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"Have you ever thought, 'I'm killing cinema'?"
That's the question that third assistant director Dag (Lolly Adefope) asks first assistant director Daniel (Himesh Patel) while working on fictional superhero flick Tecto: Eye of the Storm.
SEE ALSO: 40 shows we can't wait to see this fallIt's a question that's been asked of a lot of comic book movies lately, especially with superhero fatigue setting in and filmmaking legends like Martin Scorsese questioning their merit. It's also the question at the heart of The Franchise, a new HBO comedy from Succession writer and Veep producer Jon Brown. Veep and The Thick of It creator Armando Iannucci and Skyfall and 1917 director Sam Mendes also serve as producers, with Mendes directing the first episode.
The Franchise answers the question of whether superhero films are killing cinema with a resounding yes right off the bat, sending up everything from convoluted cinematic universes to gratuitous cameos. But beyond simply pointing a finger and laughing at superhero films, The Franchise doesn't really have that much to say, and it falters as a result.
What's The Franchise about? Richard E. Grant, Katherine Waterston, and Billy Magnussen in "The Franchise." Credit: Colin Hutton / HBOThe Franchise transports us to the chaotic set of Tecto, the latest project from not-so-subtle Marvel stand-in Maximum Studios. While production is already well underway, the shoot is anything but smooth. Director Eric (Daniel Brühl) is a pretentious auteur, lead actors Adam (Billy Magnussen) and Peter (Richard E. Grant) are at each other's throats, and producer Anita (Aya Cash) is ready to enact some harsh cost-cutting strategies. Plus, there's the worrying matter that overbearing higher-ups from Maxmium Studios, like exec Pat (Darren Goldstein) and Kevin Feige-esque overlord Shane, who only communicates via proxy Bryson (Isaac Powell), are losing faith in the project. It's up to Daniel and the newly arrived Dag to put out all these (sometimes literal) fires and keep Tecto afloat.
The promise of The Franchise is most evident in its ambitious opening, a long take that follows Daniel as he shows Dag around set on her first day. He juggles everything from actors worried about their heavy prosthetics to Peter's attempts at a problematic joke, cleverly preempting the latter six seconds ahead of time. It's the perfect portrait of controlled chaos, as well as a solid introduction to the world of blue screens and superhero spandex we'll be inhabiting for eight episodes. But from there, the laughs come in fits and starts. So does the satire, which you'd expect to excel given all the Veep connections behind the scenes.
SEE ALSO: 'Joker: Folie à Deux' review: A middle finger to fans of Lady Gaga, the DC movies, and musicals The Franchise's satire is lackluster. Himesh Patel, Isaac Powell, Lolly Adefope, Jessica Hynes, Aya Cash, and Daniel Brühl in "The Franchise." Credit: Colin Hutton / HBOThe Veep comparison hangs heavy over The Franchise, which attempts some of the same tricks but with far less rewarding results. At first, Eric's dynamic with his too-eager right-hand woman Steph (Jessica Hynes) feels like an attempt at recreating the dynamic between Veep's Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and her bag man, Gary (Tony Hale). But there's no depth or background to their relationship, no layers to Steph's coddling of her charge. Elsewhere, a scene where Steph advises Eric to let out all his swearing before directing elicits memorable results in creative expletives like "cocktangle" and "fuckclump," but even these feel like reheated leftovers of Veep and The Thick of It's greatest hits.
In terms of actual satire, The Franchise is haunted by shades of other shows that have parodied the superhero filmmaking industrial complex better in the past. Barry's cameo from CODA writer/director Sian Heder as a new franchise director was a solid send up of award-winning filmmakers getting looped into comic book movies so the studio can accrue prestige points. The Boys' many references to comic book movies and shows — including A-Train's (Jessie T. Usher) extremely expensive TV shows reshoots — prove a consistently sharp spot in a show that's otherwise losing its edge. The Franchise is going to have to do better than a laundry list of superhero film-related buzzwords in order to keep up. Mentions of "phases" and exploited VFX workers can only do so much.
SEE ALSO: 'The Penguin' review: Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti deliver the goods in Gotham crime dramaPart of what makes The Franchise's take on comic book movies so ineffective is its clear disdain for them. Many of its critiques — including Maximum's "woman problem" and its fans' treatment of women involved in the films — are valid, albeit fairly surface level. And yes, the comic book movie's grip on pop culture is ripe for parody and deserving of closer inspection. But the show is overall devoid of any understanding of why these kinds of franchises may have resonated in the first place, or why they're so much more disappointing now than they were five years ago, during the era of Avengers: Endgame. Since no character is coming at the project from a place of care — apart from Daniel, who we're told loved the original Tecto comics but whose love has been ground down by years of thankless work in service to show business — we're trapped in a mire of smug cynicism, that of someone who's always stood outside the world they're making fun of, without bothering to take a closer look.
The Franchise could have been so much more. Himesh Patel in "The Franchise." Credit: Colin Hutton / HBOThankfully, The Franchise is not without its high points. Grant's performance as a trained theater actor who can't stop being problematic and who considers Tecto beneath him is uproarious. (Doubly so when you remember Grant guest-starred in Loki as Classic Loki.) Magnussen's Adam, whose brawn is matched only by his many insecurities, makes an excellent foil for Grant's archness. Brühl, himself a veteran of the MCU as Baron Zemo, is also having a blast; he's part jittery director plagued with imposter syndrome and part diva. It's a shame, then, that the rest of the more-than-capable ensemble, like Patel, Adefope, Cash, and Hynes, are stuck playing varying shades of stress and contempt.
Another highlight of The Franchise comes as the credits roll, when we catch glimpses of dramatized behind-the-scenes interviews with various cast and crew. Here, the actors like Peter and Adam try especially hard to keep up the facade that all is well, despite being mere inches from cracking. The comedic tension there is infinitely more rewarding than just being shoved into Tecto's chaos all the time, and you can't help but wonder whether The Franchise might have benefited from a larger behind-the-scenes documentary-style format. The show that we got, in the end, remains less than super.
The Franchise premieres Oct. 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max, with a new episode every Sunday.
TL;DR: Wake up to a fully charged iPhone every morning with the Speedy Mag Wireless Charger, on sale for $34.97 ($119.95) through October 27.
Opens in a new window Credit: Electronic Avenue Speedy Mag Wireless Charger for iPhone (Blue) $34.97Tire of that ominous glow of a red low battery signal? Get a Speedy Mag Wireless Charger for your iPhone for just $34.97 (reg. $119.95). That's 70% off.
Here's what you get with this fast, slim charger that sticks right to your iPhone:
Optimized for iPhone 12 and newer, delivering fast wireless charging while you sleep
Slim, sleek design that seamlessly blends into your bedroom decor
Built-in safety features like overheat protection and short circuit prevention ensure a worry-free night’s sleep
Strong magnetic alignment keeps your phone securely in place throughout the night
Charges through most phone cases, so you don’t have to remove your case every time
USB-C charging cable included for quick setup right out of the box
Make your nightstand smarter — grab the Speedy Mag Wireless Charger today for your iPhone for just $34.97 until October 27 and never wake up to a dead phone again.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Zoom in on life’s tiny details with a portable handheld LCD microscope with 4-inch screen on sale for $69.97 (reg. $100) through October 27.
Opens in a new window Credit: Mesay Portable Handheld Pocket LCD Microscope with 4-inch Screen $69.97 at Mashable ShopRemember the days when you’d spend hours outside, fascinated by the tiny creatures crawling in the grass or the intricate details of leaves? That sense of wonder doesn’t have to disappear just because we’re adults now.
With a portable handheld LCD microscope on sale for $69.97 (reg. $100), you can rediscover the magic of the microscopic world — all without leaving your backyard.
Featuring a 4-inch LCD screen and magnification up to 1200x, this little device transforms everyday objects into something extraordinary. Imagine zooming in on the veins of a leaf, the details of a pebble, or even the textures of your favorite fabric. You’ll see the world in a whole new way, and it might be even more fascinating now than when you were a kid — or you can give one to your child and watch their eyes widen with fascination, too.
It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to carry — perfect for taking on nature walks, beach days, or even just exploring your own garden. Whether you’re sharing it with your kids to spark their curiosity or using it for your own nostalgic thrills, this microscope is your ticket to exploring the hidden wonders of the world.
This fun, educational tool is great for anyone with a curious mind.
Through October 27, you can get this Portable Handheld Pocket LCD Microscope with a 4" screen on sale for $69.97 (reg. $100).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: The Ottocast wireless CarPlay adapter is on sale for only $44.97 (reg. $89.99) through October 27.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ottocast Ottocast U2-Air Wireless CarPlay Adapter 2022 Edition $44.97Ready to make your driving experience smoother, faster, and wireless? Say goodbye to tangled cords and hello to the Ottocast CarPlay Adapter.
For just $44.97 (reg. $89.99) through October 27, this nifty new, open-box device transforms your wired CarPlay into a wireless experience in as little as seven seconds. Simply plug it in, and you’re good to go — no complicated setups, no jumble of messy wires. The adapter automatically connects to your iPhone as soon as you start your car, making it a proper plug-and-play solution for seamless, wireless Apple CarPlay.
Enjoy a stable and lightning-fast connection with the adapter’s 5G WiFi module. It helps ensure your music, navigation, and calls stay uninterrupted while you’re on the go. It’s designed to keep up with your busy life, making sure you stay connected without the hassle.
There's no need to change a thing in your car. The Ottocast is fully compatible with your vehicle’s touchscreen, steering wheel controls, voice commands, and even the control knobs. It’s a seamless integration that feels just like factory-installed wireless CarPlay.
The sleek, modern design won’t clutter your dashboard — it’s compact enough to blend right in. Plus, it comes with both USB Type-A to C and Type-C to C cables, making it a perfect fit for over 800 vehicles, and is compatible with factory-wired CarPlay in cars from model year 2016 to 2024.
New, open-box items are typically excess inventory from store shelves. This means you're still getting a new item, but just at a lower price.
The Ottocast US-Air wireless CarPlay adapter is on sale for only $44.97 (reg. $89) through October 27.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Get a lifetime device license for the 2019 Windows version of Microsoft Office for just $24.97 until Oct. 27 at the Mashable Shop — no subscriptions, just productivity.
Whether you love them or merely tolerate them, Microsoft software like Word and Excel are essential for workplace productivity.
And with this Microsoft Office deal at the Mashable Shop, you can get the whole Office suite for $24.97 (reg. $229). While this is a slightly older version of the suite, it's hard to argue with a sub-$25 price tag.
Lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access for one device
Features a modern, easy-to-use interface along with cloud connectivity, regular updates, and 24/7 customer service
Great option for remote workers or students who need access to MS Office productivity tools for essays, presentations, email access, and more — no recurring fees ever
After purchase, be sure to redeem code within seven days
Can be installed on devices running Windows 10 or 11 (not supported on Windows 7 or 8)
Again, until Oct. 27, you can score a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows on sale for $24.97. Never pay for an Office subscription again.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows $24.97 at the Mashable ShopTL;DR: On sale for $514.99 (reg. $1,499), you can own a "Grade A" refurbished M1 MacBook Air that’s good for your budget and the planet.
Looking to upgrade your tech without draining your bank account or adding to e-waste? A refurbished M1 MacBook Air (2020), currently marked down 65% to $514.99, could be the answer to all your eco-friendly, budget-saving dreams. This isn't just about owning a sleek Apple device; it’s about making a choice that’s good for you and the planet. After all, why buy new when you can save money and help reduce waste with a high-quality refurbished model?
The M1 MacBook Air is a legendary laptop. It was so well-designed that it was showing up in Mashable's best laptop guides four years after its launch. With Apple’s powerful M1 chip under the hood, this MacBook Air is more than just good looks. It handles everything from streaming and editing to multitasking like a champ. Plus, it’s so lightweight, you can easily toss it into your bag without feeling weighed down. This is the laptop you’ll be proud to bring to the coffee shop, work remotely, or simply flex at home — all while knowing you’ve made a sustainable choice.
Score a great deal on a powerful MacBook without that “new” price tag. You still get all the Apple cred and performance, but you’re saving cash and cutting down on waste by giving a refurbished device a second life. It’s a win-win. And with an "A" refurbished rating, you might not even notice it's been used before.
So, why not save the planet (and some money) with this refurbished 2020 MacBook Air? You’ll be doing good while looking good.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple M1 MacBook Air 13.3" (2020, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Space Gray) $514.99 at the Mashable ShopTeens and parents alike may consider themselves familiar with classic signs of online grooming. For victims, that includes withdrawing from friends and family, becoming secretive about online activity, and sharing explicit images of themselves.
But predators are so skilled at deceiving their victims that signs of online grooming can actually be subtle and hard to detect, says Lauren Coffren, executive director of the exploited children division at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
In fact, when grooming takes place over a period of time, the dynamic can look much like any other friendship in the beginning, filled with conversations about mutual interests.
But another type of grooming, known as financial sextortion, can happen within hours and minutes, which prevents victims and their parents from picking up on the traditional or obvious warning signs. In these cases, predators may pose as a peer and send nude or explicit pictures to their victim, which is not uncommon for teens.
"These bad actors are really good at what they do," Coffren says. "They figured out these tactics of how to trick kids."
SEE ALSO: Why teens are telling strangers their secrets online Signs of grooming you might miss1. The child is receiving a lot of compliments from a new friend.
Predators often earn a child's trust by complimenting them, says Coffren. They may have taken note of the child's interests or likes and dislikes, as indicated by their social media activity. Then they'll flatter the child by remarking on their good taste.
Compliments may also be based on the child's personality traits, such as their sense of humor or intelligence. Such remarks are designed to break down a child's defenses, and they may be particularly effective when a child already craves validation.
Parents might feel thrilled that their child is talking to someone online who appears to genuinely like them, but the new contact may have a predatory motive. It's important that parents have ongoing conversations with their child about the nature and frequency of online interactions that involve compliments and flattery.
2. The new friend is engaging your child's interests.
Predators can skillfully talk to children about their hobbies and passions, including gaming, music, sports, and pop culture, Coffren says. They build trust with a victim by being curious about and sharing those interests.
Again, this dynamic is something that parents typically embrace for their children when it involves trusted friends. But online, that new connection could be anyone, unless that person legitimately belongs to a child's broader in-person social circle.
If a child is excited by a new online relationship in which shared interests play a key role, parents should remain aware of how that continues to develop. While it could be an authentic peer-to-peer relationship that's fulfilling for both children, predators know how to make it hard for a child to know the difference between that and a bond based on deceit.
3. Their relationship looks like a friendship—with some differences.
Coffren says that traditional online grooming will often look like a typical friendship until the predator's behavior slowly starts to escalate. They might offer the victim gift cards, in-game currency, or other presents to appear generous and supportive. A young recipient will likely consider themselves lucky, not manipulated.
Escalation can also involve riskier chat topics, such as sexual interests. For a teen who wants to feel mature, or who is curious about their own sexuality, these conversations can feel like a step toward adulthood. Unfortunately, predators will ultimately take advantage of this.
Coffren says threats toward the child may follow soon after these exchanges. A predator will often threaten to share screenshots of the chats if the victim doesn't continue to talk to them, or if they refuse to share explicit imagery of themselves.
Coffren urges parents to regularly talk to their kids about what healthy relationships and boundaries look like so that they understand the potential implications of behaviors like gift-giving and riskier chats online. Parents should also discuss what a child can do if they're being targeted by a predator, which can include telling a trusted adult and blocking and reporting that account.
In general, she warns parents of the dangers related to children talking to any strangers online, given how swiftly exploitation can happen. To learn more about what online grooming looks like, and how to discuss it with children, Coffren recommends NCMEC's comprehensive resources on the topic.
Most importantly, Coffren advises parents to be unequivocally supportive of a child who shares that they've become a victim of online grooming.
"We put all of this pressure on children to be able to say, 'Never put yourself in that position,' instead of saying, 'OK, if you find yourself in that position, here's the steps you can do to be able to get out,'" Coffren says.
If you are a child being sexually exploited online, or you know a child who is being sexually exploited online, or you witnessed exploitation of a child occur online, you can report it to the CyberTipline, which is operated by the National Center for Missing Exploited & Children.
TL;DR: Live stream Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams for free on 7plus. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The NFL action continues today with a showdown between teams from NFC North and NFC West, with the Green Bay Packers at the Los Angeles Rams.
Both teams have had patchy starts to the season. The Packers have alternated wins and losses over the first four weeks and took a hit when quarterback Jordan Love injured his MCL — but he was back in a loss against the Vikings and will look to secure the Packers' second win on the road so far this season.
The Rams, meanwhile, have struggled to get going this season but will have the edge on home turf. Their only win came at SoFi — against the 49ers, no less.
If you're interested in watching Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Packers vs. Rams?Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams starts at 4:25 p.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at the SoFi Stadium.
How to watch Packers vs. Rams for freeGreen Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams is available to live stream for free on 7plus.
7plus is an Australian streaming site that's geo-restricted to viewers in the country. But anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy online tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) while connecting you to a secure server based in Australia. That will allow you to bypass geo-restrictions to access 7plus from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia
Visit 7plus
Live stream Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not technically free, but top VPN providers usually offer free trial periods or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without parting with any cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it will give you enough time to watch Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams and other select NFL games before recovering any upfront investment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, which saves you 49% off the regular price. As part of this limited-time deal you'll also get an extra three months of coverage at no additional cost, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup for free, and a money-back guarantee within 30 days.
Live stream Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
As we enter Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season, the New York Giants are about to visit the Seattle Seahawks in a clash between AFC East and NFC West.
The Seahawks are looking good so far, having won in the first three weeks of games. They dropped a game against the Detroit Lions last week but still have the edge over the Giants, who have only managed a single win so far and lost three.
But there's a long way to go in the season. It's still all to play for — and you can stream the Sunday football action for free.
If you want to watch New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks for free from anywhere around the world, here's all the information you need.
When is Giants vs. Seahawks?New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks starts at 4.25 p.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
How to watch Giants vs. Seahawks for freeNew York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.
TVNZ+ is a New Zealand-based streaming site that's geo-blocked outside of the country. However, you still can access this free streaming platform from anywhere around the world by signing up for a VPN. A VPN is a useful online tool that will hide your real IP address (digital location) while also connecting you to a secure server in New Zealand. This will allow you to sidestep geo-restrictions and access TVNZ+ no matter where you're based.
Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand
Visit TVNZ+
Live stream New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not actually free themselves, but the leading VPN services will usually offer free trial periods or money-back guarantee deals. Take advantage of this to access free live streams of the NFL without spending anything. It's obviously not a long-term solution, but it will give you enough time to watch New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks before recovering any initial downpayment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, which is a huge saving of 49% on the regular price. Within this limited-time deal you'll also receive a bonus three months at no extra cost, a full year of unlimited cloud backup, and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Giants vs. Seahawks for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The NFL is back in London, but anyone from around the world can watch the New York Jets take on the Minnesota Vikings without spending anything. There's a quick and easy hack that can provide access to a free live stream of this exciting fixture, and we're not talking about those dodgy streams that leave your system exposed to the worst of the web.
If you're interested in watching New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Jets vs. Vikings?New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings starts at 9:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
How to watch Jets vs. Vikings for freeNew York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings is available to live stream for free on ITVX.
ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ITVX from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Live stream New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. This is obviously a quick fix, but it gives you enough time to watch New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, saving you 49% on list price. With this limited-time deal you'll also get an extra three months of coverage, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee for free.
Live stream New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
It's Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season, with the Baltimore Ravens visiting the Cincinnati Bengals for AFC North action. On paper this looks like a win for the Ravens, but as the saying goes in football: Any team can win or lose on any given Sunday.
The Ravens are tipped as one of the favorites for the Super Bowl, but between the regular season and playoffs there's a long way to go. So far they're 2-2, having dropped games to the Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Las Vegas Raiders. The Bengals, meanwhile, have scored just a single win so far.
If you want to watch Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals for free from anywhere around the world, here's all the information you need.
When is Ravens vs. Bengals?Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals starts at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
How to watch Ravens vs. Bengals for freeBaltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.
TVNZ+ is a New Zealand-based streaming site and is geo-restricted for viewers in that country only. However, anyone can access this free streaming platform by signing up for a VPN. A VPN is a useful tool that can hide your real IP address (digital location) while connecting you to a secure server in New Zealand. This will allow you to bypass geo-restrictions and access TVNZ+ no matter where you are around the globe.
Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand
Visit TVNZ+
Live stream Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not actually free to use themselves, but the best VPN services usually offer free trial periods or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these deals, you'll be able to access free live streams of the NFL without spending a penny. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you enough time to watch Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals before recovering any downpayment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, which is a massive saving of 49%. As part of this limited-time deal you'll also get a bonus three months at no additional cost, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Ravens vs. Bengals for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Whether you work from home, find yourself on an airplane more often than not, or simply want to turn down the volume of the outside world, noise-cancelling headphones are exactly the tool you need.
Even the best value headphones will feel lacking if they don't come equipped with halfway decent noise cancellation. Besides, there are simply too many headphones on the market (our testing pool gets bigger month by month) for you to pay hundreds only to get subpar ANC.
SEE ALSO: How to find the best October Prime Day DealsTo help you pick the right model, Mashable editors and reviewers tested dozens of headphones and earbuds and picked out the best noise-cancelling headphones of 2024. And with Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days right around the corner, we've also added some buying tips for the sale on each of our picks below.
Do noise-cancelling headphones actually work?There's a big difference between outside noise being blocked and music simply being loud enough to drown it out. If you're looking for the maximum amount of noise cancellation, you want to go for headphones that have active noise cancellation.
Active noise-cancelling headphones electronically cover up the sounds coming from your surroundings by using internal microphones that listen to what's happening in the world around you, then invert the noise and send it to the speakers. The idea is that both the output and the input will cancel out, leaving you with near-silence. Over-ear headphones also create a tight seal around your ears that adds another layer of sound blocking.
SEE ALSO: With October Prime Day around the corner, shop these early deals on noise-cancelling headphonesIf you've tried a pair of noise-cancelling headphones before and haven't been impressed, don't be discouraged. It's partially about finding the headphones that match your preferences, as not all ANC performs equally. For instance, cheaper ANC headphones may have a more noticeable hissing sound that you'll hear when the noise cancellation is turned on, which can be distracting for some folks.
Other headphones may be great at blocking at low tones, but more prone to letting high-pitched tones in. Typically, more premium headphones will yield better results, but we have budget picks below that still do a solid job.
SEE ALSO: The 5 best budget wireless earbuds vetted by our headphones expertsIn the past, not many earbuds featured active noise cancellation that was comparable to over-ear headphones, but newer iterations like the AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds hold their own in the ANC space. However, even these earbuds can't quite get the same seal that headphones can, so if you're looking for maximum silence, you might be happier with over-ear headphones. However, if you want to cut down on the bulk, earbuds make for great alternatives.
What are the best noise-cancelling headphones to buy?Bose and Sony are both top names when it comes to any type of audio, but especially when it comes to noise cancellation. Both brands feature industry-leading ANC on top of superb sound quality. There are also some other brands and models worth checking out, so if you want to tune out ambient sound, we've laid everything out for you below, from your more premium options to your budget picks.
TL;DR: As of 5 October, you can get a lifetime license for PDF Converter Pro for just £19.03 instead of its regular £76.20 — that's a savings of 75%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter Pro: Lifetime License £19.03 at the Mashable ShopPDF Converter Pro can take the headache out of working with PDFs — and maybe even make them your favourite file format. And for a limited time, a lifetime license to the software is on sale for 75% off, knocking the price down to just £19.03.
Featured before at the Mashable Shop, PDF Converter Pro is an all-in-one software that lets you go back and forth between file types, converting PDFs into images or spreadsheets, and then back again. You can convert PDFs into Word documents, JPGs, Excel files, and more in just a few clicks. This makes sharing documents for work, tax season, dealing with signing legal documents, and more a seamless process. No more dealing with pixelated scans of documents. With OCT technology built in, you can use PDF Converter Pro to extract text from an image with a scan.
Besides converting to and from PDF, this software can also merge multiple PDFs into a single file, split up just the pages you need to create a new document, or just grab the images on a document and ditch the text entirely. Other convenient features include the ability to compress a PDF that’s too large, adding password protection to PDFs for sharing safely and securely, editing or signing PDFs, and plenty of supported format options for flexibility. It even works the same for both PC and Mac users.
Here's a closer look:
This discounted deal is only available to new users. So, if you missed out on the last sale, now’s the time to jump on it. Get PDF Converter Pro for life for only £19.03 for a limited time, down 75% from its regular £76.20 price. Your lifetime license includes updates, so you'll be set even if new file formats appear in the future.
Take advantage of this lower pricing at the Mashable Shop until 27 October.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Live stream New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Live streaming the NFL isn't always straightforward, which is a shame when so many games are must-watch. Let's be honest football fans: They're all must-watch games.
Today's AFC East showdown between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins will be of particular interest after shaky starts for both franchises — the Patriots have failed to notch up a single win since Week 1, while the Dolphins are on a three-week losing streak. Now in Week 5 — and with just one win apiece so far in the 2024 season — which team will score the win and look to build some momentum?
If you want to watch New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins for free from anywhere around the globe, we have all the information you need.
When is Patriots vs. Dolphins?New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins starts at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
How to watch Patriots vs. Dolphins for freeNew England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.
TVNZ+ is geo-restricted for viewers in New Zealand, but anyone can access this free streaming platform by using a VPN. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server within New Zealand, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access TVNZ+ no matter where you are around the world.
Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand
Visit TVNZ+
Live stream New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free to use themselves, but the top VPN services tend to offer free trial periods or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you enough time to watch New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins before recovering any upfront investment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, which saves you 49% off the regular price. With this limited-time deal you'll also get an extra three months at no additional cost, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for October 6 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 6 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Got any bleu cheese?These words will order a light but satisfying lunch.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedCobb salad ingredients.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Cobbsalad.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 6Eggs
Tomato
Greens
Bacon
Cobbsalad
Chicken
Vinaigrette
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for October 6's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 6 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 6 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 6 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A refreshing drink that ferments slowly in cool conditions.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no reoccurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 6 The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
LAGER.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 6's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 6 What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 6 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Run away
Green: Cat things
Blue: Navigate a digital site
Purple: Types of cheese
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Turn Tail
Green: Things Cats Do
Blue: Pages on a Website
Purple: ___Cheese
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #483 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayTurn Tail: FLEE, LEAVE, RETREAT, WITHDRAW
Things Cats Do: KNEAD, PURR, SCRATCH, SHED
Pages on a Website: ABOUT, CONTACT, HOME, LOGIN
___Cheese: COTTAGE, CREAM, GOAT, STRING
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 6If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
A story that unfolds on death's doorstep, Oh, Canada is a thoughtful, reflective work from Paul Schrader, if an occasionally rushed one. Whether or not its hurried approach is a defect — it most certainly plays like one, as though there was only so much time to wrap it up before the reaper comes a-calling — it also results in a more intimate embodiment of everything on Schrader's mind when it was made.
SEE ALSO: New York Film Festival preview: 10 movies you ought to know aboutThe tale of a documentary filmmaker on his deathbed who becomes the camera's subject, the film is based on the 2021 novel Foregone by Russell Banks. (Schrader previously adapted Banks' novel Affliction in 1997.) The author would sadly pass away in January 2023, a few months before filming began, and shortly after Schrader himself had a brush with death thanks to COVID-19.
This proximity to grief, and to the grave, informs Oh Canada's storytelling, which plays like a recollection of regrets. Its structure and narrative POV shift in beguiling ways, as though the movie's main character — played by two actors at different ages — was rushing to absolve himself of sin. Along the way, he confuses and collapses his many confessions into a single, muddled mythology that constantly shifts through elliptical editing, as if to reflect the character’s disoriented state of mind. The details may be unreliable, but his story pulses with riveting emotional truths, born from lifelong remorse.
What is Oh, Canada about?Now confined to hospice care, Canadian filmmaker Leonard Fife (Richard Gere) agrees to an interview conducted by his former film students, Malcolm (Michael Imperioli) and Diana (Victoria Hill), during his final weeks of life. Cancer has ravaged his body, and his treatment has left him tired, but as an artist who has always used his camera to unearth people's truths, he hopes Malcolm and Diana's lens will do the same for him, and help him unburden himself as his wife, Emma (Uma Thurman), looks on.
Many details of Leonard's life are publicly known, especially his conscientious Vietnam draft-dodging, after which he left the U.S. for the Great White North as a political asylee. However, just as much of his story remains shrouded in mystery, which he now unpacks as last rite. In flashbacks set in the '60s and '70s, Leonard is played by Jacob Elordi (of Priscilla fame), though on occasion, Gere himself strides through scenes where Elordi ought to be, a swap that occurs either through straightforward cuts, or the occasional Texas Switch.
The seamlessness with which the older Leonard replaces his younger self has an eerie effect, as though something in the fabric of his story were deeply amiss. As he reveals some particularly shameful and macabre family secrets, Emma remains in denial over his revelations and insists that Leonard must be confused about the details. He is, in a way, given the overlap between events and characters he recalls, but all of these revelations come from a place of deep pain and repression. Whether or not they're logistically true, Gere makes their emotional truth feel undeniable via a towering, career-defining performance as a man both afraid and determined to stare at the camera and be seen by it, as he struggles to purge himself of demons that have long been eating at his soul.
Paul Schrader brings a thoughtful filmmaking eye to Oh, Canada. Credit: Cannes Film FestivalThroughout Oh, Canada, Leonard's regret is enhanced by Schrader's interrogative filmmaking, which draws from numerous documentarian techniques. The film for which he provides his personal testimony — about his own life, and his work as anti-war activist after his illegal border-crossing — takes the form of a traditional interview talking head, albeit with an aesthetic twist that yields several haunting close-ups.
In order to pay tribute to Leonard, his students film him with the use of a camera set-up he invented. In reality, this is the Interrotron developed by The Thin Blue Line director Errol Morris; it’s a teleprompter that allows the subject to meet the interviewer's eye (or rather, a reflection of it) while staring directly down the camera's lens. By attributing the tool to the fictitious Leonard, Schrader creates a double-edged sword. The technique has long afforded Leonard the comfort of sitting behind a video monitor, rather than meeting his subjects' gaze directly. But now, as the subject of his own camera, his confession occurs in a darkened, lonely room.
There are people nearby, like the filmmakers, and Leonard's wife, Emma, whose reflection theoretically appears in the teleprompter, but we only ever glimpse this briefly. For the most part, Schrader locks us into a trio of close-ups of Leonard from three angles (two profiles, and one directly head-on), which appear on side-by-side video screens for Malcolm and Diana, and whose angles Schrader often cuts between. This triptych framing makes the cameras feel incredibly invasive, and by almost never cutting away from Leonard's close-ups, Schrader forces us to view his self-reflections the way the aging documentarian sees them. His interviewers' faces may be visible to him on a screen, but he recognizes his own filmmaking facade, and he knows just how lonely he is, here at the end of his life.
This loneliness takes stirring form during Leonard's flashbacks, too. In isolated moments, Elordi and Gere's attention occasionally drifts from the characters to whom they're speaking, and their gaze falls upon nothing in particular, as though they know they're trapped in a framing device. People from other points in the story sometimes appear where they shouldn't, and on occasion, a white light consumes the frame, as though hypoxia (or the embrace of death) had threatened to provide Leonard with respite from his confessions.
The question then remains: Does Leonard want to die without having exposed the worst parts of himself?
Schrader's shifting narrative makes Oh, Canada a holistic self-reflection.Like Schrader's most recent works — especially First Reformed, The Card Counter, and Master Gardener, a similarly confessional trilogy — Oh, Canada makes frequent use of voiceover. But in the aforementioned films, these narrations took the form of diary entries by each protagonist, whereas in the latest, the framing device is not only a camera this time, but one that isn't in Leonard's control.
Sometimes, the movie's voiceover comprises snippets from Leonard's filmed confession. Other times, it draws from an impassioned inner monologue. And on some occasions, the voiceover is spoken by a different character entirely, revealed to be a person who feels deeply betrayed by Leonard. In a literal sense, this patchwork of perspectives helps unearth Leonard's story from multiple points of view, as Schrader deconstructs both a man and the mythology around him.
However, this shifting POV also serves a spiritual purpose. In essence, it blends the known and the imagined, and plays as though Leonard were in a desperate grasp at absolutely, slowly stepping outside himself and finding sudden empathy for someone he had deeply — perhaps knowingly — wronged.
Credit: Canne Film FestivalOh, Canada is a work of deep-seated guilt frothing to the surface, and while its story is largely fictional, Schrader's presentation takes strikingly personal form. On one hand, the older Leonard is styled to resemble Banks — Schrader’s friend of many years, who requested the filmmaker to adapt Foregone before he died — but from many angles, this man with short, graying hair and an unkempt beard also resembles Schrader himself, who made the film when it seemed like the nearly 80-year-old filmmaker might not win his long battle with COVID and pneumonia. (He was hospitalized, and suffered breathing difficulties in the aftermath.)
But there's another personal element to the movie, too, one made far less apparent on screen. Around the time of Banks' death and Schrader's illness, the director also moved into an assisted living facility with his wife, Mary Beth Hurt, whose Alzheimer's had been worsening. Oh, Canada is as much a film about death and elusive truths as it is about memory and its fleeting nature, and it's hard not to read the visual manifestations of Leonard's confusion as Schrader's depiction of his wife's condition.
Moreover, it depicts a filmmaker whose confessions to his wife — a woman who knows him better than anyone, but still doesn't know his darkest moments — don't seem to stick, both because of his illness and his inability to properly articulate them. While Schrader's avatar suffers from distortions of recollection in the film, and is assisted by his wife, the reverse is true in reality. The idea of a man unable to fully give himself over to the woman he loves because of the impermanent nature of memory is the tragic result, regardless. While Oh, Canada talks through (but quickly skips past) many of these central themes — en route to a conclusion that wraps up too quickly, and too neatly — it stands as one of Schrader's most personal, most moving, and most impactful films.
Oh, Canada is slated to hit theaters this December.
UPDATE: Sep. 25, 2024, 4:44 p.m. EDT Oh, Canada was reviewed on May 30, 2024, out of the Cannes Film Festival. This post has been updated to toast its New York Film Festival premiere.
TikTok's legal troubles in the United States continue.
Reuters reported that the state of Texas sued TikTok on Thursday. According to state Attorney General Ken Paxton, TikTok has allegedly violated Texas state law and jeopardized children's safety with the popular video-sharing app's policies.
SEE ALSO: TikTok is convinced a buried rug in a woman's yard contains a bodyPaxton accused TikTok of not providing proper privacy settings for accounts belonging to children, as well as targeting advertising at children. He wants civil penalties of as much as $10,000 per violation of Texas's Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act.
This isn't the first time TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese technology firm ByteDance, has been sued over children's safety concerns in the U.S. The federal government sued the company with similar allegations back in August. In addition to that, the federal government is seeking to ban TikTok in the country due to alleged safety problems for American users.
In other words, enjoy TikTok while you can.
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: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, October 5, 2024:
AcrossLego pieceThe answer is Brick.
The answer is Google.
The answer is Bob Moog.
The answer is USA.
The answer is TVs.
The answer is Rottie.
The answer is Sleets.
The answer is Toad.
The answer is Boba Tea.
The answer is Rom.
The answer is I Got It.
The answer is Cloves.
The answer is Kegs.
The answer is Go Solo.
The answer is Burst.
The answer is Ted.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
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