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The FCC wanted to reinstate some net neutrality rules, but a U.S. appeals court has temporarily blocked the decision, siding with broadband providers challenging the regulations.

This decision came after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to resume oversight of broadband internet earlier this year. According to Reuters, the court's appeal is a setback to President Joe Biden's attempt to reinstate the rules, which would require that internet service providers treat all internet data and users equally. These rules were first adopted under President Barack Obama's administration and then were rescinded under President Donald Trump's administration.

New oral arguments will be scheduled for late October or early November, which, if you're familiar with the election calendar, falls around the same time as the presidential election.

SEE ALSO: The U.S. is suing TikTok for allegedly violating children's privacy laws

The court wrote, "The final rule implicates a major question, and the commission has failed to satisfy the high bar for imposing such regulations. Net neutrality is likely a major question requiring clear congressional authorization."

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel told Fox Business, in response to the decision, "The American public wants an internet that is fast, open, and fair. Today's decision by the Sixth Circuit is a setback, but we will not give up the fight for net neutrality."

As Mashable has previously reported, net neutrality is an internet anti-discrimination principle that would lead us toward an "open internet." It tends to be a particularly partisan issue, and with the issue continuously battled in the courts, we may not know its future until we know which party will lead the nation this November.

SEE ALSO: The FCC is reviving net neutrality. But what does that mean?

'Cuckoo' writer / director Tilman Singer and Dan Stevens give us the backstory on how they created the character of Herr König in 'Cuckoo'.

Less than 48 hours ago, I sat at a table in the sunshine outside my favourite wine bar waiting for my date to arrive. 15 minutes passed as I sipped my rosé, watching the world go by. "What's the grace period for lateness on a date?" I texted my mum. "30 minutes max," she replied, followed by a string of angry faced emoji. At 26 minutes past I messaged asking his ETA and a few minutes later I called him. He didn’t pick up.

At the 30-minute mark, I got up, blinking back tears as I made for home. I felt humiliated as I paid the bill and traipsed past diners and drinkers enjoying their summer evening. I stepped out of my chosen black dress when I got home, wiped off the makeup I'd excitedly applied earlier, called my mum and finally allowed myself to cry tears of frustration.

What had just happened? I let him know I'd left the bar, adding "that really did not make me feel good." No reply. No call back. Just a heavy protracted silence.

This wasn't a first date. This person wasn't a stranger, either. I met this man on Feeld three months ago. The timing wasn't exactly ideal for me — I was feeling fragile, both physically and emotionally, after freezing my eggs and recovering from the retrieval procedure. But I also knew I deserved better treatment.

SEE ALSO: Dating culture has become selfish. How do we fix it?

In the beginning, the messages were flowing. We talked about our shared love of gardening, books, food. It was the first time I felt excited about someone since I'd ended a nebulous situationship, which had left me feeling bruised and disillusioned with dating. It was time to knock down the protective walls I'd built around my heart.

The first date was great — wine, good conversation, kissing, mutual confessions of attraction. We made a plan to see each other again. But that's when things began to change. His messages weren't as abundant as they'd been in those early stages. I didn't immediately write him off because I know life can get in the way — people get busy, they get sick, they have to work. Still, it felt pretty rubbish. The disillusioned dater in me knew this wasn't a good sign: he was almost certainly pulling away. I'd been here before and I knew the direction of travel. Just when I made peace with the fact I'd never hear from him again, he messaged me asking when we'd be getting together. W — and I cannot stress this enough — TF.

Eventually I sent him the following: "I know we talked about going out again, but I'm going to be honest, the signals I'm getting are very hot and cold and it's hard to not interpret that as disinterest. I'm not sure this is a good fit in terms of communication style — typically I need more consistency in the early stages of something to sustain my interest." I wished him well and hoped he understood. The following morning he replied amicably and apologised for wasting my time. I archived our chat and moved on.

A week ago, while on holiday in France, I opened WhatsApp to see the dreaded "1" next to "Archived". Assuming it was just another group chat notification, I idly opened the archive, only to see a message from the aforementioned man. It was a photo of the pub we'd gone to on our first date and the words "walking past the scene of the crime."

My best friend was sitting beside me at the time and I leaned over and showed him the message. "I'd block him," he said. I should have listened.

Featured Video For You How Tinder and other dating apps use algorithms to find your match — Horny on Main

I replied and things started up again. In the time since ending things, I had thought of him. I felt I'd be abandoning myself if I didn't explore things and give him some grace.

For the next five days, we messaged morning, noon, and night. He wished me good night and when I woke up the next morning and opened my phone, there'd be a message waiting for me. Had he taken on board what I'd said before about consistency?

He seemed to be in the dating mindset this time around. He talked about marriage, children, a future life. Red flag, I wondered? Then again, he's in his late 30s, so these aren't conversation topics that are necessarily out of bounds for the stage of life we're at. In hindsight I feel naive for entertaining the second chance for as long as I did. One minute you're talking like you're my future husband, the next, you can't even show up for our date.

Once back in the UK, we made a plan to meet up for a glass of wine at a different bar (not the "scene of the crime"). He told me he had plans at five but should be wrapped up by eight. He told me he was having a pint in the sun and sent me a photo of his dog basking in the glorious weather.

8 p.m. came and went, as you know. And since then, I've heard nothing from him. In the immediate aftermath, I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt — emergencies arise, things go wrong. I didn't convey the true weight of my disappointment because I wasn't sure if something serious had happened.

I poured myself a gin and tonic and put Charli xcx’s Brat on full blast. What else can a girl do in the circumstances?

The next day, I woke up after a particularly troubled sleep and had to remind myself of what had transpired. I ran through scenarios in my mind. Did he lose his phone? Did he get drunk and fall asleep? I called my friends and talked through my feelings. Even now, I still can't wrap my head around it. I will likely have to make peace with never knowing what happened that night and why he treated me that way.

When I say to readers that I've been in the trenches of the dating app scene, I really mean it

As a perennially single woman in her mid-30s, the hardest part of this is not allowing myself to give up on dating.

Ironically, I've just finished writing a book about the current state of dating culture and why it feels so tough right now. When I say to readers that I've been in the trenches of the dating app scene, I really mean it. As someone who's been writing about dating and relationships for over a decade, who's witnessed the evolution of online dating, who's read through the never-ending online discourse surrounding dating, I have had more than my fair share of disappointments, of egregious incidents, of complicated and confusing situationships. This isn't my first time being stood up either. It's so draining.

Over the years, I've had hiatuses from dating. I've deleted apps only to redownload them months later. I've wondered if there was something wrong with me, if I'm too soft, too forgiving, too much of a pushover. In real low points, I've let my insecurities get the better of me and believed the negative voice in my head telling me if I was thinner, prettier, cooler, this wouldn't happen to me. A lot of therapy has disabused me of this idea.

SEE ALSO: 'I was cloaked.' What it's like to be blocked and stood up by your Hinge date.

Really, getting stood up — while painful — is a blessing. This man has shown me his true character. Getting stood up sucks, but in many ways, I've been saved from a far worse fate.

I believe everyone should do what they need to do to make themselves feel emotionally safe when dating. It's not as simple or straightforward as saying "you have to get yourself back out there." Because honestly, the last thing I want to do right now is open up a dating app.

Believing in the good of people — even after witnessing people at their worst — takes generosity.

Romantic love isn't the be-all-and-end-all for me. It's a nice-to-have, but not an essential item. I have a very happy life, just as it is.

But one thing that's giving me hope and strength is knowing that I deserve so much better than the way I've been treated. It takes strength to be vulnerable, to put yourself out there knowing full well it could end in tears. Holding off until I get what I deserve takes resilience. Believing in the good of people — even after witnessing people at their worst — takes generosity.

Right now, I'm protecting my heart, but I'll be “back out there” again soon because I refuse to let dating app culture grind me down.

Ever the dramatic loose cannon, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) realises he's outnumbered by Team Black's new scaly recruits in the House of the Dragon Season 2 finale — so he decides to torch a town instead.

But where is this place that Aemond decides to burn, and why does he choose that poor town of all places? Let's break it down.

SEE ALSO: ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 finale: What does Helaena’s prophecy about Aemond mean? What does Aemond do in the finale?

Early on in the House of the Dragon finale we see a shot of Aemond on mighty dragon Vhagar, watching on as a coastal town burns in the distance. There's a close-up shot of the flames and we hear people screaming in pain as Vhagar takes wing and flies off.

Soon, when Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) visits Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) in his sick bed, we find out what's happened.

"He has gone in fury to Sharp Point and laid waste to the whole of the town," says Larys.

But what is Sharp Point, and why does Aemond specifically target that place?

What is Sharp Point?

If we take a look at the official map of Westeros, we can see Sharp Point on the very edge of a peninsula surrounding the Blackwater Bay. It's probably the closest mainland town to Dragonstone, which is where Aemond was flying at the end of episode 7 when he got rebuffed by Rhaenyra's (Emma D'Arcy's) new dragons. Because of this there's a clear geographic reason why it might have fallen victim to his anger — simply put, it's one of the closest places for him to burn.

But as showrunner Ryan Condal explains in a YouTube breakdown of the finale, there's more to it than that.

"Aemond lashes out," says Condal. "It's also a strategic act because Sharp Point is the seat of House Massey, who serves on Rhaenyra's council. It's a punishment to them for siding with the pretender."

So there you have it. Aemond, even in his rage, isn't just wildly levelling random towns. Gormon Massey (James Dreyfus), who sits on Rhaenyra's council is the target of the attack.

House of the Dragon Season 2 is streaming now on Max.

The Tesla chief executive has renewed claims that the A.I. start-up put profits and commercial interests ahead of the public good.

Elon Musk says Neuralink has implanted a brain chip into a second patient, Reuters reports.

The medical technology company owned by Musk, developed to help people with spinal cord injuries, quadriplegia, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), inserted its first implant into a human patient in January 2024. Notably, the implant wasn't without issues, revealed by Neuralink in May.

On Friday, Musk took time away from picking grown man fights, promoting Donald Trump, and spreading political misinformation on the steaming bin fire that is X (formerly Twitter) to speak on an eight-hour (seriously) podcast with MIT research scientist Lex Fridman about Neuralink, in which he spoke of a second human test.

SEE ALSO: Neuralink's first patient can play chess using only his mind

Reuters, who was valiant enough to listen to the whole thing while I was watching House of the Dragon's Season 2 finale, notes Musk gave very light details on the reported patient, whom the CEO says has a spinal cord injury similar to Arbaugh's.

"I don't want to jinx it but it seems to have gone extremely well with the second implant," Musk said, per the news outlet. "There's a lot of signal, a lot of electrodes. It's working very well."

Fridman has previously interviewed Big Tech founders including Mark Zuckerberg, who was interviewed in the Metaverse. Nolan Arbaugh, Neuralink's first test patient, was also interviewed on the podcast, along with the company's COO and president DJ Seo, head neurosurgeon Matthew MacDougall, and brain interface software lead Bliss Chapman.

Thankfully, Fridman posted the topics and timestamps on X, if you want to skip the Ayahuasca chats.

Tweet may have been deleted

If you want to watch the whole thing, it's on Fridman's YouTube Channel.

I've been wearing the Samsung Galaxy Ring for three weeks now — and I'll admit that I underestimated it. Don't get me wrong, between my first impressions of the Galaxy Ring and my official in-depth review, it had a cornucopia of impressive perks.

For example, unlike the Oura Ring, it doesn't require a subscription. Secondly, its ability to track my stress has been creepily accurate, with the trend line in Samsung Health (the companion app) spiking during work hours and dipping during breaks.

A look at my stress levels throughout the day via Samsung Health Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Plus, save for the blood-oxygen sensor and the absence of a display, it can do almost everything my Apple Watch Series 9 can do when it comes to health tracking and fitness monitoring.

As a cherry on top, I can use the Samsung Galaxy Ring to initiate a hands-free experience with my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, allowing me to use a double-pinch gesture to take photos, record videos, and snooze alarms.

I used the double-pinch gesture to trigger the camera on the Galaxy Z Flip 6. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, nothing could prepare me for how well the Samsung Galaxy Ring can take my health data and make intelligent inferences based on the information it collected about me. I thought the Samsung Galaxy Ring was great, but now I believe it's a mind-blowing piece of tech.

SEE ALSO: I wore the Samsung Galaxy Ring for 7 days — and it upstaged my Apple Watch Series 9 The Samsung Galaxy Ring detected my inebriation — but how?

On Aug. 24, I checked my Energy Score in Samsung Health — and I received a measly score of 52.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

What's an Energy Score, you ask? It's a calculation that looks at your sleep, physical activity, and heart rate. A score of 92, for example, is pretty good because it's quite close to 100, which is the pinnacle of health. (You've reached wellness nirvana at that point.) A score of 52, however, is quite mid.

My Energy Score was down a whopping 26 points from the day before. The Samsung Health app revealed that this score was negatively affected by my sleeping heart-rate variability and poor previous day activity.

However, when I read the short paragraph below my Energy Score, a chill ran down my spine.

Samsung Galaxy Ring detected my alcohol consumption prior to sleep, but the question is, how? Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

“Sleep is compromised,” Samsung Health said. “REM sleep, sleeping HRV, and low heart rate early in the night are vital for full recovery. But, drinking alcohol and late-night eating can negatively impact them. Consider changing your habits before bed to ensure quality sleep and gradual waking.”

I couldn't believe what I was reading. "How the heck did my Samsung Galaxy Ring know that I had a swig of whiskey last night before going to bed?" I reached out to a Samsung rep for the answer.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

"The Galaxy Ring can track your sleep patterns by measuring your heart rate, blood oxygen, and skin temperature while you’re sleeping, all things that are affecting your system," the Samsung rep told Mashable in an email. "The Samsung Health app will also monitor abnormal signs while you’re sleeping to ensure you’re staying healthy and receiving the proper rest."

Reading in between the lines, it appears that the Galaxy Ring doesn't directly detect alcohol consumption, but it can make an educated guess based on a combination of factors during sleep. All of the metrics the Samsung rep mentioned can be affected by alcohol consumption. For example, it can alter heart-rate variability and affect thermoregulation.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

As such, my Samsung Galaxy Ring likely discovered some irregular patterns compared to my baseline sleep data, allowing it to make a smart inference based on abnormal deviations.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring excels at offering wellness suggestions

I didn't realize how helpful the Galaxy Ring's Wellness Tips would be. Initially, I thought, "Now, why would I need a device to tell me that I need to sleep more or be more active. Isn't that obvious?"

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, there are times where I was overworking and submerging myself in projects, and I didn't think it was noticeable enough to affect my health. Unfortunately, I ended up get nudges from Samsung Health to get some damn rest so that my body can return to its "normal functioning rhythm."

Samsung Health wagged a finger at me for overworking. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

It's one thing to get readings on your blood-oxygen level, heart rate, skin temperature, and more, but the question is, can you actually analyze that data on your own to best determine what your body needs? The answer is likely no, making the Samsung Galaxy Ring one of the most useful tech products — if not the most useful tech product — I own.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring comes in nine sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13. You can grab the Samsung Galaxy Ring for $399 on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Samsung Galaxy Ring $399.99 at Amazon
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Max has released a 2024-2025 trailer, featuring teasers for "The Last of Us" Season 2, "The White Lotus" Season 3, and "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms".

Wrinkles, your days are numbered! The NIRA Pro Laser caught my eye as someone who is a beauty-tech enthusiast. From LED masks to pricey red-light panels, I've used them all.

I've been chasing the technological fountain of youth for quite some time now — and I haven't discovered it yet. And no, don't tell me to "age gracefully." The only reason I haven't injected my face with Botox yet is because of my crippling fear of needles. Otherwise, bring on the anti-aging tools, treatments, and skin care routines, alongside my vitamin C serums and tretinoin.

The NIRA Pro is my latest skin care tech obsession. I first discovered it when it was spotlighted as an Innovation Award nominee for CES 2024. I saw the words "wrinkle reduction" and "youthful looking skin in 90 days," and I was like, "Sign me up!"

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The NIRA Pro is an at-home laser designed to offer professional-grade results to users. After 90 days of use, NIRA claims that its skin care device reduces wrinkles and renews skin by inciting the production of collagen. But the question is, does it actually work?

NIRA Pro Laser price

The NIRA Pro Laser costs $599 on NIRA's official website.

NIRA also sells the NIRA Precision Laser, which has a price tag of $449.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable NIRA Pro Laser $599.99
Get Deal NIRA Pro Laser vs. NIRA Precision Laser

The NIRA Precision Laser came first. It has a narrow head, allowing users to target wrinkles and other skin care woes more, well, precisely.

The NIRA Precision Laser Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, the minor setback with the Precision device is that it takes too long. Could you imagine standing up in front of the mirror and placing its small head on each unwanted wrinkle one by one? Not a bad purchase if you're 27 and you're losing your marbles over a few rogue fine lines. But if you've got "trouble areas" up the wazoo, the NIRA Pro Laser is your best bet.

The NIRA Pro Laser Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The NIRA Pro Laser has a larger head, allowing it to cover more surface area on your face. In contrast, the NIRA Precision Laser is better suited for treating hard-to-reach wrinkles.

So you'd be better off with the NIRA Precision Laser if you just have a few fine lines to tackle — or if they're located in places where there's a lot of curvature (e.g., the inner corner of your eye). But if you've got a lot more than the Precision Laser can handle, the NIRA Pro laser has you covered.

For this review, I only tested the NIRA Pro laser.

What does the NIRA Pro Laser claim to do?

NIRA boasts that the Pro Laser is a clinically proven, FDA-cleared, at-home laser treatment that can do the following:

• reduce fine lines

• diminish wrinkles

• tighten skin

• even skin tone

• lift hooded eyes

• brighten dark spots

• improve acne scarring

The company claims that one can achieve "younger looking skin" in just 90 days.

What's the science behind the NIRA Pro Laser?

The NIRA Pro Laser stimulates the production of collagen in your skin. How? It uses NIRA's patented laser tech to transmit something called "a non-fractional, non-ablative laser fluence" to your dermis.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

If this sounds like gobbledygook to you (like it once did for me), allow me to explain. Non-fractional means that the laser light covers the whole area you're pointing at (as opposed to just tiny spots), so you're treating your targeted area evenly.

Non-ablative means the laser doesn't remove any layers of your skin, so it should, in theory, be relatively painless.

The NIRA Pro Laser warms your skin. It's hot enough to kick off the heat-shock protein (HSP) formation, but cool enough that it should remain below the pain threshold.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Think of HSPs as molecular firefighters for your skin. When the NIRA Pro Laser stresses your skin, an SOS signal is released, so to speak, inviting the HSPs to rush to the scene and stimulate skin regeneration. They can also boost collagen production, which tends to slow as we grow older.

How do you use the NIRA Pro Laser?

Before using the NIRA Pro Laser, I always make sure that my skin is makeup-free and cleansed. After drying my face, I turn on the Pro Laser and tap it several times to set the treatment level to the highest tier.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Next, I use the NIRA Pro Laser to treat my biggest frustrations: crows' feet and under-eye wrinkles. I start by placing the NIRA Pro Laser on my crows' feet — and I can feel the rush of heat hit my skin. I must hold the NIRA Pro Laser there until I hear a beep. (If you hear a rejection tone, it means you didn't place the Pro Laser on your skin properly, so you should redo the section).

To do my crows' feet and under-eye wrinkles for both eyes, it takes me less than a minute.

After the NIRA Pro Laser, I continue with my skin routine, which has been a personalized formula that I've been using from the skin care brand Curology.

NIRA Pro Laser design

The NIRA Pro Laser makes me feel like I'm holding an anti-wrinkle weapon of sorts. It looks like a futuristic ray gun, ready to decimate my wrinkles into oblivion with a single zap. The elongated grip makes the NIRA Pro Laser easy to hold. Its gaping opening is where the laser escapes, tackling any area you choose to place it on.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

There's a power button on the front as well as a USB-C port for charging. (The NIRA Pro Laser comes with the USB-C cable, but you're on your own as far as a charging brick is concerned.)

On top of the USB-C port, you'll find an LED indicator, which blinks when it's running out of juice.

The NIRA Pro Laser is also super light and compact. I've brought it with me to several locations, including London and California for WWDC 2024. It's lightweight and compact, so it slipped comfortably in my travel bag, too.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You'll also find LED lights on top of the power button with five power levels. I highly recommend you start with the lowest tier to test your tolerance for the NIRA Pro Laser. As you carry on with the NIRA Pro Laser over time, feel free to climb up the power-level ladder until you reach the top setting.

Is the NIRA Pro Laser painful?

I used the highest setting throughout the entire experiment (do as I say, not what I do). I wouldn't say that the NIRA Pro is completely painless. For the most part, the experience is comfortable. But every once in a while, I'd find myself wincing. Sometimes, there is discomfort because it feels as if it's getting a little too warm for my tastes.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, throughout my time using the NIRA Pro Laser, I've never gotten burned or injured in any way. On rare occasions, I noticed some temporary redness, but there was no peeling nor anything dramatic.

NIRA Pro Laser battery life

The NIRA Pro Laser can last weeks on a single charge. I've taken the NIRA Pro Laser with me on three-week vacations and never had to recharge once.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You can totally leave the charging cable behind. Again, I only use the NIRA Pro Laser for less than a minute — and I'm not exaggerating. As such, I'm not expending a lot of energy nor power, so it has a pretty long runtime. When it does run low on juice, you'll see a flashing LED indicator telling you it's time to recharge.

Does NIRA Pro Laser actually work? Before and after pictures

I started using the NIRA Pro Laser in March of this year. About 48 days later, or a month and a half into the 90-day treatment, I did a check in for any visible changes.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

At first glance, I didn't see any profound differences in the before-and-after photos. If anything, it looked like my crows' feet had deepened. So much so, I reached out to the NIRA team to help make sense of it. However, with the help of the NIRA team, I realized there is some progress that I didn't catch initially. The after photo shows lifted hooded eyes, brighter dark circles, and reduction to the fine lines under my eyes.

Granted, this is only about 48 days in — and NIRA boasts that it takes 90 days, or three months, to see any visible results. So I decided to continue to using NIRA Pro. Here are the results of my 90-day treatment, with the before photo showing my first day using the device in March while the after photo is a mid-July snapshot.

Nira Pro Laser before (top) and after (bottom). Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Well, I'll be. It actually worked!

There is a visible reduction across the board to my crows' feet and under-eye wrinkles. You need a magnifying glass to see the difference, but hey, the NIRA Pro Laser has lived up to its promise.

Is the NIRA Pro Laser worth it?

I have the patience of a caffeine addict in line at Starbucks. I want to get rid of my wrinkles — and I want to do it now. I don't want to wait a few weeks, a couple of months, nor a season. Unfortunately, that's just not the way life works. As much as this trite line makes me want to roll my eyes, "consistency is key," particularly with the NIRA Pro Laser. And, most importantly, you need patience.

Even 90 days in, while there was definitely improvement to my skin, it was subtle. It took three months to see any significant smoothing to my crows' feet. It also seemingly gets worse before it gets better. However, the operative word here is "better." The proof is in the pictures. My skin did get better. It just took some time to get there. And it will take even more time to get the results I want.

The plus side is that the NIRA Pro Laser facilitates fast, at-home treatments. Whether you're a busy parent or an overwhelmed worker bee, you can always find time in your day for the NIRA Pro Laser. It only takes a minute or two.

So yes, the NIRA Pro Laser is totally worth it. It's the best beauty tech device I've used in 2024. Just make sure you keep your patience and consistency handy because you're going to need it.

TL;DR: Create an AI avatar of you with a lifetime subscription to AI X-Me AI Avatar Video Generator Plus. For a limited time, this AI video generator is on sale for $89.99, a 75% discount from the usual $360 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: x-me X-Me AI Avatar Video Generator Plus Plan: Lifetime Subscription $89.99 at The Mashable Shop
$360.00 Save $270.01 Get Deal

Whether you're camera shy or just don't have time to write and star in yet another video, being the face of a video isn't easy, even if you're just reading a script. This is one of those tasks that seems simple, is actually hard, and is prime real estate for a robot to do the hard work instead. 

X-Me is your way of creating your own personal AI avatar that can read a script in your video. It's a bit like programming yourself to act in a video — only now you can speak in 126 different languages. Whether you're a content creator, professional with a presentation deadline, online instructor, or student, you can get an X-Me AI Avatar Video Generator Plus Lifetime Plan for $89.99 (reg. $360). 

Create an AI version of you

Here's how it works. First, you upload a video of yourself. It can be as short as just 10 seconds, but avoid things like loud background noise or moving around a lot during recording. There's a full list of things to look out for with your sample video. 

Once the AI has analyzed the sample, you can start creating new videos with your own AI avatar. Job applicants can make a video resume. Content creators can save time while the robot takes over for a video. Even students can turn their essays into a TED Talk-style presentation. 

Your lifetime subscription to this AI video generator gives you 30 credits a month. One credit equals one minute of content, and don't worry, there's no watermark or anything. Your videos are generated in 1080p HD resolution, and you don't even have to write the script all on your own. 

X-Me comes with its own GPT script writer, so you can save time on the video creation process from top to bottom.

AI presenters for content creators

Now the robot can be the star of your next video. Create a virtual avatar and video star with this affordable new AI tool.

Get a lifetime subscription to X-Me AI Avatar Video Generator Plus for $89.99, a 75% discount.

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

TL;DR: Learn AI tools like ChatGPT, DALL-E, Midjourney, and more with this $29.99 online course bundle (save 80%).

Opens in a new window Credit: Skill Success The 2024 AI Super Skills Bundle $29.99 at The Mashable Shop
$152.00 Save $122.01 Get Deal

We have a theory: Everyone who hates AI is secretly experiencing FOMO. If that’s you, droning on about how much you hate ChatGPT even though you’ve never used it, we’re gonna try to change your mind. Because AI is part of the future, whether you like it or not.

Plus, we have good news. ChatGPT isn’t the only AI tool out there these days, and this online learning bundle can help you master the best AI tools for only $29.99 (reg. $152).

Our first point of persuasion is that AI could save you time at work, period. If you write a lot of, well, anything — emails, reports, blogs, ad copy, etc. — tools like Quillbot AI and ChatGPT can help take some of the stress off of your shoulders. 

A huge part of using AI is understanding its limitations, and your instructor (Skill Success) helps you understand that these tools won’t do your job for you but rather help you write faster and more confidently by brainstorming ideas, revising your writing, or summarizing a large amount of information into a shorter format.

The same goes for generating AI images, which can sometimes create whack results (like people with twenty fingers). These courses cover DALL-E 3, Midjourney, and Leonardo AI and how to get the most out of them, hopefully inspiring accurate images and graphics that don’t have too many digits.

If you want to keep up without missing out, you should probably learn AI. This 8-course online learning bundle is a great place to start at $29.99 (reg. $152).

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TL;DR: Canyon Pro, an AI resumé checker and interview coach, is currently on sale for $69.99 (reg. $684) — a huge 89% discount.

Today's job market isn't like the one we had ten years ago — or even five. While change is inevitable with something as fluid as the employment market, many of us could use some support to keep up with the competition. Canyon is a comprehensive platform designed to help streamline and optimize your job search from start to finish using new AI tools, and a lifetime subscription to the Pro Plan is majorly discounted today.

Get a Canyon Pro Plan lifetime subscription for only $69.99, down from the regular price of $684, and have a multi-tool, AI-enhanced job application platform on your side for life. 

Canyon uses modern tech and artificial intelligence to help optimize your resumé, giving it a better chance to shine through the crowd. The app's AI resumé builder suggests optimal wording, layout, and skills tailored to your industry and the specific jobs you're applying for. It even provides a score with tailored insights to see how well your resumé is optimized and allows for unlimited use.

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To help you keep your job applications and resumé organized, there's a management feature that shows you where you've applied and tracks and prioritizes your job applications. And when you're ready to head in for an interview, there are AI-powered mock interviews specific to the job you're applying to that you can use to brush up on your interview skills.

Having this all-in-one job application tool at your disposal could be a game-changer in making the job hunt easier and less time-consuming.

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TL;DR: Get lifetime access to BitMar's all-in-one streaming platform for $29.99 and enjoy global content anytime, anywhere.

If you've ever dreamed of having the world’s entertainment in front of you, BitMar's all-in-one streaming platform makes this dream into a reality. Great for entertainment lovers, world travelers, and entrepreneurs with international interests, BitMar opens the door to a diverse content library and seamless access to international channels. For a limited time, you can get lifetime access for $29.99.

BitMar provides an extensive search function of international content, including movies, music, and shows from around the world. This platform connects you to your favorite programs and helps you discover new ones, no matter where you are. Whether you're traveling for work or simply exploring other cultures from home, BitMar has you covered.

The user-friendly interface makes navigating through BitMar's vast library a breeze. Easily find and stream content from different countries, ensuring you never miss out on global trends and entertainment. With BitMar, you can effortlessly switch between channels and genres, bringing the world's best content right to your device or TV.

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Exploring new content from anywhere in the world has never been easier with this lifetime subscription to the BitMar streaming app and content finder, now on sale for $29.99 (reg. $150).

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Finding someone who you like enough to hang out with on a regular basis is hard enough. But finding someone who you like enough to smoke with regularly? That's a different ball game, and the best 420-friendly dating apps can help you find someone to share your next joint with.

"I don't care that you're a stoner" are words any weed enthusiast would love to hear during a hangout sesh — ideally from Chappell Roan herself's mouth during an a cappella serenade of Red Wine Supernova, but from any old date works, too. And while it may or may not be a tricky subject to bring up on a blind date or otherwise serendipitous meeting, putting the feelers out on a dating app can help prevent any awkward run-ins with someone who's not about that life.

SEE ALSO: Dating predictions for the rest of 2024

Past that, if ingesting weed in your preferred form comes to mind when listing off your hobbies, it's completely valid to prefer that a potential match who also considers Netflix, the couch, and a laser bong as a date.

Is there a dating app for weed users?

Finding a weed-friendly partner doesn't require a weed-centric dating app, though a few of those technically do exist. High There! and 420 Singles would probably be considered the two "main" ones, though "main" is a bit of a stretch when the lack of an active user base or name recognition come into play. While it would be nice to guarantee that every single person on your feed is down to get high, a good number of user reviews point back to the same issues: of the few profiles that aren't dead or bots, said apps are often used just to buy and sell weed.

SEE ALSO: The major dating apps are collapsing into each other

In many cases, you'll simply fare better on a general dating app that happens to be weed-friendly, like most of the ones we're suggesting in this list. Regardless of whether or not recreational weed has been legalized and/or decriminalized in your state, many top dating apps allow you to disclose your usage directly on your profile or and weed out the non-believers through filters.

However, it's worth mentioning that not all of these advanced matchmaking features that would be helpful for fellow stoner seekers are free. On Hinge, for example, you can't filter based on marijuana stance (or height, political views, or religion) unless you're a paid subscriber.

Below, we've pulled the best 420-friendly dating apps out there in 2024 — one specifically designed just for stoners, and the rest more broad, popular options where you can bond over more than leaf emoji things — while high, of course.

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 August 5 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 5

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, August 5, 2024:

AcrossBit of romantic potential

• The answer is spark.

One able to pass a Captcha test (hopefully!)

• The answer is human.

Protein-building acid type

• The answer is amino.

Card tricks, disappearing acts, etc.

• The answer is magic.

Failed to float

• The answer is sank.

DownDecorative pillow cover

• The answer is sham.

Mountain lions

• The answer is pumas.

Female friend, in Spanish

• The answer is amiga.

Rushed through the door

• The answer is ranin.

When repeated, classic kind of joke

• The answer is knock.

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

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

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 5 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 5

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.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Rolling in it

The hint for the theme is the words are often sought descriptors.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are related to describing a person's wealth.

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 ThatsRich.

NYT Strands word list for August 5

• Moneyed

• Wealthy

• Affluent

• Prosperous

• ThatsRich

• Opulent

Looking for other daily online games? Find one you might like – or hints for another game you're already playing – on Mashable's Games page.

Hastily assembled mega-rallies conducted over Zoom are raising millions to elect Kamala Harris, giving the videoconferencing app an unexpected role in this year’s campaign.

Hurricane Debby is on track to make landfall in Florida early Monday morning.

The storm which formed rapidly and raced up the Gulf of Mexico late last week, intensified to hurricane strength as it neared landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida, the National Hurricane Center confirmed.

Tweet may have been deleted

As of 2 a.m. ET, the hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and is expected to move inland through Georgia after landfall, reaching the Atlantic and crawling north along the coast of South Carolina for several days as a tropical storm, dumping large amounts of rainfall on the state.

Credit: National Hurricane Center

The National Hurricane Center is tracking the storm, and you can follow the NHC reports on X and on its website, which includes forecast maps showing the predicted path of the storm.

Ser Simon Strong's probably the most patient man in the Seven Kingdoms. But this week, he made the call.

The stealth MVP of House of the Dragon Season 2, the super-chill and always fashionable Strong (Simon Russell Beale) has done nothing but put up with Daemon Targaryen's (Matt Smith) crap all season. While the King ✨CONSORT✨ (don't forget it) has been offending the Rivermen and tripping balls nightly since he arrived at the largest castle in Westeros in episode 3, Strong has been a constant source of fireproofed diplomacy for Daemon.

SEE ALSO: How 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is different from George R.R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood'

But in the season finale, with treachery on the table, Strong has finally had enough. And thanks to one strongly worded raven from Strong, Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) makes it to Harrenhal at last, paying a surprise visit to the potentially treasonous boy with all the toys.

What happens in the season finale with Daemon and that guy Rhaenyra sent?

In the last episode of House of the Dragon Season 2, Daemon has an important but not entirely private conversation with Ser Alfred Broome (Jamie Kenna), an emissary sent by Rhaenyra from Dragonstone to see what the hell her husband has been up to. During this exchange, Broome declares his disdain for a woman on the Iron Throne, having openly showed his disdain for a woman on the Iron Throne all season. The turncloak pledges allegiance to Daemon as "a leader of men," and slinks off, probably to blog about it on 4chan.

Featured Video For You Sorry to break it to you, the dragons in 'House of the Dragon' are actually wyverns

But they're overheard by Strong, who has seen his fair share of Daemon's political bungles this season. Strong pledged fealty to Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, First of Her Name, by the old gods and the new, during supper when Daemon first arrived at Harrenhal, and he's not wavering in that loyalty for the Julian Assange of houseguests.

Worst guest. Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

So, he does the one thing he's been avoiding: He sends a raven to Dragonstone, telling Rhaenyra of Daemon's army and that he "fears treachery." Noice.

Why does Rhaenyra coming to Harrenhal matter?

Ditching the feast of dragonriders at Dragonstone to answer Strong's call, Rhaenyra jumps on Caraxes and heads to Harrenhal. Having let Daemon "find his own path" or some garbage all season, she's not about to let him gather his own damn army to challenge her throne; she has enough of that drama with Team Green.

When she arrives, led by a nervous Strong, Rhaenyra discovers Daemon's built quite the large army for himself — and hasn't told anyone at Dragonstone about it. "I wasn't expecting you" is the first thing Daemon says to his wife, whom he hasn't seen for months. He's wearing the face of a man who said he'd be home soon and just started another Warhammer campaign.

"That seems rather a lapse in foresight," Rhaenyra retorts. Yeah, dude.

We'll never know if Daemon would have fully turned on Rhaenyra if she hadn't showed up, but thanks to Strong, she does. Don't call it snitching when there's treason afoot.

Send up that flare, Ser Simon! Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO So, why does Daemon (re)swear allegiance to Rhaenyra?

Despite marrying Rhaenyra and brutally killing everyone who doesn't bend the knee to her, Daemon's really made no secret of his yearning to be king instead of King ✨CONSORT✨ (don't forget it). Strong himself has refused to call Daemon so, despite his insistence.

But it seems that after five episodes of nightly visions, the last of which showed Daemon the legendary prophecy of "A Song of Ice and Fire" and "The Prince That Was Promised," Daemon finds a moment of inspired reason beyond his misogyny and ambition. While the army is sworn to Daemon, Rhaenyra's very public demand for Daemon to declare his own allegiance means he has a choice — and he bends the knee.

FINALLY. Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

"The realm's only hope is a leader who can unite it, and my brother chose you," he says. "You are the true Queen Rhaenyra, First of Her Name, Protector of the Realm. I am meant to serve you, and all of these with me, until death or the end of our story."

"Leave me again at your peril," she replies, and girl, yes.

Daemon's army is a crucial piece for Team Black, as until now, Rhaenyra's strength has remained in sea and sky, with her many dragons and mighty Velaryon fleet. But now, and absolutely thanks to Ser Simon Strong, she has strength on land too.

And the look on Strong's face when the entire army bends behind Daemon, for the queen? That little grin? That's all your work, king. To the Castellan of Harrenhal!

The Season 2 finale of House of the Dragon airs Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

A lot happened in the House of the Dragon Season 2 finale, from visions and prophecies to that final standoff between Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) and Alicent (Olivia Cooke).

But in the off-to-battle montage that take place before the end credits, we're finally given a glimpse of a character we haven't seen in a while: Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), who was fired from his position of Hand of the King by his grandson, King Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney), back in episode 2.

SEE ALSO: How 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is different from George R.R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood' How does Otto Hightower feature in the finale?

Very briefly. We get one shot of Otto, and for many it might come as a bit of a surprise. He isn't down in Oldtown with the other Hightowers or in Highgarden with the Tyrells, but in what looks like a fairly cramped jail cell. Otto is sitting down, looking dishevelled. We see the light shift and pour in through the bars and Otto raises his head and squints, appearing confused.

The clip is very brief and it's impossible to tell where exactly he is, or if he's in a typical jail cell in a building or in a cage that's moving on the back of a wagon.

Why is Otto Hightower in a jail cell?

This is the main question, isn't it? Who's taken Otto prisoner, and how long has he been held captive?

First, a quick recap: After he's fired by Aegon II back in episode 2, Otto decides to leave King's Landing altogether and head south to the Hightowers' main base.

"I'll return to Oldtown," he tells Alicent (Olivia Cooke). "The Hightowers still have strength, and you have a son there who'll take more kindly to instruction. Daeron may yet help us in the weeks to come."

"Go rather to Highgarden," responds Alicent. "The Tyrells must be taken in hand — their bannermen are wavering."

Featured Video For You Sorry to break it to you, the dragons in 'House of the Dragon' are actually wyverns

This is the last time we see Otto until the shot of him in the cell in the finale, and the last time we hear from him, too. Later in the season Alicent reveals that her letters to him have gone unanswered; later, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) asks Larys (Matthew Needham) to track Otto down so he can resume his position of Hand. So the question is, what happened to him?

Well given that he hasn't been communicating with Alicent, who he left on good terms with, the implication is that he never made it to Highgarden. We find out later in the season that House Beesbury is waging war against the Hightowers, so it seems most likely that Otto was captured by them – or someone allied to them – en route. That would explain why he's been AWOL, and impossible to reach, throughout Season 2.

The only other option? Maybe Larys is involved in his kidnap somehow. He's closely allied to Aegon II, so it's not impossible to think that he could have arranged for Otto to be captured rather than carrying out Aemond's order to have him brought to King's Landing. Maybe the cell Otto is in at the end is even a cage, travelling with the same convoy that Larys and Aegon II are riding on to Essos?

House of the Dragon Season 2 is streaming now on Max.