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So, you've built yourself a fancy gaming PC. You sifted through all the specs, stressed over snagging your dream graphics card, and painstakingly obsessed over what kind of cooling system you'll use. Congrats! You did it.

OK, now that we've celebrated your triumphs, it's time to get real. In truth, you're really only getting started, because now you have to worry about all of your peripherals: Monitors, mice, gaming headsets, and more. Even if you already have all those things, until you've got yourself an elite gaming keyboard, your setup just ain't all that. Sorry, I don't make the rules!

SEE ALSO: Gaming starter kit: All the gear you need to play like a real gamer

Luckily, you've got yourself a lifelong gaming hobbyist here to help you pick one out. Trust me, it can get super complicated without some guidance (compared to building a gaming rig, this will be a cinch, champ). Over the past month, I went hands-on with the best gaming keyboards so that you could spend less time researching and more time gaming.

We'll get into my top picks below, but let's go over a few things first.

What are the most important specs?

At a glance, the specs you'll want to pay most attention to while shopping for a gaming keyboard are:

• Size/layout

• Switches

• Backlight/RGB lighting

• Connectivity

• Customization

Scroll to our "How we tested" section for more detail on our testing process in each of these categories.

SEE ALSO: Asus ROG Ally X review: 3 ways it beats the Steam Deck What size gaming keyboard is best?

The size (or layout) of the gaming keyboard you choose comes down to your preference. For me, Tenkeyless (or TKL) is best, because without arrow keys, I just don't know what to do with myself. Every time I need to move my cursor while typing, I just kind of freeze. Super normal stuff. That might not be you, though. Maybe you're able to adapt all the way down to 60% — arrow keys and number pads be damned!

Here are the main types of gaming keyboards you can expect to see while shopping:

• Full-size: As big as it gets. A full-size keyboard will have somewhere between 104 and 108 keys, including arrow keys, a number pad, and maybe even some dedicated macro keys. I personally don't think this size keyboard is necessary unless you often find yourself crunching numbers in Excel sheets.

• 96%: Ditches some of the extra macro and navigation keys but maintains the number pad.

• Tenkeyless, or TKL: Gets rid of the 10-key number pad (thus, ten-key-less) but keeps the arrow, function, and navigation keys. This is my personal favorite.

• 75%: Similar to a TKL but sacrifices a few of the navigation keys.

• 70%: This is the same layout as the 75%, but it doesn't have any function keys.

• 65%: You'll find various configurations for these compact keyboards — some have arrow keys, function keys, or a mixture of both.

• 60%: As compact as it gets. Also referred to as "mini" keyboards, a 60% layout chops off any extra keys. They can be super portable and great for remote gaming.

What gaming keyboard should I get in 2024?

Time for the picks! Let's take a look and get you the gaming keyboard of your dreams.

Want more iPhone 16 news? Check out our oft-updated live blog; we’ll be on the ground in Cupertino covering all things Apple before, after, and during the event.

Countless Apple iPhone 16 rumors have been flooding in – and they're helping us decode the mystery of how it'll be different from iPhone 15.

We’re hearing tons whispers about a possible camera redesign for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models.

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are also getting some camera upgrades – as well as a possible new bronze color. (It's reportedly called Desert Titanium.)

Here’s a compilation of all the credible rumors about next year's iPhone 16 line.

SEE ALSO: New iPhone 16 leak reveals 5 vibrant colors and camera redesign iPhone 16 rumors: Quick summary

• The IPhone 16 will reportedly have a new capture button to give users easy access to photo and video functions.

• The bezels on the next-generation iPhone 16 will reportedly be thinner than ever.

• The iPhone 16 Pro models will drop the Blue Titanium colorway in favor of a new bronze color called "Desert Titanium."

• Night Mode and ultrawide lenses on the iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to get a boost.

• The iPhone 16 camera layout is getting a redesign from its current diagonal position to a stacked one

iPhone 16 release date

You may be wondering, "When will the iPhone 16 be announced?" The iPhone 16 release date is expected to be some time in September. To further nail down a specific date, Apple usually hosts the iPhone event on the second week on September, typically on a Tuesday.

As such, our prediction is that the iPhone 16 event will likely fall on Sept. 10 alongisde the new Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. This prediction has been corroborated by a late August report from Bloomberg, which discovered that Apple is planning on having its big product launch event on Sept. 10.

In fact, as of Aug. 26, Apple has reportedly wrapped up filming for the iPhone 16 launch event.

After Apple has its whole shebang of an event showcasing the next-generation handsets, the iPhones typically ship about a week or two later. In other words, they will likely hit store shelves on Sept. 20.

iPhone 15 Credit: Apple

In the past, Apple has deviated from this cadence due to reported production hindrances (e.g., supply chain issues). For example, the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 14 Plus shipped in October, but typically, we get new iPhones unveiled some time during the first half of September every year.

iPhone 16 price

Fortunately, we're expecting the iPhone 16 to continue to have the same starting price that the lineup has had for four years now: $799.

According to TrendForce (h/t BGR), the prices for the other models will likely be the following:

• iPhone 16 Plus - $899

• iPhone 16 Pro - $1,099

• iPhone 16 Pro Max - $1,199

We're hearing that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models will get the A18 chip, but the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will snag the A18 Pro processors.

iPhone 16 design

Let’s dive into arguably the most important aspect of the iPhone’s design: the screen.

There haven’t been any significant changes to the display sizes since the iPhone 12, but according to reliable leaker Unknownz21, the upper-tier iPhone 16 models are going to be a little bit more unwieldy in your hands. For an overview of how the iPhone 16 may look, here are some renders:

Tweet may have been deleted

As you can see, you'll find the Action Button, which was left out of the lower-tier models on the current generation iPhone, now present on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. More on that later.

Display

The iPhone 16 Pro will reportedly have a 6.3-inch display while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will pack a 6.9-inch panel. You may be wondering, “What about the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus? Will they get a screen size bump, too?” The answer is likely no. The lower-tier models will reportedly have the same display sizes as their predecessors.

Tweet may have been deleted

iPhone 15 screen sizes

• iPhone 15 - 6.1 inches

• iPhone 15 Plus - 6.7 inches

• iPhone 15 Pro - 6.1 inches

• iPhone 15 Pro Max - 6.7 inches
  

iPhone 16 screen sizes (rumored)

• iPhone 16 - 6.1 inches

• iPhone 16 Plus - 6.7 inches

• iPhone 16 Pro - 6.3 inches

• iPhone 16 Pro Max - 6.9 inches

Ross Young, a well-known display analyst and Apple leaker, was the first to claim that the iPhone 16 Pro models will have larger screens. 

Tweet may have been deleted

However, he offered slightly different numbers: 6.2 inches and 6.8 inches. What could be the reason behind the discrepancy? According to MacRumors, it’s "likely due to the difference between actual display area and viewable display area."

Another rumor we're hearing is that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will continue to have 60Hz refresh-rate displays. This is a little disappointing considering other phones in the market at least have 90Hz screens, making navigating through the UI smoother, zippier and seamless.

Finally, according to MacRumors, citing popular Weibo leaker "Instant Digital," the iPhone 16 Pro will reportedly have a 20% brighter display for SDR content. In other words, the iPhone 16 Pro will reportedly emanate up to 1,200 nits of brightness.

Thinner bezels

The iPhone 16 will also reportedly have slimmer bezels, according to a report from The Elec (h/t MacRumors). Apple is tipped to be using something called Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology, which reduces the internal footprint of the circuitry inside, allowing for thinner bezels (without sacrificing anything important aspects like display performance, for example).

Thinner bezels means that the iPhone 16 series should yield more screen real estate for users.

In fact, according to popular leaker IceUniverse, the iPhone 16 Pro models will have the world's narrowest bezels.

Tweet may have been deleted

A tipster from Weibo concurred with IceUniverse's claim, adding that the iPhone 16 Pro series will have the following bezel measurements:

• iPhone 16 Pro - 1.2mm

• iPhone 16 Pro Max - 1.15mm

For reference, the iPhone 15 Pro models' bezels have a thickness of about 1.71mm, give or take.

Dimensions

Thanks to yet another leak from IceUniverse, it appears that we now have information of the most premium next-generation iPhone:

• iPhone 16 Pro Max reportedly measures 163.024mm × 77.575mm × 8.26mm

According to the aforementioned measurements, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is bigger than its predecessor: 1mm thicker, 3.1mm taller, and 0.88mm wider.

Thanks to X leaker @ZONEofTECH, we also apparently have photos (via a dummy model) that show that iPhone 16 Pro Max is, indeed, slightly larger than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Tweet may have been deleted Action Button

A report from MacRumors claims that every single model in the iPhone 16 line will feature an Action Button — not just the iPhone 15 Pro variants. The current-gen iPhone 15 Pro models' Action Button can be programmed to launch a range of apps and functions, including Flashlight, Camera, Silent Mode, Voice Memo, Focus, Magnifier, Translate (coming to iOS 17.2), and a range of accessibility features.

When iPhone 16 drops, however, the rumor mill states that Apple will add more functionality to the Action Button.

Capture Button

The Action Button was all the rage for the iPhone 15 series, however, according to MacRumors and The Information, a new Capture Button will be one of the biggest selling points for the iPhone 16. Reportedly placed slightly under the power button, the Capture Button is a camera-focused feature that can do the following:

• Zoom in and out of photos/videos with swiping gestures

• Allows users to focus on subjects

• Activates the shutter button

While MacRumors and The Information both concur that Apple is testing a "capture button" on the iPhone 16, both aren't on the same page on whether it's a mechanical button or a capacitive one. MacRumors says it's the latter, but The Information claims it's both.

The new capture button will reportedly be featured across all iPhone 16 models.

Solid-state buttons

Apple reportedly planned on introducing solid-state buttons with the iPhone 15 Pro models, but instead, we got a customizable Action Button. For the uninitiated, solid-state buttons aren’t buttons per se – they’re panels that feature haptic feedback sensations that simulate real button presses (Think of the iPhone SE series' Home button). On the plus side, the solid-state buttons aren’t totally out of the picture. According to respected Apple leaker and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is working on debuting solid-state buttons on the iPhone 16 Pro models instead.

Tweet may have been deleted

Kuo added that these solid-state buttons will add two additional Taptic Engines, which will help fire off tangible feedback to users. (If this is true, the number of Taptic Engines in the iPhone 16 will increase to three — up from one.)

According to a tip from Weibo (via MacRumors), the Action Button on the iPhone 16 Pro will be a solid-state button and sit flush against the chassis. To make room for this change, Apple will reportedly move the mmWave antenna to the left of the iPhone 16 Pro as opposed to the right. This Weibo tip comes from a leaker with the moniker "Instant Digital," a bean spiller that reportedly has an accurate track record, according to MacRumors.

iPhone 16 colors

According to a leak dropped on X, the iPhone 16 comes in five colors: white, black, blue, green, and pink.

Tweet may have been deleted

The iPhone 16 Plus is expected to come in the same colorways.

The iPhone 16 Pro, on the other hand, is expected to offer a bronze colorway, according to a Weibo-based leaker. The bean spiller claims that this will replace the Blue Titanium color offered for the iPhone 15 Pro, which contradicts reports that this color will be replaced by a rose-like color.

As MacRumors pointed out, it's possible that both leakers may have seen the same color, but interpreted them differently.

A late July leak from Sonny Dickson didn't show the new color that will supposedly replace Blue Titanium, however, it does reveal the other three colors that will possibly be unveiled in September for the iPhone 16 Pro models: white, black, and a natural gray color.

Tweet may have been deleted

But then, Aug. 16, Sonny Dickson revealed all the colorways of the iPhone 16 Pro, including the reported bronze color. It's definitely not a "rose-like color."

Tweet may have been deleted

The color is reportedly called "Desert Titanium."

According to X leaker Majin Bu, "Desert Titanium" appears to be some sort of "dark gold color."

Tweet may have been deleted

According to 9to5Mac's source, which the outlet claims got a previous colorway rumor correct, the color is lighter than expected. It's almost beige.

Tweet may have been deleted

The rumor mill seems to agree that the iPhone 16 is some sort of shade in the brownish-gold territory, but it can't seem to nail down the exact hue.

iPhone 16 Apple Intelligence

Similar to the iPhone 15 series, Apple Intelligence, the Cupertino-based tech giant's new suite of AI features announced at WWDC 2024, the only phones that likely support Apple Intelligence are the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

With iOS 18, the iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to get new AI perks that boost the likes of Siri, Safari, Mail, Messages, and more. (I got a chance to test Apple Intelligence on my iPhone 15 Pro Max).

Siri is about to get a whole lot smarter. Credit: Apple

Here's a guide on the Apple Intelligence features that will likely be present in time for the iPhone 16 launch.

Other Apple Intelligence features, like Genmoji and Image Playground, will likely be delayed.

iPhone 16 cameras

Apple debuted a new zoom lens with a "tetra-prism" design on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which means that engineers found a way to "fold" the shooter so that it still has telephoto capabilities without taking up too much space. This new camera increases the Pro Max’s optical zoom from 3x to 5x.

iPhone 15 Pro Credit: Apple

However, according to Digital Chat Station (DCS), a bean-spiller on the Chinese social media site Weibo, both the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max will get the new tetra-prism telephoto camera.

DCS also added that the iPhone 16 Pro Max specifically is getting the Sony IMX903 sensor, an upgrade from the Sony IMX803 sensor. This means that the iPhone 16 Pro Max wide lens will have a larger sensor size, allowing for more light gathering for better photos and videos in low-light conditions.

Credit: John Keeble/Getty Images

According to Jeff Pu, a tech analyst from Haitong International Securities (a Hong Kong investment firm), the ultrawide cameras are getting a boost, too.

Pu stated the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models will also feature a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera with better light gathering. As such, camera performance in dimmer environments should improve. As it stands now, the iPhone 15 Pro models have a 12MP ultrawide camera. A new late August report from Apple Insider confirms this rumor.

The ultrawide camera is perfect for taking landscape photos, allowing you to capture more scenery. However, compared to the main camera, the ultrawide lens tends to deliver a slight drop in crispness and sharpness. If this rumor is true, the new 48-megapixel ultrawide camera may ameliorate this minor foible.

Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple will upgrade the rear cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro models, introducing a stacked design. What will a stacked design do? According to Apple Insider, it increases light capture and provides wider dynamic range, so Night Mode should get a sweet boost.

Finally, it's worth pointing out that the iPhone 16 Pro, as we reported in April, will allegedly tackle lens flare and ghosting issues by using anti-reflective coating on the cameras.

As far as the iPhone 16 is concerned, according to a photo leak on X, Apple has rearranged the rear cameras for its entry-level devices from a diagonal configuration to a stacked design. Plus, Apple Insider claims that the iPhone 16's ultrawide camera will get improved aperture (upgraded from f/2.4 to f/2.2), allowing for better low-light capture.

Featured Video For You History of iPhone (updated) iPhone 16 battery life

As we reported in early April, a Weibo leaker by the name of "OvO Baby Sauce OvO" seemingly unveiled the new new battery sizes across the iPhone 16 lineup:

• iPhone 16: 3,561mAh

• iPhone 16 Plus: 4,006mAh

• iPhone 16 Pro: 3,355mAh

• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4,676mAh

All the iPhone 16 models have some sort of increase from two to six percent except for the iPhone 16 Plus, which reportedly has a reduction of nearly nine percent compared to the iPhone 15 Plus.

Keep in mind that an increase in battery size doesn't necessarily mean that the device will deliver longer battery life. And in the same vein, a battery size reduction doesn't necessarily lead to shorter runtimes. There are other aspects at play (the display's efficiency, for example). So we won't know for sure how battery life is affected until we get the phones in our hands.

It's also worth noting that Kuo claimed that Apple is increasing the the iPhone 16 Pro Max's "battery energy density,"

iPhone 16 specs

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with 8GB of RAM while the lower-tier models, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max, are stuck with their predecessors’ 6GB of RAM. If that bums you out, don’t worry. According to Pu, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to join the 8GB of RAM bandwagon, too.

iPhone 15 lineup Credit: Apple
Storage

According to news aggregator account "yeux1122" from Naver, a Korean blog, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature options that offer 2TB of storage.

That is double the current max storage capacity of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Chipset

In recent years, Apple has followed the trend of putting last year's chip into the two entry-level models while the Pro models, the Pro and the Pro Max, get the new-generation chip. For example, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus got the A16 Bionic chip, the same inside the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. However, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max got outfitted with the new A17 Pro chips.

If this pattern continues, it should follow that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus get the A17 Pro while the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max get the A18 chips. Pu hinted that this is how it will be for the iPhone 16 line, hinting that the A17 Pro will reportedly be less efficient. In other words, the iPhone 16 models equipped with this chip may take a battery life hit. This is because the next-generation chip will offer tremendous performance gains at the expense of power efficiency.

However, another rumor tells a different story.

According to an alleged iOS 18 code leak from MacRumors, the entire iPhone 16 line will get an A18 chip. However, there’s a chance that Apple will use a “Pro” identifier name to differentiate from the standard and Pro models (e.g., A18 chip and A18 Pro).

The iPhone 16 Pro models will also reportedly support Wi-Fi 7 (current models support WiFi 6E). Wi-Fi 7 should offer zippy transfer speeds that exceed 40 Gbps, quadrupling what WiFi 6E can do.

According to Pu (via 9to5Mac), the iPhone 16 Pro will come with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem, which can reach a 5G download rate of up to 7.5 Gbps.

We’ll periodically update this rumor hub as new iPhone 16 leaks trickle in, so be sure to bookmark this page. 

iPhone 15 Pro Max $1,399.99 at Best Buy
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If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 7 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 7 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Know your material

These words are all the fashion(s).

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers all relate to what you would use to make clothing.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Fabric.

NYT Strands word list for September 7

• Denim

• Velvet

• Satin

• Chiffon

• Spandex

• Fabric

• Jersey

• Muslin

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

TL;DR: Live stream Pegula vs. Sabalenka in the 2024 US Open final for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from the UK with ExpressVPN.

Watching the US Open for free in the UK is not easy, but nothing is impossible. And we've reached the finals of the tournament, so if there was ever a time to find a hack, it's now. Fortunately, we can help you secure access to free live streams of the US Open finals.

If you want to watch Pegula vs. Sabalenka in the 2024 US Open for free in the UK, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Pegula vs. Sabalenka in the 2024 US Open for free in the UK

Fans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:

• Australia — 9Now

• New Zealand — TVNZ+

These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone in the UK can access these sites with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ from the UK.

Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open final by following these simple steps:

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can access free live streams of Pegula vs. Sabalenka without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the US Open finals before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the US Open?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free in the UK, for a number of reasons:

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• 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.

Live stream Pegula vs. Sabalenka in the 2024 US Open final for free in the UK with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Germany vs. Hungary in the UEFA Nations League for free on L'Equipe. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League could present an opportunity for international sides like Germany to take small steps towards recovery. Germany were not poor at Euro 2024, but they have seriously high standards. And any tournament in which they don't fight for the title is seen as a failure.

Hungary lost to Germany in Euro 2024, so they'll be looking for revenge in this UEFA Nations League fixture.

If you want to watch Germany vs. Hungary in the UEFA Nations League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Germany vs. Hungary?

Germany vs. Hungary in the UEFA Nations League kicks off at 7:45 p.m. BST on Sept. 7. This fixture takes place at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.

How to watch Germany vs. Hungary for free

Germany vs. Hungary in the UEFA Nations League is available to live stream for free on L'Equipe.

L'Equipe is geo-restricted to France, 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 France, meaning you can access free live streams on L'Equipe from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of Germany vs. Hungary by following these simple steps:

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

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4. Visit L'Equipe

5. Live stream Germany vs. Hungary for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Germany vs. Hungary in the UEFA Nations League without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select UEFA Nations League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for L'Equipe?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on L'Equipe, for a number of reasons:

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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 Germany vs. Hungary in the UEFA Nations League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2024 AFL Grand Final for free on 7plus. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Aussie Rules is a fast-paced and physical game that provides entertainment to millions of fans every week, but the game hasn't exactly traveled well outside of Australia. This situation should change, because we're confident that the rest of the world would absolutely love the footy.

The AFL Grand Final is Australia’s most-watched sporting event of the year, and if you're interesting in giving this sport a chance, this could be the perfect opportunity to see what all the fuss is about. And you don't have to spend anything to watch all the action this year.

If you want to watch the 2024 AFL Grand Final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the AFL Grand Final?

The AFL Grand Final is an Australian rules football match that determines the winners of the Australian Football League season. The game traditionally takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the last Saturday in September. It attracts one of the largest audiences in Australian sport, with a capacity crowd of up to 100,000.

When is the 2024 AFL Grand Final?

The 2024 AFL Grand Final is the 129th edition of the annual grand final of the Australian Football League. This year's game takes place on Sept. 28.

How to watch the 2024 AFL Grand Final for free

The 2024 AFL Grand Final is available to live stream for free on 7plus.

7plus is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in Australia. This quick and easy process makes it look like you're connecting from Australia, so you can access 7plus from anywhere in the world. It sounds complicated, but it's actually really straightforward.

Watch the 2024 AFL Grand Final from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for 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)

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these offers, you can secure access to the 2024 AFL Grand Final without committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can unblock 7plus and then recover your investment after the AFL Grand Final.

What is the best VPN for 7plus?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport, for a number of reasons:

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

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• 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 heavily discounted plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 AFL Grand Final for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Republic of Ireland vs. England in the UEFA Nations League for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League is back, and it marks the beginning of a new era for England. Lee Carsley has brought in a number of new faces in his role as interim manager, as England look to bounce back after losing in the final of Euro 2024.

If you want to watch Republic of Ireland vs. England in the UEFA Nations League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Republic of Ireland vs. England?

Republic of Ireland vs. England in the UEFA Nations League kicks off at 5 p.m. BST on Sept. 7. This fixture takes place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.

How to watch Republic of Ireland vs. England for free

Republic of Ireland vs. England in the UEFA Nations League is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone from around the world can stream for free 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 access free live streams on ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of Republic of Ireland vs. England 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 Republic of Ireland vs. England for free 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Republic of Ireland vs. England in the UEFA Nations League without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select UEFA Nations League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream 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 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 Republic of Ireland vs. England in the UEFA Nations League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Australia vs. Argentina in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Rugby Championship continues to deliver some of the best international rugby of the year. It feels like every game can go either way, and the result is often decided by big plays in the final moments. That was the case in the first game between Argentina and Australia, with the Wallabies securing a last-gasp win.

That was heartbreaking for Argentina, but they will believe that they can turn things around in the second meeting between the two sides. If you want to watch Australia vs. Argentina in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. Argentina?

The second game between Australia and Argentina in the 2024 Rugby Championship kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Sept. 7. This fixture takes place at the Brigadier General Estanislao López Stadium in Santa Fe, Argentina.

How to watch Australia vs. Argentina for free

You can live stream the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+, including Australia vs. Argentina.

The catch is that this free live stream is only available to fans in Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, and Ukraine.

If you do not live in one of these countries, you can use a VPN to change your digital location and stream for free. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Rugby Championship on NZR+ from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2024 Rugby Championship 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 one of the countries listed above

4. Visit NZR+

5. Live stream Australia vs. Argentina for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to a free live stream of Australia vs. Argentina without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the 2024 Rugby Championship before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Rugby Championship?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live rugby on NZR+ for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• 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.

Live stream Australia vs. Argentina in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream New Zealand vs. South Africa in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

South Africa came from behind to steal the win over New Zealand in their first Rugby Championship matchup, in what was probably the game of the tournament so far. Can the All Blacks secure the first win over South Africa in this year's competition? It's a tough task, especially on South African soil.

If you want to watch New Zealand vs. South Africa in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is New Zealand vs. South Africa?

The second game between South Africa and New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby Championship kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Sept 7. This fixture takes place at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa.

How to watch New Zealand vs. South Africa for free

You can live stream the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+, including New Zealand vs. South Africa.

The catch is that this free live stream is only available to fans in Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, and Ukraine.

If you do not live in one of these countries, you can use a VPN to change your digital location and stream for free. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Rugby Championship on NZR+ from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2024 Rugby Championship 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 one of the countries listed above

4. Visit NZR+

5. Live stream New Zealand vs. South Africa for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to a free live stream of New Zealand vs. South Africa without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the 2024 Rugby Championship before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Rugby Championship?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live rugby on NZR+ for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• 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.

Live stream New Zealand vs. South Africa in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Catfishing is perhaps the only place the work of Tegan and Sara and Erin Lee Carr could collide. After all, the former are a Canadian indie pop duo and the latter is a true crime documentarian. While the titular twin singer/songwriters deliver beautiful and achingly catchy songs about break-ups and sapphic yearning, the latter filmmaker has explored the dark depths of shocking cases like the Bling Ring thieving spree, the despised "cannibal cop," the murder of the notorious DeeDee Blanchard. 

In Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara, the musicians and the moviemaker come together to investigate a case that's less violent, but nonetheless haunting. Seeking to catch the hacker/catfish that has been toying with the hearts and minds of the band's fans for 16 years, what's exposed is where the highs and lows of internet fandom collide with the delicate underbelly of celebrity.

Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara allows us to come a little closer

This intriguing documentary takes audiences back to the late 2000s, when Tegan and Sara Quin were on the rise as artists, as was social media. Where the band — and the outgoing Tegan especially — used to make an appearance at the merch table or walk the line of fans waiting to enter the venue to give autographs and selfies, they could now interact on message boards, Tumblr, LastFM, and Facebook. But over 16 years, many fans have discovered that the Tegan they thought they were talking to was an impostor, masquerading as the pop star for reasons all their own. 

SEE ALSO: It's easy to catfish strangers on dating apps

Lee steps out from behind the camera here, engaging onscreen with Tegan (and to a lesser degree Sara) as well as victims who've come forth to share their stories. Shared among these women is a brilliant emotional intelligence, as they reveal their hurt while recognizing the painful experiences of others. As Lee has for tabloid-favorite killers and victims, she extends a profound empathy to her subjects that offers a supportive space for people admitting they'd fallen for the con. Some of them thought they'd made a cool new friend — who was a pop star! Others believed they were in a secret romance with one. All were tricked by Fake Tegan, or “Fegan” as they are referred to in the doc, while the investigative team tracks them down.

For the first time, Tegan herself speaks out on the catfishing, and how it's impacted her personally. And this is the film's most powerful revelation. 

In Fanatical, Tegan Quin shares the pain of toxic fandom

Tegan is quick to point out that much of her fanbase is wonderful, supporting her music and each other. However, she also makes clear there's a horrid dark side for public figures, perhaps especially when they're queer. Fans take on a sense of ownership over a celebrity that can turn judgemental and even scary. 

For Tegan, the news of the catfishing was a penetrating betrayal, making her doubt her friends and self. As the catfisher(s) had accessed private photos, unreleased demo tracks, and even personal family news, she began to worry if someone she loved had turned on her — or if giving so much attention to her fans had enabled this catfish to abuse the trust of her fans and friends. 

Fans take on a sense of ownership over a celebrity that can turn judgemental and even scary. 

The most jolting moment in Fanatical  is a tense phone conversation between Tegan, Lee, and a maybe victim/maybe suspect, who denies their volatile online behavior toward the artist was harmful. "You weren’t affected in any capacity," they angrily declare to Tegan. It's a comment that feels reflective of a common assumption about celebrities and what they must surrender for fame. Recently, queer pop princess Chappell Roan faced online backlash after going to social media to tell fans to give her space and leave her family out of their efforts to reach her. Some suggested she “signed up for” this intrusive lack of privacy by being famous, as if fame were acquired by signing a sketchy contract with the devil himself. 

Being famous doesn't make you impenetrable, and Tegan shows that by sharing her story — and even her doubts about doing so in the doc for fear it'll just make things worse. While she is composed for much of her interviews, there's no denying the emotional burden she's carried with no end in sight. That, in all this time, Tegan has continued to not only put out music but also a memoir with her sister and a subsequent TV adaptation called High School is a testament to the pair’s resilience. They refuse to let these violations define them or upend their creative drive. 

Fanatical confronts stan culture 

To create context for the digital waters in which this catfish swims, Lee presents a broad summary of how fan culture has evolved over the last 130 years. This sequence begins with the backlash from fans of Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original version, not the intense Johnlock fandom of the 2010s). From there, an expert tries to contextualize how fandom overreach has grown from 1893 to Eminem's seminal song "Stan," which detailed an obsessive fan who turns to violence, to the current re-contextualizing of the term to basically mean "superfan." 

SEE ALSO: Remembering Tumblr's strangest, most formative communities

Fanatical suggests this transformation of "stan" risks muddling the distinction between fans who say they'll do "anything" for their idol and fans who actually dox so-called "haters" or stalk the object of their obsession. In a rush to connect these dots, the documentary loses the nuance of online conversation and parasocial relationships, and its love for hyperbole is lost. A series of reconstructed tweets (with blank avatars and no time stamps) are presented as a slippery slope, where online threats of violence might lead to dangerous real-life reactions. Here, Lee cuts to clips of pop stars being grabbed on stage or pelted with objects by the crowd, then to footage of trials of convicted stalkers. 

Perhaps this section is intended as a moment for every fan to self-reflect on how they might be casually toxic. But conflating threats of violence and doxxing with tweets like "In my household we stan Lana Del Rey and whoever disagrees can choke," might cause eyerolls. Such a tame tweet feels out of place amid the details of the Tegan and Sara attacks, which include threats to out the former as a "terrible person," sharing their personal documents with others, and creating disturbing, sexually explicit fanfiction. 

Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara is a must-see 

Perhaps, Lee takes on too much when she tries to apply what's happened to Tegan and Sara to a broader fandom conversation. (It's easy to imagine the film as a limited series because of the sheer massiveness of that topic.) But despite this wobble, Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara is a fascinating film because of the balance in empathy between the stars and their fans. When fandom goes toxic, both sides of that equation suffer. Lee shows that through thoughtful interviews and also interactions between the real Tegan and Fegan's victims, brought together to pick up the pieces of this bizarre betrayal of trust. 

Fandom should be a place of community, not in-fighting and catfishing.

These meetings range from healing to tense. Shrewdly, Lee exposes the "unnatural" setup of such interactions by allowing camera equipment and light reflectors in frame. It's not to expose the artifice of the interview, but to bolster why a particular subject — who was a Fegan suspect — might feel insecure at this moment. There's a literal spotlight on them, and they feel it. But from this place of discomfort, hard truths and hurt feelings finally are aired so solace can follow.

Fandom should be a place of community, not in-fighting and catfishing. Through Fanatical, Tegan and Sara strive to reclaim the joy of community through sharing and shaking off the embarrassment of the whole situation. In that, they not only warn their fans about this curious hacker, but also urge the viewing audience to consider how shady online behavior can have real-world impact. Yes, even to the famous. 

Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara was reviewed out of its World Premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. The documentary will later debut on Hulu.

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 September 7's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles 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 September 7 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Has possession of something.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter O.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

OWNER.

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

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

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

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 September 7's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 7 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: Photo editing

• Green: Golf equipment

• Blue: Just bought a fish

• Purple: Iconic horse imagery

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: Ways to Transform an Image

• Green: Things Used in Golf

• Blue: Aquarium Purchases

• Purple: Logos with Horses

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 #454 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Ways to Transform an Image: CROP, FLIP, ROTATE, SCALE

• Things Used in Golf: BALL, DRIVER, GLOVE, TEE

• Aquarium Purchases: FILTER, PUMP, ROCKS, TANK

• Logos with Horses: COACH, GODIVA, MUSTANG, POLO

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.

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

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

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

What do rapper Megan Thee Stallion and Kansas City Chiefs' star tight end Travis Kelce have in common?

They both starred in Pepsi's revival of its iconic "We Will Rock You" ad.

WATCH: Megan Thee Stallion and Travis Kelce in new Pepsi commercial

This year's Pepsi commercial, inspired by the upcoming Gladiator II film, is a three-minute long commercial called "Make Your Gameday Epic" — and it's set in a Roman Empire stadium where Megan Thee Stallion is watching a Spartan match of the Super Bowl winners from her throne.

In addition to Kelce, NFL players Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, and Justin Jefferson make an appearance, as well as White Lotus actor Jake Lacy and Fargo star Lamorne Morris.

If the theme of the commercial seems familiar to you, that's because it's a recreation of the iconic 2004 commercial that starred Beyoncé, Britney Spears, and Pink. Both commercials feature the highly recognized Queen song "We Will Rock You."

The connection was made by many fans immediately and met with mixed reactions. While some viewers applauded the commercial and thought it was a touchdown, others disagreed with the company's choice of remaking the video.

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

One commenter under the YouTube video stated "I’m switching to Coca-Cola."

There are moments in life that break us to pieces, but not quickly, like a hammer hitting a vase — in a slow but unavoidable way, like a crack in a window. It's only a matter of time before the glass will give way, leaving you wrecked and wide open to a world that keeps on moving regardless. Sharp Corner is about such a moment, where an inexplicable event slowly shatters the psyche of an average family man who previously thought himself content. 

Written by Jason Buxton and Russell Wangersky, Sharp Corner is a lean but gripping psychological thriller than explores fear, anxiety, and how a societal double standard can leave men in a unique disadvantage when it comes to processing trauma. So who better to headline this movie than Ben Foster? This American actor has delved powerfully into these themes in previous roles, such as the wild-card brother of Hell or High Water, the anti-social father of Leave No Trace, and the hardened soldier of The Messenger. 

Ben Foster plays a father in crisis in Sharp Corner. 

Mild-mannered, middle-aged Josh McCall (Foster) is a loving partner to his intellectual wife Rachel Davis-McCall (High School's Cobie Smulders) and a playful parent to his young son Max (William Kosovic). Their first night in their new home in suburban Canada, Josh gently tucks his kid into bed, assuring him that there's nothing to fear in this unfamiliar setting. Next, Josh and his wife christen the living room with some hasty but spirited sex. But then disaster strikes. 

Before the opening title card even hits the screen, a car's tire flies through the big display window, shattering glass and shooting past Rachel's head before landing with a terrifying thud. A car has crashed dramatically in their lawn. While Rachel races to soothe their crying child, Josh stands looking out the window, pantless and powerless, his bare ass facing us while he gazes upon a horrifying new reality. 

Everyone in the family is dealing with this shocking incident in their own ways. Rachel avoids conversation around it and buries herself in caring for her child, who is finding bits of busted reflector as he plays in the yard. But this leaves Josh with no one to talk to about his fears. He had considered himself the family's protector, but it was only dumb luck they too weren't hurt that night. So, Sharp Corner follows his slow-burn quest to reclaim a sense of control, first through understanding the cause of the accident, then by educating himself on life-saving tools like CPR. But more fatal crashes on the titular turn make this increasingly difficult, pushing Josh into disturbing behaviors to reclaim his identity.

Sharp Corner's deep-set empathy makes its horrors hit harder. 

Often, when media discusses toxic masculinity, they're addressing macho men who refuse to acknowledge their own emotions. Ben is not that guy. He's desperate to talk about what happened, but he can't find a place where he feels safe to do so. His wife doesn't want to hear it. His friends aren't prepared to go from wine recommendations to trauma-dumping, and he doesn't trust a stoic psychiatrist, who has a dog named Drake.

So, like a lot of people grappling with anxiety and post-traumatic distress, Josh throws himself into action. He creates projects to prevent further crashes, and when that fails, he is desperate to be prepared to save a life when the need arises. Maybe that can restore his sense of self? Maybe that can save his family from falling apart? Foster's nuanced performance — tension rippling under his skin and need gleaming through his eyes — makes this terror feel at once extraordinary and achingly common. 

Yet as empathetic as Sharp Corner is, binding us to Josh in moments he can't share with anyone, it doesn't paint his wife as an uncaring nag or a cliched villain. She too is grappling with this jolting realization, not only that their dream home is a suburban nightmare but also that death can be random, and stupid, and on your front lawn over and over. Though hers is a much smaller role, Smulders comfortably shoulders the character work of Rachel, her careful words hitting with precision. Her tone shifts from direct and annoyed, when the two adults are alone, to guarded yet cutting when they're with their son. Together, they create a couple that feels real — and really on the brink of splitting up.

Sharp Corner packs a punch without packing in gore.

The script is crisply realized, keenly charting Josh's downward spiral as he surrenders everything to his desperate need to reclaim a sense of power in a world that's made him feel impotent and futile. Buxton, who also directs, wisely trusts in Foster and Smulders to ground the film's drama. It helps he keeps the home's aesthetic clean and cozy in cool blues and grays, so the carnage outside — with its streaks of yellow dome lights and red reflectors and blood — is all the more jarring. Yet the deaths are largely off-screen, or when they're shown, are done so with a mindfulness towards graphic bodily harm.

Buxton isn't seeking to sensationalize these moments. He gives us just enough to understand why Josh can't shake them. So, we too struggle to focus as others talk to him about mundane things like school pick-up and work assignments. But how far would we walk in his shoes? That's the terrifying question Sharp Corner asks in a third act that is ruthlessly plotted. 

Focused so intently on the inner turmoil of its ego-ravaged hero, Sharp Corner is leanly executed. But Buxton and Wangersky seems to lose faith in their audience in the second act, offering a sequence where a psychiatrist basically spells out what Josh is going through (though she's not knowingly talking about him). Despite this detour, the finale regains momentum. Ultimately, a smart premise is poignantly brought to life by Foster and Smulders, making for a psychological thriller that is nerve-rattlingly tense and a family drama that is unapologetically gutting.

Sharp Corner was reviewed out of its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. 

In American media, a man cheating on his wife is often a source for tears, screaming, vengeance, murder-based TV shows, or one of the greatest concept albums of all time. So, when this American movie critic sat down for the Chinese documentary Mistress Dispeller, I brought my societal expectations with me, thinking I knew what I was in for. I was very, very wrong, but I found real pleasure in what this curious film offers instead. 

Hong Kong-born filmmaker Elizabeth Lo follows "mistress dispeller" Wang Zhenxi as she engages with a client, a middle-aged wife in China who is distraught that her husband has taken a younger mistress. The wife, called Mrs. Li in the film, tearfully unfurls her suspicions and the evidence that has brought her to this moment. But even as she is hurt, she explains ardently how kind her husband is, sharing a story of how he takes special care when cooking for her mother. 

This dizzying mix of feelings — anger and love — in the film's first act establishes the emotional complexity that is knit throughout Mistress Dispeller, which isn't interested in blame or salacious details. Instead, this remarkable documentary engages its audience through an earnest empathy with all three parties, and a daring openness between subject and filmmaker that is absolutely stunning. 

Mistress Dispeller is most shocking in how much its subjects share. 

How Mr. Li's affair has impacted his own life, as well as the lives of his wife and mistress, is revealed through simple scenes of day-to-day life. A woman getting her hair cut at a salon may seem mundane at first glance, but then you see the tear snaking out of her eye and down her cheeks as her expression struggles to stay stoic. More engaging, though, are the numerous dining scenes, where two (or three) of these subjects sit across from each other as an unblinking camera shoots them in profile. 

At first, it seems Lo is capturing only a casual conversation. But when Mr. Li looks from his companion into the camera's lens, we're reminded that he knows he's being watched. And yet, even then, he shares his secrets. Similarly, his mistress, Fei Fei, will open up in front of Lo's lens, defending her love of her married boyfriend, and even welcoming the crew to follow her away from date night and into her working day. Here, the polished, pale make-up and frilly, coquettish dress she wore to impress her man is gone, replaced by a cleaner face and simple streetwear as she zips around on a scooter unglamorously delivering frozen food. 

Lo doesn't lean on talking-head interviews or a narrator to step us through this story. She lets the words and actions of this tangle of people speak for itself. And while we may blanch at the feeling of voyeurism perhaps inherent in a documentary that delves into the nitty-gritty of a marriage in peril, a simple promise makes Mistress Dispeller extraordinary. 

Consent is key in Mistress Dispeller. 

In the opening credits of the film, a title card proclaims: 

"Everyone agreed to participate both at the beginning and end of production, as their understanding of the film and mistress dispeller's role evolved over time." 

What Mr. Li and Fei Fei think they're being filmed for initially isn't clear, as Wang's involvement with them begins undercover. Collaborating with Mrs. Li, she is introduced to the husband as a friend. Steadily, as she grows in his confidence, he opens up about Fei Fei, and introduces the two, calling Wang a "cousin." All the while, Wang is getting to understand each side of this love triangle, not to strategize the fastest way to break it up but the most compassionate way.

Operating without judgment, Wang aims to understand how Fei Fei came to be involved with Mr. Li, why he was drawn to her, and what they and Mrs. Li want now. She works the case like a psychological detective, determining motive through clues and covert interrogations involving badminton matches and mani/pedis. As she comes to see the messy emotions that built this puzzle of love and pain, she invites us to understand them too as the fly on her wall. It's an extraordinary thing, watching these people in moments of heady infatuation, crushing betrayal, and deep confusion, all while they know they're being filmed. The subjects' awareness of the cameras might mean there's a level of performance at play. But as they get to know Wang, it's easier and easier to believe the cameras they once stared at become just another piece of furniture as they chart their way forward. 

Mistress Dispeller is gorgeous to behold. 

Lo also serves as the director of photography and co-editor on the film, and deserves praise for every role. As a director, she smartly hangs back, allowing the subjects to tell their story however they see fit. With editor Charlotte Munch Bengtsen, she takes what might be thought of as B-roll and assembles them into pieces that neatly construct a challenging narrative that has no real villain. As a cinematographer, she captures scenes of domestic simplicity, like a lunch together between husband, wife, and undercover mistress dispeller, with a keen eye for detail.

Along with a meditative pacing that gives big feelings room to breathe, there's often a charming symmetry in the framing, which not only makes for a pleasing image but also bolsters the film's emotional focus on balance. There is never only one side to a story, and the equal weight shared in such staging subtly reminds the audience of this simple, but often overlooked fact. 

This sense of balance is made all the more impactful in a finale where Mrs. Li and Fei Fei finally meet; conflict seems inevitable, but it won't play out like American media would have us expect. And yet, Wang sits at just of the center of the frame, not to take sides but to even out the power dynamic at play. Even without melodramatic moments of gnashed teeth and bellowed accusations, Lo's moving film captures heartache and humanity viscerally. More incredibly, through the story of one real marriage confronting an affair, she urges her audiences to reconsider the biases of shame and blame we've taken in through scads of more salacious media. It's not that Mistress Dispeller is preachy — far from it. Instead, this doc makes showing all sides look so easy that you might well wonder why it's not done more often. 

In the end, Mistress Dispeller is a marvel: elegantly constructed, ethically created, and thought-provokingly humane. 

Mistress Dispeller was reviewed out of its North American Premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

After ruling against Google last month, Judge Amit P. Mehta said he would take until next August to determine fixes that the company must make.

We are just days away from Apple's big annual September event, and the rumors surrounding the iPhone 16 — along with other potential announcements — are flying.

If you're in the market for a new pair of AirPods, you'll soon have a few more choices. According to a new report, Apple is planning on releasing two different models in the new AirPods 4 line that will likely be announced at the September 9 Apple event.

These new AirPods models will look more like Apple's premium wireless earbuds, AirPods Pro, and come with new features. One model will reportedly even have a charging case with a built-in speaker. 

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max leak: Video camera rumored to get this upgrade

This new AirPods report is a bit different from some other rumors out there as it comes from a source with a great track record: Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman.

Two new AirPods 4 models on the way

To be clear, this product launch would release a brand new middle tier of AirPods, as the higher-priced AirPods are not a replacement for the higher tier AirPods Pro.

Apple currently still sells the older second-generation AirPods as an entry-level pair of wireless earbuds. The current generation AirPods 3 acts as a mid-tier device. With the AirPods 4, it appears Apple is looking to make the two levels in the AirPods line official and current with two new releases to replace both the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.

According to Gurman, both AirPods 4 models have been redesigned to look more like the AirPods Pro. For example, the new AirPods 4 should have much shorter stems than the current generation of AirPods, like the AirPods Pro has. Gurman says that the AirPods 4 also have improved audio quality as well as a new charging case. Both AirPods 4 models will drop the lightning cable and will have USB-C charging as well.

Speaking of charging, Gurman says that Apple recently discovered a software bug that was the culprit for AirPods battery life drain issues. Apple has reportedly fixed the issue in time for the AirPods 4 launch.

So, what's the difference between the two upcoming AirPods 4 models? Gurman reports that the higher end AirPods 4 – the mid-tier AirPods when accounting for AirPods Pro – will receive a premium charging case with a built-in speaker. The purpose of this speaker is to make it easier for users to find their AirPods with Apple's Find My feature but its unclear if the case speaker will have any other utility. 

Gurman says that the mid-tier AirPods 4 will also come with noise cancelation that rivals the AirPods Pro, which the entry-level model will lack.

Future AirPods updates

There's also a brand new AirPods feature in the works, according to Gurman, although it may not be ready in time for launch at the Apple event. Apple has reportedly been working on hearing health features, codenamed Yodel, that will turn AirPods into a hearing aid replacement. Yodel will also have a hearing test feature as well.

As for any new updates for the AirPods Pro or even the AirPods Max headphones, Gurman says not to expect anything at the Apple event this year.

A new AirPods Pro with a new design and better noise cancellation is expected next year. An AirPods Max update with new colors and USB-C charging is also expect to come later.

'The Front Room' actors Brandy Norwood and Kathryn Hunter break down the many layers and themes incorporated in the film.

Microsoft Bing now has more power to scrub AI-generated or deepfake images, a form of nonconsensual intimate image (NCII) abuse, from appearing on the search engine, as the company announces a new nonprofit partnership.

A collaboration with victim advocacy tool StopNCII, Microsoft is supplementing its user-reporting with a more "victim-centered" approach incorporating a more in-depth detection process, the company explained. StopNCII, a platform ran by UK nonprofit SWGfl and the Revenge Porn Helpline, offers individuals the ability to create and add digital fingerprints (also known as a "hash") to intimate images, which can then be tracked to remove images as they appear on certain platforms.

Based on a pilot that ran through August, Microsoft's new system harnesses StopNCII's database to immediately flag intimate images and prevent them being surfaced in Bing results. Microsoft says it has already "taken action" on 268,000 explicit images.

StopNCII's hashes are used by social sites like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Snapchat, and Reddit, as well as platforms like Bumble, OnlyFans, Aylo (owner of several popular pornography sites, including PornHub), and even Niantic, the AR developer behind Pokémon Go. Bing is the first search engine to join the partner coalition.

SEE ALSO: Scammers are using pictures of your home to amplify sextortion threats

Google, also struggling with nonconsensual deepfake content, has taken similar steps to address the appearance of deepfake images in Search results, in addition to nonconsensual real images. Over the last year, the company has been revamping its Search ranking system to lower explicit synthetic content in results, replacing the surfaced results with "high-quality, non-explicit content," the company explained, such as news articles. Google announced it was also streamlining its reporting and review process to help expedite removal of such content — the search platform already has a similar system for removal of nonconsensual real images, or deepfake porn.

But it has yet to join StopNCII and utilize its hashing tech. "Search engines are inevitably the gateway for images to be found, so this proactive step from Bing is putting the wellbeing of those directly affected front and center," said Sophie Mortimer, manager of the Revenge Porn Helpline.

Microsoft has similar reporting processes for real-images based NCII abuse, as well as strict conduct policies against intimate extortion, also known as sextortion. Earlier this year, Microsoft provided StopNCII with its in-house PhotoDNA technology, a similar "fingerprinting" tool that has been used to detect and help remove child sexual abuse material.

SEE ALSO: How Big Tech is approaching explicit, nonconsensual deepfakes How to report intimate images with StopNCII

If you believe your image (explicit or non-explicit) is at risk of being released or manipulated by bad actors, you can add your own fingerprint to StopNCII for future detection. The tool does not require you to upload or store personal photos or videos to the site. Instead, images are retained on your personal device.

1. Visit Stopncii.org.

2. Click on "Create your case" in the top right corner.

3. Navigate through the personalized prompts, which gathers information about the content of the image or video.

4. The website will then ask you to select photos or videos from your device's photo library. StopNCII then scans the content and creates hashes for each image. The hashes are then sent to participating platforms. No images or videos will be shared.

5. Save your case number, which will allow you to check if your image or video has been detected online.

If you have had intimate images shared without your consent, call the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative’s 24/7 hotline at 844-878-2274 for free, confidential support. The CCRI website also includes helpful information as well as a list of international resources.

Winona Ryder fills in the gaps for her iconic character, Lydia Deetz, between the original Beetlejuice and the long-awaited sequel.