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TL;DR: The Seido Japanese Master Chef's 8-Piece Knife Set combines razor-sharp blades, ergonomic design, and professional-grade quality for $119.97 (reg. $429).

The new year is the perfect time for new habits — and delicious, healthy meals start with the right tools. The Seido Japanese Master Chef's 8-Piece Knife Set is a beautifully crafted collection that empowers home cooks and pros alike to slice, dice, and chop with precision.

For just $119.97 (regularly $429), this set offers premium Japanese craftsmanship without the sky-high price tag, and it even comes in an easy-to-gift box. Each knife in the set is forged from high-carbon stainless steel, offering an ideal combination of durability, sharpness, and balance.

Unlike typical Western knives with 25° edges, Seido knives are designed with a sharper 15° edge, delivering incredibly smooth cuts. Whether you're slicing through crusty bread with the serrated bread knife, finely chopping herbs with the santoku, or carving roasts with the slicing knife, these tools are designed to make cooking easier.

With knives like the 8" chef’s knife for all-purpose slicing and the 7" cleaver for tackling tougher cuts of meat, every kitchen task can be easier to manage. The ergonomic handles provide a comfortable grip, while the acute blade angles make even the most delicate cuts precise.

Not only are these knives razor-sharp, but they’re also a work of art. Crafted by Japanese blacksmiths with over 100 years of combined experience, each knife features a beautiful Damascus-etched finish that adds elegance to your kitchen. And with a lifetime of sharp performance, these knives will remain a trusted partner in your culinary adventures.

Don't miss the Seido Japanese Master Chef's 8-Piece Knife Set while it's on sale for just $119.97 (reg. $429).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Seido Seido™ Japanese Master Chef's 8-Piece Knife Set w Gift Box $119.97
$429.00 Save $309.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: For $79.99, grab the PDF Expert Premium lifetime plan for someone this holiday and help them tackle PDFs on their Mac.

Struggling with PDF documents? PDF Expert is here to save the day. You could alleviate your PDF woes — or someone else's — with powerful editing and management features that make handling PDFs a breeze. Until December 22, get lifetime access to a PDF Expert Premium plan on sale for $79.99 (reg. $139).

One of the highlights is its powerful editing tool. With PDF Expert, you can easily edit text, images, and links within your PDFs. No more dealing with uneditable files — simply click and type to make changes. This feature is perfect for correcting typos, updating documents, or customizing forms without needing to recreate the entire file from scratch.

Another key feature is the annotation tool. PDF Expert allows you to highlight text, add notes, and draw shapes directly on your PDFs. Whether you're reviewing a contract, marking up a report, or collaborating on a project, these annotation tools make it simple to communicate your thoughts and feedback clearly.

PDF Expert also excels in merging and organizing PDF files. You or anyone else on your gift list can combine multiple PDFs into one, rearrange pages, or extract specific sections with just a few clicks. This functionality is great for students, professionals, or anyone who needs to keep their documents neat and accessible.

With this one-time purchase, users will get unlimited access to these features and more, without any recurring fees. 

'Tis the season to work with PDFs without worry. Grab this lifetime subscription to PDF Expert Premium as a last-minute holiday gift for yourself or someone else for $79.99 while supplies last. This offer expires December 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Readdle Limited PDF Expert Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (Mac) $79.99
$139.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: AI Magicx is your AI multitool for generating all kinds of content, and it's only $69.99 for a lifetime subscription with code FESTIVE30. 

Running a small business or side hustle means wearing many hats: marketer, designer, writer, and sometimes all three at once. That's a lot of hats for one head. Maybe it's time to tip your hat to an AI tool that can multitask just as well (or even better). 

AI Magicx is a full AI toolkit with models for generating text and images, analyzing documents, and even bots that can engage with customers. Best part: this isn't another monthly expense. You can get AI Magicx for life on sale for $69.99 (it's usually $972). 

Hats off to AI Magicx

AI Magicx gives you access to a full suite of AI tools that can help streamline your work day, whether you're designing, writing, or engaging with your audience. From generating custom logos to crafting articles and stories, AI Magicx might become your new favorite productivity multitool.

If you’re looking for visuals, the Magicx Art Generator is your go-to. With a simple description, it can turn your words into vibrant visuals. Whether you need a picture for a social media post, an email campaign, or your website, this tool makes it easy to create eye-catching images with no artistic expertise required.

For content creation, the AI Article Generator helps you effortlessly generate well-researched, high-quality blog posts, product descriptions, and other content. The AI Story Generator takes things a step further by allowing you to develop captivating stories from your ideas. 

But that's not the only language it can help with. This AI toolset also has support for coding. You might not need to be a tech pro to customize your website.

The AI Chatbots included with AI Magicx are helpful for any growing business. These smart bots can engage with visitors on your website, answer questions, and provide assistance, all while saving you time. 

Limited-time offer

Use code FESTIVE30 by January 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get a lifetime subscription to AI Magicx for $69.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: AI Magicx AI Magicx: Lifetime Subscription (Rune Plan) $69.99
$972.00 Save $902.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: The 9" Wireless Car Display adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility to any vehicle for just $94.97 (reg. $179).

Who says you need a brand-new car to enjoy cutting-edge features? The 9" Wireless Car Display is here to revolutionize your driving experience for just $94.97 (regularly $179). Compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, this sleek touchscreen gives you access to your favorite apps, music, and navigation tools — without ever touching your phone. It’s the ultimate upgrade for anyone needing modern tech in their older vehicle.

With its vibrant 1024x600 FHD screen, you can adjust the brightness to suit your needs, enjoy a broader viewing experience, and connect seamlessly to your smartphone using Bluetooth, AUX, or FM transmission. Whether you’re syncing real-time GPS, playing music, or mirroring your phone’s screen for YouTube, this display transforms your car into a smarter, more efficient machine.

Factory-installed infotainment systems can cost thousands of dollars. This display gives you most of the same functionality — hands-free voice control via Siri or Google Assistant, access to maps and apps, and even compatibility with a reversing camera — at a fraction of the price. Plus, its easy DIY installation means no expensive trips to the mechanic. Just plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter, and you’re good to go.

Beyond convenience, this display prioritizes safety. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road while enjoying turn-by-turn navigation or taking calls. Its mirror link function makes it perfect for playing videos during car camping trips or entertaining passengers on long drives. And since it works with any car model, it’s an accessible upgrade for everyone.

Don't miss this 9" Wireless Car Display while it's on sale for just $94.97 (regularly $179) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Rochas Divine Mart 9" Wireless Car Display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Compatibility & Phone Mirroring $94.97
$179.99 Save $85.02 Get Deal

SAVE $400: As of Dec. 17, LG 55-inch B4 OLED 4K UHD Smart TV is available for $999.99 at Best Buy, saving you $400 off its usual price of $1,399.99. It’s the perfect blend of breathtaking visuals, immersive audio, and gaming features that’ll elevate your home entertainment experience.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 55-inch B4 OLED 4K UHD Smart TV $999.99 at Best Buy
$1,399.99 Save $400.00 Get Deal

Let’s be honest — once you’ve seen an OLED TV in action, there’s no going back. Whether you’re watching movies, gaming, or bingeing your favorite shows, the LG B4 55-inch OLED TV delivers breathtaking picture quality that makes other TVs look... well, flat. And thanks to Best Buy’s deal, you can snag this beauty for $999.99 — a sweet $400 discount from its regular $1,399.99 price.

What makes the LG B4 so impressive? For starters, it’s got 8.3 million self-lit pixels, meaning every scene pops with perfect black levels and vibrant, luminous color — no backlight bleeding or muddy grays here. The OLED display makes it look razor-sharp, from watching shadowy action sequences to colorful animated films. And with Dolby Vision and FILMMAKER MODE support, you’ll experience movies just as the director intended, without any weird motion smoothing or artificial adjustments.

SEE ALSO: How 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim' adapts two pages of Tolkien lore into a whole movie

LG’s α8 AI Processor drives all that visual magic, which automatically enhances picture and sound quality based on what you’re watching. Streamed content, live TV, or gaming — the AI smarts ensure everything looks (and sounds) its best without you lifting a finger. Combine that with Dolby Atmos audio, and you’ve got a genuinely cinematic experience in your living room.

Gamers, you’re in for a treat, too. The LG B4 is stacked with gaming features like NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), which eliminate screen tearing and keep gameplay buttery smooth. Four HDMI 2.1 ports give you the bandwidth to connect all your consoles and devices simultaneously. The LG Game Dashboard and Game Optimizer put everything you need to tweak settings for the perfect play session at your fingertips.

Beyond the stunning visuals and gaming chops, the LG B4 runs on webOS 24, LG’s latest smart TV platform. It’s faster and more intuitive and now comes with Quick Cards for quickly organizing your favorite streaming apps. Want more content? LG Channels offers 300+ free channels, so you can spend less time scrolling and more time watching. And with webOS Re: New, LG guarantees software updates for up to five years — talk about future-proofing your TV.

At $999.99, the LG B4 is the ultimate upgrade for anyone ready to take home entertainment to the next level. OLED TVs at this price don’t come around often, so don’t wait — your eyes (and your console) will thank you.

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are an interesting gadget. They started out very low key, with the ability to listen to audio, as well as take photos and videos, but also with most of the "smart" features missing.

But Meta has slowly been adding more features to the mix, and now we've reached a point in which the Ray-Ban Metas truly deserve the "smart" moniker.

On Monday, Meta announced several new features for Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

SEE ALSO: Ray-Ban Meta Glasses can be used to dox strangers via facial recognition, according to Harvard students. Here's how to protect yourself.

One, currently enabled only for members of Meta's Early Access program, is live AI. It enables Meta's AI to see what you see (through the glasses' camera) and chat with you about your surroundings. For example, you could ask the AI what next to add to a cake you're baking, or how to improve your houseplant's health.

Also available to Early Access program members is live translation, which is one of the coolest use cases for a gadget like this. If you're chatting with someone in a foreign language (English, Spanish, French, and Italian are supported) you can have the glasses translate what the other person is saying and feed the translation to the glasses' speakers, or as a transcript on your phone.

Another new feature, available to all users from the U.S. and Canada, is Shazam integration. When there's music playing near you, you can say, "Hey Meta, what is this song?" and Shazam will find out the answer for you. Takes some of the fun out for music nerds like me, but it sounds like a pretty natural and elegant way to use Shazam.

Meta says more software updates (including some surprises) are coming in 2025.

FREEBIES AND LIFETIME LICENCE DEAL: As of Dec. 17, the Neural DSP Quad Cortex is available for $1,699 at Sweetwater, with financing options as low as $36.11 per month. Meanwhile, Daaci’s Natural Drums AI plugin is just $125.67 for a lifetime license — no subscriptions, no bloated bundles, just pure, dynamic drum grooves on demand.

Opens in a new window Credit: Neural DSP Neural DSP Quad Cortex Get Deal

Why you can't find a reliable drummer for your jam sessions? Drummers are either late, loud, or mysteriously absent when inspiration strikes. But what if I told you a $125.67 plugin could replace them forever — no backtalk, no endless tuning, no monthly fees? Of course, I'm joking. Plenty of amazing drummers are out there; they don't want to play with me.

Enter Daaci's Natural Drums AI plugin, the intuitive virtual session drummer you didn't know you needed. Pair it with the Neural DSP Quad Cortex for studio-grade guitar and bass tones, and you've got yourself an all-inclusive band setup for a fraction of the cost of hardware, drum kits, and overpriced subscriptions.

SEE ALSO: Want to learn guitar? This $40 bundle gives you a pro teacher

The Neural DSP Quad Cortex, priced at $1,699 at Sweetwater, is what happens when cutting-edge tech meets hands-on flexibility. This floor-ready digital modeler features a 2GHz Quad-Core SHARC processor — enough power to run multiple amp chains simultaneously. It packs over 50 amps, 70 stomps, and 1,000 impulse responses, from glassy cleans to face-melting saturation.

Neural's Capture Technology lets you digitize and save your favorite real-world gear for easy recall. And with CorOS 3.0, you can now integrate Neural DSP's popular plugins, like Archetype: Gojira X, expanding your tone palette without the fuss of external computers.

But here's where the setup really sings: Daaci's Natural Drums AI plugin. For $125.67, you're not just buying a drum machine — you're purchasing a lifetime license for an AI drummer that adapts to your ideas in real-time.

Other plugins force you into monthly payments or bloated bundles packed with kits you'll never use. Not here. With Natural Drums, you get seamless DAW integration (Logic Pro X, Ableton, Pro Tools, and more), control over complexity, fills, swing, and patterns, and the kind of lifelike grooves that actually sound like a human behind the kit. Want to start with a simple rhythm and spice it up later? Natural Drums lets you add embellishments, fills, and shuffles with a few clicks — all without hogging your CPU.

SEE ALSO: When does Spotify Wrapped start tracking for 2025? What we know.

Lifetime licenses like this are practically a unicorn in the plugin world. While other companies nickel-and-dime you for every little add-on, Natural Drums gives you everything you need upfront. No subscriptions, overstuffed bundles, or tricks — just a top-tier drum companion you can rely on forever.

Quad Cortex, for $1,699, and Natural Drums, for $125.67, turn your home setup into a professional studio with guitar tones and drum tracks that sound like they cost ten times more. You'll never feel like you're missing a piece of the puzzle laying down polished recordings, working on new ideas, or just jamming without the hassle of chasing down flaky bandmates.

At the end of the day, you're not just saving money on mics, amps, drum kits, and late-night rehearse-a-thons — you're investing in creative freedom. No drummer? No problem. With the Neural DSP Quad Cortex and Daaci Natural Drums AI plugin, you have your full band at your fingertips for less than a decent drum kit. Deals like this don't stick around forever — unlike your new AI drummer.

SAVE $70: As of Dec. 17, Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are on sale for $229 at Amazon. That's a saving of 23% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Ultra Open Earbuds $229.00 at Amazon
$299.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal

If you're looking for a great new pair of earbuds at a great price, look no further than Amazon's Daily Deals. Even without major retail holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday, you can find amazing discounts on all kinds of products, including the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.

As of Dec. 17, these earbuds are reduced to just $229 at Amazon. They've never been priced lower than this, and you can choose between all available colors: white, moonstone blue, black, and the diamond 60th-anniversary edition.

SEE ALSO: Get $50 off this incredible portable speaker from Beats

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are designed for music lovers who still want to be connected to their surroundings. They work by resting just outside your ears rather than fitting inside the ear canal like standard designs. This positioning uses Bose’s open-ear audio technology to direct sound precisely toward your ears, allowing you to hear music clearly without blocking external noise. This type of earbud is fantastic for running, walking, and any outdoor activity where you need to remain aware of your surroundings. They're also water resistant so there won't be any issues on rainy days.

This design doesn't mean you'll be scrimping on sound quality, in fact, it's quite the opposite. With a name like Bose, you know you'll be getting some of the best sounds around. Bose still manages to create an immense, full sound even though the buds don’t seal in your ears.

TL;DR: Live stream Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the Emirates NBA Cup with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

It's the second annual Emirates NBA Cup, previously known as the In-Season Tournament. The Milwaukee Bucks head to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Emirates NBA Cup Championship.

The Bucks have won three of their last five games, specifically their last three games, sending the team to the NBA Cup Championship. Milwaukee is currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The Thunder is riding a five-game win streak into the championship game, which makes sense considering they sit at the top of the Western Conference.

When is Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder?

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 17. This game takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The game will air on ABC.

How to watch Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Bucks vs. Thunder basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Bucks vs. Thunder from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

5. Watch Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

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 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $105: As of Dec. 17, the Amazon eero 6+ WiFi router is on sale for $194.99 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon eero 6+ mesh WiFi Router $194.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $105.00 Get Deal

If your patchy, unreliable WiFi makes you want to throw your router out of the window, let's talk about an upgrade. You shouldn't have to suffer with laggy video calls, buffering shows, or devices that just won't connect. And you don't need to spend a fortune to get away from this either.

As of Dec. 17, you can find incredible deals on mesh router systems at Amazon. This includes a great deal on the Amazon eero 6+ router system. Currently, this product is reduced to $194.99, saving you 35% on list price. This discount is specific to the three-pack option, but you can find deals across all bundles.

SEE ALSO: Is this router better than a VPN? You decide.

A mesh WiFi system includes a main router and two nodes (satellites) placed around your home. They work together to eliminate dead zones, providing reliable WiFi coverage all over your home.

The eero 6+ is a great option for a mesh router system that offers gigabit wifi speeds at an affordable price. It is backward-compatible with older eero devices, making it flexible for all home setups. It boasts WiFi 6 technology and an extra boost from the 160 MHz radio channel, so the eero 6+ ensures fast and reliable connectivity for the entire household. The TrueMesh technology reduces dead spots and dropped signals, keeping your smart home running smoothly even when you’re away.

The setup doesn't require any overly complicated instructions either. It can be done in minutes by using the eero app.

Move fast, however, this is a limited-time deal at Amazon.

SAVE $50: As of Dec. 17, the Beats Pill is on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a saving of 33% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill $99.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Christmas is fast approaching and if you didn't stock up on all your gifts during the recent Black Friday madness, Amazon's Daily Deals are about to become your best friend. With great discounts across anything from coffee machines to headphones, you'll find something for everyone. And for the audiophile in your life, you can't go wrong with this great deal on the Beats Pill portable speaker.

Recently upgraded, the Beats Pill is the same speaker we've loved for years, but better. It may appear petite and dainty, but it's robust. It packs a serious audio punch, with the new, bigger, bespoke racetrack woofer displacing 90% more air volume, meaning you get a much deeper, fuller bass. Not to mention, it even has IP67 water resistance so it's safe from accidental splashes.

SEE ALSO: Drumroll... Beats drop major last minute audio deals at Amazon

For portable listening, the new 24-hour battery life will keep you going all day long, and can even be used to charge your phone or other devices through a USC cable.

As of Dec. 17, the Beats Pill is reduced to $99.95 (down from $149.95), saving you almost $50 on list price. It has also never been priced lower than this, so you know it's a great deal. This price is available in all the colors offered by Amazon: matte black, champagne gold, and statement red, but without the power adapter or AppleCare+.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.

WordPress.org now requires users to affirm that pineapple is delicious on pizza before they can log in. It's the latest move in an increasingly antagonistic dispute between WordPress co-founder and Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg and web hosting service WP Engine.

As reported by 404 Media and confirmed by Mashable, WordPress.org's login page features a new check box next to the phrase, "Pineapple is delicious on pizza." Users are currently unable to log in or create a new account unless they tick the box, which was first spotted on Sunday. (WordPress.com remains unaffected.)

SEE ALSO: Hong Kong Pizza Hut offers free pineapple after Italy objects to Olympic win

The merits of pineapple on pizza has long been the subject of frequently lighthearted internet debate. However, this particular invocation is less jovial. WordPress.org's pineapple pizza mandate comes in response to a California District Court decision last Tuesday, which granted WP Engine a preliminary injunction preventing Automattic from blocking its access to WordPress.org.

The injunction also ordered Automattic to remove a check box on WordPress.org's login page, which required users to pledge that they were "not affiliated with WP Engine in any way, financially or otherwise." Users were unable to log in unless this box was ticked.

Yet instead of completely removing the box, it appears Automattic amended it to refer to pineapple on pizza instead.

Credit: Mashable screenshot: WordPress.org What's the WordPress drama?

The ongoing WordPress drama is primarily about alleged trademark infringement, with WP Engine and Automattic having been at loggerheads for months now.

1. Blog post from Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg disparages WP Engine

The dispute publicly kicked off when Mullenweg denounced WP Engine as a "cancer to WordPress" in a blog post on Sept. 21. WP Engine is a third-party web hosting service that specifically caters to websites built using WordPress' open-source content management system, which is hosted and available via WordPress.org. 

Mullenweg has since been loudly critical of WP Engine, deriding the company for disabling tracked changes, using branding that allegedly infringes on WordPress' trademark, and contributing little to develop the open-source software.

"[WP Engine] do about half a billion in revenue on top of WordPress and contribute back 40 hours a week, Automattic is a similar size and contributes back 3,915 hours a week," Mullenweg claimed in his post.

2. WP Engine sends cease-and-desist letter to Automattic

Of course, WP Engine wasn't pleased with this. The company responded with a cease-and-desist letter on Sept. 23, demanding Automattic and Mullenweg stop making "false factual statements." 

WP Engine also accused Mullenweg of threatening to take a "scorched earth nuclear approach" toward the company if it refused to pay Automattic to license WordPress' trademarks. Court documents indicate Automattic demanded eight percent of WP Engine's revenue to be paid on an ongoing monthly basis.

According to WP Engine, such licensing is unnecessary as its use of WordPress' trademarks to describe its services are permitted under fair use.

"Mr. Mullenweg’s covert demand that WP Engine hand over tens of millions to his for-profit company Automattic, while publicly masquerading as an altruistic protector of the WordPress community, is disgraceful," read WP Engine's letter.

"WP Engine’s uses of those marks to describe its services – as all companies in this space do – are fair uses under settled trademark law and consistent with WordPress’ own guidelines."

3. Automattic sends cease-and-desist letter to WP Engine, bans it from WordPress

Automattic responded to that with its own cease-and-desist letter also dated Sept. 23, demanding WP Engine "immediately stop all unauthorized use of [WordPress and WordPress-based ecommerce platform WooCommerce] trademarks." 

Acknowledging that it had contacted WP Engine about licensing the trademarks, Automattic stated that no agreement had been reached, and accused the company of misleading consumers into thinking it is affiliated with WordPress.

The WordPress Foundation's trademark policy was also amended to specifically call out WP Engine, acknowledging that "WP" is not covered by trademarks but asking that it not be used "in a way that confuses people."

"For example, many people think WP Engine is 'WordPress Engine' and officially associated with WordPress, which it’s not," the policy reads. "They have never once even donated to the WordPress Foundation, despite making billions of revenue on top of WordPress."

Mullenweg subsequently announced that WP Engine had been banned from WordPress.org on Sept. 25, breaking numerous websites and preventing updates from being implemented. While it was temporarily lifted two days later, the ban significantly disrupted WP Engine's ability to do business. 

"[P]ending their legal claims and litigation against WordPress.org, WP Engine no longer has free access to WordPress.org’s resources," Mullenweg wrote in said announcement.

Expanding further on his personal blog, Mullenweg claimed Automattic's demand that WP Engine pay up "isn’t a money grab: it’s an expectation that any business making hundreds of millions of dollars off of an open source project ought to give back, and if they don’t, then they can’t use its trademarks," 

4. WP Engine files lawsuit against Automattic

It was all downhill from there. On Oct. 2, WP Engine filed a lawsuit against Automattic and Mullenweg with a slew of allegations, including libel, slander, attempted extortion, and unfair competition. 

WP Engine also amended its plan names to remove the word "WordPress," and updated its website to make clear it is "not endorsed or owned by, or affiliated with" the WordPress Foundation or WooCommerce.

"Automattic’s suggestion that WPE needs a license to do that is simply wrong, and reflects a misunderstanding of trademark law," a WP Engine spokesperson told TechCrunch. "To moot its claimed concerns, we have eliminated the few examples Automattic gave in its September 23rd letter to us."

In response to the ongoing legal proceedings, Automattic maintains that "WP Engine has never lost the ability to access the WordPress code and plugins on the Website."

"WP Engine is asking that the court force Matt and Automattic to allow WP Engine to host and distribute their plugins on the WordPress.org website for free in the absence of any obligation requiring them to do so," Automattic stated.

What does pineapple pizza have to do with the WordPress lawsuit?

All of this brings us back to WordPress.org's pineapple pizza pledge.

In early October, Mullenweg amended the WordPress.org login page to add a mandatory check box pledging that users have no affiliation with WP Engine. In a Slack post at the time, Mullenweg stated that this checkbox was part of the ban on WP Engine.

Following the court's injunction last Tuesday, that box now demands loyalty to the pineapple on pizza agenda instead.

What connection this culinary debate has to the larger legal matter at hand is unclear, assuming it has any at all. Automattic has not made any public statement on the matter, while Mullenweg merely shared a post on X which highlighted the change.

It's likely that Mullenweg simply took the opportunity to make a joke, regardless of the more serious circumstances surrounding it. Even if it didn't have bigger fish to fry, it seems improbable that Automattic would follow up with users on their pizza preferences.

Wondering how to watch college football this season? Here are your best options: Best for affordability Sling TV Blue Plan $20 for the first month, then $40/month (save $20 ) Get Deal BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV Pro plan 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for 1 month (Save $20) Get Deal

The No. 25 Memphis Tigers and the West Virginia Mountaineers will face off in the first bowl game of the season this week at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The match will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 17, and is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

The Tigers earned the No. 25 ranking after winning four of their last five regular season games. Memphis finished the season fourth in the American Athletic Conference with a 10-2 record overall and 6-2 in conference. West Virginia did not earn a College Football Ranking after coming in ninth in the Big 12 conference, but they were 6-6 overall.

SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Memphis vs. West Virginia football kickoff time and network

The Memphis vs. West Virginia football game is scheduled for a 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT start on ESPN on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Best streaming services for Memphis vs. West Virginia football game

You need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Memphis vs. West Virginia football game on ESPN. 

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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 today'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 December 17 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: Courage, boldness, or bravery

• Green: Types of pathways

• Blue: Ways to use paper

• Purple: Surfaces in which Tennis is played

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: Intrepidity

• Green: Road

• Blue: Kinds of Paper

• Purple: Kinds of Tennis Courts

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 #555 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Intrepidity: GRIT, HEALTH, NERVE, PLUCK

• Road: ARTERY, AVENUE, DRAG, DRIVE

• Kinds of Paper: CONSTRUCTION, GRAPH, TISSUE, WAX

• Kinds of Tennis Courts: CARPET, CLAY, GRASS, HARD

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 17

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.

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 today'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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for December 17 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 was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

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 December 17 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Bad-tempered expression.

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 S.

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...

SCOWL.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 16

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.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 17 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's lit!

These words are types.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The words describe literary genres.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is FictionGenre.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for December 17

• Crime

• Fantasy

• Romance

• FictionGenre

• Western

• Historical

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and 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 Strands.

If TikTok had you rushing to throw away your black plastic kitchen utensils, rest assured that those tools weren't as bad as they seemed.

A study went viral in November — as much as any study can go viral — that suggested black plastic kitchen utensils were shed lots of poison into our food thanks to a flame retardant carried over from recycled electronics that helped make the plastic tools. However, there was a big problem in the study that came down to simple math, as Canada's National Post reported.

In short, the study looked to measure the median amount a flame retardant toxin might get out of black plastic spatulas during cooking. The study found that figure was 34,700 nanograms per day, which, the study noted, was close to the EPA limit of 42,000. That, in part sparked lots of panic all over TikTok and in major publications about how black plastic cooking utensils were slowly poisoning everyone. I cannot tell you how many posts I saw online of folks throwing away their utensils or telling others to do so.

However, the study made a really simple math error, one that may have made its findings sound more severe than they should. The National Post reported that the study calculated that EPA limit by multiplying 7,000 — the amount of nanograms of the toxin per kilogram of bodyweight — by 60, to get the limit for a 60-kilogram (132 pound) person per day. That's how they got 42,000. But 60 multiplied by 7,000 is, in fact, 420,000 — meaning the exposure is actually less than one-tenth the limit.

Now that's not to say folks want any of that toxin leeching into their food. Zero would be a great figure. But as YouTube's favorite science nerd, Hank Green, pointed out on Bluesky "that paper on black plastic was a bit blown out of proportion by a simple math error."

Hey, so it turns out that paper on black plastic was a bit blown out of proportion by a simple math error. nationalpost.com/news/canada/...

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— Hank Green (@hankgreen.bsky.social) December 16, 2024 at 12:09 AM

Toxic-Free Future, an advocacy group that carried out the study, has said that while there was a mistake it does not affect the overall findings.

"As noted in the published correction, this comparison was not a major point of the study and the findings, conclusions, and recommendations are unaffected by this correction," the group wrote on Bluesky.

So you might want to still be wary of black plastic — but all those headlines and TikToks might've been a bit misleading.

The company and its Chinese parent invoked the First Amendment in urging the justices to step in before a Jan. 19 deadline to sell or be shut down.

There is (or was) a vulnerability in Windows Defender, but you don't have to worry about it. That's the short version.

The longer version, for those who are interested, is that Microsoft detected a fault in its homegrown antivirus software and admitted as much in an official security note, per Forbes. Microsoft's security note included an executive summary that explained the problem in something resembling layman's terms:

"Improper authorization of an index that contains sensitive information from a Global Files search in Windows Defender allows an authorized attacker to disclose information over a network," the summary read.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft wants you to upgrade to Windows 11 or buy a new computer

In other words, it was theoretically possible for someone to use this exploit to send private files over a network to people who aren't meant to see them. There are apparently no known instances of anyone actually using this exploit, but it did exist. Emphasis on did.

That's because Microsoft has closed the loop on the exploit, confirming that users don't need to take any action to fix it themselves. Just don't do anything, according to Microsoft. That's easy enough.