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TL;DR: The Stamina Deluxe Conversion II Recumbent Bike and Rower is available for $675.97 (reg. $1,399) for a limited time.
Maintaining peak cardiovascular fitness and building strength are essential to a healthy lifestyle. The Stamina Deluxe Conversion II Recumbent Bike and Rower offers a practical solution for achieving these goals.
With its versatile design and effective workout capabilities, it's on sale for just $675.97 (reg. $1,399). It's a great way to get your workouts in from the comfort of your own home. It even has a foldable frame for storage and wheels to make it more portable.
Rowing is known for being one of the most effective forms of exercise, engaging multiple muscle groups simultaneously. This low-impact workout targets your arms, legs, core, and back, helping to build strength and improve cardiovascular health without putting excessive strain on your joints. It features eight levels of magnetic resistance.
It also works as a recumbent bike and provides more of an aerobic challenge in a reclined position. This versatility means you can switch between rowing and cycling, adding variety to your fitness routine and targeting different muscle groups.
The seat and seat back are made of molded foam for added comfort. There are also pedal straps to keep your feet safely on the machine.
The Stamina's LCD monitor gives you quick access to important information during your workout. It shows you speed, distance, time, calories burned, and pulse, which is available through the hand pulse sensors on the grips.
You'll get access to the mv smart audio coaching app with purchase. It offers a mix of cardio, strength, and flexibility training.
This an excellent investment for those serious about improving their fitness without joining a gym.
Don't miss the Stamina Deluxe Conversion II Recumbent Bike and Rower for $675.97 (reg. $1,399).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Stamina Home Fitness Stamina Deluxe Conversion II Recumbent Bike/Rower $675.97 at The Mashable ShopThere was a unique terror to realizing you'd been bumped out of a friend's top-eight on Myspace. Long before Twitter likes, Facebook statuses, or Instagram boyfriends, this early form of social media ushered millennials into a DIY HTML platform where you could share your likes, diary entries, and photos while also ruthlessly ranking your friends. This unique generational anxiety is captured with brilliant wit and poignancy in Didi.
The directorial debut of writer/director Sean Wang, Didi is a coming-of-age story that feels personal while avoiding the pitfalls of self-mythologizing or navel-gazing. The premise of a 13-year old Taiwanese American boy learning to be true to himself and nicer to his mother might sound a bit austere. Far from indulgent or meandering, it's radiantly vulnerable and utterly electrifying.
Wang rejects sentimentality and nostalgia, embracing a ruthlessly authentic look back at being a teen in the days of MySpace and AIM. More than just set dressing, these online elements offer an unguarded access to the fickle thoughts and reckless impulses of a teen desperate to be seen but terrified of being perceived. But there's much more to Didi than Wang's mindful employment of antique social media.
Didi is about the summers that define us. Credit: Focus Features / Talking Fish Pictures, LLCIt's the summer of 2008 in the cozy Northern California town of Fremont. Kids are throwing parties, flirting in parks, and skateboarding wherever they can. In the midst of all this is Chris Wang (Izaac Wang, Raya and the Last Dragon), who begins the summer by navigating the nightmare terrain of a boy/girl pool party. Didi won't deliver the soul-shaking secondhand embarrassment of Bo Burnham's heralded coming-of-age summer drama Eighth Grade. Nor will it reach the lunacy of the 2000s-set buddy sitcom PEN15. Instead, Wang charts a course all his own by exploring the warring identities of its young hero through his many names.
Among his school friends, who are all Asian, he goes by Wang Wang, and he's a foul-mouthed goofball, game for anything. At home, he is Didi, which in Mandarin is a pet name meaning Little Brother. There he vacillates between being playful with his finger-wagging grandmother Nai Nai (Chang Li Hua), mercurial to his devoted mom Chungsing (Joan Chen), and in squawking battles with his surly older sister Vivian (Shirley Chen). But when he befriends some older skaters — most of whom are white — he code-switches, introducing himself as Chris and eagerly insisting he can be the "filmer" to capture their sick moves on video, so they might score a skateboarding sponsorship. (The dream of '00s teens before the rise of influencers!) Meanwhile, his AIM handle is Bigwang510.
So, when he gets some much-yearned-for face time with his crush Madi (Mahaela Park), this kid on the brink of high school is not sure how to introduce himself. He fumbles, telling her his name is Chris but that his friends call him Wang Wang. When Madi asks what she should call him, it's not an easy answer — because who will he be to her?
Izaac Wang leads a terrific ensemble. Credit: Focus Features / Talking Fish Pictures, LLCThe child actors of Didi had to be taught about T9 word, the antiquated texting tool demanded by old-school flip phones equipped with only 9 keys. But they show no struggles embodying the '00s-era dialogue of gleeful juvenalia with barbs like, "Your mom is gay," and the hushed (and hilarious) response, "Dude — his mom has cancer!" In these frantic exchanges, Wang welcomes us back into the teen world, where talk about dental braces and dead squirrels can make or break friendships.
Here's where AIM and Myspace come into play. When a group hang gets messy, Wang Wang worries his best friend Fahad (Raul Dial) has outgrown him. In the instant messenger window, he types, "Are we still friends?" but doesn't hit send. Admittedly, it's a cliche to have a character type out the feelings they can't say aloud, but it's a cliche for a reason. Who among us hasn't started to text someone and then second-guessed hitting send?
Across Wang Wang's countenance, there are flickers of frustration, sadness, and anxiety. But at his fingertips is technology that allows him to express what he can't bring himself to say out loud. A similarly revealing exchange with Madi over AIM ends with him blocking her instead of admitting his own vulnerabilities. These repressions fester into outbursts against his mom, where he's so sharp that even his new friends question why he's being so mean. Something's got to give, and even as we witness Wang Wang deliver some snarling burns and unfair insults, you can't help but root for him to figure himself out — and hug his mom!
Didi is a must-see coming-of-age movie, an instant classic. Credit: Focus Features / Talking Fish Pictures, LLCThe way Wang weaves these elements of technology with his hero's rocky self-discoveries is elegantly done, even when the journey is purposefully not. There's a suitable chaos to Didi that reflects the tumultuousness of the teen mind. One moment Wang Wang is a loving goofball, playing the fool to make his friends and family laugh. The next, he's a sparkler of rage and recrimination, setting off fiery remarks until he runs out of fuel. Then he seems on the brink of an emotional breakthrough — or breakdown. And all of it is achingly raw and relatable.
Wang doesn't idealize or sanitize his teen characters, and thus they feel unflinchingly real. It's hard not to think of Eighth Grade or Minding the Gap or Skate Kitchen while watching Wang Wang, as each of these excellent movies explore the heady joys and crushing despair of being young and impressionable. But Didi doesn't pale in comparison to any of these. Instead, it feels like a part of their friend group, vibrant in spirit, agonizing in anxiety, and cathartic in its journey. But most of all, like these other critically heralded films, Didi is unforgettable.
When I first walked away from the film, I was charmed. But I also haven't been able to shake it. Be it the joltingly authentic performances of its young ensemble, the shrewd edit that throws audiences back into '00s chat rooms and all the drama they entail, or the frenzied excitement that bursts through in Wang Wang's revels, my mind went back again and again, making me laugh and cringe once more.
In the end, Didi isn't just a good coming-of-age movie or a great coming-of-age movie. Didi is unquestionably one of the most poignant and very best movies of the year.
From the mind of Rose Glass (writer/director of 2020 standout Saint Maud) comes the "gnarly masterpiece" Love Lies Bleeding. It stars Kristen Stewart, newcomer Katy O'Brian, Ed Harris, Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, and Dave Franco sporting mullets, perms, and all things inherently '80s. A twisted romance that is "as harrowing as it is tender" and "as horny as it is horrifying," as Mashable film editor Kristy Puchko put it, Love Lies Bleeding has earned a top spot on our list of the best films of 2024. And now it's officially available to stream at home.
Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Love Lies Bleeding.
What is Love Lies Bleeding about?Set in New Mexico in the '80s, Love Lies Bleeding follows the kismet relationship between loner gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) and amateur bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O'Brian), who is headed through town to Vegas in pursuit of her dream: dominating a bodybuilding competition. What follows is a lethally loyal love that ignites violence and pulls them deep into the dangerous web of Lou's criminal family.
"There are movies that grab you by the throat. There are movies that punch you in the gut. Love Lies Bleeding is both, and I fucking love it," Mashable's Kristy Puchko writes in her review.
Take a sneak peek at the trailer:
Is Love Lies Bleeding worth watching?After Challengers, we've named Love Lies Bleeding the best movie of 2024 (so far) — and other critics largely agree. On Rotten Tomatoes, the Rose Glass-directed movie has earned a "certified fresh" 94 percent critic rating and 82 percent audience rating. It wasn't exactly a box office hit or anything, pulling in just $12.5 million total worldwide, but it was also a limited release. Plus, box office numbers aren't always reliable.
As Mashable's film editor put it, "Love Lies Bleeding is a gnarly masterpiece, and you're gonna want to see it on a big screen with the best sound system possible."
Read our full review of Love Lies Bleeding.
Is Love Lies Bleeding streaming?Love Lies Bleeding officially hit streaming on July 19, about four months after it made its theatrical debut. Max is the streaming home of new A24 theatrical releases, so the Kristen Stewart film joins other recent flicks like The Iron Claw and Problemista on the service. Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but there are some ways you can save some money on your plan. Check out the deals below.
Best Max streaming dealsBest Max streaming deal for most people: Save 16% on Max with ads annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max (with ads) yearly subscription $99.99 per year (save 16%) Watch NowIf you don't mind ads, a Max monthly subscription will cost you $9.99 per month. You can easily sign up for a single month and watch Love Lies Bleeding as many times as you want, then cancel before you're charged for another month. However, if you're in it for the long haul, you can save some money by signing up for an annual plan instead. It costs $99.99 per year, which breaks down to just $8.33 per month instead. That's 16% cheaper than paying monthly, but you'll have to pay it in full upfront.
Best Max deal with no ads: Save 16% on a Max Ad-Free annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max Ad-Free annual subscription $169.99 per year (save 16%) Watch NowFor an ad-free viewing experience, you have two options: Max Ad-Free and Max Ultimate Ad-Free. The basic Max Ad-Free plan costs $16.99 per month, while Max Ultimate goes for $20.99 per month. If you choose to pay upfront for the year, however, it'll cost you just $169.99 per year (about $14.17 per month) or $209.99 per year (about $17.50 per month) instead. That's a total savings of 16% on either plan.
Note: Both tiers offer an ad-free viewing experience, but the Ultimate tier steps things up with 4K Ultra HD video quality and Dolby Atmos immersive audio.
Best Max deal for Cricket customers: Free Max with ads for customers on the $60/month unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: Cricket / Max Max (with ads) Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month plan Watch NowCricket Wireless customers on the $60 per month unlimited plan are blessed with Max with ads for free. That's a $99.99 per year value for zero dollars. Just head over to the Max app or navigate to Max.com on a browser, choose Cricket as your provider, and enter your credentials to log in. Then you can watch Love Lies Bleeding and plenty of other A24 films whenever you want. Check out the terms and conditions on Cricket's website to learn more.
Best Max deal for students: Save 50% on Max with ads monthly for one year Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max Student $4.99 per month for 12 months Get DealCollege students can score Max with ads for 50% off for an entire year. That drops the price down to just $4.99 per month. You'll just have to verify your student status using UNiDAYS, which will give you a unique discount code. Then head back over to Max and redeem your code to stream for half the usual cost.
Best bundle deal: Get Max, Disney+, and Hulu for 35% off Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu / Max Disney+, Hulu, and Max $16.99 per month (with ads), $29.99 per month (no ads) Get DealWhile obviously not the cheapest option for watching Love Lies Bleeding, you can get more bang for your buck in the long run by bundling Max with Hulu and Disney+. This new bundle offers all three services with ads for only $16.99 (reg. $25.97) per month — that's 35% in savings. You could also sign up for the ad-free option and get all three for $29.99 per month (reg. $48.97), a savings of 38%.
More ways to watch Love Lies Bleeding at homeIf you'd rather not sign up for another streaming service, you can also rent or purchase Love Lies Bleeding on video-on-demand sites like Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home (Vudu), and more. Rentals are available for 30 days and once you start watching, you'll have to finish it within 48 hours. Purchases are yours for the long haul to watch however often you wish.
As of April 26, you can purchase and rent the film at the following retailers:
Prime Video — buy for $18.49, rent for $4.49 for Prime members
Apple TV — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99
YouTube — buy for $19.99, rent starting at $4.99
The Marvel Cinematic Universe may have begun in 2008 with Iron Man, a billionaire playboy genius and philanthropist who fights injustice. But over the course of 16 years and over 30 movies, the MCU has not only brought scads of comic book heroes and villains to theaters; it also changed the landscape of Hollywood releases as we know it.
Looking back, it's dizzying to recall all the details of the adventures and disasters of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Panther, the Hulk, Doctor Strange, Ant-Man, Spider-Man, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel, and their ever-expanding ensemble. But for whenever you want to delve into a rewatch, we've got your back with this guide to the good, great, and the ugly.
With Deadpool & Wolverine hitting theaters, we've updated our ranking of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, factoring in epic action, crackling comedy, wowing star power, and harrowing disappointments.
Here are the MCU movies ranked worst to best.
34. Iron Man 2 (2010) Get out of the doughnut. (Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man.) Credit: MarvelA tepid followup to the sleek brilliance of Iron Man, the sequel gives us a sinister yet funny Mickey Rourke but does the franchise no favors with its creative decisions. We meet Black Widow, but not without some classic 2010 misogyny, which is the root problem with Iron Man 2. The first film was all about Tony's growth as a person, and the second doesn't let him mature nearly as much. There's still a long road before this is the Tony we see in Endgame, but it's too slow on that path. — Proma Khosla, Entertainment Reporter
33. The Incredible Hulk (2008)Sure, it's part of the MCU canon, but The Incredible Hulk was so aggressively meh that its title character got recast and was only made palatable by The Avengers. Since it's not an origin story, we don't get to watch Edward Norton as Bruce Banner becoming the Hulk; he already is. We don't watch him fall in love with Betty (Liv Tyler), because he already is. What we do get is a lot of the big green guy getting angry, which may have been cool in 2008 but pales compared to the visual effects that followed.— P.K.
SEE ALSO: How 'She-Hulk' beat its toxic haters by making them the villains 32. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)Ultron has a lot of good moments but is not overall a good movie. It's sloppy and it drags, even with ambitious action sequences in Sokovia, and it struggles to build Ultron's disdain for humanity. The main Avengers have a fun dynamic — look no further than the party scene at Stark Tower — but the new characters don't fit in (especially since X-Men: Days of Future Past basically owns Quicksilver). Black Widow, at the time robbed of a solo movie, gets a disproportionate consolation prize of becoming Hulk's girlfriend and a woman defined by her biology. — P.K.
31. Thor: The Dark World (2013)The Dark World brings back Natalie Portman as Jane, yet even as the physical host of a literal Infinity Stone, she's somehow underutilized. There's a lot of levity, particularly between Thor and Loki, and a surprising amount of gravity in Loki's "death" — which is once again undone before the movie ends. Oh, and some dude named Malekith is mad... Don't worry about it. — P.K.
30. Eternals (2021) Credit: Marvel StudiosWith no familiar faces and little connection to the wider MCU, Eternals had a gargantuan task set forth from the start. Helmed by Oscar–winner Chloé Zhao, the film introduces no less than a dozen new characters, a rushed history of their cosmic presence on Earth, an apocalyptic threat in the form of Earth becoming a Celestial, and an explanation for how the entire Marvel Universe was created. It's sometimes slow, sometimes muddled, and a little too enthralled with its white male antihero — but it's also a visual feast, a huge victory for representation, and a banger of a soundtrack. — P.K.
SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know before watching Marvel's 'Eternals' 29. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) Credit: Marvel StudiosThe third installment of the Ant-Man movies committed the crime of forgetting to be funny. Instead, the wackiest Avenger (Paul Rudd) was wedged into a convoluted plot and pounded with eyesore CGI by Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), a MCU villain who fell far short of dazzling us with his dastardliness. Not even Michelle Pfeiffer as a badass superheroine could save this stinker. As I wrote in our review, "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has big stars, quirky cameos, action sequences, world-building, and even — on rare occasions — punchlines. But it's barely a movie, pulling threads together for a grander scheme of merchandizing and cross-promotion over character-based storytelling." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
28. Doctor Strange (2016)Iron Man minus the charisma, it took five years for Marvel to retread this territory and make Strange interesting in time for Phase 4. Benedict Cumberbatch is great, but he's always great, so let's not give out free brownie points. Strange received appropriate flack for whitewashing Asian characters and lore for the story, and tragically sidelines Rachel McAdams in every way. Visuals: Yes. Everything else: Meh. — P.K.
27. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) Credit: Marvel StudiosWriter/director James Gunn returns to the helm of the spin-off film series he began with 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy. But post-Snap, these rock-loving rascals who race through the universe on misadventures have become way less fun.
In Vol. 3, once-plucky Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) is in mopey, drunken mourning. Wise-cracking Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) is out of commission after an assault from newcomer baddie Adam Warlock (Will Poulter). Meanwhile, the rest of the crew must drag their captain around on a series of heists to save their ailing furry friend. Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) offer solid laughs, and big bad The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) brings a vivacious villain into play. However, Gunn has bogged down his plot with bummer elements, including eugenics, genocide, and a shocking amount of animal abuse and gore. If you're seeking humor and rollicking fun, keep looking. As I wrote in our full review of the film, "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 is a major disappointment." — K.P.
26. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)Writer/director Taika Waititi and leading man Chris Hemsworth made magic with Thor: Ragnarok, leaning into the God of Thunder’s lovable himbo vibe to create a rock 'n' roll romp. But when they reteamed for this fourth installment of the Thor franchise, the fun was sacrificed to a grim plotline of kidnapping, god-killing, and cancer.
On the plus side, Thor: Love and Thunder brought Natalie Portman back to the MCU as a brawny female Thor, cast Christian Bale in a grizzly villain role that he giddily sunk his teeth into, and tossed in a rowdy Russell Crowe for good measure. But amid the screaming goats and rumbling action sequences, Love and Thunder had an overstuffed plot that undercut its emotional moments, some notable wasted opportunities, and a happy ending that was far more forced than feel-good. It’s not Dark World bad, but it sure ain’t good. — K.P.
25. The Marvels (2023)Directed by Candyman helmer Nia DaCosta, this sequel to Captain Marvel brings together that eponymous heroine (Brie Larson), Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), and WandaVision's Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) for a star-trekking quest to save the universe from yet another rampaging alien conqueror (Zawe Ashton). Worlds and tones collide, making for an uneven romp through action sequences, far-flung planets, and a winsome duet featuring K-drama star Park Seo-joon. Plus, there's a fleet of cuddly, creepy space cats. But for all the fun these treats and rising star Vellani brings, The Marvels feels too rushed, wonky, and fitfully brooding to be truly stellar. — K.P.
SEE ALSO: 'The Marvels' mid-credit scene features two extra special cameos 24. Thor (2011)Thor isn't a top Marvel movie, but it's a classic fish-out-of-water story that teases how much fun this character will be in time. The film also gives us our first dose of Loki, one of Marvel's best villains to this day. It's easy to forget the magnetism and subtlety of Hiddleston's original performance, and Thor is one of Loki's best arcs: The sensitive sibling growing up in Thor's shadow and coming to terms with the truth about his past.
(Also, Chris Hemsworth's eyebrows are blonde, and it's terrible.) — P.K.
23. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly) and Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) are both lovely people. Credit: Ben Rothstein / Marvel StudiosIn some ways, Ant-Man and the Wasp is more even-keeled and sure-footed than its predecessor. It delivers zippy action, tons of laughs, and the nicest cast of characters we've ever seen in the MCU. Mostly this movie is just so sweet, whether it's Scott bending over backwards to impress his darling daughter or Hope and Hank going to great lengths in memory of Janet. Oh, and speaking of Hope, she more than holds her own as the MCU movies' first true leading lady. — Angie Han, Deputy Entertainment Editor
22. Iron Man 3 (2013)Iron Man 3 lets Tony get vulnerable as he faces his post-Avengers PTSD. The film gives ample time to guest stars Rebecca Hall, Guy Pearce, and Ty Simpkins, all the while remaining true to Tony's internal struggle and getting in a few CGI battles. The Mandarin reveal is fun (more fun as of 2021), even if Killian is still a boring baddie. — P.K.
21. Captain Marvel (2019) Brie Larson stars as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, the first female superhero to headline a Marvel movie. Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel StudiosEven with the weight of Avengers: Endgame on its shoulders, Captain Marvel is primarily an origin story, and the MCU does those damn well, even if this isn't the best one. We meet the staggeringly powerful Carol Danvers, a Kree warrior with the ability to save the universe. Brie Larson and a fabulous cast make Marvel’s first solo female superhero outing one for the ages — a film that also doubles as the Nick Fury origin story we didn't know we needed, and a star-making debut for Goose the "cat." — P.K.
SEE ALSO: Why I love, love, love 'Captain Marvel' and everything it stands for 20. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)This sequel to the stupendous 2018 hit Black Panther had a massive challenge in that the untimely death of its would-be leading man, Chadwick Boseman, demanded a script overhaul. Set in a Wakanda still grieving the loss of King T'Challa, Black Panther 2 smartly wove the weight of grief into its story, exploring mourning and legacy while setting up a thrilling new foe and sea-salty adventure. Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, and Danai Gurira reprise their roles, while Dominique Thorne and Tenoch Huerta join the cast as kid genius Riri Williams and underwater overlord Namor.
By bringing in big emotions alongside big action, co-writer/director Ryan Coogler and company do right by the franchise Boseman once shouldered. So, while this MCU offering satisfies on stunts and spectacle, it'll also leave you teary-eyed. And we're not mad at that. — K.P.
SEE ALSO: #RecastTChalla campaign is not what you think 19. Black Widow (2021) Natasha's (Scarlett Johansson) fight poses in "Black Widow" are made fun of by Yelena (Florence Pugh). Credit: Jay Maidment / Marvel StudiosMarvel's unexpected two-year movie draught ended with a long-overdue solo outing for Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) that takes place between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. After years of grand-scale alien battles and CGI battle set pieces, Black Widow was a welcome throwback to human beings just beating the heck out of each other, with nary an alien, wizard, or android in sight. Natasha's surrogate family (Rachel Weisz, David Harbour, and an utterly charming Florence Pugh) leave a lasting impression in a film worthy of the MCU's first heroine. — P.K.
18. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) Credit: Jay Maidment / 20th Century Studios / MARVELThe first Deadpool movie since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox — and with it, much more Marvel IP — Deadpool & Wolverine teased a showdown comic book fans have been craving for ages. (Or at least since X-Men: Origins: Wolverine shit the bed in a disastrous fashion.)
Directed by Shawn Levy (Free Guy), this sequel saw the worlds of Deadpool 2 and Logan collide, bringing in familiar faces and new additions, like the vicious Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) and the diabolical Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin). But best of all was the reunion of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as the titular twosome. While the movie wasn't as daring as we hoped for a Deadpool movie, this threequel was still undeniably a deranged blast, packed with bonkers action, wild jokes, and jaw-dropping surprises. — K.P.
17. Ant-Man (2015)Kudos to this film for bringing us Paul Rudd in the MCU, the thing you didn't know you needed. Rudd lends dimension and heart to his performance as Scott Lang, a reformed criminal and father to an adorable little girl. His chemistry with Evangeline Lilly crackles (even if they saved her good stuff for the sequel), and Scott's everyman persona makes him an irresistible addition to the hero roster. Michael Peña shines as Scott's best friend, and Corey Stoll seems born to be a villain, even though it's Michael Douglas as Hank Pym who steals the show with his embittered quest for revenge. — P.K.
16. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) A trip to Europe changes everything for MJ (Zendaya) and Spider-Man (Tom Holland) in "Spider-Man: Far From Home." Credit: Marvel Studios / SonyFar From Home officially ends the Infinity Saga with a smaller-scale story about Peter Parker finding his place in a post-Tony Stark world. Highlights include Tom Holland hitting yet another Spidey performance out of the park, Jake Gyllenhaal as a pitch-perfect Mysterio, and the best trippy CGI battle yet seen in the MCU (sorry, Doctor Strange). It’s not the best solo Marvel movie ever, but Far From Home does a lot of good work by closing one door and opening a new universe of possibilities. — P.K.
15. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)The most ambitious team-up since Avengers: Endgame sees Peter Parker tangling with space and time, only to have Doctor Strange unleash a spell that accidentally rips open the multiverse. Spider-Man fans received an unimaginable treat, with resurgent villains from Sam Raimi's early 2000s trilogy and Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man movies — as well as previous incarnations of the heroes themselves reprising their web-slinging roles. It's not higher on this list because of some glaring plot holes, but it's where it is because everything else sticks the landing.
SEE ALSO: The best 'No Way Home' surprise had nothing to do with Spider-ManDespite the spectacle of returns and reunions, No Way Home is an emotional powerhouse, its great responsibility resting on the shoulders of Tom Holland but shared with Zendaya’s MJ, Marisa Tomei's May, and both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield as older, wiser Peters. Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin is a standout, and while the movie's stakes are a little questionable, the ending undoubtedly raises them for Peter Parker’s MCU future. — P.K.
14. Avengers: Infinity War (2018) It's a teamup of epic proportions for "Avengers: Infinity War." Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel StudiosFor years, it all led up to this: Almost every Marvel hero you can think of joining forces against the biggest threat this universe has ever faced. Infinity War is enormous in scope and spirit, with the budget to match its astronomical ambitions. And in its final moments, it packs a punch worthy of Thanos' golden-gloved fist. If we have one complaint, it's that this feels like half a movie — and many of us had to wait a year until Endgame. — A.H.
13. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Cheer up, Groot, we've got some good news for you. "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" is great. Credit: Marvel Studios / DisneyFans didn't have any exorbitant expectations of GotG Vol. 2, especially when low expectations yielded such joy for the first film. Here we get Peter meeting his biological father Ego, fighting with his friends over said father's intentions, and mocked by those same friends for his crush on Gamora, as exposed by Mantis. We also get loads of Baby Groot, who thawed many a stone-cold heart, and the surprise emotional gut-punch of Yondu at the end. — P.K.
12. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) Credit: Marvel Studios 2022Long before Iron Man hit, Sam Raimi was shaping the superhero genre with his wacky and wild Spider-Man trilogy. So, it was frightfully fitting that this pioneering helmer returned to take Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to bizarre new universes. Embracing the strange, this outrageous sequel offered goopy monsters, a bonkers buddy-cop vibe, kooky cameos, a fun eff-you to fan service, a vicious villain turn, and a magical cloak made of damned spirits, worn by an undead Doctor. This one polarized critics, with some celebrating Raimi bringing his weirdness to the MCU machine, while others fretted this massive franchise tamed the Evil Dead director’s aesthetic. But fans were freaking out over the devious delights of Raimi's brand of horror and havoc, like ripping a beloved character to ribbons and finally bestowing on Elizabeth Olsen the meaty Scarlet Witch twist she'd been begging for. The result may be chaotic, but amid all the mayhem, there's plenty of madcap fun. — K.P.
SEE ALSO: The maddest things in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,' ranked 11. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) Xialing (Meng’er Zhang), Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), and Katy (Awkwafina) battle for the future of humanity in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings." Credit: Courtesy of Marvel StudiosCynics expected Marvel’s first theater-exclusive film in over two years to fail. It introduced brand-new characters as well as a dense mythology and an unknown lead. Not to mention, a good chunk of it is in Mandarin. The movie ended up shattering box office records and being one of the best MCU stand-alones in a long time, with huge stakes, rich characters, and transfixing family drama. Its jaw-dropping action sequences flex some of the best fight choreography in the MCU and Hollywood at large (bus battle, anyone??). Simu Liu belongs in the MCU, and we can't wait to see more of him in future phases. Can we find a way to get more Tony Leung too? — P.K.
10. Captain America: Civil War (2016) Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) face irreconcilable differences in "Captain America: Civil War." Credit: Marvel StudiosCivil War could be a tighter movie, but it's doing a hell of a lot. Picking up with the fallout of Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, this movie thoroughly interrogates the toll of our heroes' adventures and divides them harshly on how to move forward. Black Panther and Spider-Man make epic MCU debuts, while secondary Avengers like Vision, Scarlet Witch, and Ant-Man still get their moments. The final fight is brutal as Cap and Tony come close to actually killing each other, and don't even reconcile before the credits roll. — P.K.
9. Avengers: Endgame (2019)The final chapter of the Infinity Saga and of three phases, 22 movies, and 11 years of the MCU stuck the landing and made it look easy. We might spend years griping about time travel or lamenting the last moments between Steve and Bucky, but the simple facts are that Endgame hit an impressive number of emotional beats, including near-perfect conclusions for multiple O.G. Avengers. It's a heist, a love story, and everything magnificent about the MCU, and we love it 3000. — P.K.
SEE ALSO: A cheat sheet for Marvel newbies about to see 'Avengers: Endgame' 8. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)It's crazy to think that early trailers of Guardians looked silly when its rock 'n' roll comedy thrill ride model is now the template for action movie promos. We didn't expect much from Guardians in any capacity; we had our avengers, our non-MCU Spider-Man reboot, yet here was this group of ragtag space trash in a movie that was so much better than it had any right to be. Chris Pratt may have debuted his six-pack, but more importantly, he and the cast set a new standard for comedy and chemistry in the MCU and all superhero movies. — P.K.
7. Iron Man (2008)As both the dawn of the MCU and the second coming of Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man shocked audiences who forgot superhero movies could be good (this was a year after Spider-Man 3). Downey is the perfect hubristic Tony Stark, an arrogant billionaire sobered by becoming a prisoner of war. It was a fun version of 2005's Batman Begins, with sex and expensive gadgetry to supplant the mask and the brooding, and it holds up. — P.K.
6. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) "Captain America: The First Avenger" introduces us to a kid from Brooklyn who never backed down from a fight. Credit: Marvel / Paramount / Kobal / ShutterstockThe Star-Spangled man with a plan was once a scrappy kid from Brooklyn, until a biological experiment made him swole extremely strong. With the help of Peggy Carter, Abraham Erskine, Howard Stark, and his day-one pal Bucky Barnes, Steve becomes the kind of hero people remember for decades, even while he's off literally cooling his heels in the Arctic. From Red Skull to the Howling Commandos to Bucky's heartbreaking fall and that adrenaline-fueled first kiss, The First Avenger hits all the right marks. — P.K.
5. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) Tom Holland's Spider-Man debuted in "Captain America: Civil War," but "Spider-Man: Homecoming" really lets him shine. Credit: Marvel Studios / SonyAfter introducing Tom Holland as the MCU's Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War, this Peter Parker got to standout in his first solo movie, and it was an absolute delight. Co-writer/director Jon Watts combined the low-stakes high school drama of crushes and crushing embarrassment with a high-stakes battle against Michael Keaton's blue-collared supervillain, the Vulture. Add in Marisa Tomei, Jacob Batalon, Donald Glover, and Zendaya in charismatic supporting turns, and you've got a coming-of-age movie that is as charming as it is pulse-pounding. — K.P.
4. Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Taika Waititi's "Thor: Ragnarok" is a huge tone shift for the character — and it's perfect. Credit: Jasin Boland / MarvelIt took the better part of a decade (and the disaster that was Thor 2), but Marvel finally figured out who Thor was with Thor: Ragnarok. Director Taika Waititi puts Chris Hemsworth's considerable comedy chops to good use, resulting in a version of the character that feels fresher and looser than anything we've seen before.
Toss in some stellar work by Jeff Goldblum, Cate Blanchett, and Tessa Thompson, plus the return of Tom Hiddleston as Loki and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk, and you've got the most entertaining Thor movie yet. — P.K.
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" works because it's a genre movie at its core. Credit: Zade Rosenthal / MarvelThe MCU had S.H.I.E.L.D. infiltrated by Hydra and completely changed the game for the Avengers' alliance. Winter Soldier sets the stage for Cap and Iron Man's feud in Civil War, and for Steve and Bucky's love affair renewed friendship. It charmingly and skillfully introduces Falcon and has no less than four fighting female characters, none of whom functions as a love interest. Winter Soldier isn't trapped in one genre; it's a spy thriller disguised as a superhero movie and all the better for it. — P.K.
2. The Avengers (2012)With this team-up, the MCU cemented itself as a force to be reckoned with.
The combined star power of Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, and Tom Hiddleston was dazzling. But this rousing narrative also showcased the complicated dynamics of the Avengers, their distinctive strengths and weaknesses, as well as the glory of Loki. The Marvel movies would go on to struggle to create a villain whose charms stood up to their dashing heroes, and the fan fervor for Hiddleston's spin on the god of mischief was so intense he'd not only be resurrected (repeatedly) but also would get his own spin-off series. From heroes to foes, The Avengers has been epic entertainment for over a decade and counting. — K.P.
1. Black Panther (2018) Chadwick Boseman gives an unforgettable performance as T'Challa in "Black Panther." Credit: Film Frame Marvel Studios 2018Even the worst MCU movies are kind of good, which means that the best ones are truly exceptional — none more than Black Panther.
Ryan Coogler, along with his talented cast and crew, crafted a film that has something to say, that feels distinctive in its style and point of view – while also delivering on the usual superhero movie goods, like lovable heroes, exciting action, and a compelling villain. Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa feels fittingly regal, surrounded by admirable supporting players like Michael B. Jordan, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, and Danai Gurira. Though it took far too long for Marvel to bet on a Black superhero at the box office, it paved the way for the kind of representation we want and need in future phases.
Angie Han, Alison Foreman, and Proma Khosla contributed to this article.
UPDATE: Jul. 23, 2024, 4:38 p.m. EDT Originally published November 11, 2017, this list has been updated to include the latest MCU releases.
In April, Sonos unveiled a new version of its mobile app, promising more flexibility, improved customization, and ease of use.
But when the app was actually released to customers on May 7, the result was very different, with customers experiencing numerous issues, and many of them unhappy about certain functions (some quite obvious, like "play next") being removed. For Sonos users, this was a big deal, as the Sonos app is an important way to interact with a home audio system and music library.
At first, Sonos was defensive, claiming that the app overhaul took "courage." Now, in an open letter published on the company website, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence admitted that the app overhaul has been a disaster.
"We know that too many of you have experienced significant problems with our new app which rolled out on May 7, and I want to begin by personally apologizing for disappointing you," he wrote. "I assure you that fixing the app for all of our customers and partners has been and continues to be our number one priority."
According to Spence, the numerous fixes the company has released since May have "enabled the majority of our customers to have a robust experience using the Sonos app."
He then lists a number of planned updates to be released from July to October and, frankly, one look at the items on that list and it's easy to understand just how botched this app update has been. The updates include "improving the stability when adding new products," "improving Volume responsiveness," "user interface improvements based on customer feedback," and "improving overall system stability and error handling." For a full list, check here.
SEE ALSO: Sonos Ace headphones review: Hands-on with the first headphones from the audio giantSonos plans to release software updates on a bi-weekly schedule, and asks for patience as it continues rebuilding its app.
As the 2024 Olympic Games commence, the world's top athletes will float down the Seine, walk under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, and compete in the 33rd iteration of the centuries old competition. Backing their push for the podium — resting in the technologically adept hands of coaches, athletes, and viewers, alike — is a more modern player: AI.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) published its "Olympic AI Agenda" earlier this year, a "holistic approach to explore the great potential of AI, while mitigating the risks," the organization explained. The agenda set out a future-forward list of goals, which include game optimization, talent detection, and the "reduction of human bias." Many of those are being tested for the first time in Paris.
Intel, an Olympic Partner since 2017, is the event's 5G, Process, and AI platform partner, with the former title more relevant than ever at the 2024 games. The company has spent the last five years building out their established line of hardware and software offerings to aid the IOC's vision of bringing AI into sports.
SEE ALSO: How to make the most of the Olympics on PeacockSarah Vickers, head of Intel’s Olympic and Paralympic program, told Mashable that she believes AI will have its biggest Olympic impact in areas like event operations, the data-hungry world of broadcasting, and the fan experience itself.
"The Olympic ecosystem has had a rough couple of years," Vickers said outside of the company's on-the-ground AI Lab in Paris. "Now, if you think about it, all of the dynamics of the traditional games are back. There’s fans in the stands, there’s lots of people moving around, there’s a lot of operational challenges. The other thing is that the expectations of the user and of athletes have changed. They are used to having information at their fingertips. It’s this perfect timing for us to be able to demonstrate how we’re showing AI everywhere.”
Intel isn't the only company fulfilling Olympic dreams through AI. On Monday, Google, Team USA, and NBCUniversal announced an official partnership that named the tech giant Team USA's "Official Search AI Partner." The deal will see Google's AI offerings combined with live NBC coverage, game explanations, and user Olympic searches.
The IOC is revving up its AI game in a period of intense growth across the tech industry, with the hope of bringing back historic viewer numbers and, more subtly, cutting costs — but even they have to consider the wider implications of AI. In conversation with Vickers on Intel's Technically Speaking podcast, Ilario Corna, Chief Information Technology Officer at the IOC, said that the IOC is thinking as intensely about trust as it is innovations, which may soon mean building their own "OlympicGPT."
As the IOC and its partners dive head first into AI, many of the games' biggest swings may go undetected by its audience, operating behind-the-scenes at the world's most historic sporting event.
AI is helping digitize the competitionIntel has been leading the game's growing technology investments for years, including the opening ceremony show at the 2022 Beijing games, which featured hundreds of Intel Premium drones. Those games also saw the arrival of artificially intelligent platforms. But the Paris games offer the first time many of Intel's tech will be deployed at scale.
SEE ALSO: 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony: Celine Dion comeback performance reported, igniting the internetGenerative AI, for example, will make its opening appearance in the hands of athletes, far away from viewers, as part of the Games' Athlete365 app. A brand new IOC Assistant Chatbot, powered by Intel's Gaudi 2 generative AI platform, can answer match and regulation questions for participants. Machine learning, meanwhile, is being used to create a safer environment for athletes. Both the IOC and Intel are hailing new AI-boosted tech used to detect cyber abuse and online harassment thrown at athletes from online hecklers — an issue highlighted by Simon Biles' frank conversations about mental health following the 2020 Olympics.
Speaking at the IOC's AI Agenda launch, American skier Lindsey Vonn told attendees that this could be life-changing: "The fact that AI will be able to, in real time, take these comments down, and not only that, but also be able to help them prosecute people… that is huge. Because that will, I think, change the dynamics of social media."
The IOC's larger AI plans include platform support for anti-doping organizations and athlete education on health, safety, and technology. Intel's computer vision and other data visualization tech will also offer teams individualized analysis of performance that can build out better, safer recovery plans and even predict potential injuries, Corna explained — in addition to what many contend could be medal-winning coaching and training assistance and improved judging.
AI is finding ways to make the games more accessibleAI and AR are stepping in to assist guests and athletes with disabilities, as well. Intel has launched new wayfinding tech, powered by onsite LiDAR devices and the company's OpenVINO technology, to provide turn-by-turn, real-time indoor navigation for those who are blind or have low vision. It's based on an ongoing Intel indoor navigation partnership with GoodMaps. The same gamut of Intel AI tech at the Olympic games are also supporting athletes at the Paralympic games, with Vickers and others seeing future potential for AI support in rapid on-site translation and accessibility needs.
AI is now being used to even out the playing field for Olympic hopefuls, too, through AI-supported scouting. The technology is known as 3D Athlete Tracking, or 3DAT, which captures computer vision data of athletes, processed on Intel's AI platform, and spits out 3D biomechanical reports. The IOC has tested this in areas with historic gaps in resources and funding, like athletes in Senegal.
"The possibilities for the deployment of AI within sport represent a ground-breaking opportunity for the global accessibility of sport," wrote the IOC in the release of this year's AI Agenda.
AI is leading the Olympics into a data-enhanced futureAdvancements in AI are bringing the Olympics up to par with other sectors. Vickers hailed the use of AI to create highly tailored highlight reels, selected and cut together based on the preferences and interests of viewers themselves, as one of the foremost ways AI will revolutionize the games. That's because it'll cut down on issues of speed and access, especially for broadcasters, and appeal to the growing desire for personalization among AI proponents.
SEE ALSO: Snoop Dogg can't wait to 'shake it up' at the 2024 OlympicsThere's industry-changing potential here, too. Intel's Deep Learning Boost is creating the Olympics' first end-to-end 8K live streaming experience for online audiences, and making mass data sets available to reporters and broadcast teams in real time. Meanwhile, Intel's volumetric capture technology is quite literally changing how athletes may appear on screens in the future.
Housed in the athlete Olympic village, Intel is powering a 360, 3D image generating studio that can scan athlete's likenesses and render 3D versions of themselves — it's a fun AI-powered gag for athletes to send back home, but also the most likely way we'll engage with holograms on live TV.
"The AI experience is not changing what’s at the heart of the games, which is the athletes." - Sarah Vickers“You’ll capture the athlete in the 3D studio, and that can be sent to anywhere in the world," Vickers explained. "It could be a virtual broadcast studio in the U.S., India, anywhere in the world. And it will look like the athlete is on stage with the host. It’s going to look real, that they’re standing side by side.”
The IOC sees digital advancements like these as cost-cutting moves to make the game and its athletes more accessible to all, while also decreasing its "broadcast footprint," or the environmental impacts of live broadcasting at scale; That's, of course, ignoring AI's hotly debated environmental impact.
As viewers keep an eye on medal counts, the new Team USA and Google partnership will see Olympic information integrated into the search platform's new AI Overviews and generative AI assistant, Google Gemini. Actor and "Chief Superfan Commentator" Leslie Jones is set to use Gemini during her coverage of the games on NBC's Peacock.
The popularization of human-like AI assistants at large is joining with the tradition of Olympic commentators in other ways, too. Announced last month, NBC is offering customized, 10-minute long Olympic updates for Peacock users, all done in the AI voice of famous sportscaster Al Michaels. As NBC clarified again in a later press briefing, viewers don't need to worry in the age of nonconsensual deep fakes: Michaels gave full consent for the use of his voice and likeness.
SEE ALSO: 'Spotlight on Paris' is NBC's latest bid for Gen Z Olympic attentionAnd AI's being used before, during, and after the games' run. New, highly-detailed 3D models of Olympic facilities (known as "Digital Twins") allow broadcasters, event planners, and teams to navigate their Olympic experience ahead of time, or even design entire coverage plans virtually. This can make it easier to envision potential navigation hurdles for attendees and logistic coordinators considering accessibility. Looking to the future, this could involve a model for making real-time adjustments for those with disabilities, Vickers explained.
The list is far from over: AI is also powering Olympic archive digitization, so that the memorabilia of the games can live on forever in virtual repositories.
"The AI experience is not changing what’s at the heart of the games, which is the athletes," Vickers said. "We’re trying to improve the experience for everyone, whether that be the athlete or the fan, but it’s not going to change the fun of the sport. It’s only going to make it better."
AI's Olympic efforts raise more questions of security and privacyBut concerns about the integration of AI around the games remain. The French government has noted its plans to use private sector AI technology to "conduct pervasive and persistent surveillance before, during, and after the Games," FastCompany reported, as the growing Olympic stage spurs more and more security risk. In April, France's office of the Prime Minister negotiated a decree allowing the government expanded abilities to wiretap; collect geolocation, communications, and computer data; and capture even more visual and audio data from civilians. This adds to a far-reaching, experimental video surveillance system that uses AI-powered cameras to flag potential security risks.
Privacy advocates raised heads about similarly pervasive surveillance, as well as digital security risks, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Vickers says the French government's AI plans have no overlap with what's happening inside the games. Intel's Responsible AI team is navigating a world of data privacy laws and internal security to keep their systems controversy free, she says, working in tandem with the Olympic planning committee.
As the multifaceted investments of the Paris games make clear, AI is all around us. “It is everywhere," agreed Vickers. "But the athletes are core to what we’re doing, and that’s going to remain the same.”
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 July 25'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 26 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A covered outdoor area of the house.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There is one letter that appear twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.
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...
AWASH.
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.
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Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for July 26'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 July 26 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: Konami Code members
Green: Providing a boost
Blue: Not a plus
Purple: Sounds like sounders
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Basic directions
Green: Advocate for
Blue: Drawback
Purple: Instrument homophones
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 #410 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayBasic directions: DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, UP
Advocate for: BACK, CHAMPION, ENDORSE, SUPPORT
Drawback: CON, DING, MINUS, STRIKE
Instrument homphones: BASE, LIAR, LOOT, SYMBOL
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.
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Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 26 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 26If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Go for the goldThe words cover a variety of events.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThe hint describes Olympic sports.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Olympics.
NYT Strands word list for July 26Karate
Track
Golf
Olympics
Swimming
Archery
Equestrian
Looking for other daily online games? Find one you might like – or hints for another game you're already playing – on Mashable's Games page.
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: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 26 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 26Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, July 26, 2024:
AcrossHighly praisesThe answer is lauds.
The answer is ownup.
The answer is Padma.
The answer is ekeby.
The answer is zeros.
The answer is Lopez.
The answer is awake.
The answer is Under.
The answer is Dumbo.
The answer is spays.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
TL;DR: Watch the Olympics 2024 opening ceremony on NBC, Peacock, and NBC platforms, including NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC app, and the NBC Olympics app.
The Olympics is the biggest sports event in the world, an elite showcase that unites nations from all around the globe. Winning an Olympics medal — gold, silver, or bronze — truly is the pinnacle of athletic competition.
This Olympics 2024 are hosted by Paris, France, with opening ceremony set to take place along the River Seine — right in the heart of the city. The opening ceremony is a must-watch spectacle that kicks off the very best in track, field, and indoors sports.
This marks the first time in Olympics history that the opening ceremony will be held outside of a stadium. It will include 10,500 athletes, who are joined by around 3,000 actors, dancers, and musicians. It promises to have something for everyone. You don't even need to be a sports fan to enjoy it.
Don't miss the celebrations — the entire world will be watching
When is the Olympics 2024 opening ceremony?The Olympics 2024 opening ceremony takes place from 1:30 p.m. ET on July 26. The ceremony will last for more than three hours.
Athletes will begin the parade at the Austerlitz Bridge, then travel east to west along the River Seine in boats, before finishing at the Trocadéro.
How to watch the Olympics 2024 opening ceremonyThe Olympics 2024 opening ceremony is available to watch on NBC and live stream on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC app, and the NBC Olympics app.
A preview will begin on NBC at 12.00 p.m. ET, with an enhanced prime time encore shown at 7:30 p.m. ET.
TL;DR: Through July 28 only, you can get a lifetime subscription to the iScanner app for iOS on sale for £23.31 (£155.80), saving you 85% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: BP Mobile iScanner (Lifetime Subscription) £23.31 at the Mashable ShopWhether you need a digital copy of a book or to send in some late homework for uni, a scanner can be a great tool. But with your laptop, smartphone, earbuds, and other gadgets, not everyone has the budget for a dedicated scanner. iScanner is an iOS app that turns your iPhone into a scanner, letting you create high-quality scans and PDFs in seconds.
This is your chance to get a lifetime subscription to iScanner while it’s 85% off. As of July 22, this app has been marked down to just £23.31. And in addition to the app itself, you'll also get 200 MB of cloud storage included with your purchase.
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Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) is no stranger to the art of the end-credit scene. Take his Ferris Bueller cosplay in Deadpool, or his time-travel rampage in Deadpool 2. Yeah, he's already a pro at this.
For the Merc with a Mouth's first end-credit scene as an official part of the MCU, Deadpool & Wolverine doesn't tease any upcoming Marvel movies or unveil wild new cameos. Instead, it pays off a gag from earlier in the movie — complete with some next-level foul-mouthed language.
SEE ALSO: All Marvel Cinematic Universe movies ranked worst to best What happens in the Deadpool & Wolverine post-credits scene? Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in "Deadpool & Wolverine." Credit: Jay Maidment 20th Century Studios / MARVELAfter the credits roll on Deadpool & Wolverine — accompanied by behind-the-scenes footage from prior Fox Marvel projects — we rejoin Deadpool at the Time Variance Authority's headquarters. He tells us he's had it with the accusations that he got Johnny Storm (Chris Evans) killed in an encounter with Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin).
Remember, in that first meeting, Deadpool told Cassandra that Johnny went off on a nasty tirade about her. The insults sound like something straight out of the Deadpool playbook, so of course it seems like Deadpool is throwing Johnny under the bus.
Turns out, Deadpool did not utter a single lie.
SEE ALSO: There's a new Deadpool Xbox controller — and it has butt cheeksIn the post-credit scene, Deadpool uses TVA technology to revisit his journey to Cassandra's lair with Johnny and Wolverine. We see Johnny deliver the anti-Cassandra rant word for word, including a bit at the end about how she could rip his skin off and reduce him to a pile of organs. Looks like he got his wish!
Even though Evans is playing Johnny Storm in this moment, Deadpool & Wolverine is banking on audiences primarily associating him with the role of Captain America to get the biggest laugh here. Remember the guy who called out Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr.) language? Now he's saying someone can "lick [his] cinnamon ring." What a difference several years and a billion-dollar acquisition makes.
But wait, what happened to Thor in Deadpool & Wolverine?This is a fairly straightforward end-credit scene, but it is somewhat confusing that Deadpool & Wolverine chooses to revisit this moment instead of paying off a gag from the first half-hour of the movie.
When Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) first shows Deadpool scenes from the MCU at the TVA, we get a glimpse of a crying Thor (Chris Hemsworth) holding a fallen Deadpool in his arms. Deadpool asks about it, but Paradox orders him not to get ahead of himself. Surely that means we'll get a Thor scene later, right? Right?
Wrong! Thor is nowhere else to be found in the rest of Deadpool & Wolverine, not even in the end-credits scene. Is there a deleted scene out there? Is this 4D chess, teasing what's to come in a future Avengers movie? Or did Deadpool & Wolverine just forget to give one of its many jokes a punchline? For now, we're going to guess the latter.
If you thought Spider-Man: No Way Home or Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness were the most cameo-filled an MCU movie could get, think again. Deadpool & Wolverine has gone all out to claim the cameo crown.
The cameos here are only possible thanks to Disney's $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox, which granted the MCU access to everything from Deadpool to the X-Men to the Fantastic Four. We've seen some of these characters pop up in other MCU projects before — shout-out to WandaVision for really getting the ball rolling — but not to this extent. In Deadpool & Wolverine, we're not just seeing the return of beloved X-Men. We're also seeing MCU actors reprise characters from other franchises, or even offer viewers a glimpse of how some of our favorite fancasts could have gone down.
Deadpool & Wolverine's cameo fest can be a lot to take in, just because of how much is going on, but we've got you covered.
Here's your guide to the biggest cameos in Deadpool & Wolverine, in chronological order.
Jon Favreau returns as Happy Hogan. Jon Favreau in "Iron Man 3." Credit: Marvel / Paramount / Kobal / ShutterstockThe honor of First Cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine goes to Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau), head of security at Stark Industries (and former chauffeur) who's appeared in the Iron Man movies, the Spider-Man movies, and Avengers: Endgame.
In a 2018-set scene, he rejects Wade Wilson's (Ryan Reynolds) application to become an Avenger. Sure, Deadpool wanted to meet Happy's boss. But Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) doesn't do cameos — sorry, meetings — anymore. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
The returning Deadpool crew includes Vanessa, Peter, and Shatterstar. Rob Delaney in "Deadpool & Wolverine." Credit: Jay MaidmentSeveral supporting characters from the first Deadpool movies are back, but in such a small capacity they're basically glorified cameos. Coming together to celebrate Wade's birthday are his beloved Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), former X-Force wild card Peter (Rob Delaney), recurring roommate Blind Al (Leslie Uggams), X-Men recruit Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), her girlfriend Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna), X-Men member Colossus (Stefan Kapičić), cab driver turned aspiring killer Dopinder (Karan Soni), and Buck (Randal Reeder), a regular at Deadpool's old haunt, Sister Margaret's School for Wayward Children.
SEE ALSO: All Marvel Cinematic Universe movies ranked worst to bestAlso back is Shatterstar (Lewis Tan), who died in the X Force debacle of Deadpool 2. Presumably, Wade revived the arrogant alien with Cable's (Josh Brolin) time machine (not that we saw that in the post-credits!) Where's the rest of the team, Wade? Did you pick and choose who lived and died? And where is Domino (Zazie Beetz), who survived the whole thing with luck on her side? — B.E.
Chris Hemsworth makes a brief and perplexing appearance as Thor. Chris Hemsworth in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Credit: Jasin BolandOur first real Avenger in Deadpool & Wolverine is none other than Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the god of thunder himself. Deadpool sees him on one of the screens at the TVA, holding a wounded Deadpool in a scene that looks remarkably similar to Loki's (Tom Hiddleston) death in Thor: The Dark World.
The TVA's Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) shuts the screen off before we can see more of the scene, telling Deadpool not to get ahead of himself. But the movie never revisits that moment — not even in the end-credits scene! — leaving us without closure on Thor and Deadpool. — B.E.
Blink and you'll miss The Incredible Hulk.On Deadpool's quest across the multiverse to find a new Wolverine, he runs across a Logan who is mid-fight with The Incredible Hulk. Since we see so little of this version of the Hulk, it's unlikely to be any iteration we've seen in Marvel's films. Instead, this moment pays tribute to the classic match-up between Wolverine and the Hulk, which we've seen in comics like the Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk miniseries, and even the 2009 animated film Hulk Vs. — B.E.
Henry Cavill is Wolverine (aka Cavillerine).The DCEU's former Superman crosses over into the MCU in Deadpool & Wolverine, with Henry Cavill briefly showing up as a Wolverine variant. (This is the only one Jackman doesn't play in the film.) He shows up during Deadpool's hunt for a new Wolverine, and while nothing comes of this particular partnership, his presence is a bit of a mic drop for the rivalry between DC and Marvel. (The real question: Is his Wolverine more of a Man of Adamantium or a Man of Steel?) — B.E.
Chris Evans is back as Johnny Storm, The Human Torch. Chris Evans in "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer." Credit: 20th Century Fox / Marvel / Kobal / ShutterstockWhile at TVA headquarters, Deadpool sees Captain America in action on their screens, where snippets of past Avengers movies play out. But Chris Evans makes his first MCU appearance post-Endgame as his very first Marvel superhero outing.
With one "Flame on!" Evans' take on Johnny Storm (first seen in 2005's Fantastic Four) roars back to life. Sure, he's not around for long, but from the second he appears in the Void, it's clear Fox's Marvel characters are all back in play. Turns out that visiting the TVA's cosmic trash heap has some billion-dollar perks. — B.E.
Cassandra Nova's crew includes Sabertooth, Pyro, Azazel, and more. Emma Corrin in "Deadpool & Wolverine." Credit: Jay Maidment / 20th Century Studios / MARVELThe Void is where the TVA pitches variants it doesn't want mussing up its sacred timeline. In Deadpool & Wolverine, that means a motley crew of past X-Men foes, all united under the skull-probing fist of Charles Xavier's evil twin Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin). Riding up on the dumped Deadpool and Wolverine all Fury Road-style are X-Men's snarling Sabretooth (Tyler Mane) and tongue-slinging Toad (Ray Park), X2's fire-flinging Pyro (Aaron Stanford) and razor-fingered Lady Deathstrike (Kelly Hu), and X-Men: First Class' demonic Azazel (Jason Flemyng). Plus, they've got a version of the Juggernaut (not the one who got anally electrocuted in Deadpool 2). — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
Giant Man is there too! Or he was... The Giant Man suit in "Deadpool & Wolverine." Credit: Screenshot: MarvelOccasionally Ant Man uses his Pym Particles to grow massive, like Scott (Paul Rudd) did in Captain America: Civil War. And apparently sometimes Giant Man gets pitched into the Void, where he dies and his husk of a supersuit becomes the fort of the nefarious Cassandra Nova. — K.P.
What is Alioth?Oh, hey, Alioth's here! You know, the Guardian of the Void first introduced in Loki Season 1, episode 5? No worries if you're not already an Alioth-head — all you need to know is that it's a big, smoky beast that eats whatever it comes across in the Void. Think of it as a very spooky trash disposal system. — B.E.
Jennifer Garner returns as Elektra. Jennifer Garner in "Elektra." Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockThough this casting news was announced back in 2023, it was no less thrilling to see Garner dual-fisting twin sai in Deadpool & Wolverine. Long before Black Widow flirted with Tony Stark in the ugh that was Iron Man 2, Garner was a sexy superheroine who kicked butt with style. Back in the 2000s, Garner teamed up with Ben Affleck for Daredevil, where she co-starred as his tough-as-nails love interest, before headlining her own spin-off movie Elektra a few years later. While Affleck eventually joined the DCEU as Batman, Garner gets to throw down with a way less grim group of super friends. — K.P.
Wesley Snipes is back as Blade. Wesley Snipes in "Blade." Credit: Bruce Talamon / New Line / Kobal / ShutterstockThe Void isn't only for bad guys. When Deadpool and Wolverine battle to a breaking point in the wilderness, they're taken in by a kindly crew of four. And among them is the baddest vampire slayer the MCU has even known.
Beginning in 1998, Wesley Snipes played the eponymous dhampir across three movies: Blade, Blade II, and Blade: Trinity (in which Ryan Reynolds co-starred as Hannibal King!). Fans have been hoping for Blade to rise again for years. In 2019, the MCU promised a reboot that would recast the title role to Mahershala Ali. While Snipes publicly supported the move, affirming Ali would "do great" in the part, there's no denying the thrill of seeing Snipes himself back in the sunglasses and leather cloak. And while the reboot is still ostensibly set for 2025, it's been hitting snags along the way. — K.P.
Dafne Keen is all grown up but still our Laura/X-23. Dafne Keen in "Logan." Credit: 20th Century Fox / Everett / ShutterstockAs the teeny but ferocious clone/daughter of Wolverine in Logan, Laura awed audiences. Child actress Dafne Keen matched Jackman's intensity on-screen, whether she was pummeling goons or spitting out the names of her long-lost mutant friends. The actress went on to star in His Dark Materials and Star Wars series The Acolyte. But it's good for the soul to see her back with Jackman, growling and sharing hard truths over a campfire. — K.P.
Channing Tatum is Gambit at long last.The sheer chaos of this! The card-slinging hottie with a heavy Cajun accent has been a fan favorite in the X-Men animated series, but he kept being excluded from the movies. While Tatum has been rumored to be attached to the part since the 2000s, it just never worked out. In 2009's loathed X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Gambit finally made the cut — but the role went to Taylor Kitsch.
For years, a Gambit solo movie was talked about but never came together. Perhaps it's fitting that Deadpool & Wolverine is where Tatum finally stepped into the X-Men's cowl. After all, Origins was also where Reynolds debuted as Deadpool, albeit a version fans loathed who'd get killed off in the post-credits shenanigans of Deadpool 2. So, why not use this Deadpool sequel to right the wrong of missing out on Tatum's take on that accent, thicker than a granny's gumbo? — K.P.
Blake Lively stars as Ladypool. (And Kidpool, Dogpool, and more are along for the ride.) Blake Lively in "Deadpool & Wolverine." Credit: Screenshot: MarvelBeing Deadpool is a family business: Look no further than the casting for Deadpool variants Ladypool and Kidpool. Blake Lively, who is married to Reynolds, takes on the role of Ladypool, while their daughter Inez Reynolds plays the foul-mouthed Kidpool.
These are far from the only Deadpool variants on display in the film. We also meet Nicepool (Reynolds), Dogpool, Headpool (aka Zombie Deadpool), Babypool, and so, so, so many more. Perhaps this movie should have been called Deadpool(s) & Wolverine, the way the third act throws every Deadpool variant and their mother at us. — B.E.
Wunmi Mosaku returns as Hunter B-15. Tom Hiddleston and Wunmi Mosaku in "Loki." Credit: Gareth GatrellAlioth isn't the only Loki star spotted in Deadpool & Wolverine, as TVA agent Hunter B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku) shows up during the movie's climax to investigate Mr. Paradox's illicit activities. While she's not around for long, she does inform Deadpool that his universe is no longer doomed. We love a cameo who also doubles as the bearer of good news! — B.E.
Taylor Swift, Emma Stone, and Zazie Beetz are not in Deadpool & Wolverine.After charming as Domino in Deadpool 2, Zazie Beetz dipped to the DC side of superhero movies to play Arthur Fleck's caring neighbor in Joker. She's also set to appear in the sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux. But sadly, Beetz didn't make the birthday party in Deadpool & Wolverine.
When images of Ladypool hit the web, fans were quick to speculate on who could be behind that mask and high ponytail. Lively was a popular pick, as was the couple's noted bestie, Taylor Swift, who's been known to walk with a slo-mo swagger in her music videos. Some speculated that Reynolds himself could be Ladypool, given Deadpool's dexterity in high heels as seen in the Deadpool 2 music video "Ashes."
The last actress at the center of fans' Ladypool speculation was Emma Stone, who played Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man movies. Some pondered if Marvel might look to their Spider-verse for inspiration and bring Stone in as a nod to the comic book character Gwenpool. Sure, the colors for that merc are pink and white, but don't let things like simple facts stand in the way of your fancast dreams. — K.P.
Over the past few years, Reddit has experienced surges of traffic from search engines. Why? Many internet users have adopted the practice of adding "Reddit" to the end of whatever they are searching for so they can find conversations and opinions from real people. Whether it be product reviews or travel recommendations, many people are looking to search within Reddit's archives of discussions to find what they want.
Now, however, there seems to be only one search engine where users can actually do this.
As first discovered by the tech outlet 404 Media, Reddit has started blocking the vast majority of the internet's search engines from crawling and indexing their website. This means that Reddit posts are no longer coming up in search results for users on these platforms.
There is one exception though where users can still search Reddit – and that's Google.
SEE ALSO: Reddit is cracking down on AI bots Which search engines are affected and why?Searching Reddit now on popular search engines like Microsoft's Bing and DuckDuckGo turn up scant recent results from Reddit.com. As 404 Media reports, more recent Reddit links aren't turning up because they weren't crawled and indexed before Reddit made the change.
A Mashable attempt to search Bing for any result from Reddit.com using "site:reddit.com" over the past week turns up zero results.
Reddit announced it was making a change to its Robots Exclusion Protocol (robots.txt) on its website on June 25. At the time, the company noted that it was making the change due to a surge of bots scraping its website. It did not seem from the statement at the time that this meant that organizations and platforms that legitimately help the broader internet and its users would be affected.
"Reddit believes in an open Internet, but not the misuse of public content," Reddit's protocol reads.
Blocking search engines entirely from Reddit would certainly be a controversial move on its own. However, there is one search engine that is pulling up recent search results from Reddit: Google, the search engine that has a financial relationship with the Reddit.
Google and Reddit's relationshipEarlier this year, Reddit and Google entered into a $60 million deal that allows the search giant to use Reddit's content to train its AI models.
In statements provided to multiple outlets, Reddit states that its recent changes aren't related to its partnership with Google
"We block all crawlers that are unwilling to commit to not using crawl data for AI training, which is in line with enforcing our Public Content Policy and updated robots.txt file," Reddit said in a statement provided to Engadget.
Engadget also claimed a source indicated that Reddit was excluded from search because Microsoft would not agree to the platform's terms regarding AI.
Reddit's move — if the speculation is true — seems fairly unprecedented, and highlights the hazards of a potential future where search engines become pay-to-play for even organic search results. Mashable has asked Reddit for comment, and will update this story if we find out more.
Kamala Harris is brat. She is the horticulturist of the communal coconut tree that we did not just fall out of. Or just as much the harvester of the apple tree that we did spawn from, if you live by the philosophy of British icon Charli XCX. It's a Kamalaminomenon, in the words of skyrocketing pop star Chappell Roan.
When President Biden announced he'd be stepping off the campaign trail, he threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, pegged as the best choice to replace him in the 2024 presidential election. It was clear that Harris' team was poised and ready for the shake-up. Almost immediately, the Biden/Harris HQ social media branding was transformed into the newly "chartreuse" green Kamala HQ, and a spot blasting the inspiring notes of Beyoncé's "Freedom" hit screens days later. She broke fundraising records in the first 24 hours after Biden's announcement.
It seemed the presidential hopeful was making a new claim in direct response to what the Biden administration represented: An aging ticket, against a similarly aged opponent, that simply wasn't up to speed with what the under-34 vote demanded. Brats and femininomenons and coconut trees were Kamala's — sorry, Harris' — weapons. They were Harris' — no, Kamala's — new PR strategy.
Therein lies the problem (or one of them, anyway). Past the memes and pop music, how were supporters supposed to refer to the Vice President now? "Vice President" surely wasn't pulling in the viral likes. Is it "Kamala HQ"? Or the "Harris campaign"? Is "Momala," as Drew Barrymore tried to make happen, ever appropriate?
SEE ALSO: CNN's embarrassing 'Kamala is brat' segment shows why we should take Gen Z and millennial voters seriously"Now is a good time to pay attention to the way people are referring to her. Are they referring to her as Kamala? If so, this is a common practice which de-legitimizes a woman in politics. Making a more casual and informal reference to the politician, makes them appear softer and less of a contender. We see this very commonly throughout politics in the United States," said Maggie Perkins in the caption of a viral TikTok video from July 22. Posting "Kamala 2024" is very different from "Harris 2024," said Perkins, drawing parallels to the use of acronyms like "AOC" and "RBG" and the marketing of the Stacey Abrams campaign. "If you think I am overreacting, I would encourage you to pay attention to the way that the media refers to her and the way that other politicians refer to her."
Non-Black creators flocked to the note, fearing that they were playing a part in the denigration of a potentially history-making campaign and forcing another woman of color into the trappings of respectability politics. As writer Charles M. Blow wrote in a New York Times opinion piece from May, following backlash to Barrymore's use of the term "Momala," "Black women and girls spend their entire lives in flight from a society insistent on de-individualizing and dehumanizing them, insistent on forcing them to fit broad generalizations... In this case, the stereotype at play is that of the mammy — the caretaker, the bosom in which all can rest, the apron on which we have a right to hang."
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedBut others online, predominantly Black women and women of color, felt differently. Several pointed to a 2020 YouTube video of actor Mindy Kaling and Harris making dosas together, in which Harris asked to be referred to as "Kamala." Her own campaign branding uses "Kamala," they pointed out, and, in many ways, it is a reclamation of her heritage to use her first name — especially as her own peers refuse to learn its proper pronunciation, decades into her political career. This was the least of our worries, they noted, and unhelpful virtue signaling.
Popular creators, like childhood educator @mrs.frazzled, began referring their followers to a series of videos posted by Erika Harrison, also known as @blackgirlswhobrunch. "We call [politicians] by their most distinct name. With Kamala, her last name Harris is not very distinctive, but her first name is," Harrison said in one video. "Y'all are trying to defend her in this way that she never asked for, and it is ironic because she has always campaigned around her first name. I get what y'all are trying to do here, but I'm gonna be very direct here: White women, this is a waste of your time."
Harrison was one of nearly 44,000 Black women who attended a post-announcement virtual call with Win With Black Women earlier this week — a record-breaking meeting that saw nearly Black women organizers convening to game-plan the Harris campaign and discuss the path forward.
In the span of just three days, online sentiments shifted: What started as a call to action that using the name "Kamala" was a form of systemic misogyny or even misogynoir, became the idea that using her first name is a sign of cultural and political respect. As it turns out, both ideas can be true.
Sexism on the campaign trail, and within elected government bodies, is still a pressing issue. A recent study of 60 women in politics conducted by Cosmopolitan and Melinda Gates' Pivotal Ventures showed that sexist biases pervaded things like committee assignments and even salary figures, as well outright harassment in the workplace. Ghida Dagher, CEO and president of New American Leaders, told Cosmopolitan, "Elected positions were created in the image of white landowning men. And these jobs continue to be arranged in a way that supports and reinforces that structure of power."
Republican Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance is currently under fire for saying "childless women," including Harris, should not be in politics.
View this post on InstagramIn 2015, the Atlantic referred to the trend of "mononymy" (or single name usage) as a trap created by an "informal age of unearned familiarity" in society at large, but especially among voters. For the author, political candidates, who were ever more inclined to use their first names (Take "Jeb" for Jeb Bush, "Bernie" for Bernie Sanders, even "Beto" for Beto O'Rourke), were worryingly shifting into marketing themselves like celebrities. But voters have long clamored for the personalization of their elected leaders (as well as their families), and politicians, both men and women alike, seem to view the "first" versus "last" decision as a question of marketing. Long before the aughts trend and the Harris campaign's "meme army," there was a lineage of acronyms (JFK, RFK) and nicknames ("Ike" and "Teddy") that feel, in many ways, just as informal and just as famous.
All politicians are making carefully crafted branding choices, handpicked for the electorate that will put or keep them in power. When made by women leaders, and especially women of color, those decisions may just have father reaching implications.
When former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ran in 2016, her "I'm With Her" and "Hillary for President" branding leaned into the familiarity, and femininity, of her first name; neither of these were the official slogan, "Stronger Together." There was debate even then: Was "Hillary" an important differentiator from her husband's presidential term, or yet another way to minimize her bid for leader of the free world?
Days after the announcement, Harris' and Clinton's campaigns were already under comparison. Parallels to other notable female historical figures trickled through headlines, including Shirley Chisholm, the first Black candidate for a major party nomination and first Black woman to run for the Democratic nomination. In 1972, Chisholm campaigned on just her last name and the slogan "Unbought and Unbossed." While much is the same, Harris is operating in a different world than Chisholm was, or even Clinton, one in which she is dividing her time between appealing to the honor-driven American masses and the fickle online contingent, not to mention her current duties as VP.
And many worry that institutionalized sexism and the rise of white supremacy in mainstream politics still create insurmountable odds for a progressive female President.
Harris is a seasoned politician, backed by a galvanized supporter bloc, and she has clearly drawn her own boundaries: According to her campaign's brand, Kamala is fine; in fact it might help her chances at the polls, and Harris is the professional title she'll don on stage and in session. "Brat," according to her cheeky Charli XCX-themed posting, is also fair game, as her campaign kicks off and pundits scramble to understand the "youth vote." But personal monikers, like "Momala" and even "Auntie," in her words, are a step too far.
The internet has received a pass on the discourse for now. The history of racism, sexism, and misogynoir in our country's politics, and the inequitable ways many of our nation's leaders have come into positions of power, aren't fodder for TikTok. And the name debate says more about our political landscape, now at the whim of online sentiments than ever before, than it does anything about the Harris campaign.
SearchGPT is here. OpenAI's quest to integrate its artificial intelligence tools into even more people's lives got a boost on Thursday.
The company behind ChatGPT announced on its website that it would start taking signups to test out an early version of SearchGPT, an AI-fueled search engine. OpenAI stressed that this is a prototype — and the "best features" from the test period will eventually be integrated directly into ChatGPT.
How to try SearchGPTUsers who want to try SearchGPT can sign up now, but the feature is not yet available for testing.
As for how SearchGPT works, it's similar to ChatGPT. You type in a query, the AI scours the internet, and then tries to bring back a variety of helpful results in a visually clean and appealing way. Users can allegedly respond to results with conversational follow-ups to get even more specific results.
Tweet may have been deletedAs always with OpenAI, there will be concerns about accuracy and sourcing, even before the product has launched. For instance, CNBC's Kif Leswing pointed out on X (formerly Twitter) that some of the example search results given in the announcement post are inaccurate, misleading, or not helpful. OpenAI also promises "clear links to relevant sources" in results, but that can't be judged until the product is available.
OpenAI has a long way to go before it can reasonably call itself a Google competitor, but this may be a promising first step.
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