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TL;DR: Get wireless CarPlay and Android Auto plus streaming app support for just $89.97 (reg. $149.99) through September 29 and take your driving experience to the next level.
Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Wireless Adapter with Streaming Service Support (2024 Edition) $89.97Tired of plugging in your phone every time you get in the car?
If you’re a commuter or road trip enthusiast who’s tired of fumbling with cables, this Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless adapter — on sale for $89.97 (reg. $149.99) — is the upgrade you may have been waiting for. It brings you all the convenience of wireless connectivity while keeping your favorite streaming apps and playlists accessible to you right in the car.
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Powered by the Qualcomm QCM2290 and running on Android 11.0, this adapter provides smooth, reliable performance. With 16GB of storage, you have plenty of space for seamless operation and additional apps, and if that’s not enough, the adapter supports TF cards for expanded storage (SD card not included).
Stay connected with dual-band WiFi and dual Bluetooth technology, allowing you to pair multiple devices at once without any interruptions. Need extra convenience? The included USB-A to USB-A Tee cable adds another layer of functionality.
This adapter is designed for universal compatibility, working with over 800 different car models and supporting both iOS and Android devices. Just note it’s not compatible with cars that already have wireless CarPlay, like certain models from BMW, Tesla, Mazda, and Nissan.
No more digging around for your phone or dealing with tangled cables — this adapter gets you connected instantly and wirelessly, so you can focus on the road. Whether you’re managing your tunes, checking directions, or even catching up on podcasts during long drives, everything is right where you need it.
Ditch the cables, stay connected, and make every drive smarter with this Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless adapter for 40% off at $89.97 through September 29.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
I can guarantee you you've never had a worse birthday than How to Die Alone's Melissa Jackson (Natasha Rothwell).
Her best friend Rory (Conrad Ricamora) ditches their birthday plans for a hookup. Her ex Alex (Jocko Sims) chooses that very day to send out his wedding invites. And on top of all of that, Mel straight-up dies. Just for three minutes, but it's enough to make an impression.
SEE ALSO: 40 shows we can't wait to see this fallMel's death and its circumstances — alone, crushed under furniture, and choking on a crab rangoon — prompt some serious soul-searching. As Mel sees it, her love life is nonexistent, her family doesn't believe in her, and in some kind of cruel cosmic joke, she's an airport employee who's too scared to fly. Is this really the life she wants to flash before her eyes when she dies for real? No, no, it's not.
Created by Rothwell, How to Die Alone takes Mel down a winding road of self-discovery, one full of hard truths, awkward romantic encounters, and just enough hope to keep her pushing for the life she deserves. The ensuing journey is hilarious, yes, but also a deeply candid portrait of a woman in the never-ending process of figuring it all out.
What's How to Die Alone about? Natasha Rothwell in "How to Die Alone." Credit: Ian Watson / HuluFollowing her near-death experience, Mel decides to embrace her inner "boss-ass bitch." At her job as a cart driver at New York's JFK airport, that means trying to get into a management program — and quelling any feelings she may still have for Alex, who is also her boss. (If you think that sounds messy, just you wait.)
SEE ALSO: 'Rebel Ridge' review: Aaron Pierre and Jeremy Saulnier's cop corruption thriller will floor youHow to Die Alone's airport setting creates several opportunities for elaborate hijinks in the vein of workplace comedies like The Office or Superstore. A hunt for confiscated painkillers leads Mel and Rory deep into the bowels of JFK. Elsewhere, a terminal-wide lockdown forces Mel and Alex's fiancée Julie (Chantel Riley) on an awkward side quest. However, as fun as these moments may be, How to Die Alone's workplace comedy side isn't the show's primary focus. It can occasionally chafe against the show's more grounded core of Mel's personal growth instead of complementing it. Thankfully, How to Die Alone figures out a balance between the two as its first season picks up steam, giving Rothwell space to deliver not just some great physical comedy but some seriously vulnerable work as well.
Natasha Rothwell is delightful and vulnerable in How to Die Alone. Natasha Rothwell in "How to Die Alone." Credit: Ian Watson / HuluRothwell has always shined in supporting roles, from Insecure to The White Lotus. But in How to Die Alone, she gets to take center stage and creative control, helming the series alongside co-showrunner Vera Santamaria (Pen15, BoJack Horseman). The result is a performance that isn't afraid to get messy or vulnerable, whether Mel is bemoaning her dating life — "Because of societal standards, I'm like human cilantro," she tells her friends — or self-sabotaging in order to avoid being hurt down the line.
While Rothwell shines consistently throughout How to Die Alone, there are still some standout moments where she and her co-stars go above and beyond. Mel and Rory's painful unpacking of their friendship in one episode is an absolutely devastating blowout. A tense Thanksgiving conversation between Mel and her brother Brian (Bashir Salahuddin) cuts deep and provides a much-needed opportunity for both characters to vent their frustrations. These are the kind of scenes that can only happen thanks to layered, complicated relationships between characters, and luckily, Rothwell and Santamaria keep Mel wrapped in an intricate web of connections that accrues more and more meaning as the show progresses.
Among these connections is a love triangle that slowly creeps to the forefront in How to Die Alone's final episodes. Our candidates are Alex, who still supports Mel even though she rejected him two years ago, and JFK ground crew member Terrance (KeiLyn Durrel Jones), Mel's go-to conversational partner on her smoke breaks. In my mind, there's a clear answer on who Mel should go with, but trust How to Die Alone to keep you guessing. Even when it's playing up some classic rom-com tropes, the series may just turn around and hit you (and Mel) with a heartbreaking gut punch.
As juicy as Mel's romantic endeavors can be, it's her quest for personal happiness — whether that involves a man or not — that proves the most rewarding. She learns some fairly valuable life lessons throughout How to Die Alone, sprinkled amid quality one-liners and her many, many poor decisions, and it's a treat to watch her find her footing alongside the series. Mel may not be ready to get on a plane yet, but Rothwell and How to Die Alone are ready to soar.
How to Die Alone premieres Sept. 13 on Hulu, with new episodes every Friday.
It's easy to get jaded in the streaming era. There are so many apps, and prestige TV peaked years ago. Still, some shows this past year really wowed us. As Mashable's Belen Edwards summarized, "We were floored by the historical epic Shōgun, rejoiced in the return of shows like We Are Lady Parts and Interview with the Vampire, and couldn't get enough of Fallout."
It appears the Television Academy agreed re: Shōgun, given that it received the most Emmy nominations of any show this year. Other shows we loved, like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and Baby Reindeer, also received high praise from the Academy. So, which series will take home the biggest awards at the 2024 Emmys? You'll have to watch to find out — here's how you can watch the Emmys live with or without cable.
When are the 2024 Emmys?The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards will be held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 and will air live at 8 p.m. ET. This year's awards will be headlined by the father-and-son hosting duo Eugene and Dan Levy. For those with cable or over-the-air TV, you can tune your TV to your local ABC station, watch online via ABC.com, or log into the ABC app with your pay TV service provider.
No cable access? No worries; we've rounded up the best ways to watch the Emmys without cable below. The show is also set to stream the next day on Hulu, if you don't mind missing out on the live shenanigans (and can avoid spoilers).
Who are this year's Emmy nominees?FX shows are dominating this year's Emmy nominations, with Shōgun picking up 25 nominations and The Bear picking up 23. Note that since the Emmy eligibility period runs from June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024, these nominations are for The Bear's second season, not the recently released (and slightly underwhelming) third season. Other major contenders include Fallout, Only Murders in the Building, Baby Reindeer, True Detective: Night Country, Hacks, Ripley, and The Crown. See a full list of the 2024 Emmy nominations at the Television Academy website.
How to watch the Emmy awards live without cableIf you've cut the cord on cable and committed to streaming, then you know how oversaturated the market is today. There are simply too many different services. Networks like NBC and CBS have their own streaming apps, but ABC doesn't. So what can cord cutters do?
Live TV streaming services are cable alternatives, giving you live access to a well-rounded channel selection via your internet connection (rather than a cable connection). Unlike cable, these services are contract-free, so you can cancel whenever you wish. And as a bonus, many of them offer free trials — that means you could very well watch the Emmys live for free, then cancel before you're charged. But we'll leave that up to you.
You can also use a digital TV antenna, a one-time purchase that will unlock all the local networks — ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC — within range.
Below, we've rounded up your best options (and streaming deals) for watching the Emmys without cable.
Best way to watch the Emmys for free: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube YouTube TV Free 10-day trial, then $64.99/mo for your first 4 months (save $32) Get DealYouTube TV includes over 100 live channels in its base plan, including your local ABC network. You'll also get unlimited DVR space, three simultaneous streams, and up to six individual accounts with personalized recommendations. Our reviewers believe it's "the best premium live TV streaming service," especially with the current introductory offer.
For a limited time, you can get your first 10 days of streaming for free, then pay just $64.99 per month for your first four months — that's $32 in savings. If you sign up for your free trial around the time of the Emmys, you can definitely watch the broadcast live for free. Just be sure to cancel before your 10 days are up.
Best for bundling: Hulu + Live TV Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu + Live TV Hulu + Live TV Free 3-day trial, then $76.99 per month Get DealHulu + Live TV is pretty similar to YouTube TV, with access to over 95 live TV channels (including your local ABC network), personalized profiles, and unlimited DVR. However, it's a bit pricier at $76.99 per month. But we still recommend it for two reasons. First, you get three days for free to test the waters, and second, your subscription comes bundled with Hulu with ads, Disney+ with ads, and ESPN+ with ads (a $14.99 per month value). That's three premium streaming libraries on top of nearly 100 live channels all for just $76.99 per month.
Stream the Emmys for free during your three-day trial, then decide whether you want to stick it out for a whole month or cancel before you're charged.
Most affordable overall: Sling TV (only for select areas) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Blue package $20 for your first month, then $40 per month Get DealWhile we love Sling TV for its a la carte setup and affordable pricing, we're hesitant to call it our favorite since some markets cannot access local networks. In order to watch the Emmys live, you'll need access to ABC, which is included in Sling's Blue base package. However, live local streaming of ABC (as well as NBC and FOX) is only available to Sling customers in or around specific cities.
Check to see if your local market includes ABC before you pull the trigger — Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, and more are included. Typically, Sling's base package costs $40 per month, but with the current introductory offer, you'll pay just $20 for your first month.
Best for streaming later: Hulu with ads Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu with ads Free 30-day trial, then $7.99 per month Get DealIf you're able to avoid spoilers and don't mind waiting a day to watch the ceremony, a regular Hulu with ads subscription will give you access to the Emmys on Sept. 16, the day after the live show. It's definitely the cheapest option: you can sign up for free for 30 days, then it'll cost you just $7.99 per month. You won't get the excitement of watching live, but if you don't mind that, this is a solid bet.
Honorable mention: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Free 7-day trial, then $49.99 for your first month Get DealAnother live TV streaming service option is Fubo. Though it's more geared toward sports fans, with over 200 live channels, it does include access to your local ABC network. You can test it out for seven days, then get $30 off your first month, knocking it down to just $49.99. After that, you'll have to pay $79.99 per month for the Pro plan, making it one of the more expensive options on the list.
Another option for watching live: Get a digital antenna Opens in a new window Credit: Mohu Mohu Leaf 50 Digital TV Antenna $39.99 at AmazonIf you live close enough to your local TV station broadcast towers, you can access broadcasts live and for free with a digital antenna. These aren't the antennas of yesteryear; these indoor option can simply stick to your wall and hide behind your TV. There are a ton of options on the market ranging in price and style. Just be sure to check the distance and range before making a purchase.
The closer you are, the clearer your local broadcasts will come through. Our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) have a few recommendations, including the Mohu Leaf 50. It's reversible to match your decor, multidirectional, and includes a USB-powered amplifier to add 15dB of signal strength, giving it a range of over 60 miles.
Grindr's been in the news a lot lately, but not for the reasons one might expect. This popular hookup app has been doing the most — from celebrating the US Open with a cheeky "grunt" notification to prioritizing the safety of international users during the Olympics.
SEE ALSO: From Grindr to Scruff: The best dating apps for gay, bi, and queer menNow, the company is going beyond the app with the launch of its Host or Travel online series, which explores different gayborhoods around the globe. A gayborhood is basically an area known to welcome and attract LGBTQ people. So far, Host or Travel has featured six destinations: Madrid, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Los Angeles, U.S.; Zipolite, Mexico; Berlin, Germany; and Malta. The series (available on YouTube, the Grindr blog, and social media) offers a more intimate look at local culture, nightlife, and hole-in-the-wall places that only LGBTQ insiders would know about.
As, unfortunately, not everyone's hometown has a gayborhood, Grindr hopes to bring a "global gayborhood" — a digital space within the app that connects and provides resources for the worldwide LGBTQ community — to life. In tandem with the show, the app is developing an interactive map to help users find LGBTQ-friendly hotspots and events. (This feature isn't fully rolled out yet, but you might see it before the year's end.) Additionally, the company is testing a new "Roam" feature, which will let users temporarily set their profile location to anywhere in the world so they can chat and connect with locals ahead of their trip. This is pretty similar to location features that Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have.
"Roam is the first of many future Gayborhood features we are launching, and it unlocks new travel functionality to bring you one step closer to other Grindr users around the globe," George Arison, chief executive officer of Grindr, said in a press release.
This shift might surprise those familiar with Grindr's well-known reputation for quick hookups sans shame. However, at a recent presentation at Grindr HQ (which I attended in person), company leaders revealed that approximately 3.5 million people already use the app to make traveling in new cities easier — from finding LGBTQ-friendly accommodations to connecting with locals for recommendations and events.
We're excited to see what other travel-focused features Grindr has planned, and will keep you updated as more details are shared in the coming months.
Daydreaming about what you'd tell your younger self is a fool's game. Sure, we'd like to imagine bestowing words of wisdom, mind-blowing messages of solace, or maybe even stock tips to our past selves. But if middle-aged you abruptly stumbled across teen you, what would you really say? That's the promising inciting incident of My Old Ass, a time-travel comedy from Megan Park, the brilliant writer/director behind the sensational (and underseen) The Fallout.
Starring Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stella as older and younger versions of the same Canadian woman, My Old Ass reminds us that though we're older, we may not be all that wiser. And anyway, there's something to be said for the reckless naiveté of youth.
Though among this year's Sundance darlings, the coming-of-age comedy — from Margot Robbie's LuckyChap Entertainment — doesn't fall into maudlin navel-gazing or complicated artsy twists. Instead, it's a briskly funny time-travel movie that bucks genre convention and allows its characters to be as charming as they are messy.
My Old Ass rejects the cliched time-travel mission plot line. Kerrice Brooks, Maisy Stella, and Maddie Ziegler play friends in "My Old Ass." Credit: Amazon StudiosTime-travel movies mostly fall into three categories, all of them fixated on change for better or worse. There's the Groundhog Day time-loop, where a hero repeats a cycle over and over until they get this one pivotal day right. There's the Back to the Future model, where a fun-seeking dip in the past could irreparably change your future, even erasing you from existence. (See also: much of Doctor Who.) Then there are the many, many movies — be they Terminator or The Greatest Hits — that take the Quantum Leap approach: traveling back in time to set right what once went wrong! My Old Ass isn't really any of these. And that's wildly refreshing.
This very different spin on time travel begins with the casting of Aubrey Plaza, who between Parks and Recreation, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and her chic yet surly interview persona, encapsulates a distinctive brand of elder millennial over-it. So the moment she shows up next to a bubbly, blonde Maisy Stella — 18-year-old Elliott, a small-town girl on the brink of booking it to the big city — you know this isn't going to be your standard "save the future" adventure. Not that Plaza's elder Elliott doesn't try.
While younger Elliott is out in the woods, celebrating her birthday with a shroom trip among friends, 39-year-old Elliott party crashes with some advice that is as admittedly cliched as it is true: Be nicer to your mom. Beyond this, "My Old Ass" (as she labels herself in teen Elliott's cellphone contacts) refuses to speak much about the future, fearing this unplanned meeting could have massive consequences. She occasionally alludes to some major disasters to come, but her only warning is comically simple: Avoid Chad at all costs!
Naturally, what follows is younger Elliott skinny-dipping into a meet-cute with a sweet boy named Chad (Wednesday's Percy Hynes White), with whom she shares an undeniable chemistry no matter how much she tries to ignore it.
Maisy Stella outshines Aubrey Plaza in My Old Ass. Maisy Stella dazzles in "My Old Ass." Credit: Amazon StudiosWhere Plaza is here to be the cynical sage, Stella is radiant as the free-spirited goofball. Whether she's partying with friends, hooking up with her hot girlfriend, or grousing at her family, Elliott's charm is intoxicating — not because she's exceptional, but because she's not. Rather than setting her protagonist up as some noble savior of the future, Park allows Elliott to be a pretty average small-town girl desperate to move out and on to a life of her own. As such, Elliott is exuberant, horny, and reckless, colliding into awkward situations and unexpected vulnerabilities as if she's driving a bumper car full speed down the winding road of this formative summer. Park captures the joy of carefree youth without romanticizing it, and she offers the same determined empathy for Elliott's older half.
With Plaza's beleaguered eye rolls, Park swiftly dispels these fantasies that as we get older, we'll have it all figured out. Instead, My Old Ass challenges juvenile notions that with age comes a coveted completeness, the sense that we're not just settled but have life all figured out. The movie suggest such a hope is as absurd as our youthful ambitions to be a marine biologist and a professional dancer and President of the United States. So this story becomes less about a mission to change the past to impact the present, and more about coming to terms with our choices and who we were and are.
While thematically, Park's script is moving and spirited — just as The Fallout before it was — Plaza struggles to nail this balance. While she's shown range in series like Legion and White Lotus, here she wobbles when playing anything but irritated. In scenes of bonding between the two, there's an buzzing edge to Plaza's tone even as she smiles at her character's younger self. When the third act calls for softness, Plaza's vulnerability feels performed instead of organic. Here's where My Old Ass undercuts its sharp self-awareness and sincerity and slips into saccharine.
My Old Ass rebuffs time-travel standards, like looking into the future to see how Elliott's life changes. It treats the mission, and even the sci-fi premise, as little more than a launchpad for its heroine's summer of reflection. If anything, the movie is more a teen coming-of-age comedy about that leap from high school to whatever comes next than a Quantum Leap at all.
Yet where those two subgenres collide is in a shared sentimentality over the past, and that veers into schmaltzy, for better or worse. Still, aside from this trip into treacle, My Old Ass is a spirited comedy about growing up and moving on that's a true joy — just as Stella is a star on the rise to watch.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, September 13, 2024:
AcrossClothed (in)The answer is Clad.
The answer is Halo.
The answer is Widow.
The answer is Ellen.
The answer is Bee.
The answer is Chile.
The answer is Ladle.
The answer is Aloe.
The answer is Down.
The answer is Web.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
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: Here's the answer hints for September 13 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 13 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Boots and saddlesThese words are very Red Dead, very Redemption..
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThe answers all relate to the Old West.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Westerns.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 13Outlaw
Cowboy
Sheriff
Duel
Westerns
Horse
Bounty
Saloon
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.
I recently made the move from New York City to Florida and one of the biggest things I’ve had to adjust to is the weather, especially those big rainstorms and hurricanes — which means there are likely days where I may experience power outages and am going to want a backup supply of power.
For some background, I am a fairly technologically savvy person — my home office consists of my laptop and a monitor which I was able to successfully hook up without many issues. I have also had my fair share of experience using portable chargers and power banks. However, I admittedly have never used a power station as large as the Anker 535 PowerHouse.
I recently got my hands on one and wanted to see if it lived up to the 4.6-star Amazon rating I saw when I wrote this and its $500 price tag. To test the product, I fully recharged it and tested the AC, USB-C, and USB-A ports to charge my iPhone, MacBook Air, Nintendo Switch, and Bluetooth headphones. I also tested to see if it could be used to power the lamp placed by my desk.
I was able to charge all my devices at once. Credit: Jenna Clark / MashableThe verdict? The Anker 535 PowerHouse did effectively charge and power up multiple of my devices simultaneously. At $500, I can say that it is worth the investment for somebody who needs to be prepared for inclement weather (like myself living in Florida) or spends lots of time in remote areas and may not have access to outlets such as campers or those on a road trip. However, for a person looking to charge their phone or power devices regularly, it is a bit pricey and heavy for day-to-day use. (Though we have seen the power station's price dip below $350.)
The Anker PowerHouse is easy to use even for beginnersWhen I opened the box, I immediately saw the user manual which was filled with helpful diagrams showing how to recharge the power device and the various ports (four AC, one USB-C, and three USB-A ports). I was able to easily unwrap the car port charger and power adapter and plug it in for charging.
The portable generator houses four AC ports, three USB-A ports, and one USB-C port. Credit: Jenna Clark / MashableI also liked that it came with a light. Although I did not need to use it, I still tried turning it on and off which could be easily done with the push of a button.
However, it is important to note that any Lightning or other cables that may be required to charge a laptop, phone, etc. are not included with the Anker 535 PowerHouse. Although I wish they were included (considering the $500 price tag), I luckily had them at my apartment, so I could get right to testing without having to order any additional cables.
How long does the Anker 535 PowerHouse battery take to charge?Since it was my first time using the device, the instruction manual advised that I fully charge it first. The box advertised that the device could be fully recharged using the in-box adapter in four-and-a-half hours and I wanted to see if I would experience that quick charge time. When I initially plugged in the power adapter charger to the outlet in my apartment, the device was already at 27 percent (I had assumed it would be at zero percent considering the instructions read to fully charge it before use). It took three-and-a-half hours to reach 100 percent (from 27 percent) which I thought was in line with the box’s claim and extremely quick considering the battery’s capacity of 512Wh.
The LCD screen lets you know the battery's charge and how much time you have left until the power station dies. Credit: Jenna Clark / Mashable The Anker 535 PowerHouse can charge and power up multiple devices fairly quicklyTo test the portable generator’s charging capabilities, I charged my MacBook Air, iPhone, Bluetooth headphones, and Nintendo Switch simultaneously.
It took two hours and 20 minutes for my phone to charge from zero percent to 100 percent.
It took two hours and 10 minutes for my laptop to charge from zero percent to 100 percent.
It took two hours and 50 minutes for the Nintendo Switch to charge.
Considering all of the devices were charging at the same time, I thought that under three hours to fully charge all three devices was fast.
I found it helpful that the LCD display showed how many Watts of power were being used as the devices were being charged as well as the remaining battery hours. This makes it easier for one to prepare.
I tested the AC port by plugging in the lamp by my desk and it turned on easily with no issues.
Even with all of the charging that was being done, the battery only lowered to 74 percent, which was impressive considering it was charging four devices for three and a half hours.
The Anker 535 PowerHouse was unable to accept three-prong AC power cordsI wanted to fully power my home office using the Anker 535 PowerHouse, but unfortunately, I was unable to plug in my monitor as it was equipped with a three-prong AC power cord. The machine is only able to accept two-prong AC power cords. This was slightly disappointing and is something to make a note of in case you want to use this power station to connect an appliance that is equipped with a three-pronged cord.
However, I was able to plug in some of the electronics in my office, including my lamp.
Is the Anker 535 PowerHouse worth it?Do I think the Anker 535 PowerHouse is worth the value? I think it depends on who you’re asking or what one plans on using it for. As someone who lives in Florida, I think the Anker 535 PowerHouse is definitely worth the price, especially during hurricane season. Although it can efficiently charge and power multiple devices at once with its nine ports, the battery is fairly heavy and would be kind of a pain to transport.
If you're solely looking to use the Anker 535 PowerHouse for day-to-day use to charge your phones, laptops, etc., then it is not worth the price as there are other smaller, more portable, and cheaper chargers on the market. However, if you’re looking to use it while camping to power multiple appliances including lamps, mini coolers, or the like, then I would say it is worth the $500 investment — or $330 investment if you can snag it on sale.
Anker 535 PowerHouse $329.00 at AnkerTL;DR: Watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The next WNBA fixture is coming up and the latest teams to the court are the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever. Both teams have secured their postseason spot, so this match will be about improving their standings.
To watch the Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.
When is Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever?Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever in the WNBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 13. This fixture takes place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
How to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana FeverYou can watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever with the WNBA League Pass. But keep in mind that the WNBA League Pass might not live stream locally televised games in the participating teams' local areas.
But don't worry, you can get around this with just a few simple steps. You'll need to use a VPN, a tool that works by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to secure servers in other locations. This means you can watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.
To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy 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 a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA
Log in to WNBA League Pass
Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)
ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, 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 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 also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Through Sept. 29 at the Mashable Shop, you can get PDF Reader Pro For Mac or Windows for just £22.83 or £19.02, respectively — that's a 50% discount.
Have you ever met a teacher in the modern age who doesn’t use PDFs? Between readings, worksheets, and syllabi, there are plenty of opportunities for you to encounter this ubiquitous file type in school, and if you don’t have the right software, PDFs might get a little frustrating.
But PDFs don’t have to be so annoying with a lifetime membership to the PDF Reader Pro Premium Plan for Mac or Windows. This PDF-reading and editing software gives you a whole host of tools for making this once-frustrating file type more accessible, and during this back-to-school event, plans start at just £19.02 for a limited time.
Make PDFs manageablePDFs are the third most common file type on the internet, so you likely aren’t going to get through secondary school or university without them. As a student, PDF Reader Pro might become your favourite app on your computer. The next time an instructor sends you a reading for class you can annotate, highlight, underline, and make notes directly on the page. And if you’re tired of the glaring white borders around your reading, you can switch on Night Mode, which may be easier on the eyes. PDF Reader Pro also provides interactive fields for text, checkboxes, combo boxes, signature sections, and more.
This PDF reader can also transform images imported from your iOS device into a PDF, or convert PDFs into iWork, Text, JPH, PNG, and HTML files. If you’re making a professional portfolio for a class, you could even add your own watermark.
Stop worrying when you see a PDF attachment in an email. Instead, get PDF Reader Pro For Mac or Windows. The Mac version is on sale for £22.83 (reg. £45.70), and the Windows version is on sale for £19.02 (reg. £45.70) through Sept. 29.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: PDF Technologies PDF Reader Pro For Mac £23.64 at the Mashable ShopTL;DR: Until Sept. 27, new and returning customers can get a three-month subscription to Disney+ (standard with ads) for £1.99 per month.
Opens in a new window Credit: Disney+ Disney+ Standard with Ads: 3-Month Subscription £1.99 per month Get DealDisney+ has got a lot planned for the coming months. The popular streaming service is launching new premieres like In Vogue: The 90s, animated films like Inside Out 2, Marvel’s Agatha All Along, returning franchises like Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, and big hits like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and Kinds of Kindness in the near future.
With all of that in mind, wouldn't it be nice if there was some sort of appealing subscription deal on offer?
SEE ALSO: Disney data breach: Disneyland, Disney Cruise guests and employees personal info leakedGood news, streamers! Until Sept. 27, new and returning customers can get a three-month subscription to Disney+ (standard with ads) for £1.99 per month. That's a saving of £9 compared to normal rates.
After the three-month promotional period, your Disney+ (standard with ads) plan will automatically renew at full price. But you can cancel this at anytime, so there's no pressure to pay anything more than the discounted rate. Just don't forget and caught out if you have no intention of continuing with the service. You've been warned.
Subscribe to Disney+ for under £2 a month with this limited-time offer.
TL;DR: Watch the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for free on ORF, ServusTV, or RTBF. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
F1 is having a moment. After what seemed like a lifetime of Max Verstappen dominating every weekend, we've got competitive racing once again. The big question is whether McLaren have enough time to close the gap, and whether they will continue to let their two drivers battle it out with each other.
All eyes will be on Baku City Circuit this weekend. If you're interested in watching the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?The 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place over 51 laps of the 6,003-kilometre Baku City Circuit. The full schedule can be found here:
Practice 1 — 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 13
Practice 1 — 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET on Sept. 13
Practice 1 — 4:30 to 5:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 14
Qualifying — 8 to 9 a.m. ET on Sept. 14
Race — 7 a.m. ET on Sept. 15
It's possible to stream the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix without spending anything.
How to watch the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for freeYou can find free live streams of F1 on these platforms:
ORF, ServusTV, and RTBF are geo-restricted, but anyone from around the world can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free live streams of F1 from anywhere in the world.
Unblock free streaming services 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 Austria or Belgium
Watch the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams for free. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can stream the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix without actually spending anything.
What is the best VPN for F1?ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming F1 for free, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Austria and Belgium
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected
Fast streaming speeds
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 30-day money-back guarantee.
Watch the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The next WNBA fixture is coming up and the latest teams to the court are the Washington Mystics and the Atlanta Dream. Neither team has secured their postseason spot, and there's only one place left to take. It's set to be a great game, and not one you'll want to miss.
To watch the Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.
When is Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream?Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 13. This fixture takes place at the Gateway Center Arena at College Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
How to watch Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta DreamYou can watch Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream with the WNBA League Pass. However, it's worth keeping in mind that the WNBA League Pass might not live stream locally televised games in the participating teams' local areas.
You can get around this with just a few simple steps, however. You'll need to use a VPN, a tool that works by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to secure servers in other locations. This means you can watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.
To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy 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 a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA
Log in to WNBA League Pass
Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)
ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, 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 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 also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
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 September 13'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 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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 13 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Cruel.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There is one letter that appears twice
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter H.
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...
HARSH.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by 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.
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 September 13s 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 September 13 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: That special water MJ gave the Looney Tunes
Green: Palindromes
Blue: Items in the famous beanstalk story
Purple: Types of cares
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Vitality
Green: Palindromes Featuring "E"
Blue: Featured in Jack and the Beanstalk
Purple: Car Models
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 #460 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayVitality: ENERGY, JUICE, LIFE, ZIP
Palindromes Featuring "E": LEVEL, PEP, REFER, TENET
Featured in Jack and the Beanstalk: BEANS, COW, GIANT, JACK
Car Models: BEETLE, CIVIC, FOCUS, VOLT
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.
Ten years ago, a simple mobile game called Flappy Bird took the world by storm. The game became a massive hit in early 2014 on both iOS and Android, and quickly brought its creator, Vietnam-based Dong Nguyen, fame and fortune. Flappy Bird at one point was reportedly bringing in tens of thousands of dollars in ad revenue per day.
By February 2014, however, Nguyen had completely removed the game from all mobile app stores. Others have attempted to clone the game over the years, but were never able to replicate the success of the original.
SEE ALSO: Kim Kardashian's once-popular mobile game to close in AprilNow, more than ten years later, a group called the Flappy Bird Foundation is re-launching the game. The group, which describes itself as "a new team of passionate fans," has the trademark to Flappy Bird – although it appears it wasn't obtained from Nguyen. The creator of a game that many believe inspired Flappy Bird is also backing the project.
One thing the Flappy Bird Foundation doesn't have, however, is Nguyen.
The new Flappy Bird gameThe Flappy Bird Foundation released a trailer on Thursday showcasing what fans can expect from the new game.
Tweet may have been deletedIt is called Flappy Bird. The original yellow bird character is back. Players still tap on the screen to flap their wings and move up and down to avoid hitting pipes.
However, there's much more to the new Flappy Bird now too according to the game's new website.
There are additional playable characters as well as different levels. The trailer shows a world map which suggests there will be a storyline mode. There's also other gameplay modes which involve guiding your Flappy Bird character through basketball hoops. It appears there will be an online mode called Flappy Bird Rivals too where players can take on 99 other competitors.
The new Flappy Bird is set to release in October on the web and other platforms with dedicated iOS and Android apps coming in 2025.
The return of Flappy Bird? Sort of.Flappy Bird's "return" is odd as its creator Dong Nguyen is not involved. In fact, Nguyen apparently has nothing to do with Flappy Bird's comeback whatsoever, and reportedly didn't sell the rights to it.
Nguyen said he was unhappy with the attention Flappy Bird brought, and has previously said that he did not want Flappy Bird to exist at all.
"Flappy Bird was designed to play in a few minutes when you are relaxed," Nguyen told Forbes in an interview in February 2014 shortly after taking the game off of the app stores. "But it happened to become an addictive product. I think it has become a problem. To solve that problem, it's best to take down Flappy Bird. It's gone forever."
So, how is the Flappy Bird Foundation reviving the game?
In its post announcing "I AM BACK!!" the Flappy Bird account on X shared that "the decade-long mission" to revive the game "involved acquiring legal rights and even working with my predecessor to uncage me and re-hatch the official Flappy Bird® game!"
But the Flappy Bird Foundation acquired the rights from Gametech Holdings LLC., not Nguyen. According to court documents, Gametech Holdings LLC acquired the Flappy Bird rights by filing to take over the abandoned trademark rights from Nguyen. As Inverse points out, Gametech Holdings LLC used Nguyen's own public statements about abandoning Flappy Bird in order to successfully take over the trademark in September 2023.
While Nguyen's lack of involvement in every step here may leave a bad taste in some fans' mouths, the Flappy Bird Foundation does have a member with ties to the original Flappy Bird.
RedditThe apparently anonymous creator of the game Piou Piou vs. Cactus is reportedly part of The Flappy Bird Foundation. Back when Nguyen found success with Flappy Bird, he was criticized for allegedly "borrowing" elements of Piou Piou vs. Cactus, such as the design of the infamous yellow Flappy Bird character. Some have even speculated that Nguyen really shut down Flappy Bird in order to avoid legal issues with the creator of Piou Piou vs. Cactus.
So, Flappy Bird is back, albeit with a murky new backstory. Will The Flappy Bird Foundation pull off the comeback? It's possible. However, there are already critics of the new game based on what appears to be a new addition to Flappy Bird: The dreaded micro-transaction.
We'll have to wait and see when it comes out.
OpenAI's advanced reasoning model has arrived.
SEE ALSO: OpenAI clarifies: No, "GPT Next" isn't a new model.Initially dubbed "Project Strawberry," the model was released to the public as "o1" on Thursday. As expected, o1 is able to "think" (process) before answering a prompt, which differs from previous large language models that use predictive text to form their responses. "We've developed a new series of AI models designed to spend more time thinking before they respond," said OpenAI in the announcement.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedIn a demo shared on the OpenAI site, the video shows a user asking o1 in ChatGPT to "write a grammatictlly [sic] correct sentence without using any letters more than once." The model then uses its new reasoning skills to weigh options and evaluate the sentence. According to the demo, after 39 seconds, o1's cheeky response to the query is "go fix my bed."
Another video features Research Lead Jerry Tworek asking o1 to solve a logic puzzle about the ages of a prince and princess. The model is shown decoding the problem, by understanding the different variables and determining which equations are needed to solve the problem, and goes step by step answering the age equation.
As demonstrated from the demos, o1 works best for solving complex math problems in the realm of science, physics, and coding. "o1 can be used by healthcare researchers to annotate cell sequencing data, by physicists to generate complicated mathematical formulas needed for quantum optics, and by developers in all fields to build and execute multi-step workflows," said the announcement.
That also means the o1 preview comes with certain limitations. It can't browse the web or take in uploaded files and images. For tasks like those, OpenAI says, GPT-4o is still the best model to use.
In a section about safety, OpenAI said the U.S. and UK Safety Institutes were granted early access to testing o1, per the previous mandates from President Biden's AI executive order.
OpenAI's o1 model is available through the developer AI and ChatGPT Plus users in preview. When you go to the ChatGPT app, you can select o1 in the dropdown menu.
Apple's newly announced hearing aid capability is officially the first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid software to be approved by the FDA. And it should be available on devices soon.
The federal agency formally ushered in the tech giant's new "Hearing Aid Feature" (or HAF, as the agency refers to it) mere days after the company's keynote "Glowtime" event, which unveiled a series of new health features. The HAF allows AirPods Pro users to conduct a personalized Hearing Test on their device, which is then used to customize audio settings in the hearing assistance software, effectively turning the in-ears into a form of hearing aid.
SEE ALSO: This state is allowing AI to help rule on its unemployment claimsApple announced the Hearing Aid mode on Sept. 10, noting the company anticipated federal approval to come "soon," but the FDA moved quicker than expected.
"Today’s marketing authorization of an over-the-counter hearing aid software on a widely used consumer audio product is another step that advances the availability, accessibility and acceptability of hearing support for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss," wrote Michelle Tarver, FDA director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
The FDA's approval also provided more information on the feature's clinical testing. Apple's HAF was evaluated in a study featuring "118 subjects with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, at multiple U.S. sites," the FDA explained. "The results demonstrated that subjects who used the HAF self-fitting strategy achieved similar perceived benefit as subjects who received professional fitting of the same device. Results also showed comparable performance for tests measuring levels of amplification in the ear canal, as well as a measure of speech understanding in noise. No adverse events related to the device were observed in this study."
SEE ALSO: I demoed the new AirPods Pro 2 hearing test — and here's how it wentThe feature's consumer approval bolsters the agency's recent new OTC hearing aid regulations in 2022, which allowed consumers with "perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment" to purchase hearing aids without first obtaining a medical exam, prescription, or audiologist approval.
Hearing Aid capabilities will be available for compatible AirPods Pro devices in a future software update.
Given the presidential debate this week, you probably heard plenty of misinformation and conspiracy theories.
Indeed, reporters and fact checkers were working overtime to specifically determine whether Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating domestic pets, as grotesquely alleged by Republican presidential contender Donald Trump, and his vice presidential running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance. Neither has produced evidence proving their claim, and local officials say it's untrue. Still, the false allegation is all over the internet.
Experts have long worried about how rapidly conspiracy theories can spread, and some research suggests that people can't be persuaded by facts that contradict those beliefs.
But a new study published today in Science offers hope that many people can and will abandon conspiracy theories under the right circumstances.
SEE ALSO: Jon Stewart breaks down the biggest Harris-Trump debate moments in live monologueIn this case, researchers tested whether conversations with a chatbot powered by generative artificial intelligence could successfully engage with people who believed popular conspiracy theories, like that the Sept. 11 attacks were orchestrated by the American government and that the COVID-19 virus was a man-made attempt by "global elites" to "control the masses."
The study's 2,190 participants had tailored back-and-forth conversations about a single conspiracy theory of their choice with OpenAI's GPT-4 Turbo. The model had been trained on a large amount of data from the internet and licensed sources.
After the participants' discussions, the researchers found a 20 percent reduction in conspiracy belief. Put another way, a quarter of participants had stopped adhering to the conspiracy theory they'd discussed. That decrease persisted two months after their interaction with the chatbot.
David Rand, a co-author of the study, said the findings indicate people's minds can be changed with facts, despite pessimism about that prospect.
"Facts and evidence do matter to a substantial degree to a lot of people." - David Rand, MIT professor"Evidence isn't dead," Rand told Mashable. "Facts and evidence do matter to a substantial degree to a lot of people."
Rand, who is a professor of management science and brain and cognitive sciences at MIT, and his co-authors didn't test whether the study participants were more likely to change their minds after talking to a chatbot versus someone they know in real life, like a best friend or sibling. But they suspect the chatbot's success has to do with how quickly it can marshal accurate facts and evidence in response.
In a sample conversation included in the study, a participant who thinks that the Sept. 11 attacks were staged receives an exhaustive scientific explanation from the chatbot about how the Twin Towers collapsed without the aid of explosive detonations, among other popular related conspiracy claims. At the outset, the participant felt 100 percent confident in the conspiracy theory; by the end, their confidence dropped to 40 percent.
For anyone who's ever tried to discuss a conspiracy theory with someone who believes it, they may have experienced rapid-fire exchanges filled with what Rand described as "weird esoteric facts and links" that are incredibly difficult to disprove. A generative AI chatbot, however, doesn't have that problem, because it can instantaneously respond with fact-based information.
Nor is an AI chatbot hampered by personal relationship dynamics, such as whether a long-running sibling rivalry or dysfunctional friendship shapes how a conspiracy theorist views the person offering counter information. In general, the chatbot was trained to be polite to participants, building a rapport with them by validating their curiosity or confusion.
The researchers also asked participants about their trust in artificial intelligence. They found that the more a participant trusted AI, the more likely they were to suspend their conspiracy theory belief in response to the conversation. But even those skeptical of AI were capable of changing their minds.
Importantly, the researchers hired a professional fact-checker to evaluate the claims made by the chatbot, to ensure it wasn't sharing false information, or making things up. The fact-checker rated nearly all of them as true and none of them as false.
For now, people who are curious about the researchers' work can try it out for themselves by using their DebunkBot, which allows users to test their beliefs against an AI.
Rand and his co-authors imagine a future in which a chatbot might be connected to social media accounts as a way to counter conspiracy theories circulating on a platform. Or people might find a chatbot when they search online for information about viral rumors or hoaxes thanks to keyword ads tied to certain conspiracy search terms.
Rand said the study's success, which he and his co-authors have replicated, offers an example of how AI can be used for good.
Still, he's not naive about the potential for bad actors to use the technology to build a chatbot that confirms certain conspiracy theories. Imagine, for example, a chatbot that's been trained on social media posts that contain false claims.
"It remains to be seen, essentially, how all of this shakes out," Rand said. "If people are mostly using these foundation models from companies that are putting a lot of effort into really trying to make them accurate, we have a reasonable shot at this becoming a tool that's widely useful and trusted."
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