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ChatGPT may not be the only built-in AI chatbot on iPhone.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported as much in his latest newsletter. Regarding Apple's new Apple Intelligence initiative, Gurman speculated that we might see an official announcement of a partnership between Apple and Google by the end of this year. This collaboration would involve integrating Google's Gemini chatbot into iPhones where appropriate.
SEE ALSO: Google's Gemini AI is coming to Honor's future smartphones"As for an Apple deal with Google or Anthropic, I expect at least the former to be announced around the time Apple Intelligence launches this fall," Gurman said.
In case you missed it, ChatGPT will hook into Siri and other Apple apps later this year. If you ask Siri a question, and ChatGPT is a better fit to answer it as opposed to Apple Intelligence, you'll be prompted to use ChatGPT instead. Apple stated last month that other AI chatbots will eventually join the fray, but thanks to Gurman, we can now reasonably assume that Google Gemini will be the next one.
Of course, if you're not a fan of all this AI stuff, you can always opt out.
Yorgos Lanthimos' latest picture, Kinds of Kindness, is a triad of absurdist, unsettling stories exploring topics — cannibalism, maiming yourself, and rape — not exactly poised for digital trends.
But fear not the film released a TikTok lens to promote the movie.
SEE ALSO: 'Kinds of Kindness' review: A poor thing from Yorgos LanthimosThe film stars Lanthimos' Poor Things collaborators Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Margaret Qualley, in addition to The Favourite's Joe Alwyn, as well as Lanithmos newcomers Jesse Plemmons. Hong Chau, Mamoudou Athie, and Hunter Schafer. For Mashable, Robert Daniels described the film as "prickly, dark" and a return to Lanthimos' "unconventional roots, his older, spikier films like Kinetta and Dogtooth."
The lens allows users to recreate the movie posters for Kinds of Kindness that feature an abnormally large face transposed onto a normal-sized body. To maximize the Kinds of Kindness-ness of the filter pair it with the film's opening song the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" or the soundtrack to Stone's iconic dance sequence "Brand New Bitch" by COBRAH. So far, it's been used four times on the platform.
Kinds of Kindness joins another new release Inside Out 2, which is on track to be the highest-grossing film of 2024, in using TikTok lenses to draw attention to the films. The Inside Out 2 lens randomly assigns users one of the emotions from the film: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust, Envy, Anxiety, Ennui, Embarrassment, and Nostalgia.
Despite summer 2024's best efforts, no one is recreating the digital culture moment that was Barbenheimer.
It's no secret that TikTok's #BookTok community wields major influence on what books become bestsellers. And the TikTok Book Awards further established TikTok in the book space.
SEE ALSO: The 10 best books of 2024 so far, according to BookTokThe awards, which are based in the UK and Ireland, are back for another year. Today, the social media company announced the shortlist for the 2024 TikTok Book Awards.
While there are still seven categories, they differ slightly from last year. TikTok divided Book of the Year into international, UK, and Ireland, replaced BookTok Author of the Year with BookTok Breakthrough Author, and introduced the BookTok Rising Star Creator and TikTok Shop Book of the Year.
Curated by a panel of judges including members of the UK literary community, TikTok creator Jack Edwards, and previous winner Eden Victoria, the awards aim to "celebrate and recognise the books, the independent book shops, the authors and the creators that have made the #BookTok community such a unique place," according to TikTok.
The BookTok community will decide all the winners — except for TikTok Shop Book of the Year, which is determined based on sales data and impact on the app. The in-app voting hub is open until July 14, and winners will be announced on July 25.
Last year's winners included Bolu Babalola's Honey and Spice, Dolly Alderton's Everything I Know About Love, and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
Here's the official 2024 shortlist.
Book of the Year (UK & Ireland)None Of This Is True, Lisa Jewell
Gwen & Art Are Not In Love, Lex Croucher
Small Worlds, Caleb Azumah Nelson
The Rachel Incident, Caroline O'Donoghue
Book of the Year (International)Yellowface, R.F Kuang
Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros
Sword Catcher, Cassandra Clare
Chain Gang All Stars, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
BookTok Breakthrough AuthorBookTok Creator of the YearBookTok Rising Star CreatorIndie Bookshop of the YearGET $100 OFF: As of July 1, you can score up to $100 off cookware, appliances, and gadgets from Le Creuset, Keurig, Ninja, and more.
Our top picks: Best kitchen gadget deal overall Yonanas Soft Serve Maker $38.06 at Amazon (save $11.93) Get Deal Best cookware deal Caraway Cookware Set $319.99 at Crate&Barrel (save $175.01) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Keurig K-Duo single-serve K-Cup pad and carafe coffee maker $139.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best air fryer deal Instant Vortex Air Fryer (6QT) $79.95 at Amazon (save $40.04) Get Deal
Fourth of July is just days away, and deals have been pouring in from every direction — from major appliances to robot vacuums to mattresses. There are also tons of discounts on a variety of kitchen essentials, from cookware to small countertop appliances (like the ever-popular Nespresso and Keurig machines).
While it’s tempting to get carried away and fill your cart with every item you see, focusing on the kitchen finds that you'll actually use and get the most value out of will help you get the most bang for your buck.
Here are some of the best 4th of July kitchen deals and steals that are worth adding to your cart.
Best kitchen gadget deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Yonanas Our pick: Yonanas Soft Serve Maker $38.06 at AmazonWe’re not saying you need a soft serve maker, but if you have a hankering for dairy-free ice cream and are looking to cut down on trips to the store, this deal on the Yonanas Soft Serve Maker might be worth considering.
The Yonanas Soft Serve Maker is designed to turn fresh fruit into “ice cream” (sorbet) — no dairy, added sugars, or preservatives required. It's a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthier way. (This little gadget also won a Mashable Choice Award in 2022.)
This compact, easy-to-use machine typically retails for around $50, but right now, it's on sale for just $38.06 at Amazon.
Best cookware deal Opens in a new window Credit: Caraway Our pick: Caraway Cookware Set (sapphire blue) $319.99 at Crate&BarrelYou’ve probably seen the Caraway nonstick ceramic pan set on your Instagram feed, but this cookware set isn’t just for aesthetic appeal. (Though it is really pretty.) These pans are made without PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, heavy metals, or hard anodization — toxic materials that are typically found in traditional nonstick cookware.
SEE ALSO: I deleted Postmates because of the TikTok-famous Caraway cookware setThe set includes a 10.5-inch frying pan, a three-quart saucepan, a four-and-a-half-quart saute pan, and a six-and-a-half-quart Dutch oven. It also comes with a convenient storage system to keep your pans organized and easily accessible.
You can get the set at Amazon, Target, and the Caraway website for $395 (down from $545), or if the color isn’t that important to you, the sapphire blue set is available for $319.99 at Crate&Barrel. This is still a steep price, but according to Mashable freelance writer Michelle Rostamian, this cookware set is worth every penny.
More cookware deals:All-Clad D3 3-Ply Stainless Steel Fry Pan (12-inch) — $99.95 $239.99 (save $140.04)
Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Covered Rectangular Casserole (4QT) — $102 $134.95 (save $32.95)
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven (5.5QT) — $309.36 $419.95 (save $110.59)
The Keurig K-Duo single-serve K-Cup pad and carafe coffee maker is on sale at Amazon for $139.99, down from $189.99. That’s a 26% discount of $50.
This versatile machine lets you brew a single-serve K-Cup pod or a full pot of coffee from the thermal carafe. (It’s ideal for families or people who are always on the go and want both options.)
This Keurig model can handle six, eight, 10, or 12-ounce K-Cup pod sizes or a full pot of coffee. The water reservoir is 60 ounces, so you can brew multiple cups before needing to refill it. It also features a programmable 24-hour brew timer so you can wake up to a fresh pot of coffee, which is super nice (as long as you remember to set it).
Best air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Instant Store Our pick: Instant Vortex Air Fryer (6QT) $79.95 at AmazonAir fryers are among the most popular countertop appliances on the market. If you don’t already have one (or you want to replace your current model), the Instant Vortex Air Fryer (6QT) is currently 33% off at Amazon, making it a very affordable $79.95.
This air fryer features four-in-one functionality, so you can air fry, broil, roast, and reheat your faves with little to no oil. EvenCrisp technology gives you that golden, crispy texture without the mess and potential health risks of deep frying. Plus, the one-touch smart programs make whipping up appetizers, snacks, and side dishes quick and easy.
More air fryer deals:Ninja Air Fryer (AF101) — $82.99 $129.99 (save $47)
Ninja Air Fryer Pro (AF141) — $89.99 $119.99 (save $30)
Instant Vortex Plus (4QT) — $109.95 $129.99 (save $20.04)
Shopping is a year round activity (for us at least), but summer is an especially good time to be a deal hunter. With Prime Day 2024 coming July 16 and 17, 4th of July sales, and Target Circle Week all in the ether, it's no sleep, all deals. The biggest brands are on sale, including Apple and their ultra-popular AirPods.
Let's temper ourselves though. The deal we're seeing right now — we've seen better. All of the AirPods here hit their lowest prices during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days back in October 2023, so we're waiting to see these savings get even bigger. However, they're still marked down. We'll be updating these prices as Prime Day gets closer so you can maximize savings. In the meantime, here are the best deals on AirPods.
Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods (2nd generation) $89.00 at AmazonApple AirPods (2nd generation) are our best budget earbuds for a reason. They're affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use. Compatible with any Bluetooth device, you can be listening to music in seconds without having to install a new app. Apple users just need to snap open the case and the AirPods will connect. Typically priced at $129, these AirPods are down to $89 for 31% savings. This is a great price, but if you're willing to hold out, we saw these AirPods drop down to $79 during Prime Big Deal Days and Black Friday last year.
Best AirPods Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) $199.00 at AmazonAirPods Pro are a lovely step up from entry-level AirPods. They have all the same perks, easy connectivity and quick charging, but with better sound quality for audiophiles. The Apple AirPods Pro provide active noise cancellation and personalized spatial audio, so you get sound that's just right for you. You can find the AirPods Pro for $199, giving you $50 off and 20% savings. This is a good deal, but their lowest price ever is $179.99, so we're keeping our eyes peeled for that price come Prime Day.
Best AirPods Max deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $479.95 at AmazonAirPods Max, Apple's answer to over-the-ear headphones, may not be our top pick for sound quality, but they're certainly the most stylish. Coming in green, blue, pink, silver, and space gray, they look great while also providing active noise cancellation. Similar to AirPods Pro, the AirPods Max give specialized settings with spatial audio and Dolby Atmos.
Right now, you can find them for $479.95. Last year, we saw these headphones dip down to $429, so their current price isn't the best we've seen, but it's not bad. We're not sure what Prime Day will bring, but right now find them for $69.05 and 13% savings.
If a robot vacuum is the big purchase on your radar this Prime Day, you're clearly someone who sees the value in automating one of the most tedious chores. Consider stretching that convenience past the vacuuming itself with a self-emptying robot vacuum — there are already a handful on sale at Amazon ahead of July 16 (the official kickoff of Prime Day), including a Shark, Eufy, and Narwal model at 50% off.
SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Roomba: Comparing top-rated robot vacuum lineupsYour self-emptying options at Amazon currently range from budget models at $300 or $400 to more premium robot vacuum and mop combos dropping from their usual near $1,000 price point to a more digestible $500-ish price tag. A few of those premium self-empty docks are also decked out with the ability to self-wash and self-dry the mopping pads — the ultimate automation experience, now much more affordable than usual.
If you're not ready to make a move quite yet, keep checking back to this list — we'll be updating it accordingly as Amazon inevitably drops new robovac discounts in the coming weeks. (We'll also let you know when Amazon switches over to calling these official early Prime Day deals.) For now, deals with a strikeout were either sold out or no longer available at their best sale price when we last checked. Anything marked with a 🔥 has dropped to an all-time low price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy X9 Pro $449.99 at AmazonEufy's X9 Pro debuted in fall 2023 and sits right in the sweet spot between the X8 Pro (which doesn't mop) and the X10 Pro Omni (which is sitting at its MSRP of $799.99). Its current discount code X9PROEUFY bumps the discount to a full 50% off, beating the discount seen in mid-June that was exclusive to Prime members.
The X9 Pro is much more reminiscent of the X10 Pro Omni than it is the cheaper X8 Pro: It has a flat edge to get into corners, it mops, empties into a self-cleaning station that washes and dries the mopping pads, and uses AI to detect and avoid small obstacles like phone cables. As a mopper, the X9 Pro provides more elbow grease than many competitors thanks to double-pressurized, rotating mopping heads. These automatically lift above the ground if carpet is detected.
More self-emptying robot vacuums on sale at AmazonShark AI Ultra — $299.99 $599 (save $299.01)
Roborock Q5+ — $399.99 $699.99 (save $300 with on-page coupon)
Eufy X8 Pro — $399.99 $649.99 (save $250 with Prime) 🔥
Eufy G30 Hybrid — $249.99 $429.99 (save $180 with Prime) 🔥
Roborock Q8 Max+ — $579.99 $819.99 (save $240 with on-page coupon)
Roborock Q Revo S — $699.99 $799.99 (save $100 with on-page coupon)
Yeedi M12 Pro+ — $749 $1,099 (save $350 with on-page coupon) 🔥
Narwal Freo — $699.99 $1,399.99 (save $700 with on-page coupon) 🔥
Between 4th of July deals and early Prime Day savings, Amazon is practically overflowing with deals on July 1. And this is only the beginning. If you want to avoid actual Prime Day chaos, you can start shopping now.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these catch your eye, be sure to check back tomorrow for all-new picks.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Coleman 4-person Dark Room Instant Tent $89.99 at AmazonCamping is one of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors in the summertime, but that early morning sunshine makes getting good rest nearly impossible. For those easily disrupted by the light and heat of the sun, a comfortable tent like the Coleman Dark Room can block out 90% of sunlight. Not only will it remain dark in the early hours of the day, but it'll keep some of that heat out as well. Regularly $184.99, you can snag it on sale as of July 1 for only $89. That's a savings of 52%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 indoor grill $159.99 at AmazonIf you're an apartment dweller missing the luxury of outdoor grilling, check out this deal on the Ninja DG551 Smart XL indoor grill. It's on sale for just $159.99 — 43% off its usual cost — and can fill the void. With its virtually smoke-free design that can fit up to six steaks or two dozen hot dogs, you can enjoy year-round cookouts. Plus, thanks to its smart cooking system, you can take most of the guesswork out of the grilling experience.
Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville the Fresh & Furious Blender $149.96 at AmazonThe Breville Fresh and Furious blender looks and feels like a fancy high-end appliance, but its price tag won't make you cringe — especially with its current discount at Amazon. Usually $199.95, you can slash the cost down to just $149.96 as of July 1. It includes a 50-ounce jug, nine one-touch blending tasks, five speed settings, and an 1100W motor that can pulverize your ingredients into a silky smoothie. And did we mention how good it looks atop your counter?
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones $35.99 at AmazonThe already budget-friendly Sony WH-CH520 wireless headphones are on sale for just $35.99 (reg. $79.99) at Amazon as a Prime Day invite-only deal. That means that you can request an invite now to receive a unique email link to purchase the deal. Invites will be sent on July 16 and July 17. The Sony headphones last for up to 50 hours on a single charge and offer a quick-charging feature that gives you another 1.5 hours of listening from a three-minute plug-in.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
Did you know that you can now store hotel keys via Google Wallet? If you tend to be absent-minded, making you prone to losing entrance cards, you may be relieved to hear that Google Wallet now supports digital key cards.
As 9to5Google spotted, Google recently updated the Wallet Help page, which gives users a quick-and-easy guide on how to store and save hotel key cards.
SEE ALSO: Google Pay app is shutting down in the US after being replaced by Google Wallet How to store hotel key cards via Google WalletPhysical hotel key cards will now become a thing of the past. As mentioned, if you have a tendency to be irresponsible on vacations, you no longer have to worry about misplacing hotel key cards — as long as you don't lose your Android device.
Here's an easy, step-by-step process on how to store hotel key cards in Google Wallet:
Open the hotel's website (or app).
Sign into the hotel's website.
Find the "Add to Google Wallet" button on the reservation confirmation page. (If you don't find this button, the hotel may not support digital hotel key cards.)
Sign into your Google account.
Tap "Add" followed by "View in Wallet."
You can then use it by unlocking your phone before holding the back of the device to the door's key card scanner.
As AndroidCentral pointed out, Google Wallet uses Near-Field Communication (NFC) to facilitate the usage of digital hotel key cards — the same technology that underpins "Tap to Pay." Apple, by the way, has been supporting digital hotel key cards since iOS 15, which launched in 2021.
The Clarion Hotel Post, located in Sweden, is the first to allow its guests to use Google Wallet for digital keys.
Prime Day 2024 is just weeks away, kicking off July 16 and 17. However, you don't need to wait two weeks to start shopping. Summer sales are here with 4th of July deals rolling in and Target Circle Week around the corner. But we know you probably don't want to wait for the markdowns, especially on major brands. We're on the hunt, or should we say...watch?
Apple Watch models are on sale at Amazon ahead of Prime Day. Both the SE and Series 9 watches are marked down with up to 24% savings. With this deal you can start tracking your workouts and health metrics for under $200. And we know it's summer, so you have to be ready to jump-in a body of water at any given moment. These Apple Watches aren't just on sale — they're waterproof.
Best Apple Watch SE deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, GPS, 40mm) $189.00 at AmazonAlready a budget-friendly option, the Apple Watch SE is down to $189 ahead of Prime Day. That's just $10 more than its lowest price ever during Black Friday 2023. While it is affordable, it still has the advanced tech you want in a smart watch. The bright retina display tracks your heart rate and watches for irregular rhythm. You can track your workouts — even in the water — as it's water resistant up to 50m. Right now you'll save $60 for 24% savings. We're not sure what Prime Day will bring, but we can confidently say, this is a good deal.
Best Apple Watch Series 9 deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 45 mm) $329.99 at AmazonFor the latest technology, look to the Apple Watch Series 9. It's loaded with bigger displays, offering either a 41 or 45 mm display over the SE's 40 and 44mm options. It has an always-on retina display, so you don't have to wake it up every time you need to check the time. The health metric offerings are even more extensive on the Series 9 with the ECG app and temperature sensing. Like the SE, it's water resistant, so you can jump in the water care free. It's down to its lowest price ever of $329, saving you $99.01 for 23% off.
More Apple Watch dealsApple Watch SE (2nd generation, GPS + Cellular, 40mm) — $239 $299 (save $60)
Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular, 41mm) — $399 $499 (save $100)
Apple Intelligence — Apple's name for a set of artificial intelligence features on its devices — might not always be completely free.
In the latest installment of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says Apple is looking into making money from Apple Intelligence down the road.
SEE ALSO: Apple's upcoming AirPods might have built-in camerasApple Intelligence, or AI for short, was announced in June 2024, during the company's annual WWDC event. It will launch as a free set of features on Apple products including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, with some of the announced features becoming available as beta when iOS 18 launches in September. The new options include AI-generated images called Genmoji, a smarter Siri, and a feature called Rewrite that suggests edits for your writing, among others.
According to Gurman, however, Apple needs new revenue streams, especially as it's getting increasingly hard to innovate on hardware devices such as the iPhone. One of these could be a paid tier for AI called, perhaps, "Apple Intelligence+" which would enable additional features to subscribers. Apple could also get a cut of the subscription revenue generated from AI partners.
This probably won't happen overnight; Gurman doesn't have a precise timeline, but he does say the implementation will "take time," and that Apple could be making money from AI "in a few years."
As well as giving Elon Musk a hard time, Stephen King likes to spend his time on X (formerly Twitter) recommending movies, TV shows and books.
His latest positive review? A Quiet Place: Day One, the prequel to John Krasinski's apocalyptic blockbuster, this time written and directed by Michael Sarnoski. Starring Lupita Nyong'o, Stranger Things' Joseph Quinn, Djimon Hounsou, and a cat named Frodo, the film takes place in New York City during the initial invasion of the franchise's sound-hunting monsters.
SEE ALSO: Stephen King loves 'Baby Reindeer' so much he's written an essay about it"A QUIET PLACE DAY 1: The rare "big Hollywood film" that is both intimate and textured," wrote King in his post. "(And the cat steals the show.)"
Tweet may have been deletedIt's worth noting that while reviews of A Quiet Place: Day One have been generally positive, not everyone is a fan. Mashable's Kristy Puchko wrote in her review that the movie doesn't equal the sum of its parts.
"The love story at its core can't shine amid the required carnage and urban devastation demanded by the prequel's promise," Puchko wrote. "The performances — while earnest — can't find footing in the crude plotting. The scares, which once were grounded in character and uncertainty, lose their luster without either. With all this movie tries to wedge in, it's just not enough."
Oh, and if you've seen the movie and still have questions (including about the cat!), look no further.
Given how bleak House of the Dragon Season 2 has been so far, it almost feels like we're owed a few light-hearted moments — and episode 3 certainly delivered on that front.
Enter Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) on dragonback to a very gloomy, possibly haunted Harrenhal, fully suited up in his armour and ready to conquer.
SEE ALSO: How 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is different from George R.R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood'Only instead of being greeted by a battalion of men, the roguish prince was instead met by this legend.
Oh, you want Harrenhal? Here you go. Credit: Ollie Upton / HBOThat's Sir Simon Strong (played by Sir Simon Russell Beale), the Castellan of Harrenhal and unfortunately, great-uncle to the murderous Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham). When Daemon bursts into the room where he's enjoying his supper, they have the following (brilliant) exchange.
Daemon: "I'm claiming Harrenhal!"
Sir Simon: "Apparently so."
*Sir Simon gets up, walks slowly around the table, and kneels down in front of Daemon.*
Sir Simon: "I, Sir Simon Strong, Castellan of Harrenhal, pledge fealty to Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, first of her name. I swear this by the old gods and the new. Supper is venison with black cabbage and peas. No red currents...sorry about that."
Needless to say, Sir Simon already has a fanbase.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted CommentIn a Westeros where people are constantly getting angry and wanting to kill each other, we could all use a few more Simon Strongs. A few minutes later the guy also pretty much summed up the entire show in a few key words, too. What a man.
House of the Dragon Season 2 airs Sundays on HBO and Max at 9 p.m. ET.
UPDATE: Jul. 1, 2024, 1:10 p.m. UTC This story originally ran with Season 2, episode 4 in the headline, when it's about episode 3. We've corrected it, and don't worry, it's not a spoiler for episode 4. We'd rather take Caraxes' dragon fire than do that to you.
With the grave-rattling events of Interview With a Vampire: Part II's big finale, fans are lusting for more sex, more blood, and more unreliable narrators. Luckily for us, Season 3 has already been promised, with showrunner Rolin Jones assuring the series would switch focus to Anne Rice's sequel novel The Vampire Lestat. And that means Lestat de Lioncourt becomes a rock star.
While the original novel was set in 1985, the year of its release, the show has already pushed the Vampire Chronicles headline up considerably, from the 1700s to the early 1900s. So swapping from '80s hair bands to the modern music scene seems exactly the kind of challenge Jones and his writers would relish. And if they're going to do it right, they need to include one thing: Chappell Roan.
SEE ALSO: How 'The Vampire Lestat' comes to play into 'Interview with the Vampire: Part II' Chappell Roan would be our favorite Brat Prince's favorite artist. Chappell Roan performs during Boston Calling 2024. Credit: Astrida Valigorsky / Getty ImagesThe sapphic singer-songwriter has been blowing up this year, following her 2023 debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. After opening for Olivia Rodriguez on her Guts tour, Roan went from Tiny Desk Concerts to the already iconic Coachella performance, where she declared herself "your favorite artist's favorite artist" to a Bonnaroo appearance so hotly anticipated that they moved her to a bigger stage. Roan's breakout hit "Good Luck, Babe!" is climbing the Billboard charts, and has been widely embraced on Tiktok — where other jams like "Pink Pony Club" and "Red Wine Supernova" also have fans posting vids enthusiastically.
While Roan's rise seems meteoric, it wasn't an overnight success. The 26-year-old artist has been hustling since 17 to make her music breakthrough. She got dumped by one label, moved back in with her parents, and was on the brink of quitting altogether when things finally started clicking. You know who could relate to that? Lestat.
An aspiring actor whose hunger for the spotlight earned him plenty of pain, Lestat (Sam Reid) threw his heart into one intense but failed romance into another (Nicky. Armand. Louis…). Then, when he shook off the hurt and self-loathing, he rose to channel all his feelings and experiences into a blistering album.
Sam Reid as Lestat De Lioncourt on "Interview with the Vampire." Credit: Larry Horricks / AMCRoan's own The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess tells a story of rocky self-discovery, sexual exaltation, bitter break-ups, and the pleasure of watching your ex suffer. It's easy to imagine Reid's 2024 version of Lestat connecting to her brand of Dark Pop, bringing his snarling French accent to "Good Luck, Babe!"s damning chorus, targeting it at Louis (Jacob Anderson) and his devious boyfriend Armand (Assad Zaman):
"When you wake up next to him in the middle of the night
With your head in your hands, you're nothing more than his wife
And when you think about me, all of those years ago
You're standing face to face with "I told you so"
You know I hate to say, "I told you so"
You know I hate to say, but, I told you so"
And yet, that trial ep of Interview with the Vampire Season 2 (episode 7) has me thinking Lestat also has his "My Kink Is Karma" moments.
Queer rock stars should stick together.Roan's songs are unabashedly about lesbian sex. Her fashion influences, pancake make-up, and stage persona are influenced by drag queens she admires. Roan has local queens open for her on tour and she told a terrified Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show that her headline-grabbing Coachella line was inspired by Sasha Colby's "I'm your favorite drag queen's favorite drag queen." She's also being embraced by queer rock legends, like Elton John, who recently shared an Instagram snap of the two after a night of pizza and tea spilling.
So, if we're to believe that Lestat is becoming a rock god in this moment, in this queer pop explosion of Renee Rapp, Billie Eilish, and (sure) Jojo Siwa, he'd not only know Roan, he'd make damn sure they shared air with the most theatrical bad bitch on the scene.
So far the series hasn't delved into cameos. So how might this work without feeling like stunt casting? Perhaps instead of Lestat being inspired to turn to music by a grubby New Orleans punk band practicing near his crypt, it'd be hearing Roan playing at a nearby show. Maybe Lestat — with a variation of his Theatre des Vampires stage make-up — could open for her, connecting him with a crowd that might relish his signature outrageousness and allure. It's easy to imagine the pair having a moment backstage together, both glamorous and chaotic visions of queer desire and messy romance. Maybe they could be on a talk show couch together, parodying the Fallon appearance, where Roan was every inch the queer rock star making the stodgy straight host feel uncomfortably out-of-touch.
Look, we'll leave it to Rolin Jones to roll out the details. But one thing is clear, to have Interview with the Vampire: Part III really rock, it needs some Roan.
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 July 1 SEE ALSO: 'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for July 1Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, July 1, 2024:
Across[How disappointing]The answer is sigh.
The answer is canoe.
The answer is arson.
The answer is mites.
The answer is isay.
The answer is saris.
The answer is Insta.
The answer is gooey.
The answer is hens.
The answer is cami.
Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 has joined the billion-dollar club.
The sequel to the 2015 film surpassed $1 billion at the global box office on Sunday, becoming the first film of 2024 to do so – and the first film since Barbie to garner this kind of ticketing success. It is currently the highest grossing film of the year.
SEE ALSO: Summer Movie Preview: Every film you oughta knowAccording to Disney, Inside Out 2 hit the billion-dollar mark just 19 days since its release, setting the fastest box office record for an animated film — Frozen 2 reached it 25 days. The movie also scored the biggest box-office opening day of the year, picking up $62 million the day of its release. Just this weekend, Inside Out 2 made $57.4 million, just ahead of A Quiet Place: Day One at $53 million.
Only 11 animated films have made this kind of money at the box office including Zootopia, Finding Dory, Despicable Me 3, Toy Story 3 and 4, Minions, Incredibles 2, Frozen and its sequel, and the highest grossing animated film of all time, 2019's The Lion King. The movie's predecessor, Inside Out, was just shy of the accolade back in 2015, when the film collected $858 million.
Inside Out 2 sees the return of titular character Riley (voiced by Kensington Tallman), as she grapples with her emotions, including some new additions: Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Disgust (Liza Lapira), Fear (Tony Hale), Anger (Lewis Black), Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (Walter Hauser).
Mashable's Belen Edwards described the film as "the rare Pixar sequel that truly earns its existence and deepens the message of its first film. And even though it may make you deeply, deeply, deeply anxious, it's also, quite simply, a joy to watch."
Read Mashable's review of Inside Out 2 here.
Apple's AirPods will one day come with built-in cameras.
While that may sound preposterous for a gadget whose primary purpose is to deliver sound into your ears, there is a good reason for it: spatial experiences.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is planning to mass produce AirPods with infrared (IR) camera modules by 2026. These cameras would be similar to the Face ID received on the iPhone, and would like be produced by major Apple supplier Foxconn.
SEE ALSO: How to turn on noise cancellation on your AirPodsThese cameras, which could detect environmental image changes, would enable new spatial audio experiences, Kuo claims. In an example provided by Kuo, a user could watch a video with Vision Pro and AirPods on, and when they turn their head towards a specific direction, the sound source coming from that direction could be emphasized to enhance the experience.
Featured Video For You Unboxing the 2024 iPad Pro and iPad AirApple puts a big emphasis on spatial audio in most of its audio-related products, and it's a big selling point of Apple's audio streaming service, Apple Music. With the addition of infrared cameras to AirPods, Apple could probably get a lot more precise head movement tracking, allowing for richer experiences. It's unclear whether the new features would be exclusive to using AirPods together with Vision Pro, or if they would extend to pure audio listening as well.
Even without the IR cameras, Apple plans to enable some new features to AirPods with iOS 18, including new head gestures, such as nodding or shaking your head to answer or decline a call. Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking will also become available for gaming for users using the newest AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max. These features will become widely available this fall, when iOS 18 comes out of beta.
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