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Dating apps can sometimes be a drag. Swiping till your thumbs hurt and racking your brain for witticisms about your matches' ski holiday, before the conversation inevitably fizzles out and you're left with a wasteland of matches unless some bizarre alchemy takes place, is hardly the romantic dream many of us have fantasised about and it can leave you feeling hopeless.

Enter the dating app coach. Singles of all ages are turning to coaches who specifically tailor their services to dating apps. These services range from simple advice around how to upgrade your dating app profile, to full-blown app management, in which an expert will set up your profile and reply to messages for you, as well as providing support – often both administrative and emotional.

Relationship experts are nothing new, with plenty of people historically turning to professionals in the field, from marriage counsellors to matchmakers, to improve their romantic relationships. Half of U.S. adults under the age of 30 have used a dating app, according to a 2023 study conducted by Pew Research Centre and one in five partnered adults within the same age range met their current partner on a dating app, so it makes sense that people are seeking specific professional help.

SEE ALSO: What is cockfishing? Why some men lie about their size on dating apps.

Erika Ettin has been a dating coach for 13 years and she offers a variety of services to a wide range of clients. "One of the services I offer is doing people's online dating for them, as crazy as that sounds," Ettin says, explaining that this involves swiping yes and no on their behalf and starting conversations with their matches. Ettin's services involve a complete overhaul of her clients' dating profiles, getting their photos professionally taken, rewriting their bio and, if they opt in for this, managing their dating apps for three to six months.

"One of the services I offer is doing people's online dating for them, as crazy as that sounds."

Of course, it's not just the administrative side of dating apps that makes them difficult to use –  they can be emotionally taxing too. 91 percent of people who use the dating app Hinge say they’ve been ghosted, according to a survey carried out by Hinge. These experiences can be very isolating and demoralising. 35-year-old Olivia, who is based in New York, decided to get in touch with Ettin after a recent short-term-relationship that she described as friends-with-benefits ended. "I was just feeling kind of defeated," she says. "It was nice to hear from somebody who was an expert that I wasn't doing anything wrong — there wasn't anything wrong with me."

Olivia opted in for just a few of Ettin's services, rather than handing over complete control of her dating apps. As well as helping edit her profile initially, this includes once-a-month meetings on Zoom where Olivia* shares her screen so Ettin can see exactly how Olivia is using her dating apps, and looking through her messages. On top of this, Olivia is also able to message Ettin for advice as and when she wants it. "A lot of people want to talk about how to handle the emotional stress that comes with [things like] ghosting," Ettin says, explaining that it varies from client to client when it comes to what her coaching looks like, adding: "I'm very clear with people that I'm not a therapist but it does often feel that way."

SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to know

One of the benefits of dating coaches is that they're able to provide unbiased advice, something a lot of people lack, particularly when loved ones might have their own opinions that don't always align with what you want. "My mom and my sister are both married and they just want me to be happy, so I could go on a date with someone who was just awful and they'd tell me I'm being too critical and that I should give him another chance," Olivia says, explaining that the advice Ettin provides her with is totally different and focussed on exactly what she wants and what's best for her.

Lily Womble is the founder of a feminist dating programme called The Brazen Breakthrough, designed to help people navigate digital dating in a healthy way. "The dating landscape is full of patriarchal advice that tells women to shrink what they want and be less picky, or be more feminine," Womble tells Mashable. Womble's programme not only helps people revamp their dating profiles and navigate messaging matches, but it also puts them through courses that cover topics like 'caring for your dating nervous system' and 'claiming preferences on a deeper level'. "The skills that I teach are both the mindset and the tactical strategy to qualify the right people quickly," Womble says. She adds that, for women especially, dating apps provide "access to bad behaviour at rates we've never had before," which is another reason people are looking for support.

SEE ALSO: It's easy to catfish strangers on dating apps

Not all dating app coaching is quite so grounded, however, particularly a lot of the advice dating app coaches on the internet hand out. One TikTok user who describes himself as a dating coach for 'the modern man' recently shared a video claiming that "every man should be controversial". "If you're not controversial at all that means you have no opinion and no backbone, neither of which is attractive to women," he says, also mentioning well-known misogynistic figures like Donald Trump and Andrew Tate. Most dating coaches don't have specific qualifications — Womble and Ettin were both previously professional matchmakers — so for people seeking out their services, it's important that you find someone whose beliefs align with your own. This also means that dating app coaches, especially those sharing advice online, might be potentially dangerous for impressionable people who are new to dating apps and dealing with insecurity or self-doubt.  

58-year-old James* is another one of Ettin's clients. He began looking for help with dating apps after getting divorced in his early 50s and finding himself baffled by how much the dating landscape had changed since he met his ex-wife at school. According to Ettin, many of her clients have been through a similar experience, or are completely new to dating apps, which makes sense as the dating app Bumble reported that 39 percent of people on Bumble have ended a marriage or serious relationship in the last two years and 36 percent are using dating apps for the first time. James had his dating apps managed by Ettin completely, so she would swipe through his account and make the initial contact with matches. This was partly due to the administrative load of dating apps, but James says that he also benefited from working with a female dating coach: "She gives great advice and she would check my biases and ask me, 'why don't you want to go out with this person?'" he says. James says that Ettin would also advise him against moving forwards with certain people, particularly if she sensed he might not be committed or treating them fairly. "It was really good for me to have someone of the opposite sex to speak to," James says.

"My wife constantly teases me about it. She says: 'I can't believe you delegated this to an agent!'"

James eventually met the woman who is now his wife through Ettin's services, which raises the question: how do you tell a partner or potential partner that you're using a dating coach and is it even ethical to have your messages written by a professional? "My wife constantly teases me about it," James says, explaining that it was actually Ettin who made the first contact with her. "She says: 'I can't believe you delegated this to an agent!'" he adds, jokingly. For some, it might feel deceitful to find out that your communication with the person you're dating is being intercepted by a professional dating coach, whereas others might see it as a positive sign that you're willing to take your dating life seriously. And not only take it seriously, but invest in it too, as dating app coaches tend to cost thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars.

Ultimately, dating apps are still in their very early days of existence and there's no guidebook on how to use them effectively or ethically (ideally, both). And despite the fact that apps are designed to make it easier to find what you're looking for romantically and sexually, Womble believes that "dating apps have made it more existentially exhausting to find love", providing us with so many options that actually hinder our decision-making abilities because of increased stress. Sounds familiar, right? After all, there's only so many "you up?" messages, cancelled dates and swiping left one can go through until professional help starts to appeal. And though coaches are not magicians who can conjure up your perfect partner out of thin air, if you find the right one, they might be able to make dating an enjoyable experience again. Womble says that she cannot guarantee her clients that they'll immediately find a partner if they invest in her coaching but she says that they often take away so much more from the experience: "My promise is that you will create a confident and joyful dating life that makes the right relationship inevitable."

*a pseudonym has been used for privacy

Roku recently changed its policy to make it even harder for customers to take legal action. It’s a reminder of how we need to protect ourselves.

Fire up the Ecto-1's siren, because here we go again. Despite a chilly reception from some critics (me, I'm some critics), Ghostbusters: Afterlife has spawned a sequel: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Ignoring the Paul Feig venture with Melissa McCarthy, this string of horror-comedies ties to 1984's Ghostbusters and its 1989 sequel, Ghostbusters II, but has doubled down on lore, following the family of the late Egon Spengler. 

This makes for a new chapter that is overcrowded with characters, CGI ghouls, and science yelling. While at points, there's jokes that actually land (thanks to the likes of Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt), overall, this sequel is a confounding mix of fan service and inexplicable choices meant to cater to a broad audience. Actually, parents might welcome a warning. 

What’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire about? 

Transplanted to New York City, the descendants of Egon have taken over the iconic Lower Manhattan firehouse and taken up the call to bust ghosts. Egon’s daughter Callie (Carrie Coon in cruise control) has lightened up and is shacking up with her "ghost dog" buddy Gary Grooberson (an unflappably jaunty Paul Rudd), who timidly steps into his role as stepdad to her kids. Trevor (a whiny Finn Wolfhard) is 18 now, a fact he repeats over and over instead of showing any actual character growth. Phoebe (an earnest McKenna Grace) is now 15 and the solid center of this sequel, grappling with a complicated crush, child labor laws, and an icy armageddon. 

The script — from Afterlife director Jason Reitman and Frozen Empire helmer Gil Kenan — lays down an exhaustive amount of lore to set up a simple premise: Big, angry, icy deity wants to take over the world. Ghostbusters new and old must team up to stop it. 

Combining the old and new crew of ghostbusters makes for a messy movie, one that fails because of its urge to appeal to grown ups who grew up with the original two movies and their kids who might be snared by merch ploys and product placement. (Just buy Cheetos in advance. They get more screen time than several supporting characters.) 

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire clumsily taps into nostalgia. 

This slapdash sequel brings back Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts — this time in more than cameo mode. (Thankfully, the GCI ghost of the late Harold Ramis is left to rest in peace.) Frozen Empire also loops in familiar settings like the Ghostbuster's firehouse and the exterior of the Bryant Park library with its signature lion statues, allowing for callback scares from memorable past apparitions — including Slimer. There's also a montage of classic clips from the past movies, TV commercials for toys and the Ghostbusters cereal, as well as the Ray Parker Jr. music video.

These allusions might make lovers of the original movies perk up in joyful recognition. But none of the old relics are given new polish. Even the original cast's performances ranges from politely game to clearly over it. (Well, aside from Aykroyd — he is clearly elated to be back in this supernatural saddle, though his enthusiasm is not contagious.) So the throwback content for grown ups is achingly faded. But the kid-focused stuff is at times shockingly miscalculated. 

What should parents know before taking kids to see Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire?

Some parents might worry about scary spirits that creep into this ghost story. But like past installments, these sinister apparitions include the mirthfully menacing (Stay Puft and his mini-minions), the confusingly sultry (Gozer), and the gothic spooky (Vigo the Carpathian). No real nightmare material will be found in this new installment as ghosts range from the inexplicable "sewer dragon" to a horned deity that feels like a tame knockoff from Pan’s Labyrinth.

What’s more disturbing is how the screenwriters treat their teen girl characters. Returning from the last movie, both the poorly nicknamed Podcast (a plucky Logan Kim) and Trevor's love interest Lucky (a woefully underused Celeste O'Connor from Madame Web) conveniently get internships that bring them far from their Oklahoma hometown into this NYC-set tale. Yet only the latter is saddled with a string of sex jokes that are just confounding.

Wandering into a stranger's apartment on an investigation assignment, Lucky breezily makes comments about nipple play, loud sex, and a hidden room she assumed to be a "sex dungeon" — pushing the flustered resident (Nanjiani) to get defensive about his late grandmother's collection of artifacts. It's an uncomfortable series of jokes for social reasons, but also it is unnerving to place the bawdy humor on the Black teen girl when the movie is full of full-on grown ups.

Elsewhere, Phoebe stumbles into a star-crossed lovers subplot, in which she falls for a ghost girl named Melody (Doctor Sleep's Emily Alyn Lind). Swiftly, Phoebe is established as a queer character in a sapphic flirtation. Following a cliched path of coming-of-age queer stories, Phoebe feels so isolated by her friends and family — though because of ghostbusting, not her sexuality — that she's desperate to get closer to her crush. This leads to a troubling grand gesture that plays alarmingly close to a suicide attempt. Nitpickers will note Phoebe offers a disclaimer ahead of the act that it "isn't lethal," suggesting not permanent — so the effect is more Ghost Dad coma zone. But in depiction, it's nonetheless grim and could be triggering.

Considering the harrowing statistics about suicide among LGBTQ youth in the U.S., that this scene made it to the screen feels incomprehensible. Plotwise, it would have been easy to concoct different movie science to reach the same plot point. So how is it that the filmmakers sought to make a family friendly movie but touch on something so sensitive with so little caution?

SEE ALSO: 5 ways you can help prevent LGBTQ youth suicide Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire lacks chemistry and community. 

Beyond these tremendous red flags, this sequel is just too overstuffed to be consistently entertaining. The reason the original two Ghostbusters movies were such a hoot, was largely the chemistry between its four leads. Egon, Venkman, Ray, and Winston were fun to follow around. Here, it seems Kenan and Reitman don't trust that their audience is invested enough in the Spengler family to succeed without the quirky besties and nearly every lead from the first two films. This army of characters is too much for the film to substantially support, and so many of the roles feel little more than guest appearances. They offer no arc but chances to cheerfully dump exposition or movie science babble and on rare occasion a punchline.

This lack of cohesion has the most profound effect on the central plot line, which is all about how Phoebe feels about her place into the family and the Ghostbusters. Smartly executed, this disconnect might’ve allowed the audience to feel as unmoored as she does. Instead, Kenan runs the risk of the audience feeling disconnected from this ensemble as a whole, as the films jumps haphazardly from one scene to another with little sense of tone, setting, or plot cohesion. Sometimes even the characters' roles seem to function less by who they are or what they know and more by who might’ve been available to shoot that day. How else to explain why characters who haven't shared a scene operate with the exact same information?

Another loss to this lack of connectivity is how New York City is portrayed. In the first two films, the city itself proved a vital component of the film. Snarling New Yorkers and their harried mayor were hard to win over, creating conflict for the upstart paranormal scientists. The gruff persona of 1980s New York gave these movies color, and in Ghostbusters II the community of the city comes together (in song no less!) to chip in and save the day. 

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was largely shot in Georgia and looks like it. Exteriors in New York City can't make up for Kenan's apparent disinterest in depicting the culture and chaos of the iconic metropolis, where locals might shrug off the Titanic coming into dock at last. Instead, when icy havoc is unleashed, he offers a jarring sequence on a sunny Coney Island that looks like anything but, then a handful of aerial views of a wintry New York. The everyman on the street barely makes the montage.

Say what you all about Ghostbusters II, personally, it’s my favorite of the bunch. But it’s impossible not to get caught up in the excitement and good will of that festive finale. On the other hand, Frozen Empire's climax is full of grimacing and CGI nonsense, undercutting the emotional undercurrent, leaving the audience feeling frosty over enthused. 

In the end, Ghostbusters, Frozen Empire is not a good movie or a good kids movie. (Notably this critic would argue that plenty of movies — recently Turning Red, Luca, and Nimona — has proven you can do both.) However, it is still better than Ghostbusters: Afterlife, a movie that I described as "a ghoulish re-animated corpse, stuffed with half-baked new characters and lazy fan service."

The best I can say about Ghostbusters, Frozen Empire is, it’s not the worst. That would be Ghostbusters: Afterlife. 

Ghostbusters, Frozen Empire opens in theaters March 22.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988; the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860; or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.

UPDATE: Jan. 9, 2024, 5:51 p.m. EST This article was last updated in January 2024 to reflect new pricing information.

If you're searching for the best Kindle to buy in 2024, you're spoiled for choice. Amazon now makes a Kindle for every type of reader (including the cute yet highly functional Kindle Kids edition). 

If you haven't yet been converted to the lovely world of Amazon Kindle readers, we have to ask, frankly: What the heck are you waiting for?

We know nothing compares to the feel of a book in your hands as you thumb through page after enticing page. Yet, even if you're a ride-or-die bibliophile whose favorite smell is that of a bookstore (guilty), Kindles have undeniable benefits. You no longer have to pack 10 different books when going on vacation because you never know which book will suit your mood at any given time. You can also read poolside or at the beach without worrying about damaging your precious literature.

As of January 2024, Amazon makes seven different Kindles with a vast variety of features. This includes a new generation of Amazon e-readers released in 2022 as well as some older models still worth buying. We've gathered our favorites below along with highlights from our Kindle reviews, so read on to find the best Kindle for your reading pleasure.

Testing the auto-adjustment feature on the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable What should I look for in the best Kindles?

When shopping for a new Kindle, consider the following factors:

• Display size. The smallest Kindle has a 6-inch display while the largest has a 10.2-inch display.

• Storage capacity. Depending on the model, Kindles can have anywhere from 8 GB to 64 GB of storage capacity to stash many thousands of your favorite reads at a time.

• Battery life. Kindles generally have outstanding battery life (depending on your usage), but some models are even more impressive. On the low end, they last up to six weeks per charge, while others last up to 12 weeks.

• Waterproof protection. Not all Kindles are waterproof, but those that are provide peace of mind in case of accidental immersion in water without incurring damage.

Beyond those variable factors, all the latest Kindles boast a 300 ppi, high-resolution display with zero glare so you can enjoy sharp text and images at any viewing angle. All Kindles are also equipped with WiFi connectivity to allow you to access and download all the reading material you could ever want. (However, select Kindle readers also allow for free cellular connectivity so you have more options.) All Kindles offer parental control options as well, whether or not you've purchased a Kindle device specifically made for kids. Plus, you can listen to audiobooks on Audible via any Kindle's built-in Bluetooth connection.

What features do Kindles offer?

Beyond the aforementioned standard features that are found across most (if not all) of the latest Kindle models, there are also specialized features that you'll find on the higher-end models. To pick the right Kindle for your lifestyle, you'll want to consider your particular needs and preferences as you shop. 

The Kindle Scribe is the only Kindle e-reader that comes with its own stylus for note-taking. Credit: Molly Flores/Mashable

Perhaps you like to read outside often; you'll want a Kindle with an auto-adjusting light so you don't have to worry about constantly fixing the brightness for optimal viewing in your current environment. The Kindle Oasis, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, and Kindle Scribe all have this auto-adjustment feature. Or, perhaps you tend to read during your daily commute and can't rely on more than one hand being free to hold your reading material; you'll want a Kindle with easy page-turn buttons so you can get to the next page one-handed, and automatic rotating page orientation so you can seamlessly switch from one hand to the other — the Kindle Oasis.

Or, maybe you like to read before bed and want to cut out blue light that tends to keep us awake and alert; you'll need a Kindle that has an adjustable warm light feature so you can shift the display color from white to amber. After the 2022 release of the Kindle Scribe, there's even a Kindle that will allow you to jot down notes on your texts for later reference.

Wondering how to watch college basketball this tournament? Here are your best options: Most channels Sling TV Blue Plan $15 for the first month, then $40/month (save $25) Get Deal Most affordable Max With Ads $9.99/month Get Deal

The Colorado Buffaloes and Boise State men’s basketball teams are scheduled to meet in a postseason tournament game at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, on Wednesday, March 20. The game is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT. 

Colorado comes into the contest 24-10 overall. Most recently, Oregon beat the CU Buffs 75-68 on Saturday in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament. KJ Simpson has started all 34 games for Colorado, and he leads the Buffaloes in scoring with 19.6 points per game. 

Boise State enters the matchup 22-10 overall. On Thursday, New Mexico beat BSU 76-66 in the Mountain West Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Tyson Degenhart has been Boise State’s top scorer this season with 17 points per game.

SEE ALSO: How to download the 2024 March Madness basketball bracket

Tad Boyle is the Colorado Buffs men’s basketball head coach. Leon Rice is the Boise State men’s basketball head coach. 

The winner advances to face the No. 7 seed Florida Gators on Friday in Indianapolis.

CU Buffs vs. BSU basketball game time and network

The Colorado Buffaloes vs. Boise State men’s basketball game is scheduled to be broadcast on TruTV at 9 p.m./7 p.m. MT on Wednesday, March 20. TruTV broadcasters for the game are scheduled to be Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Jim Spanarkel (analyst), and Jon Rothstein (reporter). 

If you don’t have cable or satellite TV, online live-streaming platforms such as Sling or Max offer alternatives for enjoying the game.

Best streaming services for the Boise State vs. Colorado basketball game 

So you’ve cut the cord but you’re looking to catch Wednesday’s showdown between Boise State and Colorado men’s basketball, here are the top options to stream the game and ensure you don’t miss the action.  

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Blue Plan $15.00
$40.00 Save $25.00 Get Deal

For those keen on watching TruTV, Sling TV's Blue Plan has got you covered. With an introductory offer at just $15 for the first month — before adjusting to the regular $40/month. The plan includes a lineup of 40 channels, 50 hours of DVR storage for free, and lets you stream across three devices simultaneously.

In higher-priced plans, Sling TV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, TBS, and TruTV. 

Most affordable: Max Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max With Ads
Watch Now

Max is streaming men’s college basketball for the first time this March. There are three tiers of Max, and they all include the B/R Sports Add-On currently at no extra cost. 

The cheapest package is Max With Ads, which is $9.99 per month. It allows streaming on two devices. You can save 42% by paying for one year upfront at $69.99. 

The second package is Max Ad-Free, and that is $15.99 per month. If you’re mainly getting Max for sports, there isn’t much difference between Max With Ads and Max Ad-Free since sports will still include ads. If you pay one year upfront, you save 45% on Max Ad-Free at $104.99. 

Max Ultimate Ad-Free is the third package, and it is $19.99 per month. It also upgrades to allow streaming on four devices at once. Plus, it has 4K Ultra HD capability. The one-year price for Max Ultimate Ad-Free is $139.99. 

Wondering how to watch the college basketball tournament? Here are your best options: Most channels Sling TV Blue Plan $15 for the first month, then $40/month (save $25) Get Deal Most affordable Max With Ads $9.99/month Get Deal

The Montana State Bobcats and Grambling State men’s basketball teams are scheduled to meet in a postseason tournament game at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, on Wednesday, March 20. The game is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. CT/4:30 p.m. MT. 

Montana State enters the matchup 17-17 overall. Most recently, the MSU Bobcats defeated Montana 85-70 in the Big Sky Conference Tournament championship game on March 13. This season, Robert Ford III has been Montana State’s leading scorer at 15.9 points per game and top rebounder at 7.6 rebounds per game. 

Grambling State comes into the contest 20-14 overall. On Saturday, Grambling beat Texas Southern 75-66 in the SWAC Tournament championship game. Kintavious Dozier leads Grambling in scoring at 13.1 points per game. 

SEE ALSO: How to download the 2024 March Madness basketball bracket

Matt Logie is the Montana State Bobcats men’s basketball head coach. Donte’ Jackson is the Grambling State men’s basketball head coach. 

Montana State vs. Grambling basketball game time and network

The Montana State Bobcats vs. Grambling State men’s basketball game is scheduled to be broadcast on TruTV at 5:30 p.m. CT/4:30 p.m. MT on Wednesday, March 20. TruTV broadcasters for the game are scheduled to be Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Jim Spanarkel (analyst), and Jon Rothstein (reporter). 

The winner advances to face No. 1 seed Purdue on Friday in Indianapolis. 

In the evolving world of sports broadcasting, the emergence of live-streaming platforms like Sling and Max represents a new option from traditional TV subscriptions that meets the expectations of the modern fan. 

Best streaming services for the Grambling vs. Montana State basketball game 

As Grambling State takes on the Montana State Bobcats men’s basketball, you don’t need to worry if you don’t have cable. Explore the best options to catch every moment of this electrifying tournament showdown via streaming.  

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Blue Plan $15.00
$40.00 Save $25.00 Get Deal

Start watching TruTV with Sling TV’s Blue Plan. For a mere $15 you get the first month, after which the plan becomes $40/month. The Blue Plan offers 40 channels, 50 hours of DVR storage at no extra cost, and the freedom to stream on three different screens at once.

In higher-priced plans, Sling TV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, TBS, and TruTV. 

Most affordable: Max Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max With Ads
Watch Now

This March, Max is joining the men’s college basketball madness, and each tier of the service comes with the B/R Sports Add-On — free of charge.

The most inexpensive package is Max With Ads, which is $9.99 per month. It allows streaming on two devices. You can save 42% by paying for one year upfront at $69.99. 

The second package is Max Ad-Free, and that is $15.99 per month. If you’re mainly getting Max for sports, there isn’t much difference between Max With Ads and Max Ad-Free since sports will still include ads. If you pay one year upfront, you save 45% on Max Ad-Free at $104.99. 

Max Ultimate Ad-Free is the third package, and it is $19.99 per month. It also upgrades to allow streaming on four devices at once. Plus, it has 4K Ultra HD capability. The one-year price for Max Ultimate Ad-Free is $139.99. 

Google Research and Fitbit are working on a Personal Health Large Language Model, meaning an AI-based personal trainer to help you stay fit and healthy.

In a blog post Tuesday, Google explained that the new model will power personalized health and wellness features in the Fitbit mobile app, providing insights and recommendations based on the data it gathers from Fitbit and Pixel devices.

Google Pixel Watch 2 $349.99 at Amazon
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If you recall, Google acquired fitness wearables maker Fitbit back in 2021, with the company now selling both Fitbit-branded devices and Google's Pixel Watch 2.

Google offers several examples of what the new AI model can do, such as analyze variations in your sleep patterns and sleep quality, and then suggest recommendations on what your next workout should be like in terms of intensity.

The model is built on Google's new Gemini models, and "fine-tuned on a de-identified, diverse set of health signals from high-quality research case studies," Google said. It's all done in partnership with coaches and wellness experts, of course.

SEE ALSO: Apple and Google are reportedly talking. Could Gemini come to iPhone?

Google says that the model already has good results in some areas. "We’re testing performance using sleep medicine certification exam-like practice tests, and are already seeing that our model currently performs well," the company wrote, adding that it will share more research "soon."

There's no word on when we'll actually see the new AI features in action in the Fitbit app.

Created by Train to Busan, JUNG_E and Hellbound director Yeon Sang-ho and inspired by Hitoshi Iwaaki's Parasyte manga, Parasyte: The Grey has already given us a gory teaser that hints at a parastically hostile alien takeover.

Now, the full trailer is here, and it zones in on the struggles of Jeong Su-in (Jeon So-nee) as she grapples with her new reality of co-existing with a tentacled creature living in her own head. Yikes.

How to watch: Parasyte: The Grey is streaming on Netflix from April 5.

Modern AI models are usually trained on pre-existing data, like text, images, and video, developing through a combination of progressive learning algorithms. But it is also this foundation that can lead to inconsistencies between the final product generated by AI and the physical reality it is attempting to mimic.

Attempting to overcome that challenge, Covariant, an OpenAI spinoff, has created a Robotics Foundation Model (RFM-1) that learns through existing online data, as well as through observing situations unfolding in the physical world. In a press release, Covariant claims the model “provides robots the human-like ability to reason, representing the first time generative AI has successfully given commercial robots a deeper understanding of language and the physical world.”

Here, what is meant by a "human-like ability to reason" is RFM-1's ability to make outcome predictions based on information gathered from the model's IRL surroundings. For example, when a robot is given a task, the model generates a visual of what said task could look like once completed. The prediction helps determine whether the robot will encounter any performance obstacles, and allows it to ask its prompter for solutions. Using simple language, the person prompting the robot can offer solutions to help bring the task to completion through typed conversation.

So far, RFM-1 has only been used in a lab setting but Covariant intends to soon release it to industrial customers using AI for work, like production and distribution facilities.

Threads has been steadily rolling out new features and updates since its launch last summer. The latest: trending topics.

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, took to Threads to announce the new feature on Tuesday, revealing that trending topics will be shown in both the search page and in the For You Feed in the app.

Post by @mosseri View on Threads

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg also shared the news on the platform. Trending topics will now be available from today for all U.S.-based users.

Post by @zuck View on Threads

The app has been playing around with categorizing topics for a while, initially leaking a trending topics feature back in October. The feature will later tested to a small group of users in the U.S., appearing like a numbered list of topics, going up to five, and showing up below the search bar.

SEE ALSO: Adam Mosseri says Threads won't be getting chronological search results

Meta also announced hashtags on Threads in December, only without the actual "#" symbol.

As of February of this year, Threads has more than 130 million monthly active users, according to Zuckerberg. As a widely-discussed alternative to X (formally Twitter), the app gained a lot of traction after its initial launch, and seems to be steadily pursuing a wider user-base — especially those tired of Elon Musk's platform.

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 March 20 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 20

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, March 20, 2024:

AcrossSudden burst of electricity

• The answer is jolt.

All over again

• The answer is anew.

Meditation teachers

• The answer is yogis.

Part of the body that's altered by a Snapchat filter, often

• The answer is face.

Show off one's muscles

• The answer is flex.

DownCrested woodland bird

• The answer is jay.

Powering switch

• The answer is onoff.

Judge-y?

• The answer is legal.

How many times someone is allowed to serve as U.S. president

• The answer is twice.

What the Victorian euphemisms "amorous congress" and "taking a flyer" meant

• The answer is sex.

Prime Video is the seriously popular on-demand streaming service that hosts literally thousands of movies, shows, and award-winning Prime Originals. Amazon Prime offers one-day delivery, unlimited music, and includes this impressive streaming service.

Amazon Prime Video works out at a similar rate to other streaming video services like Netflix. However, you don't get a delivery service, music streaming, and access to the Kindle library with Netflix. It's for this reason that so many people continue to sign up to Amazon's video streaming service. Amazon Prime Video is available to stream on all the Kindle Fire tablets and more than 600 other devices, including pretty much every computer, smartphone, console, and smart TV you can imagine.

This all sounds great, but imagine for a moment that not everything is perfect. Imagine that everything is not well with the world, because you have signed up to Amazon Prime Video to specifically watch one programme, and it's only shown on the U.S. version of the service. It's a troubling thought and it seems to happen fairly regularly.

Fortunately, there is something you can do to avoid this annoying issue. You can use a VPN to gain access to all of the best American content from the UK.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network from a public internet connection. VPNs hide your real IP address so all of your online activity is untraceable and secure.

Does this make sense? We understand that this sort of technology can be confusing, so it can help to think of a VPN as a tunnel through which all of your online traffic passes. This tunnel is encrypted, meaning that nobody can see into it, and everything inside is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.

What are the benefits of using a VPN?

VPNs are used to provide protection for your sensitive information, and this is obviously important. These services are vital for improving you cybersecurity, there is another reason that VPNs are so popular.

These tools can also be used to watch content that is normally blocked in your location by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another country. This simple process tricks leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country, meaning you can watch all of the extra content from global libraries.

VPNs are keys to the online world, granting you access to more of the shows and films you love by bypassing geo-restrictions.

How do you unblock U.S. Prime Video with a VPN?

The process of accessing the American version of Prime Video with a VPN is actually really simple. All you need to do is open up your preferred VPN, select an American server in order to spoof your IP to a U.S. address, and then head to Prime Video.

There is a bit of a cat and mouse situation with streaming sites and VPNs, as sites like Prime Video and Netflix look to detect VPN usage and block servers. This is why you should always try and pick a VPN with a large and diverse network of servers, so you always have plenty of options to bypass restrictions.

You will still need to be subscribed to Prime Video for this trick to work. A VPN is not going to grant access to the streaming site for free. Instead, a VPN provides access to more libraries from around the world, once you're subscribed.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

There are plenty of VPNs out there that can bypass online restrictions to unblock Prime Video, which is good and bad. It's great to have options, but with so many VPNs to consider, it can be tough to pick the best option for you. This is where we come in.

We have outlined the best VPNs for the job. If you're looking to unlock more content from anywhere in the world, we recommend checking out ExpressVPN, PureVPN, NordVPN, and the other names in this list. There should be something for everyone and every budget. You just need to weigh up each VPN against your own set of preferences, and pick a favourite.

These are the best VPNs for Prime Video in 2024.

How can you best protect your identity and data when you're navigating the online world? The simple answer is with a virtual private network, or VPN. That's the easy part covered, but how do you select a VPN that works for you and your lifestyle? That's a trickier question.

We know the decision process can be tough, so we've tried to help you out. Based on customer reviews, we have compared the best VPNs to help you find something that ticks all of your boxes. But first, we should talk about what these services actually offer, and why you should consider signing up.

What is a VPN?

A VPN is a connection method used to add security and privacy to private and public networks. VPNs are becoming increasingly popular as cybersecurity becomes a priority. A VPN improves online privacy because the user's IP address is replaced with one from the VPN provider. Those subscribed to a VPN can obtain an IP address from any gateway location the VPN service provides.

If this all sounds a little complicated, try thinking about a VPN as an encrypted tunnel through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware

Do you need a VPN?

Without a VPN you are basically cruising the online world naked, baring all to the world. A VPN keeps you covered up by hiding/changing your IP address, hiding your location, and encrypting your data transfers

VPNs are primarily designed to provide online security, but that's not all. Millions of people use these services to stream more content from around the world. By hiding your IP address and connecting you to a server in another location, you can trick leading streaming services into thinking that you are based in a different country. This means you can bypass content restrictions to watch all extra shows and movies from global libraries.

So the two key benefits to using a VPN are cybersecurity and streaming.

Should you use free VPNs?

The final question that's important to consider is whether you need to pay for a VPN. The answer really depends on your priorities. A free VPN is generally going to lack the most advanced features. A paid VPN will tend to offer faster connection speeds, servers in more locations, and better customer support (but not always). If anonymity is top of your list of priorities however, then a free VPN may be the better option as a free VPN provider won’t usually ask you to sign up to use its service.

It's important to carefully research the wide selection of free and paid VPNs before making any decision. Whether you need to pay for a service or go with the free option comes down to what you need from your VPN. Data limits are another stumbling block when it comes to a free service, so if this doesn’t bother you, go right ahead. If you do however need more data, more locations, and more servers from your VPN, then a paid service is the solution.

It's also worth noting that pretty much all of the best VPNs offer money-back guarantees, so if you're sneaky, you can work this system and use these services for a limited amount of time without fully committing with your cash. We don't recommend this tactic, but you can use the best VPNs for free if you cancel your subscription before the guarantee period comes to an end.

What is the best free VPN?

Before making your selection, you should think carefully about what you want from a VPN and which aspect of the service you want to prioritise. Once you've given that some thought, we recommend checking out the options we have lined up, including popular services like NordVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and ExpressVPN.

There is something for everyone and every budget in this list. All of these VPNs offer free trials or money-back guarantees, but we've also highlighted the cost of subscribing in case you're tempted to upgrade.

These are the best free VPNs in 2024.

Netflix can't get enough of those unsolved mysteries. A few years back they rebooted the classic cold case documentary series with two fresh volumes, and now the streaming service has a whole new (very similar sounding) series under a different name.

Files of the Unexplained is an eight-episode docuseries exploring different bizarre cases, from the classic alien abduction story to the disturbing phenomenon of severed feet washing up ashore.

Files of the Unexplained is streaming on Netflix from April 3.

Autonomous taxis have arrived in the nation’s second most populous city. Some Angelenos aren’t ready to go driverless.

The award, to be announced by President Biden at a plant in Arizona, is the biggest the government has made under a new program that aims to rebuild the nation’s semiconductor manufacturing industry.

In Michael Showalter’s The Idea of You — which sees a middle-aged mother falling for a youthful pop star — fan-fiction fantasy collides with reality in clunky ways. The result, however, is breathtaking for one reason in particular: a career-highlight performance from Anne Hathaway, who also serves as the movie’s producer.

The rom-com is seldom considered a venue for such luminous on-screen work, but Showalter’s film (penned by Kissing Jessica Stein's Jennifer Westfeldt) affords the Oscar-winning actress a fun, freeing, and occasionally melodramatic part. While the movie too lazily expresses its social commentary through verbose declarations about double standards for women in the public spotlight, Hathaway frequently speaks with her eyes, bringing the story’s more complicated emotions and desires to the fore in silent, considered moments.

It's a rush of energy at times, and its weakest moments are only fleeting inconveniences. Bottoms' Nicholas Galitzine holds his own opposite Hathaway in a role that — though shallowly written — provides him with a star-making turn. But enough cannot be said about what a tremendous performance Hathaway delivers here, practically warping the movie around her blazing screen presence, until The Idea of You becomes a personal mission statement about the kind of roles she will very likely command in the near future. (In her own words: “I want to have fun, dammit. It speaks to me.”)

What is The Idea of You about?  

Based on the 2017 novel by actress Robinne Lee, The Idea of You expands on the burgeoning cottage industry of film based on lightly-disguised fan fiction of One Direction’s Harry Styles. Where the five-movie After series — released between 2019 and 2023, based on a series of 2014-15 novels — features international college student Hardin Scott (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), The Idea of You has the more straightforwardly Styles-esque Hayes Campbell (Galitzine), a 24-year-old English heartthrob who ostensibly leads the boy band August Moon.

The group, now nearly a decade old, is still popular with tweens and mothers, but to high-schooler Izzy (Ella Rubin) and her friends, they’re already a nostalgia act ("They’re so seventh grade," she groans). When Izzy’s father, Daniel (Reid Scott), splurges on VIP tickets to the band’s Coachella meet-and-greet, she politely agrees to attend — while her mother Solène (Hathaway) is unexpectedly called in to chaperone.

Solène is a 40-year-old art dealer in Los Angeles's hipster chic Silver Lake, and isn’t particularly enthused about hordes of screaming fans of August Moon — a band she knows little about. However, a misunderstanding leads to a meet-cute in Hayes’ trailer, during which the young Brit is instantly smitten with the beguiling mom. Solène is more amused than swooning. But the fact that she doesn’t seem to really know who he is — and that she isn’t flustered or overwhelmed by his celebrity — is refreshing to Hayes.

He pursues her with oodles of charm, leading to a secretive whirlwind romance on his European tour. Unfortunately, a celebrity affair can only stay secret for so long. The dam inevitably breaks, revealing a flood of misogyny directed Solène’s way through social media. 

This leads to a somber detour, during which the film insists on stopping to explain its underlying social dynamics in broad, preachy statements for the camera, even when it doesn’t need to. Hathaway’s quiet responses to each evolving scenario carry enough nuance to get the point across, ensuring that The Idea of You remains tethered to its emotional core even when it verges on sermonizing. There’s rarely a moment where the actress isn’t utterly convincing as a woman trying to fend off venomous media scrutiny as she attempts to live her best life. It’s a fitting role for Hathaway, given what she’s been through herself — Hathahaters gonna hate — but this is just one of several elements that makes her performance so unmissable.

Anne Hathaway is absolutely stunning in The Idea of You.

The plot might seem run-of-the-mill, but the dramatic tensions between Hayes and Solène — stemming from their differing lifestyles, and the disparity in what they want and how they read various situations, given their 16-year age gap — are deftly expressed through wordless glances. You could watch the film on mute and still feel 100 percent of the electricity between its leads (though you’d miss out on the movie’s earworm soundtrack in the process, a fitting mix of classic rock and August Moon "originals").  As it's being released straight to Prime Video, it’s a shame The Idea of You won’t see a proper theatrical release, because listening to (and more importantly, feeling) an entire audience being swept up in the movie is one hell of a fun experience. It’s the kind of film that draws not only raucous laughter from a crowd, but excited hooting and hollering when things get hot and heavy. 

The couple’s hesitance is palpable, but so is their mutual lust and their deeper, more fulfilling connection. Showalter builds their respective desires through scenes of what they lack, or what they can’t find elsewhere. Hayes attempts to tune out the overzealous energy of screaming fans, and Solène tries her best not to be bogged down by the mundane, divorcé energy of men her age. He wants something more mature, and more stable, while she yearns for the kind of free-spirited adventure she never had as a young mother who married right after college. These desires are at odds, but can they meet perfectly in the middle?

Nicolas Galitzine is no Harry Styles. 

As a stage performer in The Idea of You, Galitzine lacks the pop prince's high level of panache. But he is committed to rounding out the character with hidden layers behind closed doors. However, he frequently brushes up against issues in the film’s writing and editing. 

We rarely see the deeper, non-celebrity self of which he frequently speaks, and which draws Solène to him in the first place. His interiority is more discussed than revealed. Still, their dynamic is immediately enrapturing because of Hathaway’s suppressed excitement. Even if you never feel a thing for Hayes during the movie’s 115 minutes, all you need is one look at Solène’s reactions to his longing stares in order to be convinced. The way she smiles with her eyes tells an entire story on its own: of a woman who yearns to be seen and adored, and who finally gets these things whenever Hayes walks into a room.

It's a thrilling performance, and it proves to be heartbreaking even when the movie speeds through its interpersonal drama to skip between rom-com tropes, including the inevitable rift between the lovers. Hathaway makes these rushed plot elements feel whole, turning Solène’s insecurities inward in the form of fear, and outward as impulsive, self-destructive decisions. It’s as though Solène, having been hurt by men in the past, is so terrified of love’s possibilities that she has no choice but to stop the movie dead. But no matter what direction it takes, Hathaway fills it with life.

How fantasy and reality collide in The Idea of You.

Showalter tends to lack visual flair as a filmmaker, which surprisingly (perhaps accidentally) works to his advantage in initial scenes. Before Hayes and Solène meet, the frame always seems noncommittal, both in its staging and its use of color. It’s never aesthetically offensive, but it doesn’t do much beyond take an unobtrusive, uninvolved, flatly lit look at Solène’s daily routine.

However, once Solène gives into temptation (after allowing herself to feel the giddy rush of youthful anticipation), she gets swept up in Hayes’ lifestyle, and cinematographer Jim Frohna turns the frame warm and intimate. His camera captures each arousing first — their first touch, their first kiss, and Solène’s steamy first orgasm — with ecstatic energy, as the characters get lost in passion. But they also simply enjoy each other’s company behind closed doors, and get swept up in joy and laughter far away from watchful eyes.

When the weight of reality comes crashing down on them, in the form of invasive celebrity gossip and online vitriol, the effects on Solène’s psyche are stark. But the impact of their relationship on Izzy ends up a key factor in the film’s trajectory. In aging Izzy up to 16 (she’s 12 years old in the book), she becomes a much more self-aware part of the story, with her own thoughts and her own conflicting objections and acceptance. The film employs her as a sly mouthpiece for its gender commentary — much like Barbie did with its opinionated teenager —but how seriously it takes her input seems to change from scene to scene.

On the plus side, The Idea of You never falls victim to the brash, reductive framing of art and artistry found in many mainstream films — especially romance films, where couples bond over their distaste for perceived pretentiousness. What starts out as a scene of Hayes and Solène making fun of modern, interpretive art takes on a much more meaningful tone as they find connection in the abstract. Solène loves art, after all, and Hayes even learns to take it as seriously as she does. Conversely, whenever Hayes’ artistic insecurities bubble to the surface, Solène takes him seriously too, despite his seemingly frivolous public persona. It helps that the music he produces — whether his soulful acoustic solos, or the group’s mainstream chart-toppers, which have a bit of a Maroon 5 kick — is genuinely worth listening to. 

The ideas these two people have of each other may be idealized at times, as is the case with any new relationship. But the movie reckons with this as well. It brushes up against the expectations of romantic comedies, at times subverting them by delving deeper than expected into its couple’s personal complications (in this case, stemming from Hayes’ dreamlike stardom). However, The Idea of You is also entirely unapologetic about its genre, despite verging on deconstructive in its final act. It wants to have its cake and eat it too, and it mostly succeeds.

Lee’s book was criticized by several readers for its sudden, arguably unpleasant ending. The movie doesn’t avoid this aspect of the source material, but it does expand on it in satisfying ways, which are anchored by Hathaway’s riveting performance, resulting in a final shot destined to be remembered among the actress’s career highlights. She’s consistently delivered during her 23-year career, whether in her Oscar-winning role in prestige musical Les Misérables, or in traditional dramas like Brokeback Mountain and Rachel Getting Married. However, her work in rom-coms isn’t remembered quite as fondly. While this may be understandable for less acclaimed films like Bride Wars and Valentine’s Day, even 2010’s Love & Other Drugs, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination, is seldom mentioned in the same breath as her strongest work. She hasn’t starred in a rom-com in nearly a decade and a half, so The Idea of You marks a triumphant return to a genre in which she hasn’t received her due, making it a crowning moment for someone who’s always had the potential to be a rom-com queen.

It’s a performance that not only works within the lighthearted confines of the rom-com, but one that demands more rigorous dramatic work as well: a cinematic synthesis that requires an actress of her caliber. She’s so phenomenally in-tune with the material that she practically transforms The Idea of You into a career rebirth, where she’s able to fashion a genre otherwise considered disposable fluff into something deeply moving, writing a new chapter for herself as a character who wrestles with whether or not she deserves a new lease on life. The answer, for both Hathaway and Solène, is an emphatic “yes,” and seeing them get everything they deserve is cinematic wish-fulfillment at its finest.

The Idea of You was reviewed out of SXSW 2024; it will debut on Prime Video on May 2.

It's a running joke (and let's be real, there's truth in it) that men lie about their height on dating apps. It's a trend so pervasive that pals of mine on the dating scene have developed tactics for spotting a liar, from looking at his shadow in a photo, or comparing his height against objects in the background. We're all used to this happening by now, but when you swipe right on a match and enter the talking stage, lies about…other measurements…can pop up, too.

During dirty talk, or straight in the dating app bio on occasion, some men can't help but bring up their penis size. And they may, shall we say, exaggerate — or outright lie — by adding a few bonus inches.  

SEE ALSO: What is gooning?

But why bother lying about your penis size, especially when, if all goes well, your partner will find out anyway? Does anyone actually care about the precise measurement of their partner's member? Do any of us even really know how big inches are?

Speaking to dating and relationship experts, Mashable got to the bottom of this phenomenon, which has been dubbed "cockfishing," to find out how common it is and why people lie about their penis size. 

How common is cockfishing?

One 2023 study by Innerbody Research tells us one in four men lie about their penis size, including on dating apps. Meanwhile, researchers in Denmark found in another 2023 study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, that the average man exaggerates the length of his penis by around a fifth. They also add around two centimeters to their height (around 0.8 inches), another common fib many straight women who use dating apps will be familiar with.

It might seem like there are bigger things to worry about on dating apps — rejection, breadcrumbing, ghosting — but this commonplace lie says a lot about how society views penis size, and the pressures some people with penises might be dealing with in the dating world.

Sex therapist Melissa Cook at used underwear marketplace Sofia Gray says there are several reasons why men might misrepresent the size of their penis, and it often comes down to psychological or cultural reasons. The average penis size is around 5.16 inches when erect, but Cook notes there's pressure to keep up with unrealistic standards that go (far) beyond what's average. 

"Expectations set by pornographic content — and then society — means that some men exaggerate their size, in an attempt to align with these perceptions of masculinity," she explains. Not to mention porn's influence on mainstream TV as well, with the use of big prosthetic penises.

She adds that some men also lie about their penis size being smaller, so that partners may be pleasantly surprised when they see they're a bit more endowed than they led on — similar to the concept of "reverse catfishing." 

"Those who under-exaggerate their penis size could also be doing so to manage expectations, so that their partner's experience surpasses the anticipation," Cook says.  

Do people actually care about penis size?

The question of whether people care about their partner's penis size depends on individuals. Cook explains that while some people might have preferences regarding size, factors like emotional connection, skill, and intimacy are more important for others. "If someone is obsessed over genital size, it could indicate an underlying insecurity or even a misdirected focus on physical characteristics rather than the quality of the sexual and emotional relationship," she adds. 

When it comes to the quality of sex, penis size actually doesn't matter. Cook notes that the vagina is really adaptable and can accommodate lots of sizes. Various forms of stimulation provide pleasure, as well. Clitoral stimulation is usually important for women, so in relationships involving a vagina and a penis, penetration isn't the be-all-or-end-all anyway. 

"Foreplay, oral sex, and sex toys can also be used to improve sexual pleasure, without using a penis. Sexual experiences can also be enhanced with creativity, connection, communication, and mutual respect," she adds. "A focus on emotional intimacy combined with the skills and desire to please a partner is a sure-fire way to create a more fulfilling experience, no matter the size of the penis."

So, why lie about penis size then?

If size doesn't matter to most — and sexual pleasure isn't dependent on it — you'd think people with penises would lie about it less. But Jessica Leoni, a sex and dating expert at Illicit Encounters, a UK dating website for married couples, thinks the pressure to look masculine outweighs all of that. 

"It's no secret that there's so much pressure to look and seem a certain way on social media and dating apps these days," Leoni says. "That pressure, combined with the sheer ease of downloading photo-editing apps, is likely to be driving a rise in cockfishing."

She explains that much like younger generations' fixation on intense appearance-editing apps like Facetune, people can edit themselves mercilessly when exchanging nudes. 

"It's just easy to just swap out a picture of your penis for one that's perceived as 'more attractive' — for whatever reason," Leoni says. Maybe you edited it, maybe it's just a super-flattering angle with generous positioning. It's all too easy to make ourselves look "better" (read: what society deems conventionally attractive) so that temptation to cockfish is always there. 

SEE ALSO: The best alternatives to Pornhub and XVideos

Leoni adds, "Now that we've seen so many AI-generated models on platforms too, it's even possible that we'll see a rise in AI-generated cockfishing. So, yes. I think the pressure we put on ourselves and the ease of making slight alterations is sadly a perfect recipe for this type of misrepresentation."

But cockfishing leads to awkward revelations when your partner eventually sees your real penis at best, and a reduction in self-esteem and confidence at worst. Lying about your penis size will never make you feel good long-term. 

How can people stop cockfishing?

If you feel uncomfortable about sharing a picture of your penis with someone, ask yourself why that is. Leoni says that if it's simply because you don't feel comfortable sharing these images or fear exposure, you have every right to feel that way. No one should feel pressured to sext or send nude images at any stage of a relationship or dating encounter. If this is your situation, she says, "perhaps consider a different dating website and/or turn down moves to sext that make you feel uncomfortable."

However, if you are feeling self-conscious about the colour, size, or shape of your penis, take time to reflect on your confidence. "While being your authentic self can feel very vulnerable, honesty is the best policy when it comes to dating. If your confidence concerns are hard to cope with, please reach out to a therapist or someone you can talk to," she recommends. Lying about the appearance of your penis size is definitely not the answer.

NASA plunged a refrigerator-sized spacecraft into a stadium-sized asteroid in 2022, with hopes of simply nudging it.

It was an unprecedented, successful test — proving humanity could alter the path of a menacing asteroid, should one ever be headed our way. Now, the space agency revealed that the DART mission didn't simply vastly exceed expectations for moving the asteroid Dimorphos, but the impact changed the rubbly space rock's shape.

The impact cut Dimorphos' loop around its parent asteroid (they journey around the sun as a pair, or binary system) by a whopping 33 minutes and 15 seconds — when the original goal was to change it by at least 73 seconds. "And the entire shape of the asteroid has changed, from a relatively symmetrical object to a 'triaxial ellipsoid' – something more like an oblong watermelon," Shantanu Naidu, an engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said in a statement.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

Naidu led the new research from the DART mission, short for Double Asteroid Redirection Test, which was recently published in The Planetary Science Journal.

To grasp Dimorphos' new shape, scientists used telescopes on Earth to observe how light reflected off the two asteroids, as well as watching when the asteroids would cast a shadow on each other. The graphic below shows the change in the 525-foot-wide (160-meter) space rock, which is no longer largely symmetrical.

The modeled shape of the asteroid Dimorphos, before and after impact. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech The asteroid Dimorphos just two seconds before impact from the DART spacecraft. Credit: NASA / Johns Hopkins APL

Astronomers, and the public, will soon have much closer views of post-impact Dimorphos. The European Space Agency's Hera mission will rendezvous with and survey the asteroid pair in 2026. "Now that NASA’s DART mission has impacted the moonlet, Hera will turn the grand-scale experiment into a well-understood and repeatable planetary defense technique," the agency explained.

It's important, if not critical, for humanity to find potentially threatening asteroids and have the technological ability to deflect them. But, fortunately, sizeable impacts are rare:

- Every single day about 100 tons of dust and sand-sized particles fall through Earth's atmosphere and promptly burn up.

- Every year, on average, an "automobile-sized asteroid" plummets through our sky and explodes, explains NASA.

- Impacts by objects around 460 feet in diameter (big enough to cause significant regional destruction) occur every 10,000 to 20,000 years.

- A "dinosaur-killing" impact from a rock perhaps a half-mile across or larger happens on 100-million-year timescales. There's no known threat from these colossal asteroids for the next century, and the likelihood of an impact in the next thousand years is exceedingly low.

TL;DR: Through March 24, save 59% and get a Ninja Dragon Phantom K Pro drone and Blade X Pro drone for just $149.99 (reg. $369).

Attention all adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers. An excellent way to get outside and have some fun is with a drone. And what's better than one drone? Two 4K drones for the price of one. This offer gets you a Ninja Dragon Phantom K Pro drone and Blade X Pro drone for just $149.99 (reg. $369).

Let the Ninja Dragon Phantom K Pro Drone be your handy companion for exploring the world from above. Equipped with advanced features and cutting-edge technology, this drone takes your aerial adventures to the next level with its dual 4K cameras to capture all you see and the MV production feature that lets you add music.

The WiFi-equipped Ninja Dragon has user-friendly features that make flying fun and easier than ever, even for a beginner. A one-key return button automatically returns your drone to you, and the four-way anti-collision feature lets even the newest droner fly one without fear of crashing.

It also has preselected flight path capabilities, altitude hold mode, and more. Since it's compact and foldable, you can easily take this drone with you on camping trips, hikes, and other excursions.

The Blade X Pro has three-sided obstacle avoidance, a 4K HD camera on the front, a 720p camera on the back, and a six-axis gyroscope design. 

Don't miss this chance to get two drones for the price of one with this limited-time offer.

Save 59% on these two drones: a Ninja Dragon Phantom K Pro drone and a Blade X Pro drone for just $149.99 (reg. $369).

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