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The 10 best dating apps for men who know what they want

Mashable - Sat, 06/22/2024 - 05:00

A lot of guys have a love-hate relationship with the best dating apps for men, but what's the alternative?

Meeting someone organically, or "in the wild" as some people call it, can feel nearly impossible. Between work, hobbies, and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, who has the time to actually meet people? That's where online dating comes in.

If you're already rolling your eyes, we hear you. Dating as a man in the 21st century is tough. It's not just the pressure to make the first move or the fear of rejection — it's the endless swiping through fake profiles, AI-generated thirst traps, bots posing as potential matches, and the relentless Instagram models trying to lure you into their OnlyFans scam. It's easy to get discouraged.

SEE ALSO: Dating predictions for the rest of 2024

Despite these challenges (and the very long list of others we didn't mention), there are still plenty of real people out there looking for love, just like you. It's just a matter of finding the best dating apps and putting in the effort to weed out the fakes and the flakes.

Do dating apps work for most guys?

Yes! We're not going to sugarcoat it and say everyone finds love on their first swipe (or even their first app). But here's the thing: Real men and women are finding real connections on these apps every day. One 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that one in 10 partnered adults met their significant other through online dating. The numbers are even higher for young people and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

When asked about their experiences with dating apps, 53 percent of users said they had a positive experience, with 14 percent even rating it as "very positive." Of course, your mileage may vary depending on who you are and what you're looking for. But the good news is that guys seem to be having a pretty decent time, with 57 percent reporting positive experiences and results compared to 48 percent of women.

SEE ALSO: Dating app coaches promise to upgrade your love life. But what do they actually do? Which dating app should I use as a guy?

The dating apps we've highlighted in this roundup are a great starting point for guys who are serious about finding a connection, whether it's a casual fling, a serious relationship, or something in between. Each app offers unique features and caters to different dating styles, so there's bound to be one that fits your personality and goals.

Don't be afraid to experiment; try out a few different apps and see what works for you. And most importantly, don't get discouraged by the occasional bad date or disappointing match. Remember, there are plenty of fish in the (digital) sea, and with a little effort, we're sure you'll find the one that's worth reeling in.

How to watch Ecuador vs. Venezuela online for free

Mashable - Sat, 06/22/2024 - 00:15

TL;DR: Watch Ecuador vs. Venezuela in the 2024 Copa America for free on Sportitalia. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Sure, it's for American teams only (well, sort of), but the 2024 Copa America is exciting for football fans all around the world. That's because the Americas are home to some of the greatest teams on the planet — particularly in South America.

And even though Ecuador and Venezuela aren't the strongest teams, the group stages of any tournament can throw up surprises. Both teams will have their sights on improving their Copa America performances in 2021, when Ecuador fell at the first knockout stage and Venezuela struggled to get out of the group.

All of which means this Group B clash isn't to be missed and you can watch it wherever you are around the globe. You don't have to be in the host country of the USA.

If you want to watch Ecuador vs. Venezuela in the 2024 Copa America for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Ecuador vs. Venezuela?

Ecuador vs. Venezuela in the 2024 Copa America kicks off at 6 p.m. ET on June 22. This fixture takes place at the Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara.

How to watch Ecuador vs. Venezuela for free

Ecuador vs. Venezuela in the 2024 Copa America is available to live stream for free on Sportitalia.

Sportitalia is a free-to-watch streaming platform in Italy. While the platform is geo-blocked outside of Italy, viewers in other parts of the world can access it by using a VPN. A VPN is a handy tool that can hide your real IP address, including your location, and connect you to a secure server within Italy. That will allow you to access Sportitalia from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of Copa America by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Italy

  4. Visit Sportitalia

  5. Watch the 2024 Copa America for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

While the best VPNs for streaming aren't free, leading VPN providers tend to offer incentive deals such as free trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can take advantage of these deals to get access for long enough to watch the 2024 Copa America — all without spending a penny. It's not a long-term solution, though with all the benefits of a VPN you may decide to keep the service on a more permanent basis.

What is the best VPN for Sportitalia?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for unblocking Sportitalia to stream live sport for free, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Italy

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale for just $99.95 — for an impressive saving of 49%. This deal includes an extra three months for free, as well as a year of free unlimited cloud backup, and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Ecuador vs. Venezuela for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Bangladesh vs. India online for free

Mashable - Sat, 06/22/2024 - 00:01

TL;DR: Watch Bangladesh vs. India in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup for free on Disney+ Hotstar. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's time for Bangladesh and India to go head-to-head in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup. It's set to be a great game, so don't miss out.

In the Super Eights, each team will play the others in their group once, and the top two teams from each of these groups progress to the semi-finals - but who will make it through?

Want to tune in? You can watch Bangladesh vs. India in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, and we have all the information you need.

When is Bangladesh vs. India?

Bangladesh vs. India in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup starts at 10:30 a.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. BST on June 22. This fixture takes place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.

How to watch Bangladesh vs. India for free

It couldn't be easier to livestream Bangladesh vs. India. For smartphone users in India, you can watch the 2024 Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup for free on Disney+ Hotstar app.

This free content is geo-restricted to India, so for fans elsewhere in the world, you'll need a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access this free content on the Disney+ Hotstar app from anywhere in the world.

Access free T20 Cricket World Cup live streams by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in India

  4. Download the Disney+ Hotstar mobile app

  5. Watch Bangladesh vs. India in the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are generally not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. Take advantage of these offers to can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Bangladesh vs. India (plus the rest of the tournament) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Disney+ Hotstar?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing live sport on Disney+ Hotstar, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including India

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch Bangladesh vs. India in the 2024 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Afghanistan vs. Australia online for free

Mashable - Sat, 06/22/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Watch Afghanistan vs. Australia in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup for free on Disney+ Hotstar. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We’re into the second stage of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup and it’s been an exciting tournament so far. This year sees the debut of the new Super 8s format where the eight qualifying teams will be divided into two groups of four. Each team will play the others in their group once, with the top two teams from each of these groups progressing on to the semi-finals.

Next up is Group 1 teams, Afghanistan and Australia.

If you want to catch the next fixture in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Afghanistan vs. Australia?

Afghanistan vs. Australia in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on June 22 / 1:30 a.m. BST on June 23. This fixture takes place at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent.

How to watch Afghanistan vs. Australia for free

Want to tune in? Don't worry, it couldn't be simpler to livestream Afghanistan vs. Australia. For smartphone users in India, you can watch the 2024 Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup for free on Disney+ Hotstar app.

This free content is geo-restricted to India, so for fans elsewhere in the world, you'll need a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access this free content on the Disney+ Hotstar app from anywhere in the world.

Access free T20 Cricket World Cup live streams by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in India

  4. Download the Disney+ Hotstar mobile app

  5. Watch Afghanistan vs. Australia in the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are generally not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. Take advantage of these offers to can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Afghanistan vs. Australia (plus the rest of the tournament) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Disney+ Hotstar?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing live sport on Disney+ Hotstar, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including India

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch Afghanistan vs. Australia in the 2024 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Master Raspberry Pi and Arduino for less than £7 per course with this bundle

Mashable - Sat, 06/22/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: As of June 18, you can sign up for the All-in-One Raspberry Pi and Arduino Developer Bundle for just £55.31 (reg. £334.36) — that's less than £7 per course.

Summer is here, and it's the perfect time to rediscover old hobbies or take on fresh ones. And if learning to program and make gadgets has been on your list, you're in luck because a helpful online learning bundle is currently on sale.

Become savvy in Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Python 3, and more developer's tools from the comfort of your home with The All-In-One Raspberry Pi & Arduino Developer Bundle. This bundle of nine info-packed courses is great for beginners and is currently on sale for just £55.31 — less than £6.50 a class — for a limited time. 

Don't know a lick of programming? Don't worry, you can kick off your education with beginner-level courses like "Raspberry Pi For Beginners: Complete Course." These ten hours of instruction are taught by Edouard Renard, an experienced software engineer, who will guide you through building projects with Raspberry Pi. You'll learn the programming language Python 3 from the very beginning as you figure out how to create a web server on your very own Raspberry Pi board. Renard will also teach you how to build a complete surveillance and alarm project by the time you're done with the class. 

After you receive schooling on Raspberry Pi, the brains of the operation, move on to Arduino, the arms and legs of the operation. "Arduino for Beginners: Complete Course," also taught by Renard, will have you creating an interactive obstacle detection application for yourself. You'll also learn how to program Arduino with C/C++. From there, advance your knowledge with his course "Raspberry Pi and Arduino: The Next Level" and go from an intermediate level to advanced with the ability to combine both of these skill sets. You'll learn to use Raspberry Pi as the brain and Arduino as the muscles of your application. 

Learn a practical new skillset with this Raspberry Pi & Arduino Developer Bundle. It's on sale for just £55.31 (reg. £334.36) for a limited time. 

Prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: StackCommerce The All-in-One Raspberry Pi and Arduino Developer Bundle £55.31
£334.36 Save £279.05 Get Deal

How to watch Belgium vs. Romania online for free

Mashable - Sat, 06/22/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Watch Belgium vs. Romania in Euro 2024 for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

For football fans, it doesn't get much better than Euro 2024. World-class players competing for four whole weeks. Next to the World Cup, it's the biggest event in international football.

Belgium and Romania will battle it out next in Group E, as both teams look to claim a place in the knockout stages. On paper, Belgium are the strongest team in the group, but even with the kind of footballing power that includes Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, you can never take anything for granted. It has been 24 years since Romania have progressed to the knockout stage of the tournament. Can the Romanians take the fight to Belgium and claim three massive points?

If you want to watch Belgium vs. Romania in Euro 2024 for free, no matter where you are around the globe, we've got together all the information you need.

When is Belgium vs. Romania?

Belgium vs. Romania in Euro 2024 kicks off at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. BST on June 22. This fixture takes place at the Cologne Stadium in Cologne, Germany.

How to watch Belgium vs. Romania for free

Belgium vs. Romania in Euro 2024 is being broadcast by ITV, with free live streaming available on ITVX.

Though ITVX is geo-blocked outside of the UK, there are ways to access this free streaming platform. The easiest and best way is to use a VPN. This tool will hide your actual IP address and connect you with a secure UK-based server, allowing you to bypass geo-restrictions to access ITVX. You can do this from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ITVX by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Stream Belgium vs. Romania in Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

There are other costs to consider when using a VPN to access free streaming platforms overseas. The best VPNs for streaming require an upfront fee, but you'll find that VPN providers have sweetener deals such as free trials and money-back guarantees. Just sign up to watch every Euro 2024 fixture and cancel the deal without parting with any cash. It's a sneaky but simple trick.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. That's a saving of 49% on list price.

Stream Belgium vs. Romania in Euro 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Turkey vs. Portugal online for free

Mashable - Sat, 06/22/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Watch Turkey vs. Portugal in Euro 2024 for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Euro 2024 action continues with probably the biggest superstar in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, as Portugal kick off against underdogs Turkey.

A win for Portugal would likely see them progress to the knockout stage. Don't forget — Portugal won the whole tournament back in 2016. It could be Ronaldo's last major tournament, so expect the iconic player to do something spectacular. Don't count Turkey out, though. They reached the semi-final back in 2008 and always have the capacity to cause an upset on the big stage. They'll be fighting to get a point from this fixture.

If you want to watch Turkey vs. Portugal in Euro 2024 for free, we've pulled together some helpful information.

When is Turkey vs. Portugal?

Turkey vs. Portugal in Euro 2024 kicks off at 12 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. BST on June 22. This fixture takes place at the BVB Stadion Dortmund in Dortmund, Germany.

How to watch Turkey vs. Portugal for free

Turkey vs. Portugal in Euro 2024 will broadcast on ITV and live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted for the UK, but anyone can access the platform by using a VPN. A good quality VPN can hide your real IP address and then connect your computer with a secure server located within the UK, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ITVX by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Stream Turkey vs. Portugal in Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

While accessing ITVX itself is free, the best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription fee. There's a way around that too. VPN providers tend to offer incentive deals for new users, such as free-trial periods and money-back guarantees. Take advantage of these offers to gain access to ITVX without committing any cash. This is not a long-term solution, sure, but it gives you time to stream all the Euro 2024 fixtures for free.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

There's a great, limited-time offer at ExpressVPN right now. A one-year subscription costs just $99.95, with an extra three months for free plus a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. That's an overall saving of 49%. Be sure not to miss it.

Stream Turkey vs. Portugal in Euro 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Georgia vs. Czech Republic online for free

Mashable - Sat, 06/22/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Watch Georgia vs. Czech Republic in Euro 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There's nothing quite like the buzz of a major football tournament. That's why Euro 2024 isn't just "must watch," it's "can't miss." Even smaller fixtures, such as the Group F clash between Georgia and Czech Republic, promise to deliver drama and surprises.

Captained by West Ham's Tomas Soucek, Czech Republic have previously reached the Euro final and went to the quarter-finals last time around. Georgia, meanwhile, are getting their first taste of the European Championship — and the competition is fierce. Elsewhere in Group F, Georgia and Czech Republic will face Turkey and Portugal — a win here could help secure either team a spot in the knockout stages.

If you want to watch Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world, check out the below information on how to access this fixture for free.

When is Georgia vs. Czech Republic?

Georgia vs. Czech Republic in Euro 2024 kicks off at 9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. BST on June 22. This fixture is hosted by the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany.

How to watch Georgia vs. Czech Republic for free

Georgia vs. Czech Republic in Euro 2024 will be broadcast by the BBC, with live streaming available on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is technically geo-blocked, which means that only viewers within the UK are able to access it. There is a workaround for this streaming service however, when you use a VPN. By using a VPN you can hide your IP address, which includes your real-world location, and connect to a UK server. This will allow you to watch all content on BBC iPlayer and other UK-based platforms. You can watch from anywhere in the world, as long as you have a solid internet connection.

Unblock BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

  5. Stream Georgia vs. Czech Republic in Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

While connecting to BBC iPlayer is free of charge, using a VPN for streaming does technically require a subscription cost. Thankfully, VPN providers offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods and money-back guarantee offers. This allows you to sign up without parting with any cash — for a limited time, at least — and use the VPN to watch Euro 2024. You can then cancel the membership after the tournament.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN is offering a 49% discount for a limited time only. For a cost of just $99.95, you'll receive a one-year subscription, plus three extra months for free, a year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money back guarantee. A great deal for watching Euro 2024.

Stream Georgia vs. Czech Republic in Euro 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Mexico vs. Jamaica online for free

Mashable - Sat, 06/22/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Watch Mexico vs. Jamaica in the 2024 Copa America for free on Sportitalia. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2024 Copa America has kicked off with some really exciting action, and it's not stopping anytime soon. The next fixture sees Mexico take on Jamaica in a game stacked with stars. It's arguably the best matchup of the tournament so far, and you can watch all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch Mexico vs. Jamaica in the 2024 Copa America for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Mexico vs. Jamaica?

Mexico vs. Jamaica in the 2024 Copa America kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on June 22. This fixture takes place at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

How to watch Mexico vs. Jamaica for free

Every 2024 Copa America game is available to live stream for free on Sportitalia, including Mexico vs. Jamaica.

Sportitalia is geo-restricted to Italy, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Italy, meaning you can access Sportitalia from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of Copa America by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Italy

  4. Visit Sportitalia

  5. Watch the 2024 Copa America for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2024 Copa America before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Sportitalia?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for accessing Sportitalia to stream live sport for free, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Italy

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Mexico vs. Jamaica in the 2024 Copa America for free with ExpressVPN.

'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for June 22

Mashable - Fri, 06/21/2024 - 22:00

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for June 22's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

An official decree.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter E.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #1099 is...

EDICT.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for June 22

Mashable - Fri, 06/21/2024 - 21:00

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for June 22's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Again and again

  • Green: Golf tools

  • Blue: Horror movies

  • Purple: Sausage slang

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: One Thing After Another

  • Green: Kinds of Golf Clubs

  • Blue: Horror Movies, with "The"

  • Purple: Words for Sausage

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to Connections #377 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • One Thing After Another: CHAIN, SERIES, STRING, TRAIN

  • Kinds of Golf Clubs: DRIVER, IRON, WEDGE, WOOD

  • Horror Movies, with "The": BIRDS, FOG, OMEN, RING

  • Words for Sausage: BRAT, DOG, FRANK, LINK

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

All our burning questions for 'Doctor Who' season 15

Mashable - Fri, 06/21/2024 - 20:00

Sutekh's Empire of Death has crumbled. And with it, Ncuti Gatwa's first season of Doctor Who (a.k.a. Season 14 of the show that was rebooted in 2005) is in the books. 

While some plot threads were tied up neatly (the Susan Twist mystery; the search for Ruby Sunday's real mum), others remained teased but untied. 

So since the TARDIS is no longer being dogged by the canine-headed god of death, here are the big questions that will continue to dog Whovian brains until Season 15 hits our screens — starting with another Christmas special in December 2024, then continuing with another 8 episodes in 2025. 

Who is Mrs. Flood? 

Appearing at the end of "Empire of Death" in a fetching new white fur outfit on a rooftop of snow, Mrs. Flood (Anita Dobson) warns us that the Doctor's story ends in "absolute terror." But how does she know? And who is she, anyway?

We already knew that Mrs. Flood knows our hero (whom she called a "clever boy" when her life was restored in "Empire of Death") and his machine (which she identified as a TARDIS in the season opener, "The Church on Ruby Road." We know she died lamenting her "many plans" and that she always seems "to hide myself away."

That latter statement seems to be the most telling. In the same episode ("Legend of Ruby Sunday"), the Doctor noted that Time Lords sometimes change faces in order to hide themselves. Could Mrs. Flood be a Time Lady, then? A new version of Missy, or perhaps the Doctor's much-teased granddaughter Susan?   

Which other 'Pantheon' gods will the Doctor meet?

The Toymaker, The Maestro and Sutekh: all defeated, at least for now. But there are other gods in the so-called Pantheon, as outlined by Harriet Arbinger in "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," and some of them have been in the show already. There's the Mara, which hails from the Peter Davison era. There's the Trickster, from the spin-off show The Sarah Jane Adventures. And there's the "threefold deity of malice, mischief, and misery" — unidentified as of yet, but a clear tease for upcoming adventures (as well as a way to launch a thousand fan theories as to which classic villain or villains this god could represent).

What's with the fourth-wall breaking?

Mrs. Flood has now talked directly to camera three times. The Maestro specifically noticed and winked at it several times in "The Devil's Chord." And the Doctor winked at camera right before the "Twist at the End" song in that same story. Is this a power that members of the Pantheon have – in which case, the Doctor himself is in the Pantheon – or some other unexplained twist? 

How will the Doctor and Ruby Sunday reunite?

"Ruby Sunday, I will see you again," the Doctor said as he coldly kicked his friend out of the TARDIS. But that fact wasn't exactly a spoiler. Meanwhile, Mrs. Flood said that the story of "Ruby Road" had come to an end, not Ruby's story itself.

We know Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) is coming back for season 2, alongside a new companion played by Varada Sethu. We know Nicola Coughlin of Broadchurch and Derry Girls fame is in the Christmas special, called "Joy to the World" and written by former showrunner Steven Moffat. But will Ruby also be in the Christmas special, or does she get a well-earned holiday break with her new family?  

Will the Doctor meet Susan again?

"Maybe I'll find her one day," the Doctor said casually to Ruby. We certainly hope so! Carole Ann Ford, who played Susan in 1963-4, plus once in 1983, is now aged 84. Russell T Davies, showrunner and classic Who fan, had better have filmed her regeneration scene already. 

Will the Doctor find out more about his background?

The Doctor has known (s)he's an orphan since the controversial "Timeless Child" reveal in the Jodie Whittaker era: basically, (s)he has lived countless lives since being found by a portal, and a shadowy Time Lord organization kept wiping his/her memories of those regenerations that go back beyond the early history of the show. Davies has already signaled his willingness to incorporate the Timeless Child into his stories this season. 

So is that search for his origins going somewhere in the 15th Doctor's era? It may perhaps be connected to "bi-generation," the concept Davies introduced in Gatwa's first episode, "The Giggle." Davies tells Mashable that bi-generation gets a shout-out in season 15. Will we learn that it has happened before – perhaps creating the evil version of the Doctor, the Valeyard? 

How will the Doctor meet his new companion?

Varada Sethu showed up unexpectedly in the season 14 episode "Boom!" Does that mean the Doctor will be meeting her character, an Anglican Marine named Mundy Flynn, or just someone else who happens to look like her? There's precedent for the latter: Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) appeared in multiple "splinter" versions of her character, as did Susan Twist. 

But don't expect Doctor Who to repeat this formula too much. After all, as the Doctor told us in season 14, there's always a twist at the end.

How to watch: All Gatwa's first season of Doctor Who is on Disney+, where available, and on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

'Empire of Death' changed 'Doctor Who' history — here's what you missed

Mashable - Fri, 06/21/2024 - 19:45

The history of Doctor Who was forever changed by the season finale episode "Empire of Death" — but not in the way we were expecting.

Despite inspiring a flurry of fan theories about Ruby Sunday's mum (could it be Rose?), showrunner Russell T Davies simply gave us the statistically most likely answer. As foreshadowed in "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," the mystery mother was ... an ordinary young woman. Instead of the appearance of Susan the Doctor's granddaughter, we learned that her name was sprinkled throughout history by Sutekh the Destroyer, god of death.

But that doesn't mean Whovian brains aren't exploding at what Davies just casually revealed along the way, starting with this incredible headline:

Sutekh has been hanging around the TARDIS for the last 49 years of Doctor Who. Credit: Disney+

In "Pyramids of Mars" (1975), the only story prior to this season to contain Sutekh, the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Sarah-Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) thought he had trapped his most powerful enemy in a time corridor, where he aged more than 7,000 years. Then they jumped in the TARDIS and quickly left the scene of the trap — a burning priory in 1911 that would one day become UNIT HQ.

But from that point onwards, we now know, Sutekh was wrapped around the TARDIS, "staring into eternity and slowly evolving into my godhood."

That's right — every single Doctor Who story from "Pyramids of Mars" to "The Legend of Ruby Sunday" has been irrevocably changed, because each one now contains secret Sutekh.

The Sutekh-on-the-TARDIS era now starts with "The Android Invasion" (1975) and continues for an astonishing 231 more TV stories, including everything in the last 19 "New Who" years of Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, Jodie Whittaker, Tennant again, and now Ncuti Gatwa. There are hundreds of implications. To pick just one: When Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) clung to the outside of the TARDIS in "Utopia" (2007), he was riding with Sutekh to the literal end of the universe.

No wonder Gatwa's Doctor screamed when he thought of all the worlds he'd accidentally infected with Sutekh's Susan clones. We should too. In watching him do it, oblivious themselves, the TV audiences of the last 49 years are effectively complicit. Name another show that can give you a twist like this!

SEE ALSO: 'Doctor Who' just bested 'Bridgerton' in queer romance

The twist does, however, also mess with the stories of Sutekh's return in Doctor Who comics, novels, and Big Finish audio dramas. But hey, you can always head-canon that problem away by saying Sutekh got splintered in time, or some such typical Who explanation.

The Memory TARDIS is now canon.

That ersatz TARDIS held together with "memories and wishes"? Not only is it a fan's dream, with more Easter eggs than you can wave psychic paper at — such as the "WHO 1" license plate from the Doctor's car Bessie in the Jon Pertwee era, and the classic show's TARDIS console on the ceiling — it's also the setting for Tales of the TARDIS, a recent BBC series that repackages classic multi-part stories in omnibus editions — including, most recently, "Pyramids of Mars."

In bookend scenes, companions and Doctors from the classic era (all played by their original actors at their current creaky ages) reminisce in the so-called Memory TARDIS. None of the characters know how they got there, except to suggest that the TARDIS itself is dreaming. Now we know why — and Davies can pat himself on the back for placing one of the key moments from the finale in a spin-off that started the previous year.

How to watch: Tales of the Tardis is streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK. No word yet on when or even if Tales of the TARDIS will ever land on Disney+, though the companion bookend scenes have been uploaded by fans to YouTube.

The Doctor likes to watch himself in "Pyramids of Mars."

Gatwa's Doctor spends a good chunk of his first scene with Sutekh staring at the classic Tom Baker story in question. Now at first glance, it may seem strange that this supposed memory of the Doctor's looks very much like a BBC production from 1975, complete with camera angles and cuts.

But there's precedent for this, most notably in "Trial of a Time Lord" (1986). In this season-long story, the Doctor (Colin Baker) and his prosecutor the Valeyard (Michael Jayston) argue over multiple new-to-us Doctor adventures while they watch them on a giant projector screen in court. The battered cathode ray tube screen Gatwa is toting at least seems much more Doctor-ish.

How to watch: "Pyramids of Mars" is streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Britbox in the U.S.

Mel misses the Sixth Doctor's unusual outfit. Ncuti Gatwa and Bonnie Langford in "Empire of Death." Credit: Disney+

Speaking of Colin Baker, his polka-dot bow tie and his eyesore of a multicolored coat is front and center in the Memory TARDIS — which explains why Melanie Bush (Bonnie Langford) has a nostalgic moment when she sees them.

Mel was introduced in "Trial of a Time Lord," but lost that version of the Doctor in the very next story when he regenerated into the Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy. Was this her way of saying McCoy should have kept the coat?

The Doctor has history with spoons... and whistles.

The spoon that the Doctor procures on a distant planet is far from the first to appear in the show. McCoy's Doctor, like McCoy himself, liked to play the spoons. Peter Capaldi's Doctor once dueled Robin Hood in a wonderfully silly spoon-on-sword fight. And Jodie Whittaker's Doctor melted Sheffield steel spoons to make her sonic screwdriver.

But that's nothing compared to the Doctor's love of (literal) dog whistles. He used one many times in the Tom Baker era, sometimes to summon his robot dog K-9 and sometimes to incapacitate or annoy military figures and officials. The fact that it was a dog whistle should have been a clue to the Doctor's plan to drag Sutekh through the Time Vortex like Mitt Romney with the family dog.

The Beatles teased the ending of "Empire of Death." The Beatles in "The Devil's Chord." Credit: Disney+

"My dog is alive, he's not dead," the Beatles sang earlier in the season, in "The Devil's Chord." At the time it was seen merely as doggerel (pun very much intended), an indication that the world had lost its musical mojo. But the giant invisible dog-headed deity sitting outside the TARDIS on Abbey Road knew differently. If only the Doctor had listened to the Beatles!

Sutekh is cultural appropriation.

Speaking of the dog-headed alien deity, why did he just happen to look like the Egyptian god named Sutekh? "Cultural appropriation," says the Doctor — a timely reversal of an outdated Who trope.

In "Pyramids of Mars," Tom Baker's Doctor says Sutekh was so evil that cultures across the universe designed their gods to look like him — which is, y'know, a bit dismissive of thousands of years of ancient Egyptian history. So it's fitting that the first Doctor actor born in Africa (Gatwa is Rwandan-Scottish) gets to stand up for the dignity of the continent's oldest civilization.

73 yards is the radius of the TARDIS' perception filter! Aneurin Barnard as Roger ap Gwilliam in "73 Yards." Credit: Disney+

Sutekh created all those Susans at the edge of the TARDIS' perception filter — which the Doctor reveals to be a distance of 66.7 meters. Ruby remembers that this is 73 yards. Which is of course the name of this season's episode in which an older version of her follows Ruby at this distance for her entire life until she breaks a time loop, erasing her memory of the entire story.

In "73 Yards," UNIT commander Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) postulated that the mystery stalker had something to do with the TARDIS' perception filter. (Confirmed!) That's also the distance of the CCTV camera that recorded the events on Ruby Road seen in "The Legend of Ruby Sunday."

We also see Roger ap Gwilliam (Aneurin Barnard), the future fascist Prime Minister from "73 Yards," whose genetic database allowed Ruby to find her mum. But that raises a terrifying prospect: if the time loop is broken, and Ruby's stalker no longer scares Gwilliam into resigning, and Sutekh restored the lives of everyone in that future Britain, does that mean the nuclear-mad PM gets to launch his missiles after all?

More Doctor Who planets than ever got a shout-out.

Skaro, home of the Daleks. Telos, home of the Cybermen. (Well, one of their homes — long story.) The Ood Sphere, home of the Ood. These are just some of the planet that get a shoutout from the Doctor as Sutekh inadvertently restores life to all of them. (Agua Santina, the planet with the woman with the spoon and the baby, is entirely new.)

The others are pretty deep cuts, to put it mildly. Only two are from the New Who era: Messaline from "The Doctor's Daughter" and Shan Shen from "Turn Left." The others are all classic show locations: Vortis from "The Web Planet", Tigella from "Meglos," Calufrax from "The Pirate Planet," Spiridon from "Planet of the Daleks."

You could probably watch all these stories, but you might have to be an ancient god wrapped around a TARDIS to have that kind of time on your hands.

How to watch: All Gatwa's first season of Doctor Who is on Disney+, where available, and on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

'The Exorcism's Joshua John Miller taps his family's cinema roots for horror rebellion

Mashable - Fri, 06/21/2024 - 18:00

Joshua John Miller's The Exorcism, which he co-wrote with partner M.A. Fortin, is not your average summer scare-'em-up. Instead, it's a spiky subversion of the possession subgenre, a talky psychological drama starring Russell Crowe as a washed-up actor attempting to make a comeback with a remake of an unnamed exorcism movie — that sure sounds a lot like The Exorcist. Anthony Miller (Crowe) is also trying to reconnect with his queer teen daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins). But can Lee forgive him when he seems to be off the wagon yet again? Or is there something far more devilish at work here?

In an interview with Mashable, Fortin and Miller shared about their battle to keep The Exorcism queer, the personal origins that inspired the film, and why they don't believe in the curse of The Exorcist

The Exorcism was born from Miller's family legacy.  Credit: Vertical Entertainment

Exorcism stories are a dime a dozen these days, from the endless Exorcist sequels to Evil's recurring possession plotlines. But if there's a filmmaker who could put a unique spin on the subgenre, it's director Joshua John Miller, who has been steeping in cult cinema since he was in utero.

Miller's father was Jason Miller, who made a splash as Father Karras in The Exorcist and regaled his young son with tales from the set. His mother, Susan Bernard, was a B-movie icon, with starring roles in films like the seminal Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! and fans that include Quentin Tarantino. While Bernard inspired Miller and Fortin's script for 2015's The Final Girls, a deliciously nostalgia-soaked horror comedy that recalls Miller's own experience watching his mom as a scream queen, Jason Miller's legacy proved a pricklier point of inspiration.

As Miller explained, "I think, with this particular story, it's not like The Final Girls ... the relationship with my mom was not as complicated, whereas with my dad, it was far more fraught. And I think in certain ways, his own 'possessions and demons' were a lot darker and a lot harder for him to reconcile."

Although Jason Miller was rightfully lauded by critics and movie lovers for his performance as the harrowed Father Karras, he failed to achieve similar heights when he adapted and directed his own Pulitzer Prize–winning play, That Championship Season, for the big screen. Instead, the elder Miller found refuge in local theater productions. But he appeared in a few movies, including William Peter Blatty's tormented The Exorcist 3, before dying at the relatively young age of 62 in 2001. It is a legacy that's also influenced Joshua's half-brother, Jason Patric, who performed in a Broadway revival of That Championship Season in 2011.

For his part, as a child, Miller appeared in the trippy slasher Halloween III: Season of the Witch and the punkest vampire Western this side of the Pecos, Kathryn Bigelow's Near Dark, in which he played a feral pint-sized fanger named Homer. And, as TikTok won't let us forget, he was also the campy little brother in Teen Witch, a performance, he told Peaches Christ and Michael Varrati in a recent episode of their Midnight Mass podcast, was inspired by Bette Davis in Now, Voyager and Gena Rowlands in A Woman Under the Influence. In an oddly sweet nod to Near Dark, Miller's co-star Adrian Pasdar has a devilishly good pre-credits cameo in The Exorcism.

Turning the tables on the gender roles of possession movies was the way in for Miller and Fortin.  Credit: Vertical Entertainment

The Exorcist, and many other possession movies over, present a damsel in (devilish) distress, with a man — often a Catholic priest — rushing into save her. However, The Exorcism centers not on Anthony (who can be viewed as a stand-in for Miller's own father) but the character's daughter, Lee Miller (Ryan Simpkins), who is still reeling from the death of her mother — and her father's public fall from grace. Lee's also falling for Anthony's co-star, Blake (Chloe Bailey), who is the stand-in for Linda Blair. Their relationship is sweet and untroubled, and together, the two teens set out to help save Tony from whatever demons he's facing. 

Focusing the story on Lee and Blake was the key for both Miller and Fortin. "The kind of genre that we always gravitated toward was more female-forward," Fortin explained, "Women driving the action, women being the ones trying to figure out their own destiny, women just being the heroes. Possession movies — or at least most possession movies — historically are mostly about female subjugation, women being defenseless creatures." By making their women the center of the story, the collaborators inherently drew on some of Miller's own experiences as a child growing up near the Hollywood spotlight. 

However, pulling from his own life means doing press about the movie can be painful. "I didn't realize what I was getting myself into," Miller said, adding, "Not just the making of a movie — and that Herculean effort — but even just doing press about the movie… Let's talk about your dead father for 12 hours every day. Let's talk about alcoholism for 12 hours every day, you know? Let's talk about addictions; let's talk about all of the sorts of things that you would probably save for your therapist."

Did Joshua John Miller have to confront The Exorcist curse? Credit: Vertical Entertainment

Almost as old as the 1973 film is the fan theory that it was cursed. Miller doesn't fall prey to those sorts of superstitions. "I don't believe in that stuff," he said, concisely. However, that doesn't mean filmmaking isn't a sort of deal with the devil, in and of itself. 

"What I do believe is that evil exists in people, and I think that making movies is always a complicated game," Miller explained. "In the Hollywood movie system, you're always in strange negotiation with various elements, people who are probably morally compromised. It's just the nature of the world we're in, right? And I think that the only cursed experiences I really had during this —  were with some of the people I had to work with in the process." 

Miller noted he had to battle to keep in the queer love story between Lee and Blake and to maintain the psychological element. He noted there was pressure to turn his film into "a more sort of typical exorcism movie," adding, "These sorts of eternal struggles with a studio were the parts that were the most challenging. Not any kind of woo-woo magical thing happening on the set."

When the conversation turned to the rise of studio-made horror and its flood of remakes, Miller said, "Horror used to be a really transgressive space. It was not commodified by the studio system. It was not run by people looking for money..." 

Here, Fortin interjected, "It was like porn—" 

Miller agreed: "It was taboo. And suddenly what's happened is that some smart people, some also really brilliant, creative people, have found a way to commercialize a queer space, an underground space, a space for the kids outside smoking the cigarettes, doing bad things. And now horror has become this Marvelverse." He lamented horror being dumbed down to go mainstream to "get the most people in," continuing, "It's bullshit, because it's defanged."

Miller yearns for "the B[-movie] element of horror that's dirty and messy and doesn't necessarily work as a whole as well, but it's got cool elements, and then like weird, uncomfortable trauma stuff, like these are the things that kept it queer and strange and off the grid." He concluded, "[Horror cinema has] been commodified and neutered, and like everything in [the film industry], everything's bottom-line — money, money, money, money."

The Exorcism is now in theaters.

'Oppenheimer' just switched streaming services: Here's how you can watch it at home

Mashable - Fri, 06/21/2024 - 16:00

UPDATE: Jun. 21, 2024, 4:00 p.m. EDT This guide has been updated to include new streaming details for Prime Video, as well as information on 'Oppenheimer's' Oscars wins.

The best ways to watch 'Oppenheimer' at a glance: BEST ON-DEMAND OPTION Rent or buy on digital $3.99 or $14.99 at Apple TV Get Deal BEST STREAMING OPTION FOR MOST PEOPLE Prime Video only $8.99 per month Get Deal BEST FOR NEW PRIME MEMBERS Prime Membership Free 30-day trial, then $14.99 per month Get Deal BEST FOR STUDENTS Prime Student Free 6-month trial, then $69 per year Get Deal BEST LONG-TERM VIEWING OPTION Prime Annual $139 per year (save 22%) Get Deal

The summer of 2023 can be summed up in one word: Barbenheimer. Even if you didn't step foot near a theater, you heard about the cult-like phenomenon that was the joint theatrical release of Barbie and Oppenheimer. Both films far exceeded box office expectations and made waves during awards season. Oppenheimer, in particular, earned a baker's dozen Oscar nominations — the most of any film last season — and won seven. Not to mention it took home the biggest award of the night: Best Picture.

If you missed the ambitious Christopher Nolan epic in theaters, you can catch up on the brooding blockbuster at home. Oppenheimer initially made its streaming debut on Feb. 16 via Peacock. As of June 18, however, it jumped ship to Prime Video. True devotees also have the option to rent or purchase the film at digital retailers.

Whether you want to see it for the first time or re-watch it again and again, here's everything you need to know about how to watch Oppenheimer at home.

What is Oppenheimer about?

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning non-fiction book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, Nolan's Oppenheimer is an unsettling biopic that centers on the career of the "father of the atomic bomb."

Cillian Murphy stars as physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who is appointed by Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. (Matt Damon) to work on the U.S. government's top-secret Manhattan Project — aka developing and designing the atomic bomb. The story is told through interwoven timelines across decades and features a star-studded cast playing historical figures, including Robert Downey Jr., Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Benny Safdie, David Krumholtz, Matthew Modine, David Dastmalchian, Jack Quaid, Dane DeHaan, Jason Clarke, James D'Arcy, Tony Goldwyn, Alex Wolff, and Kenneth Branagh.

In case you missed it, here's the full theatrical trailer:

Is Oppenheimer worth watching?

If the seven Oscar wins and $975 million worldwide box office earnings are any indication, Oppenheimer is can't miss cinema. Not to mention the 93% critic rating and 91% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is ambitious, haunting, and unforgettable, which is why we dubbed it one of the best films of 2023. Mashable's Belen Edwards calls it "Nolan's finest and most devastating work yet."

"In typical Nolan fashion, Oppenheimer is epic in scope, delivering jaw-dropping shots of New Mexico vistas, dancing particles, and of course, the fateful Trinity Test. But it's the film's third act that hits the hardest, as the weight of the Manhattan Project reverberates through time, extending past Oppenheimer's life and into our present. With an unflinching focus on Oppenheimer's flaws and a haunting lead performance from Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer becomes part tragedy, part horror movie, and entirely unforgettable," she writes in our guide to the best movies of 2023.

It certainly has its flaws — Nolan's depictions of women, the bleeding soundscape, and a troubling omission of Japanese perspectives — as pointed out by Mashable's Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko. But for the most part, the film is a major achievement.

Read Mashable's full review of Oppenheimer.

Is Oppenheimer streaming?

Oppenheimer initially debuted on Peacock back in February, but as of June 21, it's now available to stream on Prime Video instead. Already have a Prime Video subscription? You're good to go. If not, continue scrolling to learn the best ways to sign up and stream Oppenheimer at home.

How to watch Oppenheimer at home: Best streaming deals

You'll need an active Amazon Prime membership or standalone Prime Video subscription in order to watch Oppenheimer at home. While there aren't too many Prime Video deals floating around compared to other streaming services, we've managed to round up the best options you have to save a bit of money.

Best Prime Video deal for newbies: Free 30-day trial Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Prime membership Free 30-day trial Get Deal

If you've never been a Prime member before, or you're returning after some time away, Amazon will offer you a free 30-day trial to test the waters. That's plenty of time to watch Oppenheimer (despite how long the movie is). After your trial, you'll be charged full price ($14.99 per month or $139 per year), so be sure to cancel before the month is up if you want to avoid charges.

Best Prime Video deal for students: Save 50% through Prime Student Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Prime Student Free 6-month trial, then $69 per year Get Deal

Students can score a free six-month trial to Prime via Prime Student. You just need a verifiable student email address and you can unlock access to all of the Prime perks (plus more), including Prime Video. That means you can stream Oppenheimer for free as many times as you want over a six-month period. When your trial ends, it'll only cost you half the price of a regular Prime membership — just $69 per year or $7.49 per month.

Note: You'll have to prove you're actually a current student through SheerID, so your ancient student email address won't work.

Best for everyone else: Prime Video only Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Prime Video only $8.99 per month Get Deal

Not eligible for a free trial or discounted Prime Student membership? You probably won't be able to watch Oppenheimer for free. You can, however, save some money on your subscription by opting for Prime Video as a standalone service (rather than paying for a full Prime account). A full Prime membership costs $14.99 per month, but Prime Video on its own is just $8.99 per month. It may not be as good as a free trial, but it certainly beats paying full Prime pricing for the streaming aspect alone.

The thing is, Amazon obviously would rather you become a Prime member, which means signing up for Prime Video alone is unnecessarily complicated. Basically, when you go to sign up for a subscription, just be sure to select the option to "see more plans" or "change plan" and navigate to the Prime Video only option. Like a Prime membership, you can always cancel whenever you please with no strings.

Best long-term value: Amazon Prime annual membership Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Prime annual membership $139 per year (save 22%) Get Deal

If you do want all the Prime membership perks, you could choose an annual membership rather than monthly to save about 22%. Rather than the usual $14.99 per month, it'll cost you $139 per year — that breaks down to just $11.58 per month. You'll get access to Prime Video to watch Oppenheimer, as well as all the other Prime perks, like fast and free shipping, free Grubhub+, access to Amazon Music, and exclusive deals and savings for an entire year. If you're currently on the monthly plan and want to switch and save, navigate to your Prime membership under your account details to change your plan.

Other ways to watch Oppenheimer at home

If you'd prefer not to sign up for another streaming service just to watch a single film — albeit, a very long one — you can also opt for renting or purchasing Oppenheimer on digital video on demand services like Prime Video or Apple TV for $3.99 or $14.99, respectively. With rentals, you'll get 30 days to start watching and just 48 hours to finish once started. For those who struggle to watch things within that time frame, you'll likely be better off purchasing the film for your digital library instead.

Here are all the links to rent or purchase the film on digital:

OpenAI acquires search and analytics startup Rockset. What does that mean?

Mashable - Fri, 06/21/2024 - 15:11

OpenAI has made its first acquisition and it's an analytics startup called Rockset.

The ChatGPT maker announced the deal on Friday, saying "we will integrate Rockset’s technology to power our retrieval infrastructure across products." The company also said members of Rockset's team will join OpenAI.

SEE ALSO: All the media companies that have licensing deals with OpenAI (so far)

As the ongoing battle to build the most capable AI models rages on, OpenAI seeks to gain a competitive edge against rivals like Google and Anthropic.

Details of how Rockset's real-time search and analytics database will integrate with OpenAI's products are unclear (as is the sum OpenAI is paying to acquire Rockset). But OpenAI has an Enterprise model for businesses, which could benefit from data querying and analysis in chatbot form. OpenAI is also rumored to be working on a search engine, so the acquisition of a company that enables real-time data retrieval could point to ChatGPT becoming a formidable competitor to Google Search. Then there's the OpenAI API, which could be improved through more or better data analysis tools.

"We’re excited to be joining OpenAI to empower users, enterprises and developers to fully leverage their data by bringing powerful retrieval to AI, said Venkat Venkataramani, CEO of Rockset. So it could mean bringing Rockset's tech into all of the above.

In the Rockset announcement, Venkataramani also mentioned that Rockset will be "helping OpenAI solve the hard database problems that AI apps face at massive scale." This points to the increasingly evident problem of supplying AI models with high quality data and ensuring proper alignment.

Stay tuned as there's sure to be more details emerging soon.

Watch a sneak peek of 'Interview with the Vampire's next episode, 'I Could Not Prevent It'

Mashable - Fri, 06/21/2024 - 15:00
Louis and Claudia fight for their lives against The Théâtre des Vampires...and the rats! in this sneak peek of "Interview with the Vampire," Season 2, episode 14.

1Password adds recovery codes in case you get locked out of your account

Mashable - Fri, 06/21/2024 - 13:49

Forgetting your 1Password account information just became a little bit less scary.

The popular third-party password manager announced on Thursday that it is adding "Recovery Codes." These are special codes that can be used to recover your account if all other options fail. It's a new option for people who have forgotten their passwords and can't access their data anymore, but it's not one that 1Password will just automatically handle for you.

SEE ALSO: Apple reportedly gives up on Vision Pro 2, focusing on cheaper model instead 1Password adds recovery codes

As the 1Password blog post points out, setting up a recovery code is on you, the user. Within the 1Password app, find "Manage Accounts," then find "Sign-in & Recovery," then set up a recovery code from there. Crucially, you'll want to copy or write down the recovery code and make sure it's kept somewhere safe.

Once you have the code, that should be a valid way to log into your 1Password account straight from the 1Password website. It's also reusable, which is nice. Hopefully you never need to use it, though.

Anthropic releases Claude 3.5 Sonnet. 3 things to know about the ChatGPT rival.

Mashable - Fri, 06/21/2024 - 13:44

Anthropic has a new generative AI model to rival OpenAI's GPT-4o with intelligence, speed, and vision capabilities.

On Thursday, the AI company that touts itself as the ethical and responsible alternative to OpenAI, announced Claude 3.5 Sonnet. Within Anthropic's family of models, Claude Sonnet is the middle child that combines speed and performance for most everyday tasks. By comparison, Claude Haiku is the lightest and fastest model, and Claude Opus is the industrial-strength model for complex math and coding tasks.

Claude 3.5 Sonnet is a more advanced version of Claude 3 Sonnet, which the company claims surpasses Claude 3 Opus in intelligence. In the announcement

Claude 3.5 Sonnet (marginally) beats GPT-4o on several benchmarks

The benchmark comparison has become commonplace for every new AI model release. Whether it's Google Gemini, OpenAI's GPT-4o, or Meta's Llama 3, what the public really wants to know is how they compare to their rivals on the standard evaluation tests.

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In Anthropic's testing, Claude 3.5 Sonnet outperforms GPT-4o, Gemini 1.5 Pro and Llama in several key categories like reasoning and coding. It also beat GPT-4o in graduate level reasoning and equaled it in undergraduate level knowledge. That's not nothing, but Claude 3.5 Sonnet only beats its rivals on most benchmarks by a few percentage points. So to the average user, there might not be a noticeable difference for handling everyday tasks.

As leading AI scientist and professor Gary Marcus notes, the computational gains have slowed lately. "The field spent over $50B last year trying to decisively beat GPT-4, but so far what [I] see evidence for is convergence, rather than continued exponential growth." Besides the fact that AGI might not be as close as we think, Claude 3.5 Sonnet will probably seem pretty similar to other advanced models out there.

Tweet may have been deleted Claude 3.5 Sonnet has vision capabilities with varying degrees of access

Claude 3.5 Sonnet is Anthropic's first free version to have vision capabilities. Like its competitor GPT-4o, which came out in May, Anthropic's latest model can interpret charts and graphs, transcribe text from images, and generally understand visuals and images. A demo in the announcement shows Claude 3.5 Sonnet transcribing data from genome sequencing milestones and a graph of costs over time, and then combining the data into one chart. Next, it puts together a slideshow presentation for a genomics class.

Anthropic says it includes vision capabilities as a feature for the free version of Claude 3.5 Sonnet. But the free version has a window limit that depends on daily usage and capacity. When we tried uploading a screenshot of an image on Facebook, we were told that the limit was exceeded even though it was below the file size maximum. This could be a bug or due to high demand during certain times of day. But just like ChatGPT, 20 bucks a month will get you the Pro version with priority bandwidth and availability.

Claude 3.5 Sonnet doesn't generate images

Claude 3.5 Sonnet can understand and interpret uploaded images (more successfully if you're paying for the Pro version) but it can't generate images. Unlike OpenAI's DALL-E 3, Anthropic doesn't currently have an AI image generator. This might be because of Anthropic's more cautious approach to deploying generative AI. And AI-generated images take companies into a particularly risky realm when it comes to misuse of the technology.

"Detecting and mitigating prohibited uses of our technology are essential to preventing bad actors from misusing our models to generate abusive, deceptive, or misleading content," said Anthropic describing its approach in the white paper announcing the Claude 3 model family. "User prompts that are flagged as violating the [Acceptable Use Policy] trigger an instruction to our models to respond even more cautiously."

Despite this drawback, users are praising the model for its speed and coding abilities. So there's still enough wow factor to go around.

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The best 4th of July deals are already happening - here's what you need to know

Mashable - Fri, 06/21/2024 - 13:24
The best 4th of July deals at a glance: Best patio deal Solo Stove Ranger Essential Bundle 2.0 $284.99 at Solo Stove (save $35) Get Deal Best camping deal Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent $317.89 at REI (save $212.06) Get Deal Best grill deal Traeger Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill $389.99 at Home Depot (save $109.05) Get Deal Best mattress deal TEMPUR-Breeze Collection Queen Mattress $4,099 at Tempur-pedic (save $500) Get Deal

If you missed out on all the good Memorial Day sales this year, your chance at summertime savings hasn't passed you by. It's only June 21, and some of the best 4th of July sales are already going live. We're keeping track of them all so you don't have to. Here's everything you need to know so far.

Are 4th of July Sales starting early?

July 4th is still thirteen days away, but sales are already starting. So far, we're seeing early bird sales from the Home Depot, REI, and Solo Stove. However, there's something for tech shoppers too: HP has also launched its 4th of July sale. And, per holiday shopping traditions, we're already seeing hot deals on mattresses from brands like Sealy, Purple, and Stearns & Foster.

What to buy during 4th of July sales

In these sales, you'll see plenty of deals on home appliances, outdoor equipment, patio furniture, grills, and camping gear that you can put to use this summer.

However, you'll also see big-ticket items like mattresses and laptops. If you missed out on these purchases over the Memorial Day sales, you'll want to prioritize your big purchases as you shop through 4th of July sales.

What are the best 4th of July sales?

Some of the best 4th of July sales are already happening, and we've highlighted our favorite deals in our list below. We expect the sales to keep rolling in, and we'll add more of our favorites as they launch.

Best patio deal Opens in a new window Credit: Solo Stove Our pick: Solo Stove Ranger Essential Bundle 2.0 $284.99 at Solo Stove
$319.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you want to make your backyard or patio the go-to hangout spot this summer, a Solo Stove 2.0 can help you do just that. When you shop the Solo Stove Ranger Essential Bundle 2.0, you get the smokeless Ranger firepit, plus accessories including a base plate, stand, lid, and carrying case to complete your setup. While you can save $35 on this particular bundle, the 4th of July is a site-wide event, bringing you discounts from $25 - $150 off.

Best camping deal Opens in a new window Credit: REI Our pick: Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent $317.89 at REI
$529.95 Save $212.06 Get Deal Why we like it

To celebrate the 4th of July, REI is taking up to 40% off its clearance items, bringing you deals on camping gear, kayaks, clothes, and more. One of our favorite standout deals is the Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent. This three-season, two-person tent has an awning-style design, which can protect you from too much sun as well as rain. It's a great option if you prefer to hike into your favorite camping spots, weighing only a little over 2 lbs. Plus, it folds up into a compact 6 x 19.5 inches.

Best grill deal Opens in a new window Credit: Traeger Our pick: Traeger Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill $389.95 at Home Depot
$499.00 Save $109.05 Get Deal Why we like it

If you love that real, wood-fire grill taste, you'll want to scoop up the Traeger Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill while it's on sale at Home Depot. This deal saves you over $100, making the sophisticated grill more affordable. We also love the Traeger Pro for its versatility. You can smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ food as well, making the Traeger your ultimate outdoor cooking hub. If you open a Home Depot Consumer Card, you can take and additional $50 off the grill. 

Best mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Tempur-Pedic Our pick: TEMPUR-Breeze Collection Queen Mattress $4,099.00 at Tempur-Pedic
$4,599.00 Save $500.00 Get Deal

In the Tempur-Pedic 4th of July sale, shoppers can save $500 off mattresses, plus gain $300 in free accessories. As we head into the hot summer months, we know how important it is to stay cool and comfortable while you sleep. That's why we love this deal on the TEMPUR-Breeze Collection Queen Mattress. The mattress is designed to be cool to the touch, and keep you five degrees cooler as you sleep through the night. With medium firmness, this mattress is suitable for a variety of body types and sleeping styles.

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