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2024 isn't even over yet — and some tech products, despite debuting only a few months ago, are already bound for the gadget graveyard.

AI hardware, in particular, had it rough this year, with several startup companies overpromising and underdelivering. (One was even accused of being deceitful and having a shady past.) Gather your somber attire, for a technological wake is on the horizon.

Chances are high that a fraction of these — my bet is the AI gadgetry — won't see 2025. As such, for those, we're already practicing our eulogies. Here are the most overrated tech of 2024 — products that failed to meet our expectations.

SEE ALSO: Rabbit R1 review: I can't believe this bunny took my money 1. Rabbit R1

The Rabbit R1 made a big splash at CES 2024.

Rabbit R1 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Perhaps its striking, electric-orange design hypnotized the masses or its Tamagotchi-like appearance stirred warm feelings of nostalgia. Or maybe the concept of a pocketable AI gadget caught people's attention. However, after Rabbit unleashed its first set of units in March, many users discovered that the R1 did not work as expected. Rabbit claimed that the R1 could order Uber or DoorDash on owners' behalf, but many found that they couldn't get the device to execute these tasks.

In my experience, something as simple as asking the Rabbit R1 to play the new Taylor Swift "Fortnite" proved to be a struggle for me. Most frustratingly, the Rabbit R1, which runs on Perplexity, didn't seem to understand my requests nor questions with the same natural-language proficiency as ChatGPT. However, to its credit, the Rabbit R1's AI proved to be better than Meta AI (featured on the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses).

2. Humane Ai Pin

Many had high hopes for the Humane Ai Pin. Unlike the Rabbit R1, the Humane Ai Pin has been in the works for five years. Plus, the founders of Humane, Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudri, were former designers at Apple, according to CNBC.

Humane Ai Pin Credit: Chance Townsend / Mashable

The Humane Ai Pin had all the markings of a hit product: blood, sweat, and tears invested within the past half decade and two talented co-founders who once worked with one of the most influential tech giants of the century. Plus, it boasted a handful of showstopping features that were astonishing, from its screenless design and green-light projection. However, the latter proved to be a dud. The Verge, for example, complained that its "720p resolution is crap," insinuating that its sharpness — while being projected onto one's hand — could be improved.

Plus, the Humane Ai Pin, placed on users' lapel, tends to overheat. On top of all of that, the Humane Ai Pin costs $699, which doesn't include the additional $24 monthly subscription that's required for connectivity.

3. Apple Vision Pro

The Vision Pro, on one hand, is the closest thing to technological magic in 2024. Apple said, "Screw controllers!" and delivered hand-and-eye tracking up the wazoo. Just by looking at virtual artifact, I can make selections with my peepers. I can use my fingers to type on a simulated keyboard, too, adding to a feeling that we've reached some sort of new plane — a new dimension — where the Cupertino-based tech giant redefined the relationship between man and computer.

Apple Vision Pro Credit: Jack Skeens / Shutterstock.com

At WWDC 2024, the crowd erupted in applause when Apple announced that the Vision Pro will support a new ultra-wide viewing mode for the virtual Mac monitor, thanks to VisionOS 2.

However, in other ways, the Vision Pro left me feeling disillusioned when I tested it earlier this year. Apple may have reached mixed-reality nirvana with the Vision Pro, but all of that is difficult to enjoy when the design is uncomfortable. The front-loaded headset gave me a headache after using it for just 10 minutes. Plus, Apple boasted that it could potentially be an excellent travel accessory, but I tested the Vision Pro while flying to Costa Rica — and I don't recommend it.

While the Vision Pro is a marvel in some cases (e.g., it's got, hands down, the best tracking features of any headset), it could stand to improve from a design perspective.

4. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

I'm a Samsung stan when it comes to mobile devices. I can't get enough of the S Pen. And little useful features — like being able to use hand gestures to trigger the shutter button — keep me coming back to the Samsung world. However, as someone who uses the the Galaxy S24 Ultra has her daily driver, it's been hit or miss — so much so that I'm considering jumping into the iPhone bandwagon.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

First and foremost, I've been coming across some camera issues. And I'm not the only one who's been experiencing them. According to PhoneArena, users have expressed frustration with the shooters' white balance problems, telephoto flubs, overexposure issues, and more. It's worth noting, though, not all Galaxy S24 Ultra owners have camera problems. Some claim that everything is going just fine with the S24 Ultra (like some commenters on this thread.)

On the plus side, I've been digging Galaxy AI — for the most part. I've had a blast removing unwanted objects from photos and using "Chat Translation" for texting French-speaking relatives. Still, stellar camera performance is crucial, so I'm a bit disappointed. Fortunately, according to PhoneArena, rumor has it that Samsung is planning on rolling out an update to rectify the camera issues.

5. "AI PCs"

A handful of Windows laptops launched this year — and they're billed as "AI PCs" because they're packed with an NPU, a processor that is purpose-built to handle AI tasks. However, as it stands now, many of these "AI PCs" only deliver incremental performance increases when it comes to AI processing.

Credit: HiDevolution

Per XDA Developers, "as AI PCs currently stand, they are currently more of a gimmick than a game changer, offering a few beneficial features to users." However, this may change soon. The Intel chips that power the current AI PCs have NPUs that only deliver 11 TOPS of AI-accelerated performance (TOPS, which stands for trillions operations per second, is a unit of measurement to track AI performance.) The next wave of AI PCs, including the Copilot+ PCs (e.g., Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11), will have Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chips, which are said to have NPUs with up to 45 TOPs.

As such, while today's AI PCs may be overrated, that may change when the next Snapdragon-powered AI PCs drop in the near future.

TL;DR: As of June 13, keep the music going while you workout with a pair of TREBLAB X3 Pro True Wireless Earbuds with ergonomic ear hooks and stunning sound quality, just $39.99. 

AirPods are good for a lot of things, but wearing them to the gym might not be the best idea unless you're doing the all-plank fitness plan. A good, low-cost alternative is the TREBLAB X3 Pro. 

These earbuds fit while you get fit. The Treblab X3 Pro True Wireless Earbuds have an ergonomic hook design that hugs your ear to stay secure. Get a pair while they're almost 60% off for just $39.99 instead of $99.97. 

Comfortable hook earbuds for intense workouts

Racing against your personal best is a fun way to exercise. Racing against a short battery life? Not so much. No worries, though. These gym-friendly earbuds can last for up to nine hours fully charged, and the charging case boosts that up to 145 hours — and that's not a typo.

Of course, you still have to wait for them to recharge between low batteries, but it may only take two hours. A USB-C cable is also included to charge the case as needed. 

The right hype-up tunes can make or break a workout, and you don't want to settle for the gym's lackluster playlist when your earbuds run out of juice in the middle of a set. The X3 earbuds have button controls for your music, and you can also use them to make calls. The four built-in microphones could help your voice come through loud and clear, too.

Whether you're jogging in the rain or sweating through your set at the gym, a little moisture isn't going to bother these earbuds. The IPX5 water resistance means they can stand up to water or sweat from any angle, but you'll want to avoid total submersion or strong jets of water. 

Long-lasting earbuds for the gym

Don't compromise on comfort when it comes to your earbuds. 

Get a pair of TREBLAB X3 Pro True Wireless Earbuds on sale for just $39.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: treblab TREBLAB X3 Pro True Wireless Earbuds $39.99 at the Mashable Shop
$99.97 Save $59.98 Get Deal

TL;DR: This limited-time offer gets you a one-year The Club Card Membership to BJ's Wholesale Club (with BJ’s Easy Renewal) for just $20, a 63% discount from the regular price.

The moment when you check your credit card balance at the end of the month can be painful, especially when you see the hundreds you spent on only one week's worth of groceries. But with wholesale clubs like BJ's, you can experience savings, member's-only perks, and an efficient way to get your shopping done in a time of inflation.

For a limited time, you can get a one-year The Club Card Membership to BJ's Wholesale Club, including BJ’s Easy Renewal and perks like BJ’s Fuel Saver Program, for just $20, down from the regular price of $55. This is an excellent chance to enjoy all the benefits of BJ’s Wholesale Club at a fraction of the cost.

BJ's aims to help members save money on household essentials, from meats, produce, and dairy for family meals to deli and bakery goods — all at up to 25% less than grocery store prices. It even offers its own Berkley Jensen and Wellsley Farms brands to offer even more savings to members.

There are 244 BJ's warehouses located across the eastern United States, where members can shop for special pricing on a variety of items, including clothing, electronics, and seasonal finds. This means you can shop for a birthday gift and pick up dinner on the same trip.

To make shopping even more convenient for members, there are several ways to shop, including ExpressPay, which allows you to scan and pay through the app and skip the checkout lines altogether. There's also free in-club pickup to save time, and curbside pickup is available if you are extra short on time.

Other perks include access to BJ's gas stations (which aren't at every club) with everyday low gas prices, BJ’s Optical, BJ's Tire Center, and much more.

Please note this offer is for new members only!

Take the sting out of shopping and get The Club Card Membership for one year with BJ’s Easy Renewal for just $20 (reg. $55).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. 1-Year The Club Card Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal® (Terms Apply) $20.00 at the Mashable Shop
$55.00 Save $35.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: As of June 13, this limited-time offer gets you lifetime access to Yassin Marco's VirtualSkills.ca tech courses for just $49.99. Take charge of your professional potential and access skills courses 24/7.

VirtualSkills.ca is an online learning platform that offers 25 courses designed to empower people at all stages of their career to learn in-demand new skills. From programming languages like Python, to unlocking the secrets of the dark web, and an introduction to Forex trading, these courses can help you become a tech wizard.

Who teaches these online courses?

All of the platform's courses are brought to you by the founder of VirtualSkills.ca, instructor Yassin Marco. With multiple certifications in management and IT, he holds a BS in international management and is a specialist in Excel, online business creation, marketing, and more. Marco also includes professional coaching and teaching among his passions.

What subjects are taught?

These courses are designed for professional enrichment. You can find a variety of programming courses that run the gamut from Python, SQL, and JavaScript. You can also find courses on popular software tools such as Excel and Photoshop. These courses also include revolutionary new AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney. Plus, you can get Marco's insight on marketing a business with Instagram, Shopify, and other essential platforms.

Do the virtual courses change?

Yes, the lifetime subscription includes updates to the current library of courses and access to any future courses offered by VirtualSkills.ca.

Are the courses okay for beginners?

The courses were designed so that those with different levels of experience can learn, including beginners. There are even some courses created specifically for beginners to give them the foundations of the topic.

How much do these VirtualSkills.ca classes cost?

This lifetime subscription is a one-time payment of $49.99, with no monthly fees. VirtualSkills is accessible on both mobile and desktop. It also offers closed captions, and instructor interaction is available.

Regularly hundreds of dollars, you can take advantage of this limited-time sale and get lifetime access to VirtualSkills.ca for just $49.99 and learn new skills for years to come.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Yassin Marco Lifetime Membership Access to VirtualSkills.ca $49.99 at the Mashable Shop
$899.99 Save $850.00 Get Deal

Between misinformation, comparison, and general fatigue, navigating social media apps in 2024 can be pretty rough. It's a consensus we all seem to agree on, despite the amount of time we spend scrolling. If you ask developers, the answer to this troubling phenomenon is more social media apps.

Each year, dozens of new social media apps appear. Typically, the lifespan of one goes something like this: Someone gets bored with their feeds, so they create a new social media platform to fill a void. Then either: a) it falls flat, b) it's a good idea, and a larger social media platform buys it, takes the idea, and sells the rest for parts, or c) it's successful. We haven't seen a thriving new social media platform rivaling the giants since TikTok.

SEE ALSO: The best memes of 2024 (so far)

Last year, we saw a massive uptick in social media platforms after Elon Musk bought Twitter and turned it into X, a platform that now sucks. In response, developers created Mastodon, BlueSky, and, oh God, so many more. We haven't seen as many new apps this year, but plenty of apps have gained considerable popularity, worming their way into our collective consciousness and, worse, onto our phones.

Here are some of the apps that have been on our minds:

AirChat AirChat Credit: AirChat

Do you remember Clubhouse, the audio-first social media platform popular during the first few weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, only to become obsolete a few months later? AirChat is like that, combined with X and your group chat. It's an audio-first platform where you send voice notes to your followers, which AI then transcribes. It's also one of the only social media platforms launched this year.

Cara Cara Credit: Cara

Cara technically launched in early 2023, but for the first year, it had only a few thousand users. Its popularity really jumped this year, and it now has nearly a million users. Cara is an anti-AI site described as "a social media and portfolio platform for artists."

SEE ALSO: What is Cara, the anti-AI social media app for artists? Lapse Lapse Credit: Lapse

Lapse is an "invite-only disposable camera" app. You take a photo, and it takes a few minutes or even hours to "develop." A grainy analog filter is added to your photo; you can post it in your gallery or archive it. It's like a combination of Dispo, the former invite-only disposable camera social media app launched by David Dobrik, and Instagram. It didn't launch this year, but it certainly picked up steam this year.

SEE ALSO: Lapse, a photo-sharing app with a film feel, might be the low-key platform you've been looking for Threads Threads Credit: Threads

Instagram's response to Twitter's demise, Threads, launched late last year, but it's one of the most formative social media platforms of 2024 so far. It has more than 100 million downloads, and while I don't personally know anyone who likes it, a lot of people allegedly do.

Supernova Supernova Credit: Supernova

Supernova is dubbed a social media platform for positivity, which describes itself as an "ethical alternative" to social media giants like Instagram and Facebook. It launched in 2021, and while it hasn't had as many downloads as the other apps on this list, it's one to watch as we look for more ethical ways to use social media.

Its premise is pretty cool: Sixty percent of its advertising revenue goes to global charities, and it has "100% human moderation" to ensure the site is safe. Using the app is a lot like using Instagram.

Want more of the best of 2024 (so far)? Join Mashable as we look back at all the viral moments, movies, memes, dating trends, hyped up tech, and more that have delighted and amazed us so far this year.

Max has released a "weeks ahead" trailer for "House of the Dragon" Season 2, showing dragons going to war.

Remember when phone makers were racing to make their phones as thin as possible? The trend slowed down considerably in the past couple of years, but it appears Apple is about to bring it back in a big way.

The company recently launched a new, OLED iPad Pro. With the tagline "thinpossible", Apple highlighted it as the thinnest Apple device ever.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple isn't done with the thinification (what? If thinpossible can be a word, so can thinification) of its product portfolio. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman claims that Apple plans to launch a "significantly skinnier" phone in 2025. The company is also reportedly working on making its MacBook Pro, as well as Apple Watch, thinner.

In fact, Apple's super-thin iPad Pro is just the beginning of a new class of Apple devices, which should be "the thinnest and lightest products in their categories across the whole tech industry."

This is not the first time we've heard of Apple's plans to make the iPhone thinner. In May, the Information reported that a new, thinner iPhone might replace the current Pro model design, though details were similarly scarce.

SEE ALSO: iOS 18 eye tracking: How to use your eyes to navigate iPhone like Apple Vision Pro

If the reports are accurate, it would mark a pretty big shift in Apple's strategy. In the past couple of years, Apple's MacBook Pro devices as well as iPhones and Apple Watches have remained roughly the same size, or have even gotten bigger compared to last generation. Apple's focus on making its devices thinner and lighter again will also likely kick-off a new race, with other manufacturers scrambling to outdo Apple.

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 June 17 SEE ALSO: 'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for June 17

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, June 17, 2024:

AcrossEntice

• The answer is tempt.

Piece of asparagus

• The answer is spear.

With 8-Across, laser pointer chaser

• The answer is kitty.

See 7-Across

• The answer is cat.

Like a wink that suggests "This is our little secret"

• The answer is sly.

DownDisapproving cluck

• The answer is tsk.

Grand film productions

• The answer is epics.

Iron, for example

• The answer is metal.

Shape of a York peppermint treat

• The answer is patty.

Give it a go

• The answer is try.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

The 77th annual Tony Awards took place on Sunday night, honouring some of the best and brightest in the 2023-24 Broadway season. Hosted by Ariana DeBose for the third year in a row, this year's Tony Awards was held in the David H. Koch Theatre at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts in New York.

Stereophonic was the big winner of the night, taking home five of the 13 awards it was nominated for — including Best Play. On the musical side, Hell's Kitchen led the nominations with 13, though it only ended up winning two of its categories. Best Musical was instead awarded to The Outsiders, which closely trailed Hell's Kitchen's nomination count with 12.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the 2024 Tony Awards live without cable

Several Hollywood actors also picked up their first ever Tony Awards this year. Among them were Daniel Radcliffe (Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for Merrily We Roll Along), Succession's Jeremy Strong (
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for An Enemy of the People), and Sarah Paulson (
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for Appropriate).

Here is the full list of nominees and winners from the 2024 Tony Awards. WInners in each category have been bolded.


Best Book of a Musical

• Hell's Kitchen, Kristoffer Diaz

• The Notebook, Bekah Brunstetter

• The Outsiders, Adam Rapp and Justin Levine

• Suffs, Shaina Taub

• Water for Elephants, Rick Elice


Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

• Days of Wine and Roses (Music & Lyrics: Adam Guettel)

• Here Lies Love (Music: David Byrne and Fatboy Slim; 
Lyrics: David Byrne)

• The Outsiders (Music & Lyrics: Jamestown Revival [Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance] and Justin Levine)

• Stereophonic (Music & Lyrics: Will Butler)

• Suffs (Music & Lyrics: Shaina Taub)


Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

• William Jackson Harper, Uncle Vanya

• 
Leslie Odom, Jr., Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch

• 
Liev Schreiber, Doubt: A Parable


• Jeremy Strong, An Enemy of the People


• Michael Stuhlbarg, Patriots

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

• Betsy Aidem, Prayer for the French Republic


• Jessica Lange, Mother Play


• Rachel McAdams, Mary Jane


• Sarah Paulson, Appropriate


• Amy Ryan, Doubt: A Parable


Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

• Brody Grant, The Outsiders


• Jonathan Groff, Merrily We Roll Along


• Dorian Harewood, The Notebook


• Brian d'Arcy James, Days of Wine and Roses

• 
Eddie Redmayne, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club


Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

• Eden Espinosa, Lempicka


• Maleah Joi Moon, Hell's Kitchen


• Kelli O'Hara, Days of Wine and Roses


• Maryann Plunkett, The Notebook


• Gayle Rankin, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club


Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

• Will Brill, Stereophonic

• 
Eli Gelb, Stereophonic


• Jim Parsons, Mother Play


• Tom Pecinka, Stereophonic


• Corey Stoll, Appropriate


Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

• Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Doubt: A Parable

• 
Juliana Canfield, Stereophonic

• 
Celia Keenan-Bolger, Mother Play

• 
Sarah Pidgeon, Stereophonic


• Kara Young, Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

• Roger Bart, Back To The Future: The Musical


• Joshua Boone, The Outsiders


• Brandon Victor Dixon, Hell's Kitchen


• Sky Lakota-Lynch, The Outsiders


• Daniel Radcliffe, Merrily We Roll Along

• 
Steven Skybell, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club


Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

• Shoshana Bean, Hell's Kitchen

• 
Amber Iman, Lempicka

• 
Nikki M. James, Suffs

• 
Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, Monty Python's Spamalot

• 
Kecia Lewis, Hell's Kitchen

• 
Lindsay Mendez, Merrily We Roll Along

• 
Bebe Neuwirth, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club


Best Scenic Design of a Play

• dots, Appropriate


• dots, An Enemy of the People

• 
Derek McLane, Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch


• David Zinn, Jaja's African Hair Braiding

• 
David Zinn, Stereophonic


Best Scenic Design of a Musical

• AMP featuring Tatiana Kahvegian, The Outsiders


• Robert Brill and Peter Nigrini, Hell's Kitchen

• 
Takeshi Kata, Water for Elephants

• 
David Korins, Here Lies Love


• Riccardo Hernández and Peter Nigrini, Lempicka


• Tim Hatley and Finn Ross, Back To The Future: The Musical


• Tom Scutt, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club


Best Costume Design of a Play

• Dede Ayite, Appropriate

• 
Dede Ayite, Jaja's African Hair Braiding


• Enver Chakartash, Stereophonic


• Emilio Sosa, Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch


• David Zinn, An Enemy of the People


Best Costume Design of a Musical

• Dede Ayite, Hell's Kitchen


• Linda Cho, The Great Gatsby


• David Israel Reynoso, Water for Elephants


• Tom Scutt, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club

• 
Paul Tazewell, Suffs


Best Lighting Design of a Play

• Isabella Byrd, An Enemy of the People

• 
Amith Chandrashaker, Prayer for the French Republic


• Jiyoun Chang, Stereophonic


• Jane Cox, Appropriate


• Natasha Katz, Grey House


Best Lighting Design of a Musical

• Brandon Stirling Baker, Illinoise

• 
Isabella Byrd, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club


• Natasha Katz, Hell's Kitchen


• Bradley King and David Bengali, Water for Elephants


• Brian MacDevitt and Hana S. Kim, The Outsiders


Best Sound Design of a Play

• Justin Ellington and Stefania Bulbarella, Jaja's African Hair Braiding

• 
Leah Gelpe, Mary Jane

• 
Tom Gibbons, Grey House


• Bray Poor and Will Pickens, Appropriate

• 
Ryan Rumery, Stereophonic


Best Sound Design of a Musical

• M.L. Dogg and Cody Spencer, Here Lies Love


• Kai Harada, Merrily We Roll Along

• 
Nick Lidster for Autograph, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club

• 
Gareth Owen, Hell's Kitchen


• Cody Spencer, The Outsiders


Best Direction of a Play

• Daniel Aukin, Stereophonic


• Anne Kauffman, Mary Jane

• 
Kenny Leon, Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch


• Lila Neugebauer, Appropriate

• 
Whitney White, Jaja's African Hair Braiding


Best Direction of a Musical

• Maria Friedman, Merrily We Roll Along

• 
Michael Greif, Hell's Kitchen


• Leigh Silverman, Suffs


• Jessica Stone, Water for Elephants

• 
Danya Taymor, The Outsiders


Best Choreography

• Annie-B Parson, Here Lies Love

• 
Camille A. Brown, Hell's Kitchen

• 
Rick Kuperman and Jeff Kuperman, The Outsiders

• 
Justin Peck, Illinoise


• Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll, Water for Elephants


Best Orchestrations

• Timo Andres, Illinoise

• 
Will Butler and Justin Craig, Stereophonic


• Justin Levine, Matt Hinkley, and Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance), The Outsiders


• Tom Kitt and Adam Blackstone, Hell's Kitchen


• Jonathan Tunick, Merrily We Roll Along


Best Play

• Jaja's African Hair Braiding

• Mary Jane

• Mother Play

• Prayer for the French Republic

• Stereophonic


Best Musical

• Hell's Kitchen

• Illinoise

• The Outsiders

• Suffs

• Water for Elephants


Best Revival of a Play

• Appropriate 

• An Enemy of the People

• Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch


Best Revival of a Musical

• Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club

• Gutenberg! The Musical!

• Merrily We Roll Along

• The Who's Tommy

TL;DR: Looking for a new job? This summer, you can save hundreds of pounds on lifetime access to this AI-powered CV creator, cover letter writer, and video interview coaching tool, now just £63.12.

If today’s job market makes you want to bang your head against your non-existent work desk, you're not alone. While some say job openings are high and unemployment is low, most find it hard to even land an interview. You have to be one step ahead of recruiters, and Resso.ai wants to make your search a little easier.

This AI tool is designed to help you create CVs and cover letters tailored to each job opening, practice for interviews, and polish your LinkedIn profile. You can get a lifetime subscription here for £63.12 (reg. £426.14) that can be used on unlimited mobile and desktop devices.

Using the same CV to apply to every job might be what gets you put into the "reject" pile (as much as you don’t deserve to be there). Instead, let Resso whip you up a fresh one that promises to incorporate elements from each posting, all to show hiring managers that you're the right person for the job.

Resso.ai also generates unique cover letters, which can help you stand out from other applicants. Just like any AI-generated content, a quick proofread before hitting "Send" is always a good idea.

Then, start practicing for interviews. Resso has common questions you can rehearse or AI-powered interview practice with a real-time scorecard. It then provides ratings on your answers, pace, and sentiment as you speak.

The app can also help you optimise your LinkedIn profile with a relevant headline and bio, instead of the one you may have written yourself in uni. Having a complete LinkedIn page can also increase your overall hiring potential.

Resso.ai is built to be like a virtual hiring manager who actually wants you to find a job. 

Get the Resso Professional Plan lifetime subscription for £63.12 (reg. £426.14).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Resso AI Resso Professional Plan: Lifetime Subscription £63.12 at the Mashable Shop
£540.00 Save £476.88 Get Deal

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

Euro 2024 is finally here, marking the return of the biggest event in European football. And the Group D action continues with Austria vs. France.

France are always a heavy favorite, with plenty of gold in the trophy cabinet, including two World Cups and two Euros wins on their record. Austria reached the final 16 at Euro 2020 but you can't count out anyone in the group stage. That's part of the fun of the first few weeks in any tournament.

If you want to watch Austria vs. France in Euro 2024 for free — wherever you are in the world — check out the below information.

When is Austria vs. France?

Austria vs. France in Euro 2024 kicks off at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. BST on June 17. This fixture takes place at the Dusseldorf Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany.

How to watch Austria vs. France for free

Austria vs. France in Euro 2024 will broadcast on ITV, with live streaming available for free on ITVX.

ITVX is a free streaming platform but it's geo-restricted for UK viewers only. But anyone can access it with the help of a VPN. This will mask your IP address (digital location) and connect your computer to a secure server that's located within the UK, allowing you to bypass geo-blocking and access ITVX.

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 Austria vs. France 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 the best VPNs for streaming aren't free to use, you'll find that they have offers that include free trials and money-back guarantees. That means you can sign up for long enough to watch Euro 2024 fixtures at no cost — or maybe you'll decide to keep the VPN once the Euros are finished.

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 ExpressVPN is available at the discounted price of $99.95, which 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.

Stream Austria vs. France in Euro 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

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

Euro 2024 is finally here and it's guaranteed put a little extra pep in your step. Even the group stage games are exciting, as the favorites face tough competition from smaller nations looking to make a mark on the European stage. That includes the likes of Belgium and Slovakia.

Belgium are always tipped to do well at the Euros with world-class names like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in the squad. Slovakia have qualified for the Euros for only the third time and have big names that include Newcastle goalkeeper Dubravka and PSG defender Milan Skriniar. Can they put a dent in Belgium's Euro hopes?

If you want to watch Belgium vs. Slovakia in Euro 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, here's some handy info.

When is Belgium vs. Slovakia?

Belgium vs. Slovakia in Euro 2024 kicks off at 12 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. BST on June 17. This fixture takes place at the Frankfurt Arena in Frankfurt, Germany.

How to watch Belgium vs. Slovakia for free

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

ITVX is geo-blocked outside of the UK, but that doesn't mean you can't access the free streaming platform internationally. Simply use a VPN to hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect with a secure server in the UK. This allows you to skip past geo-restrictions to access ITVX wherever you are around 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. Slovakia 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

The best VPNs for streaming aren't technically free to use, but offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can take advantage of these offers for long enough to watch Euro 2024, meaning that you can enjoy the whole tournament without spending a penny.

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

For a one-year subscription to ExpressVPN the current sale price is $99.95. This includes an extra three months for free. That's an impressive 49% off for a limited time. Not only that, the plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is always a bonus.

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

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

It's not quite the World Cup but it's probably the next best thing. Yes, Euro 2024 is here — one of the biggest football events in the calendar. Like the World Cup it only comes around every four years. Football fans will not want to miss a minute of action, including the Group E opener between Romania and Ukraine.

Ukraine reached the quarter finals last time around and they're always capable of surprises. Romania meanwhile enter their sixth European Championship and look to equal their best ever performance — the quarter finals back in 2000 — or go even further.

When is Romania vs. Ukraine?

Romania vs. Ukraine in Euro 2024 kicks off at 9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. BST on June 17. This fixture in hosted by the Munich Football Arena in Munich, Germany.

How to watch Romania vs. Ukraine for free

Romania vs. Ukraine in Euro 2024 will be broadcast by the BBC, with free live streaming on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is technically only available in the UK, but it's available worldwide with a VPN. If you've never used a VPN before, it's simple. It hides your real IP address (digital location) and connects you to secure servers located in the UK, allowing to get around geo-restrictions and access BBC iPlayer from overseas.

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 Romania vs. Ukraine 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

The best VPNs for streaming are not technically free, but there are ways around the cost. VPNs often have free-trial periods and money-back guarantee. That means you can sign up and access BBC iPlayer without actually spending anything. You'll have enough time to watch Euro 2024 without parting with your cash.

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

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

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

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 17'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:

A five-dollar word for "before".

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter R appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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 #1094 is...

PRIOR.

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.

The best change House of the Dragon ever made from George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood was making Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) childhood friends.

The pair's new shared history and love for each other made their eventual enmity hurt even more, as these two fierce companions were torn apart and pitted against each other by the male-led systems of power in Westeros. As a result, any scenes they shared crackled with thorny resentment, not just at each other, but at the fact that they'll never be so close again.

SEE ALSO: The new 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 intro shows the history of House Targaryen

It's devastating, then, that Rhaenyra and Alicent are separated for House of the Dragon Season 2. The two remain far behind the battle lines drawn at the end of Season 1, with Alicent in King's Landing and Rhaenyra on Dragonstone.

Harry Collett, Emma D'Arcy, and Oscar Eskinazi in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Theo Whitman / HBO

Yet even though the pair are far apart, they're still clearly on each other's minds. For example, in the Season 2 premiere, we learn that Alicent has been sending Rhaenyra ravens in the wake of Lucerys' (Elliot Grihault) death.

Outside of their characters' actions, House of the Dragon also makes sure to link Alicent and Rhaenyra on a craft level. While speaking at a June 3 House of the Dragon press conference, showrunner Ryan Condal mentioned that "in the editing [process], we found ways to connect [Alicent and Rhaenyra]. If you see Alicent going through something deep and emotional, and you cut to Rhaenyra, there is a kind of filmmaking decision there."

SEE ALSO: Did you catch this prophecy in 'House of the Dragon' Season 2, episode 1? Olivia Cooke in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

The clearest example of these editing connections in the Season 2 premiere is the scene in which Rhaenyra and her family burn a funeral pyre for Lucerys. The episode intercuts between this sequence and Alicent going to pray in the sept in King's Landing. There, she lights candles to remember the dead, including her mother Alerie Florent and the late King Viserys (Paddy Considine). She hesitates for a moment, then, when Rhaenyra places the last of Lucerys' belongings on the fire, Alicent lights a candle for Lucerys as well. The gesture, as small as it may be, transcends wartime aggression. It's a way for Alicent to commiserate with Rhaenyra as a former friend, and as a mother herself.

The candle-lighting and pyre sequence links Rhaenyra and Alicent not just through editing, but also through imagery. Both their respective mourning rituals involve fire, yet they're still distinct enough that we recognize them as stemming from Targaryen culture or the Faith of the Seven. Similarly, the entire episode has set Rhaenyra and Alicent up as outliers in their respective camps, albeit in slightly different ways. Alicent urges caution while her sons Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) hunger for war. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra grieves the loss of her son even as her uncle/husband Daemon (Matt Smith) champs at the bit to retaliate against Team Green.

The moments in which Rhaenyra and Alicent mourn Lucerys are among the calmest of the episode, a beat for both women to collect themselves and process the consequences of all their actions that have led to this point. Choosing to edit them together here reminds us that even though they are physically apart, they are deeply, inseparably connected — and their dynamic remains House of the Dragon's bleeding heart.

New episodes of House of the Dragon air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

There is one House of the Dragon prop I crave above all. Not a sword (I don't have the space), not a dragon egg (what's the point if they don't hatch?), and certainly not a crown (I'd merely be a pretender).

No, I just want one of those stone balls and dishes the Small Council use to clock in to meetings.

SEE ALSO: How 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is different from George R.R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood'

Introduced in the very first episode of House of the Dragon, the Small Council balls quickly became a fascinating bit of Red Keep lore. Showrunner Ryan Condal told The Hollywood Reporter in 2022 that the stones are "a way of visualizing the set formality of the Small Council chamber." And in an article for Slash Film, writer Mike Shutt praised the stones as a demonstration of a time-old governing tradition and process — one that will somehow be broken by the time we reach the stoneless Small Council of Game of Thrones. The balls also became plot-relevant, as Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) killed Master of Coin Lyman Beesbury (Bill Paterson) by slamming his head into his own attendance ball. Brutal.

But on top of the world-building details these stones afford, they just look like they'd be a lot of fun to own and use in everyday life (minus the whole murder weapon thing, of course). Imagine how satisfying it must be for Small Council members to plunk their own individual ball down at each meeting. It's certainly more enjoyable than punching a time card, scanning a key card into an office, or just changing your Slack status to active.

SEE ALSO: The new 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 intro shows the history of House Targaryen

Still skeptical of the balls' potential for fun? Look no further than the House of the Dragon Season 2 premiere. In our first Small Council meeting of the season, we see Aegon II's (Tom Glynn-Carney) son Jaehaerys playing with Tyland Lannister's (Jefferson Hall) ball, much to the amusement of his father. (Now that Tyland has replaced Lyman as Master of Coin, there's a chance Jaehaerys is playing with the Criston Cole Murder Ball. Fun for the whole family!)

I get it, Jaehaerys. I, too, want to pick up the smooth, shiny object and screw around with it. Frankly, it's a crime that I can't!

See, on June 12, Warner Bros. released a new House of the Dragon merch collection. There's apparel, mugs, stickers, a little light-up dragon egg, and even a decanter set. But no personal Small Council ball! How else am I supposed to jazz up my office space and live my bureaucratic Westerosi fantasy? What else am I supposed to fidget with during long meetings? A stress ball, like some kind of peasant? No! Now that I've seen what the Targaryens and and Hightowers and Lannisters are using in their place of work, I won't settle for anything less.

Forget Team Black or Team Green — I'm more interested in which Small Council ball you'd most want to own. After all, there's so many to choose from. Do you want to get Otto Hightower's (Rhys Ifans) lighter green ball or Alicent Hightower's (Olivia Cooke) mottled black and white one? I'm partial to Master of Laws Jasper Wylde's (Paul Kennedy) blue stone myself. It contrasts nicely with the white of the plate that holds it. (Can you tell I've watched this show one too many times?)

If you're ambitious, you can even try to get the full set and play Westerosi marbles with them. Just...try not to kill any Masters of Coin with your new prized possession. We've got to maintain the sanctity of the most coveted prop (by me and only me) in the Seven Kingdoms.

New episodes of House of the Dragon air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

House of the Dragon Season 2 is now underway, "war is inevitable," and the various Houses are picking a side: Team Green or Team Black.

How exactly are the teams shaping up so far? Season 1 ended with envoys going out to various major Houses in Westeros to try and shore up allegiances, but the first episode of Season 2 has given us a clearer understanding of how things are shaking out.

It's fairly brief, but the Small Council meeting that happens early in the episode tells us most of what we need to know.

SEE ALSO: Who deserves the Iron Throne in 'House of the Dragon': Team Black or Team Green? What information do we get from the Small Council meeting?

"Our letters to the Vale and to the North continue to go unanswered."

That's how Hand of the King Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) kicks things off, making it clear that House Stark and House Arryn aren't likely to declare for Team Green. We pretty much knew this already, of course: The start of Season 2 shows Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) shoring up an alliance with the Starks, and House Arryn is directly related to Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) through her mother Queen Aemma (her cousin was Lady Jeyne Arryn).

Team Green is having better results with House Baratheon and the Lannisters, though. "The Stormlands should be ours after the Prince Aemond's marriage pact to the Lady Floris Baratheon," declares Hightower. "My brother is raising the strength of the West," says Master of Coin Tywin Lannister.

The big question mark? The Riverlands. "Fat old Lord Tully will either raise my banner or see his burned," says Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney), while his brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) makes it clear that the Riverlands — and Harrenhal within it — will be key to winning the war.

Is Team Green or Team Black winning more allies so far?

So far, based on that Small Council meeting, it seems fairly even. Team Green has the Baratheons and the Lannisters, whereas Team Black has the Starks and the Arryns.

The main battleground in the short-term, it seems, will be the Riverlands. Perhaps whoever convinces Lord Tully to side with them will win a key advantage when the battle heats up.

House of the Dragon Season 2 airs weekly on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

House of the Dragon switches things up in Season 2, debuting a brand-new opening credits sequence right out of the gate.

The new titles take the form of a tapestry spelling out the history of House Targaryen, from the Doom of Valyria all the way to events of House of the Dragon Season 1. The first season's credits took a somewhat similar approach, using gears, blood, and a backdrop of Old Valyria to take us through the Targaryen family tree. While these credits tied into the show's focus on bloodlines and succession, they were also dimly lit, with barely legible symbols representing each member of House Targaryen. Because of this, the tapestry in Season 2 is already a step up — plus, it's just as thematic as its predecessor!

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 review: A tragedy written in fire and blood

The tapestry imagery has its roots in episode 7 of the House of the Dragon Season 1, when Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) utters the following strange prophecy: "Hand turns loom; spool of green, spool of black; dragons of flesh weaving dragons of thread." It's a clever bit of foreshadowing to the Dance of the Dragons (the name for the royal succession civil war between between Aegon II and Rhaenyra), as well as a nod to Helaena's prophetic dreams. But the references to looms, spools, and weaving also play into the idea that House of the Dragon's story will one day be viewed as history, a concept rendered literal in the new Season 2 opening credits.

From great conquests to times of prosperity, this title sequence is filled to the brim with details from House Targaryen's past, all drawn from George R.R. Martin's Targaryen history Fire and Blood. Let's break down what each section of this massive tapestry means — and why it matters.

The Doom of Valyria

House of the Dragon's new titles open with foreboding images of erupting volcanoes, dying dragons, and a city on fire that looks just like King Viserys' (Paddy Considine) Old Valyria model from Season 1. That can only mean one thing: This is the Doom of Valyria, the cataclysmic event that wiped almost all the dragonriders from the face of the earth.

SEE ALSO: How 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is different from George R.R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood'

The only dragonriding family to survive was, of course, House Targaryen. That's because 12 years before the Doom even happened, Daenys Targaryen — a dreamer like Helaena and Aegon the Conqueror — told her father Lord Aenar Targaryen of a vision she'd had of the end of Valyria. He heeded her warning and moved the family to Dragonstone. Basically, the Doom and its destruction of all the other dragonriders is why the Targaryens are in Westeros in the first place. It's also why their connection to dragons is so rare and gives them so much power.

Aegon's Conquest

Next up on our House Targaryen history lesson is Aegon the Conqueror's invasion of Westeros, which takes place about a century after the Doom. The opening credits tapestry shows us Aegon as well as his two sisters/wives Rhaenys and Visenya flying on their dragons. While Aegon's Balerion and Rhaenys's Meraxes are gone by the time House of the Dragon rolls around, Visenya's Vhagar is still very much around. At the start of Season 2, her rider is Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell).

The credits continue Aegon's Conquest with an image of Vhagar and Balerion breathing fire over a castle and crowds of dying soldiers, which collapses several key battles into one tableau. The castle is Harrenhal, which, despite being considered impenetrable, proved no match for Balerion's fire. Meanwhile, the hordes of charred corpses represent the casualties in the Field of Fire, a massive battle during which the three Targaryen armies laid waste to the hosts of House Lannister and House Gardener. If you look closely in the credits, you can make out the sigils of both Houses — a hand for the Gardeners, a lion for the Lannisters — on shields on the battlefield.

SEE ALSO: Did you catch this prophecy in 'House of the Dragon' Season 2, episode 1?

In the face of the sheer might of dragons (think of them as the nukes of Westeros), it's no surprise the Great Houses bent the knee to Aegon. The opening credits represent these pledges of fealty with kneeling figures decked out in the colors and sigils of some familiar families: the blue and white falcon and moon of House Arryn; the black and white direwolf of House Stark; and the silver, orange, and blue trout of House Tully. In a bit of history repeating, all three Houses could be players in Season 2 as well, as Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) and Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) will seek their allegiance in the war to come.

Maegor the Cruel

Aegon the Conqueror was a tough act to follow, and neither of his sons quite lived up to his name during their successive reigns. Aenys I was viewed as indecisive and weak, while Maegor I, aka Maegor the Cruel, was a total tyrant. We're talking executions, kinslaying, and tons and tons of burning. He also oversaw the completion of the Red Keep, after which he had everyone who worked on it beheaded in order to keep its secrets. Overall, not a great dude!

Maegor did go out in memorable fashion though, earning him a spot in House of the Dragon's new title sequence. We pan down from the Red Keep to see him seated on the Iron Throne, impaled through the neck by one of the throne's swords and with his wrists cut. Fire and Blood keeps whether Maegor died by suicide or murder ambiguous. However, the death sets a pattern of Targaryen Kings being hurt or killed by the very Iron Throne they rule from. Remember how Viserys kept getting cuts from sitting on the Iron Throne? Turns out deadly furniture is a leading cause of death among Westerosi monarchs.

Jaehaerys and Alysanne

Where Maegor was a tyrant, his successor and nephew Jaehaerys I came to be known as the "Conciliator." His reign of 55 years is the longest in Targaryen history, which certainly merits him a section of the Targaryen tapestry.

The House of the Dragon credits show Jaehaerys alongside his sister/wife Alysanne, as well as an image of a pot of gold and a seven-pointed star, representing the Faith of the Seven. The former points to Westeros's prosperity during his reign, and the latter to how Jaehaerys mended the contentious divide between the crown and the Faith that started during Aenys's reign. They don't call him the Conciliator for nothing!

The Great Council

After showing Jaehaerys and Alysanne, the House of the Dragon opening credits dive into territory we've already covered in Season 1. First up is the Great Council of Harrenhal, where Jaehaerys and the lords of the Seven Kingdoms chose his successor from a crop of 14 possible heirs.

Viserys ended up on the throne, with the Council passing over Jaehaerys's granddaughter Rhaenys (Eve Best). The decision set a precedent for women not being permitted to rule, leading to Viserys' initial hesitation about making Rhaenyra his heir. Imagine all the mess we could have saved had the Council just gone with Rhaenys.

The Greens and the Blacks

Next, House of the Dragon's new opening credits jump right into the conflict between Rhaenyra and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke). We see Alicent standing at one end of a banquet hall, resplendent in a green gown that calls back to her fashionable power move at Rhaenyra's wedding. (Also, notice how the torches flanking her resemble House Hightower's fiery sigil). On the other end of the hall is Rhaenyra, equally glorious in a black dress.

The banquet tables on opposite side of the hall lay out the members of Team Green and Team Black. On Team Green, we see Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), Aemond, Aegon II, and Helaena. Notice how Helaena wears gold instead of green, distancing her from the rest of her family. On Team Black, we see Daemon (Matt Smith), Rhaenys, Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), Jacaerys (Harry Collett), Lucerys (Elliot Grihault), and Joffrey (Oscar Eskinazi).

SEE ALSO: Who deserves the Iron Throne in 'House of the Dragon': Team Black or Team Green? Rhaenyra and Aegon on their separate thrones

In the richest tableau these credits have to offer, Aegon II and Rhaenyra take their places as dueling rulers of the Seven Kingdoms. Aegon sits atop the Iron Throne, while Rhaenyra sits on the throne at Dragonstone.

The two are surrounded by a frame of red and gold — a nod to House Targaryen's colors and house words, "fire and blood." Hands emerge from beneath both of their thrones to send messages to prospective allies. Ravens flock from the green hand under Aegon II, representing Otto's diplomatic tactics at the start of the war. As we see in the Season 2 premiere, this approach already chafes the war-ready Aegon.

Aegon and Otto's green hand and ravens contrast with the black hand and dragons extending from Rhaenyra's section of the tapestry. Of the several dragons at Rhaenyra's disposal, only three are pictured here. The smaller ones resemble Jacaerys' Vermax and Lucerys' Arrax, corresponding to the young princes' missions to secure allies in the Season 1 finale. The longer red dragon is likely Daemon's dragon Caraxes.

Rounding out this tapestry is a border of sigils framing Rhaenyra and Aegon. Based on placement, we can tell which of the Great Houses have declared for which side. Of the major Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon players, Houses Lannister, Baratheon, and Hightower are on Team Green, while Houses Arryn, Stark, Tully, and Velaryon are on Team Black.

Lucerys Velaryon's death

It's only fitting that these new credits close with the tragedy that closed out Season 1: the death of Rhaenyra's son Lucerys. Here, we see the intertwined figures of Aemond, Vhagar, Arrax, and Lucerys, reminding us all of one of the first casualties of the Dance of the Dragons.

From here, the now-blank tapestry unfolds towards the ominous silhouette of the Iron Throne. The message is clear: For the past minute and a half, we've witnessed centuries' worth of bloody battles and the devastating power of dragons, all unleashed in the name of ruling Westeros. And with the schism between Rhaenyra and Aegon, these events — mostly tragedies — won't be stopping anytime soon. The Targaryen history is still being written; the tapestry is far from done.

New episodes of House of the Dragon air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

Well. A lot happened in House of the Dragon Season 2, episode 1. But while plenty of the key players were out there making rash decisions and acting on impulse, some of the Red Keep's biggest snakes were just getting started.

Enter Larys Strong (Matthew Needham), murderer of family members, feet fan, and budding Littlefinger. The royal court's Lord Confessor didn't have too much to do in the new season's first outing — at least not yet — but there was one key conversation that made us think he's up to no good again.

So what did Larys say, and what might it mean for his future intentions?

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 review: A tragedy written in fire and blood What did Larys Strong say to King Aegon?

Midway through the episode there's a sequence where the newly crowned King Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) is holding court in the Great Hall, hearing various requests from the "small folk" while his grandfather and Hand of the King Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) gives him advice. Larys, meanwhile, watches from the side of the hall — and when Aegon is finished, he pulls the young king aside for a quiet word. Here's the exchange that takes place between them, in full:

Larys Strong: "'Tis the Hand's want to keep a firm grip on things. He controlled your father the same way. Viserys had a certain reputation of being pliable."

Aegon Targaryen: "I am aware."

LS: "I would think, as we find ourselves standing in a hair's breadth of war, that you would wish to be viewed differently."

AT: "How?"

LS: "Otto Hightower was your father's hand, your grace."

So...what's he up to?

They see me lurkin'... Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO What is Larys Strong planning?

Larys' main goal from the start of House of the Dragon seems to have been similar to Littlefinger's goal in Game of Thrones: his own ascension. In Season 1, Larys ingratiates himself with Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and arranges for the murder of his own brother and father in order to inherit the "Lord" title for himself. The Red Keep's chief information extractor (by whatever means necessary), he likes to be as close to power as possible, and have the ear of the higher-ups.

King Aegon II, it seems, it his new target. But as Larys observes in the throne room, Aegon is currently under the thumb of his grandfather, Otto Hightower. Larys has played carefully around Otto, even undermining Alicent at times with him. Our guess is that Larys is trying to manipulate Aegon into getting rid of Otto so that he can make more room for himself on the Small Council.

With Otto out of the way, Larys would likely have an even greater influence over the king.

House of the Dragon Season 2 airs weekly on Sunday's at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

House of the Dragon Season 2 has flown back onto our screens, bringing with it plenty of dragons, Targaryen family drama, and changes from its source material, George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood.

Several of these changes build on those in Season 1. Largest among them is the simple fact that House of the Dragon is a narrative TV show, while Fire & Blood is presented as a historical account. The difference in form means that Fire & Blood operates on a larger timescale, spanning centuries, while House of the Dragon can dive deeper into certain scenes and character moments or flesh out "historical" ambiguities.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 review: A tragedy written in fire and blood

An example of that fleshing out is the relationship between Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), whose fraught dynamic in the show benefits from the extra layers of seeing them grow up together before becoming bitter enemies. That strong adaptation choice is one of many that carries into Season 2, but there are plenty new deviations from Fire & Blood on the way. Which ones work and add depth to the story of the Dance of the Dragons? Which ones are less successful? Let's break it down.

Here are all the biggest differences between House of the Dragon Season 2 and Fire & Blood.

Episode one: We're back at the Wall! Harry Collett and Tom Taylor in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

House of the Dragon Season 2 opens with shots of snowy forests and the familiar sounds of Ramin Djawadi's Winterfell theme, which can only mean one thing for House Stark fans: We're so back.

After spending the first season mostly in and around Dragonstone and King's Landing, it's a delight to revisit the northernmost reaches of Westeros. Rhaenyra's eldest son Jacaerys (Harry Collett) flew up there in the Season 1 finale to treat with Lord Cregan Stark of Winterfell (Tom Taylor), and by the time we catch up with them at the beginning of Season 2, it seems like they've become good pals. They're taking a field trip up the Wall, bantering about the time Torrhen Stark bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror, and discussing how the North can aid Rhaenyra in her war efforts.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2's Targaryen family tree: How everyone connects

House of the Dragon skips over quite a bit of material to get to Jace and Cregan's allyship. In classic Fire & Blood fashion, there are several conflicting accounts of Jace's time in Winterfell in Martin's work. Of his many historical "sources," Grand Maester Munkun writes in his True Telling that the two became inseparable and swore a blood oath of brotherhood, while Septon Eustace claims that Jace badgered Cregan about converting to the Faith of the Seven. The most scandalous of all the accounts belongs, naturally, to court jester Mushroom, who says Jace fell in love with and married a bastard named Sara Snow, even though he was betrothed to his cousin Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell). With only eight episodes in this season, House of the Dragon likely didn't have the time to get into all this potential Northern drama. We've got the Dance of the Dragons to kick off, people! Still, you can bet we haven't seen the last of Cregan Stark.

Episode one: Alicent Hightower and Criston Cole's torrid affair. Olivia Cooke in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

In a move I didn't see coming (and that certainly isn't in Fire & Blood), Dowager Queen Alicent and Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) are getting it on. Based on Alicent's assertion that they shouldn't hook up again (as if that's going to work), we can assume this affair has been going on for a while. So, when did this tryst begin? When did Cole come back around on the whole "breaking his Kingsguard oath of chastity" thing? When did Alicent decide, "Eh, screw it," and start doing exactly what she hated Rhaenyra for doing?

SEE ALSO: The new 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 intro shows the history of House Targaryen

Alicent and Criston's hypocrisy here doesn't bother me, as it's totally in keeping with their overly righteous characters. And it just makes sense that something would happen between these two. They're basically joined at the hip, and their joint animosity towards Rhaenyra adds a sweet psychosexual twist. Plus, as Alicent reckons with the increasingly unpredictable men in her circle, like her sons Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), it also makes sense that she'd try to reclaim her power elsewhere.

What does bother me about this change is that Criston is having sex at all. He doesn't deserve it. No nice things for Criston, please!

Episode one: Let's talk about Blood and Cheese. Phia Saban in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

In what is undoubtedly one of the darkest scenes ever featured in House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, two assassins — known simply as Blood (Sam C. Wilson) and Cheese (Mark Stobbart) — sneak into the Red Keep and murder Aegon and Helaena's (Phia Saban) infant son Jaehaerys. The monstrous act comes at the behest of Daemon (Matt Smith), who seeks "a son for a son" in retribution for the death of Lucerys (Elliot Grihault).

SEE ALSO: Did you catch this prophecy in 'House of the Dragon' Season 2, episode 1?

In the book, Blood and Cheese force Helaena to choose which of her sons she wants them to kill. When volunteering herself doesn't work, she chooses her youngest, Maelor, as Jaehaerys is heir to the Iron Throne. In a nasty twist, Blood and Cheese kill Jaehaerys instead — and tell Maelor that his mother wants him dead.

Things play out a little differently in House of the Dragon, although the final outcome is the same: Jaehaerys dies, and Helaena is traumatized for life. First off, Blood and Cheese's original target in the show is Aemond. That change already complicates the blame of Jaehaerys's death. It lets Daemon off the hook a little for bankrolling child murder, just as Vhagar's unauthorized chomping in the Season 1 finale means Aemond technically didn't murder Lucerys. But technicalities don't matter when children are dead.

Instead of finding Aemond, Blood and Cheese stumble upon Helaena and the twins Jaehaerys and Jaehaera. (Maelor is cut from the show entirely.) They make a snap judgment that one Targaryen son is as good as another and make Helaena tell them which of her children is Jaehaerys. She points him out, but there's a brief moment in which Blood thinks she's trying to double-cross them. After all, why would she give up the heir to the throne so easily? Surely she's actually pointing to Jaehaera. Cheese calls her bluff though and correctly surmises that she's actually singled out her son. With that, Jaehaerys becomes another victim in the Dance of the Dragons.

This version of the Blood and Cheese scene nods a bit to the book version, with Helaena still having to make an impossible choice and there being trickery involved. However, there's an extra layer of tragedy here. Based on a rat-centric statement towards the beginning of the episode, Helaena likely foresaw the arrival of Blood and Cheese in a prophetic dream. That means she's had quite a bit of time to think about this moment, and maybe even prepare for it. Her attempt to throw Blood and Cheese off of Jaehaerys's scent was her last-ditch effort to stop the inevitable. In failing, her action turns a horrifying scene into something even sadder.

We'll be updating this article as House of the Dragon Season 2 continues airing, so check back weekly for more differences between the show and Fire & Blood.

New episodes of House of the Dragon air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.