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While we're waiting for the Season 2 finale of "House of the Dragon," why not take a tour through Driftmark with Clinton Liberty?

Apple Intelligence, if it were personified, would be a royal attendant who feeds me grapes and fans me with palm leaves. I've never felt so pampered. Is this what it's like to be catered to? Is this what it's like to be spoiled rotten?

If you've been out of the loop, Apple Intelligence is the Cupertino-based tech giant's new suite of AI features, which were announced at WWDC 2024 in June.

Siri now has an enchanting glow around the display. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Some of the most highly anticipated Apple Intelligence features, like Genmoji (AI-generated emojis) and Image Playground (AI-generated images), are not available yet. However, there are still some Apple Intelligence utilities you can test right now — especially since they've made their first robust debut with the iOS 18.1 developer beta that Apple dropped on Monday.

With my iPhone 15 Pro Max, I tested some Apple Intelligence features, and to be succinct, I appreciate how much it indulges my laziness. Of course, it's not perfect — not yet at least. After all, the iOS 18.1 developer beta is expectedly a bit rough-around-the-edges as Apple collects feedback from testers. (This is why you should always backup your iPhone before installing any iOS beta because it can be risky.)

Overall, though, Apple has something here that will make its "Pro" and "Pro Max" iPhone models even more enticing than ever. (Apple Intelligence is only available on the current-gen "Pro" variants: iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.)

SEE ALSO: 6 Apple Intelligence features you can try right now — and how to turn them on New 'Summarize' tool makes Safari more attractive

Apple basically put a TLDR (too long, didn't read) button in Safari, allowing me to skip ultra-long articles and get to the point. After opening Safari, I can press-and-hold the icon on the left of the URL bar, tap "Summarize," and wham, Apple Intelligence gives me "CliffsNotes," if you will, of any article I don't have time to read. It's perfect for when you want to get to the gist of the story as quickly as possible.

My article on Apple Intelligence being summarized by, er, Apple Intelligence. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

As someone with an attention deficit, I can't help but get a little antsy after stumbling upon a wall of text or a verbose story. Typically, I'd read a few sentences and give up. However, with the "Summarize" tool, I received short-and-sweet synopses on articles that ramble, meander, and seem to go nowhere fast. In fact, at times, I found myself wanting to read a lengthy article in its entirety after the AI-powered summary revealed that the story is juicier than expected.

Check out the Summarize button on the upper-left corner. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

That being said, when it comes to delving into dense articles, why would I use Google Chrome? I'm hopping and skipping over to Safari to take advantage of that new Apple Intelligence-powered Summarize tool.

The only downside, however, is that the Summarize tool tests my patience sometimes. It can be a few seconds too slow for my tastes, but this isn't unique to Apple Intelligence (ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini can be slow pokes, too.) But admittedly, it's worth the wait.

'Writing Tools' feature is surprisingly useful

One of the most popular use cases for AI, whether it's ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Copilot, is "tone tuning" text. For example, you can drop in an email draft and ask those AI tools to help adjust your tone.

I wrote a text to Mashable's video guy Alex Humphries, and Apple Intelligence helped me soften the tone. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, I'll admit that I was one of those people who thought, "Pfft, I don't need an AI chatbot to tell me how to make something sound more professional!" As it turns out, the Apple Intelligence-based tone-adjustment tool, which can be accessed via the new Writing Tools feature, is a lot more helpful than I thought.

You'll be surprised how often you may think you're coming across friendly and congenial in emails and texts, but instead, your messages are being interpreted as prickly. To reduce the risk of this, I found myself using the "friendly" tone-adjustment tool to nix unintended snippiness. The best part is that I was able to use Writing Tools in almost any text field across the iOS 18.1 developer beta. I just highlight the words, hit "Writing Tools," and choose my desired tone.

As a result, I've definitely seen more positive responses from my co-workers, friends, and other loved ones.

No more endless scrolling on the Photos app

I take a lot of pictures and selfies, but no, I don't categorize them nor put them into albums (because, spoiler alert, I'm lazy). I just let them pile up into a haphazard collection of random snapshots. Every now and then, however, I need to find that one picture, which requires me to scroll endlessly to find it.

My library in the Photos app needs help. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Fortunately, with the iOS 18.1 developer beta, I can use natural language to search for a particular picture in the Photos app. For example, I typed the word "pancakes" to find a saved screenshot of my favorite IHOP order.

This natural search feature can also detect text on the photo, which is helpful, too. However, the natural language-based search function isn't sophisticated yet. For example, while I can get away with typing something like "laptop" and "food" (and it will find photos that match those terms), it's not advanced enough to grasp more complex searches like, "Woman wearing a red shirt."

The natural language search feature was able to find that one laptop photo I took in 2021. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Again, this beta version of iOS 18 is early days, so the search function's complexity may get a boost when iOS 18 officially drops later this year.

Siri is more helpful than ever

Siri received an AI-powered boost with Apple Intelligence, but my favorite perk is its contextual awareness. For example, if I am perusing through a webpage on Safari, I can say something like, "Hey Siri, send this article to Jason."

Siri lets me send links to articles I'm currently reading without lifting a finger. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Siri is aware of which article I'm looking at, so it can snatch the URL and send it to my fiancé without needing to lift a single finger. (I'm telling you — I've been spoiled rotten.)

Is Apple Intelligence worth it?

As hinted at the outset, Apple Intelligence nurtures my laziness — and I dig that. I don't always want to suffer through several paragraphs to get to the author's point. I don't want to spend too much time hemming and hawing over how to best respond to someone. And finally, I don't want to scroll endlessly through my cluttered gallery to find a specific photo — it's like finding a needle in a haystack.

Apple Intelligence addresses all of those concerns. I was initially skeptical of Apple's new suite of AI features, but as it turns out, Apple Intelligence is useful, and yes, totally worth it.

Apple Intelligence is expected to officially roll out with iOS 18 later this year (but keep in mind that reports claim that some features may be delayed).

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max $0.01 at Amazon
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TL;DR: For a limited time only, this 1TB Polar Wolf Aluminum Ultra Portable External SSD is on sale for just $84.99 (reg. $139), a 39% discount.

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In an age where data security and accessibility are essential, you need a reliable digital storage solution that won't slow you down. To keep your files safe and accessible, the Polar Wolf Aluminum external hard drive is now available for just $84.99 (reg. $139). It provides a legit alternative for those who prefer to back up their important files locally rather than relying on cloud storage.

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Storing your data on the Polar Wolf SSD means you have a secure physical home for your most important files. Unlike cloud storage, which can be vulnerable to breaches and requires an internet connection, the Polar Wolf SSD keeps your data safely within reach at all times. This is particularly beneficial for anyone who travels for work or frequently uses sensitive information or large files that need to be accessed quickly.

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This external hard drive is compatible with both Windows and macOS. It works with nearly all USB-A and USB-C devices, providing flexibility and access regardless of your operating system.

With 1TB of storage capacity, the Polar Wolf has ample space to store all your important files, including documents, photos, videos, and more. For reference, 1TB of space can typically hold 250,000 photos. And if that sounds like overkill, you can also buy the 256GB Polar Wolf External SSD for just $43.99.

Don't miss the 1TB Polar Wolf Aluminum Ultra Portable External SSD on sale for just $84.99 (reg. $139).

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Can a great horror movie be Frankensteined together from a laundry list of iconic ones? That's what I'm left pondering after watching Shelby Oaks, the promising and oft unnerving but also somewhat scattered first feature from popular YouTube movie reviewer Chris Stuckmann.

The movie starts out convincing you it's one thing, but reveals itself in quick succession to be a very different beast altogether. From The Blair Witch Project to Martyrs to Barbarian and several beyond that, Shelby Oaks doesn't just wear its many genre influences on its sleeves — it wears them on its chest and back and shoulders. It's a coat of many horror movies, made of cuts deep and broad. And, to ever so slightly belabor the metaphor, some of the coat fits just right, while as much of it could use some more refined tailoring. 

Still, as far as Kickstarter-funded first features go, Shelby Oaks is a big, bold swing — albeit one produced by horror honcho Mike Flanagan, the man behind a swath of Netflix horror miniseries like The Haunting of Hill House and The Fall of the House of Usher. It's twisty as hell, bears some ace performances, and truly gifts audiences with some very sticky and very spooky images. Most of all, it marks the emergence of a horror filmmaker worth keeping an eye on. 

Shelby Oaks blends The Blair Witch Project with Lake Mungo — and that's just the start.

"Who took Riley Brennan?" is the question at the heart of Shelby Oaks. The film opens with the last known bit of footage of Riley Brennan (Sarah Durn), YouTuber/ghost hunter, before she went missing in the titular town. In the scene, she sits on a bed in a cabin in the middle of the woods. She's seen sobbing, absolutely terrified, saying into the camera, "I'm so scared."

It's an inch-long leap from Riley's tearful lament to Heather Donahue's legendarily snotty apologia in The Blair Witch Project, the one that poetically stated, "I'm scared to close my eyes, and I'm scared to open them."

Writer-director Stuckmann anticipates his horror-loving audience will make this connection. But then he does something really interesting, pivoting from the found-footage conceit to a true-crime documentary framework. Leaping to a decade or so after Riley's disappearance, it turns out that Riley's older sister, Mia (Camille Sullivan), has spent the intervening years fruitlessly searching for the truth of what happened in the woods of Shelby Oaks that night. And she's now starring in a true-crime documentary in an effort to reignite interest in the case of her missing sister.  

For horror fanatics, this turn might well recall Lake Mungo. Told via talking-head interviews with the family of the missing blonde girl at its center, the 2008 Australian horror film unfurls its paranormal revelations piecemeal through conversations and scattered bits of phone video. Lake Mungo is admittedly a deeper cut than The Blair Witch Project, but no sooner does Shelby Oaks settle into this faux-documentary conceit than Stuckmann pivots again to a straightforward narrative film. Well, it's as straightforward as the twisty likes of Hereditary or Barbarian.

SEE ALSO: As a prelude to Halloween, I spent an afternoon with Hunt a Killer: Horror — Blair Witch

Essentially, Shelby Oaks maintains its cast, but ditches the documentary framework altogether, showing us what is "really" happening — but through artifice, forcing us to question what is real. The camerawork becomes stylized, with special effects and slow motion and close-ups; an aggressive and manipulative score takes over. The film will shift from these narrative scenes to the documentary setup to found footage and back again, maximizing this sense of narrative disquiet.  

These structural sleights of hands, like all good and proper rug-pullings, are where Shelby Oaks works its greatest magic. Playing on the expectations of horror diehards, Stuckmann manages to keep us on our toes, even discombobulated. We find ourselves switching between missing-person found footage to the cult horror of Hereditary with the twists and turns (and hidden underground caverns) of Martyrs and Barbarian, and then right back to a talking-head true-crime doc on a dime. This all builds up its own sort of disassociation within the experience of watching it. 

Shelby Oaks is a hodgepodge of horror, from found footage to Satanic panic.

Despite these daring shifts, Shelby Oaks begins to feel more like the parts of its sum and not vice versa. Stuckmann is motioning toward all of these other movies to unmoor us, but those references often distract from the actual plot and, in turn, undermine our investment in it. For instance, the casting of Brendan Sexton III as Mia's husband proves distracting, even though he's terrific. An actor who's been killing it since Todd Solondz's 1995 hit, Welcome to the Dollhouse, Sexton turns in yet another lovely, sad piece of work here. But you set him against multiple scenes that take place inside of a haunted prison, and now all I'm thinking about is Session 9, Brad Anderson's fantastically creepy 2001 haunted prison movie, where Sexton made a mark as one of the asbestos cleaners who found himself on the wrong end of some rusty psychiatric equipment.

To what end is this? At what point do these Easter eggs overwhelm? All these allusions ultimately get in the way of Shelby Oaks standing on its own and becoming truly, deeply scary. Stuckmann seems very aware of the exact moment when his scares are supposed to land, often to the point of self-consciousness. You could set a timer to when the thing you're supposed to be dreading will appear, and the dreaded thing will stick that mark every time. There are moments when a zag would've kicked the ass of a zig, but Stuckmann keeps on zigging, playing right into horror connoisseur expectations. There is real, earned tension, but the film keeps deflating itself despite the fun of its reality-shifting and the many excellent go-for-broke performances therein. 

Camille Sullivan leads a cast that fights valiantly for Shelby Oaks. 

An actor who's been nipping at the edges of recognition for two decades, appearing in TV shows from Dark Angel to The Man in the High Castle, Camille Sullivan has long proven a reliable performer. And here at last she is given the spotlight to make the most of it. 

Even when Mia starts doing incredibly stupid things that put her right in harm's way, Sullivan is genuinely devastating. She sells the hell out of bad choices, making it clear that Mia's a person who would go to any lengths to uncover what happened to her beloved sister. (And as long as we're talking references, besides this being the lead's arc in that French Extremity classic Martyrs, it's straight out of the terrifying 1988 Dutch thriller The Vanishing, too.) 

Sullivan nails big action moments, like emotional blowups and freak-outs in which her palpable fright is legitimately difficult to look at. But even the small moments give her opportunities to send shivers. Just watch the way the flashlight trembles in her hand as she investigates that haunted prison, a subtle shift in body language that communicates a bone-deep terror. It's those touches that carry the audience alongside Mia the entire way. 

Sarah Durn is also haunting as missing girl Riley, who has to sell her undoing while staring off into space during the "naturalistic" found-footage portions of this movie. These are scenes we keep coming back to to see more of as, natch, more footage gets found, and her haunted presence diffuses into every corner of the film. As we know from decades of subpar found-footage movies, it's not easy, this high-wire balancing act of giving a relaxed and unprofessional-seeming performance under those constraints. Loads have failed spectacularly. But Durn makes us understand why her sister won't let her go even as everyone else has long given up. She makes Riley our ghost, too.

The whole ensemble expertly submerges into the multiple realities of this story. Even if Stuckmann needs to get a little bit out of his own way in some other areas, he proves to be terrific with his performers. Sullivan and Sexton share some very moving moments together as they watch their marriage crumble in the face of tragedy. Michael Beach wears a bone-deep exhaustion in his performance as the main detective on the case, giving a lived-in sense of resignation at the system's endless failures. And Keith David (the deep-voiced legend from The Thing and They Live, among many) shows up to Keith David it out of the park, playing the former warden of that haunted prison who has seen some shit and who, in typical fashion, is going to colorfully monologue to you all about it. 

But best of all is the great and notoriously underused Robin Bartlett. One of those stalwart character actors with decades of stealing scenes under their belts (she's been doing it since Heaven's Gate in 1980, but I always first think of her hilarious scenes around the dinner table in Inside Llewyn Davis whenever I see her), Bartlett shows up and gives the movie a last-act goose that takes it over the edge into true unhinged horror-movie delight. More I cannot and will not spoil, except to say that yes, this is how you give Robin Bartlett her due. She ends up stealing — and in so doing, making — the entire movie.

Playing like a post-post-modern pastiche, an ouroboros of antecedents, and sometimes just a wicked walk through a nightmare wasteland, Shelby Oaks has enough gas in its tank for 10 movies. That it sometimes feels like 10 movies we've seen before is both part of its weird ballsy charm and its scrappy undoing. In the end, Shelby Oaks is a battle between Stuckmann's many, many inspirations. But the gripping performances and big swings in style make for a movie worth its runtime. Despite its faults, the directorial debut should prove a hell of a calling card for Chris Stuckmann as a new voice in horror. I can't wait to see what he delivers to us next.

Shelby Oaks was reviewed out of the Fantasia International Film Festival.

TL;DR: Update your computer with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for $39.97 or Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac for $89.99 (reg. $219.99).

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For cost-conscious small business owners, college students, freelancers, and other professionals, popular Microsoft Office tools like Word and Excel are essential — and expensive. That's why finding a budget-friendly, reliable productivity solution is crucial. For a limited time, Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows and Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac are both on sale, and they offer a terrific alternative to the ongoing subscription model of Microsoft 365.

So, if you can make do with a slightly older version of this productivity suite (and for most people, that's very doable), you can get a lifetime pass for up to 81% off. With your one-time purchase, once you have Microsoft Office set up on your laptop or desktop, the license never expires.

One of the most appealing aspects of Microsoft Office 2021 is the substantial cost savings. With Microsoft 365, you face recurring subscription fees that can add up over time. In contrast, purchasing a lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2021 means a one-time expense. This single payment gives you permanent access to essential productivity tools.

A lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2021 offers the benefit of a fixed, upfront cost and helps you avoid potential price increases (not to mention annoying subscription renewal fees).

Both the Windows and Mac versions include the most popular tools in the Microsoft Office suite. This includes Word to create and edit pro-level documents, Excel for managing and analyzing data, PowerPoint to design presentations to impress clients and colleagues, and Outlook to organize emails, schedules, and contacts in one place. 

You'll also get OneNote for streamlined note organizing and managing, as well as Teams. The Windows version even includes Publisher so you can produce professional-quality publications and marketing materials and Access for database management.

For a limited time, grab one of these lifetime licenses at a reduced price:

• Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for $39.97 (reg. $219.99) — 81% off

• Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac for $89.99 (reg. $219.99) — 59% off

The MS Windows version requires Windows 10 or 11, while the Mac version is compatible with macOS 12 and up. Your MS Office license will cover one Windows or Mac device for life (its life, not yours, of course).

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TL;DR: Optimize your Mac with a MacPilot lifetime license for just $29.97 (reg. $99), a 69% time-limited discount.

Mac users often appreciate the sleek design and intuitive functionality of their devices, but what if you could take your Mac experience to the next level? With a MacPilot Lifetime License, you can unlock more than 1,200 features to tweak and optimize your Mac, all for just $29.97 (regularly $99).

Whether you want to customize your interface or enhance performance, MacPilot provides the tools to make it happen. You'll have access to a wealth of hidden features that are typically reserved for advanced users.

You can toggle animations, show the Quit menu, display the file path in the window title bar, and even use your screensaver as the desktop background. These features allow you to personalize your Mac in ways you never thought possible.

With MacPilot, you can access a system profile that outlines advanced system information. You'll even be able to run common maintenance scripts to optimize and repair your system. This includes cron, launch services, and prebinding.

One of the more popular capabilities of MacPilot gives you the ability to customize your dock. You can add spacers to organize your apps better, create smart stacks and menus for quick access, and adjust the dock's appearance to suit your style. This level of customization can help streamline your workflow and keep your desktop tidy.

MacPilot isn't just about aesthetics; it also helps optimize your Mac’s performance. You can manage system settings that improve speed and efficiency, perform maintenance tasks, and troubleshoot common issues.

This lifetime license provides a unique opportunity to delve deeper into your Mac’s potential.

Optimize your Mac with a MacPilot lifetime license for just $29.97 (reg. $99), on sale for a limited time.

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TL;DR: This grade-A refurbished Apple MacBook Pro with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage is on sale for $329.99 (reg. $799).

Most people need a reliable laptop for work, school, or getting things done in their personal lives. However, finding a trustworthy and high-performing laptop that fits your budget can often be challenging. This refurbished Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" offers a compelling solution. 

It comes from 2016 and has a grade A refurbished rating, which means it should arrive in near-mint condition with minimal to no cosmetic scuffing. This also makes the price easier on the budget at just $329.99 (reg. $799). 

The MacBook Pro is an excellent choice for professionals who need a portable yet powerful machine, whether commuting, traveling for work, or moving between meetings. The Touch Bar adds a layer of convenience by offering quick access to tools and shortcuts that can streamline your workflow. It's located just above the keyboard and offers different shortcuts depending on what program you're in.

If you’re into more creative endeavors, the MacBook Pro’s Retina display with True Tone technology supports the DCI-P3 color spectrum. Its 2.9GHz Intel Core i5 processor can easily handle most creative software, and the 8GB of RAM allows for smooth multitasking while you work on multiple projects without significant lag.

Students can appreciate the MacBook Pro’s performance and portability. It’s ideal for taking notes in class, conducting research, and completing assignments. The 256GB SSD provides ample storage for documents, presentations, and media files. 

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While it may not be suitable for high-end gaming or heavy-duty video editing, it does offer a robust set of features that cater to a wide array of everyday needs.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" MLH12LL/A (Touch Bar & Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) 2.9GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD - Space Gray (Refurbished) Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" MLH12LL/A (Touch Bar & Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) 2.9GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD - Space Gray (Refurbished) Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" MLH12LL/A (Touch Bar & Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) 2.9GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD - Space Gray (Refurbished) Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" MLH12LL/A (Touch Bar & Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) 2.9GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD - Space Gray (Refurbished) $329.99 at The Mashable Shop
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A space reconnaissance mission has returned unprecedented imagery of a metal hunk zooming around Earth.

The discarded three-ton rocket, a robust piece of space junk some 36 feet (11 meters) long, is the type of problematic debris agencies seek to remove from our planet's orbit. A future collision could spawn thousands more objects, posing threats to satellites and potentially the International Space Station. The Japanese satellite technology company Astroscale plans to remove this spent rocket stage, but is first gathering more information on the rocket's condition and motion.

Astroscale used its ADRAS-J spacecraft to carefully approach the metallic debris, coming within some 164 feet (50 meters) and capturing the detailed footage below.

"Hey space debris, we're watching you from every angle!" the company posted online. "ADRAS-J has completed not one, but TWO fly-arounds of the upper stage, confirming the planned capture point has no major damage. This milestone sets the stage for future removal and a sustainable space environment!"

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

Operating in such close orbital proximity to another object is daunting. Many objects in Earth's lower orbit travel at some 7 to 8 kilometers per second (15,660 to 17,895 mph). The company first attempted a fly-around in June, but an anomaly prompted the satellite to abort. "ADRAS-J safely maneuvered away from the upper stage as designed, demonstrating the effectiveness of its on-board collision avoidance system in safely approaching a non-cooperative object," Astroscale said in a statement.

But as the imagery below shows, the next flybys on July 15 and 16 were successful.

Views of the large rocket debris orbiting Earth. Credit: Astroscale Tweet may have been deleted

The greater space debris removal mission is part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA, which is Japan's NASA counterpart) "Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration" project, which seeks a proven way to remove problematic space junk from Earth's orbit.

"We selected this target because it is a large piece of space debris and there are many similarly shaped (cylindrical) pieces on the [space debris] list," Yamamoto Toru, who leads Japan's commercial removal mission, said in a statement. "If we are successful, we expect to be able to apply these techniques to the removal of similarly shaped space debris."

With the reconnaissance now complete, Astroscale will next attempt to capture the debris (using a spacecraft currently under construction) with a robotic arm, and bring the rocket stage down to a lower orbit. Eventually, it will largely burn up in Earth's atmosphere. In the future, the hope among spacefaring nations and commercial space interests is to keep low Earth orbit (LEO) largely clear of threatening space debris — especially inert craft that can't maneuver on their own.

"LEO is an orbital space junk yard," NASA explains. "There are millions of pieces of space junk flying in LEO. Most orbital debris comprises human-generated objects, such as pieces of spacecraft, tiny flecks of paint from a spacecraft, parts of rockets, satellites that are no longer working, or explosions of objects in orbit flying around in space at high speeds."

Netflix has invested big in true crime. The streaming service not only boasts such popular documentaries as Making a Murderer, The Keepers, and Amanda Knox, but also gripping drama series based on real crimes, like The Watcher, When They See Us, and Mindhunter. So, it seemed a natural fit for Netflix to resurrect Unsolved Mysteries in 2020, even if it meant a radical reimagining. 

While the series continues to cover everything from suspicious deaths to missing persons cases to paranormal activity, the rebooted Unsolved Mysteries ditched the anthology format. Instead of a series of segments about various mysteries, each episode focuses on one case. Gone too is the ominous yet resolute voiceover of the late Robert Stack, and it is sorely missed. Rewatching the episodes of the classic series, you can see how even the grimmest cases offered a moment of hope. As the segment concluded, you'd hold your breath waiting for Stack's husky timber to say firmly: "Update." Then, a racing synth score would play, laying out how the case has moved forward or even been solved.

With Stack having passed over 20 years ago, this wouldn't be the case even if Netflix's version solved the mysteries. (While Netflix's relaunch has led to some updates, they are typically announced over social media.) Still, never have I yearned for Stack's gruff but urgent "Update" more than at the conclusion of Unsolved Mysteries Volume 4, episode 2, "Body in the Basement." 

Before you dive into Netflix's latest offering of true crime tales, take this as a warning: Do not watch this alone. 

In "Body in the Basement," Unsolved Mysteries explores the case of Amanda Antoni's suspicious death.  Amanda Antoni poses outside a van. Credit: Netflix

Volume 1 began with this unsettling subset of Unsolved Mysteries, focusing on the bizarre demise of Rey Rivera, a beloved husband who raced out the door in flip-flops never to come home. He'd be found days later, fallen through the broken roof of a historic high-rise hotel. But the police's insistence that it was suicide didn't satisfy family and friends who pointed to various clues that just didn't add up. Did he fall or was he pushed? A similar and similarly troubling question arises in the fourth, and latest, volume of the series, with "Body in the Basement."

Directed by Gabe Torres, the second episode of Volume 4 begins like many a true-crime documentary, with the playing of a frantic 911 call. "There's so much blood." weeps the caller, Lee Antoni, who is detailing the scene he came home to after a weekend away from his wife, Amanda. Interviews with her brothers will set up who she was through warm memories and family photos. Then, they begin to paint a picture of Lee.

Lee Antoni and Amanda Antoni smile for the camera in a family photo shown on "Unsolved Mysteries" Volume 4. Credit: Netflix

As her spouse, he's naturally the police's first suspect after she's found dead in the basement of their house. But swiftly, the police and this episode move on from Lee as a suspect and instead regard him as a resource, as it seems he was on the phone with her when disaster struck. What made their pet Labrador, Ruby, bark in apparent alarm? Why did Amanda's call get abruptly cut off?

Was it a break-in? A murder? An accident? These are the possibilities that still haunt Amanda's loved ones. What forensics offer is that Amanda's head was cut open, causing her to bleed profusely and fatally as, over hours, she walked around the basement but didn't leave to seek aid. Her bare footsteps in the blood tell us this much. But how did her head come to be cut? Why didn't she leave the basement? And why — over the day and half that she was in the basement before discovery — did neither her dog or cat come down, disturbing the blood with their paw prints? 

As a detective stands at the base of the stairs where Amanda's blood footprints stopped, the audience is left to wonder about these questions with no promise of resolution. Worse yet, we're left to wonder what to even root for, as all possibilities are bone-chilling. 

I beg you: Do not watch this Unsolved Mysteries episode alone.  A dog sits at the top of the basement stairs. Credit: Netflix

I watch a lot of true crime, both for work and because I can't stop. "Body in the Basement" was the episode I turned on before my work day began. But it stopped me cold. I was unfit for morning chitchat. Coffee couldn't shake the shivers from my legs. Even now, thinking back on Amanda's story, my eyes sting, threatening tears, and my legs are covered in goosebumps. This episode didn't show footage of her remains at the scene. But it did show the blood, so much blood, that surrounded where her body laid before being removed by police. Worse still, it showed those footprints that sketch a story we cannot (yet?) understand. 

I can't wrench loose the vivid image in my head of Amanda walking around her basement, bleeding, her loyal Labrador just up the stairs with no door to separate them, yet keeping her distance. What were those hours like for Amanda? And do I really want to know? All the speculation I can offer is fueled by fear, and none of it gives me solace. 

Amanda Antoni Credit: Netflix

Volume 4 delves into five new mysteries, among them a summary of the crimes of Jack the Ripper; the cold case of Sigrid Stevenson, who was murdered on the college stage on which she loved to perform; the curious incident of an embalmed head being found in Pennsylvania; and a look into the American cryptid most beloved by internet culture, the Mothman.

These stories are in turn shocking, sad, and maybe even at times outrageous. (The expert who points to the blue heron as a possible cause for Mothman hysteria is pretty amusing in his barely restrained cynicism about the cryptid's existence.) Yet nothing hits as hard as the mystery of Amanda Antoni. It's been days since I first learned her story, saw her home, heard her brothers' praise and saw her husband's tears. And I wish I had something profound to say about her or their loss. I wish I had something to offer beyond a warning. 

Some true crime stories serve as cautionary tales. Some sing of justice, however long delayed. Some warn of the fatal flaws in our society. Some will break your heart to pieces. And some scar your psyche, cutting deep to the very root of fear and existential dread. "Body in the Basement" is the last two.

So brace yourself before hitting play. If you dare at all. 

Unsolved Mysteries Volume 4 premieres on Netflix Aug. 31.

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: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 31 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 31

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, July 31, 2024:

AcrossKeyboard key near the top left

• The answer is tab.

Hot couple, in a celebrity gossip column

• The answer is item.

Wild, as an animal

• The answer is feral.

Like many four-legged friends

• The answer is furry.

Keyboard key on the bottom

• The answer is space.

DownLittle spats

• The answer is tiffs.

Thoroughly devoured

• The answer is ateup.

Yogi who said "Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours"

• The answer is Berra.

Comedian Maron

• The answer is Marc.

Caustic chemical compound

• The answer is lye.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 31 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 31

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.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Staying power

The hint for the theme is that these words are binding

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are different types of sticky materials.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is StickyStuff.

NYT Strands word list for July 31

• Glue

• Epoxy

• Adhesive

• StickyStuff

• Bubblegum

• Tape

• Caramel

Looking for other daily online games? Find one you might like – or hints for another game you're already playing – on Mashable's Games page.

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TL;DR: Live stream USA vs. South Sudan at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Team USA are expected to win basketball gold at Paris 2024, which is a lot of weight on the shoulders of those players. But we're talking about the likes of Lebron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry here, so they're not exactly new to pressure.

Next up for team USA is South Sudan. These sides met recently in a warm-up fixture that almost ended in a stunning win for South Sudan. Could they secure a shocking win this time around, or will USA show their class?

If you want to watch USA vs. South Sudan at Paris 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is USA vs. South Sudan at Paris 2024?

USA vs. South Sudan at Paris 2024 takes place at 3 p.m. ET on July 31.

How to watch USA vs. South Sudan at Paris 2024 for free

USA vs. South Sudan at Paris 2024 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These are tools that hide your real IP address and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock free streaming sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream USA vs. South Sudan at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it gives you time to stream USA vs. South Sudan (plus the rest of Paris 2024) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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.

Live stream USA vs. South Sudan at Paris 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the women's 200m final at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

If you're looking to watch athletes run at seriously impressive speeds during Paris 2024, the women's 200m final promises to have excitement and drama in abundance.

The gold medallist from Tokyo 2020, Jamaican runner Elaine Thompson-Herah, is out injured, which means we're guaranteed to get a new champion. Fellow Jamaican runner Shericka Jackson is the favorite, having run the second fastest time ever in the 200m last year. But it's not a foregone conclusion. Jackson could find strong competition from U.S. runner Gabby Thomas and Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith.

If you want to watch the women's 200m final at Paris 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is the women's 200m final at Paris 2024?

The women's 200m final at Paris 2024 takes place at 3:40 p.m. ET on Aug. 6. The event is hosted by the Stade de France.

How to watch the women's 200m final at Paris 2024 for free

The women's 200m final at Paris 2024 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but you can access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world by signing up to a VPN. A VPN can disguise your real IP address (digital location) while connecting you to a secure server in the UK, which will help you unblock free streaming platforms such as BBC iPlayer no matter where you're based around the globe.

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream the women's 200m final at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. Take advantage of these offers to unblock BBC iPlayer, and without parting with any cash in the long-run. This will give you time to stream the women's 200m final at Paris 2024 (plus all the events that follow) before recovering any investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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. That's an impressive 49% off for a limited time. For that price you'll also get a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the women's 200m final at Paris 2024 for free 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 July 31's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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.

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

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 July 26 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Pasta.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter N appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

PENNE.

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 Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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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 July 31's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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 deleted

Each 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 deleted

Players 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 July 29 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Throaty

• Green: Pointy appendages

• Blue: Varieties of traditional beer

• Purple: French things

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Rapsy

• Green: Fingers

• Blue: Ale Styles

• Purple: French___

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 #416 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Raspy: GRUFF, HOARSE, HUSKY, ROUGH

• Fingers: LITTLE, MIDDLE, POINTER, RING

• Ale Styles: AMBER, PORTER, SOUR, STOUT

• French___: BULLDOG, FRY, HORN, KISS

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

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Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Some social media influencers on Facebook and Instagram are now dealing with a growing new problem on Meta-owned platforms: Extortion.

According to a new report from Bloomberg, scammers are now issuing copyright takedowns on Facebook and Instagram content that they do not own — and they're doing it with Meta's own rights management tool that is meant to help protect creators' work.

Malicious actors are seeking to coerce influencers out of thousands of dollars, sometimes demanding recurring payments, to prevent future illegitimate takedowns from occurring.

SEE ALSO: Crypto scam victims are being scammed double by fake law firms, FBI warns Extorting influencers with Meta's own tools

The new report from Bloomberg focuses on social media influencers in the Middle East who are finding that their content is being taken down through Meta's rights management tool over nonexistent copyright issues. When these content creators reached out to the contact that issued the takedown through Meta's system, the scammer behind the copyright strike admitted that there was no actual copyright issue — and then attempted to extort them.

This fraudulent practice seems to be growing on social media platforms, so scammers are likely finding success in their fake copyright scheme. 

One influencer from Iraq shared that the scammer offered to restore the content that they took down for $3,000. Furthermore, the scammer offered to stop issuing fraudulent takedown requests on his content for a recurring payment of $1,000 per month or an upfront payment of $7,000 per year.

Scammers have long attempted to weaponize copyright to extort money out of Facebook users. However, most attempts could often be ignored as they typically consisted of a phishing email pretending to be from the company.

However, more resourceful scammers are now gaining access to the Meta rights manager, a tool that requires approval from Meta, through black markets selling access. Using this tool, users aren't extorted with the threat of a copyright takedown; the takedown occurs, which presumably makes extortion much easier.

Fraudulent copyright takedowns are becoming a bigger issue across social media

Content creators often have to deal with bad actors ripping their work from online platforms and uploading it as their own. Oftentimes, these individuals monetize this content, essentially stealing money from the original creators.

To help fight this, many platforms over the years have rolled out rights management and copyright tools for big content creators and companies. Essentially, these tools help creators take a proactive approach by establishing ownership over specific pieces of content. From there, these creators can issue takedowns when uploads of their content are detected on social media platforms.

However, scammers have discovered that they can utilize these tools, but uploading stolen content as their own, so the platform then wrongly establishes the thief as the legitimate owner.

And it's not only happening on Meta-owned platforms. This has unfortunately been a fairly common practice on YouTube through the platform's own copyright management tool for creators.

One specific incident regarding fake copyright claims on music on YouTube highlights how lucrative this scheme is becoming for these con artists. As Mashable reported in 2022, two scammers were able to steal more than $23 million by simply claiming songs that they had nothing to do with through YouTube's Content ID system.

With the incentive in place for scammers, this exposure to abuse may worsen until social media platforms get better at weeding these bad actors out of their copyright management tools.

Mashable has reached out to Meta for comment, and will update if we receive a response.

Brazil's bronze-winning women's gymnastics team made history on Tuesday, winning the nation's first-ever medal in the sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Fans at home and online were, of course, joyous. But the internet wasn't just obsessed with the impressive athletic feat of an underdog team. Many were also singing the praises of a now-viral scene: The badass look of a bandaged and bruised Flávia Saraiva hitting the bars and taking home her long-overdue medal.

SEE ALSO: Simone Biles' floor routine is a history-defining moment for the Olympics

During warm-ups for Brazil's uneven bars rotation on the day of the team finals, team member Saraiva injured herself after taking a frightening fall from the elevated bars, leaving her with a split-open eye that became a pseudo symbol for the Brazilian team's impressive showing. The 24-year-old veteran of the sport went straight into her routine following a quick med check, clinching crucial points for the all-around podium spot.

"Flavia hitting a full bar routine minutes after knocking her eye out +10000 AURA POINTS," wrote one X user.

The Brazilian team — which also includes Rebeca Andrade, Jade Barbosa, Lorrane Oliveira, and Julia Soares — ended with a total score of 164.497, around 6 points behind the gold-winning U.S. team led by Simone Biles. Saraiva, marking her third Olympic showing, beamed as she received the bronze.

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Led by the G.O.A.T. Simone Biles, Team USA's women's gymnastics team secured the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday. The U.S. dominated the competition, with no nation challenging their winning score.

It was a bit of redemption for the U.S., who came away with a relatively disappointing silver in the last games in Tokyo. This time it was all gold, all the way — the result was never really in doubt, especially with Russia barred from the games due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

SEE ALSO: How women’s gymnastics is scored at the Olympics, and how Simone Biles pushes those boundaries

It was great to see Biles back on top after having to withdraw from the prior Olympics due to health issues and a case of the "twisties," which is basically when a gymnast encounters a mental block. So, in more ways than one, it was a redemptive win. The internet was ablaze with celebrations and reactions to the big win for the U.S.

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It was a big day for Team USA, and they look to add to their gold medal count during the women's all-around final, which will take place on Thursday.

The 2024 Paris Olympics saw the gymnastics arena light up with the thrilling women's gymnastics team final. Team USA, led by the phenomenal Simone Biles, aimed for gold—her floor routine was, without a doubt, a historic moment for Team USA and the Olympics.

SEE ALSO: How women’s gymnastics is scored at the Olympics, and how Simone Biles pushes those boundaries

NBC assembled an amazing team led by seasoned play-by-play announcer Terry Gannon. Gymnasts Samantha Peszek and Tim Daggett joined Gannon and provided expert analysis.

However, who stole the show was the dynamic duo of Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez and Olympian Justin Spring who lent their analytical prowess, ensuring no detail went unnoticed. Hernandez, an Olympic gold medalist from the 2016 Rio Games, was shown some massive love on social media during the team finals.

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Rich Lerner joined them on play-by-play duties, adding his seasoned voice to the mix.

On the ground, capturing the behind-the-scenes moments and athlete reactions, were John Roethlisberger and Zora Stephenson.