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Not all airplane seats are created equal. If you're booking your next flight and wondering which seat to choose, some are better than others.

We're not just talking about first class seats versus economy seats. Because of plane configurations, some seats are narrower, don't line up with the windows, or don't recline. So, there are definitely seats you want to avoid, like anything close to the bathroom.

But the short answer to which seat on a plane is best is... it depends. There are factors to consider like how frequently you get up or how much legroom you need. We've broken down the best seat options with pros and cons for each.

Which are the best seats on a plane?

Generally speaking, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your seat. First, the middle of the plane moves the least, since it's closest to the wings. So if you get motion sickness or thinking about turbulence, that's where you want to be. Second, different airlines have different aircraft models and layouts, so everything varies slightly from plane to plane. To learn more about the aircraft you're flying on, check out SeatGuru or AeroLopa, which have detailed seat maps of each airline fleet.

Window seat

For many, especially first time fliers, the window seat is definitely the best choice. There's nothing like watching the world from 40,000 feet. It's also the only kind of seat where you can lay your head against the wall for a snooze. And when you're stuck on a plane, a comfortable sleeping position is gold. The major drawback of the window seat is having to bother your neighbors if you need to use the restroom. Also, being tucked off to the side might make some people might feel a little claustrophobic.

Aisle seat

The aisle seat is the way to go if you get up frequently or need to stretch your legs. Those who take hydrating while traveling very seriously should choose an aisle seat for easy access to the bathroom. Plus, tall folks might be able to (considerately) extend their legs into the aisle. And a bonus for aisle seat passengers is getting off the plane that much quicker. The biggest con of the aisle seat is having to get up for your middle and window seat neighbors. Plus, you don't have anything to rest your head up in you're trying to sleep.

Exit row seat

Typically, exit row seats offer more legroom than other seats because of the space required to access the emergency exit. So, tall passengers are always trying to nab these seats first. Exit row seats are often the bulkhead-facing seats as well, which means no seat in front to store your stuff. But if you're okay with storing your carry-on in the overhead bin, it's not much of a issue.

However, with great legroom, comes great responsibility. Passengers sitting in the exit row seats are responsible for helping during an emergency landing, so you must meet specific requirements like having sufficient mobility, be over 15 years old, speaking the native language, and others. It's highly unlikely you'll be tasked with this, but it's something to consider if you don't think you're right for the responsibility.

As we approach the halfway point of 2024, it's time to take a look back at the best TV shows this year has had to offer.

2024 has been off to a solid start, with a whole host of comedies, dramas, and limited series grabbing our attention. We were floored by the historical epic Shōgun, rejoiced in the return of shows like We Are Lady Parts and Interview with the Vampire, and couldn't get enough of Fallout. And there's so much more TV excellence where those came from!

SEE ALSO: The 10 best movies of 2024 (so far!)

From samurai and spies to vampires and detectives, here are the 13 best TV shows of 2024 so far, and where to watch them.

13. Expats Nicole Kidman and Sarayu Blue in "Expats." Credit: Glen Wilson / Prime Video

Centered on a trio of expatriates living in Hong Kong, Lulu Wang's Expats is a sensitive — at times heartbreaking — exploration of grief and feeling unmoored.

SEE ALSO: 'Expats' review: Lulu Wang and Nicole Kidman team up for a painful exploration of grief

Our three leads are Margaret (Nicole Kidman), a woman whose son Gus has gone missing; Hilary (Sarayu Blue), her neighbor who's struggling with deciding whether or not to have a child; and Mercy (Ji-young Yoo), a directionless college graduate involved in Gus's disappearance. Wang brings us into their personal lives with care, empathy, and a keen eye, unafraid to show us these women's many flaws. Expats can sometimes be messy, especially when it tries to shoehorn the stories of Margaret and Hilary's housekeepers (Ruby Ruiz and Amelyn Pardenilla) — which certainly deserve to be told — into a supersized penultimate episode. Otherwise, though, Expats is layered with pain and wonderful performances, with Blue especially turning in outstanding work. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Expats is now streaming on Prime Video.

12. Mary & George Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine in "Mary & George." Credit: Starz

Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine scheme and seduce their way to the top in Mary & George, a period drama all about the heady pursuit of power. 

SEE ALSO: 'Mary and George' review: The horniest period drama of 2024 is also one of its best

Moore plays Mary Villiers, a countess in Jacobean England who pushes her son George (Galitzine) to be King James VI and I's (Tony Curran) new lover. Rival suitors and political opponents have it out for the Villiers family, and while George claims his feelings for James are real, there's no doubt he and his mother are using the fragile king for their own gain. As Mary and George's influence continues to grow, the series weaves an intoxicating web of sex, politics, and scandal — one that threatens to collapse around the Villiers as they sacrifice anything and anyone to get ahead. — B.E.

How to watch: Mary & George is now streaming on Starz.

11. Fallout Ella Purnell in "Fallout." Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video

TV has gifted us with some stellar video game adaptations in recent years, from Arcane to Castlevania to The Last of Us. In 2024, Fallout joined their ranks, delivering a first season that was bonkers fun (and full of references to the games).

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout' review: Video game adaptation is a wild nuclear Western

Created by Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner, Fallout introduced us to a post-apocalyptic nuclear wasteland where rival factions and mutant creatures run amok. Here, an optimistic Vault dweller named Lucy (Ella Purnell), a Brotherhood of Steel novice named Maximus (Aaron Moten), and an irradiated bounty hunter known simply as the Ghoul (Walton Goggins) cross paths in a journey that will change the wasteland as they know it. With its tantalizing mysteries, zany cast of characters, and gnarly world-building, Fallout is an absolute blast whether you've played the games or not. — B.E.

How to watch: Fallout is now streaming on Prime Video.

10. Boy Swallows Universe Felix Cameron in "Boy Swallows Universe." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

A dark but genuinely funny tale of suburban crime brimming with magical realism, the Netflix adaptation of Trent Dalton's novel Boy Swallows Universe is one of 2024's unsung heroes — much like its pint-sized protagonist, 13-year-old Eli Bell (played by outstandingly talented youngster Felix Cameron). Chock-full of '80s Australiana, the series is set in the working-class Brisbane suburb of Darra, where Eli navigates school bullies and a turbulent family life as well as he handles hard-edged criminals with his imaginative brother, Gus (Lee Tiger Halley). It's a heartfelt, unsettling, and hilarious journey through young adolescence, the reality of addiction, and brutal crime, with a killer Aussie soundtrack. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

How to watch: Boy Swallows Universe is now streaming on Netflix.

9. Mr. & Mrs. Smith Donald Glover and Maya Erskine in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith." Credit: David Lee / Prime Video

Francesca Sloane and Donald Glover's Mr. & Mrs. Smith is anything but a stale remake. Instead, this infinitely enjoyable reimagining of the 2005 film pairs two new spies (Glover and Maya Erskine) together in a fake marriage. How long until they catch real feelings for one another?

SEE ALSO: 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith' review: Donald Glover and Maya Erskine's series is sleek, sexy, and super fun

The answer? Not that long! Each of Mr. & Mrs. Smith's eight episodes smartly dive into a new aspect of relationships, from first dates to discussions about wanting kids. These marital milestones are accompanied by a new mission from week to week. Between ski trips in Italy, silent auctions in New York, and a Lake Como car chase gone awry, each assignment ushers in new opportunities for stylish action. Glover and Erskine ooze charm and chemistry, while a rotating gallery of guest stars — Parker Posey! John Turturro! Paul Dano! — keeps things fresh. Smart, sleek, and sexy, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a TV show that truly embraces episodic storytelling. I'd gladly devour five (or more) seasons of it. — B.E.

How to watch: Mr. & Mrs. Smith is now streaming on Prime Video.

8. The Sympathizer Hoa Xuande and Robert Downey Jr. in "The Sympathizer." Credit: Courtesy of HBO

Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize–winning novel The Sympathizer got an absolutely tremendous TV adaptation thanks to co-creators Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar.

SEE ALSO: 'The Sympathizer' review: Park Chan-wook's Vietnam War spy thriller is TV magic

The Sympathizer centers on a Communist spy simply known as the Captain (Hoa Xuande, whose performance here should make him a star), who is recounting his experiences during and after the Vietnam War. Half-Vietnamese and half-French, the Captain feels torn between two worlds, a feeling that only grows when he's told to continue spying in America following the fall of Saigon. From here, The Sympathizer jumps into a probing exploration of memory and allegiance that doubles as sharp satire. Boasting stylish direction from Park and a cast that includes Sandra Oh and Robert Downey Jr. (in four roles with varying degrees of success), The Sympathizer is a more than worthy adaptation of a great novel. — B.E.  

How to watch: The Sympathizer is now streaming on Max.

7. We Are Lady Parts, Season 2 Faith Omole, Sarah Kameela Impey, Juliette Motamed, and Anjana Vasan in "We Are Lady Parts." Credit: Saima Khalid / Peacock / NBC Internatiional/C4

After three long years on hiatus, We Are Lady Parts is back with a second season that was well worth the wait. 

SEE ALSO: Malala Yousafzai in 'We Are Lady Parts' is the cameo of the year

Created by Nida Manzoor, this sensational comedy series centers on Lady Parts, a punk band made up of Muslim women who are figuring out life, love, friendship, and faith in contemporary London. Between the setting and some familiar themes, Season 2 has echoes of Bridgerton, but with an irreverent sense of humor that is not only totally modern but also absolutely hilarious. Whether following wallflower guitarist Amina (Anjana Vasan), hard-headed frontwoman Saira (Sarah Kameela Impey), warm-hearted bassist Bisma (Faith Omole), mercurial drummer Ayesha (Juliette Motamed), or their ever-strategic manager Momtaz (Lucie Shorthouse), We Are Lady Parts rocks, peppered with playful punchlines, rapturous fantasy sequences, rousing musical numbers, and a cameo from the one-and-only Malala Yousafzai. Whether you're new to this series or not, Season 2 is too good to be missed. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: We Are Lady Parts is now streaming on Peacock in the U.S. and Channel 4 in the UK.

6. Ripley Andrew Scott in "Ripley." Credit: Lorenzo Sisti / Netflix

Andrew Scott awed TV audiences as the theatrically malicious Moriarty in Sherlock, then as the scorchingly Hot Priest in Fleabag. But with Ripley, he plays a very different game. 

SEE ALSO: Does 'Ripley's murder scene count as ASMR?

Adapted from Patricia Highsmith's classic novel The Talented Mr. Ripley, this drama miniseries from Steven Zaillian lures audiences into the seductive world of Thomas Ripley, American social climber turned con man and killer. Offered a free trip to Italy to reclaim an industrialist's expatriate heir, Ripley sees a whole new world open before him: one of privilege, art, and endless opportunities all tied to status and money. But to claim a bit of it himself, he'll have to get his hands dirty. While you might know the story (or the Matt Damon movie), the patience with which this slow-burn series doles it out allows audiences to luxuriate in Highsmith's high-stakes game of jealousy, deception, and murder. The result is a show that feels like a lost holiday: alluring, surprising, and sure to linger on your mind, heart, and soul. — K.P.

How to watch: Ripley is now streaming on Netflix.

5. True Detective: Night Country Jodie Foster and Kali Reis in "True Detective: Night Country." Credit: Michele K. Short / HBO

True Detective came back with a vengeance for its fourth season, this time helmed by Tigers Are Not Afraid director Issa López. For this new installment of the anthology series, we travel to Ennis, Alaska, a small community about to enter a period of nonstop night.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about 'True Detective: Night Country'

But darkness isn't the only thing the citizens of Ennis have to worry about. When a group of scientists turn up dead in what can only be described as a "corpsicle," former police partners Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Navarro (Kali Reis) reluctantly team back up to find out who's responsible. As they investigate this case — as well as a murder from years ago that could be linked — the two uncover painful truths about themselves and about Ennis. Oh, and ghosts may or may not be involved. Bleak, enthralling, and anchored by wonderful work from Foster and Reis, Night Country proves there's still power in True Detective yet. — B.E.

How to watch: True Detective: Night Country is now streaming on Max.

4. Fantasmas Julio Torres in "Fantasmas." Credit: Monica Lek / HBO

Comedian Julio Torres is having a banner year. Not only is his directorial debut Problemista already one of the best movies of 2024 — his latest TV show, HBO's Fantasmas, is also one of the year's standout series.

SEE ALSO: 'Fantasmas' review: Surreal Julio Torres comedy is like nothing else on TV

This surreal comedy follows a fictionalized version of Torres as he hunts for a lost golden oyster-shaped earring. His quest veers off into a series of bizarro, cameo-rich vignettes that dive into the inner lives of objects and concepts or introduce us to strange new characters. Steve Buscemi inhabits the tragic story of the letter Q, for example, while Emma Stone pops up as a Real Housewife-esque figure. Bolstered by singular production design and a sprawling ensemble, Fantasmas cements itself as one of the most original shows of the year — and the most radical. It tackles everything from the American healthcare system to the ways in which corporations commodify identity, making for a fascinating portrayal of how people struggle to be themselves (and how artists struggle to make art) in our capitalist society. — B.E.

How to watch: Fantasmas is now streaming on Max.

3. Interview with the Vampire, Season 2 Delainey Hayles in "Interview with the Vampire." Credit: Larry Horricks / AMC

Season 1 of this audacious adaptation of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles played like a "brilliant gay fever dream," making explicit the queer romance that was implied in the titular novel. With Season 2, the toxic love of Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) and Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) lives on — even if the latter is presumed dead. 

SEE ALSO: 'Interview with the Vampire' Season 2 review: Theater, romance, and bloody good TV

Looking back on his time as a blood-sucker, Louis unfurls flashbacks of war-torn Europe, his resentful sister Claudia (Delainey Hayles), grisly theater kid drama, and a budding romance with the vampire Armand (Assad Zaman). Blending elements from several Anne Rice novels — including The Vampire Lestat and The Tale of the Body Thief — showrunner Rolin Jones is giving fans plenty to sink their teeth into. Yet for all this sensational show's splashes of blood, vicious humor, queer longing, and vampire lore, the best bit is the incredible charisma oozing from every single cast member. Whether they're prancing on a stage, fighting in a catacomb, flirting in Paris, or musing in present-day Dubai, they are as captivating as Rice described her immortal beloveds. So no matter how twisted things get, we can't look away! — K.P.

How to watch: Interview with the Vampire Season 2 is now streaming on AMC+.

2. Baby Reindeer Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning in "Baby Reindeer." Credit: Ed Miller / Netflix

For better or worse, Baby Reindeer is a show that sticks with you: It's amusing in parts, tense in others, and emotionally shattering overall. Based on creator Richard Gadd's own experience of being stalked, the series follows the budding comedian (who plays a version of himself) as he balances career disappointment with his job in a London pub — until a woman named Martha (a brilliant and terrifying Jessica Gunning) comes in one day and develops an obsession with him. "This isn't the type of show with a clear resolution," I wrote in my review for Mashable. "It's messy, thought-provoking, and — like a dream that's difficult to shake — you'll find your mind going back to it long after the credits have rolled." — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor

How to watch: Baby Reindeer is now streaming on Netflix.

1. Shōgun Hiroyuki Sanada in "Shōgun." Credit: Kurt Iswarienko / FX

There's good TV, there's great TV, and then there's TV that's so excellent it feels unfair. Shōgun is the latter.

SEE ALSO: 'Shōgun' co-creators break down the finale: 'It's a story about death'

An immaculately crafted historical epic that never loses sight of the personal stakes that drive it, Shōgun drops us into Japan in 1600. Here, an embattled Council of Regents ousts the powerful Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) just as an English vessel lands in Japan for the first time. Toranaga brings the vessel's pilot John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) into his retinue and, with the help of noblewoman Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), attempts to best his enemies as Japan inches closer and closer to civil war. 

Told almost entirely in Japanese, and produced with a focus on cultural authenticity in mind, Shōgun is breathtaking and devastating in equal measure. Sanada, Sawai, and Jarvis are tremendous, along with the entire cast. And while you might come into this epic expecting action and political intrigue (don't worry, you get both), you'll really leave with a sense of mournful contemplation, as Shōgun takes time to examine our relationship to death and to the secret desires that truly drive us. There's no doubt about it: This is the best show of 2024 so far. — B.E.

How to watch: Shōgun is now streaming on Hulu.

Dating is tough; we get it. And dating while broke? That's a special kind of torture. From spending your hard-earned cash on overpriced cocktails, awkwardly splitting the check, or worse, dealing with that one date who asked you to Venmo them for your half of the guac (seriously?), we've all experienced the pains of dating on a budget.

Luckily, modern tech has made dating more accessible and affordable, and the best free dating apps promise to connect you with your potential soul mate — no credit card required. (We know, it sounds too good to be true.)

While you might have to pay for drinks, at least these dating apps let you start matching for free.

What is the best totally free dating app?

Dating apps like Tinder, OkCupid, and Hinge have a free version that holds its own against its paid counterparts. That said, there are also some completely free, more niche dating apps worth checking out too, like Archer and Lex.

SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to know

Finding love (or a fun distraction) shouldn't cost a fortune. That's why we tested dozens of dating platforms to find the best free dating apps. Whether you're an introvert, a college student, or just looking for some steamy sexting action, we've got you covered.

Below, find our top picks for the best free dating apps. Use them to find your forever partner, a casual encounter, or something in between without paying a dime.

Note: All of the free dating sites below have a free membership option that gives you almost everything you need for the full experience. Though most offer paid premium memberships, these aren't apps like Match or eharmony, where you need to pay to do basically anything.

Featured Video For You These dating sites and apps are perfect for people on a budget

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 June 19 SEE ALSO: 'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for June 19

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, June 19, 2024:

AcrossWilbur or Babe, in literature

• The answer is pig.

Language that gives us "alma mater" and "alter ego"

• The answer is latin.

Writing assignment in English class

• The answer is essay.

Something skipped across a calm lake

• The answer is stone.

Crumb carrier

• The answer is ant.

DownGemelli, cavatelli or vermicelli

• The answer is pasta.

Fighting words?

• The answer is itson.

"Fee-fi-fo-fum" speaker

• The answer is giant.

"___ Misérables"

• The answer is Les.

Bill known as "the Science Guy"

• The answer is Nye.

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

TikTok may soon face yet another fight with the U.S. government. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused TikTok of violating children's privacy, referring a complaint against the app and parent company ByteDance to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In a statement released on Tuesday, the FTC announced that it has been investigating TikTok and ByteDance regarding their compliance with a settlement order made to video sharing app Musical.ly in 2019. Musical.ly was aquired by ByteDance in 2017, and subsequently merged with TikTok in 2018.

SEE ALSO: President Biden signs TikTok ban bill into law

"The Commission also investigated additional potential violations of [the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)] and the FTC Act," the FTC said in a statement. "The investigation uncovered reason to believe [TikTok and its parent company ByteDance] are violating or are about to violate the law and that a proceeding is in the public interest."

The FTC's $5.7 million settlement with Musical.ly concerned allegations that the app had gathered the personal information of children under 13 without parental consent — a violation of COPPA. According to the FTC, Musical.ly users provided information such as their name, email address, and phone number to create an account, however their age was not requested prior to 2017. This meant that children could create accounts and supply their personal information without parental permission. The FTC also objected to Musical.ly making all account profiles public by default, and allowing users to send direct messages to any other users.

As part of the 2019 settlement, Musical.ly (subsequently known as TikTok) was to remove all videos made by children under 13 and comply with COPPA going forward. TikTok has since implemented several new measures for protecting children's privacy, including introducing a limited app experience for users under 13 and making the accounts of users aged 15 and under private by default. 

Even so, it seems that the FTC still considers TikTok's efforts inadequate, though it has not yet specified exactly how the app is allegedly violating the law. The FTC acknowledged that it usually doesn't publicise when it has referred a complaint to the DOJ, however it "determined that doing so here is in the public interest." 

Mashable has reached out to the FTC for comment.

In a statement to Mashable, a TikTok spokesperson said that it has been working with the FTC to address its concerns for over a year, and was "disappointed" that the government agency is turning to litigation instead of continuing said collaboration.

"We strongly disagree with the FTC's allegations, many of which relate to past events and practices that are factually inaccurate or have been addressed," said the TikTok spokesperson. "We're proud of and remain deeply committed to the work we've done to protect children and we will continue to update and improve our product. We offer an age-appropriate experience with stringent safeguards, proactively remove suspected underage users, and have voluntarily launched safety features such as default screentime limits, family pairing, and privacy by default for minors under 16."

U.S. officials have expressed apprehension about TikTok's impact on children multiple times in recent years, though specific concerns tend to vary. Last year Utah filed a lawsuit against TikTok alleging that its "highly powerful algorithms and manipulative design features" are engrossing to the point of being harmful to children. Utah filed a second lawsuit earlier this year, accusing TikTok of enabling children to perform "illicit acts" in livestreams for monetary compensation. TikTok requires users to be over the age of 18 to livestream or receive gifts on its platform.

The U.S.' ongoing beef with TikTok

The FTC's referral comes amidst the U.S. government's dogged efforts to convince the public that TikTok is sinister Chinese spyware. Labelling TikTok a security concern, the U.S. government has accused the Chinese government of spying on users and manipulating its algorithm to show content sympathetic to China — despite there being no evidence to support this. Some senators have also blamed TikTok for young people's support for Palestine, believing that China promoted the cause to incite division in the U.S.

Driven by such concerns, the U.S. Senate passed a ban on TikTok in April, with President Joe Biden swiftly signing it into law. ByteDance now has less than a year to either sell TikTok to an entity the U.S. government approves of, or else exit the country entirely. The latter appears more likely at this stage, TikTok having stated that such divestment was not possible, "not commercially, not technologically, not legally."

Of course, TikTok isn't going down without a fight. ByteDance has since sued the U.S. government over the ban, accusing it of violating the First Amendment right to free speech, while several creators have filed a separate lawsuit on the same basis.

TikTok has had previous success with this argument. Last year a judge blocked a TikTok ban in Montana on the basis that it was unconstitutional. Even so, there's no guarantee the fight will resolve in TikTok's favour again. The Montana ruling certainly didn't stop the federal government from banning the app anyway.

TikTok has 170 million U.S. users, a number which hypocritically includes both President Biden and former president Donald Trump. The company employed almost 7000 people in the U.S. as of March last year, while a study commissioned by TikTok determined that it supported 224,000 jobs and contributed $24.2 billion to the U.S. GDP in 2023.

Many U.S.-based TikTok creators don't believe that a ban will actually go ahead, which feels very much like a "this only happens to other people," "God himself cannot sink this ship" type of attitude. Unless TikTok can fight off the U.S. government and achieve victory in court, your dance challenge days may be numbered.

This Juneteenth, there are numerous options for you to choose from for your banking needs, but did you know that you could bank Black?

"The number one reason it's important for Black banks to be in existence is because the majority of them do work in what the United States designates as low to moderate income census tracts," says the executive director of the consultancy group National Black Bank Foundation, Rod Chavez. 

SEE ALSO: 4 things you need to know about Juneteenth, the federal holiday

There are 23 Black-owned and run banks and savings institutions as of March 2024 according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the primary federal regulator of state-chartered banks that do not join the federal reserve. To qualify for designation as a Black-owned institution by the FDIC, a minimum of 51 percent of voting stock has to be owned by people or entities that identify as Black, or the majority of people on the board of directors have to identify as Black.

"If we make the assumption that Black owned banks are more likely to provide credit on reasonable terms to Black clients than white-owned banks, then their absence is really important in the context of a situation in which black people are confronted with discrimination in credit markets," says professor of economics at Duke University William Darity.

Be sure to do your own thorough research if you’re thinking about switching to or joining a Black-owned bank so you can make the most informed decision for your banking needs. 

Some prominent examples of Black-owned banks in the U.S.

Here are nine of the oldest Black-owned banks in the country. You can find the full list here.

1. Citizens Savings B&T Company, a bank established in Nashville in 1904 with a goal of providing "assistance to low- to moderate-income and minority groups to enable them to realize their economic dreams."

2. Mechanics & Farmers Bank, a bank established in Durham, NC. in 1908 with a mission to "enhance the wealth and well being" of the communities they serve.

3. Citizens Trust Bank, a bank established in Atlanta, 1921 with a mission to "promote community economic growth and stability."

4. Carver State Bank,a bank established in Savannah, GA, in 1927 whose mission is to provide "the building blocks for financial freedom" to "improve the lives of low-income individuals and residents of distressed communities."

5. Industrial Bank, a bank established in Washington D.C. in. 1934 with a mission to "impact economic development" in communities they serve.

6. First Security Bank & Trust Co, a bank established in Oklahoma City in 1951 with a mission to "create innovative and flexible banking products providing financial capital to small businesses."

7. First Independence Bank, a bank established in Detroit in1970 with a mission to "be a beacon for capital accumulation for individuals and business entities by delivering financial services with an affinity for under-served and minority communities."

8. Liberty Bank & Trust Co, a bank founded in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1972 with a "focus on service, integrity and a sincere interest in community and business development."

9. Commonwealth National Bank, a bank founded in 1976 in the Toulminville section of Mobile, Alabama, whose founders' mission is to serve their own "neighbors, friends, and community members."

Note: Mashable is not a financial advisor and this is list is not a recommendation.

TL;DR: As of June 18, you can get lifetime access to Curiosity Stream documentaries for only £141.62 — no coupon needed.

Instead of spending the summer scrolling through the same old collection of documentaries on Netflix and ITV, it might be time to try a platform that actually specialises in educational content. Curiosity Stream is the streaming app that's home to a huge selection of high-quality documentaries and docu-series on a wide variety of topics. A lifetime subscription to Curiosity Stream is only £141.62 (reg. £314.75) through June 26.

Watch documentaries for life

If you love documentaries, you don’t have to settle for the precious few modern ones on Netflix or other streaming services. Instead, you can enjoy the wider selection of high-quality documentaries on Curiosity Stream.

Fascinated by true crime? Craving a deep dive into the deep ocean? Or do you want to take a look at some of the most interesting stories from history? Curiosity Stream has an enormous catalog of educational content, and it's even won an Emmy.

Plus, the user interface is easy to navigate, with tools to filter content by topic or collection, or you can even search for your favourite narrator. They have some well-known names like Sir David Attenborough and celebrity narrators like Morgan Freeman. 

New content is being added all the time, so a lifetime subscription doesn't mean a lifetime to watch the same old stuff. It means you'll always have access to a growing library of fascinating shows and movies to watch on multiple devices, both on or offline. 

Save on a lifetime subscription to Curiosity Stream

Don't miss your chance to get lifetime access to incredible educational content you or your family can enjoy. 

June 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the deadline to get a lifetime subscription to Curiosity Stream for £141.62. No coupon needed. Please note that this offer is available to new users only at this time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Curiosity Stream Curiosity Stream Standard Plan: Lifetime Subscription £141.62 at the Mashable Shop
£314.75 Save £173.13 Get Deal

TL;DR: Watch Germany vs. Hungary in Euro 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Euro 2024 comes from the great footballing nation of Germany. And the host team face their next challenge in Group A, taking on Hungary. Germany will be confident and are looking to go all the way on home soil. Can the Hungarians spoil the party for the hosts?

Even though Euro 2024 is being held in Germany, you don't need to be there to watch the games. If you want to watch Germany vs. Hungary in Euro 2024 for free from anywhere around the world, here are some helpful pointers.

When is Germany vs. Hungary?

Germany vs. Hungary in Euro 2024 kicks off at 12 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. BST on June 19. This fixture takes place at the Stuttgart Arena in Stuttgart, Germany.

How to watch Germany vs. Hungary for free

Germany vs. Hungary in Euro 2024 is being broadcast by the BBC, and will live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-blocked outside the UK, but you can use a VPN to watch this free streaming platform wherever you are. With a VPN you can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect to a secure server in the UK, so BBC iPlayer thinks you're in the UK and allows you to circumnavigate those annoying geo-restrictions.

Unblock BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream Germany vs. Hungary in Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not actually free to use, but they tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees to sweeten the deal. You can sign up for long enough to watch every Euro 2024 fixture and then cancel your trial or claim your money back. This is sneaky, but it works.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — that's an impressive discount of 49% — and includes an extra three months for free. The plan also gives you a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you're always getting value.

Stream Germany vs. Hungary in Euro 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Croatia vs. Albania in Euro 2024 for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Euro 2024 is well underway, with Croatia — one of the most impressive teams in European football — looking to start another successful campaign against underdogs Albania, who enter only their second European Championships.

Croatia reached the World Cup final in 2018 but they're yet to reach the same level of success at the Euros. Is 2024 the year that they go all the way? They've certainly got the quality in the squad to do it. But the Albanians could surprise the Croats. Anything can happen in tournament football and the group stages always have a few shocks in store.

The good news is that you don't have to be in Europe to watch Croatia vs. Albania in Euro 2024 for free. Here's some useful information to help you access all the Euro 2024 fixtures for free.

When is Croatia vs. Albania?

Croatia vs. Albania in Euro 2024 kicks off at 9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. BST on June 19. This fixture takes place at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany.

How to watch Croatia vs. Albania for free

Croatia vs. Albania in Euro 2024 is being broadcast by ITV. Free live streaming is available via ITVX.

ITVX is a free streaming platform for viewers in the UK, which means it's geo-restricted. But viewers outside of the UK can access ITVX by using a VPN. This hides your IP address (digital location) and connects you to a secure server based in the UK, allowing you to bypass the geo-restrictions to watch Euro 2024 games on ITVX — no matter where you are.

Unblock ITVX by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Stream Croatia vs. Albania in Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world

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

While the best VPNs for streaming aren't technically free, they do offer money-free solutions. VPN providers offer free-trial periods and money-back guarantees, both of which you can take advantage of to gain access to ITVX — all without spending a penny. This is not a long-term solution, but you might be encouraged to sign up permanently if you like the service. And if not, you'll be able to get free access for long enough to watch every Euro 2024 fixture without spending anything.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently available with a 49% discount — an attractive price of just $99.95, which includes an extra three months for free along with a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Croatia vs. Albania in Euro 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Scotland vs. Switzerland in Euro 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Nothing is decided in the first round of fixtures. The Euro 2024 group stages have plenty of surprises in store, with qualification still up for grabs for every team. Scotland and Switzerland are both looking to book a spot in the knockout rounds, and you can watch all the action from this tough matchup from anywhere in the world.

If you want to watch Scotland vs. Switzerland in Euro 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Scotland vs. Switzerland?

Scotland vs. Switzerland in Euro 2024 kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on June 19. This fixture takes place at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, Germany.

How to watch Scotland vs. Switzerland for free

Scotland vs. Switzerland in Euro 2024 is being broadcast by the BBC, with free live streaming available on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Access BBC iPlayer to stream Euro 2024 by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream Scotland vs. Switzerland in Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to provide free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to stream every Euro 2024 fixture for free.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Stream Scotland vs. Switzerland in Euro 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

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 June 19'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.

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

He is a man of many words.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.

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 Wordle #1096 is...

TERSE.

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.

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

We're halfway through The Acolyte, and I'm calling it: The mysterious Sith Lord Mae (Amandla Stenberg) has been serving is none other than Qimir (Manny Jacinto).

A former smuggler turned disciple of the Sith, Qimir acts as a handler of sorts for Mae. If she needs a poison to kill Jedi Master Torbin (Dean-Charles Chapman), he'll whip one up. If she needs advice on where to find Jedi Master Kelnacca (Joonas Suotamo), he'll guide her through the jungles of Khofar. If she needs someone to complain to about her cryptic Master's missions, Qimir is all ears. (He's also perfectly happy to drink and take naps while Mae is out murdering Jedi.)

SEE ALSO: 'The Acolyte' review: Just what Star Wars needs

But Qimir's bumbling smuggler exterior — "Han Solo without the rizz," as Jacinto described him in an interview with Entertainment Tonight — has to be a front for something darker. Remember his chilling delivery of "You look exactly like her" when he first met Mae's identical twin, Osha (Stenberg)? Or how quickly he subdued Mae when she tried to fight him? There's clearly more to him than meets the eye.

Plus, since Mae's admitted she doesn't know who is really lurking beneath that smiling Sith helmet, there's a good chance it's someone we've already met. Maybe even someone Mae already knows... like her partner in crime? After all, what better way is there for a Sith to check in on their acolyte than by shadowing their missions and getting a sense of how they work?

The "Darth Qimir" speculation has been swirling among The Acolyte's fans for a while now. Perhaps the biggest piece of evidence in favor of this theory is the fact that Qimir flat out quotes the first line of the Sith Code, telling Osha, "Peace is a lie."

Qimir? Is that you? Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.

But The Acolyte's fourth episode adds further fuel to the flames of Qimir's potential Sith-hood. As he and Mae track down Kelnacca, Mae has a change of heart about her whole mission. She traps Qimir and continues alone, leaving him hanging by his foot from a tree.

SEE ALSO: 'The Acolyte's twin reveal threw me for a loop — and I'm hungry for more

The episode ends with Mae, Osha, and the Jedi contingent — including Sol (Lee Jung-jae), Jecki (Dafne Keen), and Yord (Charlie Barnett) — converging on Kelnacca's house. But before they can all duke it out, darkness descends across the jungle. The Sith Lord has arrived, and the gang's all here to take this mysterious enemy on.

But guess who's not around? Qimir!

Sure, maybe he's still floundering in Mae's trap while his boss takes care of business. Or maybe he waited until Mae was gone to use some Force tricks to escape. Then, I imagine he changed into his sick Sith getup using whatever the Star Wars equivalent of Clark Kent's phone booth is. Once that's done, he's ready to take down some Jedi and teach his impudent acolyte a lesson.

The argument here really just boils down to: Have you ever seen Qimir and the Sith Lord together in the same room? And the answer, of course, is no. Because they're the same person! I'm (almost entirely) certain of it!

There is still the chance that Qimir is a red herring, and that I have fallen for it extremely hard. Maybe he's just an intense Sith fanboy. Maybe the Sith is someone entirely different: A new possibility is Mother Koril (Margarita Levieva), one of the Brendok witches whose body was conspicuously absent from the rest of the dead coven at the end of The Acolyte's third episode.

Yet I've written off a scrubby, disheveled guy as being the Big Bad once before, with Halbrand in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. And look how that turned out! So with The Acolyte, I'm trusting my instincts, and I'm ready to embrace Darth Qimir with open arms.

The Acolyte is now streaming on Disney+, with a new episode every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.

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 June 19'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 deleted

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: All in agreement

• Green: Ask out

• Blue: Things in quantifiable amounts

• Purple: Spirituality

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

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

• Yellow: Positions in Favor

• Green: Go Out With

• Blue: Multitude

• Purple: Things Read in Divination

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 Connections #374 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Positions in Favor: AYE, FOR, PRO, YEA

• Go Out With: COURT, DATE, SEE, WOO

• Multitude: DROVE, HOST, PACK, SEA

• Things Read in Divination: AURA, PALM, TAROT, TEA

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.

The chip maker’s stock price has jumped over the last year thanks to its stranglehold on the market for the chips needed to build A.I. systems.

By now, you've probably heard about Elon Musk's grand plan to turn X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, into an "everything app." One of the major pillars of Musk's reimagining of X includes a payment platform much like PayPal or Venmo.

New documents obtained by Bloomberg shed new light, not only into Musk's financial service vision for X, but also into just how much the company has struggled financially since he acquired it in October 2022.

These new documents are prepared by X and have been submitted to state regulators as Musk's company looks to receive money transmitter licenses — a requirement for anyone looking to provide financial services of this kind. These documents also give the public its first official peek into the company since Musk took X private.

X's revenue has plunged

Now that X is no longer publicly traded, there's a lot we no longer know about the company. Most reports regarding X's revenue troubles, for example, have come from internal leaks.

However, these new documents make it official: According to X, the company's revenue has plummeted since Musk took over.

In the first six months of 2023 — the first full year in which Musk controlled the company — X's revenue fell by nearly 40 percent from the same period the prior year. The company brought in $1.48 billion during that time period. Furthermore, X lost $456 million in the first quarter of 2023.

The majority of this drop in revenue can be attributed to X's advertiser woes. Prior to Musk's takeover, when the platform was known as Twitter, advertising generally accounted for a whopping 90 percent of the company's revenue. Under Musk, advertisers fled due to platform changes and various controversies involving its owner, so ad revenue declined.

Musk's financial services push

X is looking to launch a payment services system on its social media platform. The company submitted documents to 11 states as it seeks to obtain money transmitter licenses.

The company is looking to provide users with a PayPal/Venmo-like feature called X Payments. The plan is to allow users to pay other users, buy products and services, and store money via their X account. 

Musk has floated a number of ideas to make up for the loss of advertising revenue. For example, X rolled out the X Premium subscription plan as well as a subscription service for creators. Neither service has been able to close the revenue gap left by the advertiser exodus. 

However, according to these documents, X plans to utilize the X Payments service mainly in order to achieve “increased participation and engagement” on the social media platform. X Payments does not plan to charge fees for most of its services.

The X Payments idea has been brought up by Musk before. In previous comments, Musk shared that he'd like users to be able to open a savings account with X with “extremely high yield.”

According to Bloomberg, then-Twitter had actually incorporated a payments business in February 2022, before Musk bought the platform. Now called X Payments, the X subsidiary has its own board of directors and management team. While X currently has business relations with payment processors, like Stripe and Adyen, and banks with Citibank, it's unclear if X would be partnering with these companies for X Payments' services.

And, bad news for cryptocurrency advocates. According to the report, X Payments has no current plans to incorporate virtual currencies like crypto into the business.

YouTube videos are getting the Community Notes treatment.

The platform will be experimenting with a community-driven fact-checking feature, announced June 17, and designed to provide "relevant, timely, and easy-to-understand" context to YouTube videos — an apt endeavor as misinformation (and disinformation) proliferates online.

"This could include notes that clarify when a song is meant to be a parody, point out when a new version of a product being reviewed is available, or let viewers know when older footage is mistakenly portrayed as a current event," YouTube explained in a blog post.

SEE ALSO: U.S. Surgeon General: Social media needs a warning label

Early versions of notes will be created by users determined to be in "good-standing" by YouTube, and then rated by third-party evaluators on their helpfulness. This feedback, the platform explains, will help train an in-house bridging-based algorithm that will screen notes in the future.

Viewers will also be asked for feedback on the helpfulness scale, with justification. "For example, whether it cites high-quality sources or is written clearly and neutrally."

Credit: YouTube

X's own Community Notes feature has offered an example of just how (mainly, how not) to approach a community-led fact-checking system. While CEO Elon Musk has alternated between bolstering and waging a war on the feature, a Mashable investigation found that few of the platform's users actually see approved Community Notes addressing misinformation. "Many times, misinformation on X spreads without any Community Note. Or in another common scenario, a Community Note is approved, but then later removed from the post," reported Matt Binder. When a post receives a community note, and it stays attached to the post, Binder wrote, "the falsehood in the post is often viewed around 5 to 10 times more than the fact-check."

Speaking to Poynter about the efficacy of Community Notes at curbing misinformation, former Twitter head of trust and safety Yoel Roth said there were "some areas where it’s successful," but also said he saw "many other areas where it is not a robust solution for harm mitigation." MediaWise director Alex Mahadevan was quoted as calling the user rating system "mostly a failure." It's often a site wide vessel for memes.

Still, YouTube is taking a stab at a similar real-time feature, among other efforts to create a more transparent platform. The company has previously rolled out a variety of topic-specific information panels and now requires creators to disclose the use of generative AI when its applied to alterations of real people, real events, or otherwise "realistic" looking scenes.

The notes pilot will only be available in English and to select Creator Studio users in the U.S. during early tests. According to the platform: "We anticipate that there will be mistakes – notes that aren’t a great match for the video, or potentially incorrect information – and that’s part of how we’ll learn from the experiment."

Banana is a game in which players repeatedly click on a banana, and that's about it. Think Cookie Clicker, but instead of all the fun features that the game adds, you just click on the cookie endlessly.

Despite that simplicity, the game has become a massive hit since its launch in April.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Direct June 2024: 8 big announcements, including 'The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom'

With a peak concurrent player count of over 860,000, Banana is now the second most played game on Steam, trailing behind Counter-Strike 2. This surge in popularity is remarkable, especially considering it had just 100,000 players a week ago. In terms of peak count, Banana even threatens to surpass Baldur's Gate 3, which has a peak count of 875,343 players.

All-time concurrent player peaks according to steamcharts.com Credit: Screenshot / Steam Charts

It seems likely that Banana will soon push BG3 out of Steam's top 10 all-time list.

Why is Banana so popular?

While the game may initially seem dull, there is more to it than meets the eye. Persistent clicking eventually leads to the appearance of another banana, which players can trade or sell on the Steam market. Occasionally, a rare and more valuable banana drops, making the repetitive clicking potentially lucrative. Rare bananas can sell for hundreds of dollars, with the top-priced banana fetching over $1,300.

As the game's developers told Polygon, "I do believe that the reason why it mostly caught on is because it’s a legal ‘infinite money glitch.'"

Subsequently, the game's minimal resource demand on PCs has led to botting issues, with developers telling Polygon that some users are running "up to 1,000 accounts" to maximize rare drop chances. As the game's popularity grows, the developers say they are updating banana designs to manage the rapid influx of players and content.

In short, the virality of Banana can be explained by general tongue-in-cheek internet humor and the stupid amount of money one can make, which turns this boring clicker game into a very weird pseudo-NFT trading card simulator.

Everyone knows sound is a critical component to most films and videos. After all, even when films were silent, there was still a musical accompanist letting the audience know how to feel.

This natural law remains the same for the new crop of generative AI videos, which emerge eerily silent. That's part of why Google has been working on "video-to-audio" technology (V2A) which "makes synchronized audiovisual generation possible." On Monday, Google's AI lab, DeepMind, shared progress on generating such audio including soundtracks and dialogue that automatically match up with AI-generated videos.

Google has been hard at work developing multimodal generative AI technology to compete with rivals. OpenAI has its AI video generator Sora (yet to be publicly released) and GPT-4o, which creates AI voice responses. Companies like Meta and Suno have been exploring AI-generated audio and music, but pairing audio with video is relatively new. ElevenLabs has a similar tool that matches audio to text prompts, but DeepMind says V2A is different because it doesn't require text prompts.

SEE ALSO: Luma AI Dream Machine: What it is, how to try it

V2A can be paired with AI video tools like Google Veo or existing archival footage and silent films. This can be used for soundtracks, sound effects, and even dialogue. It works by using a diffusion model trained with visual inputs, natural language prompts, and video annotations to gradually refine random noise into audio that fits the tone and context of videos.

Google DeepMind says V2A can "understand raw pixels" therefore you don't actually need a text prompt to generate the audio, but it does help with the accuracy. The model can also be prompted to make the tone of the audio sound positive or negative. Along with the announcement, DeepMind released some demo videos, including a video of a dark, creepy hallway accompanied by horror music, a lone cowboy at sunset scored to a mellow harmonica tune, and an animated figure talking about its dinner.

V2A will include Google's SynthID watermarking as a safeguarding measure against misuse, and Deepmind's blog post says the feature is currently undergoing testing before it's released to the public.

SAVE $20: As of June 18, get The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening for just $39.95 at Walmart, down from its usual price of $59.99. That's a discount of 33%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening" $39.99 at Walmart
$59.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

During the latest Nintendo Direct, Nintendo revealed a brand new The Legend of Zelda adventure: Echoes of Wisdom. This September, you'll get to play as Princess Zelda for the first time in a mainline Zelda game. That's still a few months away, so what can you do to scratch that adventuring itch until then? Play another Zelda game, of course!

As of June 18, you can get a physical copy of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening on Nintendo Switch for just $39.99 at Walmart. That's $20 off its normal price of $59.99 and a discount of 33%. As of this writing, Amazon still lists the game at $49.90.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Direct June 2024: 8 big announcements, including 'The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom'

This Switch adventure is a remake of the 1993 Game Boy title of the same name, which marked the first appearance of the Zelda series on a handheld. It follows Link as he wakes up on Koholint Island, worlds away from Hyrule. He must figure out why he's there and how he arrived in the first place while working to wake the legendary Wind Fish. This version gives the game a beautiful visual upgrade with a diorama-like aesthetic, an all-new Chamber Dungeon mode, and a reimagined soundtrack for good measure. It's the original game completely reborn.

Now's a good time to return to this classic while you wait to try out the new game. If you want to explore and earn everything, it should just last you long enough, though it's understandable that it's going to be a tough wait.

SAVE 50%: The Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum with self-emptying base is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $599. That's a savings of $299.01.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum with self-empty base $299.99 at Amazon
$599.00 Save $299.01 Get Deal

Summer should be a care-free time without a mountain of chores to get done every weekend. You should be lounging the backyard, hanging out at the park, or cooling off the air con at the movie theatre. If cleaning the floors has ever gotten in the way of your daily enjoyment, there's a great solution at Amazon today, and it's at an exceptionally low price.

As of June 18, the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum with self-empty base is just $299.99 at Amazon, down from the usual price of $599. That's a 50% discount or a savings of $299.01.

If you've been holding off on buying a robot vacuum for fear that it'll just be something else to take care of, the time has come to press "buy." The world of robot vacuums has improved tremendously since the early days of cliffhangers on the stairs and getting lost under the bed. The Shark AI Ultra uses precise mapping thanks to the 360-degree LiDAR vision which creates a detailed map of your home the first time you power up the robot. It also comes with Shark's Matrix Clean Navigation which uses a grid patterns to take several trips over troublesome spots, rather than the usual once-over, to ensure the floor gets clean.

The included base serves as the robot vacuums charging station, but it's also a self-emptying dock, storing up to 60 days of debris. Rather than storing dirt and dust in the robot itself, it empties into the dock which will only require your attention about once every 60 days for a quick empty.

Shark mentions this model is especially great for homes with pets since it uses a self-cleaning brush roll and a HEPA filtration system.

To send the robot vacuum on its way, you can use voice control or manage the vacuum through the Shark app. You can also set a cleaning schedule, adding to the convenience of forgetting floor cleaning was ever a chore you had to take care of.

If you're hoping for more free time this summer, offload the floor cleaning to the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum. It allows you to ignore floor cleaning for up to 60 days, and it's currently on sale for half off at Amazon. Both seem like incredibly smart moves to start off summer right.