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The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus were never on my radar — until I had a sudden change of heart.

As a Pro Max exclusivist, the entry-level iPhone typically doesn't catch my eye. After all, “Who wants a puny little phone?” I once thought.

And the "Plus" was always the awkward middle child, often ignored for the base model or the top-tier variant.

However, my experience with these phones has changed my mind. For those who don’t need pro-level photo and video capture, I’d go as far as saying that the iPhone 16 Plus is a better buy than the iPhone 16 Pro (though not the iPhone 16 Pro Max).

Stick around for everything that made me reconsider the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models as viable daily drivers.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus price and specs

Before I can dive into the meat and potatoes of this review, I need to give you some insight into how much you'll have to spend on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.

iPhone 16 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The iPhone 16, available for pre-order as of now, starts at $799 via Apple's official store. The iPhone 16 Plus, on the other hand, starts at $899.

"Why does the iPhone 16 Plus cost more than the iPhone 16?" you may be wondering. Well, the iPhone 16 Plus has a larger display and a bigger battery, which means you should be able to squeeze out more runtime on a single charge (more on that later).

Other than the aforementioned differences, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus both share the same specs, including the following:

• New A18 chip

• 8GB of RAM (required for Apple Intelligence support)

• New Camera Control button

• Action Button from last year's iPhone 15 Pro models

• 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options

I highly recommend getting the 256GB storage option. Take it from me, 128GB runs out pretty quickly — in about a year and a half, give or take. (But I also understand there are budget constraints, so iCloud+ is another option for storage space if you don't mind subscriptions.)

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus $799.99
Shop Now iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus design

The iPhone 16 Plus review unit I received, draped in bubble-gum pink deliciousness, would have been a showstopper during 2023's peak Barbie craze. It's just dripping in Margot Robbie cuteness, cotton candy sweetness, and pink lemonade joy.

iPhone 16 Plus in Pink Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Simply called "Pink," this rose-tinted shade is available only for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.

If you decide to go caseless (because you love this color as much as I do), you'll be relieved to know that iPhone 16 lineup is now equipped with an even more durable display glass that's technically "Ceramic Shield 2." The OG Ceramic Shield debuted with the iPhone 12, and four generations later, we've got a new-gen Ceramic Shield that is 50% tougher, according to Apple.

In other words, the screen on the iPhone 16 should be just a little more resistant to your clumsy incidents — within reason, of course. (Don't get too clumsy.)

My non-Plus iPhone 16, however, comes in teal. Not my taste (I would have preferred Ultramarine), but I love Apple's decision to leave the pastel palettes behind, going deep, vivid, and rich. Other colors on the iPhone 16 menu include black and white.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus no longer have their cameras arranged in a diagonal position. They're now stacked. This doesn't necessarily bother me. But since the iPhone 13, the base models have had that diagonal-style placement that became Apple's signature.

But now, the cameras are positioned in a way that's very Android-esque —à la Samsung Galaxy S24 and Nothing Phone (2). So if you have a finicky teenager who wants to fit in with their fellow iPhone-owning friends, the iPhone 16's new design may be a tough sell.

iPhone 16 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

They'll likely urge you to purchase, at the very least, the iPhone 16 Pro, which maintains that familiar, triple-camera Apple design language that screams "This is an expensive iPhone!"

iPhone 16 Pro Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The iPhone 16 (particularly the non-Plus model) is beautifully light. If I accidentally dropped the iPhone 16 on my face while watching Love Island USA on my back — which is totally a "hypothetical" and never happened to me before — I won't get a black eye. Nice!

I checked the weight to see if the iPhone 16 is lighter than its predecessor — and there is, indeed, a tiny difference; Apple managed to shave off about 0.3 ounces gen-over-gen (6.03 ounces to 6 ounces). As for the chassis, the iPhone 16 is still 0.31 inches thin, which matches the iPhone 15.

• iPhone 16 - 6 ounces

• iPhone 15 - 6.03 ounces

iPhone 16 Plus is slightly lighter, too, but it has the same thickness as the iPhone 16 base model (0.31 inches).

• iPhone 16 Plus - 7.02 ounces

• iPhone 15 Plus - 7.09 ounces

I knew I wasn't losing it. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models are totally lighter than last year's entry-level variants.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models continue to have volume buttons on the left and a side key on the right (which doubles as a way of invoking Siri). But like the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the entire iPhone 16 lineup now has the Action Button.

Finally, the iPhone 16 models are rated for splash, water, and dust resistance (i.e., IP68); this means they can handle six meters of water submergence for up to 30 minutes.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus display

Some people aren't going to like this, but sorry to say, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus still have a 60Hz screen.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You may be wondering, "Why won't Apple put a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate on the iPhone 16?" My guess is that the Cupertino-based tech giant needs something to lure users into purchasing the Pro models (which have a variable refresh rate that go up to 120Hz). Also, there are superfans who don't give a rat's behind about whether a display is 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz; they love iPhone and will buy one regardless.

Unlike the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, which had their displays increase to 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively (yeah, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is practically a phablet at this point), the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus' displays have remained the same:

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

• iPhone 16 - 6.1 inches, 2,556 x 1,179-pixel resolution, 1,000 nits of screen brightness (2,000 peak)

• iPhone 16 Plus - 6.7 inches, 2,796 x 1,290-pixel resolution, 1,000 nits of screen brightness (2,000 peak)

The iPhone 16 models still have Dynamic Island (that pill-shaped notch at the top of the screen), which disguises the TrueDepth selfie camera. I found myself admiring it every now and then while listening to music. The bouncing waveform animations that dance along to my tunes are hypnotizing. But at the same time, I wouldn't miss it if it ever got the boot in the future. (More screen real estate is always welcome.)

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I miss TouchID, though. Perhaps one day, maybe iPhone 17, I'll see it appear somewhere on the side of the chassis — or maybe under the display.

Of course, the iPhone 16's compact form factor is advantageous because it's more pocketable. But while using it for streaming pleasures, I couldn't help but miss my iPhone 15 Pro Max, which has 6.7 inches of delicious display. But I enjoyed the iPhone 16 Plus, which nearly matches my iPhone 15 Pro Max's dimensions.

While watching Netflix's Selling Sunset and taking in the colorful array of — er — interesting outfits in the famed real estate office, I noticed that the colors were vivid and heavily saturated on both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Action Button

The Action Button hit the iPhone last year — and it was an absolute hit. Some people configured this customizable button to have it call their spouse, others programmed it so that it plays their favorite Apple Music playlist.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I don't have a "cool" Action Button story. My use case is more practical. I configured the Action Button to pull up Google Authenticator, which lets me log into accounts with 2FA requirements. It's boring, yes, but it's super useful.

You can also use the Action Button to run more-than-one task using Shortcuts. For example, if your iPhone detects you're away from home, you can transform the Action Button into your "Tap to Pay" key, but if it "knows" you're at your residence, the Action Button can become a flashlight instead.

Personally, I'd love it if Apple could make it easier to assign more gestures (e.g., double and triple presses) to the Action Button. For example, with three quick presses, I can close Amazon super fast before my fiancé sees it — he's had enough of my designer perfume obsession.

The Action Button isn't the only button that's made its way onto the iPhone 16 models.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Camera Control

Since MagSafe, Camera Control is my absolute favorite hero feature that Apple has added in recent years. This is a slam dunk!

You can find the Camera Control button all across the iPhone 16 lineup Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I said this in my Camera Control hands-on, but with just a few gestures (e.g., sliding motion, and one or two presses), you can access so many camera features, including the following:

• Zoom

• Cameras (swap between ultrawide, wide, and 2X zoom)

• Photographic Styles (e.g., filters like "Gold," "Amber," "Vibrant," and more)

• Tone

• Depth

• Exposure

Camera Control makes it easier for me to play around with features I've often ignored, including depth and tone. While I use the likes of exposure and zoom all the time, Camera Control had me adding shadows and blur effects.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The Camera Control button, as a right-handed user, is easiest to use with two hands (e.g., the left hand is holding the iPhone and the right hand's pointer finger is doing all of the gesturing).

Camera Control button Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, my natural position in taking photos is typically one-handed. On my right hand, I balance the phone on my pinky while using my thumb to navigate. As such, with Camera Control, I needed to drop the thumb habit and start using my pointer finger as my primary Camera Control navigation finger.

The best part of Camera Control? I can instantly launch the Camera app while my phone is locked. Win!

Later this year, Camera Control will double as a gateway to Visual Intelligence (as part of the Apple Intelligence suite).

With Visual Intelligence, you can point the camera at any subject in your surroundings. And in a Meta AI-like manner (similar to the AI-powered Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses), it will tell you what you're seeing. For example, you can point at a dog — and it will tell you the breed.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus cameras

So let's start with the new camera feature on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: "optical quality" 2X zoom. You may be wondering, "What does that even mean?"

To put it simply, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, unlike the Pro models, do not have a telephoto sensor — the lens responsible for your zoomed-in photos.

However, as mentioned, Apple says it managed to deliver "optical quality" 2X zoom — meaning the image clarity is so good, you'd think that it does have a telephoto sensor.

So I put this to the test. Here's a 2X zoom shot of Arthur J. Hendrickson Park in Long Island.

Zoom - 2x "2X Zoom" shot of Valley Stream Community Center inside Hendrickson Park with iPhone 16 Plus Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Stunning right? The photo is so crisp, you can see the delineation of the red bricks that make up the edifice. The lawn is verdant and the ripples are sharply defined. Even when I increased the zoom to 5X, the image still looked great, though with some resolution loss, considering the low-light conditions.

"5X Zoom" shot of Valley Stream Community Center inside Hendrickson Park with iPhone 16 Plus Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

(Keep in mind that both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus share the same cameras, so it'd be redundant to share photos from both phones.)

Wide

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus sport 48MP wide lenses; here are some photos.

iPhone 16 wide photo Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Here is a wide-lens picture of a sullied lake inside a Long Island park flanked by weeping willows. This image has a cooler, more true-to-life vibe. I'm a more vivid, warm type of girl. (As you'll learn later, though, you can use Photographic Styles to change the temperature to your liking.)

iPhone 16 wide photo of Chrysler Building Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

This photo captures the Chrysler Building against a clear blue sky, framed by both classic and modern architecture. The perspective creates a dynamic sense of depth, emphasizing the towering buildings as they converge upward. While the lighting is well-balanced, adding more contrast to the sky could enhance its impact against the structures.

Chicken sandwich taken with iPhone 16 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I love a good food photo, so here's a shot of a delicious chicken sandwich inside a well-lit fast-food spot in Manhattan. There's minimal noise, accurate color representation with the muted yellow fries, bright-red ketchup, and golden-brown bun.

Makes you want to take a bite, doesn't it? I'm particularly tickled by how well the wide lens captured the saucy, spicy texture of the chicken.

Ultrawide

Since you already saw the zoomed-in perspective of this photo in the "2x zoom" section, let me show you how the 12MP ultrawide lens performed.

Utlrawide shot taken with iPhone 16 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

It looks dreamy, doesn't it? This is a sensor you use when you want to capture a landscape with an ethereal, silhouetted feel, full of contrast and mystery. It's worth noting that the iPhone 16's ultrawide sensor captures more light, improving image quality. Plus, this ultrawide lens now enables macro photography, so you can get crisp, close-up shots in fine detail.

For example, check out the macro photography shot of the Penny Mac flowers in my backyard.

Macrophotography with ultrawide lens. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Here's another shot that may be familiar to you — and my favorite photo so far.

Ultrawide picture taken with iPhone 16 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

This ultrawide shot looks like it was plucked right out of a storybook — it's giving "hidden oasis" vibes. The details in the foreground are relatively sharp, the colors are balanced, and the full scope of the landscape was captured, showcasing the stream and surrounding greenery. But naturally, this was shot in low-light conditions, so the limitations of the ultrawide lens are shown with the background's lack of fine detail.

For upgraded ultrawide, check out the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Selfie

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus continue to sport a 12MP selfie camera. No, I don't mind that Apple didn't upgrade it because I can't imagine that lens getting any sharper.

iPhone 16 selfie Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

It's also worth noting that the iPhone 16 models, thanks to the A18 series chip inside, have new iPhone 16-exclusive Photographic Styles filters, including "Gold," "Amber," "Quiet," and "Cozy."

"Quiet" Photographic Style Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable "Natural" Photographic Style Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable "Ethereal" Photographic Style Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

What makes Photographic Styles different from other filters? Well, most filters simply choose a color vibe and apply it to the whole image globally — without regard for your skin tone and other precious elements in the photo. Photographic Styles, on the other hand, intelligently applies filters without completely losing the essence of the photo.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus performance

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have a new A18 chip that's packed with a faster processor, zippier graphics, and an improved Neural Engine (the unit responsible for AI processing and machine learning).

iPhone 16 in teal colorway Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I ran Geekbench 6, a benchmark that tests processor prowess, on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Here are the multi-core scores:

• iPhone 16 - 7,878

• iPhone 16 Plus - 7,897

Um, can we talk about how these scores match a budget gaming laptop we reviewed, the Lenovo LOQ 15, which notched a multi-core score of 7,575 on the same test?

Other smartphone competitors don't even come close to these numbers. The Google Pixel 9, for example, has a nasty multi-core score of 4,358. To be fair, though, one could argue that the iPhone 16 phones are overpowered. No phone needs the power of a gaming laptop, but hey, Apple can continue to brag about its undefeated streak in the performance department.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus battery life

Apple said that the A18 chip is also energy efficient — and it wasn't kidding.

Apple put bigger batteries all across the iPhone 16 lineup and it shows. We ran a TikTok rundown with the displays at 50% of brightness. Here are the results we got for each phone:

• iPhone 16 - 16 hours and 20 minutes

• iPhone 16 Plus - 18 hours and 53 minutes

I can't believe my eyes. The iPhone 16 Plus lasted almost 19 hours. It also outperformed the iPhone 16 Pro, which lasted 18 hours and 17 minutes. But that's not too surprising because the iPhone 16 Pro has a smaller battery compared to the iPhone 16 Plus.

The iPhone 16 has the shortest battery life in the entire lineup (the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasted more than 25 hours), but it crushed rivals like the Google Pixel 9, which lasted 16 hours and 6 minutes on a single charge.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Apple Intelligence

Compared to the likes of Meta and Google that have gone full throttle with artificial intelligence (AI), Apple has taken a more conservative approach.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

It may appear that Apple is "behind," but really, the company is just taking its time. It's likely seen the feedback and backlash that consumers have had with the likes of Meta AI and Gemini — and it doesn't want to follow the same footsteps.

Apple announced Apple Intelligence this year, at WWDC 2024 specifically, and outlined some new features that will drop on iOS 18. At the time, Apple said that those features will only be available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. But now, Apple Intelligence is getting support across the entire iPhone 16 lineup.

Some Apple Intelligence features include the Clean Up tool (remove unwanted objects in photos), a new-and-improved Siri, Writing Tools (get assistance tone adjustment for emails and text), call recording, and more.

Apple's "Clean Up" tool Left: Original photo Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Right: Apple's "Clean Up" tool results Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You can test all of these aforementioned features in a beta version of iOS 18 beta (but make sure you back up your iPhone before trying them out). I've tested them myself and had a relatively smooth experience with them all. However, some Apple Intelligence features, like Genmoji (lets you create your own emoji with text prompts) and Image Playground (AI-generated imagery), are not out yet — not even for beta testing.

The next big update, iOS 18, officially dropped on Sept. 16. However, Apple Intelligence will start rolling out to phones sometime in October with iOS 18.1.

Are iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus worth it?

For the battery life increase alone, yes, the entry-level iPhone 16 models are worth it, but I recommend the iPhone 16 Plus even more.

Battery life anxiety is real. Nothing is worse than wondering if I'll be able to order an Uber at the end of the night because I'm only at 20%. With the iPhone 16 Plus, however, lasting nearly 19 hours on a single charge, its power efficiency makes it worth every single penny.

On top of that, there's a new Camera Control button, a tougher display, improved zoom up to 2X, the inheritance of the Action Button, and three stunning new colors (Ultramarine, Pink, and Teal). Oh, and Apple Intelligence, too. Even if you don't care about AI, you'll eventually get a sense of FOMO while everyone is sending "Genmoji" to each other. And well — you can't.

The iPhone 16 starts at $799 and the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Shop Now

The iPhone 16 Pro Max was like the Energizer Bunny on our battery life test. It just kept going, and going, and going.

The flagship Apple device knocked the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL off its throne, the former reigning battery life champion.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL lasted nearly 19 hours — 18 hours and 50 minutes, to be exact — on a single charge, which is impressively long. However, as it turns out, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is even more power-efficient than its Google rival.

iPhone 16 Pro Max battery life

On our TikTok rundown battery test, which loops a continuous video until it dies with the display at 50% of brightness, the iPhone 16 Pro Max ran out of juice after 25 hours and 17 minutes.

iPhone 16 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

As a seasoned tech reviewer, I've seen mobile manufacturers claim that their products have "all-day battery life," but when I test them myself, the reality is that they have half-day battery life, conking out after just several hours.

However, Apple can actually say that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is capable of surviving for more than a day.

Based on typical usage, which includes internet surfing, streaming, and some idle time, you could probably get away with not charging the iPhone 16 Pro Max for about two days before you need to juice up again.

Curious to see the battery runtimes of other smartphones we've tested? Here's a quick list:

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra - 13 hours and 1 minute

• Google Pixel 9 - 16 hours and 6 minutes

• iPhone 16 - 16 hours and 20 minutes

• iPhone 16 Pro - 18 hours and 17 minutes

• Google Pixel 9 Pro XL - 18 hours and 50 minutes

• iPhone 16 Plus - 18 hours and 53 minutes

• iPhone 16 Pro Max - 25 hours and 17 minutes

At the Sept. 9 "Glowtime" event, where Apple unveiled the new iPhone 16 lineup, the Cupertino-based tech giant boasted that the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the "best iPhone battery life ever" — and the company was right.

After the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Plus took second place with a runtime of 18 hours and 53 minutes, beating the Pixel 9 Pro XL by a hair (i.e., three minutes). The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is now in third place.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a starting price of $1,199 — and it's available for pre-order now.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPhone 16 Pro Max Get Deal

After testing a cap on unanswered messages, Hinge announces the global launch of "Your Turn Limits" today.

Your Turn Limits prevents users from matching with new people when they have eight or more unanswered messages in their queue. The name expands on "Your Turn," a feature Hinge introduced in 2017 to prompt users to either start a conversation with a match or keep it going.

SEE ALSO: When an online match wants to meet up immediately, it’s OK to say no

If a user has reached the limit, they will have to respond to someone or unmatch in order to begin "liking" again. On the app, Your Turn Limits is displayed by a banner at the top of the message queue, either "You're approaching the limit" or "You're at the limit."

"When too many people are waiting for a reply, you need to reply or end chats," the banner states. "Then you can send likes."

Credit: Hinge Credit: Hinge

If you attempt to match with someone new, a pop-up will tell you that too many people are waiting for a response — and that "research shows this leads to more dates." In 2023, Hinge matches where one person responded to the other's first message within a day were 72 percent more likely to result in a date.

Via Giphy

Your Turn Limits rolls out to everyone on Hinge today, including free and paid users. In the test phase, Your Turn Limits increased responsiveness by 20 percent, according to Hinge. Almost half (48 percent) of users with Your Turn Limits said this feature helps increases people's ability to focus on quality over quantity. Meanwhile, 45 percent said the feature helps increase focus on current matches, and the same amount said the feature helps them be more thoughtful with current matches.

In an interview with Mashable back in May about Your Turn Limits, Hinge founder and CEO Justin McLeod said of the feature, "I think we'll see more conversations and more dates across a broader part of the population."

McLeod also said Hinge is aware of dating app burnout that singles are feeling, and the app is responding to it with features like this — that will hopefully get people on more dates.

The iPadOS 18 rollout isn't going exactly as planned.

Apple has reportedly pulled iPadOS 18 for M4 iPad Pro devices, per MacRumors, over an update that is causing issues for some iPads.

According to reports on Reddit and Apple's official Community portal, iPadOS 18 is "bricking" select M4 iPad Pro devices (bricking is slang for rendering the device completely useless as it cannot be turned on anymore).

SEE ALSO: New iPad mini might be coming soon

"At some point during the update my iPad turned off, and would no longer turn on. I walked away during the update so I’m not sure when it broke. I tried all of the reset options but nothing worked. I just took it to the Apple Store who confirmed it’s completely bricked, but they said they had to send it out to their engineers before they can give me a replacement even though I have Apple care," wrote one Redditor.

"I updated my iPad Pro M4 to iOS 18. It did not go well, the iPad won't turn on, hard reset doesn't work and it doesn't show up on my Mac," wrote a user on Apple's forums.

The issue doesn't seem to extend to all M4 iPad Pro devices as some users have reported updating to iPadOS 18 without issue. Still, Apple has temporarily pulled the update for all M4 iPad Pros.

"We have temporarily removed the ‌iPadOS 18‌ update for M4 ‌iPad Pro‌ models as we work to resolve an issue that is impacting a small number of devices," Apple told MacRumors in a statement.

It's unclear whether the affected iPads can be fixed with a software update, or whether they have to be taken to an Apple repair centre. For now, owners of M4 iPad Pro devices will not get the option to update to iPadOS 18, which should prevent further issues until the matter is resolved.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

If you’re a movie fan or enjoy nothing more than binge-watching box sets, chances are you've heard of Kodi. Kodi is a free, open-source software media player app formerly known as XBMB that acts as a hub for all your music, movies, and TV content, which can be shared across all of your devices.

Benefits include being able to turn your gadgets into a part of a digital streaming hub, accessing all sorts of file formats and searching for content in one place, watching geo-blocked content, and adding lots of customisable features via add ons such as iPlayer, which are needed for streaming content. Of course, there are drawbacks too, but most of these can be circumnavigated with a VPN, which encrypts data leaving a device and makes it impossible for others to see what you’re downloading.

What is a VPN?

VPNs are security tools that provide protection for your information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.

The act of hiding your real IP address is what can trick leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country.

Do you need a VPN for Kodi?

Having a VPN is important when using Kodi because the media player is popular and open source, so there are inevitably security flaws exploited by hackers. These are predominantly found within third party add-ons — some of which offer pirated material — rather than those found in the Official Kodi Addon Repository. VPNs assign a virtual IP address to obscure your real location from others, protecting you from security scams, viruses, and malware. For example, a VPN can stop malware infecting your home network from a Kodi box and add an extra layer of protection to your computer or laptop by securing the connection.

Using a VPN also enables a Kodi user to become anonymous, preventing hackers from gathering personal data needed for an add-on and assigning a different IP address that’s untraceable, keeping you safe and keeping your viewing habits secret. This obviously means there’s a benefit for when it comes to watching geo-unblocked and pirated content (which we obviously don't condone).

Whatever you choose to use Kodi for, a VPN will enhance its features while offering much-needed security. 

What is the best VPN for Kodi?

When assessing VPN providers, we really like NordVPN for Kodi because of its unbeatable security and no logging policy. One of the largest VPN services around, NordVPN has user-friendly apps for iOS, Android, Mac OS, and more — so all of your devices can be covered. We're also fans of ExpressVPN, which we found to be the easiest VPN to use for accessing geo-blocked streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Let's face it — Kodi isn't the only way you experience your entertainment and if you're going to invest in a VPN for Kodi, it makes sense that it works well with streaming services too. We're all about options.

Whether you’re looking for high speeds or an easy interface, we've lined up all of your best options.

These are the best VPNs for Kodi in 2024.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

VPNs are useful for anyone around the world, but these powerful cybersecurity services are even more important when you're travelling to a country with tight restrictions on internet usage, like China. If you're planning a trip to China or you've made the country your home, you could benefit from using a VPN.

Do you need a VPN in China?

You've probably heard and read quite a bit about China's internet censorship, but what does it actually mean for the average internet user in the country? What is understood is that the Chinese government block access to foreign websites and slows down cross-border internet traffic. The government censors content for mainly political reasons, but also to maintain its control over the population.

This system of censorship is named the 'Great Firewall' and is the largest system of its type in the world. If you’re travelling to the vast country, then your internet privileges will be severly restricted. Fortunately it's not an experience most people will be familar, but it has become the norm for Chinese citizens.

If you’re visiting the country, you can circumvent this system by using a virtual private network, or VPN. Take it from us: You don't have to get blocked in China. While using a VPN in China is technically legal, providers play a game of cat-and-mouse with the authorities, which periodically crack down and try to block servers and throttle bandwidth, much to the annoyance of internet users.

Users in China may have to swap VPNs if theirs becomes blocked, but having one is a necessity for anyone wanting unfettered access to foreign websites, from news sites to social media and Google. If you’re on holiday in China you'll need a VPN for posting snaps to Instagram and keeping in touch with friends using Whatsapp. This is because VPNs assign a virtual IP address to obscure your real location from others, enabling you to circumnavigate geo-blocking and censorship measures as if you are based somewhere without them. VPNs also encrypt data, leaving your computer or device to make it impossible for others to see what you’re downloading, which is useful in a country where surveillance is a top priority for the authorities.

What should you consider when using a VPN in China?

The first thing to consider when using a VPN in China is that while it's perfectly legal, it will be frowned on by the authorities. It's not something to be taken lightly and you should think carefully about your priorities before you take any decision. The second thing to know about VPNs in China is that it’s easier to install one before you arrive.

Server number and location (in China if possible), high speeds, and extra layers of security are all important things to look for in a VPN. Reliable customer service is also an important consideration, because if you experience technical difficulties while you’re there, the fastest service available isn’t much use to you if you can’t troubleshoot.

What is the best VPN for China?

To help you make your decision, we have lined up a selection of the best VPNs for China, including popular services like PureVPN and NordVPN. All you need to do is pick a favourite option from this list.

These are the best VPNs for China in 2024.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

There are three realisations you come to once you enter the real world as a working adult: 

1. A 9 to 5 job is rarely ever just 9 to 5.

2. Your free time is pretty limited.

3. Dating kinda sucks.

The social freedoms you enjoyed before joining the rat race take a hit once you're a working professional. Unfortunately for singles, this can be hazardous for your dating life. 

There is no need to despair though, because you can have the best of both worlds with the help of a dating site.

Should working professionals consider dating sites?

For busy professionals, the idea of "finding someone" might seem like a daunting task. With deadlines, work dinners, and meetings galore, trying to meet someone often falls to the very end of your to do list. If you're an introvert as it is, your social meter is way too drained from small talk with colleagues to even think about introducing yourself to a cute random. This is why dating apps were invented though: to make online dating way easier, enabling you to use your free time wisely. 

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for women

Being a single, working professional is actually kind of a weird time: Somehow, you can have the career and money part of your life so together while the love part is a flaming pile of garbage. While the gist of online dating is easy, finding someone who's also goal-oriented and will understand your lifestyle can be tricky. Not every dating app will make sense for career-focused folks, but looking at things like user base, requirements to sign up, and overall vibe of the app can up your chances of finding what you're looking for. Most dating apps have a section to write in your job or career, which makes it easier to weed out people who don't quite match your goals or lifestyle.

Do you need to pay for the best dating apps?

There are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are seriously popular options with massive networks of users. Plus, most of the biggest and best dating sites have free versions with limitations on certain features. So yes, you can easily enter the online dating game without spending anything. There are levels to this game though, and sometimes free apps just don't cut it.

This won't be a surprise to hear, but you get what you pay for with dating sites and apps. For the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up the cash. We're sorry to break it to you, but the best dating sites don't come cheap.

What is the best dating site for working professionals?

Whether it's something casual or a long-term relationship that you want, there's an app that will make your search a whole lot easier. We found that with sites like EliteSingles, eharmony, and Match, the initial output (such as the lengthy sign up and/or membership fee) is worth it for the return. After all, those who are willing to pay the price for love are clearly serious, unlike some swipe-based free apps where the likelihood of even meeting up in real life can be slim to none.

The good news is that there are plenty of other options out there for working professionals, so you should always be able to find something that ticks your boxes. We've lined up a selection of dating sites to suit every dater and budget. You just need to pick a favourite from the bunch.

These are the best dating sites for working professionals in 2024.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Mashable's readers (and writers) are known for being obsessive about the things we love. You may say we kind of geek out about things. Okay, fine, we are geeks. We're not bothered by this, because geeks are awesome.

Dating as a geek requires combing through normies and too much dating through the same group of locals. This is where dating sites can help.

Why do people use dating sites?

Even the most awesome geeks can use a bit of assistance in the dating department. Not because there aren't enough geeks out there, but because dating as a geek is tough. For women, it can involve a lot of creepy guys who want their manic pixie dream girl. For men, it can involve a lot of simply trying to not be that guy. If you're in the majority of geeks who are a little bit introverted, dating can be really intimidating.

News flash: Loving sci-fi and being madly in love are not mutually exclusive, and success stories from dating sites prove this. You can still find love out there in the real world, but subscribing to a dating site shortens your odds of making a connection.

Do you need to pay for the best dating apps?

The good news is that there are plenty of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are seriously popular options with huge networks of users. Most of the biggest and best dating sites also offer free versions of their services (with limitations on certain features). You can easily enter the online dating game without spending anything, but sometimes free apps simply don't cut it.

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites for gamers

You get what you pay for with dating sites and apps. For the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to dig a little deeper in your pockets. The best dating sites don't come cheap, and whilst you can still find a hookup with a free app, you should upgrade is you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control.

What is the best dating site for geeks?

We have compared all of the internet's top dating sites, trendy swiping apps, and geek-specific sites to find the ones where geeks can express themselves and find that special someone. Hidden in the millions of users, you could find that person who hated the Game of Thrones ending as much as you, or someone who dreams of the perfect couples cosplay. Maybe you're a geek in the streets and a freak in the sheets — there are plenty of apps where geeks can just find a hookup, too.

In terms of general dating sites, we really like Match, which has a tried-and-true algorithm and huge user base. Geek-specific dating sites that aren't totally outdated are few and far between, but we were impressed by Gamer Dating. We've checked out everything on offer and lined up a handpicked selection of the best dating options for geeks and nerds, including popular services like Match, eharmony, and AdultFriendFinder.

These are the best online dating sites for geeks and nerds in 2024.

I'm not normally a fan of idealizing the past — there are just as many horrors to be found in looking backwards as there are in looking ahead — but I can think of one good reason why life might have been a little bit better when computers were really slow and crappy.

People these days are way too comfortable walking around with dozens (if not hundreds) of browser tabs open on their phone or laptop at any given time. This has been normal for a number of years, and I'm here to argue that it shouldn't be. I understand that I can't control anyone else's behavior, and I wouldn't if I could, but hear me out. This isn't for my sake, but for yours.

Having a gargantuan number of tabs open is a decadent privilege that those of us who grew up before tabbed browsing could never imagine 20 years ago. Back before the days of smartphones, when people had one point of internet access in their homes, at most, and otherwise spent their days blissfully disconnected, computers were pretty slow. Unless you had a serious rig, you were probably dealing with a store-bought piece of crap that buckled if you opened more than five tabs at once.

This may sound like a bad thing, but in hindsight, that particular limitation helped me form some life-changing habits. I learned that if I didn't handle my business in an open tab and left it there to fester and take up valuable RAM, everything else about the computer-using experience would get worse. Clicking around on funny soundboards or watching flash videos (these are things we used to do online) became sort of a nightmare if you weren't careful.

SEE ALSO: Stop trying to work in multiple browser tabs. It's terrible for your focus.

More broadly, I learned that I need to be decisive when determining whether or not I'm really going to get back to something later. If I open an interesting-sounding article and don't read it within an hour, that tab's getting closed. The same goes for a YouTube video or anything else that comes across my feeds. If it's urgently important to me, I'll try to get to it as soon as possible. If not, then, well, sayonara. If it isn't so fascinating that I need to get to it within the hour, I can probably live without it. It's sort of applying the Marie Kondo method to your digital life: Does this tab really spark interest?

In this era of constantly being a consumer in one fashion or another, whether with your literal dollars or just with your time and energy, it's important to realize that you can't get to everything. You're not going to read every trendy personal essay that your friends are dunking on or watch every viral YouTuber apology video. You might think you will, but be realistic with yourself. The zeitgeist around that essay was four months ago; are you really going to read it now?

Open your browser, count how many open tabs you have, and really take stock for a second. When was the last time you actually got to any of that stuff? If it wasn't recently, just flush it all down the toilet. Free yourself from your burdens. If any of it actually matters to you, it'll pop up in your brain again eventually.

Stephen Colbert has responded to Elon Musk's now-deleted "joke" about Biden and Harris assassination during Tuesday's "Late Show".

A new survey found that parents significantly underestimate their teen's use of generative artificial intelligence. The technology, popularized by the conversational platform ChatGPT, allows users to ask pretty much any question of an AI bot and receive a specific and detailed original response. 

The survey, conducted this spring by the nonprofit organization Common Sense Media, polled 1,045 U.S. adult parents and their teens. Overall, 70 percent of the teens said they used generative AI. 

Of the teens who said they'd used at least one platform, only 37 percent of their parents were aware of their use. Almost a quarter of parents whose child had used the technology didn't know it, and nearly 40 percent of the adult respondents whose teen had experimented with the tools weren't sure about their experience doing so. 

SEE ALSO: AI apps can automate your home life, and it's more cool than scary

Teens with generative AI experience said they most commonly used platforms for homework help, to avoid being bored, and to translate something from one language to another. Many of the teens admitted to using generative AI for school assignments without the teacher's permission. Some teens created new content using someone else's voice or image, sometimes as a joke or to tease another person. While participants were asked about their experience with using AI to make explicit nonconsensual imagery, those findings will be included in a future report.

Amanda Lenhart, head of research for Common Sense Media, said that parents should start discussing the complexities of generative AI with their children so that they're prepared for what they might encounter. 

"You've got to talk about it because your kids are already using it, even if you don't think they are," Lenhart said. 

What your teen should know about generative AI 

While the technology may benefit teens in numerous ways, Lenhart noted that young users may not be aware of its potential for reproducing bias and sharing incorrect or misleading information, often known as hallucinations. 

Teens also might not know when using generative AI tools is tantamount to cheating; or violates another person's privacy, when it's used to create imagery without their consent; or, understand that the large language models upon which generative AI platforms are built can have different training, tuning, and guardrails.

"These tools pull from the best and the worst of the internet and the best and worst of humanity, and that means that sometimes what they share with us is both wrong and awful," Lenhart said. 

Parents may not know any of this important information if they've not read about or used generative AI, which is why it's helpful for adults to familiarize themselves with the technology as they start discussing it with their child, Lenhart added. 

She recommends that parents test out platforms that use this technology. They may even already spend time on platforms or services that incorporate generative AI, without realizing it. 

Google's Gemini search product, for example, currently produces generative responses to user inquiries. Meta's Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp communication tools have generative AI capabilities as well. Basic Meta AI prompts include "give me a personality quiz" and "how do I speed read?" 

Teens on Snap likely know its generative chatbot My AI, which adults could experiment with and then discuss with their child, Lenhart said. 

When engaging with teens about generative AI, parents can play with the technology together with or alongside their child. Lenhart cited asking it to write a silly poem, make up Halloween costume ideas, or plan a week of meals as examples. A parent could also watch their teen test a chatbot's knowledge of a topic they're passionate about and then discuss how to know whether the AI was wrong or right. 

Whatever parents choose, Lenhart says to focus on finding ways to help teens identify how AI platforms do or don't work and have that conversation together.

Generative AI at school

The survey suggests those discussions aren't happening in the classroom, which Lenhart said is consequential. 

Common Sense research shows that teens who do participate in complex conversations and lessons about the topic at school have a more nuanced understanding of generative AI's pros and cons. But the survey found that this isn't happening for over half of the young respondents. 

Lenhart said it's important for teens to be told the rules for using generative AI when completing schoolwork, which may vary from teacher to teacher. 

"Most adolescents don't want to cheat." - Amanda Lenhart, head of research for Common Sense Media

"Most adolescents don't want to cheat," Lenhart said. "They want to use it in a way that is appropriate for learning, so tell them where that is so they can walk up to that line and not cross it."

And according to the survey, suspicion of cheating may disproportionately affect Black students. In the survey, Black teens were twice as likely as White and Latino teens to say that their teachers incorrectly flagged their schoolwork as the product of generative AI when it wasn't. Lenhart said this finding mimics historic inequities in school-based discipline for Black youth.

"AI tools are not exempt from the bias you probably already experience in your school," Lenhart said.

The issue illustrates why it's so important that adults, at school and home, are aware of the challenges that teens will face in the era of generative AI.

New devices from Motorola and Google prove that phones with bendable screens keep getting better — and some are even becoming cheaper.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

An adjustment.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 18 Hurdle Word 1 answer

ADAPT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

During.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 18 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

WHILE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A deceitful copy.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 18 Hurdle Word 3 answer

DECOY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A film genre. Or conflict.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 18 Hurdle Word 4 answer

DRAMA

Final Hurdle hint

Soft and maybe a little sticky.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

GOOEY

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

Ron Howard is on something of a survival thriller kick. After returning to his Apollo 13 roots with In the Heart of the Sea in 2015, and the more recent Thirteen Lives, his newest film is Eden, a story in a similar vein also based on real events. Unfortunately, the fourth time isn't a charm, and only proves the Howard haters correct in their assertion that the Solo: A Star Wars Story helmer is largely a journeyman, with little style (or substance) of his own.

The star-studded drama is a dud. It has little by way of theme or rigorous meaning, and is told with one of the most offensively dull color palettes digital cinema has to offer. The cast certainly gives it their all, making commendable strides toward fleshing out Noah Pink's screenplay (from a story by Howard and Pink), but too much visual and emotional detail is lost at every turn, making Eden something of a curio. It's hard not to wonder how it ended up being presented in its final state.

What is Eden about?

Based on the accounts of several survivors who formed an impromptu commune in the Galápagos, the film is set on the (in)famous Floreana Island, and adapts the broad strokes of real events — the who’s who, and who died and survived — but adds dramatic speculation to exactly how everything went down. Floreana was uninhabited until 1929, when the pompous Dr. Friedrich Ritter (Jude Law) and his partner Dore Strauch (Vanessa Kirby) arrived from Berlin to set up camp on the tiny volcanic landmass. World War I, the ensuing economic crash, and Germany's resurgent fascism had sent Ritter looking for not just a new place to live, but an isolated stronghold where he could write a manifesto to guide humanity toward a harmonious new beginning. The film also hints that Strauch's multiple sclerosis may have been a reason she accompanied him, perhaps in the hopes of recovery, but her needs are secondary to the desires of her narcissistic beau.  

SEE ALSO: 'We Live in Time' review: Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield in the biggest cinema disappointment of the year

The film is set several years into their residency on Floreana, when a family of three — having read, in various newspapers, the letters Ritter sent back to mainland Europe — arrives in hope of a similar escape. Daniel Brühl plays Heinz Wittmer; Sydney Sweeney plays his pregnant, younger wife, Margaret; and Jonathan Tittel plays Heinz's teenage son (and Margaret's stepson), Harry. The Wittmers are curious and well-meaning, though Ritter — an isolationist, despite his egalitarian principles — wants nothing to do with them, so they set up camp several miles away. Minor tensions start to simmer between the two houses, but these don't fully explode until a third, more chaotic group arrives and begins sowing seeds of dissent between Ritter and the Wittmers.

Led by the self-proclaimed heiress Eloise Bosquet de Wagner Wehrhorn (Ana de Armas), with her two helpers and lovers in tow (Toby Wallace and Felix Kammerer), this hedonistic trio plans to set up an island resort on Floreana, where they hope to welcome wealthy guests. Their intrusion on Ritter and the Wittmers' (admittedly uneasy) paradise is ripe for allegory concerning the way wealthy classes historically extract resources at the cost of peace, but this is just one of the movie's many hints that go practically nowhere.

What is the meaning behind Eden's survivalist tale?

As rivalries ensue and factions form, Eloise proves a master manipulator, and becomes the movie's most (and perhaps only) entertaining character, courtesy of de Armas' bravura. She feels like a typhoon whose only purpose is to shatter the existing status quo. However, that status quo is seldom interesting on its own. The closest it comes to intrigue is when Howard's camera zeroes in on Ritter's attempts to write in isolation. Law's temperament betrays a fidgety impatience, but his posture always is regal, creating a magnetic pull-and-push about his character.

Unfortunately, few characters in the story are either drawn to or repelled by him, let alone in the same breath. He simply exists as a temperamental figure whom everyone accepts from a distance as he makes grandiose claims about fixing the world. Eloise is his counterpart in a sense — equally, if not more, fraudulent — but rare are the moments in which Eden takes advantage of this thematic twinning. For the most part, the film treats survival in the most technical, linear, and literal fashion, despite a setting that is functionally purgatory (the film's Biblical title invites such reading, too).

Survival, for the likes of Heinz and Margaret, is about collecting food and water, and getting through pregnancy intact, but it's never about any underlying questions that test their beliefs or their resolve. And unlike the great island stories of modern culture — The Lord of the Flies and Lost first spring to mind — the characters' (and society's) larger problems don't travel to Floreana, leaving only Eloise's individual quirks as sources of incitement. Had the movie's setting been radically different (a train, a cruise ship, perhaps a hotel), it's unlikely things would have played out much differently.

The struggles in Eden stem not from mistrust or inner folly, but the question of how best to grow vegetables, or how to most efficiently ward off wild dogs, and yet the film isn't particularly invested in the process of survival, either. Instead, it maintains an air — a pretense — of greater significance, when no such thing exists. Part of this disconnect is also owed to how Howard and cinematographer Mathias Herndl capture the island itself, and the characters and their world at large, which makes the movie especially tough to watch.

The cinematography in Eden works against its story.

Eden is a ugly film, though not in a way a survival saga ought to be. There’s a visual unseemliness that suits such a story, the kind that emphasizes the murky, the solemn, the dangerous — like in Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan. Here, it's not the ugliness of oppressive surroundings that defines Floreana, but the ugliness of the texture itself, and its noncommittal nature.

The film's gloomy desaturation works at times, though it’s applied as a constant filter from start to finish, and never evolves alongside the characters' perspectives on the island — even when they first see the place as a heavenly abode, rich in resources. When the characters eventually turn on one another, there’s little sense that their surroundings have contributed to this in any way. 

SEE ALSO: 'Better Man' review: All hail Robbie Williams, a chimp for all seasons

Even taken at its word, as the depiction of a theoretically omniscient and dramatically ironic viewpoint, the movie's aesthetic issues don't end there.

Perhaps a greater problem than the amount of color in each frame is the amount of contrast, or the sheer lack thereof. Characters' faces constantly fall into muddy grays, rendering anything resembling the drama of shadows completely null. Every tint begins to look and feel the same, from tree barks to human flesh (with not so much as a hint of how people might become one with their environments). It's ghastly to look at, and swallows up any sense of detail.

For instance, a stray line about Ritter's teeth early on gestures toward an element of his character. Heinz makes mention of the doctor having yanked out his own teeth for medical reasons, leaving one to assume the extent of this procedure; perhaps it’s a molar or two, in the back of his mouth. However, when he’s seen putting on metal dentures well into the runtime, it turns out that all of Ritter’s teeth are missing. This is the first time any real attention is drawn to his mouth, but the film isn’t trying to hide this fact, or present it as a major reveal. It’s simply one of the many dramatic details (and character idiosyncrasies) obscured by the movie’s haphazard color-timing approach. 

Similarly, scenes that should be flooded with intensity are instead awash in blandness. Nothing about the human face and the human eyes, and thus human soul, can be fully hidden or properly accentuated when every part of the frame looks equally dull, and feels equally lifeless and bloodless in the process. 

To add to this, the movie goes on well beyond its natural endpoint: a moment of mistrust made manifest, which seems to push several characters beyond their brink, and makes them wrestle with their moral spines. But in its need to capture real events as they happened (albeit with its own spin on some of them), Eden far overstays its welcome, like an unwanted, unpleasant houseguest who just won't take the hint. Ironically, that's as close as the movie gets to embodying any of its characters' points of view.

Eden was reviewed out of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

TL;DR: Now you can easily convert 8mm and Super 8 films to digital files with the Kodak Reels Digitizer, on sale now for $349.99 (reg. $399.99) — no computer needed, just plug in and go.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Reels 8mm & Super 8 Film Digitizer with 5-inch Screen $349.99 at the Mashable Shop
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Remember those old home movies stored on 8mm or Super 8 film? Chances are they’ve been sitting in a dusty box for years because finding a projector — let alone one that works — is like searching for a needle in a haystack. That’s where the Kodak Reels 8mm and Super 8 Film Digitizer comes in. This Kodak film digitizer is now sale for $349.99 (reg. $399.99) at the Mashable Shop, giving your precious family memories a fresh digital life without the hassle of outdated equipment or complicated setups.

With this device, you can effortlessly convert your 8mm and Super 8 films to digital even if you aren't a tech expert. It’s as simple as loading up the film and watching your footage come to life on the large 5-inch screen — no extra gear or computer required. This digital converter can accommodate film reels ranging from 3-inches to 9-inches.

Whether it’s an old family vacation or grainy birthday footage, you can easily preview it on the screen and capture it directly onto an SD card. That means no cables, no computers, and definitely no film degradation. Plus, it supports SD cards up to 32GB, so you can archive all those classic moments without running out of space.

Kodak really thought of everything with this one. The machine captures your film at a crisp 1080p resolution, ensuring your old footage gets a clear, high-quality digital makeover. And with the built-in editing software, you can even tweak your videos right on the device. You can convert at speeds of up to 30 frames per second, so this won't feel like a never-ending project.

So, if you’ve been sitting on decades of family footage, it’s time to bring them into the 21st century.

Preserve and relive your favorite moments with the Kodak Reels 8mm and Super 8 Film Digitizer on sale for $349.99 for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: For $89, FileJump gives you lifetime access to 2TB of secure cloud storage so you can save, sync, and share your files with ease.

Opens in a new window Credit: FileJump FileJump 2TB Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription $89.00
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Sick of paying monthly fees for cloud storage? Meet FileJump, the 2TB lifetime cloud storage solution that saves you from recurring bills while offering a secure, accessible, and user-friendly platform.

Whether you’re juggling work files, personal documents, or a growing collection of photos and videos, FileJump has your back — and it’s here to stay, with no expiration date. For a limited time, get 2TB of cloud storage from FileJump for life for just $89.

FileJump ensures your data stays secure with 256-bit AES encryption, giving you peace of mind knowing your files are safe. And with no limits on download speeds or transfers, you can access and share your files as quickly as you need, without the restrictions many competitors impose.

One of FileJump’s biggest selling points is its ease of use. No complicated setups or tech jargon — just a simple drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to upload and manage your files. You can use Chrome or Firefox and easily toss your files into the cloud without the headache. Plus, the lifetime subscription means you’ll never have to worry about running out of space or dealing with sneaky upsell attempts down the road.

Want to preview an image, video, or even an Excel file? No need to download anything first — FileJump lets you view your content right in your browser. And for those who need to collaborate, it offers easy sharing options. Just send a link or create free accounts for clients or team members to access exactly what they need.

If you’re looking for affordable, secure, and limitless cloud storage, get a lifetime subscription to 2TB of cloud storage from FileJump on sale for $89.

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TL;DR: For $24.97 until September 29, these ChatGPT Automation courses offer a hands-on approach to mastering AI and task automation, with eight courses to get you started.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eduonix Learning Solutions ChatGPT & Automation E-Degree $24.97
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AI is more than a buzzword; it’s becoming a valuable tool for anyone looking to stay ahead in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.

Whether you’re already dabbling in automation or just starting to understand AI, ChatGPT Automation courses are the perfect tool to give you the practical skills you need to thrive. Get it on sale for just $24.97 through September 29.

This program is designed to help you become well-versed in AI-powered automation, and with eight courses led by industry pros, you’ll be navigating the world of ChatGPT in no time.

One of the standout courses is Mastering ChatGPT and OpenAI for Automation, which walks you through the nuts and bolts of setting up workflows and automating repetitive tasks — great tools to learn for if you’re tired of manually handling the same processes day in and day out. By the end, you’ll know how to use AI to free up time, boost efficiency, and streamline your daily operations.

Another must-take is AI-Powered Automation for Business, where you’ll dive deeper into using ChatGPT and OpenAI tools to enhance productivity in real-world business applications. Whether it’s automating customer service responses or creating smarter marketing campaigns, you’ll walk away with practical skills that can make a serious impact on your career or business.

No prior experience in AI is required. This instruction takes you from a total newbie to someone who can confidently navigate the world of AI and automation, all while helping you stay competitive in an ever-evolving job market.

Build both foundational knowledge and advanced skills with this ChatGPT and Automation online learning package on sale for $24.97 until September 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: For $34.97 through September 29, ditch the frustrating Apple TV remote and switch to this Bluetooth and Infrared button remote that makes controlling multiple devices easy.

The Apple TV remote is sleek — but also ridiculously frustrating. If you’re tired of constantly sliding your finger across that touchpad, struggling to hit the right button, or endlessly hunting for the tiny remote between couch cushions, you’re not alone. Many people are fed up with the native Apple TV remote. The good news? You don’t have to settle for it anymore.

Meet the Button Remote for Apple TV (and Apple TV 4K), on sale for $34.97 until September 29, which takes the headache out of navigation with traditional buttons, letting you quickly move through menus, adjust the volume, or switch apps with actual tactile control.

It’s Bluetooth- and infrared-enabled, meaning it works with both newer and older models of Apple TV — plus over 100 other brands of TVs, soundbars, and receivers. Imagine finally having one remote to rule them all.

This remote gives you full control, whether you’re hopping between Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+, or managing your home entertainment system. It’s built to give you a smooth, frustration-free experience every time you sit down to binge-watch.

With its dual technology and compatibility with a wide range of devices, this remote is the smarter, simpler way to enjoy your Apple TV.

Until September 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get the Button Remote for Apple TV and Apple TV 4K on sale for $34.97 (reg. $39).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Function101 Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K (Bluetooth + Infrared) $34.97
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TL;DR: Through September 29, get the Ottocast U2-Air Wireless CarPlay Adapter for $44.97 and enjoy seamless wireless CarPlay on the road.

Dealing with tangled cables every time you hop in the car? This 2022 version of the Ottocast U2-Air Wireless CarPlay Adapter lets you ditch the cords and switch to wireless CarPlay in just seconds. Instead of plugging your phone in every time, this adapter automatically connects your iPhone to your car’s CarPlay system as soon as you turn on the ignition.

Now, your favorite apps, navigation, and music are ready to go — without the hassle. And this open-box model is on sale for half off at $44.97 (reg. $89) until September 29.

If you're wondering what "open-box" means, all it indicates is that it's been returned and repackaged, or that it was excess inventory. But don't worry — it's a brand-new item.

Unlike traditional wired CarPlay, which can be limiting, wireless CarPlay gives you a smoother, more intuitive experience. No more worrying about whether your charging cable is in the car or if it's long enough to reach. With this adapter, you’ll free up your USB ports and preserve your phone’s charging port — all while enjoying a clean, modern setup, giving you the freedom to move around or hand your phone to a passenger without unplugging.

The 2022 Ottocast model is designed for quick setup and stable connections, so you won’t be dealing with annoying dropouts or lag. It’s the same CarPlay experience, but better — with all the apps, voice commands, and features you love.

If you’re ready for a hassle-free upgrade, check out this open-box model of the OTTOCAST U2-AIR Wireless CarPlay Adapter 2022 Edition on sale for $44.97 until September 29.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, September 18, 2024:

AcrossDoc treating a dachshund

• The answer is Vet.

"Nice going!"

• The answer is Bravo.

Tended to, as a squeaky wheel

• The answer is Oiled.

Drop a few bucks

• The answer is Spend.

Last word before the starting pistol goes off

• The answer is Set.

DownParking pro

• The answer is Valet.

Divisible by two

• The answer is Even.

Mary ___ Lincoln, first lady of the 1860s

• The answer is Todd.

Mr. Burns's relationship to Homer Simpson

• The answer is Boss.

Ready for picking

• The answer is Ripe.

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

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.

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