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Right from the get-go, The Penguin finds itself in a sticky situation.

The new series from HBO serves as a sequel of sorts to Matt Reeves's The Batman, but it can't risk changing the paradigm in Gotham City too much. After all, Reeves has The Batman Part II to prep for, so The Penguin needs to keep the playing field relatively similar to the end of the first movie in order to ensure continuity between the films. That leaves showrunner Lauren LeFranc with a seemingly small amount of wiggle room to work with.

SEE ALSO: 40 shows we can't wait to see this fall

Luckily, LeFranc and The Penguin are able to do quite a lot with that minimal space, conjuring up a grounded (if somewhat derivative) crime drama that examines how Batman villain Oswald "Oz" Cobb (Colin Farrell) became the monster he is today.

What's The Penguin about? Cristin Milioti and Colin Farrell in "The Penguin." Credit: HBO

The Penguin picks up in the aftermath of The Batman, with Gotham in total disarray following the Riddler's flooding of the city. Adding to the chaos is the death of mob boss Carmine Falcone. His demise has left a power vacuum in Gotham's criminal underworld, and Oz, tired of playing second fiddle to wealthy mobsters, plans to fill that vacuum himself.

Of course, that's easier said than done. Sure, Oz manages to dispatch of Carmine's son and heir Alberto Falcone (Michael Zegen) fairly quickly. But that only stirs up more trouble with the Falcone family — particularly with Carmine's dangerous daughter Sofia (Cristin Milioti), a reformed serial killer known as "The Hangman" who's just been released from Arkham State Hospital.

Colin Farrell goes full Sopranos mode in The Penguin Colin Farrell in "The Penguin." Credit: HBO

As Oz navigates a web of crime and lies — mostly of his own making — on his way to the top, The Penguin pays healthy tribute to the crime dramas that preceded it. Most notable among them is HBO's own The Sopranos, with Oz taking on the role of a scarred Tony Soprano, complete with some mommy issues of his own. This constant crime pastiche can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it allows us to get down and dirty for some street-level Gotham action, with production designer Kalina Ivanov reveling in grimy alleyways and hideouts. On the other, it risks sending The Penguin into generic gangster territory.

The Penguin mostly steers clear of any Batman-related fun. (The Caped Crusader himself is absent, although not particularly missed or needed here.) So without even a hint of the more ridiculous elements of earlier iterations of Oz — my kingdom for some kind of umbrella gun! — the series can feel unmoored from its source material. Why does this story have to center on the Penguin? What separates it from other crime dramas before it?

SEE ALSO: The 13 best TV shows of 2024 (so far)

One answer? Farrell's performance, which soars with the help of some impressive prosthetics that render the Oscar nominee near-unrecognizable. As Oz, Farrell is a snarling force to be reckoned with, all ambitious drive with a hint of fun lurking beneath the surface. Several details from The Penguin help tease out this fun side a little more. Take, for example, his affinity for Dolly Parton, or his diva-esque demands that all cilantro be picked from his food. Nothing quite hits the heights of his meme-worthy, "Holy God, what are you showing me?" from The Batman, but Farrell still makes a meal of Oz's every reaction.

In theory, these comedic details soften Oz. They're not the only story elements to do so. Oz often waxes poetic about mobster Rex Calabrese, whom he views as a kind of benevolent overlord in his neighborhood growing up. Rex's role in the community earned him a parade when he died, and Oz hopes to leave a similar legacy. Look, he's already caring for his ailing mother Francis (Deirdre O'Connell) and taking teenager Victor (Rhenzy Felix) under his tuxedoed wing. What a nice guy!

But of course, those surface-level observations don't account for the fact that Oz almost murdered Victor before roping him into his schemes, or that Francis sometimes refers to her own son as a devil. The Penguin takes great pleasure in hinting that Oz might actually have some good in him, only to turn around and remind us how bad he is. That pattern can feel repetitive in the show's middle stretch, but The Penguin's final two episodes deliver some earth-shattering revelations that recontextualize quite a bit of what we've seen, deepening Oz beyond just some "bargain basement hustler," as one character calls him.

Cristin Milioti steals The Penguin as Sofia Falcone Cristin Milioti and Colin Farrell in "The Penguin." Credit: HBO

Speaking of earth-shattering, let's talk about the character who quickly becomes the star of The Penguin: Sofia Falcone. From the moment she appears behind Oz, it's clear this mobster heiress is the one to watch. Milioti starts her run on the show playing Sofia as part sinister, part tragic figure who might be more than the villain others label her to be. Yet as the show goes on, she transforms into a more confident threat — and The Penguin is all the better for it.

The Penguin's earlier episodes can drag a tad, loaded down with gangster worldbuilding it feels like we've seen a thousand times before. But it really kicks it into high gear in its fourth episode, which focuses on how Sofia wound up at Arkham and would be broken by the facility's cruelty. Milioti is equally vulnerable and ferocious throughout, and when we finally catch up to her in the present day, she all but runs away with the show. It feels like we've been treated to a bait and switch: Oz and Farrell are good fun and all, but Sofia is the heart of The Penguin — and the reason I kept tuning back in.

The Penguin premieres Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

In an unexpectedly moving feature at the top of Google's search platform, the company's Doodle today honours the late artist Sophie Xeon, known as SOPHIE.

Designed in collaboration with Sophie's family, the Google Doodle marks the birthday of the visionary Scottish musician and producer celebrated for her experimental electronic hyperpop. Sophie died in a sudden accident in 2021 at the age of 34 in Athens, Greece.

The Google Doodle also comes a week before a final, posthumous, self-titled album, SOPHIE, is to be released through labels Transgressive and Future Classic. According to Pitchfork, Sophie had almost finished the album before she died. Produced by Sophie and her brother Benny Long, with contributions from friends and collaborators like Kim Petras, BC Kingdom, Evita Manji, and Popstar, the album is out Sept. 27.

SEE ALSO: Google Doodle celebrates Indigenous artist and human rights activist Barbara May Cameron

Clicking on today's Doodle will prompt an animated music video set to the 2018 song "Immaterial" from her Grammy-nominated debut album Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides, the only album she released — though her 2015 collection of singles PRODUCT is all-time.

Google posted a statement from Sophie's family and friends on its Doodle blog. The detailed reflection speaks to Sophie's love of electronic music and festivals from an early age, her influences like Orbital, Moby, and The Prodigy, her emergence as a truly unique, intuitive, and futurist artist, DJ, and producer in the 2010s, and the making of her posthumous album.

"SOPHIE, the self-titled follow-up album, though always intended as a more accessible, more ‘pop’ sounding record, undoubtedly maintains Sophie’s uncompromising and infinitely ambitious outlook," the statement reads. "Made with her brother and many of her closest friends and collaborators, the album sits somewhere between a SOPHIE live show in the clouds, a massive party in her recording studio and the sweatiest club you’ve ever been to hosted by SOPHIE and friends."

"The future has always been a big part of Sophie, and we hope Sophie continues to be a big part of the future," the statement concludes. "As always with Sophie, exactly what comes next and what shape it takes remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, there is a lot more still to come."

"The future has always been a big part of Sophie, and we hope Sophie continues to be a big part of the future."

Many are reacting to the Google Doodle in the comments of the Short, with fans finding it a beautiful surprise on a tech platform.

"Never expected a Google Doodle to bring tears to my eyes, but here we are. Love and miss you forever, Sophie," wrote @hoby7439.

"i miss her everyday, rest in peace our hyperpop queen," wrote @VULNICURRA.

"what a beautiful treat to see this on my google homepage! Sophie is missed! i listen to her music every day," wrote @laurenisalltherage.

Three of the biggest YouTubers in the world have teamed up to launch a rival to Lunchables.

MrBeast, Logan Paul, and KSI announced on Monday that they're launching Lunchly, a pre-packed school lunch for kids that brings together two of their existing products.

SEE ALSO: Wonka bars and ghost kitchens: How food became the next frontier for YouTubers

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, already has chocolate brand Feastables, while Logan Paul and KSI have energy drink Prime. Lunchly boxes will contain a bottle of Prime and a bar of Feastables chocolate, along with either "Fiesta Nachos", "The Pizza", or "Turkey Stack 'Ems".

Tweet may have been deleted

The trio are going after Lunchables — which offers similar products — very directly, showing a comparison to Lunchables products on Lunchly's website in terms of calories and protein provided.

During a live stream the trio confirmed that Lunchly would be arriving in stores in the US "later this week" (a store locator is available on the Lunchly site). It's not currently available in the UK, but KSI said he was hoping it would be in "the next few months".

Donaldson will likely be hoping that this new product takes some of the attention away from recent allegations made by participants in his upcoming Prime Video show, Beast Games, who accused the YouTuber of filming in unsafe conditions.

Apple's watchOS 11 is now available for download, brining sleep apnea notifications to users for the first time.

The publicly available version of watchOS 11 comes after several beta variants, with most of the new features focusing on health and fitness.

Perhaps the most interesting among them is sleep apnea detection, a feature that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved for Apple, and which the company announced at its Sept. 9 event. Apple says it uses the Watch's accelerometer to detect small movements at the wrist during sleep, which are associated with interruptions in normal respiratory patterns (the metric Apple is using for this is called Breathing Disturbances). Apple then uses this data to notify the user if it identifies signs of sleep apnea.

SEE ALSO: Apple Watch Series 10 unveiled: What's new for Apple's thinnest, lightest watch yet?

The feature works on Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra, and is available in more than 150 countries and regions, including the U.S. and the EU.

Apple's new watchOS 10 also brings a new app called Vitals, which gives the user an overview of their daily health status, as well as a metric called training load (visible in the Activity and Vitals apps) which shows how the user's workouts are affecting their body over time.

Other new features include more customization options for Activity rings, a more personalized Smart Stack, the new Tides app for those who enjoy open water activities, and more info for users who log a pregnancy in the Health app.

New Watch Faces: The redesigned Photos face, Flux, and Reflections. Credit: Apple

There's a couple of new features that aren't health or fitness related, too, such as the Translate app being available on the Watch for the first time, as well as three new Watch faces: a redesigned Photos face, the Flux face, and the Reflections face.

The new watchOS 11 is available as a free upgrade for Apple Watch Series 6 and later, provided you have an iPhone Xs or later running iOS 18.

Amazon will dish out thousands of discounts during Prime Big Deal Days, its members-only "October Prime Day" sale. But buyer beware: Not every "deal" is as good as it may seem.

It can be difficult to decipher what's worth your hard-earned cash and what's better to pass on. So we've rounded up a list of what not to buy on Prime Big Deal Days to help you shop wisely.

Avoid products sold and shipped by third parties

It's safest to stick to stuff that's sold and shipped by Amazon, rather than an obscure third-party seller. While many of them are legitimate, too many of them aren't. It's not worth the risk of getting scammed or buying a counterfeit item. (You do have some recourse under Amazon's "A-to-z Guarantee" in such cases, but that involves a whole eligibility and claims process.)

You can find out who's selling an item you're interested in by visiting its product page and looking just below its "Buy Now" button on the far right side. If you see two lines indicating that it "Ships from Amazon.com" and is "Sold by Amazon.com," you're good to go. It's covered by Amazon's refunds/return policy, and you'll deal with Amazon's customer service if you have any issues.

This laptop listing passes the sniff test. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon.com This one doesn't. Skip it! Credit: Screenshot: Amazon.com Any deal that seems too good to be true...probably is

There are a few different ways you can check if an item's sale price on Amazon is a legitimately good deal that's worth adding to your cart. One is by cross-checking the listing with its manufacturer's website to verify its MSRP; Amazon will occasionally inflate them to make discounts look steeper than they really are. We also recommend cross-checking sale prices at competing retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, which will often match or beat Amazon's offers.

The Amazon price-tracking website camelcamelcamel is an especially valuable tool during sales like Prime Big Deal Days. If you plug an item's Amazon listing into the search bar at the top of its homepage, you'll be able to see its going rate(s) over the weeks/months/years. The site occasionally misses short-term discounts, but it can give you a good general idea of whether or not a discount you see is actually as impressive as it seems.

Take this Rockland luggage set, for instance. In September 2024, Amazon put it on sale for $97.26, making it appear to be 56% off a $219 MSRP.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon.com

However, when we entered the luggage set's URL into camelcamelcamel at the time, we saw that it's rarely ever listed for that full price. In fact, it's been hovering around the $90 to $100 mark for literal years. That shined a new light on its "big discount."

Credit: Screenshot: camelcamelcamel.com

Here's another example: At $189.99 (down from $249), this seems like a great deal on the Apple AirPods Pro 2, right?

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

While they are a decent buy, camelcamelcamel tells us the AirPods 2 are regularly discounted to this price, so there's no need to jump the gun. In fact, it's worth waiting a few more weeks in case they return to their all-time low of $168.99 during Prime Big Deal Days.

Credit: Screenshot: camelcamelcamel.com Impulse buys: Just say 'no'

Just because something is on sale doesn't mean you have to buy it. Seriously. Yes, those dirt-cheap Echo Pops are pretty dang tempting, but do you actually, desperately need a new smart speaker?

Sure, FOMO is real, but so is buyer's remorse. In a 2023 Google survey of U.S. adults, nine out of 10 respondents said they've experienced buyer's remorse from impulse purchases, while 42 percent said they've regretted buying something simply because it was on sale. Be careful out there, folks.

Last, but not least: Stay away from Ring camera deals

We always see a ton of Ring deals pop up during Prime events, but we don't recommend buying any of the Amazon brand's home security equipment if you like your privacy and your neighbors. The company's recent history is mottled with security and data handling issues, including sketchy law enforcement partnerships. (It finally shut down the tool that let police publicly request footage without a warrant earlier this year, but we're still skeptical.) To quote the great Randy Jackson: "It's a no from me, dawg."

Prime Day can be overwhelming. No, scratch that, it is overwhelming. Amazon's big discount holiday features so many products and categories, that it can be tough to track down exactly what you need. And with the next Prime Day event coming in hot this October (officially happening on Oct. 8 through Oct. 9), it's prime time for us to bestow a little advice on how to shop it successfully.

We don't recommend buying everything you've ever wanted and throwing caution (and your wallet) to the wind, but if there's a good deal on something you need, you don't want to miss that, either. That's why it helps to know what to buy and what to avoid ahead of time. Mashable already has a hub for Prime Day coverage that can give you in-depth analysis of every shopping category you can imagine, but here are a few quick tips on things to buy and things to not buy as you parse through Prime Big Deal Days next month.

Deals we've already seen ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

• Apple AirPods Max — $449 $549.99 (save $100.99)

• Echo Show 8 — $104.99 $149.99 (save $45)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 — $89.99 $139.99 (save $50)

• iRobot Roomba Q011 — $169.99 $249.99 (save $80)

• Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Hybrid headphones — $39.90 $59.99 (save $20.09)

• Sony ZV-IF camera — $398 $499.99 (save $101.99)

• Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II — $177 $279 (save $102)

The best things to buy on Prime Day

While the Mashable Shopping team's bread and butter is recommending to you all the latest and greatest products on the market, sometimes you already know exactly what you want, and just need to know where it find it on sale. We can help you with that, too. Here's a breakdown of all our top categories that you should shop during October's Prime Day event if you want to score the biggest deals.

SEE ALSO: Yes, Amazon is hosting *another* Prime Day-esque event. Here's everything we know about Prime Big Deal Days. 1. Apple products

Buying the fruit company's flagship tech during Prime Day is a major hack. If you're already planning on buying some of the most notoriously expensive tech on the market, why not buy it at a discount? In light of Apple's latest drops and announcements, we expect to see markdowns on older model Apple Watches, AirPods, iPhones, and more.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple products Shop Now 2. Amazon devices

It's no secret that the biggest discounts of Prime Day are usually on Amazon's own devices. Whether you're working on building out your smart home or you're finally ready to pull the trigger on a new e-reader, you can expect record-low pricing on Amazon Echo speakers, Echo Show devices, Kindles, and more. Just stay away from Ring cameras (more on that below).

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon devices Shop Now 3. Robot vacuums

There are good robot vacuum deals out in the wild all the time, but Prime Day almost always brings some of the biggest discounts on iRobot Roomba models, Shark vacs, and more big-ticket brands. We expect that iRobot will have the best deals, since the brand is now owned by Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot robot vacuums Shop Now SEE ALSO: Our top 4 robot vacuums for carpet and rugs, tested 4. Everyday essentials

Even if you're not planning on making a big tech purchase on Prime Day, it's an ideal time to score the household items you would buy even if they weren't on sale. From laundry detergent, to paper towels and diapers, there are almost always deals on home products you might toss in your cart on a Target or Walmart run. And with Prime shipping, your must-haves will be at your door ASAP so you can spend more time taking care of the house and less time shopping.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bounty / Colgate / Tide Home essentials Shop Now 5. Pet supplies

If you're a pet owner, you know the struggle of having to buy pet supplies like food, toys, grooming products, and more on a consistent basis. Luckily, Prime Day is the best time to stock up on pet stuff, especially from the Amazon Basics brand.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bedsure Pet supplies Shop Now 6. Drones and cameras

DJI drone bundles, Holy Stone drones, and GoPro cameras are almost a given for deals we expect to see on Prime Day. We've also spotted solid deals on cameras from Panasonic, Canon, Sony, and Nikon in the past — just in case you're finally ready to get serious about filming for your YouTube channel.

Opens in a new window Credit: Holy Stone Drones Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Canon Cameras Get Deal 7. Smartwatches

In addition to sweet Apple Watch deals, you can bet that Prime Day will bring steep discounts on Fitbits, Garmin smartwatches, and Samsung smartwatches. For reference, we saw the lowest price ever for multiple Fitbit models during last year's Prime Day.

SEE ALSO: Shop the best early Prime Day smartwatch deals, including the lowest price on the Apple Watch Series 9 8. TVs

You might not find the best deals on premium TVs during Prime Day, but it's a good time to get a deal on mid-budget Fire TVs. These won't be your showstopper living room TVs, but are great for your guest bedroom or kids' rooms. During last year's event, we saw an invite-only deal for the 43-inch version of a 4K Omni Series TV for just $99.99, and we expect to see even more cheap Fire TVs to come this year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TVs Shop Now 9. Headphones

After covering basically every Prime Day that's ever happened, we know with certainty which headphone brands will be on sale during the big event. Bose, Sony, Beats, AirPods, and JBL models will definitely see some solid discounts. During last year's Prime Day, we saw steep price drops on the QuietComfort line of Bose headphones, so we'll be looking out for sales on the latest QuietComfort Ultra headphones and earbuds.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Headphones Shop Now 10. Invite-only deals

Amazon has brought back its invite-only deals program for Prime Day 2024, and we expect to see something similar this October. In the past, we've seen invite-only deals on headphones, SodaStreams, and more popular items, so be sure to keep an eye out for when those go live (of course, we'll also remind you). You'll need to request access to these doorbusters ahead of time, and if you're one of the chosen ones, you'll be able to score those products at their sale prices.

Opens in a new window Credit: SodaStream Invite-only deals Shop Now 11. Nintendo Switch and gaming deals

Upgrading your gaming console and even buying new games feels like a drag — when you're doing it at full price, that is. Luckily, during Prime Day, you can catch markdowns on both. During last year's Prime Day, Nintendo's holiday bundle arrived earlier than expected, so we can't wait to see what this year's has in store.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 'Mario Kart 8' Deluxe Bundle Shop Now Things to avoid on Prime Day

While Prime Day is chock full of good deals, there are some things you'll want to be wary of while you shop. Mashable covered all the things we recommend avoiding in detail, but here are a few quick tips.

SEE ALSO: What not to buy on Prime Day, from third-party scams to Ring cams 1. Third-party sellers

In general, you can trust things sold and shipped by Amazon. Third-party sellers tend to be less reliable, and you run the risk of buying counterfeit products. If a deal from a third-party seller seems too good to be true, it probably is.

2. Ring doorbells and cameras

The steep discounts on Ring cameras and bundles might be tempting around Prime Day, but we don't recommend anything from Ring due to privacy concerns. Not only are they easily hackable, but Ring is also notorious for giving people's info away without their consent. There are normally plenty of home security deals from other brands on Prime Day, and if you need a little guidance on the good ones, check out our guide to the best home security systems.

3. Anything you don't need

Like we mentioned before, it's best to use Prime Day as a way to get something you need at a good discount. What's not as advisable is buying things just because. Something you don't need or won't use is still something you don't need or won't use, no matter how good the deal is.

With the air starting to cool and the leaves starting to turn color, the signs are here: it's time for Amazon's October Prime Day.

Officially called Prime Big Deal Days, the sale is a Prime-member exclusive event (as the name would suggest). Like its July counterpart, Amazon confirmed that it'll bring two full days of savings, which members can expect from Tuesday, October 8 to Wednesday, October 9. Also like its July counterpart, we recommend going into the sale with a plan on scoping out the best deals — other than following Mashable's coverage of course — to avoid impulse purchase-fueled buyer's remorse.

To escape that fate, we caution against simply vibing and seeing what's on sale: as in years past, we're anticipating steep markdowns sitewide during Prime Day, from TVs and Apple products to Kindles and robot vacuums. In other words, it'd be easy to drop a few hundred dollars you didn't mean to spend if you don't do a little bit of prep work.

A good place to start is our handy list of tips and tricks below, compiled by our shopping reporters who've spent years covering the sale. Plus, you can check out our guides on what to buy and what not to buy on Prime Day.

Take advantage of price-tracking tools

Check out dedicated sites and browser extensions that do the work of tracking prices for you.

• Camelcamelcamel is a website that gives you price history charts on Amazon products and even sends you alerts when a price has dropped. To up your price-monitoring game, you can install its browser extension called "The Camelizer," which gives you instant access to price history while you're shopping.

• Keepa is a price monitoring site and browser extension that is dedicated to Amazon products. You can also use it to compare prices on other retailer sites like eBay.

• Other tools that can crawl the web for good deals and notify you about price drops are Honey and Slickdeals. These sites are particularly useful because "the Prime Day effect" usually means that retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart will also be hosting sales. In that case, it's good to have a sense of pricing history, even if Honey's isn't quite as detailed as Camelcamelcamel.

Ask Alexa for help

If you have a newer Echo device, you can enable Alexa's advanced deal alerts feature to find and keep track of deals on products you want. The smart assistant will notify you up to 24 hours in advance of a deal you've added to your shopping cart, saved for later, or added to your Wish List. To turn on this setting, go to the Alexa app and open the Notifications bell, then hit Settings. From here, tap Amazon Shopping and scroll down to toggle Deal Recommendations. Your Echo device will flash a yellow ring to indicate this setting is live.

Check curated lists

Finding the best Prime Day price is one thing, but how do you even know what deals are being offered elsewhere? It's safe to assume that most products on Amazon have some kind of discount, but some deals are better than others, meaning it's important to know what to buy and what not to buy on Prime Day.

Mashable's shopping team is already doing the legwork of scouring Amazon's vast inventory to highlight the best deals out there, and we'll be on it leading up to, during, and after the sale. Beyond price drop notifications, we're bringing our knowledge of historical pricing and trends on most deal categories, meaning that if we recommend a deal, it's actually worth checking out.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day 2024 is coming: Here are the best early deals you can already shop Don't forget about other retailers

As we mentioned above, Amazon may kickstart the second Prime Day season, but other retailers make sure they're in on the fun. We're expecting to see sales from Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, so you'll have plenty of options for where you want to pick up the best deals.

Competition can be a great way to drive prices down, but certain retailers have specialties with these sales. Best Buy is usually good for big ticket tech like high-end TVs or laptops as well as gaming deals, Walmart is ideal for more budget-friendly TVs and home tech, and Target is best for everyday essentials.

TL;DR: Grab the Ninja Dragon Phantom Max 8 Smart Drone for $79.99 — a 52% discount from the usual $169.99 price — and enjoy obstacle-free flying with 4K video.

Ever flown a drone straight into a tree? The Ninja Dragon Phantom Max 8 makes sure those crash landings are a thing of the past. It’s equipped with smart obstacle avoidance tech that lets it steer clear of anything in its path, giving you more time to focus on capturing stunning 4K footage and aerial photographs.

Great for both seasoned drone pilots and those just starting out, this 4K obstacle-avoiding smart drone is on sale for $79.99 for a limited time.

The Phantom Max 8 is built to impress with its 8-directional obstacle avoidance system, meaning it can dodge obstacles from all sides and stay in the air longer. This feature alone makes it ideal for anyone who loves exploring tight spaces where preventing collisions can be tricky.

Plus, the 4K HD camera delivers crystal-clear video and photos, so your shots always look professional, whether you're capturing landscapes or action-packed moments.

Worried about flight time? The Phantom Max 8 offers up to 15 minutes of continuous flight per charge, giving you plenty of time to get those perfect shots. The user-friendly controls and one-key return function make it even easier to fly, bringing the drone back to you with a simple button press when you’re done exploring.

With a foldable, lightweight design, this drone is easy to pack up and take with you on all your adventures. Whether you’re hiking, heading to the beach, or just capturing fun moments at home, this drone could be your new go-to for reliable, obstacle-free flying.

For a limited time, get the Ninja Dragon Phantom MAX 8 Obstacle Avoidance Smart Drone for $79.99 (reg. $169.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Onetify Ninja Dragon Phantom MAX 8 Obstacle Avoidance Smart Drone $79.99
$169.99 Save $90.00 Get Deal

Robotic Martians can see blue Earth in Mars' sky.

The Curiosity rover, a car-sized NASA robot looking to find evidence of past habitability on the Red Planet, recently snapped an image of Mars' misshapen moon, Phobos, and Earth next to each other.

"It's the first time an image of the two celestial bodies have been captured together from the surface of Mars," the space agency explained.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

In the photo below, you can spot a ridge of Mars' Mount Sharp at the bottom of the image. The upper right contains both Phobos — a moon 17 miles long — and Earth, which from some 200 million miles away appears as a bright speck of bluish light. (The second image is a blown-up view of the two objects.)

"From the rover's perspective, the inset area would be about half the width of a thumb held at arm's length," NASA explained.

The moon Phobos and Earth seen in the upper right. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS A zoomed-in view of Phobos, on left, and Earth. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS

The Curiosity rover captured this image on Sept. 9, 2024, during its 4,295th Martian day (called a "sol") on Mars. It's been rumbling over Martian terrain for over 12 years, and is currently ascending the 3.4-mile (5.5-kilometer) high Mount Sharp, a place that once experienced dramatic Martian floods.

Compared to our moon, which appears almost perfectly round, Phobos is misshapen. It's not massive enough for its gravity to form a sphere. What's more, Phobos has been hit time and time again by potent space rocks. "Phobos was nearly shattered by a giant impact, and has gouges from thousands of meteorite impacts," NASA noted. The glaring impact site is Stickney crater, which is 5.6 miles (nine kilometers) wide.

As Curiosity continues its long slog up Mount Sharp, its robotic sibling, the Perseverance rover, is sleuthing the irradiated Martian surface for past evidence of microbial life. This means "chemical signatures and structures that could possibly have been formed by life billions of years ago," the agency said.

Still today, no evidence of life has been found on Mars — though NASA has spotted some compelling geologic leads. It's clear, however, that the now-desert planet once teemed with lakes and rivers, back when it was a warmer, more hospitable, world.

The first thing you must know about BOYNEXTDOOR is that they're loud. Not the kind of loud that turns off and on for cameras, but the kind that's natural and uncontainable — an energy that fills a room even when they're just being themselves.

The six-member boy group is doing exactly that, being themselves even amidst a hectic press day in early September that's kept them confined to a single practice room at their company's Seoul headquarters for the past few hours. Their energy doesn't wane; instead, it spills over into the room in random bursts — chaotic yet endearing for a group whose ages range from 17 to 21 — as they talk over one another, shout out jokes, and laugh without warning. One moment, they’re focused; the next, they interrupt one other, each voice competing for attention. Jaehyun, the group's charismatic leader, sums up their vibe in three words: "Gen Z swag." 

SEE ALSO: The 15 best K-pop songs of 2024 (so far)

The atmosphere is even more charged on the day of this interview because it's oldest member Sungho's birthday. "I'm still working," he says. "But it's OK. I'm so happy." 

When BOYNEXTDOOR debuted last year, they jumped onto the K-pop scene with youthful exuberance. Their music captures the essence of growing up with songs about love, friendship, and the everyday highs and lows of being young. With their latest EP, 19.99, they find themselves on the cusp of adulthood (turning 20, to be exact), caught between the desire for freedom and the weight of new responsibilities. Then, there are the more tangible signs of growing older. "My body feels heavier," Jaehyun, now 20, jokes. "It's harder for me to dance." 

Dancer Riwoo, however, sees little significance in numbers. "Youth is definitely a mindset," he says, pointing to their own internet habits as proof. "All of our members have this Gen Z vibe, and we love using memes. But Woonhak is the youngest of the band, but he knows the least number of memes." Taesan, who turned 20 in August, shrugs off any dramatic change. "I just feel like I’m one year older," he says.

For a group that proudly embraces their "Gen Z swag," it’s no surprise that their phones are never far from reach. Whether they're scrolling through memes, catching up on new music, or just filling downtime between schedules, their devices are an extension of themselves. Riwoo laughs, "The notification on my phone says I spend six hours a day on it." Jaehyun quickly points out that their screen time depends on their schedule. "If we have a lot of different schedules on one day, it's very hard to put our hands on our phones, but if we don't have anything, we spend a lot of time on our phones." 

Sungho nods in agreement. "Whenever I see the members during our free time, we’re usually either listening to music or watching YouTube. We all have pretty similar habits."

Just how similar? Ahead of the release of their new EP, we chatted with the boys of BOYNEXTDOOR about the videos filling up their Watch History, their go-to karaoke songs, their favorite fan edits, and how what they watch online inspires them creatively.

'부모님 관람불가' Official MV

Mashable: The song "부모님 관람불가 (Dangerous)" is quite mischievous. For the members who worked on the lyrics and composition — Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak — were there any particular experiences you drew from to create this narrative of a rebellious kid?

Jaehyun: Unlike now, when I was a kid, my mom would tell me to come home. I don't know why, but I really felt like I didn't want to go home. So if my mom called me and said, "Come home right now," I'd be like, "Oh, I'm on my way." And then I would just goof around for 30 more minutes outside to just not go home. If I told her I would be home in just 10 minutes, I would goof around for another 40 minutes. So those are the moments I drew from [while working on the song]. I think that was my rebellious side when I was a kid. 

What do your parents think of the song? 

Jaehyun: They said it was going to be a hit. [Laughs.] Instead of focusing on the lyrics, they just listened to the melody of the song, and they liked it. So I was really excited. 

Do you have a favorite memory from filming the music video? 

Woonhak: Korean barbecue! 

Sungho: Samgyeopsal!

Woonhak: Do you know samgyeopsal? 

Of course! 

Woonhak: I remember the Korean pork belly we had. There's a scene at the very end of the music video when we're on the rooftop cooking samgyeopsal and eating. It tasted so good. It was very early in the morning, and when I put that pork belly in my mouth, it just melted away. 

I really liked the karaoke scene in the noraebang. It looked really fun. What's your go-to karaoke song? 

Woonhak: Do you know [the Korean rock band] Buzz? The song is called "가시." 

Jaehyun: "고해" by Yim Jae-beom. He's the Korean Kurt Cobain.  

Leehan: My go-to song is "Tears" by So Chan-Whee. 

Jaehyun: She's the Korean Beyoncé. 

Leehan: That's right. 

Sungho: My favorite song is "Love Never Felt So Good" by Michael Jackson. 

Riwoo: Mine is "Lazenca, Save Us" [by N.EX.T]. It's a heavy metal song. 

Jaehyun: The Korean Steelheart. 

드디어 GD 등장!!!!!! 함성소리 가득했던 태양콘서트👍

Sungho, you are a big fan of Taeyang, right? 

Sungho: We are all big fans of Taeyang and BIGBANG. Taeyang recently had a concert, and it's one of the concerts that I really wanted to go to. So when the concert was over, I immediately looked up the concert on YouTube to find as many clips as possible.

That's how your fans watch your performances, too. 

Sungho: Exactly. So I'm a fan of Taeyang, and I can relate to [our fans] ONEDOOR in that way because they would also be looking up my stages and performances. 

Jaehyun, you specifically mentioned Taeyang and G-Dragon's "Good Boy" performance from this concert as your favorite. How does it make you feel when you're watching it? 

Jaehyun: So it's been about seven years since I've seen G-Dragon on stage. So I was really waiting for this moment. My heart was pounding watching this clip, and I felt like a legend is always going to be a legend. 

[보넥도] "잘생긴 남자들이 7분 30초 동안 웃겨줘요"

Jaehyun, you recommended this fan-made compilation, which, when translated into English, reads, "Handsome men make me laugh for seven minutes and 30 seconds." 

Jaehyun:  Well, I looked up BOYNEXTDOOR on YouTube, and it just randomly popped up. So I started watching because in the thumbnail, all of us looked really crazy, so it intrigued me. And when I clicked on it, I was like, "We really did that?" Because we were goofing around [and] we were acting pretty crazy. So it was a fun experience to watch me on the screen doing weird stuff. It was fun. 

Do you guys often watch fan edits of yourselves? 

Woonhak: Of course we do!

Jaehyun: We do it often. 

Woonhak: Recently, there has been more ONEDOOR, so we see a lot of YouTube Shorts made by our fans. 

Leehan: I recently saw that fans are printing out our faces on paper and wearing them like masks to role-play as us. And that's really fun. 

That's a new one. I haven't seen that!

Jaehyun: There's a certain type of fan edit that I really love. It's when they compile different clips of ourselves, and then they put really good background music to it. I love those.

✨1500만뷰 모음집✨ 2023년 무도 레전드 TOP7 모아보기 | 무한도전⏱오분순삭 MBC120721방송

The show Infinite Challenge is really popular in Korea. Woonhak, are these the kinds of video compilations you'll watch while you're eating or in between schedules? 

Woonhak [in English]: Muhan Dojeon is my life. I watch it every day. 

Sungho: You do. 

Jaehyun: Great job. 

Woonhak [in English]: It's so funny, and it makes me smile. I'm happy [when I'm watching it]. 

Do you like to watch these videos while you're eating? 

Woonhak [in English]: Yes! The video is so sweet and delicious.  

Woonhak, you said earlier that your favorite meme is an Infinite Challenge meme. Who sends the most memes in the group chat? 

Woonhak: I think it's either Riwoo or Sungho. They're the big brothers of the group. They use the most memes.

Who's the most active in the group chat? 

Leehan: Our leader Jaehyun.

Woonhak: But Riwoo is also pretty talkative.

"The Urinal Curse: kill every beat 🐲🔥" (via @avemoves)

Riwoo, as a dancer, you've said that you get inspired by watching other dancers' videos online. What is it about this dancer, AVE, that you really like? 

Riwoo: I recently got to know him, and he's a dancer we cannot confine into a single genre. That's what I really like about him. And I think, you know, vocals are like a type of music that you listen to, but dance is a type of music that you watch. I think he did a great job just conveying music into his dance moves. So I'm a big fan.

I know you contributed to the choreography of "Dangerous." Can you tell me a little bit about that process and how you draw inspiration from various sources?

Riwoo: So I created the intro part of the choreo. After we learn the entire choreo, I tweak it so that it's more BOYNEXTDOOR and more our style. Regarding finding inspiration, I try to watch a lot of overseas dance clips of pop stars and other artists. It's really important to pull out the different charms that we have as individuals. So I focus on that as well.

How would you describe the BOYNEXTDOOR dance style? 

Riwoo: It's very free-spirited. Instead of making sure that we are perfectly synchronized, we want to let everyone show their individuality in the choreography.

"Sleep music for peace of mind"

Taesan, what do you like about ASMR? 

Taesan: Yeah, I've recently been listening to a lot of ASMR music. 

Does it help clear your mind? 

Taesan: It helps, especially when you're under stress. Recently, I started meditating to relieve stress. It helps clear your mind and ease your stress.

I know you write a lot. Do you feel like it helps with your creative process at all? 

Taesan: I don't think so. I mainly listen to it to calm my thoughts and help me fall asleep. 

Elvis Presley, "Jailhouse Rock" (Music Video)

Leehan, I didn't realize you were such a big fan of Elvis Presley!

Leehan: One of my favorite songs is "Hound Dog," and when I was on a flight recently, I watched a movie about Elvis Presley [Baz Luhrmann's Elvis]. The film really touched me, so I started looking up his music videos and watching those videos on YouTube. He's got his own kind of dance moves, which I find really cool. 

Elvis was a charismatic showman. When you watch clips of him, are there certain things that you can take away from his performance to help inform yours? 

Leehan: As I was watching, I felt that Elvis had his signature moves, like the wobbly leg dance. So I thought before I retire, I would like to make a signature Leehan move. 

Is there a move you're thinking about? 

Leehan: Oh, no, not yet. But if I come up with one, I'll make sure that I let you know what it is and walk you through it.

TL;DR: Grab the CASA Hub Stand for $139.99 (reg. $159) and enjoy better posture with built-in USB ports and 4K HDMI support.

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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

Brownish-orange.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 17 Hurdle Word 1 answer

TAWNY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Knight fight ending.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 17 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

YIELD

Hurdle Word 3 hint

On the hunt.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for September 17 Hurdle Word 3 answer

PROWL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Fancy way to express joy.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 17 Hurdle Word 4 answer

EXULT

Final Hurdle hint

Not a plus.

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

MINUS

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

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 Tuesday, September 17, 2024:

AcrossGame of throwns?

• The answer is Darts.

Give a heads-up

• The answer is Alert.

Like some credit card accounts

• The answer is Cheap.

Not costing much

• The answer is NoFee.

It's celebrated every April 22

• The answer is Earth.

DownMove to the music

• The answer is Dance.

Hawaiian "hi"

• The answer is Aloha.

Make an allusion (to)

• The answer is Refer.

Reward for a well-behaved dog

• The answer is Treat.

U.S. men's basketball star with eight three-pointers in the gold medal game, familiarly

• The answer is Steph.

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.

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

You know what they say: Don't hate the player, hate the game.

Dating can be difficult, even at the best of times. Whether it's finding common interests and shared passions, or even something as simple as holding a meaningful conversation, it can take a lot of work to find that special someone. It doesn't matter if you're looking for a long-term relationship or more of a fleeting connection. Dating can be awkward, challenging, and even downright stressful.

It's not all bad though, and just because it can be difficult doesn't mean it can't be fun. And for gamers, fun is what really matters. The fun factor of dating apps is part of the reason we keep coming back to them. This is why apps like Tinder, what with its swipe-happy function, have become so popular. Thanks to the digital nature of the modern gaming market, gamers are able to connect with friends from all over the world in whatever they're playing. The right dating apps and sites can offer that same opportunity, allowing you to meet people who share your passions. 

Do you really need to use dating sites?

Meeting in bars, clubs, parks, and other romantic locations still happens on a regular basis, but you're shortening your odds of finding something special by subscribing to a dating site. Why not give yourself the best chance of success?

Dating sites and apps allow you to get your information out there to a massive network of like-minded individuals, and you can save a lot of time, energy, and cash by testing out a potential relationship on an app before meeting in real life. Using dating apps is also a whole lot less intimidating than meeting someone face to face.

Should you use free dating apps?

The likes of Tinder and Hinge are seriously popular dating apps with massive networks of users, and they are free. Most of the biggest and best dating sites also have free versions, so yes, you can easily enter the online dating game without spending anything. There are levels to this game though.

For the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up some cash. You can still find love with a free app, but if you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control, we recommend upgrading.

What do you need to know before using a dating app?

The first rule of online dating is to just be yourself. By being yourself and presenting yourself accurately and honestly, you open yourself up to the possibility of a great relationship with someone who likes you just the way you are. Also, don't be afraid to make the first move. Forget all those outdated rules that say a man is supposed to make the first move or that a woman can't pay on a first date. Instead, focus on finding an equal partner who helps support your goals, wants to see you succeed, and has dreams of their own.

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for women

Once you decide to meet up, stay open. We often come up with an idea for how someone will be after meeting them online, and it's rare that your expectations sync up with reality. Allow yourself to really get to know this person for who they are rather than who you thought they would be before you make up your mind.

If you really like them after finally meeting in person, set up your next date while you're still hanging out. If you really don't feel a connection, then do the right thing and tell them. Not only will they appreciate your direct approach, but it will alleviate that post-date awkwardness of wondering where you stand.

What is the best dating app for gamers?

Whether it's the tried and tested sites like Match and eharmony, or sites that offer a little more for the gamer in you like GamerDating, there is a site out there that can help you find the perfect player two for life.

We have lined up all the best dating sites for gamers, with something for everyone. All you need to do is check out these options and pick a favourite. Simple, right? Almost. You will then need to actually start dating, but we'll leave that to you.

These are the best dating sites for gamers in 2024.

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

If there's anything better than changing into pajamas, squeezing yourself between the crisp, slightly cold sheets of your bed, and plowing through an entire season of 90 Day Fiancé after a busy day, we have yet to experience it.

This gloriously trashy reality series is a guilty pleasure for a lot of people out there, and it's just one of literally thousands of TV shows and movies available on Hulu, the bright green-branded streaming service founded in 2007. 

Hulu provides on-demand access to a stacked lineup that includes hit movies like Annihilation and Sorry to Bother You; cult-favourite shows like Rick and Morty and This Is Us; and exclusive originals like Shrill and The Handmaid's Tale.

Unlike Netflix, that has expanded internationally, Hulu's library is strictly limited to viewers in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. military bases. That's because Hulu doesn't own international streaming rights for any of its shows and movies; it only holds the U.S. distribution licenses. If Hulu were to expand the availability of its content abroad, it would have to make new deals with distributors to acquire streaming rights in other regions — and that requires a lot of negotiating and money-spending.

There's still a chance Hulu will go global. But until then, those attempting to watch Hulu from outside the U.S. will have to circumvent Hulu's geo-restrictions with the help of something called a virtual private network, or VPN.

Do you need a VPN to watch Hulu?

To prevent users outside the U.S. from accessing its shows and movies, Hulu requires two things of its accountholders: a U.S.-issued form of payment and a U.S. IP (internet protocol) address — that's the numerical ID containing information about your location and web activity that gets assigned to your device by your internet search provider, or ISP, when you connect to a local network. It's like a house's physical address, but for your computer/smartphone/tablet.

That IP address part is where a VPN comes into play. For the uninitiated, a VPN is a service that creates a safe, secure connection over the internet by routing your device's traffic through its own private servers. Known as encryption, this process shields your personal information and online activities from the prying eyes of your ISP and — this is key — creates a temporary IP address that hides your true location.

You can probably guess where we're going with this: If you're trying to watch Hulu from outside the U.S., you can have a VPN spoof your IP address and trick Hulu into thinking you're based in the U.S. Simple, right?

Actually, not so much. Because here's the thing: Hulu isn't dumb.

Does Hulu block users with a VPN?

Just like Netflix, Hulu prohibits its accountholders from using VPNs in an effort to protect its licensed content, and it'll slap you with an error message if it thinks you're trying to use one to watch its content. Its tactics are threefold:

1. Hulu blocks anonymous IP addresses whose geographical location it can't verify 

2. Hulu checks your IP address against its own blacklist of known VPN servers

3. Hulu keeps a lookout for IP addresses with a large number of users. If there are too many people sharing any given server, Hulu will assume you're all using a VPN and shut that shit down.

If a VPN provider wants to unblock Hulu for its users, it needs to steer clear of Hulu's blacklist while maintaining a sizeable U.S. server network. These are no easy feats, so the list of VPNs that can consistently bypass Hulu's ferocious firewall is pretty short. 

What is the best VPN for watching Hulu?

Need help making sense of all this? Below, we've broken down the pros and cons of VPNs that are currently capable of unblocking Hulu and keeping you anonymous online. That way, you can make an informed decision on how to spend your hard-earned cash.

These are the best VPN for watching Hulu in 2024.

We are living in the golden age of streaming, with absolutely loads of platforms hosting a massive library of content. We have literally thousands of movies and shows to choose from every night, and yet, it can still feel like there is nothing left to watch. We are spoilt for choice, but still not satisfied.

Not content with the wide range of streaming sites on offer, a lot of users are turning to VPNs to unlock extra content from around the world. These services can connect you to a server in another location to bypass the geo-restrictions of top sites like Netflix. With a VPN, you can even connect to a secure server in Japan and access a bunch of top dubbed movies and anime shows from this extremely popular library.

Before we get into the best VPNs for Japanese Netflix, we should probably make a few things clear. Here's everything you need to know about VPNs and the process of accessing this library.

What is a VPN?

VPNs are powerful security tools that protect your personal information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. With a VPN, 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, so all of your activity is untraceable and secure.

Why do you need a VPN?

We know that a lot of people are only interested in VPNs for their ability to access extra movies and shows, but it's important to remember that these services are primarily designed to provide protection for your sensitive information. By encrypting all of your online traffic, VPNs help you to remain protected against cyber threats like hackers, surveillance software, and malware.

Then there is streaming. VPNs hide your real IP address and connect you to a server in another country, so you can watch all your favourite content from that location. The process is quick and easy. You don't need to be a VPN expert. You can open up a whole new world of content in just a few clicks.

How do you watch Japanese Netflix with a VPN?

The process of accessing Japanese Netflix with a VPN is actually really simple:

1. Sign up to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit Netflix to watch movies and shows from the Japanese content library

You still need to be subscribed to Netflix for this trick to work, obviously. A VPN is not going to grant access to the streaming site for free. A VPN provides access to more libraries from around the world, once you're subscribed.

What is the best VPN for Japanese Netflix?

There are a lot of VPN services out there that can reliably unblock Japanese Netflix, but which is the best for you? Everyone is different, but we've lined up something to suit every streamer. We've also highlighted the best deals on ExpressVPN, Surfshark, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, NordVPN, and more.

These are the best VPNs for Japanese Netflix in 2024.

Not so long ago, artificial intelligence was just something people spoke about in movies set in the distant future. Now, it seems like it's all anyone is talking about. Advancements have been sudden and dramatic. There's still so much we don't know, but what's clear is that artificial intelligence is here to stay. And it's going to change the way we all live our lives.

A lot of the artificial intelligence discussion has centred around ChatGPT, and it's easy to see why. This artificial intelligence chatbot has been making waves with human-like conversations that at times defy belief.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot created by OpenAI and released towards the end of 2022. What's a chatbot? A chatbot is a computer program that uses AI and natural language processing to understand the questions you enter and automate responses, simulating human conversation.

The best way to better understand ChatGPT is to give it a try. You can ask questions and make requests of ChatGPT, and this self-learning AI tool will respond. We think you'll be impressed by what you get back. You might also be a little scared, and that's OK.

Do you need a VPN for ChatGPT?

In the most simplest terms, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide protection for your data and identity when you're online. They offer this service by creating a private network that hides your real IP address, making all of your activity untraceable and secure. It is this act that could be useful when it comes to ChatGPT.

It is not possible to access ChatGPT from certain countries such as Iran, China, Russia, and Egypt. Italy also banned the chatbot over concerns about its privacy policy and data protection, but has since restored access after these issues were addressed. On top of this, plenty of schools and workplaces have shut down access to ChatGPT. Schools obviously care about the potential for cheating, whilst many workplaces are trying to limit the risk of sensitive information being exposed. This reasoning seems totally justified, but it does mean that those seeking to use ChatGPT without bad intentions will also be blocked. And that seems a touch unfair.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT can now read responses back to you out loud

VPNs can hide your real IP address and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can bypass restrictions to access ChatGPT from anywhere in the world. The process is quick and easy:

1. Sign up for a leading VPN

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports ChatGPT

4. Connect to ChatGPT

It really is that easy. There are plenty of services that can make light work of this task, including popular options like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. The best service for you will depend on a number of factors.

What should you consider when selecting a VPN?

Before you make any sort of decision on the best VPN for accessing ChatGPT, you should consider connection speed, server network, number of logins, security features, and privacy policy:

• Connection speed — Even the very best services are going to produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything that is going to stop you from doing your day-to-day tasks. This probably goes without saying, but sure you select a VPN that doesn't negatively impact your connection speed to the point that you can't use ChatGPT without disruption.

• Encryption — Whilst it's important to take note of the grade of encryption provided by your VPN, the best options will all offer powerful protection for your data. This is obviously massively important when bypassing online restrictions put in place by institutions.

• Number of connections — Some of the best VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account, whilst others limit you to just a single device. Prioritise services that offer multiple simultaneous connections so you can enjoy the benefits of a VPN connection of all your devices.

• Privacy policy — Pay close attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of a VPN. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. Your VPN of choice should not store these details under any circumstances. Any VPN worth your consideration should clearly lay out its data handling practises in a privacy policy.

• Server network — You should seek out a VPN that offers the potential to connect to thousands of geographically diverse servers. This is useful because you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for accessing ChatGPT from anywhere in the world.

You also need to be conscious of things like price and subscription plans, but these features are a good starting point for anyone looking to invest in their first VPN.

Should you use free VPNs?

We'll start with the good news: There are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, and free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. The bad news is that there does tend to be a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. These plans will work fine if you're just an occasional user, but this simply isn't going to work for anyone who lives online. Free trials come with everything you get in a paid plan, but they obviously don't last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

You get what you pay for with VPNs, and the best option for securely accessing ChatGPT from anywhere in the world is with a paid subscription. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you will need to invest. We're sorry to break it to you like this.

What is the best VPN for ChatGPT?

We have carefully researched all the leading VPNs and lined up a selection of the very best services for ChatGPT. We have tried to find something for everyone and every budget, and you can find popular services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost VPN in this roundup.

These are the best VPNs for ChatGPT in 2024.

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 17 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On the rebound

These words encapsulate multiple variations of the hint's meaning.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are all related to things that bounce.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is circular.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is LetsBounce.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 17

• Basketball

• Spring

• Trampoline

• Echo

• LetsBounce

• Kangaroo

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

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

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

The Facebook and Instagram owner said it would bar Russian media outlets including RT, which the U.S. has accused of acting as an intelligence arm.

UPDATE: Sep. 16, 2024, 1:00 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with the latest information about Prime Big Deal Days 2024, which has officially been announced for October.

We can hardly believe it too: another Prime Day is coming. Just as we've seen the past few years, Amazon is bringing back Prime Big Deal Days, its October sale event that's essentially another Prime Day. This comes just three months after July's Prime Day, which brought some decent deals, but admittedly, didn't blow us away.

That being said, we're looking ahead to what a new event brings. Amazon just announced that Prime Big Deal Days will run from Oct. 8 through Oct. 9 this year, and we're keeping our eyes peeled in the meantime for the best deals ahead of the event. Because even when there isn't a big sale event, there are always live deals ready.

Best Early Prime Day deals Best Apple Deal Apple iPad, 9th generation, 10.2-inch (A13, 64GB, WiFi) $199 at Amazon (Save $130) Get Deal Best Amazon Echo Deal Amazon Echo Show 8 $104.99 at Amazon (Save $45) Get Deal Best headphone deal Beats Fit Pro $104.99 at Amazon (Save $40.95) Get Deal Best TV and streaming deal Amazon Fire Stick TV 4K $29.99 at Amazon (Save $20) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum $679.99 at Amazon (Save $120) Get Deal When is Amazon Prime day?

Back in August, Amazon announced that Prime Big Deal Days would be in October, and the mega-retailer just confirmed our suspicions that October Prime Day will fall on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 in 2024. The event will run for a full 48 hours, and we're already seeing early deals popping up.

What kind of deals can you find this year?

If you're familiar with Prime Day, you know what to expect. Two days of glorious deals on almost every product imaginable including headphones, tablets, laptops, robot vacuums, and the list goes on and on. While these sale events sometimes have a lot of junk brands from third parties to avoid, there are also plenty of products from our favorite retailers including Apple, Beats, Eufy, and more.

Best Apple Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 9th generation, 10.2-inch (A13, 64GB, WiFi) $199.00 at Amazon
$329.00 Save $130.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The iPad 9th generation has dropped down to the spectacular price of $199, the cheapest price we've ever seen on this iPad and any iPad ever really. So while it isn't the latest generation, it is the most affordable.

This tablet comes with the A13 chip, a powerful processor that lets you stream, browse the internet, and even game. Normally $329, the sweet price of $199 saves you $130 for 40% off. The price has been hanging around for a few weeks now, but there's no guarantee it will last until Prime Big Deals Day.

Best Amazon Echo Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 8 $104.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $45.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Echo Show 8 works as a smart home hub that's more than just a speaker. With a four-inch by eight-inch screen, it displays music, recipes, and even video calls with its built-in camera. Plus, if you want to stream your favorite Prime Video content while cooking, the Echo Show can do that too on its HD display.

Now down to $104.99, you can find the Amazon Echo Show 8 for 30% off. That saves you $45 before Prime Day's dates are officially announced.

Best headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Fit Pro $159.00 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $40.95 Get Deal Why we like it

There are plenty of great headphones out there, and we've tested a lot of them. But when you're looking for something specific, like a set of headphones for working out, you've got to look to the particulars. The Beats Fit Pro are fantastic for working out, with easy touch controls to pause music or end calls. Plus a secure fit will keep them in your ears from start to finish of your workout.

These are fantastic earbuds, Mashable's Alex Perry even said they're better than AirPods. And now you can find them for $159, cheaper than the AirPods Pro with all the same features. That saves you $40.95 for 20% off.

Best TV and streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick TV 4K $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Is the Amazon Fire Stick 4K the best streamer we've ever tested? No, Roku takes the cake there. However, it still works perfectly fine, and not to mention, it's hard to turn away from its delightful $30 price tag ahead of Prime Day. Having tested the Amazon Fire Stick TV, set-up is easy, as simple as plugging it into an HDMI port in the back of your TV.

While the home screen is a little clunky and slow, full of ads and promotion for Prime Video content, it is a dream for those who primarily stream on the site. Now it's down to $29.99, saving you $20 and 40% off.

Best robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum $679.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $120.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Back in July, Mashable's Leah Stodart wrote about her favorite Prime Day deal on the Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum. While Roombas usually get the most love when it comes to robot vacuums, the Eufy is a powerful competitor especially the X10 Pro Omni, which works as a dual vacuum and mop.

Stodart notes that unlike the iRobot Roomba j9+, the X10 Pro Omni self-washes and dries its mopping pads, ensuring your floors are getting thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned. Ahead of Prime Day, it's down to $679.99, saving you $120 for 15% off.