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Your noisy commute just met its match with Sony noise-cancelling headphones on sale for $150 off

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Score these open-box Sony noise-canceling headphones on sale for $199.99 (reg. $349) and enjoy premium sound in peace.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise-Cancelling Headphones $199.99
$349.99 Save $150.00 Open-box Get Deal

Ever find yourself longing for a moment of peace in the middle of your noisy day?

If you’re tired of your music competing with chatty coworkers, noisy streets, or just the general chaos of life, the Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-cancelling headphones are about to be your new best friend. Get an open-box pair for just $199.99 — a 42% discount. (That just means this pair was leftover inventory or was returned and repackaged, but don't worry — it's a new product).

With Sony’s industry-leading technology, these headphones don’t just reduce background noise — they wipe it out completely. Whether you’re on a packed train, working in a bustling café, or just trying to catch some peace at home, these headphones let you slip into your own world of sound.

The audio quality is designed to provide crystal-clear highs, rich bass, and a balanced midrange that makes every note feel alive. The dual noise sensor technology and the HD Noise-Canceling Processor QN1 work together to block out more ambient noise than ever before, making them perfect for any environment.

Comfort is key when you’re wearing headphones for hours on end. The lightweight design and soft, pressure-relieving earpads mean you can wear them all day without feeling the pinch. And with features like touch controls, voice assistant compatibility, and adaptive sound control, these headphones are as smart as they are comfy. The adaptive sound control automatically adjusts to what you’re doing — walking, sitting, or traveling — so you always get the best listening experience.

Battery life is another highlight, offering up to 30 hours of playtime on a single charge. And if you’re in a hurry, a quick 10-minute charge gives you up to five hours of playback, ensuring your music never stops.

It’s time to turn down the world and turn up your favorite tracks with this open-box pair of Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise-Cancelling Headphones for $199.99 (reg. $349) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Access thousands of book summaries with a lifetime subscription to Instaread on sale for just $80

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Instaread for $79.99 (reg. $300) and dive into over 3,000 book summaries in just 15 minutes each.

Opens in a new window Credit: Instaread Instaread Book Summaries: Lifetime Subscription $79.99
$300.00 Save $220.01 Get Deal

Finding time to dive into a good book isn’t easy when life keeps you on the go. But just because your schedule is packed doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the latest bestsellers or classic must-reads. That’s where Instaread Book Summaries comes in, offering you a smarter way to absorb the wisdom of over 3,000 books in just 15 minutes.

Get a lifetime subscription to Instaread on sale for just $79.99 (reg. $300).

Why waste time trying to get through an entire book when you can get the key takeaways in a fraction of the time? Whether you’re commuting, working out, or just taking a quick break, Instaread fits perfectly into your day. Plus, with access to both fiction and nonfiction summaries, you can explore a wide range of topics, from business and self-improvement to novels and memoirs.

What sets Instaread apart is its superior content and unique features. You get more summaries than similar services, and the quality is top-notch. Instaread even includes "Cards" for quick knowledge, and "Playlists" to make your listening experience seamless on the go. And unlike some competitors, you can access all this through the web, giving you the flexibility to read or listen wherever you are.

On sale for $79.99, you can get a lifetime subscription to Instaread Book Summaries for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Travel in style with a $120 hoverboard that’s built for fun — not fires

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Grab the Hover-1 Ultra Electric Hoverboard for $119.99 (reg. $192.55) and enjoy smooth, worry-free rides wherever you go.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hover-1 Hover-1 Ultra Electric Hoverboard $119.99
$192.55 Save $72.56 Get Deal

Walking is so last century. If you’re looking to give your daily commute a really cool boost or just want to have some fun, the Hover-1 Ultra electric hoverboard is your ticket to a smooth, safe, and seriously cool ride.

For a limited time, get the Hover-1 Ultra Electric Hoverboard on sale for just $119.99 (reg. $192.55). That's 37% off.

With 6.5-inch wheels and a 500W motor, this hoverboard handles inclines and uneven surfaces with ease, making it perfect for both casual riders and those looking to push their limits. Whether you’re cruising down the street or navigating a hilly path, you’ll get up to 7 miles per hour of pure hover bliss, and a range of 12 miles to explore. Just step on, lean in, and let the board do the rest.

The UL-2272 certification, along with a safety shield battery enclosure, ensures that your ride is as safe as it is enjoyable. The board even warns you when you’re pushing it too hard, so you can ride with confidence knowing you’re in control. LED lights add a touch of style while keeping you visible, even when the sun goes down.

Step up your game and start hovering today by saving over $70 on the Hover-1 Ultra Electric Hoverboard, just $119.99 for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Create custom forms with ease for life with Formly on sale for $99

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Grab a lifetime Formly Online Form Builder Gold Plan on sale for $99 and simplify your form creation process.

Opens in a new window Credit: Formly Formly Online Form Builder Gold Plan: Lifetime Subscription $99.00
$1,044.00 Save $945.00 Get Deal

One thing most of us can agree on is that paperwork is a major pain. But whether you’re running a small business, managing events, or just trying to keep your projects organized, creating forms is a necessary evil. That’s where Formly comes in, turning what could be a tedious task into something you can do with ease.

The Formly Online Form Builder Gold Plan offers you a lifetime subscription to stress-free form creation for $99, giving you the tools you need to design, share, and collect data without the headaches.

Formly makes creating custom forms a breeze. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to use it — just drag and drop your way to the perfect form. Whether it’s for customer feedback, event RSVPs, or surveys, you can whip up something that looks polished and professional in minutes. And because you’re getting lifetime access, you never have to worry about recurring fees or losing access to your forms.

But it’s not just about making forms. With Formly, you can easily share them with your audience and collect data seamlessly. The platform allows you to embed forms on your website, share them via email, or distribute them through social media. Plus, all responses are neatly organized, so you can analyze your data without sifting through piles of paperwork.

Formly’s Gold Plan even includes advanced features like conditional logic, custom branding, and secure data encryption, so your forms are not only easy to use, but also powerful and secure. And with lifetime access, you’re set for all your future projects.

Get lifetime access to the Formly Gold Plan on sale for $99 for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

How to stream Atlanta Dream vs. Phoenix Mercury online

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Watch Atlanta Dream vs. Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

With the WNBA playoffs looming, every team is hoping for some big moments. Atlanta Dream have been sat in the bottom half of the league but have enjoyed a recent undefeated streak, which could make them hopeful of nabbing that valuable 7th or 9th postseason spot.

Phoenix, on hosting duties against Atlanta, have performed better overall this season. Recent results have been back-and-forth, but they scored the win over Atlanta in their most recent game. Can they win again on their home court? Either way, it's sure to be a hotly-contested fixture.

The good news is that you can stream Atlanta Dream vs. Phoenix Mercury in the WBNA from anywhere around the world. Read below for all the information you need.

When is Atlanta Dream vs. Phoenix Mercury?

Atlanta Dream vs. Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Sept. 3. This fixture takes place at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

How to watch Atlanta Dream vs. Phoenix Mercury

Basketball fans can watch Atlanta Dream vs. Phoenix Mercury plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.

The WNBA League Pass doesn't show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. But there are ways to get around these blackout rules. Simply sign up with a VPN. VPNs are super useful tools that can obscure your real IP address (digital location) and connect you with secure servers in other locations, allowing you to watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy 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 a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

  4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

  5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

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 What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for a limited time at $99.95. This deal gives you 49% off, with a bonus three months of usage at no additional cost. As part of this deal you also get a whole year of unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Atlanta Dream vs. Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

How to stream Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces online

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Watch Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

At this point in the season, it's all about the WNBA playoffs. Next up, Las Vegas Aces host Chicago Sky, who are both battling for one of the eight places in the postseason. Las Vegas — two-time defending WBNA Champions — edged a win over Chicago in their last meeting with a buzzer beater from A'ja Wilson.

The good news is that you can stream Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces in the WBNA from anywhere in the world. Here's all the information you need.

When is Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces?

Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Sept. 3. This fixture takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

How to watch Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces

Basketball fans can watch Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.

The WNBA League Pass doesn't show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. But there are ways to bypass blackout rules. All you need to do is sign up with a VPN. These are super useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you with secure servers in other locations, helping you watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy 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 a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

  4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

  5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

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 What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale for $99.95 but for a limited time only. This deal gives you 49% off, with a bonus three months of usage at no extra cost. As part of the deal you also get a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Washington Mystics vs. Dallas Wings online

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Watch Washington Mystics vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN..

The excitement is picking up as we get close to the WNBA playoffs. Take the Washington Mystics: They had a poor win-loss record this season but a recent run of wins have given the team some momentum. They're ready to play Dallas Wings, whose win-loss record is also at the bottom end of the league this season, though they pulled off a recent fourth quarter victory against WNBA champions, Las Vegas Aces.

If you want to watch the Washington Mystics vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Washington Mystics vs. Dallas Wings?

Washington Mystics vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Sep. 3. This fixture takes place at the College Par Center in Arlington, Texas.

How to watch Washington Mystics vs. Dallas Wings

Basketball fans can watch Washington Mystics vs. Dallas Wings plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.

The WNBA League Pass doesn't show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. But there are ways around this. All you need to do it sign up for a VPN, which will help hide your real IP address (digital location). It then connects you with a secure server in another location, enabling you to watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy 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 a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

  4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

  5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

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 What is the best VPN for the WBNA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, which includes an extra three months of usage for free. That's 49% off for a limited time. The plan also gives you a year of unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Washington Mystics vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA with ExpressVPN.

How to stream Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun online

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Watch Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Just days after their last meeting, Connecticut Sun and Seattle Storm are back in action again, with Connecticut playing host.

Connecticut have already secured their WNBA playoff spot while Seattle are edging closer. And with both of these teams sitting near the top of their respective conferences, you can bet the action will be first-rate.

We're pleased to tell you that you can stream Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun in the WBNA from anywhere in the world. Here's all the information you need.

When is Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun?

Connecticut Sun vs. Seattle Storm in the WNBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 3. This fixture takes place at the Mohegan Sun Arena Uncasville, Connecticut.

How to watch Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun

Basketball fans can watch Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.

The WNBA League Pass doesn't show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. But there are ways around this. All you need to do it sign up for a VPN. VPNs are useful tools that can help you hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you with secure servers in other locations, which enables you to watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games on Amazon Prime Video.

To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy 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 a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA

  4. Log in to WNBA League Pass

  5. Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)

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 What is the best VPN for the WNBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale for $99.95 but for a limited time only. This deal gives you 49% off and includes a bonus three months of usage at no extra cost. You also get a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

How much is AI hurting the planet? Big tech won't tell us.

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 05:00

Imagine you're buying a new laptop. You come across a model that can do some pretty nifty stuff, but uses many times more electricity than your current laptop. (Ten times? Thirty times? No salesman can give you the exact number, because it's a company secret.)

Oh yeah, and this laptop comes with a funnel on top; every time you ask it for a joke, or a fun image you just thought up, the PC needs a water refill (again, it won't tell you how much). What do you think, worth the upgrade? For those of us who care about an ever-warmer, ever-thirstier Earth, probably not.

Yet that laptop, or something like it, is the net result of our current AI gold rush. Wait, something like it? Yes, because vague estimates are all we have. The true cost in carbon dioxide emissions for every AI prompt — not to mention the groundwater used to cool down thousands of servers crunching those prompts — is still hidden. Researchers can paint a rough picture; Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and others could provide a more precise portrait any time they wanted.

SEE ALSO: A Google AI model is improving climate forecasting

But ever since ChatGPT launched in 2022, "there's been a general crackdown on information," says Sasha Luccioni, a 10-year veteran of AI energy usage research, a TED talk star, and currently climate lead at Hugging Face, a platform for open-source AI.

"Not a single company that offers AI tools, that I know of, provides energy usage and carbon footprint information," Luccioni says in tones of rising frustration. "We don't even know how big models like GPT are. Nothing is divulged, everything is a company secret."

In short: climate-conscious, AI-hungry companies like Google and Microsoft have become a little compartmentalized. They can tell you exactly how many kilograms of carbon your next plane flight is going to emit, but won't offer the same when it comes to your next AI-written term paper or AI-painted Pope in a puffy jacket.

Perhaps with good reason: if we knew the environmental cost of AI products, we'd start shaming each other for our flagrant usage of it.

AI makes us all dirtier

Since tech firms also still care about being seen as good environmental citizens, we do have a sense of the scale of the problem. In its 86-page 2024 sustainability report, Google revealed that its total greenhouse gas emissions shot up by 48 percent between 2019 and 2023, with the bulk of that rise coming since 2022.

Given that Google still aims to get to net zero emissions by 2030, that's not great news. Nor is Microsoft's 2024 sustainability report, which shows a 29.1 percent rise in emissions since 2020.

Both companies point the finger at third parties, specifically the ones building data centers for them. They also point out that these data centers do a lot more than just answer AI prompts, which is true and a big part of why the energy cost of AI is so nebulous.

But neither can the AI-proud companies fully deny what's driving this sudden burst of construction: data centers that are "designed and optimized to support AI workloads," in Microsoft's words.

"We have a long way to go to meet our 2030 target," the Google report admits. Given that data center energy demand is expected to grow 160 percent by 2030, that's an understatement. As a May 2024 Goldman Sachs report estimates: "the carbon dioxide emissions of data centers may more than double between 2022 and 2030."

Where should we point the finger for this rise? As Google's report puts it in this doozy of a passive-voice sentence: "Reducing emissions may be challenging due to increasing energy demands from the greater intensity of AI compute."

SEE ALSO: People are using AI to date you

To be fair to the owners of power-hungry AI models, their energy usage is probably still dwarfed by other power-hog data center technologies such as cryptocurrency, streaming apps, and online games.

But don't make that comparison to Luccioni. "That always pisses me off," she says, "because AI is not a vertical. It's a horizontal — a tool that gets used across many different verticals. Google Maps uses AI, and so do all the ads we see online, and so does precision agriculture, and so do military drones. How do you calculate what part AI plays?"

Or to put it another way: Google doesn't force you to use cryptocurrency when you do a Google search. But it has put AI search results front and center — and you can't opt out. Which means that even if you think you've never used an AI tool in your life, if you've Googled recently, you're part of the problem. (For the climate-concerned, Luccioni recommends switching to a non-AI search engine like Ecosia.)

If Google, Microsoft, and the other big generative AI players were to reveal all, how bad could it be? Good question. Guesses from experts range from pretty bad to climate disaster.

The International Energy Agency estimates, conservatively, that a single ChatGPT prompt uses nearly 3 watt-hours. Compare that to 0.3 watt-hours for a single Google search (before the company integrated AI results with Gemini, that is).

The power required to reply to hundreds of millions of ChatGPT queries each day could power 33,000 households in the U.S. alone, according to University of Washington researcher Saijad Moazeni. And that doesn't include energy consumed in the process of training every company's AI model in the first place, which is anyone's guess.

AI is incredibly thirsty

Another way to see the scale of the problem: tell-tale spikes in water usage. When OpenAI was in the final month of training its latest model, GPT-4, at a group of Microsoft data centers in West Des Moines Iowa, the company had to pump in 11.5 million gallons — or 6 percent of all the water in the whole district. West Des Moines told Microsoft not to add more data centers unless it could reduce its water usage, echoing a similar problem in Arizona and a 2021 water fight in Oregon over Google data centers.

There is good news, of course. Data center water is increasingly drawn from non-potable sources, and companies are figuring out how to use less of it in the first place. Some data centers are using special HVAC systems, which decrease water usage even as they add to the electricity bill.

But hey, how about the exponential growth in wind and solar power? Surely that can drive our AI revolution, right?

Not so fast, say researchers, who point out that it's impossible to tell whether your AI query is going to a data center in green energy-friendly Europe, coal-friendly India or oil-friendly Saudi Arabia. Even Europe isn't greening its grid fast enough to keep pace with Silicon Valley's AI obsession.

"Renewable energy is definitely growing," Sasha Luccioni says. "The problem is it's not growing fast enough to keep up with AI's growth."

Tech companies are trying to plug that gap with carbon credits, which as a recent Bloomberg investigation points out, isn't the same as taking emissions out of the atmosphere. Microsoft and Amazon rely on credits for more than 50 percent of its so-called renewable energy, the report said.

Meta is a little better, with just 18 percent of its allegedly green energy coming from carbon credits. (Luccioni also credits Meta with being a little better on the AI data disclosure front too, in part because the company currently has less skin in the AI game.)

Can AI help us be more green?

Even if AI-focused data centers were 100 percent powered by wind, solar, hydro and nuclear, that still means they're calling dibs on green power that belongs to all of us.

This isn't a theoretical debate; a conflict over Amazon dropping new data centers next to a 2.5 Gw nuclear power station in Pennsylvania, then fighting locals for the output, appears to be the first in a wave of similar legal battles now ramping up around other nuclear stations.

Are there ways in which using AI is worth such a power suck? Might AI-powered climate research actually help us model extreme weather better, maybe even help us design carbon capture solutions that could scale up fast enough to tackle global warming?

That's a possibility for sure, and one for a future story. But one thing's for sure: few of us, from Gen Z students handing in ChatGPT-written papers to boomers posting AI cat pictures on Facebook, are using AI to save our warming planet. Perhaps we'd be better off leaving this tool to the people who are.

TikTok viral Chase Bank money glitch is just bank fraud. Don't do it.

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 03:40

A viral TikTok trend has rebranded bank fraud as an exploitable "Chase Bank glitch" offering unlimited money for free. Unfortunately, it seems some people couldn't smell the rot on this highly suspect scheme, seemingly prompting them to commit a crime and rack up a shocking amount of debt.

The Chase Bank "glitch" has gained widespread attention on TikTok over the past few days, though thankfully most creators are talking about how ill-advised it is rather than trying to take advantage of it. Nevertheless, several photos and videos circulating on social media show people boastfully showing off stacks of cash after apparently using this ostensible real-life money "glitch" — or panicking over bank balances now deep in the red after the error is rectified.

SEE ALSO: How to protect yourself from bank fraud

The Chase Bank money "glitch" is simple. Chase customers would write a bad cheque to themselves for an obscene amount of money, deposit it, then quickly withdraw the cash from an ATM before the bank clued into the fact that the funds didn't exist. 

This is similar to cheque kiting, a form of bank fraud that has been around for over a century. However, if there's anything we've learnt from living in a capitalist hellscape, it's that branding is everything. Simply calling bank fraud a "glitch" was apparently enough to prevent people from seeing the crime for what it was, tempting them to try it out for themselves.

Of course, because people are using their own bank accounts to do this "glitch," it should be ridiculously easy for Chase Bank to track them down.

"We are aware of this incident, and it has been addressed," Chase said in a statement shared with multiple publications. "Regardless of what you see online, depositing a fraudulent check and withdrawing the funds from your account is fraud, plain and simple."

Tweet may have been deleted

It's unclear exactly how the Chase Bank "glitch" trend began, or how many people actually tried it. It's entirely possible that people are creating fake screenshots or skits to take advantage of the viral moment, which seems more plausible than them believing they could scam the largest bank in the U.S. out of thousands and get away unscathed. We can only hope that the majority of people are just joking around, and that they didn't actually commit bank fraud based on a TikTok.

Mashable has reached out to Chase Bank for further comment.

With the cost of living soaring, many people are looking for ways to earn a bit of extra cash. As such, easy money hacks such as this Chase Bank "glitch" can seem very enticing. However, it's good to remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

Left-Wing Conspiracy Theories Are Having a Moment

NYT Technology - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 03:00
America’s right flank remains the chief purveyor of misinformation, but this summer’s political tumult created ideal conditions for falsehoods to spread among progressives.

How to watch Badosa vs. Navarro in the 2024 US Open online for free

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Badosa vs. Navarro in the 2024 US Open for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Every player in the US Open quarter finals will start to genuinely believe they can win the whole thing. It's only three more games, after all.

Emma Navarro triumphed over Coco Gauff in the last round, and now finds herself up against Paula Badosa. Can the American go all the way and win at Flushing Meadows?

If you want to watch Badosa vs. Navarro in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Badosa vs. Navarro in the 2024 US Open for free

Fans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:

These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone from around the world can access these sites with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open 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 Australia or New Zealand

  4. Visit 9Now or TVNZ+

  5. Watch Badosa vs. Navarro in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of Badosa vs. Navarro without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the US Open?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand

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

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

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Badosa vs. Navarro in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Zheng vs. Sabalenka in the 2024 US Open online for free

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Zheng vs. Sabalenka in the 2024 US Open for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The US Open quarter finals were always going to match up some of the best players in the world, but it's still exciting to see top-seeded stars go head-to-head. One of these exciting matchups is Zheng vs. Sabalenka, with the latter looking to go one better than her defeat in last year's final.

If you want to watch Zheng vs. Sabalenka in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Zheng vs. Sabalenka in the 2024 US Open for free

Fans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:

These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone from around the world can access these sites with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open 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 Australia or New Zealand

  4. Visit 9Now or TVNZ+

  5. Watch Zheng vs. Sabalenka in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of Zheng vs. Sabalenka without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the US Open?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand

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

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

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Zheng vs. Sabalenka in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Fritz vs. Zverev in the 2024 US Open online for free

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Fritz vs. Zverev in the 2024 US Open for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The US Open quarter finals are here, promising exciting matchups between some of the best players in the world. With the likes of Djokovic and Alcaraz already out of the tournament, a lot of players will see this year's US Open as there for the taking. Fritz and Zverev will both believe they can win their first Grand Slam.

If you want to watch Fritz vs. Zverev in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Fritz vs. Zverev in the 2024 US Open for free

Fans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:

These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone from around the world can access these sites with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open 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 Australia or New Zealand

  4. Visit 9Now or TVNZ+

  5. Watch Fritz vs. Zverev in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of Fritz vs. Zverev without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the US Open?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand

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

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

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Fritz vs. Zverev in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Dimitrov vs. Tiafoe in the 2024 US Open online for free

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Dimitrov vs. Tiafoe in the 2024 US Open for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The US Open has been far from predictable. A number of big names are out of the tournament, opening the door to the likes of Dimitrov and Tiafoe. These exciting players go head-to-head in the US Open quarter finals, both aiming to win their first Grand Slam title.

If you want to watch Dimitrov vs. Tiafoe in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Dimitrov vs. Tiafoe in the 2024 US Open for free

Fans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:

These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone from around the world can access these sites with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open 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 Australia or New Zealand

  4. Visit 9Now or TVNZ+

  5. Watch Dimitrov vs. Tiafoe in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of Dimitrov vs. Tiafoe without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the US Open?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand

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

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

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Dimitrov vs. Tiafoe in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Master the entire Microsoft Office suite with a £30 training bundle

Mashable - Tue, 09/03/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Prepare for your next job with beginner to advanced courses on Excel, Word, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint with the Ultimate Microsoft Office 2021/365 Training Bundle, available now for just £30.38 (reg. £341.08). 

Opens in a new window Credit: StreamSkill The Ultimate Microsoft Office 2021/365 Training Bundle £30.38 at the Mashable Shop
£341.08 Save £310.70 Get Deal

Don't let that "proficient in Microsoft Office" on your resume be a lie. Knowing how to format a spreadsheet or compose a document in Word is just the beginning. The more advanced functions take a little more effort to learn, but you might be able to save time on tasks like data organisation, formatting, and more when you enroll in the Ultimate Microsoft Office 2021/365 Training Bundle. This pack of seven courses goes from beginner to intermediate and advanced lessons for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access, and it's on sale for just £30.38 (down from £341.08). 

Excel beginners welcome

If you don't know how to construct functional lookup formulas in Excel or use Excel tables to structure data in a way that's easy to update, have a seat. That's not even the advanced Excel course. Beginners can start with lessons on Excel keyboard shortcuts, basic formulas, and simple functions. Once you're ready for the intermediate course, that's where you can find tips to help you design better spreadsheets. 

The advanced Excel course is your chance to learn how to use new dynamic array functions, create flexible lookup formulas, and practice using statistical functions. In essence, it's where you learn the real data analysis tools, and it could save you a ton of time in any role that involves large data sets. 

Excel isn't the only star of the show. Word may feel like the simplest software in the set, but there are a ton of advanced features you might not know about yet. The Word 2021 course shows you how to access document templates, customize your work interface, and polish your work to a professional shine. 

Don't know if a video course is the right fit for you? Preview some of the videos to get an idea of what's in store. Each course is video-led and packed with practice exercises to help you retain what you learn. You'll even get a certificate of completion when you finish the course. These certificates are different from an official certification, but they could still be useful if you want to show an employer you mean business.

Become an Office expert

Go beyond the basics and use Microsoft apps like a true professional. 

Get the Ultimate Microsoft Office 2021/365 Training Bundle on sale for £30.38. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 3

Mashable - Mon, 09/02/2024 - 21:00

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for September 3's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 2 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Clemency

  • Green: Doing too much

  • Blue: Money

  • Purple: Types of heads

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

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

  • Yellow: Absolve

  • Green: Excessively

  • Blue: Global Currencies

  • Purple: ___Head

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #450 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Absolve: EXCUSE, PARDON, SAVE, SPARE

  • Excessively: BEYOND, EXTRA, OVER, TOO

  • Global Currencies: POUND, REAL, WON, YEN

  • ___Head: ARROW, BLOCK, FORE, KNUCKLE

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 3

Mashable - Mon, 09/02/2024 - 21:00

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for September 3's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable 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.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 3 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Close to losing consciousness.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

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 today's Wordle is...

FAINT.

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.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Order to Block Elon Musk’s X in Brazil Is Upheld

NYT Technology - Mon, 09/02/2024 - 16:13
Mr. Musk has criticized the blackout of the social network in Brazil as a campaign by a single, crusading justice. On Monday, four other justices affirmed the ruling.

Gemini vs. ChatGPT: Which one planned my wedding better?

Mashable - Mon, 09/02/2024 - 15:48

I was all about the wedding bells after getting engaged in June, but after seeing some of these wedding venue quotes, it’s more like alarm bells.

"Ding-dong" has been remixed to "cha-ching" – and I need help.

I don’t even know how to begin wedding planning. What are the first steps? What do I need to prioritize first? Which tasks are pressing – and which can wait a year or two?

I decided to enlist the help of an AI assistant. Taking it one step further, I thought it’d be interesting to see which chatbot – Gemini Advanced or ChatGPT Plus (i.e., ChatGPT 4o) – is the better wedding planner.

Gemini vs ChatGPT: Create a to-do list

I’m planning on have my wedding in the summer of 2026 – sometime between August and September. Besides that, I don’t have anything else nailed down, so I asked both Gemini and ChatGPT to give me a to-do list based on the following prompt:

“My wedding is between August 2026 and September 2026. Give me a to-do list of things to do for the remainder of 2024, 2025, and 2026 for a 100-guest wedding.”

ChatGPT's response: ChatGPT's response Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Gemini's response: Gemini's response Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Both kicked off their lists accurately: setting a budget is a crucial first step. However, the problem with Gemini's response is that it recommends venue hunting before drafting a guest list. You can't search for wedding places without having a rough idea of your guest count. One of the first things venue coordinators ask is, "How many people are coming to your wedding?"

Interestingly, ChatGPT wants me to take the early-bird approach. It recommended booking my venue in 2024 and finalizing other vendors (e.g., florist, entertainment, and photographers) in 2025. Gemini, on the other hand, is OK with both being booked in 2025. ChatGPT wants me set up a registry in 2025 and obtain a marriage license in 2025; Gemini, on the other hand, is fine with me procrastinating on the former until 2026 — and mentions nothing about a marriage license.

To be fair, though, ChatGPT didn't mention anything about honeymoon planning.

Both agree that 2025 is the year I should go wedding dress shopping and send save-the dates. In 2026, both advise to send out invitations and confirm bookings with vendors.

ChatGPT offered helpful tips that I hadn't considered before, including using a folder or binder to organize quotes, contracts, and ideas in one place and creating a wedding-day timeline.

Winner: ChatGPT

Gemini vs ChatGPT: Find a cheap venue

I was curious to see if Gemini Advanced and ChatGPT Plus could help me find a bang-for-your-buck venue within my budget (i.e., $20,000).

After searching the far corners of the internet, I found some venues, at less than $20,000, that offer all-inclusive packages, including the DJ and master of ceremonies, limousine service, florist, cake, and photographer.

As such, I tested Gemini Advanced and ChatGPT Plus to see if they could find these locations with the following prompt:

"Find a venue that falls within my budget of $20,000 that offers a complete wedding package. The venue should be located in Queens, Long Island, or within the Hudson River Valley area at most. My guest count is 100. My wedding is in 2026, with a preference for months between August and September. Sunday weddings are OK, as well as Saturday weddings. It doesn't matter whether it's daytime or nighttime."

ChatGPT's response ChatGPT's response Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

These are wedding venues that I've seen during my research that offer gorgeous, visually stunning weddings without demanding exorbitant expenses.

Pavilion at Sunken Meadow State Park does, indeed, have a complete wedding package, with a starting price of $18,000. I'm not sure if Bourne Mansion and Larkfield have complete wedding packages, but the latter quoted me $110 per-person for a 100-guest afternoon wedding, which comes with food and a wedding cake. Including the $1,500 ceremony fee, that comes out to a subtotal of $12,500.

Did it miss other budget-friendly venues I've discovered during my research? Yes, but it's on the right track.

Gemini, on the other hand, shocked me — and not in a good way. Gemini is a Google-owned service, so I thought it'd be able to tap into its vast treasure trove of information to beat ChatGPT. Instead, Gemini delivered a rather disappointing, lazy answer.

Gemini's response Gemini Advanced's response Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Leonard's Palazzo is a wedding venue I've received a personalized quote for while venue hunting. They do not offer a complete wedding package, but while throwing in the food and the cake, they quoted me about $16,000 for a 100-guest ceremony and reception. Not bad!

The Manhattan-based recommendations are a head scratcher because they're not in my desired region. (At least Andaz 5th Ave is within the ballpark of my budget.)

And then, Gemini had the audacity to say, "I hope this helps!" Is it trolling me?

Winner: ChatGPT

Gemini vs ChatGPT: Calculate pricing

Both Gemini Advanced and ChatGPT Plus can "read" PDFs and screenshots, making them ideal AI assistants for making sense of confusing pricing charts (as well as the small-text taxes and gratuities within them that need to be tacked on to the base cost).

Here's an example of one of the many charts I ran into while venue shopping:

2025 pricing list for Whitby Castle Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I decided to test Gemini and ChatGPT's ability to make calculations based on the above PDF.

"Check out this 2025 wedding price list. Based on a date between August 2025 and September 2025 on Sunday at noontime, and a guest list of 100 adults, calculate the full total. We will have the ceremony on site. Include the administrative fee, NY sales tax, suggested gratuities, and bridal attendant fee."

Gemini Advanced offered a total of $21,017 while ChatGPT Plus posted $20,568.69. Why are the totals different? The former added the bridal attendant fee of $400 in the subtotal before tacking on the 22% administration fee.

ChatGPT, on the other hand, applied the 22% administration fee only to the base cost (i.e., $130 x 100 guests) and ceremony fee — and then it added the $400 bridal attendant fee. Based on how other venues have quoted me, it seems like ChatGPT's calculation is more accurate.

Winner: ChatGPT

Gemini vs ChatGPT: Image generation of wedding concept

I asked Gemini and ChatGPT to generate an image of a wedding reception concept based on the following prompt:

"My fiancé and I are tech journalists who are, of course, obsessed with tech, including laptops, phones, VR headsets, gaming, XR glasses, etc. We also love space, and we’re leaning toward some sort of celestial vibe for our wedding. Generate an image of a wedding reception beautifully conveys this wedding theme and design."

ChatGPT's image ChatGPT's interpretation of a tech-focused, galaxy-themed wedding Credit: ChatGPT / Open AI Gemini's images Gemini's interpretation of a tech-focused, galaxy-themed wedding Credit: Gemini / Google

Gemini's interpretation of a tech-focused, galaxy-themed wedding Credit: Gemini / Google

Gemini's interpretation of a tech-focused, galaxy-themed wedding Credit: Gemini / Google

ChatGPT delivered one image and nailed what I'm looking for. Gemini churned out three, and only one of them, just the first one, caught my eye.

ChatGPT, however, generated the most eye-catching image.

Winner: ChatGPT

Gemini vs ChatGPT: Creativity based on wedding favor ideas

Finally, we asked Gemini Advanced and ChatGPT Plus for wedding favor ideas.

"My fiancé and I want to get cheap tech-product wedding favors. Give us 10 techy wedding favor ideas that will delight our guests."

ChatGPT's list
  1. Customized USB Drives:

  2. Portable Phone Chargers:

  3. LED keychains

  4. Earbuds

  5. Smartphone PopSockets

  6. Mini Bluetooth Speakers

  7. Touchscreen Gloves

  8. Digital Photo Frames

  9. VR Cardboard Headsets

  10. Fitness Tracker Bracelets

Gemini's list
  1. Personalized USB drivers

  2. Mini Bluetooth speakers

  3. Phone Ring Holders

  4. Custom Phone PopSockets

  5. Portable Power Banks

  6. LED Flashing Badges

  7. Selfie Ring Lights

  8. Miniature LED projectors

  9. Card-Sized Multitools

  10. Wireless Charging Pads

Portable phone chargers, earbuds, mini bluetooth speakers, and fitness tracker bracelets caught my eye on ChatGPT's list. Similarly, on Gemini's list, mini bluetooth speakers, portable power banks, and wireless charging pads grabbed my attention.

Unfortunately for Gemini, ChatGPT won this round, too.

Winner: ChatGPT

Gemini vs ChatGPT: Winner

ChatGPT Plus mopped the floor with Gemini Advanced in this face-off. To my surprise, ChatGPT had more thoughtful, research-based responses compared to Gemini.

ChatGPT Plus costs $20 month; Gemini Advanced is also $20 a month.

ChatGPT $0.00 at ChatGPT
Get Deal Google Gemini $0.00 at Google Gemini
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