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There are hundreds of different headphones and earbuds in varying shapes, sizes, styles, colors, and of course, prices. These days, you can grab a random pair off the digital shelf without too much research and find that they do the job just fine.
However, if you're tired of settling for "just fine" when it comes to the gadgets that you use for hours every day, then it's worth investing in the best headphones. Through hours and hours of listening, we sorted through dozens of headphones to find the very best models.
How to choose the best headphonesWe won't beat around the bush: There's no definitive "best" product here. Sure, elite headphones brands like Bose, Sony, and Apple put out high-quality products across the board, but even within each of those brands, you'll find different tiers of products. Some will deliver better value, and some will deliver better hardware and performance.
SEE ALSO: Review: Dyson's new headphones have awe-inspiring features and a clunky designAll this to say, the best pair of earbuds or headphones largely comes down to personal preference and how you plan to use them. Some listeners swear by over-ear headphones while others prefer the minimalism of earbuds — one is not necessarily better than the other. Athletes who like to use headphones at the gym will appreciate waterproof materials and certifications, while frequent fliers will prefer devices with long battery life, comfort, and portability. Finally, music lovers and audiophiles will want to invest in premium features like a custom equalizer, spatial audio, or best-in-class active noise cancellation.
To help you pick, we tested all of the headphones in this guide (and a lot that didn't make the cut) to bring you the best for noise cancellation, music, budget shoppers, and wired connections. So, read on to find the best new pair of headphones or earbuds for you.
It's hard to believe a DC Comics parody is even able to exist in the current superhero-dominated movie climate. But alas, The People's Joker is somewhat of a miracle. One of Mashable's top movies of 2024, the long-awaited, low-budget, supervillain narrative slash trans coming-of-age story is finally available to stream online.
Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Vera Drew's The People's Joker at home.
What is The People's Joker about?In a DIY, campy version of Batman's Gotham City, Joker the Harlequin (Drew) hopes to make it in the comedy scene, which is corruptly ruled by a cartoony version of Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels of the United Clown Bureau (UCB). Opposed to the rigidly gendered UCB ways and grappling with her own gender identity, Joker forms a new anti-comedy troupe alongside a friend and ends up battling a devious caped crusader controlling the city. The story is laced with Batman references throughout, but ultimately uses the comic theme to relay Drew's own real-life story. It's both an autobiographically-inspired coming-of-age story and a superhero parody wrapped up into one "intriguing artifact of modern media," as Mashable's reviewer Siddhant Adlakha puts it.
Is The People's Joker worth watching?"With her biting sense of humor and raw emotional revelations, Drew has constructed a supervillain tale that is as jarring as it is compelling, as peculiar as it is profound," Mashable Film Editor Kristy Puchko writes. Breaking the top 20 on our list of the best movies of 2024, The People's Joker has certainly made an impression on us. It's almost intentionally a cult film and not for everyone, but its 95 percent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes shows its originality is a force to be reckoned with.
For those seeking a superhero movie that's not just another cog in the MCU or DC machine, The People's Joker is definitely worth a watch. "There's a deep love of all things DC, but without the suffocating reverence that has brought on superhero fatigue," Puchko adds.
Check out our full review of The People's Joker.
How can I watch The People's Joker at home? Credit: Altered InnocenceThe People's Joker made its digital retail debut on July 30, meaning it's available for purchase at video-on-demand retailers like Prime Video and Apple TV+ for as low as $12.99. The film is also available to rent at those same retailers for as low as $3.99. This is the most affordable way to watch the film aside from a free trial (more on that below). Just keep in mind that rentals give you 30 days to start watching, but just 48 hours to finish once you begin.
Here are some quick links to purchase the film on digital:
Prime Video — starting at $3.99 to rent, starting at $12.99 to buy
Apple TV+ — $4.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy
Google Play — starting at $3.99 to rent, starting at $12.99 to buy
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — starting at $3.99 to rent, starting at $12.99 to buy
YouTube — starting at $3.99 to rent, starting at $12.99 to buy
The sleeper hit of the summer finally made its streaming debut on Dec. 6 on Mubi. It's no surprise the low-budget indie isn't hitting the major streamers; Mubi, the streamer built for cinephiles, is actually the perfect home for The People's Joker. The Mubi library is brimming with the best of international cinema, showcasing an array of films from America and abroad, mainstream and independent, classics, new releases, award-winners, and Mubi's own originals — like recent hit The Substance. Subscriptions to Mubi start at $14.99 per month, but we've rounded up a couple of different ways to save money on the streamer below.
Best for newbies: Get a free 7-day trial Opens in a new window Credit: Mubi logo Mubi 7-day free trial Get DealIf you've never signed up for Mubi before, you can take advantage of a free trial for a week. As long as you remember to cancel after watching the movie, you could theoretically watch The People's Joker and more for free this way. The free trial is available on Mubi directly or through Prime Video as an add-on.
Best long-term deal: Save 33% on an annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Mubi logo Mubi annual subscription 7-day free trial, then $119.88/year (save 33%) Get DealIf you're looking to expand your movie education and want to stick around to enjoy more than just The People's Joker, you can save 33% by paying for an entire year of Mubi. An annual Mubi subscription costs $119.88 per year, which breaks down to just $9.99 per month instead of the usual $14.99 per month. You'll still get a seven-day free trial to kick off your subscription as well if you're a newbie.
Best for students: Save $5/month on Mubi student subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Mubi logo Mubi for students 30-day free trial, then $9.99/month (save $5/month) Get DealStudents really get the winning deal here. If you can prove your student status, you can sign up for Mubi for free for 30 days, then get a discounted subscription for just $9.99 per month. That's $5 cheaper per month than regular monthly subscriptions. Plus, with 30 free days, you'll have plenty of time to watch The People's Joker and lots of other films before even paying a cent.
TL;DR: Instead of paying £116.84 for the 2024 edition of Microsoft Office, get lifetime access for only £94.08.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC: One-Time Purchase £94.08Did you hear? Microsoft has finally released the latest version of Microsoft Office — it's huge because it's been three years since the last version. The 2024 version has given your favorite apps a makeover, new productivity features, AI integration, and so much more to get you closer to your goals.
You don't need to pay full price for Microsoft Office 2024 since this early Black Friday offer arrived just in time. Save an additional £22.76 on your Mac or PC download and grab lifelong access for only £116.84 while supplies last.
Your favorite Microsoft apps, but updatedWith this lifetime license, you could drop the subscription you would usually pay for Microsoft 365, which is about £55 a year. Once you complete the one-time payment, you'll have these productivity apps on your Windows or Mac device forever.
There are a number of upgrades and additions, like a sleek, ribbon-based interface on each app for seamless navigation, so check out what's included in Microsoft Office 2024.
The most exciting feature of the newest version of this suite is its overall AI integration. Enjoy assistance from Microsoft's intelligent AI tools for text, formatting, and design suggestions across all apps. There's even AI in Excel to help you analyze data more effectively, and another one that can recommend audio descriptions and alternative text for images for greater accessibility.
Another feature that could boost your workflow is how easy collaboration is with Microsoft Office 2024. The built-in chat, commenting features, and version history could help you and your colleagues work more efficiently.
Grab your PC or Mac download of Microsoft Office 2024 while codes are still available for £116.84.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
In a world where online dating and casual hookups have become the norm, dating can still feel exhausting. Sometimes, just the thought of putting on proper clothes, coming up with witty conversation starters, and commuting to the actual meetup spot can be tiring.
No matter what kind of encounter you plan, when it comes to dating, there'll always be some sort of physical effort required. The good news? There is a loophole: Sexting.
What is sexting?Sexting is the art of sending sexually explicit photos or messages to one or more people via text. Thanks to its recent rise in popularity, there are now apps for sexting and new sexting features in apps that are otherwise for dating in person.
What do you need to know about sexting?Whether you're interested in giving sexting a try or you're a seasoned pro, there are a few things to keep in mind when downloading and using a new dating app to sext. Sure, there are fewer inhibitions when scoring a new sexting partner when compared to finding a long-term lover, but there are rules you should follow in order for all parties to feel at ease. Here are three big ones:
Mutual respect — Assess the situation and know your audience. Usually, it doesn't take much more than a few pre-sext texts (or pre-sexts) to gauge whether or not someone is interested in doing the cyber-dirty with you. Take the time to figure that out before you lead with something raunchy and uncalled-for. AKA, don't just start throwing dick pics at people left and right if they didn't ask.
Mutual trust — Be respectful: Privacy is sacred. The internet has the scary ability to make fleeting moments very permanent. If someone asks you to keep something to yourself, do it. While sexting can be light and fun, it also requires a serious level of trust. If you betray that trust, you're ruining it for everybody.
Privacy — No app can completely protect your privacy for you — that's your job. Though there are apps that have certain features that are designed to protect your identity/content, they don't rule out all scenarios. For example, someone doesn't need to take a screenshot to capture a picture you send. They could easily use another phone or device to snap or record your photos and/or videos. You should always keep this in mind before sending anything that could be compromising, and do your best to make sure you trust the person who's receiving your messages.
Keep these points in mind when engaging in NSFW messaging.
Should you engage in sexting?Real-life dating is obviously the best way to get to know somebody long-term, especially if you're looking for any kind of serious, in-person relationship. And real sex will always be better than sexting. However, sexting is an alternative that may help you out in ways you didn't even think about.
Convenience — Whether you plan to wine and dine on your date or just meet to hook up, it always requires some extra effort. For those with super hectic schedules or those who just don't have room in their life (for whatever reason) for a steady in-person relationship, sexting is practically a saving grace. After all, your sex drive doesn't go away just because you're busy. Sexting allows you to take care of your sexual needs without putting yourself out.
Exploring trust and intimacy — Getting comfortable with another person in close quarters doesn’t always come naturally for everyone — but opting for sexting gives way to a new level of exploration in terms of intimacy and trust. You don’t ever have to meet the person behind the screen if you don’t want to, but being able to practice feeling vulnerable without any strings attached can be a great lesson in being more open.
Freedom — As is the case with most behind-the-screen activities, with sexting, you can let go of your inhibitions and get comfortable exploring your sexual side. Knowing there's a certain barrier between you and the other person may allow you to experiment with language and ideas that you wouldn't otherwise explore in person.
Fun — A little honesty, please. A night of sexting is always going to be a lot more fun than endlessly swiping right on a dating app and starting the same conversation over and over. Having the option of opening an app on your phone and engaging in a little virtual foreplay offers instant gratification and (almost) guaranteed pleasure.
Safety — We've touched on the reasons why sexting might not be completely safe in terms of privacy, but to its credit, sexting offers an element of safety that in-person meetings don't. Sexting allows you to interact with both people you know and total strangers without putting yourself in dangerous or unwanted physical situations. Your experience should always be what you want it to be, and with sexting, if it's not going in the direction you want, it's just a matter of closing an app.
The benefits are clear for all to see, so not give it a try?
What makes an app good for sexting?You'll want to look for certain features in an app if you're planning on sexting:
Ease of use — You don’t want to find yourself in a hot and steamy conversation trying to figure out how to attach an image or a voice note. When it comes to sexting, the more user-friendly the platform is, the better. You’ll want something that’s efficient and fast.
Privacy features — What happens in a sexting app doesn’t always stay in a sexting app; there are no guarantees that your conversations or selfies won’t wind up a screenshot on someone’s phone. That said, certain apps include instant self-destruction features that delete photos and conversations after a certain amount of time.
Safety — If you’re looking for a night of no-strings-attached fun online, it doesn’t really matter if the person on the other end of your conversation has been verified — but if you do want to ensure you’re not being catfished or chatting with a bot, consider using an app that links social media or verifies users.
Subscription pricing versus free features — How much are you willing to pay for bells and whistles? There are several free apps out there, but if you're looking for something a little fancier, you can pay a few pounds a month for premium features.
With these features in mind, you should be ready to select an app and start sexting. You've got this.
What is the best app for sexting?Since sexting, by nature, comes with a lot of factors to consider (consent and privacy, for example), we've picked out the best sexting apps to get you off — to a good start, that is. We've tried to line up something for everyone, so check out these options, and pick your favourite.
These are the best sexting apps in 2024.
TL;DR: A wide range of online courses from Harvard University are available to take for free on edX.
It's time you got to know edX. This popular platform hosts a wide range of free online courses from some of the top educational institutions in the world, including Harvard University. That's right, you could become a student of Harvard University without spending anything. And you wouldn't even need to leave the house.
edX offers free courses on topics like Python programming, AI, cybersecurity, and much more. We have checked out everything on offer and lined up a standout selection of online courses to get you started. These are the best free online courses from Harvard University this month:
Building Personal Resilience: Managing Anxiety and Mental Health
Early Childhood Development: Global Strategies for Implementation
The Path to Happiness: What Chinese Philosophy Teaches us about the Good Life
The catch is that these free courses don't include a certificate of completion. But you can still enroll at any time and start learning at your own pace, so what's stopping you from trying out these online courses for yourself?
Find the best free online courses from Harvard University with edX.
Opens in a new window Credit: Harvard University Harvard University Courses Free at edX Get DealTL;DR: Unblock Sora from anywhere in the world with a reliable VPN. The best VPN for unblocking Sora is ExpressVPN.
OpenAI has officially launched Sora, but not everyone has access.
Sora is a text-to-video AI model, allowing users to generate videos from text, images, and video inputs. Sora is open to users who have subscribed to the Plus or Pro plan of ChatGPT. However, Sora is not available in the EU or UK. That's frustrating for eager users looking to give it a try.
Do not fear. If you're looking for the best way to unblock Sora for free from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.
How to unblock Sora for freeVPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect to a secure server in another location. This straightforward process bypasses content restrictions so you can access services like Sora from anywhere in the world.
Unblock Sora by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Sora
Access Sora from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for unblocking Sora are not free, but most do offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock Sora and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're waiting for Sora access to rollout worldwide.
If you want to retain permanent access to everything the online world has to offer, you might benefit from a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for unblocking online services is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for Sora?ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking services like Sora, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unblock Sora for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: A wide range of AI courses are available to take for free on Udemy.
The conversation about the future of AI continues, but we're still not clear on whether or not this technology is going to take over the world. Artificial intelligence may eventually decide to take all our jobs, but before we get to that point, we could probably all benefit from learning a little more about this technology. After all, maybe it could make our lives easier before everything goes wrong.
The good news is that you can learn how to harness the power of AI without spending anything. A wide range of AI courses can be found on Udemy. And better yet, some of the best examples can be taken for free. We've checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of standout courses to get you started.
These are the best online AI courses you can take for free this month:
How To Make YouTube Automation Videos in 20 Minutes Using AI
Midjourney and ChatGPT: Unleash AI for Unique Image Generation
These free online courses don't include certificates of completion or direct instructor messaging, but you still get unrestricted access to all the video content. That means you can learn at a pace that suits you.
Find the best free AI courses on Udemy.
Opens in a new window Credit: Udemy AI and ChatGPT Courses Free at Udemy Get DealTL;DR: A wide range of online courses from MIT are available to take for free on edX. Find free lessons on AI, machine learning, investing, and more.
Not a lot of people know this, but edX hosts a massive bank of free online courses from some of the biggest and best educational institutions in the world. You can take lessons on everything from AI to Python programming without spending anything. And some of these online courses are delivered by MIT.
We recommend taking some time to check everything out, but we've got you started with a standout selection of free online courses from the famous school. These are the best free online courses from MIT this month:
Data Analysis: Statistical Modeling and Computation in Applications
Financial Regulation: From the Global Financial Crisis to Fintech and the COVID Pandemic
Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python
Machine Learning with Python: From Linear Models to Deep Learning
These free courses do not come with a certificate of completion, but that's the only catch. You can start learning at a pace that suits you, so what's holding you back?
Find the best free online courses from MIT on edX.
Opens in a new window Credit: MIT MIT Online Courses Free at Udemy Get DealTL;DR: Unblock XVideos from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best VPN for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
You might feel like you have complete access to the online world, but you're wrong. You naive fool! Your access to porn sites like XVideos is restricted in many locations around the world. There is a good reason for these restrictions, but there is also something to be said for retaining your online freedom.
Sometimes you'll want to spend some quality time with your favorite sites, and there's nothing wrong with that. In the moments when the time is right, you should be able to access your favorite sites without hassle.
Looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like XVideos for free from anywhere in the world? We have the information you need.
How to unblock XVideos for freeVPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect to a secure server in another location. This straightforward process bypasses content restrictions so you can access porn sites like XVideos from anywhere in the world.
Access your favorite porn sites by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to XVideos
Access XVideos from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're temporarily away from home on an unsecured network.
If you want to retain permanent access to everything the online world has to offer at all times, you might benefit from a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for unblocking content is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for porn?ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like XVideos, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unblock XVideos for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Juventus vs. Manchester City in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The next round of Champions League fixtures includes some huge clashes between Europe's elite, but the biggest game of the bunch might be Juventus vs. Manchester City. Both sides have identical records in this year's competition, making this a must-win game.
If you want to watch Juventus vs. Manchester City in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Juventus vs. Manchester City?Juventus vs. Manchester City in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Dec. 11. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Stadium.
How to watch Juventus vs. Manchester City for freeJuventus vs. Manchester City is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player in Ireland.
If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock RTÉ Player. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Juventus vs. Manchester City on RTÉ Player by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland
Sign in to RTÉ Player
Watch Juventus vs. Manchester City for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Juventus vs. Manchester City (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTÉ Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Juventus vs. Manchester City in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Arsenal vs. Monaco in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The next round of Champions League fixtures includes some really interesting matchups, including Arsenal vs. Monaco.
Arsenal and Monaco have indentical records in this year's competition, with Arsenal ahead on goal difference. It looks like a close game between two exciting sides.
If you want to watch Arsenal vs. Monaco in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Arsenal vs. Monaco?Arsenal vs. Monaco in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Dec. 11. This fixture takes place at the Emirates Stadium.
How to watch Arsenal vs. Monaco for freeArsenal vs. Monaco is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player in Ireland.
If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to access Virgin Media Player. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Arsenal vs. Monaco for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland
Visit Virgin Media Player
Watch Arsenal vs. Monaco for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Arsenal vs. Monaco (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Arsenal vs. Monaco in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The next round of Champions League fixtures includes some really exciting matchups, including Atletico Madrid vs. Slovan Bratislava.
Atletico Madrid have been inconsistent in this year's competition, but are still very much in the running to make the knockout rounds. In contrast, Slovan Bratislava have been extremely consistent (but not in a good way). They've really struggled, and have yet to win a single point.
If you want to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Atletico Madrid vs. Slovan Bratislava?Atletico Madrid vs. Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on Dec. 11. This fixture takes place at the Metropolitano Stadium.
How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Slovan Bratislava for freeAtletico Madrid vs. Slovan Bratislava is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player in Ireland.
If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to access Virgin Media Player. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. Slovan Bratislava for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland
Visit Virgin Media Player
Watch Atletico Madrid vs. Slovan Bratislava for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Atletico Madrid vs. Slovan Bratislava (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.
Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 11 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: An ideal place
Green: Requires physical force
Blue: Words the combine terms
Purple: Words the conclude with terms that mean companinon
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Utopia
Green: Things You Shake
Blue: Proper Noun Portmanteaux
Purple: Ending in Synonyms for "Friend"
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #549 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayUtopia: PARADISE, SEVENTH HEAVEN, SHANGRI-LA, XANADU
Things You Shake: HAIRSPRAY, MAGIC 8 BALL, SALAD DRESSING, SNOWGLOBE
Proper Noun Portmanteaux: JAZZERCISE, PARALYMPICS, POKEMON, WIKIPEDIA
Ending in Synonyms for "Friend": KETCHUM, PAYPAL, PRIMATE, ROSEBUD
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 10Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for December 11 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 11 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Straight down or up.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no reoccurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
PLUMB.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 11Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
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 MashableBy 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: Answer, hints for December 11 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 11 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Board certifiedThese words are things you might use to build something.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedWords are essential for working with wooden boards.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Woodworking.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for December 11Plane
Lathe
Drill
Vise
Chisel
Jigsaw
Sander
Woodworking
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.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 11 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Key stats on the ice
Green: Sports to win gold in the summer
Blue: Countries that have hosted a major sports event
Purple: The rule of three's in sports
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Hockey statistics
Green: Summer Olympic sports
Blue: Last four Men's World Cup hosts
Purple: Events or plays that involve three of something
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #79 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayHockey statistics - ASSISTS, GOALS, PLUS/MINUS, SAVES
Summer Olympic sports - FENCING, GOLF, HANDBALL, ROWING
Last four Men's World Cup hosts - BRAZIL, QATAR, RUSSIA, SOUTH AFRICA
Events of plays that involve three of something - HAT TRICK, STRIKEOUT, TRIATHLON, TURKEY
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Not all gender stereotypes about science, technology, engineering, and math are the same, according to a new study.
The research analyzed dozens of previous studies on the beliefs that children hold about gender and STEM. One common assumption is that kids view girls as bad at math, a perception that many educational initiatives try to counter.
But, surprisingly, the researchers found that math stereotypes are far less gendered than assumptions suggest.
In fact, children show far less male bias about math. Instead, kids tend to believe that girls are worse at engineering and computer science than boys, and develop such stereotypes as early as six.
SEE ALSO: 7 skills to teach your daughter by age 13Dr. David I. Miller, the study's lead author, said the finding should affect the way experts and educators try to reduce gender stereotypes in STEM in and out of the classroom.
Miller, a senior researcher in STEM education at the American Institutes for Research, noted that negative stereotypes about what girls can accomplish in engineering and computer science can deter them from entering the fields at a time when technology, science, and culture are transforming the world.
"Programs that are focused in girls in STEM broadly might benefit from a really targeted focus on computing and engineering," Miller said, "given the importance of how that might shape girls' later trajectories, in terms of who goes into emerging tech fields, like artificial intelligence."
Miller said it was also important to better understand how children as young as six develop nuanced beliefs about gender stereotypes in different STEM fields.
For some children, that may happen by accident. Miller and his co-authors noted that in research conducted in English-speaking countries, some young children confuse the term engineer and engineering with the word engine, thus associating the latter professions with the male-dominated field of auto mechanics.
But Miller also said that children may absorb media coverage and popular culture representations of male tech billionaires, leaving them with the false impression that girls and women aren't interested in or competent in engineering and computer science.
Miller said correcting those stereotypes over time might require universal classroom exposure to computer science and engineering, rather than making them optional or accessible only through extracurricular programs.
Dr. Allison Master, an assistant professor at the University of Houston who studies gender stereotypes in STEM, said the new research paints a clearer picture of how children "see the world." Master was not involved in Miller's study.
She noted that it's important to recognize that not all six-year-olds have STEM stereotypes. Yet Master is aware of how damaging stereotypes can be; her own research focuses on how they can become "self-fulfilling prophecies" for kids.
Master said that parents and educators should evaluate their own stereotypes, mindful that their words or actions may send the message, unintentionally or not, that STEM isn't for girls.
She added that general language about boys and girls can reinforce stereotypes. Qualifying language by saying "some girls" or "lots of boys" can help children avoid overgeneralizing about their own abilities.
"Stereotypes can change the way girls see themselves," Master said in an email. "Stereotypes can make girls doubt their own ability and belonging, so they choose to avoid STEM opportunities."
OpenAI Sora is limiting depictions of real people and taking other strict safety measures to prevent misuse.
The video generator, which was announced on Monday as part of its 12 Days of OpenAI event, has all sorts of editing capabilities for users to create and customize AI-generated videos. But there are certain things you aren't allowed to do with Sora, as users soon discovered.
Tweet may have been deletedAccording to its system card, "the ability to upload images of people will be made available to a subset of users," meaning most users can't create videos of people based on an uploaded image. Those users are part of a "Likeness pilot" that OpenAI is testing with a select few. An OpenAI spokesperson said AI-generated videos of people is limited in order to "address concerns around misappropriation of likeness and deepfakes." OpenAI "will actively monitor patterns of misuse, and when we find it we will remove the content, take appropriate action with users, and use these early learnings to iterate on our approach to safety," the spokesperson continued.
SEE ALSO: OpenAI's Sora first look: YouTuber Marques Brownlee breaks down the problems with the AI video modelLimiting the depiction of people in Sora videos makes sense from a liability standpoint. There are all sorts of ways the tool could be misused: non-consensual deepfakes, the depiction of minors, scams, and misinformation to name a few. To combat this, Sora has been trained to reject certain requests from text prompts or image uploads.
It will reject prompts for NSFW (Not Safe For Work) and NCII (Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery) content and the generation of realistic children, although fictitious images are allowed. OpenAI has added C2PA metadata to all Sora videos and made a visible watermark the default, even though it can be removed, and implemented an internal reverse image search to assess the video's provenance.
Despite the fact that many guardrails have been put in place to prevent misuse, the question of how Sora will respond to mass stress-testing remains. Currently, access to Sora is unavailable due to high demand.
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