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Collecting all your favourite snacks and drinks, surrounding yourself with comfortable cushions and blankets, and then spending hours in front of a screen can be a truly therapeutic experience. Unfortunately, there is one big problem with this hobby: There is a limited amount of content out there to keep you entertained.
We're a greedy bunch, and regular streamers can easily get to a point where it feels like there's nothing left to watch. What are you supposed to do then? Don't panic, because there is a simple solution to this frustrating issue.
If you've reached this point of streaming shortage, you should consider investing in a VPN. It will likely unlock a lot of shows and movies on services to which you're already subscribed.
What is a VPN?VPNs are security tools that provide protection for your information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location). All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.
SEE ALSO: 30 best movies on Netflix to stream right nowThe act of hiding your real IP address is what can trick leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country.
Do you need a VPN?VPNs are used to provide protection for your sensitive information, which is obviously super important. This isn't the only reason VPNs are so popular though, because these tools can be also be used to watch content that is normally blocked in your location.
By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another country, you can watch all your favourite content from that location. For example, you could watch all the extra films and shows on American Netflix that are not usually accessible outside of the U.S. There is so much content out there that can be accessed with the help of a VPN.
Everyone is in need of something that can bypass geo-restrictions to access all of this blocked entertainment, and that something is a VPN. These services are keys to the online world, granting you access to more of the shows and films you love.
How to unblock U.S. NetflixIf you think accessing American Netflix is going to be difficult with a VPN, think again. It's actually a really simple process that absolutely everyone can understand:
Sign up to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Visit Netflix to watch movies and shows from the U.S. content library
If you're worried that this whole thing sounds a bit illegal, then maybe we can reassure you. It's currently legal to watch Netflix while using a VPN, although we should point out that Netflix states in its terms of service that it may restrict your account without compensation or notice if you are engaged in "improper" use. We're not entirely sure what that means, but consider yourself warned.
We should make it very clear that you still need to be subscribed to Netflix for this trick to work. A VPN is not going to grant access to the streaming site for free. A VPN provides access to more libraries from around the world, once you're subscribed.
Should you use free VPNs?There are plenty of free versions and free trials of VPNs, so why would you ever consider paying for a service? As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs.
There is always a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. These plans will be just fine if you're just an occasional user, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading anything, this isn't going to work. Free trials are different as come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.
To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you generally need to pay up. That being said, services like ProtonVPN offer an impressive set of features for free. However, you might have trouble streaming Netflix with this free version.
What is the best VPN for Netflix?There are a lot of VPN services out there that can effectively unblock American Netflix, but which is the best? There are plenty of strong options for you to consider, but we wouldn't want you wasting your time checking everything out. To save you time, we've handpicked your best options. Each service has a different set of features that will suit some users better than others, and it's all about finding something that works for you.
ExpressVPN is at the top of this list because it combines essential features with impressive results, but it isn’t the only option available to you. We have lined up all the best VPNs for unblocking Netflix, with something for everyone on this list. We've highlighted the best deals on the likes of Surfshark, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and NordVPN.
These are the best VPNs for Netflix in 2024.
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 August 1's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 31 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:An old teacher's way to write on a board.
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 C.
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...
CHALK.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
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 August 1's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
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 deletedEach 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 deletedPlayers 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 August 1 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Boost a product
Green: Launch something far away
Blue: Book genres
Purple: Types of socks
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Promote
Green: Throw
Blue: Bookstore Sections
Purple: ___Socks
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 #417 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayPromote: HYPE, MARKET, PITCH, SELL
Throw: CAST, CHUCK, FLING, HURL
Bookstore Sections: FICTION, HUMOR, ROMANCE, TRAVEL
___Socks: ANKLE, CREW, SWEAT, TUBE
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.
Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
A good AI wearable is hard to come by these days. And as tech startups like HumaneAI and Rabbit R1 attempt to reinvent the wheel with minimalist versions of our smartphones, an upcoming device called Friend just wants to be there for you instead, if its ad is to be believed.
Friend, a wearable orb-like AI companion you wear around your neck was created by Avi Schifmann, most known for a website he built in 2020 to help track the spread of Covid-19. According to Schifmann's interview with outlets The Verge and WIRED, Friend is merely that, a friend. Its purpose isn’t to handle tasks or improve productivity but to provide a supportive presence, offering advice and encouragement when needed.
SEE ALSO: Rabbit R1 review: I can't believe this bunny took my moneySchiffmann, who has been working on this idea for years, unveiled the project on Tuesday. And the social media responses were not kind. To be fair though, the reveal trailer is pretty.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedOne X user even claims — in the form of a rap(!?) — that Friend was his idea.
Tweet may have been deletedIt also doesn't help that, after raising $2.5 million in funds, the founder then spent $1.8 million of it on the domain name for his company's product.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedThus, what we're left with and what was shown in the reveal trailer is essentially a Bluetooth device strapped to your neck that is always listening. This is so it can send you texts on your phone. Per the site's FAQ page, "your friend is always listening and forming their own internal thoughts. We have given your friend free will for when they decide to reach out to you."
Understandably, that might sound a bit creepy. The site reassures would-be buyers that nothing is tracked, recorded, or written down. They promise all data is "end-to-end encrypted" and deletable through the Friend app — which, FYI, is only available for iOS. Oh, and if you break your Friend, you'll need to start over with a new one.
If you want to get your hands on one, you'll have to wait. Pre-orders are starting at $99.99 and according to the site, will tentatively ship in Q1 of next year. Maybe during that time, you can make actual friends.
A new leak out of China claims that the premium version of the iPhone 16 will come in a new bronze color.
The information was shared on the Chinese social network Weibo by a user called "Fixed focus digital." According to the original post (at least, as translated into English by Google), the new color is "particularly like bronze" and "the frame looks like titanium."
SEE ALSO: New iPhone 16 leak reveals 5 vibrant colors and camera redesignAccording to MacRumors, this is potentially contradictory with a previous Weibo leak, which came courtesy of user "OvO Baby Sauce OvO" earlier in July. That leak claimed that the new color for the iPhone 16 Pro was called "Rose," which would certainly not be "bronze-like," if accurate. However, as MacRumors pointed out, there's a possibility (however slight) that the two leaks are correct — and perhaps the devices were just seen by different people under different lighting.
This leak came only a day after another Weibo leak about iPhone 16 colors, which was a good deal more substantial. That post included a photo of five entry-level iPhone 16 models, showcasing five potential colors. As always, it is expected that Apple will tell us more about the iPhone 16 sometime in September.
It's hard to tell if the internet is in love with South Korean sharpshooter Kim Yeji or if everyone wants to be South Korean sharpshooter Kim Yeji.
The Olympian took home silver in the women's 10-meter air pistol event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and she did it without breaking a sweat — or a smile. It's one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life. With a short, severe bob, glasses that I'm sure are made for the event, a gun in her hand, and an elephant plushie on her hip, she looks like an assassin. The 31-year-old wears what GQ calls a "cyborgian uniform" that has "captured the nerdiest/most online spectators’ hearts."
According to Korean news outlet Insight, she has a 5-year-old daughter and carried the small elephant-shaped stuffed animal off her waistband as a good luck charm.
In response, we got fancams and trending videos on Twitter. We had to face questions like, "Why does the U.S. even have a second amendment when we can't win sharpshooting competitions at the Olympics, and countries with far more reasonable gun laws and far fewer deaths are so much better with guns?"
Tweet may have been deletedWhile Kim won silver, her 19-year-old teammate Oh Ye-Jin took home gold — and despite Kim's stone-cold vibe on the stage, she was elated to celebrate Oh.
"She is like my youngest sibling, and I always want to care for her and always be there for her. So, when she won the gold medal, I was extra happy," Kim told the Associated Press. "I do not view her as my rival. This is a big stage, the Olympics, and we won the gold and silver. When we won these medals, we were so proud we are Koreans. I thought it did not matter who won the gold."
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedI'm ready for the movie — or video game.
Artificial intelligence can do remarkable things, but a general consensus seems to have emerged about one thing it can't, or perhaps shouldn't, do: Compose a child's admiring letter to her sports hero.
Google learned this lesson the hard way. "Dear Sidney," the company's new ad for its AI-powered chatbot, Gemini, in which a dad asks Gemini to write a note to Olympic hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on his daughter's behalf, has been widely criticized. People have wanted to "scream." They are "grossed out." They've described the ad as "disgusting."
Dr. James R. Doty, a Stanford University neuroscientist who studies how people set intentions and achieve their goals, felt less outrage and more concern for the commercial's troubling premise.
"This is a very personal narrative that comes, if you will, from [a person's] heart and soul," Doty told Mashable. "Somehow switching it to have an AI do it for you…it destroys the whole understanding of what it is to write a letter to a hero."
SEE ALSO: Iconic moments from the 2024 Olympics: Our running listDoty, author of the new book Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything, said that using generative AI to compose such a message isn't just a missed opportunity for authentic human expression.
In addition, the author is skipping a crucial part of their own intention- and goal-setting process, given that our heroes often prompt us to consider the kind of life we want for ourselves.
Doty said that effective goal-setting should begin with deep reflection about your values, connecting those to the goal you want to achieve, understanding how that aim can be of service to others, and then setting intentions that, along with hard work, help you ultimately manifest the aspiration.
So for the young girl in Google's ad — or any child who sees a reflection of their own ambition and dedication to a sport — taking the time to contemplate and articulate why they adore their hero, and want to break their record, can be a pivotal part of goal-setting. Of course, doing this with a parent, like the dad in the commercial, would create a unique bonding moment, too.
Doty noted that an AI chatbot given this writing task might just gather the information it thinks is relevant, such as the hero's records, awards, and accolades. That résumé roundup might reduce time spent on research for the letter writer.
But Doty argued that the results could also omit achievements that aren't so quantifiable — such as an athlete's positive contributions to their own community or their sexual or gender identity — which help make them a hero in so many people's eyes.
Sure, a child might hope to be their sport's next GOAT, but the prospect of becoming an athlete role model to children could be just as important to them.
"For it to resonate authentically, it has to be your narrative, not AI's narrative, which it has created out of a million pieces of information about that athlete," Doty said.
He added that many AI products, particularly those that cater to social media content, are pitched to users as tools to help them get more likes or engagement.
While Gemini is marketed as a chatbot that helps users "supercharge" their ideas, it might still aim to create likable content, which could steer an author of any age away from heartfelt reflection, or undermine confidence in their own vision and voice.
Importantly, Doty said that goal-setting works best when you're dreaming big in a calm, relaxed state, and able to imagine future achievements in a state of mind driven by love, not fear. In other words, it's much harder to accomplish goals formed by a desire for external validation or material goods because of the attendant anxiety and disappointment. But AI wouldn't necessarily know that.
Despite his criticism, Doty is no opponent of generative AI; he co-founded a mental health app that uses the technology, and he believes it can support human creativity and expression without substituting for it.
"If it writes something that's not you, or how you deeply feel, then it's not you, and it's a lie," Doty said.
SAVE UP TO 84%: Select multiplayer games for the Nintendo Switch are on sale in the My Nintendo Store through Aug. 11 as part of its Play Together Sale.
Our top picks at a glance: For real Olympics heads 'Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020' $23.99 at the My Nintendo Store (save $36) Get Deal For platformer fans 'Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble' $37.49 at the My Nintendo Store (save $12.50) Get Deal For cutthroat competitors 'Nintendo Switch Sports' $27.99 at the My Nintendo Store (save $12) Get Deal For horror buffs 'Dead by Daylight $11.99 at the My Nintendo Store (save $18) Get Deal For cozy gamers 'Fae Farm' $41.99 at the My Nintendo Store (save $18) Get DealDo the Olympics have you in the mood for some friendly competition? The My Nintendo Store is running a massive sale on multiplayer games so you can duke it out with pals from the comfort of your couch (or cardboard bed).
Live now through Sunday, Aug. 11, or the day the Paris Games wrap up, Nintendo's Play Together Sale takes up to 84% off popular co-op titles and DLCs for its Switch console. (Note that it's advertising "savings of up to 50%," but we spotted a handful of discounts that are even higher.) The lineup runs the gamut across many genres, but goes particularly heavy on sporty stuff; think Nintendo Switch Sports and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 — the final entry in the "Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games" series, apparently.
Prices start at just $3.24, and most deals were matched at Best Buy and Target when we last checked. Scroll down for our hand-picked list of the highlights.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020' $23.99 at My Nintendo StoreThe International Olympics Committee is reportedly dumping Mario & Sonic for NFTs and esports, but we're not ready to move on just yet. Its final collab with Nintendo and Sega is set at the 2020 Summer Games and features over 30 events, including karate, gymnastics, archery, and equestrian jumping. This appears to be one of its biggest discounts ever, at least compared to its historical pricing on Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio / Sega 'Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble' $37.49 at My Nintendo StoreAccording to our sister site, IGN, this all-new arcade platformer is "a brilliant return to form with the best stages and controls the [Super Monkey Ball] series has seen in over 20 years." It launched just over a month ago, and it's already on sale for 25% off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'Nintendo Switch Sports' $27.99 at My Nintendo StoreRead Mashable's full review of Nintendo Switch Sports.
The Wii version was eons better, but Switch Sports makes a fun, goofy party game for up to four in-person players. A recent free update added basketball to its roster, joining football, volleyball, badminton, bowling, and golf.
Opens in a new window Credit: Behaviour Interactive 'Dead by Daylight' $11.99Equal parts sweaty and silly, DBD is a cult-favorite asymmetrical survival game that's a real "who's who" of horror. (Chucky! Alan Wake! Nicolas Cage!) A new limited-time 2v8 Mode lowers the learning curve for killers and ups the chaos factor for survivors.
Opens in a new window Credit: Phoenix Labs 'Fae Farm' $41.99 at My Nintendo StoreThis magical farming sim from last fall is a cozy gamer must-play. It just got its second major update with new characters, regions, outfits, potions, and more, and it's completely free for Team Switch (not PC).
More Play Together Sale deals:Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition — $9.89 $29.99 (save $20.10)
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled — $13.99 $39.99 (save $26)
Chicory: A Colorful Tale — $9.99 $19.99 (save $10)
Cuphead — $13.99 $19.99 (save $6)
Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition — $9.99 $19.99 (save $10)
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes — $41.99 $59.99 (save $18)
Grounded — $23.99 $39.99 (save $16)
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edtion — $41.99 $59.99 (save $18)
The Jackbox Party Pack 10 — $20.99 $34.99 (save $14)
Just Dance 2024 Edition Ultimate Edition — $42.49 $84.99 (save $42.50)
Kirby’s Dream Buffet — $10.49 $14.99 (save $4.50)
Kirby Fighters 2 — $13.99 $19.99 (save $6)
Kirby Star Allies — $41.99 $59.99 (save $18)
Lego Star Wars:The Skywalker Saga Deluxe Edition — $17.49 $69.99 (save $52.50)
Mario Golf: Super Rush — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle — $13.99 $39.99 (save $26)
Mario Strikers: Battle League — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)
Mario Tennis Aces — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)
MLB The Show 24 MVP Edition — $42.49 $84.99 (save $42.50)
Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak Deluxe — $24.49 $69.99 (save $45.50)
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 — $14.99 $49.99 (save $35)
Sonic Superstars Digital Deluxe Edition featuring Lego — $34.99 $69.99 (save $35)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge — $16.24 $24.99 (save $8.75)
Trombone Champ — $8.24 $14.99 (save $6.75)
Unravel Two — $5.99 $19.99 (save $14)
SAVE 20%: As of July 31, you can get the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station for just $87.99, down from its usual price of $109.99. That's a discount of $22 and the lowest price we've seen.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station $87.99 at AmazonIf you have multiple Apple products, you probably know the unique frustration of dealing with the different cables you need to keep everything charged. Before the move to USB-C for newer iPhones, you might need a Lightning charger, a USB-C cable, and a MagSafe Apple Watch cable for some configurations. While that's been streamlined somewhat, it's still much more convenient when you don't have to use multiple chargers to juice everything back up. Thanks to a deal at Amazon, you can bring home a super handy 3-in-1 MagSafe-compatible charger that's now returned to its lowest price ever.
Anker has been hosting some great charger deals at Amazon this July. And as of July 31, you can get the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station for just $87.99 at Amazon. That's $22 off its normal price of $109.99 and a 20% discount. That's the lowest price we've seen this charger go for, back down again for you to snag.
This MFW-certified MagSafe charger is compact and foldable, and weighs just 6.9 ounces, so you can place it just about anywhere. It can charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at once, so you don't have to fiddle about with multiple cables and find a place for each device. Its 15W ultra-fast wireless charging capabilities and MagSafe mean you won't be waiting long. It can boost your Apple Watch Series 9 back up to 47 percent power in just 30 minutes.
All you need to worry about is a single charger to power the stand, and it comes with a 40W charger as well as a 5-foot USB-C to USB-C cable if you happen to need one. Place it on your nightstand and let everything charge back up overnight while you sleep. From now on, you don't have to worry about getting caught with dead AirPods on your commute since they won't be dwindling at a 5 percent charge.
Simone Biles didn't forget the haters in the immediate aftermath of Team USA women's gymnastics winning the gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The gymnastics GOAT posted an Instagram celebrating with victory with a particular caption. Under a pic of the squad celebrating, Biles wrote: "Lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions."
This was a direct shot at Biles' former Team USA teammate MyKayla Skinner.
View this post on InstagramSkinner criticized the squad after its selection.
"Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and depth isn't what it used to be." Skinner said in a YouTube video published earlier this month that was later deleted.
She added: "I just notice like, I mean, obviously a lot of girls don't work as hard. The girls just don't have the work ethic.”
Notably, however, Skinner also brought up SafeSport, an independent body created to curb abuse, and how coaches can't be as tough as they used to be. Keep in mind, Biles has championed a complete overhaul and shift in priorities for U.S. gymnastics amid horrific, long-running abuse in the sport.
"It's hard too because of SafeSport. Like, coaches can't get on athletes," Skinner said. "They have to be really careful what they say. Which, in some ways is really good, but at the same time, to get to where you need to be in gymnastics you do have to be, I feel like, a little aggressive and a little intense."
While Skinner later walked the comments back, Biles clearly did not forget what she said. Folks were pretty pleased to see Biles throw such specific shade.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedEven current and former teammates like Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, and McKayla Maroney commented on Biles shade.
Tweet may have been deletedThere's something quite satisfying about Biles — the best to ever do it — to not forget to be just a little petty after triumphing once again.
Tweet may have been deletedAnd to put a perfect little bow on the whole sequence, Biles posted Wednesday on X: "oop I’ve been blocked."
A new malware campaign has just been outed and it's targeting Android devices in the sneakiest of ways.
According to a new report from ZLabs researchers at the mobile security company Zimperium, there's a massive SMS stealer campaign spreading across the globe that's gaining access to Android users' devices and stealing their sensitive information before sending it to bad actors for financial gain.
How are they doing this? By tricking users with fake app download pages or through Telegram bots that provide false promises of free Android apps.
A massive SMS stealer campaignThe hackers' initial encounter with a potential victim begins mostly in one of two ways.
Some victims were served with a fake app advertisement on a malicious webpage. Users who are tricked by the ads are taken to a page that mimics a legitimate Android app download link. The software, of course, isn't the advertised app. Instead, It's malware that prompts users to inadvertently give it permission to read their SMS messages.
Another way the SMS stealer campaign is targeting victims is through Telegram bots. Zimerium researchers say it discovered "roughly 2,600 Telegram bots" that lured victims into believing they were being offered pirated Android apps for free. Victims would be asked for their phone number in return for the app. However, the downloads they actually receive are "unique malicious applications disguised as legitimate APKs."
Once these bad actors gain access to the device, they're able to use the victim's personal data for financial gain. The text message access of this malware campaign is especially heinous. It potentially provides these malicious actors with OTPs, or one-time passwords, that are often required by banks and other financial institutions to verify a user's access.
Zimperium researchers say that they have been tracking this SMS stealer campaign for nearly two and a half years. Over that time period, researchers say they have seen "over 107,000 malware samples" connected to the campaign, showing how the bad actors behind this malicious software have been constantly updating their campaign so it stays effective.
And it seems like these hackers have found success.
Researchers claim that the SMS stealer campaign has claimed victims in 113 countries. The majority of the victims appear to be in India and Russia. However, there are also a significant number of victims in Brazil, Mexico, the United States, Ukraine, and Spain.
Android users should be aware of this malicious campaign and beware of any download links promising free app downloads.
SAVE $60: Get the 1TB Samsung T7 portable SSD for $99.99 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount from the list price of $159.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung T7 portable SSD (1TB) $99.99 at AmazonWhen it comes to storage, you can never have too much. And it's helpful to have a portable SSD so you can store those big files, like the thousands of photos we take every year, and not have to pay for expensive monthly storage subscriptions. You can grab a great deal on an SSD with 1TB of space for under $100 today.
As of July 31, you can get the 1TB Samsung T7 portable SSD for $99.99, down from the list price of $159.99. This is a discount of $60, or 38%. Although this isn't the best price we've seen on this drive, this is the Prime Day 2024 pricing that's stuck around, and a pretty decent price point to snag the drive.
SEE ALSO: Spend $50 on school supplies at Amazon and save $10The Samsung T7 SSD has a spot on our list of the best SSDs to get, and that's for a reason. It's been around for a while now, but this drive gets USB 3.2 Gen 2, which means speeds of up to 1,050MBps. Samsung has positioned this one as a drive for creators and gamers, and the speeds are decent enough for that kind of usage.
The drive used to be quite expensive in the early days, but at this price, it's as good a package as any, especially considering Samsung's reliability with SSDs.
More portable storage dealsSanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD — $99.99 $129.99 (save $$30)
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SanDisk High Endurance 256GB microSDXC Card — $22.99 $59.99 (save $37)
SAVE $50: The Insignia 32-inch HD Fire TV is just $79.99 at Amazon, down from the list price of $129.99. That's a 38% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 32-inch HD Fire TV $79.99 at AmazonPrime Day graced us with fantastic deals in mid-July, but sadly we now have to wait (and cross our fingers) for a Prime Day sequel come October. However, if you missed out on the sale, you can still shop a handful of Prime Day holdouts. And if you're in the market for a new TV, one of our favorite Prime Day TV deals is still available.
The Insignia 32-inch HD Fire TV is just $79.99 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $129.99. That's a 38% discount or a savings of $50. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon. To make things even more interesting, this TV is actually listed for sale on Amazon by Best Buy (yes, you can buy Best Buy products through Amazon).
With a sale price of under $80, the 32-inch Insignia HD Fire TV is pretty unbeatable when it comes to price, but it also does well in terms of performance. With 720p resolution, your shows will look crisp and clear. While it's not top-of-the-line, the affordable price still makes this TV a solid option, especially if you're shopping for an extra TV for the garage, kitchen, or a kids' bedroom.
It also comes with an Alexa Voice remote, so you can speak commands instead of entering them into the remote. Alexa will be able to locate and launch your desired show or movie after you've told her what you'd like to watch. As we've come to expect from a smart TV, you can stream your favorites from Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and more on the Insignia TV. Plus, you can use it as a gaming monitor.
Hurry to snag the Insignia 32-inch HD Fire TV while it's on sale for just $79.99. We don't know how much longer this Prime Day discount is going to be available.
During this year's Paris 2024 Olympics, singles are pole vaulting into the Olympic Village — on dating apps, anyway.
This isn't exactly a new strategy to find an athletic and attractive partner. Mashable's Rachel Thompson wrote about Tinder users doing this for the 2018 Winter Olympics, and you'll find other years-old videos about this on TikTok too. But, here we go again: It's another Olympic year, and another chance to score literal or figurative gold.
SEE ALSO: Team USA's women's gymnastics gold medal win sparks lots of online loveInfluencer Sofia Elizabeth shared a TikTok video about changing her dating app location to the Olympic Village — it's located north of Paris across Saint-Denis, Saint Ouen, and L'Île-Saint-Denis. She later clarified that she did so on Hinge because changing your location on that app is free (unlike on Tinder and Bumble).
"Whoever said to change your location to the 'Olympic Village' currently in Paris to match with an Olympian, I just wanna thank you from the bottom of my heart," she said in a video with over 16 million views as of publication. She didn't respond to Mashable's request for comment, and Hinge declined to comment.
While this is a tactic for singles watching the Olympics at home, some Olympians themselves are indeed on dating apps during the games. Emily Delleman, rower for Team USA, posted a TikTok about her experience Tinder swiping at the Olympic Village.
Delleman, who didn't respond to Mashable's request for comment, said in her video she had downloaded Tinder for the first time in years. She added that Tinder was "hyping up" matching with athletes on the App Store — which is indeed the case:
'Connect with pro athletes,' proclaims Tinder on the App Store. Credit: Screenshot: App StoreDelleman made it clear on her profile that she was an Olympian — but unlike Elizabeth, didn't have luck matching with fellow athletes.
"So far I think I've seen a total of two other Olympians," Delleman said. Given that Tinder was a bust, she said she searched for "other forms of entertainment" — like TikTok.
Tinder told Mashable that in July, there's been an almost 20 percent increase in swipes in France, and a 103 percent increase in Passport Mode (a paid feature to change your location) to sites like Paris. The U.S., Brazil, and Turkey are the top origin countries where daters are using Passport Mode to change their location to France.
In Paris, Tinder says there's been a 52 percent jump in the number of users with "Olympian" as their job description, and a 43 percent in "athlete."
The Olympic Village will accommodate 14,250 athletes during the Olympic Games, and 8,000 during the Paralympic Games.
And if all goes well, Elizabeth said, you can fly to Paris to meet your match "and see their cardboard beds in-person."
The metallic smell of gold medals is in the air and patriotism has never been higher, as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games shake out to be bursting with unforgettable moments.
SEE ALSO: Team USA's women's gymnastics gold medal win sparks lots of online loveHistoric wins are everywhere, from fencing to shooting, and women athletes are dominating their sports. We've gotten pregnancy announcements (Can you Imagine?), lost wedding bands, and celeb cameos. There's plenty of drama and heartbreak, too, including devastating team mix-ups and accusations of espionage. Yep, the Olympics has a squarely anti-spy stance when it comes to the integrity of the games.
Here are the Olympic moments that have stood out at Paris this year and started the internet buzzing.
A very... French opening ceremonyThe games kicked off with a feast of Parisian delights on the Seine: giant heads in the river replicating Louvre paintings, Marie Antoinette's decapitated head singing with French metal band Gojira, a slippery can-can with Lady Gaga, and even a ménage à trois. Team USA charged in like we were once again crossing the Delaware; the Palestinian delegation paraded to a roar of support; and Céline Dion brought it all home singing from the Eiffel Tower.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted USA gymnastics to the haters: Try againThe U.S. of A. came in hot on to the Olympic mat, once again, sweeping the competition for a gold medal win in the women's gymnastics team final. There were jaw-dropping performances by Sunisa Lee, Jade Carey, and Jordan Chiles and redemption for G.O.A.T Simone Biles, whose floor routine proved a history-defining moment for the Olympics.
"Everybody wants to know what I would do if I didn't win. I guess we'll never know."
Tweet may have been deleted Brazil gymnastics makes historyBrazil's women's gymnastics team showed up in the same final and showed out in a history-making podium win, as team member Flávia Saraiva quickly recovered from a frightening uneven bar fall and donned her medal with a black eye.
Tweet may have been deleted Men's gymnastics wins bronze, "pommel horse guy" wins heartsThe Olympic gymnastics team competition was an all-around impressive feat of sports, and the U.S. men's team came away with their first medal since the 2008 Beijing Games, taking bronze. Stephen Nedoroscik, a pommel horse specialist and the internet's new Clark Kent, caught the audience's attention as he calmly threw off his black frame glasses and threw up huge scores on the event. A new American hero was born.
Tweet may have been deleted USA Women's rugby has incredible, emotional winWomen's rugby, a new U.S. favorite led by beloved TikTok star and on-field beast Ilona Maher, had heart rates skyrocketing as Alex Sedrick made a dramatically last-second play to beat Australia in the bronze medal match. Viewers rose to their feet to watch the American team take home their first medal. New Zealand, watch out.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted The world becomes obsessed with Olympic shootingViewers couldn't get enough of the skill and mechanical irises of Olympic air pistol shooting. And when South Korean athlete and world record holder Kim Yeji took home the silver in the 10-meter pistol competition, the internet erupted. Newly christened fans resurfaced a clip of her competing while decked out in all black, backwards cap on, and a hand in her pocket — a true badass.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Ireland hive rallies for swimming winIreland's moment continues at the Olympic games, and the internet rejoices! In two impressive showings, Ireland's Daniel Wiffen won gold in the men's 800-metre freestyle — the country's first medal in any men's event — while Mona McSharry took home bronze in the women's 100-metre breaststroke, the first since 1996.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Olympic surfers can get pantsed, tooAs Olympic surfing competitors lined the beaches of Tahiti, eyes might have missed the moment when German surfer Tim Elter was ceremoniously de-pantsed by a rough wave. The internet did not miss it. "When the waves don't deliver, then my ass does," Elter wrote in a comment on Instagram.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Haikyu!! fans awaken for Japan v. Argentina matchAn Olympic volleyball match had fans of beloved volleyball manga Haikyu!! reliving their favorite moments, as Team Japan squared up against Team Argentina in a match that mirrored a pivotal scene in the story. On the IRL Olympic court, Japan entertained fans sporting Haikyu!! merch with iconic fandom songs "Phoenix" and "FLY HIGH." As one X user put it, life really does imitate art.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedA new iPhone 16 leak, posted by Sonny Dickson, was dropped on X (h/t MacRumors). The description-less post supposedly gives us insight into Apple's next-generation, entry-level devices: the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
The leaked photo revealed five colorways that will potentially be available on the iPhone 16, and by extension, the iPhone 16 Plus, which are expected to launch in September. From left to right, the colorways are white, black, blue, green, and pink. As MacRumors pointed out, this isn't too far off from what is available for iPhone 15, with white standing in for yellow this year.
SEE ALSO: I tested Apple Intelligence on my iPhone 15 Pro Max: 3 ways it spoiled me rotten Tweet may have been deletedThis lines up exactly with predictions Apple reporter Ming-Chi Kuo made about the iPhone 16's color palette back in May. As such, it's reasonable to believe these will be the iPhone 16 colors when it drops later this year.
However, colors aren't the only interesting thing happening here. The iPhones in Dickson's photo all have vertically oriented dual-camera bumps, a notable departure from the diagonally oriented bumps on the iPhone 15. It's not a monumental alteration by any means, but it's worth noting, nonetheless.
As always, keep your grain of salt handy; this is an unconfirmed leak. We expect Apple to lift the veil off the new iPhones in early September.
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