Mashable

With Piece By Piece, American multi-hyphenate Pharrell Williams brings his life story to the big screen — but with a Lego movie twist.

Directed by heralded documentarian Morgan Neville, Piece By Piece is a musical biopic that translates American music icons like Williams, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, and Gwen Stefani into Lego's signature minifigures. Now, ahead of the film's theatrical release, you can get in on the fun by building a virtual mini Lego of your own!

SEE ALSO: 'Piece By Piece' review: Pharrell Williams finds his happy place in Legoland biopic

Today, Focus Features has launched the Piece By Piece Lego Minifigure Generator, where you can toggle between seven skin tones, over 60 hair styles, scads of facial expressions, and over 90 outfits to create a mini-you that'd fit into Pharrell's imaginative world. Tied to the movie's theme, this online game encourages you to "build who you want to be, piece by piece."

And hey, you can even get a "pic" with Lego Pharrell.

Mini Lego Pharrell invites you into his playful world. Credit: Focus Features / screenshot

Piece By Piece opens in theaters Oct. 11.

We're still a few weeks away from the official kickoff of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event, but that doesn't mean you need to wait around. We're already spotting some nice discounts on Amazon Echo devices. Here are some of the best deal to shop today:

Early October Prime Day sales on Echo devices Best overall deal Echo Show 8 $104.99 at Amazon (save $45) Get Deal Best deal for kids Echo Dot Kids $39.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best home organization deal Echo Hub $144.99 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal

Amazon is well-known for many things, but today's deal combines a couple of our favorites: smart home tech and serious savings.

As of Sept. 20, take 33% off several Amazon Echo devices ahead of the retailer's Prime Big Deal Days sale on Oct. 8 and 9. Amazon devices are one of Mashable's top recommendations for items to buy during the sale (and check out what not to buy, too, to avoid disappointment).

Here are some of our favorite choices if you're shopping Echo devices.

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

If you're interested in a smart display, the Amazon Echo Show 8 is a great option that offers tons of features. Video chat with your parents, cue up some jazzy music while cleaning, or pull up a dinner recipe on the Echo Show 8. You can also use it as a way to check your calendar, display the weather, or control other Alexa-enabled devices.

In Mashable's review of the best Echo devices, the Echo Show 8 earns the top spot for those looking for a budget-friendly smart display. However, thanks to today's sale price at Amazon of just $104.99, the Echo Show 8 is 30% off its typical price of $149.99.

Best deal for kids Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Dot Kids $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

For the kiddo or grandkid in your life, the Echo Dot Kids is a great device that can help them with independence. Coming in two adorable designs that depict either an owl or a dragon, the Echo Dot Kids allows kids to stream music, ask Alexa questions, set an alarm clock, or tune into a bedtime story. The device also comes with a year of free access to Amazon Kids+ which includes kid-friendly Audible audiobooks, games, morning routines, and more.

Amazon also includes a two-year warranty on the Echo Dot Kids, which means if the device breaks, Amazon will replace it for free within the first two years of ownership.

Best home organization deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Hub $144.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Busy family schedules can be hard to keep track of. If you're tired of re-writing the weekly schedule on the white board each Sunday, the Amazon Echo Hub could be ideal. The eight-inch smart home control panel allow you to synch up your family's schedule, display the weather, play music, and more. The Echo Hub is also designed to link up with your other Alexa-enabled smart home systems like lights, security alarms, a smart thermostat, and video doorbells.

More Echo device sales at Amazon

• Echo Pop — $24.99 $39.99 (save $15)

• Echo Pop Kids — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Echo Dot — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)

• Echo Show 5 — $59.99 $89.99 (save $30)

• Echo Spot — $64.99 $79.99 (save $20)

Look, I know you can be underwhelmed and you can be overwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed? Reader, you absolutely can (and not just in Europe) — it's the feeling of not knowing what the hell to watch.

With avalanches of TV shows and movies consistently careening into cinemas and streaming services, and not all of it good, there's a chance you've just about had it with choosing what to spend your hard-earrned money and time on. There's just SO MUCH.

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

Luckily, Mashable's deeply obsessed, disarmingly tasteful, and superbly dressed entertainment team is constantly reviewing the series and films trying to elbow their way into your eyeballs — we even pick one as our Watch of the Week.

But in case you need slightly more to choose from, here are three (just three!) things are Actually Good to watch right now.

1. Agatha All Along Kathryn Hahn in "Agatha All Along." Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel

It's pretty much spooky season and while we can't yet offer up a new season of Wednesday, there's another seasonal delight for you. Agatha All Along, the MCU spinoff from WandaVision, is here with Kathryn Hahn leading a star-studded coven. It's our Watch of the Week this week, so we're not taking any chances of you not watching it.

As Mashable's Belen Edwards wrote in her review, "Agatha All Along feels like a witch's potion brewed specifically to make me giddy with joy. How could it not, when its ingredients include magical trials, rocking songs, and Patti LuPone herself?"

And make sure you watch Agatha All Along star Sasheer Zamata playing "Slash or Pass: Witches Edition" with us.

How to watch: The first two episodes of Agatha All Along are now streaming on Disney+, with new episodes every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET.

2. The Babadook Essie Davis in "The Babadook". Credit: Matt Nettheim/Causeway/Smoking Gun Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

10 years ago, Jennifer Kent created both one of the most terrifying horror movies of the 21st century and an LGBTQ+ icon. The Babadook is celebrating a decade of scaring the shit out of us and it's back in theatres. Check out Mashable's Kristy Puchko interviewing Kent in the video below.

How to watch: The Babadook 10th Anniversary re-release is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

Featured Video For You 'The Babadook' filmmaker Jennifer Kent on how her character became an LGBTQ+ icon, and why we will never see a sequel 3. How to Die Alone Natasha Rothwell and Conrad Ricamora in "How to Die Alone." Credit: Ian Watson / Hulu

Known for Insecure and The White Lotus, Natasha Rothwell's own show is all about seizing the damn day. Rothwell leads her deadpan-titled comedy How to Die Alone as Mel, a JFK airport employee who feels unfulfilled in life on many levels. When she's faced with a pretty embarrassing near-death experience, Mel gets a dose of perspective that propels her to get stuck into life.

Described by entertainment reporter Belen Edwards in her review as "a sweet, vulnerable ride", this show is one not to miss.

And make sure to check out Mashable's interview with Rothwell herself.

How to watch: How to Die Alone is now streaming on Hulu.

You're probably reading this on a phone in your hand, or perhaps a laptop on your coffee table, and you have no idea — none — the blood, sweat, and tears that engineers endure to deliver the smooth-as-butter product you're using as we speak.

Before it got into your hands, it’s highly likely that engineers were hard at work, pulling their hair out and yelling obscenities, fixing hardware challenges that drove them up a wall. But there’s always a “Eureka!” moment where the masterminds experience that spark of a light bulb, bringing you the ready-for-market gadget you’re effortlessly using today.

For instance, I’ve spoken with engineers who’ve grappled with the difficult task of balancing heat output from powerful components with portability — a recurring issue in devices like headsets, gaming laptops, phones, and more.

This time, I got to speak with two head honchos behind the new AirPods 4 to take a peek through the peephole at how the new earbuds came to be — particularly the one with active noise cancellation.

SEE ALSO: AirPods 4: The new active noise cancellation made ‘Espresso’ sound like it was performed in a soundproof café First, a little background on AirPods 4

Apple recently unveiled the new AirPods 4 with two iterations: one without active noise cancellation ($129) and one with active noise cancellation ($179).

Apple AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You may shrug and think, "So? What's the big deal?"

Well, before the AirPods 4 dropped, if you wanted ANC, you'd have to secure earbuds from the pricier AirPods Pro line. There's also the entry-level, non-Pro AirPods line (the lineage that the AirPods 4 descends from) that delivered great sound, but delivered zero ANC.

After all, the entry-level AirPods line have an open-ear design, making ANC trickier. Unlike the AirPods Pro, which have silicon ear tips that seal the ear canal to facilitate ANC technology, the non-Pro AirPods don't. But somehow, some way, Apple managed to pull it off with the AirPods 4.

AirPods Pro 2 with ear tips Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

And as someone who has tested them on a plane myself, they're pretty damn good. So the question is, how did Apple pull it off? Well, I ended up asking the AirPods team myself.

ANC on AirPods 4 was a challenge

"It's unbelievable all the things that need to be balanced," Eric Treski, Director of AirPods Product Marketing at Apple, told Mashable regarding the AirPods 4. "It's battery size as it relates to battery life, and it's sound quality, which includes noise cancellation," and more.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Not to mention, Treski added, that our ears are very sensitive, making it difficult to include all of these internals into a tiny form factor that is the AirPods 4 without causing comfort to the average user.

But the real challenge, Treski said, was ensuring that active noise cancellation doesn't affect the music that you're listening to.

In other words, without getting too much into the weeds of things, active noise cancellation works by the device "monitoring" the outside noise and emitting an inverted soundwave, or what Treski calls "the anti phase," to neutralize or negate the external cacophony.

Let’s say you’re listening to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.” The challenge is ensuring that the anti-noise signal filters out the background noise without messing with the song or diminishing its sound quality.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, the AirPods team managed to dodge this issue with the help of "algorithms and filtering," Treski said, as well as the H2 chip — the processor that the new AirPods 4 earbuds adopted from the AirPods Pro lineup.

And that's not the only thing that the AirPods 4 borrowed from the Pro family.

"One of the microphones for [the AirPods 4's] ANC is from the 'Pro' product," said Kate Bergeron, VP of Hardware Engineering at Apple, adding that it's a high-quality microphone that is ideal for the open-ear design found on the fourth-gen earbuds.

Because the AirPods 4's form factor is, for a lack of a better word, more "leaky" than the AirPods Pro, the H2 chip has to work harder than it does inside the Pro model to execute ANC — but it gets the job done.

"If you don't have really good mics, you'll hear a low noise hiss," Treski added. "So we have exceptional microphones."

The microphone that facilitates ANC is monitoring what you're hearing at 200 times a second. With a process called "adaptive EQ," it's ensuring that sound distortions caused by noise cancellation and other factors are corrected ASAP.

As someone who has listened to "Espresso" on the ANC-supported AirPods 4 over and over again, I can confirm that the H2 chip and the microphones have been doing their thing. The sound quality is mint and the ANC is impressive.

But ANC wasn't the only hurdle Apple had to overcome.

Transparency mode is no easy task either

"Transparency seems so simplistic and easy," Treski said. Unlike ANC, Transparency Mode heightens environmental noise around you, so it can't be that difficult to implement, right?

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Wrong!

"It's incredibly challenging because you need to make sure that it sounds natural," Treski said. "Not just the environmental noise, but also your own voice while you're speaking."

On top of that, Transparency Mode would have to execute this task flawlessly with "extremely low latency." Otherwise, there would be too much of a mismatch between the sounds and what you're seeing.

Despite this challenge, Apple managed to fine-tune Transparency Mode to seamlessly blend environmental sounds with what you’re hearing through the AirPods. The result is a more natural experience, where voices and ambient noise flow through smoothly, making it feel like you’re not wearing earphones at all.

How did Apple discover the best fit for 'most'?

For some, AirPods fit perfectly — and for others, like myself — not so much.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I'm just one of those folks with "weird ears," I guess. Bergeron assured me that that's not the case. "You look at people's ears and they're totally different in all aspects of their physiology," she said.

"We'll hear from people, 'The Pro' doesn't fit me' or 'The AirPods 3' doesn't fit me,'" Bergeron added. "And we want to learn from the challenges that people have."

In order to educate itself, Apple did some extensive research to find a "one-size-fits-most" shape on the AirPods 4.

As mentioned in Apple's "Glowtime" keynote that introduced the AirPods 4, Apple analyzed thousands of ear shapes, relying on advanced technologies like 3D photogrammetry and laser topography, that amassed over 50 million data points to refine the earbuds' design.

"We've come up with a relatively efficient way to scan people's ears through our own tools so we can build that database [and continue to find the 'best fit'] on an ongoing basis," Bergeron said.

After popping the AirPods 4 into my ears, I was relieved that they didn't creep out of my canal to take a tumble. Even when I violently shook my head from left to right, they stayed in place like they were holding on for dear life in a windstorm.

What's next for AirPods?

Out of curiosity, I asked what Apple had up its sleeves for the next AirPods down the line, like AirPods 5 or AirPods Pro 3, for example. The Apple representatives, as expected, declined to respond.

However, Treski did conclude the interview with some food for thought.

"As you think about Apple Intelligence and Siri, and how 'one' that's becoming," Treski said, "it's just so natural right?"

"And so, that's this sort of journey that we're on to really, you know, extend it further, which is why Siri Interactions is also a great time and opportunity to introduce Apple Intelligence."

Siri Interactions, by the way, lets you reject calls and texts, as well as accept them, just by shaking your head 'no' or nodding your head 'yes.' This is available on both the AirPods 4 without ANC and with ANC.

The AirPods 4 lineup, starting at $129, is available for pre-order now — and it will hit store shelves on Sept. 20.

Apple's iPhone 16 is launching without Apple Intelligence, but there's still a pretty simple way for iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro owners to try it out — all you have to do is install the latest public iOS beta.

That's right, Apple's iOS 18.1 beta is here, and it brings — for the first time in a non-developer beta — a number of Apple Intelligence features.

SEE ALSO: Is Apple Intelligence only on iPhone 16? We have the answers

So how do you get the AI goods? First, it's important to know that Apple Intelligence still isn't available to all users. Merely updating to the latest version of iOS, even if you're one of the lucky few who already received their iPhone 16, will not get you any of the new AI features.

Don't forget to back up your device. Credit: Apple

Instead, you have to sign up for Apple's Beta Software Program, over at beta.apple.com. Then, you'll have to enroll your iOS device into the beta program by going to Settings - General - Software Update - Beta Updates. From there, you'll be able to choose the latest beta, which is iOS 18.1. Don't forget to back up your device before you install the beta software, which is by definition less stable and tested than public releases.

If you want to take it a step further and try the latest developer beta, check out Mashable's piece with the instructions on how to get that, but beware — developer betas aren't meant for wide public consumption and will almost certainly be buggy.

I'm running the developer beta, but you don't need it; iOS 18.1 public beta is very similar to the latest developer beta. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

If you want to try Apple Intelligence on your Mac or iPad, the iPadOS 18.1 beta and macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta are available as well; the onboarding process is the same as above.

There's a caveat to all this. If you're in Europe or China, Apple Intelligence features will not be available to you, no matter which iOS version you have installed. That's because of AI regulations, which are different in the European Union and China than they are in the U.S. I wrote a short primer on how you can try to overcome this limitation, but the short version is that it is not worth the trouble. And if you want to know more about EU laws that caused this gap, you can read about that on Mashable too

As far as what kind of AI features can you expect in this beta, the list isn't complete (some features are coming later this year) but it does include several key features seen in Apple's "It's Glowtime" event held earlier this month. For example, you'll get the glowy, around-the-display Siri effect when you invoke her, and Siri will be a little smarter when it comes to understanding your mumbly requests.

You'll also get AI-powered spell and grammar checks when writing, as well as AI summaries of your text. Photos will be able to create slide shows based on your text input, Clean Up can be used to remove unwanted objects in photos, and Messages and Mail are getting smart replies.

Never Let Go creeps onscreen like a dark fairy tale, enveloping its audience in a forest landscape of gnarled tree branches and mossy stones. At the center of this grove lies a solitary wooden house, home to a woman known simply as Momma (Halle Berry), as well as her twin sons Nolan (Percy Daggs IV) and Samuel (Anthony B. Jenkins). According to Momma, they're the only three people left in the world. A great Evil wiped out the rest of humanity, and now it's coming for her family.

There are ways to fight the Evil, though. Like Never Let Go's wooded setting, these defense mechanisms come straight out of folklore. Momma, Nolan, and Samuel tether themselves to their house with a rope anytime they step outside. That bind grants them protection against the Evil. The same goes for the house as a whole, which the family treats as some kind of holy guardian. They touch its wooden walls to cleanse their souls of any contact with the Evil, reciting a well-worn rhyme that declares, "Heaven is here within our home."

SEE ALSO: 42 movies you'll want to see this fall

All these elements form an intriguing blend of folk horror with religious undertones. Yet Never Let Go, directed by Alexandra Aja (Crawl, Horns), fails to deliver on its promising start. The film sometimes plumbs the depths of sinking dread, but for the most part, relies on cheap tactics to elicit any kind of scare.

What's Never Let Go about? Anthony B. Jenkins, Halle Berry, and Percy Daggs IV in "Never Let Go." Credit: Liane Hentscher for Lionsgate

For Samuel and Nolan, the house is all they've ever known. The same goes for Momma's insistence that they stay attached to the all-important rope and follow each of her rituals. Momma knows best after all, as only she can see the Evil. It manifests in different forms for her, shedding its skin like a snake to take the shape of her deceased family members. Often in zombie-like states of decay, these apparitions shamble towards Momma and taunt her with painful memories.

All that definitely sounds scary, but since Samuel and Nolan have never seen or experienced the Evil themselves, even in the brief moments when they let go of the rope, it's only natural that doubt eventually creeps in. Samuel, ever the rule follower, remains steadfast in his trust in Momma. But Nolan grows bolder in questioning whether the Evil is even real. As starvation closes in and tensions rise, the stage is set for a family reckoning and all the beliefs they once held dear.

Never Let Go raises fascinating questions, but never goes deep (or truly horrifying) enough

Unfortunately, that reckoning never quite arrives. That's a shame, as Never Let Go does wring some dread from its ambiguous approach to whether the Evil is actually real or not. Take Momma's story of the time she left a young, injured hiker to die for fear that she was one of the Evil's many forms. Are we certain that she outsmarted some malevolent force? Or did she actually abandon a real girl who needed her help? The different possibilities can tear you in two, and Never Let Go remixes that scenario a few times throughout its run for maximum dread.

Too often, though, Never Let Go turns away from this complexity in favor of clichéd frights. Jump scares and nightmare sequences abound, prompting quick moments of fear that quickly give way to exasperation. I don't need to see another mysterious creature dart across the frame! Give me unbridled panic about losing that vital, protective rope or the horrifying inevitability of starvation any day.

Some genuinely fascinating ideas do shine through Never Let Go, even with these half-baked scares clogging the runtime. Real or not, there are different ways to read the Evil's significance to Momma, especially through the lens of family trauma. There's also the angle of children breaking away from their parents: Is Nolan's skepticism a coming-of-age moment for him? Momma mentions she had a similar phase once, so is her family trapped in a cycle of rebelling against then conforming to rituals surrounding the Evil? Never Let Go certainly seems happy to let us keep asking these questions, but after its plodding pacing and scattershot climax, you'll wish it had held onto those ideas for just a bit longer.

Never Let Go was reviewed out of Fantastic Fest's opening night. It is now in theaters.

Netflix dropped a behind-the-scenes look at "Wednesday" Season 2 with Jenna Ortega on set.

Netflix has dropped its teaser for "Devil May Cry", a demon-hunting anime based on Hideki Kamiya's famous game franchise of the same name.

A land succession drama on an Australian cattle ranch where everyone's out for blood? That's the pitch for Netflix's new drama series "Territory."

Netflix's trailer for animated series "Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft" is here, and our hero (voice by Hayley Atwell) has demons to conquer.

Netflix has dropped its trailer for "The Eternaut", a post-apocalyptic thriller series about a toxic snowfall and an alien threat.

Netflix dropped a new clip from "Arcane" Season 2 showing Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) in a fighting ring. Watch.

Netflix has dropped its trailer for "DON'T MOVE", a survival thriller produced by "The Evil Dead" director Sam Raimi.

Netflix dropped a short clip to announce the arrival of Toph in "Avatar: The Last Airbender," along with the casting of Miya Cech.

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a lawsuit against "Pokémon with guns" game Palworld this week, officially kicking off a fight that's been looming since January. Now Palworld developer Pocketpair has responded, claiming it has no idea why it's being sued. This actually isn't as absurd as it sounds.

In a statement released on Thursday, Pocketpair confirmed it had received notice of a patent infringement lawsuit and was investigating its claims, though refrained from specifically naming either Nintendo or The Pokémon Company.

Interestingly, Pocketpair also said it doesn't yet know the details of exactly what it's accused of.

SEE ALSO: 'Pokémon with guns' game 'Palworld' hit with inevitable Nintendo lawsuit

"We have received notice of this lawsuit and will begin the appropriate legal proceedings and investigations into the claims of patent infringement," Pocketpair wrote in its statement. "At this moment, we are unaware of the specific patents we are accused of infringing upon, and we have not been notified of such details."

Tweet may have been deleted Why is Nintendo suing Palworld? Credit: Pocketpair

Though Pocketpair's claims of ignorance may initially seem ridiculous, they're less surprising once you consider the nature of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's claims.

Palworld drew international attention during its January early access launch due to perceived similarities between its titular Pals and Pokémon designs. Some 3D modellers even directly compared character models, speculating that Pocketpair had stolen assets —  a theory the developer has consistently denied.

However, patents don't cover such elements, which would more appropriately be handled by a copyright. Instead, a patent infringement lawsuit is more likely to deal with technical elements such as gameplay mechanics.

Palworld's gameplay does have undeniable gameplay similarities to the Pokémon franchise, with both allowing players to capture and battle teams of fantastical monsters. Even so, they're far from the only monster-taming games out there, with games such as Dragon Quest V and Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei series preceding both.

As such, the exact nature of Nintendo's beef with Pocketpal isn't immediately apparent.  

It seems reasonable to speculate that the lawsuit may involve Palworld's "Pal Spheres." To capture a Pal in Palworld, players first fight their target to lower its health and increase the probability of a successful capture. They then throw a Pal Sphere at the Pal, trapping them inside it. 

As anyone familiar with Pokémon games will know, this mechanic operates very similarly to Pokéballs.

The theory that the lawsuit concerns Pal Spheres is further supported by several divisional patent applications Nintendo and The Pokémon Company jointly submitted after Palworld's launch. Some of the patents seem to concern mechanics such as aiming and throwing an item to capture a creature, as well as throwing an item to release a captured creature and start a battle.

Divisional patents essentially split a pre-existing patent into multiple separate ones, separating distinct inventions that were previously bundled together. Such split patents are still considered to have been in effect from the date of their parent patent, meaning they could feasibly form the basis of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's lawsuit against Pocketpair.

As noted by Japanese patent attorney Kiyoshi Kurihara in Yahoo Japan (via Automaton West), Nintendo and The Pokémon Company requested that processing for these divisional patent applications be fast-tracked.

Of course, all of this is mere speculation at present, with the exact details of the lawsuit yet to be confirmed. When previously reached for comment, The Pokémon Company told Mashable that it "refrain[s] from commenting on the matters related to the content of the lawsuit."

Mashable has also reached out to Nintendo and Pocketpair for comment.

"It is truly unfortunate that we will be forced to allocate significant time to matters unrelated to game development due to this lawsuit," Pocketpair said in its public statement. "However, we will do our utmost for our fans, and to ensure that indie game developers are not hindered or discouraged from pursuing their creative ideas."

Your collection of bar cart staples probably includes the usual suspects: a mixologist-approved stainless steel shaker, cute or quirky umbrellas, and exotic syrups.

Get ready to add an unexpected item to that list: 7UP. That's right, the lemon-lime-flavoured soft drink from your childhood wants you to make space on your drink trolley for its fizzy goodness. In a move aimed at capturing the hearts — and taste buds — of Gen-Zers and Millennials, 7UP has launched a global campaign under the banner "Level Up With 7UP". The main idea is that 7UP can be a key ingredient for elevating any social gathering, from low-key beach days to happening house parties.

Here's what you need to know — and how you can join in the fun.

7UP tapping into timely trends

Millennials and Gen-Zers are comfortable experimenting with unique food and drink combinations. After all, these are the generations responsible for such iconic (if not bizarre) creations as butter boards, egg flights, and croissant-doughnut hybrids. These cohorts are also suckers for a throwback. So, it’s not a stretch to think that they’ll embrace a classic choice like 7UP as a modern addition to their mixology toolkit.

The campaign also taps into other social trends, like mixology at home and craft mocktail culture, as well as the fact that younger consumers are increasingly open to experimenting with unique beverage options, from matcha mojito mocktails to muddled pineapple and lime cordials. (The absolute explosion of seltzer options in your supermarket’s drink aisle is proof of this movement.)

Notably, the campaign also spotlights 7UP's Zero Sugar variant, which offers the same citrus-forward flavour without the sugar. This inclusion is a nod to the growing demand for diverse beverage options, particularly among younger consumers seeking great, refreshing drinks with less sugar.

The strategy behind the ‘z campaign

To drive home their message, 7UP is rolling out a dynamic mix of content, starting with a short film that depicts friends getting together and playfully experimenting with 7UP in their drink recipes. The video illustrates how this familiar soda can be transformed into a creative mixer that adds flair to any gathering. (And it just might provide you with inspiration for your next flat party or happy hour theme.)

In addition to the film, 7UP has also introduced a series of influencer collaborations that demonstrate inventive ways to add 7UP’s signature citrusy punch to any bespoke beverage of choice. For instance, the soda can be used in unique versions of both classic and novel drinks—from tropical punches to fruity infusions to lemon-lime spritzes. 

The hashtag challenge: #LEVELUPWITH7UP

Got an idea for up-levelling your favourite drink? You can join the party online. The #LEVELUPWITH7UP hashtag invites users on platforms like TikTok and Instagram to share their own drink recipes using 7UP. Show off your creation with everything from quick tutorials to more in-depth explorations of the endless possibilities.

In the coming weeks, 7UP is taking their new campaign global, hitting markets like Egypt, Vietnam, Portugal, India, and Thailand. Expect a slew of locally produced influencer content with regional twists, tons of giveaways, drink sampling events, and even some VIP beach parties. Want in on the action? Keep an eye on the brand’s social feeds for all the juicy details.

Whether you're coming up with a new mocktail or enhancing your refreshing spritz recipe, 7UP promises to bring a novel twist to your next gathering — and an unexpected addition to your perfectly curated bar cart.

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

Online dating as a lesbian, for the most part, still involves having your space invaded by straight people.

The heteronormative weirdness got so alienating that lesbians began turning to TikTok as a means of meeting other single lesbians — turns out, it's a pretty good matchmaker.

But it's unrealistic to expect a social media app to work like a dating app for everyone. It's hard for some of us to comprehend, but not everyone spends every free minute on TikTok. Lesbians who have exhausted their local romantic options are still going to want to see who else is out there in time for cuffing season.

Is online dating difficult for lesbians?

For much of current history, some people have acted as though lesbians didn't exist outside of porn and Ellen DeGeneres, while jokes swirled about how girls only turned to dating women if they had a bad experience with a man. Even in 2023, these tone-deaf assumptions still find a way to rain on the lesbian online dating experience. If it's not a man appearing in your feed when you specifically marked that you're searching for women, it's matching with a woman just to be hit with the classic "My boyfriend and I are looking for a threesome."

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for women

There's one big problem: The apps targeted toward the straights are still where most of the queer users are, too. Though women-only apps like HER are gaining traction fast, they can still be a bit of a ghost town...or a scammer's paradise. You just have to decide whether you'd rather deal with the quirks of Tinder and have more options to swipe through or be fine with coming across the same profile three times as long as it's not a man.

What is the best dating app for lesbians?

A decent number of dating sites and apps specifically for lesbians do exist, but most are plagued with the same issues: Either their sole purpose is to sexualise lesbians and aren't really meant for genuine connection at all, or their lax security protocols make it way too easy for ill-intentioned men to sign up pretending to be women. If you're wondering why we left most of those so-called female-only apps out, that's why.

With that in mind, we have lined up a selection of strong options to suit lesbians and gay women. Hopefully, there is something for everyone in this roundup.

These are the best dating apps for lesbians in 2024.

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

The bisexual community has an inside joke that describes what it's like to date as a bi person: People think it means double the options or double the fun, but it really just means double the rejection.

Self-deprecating jokes like this one are at the core of the Single People Club regardless of sexuality, but bisexual people do face extra roadblocks in the dating world.

Yes, online dating sucks for everyone. Horny jerks disguise themselves as relationship seekers, your DMs are constantly filled with bad pickup lines and overly persistent creeps, and many times, the site's algorithm ignores the filters that you've set. But the fact that there are no dating sites that cater specifically to bi people means that they're frequently swiping on people who don't take bisexuality seriously.

The "B" in LGBTQ+ makes up 50 percent of the queer community, but it's one of the least-acknowledged letters in the acronym. There are dating sites for lesbians and dating sites for gay men, but nothing specifically for those who identify as bisexual. What makes the bi dating landscape — especially the online one — so tricky to manoeuvre?

What is unicorn hunting?

One of the most antiquated stereotypes about bisexual people is that they're always down to get physical and down for polyamory. "Unicorn" is a term used to describe a bisexual person (usually a woman) who sleeps with heterosexual couples. In online dating, unicorn hunting is when a straight, taken female user toggles that she's "looking for women" — not genuinely looking for a girl to get to know romantically, but rather for a girl interested in a threesome with her and her boyfriend or husband or whoever. Of course, they don't mention this until later.

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for women

No one is saying that threesomes are bad. Reddit users who have experienced this mention that they don't have a problem with "ethical non-monogamy." They have a problem with being tricked into it.

Are bisexuals welcome on heteronormative apps?

Another frequent bisexual experience is one that all women face online, now heightened by the mere mention of "bi" in a dating app bio: men being creepy. Too many straight men have yet to grasp the concept that bisexuality is not a green light to ask a stranger how many girls they've been with or if she likes men or women better.

Catfishing is also an issue. Some men have such a rabid obsession with queer women that they'll sign up for a dating site as a woman just to see an all-women swiping field. It's a total privacy breach at the least, and certainly doesn't boost your willingness to meet up with someone in real life. Many dating sites are working to increase transparency about first name and age by requiring Facebook verification during sign-up.

Are queer dating apps inviting to bisexual users?

Does "gold star lesbian" ring a bell? The delineation is given to lesbians who have never slept with a man. Countless bisexual women have reported being ghosted after disclosing that they have been with a guy before, and profiles with "gold stars only" in the bio have popped up, too.

This crowd of Reddit users explain the ways they've experienced biphobia on gay or lesbian dating sites. They've been told that they're not "actually bisexual" if they haven't been with anyone of the same gender before or that they're "basically straight" if their most recent relationship was a heterosexual one. Summed up: if you're not monosexually gay, it's a cop-out. Invalidating someone's sexual experiences is the opposite of the supportive sex-positivity that you'd expect from inside the queer community, and it contributes to many bisexual folks' struggles of not feeling queer enough.

Should you put "bi" in your dating app bio?

Adding those two simple letters to your bio will draw some unwanted attention, and it's going to be a pain in the ass. But in the long run, it'll also act like a filter to weed out people who try to put sexual orientation into a box.

The idea that being bisexual is just a pit stop to being "fully-blown gay" — or that it means that you're attracted to everyone you see — probably aren't thoughts you'd prefer a partner to have. They're especially not opinions you'd like to hear about months down the road from someone you thought you knew well. The easiest way to ensure that you won't be left heartbroken over someone not accepting your sexuality? Let them know from the jump.

"Coming out" over and over again is unfair. But doing so right off the bat also acts as an early screening for people who identify as bi but say they wouldn't date another bi person — something that a lot of bi men experience from bi women.

Can you actually find a relationship online?

Do bisexual people get dealt a tough hand on dating apps? Yes. Does that mean meeting someone special online is impossible? Absolutely not. A 2017 study cited in the MIT Technology Review found that people who meet online are more likely to be compatible and have a higher chance of a healthy marriage if they decide to get hitched. Further, a 2019 study done at Stanford found that nearly two-thirds of modern same-sex couples meet online.

It sucks that there's no legit dating app specifically devoted to bi individuals and other singles who respect what it means to be bi — yet. However, this also means that a good portion of other single bi folks are probably on those popular dating apps that you've considered. At least you know the user base is there.

What is the best dating app for bisexual people?

There are a lot of dating apps out there, each offering a different set of features that will suit some daters better than others. To help you find something that suits you and your lifestyle, we have lined up a selection of standout options that should suit just about everyone.

These are the best dating apps for bisexual people in 2024.

BBC iPlayer is one of the most popular streaming sites in the UK. Users get access to a wide range of dramas, original shows, and much more on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs. BBC iPlayer is also ad free, which is a nice bonus that we're sure everyone can appreciate.

The only catch is that if you're travelling or not permanently based in the UK, BBC iPlayer will recognise that you're not in its catchment area and immediately block you. To bypass this frustrating blockade, you will need to use a VPN. These cybersecurity services can hide your real IP address and connect you to a secure server in the UK, which tricks BBC iPlayer into thinking you are based in the country. This quick and easy process maintains access to everything that BBC iPlayer has to offer.

The key message is that if you want to keep up to speed with all your favourite shows on BBC iPlayer, you are going to need a VPN. But which VPN is the best for unblocking and watching BBC iPlayer? We'll get to that after answering a few of the most important questions concerning the world of VPNs.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, are powerful security tools that provide protection for your identity and data by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. The best way to visualise a VPN is to think of it like an encrypted tunnel through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.

Do you need a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer?

You can continue to watch BBC content when you're outside of the UK by downloading your favourite shows on the iPlayer app before you depart the country. This is a solid move for any movies or shows that have already been released in full. However, this method does not help with shows that are still being released or live sports.

To keep up with this kind of entertainment, your only option is to use a VPN.

Can you watch BBC iPlayer from abroad?

If you think accessing BBC iPlayer abroad is going to be tricky with a VPN, think again. It's actually a really simple process that absolutely everyone can understand:

1. Sign up to a streaming-friendly 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 the UK

4. Log in to BBC iPlayer to watch live content and your favourite shows on demand

You could be anywhere in the world, but the process remains the same.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

There are a lot of VPNs out there that can reliably access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world, but which is the best service for you? To help you find something that ticks your boxes, we've handpicked a selection of the very best streaming-friendly services for everyone.

ExpressVPN can be found at the top of this roundup for a number of reasons: it has a streaming-friendly interface, security focused features, and strong connection speeds. All of this provides users with a straightforward and speedy streaming experience. That's not to say that ExpressVPN will suit everyone best, and the likes of Surfshark, CyberGhost VPN, and NordVPN will appeal to many users.

These are the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer in 2024.

Over the years, I’ve trained myself to only use one monitor.

That may seem counterproductive to the millions of people out there who can’t live without a second (or third) screen at their workstations, but it works for me. It gives me more desk space, saves me money, and helps discourage digital clutter. And thanks to Plugable’s new $199 portable USB-C monitor, my hard-fought habits might have to finally die.

Plugable, a brand normally associated with docking stations, has entered the monitor game with a portable display that just works. You plug a cable into the monitor, and into your laptop, and that’s it.

High-end professionals might have needs that extend beyond what this thing can do, but for many, it's a godsend — thanks to its extreme portability, simplistic ease of use, and versatility.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max review: Battery life so epic, you'll ghost your charger Plugable portable monitor price and specs It's a good looking monitor. Credit: Joe Maldonado /.Mashable

When you plunk down $200 on Plugable’s display debut, this is what you get:

• 15.6-inch LED display with 16:9 aspect ratio and 60Hz refresh rate

• USB-C ports (3)

Normally when listing device specs, I’d include things like processors, cameras, and battery life, but hey, the Plugable monitor doesn’t really have any of those things. It’s…just a monitor, for better or worse. The $199 package also includes an attached travel cover that also acts like a stand, and a USB-C-to-USB-C cable that will make the whole thing work in the first place.

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado /.Mashable Plugable Monitor Get Deal Plugable portable monitor design The travel cover is great. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

In keeping with the product’s overall simplicity, Plugable’s portable monitor also doesn’t have much going on design-wise. It’s a big, black rectangle that displays whatever you want it to display. Easy enough!

This is a good thing, as it’s extremely easy to figure out how to use the Plugable portable monitor without any kind of quick start guide or instruction manual, though the device comes with one of those in case you need it, too. There are no ports, buttons, nor features on three of the display’s four sides. On the right side, you’ll find buttons for controlling brightness and switching between picture modes, as well as three USB-C ports that do a variety of things that we’ll get to later.

Plugable also included a travel cover with the device that attaches magnetically — and as far as I can tell — stays that way. The cover is also designed to be used as a stand for the monitor in the absence of another one. In all, even with the cover on, the monitor is about 1.8 pounds in weight. You won’t even notice it in your backpack, which is lovely.

This is the source of my first problem (of very few) with the Plugable monitor: It can be hard to find the right vertical angle for it. You can fold the cover into a stand in a variety of ways (such as by laying it out flat on the desk or folding it up into a triangular shape), but in each configuration, your options are pretty limited. Put simply, the monitor is almost always going to be angled slightly upward, not unlike a laptop display. If you would prefer something more head-on, a traditional second monitor setup is probably the way to go.

Plugable portable monitor display You can use portrait mode if you like, but the travel cover won't work as a stand. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

This thing wouldn’t matter if the screen weren’t any good, right? Thankfully, Plugable did just enough to earn a passing grade here.

The 15.6-inch, 16:9 monitor is basically the perfect size as a laptop companion, as it’s as big (if not a little bigger) than most laptop displays. Its 300 nits of peak brightness are more than good enough for indoor office space usage, and the 1080p resolution is right in line with the expectations for a cheap-ish portable monitor, if not exactly awe-inspiring.

Some may be disappointed to hear the refresh rate maxes out at 60Hz. In a vacuum, I would be, too, but there are other things to consider. First, this device relies entirely on USB-C for image output. And finally, there just aren’t that many things the average professional needs a 120Hz refresh rate for, if we accept the premise that this monitor is mostly intended for work.

Folks who do video-centric jobs that might require a higher refresh rate should probably look elsewhere.

If I have one major gripe with the Plugable monitor’s display, it’s the less-than-ideal viewing angles. When looking at the display head-on, everything is sharp and clear, but when looking at it from a slight angle to the side or above, it becomes harder to see. This is a problem as old as displays themselves, so I’m not meaning to single out Plugable here, but I did notice it, especially in conjunction with the physical angle problems I had with the stand.

Plugable portable monitor features This image from Plugable's website demonstrates how power pass-through works. Credit: Plugable

I should probably mention how exactly this thing works, huh? 

Fortunately, it doesn’t take too many words to do so: Plug the provided USB-C cable into a port on your computer that supports video output. If you have a relatively modern laptop, that shouldn’t be a problem. Then, plug the other end into the bottom USB-C port on the monitor, which is helpfully labeled “Host” on the monitor itself. 

After a few seconds, you’ll have a perfectly functioning second display. On a MacBook, you’ll have to briefly give the monitor permission to work the first time, but that’s literally the only bit of friction I had with the entire experience. It’s so remarkably simple that you’ll instantly hate any other monitor you’ve ever had to set up that gave you even the slightest bit of trouble in the process.

But that’s not all! Remember those other two USB-C ports I mentioned earlier? You can use those while the monitor is connected to your laptop (or phone or tablet) for a variety of things. The top port allows you to connect and use other USB-C devices, such as portable speakers, while the middle port functions as a passthrough for charging your laptop, ensuring the display stays powered.

That last bit is especially useful because, in the absence of a power adapter, the Plugable monitor will drain your laptop’s battery in order to power itself. There's no onboard battery in the monitor. In fairness, though, I didn’t notice a huge amount of power drain on my M2 MacBook Air, and found it perfectly safe to use the monitor for long stretches without plugging in.

Your mileage may vary depending on what kind of laptop you have, though.

Plugable portable monitor performance Just try not to touch this part. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

As far as performance is concerned, almost everything is in order. I didn’t notice any kind of connectivity issues in my time with the Plugable portable monitor. When it’s connected to your laptop, it stays that way — and the video signal doesn’t ever get interrupted as far as I can tell.

The only performance issue worth noting is that the corner of the monitor where the three USB-C ports lie can get very warm to the touch after even a short usage session. The first time I tested the monitor at home, I was shocked at how hot it was after about 20 minutes of watching football highlights on YouTube. 

It’s not a dangerous or concerning level of heat, but it's worth mentioning. To Plugable’s credit, I suppose, the heat is localized entirely to that corner of the device and doesn’t permeate the whole chassis.

Is the Plugable portable monitor worth it?

Plugable’s debut in the monitor space isn’t mind-blowing or revolutionary, as there are other cheap portable monitors out there. Plenty of them come in at $100 or less, too, so Plugable doesn’t exactly win on price, either.

But what Plugable does have is a trustworthy brand name and a device that I can confirm works exactly as intended. It’s just so stunningly easy to get the Plugable monitor up and running and doing exactly what you want it to do. You don’t need a chunky HDMI cable or a power adapter (though you can use one if you want) — you just need a host device and a USB-C cable. 

I’d like to see future iterations of this product with higher resolutions and better refresh rates, but for now, Plugable’s first portable monitor is an impressive debut.

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado /.Mashable Plugable portable monitor $199.99 at Amazon
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