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If you don't feel like waiting around for Black Friday to get some early holiday shopping done, you're not stuck shopping at full price. On any given day, we're on the hunt for the best deals at Amazon, and today is no different. We've found some solid discounts (including record-low prices) on products from top brands like Dyson, Sony, and Samsung.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Oct. 22. If none of these catch your eye, take a look back at our picks from yesterday, Oct. 21, or come back tomorrow for brand-new picks.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH520 Bluetooth headphones $38.00 at AmazonThey may not be the fanciest headphones in Sony's lineup, but the budget-friendly Sony WH-CH520s are still a solid pick. And on this random October day, they're down to just $38 at Amazon — that's just $2 shy of the record-low price they reached as a Prime Day invite-only deal in July. These babies offer 50 hours of battery life, a three-minute fast charge feature, customizable sound quality and profiles on the app, and a lightweight and cozy fit. Pick a preset to match the genre you're listening to, or create your own from scratch. Currently, the black, blue, and white versions are on sale.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Corrale $399.99 at AmazonWith all of Dyson's fancy beauty tech on the market, it's easy to forget about the Dyson Corrale, which made its debut alongside the Covid-19 pandemic. But that doesn't mean it's not great. The cordless straightener untethers you from an outlet and allows you to smooth out your hair without frying it. The big pull is that its unique plates flex around strands of hair instead of clamping down on them (according to our Corrale review, this checks out). Its built-in sensor system also measures temperature over 100 times per second to keep heat consistent. The result? Smooth or softly curled hair with minimal heat damage and flyaways. Our biggest qualm with the Corrale is, like most Dyson products, its astronomical price tag. This $100 discount certainly helps, though.
Opens in a new window Credit: Chefman Chefman Indoor Pizza Oven $219.99 at AmazonIf you crave pizza daily, maybe it's time to invest in your own pizza oven and stop spending so much money on takeout. Most pizza ovens on the market carry hefty price tags, but as of Oct. 22, the Chefman Indoor Pizza Oven is down to just $219.99 — 45% off and its lowest price on record. It features multiple preset options like Neapolitan, New York, Thin-Crust, Pan, or Frozen, but you can also go with a manual setting to customize your pies. The dual heating elements range from 300 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit and can be set separately to create the perfect crusts. It also comes with a pizza stone, a pizza peel, and a cookbook to get you started.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm, LTE) $507.99 at AmazonSamsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra, aka its "toughest watch ever," is down to its lowest price on record. The 47mm, LTE version is on sale for $507.99 instead of $649.99 — that's a savings of 22%. The Ultra packs some welcome upgrades, including better battery life, extreme durability, and highly detailed workout tracking. The most impressive new feature, however, is the new sleep apnea sensor, which can detect if you have mild-to-severe breathing issues as you sleep.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
GET FREE SCI-FI ROMANCE BOOKS: It's Stuff Your Kindle Day, and this time the theme is romance. Download dozens of free romance sci-fi books today.
Stuff Your Kindle Day romance sci-fi highlights Best overall deal 'The Wastelander: A Post Apocalyptic Romance' by E.S. Luck $0.00 at Amazon (save $4.99) Get Deal Best dystopian sci-fi fantasy 'Alchemy of Light and Shadow' by Myosotis $0.00 at Amazon (save $4.99) Get Deal Best romance sci-fi book in a series 'Starship Waking' by C. Gockel $0.00 at Amazon (save $4.99) Get DealWe're all about free deals — it's the best price, after all. Avid readers might already know about Stuff Your Kindle Day, but if you're new to the world of e-books, here's the rundown: Stuff Your Kindle Days are author-led events to offer books at zero cost to you for a limited time. That means you get to pack dozens of books onto your Kindle without spending a single penny.
While the name implies you'll need a Kindle device, that's not the case. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these free romance e-books. It's even possible to download these books on your preferred app and read them directly from your phone, as these free titles are available on the Google Play and Apple Books apps. But if you're in the market for a Kindle, our favorite is the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition.
The current Stuff Your Kindle Day is all about romance books, and there's something for everyone during this sale. Take your pick from historical romance, sweet and clean romance, or even paranormal romance. But if you have a hard time putting down sci-fi novels, there's a ton included in the sale today, all with a romance theme. Here are a few picks to get you started:
Best overall deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'The Wastelander: A Post Apocalyptic Romance' by E.S. Luck $0.00 at AmazonClaire Ainsley was born in a secure compound, far from the Wasteland full of terrifying Wastelanders. Claire understands her compound is exactly where she belongs, but what happens when life takes an unexpected turn?
The Wastelander: A Post Apocalyptic Romance by E.S. Luck takes on the story of how Claire navigates a new, dangerous life when she finds herself outside of the safety of her compound. What's more, she finds herself falling for a Wastelander...
Part of the romance-centered Stuff Your Kindle Day, this story is all yours at no cost today at Amazon, which means you'll save $4.99.
Best dystopian sci-fi romance Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Alchemy of Light and Shadow' by Myosotis $0.00 at AmazonTouching on topics like human nature and survival instincts, Alchemy of Light and Shadow by Myosotis weaves romance into a dystopian realm. Since monsters threaten humanity's existence each night, everyone is forced to live in massive domes, created by ancient alchemy. Safety may seem assured inside the dome, but danger lurks from within. And not every domed city remains impenetrable. When society is getting much too crowded, a team is sent to reclaim a lost city. What happens then highlights some of life's biggest questions.
Best romance sci-fi book in a series Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Starship Waking' by C. Gockel $0.00 at AmazonStarship Waking by C. Gockel, book four of the Archangel Project, is free today as part of the romance-themed Stuff Your Kindle Day. The novel explores the occurrences when three incredibly different lives collide. But before you dive into this novel, check out the first book in the series, Archangel Down, which is also completely free today.
More romance sci-fi books to download on Stuff Your Kindle Day:The Viking and the Raven: A Living Past Time Travel Romance by Annie O. Liberty — $0 $0.99
Alpha Star: Big Sky Alien Mail Order Brides by Elsa Jade — $0 $0.99
An Alien Needs Curves by Vivi Storm — $0 $2.99
Halloween Mischief by Kaylee Pike — $0 $2.99
The Retrofit: The Callistar 1.0 by B. Williams and J.J. White — $0 $2.99
From Vangar, With Love: Sci Fi Alien Romance Love Letters by Julie K. Cohen — $0 $3.99
Indigo: Alien Hunting Grounds Book 1 by Kyla Breene — $0 $3.99
Rescued and Ruined by V.T. Bonds — $0 $3.99
Alien Wanted: Sci Fi Mail Order Bride Grumpy Warrior Romance by Julie K. Cohen — $0 $4.99
GET FREE ROMANCE E-BOOKS: Stuff Your Kindle Day is back with a one day-only romance event. Shop dozens of dark romance titles that are completely free during the event.
Best Dark Romance Deals Best Dark Romance Deal The Thief and the Painter by Candice Clark $0 at Amazon (Save $4.99) Get Deal Best Friends-to-Lovers Deal For Now by Amanda Bentley $0 at Amazon (Save $2.99) Get Deal Best Dark Fantasy Deal Dark Hunter by Logan Fox $0 at Amazon (Save $4.99) Get Deal Shop Kindle Amazon Kindle $109.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Kindle Paperwhite Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $159.99 at Amazon Shop NowShop Your Kindle Day is the best shopping bash for readers. The author-driven event, organized by Romance Book Lovers, brings hundreds of discounts on e-books so, as the name implies, you can stuff your Kindle library. While the annual event encompasses all genres, Romance Book Lovers is throwing a single day event called Romance Book Blast on October 22. And the best part? All the books featured are totally free.
Normally we see a combination of free and discounted books during Stuff Your Kindle Day, but during Romance Book Blast, every book is totally free. Romance is far more expansive of a genre than you probably realize. You can find sweet, heartwarming reads or something darker and steamier.
One of the highlighted categories during the Romance Book Bash is dark romance. If you're usually into dark, psychological thrillers but want a bit of romance or spice, these books are for you. Here's how to shop the Romance Book Blast event.
SEE ALSO: Yes, Kindles with color are real and coming soon: Pre-order the Kindle Colorsoft Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?Short answer: Anyone! You don't need to own a Kindle to enjoy the event. Readers who use their iPad, Kobo, or Nook can also enjoy free and discounted books during the event. However, the Kindle app, which is available on a variety smartphones and tablets, makes it easy to read e-books without owning an e-reader.
And if you don't have an e-reader, this event is a great excuse to get one. Amazon just released a whole new line-up of Kindles, including the first ever color Kindle.
Shop free dark romancesBlades & Bones by Heather C. Myers and Frankie Cardona
Bleeding Outside the Lines by Jess Allen — $0 $2.99
Blindsided by Love by Diane Wiggs — $0 $2.00
Corrupt Saint by Cora Kent — $0 $0.99
Dangerous Dreams by Abbie Roads — $0 $4.99
Dark Hunter by Logan Fox — $0 $4.99
Dead and Buried by Mel Lane — $0 $3.99
For Now by Amanda Bentley — $0 $2.99
Growing with Her by A.R. Carlson — $0 $3.99
His Obsession by Emily Klepp — $0 $4.99
His Angel by HL Packer — $0 $3.99
Homecoming Chaos by D.W. Brooks — $0 $3.99
Ravage by Jessica Ames — $0 $0.99
Rise To Power by KyAnn Waters — $0 $4.99
Rook by TK Eldridge — $0 $0.99
Seeing Double by Lacie Chanel — $0 $4.99
Their Offering by S. Lynn Smith — $0 $3.99
The Thief and the Painter by Candice Clark — $0 $4.99
Uncovering Lily by Rene Webb — $0 $0.99
Under Their Protection by Emily Klepp — $0 $4.99
Wilderness by Lynn Burke — $0 $5.99
Humanity has marveled at the vivid star Betelgeuse for many millennia. Over two thousand years ago, this imperious red object in the constellation Orion caught the eye of the Roman poet Horace:
But see, with what a troubled glare Orion's star is setting there!
Today the colossal, easy-to-find star — so large that it would reach to Jupiter in our solar system — continues to intrigue us. And unlike most stars, we can see it changing, in part because it's relatively nearby in our galaxy. Betelgeuse is known for being a type of "variable star," meaning its brightness fluctuates, at times dramatically, as it inches toward an eventual grandiose collapse and stellar explosion, known as a supernova. In recent years, the star has grown noticeably brighter.
"People love Betelgeuse," Heidi Morris, a scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the president of Pajarito Astronomers, an astronomy club, told Mashable. "It's been doing these brightness fluctuations for a very long time."
SEE ALSO: Aliens haven't contacted us. Scientists found a compelling reason why.(What's more, recent research suggests that Betelgeuse may have a small stellar companion, "Betelbuddy," which forces nearby dust out of the way and contributes to pulses in Betelgeuse's brightness.)
Yet lately these fluctuations haven't been normal. Typically, Betelgeuse varies in brightness over 400 day cycles. But since violently blowing off a hunk of its atmosphere in 2019, these oscillating periods have shortened.
Tweet may have been deletedBut don't get too excited. This almost certainly isn't evidence of a bloated star on the literal brink of a supernova.
"People love Betelgeuse."Still, Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star that has lived hard and will die young. It's just some 10 million years old — while the sun is 5 billion years old. It's a colossal star in the final stages of its fast-paced evolution. When it inevitably runs out of fuel, the core will collapse under the weight of its immense mass, and create an explosion that can outshine galaxies. It will happen. But you, me, and everyone else would like to know when.
When will Betelgeuse explode?The cold, hard truth is, it's unknown when Betelgeuse, at some 640 light-years away, will collapse into a supernova.
"We don't have a way of predicting when stars will explode," Or Graur, an associate professor of astronomy at the University of Portsmouth who researches supernovae, told Mashable. "We have no idea when Betelgeuse will explode," added Graur, who wrote the book Supernova.
"It really is uncertain," agreed Los Alamos' Morris. "We haven't had a lot of supernovae to study in human history."
After the mass ejection of part of Betelgeuse's atmosphere in 2019, the graph below shows its expected fluctuations in brightness (green line) versus observations (red) showing an increased rate of change. Credit: NASA / ESA / Elizabeth Wheatley (STScI)There is some evidence that Betelgeuse might not explode for a long, long time. Historical records indicate Betelgeuse has become redder over the past two thousand years, explained Jason Ybarra, the director of the West Virginia University Planetarium and Observatory, who researches stars and the history of astronomy. That would mean Betelgeuse only evolved into a red supergiant relatively recently (in cosmic terms), so it might take quite a while for the star to completely exhaust its fuel.
"To answer the question the best I can, Betelgeuse is probably not going to supernova any time soon," Ybarra told Mashable.
Once a star becomes a red giant, it has a lot of cooking to do. Under the immense pressure in its core, heat fuses helium into carbon. After thousands of years, it then fuses carbon and helium to create oxygen, and the forging process continues, ultimately creating metals like iron. Right now, Betelgeuse is probably at an earlier stage in this cooking process, explained Morris, as the analysis of chemicals in the star's atmosphere suggests it's fusing helium to carbon in its core. (We can't see inside mighty Betelgeuse.)
NASA has recently written that Betelgeuse won't explode for "another 100,000 years." Indeed, this could happen. But that's far from certain. More observations might suggest the star could defy these expectations. Before 1987, for example, astronomers thought only red supergiants could blast into a supernova. But in 1987, a giant blue star in another galaxy exploded.
We clearly still have a lot to learn. We might be surprised. Watching Betelgeuse, and other giant stars, will give us a better answer.
"I would hesitate to say it will do nothing in 10,000 years," said Morris. "We should keep our eye on it and let it inspire us to move forward scientifically."
Betelgeuse's size compared to the sun and planets in our solar system. Credit: ESO / L. Calçada What will we see when Betelgeuse explodes?When Betelgeuse eventually explodes, it will astonish the world, or whomever is watching.
You'd be able to see the star change with the naked eye. Betelgeuse will get progressively brighter at night. After a few days, it will peak in brightness. This will last for around 100 days.
"It will be the brightest star," explained Graur. "You would even be able to see it by day." Research predicts the Betelgeuse supernova would be 15 to 250 times brighter than Venus, currently the second-brightest object in the night sky. Then it will begin to fade over hundreds of days, until it winks away into the black ether of space (binoculars and telescopes will be able to spy it for longer).
But Betelgeuse isn't the only red supergiant in our galaxy. Others, like Eta Carinae, might erupt in the sky first. In a galaxy the size of the Milky Way, statistically there should be a supernova every 50 or so years, explained Graur. But we haven't seen one actually happen in 400 years, though we've observed remnants of explosions.
"Statistically, we're overdo," Graur noted.
"Statistically, we're overdo."Any explosive event likely won't be sudden, like detonating a bomb. There could be signals, such as smaller eruptions before the grand finale.
Keep your eyes to the sky. "We don't know where the next supernova will come from," said Graur.
TL;DR: Live stream Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks in the NBA for free on Ran.de. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The NBA is back, and it's back with a bang. The Boston Celtics are hosting the New York Knicks in an absolutely massive season opener, and you can see how things unfold without spending anything.
The defending champions will be confident of starting strongly behind the support of their fans, but the Knicks have been circling the top teams for a few years now. This could be the year that they make the jump, bolstered by the addition of Karl-Anthony Towns.
If you want to watch Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks?Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 22. This game takes place at TD Garden.
How to watch Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks for freeBoston Celtics vs. New York Knicks is available to live stream for free on Ran.de.
Ran.de is geo-restricted to Germany, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Germany, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks for free on Ran.de by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Germany
Visit Ran.de
Watch Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Germany
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
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A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks in the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.
Look, I'm not even mad.
Apple's new iPad mini, now in its seventh generation, looks the same as the last one, and while it brings a number of small upgrades across the board, none of them will knock you off your feet.
It's hard to blame Apple for not doing more, though. Even though it launched three years ago, the 6th generation iPad mini was a massive upgrade that brought a completely new design, with a larger display, new Touch ID, and a new camera, among other improvements. The 7th generation iPad mini merely builds on that same design, but brings a new chip, more starting storage, and compatibility with Apple's (yet unreleased) Apple Intelligence features.
Apple iPad mini 7 priceThe price for the Apple iPad mini 7 is the same as before, starting at $499 for the Wi-Fi version with 128GB of RAM, and $649 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant.
If you want 256GB of storage, you'll have to add $100 to the starting price, and if you want to max it out at 512GB of storage, that'll cost you another $200 compared to the starting price. You can also add the Apple Pencil Pro to the mix for $129, and Apple's Smart Folio cover will cost you an additional $59.
Apple iPad mini 7 designYou'll need a keen eye to notice the differences between the iPad mini 7 and the previous one, but they do exist. The choice of colors is now Space Gray, Blue, Purple (lighter than before), and Starlight. The Pink variant is no longer available. Apple sent me a Starlight-colored unit, so I can't say how the new colors look in person. I did get the Smart Folio in Sage, which to my eyes appeared more like lime, and I liked the color a lot.
The iPad mini 7 I reviewed was in Apple's old Starlight color, but I really digged the Smart Folio's Sage color. Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableThere's another minor difference here: The previous version had an "iPad" inscription on the back, whereas the one on the new one says "iPad mini." Nice if you, like me, are a fan of the iPad mini.
Other than these details, no one will be able to tell that you have the brand new iPad mini. Sorry.
Apple iPad mini 7 specsThe new iPad mini is powered by Apple's A17 Pro chip (the same one that powers the iPhone 15 Pro), which gives it some gaming-related features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and enables (upcoming) AI features. Starting storage is 128GB, and you can now get the iPad mini with 512GB of storage, which wasn't available until now. There are also indications that the new iPad mini has 8GB of RAM, which doubles the previous model's 4GB of RAM.
Other tidbits include faster USB-C data transfer, Bluetooth 5.3 support, and Wi-FI 6E connectivity — all meaningful upgrades, though most users probably won't notice much of a difference. The cameras — a 12-megapixel shooter on the back, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera on the front — are mostly the same as before, with the most notable upgrades being Smart HDR 4 support.
The camera is mostly the same, but Apple Pencil Pro support is new. Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableThe big takeaways here are the big RAM increase and 128GB of starting storage, which is a huge upgrade as 64GB (the starting storage on the previous generation) was just cutting it way too close for comfort if you have a couple of games installed.
The new chip is a big improvement over the previous version's A15 Bionic, but it's a pity that the new iPad mini doesn't have Apple's latest mobile processor, the A18 Pro which is found in the new iPhone 16 Pro. The company probably decided to cut costs on this one, but it does make the new iPad mini just a little less future-proof.
I tested my unit with a combination of news apps, Chrome, Books, X, and Blizzard's Hearthstone. Everything felt sufficiently fast but don't expect iPad Pro performance; this is still a phone chip running things, and even a fairly simple game such as Hearthstone will push it pretty hard on high settings.
Apple iPad mini 7 battery lifeI didn't have the iPad mini 7 long enough to properly test battery life, but Apple rates it the same as before (19.3 Wh battery, up to 10 hours of surfing on Wi-Fi, and up to nine hours of surfing on cellular), and I didn't notice much of a difference compared to the previous version.
For a day, I used the iPad mini as a secondary display, next to my 16-inch M1 MacBook Pro, and it did struggle to keep up. But in more typical usage — which for me is light reading and a bit of gaming, mostly at home — battery life was never an issue.
Apple iPad mini AI supportApple made its life incredibly complicated with the belated launch of Apple Intelligence. The company's most important product, the new iPhone 16, launched without it. As for the iPad mini, it will launch at the same time as iOS 18.1 which brings some AI features, but it wasn't available at testing time.
SEE ALSO: 5 most useful features of iOS 18 public beta — and how to use themTo complicate matters further, Apple Intelligence isn't currently available in Europe and China, and it won't be arriving there until 2025 (the UK is the exception here; Apple says AI is arriving there in December). Being in Europe, I have no access to it (unless I go through a number of convoluted steps to enable it), and it would be unfair to test a new device running beta software.
This means that all I can say about AI is that this is the first and currently only iPad mini that supports it, and that it is coming soon (in the U.S.). Features will include Writing Tools, which can rewrite, proofread, and summarize your texts, a smarter Siri, Clean Up tool for photos, Genmoji, and integrated ChatGPT, among other features.
When AI launches, the iPad mini will get some cool writing enhancements. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable Apple iPad mini Pencil Pro supportThe iPad mini 7 supports Apple Pencil Pro, with all the bells and whistles such as hover and squeeze. I don't have a need for Apple Pencil, and it seems to me that a heavy user would also prefer a larger canvas to draw on, so an iPad Pro would be a better option. Furthermore, the asking price of $129 for the Pencil Pro is a bit steep when compared to the $499 price of the entry-level iPad mini.
Still, there's absolutely nothing wrong with this feature. I tested the Pencil Pro with the new mini, and it worked as advertised, and it's nice to have the option to use the company's best Pencil together with its smallest tablet.
Is the iPad mini 7 worth getting? It says "iPad mini" on the back now. Nice. Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableAbsolutely.
If you're new to the iPad, and you want the most compact one around (or any compact tablet), the new iPad mini 7 is the best choice. If you already rock the iPad mini 5th generation or earlier, it's also a no brainer; the new one looks better and is a lot more powerful. And if you own the previous, 6th generation iPad mini, it could also be worth upgrading, but if it's still fast enough for you and you don't care much about the AI features, you'll be OK if you sit this one out.
The days of Tom Hanks having to issue Instagram warnings about fake AI videos of himself may hopefully be coming to an end.
Facebook and Instagram owner Meta is now working on facial recognition techniques to try and curb the rise in "celeb-bait scams", as well as help users recover their accounts quicker.
SEE ALSO: Ray-Ban Meta Glasses can be used to dox strangers via facial recognition, according to Harvard students. Here's how to protect yourself."We’re testing a new way of detecting celeb-bait scams," wrote Meta in a blog published on Monday. "If our systems suspect that an ad may be a scam that contains the image of a public figure at risk for celeb-bait, we will try to use facial recognition technology to compare faces in the ad to the public figure's Facebook and Instagram profile pictures. If we confirm a match and determine the ad is a scam, we’ll block it. We immediately delete any facial data generated from ads for this one-time comparison, regardless of whether our system finds a match, and we don’t use it for any other purpose."
The post went on to say that Meta has had success in early testing phases with a small group of celebrities. "In the coming weeks, we’ll start showing in-app notifications to a larger group of public figures who’ve been impacted by celeb-bait letting them know we’re enrolling them in this protection. Public figures enrolled in this protection can opt-out in their Accounts Center anytime."
As well as combatting scams, Meta confirmed it's also testing out video selfies as a means of aiding access recovery for anyone with a compromised account, not just famous people. "The user will upload a video selfie and we’ll use facial recognition technology to compare the selfie to the profile pictures on the account they’re trying to access," wrote Meta. "This is similar to identity verification tools you might already use to unlock your phone or access other apps."
The company confirmed that facial recognition data is immediately deleted after the comparison is made.
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is often misunderstood. ADHD isn't a product of laziness, stupidity, or "bad parenting," as former Mashable reporter Jess Joho wrote. Rather, it's a brain disorder that can impact executive function, attention, hyperactivity, emotional regulation, and more. For ADHD singles trying to use dating apps, the condition can have a huge impact on their ability to find a partner.
That's what Hinge found in its new Love and ADHD D.A.T.E. report, with survey findings from over 60,000 global users, including 9,000 with ADHD. A majority (82 percent) of Hinge users with ADHD are seeking a relationship, but 75 percent feel misunderstood by their matches. Two areas where ADHD daters may struggle are responding to potential dates and navigating small talk, according to the report.
SEE ALSO: TikTok's retro dating dance trends harken back to the days of courtship ADHD daters (not) responding to matchesForty-three percent of Hinge daters with ADHD often forget to respond to matches, and 32 percent feel misunderstood when matches assume they're not interested due to slow responses. This might be compounded by the fact that 71 percent of Hinge daters expect their matches to respond within a day, and those who do are more likely to go on a date.
When asked what makes it hard to respond to matches, 45 percent of respondents forget, and the same amount said a conversation feeling repetitive and boring makes it difficult. Meanwhile, 40 percent said feeling overwhelmed is another barrier.
"I wish my matches understood that when I forgot to respond, it wasn't due to a lack of interest — it was just that my brain often got overwhelmed or distracted," said content creator Tarah Clark, who was quoted in the report. "When someone sent a gentle reminder, I appreciated it. A follow-up message helped bring the conversation back to the forefront of my mind, and I was always happy to continue chatting."
Credit: HingeHinge's director of relationship science, Logan Ury, shared some tips for daters with ADHD in terms of responsiveness:
Be upfront about your communication preferences from the start.
Reduce friction — meaning, make it easier for yourself to respond. If you're more responsive on iMessage than Hinge, for example, exchange numbers with a match.
Set reminders.
Shift to talking on the phone or FaceTime. This can help prevent a prolonged "talking stage."
Ury also shared tips for neurotypical daters:
Don't make assumptions. You don't know why someone isn't responding!
Keep an open mind.
Appreciate honesty.
Get on the same page. If you don't know how to read someone's behavior, ask them about it.
Daters with ADHD were 31 percent more likely than neurotypical daters to report that they don't like making small talk. Small talk — about someone's day or the weather — can feel boring and unstimulating. They were also 38 percent more likely than neurotypical daters to find it difficult to keep conversations going, with half of ADHD daters preferring to get to know a match in person.
SEE ALSO: Flirting IRL is having a major pop culture moment"So much of my personality is physical — my big facial expressions, how my body moves when I speak, how I always need to be doing something with my hands. It feels easier to me when I can connect in-person," said BookTokker Alexis Anunson, who was quoted in the report.
Here are Ury's tips for ADHD daters on navigating small talk:
Showcase your interests on your profile. Talking about what you care about can be more exciting than discussing your day-to-day.
Keep a list of questions on your phone to ask matches.
Get to a date faster (when you're both comfortable).
And for neurotypical daters:
Bond over shared interests.
Be open to exploring something new.
Embrace the differences of others.
For LGBTQ daters with ADHD specifically, 64 percent worry about saying the wrong thing. "Often, there are stigmas associated with being either LGBTQIA+ or having ADHD, but for people who are at the intersection of those identities, even messaging a match can cause anxiety," commented Hinge's love and connection expert Moe Ari Brown.
Brown encourages these daters to celebrate themselves, honor their strengths, and find ways to communicate that work for them. Similarly to Ury's example, if messaging overwhelms you, try a phone or FaceTime date instead.
While three in four ADHD daters feel misunderstood by matches, Hinge found that 63 percent of neurotypical daters do, too. Maybe with these tips, we can all move forward with fewer assumptions about the people in our phones.
Elon Musk is getting sued again, this time by the production company behind Blade Runner 2049.
Alcon Entertainment filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles on Monday with the U.S. District Court, naming Musk, Tesla, and Warner Bros. Discovery, and accusing them of using copyrighted images to create AI-generated stills to promote Tesla's new "robotaxi" aka "Cybercab".
The complaint alleges the defendants requested permission to use a still from Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049 to promote the fully autonomous electric vehicle at the livestreamed "We, Robot" event at the Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, California on Oct. 10. However, Alcon said it refused permission and "adamantly objected" to the use of the image or "suggesting any affiliation between Blade Runner 2049 and Tesla, Musk or any Musk-owned company."
Then, the company alleges, Musk and Tesla "used an apparently AI-generated faked image to do it all anyway."
SEE ALSO: Musk is gutting X's blocking feature — why this change is dangerousAlcon's filing accuses Musk and Tesla of feeding the requested image from Blade Runner 2049 along with images from the same scene into an AI image generator and "directed the AI to make a lightly stylized fake screen still", which it then displayed at the globally livestreamed event for 11 seconds (for which the production company says Musk had "no credible reason").
The images, Alcon describes, are taken from the "most memorable sequences" of Blade Runner 2049, when Ryan Gosling's character K arrives in the desert ruins of Las Vegas — it's the area that's bright orange thanks to nuclear destruction. "The sequence follows K as he leaves the spinner and walks in his trench coat or “duster” toward and through the misty orange urban desert ruins, often viewed by the camera from behind or in silhouette," Alcon describes.
You can see in the Tesla presentation below around the five-minute mark that Musk indeed names Blade Runner onstage during his keynote while an undeniably Blade Runner-esque image is on screen, with the words "Not This" appearing in the upper left corner. "You see a lot of sci-fi movies where the future is dark and dismal. It's not a future you want to be in," Musk said. "Like, I love Blade Runner but I don't know if we want that future. I think we want that duster he's wearing but not the bleak apocalypse."
Alcon has described Musk and Tesla's copyright infringement as "a bad-faith and intentionally malicious gambit" to "make the otherwise stilted and stiff content of the joint WBDI-Tesla event more attractive to the global audience and to misappropriate Blade Runner 2049's brand to help sell Teslas." The company also said Musk's use of Blade Runner 2049 imagery was "hardly coincidental" as "the only specific Hollywood film which Musk actually discussed to pitch his new, fully autonomous, AI-driven cybercab" — given the film prominently features a futuristic, AI-powered, driverless car.
But the suit gets more personal than mere copyright in the filing, with the company calling Musk "problematic" himself, and declaring it "did not want Blade Runner 2049 to be affiliated with Musk" or any of his companies. "Any prudent brand considering any Tesla partnership has to take Musk’s massively amplified, highly politicized, capricious and arbitrary behavior, which sometimes veers into hate speech, into account," the filing reads.
Alcon also pointed out it was in negotiations with car brands around its in-production Prime Video Blade Runner 2099 TV series, and that Musk's actions could "cause confusion among Alcon’s potential brand partner customers."
The production company is seeking damages for "economic theft" and aims to "to pry Musk and his co-Defendants away from Alcon’s Blade Runner 2049 brand and goodwill" under the United States Copyright Act and the Lanham Act.
Mashable has reached out to Alcon Entertainment, Tesla, and Warner Bros. Discovery for comment.
We know you're here to find out about the best VPNs for the Fire TV Stick, but first we should explain that the Fire TV Stick is, well, a little stick that you can plug into your HDTV to stream over 10,000 apps, games, and Alexa skills, including Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Netflix, and more. You can also use it to gain access to millions of websites like YouTube, Facebook, and Reddit.
As an added bonus, you can launch apps and control your content with the Alexa Voice Remote that comes included with your purchase. Just ask for the content you want and Alexa responds. It's as easy as that.
Amazon Prime members get access to even more content options. They get unlimited access to Prime Video, which features thousands of movies and TV episodes at no additional cost. Plus, Prime members can add over 50 premium channels such as Discovery and Eurosport Player.
With all of that content, how could there possibly be a problem? Well, a lot of the shows and movies are just out of reach due to geo-blocking, meaning that certain programmes are only available from a particular location. This can be down to content licensing agreements and broadcast rights, and there doesn't immediately seem to be anything you can do about it. Well friends, we have a solution to this annoying issue.
An effective way of getting around content blocking is to use a VPN. These services can hide your real location when you're online, meaning you enjoy everything that the Fire Stick has to offer without any restrictions.
What is a VPN?Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide protection for your online information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can view or access anything within the tunnel, meaning everything is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.
Do you need to use a VPN?VPNs are effective security tools that provide protection for your sensitive information. The online world can be a dangerous place, so it's important to stay safe out there. Investing in a VPN is a quick and easy way of protecting your data and identity. VPNs might be designed for cybersecurity, but there is another reason you might consider subscribing to a service. These tools can be also be used to access blocked sites.
VPNs hide your real IP address and connect you to a server in another country, meaning you can watch all your favourite content from that location. There is so much content out there that can be accessed with the help of a VPN, and it all comes down to bypassing geo-restrictions. VPNs are kind of like keys to the online world, granting you access to more of the shows and films you love.
What is the best VPN for the Fire TV Stick?At this point you're probably sold on the idea of using a VPN with your Fire TV Stick, but which VPN is the best option for you? We have tried to help you out by highlighting a selection of the very best VPNs, including popular services like ExpressVPN and PureVPN.
There should be something for every user and every budget in this list, and all you need to do is pick a favourite. Consider all of these options and weigh them up against your set of preferences. The top choice should become clear.
These are the best VPNs for the Fire TV Stick in 2024.
It's important to stay secure when browsing online, and while you can take measures to be aware of where you're browsing and what you're doing, using a VPN is the best way to guarantee your cybersecurity.
What is a VPN?Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide protection for your data and identity when you're online by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. This means that all of your activity is untraceable and secure. Try thinking about VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.
Do you need a VPN?A good quality VPN will block any nefarious traffic coming your way, while also keeping your browsing history private from your ISP and anyone else trying to snoop on your activities. Using a VPN also means you can conduct activities such as checking your online banking while connected to public WiFi, without worrying that you're leaking valuable information.
If you're looking for a VPN for Windows, you'll need a fast service that remains secure. A "no logs" policy and a kill switch are also vital. These ensure that your VPN doesn't track what you do, and that your connection drops if the VPN connection fails, respectively. For Windows 10, it's also useful to have an app that's simple to use.
What is the best VPN for Windows?We have tracked down all the best VPNs for Windows 10, and stuck to VPN services that have apps that are easy to get to grips with, while still offering advanced features for those who want to dip under the surface to make tweaks. You can pick from leading services like CyberGhost VPN, Private Internet Access, and ExpressVPN.
These are the best VPNs for Windows in 2024.
SAVE $150: As of Oct. 22, the Apple iPad Mini (6th Gen) is on sale for $349.99 on Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price on Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Mini (6th Gen) $349.99 at AmazonThere's always a lot of excitement when Apple announces a new model. Most recently, the tech-obsessed have been digging into the specs of the new Apple iPad Mini, with most of the discussion centering on the addition of AI smarts.
That's great, but we're not here to talk about that. We're here to talk about the deals that drop on older models following the release of a new model. Savvy shoppers know that the best time to shop on Apple is just after pre-orders on a shiny new model are available.
SEE ALSO: The new iPad mini is already on sale at Walmart — save $15 on preordersAs of Oct. 22, the Apple iPad Mini (6th Gen) is on sale for $349.99 on Amazon. This deal saves you $150 on list price. And better yet, this is the lowest price we've ever seen on Amazon. This deal is available on Pink, Purple, Starlight, Space Gray colorways. The choice is all yours.
Secure the best price on the Apple iPad Mini (6th Gen) at Amazon.
SAVE $620: As of Oct. 22, the MassaMAX 2024 4D massage chair is on sale for $1,849 at Amazon. That's a 25% saving on list price, and the lowest its ever been on Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: MassaMAX MassaMAX 2024 4D Massage Chair $1,849.00 at AmazonIs there anything more relaxing than treating yourself to a massage? An hour of total relaxation, peace, and, if you opt for the sporty variety, agonizing pain (we know, it's worth it in the end). If you want to invest in your relaxation and take that feeling back home, check out this deal on the MassaMAX 2024 4D massage chair.
As of Oct. 22, this incredible massage chair is reduced to $1,849 from $2,496. Not only that, but it's the lowest it has ever been priced at Amazon, so you know you're getting a great deal.
This massage chair features advanced air-soothing airbags and 4D massage technology. This aims to mimic the experience of a real-life, human massage. As well as this, it has three different levels of airbag pressure, five techniques, and 32 airbag points. It also features an interesting zero-gravity design. This allows for different inclination angles as, according to MassaMAX, when the knees are higher than the chest, it can help reduce spinal compression and improve blood circulation.
SEE ALSO: The best massage guns for percussive therapyIf that wasn't enough, you'll also get foot rollers, an airbag massage that soothes the legs, and a backrest that can stretch the whole upper body.
Tech-wise, it features voice control, a TFT touch screen for ease of use, as well as a Bluetooth speaker so you can play your favorite music when relaxing. Just tell your chair what you want, and the AI will kick in and start the program. There are 15 preset automatic massage programs available, and customization options let you create a personalized experience.
If you're feeling relaxed just reading about this chair, head to Amazon as this is a limited-time deal.
FREE E-BOOKS: On Oct. 22, hundreds of e-books are completely free on Amazon for Stuff Your Kindle Day. Shop historical romance books for free today.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Free Kindle E-Books on Stuff Your Kindle Day Get DealStuff Your Kindle Day is back and we couldn't be happier. There are few things in life better than free books, especially when there's no catch.
For those not in the know, Stuff Your Kindle Day is an author-driven event hosted that started as an initiative to encourage readers to check out novels by indie authors. It only lasts for one day, but when you "purchase" a book, it's yours forever.
The books available span several genres, but romance is very much at the forefront. That doesn't mean there's no variety though. There is a wide range of subgenres spanning nearly every topic on offer, with something for every bookworm.
SEE ALSO: Amazon Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite: Which one is for you?If historical romances are your thing, you're in luck. Check out some of these incredible options you can download for free.
Best historical romance to shop during Stuff Your Kindle DayKissing The Contessa by Sapphire Lebesque — $0 $2.99
Mistress In Disguise by Sapphire Lebesque — $0 $1.49
The Fiercest Knight In Surrey by Anne Knight — $0 $2.99
Rosalyn by Carrie Lomax — $0 $3.99
Seductive Silence by Larissa Lyons — $0 $3.99
Quinn by Kathryn LeBlanc — $0 $2.99
Etched In Stone by Veronique Wallrapp — $0 $5.99
POX by Angela Pearse — $0 $4.99
The Duke Of Devastation by Michelle Mignone — $0 $4.70
Love's Arrival by Amanda Speights — $0 $9.95
Rebel Mine by Lyn Horner — $0 $3.99
What A Duke Desires by Merry Farmer — $0 $4.99
Scientists didn't build the James Webb Space Telescope simply to find answers. They've sought new questions and mysteries.
And they've just found another.
Using the Webb telescope to peer back into the earliest periods of the universe, researchers spotted a handful of some of the brightest objects in the cosmos — quasars — adrift in the empty voids of space, isolated from other galaxies. This is strange. Quasars are black holes at galactic centers, millions to billions times more massive than the sun, that shoot potent bursts of energy into space (from material falling toward or rapidly spinning around black holes). The prevailing, and logical, theory was that such massive, hungry objects could only form in regions of dense matter.
But that's not always the case.
"Contrary to previous belief, we find on average, these quasars are not necessarily in those highest-density regions of the early universe. Some of them seem to be sitting in the middle of nowhere," Anna-Christina Eilers, a physicist at MIT who led the research, said in a statement. "It’s difficult to explain how these quasars could have grown so big if they appear to have nothing to feed from."
SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.The research was recently published in a science journal called the Astrophysical Journal.
In the image below, you can see one of these isolated quasars, circled in red. Astronomers expect to find quasars amid regions flush with other galaxies. There, bounties of cosmic matter could support the creation of such giant and luminous objects. (In fact, "a quasar’s light outshines that of all the stars in its host galaxy combined," NASA explains.)
An isolated quasar in deep space, circled in red. Credit: Christina Eilers / EIGER teamIn this research, astronomers endeavored to view some of the oldest objects in the universe, created some 600 to 700 million years after the Big Bang. For perspective, our solar system wouldn't form for another 8.5 billion years or so.
The Webb telescope, which orbits 1 million miles from Earth, captures profoundly faint, stretched-out light as it existed eons ago. This light is just reaching us now.
"It’s just phenomenal that we now have a telescope that can capture light from 13 billion years ago in so much detail," Eilers said. "For the first time, JWST enabled us to look at the environment of these quasars, where they grew up, and what their neighborhood was like."
"It’s just phenomenal that we now have a telescope that can capture light from 13 billion years ago in so much detail."This latest cosmic quandary is not just about how these quasars formed in isolation, but how they formed so rapidly. "The main question we’re trying to answer is, how do these billion-solar-mass black holes form at a time when the universe is still really, really young? It’s still in its infancy," Eilers said.
Although the Webb telescope is designed to peer through the thick clouds of dust and gas in the universe, the researchers do say it's possible that these enigmatic quasars are in fact surrounded by galaxies — but the galaxies are shrouded. To find out, more observation with Webb is necessary.
An artist's illustration of the James Webb Space Telescope observing the cosmos 1 million miles from Earth. Credit: NASA-GSFC / Adriana M. Gutierrez (CI Lab) The Webb telescope's powerful abilitiesThe Webb telescope — a scientific collaboration between NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency — is designed to peer into the deepest cosmos and reveal new insights about the early universe. It's also examining intriguing planets in our galaxy, along with the planets and moons in our solar system.
Here's how Webb is achieving unparalleled feats, and likely will for decades to come:
- Giant mirror: Webb's mirror, which captures light, is over 21 feet across. That's over two-and-a-half times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope's mirror. Capturing more light allows Webb to see more distant, ancient objects. The telescope is peering at stars and galaxies that formed over 13 billion years ago, just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. "We're going to see the very first stars and galaxies that ever formed," Jean Creighton, an astronomer and the director of the Manfred Olson Planetarium at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, told Mashable in 2021.
- Infrared view: Unlike Hubble, which largely views light that's visible to us, Webb is primarily an infrared telescope, meaning it views light in the infrared spectrum. This allows us to see far more of the universe. Infrared has longer wavelengths than visible light, so the light waves more efficiently slip through cosmic clouds; the light doesn't as often collide with and get scattered by these densely packed particles. Ultimately, Webb's infrared eyesight can penetrate places Hubble can't.
"It lifts the veil," said Creighton.
- Peering into distant exoplanets: The Webb telescope carries specialized equipment called spectrographs that will revolutionize our understanding of these far-off worlds. The instruments can decipher what molecules (such as water, carbon dioxide, and methane) exist in the atmospheres of distant exoplanets — be they gas giants or smaller rocky worlds. Webb looks at exoplanets in the Milky Way galaxy. Who knows what we'll find?
"We might learn things we never thought about," Mercedes López-Morales, an exoplanet researcher and astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics-Harvard & Smithsonian, told Mashable in 2021.
Already, astronomers have successfully found intriguing chemical reactions on a planet 700 light-years away, and have started looking at one of the most anticipated places in the cosmos: the rocky, Earth-sized planets of the TRAPPIST solar system.
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