Essentially, Tokyo is in the future compared to Las Vegas. It's 17 hours ahead. So, assuming Swift hops on a plane right after the show, she should actually be able to arrive in Vegas the night before the big game.
Tweet may have been deletedHowever, that is — in laymen's terms — a long-ass day. And there are often complications in traveling like bad weather, traffic getting to the airport, delays at the concert, etc.
SEE ALSO: TikTok convinced me I had seen the best of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour.' Until I saw it in theaters.But still, it seems likely Swift should be able to make it the Super Bowl. After all, she's been along for the ride with Kelce and the Chiefs for weeks now. At this point, if you're a Kansas City fan, you'd have to be worried the vibes would be off is she didn't attend the championship game.
SAVE $20: As of Jan. 29, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 noise-cancelling headphones are down to just $39.98 at Amazon instead of the usual $59.99. That's a savings of 33% and their lowest price to date.
Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Noise-Cancelling Headphones $39.98 at Amazon (save $20.01) Get DealLooking for a solid pair of travel headphones that won't break the bank? The Anker Soundcore Life Q20s are our favorite budget headphones for flying and they're down to a new all-time low price.
As of Jan. 29, you can snag a pair of Soundcore Life Q20 noise-cancelling headphones at Amazon for only $39.98 instead of $59.99. That's a savings of 33% and the lowest price we've seen on these bad boys. That price is only available on the black pair, however. If you prefer the blue or silver options, you'll have to pay a few more bucks. They're sitting at $43.99 at Amazon, down from $65.99 — that matches their previous all-time low.
You're not going to get top-quality noise cancellation on a budget pick like the Life Q20s, but that doesn't mean they're bad headphones. As Mashable's Bethany Allard wrote in our best noise-cancelling headphones roundup, "Overall, these headphones epitomize the word decent — but that's not a knock against them at all."
The built-in ANC can block out some background noise, but extreme highs and lows will most likely break through. But what it lacks in ANC power, it makes up for in actual power. With 40 hours of playtime in ANC mode and a comfortable fit, the Q20s make a superb flying companion.
The latest trailer for Ghostbuster: Frozen Empire is a parade of familiar faces.
Not only do we get the return of OG Ghostbusters Bill Murray, Dan Akyroyd, and Ernie Hudson — we also get more Slimer, a bunch of teeny tiny Stay Puft Marshmallow Men, and Annie Potts as Janine Melnitz (this time all suited up).
They've teamed up with the new generation of Ghostbusters from Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, and Mckenna Grace) to stop an icy new threat known as the Death Chill — described by Murray's Venkman as "tall, dark, and horny." As the streets of New York City freeze over in a second Ice Age, will these Ghostbusters, new and old, be able to save the day?
Looking back on the moment in time that The Greatest Night in Pop captures is a dizzying thing. Even in 1985, the recording of the single "We Are The World" was inexplicable. Out of nowhere, some of the biggest recording artists in contemporary American music were joined in a chorus for charity. Thinking back on the music video, the collection of famous faces seems like a fever dream more than a memory: Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Willie Nelson, Bette Midler, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, for some reason Dan Aykroyd, and many, many more.
They'd come together to create a fundraising single to fight famine in Africa, and they achieved awe-inspiring success in collaboration and philanthropy. But looking back, it feels even more impossible to imagine something so sincere and star-stuffed coming together at all.
The documentary The Greatest Night In Pop is fueled by this sense of awe. Director Bao Nguyen offers interviews from a long list of the single's contributors alongside behind-the-scenes footage that takes us into the recording session that was as stressful as it was surreal. The result is a documentary that is undeniably enchanting — even if willfully naive.
SEE ALSO: The 21 best music documentaries on Netflix Lionel Richie is The Greatest Night in Pop's MVP. Credit: NetflixLionel Richie, who serves as a talking head as well as a producer here, returns to the recording studio where they all convened on January 25, 1985. With the help of colleagues like Kenny Loggins, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Smokey Robinson, Sheila E., and Dionne Warwick, he constructs the incredible story of how the song came together.
Each of the interview subjects brings interesting perspectives and engaging anecdotes, many of them painting a picture of music producer Quincy Jones — who does not participate in the doc — as brilliant, patient, and inspiringly ambitious. But as Richie was involved with the single early on, co-writing it with Michael Jackson, he shoulders much of the story.
Far from having a Behind the Music vibe, The Greatest Night in Pop is not interested in the scandals and shocks that would come later in some of these musicians' careers. There will be no dramatic music stings as someone says something shady. No syrupy narrator will thread in foreboding or stoke drama from a vague comment. Nguyen keeps the story relatively focused and easy to watch by keeping to the topic at hand, with little to no interest in the future. This gives Richie the space to play storyteller comfortably; he regales us with details about what an eccentric Jackson was, busting out stories about how the King of Pop's animal menagerie became an unwelcome distraction during the writing phase. Aside from being a dynamic storyteller, Richie also proves a solid mimic. His impression of Jackson is as good as that of the large python who intruded on a brainstorming session.
The Greatest Night in Pop gives affable access. Huey Lewis, Quincy Jones, and Michael Jackson in "The Greatest Night in Pop." Credit: NetflixRichie is our charismatic tour guide through titular historical event, offering winsome stories and an attitude that we're being allowed beyond the velvet rope. In this space far from fans and paparazzi, the stars are not just glamorous — they're geeking out to meet their idols. Charming anecdotes and matching archival photographs are shared of artists exchanging their sheet music to be autographed like a high school yearbook. Several interviewees recall how in awe they were to be in the same room as the living legends on this track.
Here, Huey Lewis proves a standout, acknowledging that he was a relatively new kid on the block, drop-jawed to be in the same session as Billy Joel, Smokey Robinson, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings. His arc within the story is among the most satisfying, both sweet and grateful. Elsewhere, Springsteen has a great line trying to sum up Bob Dylan, whose folk stylings struggled in this group setting. Where technicians from that night give structure to how everything came together, talent like Dionne Warwick provides colorful commentary that is gleeful fun, as if told in a conspiratorial cackle over cocktails.
In general, these interviews paint The Greatest Night in Pop to be a magical moment where a bunch of big stars overcame their egos for the betterment of the world — in a time when that didn't earn derision. The film's joyful tone invites us to join in on the lovefest, though there is a frisson of drama that threatens to overshadow everything else.
Prince stands out by staying out of The Greatest Night in Pop.The closest the film gets to drama is Prince. Though the iconic artist chose not to participate in the event, the will-he-won't-he of it all becomes an intriguing theme. Specifically, the drama tangles around Sheila E., Prince's then-girlfriend and musical colleague as well as the Queen of Percussion. She was really excited to be involved with "We Are the World." However, in her interview, she recalls how the producers on the night of the recording repeatedly pushed her to call Prince and invite him to come. "The Glamorous Life" singer began to feel that she wasn't invited on her own merit, but only because of her famous lover. All these years later, that feeling of rejection clearly still stings as she hangs her head in her interview.
To Nguyen's credit, the documentarian does not dismiss Sheila E.'s experience, but he doesn't press the other producers and musicians on this point either. And so, Sheila E. is left to dangle on a sullen note. Though this arc does give the film a low moment, it doesn't so much detract from the overall enjoyment of the film. However, her story does push us to wonder about the other angles that are not explored — troublesome behavior that was laughed off or whispers that won’t be spoken of.
This is not the kind of documentary that digs particularly deep, looking for the dark corners of the shiny pop story. As its title suggests, The Greatest Night in Pop is a celebration, full of nostalgia for a supposedly simpler time when star power might sweetly combat the evils of the world. The final act notes cheerily how this single inspired benefit concerts like Farm Aid and Live Aid. So, this is propaganda for the power of pop music — popaganda, if you will. And sure, what the artists accomplished that night should be lauded, as they donated their time and talent to the greater good. On reflection, there's something uneasy in only calling upon participants to proclaim the night's greatness. But it’s something that won’t be explored in this documentary.
In the end, The Greatest Night In Pop is a good documentary for Netflix viewing. Fun and fluffy with famous faces, brisk pacing, and plenty of playful tales, it's something you could put on casually while folding laundry. And it is very satisfying on that front.
If you've been doing your usual mindless scrolling through your TikTok 'For You' page lately (I know I have), you may have seen some interesting accusations thrown Ariana Grande's way.
The drama all started last summer, when Ariana Grande was reported to be dating her Wicked co-star, actor and singer Ethan Slater. The problem online fans had: Ethan was just married to someone else, whom he'd recently had a kid with. With the release of her new song "yes, and?," the ire has only escalated. TikTok is up in arms, accusing Grande of having a thing (like, a kink) for pinching people's partners.
SEE ALSO: Why are so many people watching therapy porn?This is known as a "homewrecker kink," which is exactly how it sounds. It's when people are turned on by the thought or act of tempting people who are already in a committed relationship, and/or having sex with them.
We don't know that Grande has a homewrecker kink, and none of the rumours about her extramarital affairs have proven to be true, but they've spread so far and wide that Grande addresses them directly in "yes, and?" She gives a metaphorical middle finger to the conversations about her love and sex life online with the lyric, "Your business is yours and mine is mine, why do you care so much whose dick I ride?"
The song has not been received well by a lot of social media users, but Grande's message (that it's none of our business) is loud and clear.
Regardless of whether or not the singer-songwriter does have a thing for people in relationships, the discourse surrounding her relationship certainly says a lot about how we view these kinds of situations. So, speaking to sex and relationship therapists, we explored why these situations provoke such visceral reactions, why you're not actually a bad person if you fancy someone else's partner, and how a homewrecker kink (if you do have one) can be explored ethically.
Who is into the homewrecking kink and why?Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, who has a PhD in relational and sexual communication, tells Mashable that people may get off on sleeping with other people's partners, or the idea of it, because it's a taboo act, which can be "very exciting and sexually stimulating."
Gigi Engle, sex therapist, educator at LGBTQ+ dating app Taimi, and Mashable contributor, says that, for some people, a homewrecker kink also links to the appeal of "being so incredibly desired that someone would cheat on their partner for you, like they'd risk everything for you."
Suwinyattichaiporn says that homewrecking is a pretty niche kink. "There are some surveys that show a large number of people enjoy the act of infidelity, though. So that could potentially mean a lot more people are enjoying homewrecking, but they're not saying it," she tells Mashable.
Engle notes that her personal research shows it's mostly straight people engaging in homewrecker kinks, and there's "not much of it happening in queer communities."
"This isn't to say that [queer people] couldn't be involved, or within other communities, but heterosexual relationships seem to be where it's most prevalent," she adds.
This is possibly due to heteronormative scripting, which is very present in the way we talk about homewrecker kinks, according to Engle. Scripting refers to the ways we articulate cultural norms. For example, the ideas that men are supposed to be strong and unemotional and women should be nurturing are written into our cultural "script." This relates to homewrecking, and by extension homewrecker kinks, because the way we talk about cheating is very gendered. "Homewrecker" is an insult usually directed at women, while men are usually forgiven, and not as often accused of homewrecking on purpose.
Plus, gay, lesbian, and bisexual people are less likely, according to one study, to conform to gender roles in their lives, including archetypal ideas about marriage. They're also more likely to experiment with consensual non-monogamy, according to a study in The Journal of Bisexuality. So, it may just be that the danger of homewrecking is less of a big deal in these spaces.
A controversial fetishFor obvious reasons, people hold a lot of anger over the mere idea of homewrecker kinks existing, but Suwinyattichaiporn and Engle believe this anger is often misplaced.
"[Homewrecker kinks] go against the mainstream belief that the only valuable type of relationship is a monogamous long-term relationship of marriage. So, I can see why people who subscribe to that belief get super angry with homewrecker kinks," Suwinyattichaiporn says.
Gender roles also play a big part in this. Fearing other women and seeing them as competition is also built into women and girls' cultural scripting from a young age, and the idea that another woman could take your partner away from you is something we're told to not only fear, but manage by ourselves. Meanwhile, Engle notes that men are often forgiven for cheating, or expected to do it. Often, men cheating on women is seen as a failure on one of the women's part (his partner or the so-called homewrecker).
This turns into misplaced anger towards those who sleep with married people, especially women who sleep with heterosexual men, and what doesn't help is the deep-seated myth that those women are automatically bad people.
If you're someone with a homewrecker kink, Engle says it's important to understand that it does not make you a bad person. Cheating often, of course, involves lying and deceit so it's understandable that this desire to sleep with people in relationships would make people's stomachs uneasy.
SEE ALSO: Your TikTok feed may soon feature 30-minute videosHowever, it's not your fault who you're attracted to, nor is it your responsibility if someone who promised their partner (who you don't know) monogamy crosses that boundary with you. It's worth noting that, when it comes to heterosexual relationships specifically, women are consistently told through societal messaging that this is their problem; men are rarely at fault for cheating, instead it's the female partner's and the affair-partners' burden to bear.
The way we look at cheating, in general, is also often blown out of proportion and this leaks into the way we look at people — especially women — with homewrecker kinks. Engle says, "We put cheating on the same moral level as murder in society. If you cheat, you're considered to be the worst person in the whole world, and it's unfair."
She also believes this relates to wider conversations we've been having culturally about non-monogamy. Statistics from dating app Flirtini say half of men and one in three women are open to polyamory. Yet, a lot of people have received this rise in interest badly, with some social media users referring to polyamory as "allowing cheating to happen."
Engle says, "It's an unrealistic expectation for humans to only ever be attracted to one person, yet we act like you're a bad person if you're not," which is steeped in capitalist and heteronormative ideas — systems that suppress us and can really put a downer on our sexual exploration. With all of this in mind, it's no wonder some people with homewrecker kinks might find themselves internalising shame.
How to explore a homewrecker kink without the actual affairsIf you're concerned about exploring this kink because of the feelings that could get hurt, there are ways to play with it without actually getting involved in someone else's relationship.
Suwinyattichaiporn says that exploring connections with people who are in open relationships or polyamorous relationships could help explore a homewrecker kink, without the so-called homewrecking part. "Communicate up front that this is what you're into so they know, and if they're into the idea, you can pretend that it's an affair while you and their partners know that you're having sex," she explains. This way, no one gets hurt.
It does require some imagination though, so you'll need to pop your role play hat on. Engle recommends talking to your sexual partner about being interested in this kink and seeing if you can incorporate it through role play. "You could pretend the person you're sleeping with has a partner and that you don't want to get caught," she says.
She explains that there's all kinds of methods you can try to really make this convincing for you, like asking them to post pictures of them with another person on a fake dating profile you can match with, or talking about their fictional partner during sex. Try lines like, "Oh God, I hope your husband/wife/partner doesn't find out about this," to create some excitement.
"It's the same as any other role play. You both know that you're not actually doing the act, but it's fun to pretend and can be a huge turn on," Engle adds.
There are plenty of ways to explore homewrecker kinks ethically, and you need not be branded with a scarlet letter if you do choose to play with it the old fashioned way. Maybe we ought to change the name of the kink to clear that up.
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 29 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for January 29Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, Jan. 29, 2024:
AcrossLike hearts and diamondsThe answer is red.
The answer is adopt.
The answer is miner.
The answer is store.
The answer is rue.
The answer is rams.
The answer is edit.
The answer is donor.
The answer is Peru.
The answer is tree.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
For some, mowing the lawn is a leisurely pastime. For most of us, however, that's not the case. Or the lawn for that matter. Mowing the lawn sucks.
If you fall into that latter camp, a robot lawn mower may be the answer. It's a worthwhile investment that will make cutting the grass a wholly relaxing experience. Think of robot vacuums, like the ever-popular Roomba, but for the garden.
Deciding to invest in a robot lawn mower is easy. But choosing the right model for you is a job as arduous as pushing a petrol mower up an especially steep garden path. That’s why we’re here to help. Here’s some need-to-know robot mower info.
How do robot lawn mowers work?Robot mowers are battery-powered and, for the most part, run automatically based on a pre-programmed schedule, which the user sets up via an app. When they're not running, they sit safely docked in a charging port plugged into an outdoor outlet.
When it's time to mow, they cut your grass to a predetermined height and generate grass clippings so fine that they essentially become mulch. Whereas you’d take a traditional mower to the lawn when the grass gets a bit long, a robotic mower will usually run daily to cut just the top of your lawn and keep it at a set level. The cutting height options may vary model to model.
How do robot lawn mowers know where to cut?Robot mowers learn where to mow based on a perimeter wire, which you'll lay around the edges of your lawn to form a boundary. It’s like an invisible forcefield that the mower automatically detects. Setting up your perimeter wire can be a bit of a headache. In fact, the majority of negative user reviews involve the perimeter wire in some way. The companies featured in this roundup offer fairly comprehensive installation guides on YouTube in addition to the instructions in the package.
Robot mowers are an example of fairly new technology in the grand scheme of things, so the category still has a few kinks to work out. It's possible, for instance, that the mower will miss a spot or two and you'll need to go back over it with some clippers.
What features do robot lawn mowers offer?Consider at least three basic categories: garden size, hills, and budget. The mowers on this list are generally better suited to gardens under one acre. Each mower also lists the maximum incline it's able to climb while still achieving a successful cut. In general, you'll pay more if you want more ground covered and higher hills climbed.
Other things to keep in mind include integrated rain sensors, companion app quality, weather resistance, and GPS, which are addressed in the recommendations below. You might also want to consider the ability to navigate narrow passages, adjust to weather conditions, or the ability to cut to the edges or around tricky areas.
What is the best robot lawn mower?That will depend on your garden and gardening requirements. The decision has to be yours, but we recommend checking out this selection of impressive models from top brands like Flymo, Bosch, and Worx.
These are the best robot lawn mowers in 2024.
Apple's upcoming iOS 18, likely to be announced during the company's WWDC event in June, might be one of the biggest in the company's history.
This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who talked about the upcoming release in the subscribers-only portion of his newsletter (via 9to5Mac). He claims that iOS 18 is "seen within the company as one of the biggest iOS updates — if not the biggest — in the company’s history."
SEE ALSO: iOS 17.4 beta: 5 new features coming to iPhone, including Apple Podcasts transcriptsThe fact that Apple considers iOS 18 to be very important isn't new; Gurman himself wrote about it in November 2023, while also reporting that Apple then took the unusual step of pausing development of iOS 18 to focus on ironing out the bugs.
One thing that makes the upcoming version of Apple's mobile platform is probably the focus on generative AI. According to Gurman, this means a smarter Siri and far more AI integration into basic iOS features including Messages and Apple Music.
But Gurman now says that there's a "lot more" coming with iOS 18, although details on what, exactly, are absent.
Macrumors pointed out that Apple announced support for cross-platform messaging standard RCS on the iPhone sometime later in 2024, which might coincide with the launch of iOS 18. For users, RCS support means that Android users will have a better experience when exchanging messages with iPhone users, and vice versa.
In any case, with so much on the line, this year's WWDC will probably be exciting. Apple's developers-centered conference hasn't officially been announced yet, but it typically takes place in June.
"I like to manipulate the tears out of people with...sexiness."
You know when an interview features Paul Mescal saying a line like that it's going to be a banger, and the Chicken Shop Date above by no means disappoints.
Sitting opposite host Amelia Dimoldenberg, the All of Us Strangers star talks about everything from his newfound love of Guinness to his flirting techniques.
It's every bit as hilarious and awkward as we'd hope it would be.
If you love coffee, it's not a question of "do I need a coffee machine?" It’s a question of “which model?” Yes, coffee lovers seriously love coffee. This much we know. But buy the right coffee machine and you’ll fall in love with that as well.
That being said, it’s not easy buying a coffee machine. Coffee drinking is more than a pastime. It’s a whole subculture of specific tastes. Give it a quick google. The number of websites dedicated to coffee drinking will make your eyes spin like a double shot of espresso. There’s so much to get your head around before making an informed decision. That’s why we’re here to help with some need-to-know information.
So which coffee machine is right for you? It's the ultimate question of taste.
What types of coffee do coffee machines make?Between various styles and functions, coffee machines make pretty much any coffee you want — espresso, cappuccino, americano, lungo, latte, or straight-up black. The trick is choosing a machine that makes coffee exactly as you like it.
What are the different types of coffee machine?Whatever your taste or lifestyle, there’s a coffee machine for you:
Pod machines — Sometimes called capsule machines, these are automatic contraptions that make espresso, lungo, or ristretto coffee with the push of a button. They use pods, which are packed with perfectly measured ground coffee beans. Just stick the pod in the machine and push the button for delicious coffee. These machines are compact and affordable, and easy to use. Buying pods can mean ongoing costs, but there's a huge selection of flavours, blends, and strengths available.
Bean-to-cup machines — For those who like their coffee to feel a bit more authentic, the bean-to-cup machine is like having your own barista in the kitchen. Pop your beans in the grinder and adjust your settings. It works by blasting the beans with hot water to make a perfect cup of coffee. These are often bigger, pricier models.
Semi-automatic machines —The semi-automatic is somewhere between the above models. It gives you some control over the coffee-making process. It’s up to you to grind the coffee, load it up, and tamp. But once you press the button, it takes care of the pressure and temperature. You may also have some control over the water flow.
Keep these machines in mind when shopping, and you should be able to navigate your way to something that works for you.
What is bar pressure?It’s worth learning the jargon, or you’ll soon get blinded for coffee-based science. A bar is a metric unit of pressure — so a way to measure the amount of pressure you put on coffee beans. The higher the pressure, the faster the coffee is extracted. Serious bean-heads (AKA coffee experts) will tell you that 9 bars is the optimum pressure for espresso, for instance. Though some machines go all the way up to 19.
What is a milk frother?These are self-explanatory. It’s a little bonus contraption that froths up milk in just a few seconds, which you can add to your coffee for that more authentic coffee shop taste. It can be added to all types of coffee, from espresso and lungo to cappuccino and americano. Simple, yes. But the question is, does your new coffee machine come with a milk frother or do you need to buy one separately? Machines might come with a steam wand instead. These are a more traditional option. Simply add milk to a separate jug and then use the steam to froth up your milk.
What is the best coffee machine?We’ll leave that question up to you and your tastebuds. Not to mention whichever machine best suits your kitchen and lifestyle. All we’ve done is grind our way through the internet and filter out the very best options for you to consider.
These are the best coffee machines in 2024.
The spirals have been on an ongoing mystery in True Detective: Night Country, popping up on episode 2's frozen corpsicle as well as the roof of Clark's creepy trailer — and it looks like we'll be seeing more of them in episode 4.
In the one-minute teaser above we see the symbol carved on a small rock and daubed in what looks like blood on the wall of a dark room. The creepy closing words, as police chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and state trooper Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) stand facing something unseen in the middle of nowhere? "You're all in the night country now."
How to watch: True Detective airs Sunday nights on HBO/Max at 9 p.m ET/PT.
TL;DR: As of January 29, get the Poly Studio 4K Video System Speaker Bar on sale for $449.99 — usually $484.99.
We live in a whole new era of remote and hybrid work. Because of our incredible tech and digital access, we can easily collaborate virtually, which is a different playing field than years ago. This also means that having a reliable and high-quality video conferencing solution is essential. The Poly Studio 4K Video System Speaker Bar will cover your audio and video conferencing needs in one convenient low-profile package. And it's on sale for just $449.99 (reg. $484.99).
The Poly Studio Bar has a plug-and-play design. This means there's no need for complex installation time or technical expertise. You won't need the IT department to ensure your presentations, discussions, and collaborations are conveyed in clear 4K resolution right when you need it. The 120-degree field of view and digital zoom offers a way to include every detail of what you and your team are working on.
As far as the audio, the powerful stereo speakers offer clear sound, while the NoiseBlockAI technology works to intuitively block out unnecessary sound that could distract from your meeting. It also features a six-microphone array to ensure everyone's voice is heard loud and clear. Plus, an acoustic fence makes sure just the voices in a particular space are picked up.
This audio-video solution offers an easy-to-use professional meeting experience that can be relied on day in and day out. It is also compatible with nearly all platforms, including Skype and Microsoft Teams. It also comes with a remote, wall-mount kit, and table stand.
Give your virtual meetings a professional polish with this audio-video conferencing system.
Pick up the Poly Studio 4K Video System Speaker Bar while it's on sale for just $449.99 (reg. $484.99) for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Poly Poly Studio 4K Video System Speaker Bar $449.99 at the Mashable Shop Get DealTL;DR: The Lavisha Cashmere-Blend Shawl is price-dropped to $15.97 through February 4 — that's $34 off the regular price of $50.
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so it's time to start brainstorming what to get your partner or Galentine. Or, you can be your own Valentine this year — we love an excuse to treat yourself to something nice.
If the weather has been chilly, you or your valentine could benefit from a warm and elegant cashmere-wool blend shawl. This cold-weather accessory offers total comfort as it fashionably drapes over your shoulders and adds some spark to your ensemble — which could be exactly what you need to cocoon yourself in warmth during the winter months. Just be sure to order it by February 4 to receive it before Valentine’s Day.
Embrace the luxurious feel, warmth, and style of the Lavisha Cashmere-Blend Shawl this winter season. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, this six-foot long shawl comes with other great benefits. Its soft fringe adds a touch of sophistication to any outfit, making you stand out in style. Ideal for those with sensitive skin, the shawl is hypoallergenic, providing the wearer with a comfortable feel that won’t itch or irritate the skin. Moreover, it’s fade-resistant, preserving the bold red color of this cashmere-wool blend shawl over time (it also comes in other colors).
Act now to take advantage of the special pricing, and get this cashmere-wool blend shawl for just $15.97 (68% off) until 11:59 p.m. PT on February 4, with no coupon required.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lavisha Lavisha Cashmere-Blend Shawl (Multiple Colors) $15.97 in the Mashable Shop Get Deal
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