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You might think you know Osgood Perkins, but The Monkey is about to prove you wrong. 

The horror helmer has built a reputation for atmospheric spookiness and psychological tension with twisted thrillers like Longlegs, The Blackcoat's Daughter, and I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House. Yet his adaptation of a Stephen King short story is anything but ambiguous. From its first gnarly scene of deadly violence, its premise and threat is crystal clear: This cursed vintage toy — a mechanized monkey banging a drum — kills without mercy anytime his crank is turned. 

The Monkey abandons subtlety and seriousness in favor of gonzo and gory displays of ultra-violent death. Perkins' vibe has always been a bit throwback, pulling influence from gothic ghost stories or the grisly tension of '90s thrillers like Silence of the Lambs. This holds true with The Monkey, but his influences here are far less highbrow, as this King adaptation — which King himself called "batshit insane" — has more in common with the madcap mayhem of Tales From The Crypt. 

The result is a movie that feels refreshingly new for Perkins, yet is knowingly familiar with this gleefully ghoulish and grubby brand of horror. Reveling in kills that are senseless, aggressive, and increasingly imaginative and nightmarish, The Monkey is not just a stomach-churning treat for horror fans. It also feels like a challenge, as if the monkey — be it his unblinking gaze or the truly outrageous gore he unfurls — dares you to look away. 

What is The Monkey about?  Credit: NEON

Like King's short story, The Monkey centers on a put-upon dad named Hal (Theo James), who teams up with his young son to defeat the evil toy that has been wreaking havoc since his own childhood. However, Perkins' screenplay works in a lot more death scenes, a custody battle subplot, and a seething twin. In his version, Hal and Bill (also played by James) were just boys when the monkey found them, a hidden gift from their absent father. A morbid experiment leads them to realize the power of the thing: Turning its crank spurs an unpredictable and outlandish accidental death to occur. So, they bury it deep, where it can never hurt another soul. Years later, Hal and Bill are estranged, when the former realizes — through a splashy slaughter scene — that the monkey is back. 

With Bill having become a mysterious recluse, it's up to Hal and his son Petey (Colin O'Brien) to stop the menacing monkey for good. Along the way, they'll have to deal with Petey's overreaching and obnoxiously chipper stepfather (Elijah Wood), a young tough with more ammo than sense, and a string of accidental deaths that are jaw-droppingly gruesome. 

The Monkey gets off to a pitch-perfect start, thanks to Adam Scott.  Credit: NEON

The Severance star is no stranger to horror-comedy, having appeared in movies like The Omen parody Little Evil, the gem of a Christmas slasher Krampus, and the over-the-top creature feature Piranha 3D. Yet it's Scott's broader range, which includes chipper sitcoms like Parks and Recreations and raw indie dramas like The Vicious Kind — that make him such a savagely smart choice for The Monkey. He opens the film dressed as a pilot whose uniform is flecked with blood. Immediately, his distress is urgent and contagious. Charging into a pawn shop, he presents the eponymous toy. ("Don't call it a toy," he warns the unimpressed shopkeeper.) But his attempt to offload the gift intended for his twin boys goes horridly awry. 

The kill that follows plays as a calling card for Perkins to take on bigger, more commercial horror projects. It's not just that the violence is uniquely horrific, or the razor-sharp humor cutting through the scene, or even the masterful timing of this cut (props to editors Graham Fortin and Greg Ng), which teases out the tension of what hell might rain down when the monkey's hand beats that damned drum. It's all of this in conjunction with Scott's performance. All at once, Scott is able to come across as an average guy, but also as a man who has seen some really unreal shit. So the fear in his eyes, the tension around his mouth, the quake of his body is a perfect setup even before we see the Rube Goldberg machine-like method to The Monkey's first on-screen murder. With one short and sick opening scene (and a blowtorch), Perkins sets up his audience for what to expect: rip-roaring fun, splashed with blood and gallows humor. And then he delivers, again and again. 

The Monkey is sicko shit.  Credit: NEON

And I mean that as a compliment. Where plenty of horror filmmakers can unleash gore or deliver kills that are radically ruthless, few can do it with the panache and wit that Perkins shows here. Yes, on one level, he's offering the base thrill of seeing heinous violence in the safe space of a fictional story. But beyond that, there's a cutting humor that urges the audience to recognize our own absurdity of casually ignoring our mortality, when death is dumb, relentless, and coming for us all. 

Perkins weaves this theme in through Hal and Bill's mom, Lois (Tatiana Maslany), who urges her boys to face death without fear. "Everybody dies," she says coolly after a funeral, then dances defiantly, still in her mourning attire. She tries to teach her sons the power of rebellious joy, or laughing in the face of death. And that's what The Monkey is all about. 

Through his alarmingly graphic depictions of death, bloody yet hilarious, Perkins urges us to follow Lois' lead. We don't laugh because these characters on-screen — many existing without names or personalities, only to be slain — are a buffet of Face of Death-style carnage. We laugh in the shock and absurdity that one moment, we're here, minding our own business, tending our lawns, going for a swim or out for a hibachi dinner, and the next, we're dead meat. Not even Perkins (who cameos) is safe from death's sick sense of humor. And that's the weirdly liberating pleasure of The Monkey. 

All in all, it’s a vicious and hysterical spectacle of blood and brain matter that’ll make you laugh, gasp, gag, and even think.

The Monkey opens in theaters Feb. 21.

History is on the line in Super Bowl LIX, and you can watch it without paying a cent this year.

The two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Philadelphia Eagles in this year's edition of the big game, which kicks off at 6:30pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 9 on Fox. If the Chiefs win, it will be the first time in the history of the NFL that a team has won three championships in a row. In fact, no two-time defending champion has ever even made it to a third straight Super Bowl, so we're already in uncharted territory. If that wasn't enough of a reason to tune in, the Chiefs and Eagles played one of the best Super Bowls of all time just two years ago.

In other words, this will probably be a pretty good football game on top of the menagerie of commercials and Kendrick Lamar's highly anticipated halftime performance.

But, if you don't pay for cable, you might be wondering how you can watch the game without shelling out for a month of an expensive streaming service. The good news is you don't have to do that at all. Here is how to watch Super Bowl LIX without taking a hammer to your piggy bank.

SEE ALSO: Super Bowl LIX is set: When to watch, halftime show, commercials, and more How to watch Super Bowl LIX without cable for free

This year's game is broadcast on Fox, which means color commentary will be provided by some new guy they just hired named Tom Brady. I hear he's been to a few Super Bowls before. Anyway, in previous years when Fox has broadcast the game, it was available for free via the Fox Sports app. That is not the case this year. Instead, the game will stream for free on the streaming service Tubi, and that should include all pregame and postgame coverage, all the same commercials people who are watching on regular TV would see, and yes, Kendrick's halftime show.

SEE ALSO: Will Kendrick Lamar diss Drake during the Super Bowl halftime show? Why and why not.

You'll need to make a Tubi account to watch the game, but fortunately, Tubi is a free streaming service by nature. Tubi will be by far the simplest way for most people who don't pay for cable to watch the game.

Other ways to watch the game

I can't think of any obvious reasons why you wouldn't just use Tubi to watch Super Bowl LIX, but in case that's not an option, there are other ways to see the game without having a guy come over to install a cable box.

For instance, you can choose from one of the many cable-alternative streaming services out there. Pretty much all of the major ones should carry your local Fox affiliate. Here's a list of services that will definitely let you watch Super Bowl LIX:

• YouTube TV

• Hulu with Live TV

• Sling TV

• DirecTV Stream

• Fubo

If, for some reason, none of those work for you, there's one more option: a digital TV antenna. You can get one that plugs directly into your TV and doesn't need to be outdoors to work for as little as $20. It'll probably only pick up a handful of local channels, but your Fox affiliate is almost certain to be one of them. As a bonus, this will most likely also grant you access to future Super Bowls, as well.

Kendrick Lamar isn't afraid of a little controversy — but the NFL is. So how might that play out during the halftime show on Super Bowl Sunday?

Part of the excitement of a live show like the NFL Halftime Show is that we don't know what will happen until it does, like Usher's 2024 surprise guests or Rihanna's pregnancy announcement. But Kendrick's fight comes in the middle of an ongoing rap beef between him and rival Drake.

If we are to believe rumors, it seems like Kendrick might play his biggest Drake diss "Not Like Us," his fifth installment in a series of diss tracks against the Canadian rapper. The song, which alleges Drake's pedophilia and sexual misconduct, solidified his victory against Drake and broke several Spotify records. On Sunday, the track won Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

But the song, and beef as a whole, also resulted in multiple lawsuits. Drake sued Universal Music Group and Spotify claiming they worked together to inflate the songs popularity and accused UMG of violating the RICO act. He later filed another lawsuit against UMG for defamation and funneling payments to iHeartRadio.

Whatever ends up happening, it will likely be a surprise to us, but not to anyone at the NFL, Andrew Mall, an associate professor of music at Northeastern University, told the Northeastern Global News. And the idea that the NFL would agree to something they could get sued for — like allowing Kendrick to allege Drake is a pedophile — would be pretty unlikely, he argues.

"He won’t do that in part because the scale and the choreography and the production of the Super Bowl halftime show has to be set in stone," Mall said. "So, he can’t just tease and be like, 'I know you said I can’t do this, but here I am dancing around the edges.' … My guess is there’s no chance for him to surprise at least anyone who is in a decision-making position with what’s going to be on stage or on the field."

We'll find out during Kendrick's Super Bowl LIX performance on February 9, where the Chiefs will face off against the Eagles.

Apple has reportedly canceled its plans to build augmented reality smart glasses.

This is according to Bloomberg, which cites people with knowledge of the move.

In November, the same outlet reported that Apple had launched the project under the codename "Atlas," with the goal to build a pair of advanced, AR smart glasses, perhaps in order to compete with Meta's promising "Orion" prototype.

SEE ALSO: Apple Intelligence is getting more languages

The report was very thin on details, but now that the project has been canceled, however, we know a little more about what these glasses were supposed to look like. Apple reportedly first wanted glasses that could pair with the iPhone, but the drain on the smartphone's battery life was too big. Additionally, the iPhone wasn't able to provide the necessary processing power.

Apple's engineers then moved to glasses that would pair with a Mac, but that version was reported to have performed poorly during internal reviews among Apple's executives.

Apple still plans to build a followup to its Vision Pro mixed reality handset. The AR glasses were a different project, far lighter and similar to traditional glasses, perhaps akin to Ray-Ban's Meta smart glasses.

Still, it's another setback for the company whose CEO Tim Cook sounded very enthusiastic about augmented reality as early as 2016.

Apple doesn't share its internal plans with the public. But the company reportedly canceled its plans to build an electric, self-driving car in early 2024, and reports in June 2024 said that Apple has also given up on Vision Pro 2, focusing on a cheaper model instead.

"There is a specific type of alienation that comes with using an app that was not made with you or your community in mind, and most dating apps have initially been created with straight people in mind."

It's a truth uncomfortably acknowledged that every dating app in possession of a database of potential daters must be primarily in want of straight people. The quote above is one of the many insights into the modern dating landscape covered by Mashable's own features editor Rachel Thompson, in her second book The Love Fix, out now via Square Peg, following her debut, Rough. And we've got an excerpt on this complex, undeniably prevalent topic for you below.

SEE ALSO: Mashable's Rachel Thompson investigates sexual violence (and what we can do about it) in 'Rough'

Now, full disclosure, I'm biased — that much is obvious. I've been lucky enough to edit and read Rachel's (it feels weird to call you Thompson, I won't do it) brilliant work for years, covering every angle, trend, and buzzword of sex, dating, and relationships in contemporary life — before the rest of us really know what's happening right in front of us. But The Love Fix is a deeper dive than ever into dating app fatigue, and a truly hopeful means to understand how we can reconnect with authenticity and intimacy in a world increasingly disengaged and automated.

Rachel's thorough analysis of how orientation affects the app experience, how dating apps are not designed with queer people at the forefront, and that "our social scripts for dating are also designed for straight couples," is just one of the important threads she pulls. 

Featured Video For You 'I was cloaked.' What it's like to be blocked and stood up by your Hinge date.

The Love Fix delves into questions of dating app culture and design, what "limerence" is and how to deal with it, the trickiness of DTR (defining the relationship), how to reframe rejection, why ghosting hurts, the increased use of therapy speak in dating, the online attention economy (and how to take a break from it), getting over someone you never dated, how your attachment style impacts sex and relationships, breaking up in the online age and post-breakup etiquette, and the absence of commitment amid so much choice — amid so many other questions.

Really, it's for those with a book-long answer to the question: "How's your love life?"

So, we've got a sneak peek for you, an excerpt from The Love Fix about the lack of queer representation in dating apps beyond those specifically labelled as appealing to LGBTQ daters. Get into it.

The Love Fix by Rachel ThompsonFrom Chapter 4: Just My TypeHow does orientation affect the app experience? 

The Pew Research Center found that lesbian, gay and bisexual adults are around twice as likely as straight adults to have used a dating app or site, but now that so much of dating has moved online, it’s important to examine how we make online dating inclusive. There is a specific type of alienation that comes with using an app that was not made with you or your community in mind, and most dating apps have initially been created with straight people in mind. 

"Nothing in this world is made for marginalised people," says Melissa A. Fabello PhD, a US-based sex and relationships educator. ‘"As a queer woman, I talk to so many other queer women that are like “the apps suck!” And it’s like, yeah, because the apps weren’t made for us, so even though we can use them, they weren’t made for us, and that is impactful."

There is a specific type of alienation that comes with using an app that was not made with you or your community in mind.

This feeling that the apps are not designed with queer people in mind is echoed by scholars too. "Structures of power are visible also in the social and cultural genealogy of dating apps," writes Dr Carolina Bandinelli. "Most apps (dating and nondating) were funded in Silicon Valley, in a socio-economic environment marked by a culture that, despite the promotional claims of democracy, is in fact based on strict mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion which benefit certain categories, mostly white middle-class males, while marginalising others, notably women and ethnic minorities." 

Queer dating apps, which have been conceived and built by queer people, are a response to oppression, says Fabello. "The queer dating apps only exist because other dating apps are not useful, particularly to queer people, so we create our own," she says. "Even if you’re trying to create something that’s less oppressive, you’re doing it in response to oppression, oppression takes up a lot of space in our lives." 

The dynamics these platforms expect of us don’t always work, as on top of that our social scripts for dating are also designed for straight couples. As Lucy says, "Women aren’t taught to flirt with other women, so even if someone feels attracted to another woman, they may not know how to express that." Our culture teaches straight women that men should make the first move, but doesn’t have an answer for what happens when both parties are women. In practice, this can mean that if both WLW women in a conversation expect the other person to make the first move, that move might not happen at all.

SEE ALSO: I got stood up. I refuse to let dating app culture break my spirit.

Journalist Siân Bradley wrote about the hurdle of learning to flirt after coming out as bisexual, saying, "I had had enough of secretly admiring women, nonbinary people, and AFAB people from a distance. Now I wanted to actually act on my attraction. But how?" Acting on your queer desire is scary, Bradley added, particularly when many WLW have absorbed heteronormative dating scripts. "When you’ve only been with cis men, like I had, dating women feels like a whole other ball game: one where you don’t know the rules, let alone who’s playing or whether you’re allowed on the pitch." Not only is it difficult to know how to flirt, there’s also a hypervigilance that comes with hitting on queer women and femmes because when queer women aren’t being treated by straight women as experimentation fodder or a means to attract the male gaze they’re contending with the fetishisation of WLW in mainstream culture. 

Our social scripts for dating are also designed for straight couples.

"We are seen as something for men’s pleasure only, and not our own entity," says Lucy. "It feels shameful sometimes admitting I’m a lesbian to men and seeing the turned-on look in their eyes." They’re always aware that the response they get might be more than a simple rejection. "We’re hyper vigilant about who we can hit on and when," says Riley. "A lot of us have really extreme emotional scarring and we really don’t trust a lot of questioning women." 

Once the flirting stage has been overcome, there’s also the question of how to behave within that relationship. "Before I started dating women I found it a struggle to imagine how I would behave when it was just me and another woman in a romantic relationship," says Cassie, a 27-year-old bisexual woman who, for years, only dated men. "This stopped me pursuing women for the longest time. I think this was because heterosexuality was all I knew. It was shown to us on the TV, in books, in films, on the street. I guess you could say I’m a visual learner, and with no queer representation in sight, I was lost!"

Compulsory heterosexuality  –  a term coined by feminist scholar Adrienne Rich in 1980 – is society’s imposition of heterosexuality as the norm, the false assumption that relationships are between men and women only. Cassie feels there is toxic masculinity at play with some queer cis women. "Sometimes we feel the need to behave in a certain way in order to fit the roles we’ve been shown our entire lives," she says. "At times it feels like even the people around me, who are supposedly allies, are only happy with me dating a woman as long as one of us is “the woman” and one of us is “the man”."

Extracted from 'The Love Fix' by Rachel Thompson, out now via Square Peg for £18.99.

TL;DR: Live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Phoenix Suns head to Moda Center to face the Portland Trail Blazers in a Western Conference matchup. The Suns are 25-23, which puts the team in eighth place. The Blazers are 20-29, which puts the team in 13th place.

The Suns have won three of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Blazers. The Blazers have won four of their last five games, and are coming off three consecutive wins over the Suns, Orlando Magic, and Milwaukee Bucks.

These two teams have faced off three times this season already. The Suns have won two of those matchups.

When is Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers?

Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Feb. 3. This game takes place at Moda Center in Portland.

How to watch Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers

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 Suns vs. Blazers 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 Suns vs. Blazers 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 Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers 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

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 LA Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors 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 Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Orlando Magic vs. Golden State Warriors in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Orlando Magic head to Chase Center to face the Golden State Warriors in a non-conference matchup. The Magic are 24-26, which puts the team in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The Warriors are 24-24, which puts the team in 11th place in the Western Conference.

The Magic have lost four of their last five games, and are coming off three consecutive losses to the Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, and Miami Heat. The Warriors have won three of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Phoenix Suns.

When is Orlando Magic vs. Golden State Warriors?

Orlando Magic vs. Golden State Warriors in the NBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Feb. 3. This game takes place at Chase Center in San Francisco.

This game will air on NBA TV.

How to watch Orlando Magic vs. Golden State Warriors

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 Magic vs. Warriors 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 Magic vs. Warriors 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 Orlando Magic vs. Golden State Warriors 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

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 Orlando Magic vs. Golden State Warriors 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 Orlando Magic vs. Golden State Warriors in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Houston Rockets head to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks in a non-conference matchup. The Rockets are 32-16, which puts the team in second place in the Western Conference. The Knicks are 32-17, which puts the team in third place in the Eastern Conference.

The Rockets have won three of their last five games, but are coming off back-to-back losses to the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies. The Knicks have won four of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

When is Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks?

Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 3. This game takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York.

This game will air on NBA TV.

How to watch Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks

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 Rockets vs. Knicks 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 Rockets vs. Knicks 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 Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks 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

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 Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks 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 Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, February 3, 2025:

AcrossUnit of toilet paper

• The answer is Roll.

Cookie advertised with the slogan "Twist, Lick, Dunk"

• The answer is Oreo.

Word after bird or binge

• The answer is Watch.

Amused text shorthand

• The answer is LMAO.

What always goes to waist?

• The answer is Belt.

DownOne of five in a Mini crossword

• The answer is Row.

Dental care brand

• The answer is OralB.

"Please, it would be my pleasure"

• The answer is LeMe.

___ news (11 p.m. broadcast)

• The answer is Local.

Like jalapeños and Death Valley

• The answer is Hot.

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

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

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

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

Lady Gaga used her Best Pop Duo acceptance speech at the 2025 Grammys to lend her voice to the trans community.

"Trans people are not invisible," says Lady Gaga in the clip above, standing on stage alongisde her fellow "Die With a Smile" winner Bruno Mars. "Trans people deserve love, the queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love. Thank you."

Lady Gaga's comments come in the wake of President Donald Trump passing an executive order stating that the U.S. government now only recognises two sexes —the wording of which may have inadvertently made everyone in the country female.

FINALLY.

After years of totally transparent snubs, Beyoncé has taken home the Grammy for Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter. If that ain't country, tell me, what is?

At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Beyoncé's speech was short and meaningful, not only thanking the Los Angeles fire department, who presented the award, for their efforts, but also thanking every songwriter, collaborator and producer who worked on Cowboy Carter.

"I just feel very full and very honoured," said Beyoncé. "It's been many, many years."

Beyoncé is the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammys history, with 32 wins and 99 nominations. Despite that, she's never won Album of the Year — though she's been nominated four times (I Am … Sasha Fierce in 2008, Beyoncé in 2013, Lemonade in 2016, and Renaissance in 2023). Even Adele said the quiet part out loud. With her fifth nomination for the award for Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé finally took the stage to accept Album of the Year on Sunday.

Now, go and turn up Cowboy Carter and stare in a loaded fashion at the Grammys.

SAVE $100: As of Feb. 3, the Fire TV 55-inch 4-Series is on sale for $359.99 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV 55-inch 4-Series $359.99 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

If it's time for a TV upgrade, why not check out this latest Amazon deal on the Fire TV 55-inch 4-Series?

As of Feb. 3, this TV is at its lowest price in over a year, now priced at $359.99. That's a $100 saving on the list price. And we're not exaggerating when we say there's a lot to brag about this TV. It has 4K Ultra HD, HDR 10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus, all creating incredible clarity, brighter colors, and vivid detail in your favorite movies and shows.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Pro 2 are $80 off at Amazon. Get premium noise cancellation for under $170.

Like most Amazon devices, it has Alexa built-in, so you can easily search for your favorite movies, launch apps, and control content. An impressive smart TV, you can enjoy shows from all the major streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, and of course, Prime Video.

This TV can also connect with your smart home Alexa devices, including doorbells, lightbulbs, and speakers. For example, pair up your TV with your Echo speakers to create an immersive home theater atmosphere for your next movie night. Plus, there are four HDMI inputs to connect gaming devices, sound accessories, cables, and other equipment seamlessly.

This deal is only available for a limited time, so head to Amazon now to save big.

SAVE $340: As of Feb. 3, the eero Max 7 mesh WiFi system is on sale at Amazon for $1,359.99. That's a 20% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: eero eero Max 7 mesh WiFi system $1,359.99 at Amazn
$1,699.99 Save $340.00 Get Deal

It's a new year, it's time to leave patchy, unreliable WiFi in 2024. Yes, let's talk upgrading. You shouldn't have to suffer with laggy video calls, buffering shows, or devices that just won't connect. If you work from home regularly, have a lot of WiFi-connected devices, need a solid connection for your workplace, or just want to stop screaming at your router... we've found a setup that you'll love.

As of Feb. 3, you can find incredible deals on mesh router systems at Amazon. This includes a great deal on the eero Max 7 mesh WiFi system Currently, this product is reduced to $1359.99, saving you 20% on the list price. This discount is specific to the three-pack option, but you can find deals across all bundles.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods 4 are down to under $100 — now is the perfect time to upgrade

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.

And this model is one of the best. It boasts WiFi 7 technology and an extra boost from the 329 MHz radio channel, so the router 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.

For coverage, enjoy an incredible 7,500 square feet of buffer-free connectivity, and the capability to connect more than 200 devices.

Convinced yet? We don't blame you. Head to Amazon to grab this limited-time deal.

SAVE $100: As of Feb. 3, the Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 50% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $99.99 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $99.96 Get Deal

If a new pair of headphones has been on your wishlist for a while, why not check out the Beats Solo 4? Released just last year, these headphones bring some big upgrades to the Solo lineup — and as of Feb. 3, you can grab these headphones for just $99.99, saving $100 on the list price.

This deal is available across all colorways at Amazon: black/gold, cloud pink, matte black, and state blue. However, this price is only available when purchasing without the power adapter. You can add this on for a price of $118.99.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Pro 2 are $80 off at Amazon. Get premium noise cancellation for under $170.

Other than a great price, the Beats Solo 4 boast a battery life of up to 50 hours and a super-quick 10-minute charge time. The Solo 4 also introduces new, personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking. This is a technology that creates a 3D surround sound, and a more immersive listening experience by adjusting sound based on your head movements, so music, movies, and calls feel more lifelike.

And as with all Beats devices, the sound quality is stellar for all types of listening. Enjoy a punchy bass and balanced sound, whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, or watching videos.

This is a limited-time offer at Amazon, so don’t miss out on this great deal.

SAVE OVER $16: As of Feb. 3, Mega Pokémon Pokédex building set is available for $18.39 at Amazon, down from $34.99. That’s a 47% discount for a 322-piece collectible build featuring light-up effects and interchangeable Pokémon display cards.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Mega Pokémon Pokédex $18.39 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $16.60 Shop Now

If you've ever wanted your Pokédex, today's your chance to grab one at a ridiculously low price. The Mega Pokémon Kanto Region Pokédex building set is 47% off at Amazon, bringing it down to just $18.39 — a serious steal for Pokémon fans. Are you a collector, a builder, or someone who loves a bit of nostalgia? This 322-piece set lets you construct your Pokédex with a light-up screen and lenticular Pokémon cards.

Unlike regular Pokémon toys, this one's interactive. The Pokédex includes a pressable light brick that illuminates the display, giving it that classic in-game look. Plus, it comes with five interchangeable lenticular cards featuring Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, and Eevee, so you can swap out your Pokémon whenever you like.

SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphones

This isn't just a kid's toy — it's a legit collector's item. What '90s kid doesn't remember eating breakfast and watching an episode of Pokémon before school? Bonus points for coming home after school and watching DragonBall Z, Tenchi Muyo, and Gundam Wing on Toonami. The detailed buildable design makes it a fun and rewarding project for adult fans. Once completed, it doubles as a fantastic display piece. It's still kid-friendly, making it an excellent gift for younger Pokémon trainers who love building and collecting.

At 322 pieces, the set offers a satisfying build experience, similar to Lego but with that Pokémon twist. It's also officially licensed by The Pokémon Company International, so you know you're getting a quality collectible.

Usually, this set goes for $34.99, but at just $18.39, it's one of the best Pokémon deals we've seen in a while. Grab it before it disappears like a wild Abra.

TL;DR: Find matches faster with one year of Tinder Gold on sale for $39.97 through Feb. 23 — see who swiped right, get unlimited likes, and boost your profile.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tinder Tinder Gold: 1-Year Subscription $39.97 at Mashable Shop
$108.00 Save $68.03 Get Deal

Valentine’s Day is coming, and the last thing you want is to spend it mindlessly swiping through apps with zero results. Dating is already complicated enough — why waste time wondering who’s into you when Tinder Gold lets you see exactly who swiped right? No more missed connections, no more endless scrolling, just straight to the matches that matter.

With this $40 deal on Tinder Gold, you get unlimited likes, so you never have to hold back when a promising profile pops up. The Likes You feature puts all your admirers in one place, so instead of playing the guessing game, you can go straight to chatting. Plus, you get five Super Likes per week to grab someone’s attention and one free Boost per month to make sure you’re one of the top profiles in your area for 30 minutes.

Planning a romantic getaway (or just feeling adventurous)? Passport mode lets you swipe anywhere in the world, so you can match with people beyond your usual radius. And if you’ve ever swiped left too fast by mistake, Rewind gives you a second chance to bring that profile back.

Tinder Gold isn’t just for finding dates — it’s for finding better dates, faster. Whether you're searching for a valentine, a casual connection, or just some fun conversations, this upgrade helps you match smarter and waste less time.

Don’t leave your love life up to chance this year.

Get one year of Tinder Gold for just $39.97 (reg. $108) until Feb. 23 and swipe your way to love.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Learn ethical hacking, penetration testing, and cybersecurity with lifetime access to 18 courses, on sale for $34.97 until February 2.

This ethical hacking bundle offers a lifetime of learning for those eager to master this critical and in-demand skill-set. With 18 courses and 132 hours of content, this $34.97 bundle (sale ending February 2) covers a wide variety of cybersecurity topics, from beginner-friendly basics to advanced penetration testing.

Dive into practical lessons that teach real-world techniques, like exploiting vulnerabilities, safeguarding networks, and building custom tools using Python. Courses such as Complete Python 3 Ethical Hacking walk you through coding your own backdoor tools and automating repetitive security tasks, while Hacking Wireless Networks teaches you to identify and protect against vulnerabilities in Wi-Fi environments. These are hands-on experiences tailored for those who want to go beyond theory and practice in safe lab environments.

For those interested in web security, the bundle offers in-depth training in tackling vulnerabilities like SQL injections and cross-site scripting, using tools like Burp Suite to run penetration tests and secure applications. You’ll also explore Metasploit, the industry-standard framework for penetration testing, giving you the skills to identify and fix system weaknesses.

Even if you’re just starting out, courses like Ethical Hacker Certification make it easy to build foundational skills while setting you up for certifications. Meanwhile, Bug Bounty: Web Hacking introduces you to earning money by identifying and fixing vulnerabilities for major companies.

Whether you’re an IT professional, a cybersecurity enthusiast, or a beginner ready to jump into the field, this bundle gives you the tools to succeed.

With a one-time payment of $49.99, you’ll gain lifetime access to a wealth of knowledge and resources in this comprehensive ethical hacking course bundle — all designed to help you protect, analyze, and improve systems like a pro.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: StackCommerce The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle $34.97
$1,098.00 Save $1,063.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get a PDF Converter Pro lifetime license for $23.99 with code SAVE20 at checkout for a limited time (reg. $99.99). Works on Windows and Mac.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker Finally, a PDF converter that doesn’t mess up formatting $23.99 at Mashable Shop
$99.99 Save $76.00 with code SAVE20 Get Deal

PDFs are supposed to make life easier, but anyone who’s ever touched one can testify the opposite. Like when you need to convert a PDF for editing, more often than not the format turns into a jumbled mess, especially if you’re using those free online tools.

We know paying for a PDF tool probably isn’t what you had in mind when becoming an adult, but it’s a necessary evil. PDF Converter Pro keeps your file formats intact and gives you other essential features without recurring fees. Use code SAVE20 at checkout to download it to your PC or Mac for life for just $23.99 (reg. $99.99).

No more PDF-related headaches

So, you’re back in the job market and found your old resume, but it’s saved as a PDF. Instead of wrestling with other tools or retyping your job experience in Word, just use PDF Converter Pro to convert the PDF to Word without losing formatting. Then, update your resume in peace.

Another option is to update your resume using the basic PDF editing tools instead of converting the format. You can edit text, add and remove images, and leave annotations.

Or maybe you have a paper resume you don’t feel like typing up. Scan it, upload it to PDF Converter Pro, and extract text using OCR technology. That means AI recognizes the text, so you can copy and paste it into Word.

Get this all-in-one PDF converter software for $23.99 with code SAVE20 at checkout (reg. $99.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Make any device Bluetooth-compatible with the EVE II Bluetooth Transmitter & Receiver, now just $42.97 through Feb. 23.

Opens in a new window Credit: Adam Elements EVE ll Bluetooth Transmitter & Receiver $42.97 at Mashable Shop
$59.00 Save $16.03 Get Deal

Get the EVE II Bluetooth Transmitter & Receiver, now just $42.97 through Feb. 23, and make any device Bluetooth-compatible.

What you get with your EVE II Bluetooth Transmitter & Receiver:

• Two-way Bluetooth transmission lets you send and receive audio for total flexibility

• Bluetooth 5.3 technology delivers a stable connection with up to a 10-meter range

• Dual 3.5mm AUX plug makes it perfect for airline entertainment systems, so you can use your own earbuds instead of shared headphones

• Pair up to two sets of earbuds to share music or movies with a friend

• Long battery life with up to 20 hours of use in TX mode and 15 hours in RX mode

• Compact and travel-friendly design fits easily in your pocket or carry-on

• Includes a storage bag, charging cable, and audio cable for easy setup and portability

Stream wirelessly from anywhere with the EVE ll Bluetooth Transmitter & Receiver, on sale for $42.97 (reg. $59) until February 23.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $755: As of Feb. 3, Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is available for $1,044.99 at Best Buy, down from its usual $1,799.99 price. That’s a massive $755 discount, but it’s only available for 24 hours as a Deal of the Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra $1,044.99 at Best Buy
$1,799.99 Save $755.00 Shop Now

If you're sick of vacuuming like me, the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is here to take the task off your hands. Today, Best Buy has slashed $755 off the price, dropping it to $1,044.99 — but only until midnight. This premium robot vacuum and mop combo comes with a self-cleaning, self-emptying docking station, an AI-powered navigation system, and an insane 10,000Pa suction power to make sure your floors stay spotless with zero effort from you.

This isn't just a regular robot vacuum — it's one of the smartest and most advanced models on the market. The 8-in-1 RockDock Ultra station does everything for you, from auto-emptying dust bins to hot water mop washing, intelligent dirt detection, and even heated air drying, so you never have to deal with gross, soggy mops again. The FlexiArm side brush and extra edge mopping system are designed to reach into every corner and along edges, ensuring no dust or debris gets left behind.

SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphones

Thanks to Reactive AI 2.0 obstacle recognition, the S8 MaxV Ultra navigates your home precisely. It identifies cords, pet waste, shoes, and furniture in real-time. You don't have to worry about getting stuck or smearing something unfortunate across your floors. Speaking of pets, it even takes pictures of your furry friends while cleaning (yes, really).

The Carpet Boost+ System ensures deeper cleaning by automatically adjusting suction power if you have carpets. Meanwhile, the DuoRoller riser brush cuts down on tangled hair, and the VibraRise 3.0 mopping system lifts itself when detecting carpets so it won't soak them.

With PreciSense LiDAR mapping, off-peak charging to save on energy costs, and even a built-in "Hello Rocky" voice assistant, the S8 MaxV Ultra is about as hands-free as it gets. Normally, this convenience comes with a steep price tag. Stiltoday'sy's $755 discount makes it a no-brainer upgrade for anyone tired of cleaning manually.

This Deal of the Day ends at midnight, and with such a steep discount, stock could sell out fast. If you want effortless, AI-powered cleaning, grab this deal now before it's gone.