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TL;DR: Through September 29, get lifetime access to Sticky Password Premium for only $24.99 with promo code TAKE5 and never worry about forgetting a password again.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sticky Password Sticky Password Premium: Lifetime Subscription $24.99If you’re constantly hitting the “Forgot Password” button or struggling to remember which pet’s name you used this time, you’re definitely not alone. Password management can be a headache, especially when you’re trying to keep everything secure without writing it all down on sticky notes — or when it says "new password cannot be old password" and you want to throw your computer against a wall.
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You’ll get unlimited access to this powerful tool, ensuring that your digital life stays organized and secure. Whether you’re managing work accounts, personal logins, or even passwords for your side hustle, Sticky Password Premium keeps it all in one secure vault, accessible whenever you need it.
Say goodbye to the frustration of forgotten passwords and hello to a simpler, more secure way to manage it all. Through September 29, use coupon code TAKE5 at checkout to get a lifetime subscription to Sticky Password Premium for $24.99 (reg. $199).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
We geeks are a passionate bunch. We'll happily spend hours dissecting the latest superhero movie or Star Wars series, but ask us to decode dating signals, and we're lost. Our love language might be quoting obscure anime, and our idea of a perfect date might involve tabletop games and cosplay, but finding someone who gets that? That's a challenge.
For nerdy women, dating means sifting through profiles of guys who think "gamer girl" is a personality (or creeps chasing their Manic Pixie Dream Elf-girl fantasy). For men, it's the struggle to express your love for all things nerdy without scaring off potential partners or, worse, being labeled "that guy."
SEE ALSO: The best dating apps for introverts who prefer books to bars Is there a dating site for geeks?Yes, but you don't need a niche dating site made exclusively for geeks to find your next date.
"For folks looking for a partner that shares their same nerdy interests and passions, the best thing to do is to join a platform with a robust algorithm like eharmony, and include your specific interests in your profile," Kiana Reeves, Somatic Sex Educator, Intimacy Coach, and Chief Education Officer at Foria, tells Mashable. "You can also opt for a platform more frequented by young people, like Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge, and make sure your bio and photos indicate your interests and values — this will help you more easily sift through and attract potential matches who are interested in the same things."
You might notice we no longer recommend geek-specific sites like Soul Geek, Gamer Dating, and Dating for Muggles). Sadly, these platforms haven't kept up with the times and are feeling a bit... well, dated. (You can get the full scoop in our 'How we tested' section below.) So, which apps and dating sites are worth trying? We've got you covered.
The top dating sites and apps for nerds to try Instead of niche dating apps, try mainstream apps with in-depth profiles or matching algorithms. Credit: Ian Moore / MashableWe compared the internet's top dating sites, trendy swiping apps, and geek-specific platforms to pinpoint the ones where you can proudly fly your nerd flag. With the best dating sites for geeks, you might just find that special someone who shares your obscure passions. We're talking about someone who'll happily debate the merits of Pokémon Emerald vs. Scarlet/Violet or create the perfect couples cosplay for the next Comic-Con. The best part? These platforms are all easily accessible via the App Store and Google Play Store.
Just remember this: Even if a potential match doesn't share your specific hobby or interest, they could still be the right partner for you. Don't fall for this common geek relationship fallacy. The most important thing is that they respect your nerdy obsessions, and you respect theirs.
SEE ALSO: Dating predictions for the rest of 2024Here are our top picks for the best dating sites for geeks, nerds, and anyone with a passion for an obscure hobby:
At one point in time, finding love was a much more difficult process. It required you to commit to "putting yourself out there," relying on good old-fashioned luck to find what you were looking for, whether it be true love or a quick fling. But nowadays, the dating scene is easier to get into thanks to the best dating apps.
SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to knowPeople today are meeting their soul mates on dating apps — something that's becoming more and more common as society learns to navigate the ins and outs of online dating. A 2022 survey from the Pew Research Center found that out of nearly 6,000 respondents, one in 10 partnered adults (those who were married, in a long-term relationship, or living together) met through a dating app. For adults under 30 and members of the LGBTQ+ community, 20 to 24 percent found their partner on the apps.
A dating app for every desireWith so many dating apps out there, it's easy to feel confused or overwhelmed by the options. While Match Group (Tinder, Match, Archer, OkCupid, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, and The League, among others) continues to dominate the market, you don't have to limit yourself to just one brand when looking for the best dating app.
There's a bit of an abundance of choice when it comes to settling on the best dating app for you, which can make an already tiring process that much harder. While Match Group (Tinder, Match, Archer, OkCupid, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, and The League, among others) continues to dominate the online dating market, you don't have to limit yourself to just one brand when looking for the best dating app. We encourage you to expand your horizons while picking one out, and maybe test a few to figure out what you like and don't like (kind of like dating, we guess?).
SEE ALSO: How to stay safe on dating appsFor example, First Round’s On Me (FROME) is a newer app that's gained popularity for its date invitation feature. Choose a drink, date, time, and venue, and the app will send a personalized invitation to your potential match. Once a date is confirmed, it's locked into both users' calendars, and the in-app chat feature is activated 12 hours before the date.
Other apps like Pure cater to people open to ethical, non-monogamous relationships or threesomes. There really is something for everyone, including more traditional dating apps like eharmony, Facebook Dating (think Tinder Lite, for your grandma), and Christian Mingle that swap endless scrolling for compatibility quizzes and faith-based connections.
One alternative app that we did originally recommend but can't anymore, though, is Feeld. The company's Dec. 2023 rebrand brought with it a slew of bugs and, more importantly, some location-related safety concerns. Since then, we've heard additional rumblings about security. Until we have more information, we'd suggest avoiding it for the time being.
The best dating apps of 2024After testing out each of the apps and putting them through their paces, we've narrowed them down to just the best dating apps of 2024. Through hands-on testing, customer reviews, availability (all are available on the App Store or Google Play), privacy, and overall user-friendliness, we feel confident that you'll find your perfect match among these recommendations.
UP TO 50% OFF: Get up to 50% off dorm essentials at Amazon. Shop smart devices, compact coffee makers, and more.
Our top picks: Best smart speaker deal Amazon Echo (4th gen) $64.99 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Nespresso Vertuo POP+ by Breville $99 at Amazon (save $26.96 ) Get Deal Best entertainment deal INSIGNIA 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD Fire TV (NS-32F201NA23) $79.99 at Amazon (save $50 ) Get Deal Best cleaning supplies deal MRS. MEYER'S CLEAN DAY Kitchen Basics Set $14.48 at Amazon (save $6.72) Get DealCollege can be one of the best experiences of a lifetime — but it'll be even better if you have the right essentials to really make a dorm room feel like home.
SEE ALSO: The best laptops for students: MacBooks, Microsoft Surface, and moreHere are some of the best deals we could find on dorm essentials — from a smart speaker to coffee makers and cleaning supplies — you’ll want to snag at the start of this school year.
Best smart speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Echo (4th gen) $64.99 at AmazonThe Amazon Echo (4th gen) is a dorm room must-have. This smart speaker can play music, set alarms, timers, and reminders, control compatible smart home devices (if you have a smart plug), and even make calls and get news and weather updates — all with just your voice or the Alexa app.
The Echo Dot (5th gen) and Sengled Smart Color Bulb bundle is a great alternative if you're trying to save even more money and space. It’s on sale for $49.99 at Amazon, so it's about 20 bucks less than buying the devices separately.
Best coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Our pick: Nespresso Vertuo POP+ by Breville $99.99 at AmazonThe Nespresso Vertuo POP+ by Breville is compact enough to fit on a dorm room desk, but it has the power to brew both coffee and espresso. It has a 25-ounce water reservoir and brews five cup sizes, including five-, eight-, and 12-ounce coffees and single or double shots of espresso. This little machine could save you at least 15 minutes standing in line at the campus coffee shop every day. (It also comes in a variety of colors and is the same price as a Keurig, but brews better-tasting coffee.)
Best entertainment deal Opens in a new window Credit: INSIGNIA Our pick: INSIGNIA 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD Fire TV (NS-32F201NA23) $79.99 at AmazonThe INSIGNIA 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD Fire TV (NS-32F201NA23) is big enough to stream and game on from your bed, but small enough to fit on a dorm room desk. (It’s also way better than streaming on your laptop.) At just $79, this Fire TV is a steal and will make your dorm room feel more like home.
If you don't have room for a TV, you might want to consider getting a projector like this mini portable projector by Magcubic. Just hop in bed and use the ceiling as your screen!
Best cleaning supplies deal Opens in a new window Credit: MRS. MEYER'S Our pick: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Kitchen Basics Set $14.48 at AmazonThe Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Kitchen Basics Set includes a multi-surface cleaner, hand soap, and dish soap. This specific bundle features the lavender scent, but you can get it in others like basil or lemon verbena. Mrs. Meyer's is a cleaner option that won’t cost you an arm and a leg — you can also save up to 15% when you subscribe.
If you want something even more eco-friendly, I recommend anything from Cleancult. They’re a little pricier but anti-plastic and have refillable cleaners and hand soaps. (I use Cleancult all the time. They’re the only cleaner I have under the sink besides white vinegar and Windex, and the basil scent smells so good.)
Like an enormous lava lamp, the sun roils with hot bubbles that rise from its belly to the surface, then cool and sink back down into its interior.
This process occurs through convection, distributing heavier elements like carbon and nitrogen throughout the sun. It's also thought to be a driving force behind solar winds — hot, ionized gasses flowing away from the sun — which spread charged particles into space.
Astronomers have now seen and captured pictures of another star bubbling gas on its surface. The star, R Doradus, is a red giant, with a diameter about 350 times larger than the sun's. This puffy star is about 180 light-years away from Earth in the southern constellation Dorado.
The ability to watch this process unfold on another star could help scientists understand how convection changes over time as a star ages. Though R Doradus is much larger than the sun, its mass is almost the same, meaning the star is perhaps what the sun will look and act like in another 5 billion years, when it also becomes a red giant and is near death.
"This is the first time the bubbling surface of a real star can be shown in such a way," said Wouter Vlemmings, lead author of the study, in a statement. "We had never expected the data to be of such high quality that we could see so many details of the convection on the stellar surface."
SEE ALSO: The sun actually pelts itself with colossal 'shooting stars'The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA, captured the images, seen in the video above, in July and August 2023. The humongous observatory is based in Chile, co-owned by the U.S. National Science Foundation, European Southern Observatory, and National Institutes of Natural Sciences of Japan.
Convection bubbles have been previously spotted on other stars, but the new ALMA observations track the motion of the bubbles in a detailed way that was not possible before. The findings are published in the journal Nature. What the images reveal are giant, hot bubbles of gas appearing and then disappearing beneath the surface at a rate much faster than predicted.
Antennas of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA, in the Chilean Andes point at the night sky. Credit: ESO / C. MalinOn the sun, these bubbles, known as convective granules, are each about the size of France. In the past two years, the new Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii has taken extremely detailed images of these bubbles as it studies the origins of "space weather." The telescope is working in conjunction with the Solar Orbiter, a collaborative mission of the European Space Agency and NASA launched in February 2020, and the Parker Solar Probe, a NASA spacecraft sent up two years earlier.
Despite the sun being 93 million miles from Earth, solar storms can have serious consequences on technology, disrupting power grids and telecommunications systems on Earth when their radiation reaches the planet's magnetic field and atmosphere.
Tweet may have been deletedBut if you thought bubbles the size of France were big, on R Doradus, each bubble is a whopping 75 times the size of the sun, the researchers said.
The new paper also marks the first time astronomers have been able to track how fast the convective granules on another star move. On R Doradus, the bubbles appear to move on a one-month cycle, faster than how convection works on the sun. Scientists don't yet understand why.
"It is spectacular that we can now directly image the details on the surface of stars so far away," said Behzad Bojnodi Arbab, a doctoral student at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, who contributed to the study, "and observe physics that until now was mostly only observable in our Sun."
UPDATE: Sep. 11, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EDT Check out the latest Apple deals from Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and more.
Best Apple deals this week: Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $899 at Amazon (Save $200) Get Deal Best iPad deal iPad Air (M2, WiFi, 128GB) $549 at Amazon (Save $50) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) $189 at Amazon and Walmart (Save $60) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Max $429 at Amazon (Save $120) Get DealApple may have an iron grasp on the general population, but when it comes down to it, their products look good, work well, and stay cutting-edge — so of course, people love 'em. Whether you build your calendar around Apple events or just want solid tech no matter the brand, Apple's got you covered. Sure, they're a little notorious for their high prices, but we've rounded up the best deals on iPads, AirPods, MacBooks, and more to help you save where you can.
iMac and MacBook deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $899.00 at AmazonThe M3 MacBook Air is no longer at its $850 record low, but $899 is still a solid deal for one of the best chips you can find in a MacBook, along with an 18-hour battery life, WiFi 6E support, and the ability to connect up to two external displays with the laptop lid closed. Of course, it also has the signature portability of the Air line, making it great for working at home or taking on the go. This price also puts it just $50 above the M2 MacBook Air with the same specs, offering a bit more future proofing without a huge price bump.
More iMac and MacBook dealsMacBook Air
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $649 $899 at Walmart (save $250)
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $799 $999 at Amazon (save $200)
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $999 $1,199 at Amazon (save $200)
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,099 $1,299 at Amazon (save $200)
Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,149 $1,299 at Amazon (save $150)
Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,399 $1,499 at Amazon (save $100)
MacBook Pro
Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299 $1,599 at Amazon (save $300)
Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M3 Pro, 36GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,499 $2,899 at Amazon (save $400)
Mac
Apple Mac mini (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $499 $599 at Amazon (save $100)
Apple Mac mini (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $689 $799 at Amazon (save $110 with on-page coupon)
Though it's still $20 away from its record-low price, you're still saving $50 on a tablet released just over a couple of months ago. The M2 chip gives a zippy upgrade to 2022's Air, and offers starting storage of 128GB compared to the last gen's 64GB. Considering this was one of our biggest gripes with the 2022 Air, we're happy to see that this change came without a price jump.
More iPad dealsiPad (10th gen)
Apple iPad (WiFi, 64GB) — $299 $349 (save $50)
iPad Air
Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) — $729 $799 at Amazon (save $70)
iPad Pro
Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) — $899 $999 at Amazon (save $100)
Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) — $1,099 $1,199 at Amazon (save $100)
If you're looking to get an Apple Watch on the cheap, you'll want to check out this Apple Watch SE deal at Walmart and Amazon. This smartwatch is more on the basic side, without an S9 chip (and therefore Double Tap), an ECG sensor, and a display that maxes out at 1,000 nits of brightness (as compared to 2,000 nits). It may not be the newest Series 10, but it can still act as a heart rate monitor, and of course, the ability to download a whole host of apps at a fraction of the price.
More Apple Watch dealsSeries 9
Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) — $299 $499 at Amazon (save $100)
Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) — $329 $429 at Amazon (save $100)
SE
Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) — $189 $249 at Amazon (save $60)
Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) — $219 $279 at Amazon (save $60)
Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) — $219 $279 at Walmart (save $60)
Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular) — $229 $299 at Walmart (save $70)
Ultra
Apple Watch Ultra 2 — $689 $799 at Amazon (save $110)
Check out our full review on the Apple AirPods Max.
We'll be the first to admit the AirPods Max aren't typically our top pick from Apple's headphones line, but a $120 price tag reduction certainly helps. At $429, these headphones are about $35 away from their lowest price ever, making their flaws — like a lack of a case and on button — feel less egregious, and their strengths — like their excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation — shine even more. Plus, considering that Apple didn't really give the AirPods Max an upgrade, so much as fresh coat of paint and a new charger, grabbing these headphones at a such discounted price is extra worth it.
More deals on AirPods and Apple accessoriesApple AirPods (2nd gen) — $89 $129 at Amazon (save $40)
Apple AirTags (4-pack) — $79.98 $99 at Amazon (save $19.02)
Apple Pencil Pro — $114.99 $129 at Amazon (save $14.01)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) — $189.99 $249 at Amazon (save $59.01)
SAVE $30: Sign up for Hulu + Live TV and get a $30 rebate on your first month's subscription, which costs $76.99 per month after your free three-day trial.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) + Live TV at HuluYou have many options these days when it comes to choosing which streaming platform you prefer. In fact, there are so many options (that come with pages of fine print) that it can feel overwhelming when all you really want to do is binge some great shows. Thankfully, Hulu has a great bundle that neatly packages your favorites all in one. And if you sign up today, you're in for a nice rebate.
Until 11:59 p.m. PT tonight, Sept. 11, sign up for Hulu + Live TV and get a $30 rebate at the end of your first month. Hulu (with ads) + Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+ costs $76.99 per month, while Hulu (without ads) + Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+ costs $89.99 per month. You're eligible for the deal as long as you're a new or returning subscriber. Hulu says you can expect the rebate money to land back in your method of payment in six to eight weeks.
SEE ALSO: Prepare for spooky season with the best streaming deals this weekJust in time for football season, Hulu + Live TV is coming at us with a pretty nice discount. The package includes Hulu (with or without ads, depending on your pricing preferences), Disney+, ESPN+, and live TV from over 95 channels with no cable TV required. To list a handful of channels, you'll gain access to live viewing of ABC, NBC, HGTV, National Geographic, CNN, Hallmark Channel, NFL Network, and many more.
If you're a sports fan, this package could be incredible since it includes live games from both pro and college leagues like the NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, and more. (And you might want to check out the best TV deals right now while you're at it.)
And if you're not home to watch your favorite games this weekend, or you're missing out on a new Hallmark holiday movie, go ahead and record it to watch later. Hulu + Live TV comes with unlimited DVR, so you can record all you want with no restrictions.
It's also worth noting the monthly subscription price is set to increase on Oct. 17. Hulu (with ads) + Live TV will increase to $82.99 per month, while Hulu (without ads) + Live TV will jump to $95.99 per month. You're free to cancel your subscription at any time.
If you plan on tuning in to this season's football games, upcoming NBA games, or want to stream all the great new shows coming this fall, signing up for Hulu + Live TV could be a fantastic option. It bundles Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+ while also giving you access to over 95 channels of live TV. Sign up before 11:59 p.m. PT tonight and get $30 back after your first month.
If there's one thing that gets people off Pornhub, it's an Apple Event. Over the last couple years, Pornhub traffic consistently declined during Apple's slew of announcements — even for people on Android devices. How did the event stack up this year?
Once the event started, viewers on Apple devices closed the X-rated site and tuned into the event: Pornhub traffic dropped 15.2 percent compared to that of an average day.
Those on Android devices, however, didn't seem interested as that traffic stayed at around the average. This continued throughout the event this year — Android users didn't care to watch what Apple had to offer. At least, they didn't care enough to stop watching porn. (And they're not the only ones who found this year's Apple Event to be underwhelming.)
The plunge in Pornhub traffic on Apple devices when the event started. Credit: PornhubAnother significant dip happened during the announcement of the new AirPods 4: 14.9 percent compared to average. Not as much as the event started, but pretty close. Perhaps Pornhub viewers wanted to see the latest in Apple's noise cancelation tech so they can watch their favorite videos in peace.
Traffic dropped significantly compared to average during the AirPods announcement. Credit: PornhubThe biggest drop of the event happened — unsurprisingly — during the unveiling of the iPhone 16.
Most Pornhub viewers on Apple devices switched over to watch the new iPhone reveal. Credit: PornhubTraffic dropped 16.4 percent compared to average during talk about the latest iPhone. From there, viewership bounced in and out through the continued announcements for the iPhone 16 camera as well as the iPhone 16 Pro.
Once the event ended at 2:40 p.m. ET, Pornhub traffic on Apple devices steadily returned back to average.
See all of Pornhub's Apple Event insights here.
OpenAI reportedly plans to release Strawberry in the next two weeks, as new reports build anticipation for the model's capabilities.
The latest intel about the AI model's release date comes from The Information, which cites two people who have tested the model and shared further details. OpenAI did not respond to request for comment by the time of publication.
Strawberry is reportedly a generative AI model that's capable of advanced reasoning beyond the back-and-forth responses that the current models provide. Based on earlier reports from Reuters, Strawberry can perform multi-step tasks based on a single query and "plan ahead enough to navigate the internet autonomously and reliably to perform what OpenAI terms 'deep research.'" This would put the model one step further towards OpenAI's goal of developing autonomous AI agents.
It's unclear whether Strawberry is related to SearchGPT, OpenAI's search engine that is currently a prototype only available to a small group of users. But according to The Information, Strawberry is reportedly a standalone model that can also be used with ChatGPT, possibly through a drop-down option within the app.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman teased Strawberry in August with a wink-wink image of a strawberry plant, further adding to buzz about the mysterious new model. OpenAI's Dev Day is October 1 in San Francisco, which is when OpenAI was expected to announce something about Strawberry. But now it looks like we'll hear about it sooner than that.
Tweet may have been deletedThe recent outlook on generative AI tools was somewhat tempered recently by talks of an AI bubble, fueled by waning investor interest, consumer backlash, and apathy towards its general usefulness.
But if OpenAI can successfully tackling the tricky "reasoning" problem as reports of Strawberry suggest, it might just reignite the AI hype machine. If the rumors about investing the AI company are true, Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft certainly believe in OpenAI's promise.
Now that we've had two days to dig into every little detail Apple shared at Monday's "It's Glowtime" event, it's time to focus on the stuff that was left unsaid.
There were quite a few details Apple never mentioned — but perhaps should have — at the event. For the consumers, some of these are good, some bad, and some ambiguous, but they're all quite important, especially if one is looking to buy one of the new Apple gadgets shown at the event.
SEE ALSO: Apple event underwhelming? Wait for the iPhone 17.Here's our list of all the hidden details that Apple sort of glossed over on Monday, and if you've noticed any others, do let us know in the comments!
FineWoven cases are out, but FineWoven wallets are still here You can't buy this case anymore, but you can still buy the wallet. Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableAhead of the event, rumors swirled that Apple wasn't too happy about users being very unhappy about the company's FineWoven accessories. The FineWoven stuff, reports said, is on its way out, and the reports were accurate — well, partially.
Apple's FineWoven accessories did not get a mention from Apple at its event this year, but all of the FineWoven cases for the iPhone were removed from the Apple Store. Oddly enough, the FineWoven wallets are still available. It's hard to speculate on why Apple chose to remove the cases but leave the wallets, but my guess is that the cases, being the more expensive gadget, drew more anger from users when they started to wear down.
Featured Video For You Apple iPhone 16 Hands OnIt's also worth noting that Apple didn't replace the FineWoven cases with a new, leather-like-but-environmentally-friendly material. Instead, the company now only offers Apple-branded clear cases and silicone cases for iPhones.
All of this makes it a little hard to give a clear verdict; FineWoven cases obviously didn't stand the test of time, but we hoped for a replacement, which just hasn't happened.
Verdict: MixedThe mystery of iPhone 16's battery life Now we know. Well, sort of. Credit: AppleThroughout the event, Apple kept saying that the new iPhones, both the 16 and 16 Pro variety, have improved battery life, but the company wouldn't share a single, precise figure related to it.
Those battery life figures came later in the form of Apple's spec sheets for the devices, and the figures look great, promising (roughly) a 15 percent improvement in battery life across the board (read my detailed report for more).
Still, one has to wonder: Why was Apple so coy about the battery life improvements? Perhaps the company just decided not to drown the audience in more numbers. Or, if we're being really optimistic, maybe the company knows the battery life improvements are so good, that it wants independent reviewers to be amazed when they test the phones themselves.
We'll know for sure when we spend some more time with the devices. Until then, based on the official specs, we'll call this a win.
Verdict: Probably goodAirPods Max still don't support lossless audio We had our fingers crossed, but it was not meant to be. Credit: AppleThe AirPods Max did not get a true upgrade on Monday; instead, it got the AirPods Pro 2 treatment, in which Apple added new colors, a few software features, and switched the Lightning port out in favor of the more universal, and EU-preferred, USB-C port.
One thing that irked me when the AirPods Max launched was that they didn't support Apple Music Lossless (lossless audio compression) in any way, shape or form. Here's Apple's own document confirming it. That was four years ago, when the AirPods Max were originally released and now, in 2024, there's a slightly updated version of AirPods Max which...still doesn't support lossless.
Did we really expect it to happen? No, but it's still a bummer.
Verdict: BadBut you can buy cushions in new colors for your existing AirPods Max Really love the purple AirPods Max? You can get just the cushions, for $69. Credit: AppleIf you have the old version of AirPods Max, you probably don't need to upgrade to the new AirPods Max, as the only big differences are the colors and the USB-C port replacing Lightning.
But if you really like the new colors, which are namely Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight, and Orange, you can get official ear cushions for the AirPods Max in these new colors. It'll cost you $69, but if the old cushions are worn out, perhaps that's a better upgrade than dishing out $549 for the entire headphones.
Verdict: GoodThe displays on the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro have a new trick 1 nit minimum brightness: check! Credit: AppleThe bad news here is that iPhone 16 and 16 Plus still don't support ProMotion, meaning their displays are capped to 60Hz. They also do not support Always-On, which remains reserved for the Pro models. It's a bummer, given that many mid-range Android phones these days have 120Hz displays.
We like the fact, however, that all of the new models — iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max — support 1 nit minimum brightness.
If I had to explain how that will benefit the iPhone 16 models, I'd mutter something unintelligible while awkwardly staring at the floor, because the 1 nit minimum brightness makes the most sense when paired with Always-On and StandBy, saving battery life and making the phone easier to look at in near-total darkness. But those features remain reserved for the Pro models for now; perhaps the 1 nit minimum brightness is signal that Apple will bring them to the regular iPhones, too?
Verdict: MixedIn case you missed it, a sequel to Happy Gilmore is happening. And to mark the beginning of production, star Adam Sandler posted a photo on Instagram that has people ready to go eat some hay, lay by the bay, and make things out of clay.
Following a post by Netflix's official account on Monday, Sandler posted the same image on his own page, a photo of the hockey jersey his character defiantly dons playing golf in the first film. In reference to a quote from Happy Gilmore, Sandler captioned the post, "It ain’t over. The way I see it… we’ve only just begun."
View this post on InstagramIt's the jersey Happy Gilmore insists on wearing when Chubbs Peterson (the late, great Carl Weathers, who passed away in February) lambasts him for not wearing golfcore. Happy replies, "If I saw myself in clothes like that, I’d have to kick my own ass."
It's all in the hips. Credit: Everett / ShutterstockThe Netflix-produced sequel to Sandler's 1996 comedy about a terrible hockey player turned accidental golf pro will see Sandler back in one his most iconic screen roles, with Murder Mystery director Kyle Newacheck at the helm. Sandler wrote the screenplay with Tim Herlihy, and Happy Gilmore director Dennis Dugan is executive producing.
SEE ALSO: The 25-year 'Happy Gilmore' anniversary has sparked a mini Twitter reunionAlso returning are his original co-stars Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald, who played publicist Virginia Venit and pieces-of-shit-for-breakfast-eater and villain Shooter McGavin, respectively. The cast had a mini Twitter reunion in 2021 for the 25th anniversary of Happy Gilmore, seeing McDonald extending Sandler an invitation to the ninth green at nine.
On Tuesday, it was announced Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasió, AKA Bad Bunny, has also joined the cast.
Sandler's post has people either psyched or worried about the upcoming sequel, with comments ranging from "Please don't screw it up," to "Not me thinking this was a random account at goodwill complaining about the prices LMAO" to fans dropping quote after quote from the original.
For now, Netflix and Sandler appear to be harnessing the good energy, blocking out the bad. Harness. Energy. Block. Bad.
I've always been a "Pro Max," "Ultra," and "XL" stan. Whether it's an Android or iOS device, I want the latest and greatest offering from Samsung, Google, and Apple.
For example, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is a beast of the phone, with a "can't stop, won't stop" battery life runtime that blew us away. Plus, its Super Res Zoom is pretty sick. Meanwhile, I wouldn't even look at the cheapest Pixel 9. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra sports an S Pen that I would never give up for a stylus-less base model.
As for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, I love that I can experiment with Apple Intelligence, which is currently in a super early beta version of iOS 18, while the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models lack Apple's new suite of AI features. Yawn!
Now that the iPhone 16 has dropped, I thought I'd lean more toward the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but for the first time ever, the entry-level model (i.e., non-Pro iPhone 16) caught my eye.
SEE ALSO: Apple Event 2024: Everything announced, including iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10 iPhone 16: Why it's more attractive than everApple has been known to reserve its spotlight new features for Pro models (before, at times, rolling it out to the lower-tier models the following year.)
For example, on the iPhone 13, the Pro-only headliner was debatably the LiDAR scanner, which supports augmented-reality (AR) capabilities that lets users play around with apps that blend their real-world surroundings with fun virtual overlays.
LiDAR was the hot new thing when iPhone 12 launched. Credit: MashableOn the iPhone 14, Dynamic Island was the hot new feature exclusive to the Pro models while the lower-tier models kept their yawn-worthy notches.
Dynamic Island had everyone talking. Credit: Mashable / Stan SchroederLast year, the Action Button was arguably the most eye catching new feature on the iPhone 15 series, allowing users to assign their favorite apps to the new upper-left side key for easy access.
Credit: AppleAnother striking perk that hit the iPhone 15 line last year? The new "tetraprism" telephoto feature, which is just marketing mumbo jumbo for a new 5X optical zoom capability (up from 3X). This feature was reserved for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, so the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, and iPhone 15 Pro were left out of the party.
This time around, with the launch of the iPhone 16, Apple is a little less stingy. The marquee feature for this current-generation of iPhones is Camera Control, a new button on the lower-right side of the iPhone that lets you quickly use intuitive gestures to access popular Camera app features, like zoom, Photographic Styles, and more.
Using the Camera Control button Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableSurprisingly, Camera Control isn’t a Pro-only feature — it’s available across the entire lineup. I hope Apple isn’t reading this (because I don’t want them getting any ideas), but as someone who always snaps up the pricier Pro Max, Ultra, or XL models for that "crown jewel" feature, I have to admit — for the first time in years — I don’t feel the need to with the new iPhone 16.
I suspect I'd be "complete" with the iPhone 16, which is a rare feeling when it comes to entry-level smartphones these days.
Sure, I'll lose out on the iPhone 16 Pro Max's new features like 4K video capture at 120Hz, studio-quality mics, a spacious 6.9-inch display, audio track layering in Voice Memos, and more, but I could live without those.
Holding an iPhone 16 Pro model in Desert Titanium Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableAt just $799, the entry-level iPhone is more attractive than ever with the following new perks:
Apple Intelligence
Visual Intelligence
Camera Control button
Tougher Ceramic Shield display for increased durability
Vivid colors
Colorways of recent iPhone generations have been too "blah" for me, but the new Pink, Ultramarine, and Teal shades finally have that punchy vividness I've been looking for.
iPhone 16 in Pink Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableEven though the iPhone 16 doesn't a telephoto sensor, Apple discovered a way to somewhat compensate for this, so much so that you can reportedly get high-quality zoomed-in photos by up to 2X. Not as appealing as the 5X optical sensor on the iPhone 16 Pro models, but it'll do.
iPhone 16 in Ultramarine Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe only thing that gives me pause is the fact that the iPhone 16 Pro Max, in terms of battery life, will reportedly have the longest runtime of any iPhone. I'm a sucker for power efficiency, but without performing an in-house test first, I'm not quite sold yet.
Anyone else leaning toward the entry-level iPhone for the first time? Leave a comment down below.
The iPhone 16 entry-level models start at $799. The iPhone 16 Pro variants start at $999.
Once pushed to the margins of acceptable language thanks to campaigns like "Spread the Word to End the Word," the R-word all but disappeared from common use by the early 2010s. But in 2024, it seems to be making a troubling comeback, particularly on social media platforms like X. This reemergence is more than a linguistic relapse — it's a reflection of how digital platforms are reshaping cultural norms in a way that seems to prioritize engagement over all else.
"Its increasing use stands in the face of decades of progress," Katy Neas, the CEO of The Arc, a group whose work focuses on promoting and protecting the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, told Mashable. "People with disabilities have made it clear: this term is hurtful and unacceptable. Yet, [the] persistence of this slur shows we still have work to do."
As social media platforms like X allow offensive language to spread under the guise of free speech, the lines between humor and harm blur, revealing how digital spaces have become battlegrounds for societal norms. As if to illustrate just how difficult it is to tackle an issue online, there are very few useful tools that track harmful content on social media. Google Trends can tell us how often a word is searched, but it can't tell us how often a word is used on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or X. And while the data is hard to pin down, there's plenty of anecdotal evidence that the word might be on the rise.
In the trailer for a comedy series starring Brian Jordan Alvarez, two teachers comment about how kids "aren't into being woke" anymore and that they're "saying the R-word again." Posts using the word on X routinely get thousands of likes, bookmarks, and reposts. And "edgy" "comics" get hundreds of thousands of views on videos using the word in their sets. The comeback of the word not only highlights the failure of content moderation but also a broader shift in how technology amplifies toxic behavior, undermining the work of advocates who have fought to create a more inclusive world.
Over the years, there have been movements to eradicate the word — which Nease says has "long been weaponized to demean and marginalize people with disabilities" — from our vocabulary. For instance, in 2009, the Special Olympics launched a campaign called "Spread The Word to End the Word," aimed at raising awareness about the damaging effects of the word "retard" and encouraging people to pledge to stop using it. Over time, the campaign has made a significant impact in schools.
"'Spread The Word' is a hugely popular activity for our students to get involved in because it is very tangible, it is very specific, and kids have a lot of experience with this word and with bullying and teasing and inappropriate language in general," Andrea Cahn, the Senior Vice President of the Unified Champion Schools at the Special Olympics who works with the Spread the Word campaign, told Mashable. "So it's something they can take real action on and see the change."
Eventually, students began giving feedback that the campaign needed to evolve, Cahn said. They reported that the R-word was rarely used anymore and wanted to shift the focus toward other ways to promote inclusion while still maintaining the original mission.
SEE ALSO: Doggos, puppers, oh h*ck: Dog speak is cringey, but no one caresA decade after "Spread The Word" launched, there's renewed concern about the slur's resurgence, primarily driven by social media. It could be a reflection of the culture at large — people seem to be saying the word with abandon in real life, too, perhaps influenced by the church of Shane Gillis — or that anonymous posting is getting out of hand.
"Because the tenor of social media is to be provocative and tease and [be] mean-spirited, the humor mixed with the meanness seems to be like this toxic cocktail that's very popular," Cahn said, noting that the rise of user-generated content has changed the way offensive language is used.
And it's true. Content moderation often changes the way we speak as we look for alternatives to some words (seggs for sex or unalive for dead) that we fear could be impacted by the search algorithm. However, the R-word is not always affected by the algorithm.
Search for the word on X, and you'll find people trying to be funny by using the slur. "you are not 'demure' or 'mindful' you're retarded," reads one post with over 3,900 thousand reposts and 30,000 likes. "I love smoking weed until I'm retarded," reads another, with 1,200 reposts and 6,500 likes. "Chasing fat butt freshman around campus like a retarded Labrador" has 2,700 reposts and over 70,000 likes. There are hundreds of these examples, all with many likes and reposts.
And that's just on X. On Instagram, no results are yielded in Reels for the word "retarded," but there are results for the word "retard," which are predominately French reels ("retard" is the French word for "delay"). On TikTok, users could once search for "retard" and "retarded," but after contacting the platform while reporting this story, those terms were hidden from search along with other slurs. Now, searching for the R-word or any other slur on TikTok brings up a message that says, "No results found," followed by, "This phrase may be associated with hateful behavior, TikTok is committed to keeping our community safe and working to prevent the spread of hate. For more information, we invite you to review our Community Guidelines." Meta referred us to the hate speech section of its transparency center, which notes that it "prohibit[s] the usage of slurs that are used to attack people on the basis of their protected characteristics." X did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This could be partly due to Elon Musk's dedication to "free speech," no matter the damage. At best, these attempts at humor scrape the bottom of the barrel, shockingly yet wildly shared. At worst, they perpetrate harm and violence.
Language constantly evolves and morphs as our culture decides what is and is not acceptable. Playing with language — especially the words we use to describe ourselves and marginalized communities — can be an effective way to move culture forward.
Some queer men are reclaiming the homophobic F-slur. People are reframing the word "fat" to be a neutral descriptor like "short," "tall," or "brunette." Many women are reclaiming words like "bitch" and "cunt." Angela Davis has advocated for redefining entire categories — womanhood, for instance — so that our language does not "simply reflect normative ideas of who counts as a woman and who doesn't." While reclamation can be risky, activists understand that changing language can often change culture itself, making those risks worthwhile.
Yet, the resurgence of the R-word is not about reclamation. Derogatory terms can only be reclaimed by the groups of people they target, and people with disabilities are not reclaiming the R-word — they're asking people to stop using it.
SEE ALSO: Content moderation is changing how we speak — and dictating who gets heard"It's not the slurs that people are reclaiming; it's the ability to choose how one refers to oneself," Cahn said. "But nobody I know of is choosing to use the slurs to describe themselves. It could be that because there is more use, more awareness, and more self-advocacy, other folks are feeling the environment of language usage increase and feel like it must be OK for me to use those terms in whatever way I want to."
It's hard to pinpoint precisely why the R-word is resurfacing in our vernacular, but it reflects a troubling de-evolution, one that’s only perpetuating harm against a vulnerable community.
"The resurgence of the R-word, particularly online, is more than just concerning ᅳ it's a painful reminder of our society's gut-wrenching history of discrimination against people with disabilities," Neas said. "This word isn't just offensive; it's a demeaning relic of a past we've worked tirelessly to overcome."
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
VPNs are great tools for anyone concerned about diminishing privacy on the internet. These days, it's difficult to surf the web without leaving behind a trail of your activity.
While there's certainly no foolproof privacy option, VPNs are a popular way to shroud your web identity, and they're available for almost any device that connects to the internet, including iOS devices like the iPhone.
What is a VPN?A VPN forms a protected tunnel that you send all of your information through. Instead of sending and receiving information in the open, it happens under the cover of an encrypted connection between your iPhone and the websites and services that you are visiting. Nobody can see your data, and all of your activity is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.
Do you need a VPN for your iPhone?An iPhone is an expensive purchase, and therefore something that you should really be protecting at all costs. To keep your data protected in transit, you need a VPN. With a VPN's protection, nobody can see or tweak your network traffic, not even the network's owner. VPNs encrypt your traffic before it leaves your phone. This encrypted data stream travels to a server owned by the VPN company, where it's decrypted and sent on its way. This keeps your activity under wraps.
What is the best VPN for your iPhone?Whether or not you need a VPN is completely up to you. Your iPhone provider isn't going to recommend or offer the service. It comes down to whether or not you'd like to increase your anonymity online — and much of this depends on how you use the web.
If you do wish to invest in a VPN, we can help. We have listed the best VPNs to protect your iPhone, including popular services like PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and NordVPN.
These are the best iPhone VPNs in 2024.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
There are a number of reasons why you might want to start using a VPN. These security tools offer many benefits, including bypassing geographic restrictions for unlocking shows and films on popular streaming sites.
VPNs can also help to protect your privacy and make your browsing more secure (although it's always a good idea to vet your VPN provider's claims carefully — some do a better a job than others). VPNs can encrypt your traffic and provide protection against things like hackers, viruses, and malware. All of this is essential if you own a MacBook, because you don't want online threats attacking your most precious device.
What is a VPN?Without getting too deep in the weeds — we've already done so in our review — a virtual private network, or VPN, is an encrypted connection between your Mac and a private, remote server.
In the most basic sense, it's a service that keeps you totally incognito on the web by masking your online activities and making it seem like your connection's coming from somewhere you aren't. All of your activity is untraceable and secure because everything passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside is protected against online threats.
Do you need a VPN with a Mac?All Macs and MacBooks come with built-in antivirus software that blocks and removes malware, and any apps you download from the internet are swabbed for malicious code by Apple's Gatekeeper tool. Furthermore, all of the data that lives on your macOS device's hard drive is secured with FileVault 2, a full-disk program featuring XTS-AES-128 encryption and a 256-bit key.
It's when any of your precious data ventures outside the localised protection of your Mac that things start to get dicey — and that happens every single time you connect to the web. Your Internet Service Provider, or ISP, tracks your every click to compile browsing logs they (sometimes) sell to marketers, who are champing at the bit to use your data for targeted ads. That information can also wind up in the hands of certain government agencies if your ISP is served with a subpoena.
Connecting to a public WiFi network is especially risky since you don't know who set it up or who else is using it; wannabe hackers can easily hop on to intercept your internet traffic in some sort of "man-in-the-middle" attack when you're browsing the web at a café, library, or airport.
A VPN takes care of those privacy issues and then some: With your IRL location hidden, you can skirt geo-restrictions that streaming services like Netflix have put in place and bypass government censorship in places like China. Online anonymity also means you're free to dabble in torrenting/peer-to-peer file-sharing — not that we condone the illegal kind.
What should you consider before subscribing to a VPN?There are a lot of VPNs out there offering similar packages. This makes it difficult to select a service that works for you. To make your life a little easier, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to consider before subscribing:
Connection speed: Whether you're looking to use a VPN for online security or streaming, this is massively important. Using a VPN is likely to result in a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything significant.
Encryption: VPNs are primarily designed to provide protection for your data, so encryption is important. The best VPNs will make sure all your data is unreadable and untraceable.
Number of connections: The best VPNs offer multiple simultaneous connections, so you can stay protected on all your devices at the same time.
Privacy policy: Your VPN of choice should be very clear about how they handle, store, and use your data. These practices should be laid out in a privacy policy, and if anything isn't obvious, you should look elsewhere.
Server network: The very best VPNs provide access to literally thousands of servers located all around the world. If you're looking for a stable and speedy connection for streaming, shopping, or browsing, you need options.
You should also keep in mind things like bandwidth limits, apps for certain operating systems, and customer support, but this is a good place to start.
Should you use free VPNs?Yes, there are plenty of free versions and trials of popular VPNs out there. It may be possible to get full access to everything you get with a premium plan, but as with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs.
There is almost always a catch with free versions, and it's usually in the form of limited data usage. These plans will work fine if you're just an occasional user, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading, this isn't going to work. Free trials tend to come with everything you get in a paid plan, but this isn't a long-term solution.
We're sorry to say, but to gain access to advanced security and streaming features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up. Fortunately, there are plenty of cheap plans on offer from the most popular providers.
What is the best VPN for your Mac?There's no specialised VPN for Macs, but almost all major VPN providers maintain support for macOS apps. So, with lots of options, you'll want to think carefully about which features matter most to you: Do you want a VPN with a huge server network and split tunneling for streaming and gaming? Will you feel more confident browsing with a kill switch or multihop (double VPN)? Do you need support for a bunch of connections based on the size of your household? Do you have the budget for add-ons like a dedicated IP?
Choosing the right VPN for your MacBook can be a daunting task. Fortunately for you, we have highlighted a selection of your best options. This list includes popular names like PureVPN, NordVPN, and TunnelBear.
These are the best VPNs for your Mac in 2024.
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