Feed aggregator

Tony Hale is hot now. Yes, the beloved character actor has been adored for his gleefully goofy performances as the motherboy Buster Bluth in Arrested Development, the comically catering Gary Walsh in Veep, and the proudly trashy Forky in Toy Story 4. But it took playing a surly steward in Netflix's The Decameron for Hale to go from silly to sexy. Yet this isn't the only reason you should check out the Black Death–set period dramedy from creator Kathleen Jordan. 

Admittedly, pestilence-plagued 14th-century Italy might not sound a likely setting for a sexy summer treat. But The Decameron proves an achingly relevant tale about yearning for pleasure in a time of ravenous disasters. Among those pleasures is a cast that boasts Girls' Zosia Mamet, Derry Girls' Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Sex Education's Tanya Reynolds, The Wheel of Time's Amar Chadha-Patel, and my latest all-consuming crush, Tony "Hey Brother" Hale. But that's not all. Based on 14th-century Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio's collection of short stories — also known as "The Human Comedy" — The Decameron is sure to titillate and thrill with its tales of lust, love, betrayal, and murder. 

SEE ALSO: 'Inside Out 2's Tony Hale and Lewis Black play with all the feels

If that's not enough to entice you, here are five reasons you must make the eight one-hour episodes of The Decameron your next binge-watch. 

The Decameron is a soap opera, but silly.  Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Netflix

When plague makes crowded cities unsafe (and reeking of corpse decay), a batch of conceited aristocrats flees to the country estate of a fun-loving viscount, who promises good times, great food, plenty of wine, and party games (which might be period accurate, but are definitely hilariously stupid). (Think the Kardashians. Or Glass Onion.) Among those invited are his bossy bride-to-be Pampinea (Zosia Mamet), his spoiled-rotten cousin Filomena (Jessica Plummer), a hypochondriac/historian named Tindaro (Douggie McMeekin), and the sexually frustrated married couple, Panfilo (Karan Gil) and Neifile (Lou Gala). But beneath all their finery and etiquette are plenty of secrets. 

Whether dabbling in adultery, sacrilege, or murder, these ancient aristocrats give modern audiences plenty to drop jaw over. With secrets spilling forth in each episode, series showrunner Kathleen Jordan (Teenage Bounty Hunters) keeps the suspense of discovery madcap with a broadly comic tone and an anachronistically hip soundtrack that harkens back to the hilariously chaotic '70s soap opera parody Soap. But rather than aping current soaps, The Decameron plays more like a quirky commentary on unscripted shows in which absurdly wealthy socialites (or "housewives") reveal themselves to be blithely (or bitingly) selfish fools.

SEE ALSO: Inside Andy Cohen's Clubhouse: A behind-the-scenes look at 'Watch What Happens Live' Eat the rich vibes with schadenfreude delights. Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Netflix

Naturally, every country estate worth its garden maze must have servants. And far from the nobly obedient lot of Downton Abbey, The Decameron's service people are on the brink of burning this toxic power dynamic down. Among them is surly cook Stratilia (Leila Farzad); viciously devoted handmaiden Misia (Saoirse-Monica Jackson); suspiciously patient doctor Dioneo (Amar Chadha-Patel); big-hearted Licisca (Tanya Reynolds), who gets a dubious boost up the social ladder; and ever-harried steward Sirisco (Tony Hale). 

The absurdity of the oblivious aristocrats is heightened by their interactions with these working men and women, who have had to be diligent, cunning, and even beguiling to survive. As the have-nots fight to have a bit more, there's a delicious pleasure in watching the haves get taken down a peg, or pitched down a well, or lightly poisoned. As some of the "help" manages to help themselves — beyond being a vicarious thrill — it's easy to root for them, even when their means are brutal. 

The Decameron is unapologetically horny. Credit: Giulia Parmigiani / Netflix

Just because the world is going to hell in a handbasket right outside your door doesn't mean you're not horny as hell. Long before COVID lockdowns had the lovelorn and lusty turning to online dating and hookup apps, The Decameron was weaving tales of sex amid survival. Sure, a time of pestilence that includes pustules doesn't sound hot, but in the "uninfected countryside" there are plenty of opportunities for dirty thoughts. 

SEE ALSO: Find your match: The best dating apps of 2024

The earliest longing comes from married Neifile, who is devoted to celibacy but can't keep from ogling every inch of bared male flesh cast before her hungry eyes. While several men will snag her attention, The Decameron revels most in leering at the doctor Dioneo, who is not only dashing but also frequently takes off his shirt to bear his beefy chest. If you swooned over Darcy coming out of that pond, The Decameron is coming for you with a wet scene of its own. And that's just foreplay.

Tony Hale is hot now.  Credit: Netflix

Yes, Chadha-Patel is undoubtedly regarded as the show's biggest smoke show — literally declared "objectively alluring." He's not only baring his brawn but also rakishly wooing several of the lusty ladies at this country getaway. But Hale gets a romance arc of his own that may have you seeing the funnyman in a new light. Plus, his period look, which includes long, dark locks and a full beard with streaks of dignified silver, gives the actor a debonair glow-up. 

At first, his Sirisco shows shades of Gary; he's an anxious but deeply devoted servant, dedicated to keeping his master happy and revered — no matter what personal pains that entails. But in episode 3, his clownish servitude fades in a moment of whispered vulnerability. And what might have been a brief peek behind the curtain of his people-pleasing facade becomes a husky-voiced seduction, first stuttering, then confident. While this tryst proves short-lived, it lights a fire in Sirisco (and us, his audience) that burns across the rest of the series. Sure, Hale is funny as expected. But in a breathy sincerity, he reveals an enticing new side that can't be ignored or forgotten. 

Growth.  Credit: Netflix

While many among this merry crew of rich jerks start off as absolutely insufferable, The Decameron isn't one-note or cynical. Over the course of eight episodes, these characters will grow and change — some for the better, blossoming under the warm glow of newfound love, while others grow more and more rotten. It's thrilling to see who will recognize their own flaws and who will double down. But without giving away spoilers (for a 671-year-old short story collection), the greatest twists here might well be who is redeemed. And the greatest thrills come in a finale in which some of the most awful get exactly what they deserve. 

How to watch: The Decameron is now streaming on Netflix.

More than a decade after it launched on phones, Apple Maps is now also available in your preferred computer's web browser window.

Touted as a beta release, this version of Apple Maps can be found at https://beta.maps.apple.com/ (removing the "beta" part will land you at Apple's landing page for the mobile version of Maps).

SEE ALSO: Apple Maps may soon customize directions based on your car type

For Apple users, this isn't a huge deal as Maps is already available as a standalone desktop app on Macs, but now you can access it from any browser which is...nice, I guess?

Many of the features from the desktop app are missing in the browser version. The interface is pretty sparse, offering only Search, Guides, and Directions, while the data layers on offer are Standard, Hybrid, and Satellite (the desktop app version also has a 3D toggle, Apple's Look Around function, additional data layers, and more).

Not all of the features are there, but it's a start. Credit: Apple

According to Apple, additional features, including Look Around, will be available "in the coming months."

Apple Maps on the web is compatible with Safari and Chrome on Mac and iPad, as well as Chrome and Edge on Windows PCs. It's only available in English right now, but Apple says support for additional languages, browsers, and platforms is coming "over time."

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 25 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 25

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, July 25, 2024:

AcrossBook character who wears a red-and-white-striped shirt

• The answer is whoa.

Apt anagram of RHINO – I

• The answer is horn.

Jelly Belly or Jolly Rancher

• The answer is candy.

Ye ___ Shoppe

• The answer is olde.

Show that recently received a record 23 Emmy nominations, with "The"

• The answer is Bear.

Down___ watching (coastal activity)

• The answer is whale.

Civic automaker

• The answer is Honda.

Waiter's jotting

• The answer is order.

"Take your pick!"

• The answer is any.

Corn core

• The answer is cob.

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.

The move adds more than 500 to the unionized video game staff at Microsoft, which has pledged to remain neutral on organizing efforts.

Elon Musk is talking about physically fighting Mark Zuckerberg again. There still aren't any actual plans for a fight in motion though, making it look like X/Twitter's owner continues to remain all bark and no bite.

In a video posted to X by Fox News reporter Kelly Phares, Musk states that he's still game to get his ass handed to him by Meta's CEO. The two billionaires spent much of last year teasing the possibility of a cage fight, though nothing ever eventuated. 

"I'll fight Zuckerberg any place, any time, any rules," Musk declared on Wednesday, displaying shockingly misplaced bravado.

Responding to the news on Threads, Zuckerberg merely said, "Are we really doing this again?"

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg tells Elon Musk to get 'serious' or the cage fight is off Tweet may have been deleted

While Musk only began preparing for the proposed billionaire cage match last July, Zuckerberg has publicly been practising mixed martial arts (MMA) for years. He has won multiple medals in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) tournament, and his passion for combat sports was even listed as a risk to Meta's business in its annual report filed in February. 

Yet despite his comparative lack of training, Musk has previously expressed a belief that he could triumph over Zuck purely because he is heavier, claiming to weigh "at least 300 lbs" (136 kg). Zuckerberg medaled in a BJJ tournament's featherweight division last May, which has a weight limit of 154.5 lbs (70 kg). 

But again, to reiterate, Zuckerberg medaled in a BJJ tournament. The very next month after this occurred, Musk stated that he "almost never" exercises "except for picking up my kids & throwing them in the air."

To be fair to Musk, he's far from the only average man harbouring a strange, baseless belief that he could beat a dedicated athlete at their chosen sport. This does not make it any less embarrassing.

A brief history of the Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg billionaire cage match

Musk's bold claim that he's ready to go "any place, any time, any rules" is clearly hyperbole. He likely wouldn't agree to pistols at dawn. Even so, his past behaviour throws serious doubt on whether Musk is actually willing to fight Zuck at all.

The SpaceX CEO was the first to raise the possibility of a fight himself, posting to X last June that he was "up for a cage match if [Zuckerberg] is." While many dismissed it as a joke, Zuckerberg responded with an Instagram Story screenshotting the post and telling Musk to "Send Me Location."

"Vegas Octogon," Musk wrote on X. "I have this great move that I call 'The Walrus', where I just lie on top of my opponent & do nothing."

This unserious reply seemed to suggest that Musk never truly intended to fistfight Zuckerberg. Indeed, the entire matter could easily have ended there. However, Musk subsequently announced in early August that his fight with Zuckerberg would be livestreamed on X for charity.

This was apparent news to Zuckerberg, who quickly made clear that any arrangements for a Musk vs. Zuck fight were far from settled. In addition to proposing a "more reliable platform that can actually raise money for charity," Facebook's co-founder revealed that he had suggested a date of Aug. 26 when Musk first proposed the fight in June. Unfortunately, Musk still had not confirmed the date over a month later.

"Not holding my breath," Zuckerberg wrote on Threads.

Responding in a post on X, Musk stated that the date of the fight was "in flux" because he might need to get surgery first. However, Zuckerberg shared that Musk had requested a private practice round before committing to a public fight, suggesting that it wasn't health issues that were keeping him out of the ring. Practice matches before a fight are not standard practice in MMA.

Musk confirmed that he had asked for a practice round to be held prior to Aug. 26, and even declared an intention to simply show up at Zuckerberg's Palo Alto house on Aug. 14 to fight. Zuckerberg was not in the city at the time.

"I offered a real date," Zuckerberg wrote. "[President of Ultimate Fighting Championship] Dana White offered to make this a legit competition for charity. Elon won't confirm a date, then says he needs surgery, and now asks to do a practice round in my backyard instead. If Elon ever gets serious about a real date and official event, he knows how to reach me. Otherwise, time to move on. I'm going to focus on competing with people who take the sport seriously."

Musk responded by calling Zuckerberg a "chicken," which seems pretty hypocritical coming from a guy apparently doing his best to dodge a fight that he proposed. Until we actually see the two physically square up, it seems as though all this talk of a billionaire brawl is simply hot air for inflating Musk's chest.

Defying sanctions, Russia has obtained nearly $4 billion in restricted chips since the war began in Ukraine. Many were shipped through a cluster of shell companies in Hong Kong.

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 25

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: All that jazz

The words cover every vibe.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The hint describes different types of jazz music.

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 Subgenre.

NYT Strands word list for July 25

• Funk

• Fusion

• Swing

• Cool

• Bebop

• Acid

• Subgenre

• Modal

• Ragtime

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.

TL;DR: As of July 22, you can save on a lifetime subscription to Internxt cloud storage, with 2TB Storage Plans starting at just £100.69, an 86% discount for new users.

Bucking the trend of monthly subscription-based services, lifetime offers are a refreshing antidote. They take us back to the way things should be, where you only have to pay once to keep a product for life. 

Internxt is a cloud storage provider, and for a limited time, you can sign up for a lifetime plan starting at just £100.69. While this offer lasts, there are three pricing tiers available:

• 2TB at £100.69 (reg. £464.08)

• 5TB at £170.44 (reg. £851.46)

• 10TB at £271.16 (reg. £1,238.83)

Internxt: a whole new realm of privacy

The Internxt platform offers multiple unique layers of security. For one, each photo, video, or document is end-to-end encrypted, meaning only users with explicit permission (like yourself or colleagues) can access your files. 

Additionally, Internxt’s code is completely open source, which means anyone can review, audit, and verify there are no hidden functions or vulnerabilities in place. They really show that they have nothing to hide, except for your privacy.

Which lifetime plan should you get?

That depends entirely on your needs. Those who are just looking to back up their photos and videos may opt for the 2TB, while anyone who wants to upload their entire digital life might grab the 10TB plan. Here are some approximations of what each plan could store:

• 2TB: 400,000 pictures, 2,000 video hours, or 2 million MS files.

• 5TB: 1 million pictures, 5,000 hours of video, or 5 million MS files.

• 10TB: 2 million pictures, 10,000 hours of video, or 10 million MS files.

With desktop and mobile apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, plus a browser-based app, you’ll be able to upload and access files from anywhere.

Grab these  prices while they last. These newly discounted prices are only available through July 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage (2TB) lifetime subscription £100.69
£464.08 Save £363.39 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage (5TB) lifetime subscription £170.44
£851.46 Save £681.02 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage (10TB) lifetime subscription £271.16
£1,238.83 Save £967.67 Get Deal

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for July 25's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

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

A covered outdoor area of the house.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

PORCH.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

Prime Day deals you can shop right now

• iRobot Roomba Essential Vac Q011 Robot Vacuum Cleaner — $169.99 (List Price $249.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 64GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet — $214.70

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $199.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker With 6-Months Membership — $119.95 (List Price $159.95)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for July 25's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Paperless writing devices

• Green: Prominently on TV

• Blue: Forte

• Purple: Things that are covered

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: Ancient Writing Surfaces

• Green: Lead, as a TV Program

• Blue: Natural Ability

• Purple: Wrapped Things

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #410 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Ancient Writing Surfaces: CLAY, PAPYRUS, PARCHMENT, WAX

• Lead, As A TV Program: ANCHOR, HOST, MODERATE, PRESENT

• Natural Ability: FACULTY, FLAIR, INSTINCT, TALENT

• Wrapped Things: BURRITO, GIFT, MUMMY, SPRAIN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Prime Day deals you can shop right now

• iRobot Roomba Essential Vac Q011 Robot Vacuum Cleaner — $169.99 (List Price $249.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 64GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet — $214.70

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $199.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker With 6-Months Membership — $119.95 (List Price $159.95)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)

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

Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Edgar Ramírez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Gina Gershon, and Jamie Lee Curtis join forces in Eli Roth's video game movie, "Borderlands."

At this rate, there may not be any secrets left when Google takes the stage on Aug. 13 to show off its latest Pixel phones.

The latest leak comes courtesy of the YouTube channel @pixophone, which posted a YouTube Short video purporting to show off the rumored Pixel 9 Pro XL next to last year's Pixel 8 Pro. In the video, neither device appears to be turned on, so all we see is the rumored bigger Pixel 9 Pro directly compared to the Pixel 8 Pro in terms of physical design.

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro: Every single thing we know so far

The limited information from this video reveals that the 9 Pro XL features curved edges, rounded corners, and a horizontal camera bar on the back that is a free-floating oval rather than spanning the entire width of the phone. Most intriguing is that it doesn't appear to be much bigger than the Pixel 8 Pro, if it's bigger at all. Perhaps the Pixel 9 Pro will be smaller by comparison.

We will all find out together in just a few short weeks.

If your productivity ground to a halt on Friday because of the worldwide epidemic of Windows crashes caused by a glitched-out software update, the company that admitted fault for the problem, Crowdstrike, may have just offered to make it up to you with the modern equivalent of a gift shop teddy bear wearing a little t-shirt that says "I'm beary sorry": a $10 UberEats gift voucher. 

It's such a small and, well, thoughtless token that it's arguably worse than nothing — especially since at least some of these vouchers appear to not actually work, according to TechCrunch.

SEE ALSO: It’s 4 days later and Delta is still affected by the CrowdStrike outage. Here’s why.

On Friday, technicians and bystanders around the world watched as monitors displayed the "blue screen of death" (BSOD) on an estimated 8.5 million Windows machines, signifying catastrophic failure. The computerized paralysis led to widespread chaos at major airports including Amsterdam, Berlin, Dubai, London, and all over the U.S. Hospitals had to reschedule procedures, businesses were stopped in their tracks, and this author even faced delays while trying to check in at jury duty.

The email containing the vouchers appears to have gone out on Tuesday. CrowdStrike's attached message acknowledged that the glitch led to "additional work," and offered "heartfelt thanks and apologies for the inconvenience." To make it up to users, the email said, "your next cup of coffee or late night snack is on us!" Then it provided instructions for redeeming the gift card online.

However, Crowdstrike may soon have to apologize for a potentially botched apology, because some recipients are saying their apology gifts were cancelled before they ever got a chance to use them. When TechCrunch tested one of the vouchers, they received a message saying the card had been "canceled by the issuing party and is no longer valid." 

Crowdstrike CEO George Kurtz has already pledged full transparency about what went wrong, and it looks like he'll be pressured to make good on that pledge, since the U.S. Congress is calling upon him to testify before a House committee. 

As of Wednesday, the company had explained that the problem was triggered when an urgent "Rapid Response Content" update was in the works, and the content validator failed to notice the destructive code before the update was unleashed on the world. Exactly how, systemically speaking, Crowdstrike's quality control process contained such a massive hole remains to be explained.

The $10 voucher is a small token gesture obviously not meant to make amends for the full magnitude of the disruption. It appears instead to represent CrowdStrike's attempt to nonetheless remain liked by affected partners and clients. The canceled redemptions, however, suggest that even a minuscule act of contrition from Crowdstrike may include a glitch.

UPDATE: Jul. 24, 2024, 1:31 p.m. PDT Crowdstrike provided the following statement: "CrowdStrike did not send gift cards to customers or clients. We did send these to our teammates and partners who have been helping customers through this situation. Uber flagged it as fraud because of high usage rates."

Meta has introduced a new feature called "Imagine Me," which lets users create AI-generated images based on their photos and prompts. This tool, currently in beta in the US, lets users type prompts like "Imagine me as a superhero" or "Imagine me in a historical setting," and the AI generates a customized image accordingly.

SEE ALSO: Over 7,200 former Meta employees' confidentiality agreements found unlawful

With "Imagine Me," US-based users can simply type the command in the chat to start creating their personalized images. According to Meta, the AI can seamlessly edit photos, add or remove objects, and make other modifications.

Powered by the new Llama 405B model, users can also generate silly images, such as "Me as a 3D sticker," and easily modify them by typing instructions like "Change to a royal image." This intuitive interaction aims to make AI-powered creativity accessible and fun.

This feature is part of a broader update to Meta AI, which now supports more languages and is available in 22 countries such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Cameroon.

As stated above, the feature is currently in beta, but the company plans on committing to bi-weekly updates of its AI. Next month, Meta plans to introduce an "Edit with AI" button, further simplifying photo editing.

Celine Dion is reportedly set to have a comeback performance at the opening ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday. Dion took a break from performing after being diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome two years ago.

Multiple outlets have reported that Dion will perform at the Olympics, though the details are murky. TMZ reported she would perform at the opening ceremony. Variety reported that Dion "looks set to make her return to the stage at the Olympic Games, and it’s rumored to be during the opening ceremony on Friday." Page Six, citing an unnamed source, confirmed Dion "is expected to perform" — but didn't specify whether it would be at the opening ceremony. Page Six also refuted a claim from an anonymous source in the TMZ article that she'd be paid millions for the performance.

As such, the exact details of the reported performance have been kept under wraps. But it seems safe to assume Dion will soon be back on the world's biggest stage, potentially as early as Friday for the opening ceremony. Dion herself posted on social media that she was in Paris. This all has left fans very excited.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

So if you want to see Dion's reported comeback, make sure to tune into the opening ceremony scheduled for Friday 1:30 p.m. eastern time.

Elon Musk has brought about a lot of change to the platform formerly known as Twitter. Most notably, he dropped the Twitter name for "X." He completely stripped verification of all of its meaning. And Musk's new content policies at X basically mean nearly anything goes on the platform.

Just this past week, there was another change made to X that seemingly went by under the radar.

X has dropped the "water pistol" emoji, which was depicted as a colorful and harmless looking child's toy — and replaced it with an emoji depicting an actual gun.

Trading in the water pistol emoji for a gun emoji on X

The announcement was originally made on X by @yacineMTB, an employee of the company,

"update announcement on x dot com (the website), the gun emoji was returned back into its rightful form: an m1911," reads the X employees post alongside a "Pepe the frog" meme and a side-by-side comparison of the water pistol emoji and the gun emoji.

Tweet may have been deleted

The Verge noticed the change on Tuesday and pointed out how then-Twitter first introduced the water pistol emoji in 2018. The gun image was the original depiction for the emoji as decided by the Unicode Consortium, the group that basically controls the introduction of new emojis. 

In 2016, Apple decided to swap the gun emoji for the friendlier imagery of the water pistol emoji. Companies like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Twitter followed soon after. So many tech companies made the change to a water pistol that the Unicode Consortium ended up officially updating the gun emoji as the water pistol emoji.

On July 18, X employee @yacineMTB announced that they had made the change back to the gun emoji on the X website.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Fixed on web, soon to be fixed in rendering on mobile!" Elon Musk said in a reply to the emoji announcement.

It appears that X is the only platform making this change for now. Other popular online platforms continue to show the toy water gun emoji.

As spotted by IGN (Note: Mashable and IGN share the same parent company, Ziff Davis), some in the Fortnite community have taken to social media to declare war against the newly added playable Tesla Cybertruck vehicle.

Anyone who is caught driving a Cybertruck will, according to these posts, be teamed up against relentlessly, even by people who should theoretically be fighting each other.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk sets new date for Tesla's Robotaxi reveal Tweet may have been deleted Why is the Tesla Cybertruck so unpopular?

Since Fortnite sometimes sells vehicles for real money in the in-game store, this development means the Cybertruck could be gaming's first pay-to-lose cosmetic item. While it's too early to fully understand the impact of the Cybertruck promotion, which just started this week, Fortnite players should be aware that it's happening.

Tesla's new EV, which is arguably one of the most unique trucks of our time, has taken on meme status in a way motor vehicles typically do not. Social media is filled with posts of people ridiculing the ones they see in real life — and it's not just because of the way it looks. Tesla has come under fire for poor build quality in general, but the Cybertruck in particular has faced multiple recalls in the short time it's been available.

We'll see if Epic Games is forced to recall the virtual Cybertruck, too.

SAVE $200: Prime members can snag the 55-inch Amazon Fire TV Omni Series 4K TV on sale for $349.99 (normally $549.99) as of July 24. That's a 36% savings and $20 better than its Prime Day price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 55-inch Fire TV Omni Series 4K TV $349.99 at Amazon with Prime
$549.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal

Prime Day 2024 is long over at this point, but all of Amazon's Fire TVs are still sitting at their member-exclusive sale prices... except for one. It's now even cheaper.

As of July 24, the 55-inch Amazon Fire TV Omni Series 4K TV is listed for $349.99, or $200 off its typical sticker price of $549.99 (a 36% savings). It dropped to $299.99 last Black Friday, so this isn't technically its best deal ever, but it's the lowest price we've seen it reach since then — beating this month's Prime Day price by a cool $20. It also comes with a free six-month trial of MGM+, which is worth just over $40 on its own.

SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV deals

That said, be mindful of some important fine print before you hit "Add to Cart." For starters, the deal is still locked behind a Prime paywall. (This has an easy workaround: If you're not yet a Prime member, just sign up for its free 30-day trial.) You may also see a $14.99 "Inside Entryway delivery" fee attached to the TV, depending on where you live; it applied to two Chicago addresses I tried, but not a New York City one.

If this fee pops up for you, consider holding out for an even deeper discount to offset it. It will probably return to its previous all-time low on Black Friday 2024.

Credit: Screenshots via Amazon

If you're in need of a new TV sooner rather than later, know that Amazon's Fire TV Omni Series comes recommended from Leah Stodart, a senior shopping reporter at Mashable (and our resident TV deals expert).

"Those looking for a budget 4K TV, but not necessarily the most basic 4K TV, can find a nice balance with Amazon's Omni series TVs," Stodart told me. "These get a little brighter than cheaper Insignia or Toshiba LED Fire TV models and are the smoothest way to experience the crowd-favorite Fire TV platform." They also come with a built-in Alexa assistant, which gets you hands-free voice control, and they support two-way video calls if you attach a compatible webcam.

If you want to add Dolby Vision support, you'll have to upgrade from the 55-inch model to the 65- or 75-inch model. At the time of writing, both of them were marked down to $559.99 and $699.99 with Prime (or 26% and 33% off), respectively.

SAVE $19: As of June 24, the new Apple Pencil Pro is still going for its Prime Day pricing, which is $109.99. That's a 15% discount from the list price of $129.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil Pro $109.99 at Amazon
$129.00 Save $19.01 Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day has been over for a while now, but a few deals from the sale are still lingering on. One notable deal is the Apple Pencil Pro, which is still going at the lower price it went on sale for during Prime Day.

As of July 24, you can still get the Apple Pencil Pro at $109.99. That's a discount of $19 (or 15%) on the list price of $129. It's also the lowest price we've seen on this Pencil since its launch.

SEE ALSO: Score up to $600 off select iPad Pro models during Best Buy's Summer Sale

The new Apple Pencil Pro is the latest pencil from Apple, and it works only with Apple's latest iPads — the M4 iPad Pro and the M2 iPad Air — both launched at the "Let Loose" livestream Apple held earlier this year. However, that exclusivity is balanced by the new features, which we explored in our Apple Pencil Pro hands-on review.

The notable features include the squeeze gesture, which can summon menus like a right-click would on a Mac, or a long-press would on an iPad. The barrel roll feature uses a twisting motion for more seamless designing, drawing, and editing, while the hover feature lets you preview your action before you commit to it. The new features also come with improved haptics, which means the Apple Pencil Pro will give you better feedback as you use it.

So, if you have one of these latest supported iPads, you might want to grab this Apple Pencil Pro deal before it disappears.

We’re celebrating International Self-Care Day on the final day of Self-Care Month. The World Health Organization defines self-care as "individuals, families and communities’ promoting and maintaining their own health." Self-care looks different for everyone, but we’ve rounded up a handful of deals that’ll help you take care of your physical and mental health that are also within your budget.

Best self-care deals today Best self-care tech deal TheraGun mini $149 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best self-care sleep deal SERTA Zen Rest weighted throw blanket (10 pounds, grey) $30.16 at Amazon (save $17.83) Get Deal Best self-care hydration deal Hydro Flask travel tumbler (32-ounce, Lupine) $23.93 at Amazon (save $11.02) Get Deal Best self-care hygiene deal Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000 $64.96 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal

While today might officially be Self-Care Day, taking great care of yourself is important to focus on every day. If you’re in need of something to help you take care of your muscles, dental hygiene, sleep habits, and more, below are some of our top choices that also happen to be on sale today.

Best self-care tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: TheraBody Our pick: Theragun mini $149.00 at Amazon
$199.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Sore muscles can happen from almost anything. Regardless of whether you ran a marathon last weekend or lifted a grocery bag that was a bit too heavy, soothe sore muscles with the Theragun mini handheld massage gun.

The Theragun mini is a portable handheld massage gun that can remedy sore muscles wherever your adventures take you. Select between three speeds and the three attachments to get the best muscle relief possible. Plus, you’ll be getting about 120 minutes of battery life per charge, so you won’t need to recharge often.

Best sleep deal Opens in a new window Credit: Serta Our pick: Serta Zen Rest weighted throw blanket (10 pounds, grey) $30.16 at Amazon
$47.99 Save $17.83 Get Deal Why we like it

A weighted blanket can be one of the best self-care items out there and thanks to today's deal at Amazon, the Serta Zen Rest is 37% off. The sale blanket weighs 10 pounds and comes in a soothing grey color. Not only is it designed to be breathable, the material resist wrinkles, so it'll also look fresh. To help with even weight distribution, the blanket is quilted with a five-inch box stitch.

Best hydration deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hydro Flask Our pick: Hydro Flask travel tumbler (32-ounce, Lupine) $23.93 at Amazon
$34.95 Save $11.02 Get Deal Why we like it

One of the easiest self-care routines is to stay hydrated. While it sounds effortless, actually remembering to suck down water throughout the day can be a challenge. But thanks to the Hydro Flask travel tumbler, the task might be a bit easier. The 32-ounce capacity stainless steel water bottle in the Lupine colorway is on sale for just $23.93 today at Amazon. The insulation will ensure your beverage stays cool while the flexible straw can make it easier to sip anytime, even when you're typing away on a keyboard or making dinner. The leak-resistant lid is also ideal.

Best dental hygiene deal Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Our pick: Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000 $64.96 at Amazon
$99.96 Save $35.00 Get Deal Why we like it

There's nothing worse than when the dentist asks how often you floss. Make yourself proud on your next visit by gleefully saying you floss every day. It might feel like cheating (in a good way), but the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000 is here to do the dirty work of cleaning your gums for you. Choose between two flossing modes and 10 intensities. Plus, its quiet operation means you won't wake anyone who's already gone to bed.

More self-care deals to shop today:

• Tea Forte Lotus Relaxing Tea Box Sampler Set — $20.39 $35 (save $14.61)

• LectroFan EVO Sleep Sound Machine — $48.70 $59.95 (save $11.25)

• Blissy Silk Pillowcase — $53.89 $89.95 (save $36.06 with on-page coupon)

• Bissell Air180 Air Purifier — $104.99 $179.99 (save $75)

• Therabody SmartGoggles — $159 $199 (save $40)