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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
Updated: 43 min 10 sec ago

The 11 best Echo devices for building a smarter home

Sat, 07/13/2024 - 05:00

Just like the continuous stream of new Kindle models, Amazon has an ever-growing list of Echo devices — the Echo Dot, Echo Show, and now the brand new Echo Spot alarm clock. Many of these devices also have multiple generations, and it's a lot to keep straight. So, we're here to help pull you out of that Echo chamber and find the best Echo devices for your smart home.

With Prime Day 2024 running July 16 and 17, now is the time to buy a new Echo device on sale. As of this writing, the entire Echo lineup is on sale, and Prime Day hasn't even started yet. Early deals include the newest member of the line-up, the aforementioned Echo Spot, for 44% off to Prime members. We're keeping a running tally of the best Prime Day Echo device deals, making it easy to find the most savings on the device that's right for you.

What can an Echo do?

All Echo devices are designed to utilize Amazon Alexa's AI superpowers — it's just a matter of which form you want your Echo to take. Depending on the device you choose, your Echo may simply have an audio output (whether that's music, phone calls, calendar reminders, or news alerts). These devices are known as the Amazon Echo or Amazon Echo Dot (they're both essentially smart speakers). Amazon Echo Show devices, on the other hand, can do all of the aforementioned audio stuff, but they also boast colorful displays of varying sizes to help you visually manage your day, make video calls, and stream entertainment. Think of Echo Shows as tiny and more affordable tablets, essentially.

Most Echo devices are designed to act as smart hubs within your home, but some Echo devices can also be taken on the road. These types of Echo devices include Echo Buds (Amazon's foray into the wireless earbud space) and Echo Auto, which brings hands-free Alexa functionality to the car.

Read on for the 11 top Amazon Echo devices of 2024 so that you can make an informed, stress-free Echo purchase.

How to watch Krejcikova vs. Paolini in Wimbledon 2024 online for free

Sat, 07/13/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Krejcikova vs. Paolini in Wimbledon 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Here it is. The Wimbledon 2024 women's singles final. It's been a year of surprises, with top seeded players taking unexpected exits and lower-ranked players battling through to the final rounds. Case in point is Barbora Krejcikova, the No. 31 seed, who beat No. 4 Elena Rybakina to win a spot in this final.

Krejcikova has won the Wimbledon doubles in previous years, but it's the first time in the singles final for the 28-year-old Czech. She's now just one win away from the biggest title in world tennis. But Jasmine Paolini will prove a formidable opponent.

Paolini is the No. 7 seed and recently reached the final of the French Open. The 28-year-old Italian is the favorite to win, but Wimbledon 2024 could throw up one more surprise on the final weekend of action.

If you want to watch Krejcikova vs. Paolini in Wimbledon 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Krejcikova vs. Paolini?

Krejcikova and Paolini will meet in the Wimbledon 2024 women's singles final. The match will take place on July 13.

How to watch Krejcikova vs. Paolini in Wimbledon 2024 for free

The Wimbledon 2024 women's singles final is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is a free streaming platform that's geo-blocked outside of the UK. But anyone can access BBC iPlayer from any country around the world by signing up for a VPN. VPNs are handy tools that can mask your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server based in the UK, allowing you to bypass the geo-restrictions and access BBC iPlayer from anywhere around the globe.

Live stream Wimbledon 2024 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 Wimbledon 2024 from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not technically free. They require an upfront fee or subscription. But the top VPN services offer incentive deals such as free trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can take advantage of these offers to unblock the BBC iPlayer. All without spending anything in the long run. This will give you time to stream the remaining Wimbledon 2024 fixtures before claiming back your money.

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 now available at the discounted price $99.95, but for a limited time only. That's a total saving of 49%. Within this package you three bonus months at no extra cost, a year of unlimited cloud backup, and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Krejcikova vs. Paolini in Wimbledon 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Fraser-Pryce at Paris 2024 online for free

Sat, 07/13/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Fraser-Pryce at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It’s almost the beginning of the Paris 2024 Olympics and it’s set to be an incredible two weeks of sports. There’s a huge list of impressive athletes to keep track of this year, including none other than Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

The Jamaican athlete will be returning for her fifth and final Olympics as she's set to retire from track and field following Paris.

If you want to watch Fraser-Pryce at Paris 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading as we have all the information you need.

When is Fraser-Pryce competing at Paris 2024?

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is set to compete in one event at Paris 2024:

Women's 100m

  • Women's 100m Round 1 — 5:50 a.m. ET on Aug. 2

  • Women's 100 Semi-Final — 1:50 p.m. ET on Aug. 3

  • Women's 100m Final — 3:20 p.m. ET on Aug. 3

How to watch Fraser-Pryce at Paris 2024 for free

The Women's 100m at Paris 2024 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

However, BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK. But fans elsewhere in the world can catch Fraser-Pryce and 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 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 the Women's 100m event at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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 Fraser-Pryce's events race at Paris 2024 (plus all the other events) 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 the Women's 100m event at Paris 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 13

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 22:00

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 13'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.

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

To put a plan into motion.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter E.

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...

ENACT.

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.

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

Prime Day deals you can shop right now

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 13

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 21:00

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 13'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.

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: Huge things

  • Green: Representation of something in physical form

  • Blue: Look at this

  • Purple: Silent letter

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: Enormus

  • Green: Embodiment

  • Blue: Come Across As

  • Purple: Silent "T"

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 #398 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Enormous: GIANT, MAMMOTH, MONSTER, TITANIC

  • Embodiment: AVATAR, CHARACTER, FIGURE, PERSONA

  • Come Across As: APPEAR, LOOK, SEEM, SOUND

  • Silent "T": CASTLE, HUSTLE, LISTEN, WITCH

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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The 'Longlegs' cast on Nic Cage's terrifying transformation

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 19:10
Blair Underwood, Maika Monroe, Alicia Witt and Oz Perkins reveal what it is like working with Nic Cage as he undergoes a full physical transformation in 'Longlegs'.

'Longlegs' haunting ending, explained

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 17:00

How are you feeling after seeing Longlegs? Unsettled? Spooked? Like you've got the teeth of the hydra upon you?

SEE ALSO: 'Longlegs' review: Nicolas Cage may be brilliant, but this horror-thriller is bizarre in the wrong way

That's more than understandable. The latest film from writer/director Osgood Perkins is packed with eerie atmosphere, Silence of the Lambs–style serial killer investigations, Satan worship, and a surprising number of references to the glam rock band T. Rex. All this leads to an ending that crawls under your skin — and may leave you with some questions along the way. From killer nuns to satanic symbols, let's break down Longlegs and its ending.

What's the main mystery of Longlegs? Maika Monroe in "Longlegs." Credit: Courtesy of Neon

Longlegs centers on the FBI's investigation of a decades-long serial killing spree in Oregon. The victims are always families who have died by murder-suicide, but there are common threads between each incident that suggest there's an evil mastermind at work. First, the deceased families all have daughters whose birthdays fall on the 14th of the month. And second, the killer always leaves messages written in cryptic code at the crime scene, signed with the name "Longlegs."

Since there's no other evidence of Longlegs' (Nicolas Cage) presence at the crime scene, the FBI wants to find out how he's able to apparently orchestrate killings from afar — or who his accomplice may be. Enter Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), a "half-psychic" FBI Agent.

Lee cracks Longlegs' cipher using a Bible verse from a birthday card he left at her house. She also realizes that the dates of the killings, when placed on a calendar grid, form a satanic pattern. The only date needed to finish the image is the 13th, so the race is on to find Longlegs before he strikes again.

The investigation takes a doll-centric turn. Maika Monroe in "Longlegs." Credit: Courtesy of Neon

Longlegs' decoded letters direct Lee and her supervisor, Agent Carter (Blair Underwood), to the Camera family farm, the site of the first Longlegs murder. There, they find a life-size doll that looks disturbingly like the Cameras' daughter, Carrie Anne (Kiernan Shipka), who is the sole survivor of the attack. The doll seems mostly normal, apart from a black orb in its brain that seems to whisper to Lee.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best movies of 2024 (so far!)

Lee and Carter visit Carrie Anne in a psychiatric hospital, where she's been catatonic for years. Yet on the day Lee and Carter discovered the doll, she woke up — and received a strange visitor who used Lee's name to sign in for visitation. Lee's ensuing discussion with Carrie Anne reveals that Carrie Anne is still very devoted to Longlegs, and that she'd do anything he told her to do.

Mother knows best. Lauren Acala and Alicia Witt in "Longlegs." Credit: Courtesy of Neon

Lee visits her mother, Ruth (Alicia Witt), who always encourages Lee to say her prayers for protection and who has kept all of Lee's things. Among these things is a stack of Polaroids Lee took that includes an image of Longlegs himself. Turns out, the young girl Longlegs spoke to in the film's chilling prologue was Lee, whose own birthday falls on Jan. 14. But how did she and her mother survive his intrusion?

The truth comes to light not long after the FBI uses Lee's photo to capture Longlegs. In an interrogation with Lee, he tells her to ask her mother about possible accomplices. He then smashes his head open on the table and dies. We also learn that Carrie Anne Camera has died by suicide at the psychiatric hospital. Since it's the 13th of the month, her death completes Longlegs' pattern, explains what he must have directed her to do when he visited her, and closes up one of the only leads the FBI still had on the murders.

SEE ALSO: 'The Exorcism's Joshua John Miller taps his family's cinema roots for horror rebellion

Now that Ruth is well and truly the FBI's last lead on the case, Lee and Agent Browning (Michelle Choi-Lee) head back to see her. But what's this? It's a nun with a shotgun!

Ruth, dressed in a full nun's habit, kills Browning. Then she turns her gun on a lifelike doll that looks just like a young Lee, shattering the ball within. Black smoke dissipates from the real Lee's head, and she faints. Now that Lee's free from the doll's spell, Ruth recounts her relationship with Longlegs in the form of a warped fairy tale.

Lee's mother has been working with Longlegs all along. Lauren Acala in "Longlegs." Credit: Courtesy of Neon

As Ruth tells Lee, the day Longlegs visited their house, Ruth begged him to spare Lee's life. In return, she promised to help him carry out the rest of his satanic mission.

Longlegs — actually named Dale Cobble — is a twisted dollmaker whose Satan-possessed dolls drive people to murder one another. However, they also distract the daughters of each family, entrancing them so they don't know what's coming until it's too late.

How do the dolls get to each family? That's where Ruth comes in. She poses as a nun from the local church and tells the eventual victims that they've won the doll in a contest. (Let this always be a reminder to look a gift doll in the mouth.) Once the doll is inside the home, its satanic work begins.

SEE ALSO: 'MaXXXine' review: Mia Goth and Ti West return with a bloody film noir

Since Lee didn't die, her doll served a different purpose throughout her childhood. It kept her from seeing Longlegs and her mother's involvement with him, to the point that she missed him living and crafting his dolls in their basement. Earlier in the film, Longlegs says he works for "the man downstairs," aka Satan. But for Lee, he becomes "the man downstairs" in his own right.

The doll's influence is likely the reason Lee has psychic intuition in the first place. Plus, we've seen it haunting her throughout the movie in the form of a dark, horned figure reminiscent of Satan himself. Its shadowy form calls to mind the dark smoke we see leave Lee's head once her doll's orb is destroyed, suggesting it's the manifestation of the powers within the doll.

Longlegs has one last birthday trick up his sleeve. Blair Underwood in "Longlegs." Credit: Courtesy of Neon

Longlegs may be dead, but he and Ruth aren't finished with Lee just yet. Upon receiving a call that she's "late to the party," Lee realizes Carter's daughter, Ruby (Ava Kelders), was born on the 14th, and is Longlegs' last target. Ruby invited Lee to her birthday party toward the start of the movie, so Longlegs has been building up to this for a long time. Still, the realization takes the film's dread into overdrive — and it doesn't let up for the rest of its runtime.

At the Carters' house, we see that Ruth has already gifted them the doll, and its effects are kicking in. Lee watches, helpless, as Carter grows cold and irritable, right on the edge of snapping. He invites his wife, Anna (Carmel Amit) to the kitchen to help cut the cake. Sounds of violence ring out as he murders her offscreen, but Ruby is too entranced by the doll to notice her parents' demise.

SEE ALSO: 'AFRAID' trailer teases the world's creepiest AI home assistant

Lee shoots a still-homicidal Carter as well as her mother, but her gun runs empty just before she can shoot the doll. A simple coincidence? Or an act of satanic intervention? Either way, Lee cannot bring herself to destroy the doll. We linger on her horrified face before cutting to a flashback of Longlegs in his interrogation room, where he sings his own threatening take on "Happy Birthday," buttoned up with a "Hail Satan!" for good measure.

What does Longlegs' ending mean? Maika Monroe in "Longlegs." Credit: Courtesy of Neon

Longlegs leaves Lee's actual fate up in the air: Will she overcome the demonic presence within the doll and destroy it some other way? Or will she succumb to its powers and become a pawn in Longlegs, Ruth, and Satan's last ploy? Longlegs' final, gleeful "Hail Satan!" suggests the latter is more likely, that the evil lingers on.

But there's more to Longlegs' ending than that. Think back to Longlegs' nasty rendition of "Happy Birthday," to the key role birthdays play in his plan, to the fact that all the daughters of the murdered families were so young. The film's preoccupation with young girls aging and growing up is key to its darkness.

When Lee first meets Ruby, she asks about a stuffed animal-filled swing in Ruby's room. Ruby expresses derision for it, saying Carter keeps it around so Ruby won't grow up too fast. There's a similar sense of parental intervention with Ruth's hoarding of all of Lee's old things: If you keep the remnants of your children's youth around, that youth won't ever truly leave, right?

SEE ALSO: Ti West reveals the sexy 'MaXXXine' Easter Egg you might have missed

Longlegs' dolls take that up a notch. Not only are they a symbol of childhood, they're also twisted effigies of the victims as children. And in distracting the daughters from their parents' violence, the dolls also keep them locked in childlike ignorance until the end of their lives.

So what happens when one of the dolls' victims remains alive? You get Lee, who isn't totally blinded to the evils of the world — remember that first serial killer? — but who is certainly blinded to the evil within her own home. Only when Ruth shoots Lee's doll do her eyes open to that evil. In that moment, she gains a better understanding of why her mom was so smothering and so insistent on her saying her prayers. The sudden burst of context feels like a belated coming-of-age for Lee, a final stripping away of the veneers of a troubled childhood.

With that in mind, think of Longlegs' last "Happy Birthday" as an acknowledgment of Lee's new, "grown-up" understanding of her life to that point. I can think of no worse birthday present than finding out my mom has been in league with the literal devil.

Longlegs is now in theaters.

'Except you, Harrison Butker. We don't need you': Serena Williams' ESPYs quip goes viral

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 15:39

Serena Williams doesn’t just hit her target on the tennis courts — she hits them on stage, too.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner let her distaste for Harrison Butker, an NFL kicker from the Kansas City Chiefs, be known and took a few other shots at controversial men in sports while hosting this year’s ESPYs.   

While presenting alongside her sister and fellow athlete Venus Williams, and producer and actress Quinta Brunson during a segment dedicated to applauding the rise of women’s sports and encouraging viewers to tune in, Venus said “Go ahead and enjoy women's sports like you would any other sports, because they are sports." 

Serena chimed in with her eyes locked to the camera: “Except you, Harrison Butker, we don’t need you.” 

“At all. Like, ever," Brunson said in agreement.

Tweet may have been deleted Why was Butker in Williams' crosshairs?

Butker continues to face backlash for the controversial comments he made in May at the Benedictine College commencement address that went viral. As a part of his speech, he commented on women’s lifestyle preferences, the LGBT community and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. 

“It is you, the women who have had the most diabolical lies told,” Butker said after congratulating the women of the graduating class on their “amazing accomplishment.” He then went on to suggest that women, including those in the graduating class, would find more fulfillment as wives and mothers than by building careers. 

Throughout his speech, Butker also referred to Pride month as a “deadly sin” and described diversity, equity and inclusion efforts as tyrannical. 

Following his comments, the NFL released a statement that emphasized the Butker’s comments reflected his own views and not the view of the organization. 

Other members of the sports world that made it into punch lines for the trio include ESPN’s Pat McAfee, who apologized for calling Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever a “b*tch” from Indiana.

Running out of space? A lifetime of 1TB of cloud storage for $120 could do the trick

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 13:46

TL;DR: Back up all your important files with 1TB of cloud storage from Koofr, on sale for $119.97 with promo code KOOFR40 through July 21.

Opens in a new window Credit: koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) $119.97 at The Mashable Shop
$810.00 Save $690.03 with promo code KOOFR40 Get Deal

Most of us know that stomach-dropping notification that pops up when we're running low on storage. Now you have to decide between keeping all 10,000 photos of your dog sleeping in the exact same position and deleting your favorite apps. Thankfully, you don't have to choose with a discount on a lifetime of cloud storage.

Koofr Cloud Storage offers a solution to keep all your photos, videos, and files safely and securely in the cloud. You can take advantage of a limited-time deal on 1TB of storage you can access for life on sale for $119.97 when you enter coupon code KOOFR40 at checkout through July 21.

You can use Koofr on your phone or computer, and pull in files from Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon, and OneDrive in addition to your device. This allows you to keep all your important stuff in one place and not have to worry about where everything is. 

In addition to keeping your files secure, Koofr also keeps your privacy secure. Everything you upload is encrypted while it's being transferred, as well as while it sits in the cloud.

This deal is just a one-time payment. After your purchase, you will be sent a code with instructions on how to redeem it. Be sure to do this within 15 days.

Until July 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, use code KOOFR40 to get a lifetime subscription to 1TB of Koofr Cloud Storage on sale for $119.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Cybertruck owner discovers new way the Tesla EV can rip your finger off

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 13:45

It's been a bumpy road for the Cybertruck so far.

Tesla's newest electric vehicle was just released in November, but it has already faced numerous recalls. To top it off, the Cybertruck has become somewhat of a laughing stock on the internet, with social media users mocking owners of the truck who post videos of the vehicle performing unimpressive tasks that pretty much every other truck can already do.

However, it does seem like there is something that Tesla's Cybertruck can do better than other vehicles. The Cybertruck seems to have been succeeding at chopping off and crushing riders fingers, thanks to Tesla's questionable design choices for the vehicle.

Cybertruck incident reveals new way owners can lose their fingers

Fingers being crushed or severed via the Cybertruck is not a new phenomenon. Many Cybertruck owners have shared videos demonstrating the problem with the trunk's detection system, which is supposed to prevent such a thing from happening. It doesn't always work, and as a result, the hatch closes and fingers get chopped and smashed.

Tweet may have been deleted

The trunk issue was the way to lose a finger to the Cybertruck. Now, it's just a way.

As first reported by The Drive, a Cybertruck owner posted in the Cybertruck Owner's Club website about how his father-in-law had to be taken to the emergency room and was "fortunate" to only need "seven stitches and a splint" after his finger "got closed inside the door gap between back and front doors."

This isn't a general "don't get your finger slammed in the car door" issue that can happen in any car either. Tesla designed the Cybertruck in a way that puts a rider's fingers in that area and that's what happened in this incident.

How did this happen?

The Cybertruck owner explained that to open the vehicle's doors, a rider must press a door release button on the pillar of the truck. As his father-in-law went to do this, the owner's son closed the rear door, and as a result, the father-in-law's finger got caught. 

Tesla's manual showing where the door release pillar buttons are located. Credit: Tesla

The pillar buttons are displayed in the picture above, taken from the door section of the Tesla Cybertruck manual. The injured individual was going to press the button on the passenger sider door when the backseat door was closed on his finger.

"There is less than an inch between the button and the gap in the door," wrote the Cybertruck owner in the forum. "Someone not paying attention can easily get their finger trapped if the passenger behind the 'shotgun' position closes their door at the wrong time."

"I'm sharing this because I feel Cybertruck owners should be extra aware with multiple people entering and exiting the vehicle on the same side and may not be immediately familiar with where the open button is on the pillar," they explained. 

Tesla's own manual showcases just how closer a rider's fingers are to the panel gap when opening the door in the proper recommended manner. Credit: Tesla

Tesla does provide a specific warning in its manual regarding potential issues with riders' hands being too close to the doors when they are being opened and close. However, the Cybertruck owner stated that the design could be "improved" for future Cybertrucks and that the pillar button should be "located sufficiently far away from the panel gap" to avoid this issue.

From the physical recall due to the acceleration pedal getting stuck to this new door release button issue, it's clear that there are some major flaws in the design of the Cybertruck. 

Pre-order the Nintendo Switch Lite: Hyrule Edition and get a free Nintendo Switch Online subscription

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 13:41

PRE-ORDER, GET A FREE 12-MONTH NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION: As of July 12, pre-order the Nintendo Switch Lite: Hyrule Edition at Best Buy for $209.99 and get a free 12-month Nintendo Switch Online subscription (a $39.99 value).

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Nintendo Switch Lite: Hyrule Edition $209.99 at Best Buy
Free Nintendo Switch Online 12-Month Subscription ($39.99 value) Get Deal

There's another new Nintendo Switch Lite on the horizon. Yes, there's an entirely new Switch console in development as we speak, but you love the handheld so much you want to buy another version of the Lite first, right? Well, you can get one with the Zelda-flavored Nintendo Switch Lite that's making its way out this fall to coincide with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. It's available for preorder right now, so you should nab yours if you don't want to miss out, especially since it comes with a great bonus that sweetens the deal considerably.

As of July 12, pre-order the Nintendo Switch Lite: Hyrule Edition at Best Buy for $209.99 and get a free 12-month Nintendo Switch Online subscription for free. That's a $39.99 value, and you don't have to do anything special to nab the deal. Just lock in your preorder, and you'll get your code to redeem with the system itself when you receive it. Easy-peasy.

SEE ALSO: The best gaming laptops of 2024 for every budget

This Switch Lite edition is a brilliant, metallic gold with black buttons and a tiny Triforce on the front of the unit. The back features a dazzling Hylian crest made up of smaller Triforces. It's very understated, but most Zelda-centric handhelds tend to sell out or become difficult to procure after their initial run, so if you need another Switch, this is a good one to grab.

The real deal here is the free Nintendo Switch Online subscription. It's required if you want to go online, and it comes with access to a variety of Nintendo titles that you can play for free. You save $39.99 by not having to purchase the membership, and that's a great boon for anyone just joining the Switch ecosystem. Be ready for the new Zelda game and flash your shiny new console by pre-ordering now.

What happened at Biden's speech, translated via tweets

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 13:17

The U.S. presidential election has reached new heights of absurdity, reminding us all of Darren Rovell's viral 2016 post: "I feel bad for our country. But this is tremendous content."

Vice President Kamala Harris has been a meme the entire presidency, moving from "We did it, Joe," to her obsession with venn diagrams to her being "unburdened by what has been." But the meme intensity reached its boiling point in the aftermath of President Joe Biden's worrisomely poor performance at the first presidential debate against former President Donald Trump. The debate left many constituents worried about either candidate's ability to run a country at their big age.

SEE ALSO: President Biden will continue to use TikTok to campaign even after banning it in the U.S.

This comes at a time at which Biden was already struggling to hold onto young voters, particularly the more digitally vocal of the cohort. After the debate, Harris outperformed Biden in a poll on CNN. We learned that Biden would be condensing his schedule in order to get more sleep. People — Republicans, Democrats, George Clooney — started wondering if Biden would stop running for president and, instead, pass the torch to Harris. If he were to do that, we all thought, he would tell us at his most recent press conference on Thursday, July 11.

The conference, set on the final day of the NATO Summit in Washington, was a clear attempt to reassure voters that he is still fit to be the president for the next four years, despite that June 27 presidential debate and also being 81 years old.

It did not go well. This is probably not something to laugh about, but if you want to know what happened in the least intense way, might I introduce you to shitposts on X?

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Biden wasn't starting off particularly strong. Earlier in the day, he mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "President Putin."

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So he wasn't headed into the press conference with the highest standing. It was supposed to start at 6:30, but the hour came and went. He didn't get on stage until 7:30, which, as we know, is dangerously close to his bedtime.

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He gave a speech about the NATO conference and repeatedly focused on his successes there, highlighting the U.S.'s involvement in the war between Ukraine and Russia. After his speech, he took questions and immediately fumbled. Hard. He called Vice President Kamala Harris "Vice President Trump."

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For the fans counting at home, that's two pretty huge name mixups in less than 24 hours.

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Then Biden did his typical, horrifying whisper thing he does. He says "guess what" and then says something like "it grows the economy." It should be noted that while it always isn't great, during this presser, it was super weird.

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In the end, the press conference didn't seem to have the desired effect. While Biden confirmed over and over again that he would be running as the Democratic nominee for president, most people found it disheartening. David Frum called it "heartbreaking" in The Atlantic. Fred Kaplan pointed out in Slate that Biden had a pretty successful NATO conference, which has been completely overshadowed by his little blunders; blunders that might not necessarily mean anything about his mental fitness, but certainly don't instill confidence.

And the posters... they didn't cut him any breaks.

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Hurry, today you can buy 2 get 1 on books, movies, and games at Target

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 12:25

Buy 2 Get 1: Today, July 12, Target Circle members can get a free item when they buy two movies, books, board games, toys, or video games. The sale will last until tomorrow, July 13 at 11:59 PST.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mattel Buy 2 Get 1: Books, movies, games, and toys Shop Now

With summer comes more time for enjoying lazy afternoons spent playing cards, taking part in family movie nights, and burning through the latest page-turning beach read. As Target's Circle Week sale nears its end, there's still time to save on those everyday products that help bring more fun into your life.

From now until tomorrow, July 13 at 11:59 PST, Target Circle members can take part in a buy 2 get 1 sale on books, movies, board games, puzzles, video games, and toys. While the deal is only applied to select items, there are over 20,000 items to choose from, including best-selling books such as "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J Maas, "Funny Story" by Emily Henry, and classic games like UNO and Jenga.

If you're not already a Target Circle member, it's not too late to sign up and take advantage of the sale. You can sign up online, and it's free. As you shop online and add items to your cart, the Target Circle Week savings will automatically apply to your items at checkout. The sale also applies to in-store shopping, so if you're due for a Target run, today will be a smart day to go.

Stock up on all your entertainment needs when you shop the Target Circle Week Buy 2 Get 1 sale on books, movies, board games, video games, puzzles, and toys.

Get up to 50% off luggage ahead of Prime Day

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 11:41

GET 50% OFF: As of July 12, score 50% or more off select luggage at Amazon.

Our top picks: Best luggage deal overall Coolife three-piece suitcase set $161.99 at Amazon (save $18) Get Deal Best budget luggage deal U.S. Traveler Rio two-piece set $34.80 at Amazon (save $35.19 ) Get Deal Best high-end luggage deal Samsonite Omni 2 hardside expandable luggage $125 at Amazon (save $84.99) Get Deal

If you’ve been waiting to book a trip because you need new luggage, you might want to take advantage of these early Prime Day deals before they disappear.

Amazon Prime Day (July 16-17) is just around the corner, and the mega-retailer has been slashing prices on a variety of products, including high-end luggage, leading up to the big event.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best Bluetooth trackers for travel and lost luggage

As of July 12, you can get 50% (or more) off select luggage from brands like Samsonite, Rockland, and U.S. Traveler.

Here are our top picks for the best luggage deals you can shop right now.

Best luggage deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Coolife Our pick: Coolife three-piece suitcase set $161.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $18.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Coolife three-piece suitcase set includes three hardshell spinners in 20-inch, 24-inch, and 28-inch sizes. These bags are lightweight and feature a TSA lock, multidirectional spinner wheels, and a telescoping handle, making it easy to scoot through the airport.

They come in several colors, and you can get a four-piece set if you need an extra bag. With the 10% discount, all three bags are $161.99 — a pretty good deal for luggage with more than 28K reviews and a 4.6-star average.

Best budget luggage deal Opens in a new window Credit: U.S. Traveler Our pick: U.S. Traveler Rio two-piece set $34.80 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $35.19 Get Deal Why we like it

If you need something affordable and functional, the U.S. Traveler Rio two-piece set is a steal at $34.80 (down from $69.99). The 21-inch carry-on and 14-inch boarding bag are ideal for weekend getaways or short trips.

The carry-on features a retractable push-button handle, inline skate wheels, a bottom grip handle, and an expandable main compartment. There are also multiple front pockets for the stuff you need easy access to. The boarding bag also has a piggy-back strap to attach it to the carry-on.

These bags may not be the most gorgeous out there, but they get the job done, and they're incredibly affordable.

Best high-end luggage deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsonite Our pick: Samsonite Omni 2 hardside expandable luggage $125.00 at Amazon
$209.99 Save $84.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Samsonite is known for its high-quality and durable luggage, and you can snag the brand’s Omni 2 hardside expandable luggage with spinner wheels for just $125.30, down from $209.99.

This 24-inch checked bag includes a scratch-resistant hardshell body and a built-in TSA-approved lock. It also has a 10-year limited warranty, just in case.

More early Prime Day luggage deals:

Amazon deal of the day: Add the Echo Show 8 to your device lineup for a record-low $85

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 11:33
Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) $84.99 at Amazon (save $65 with Prime) Get Deal BEST SMART HOME DEAL Echo Pop with Sengled smart color bulb $19.98 at Amazon (save $40 with Prime) Get Deal BEST OUTDOOR DEAL Coleman Skylodge 12-person camping tent $299.99 at Amazon (save $130) Get Deal BEST SMART PLUG DEAL Amazon Smart Plug $12.99 at Amazon (save $12 with Prime) Get Deal BEST VACUUM DEAL Dyson V8 Plus $299.99 at Amazon (save $170) Get Deal

Prime Day 2024 is around the corner, but you can already start shopping the deals. After a little browsing on Amazon, we went ahead and rounded up some of the best options you can add to your cart on July 12. Whether you're looking to make your home a little smarter or cleaner, there's a deal for you.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. Be sure to check out the deals from July 10 and July 11 as well — most of those are still available.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Echo Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) $84.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $65.00 with Prime Get Deal

Released in 2023, the latest Echo Show 8 improves on all of the things we loved about its predecessor. It features a centered 13MP front camera for clearer calls, a dynamic interface that adjusts based on your distance to the device, and spatial audio for more enjoyable listening. It also didn't fix what wasn't broken; you can still use it as a central hub for everything from controlling your lights and security systems to making video calls and streaming shows. At $84.99 (reg. $149.99), it's down to its lowest price on record ahead of Prime Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Echo / Sengled Echo Pop with Sengled smart color bulb $19.98 at Amazon
$59.98 Save $40.00 with Prime Get Deal

The Echo Pop is a "good budget-friendly option in the Echo lineup," according to Mashable's reviewer, SaVanna Shoemaker, and is a solid pick for those "who like to keep music playing, and who also use Alexa as a home assistant." It's currently on sale for $17.99, down from its usual $39.99. For just $2 more, you can bundle it with a Sengled smart color bulb and control your lights and music all by asking Alexa.

Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Coleman Skylodge 12-person camping tent $299.99 at Amazon
$429.99 Save $130.00 Get Deal

Whether you some extra sleeping space or storage space on your next camping trip, Coleman's Skylodge 12-person tent should do the trick. This baby can fit four queen-sized air mattresses inside its roomy 19 x 10 ft. interior. The center of the tent stands 7.4 feet high, so you can easily walk around and lounge inside when it's not bedtime. It can also withstand whatever weather you get stuck in. As of July 12, you can pick up this spacious tent for only $299.99 instead of $429.99. That's a savings of 30% and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Smart Plug $12.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $12.00 with Prime Get Deal

One of the simplest (and most affordable) ways to make your home a little smarter, the Amazon Smart Plug slips into your existing outlet and adds Alexa voice command to anything you plug in. You can schedule the lights, fan, coffee maker, or anything else you don't want running 24/7 to turn on and off at a specific time. It's usually a bit pricey at $24.99, but ahead of Prime Day, you can grab it for a much more affordable $12.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V8 Plus cordless vacuum $299.99 at Amazon
$469.99 Save $170.00 Get Deal

Looking for a vacuum that can handle everyday quick cleans across all of your floors? The Dyson V8 Plus is on sale for just $299.99 — a record-low for this model — and makes a solid cleaning companion. It has a runtime of 40 minutes and the ability to conserve energy and only use power when and where you need it. It also comes with a crevice tool, hair screw tool, motorbar, and mini soft dusting brush to help you really get your cleaning done right.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kobo Clara Colour: Which e-reader is better?

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 11:17
We put the two popular e-readers head-to-head to find out which one is worth your money.

Get a ridiculously cheap Bluetooth speaker at Walmart for all your summer parties

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 11:13

JUST $15: As of July 12, get the onn. Small Rugged Speaker at Walmart for just $14.88.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart onn. Small Rugged Speaker $14.88 at Walmart
Get Deal

Need a new Bluetooth speaker to enhance your next summer get together, but you don't have much extra cash to spend? You don't have to go for the best and brightest out there. Not when Walmart has you covered with a great little speaker that'll do the trick nicely and for a mere fraction of the cost.

As of July 12, you can get the onn. Small Rugged Speaker for just $14.88 at Walmart. That's an entire Bluetooth speaker for just $15, which is a great price for what you get. Plus, this isn't a temporary sale price — it's what you'll always pay for this little but loud device, which comes in Blue Silver and Lilac. There's also a Yellow colorway, but it's currently out of stock.

SEE ALSO: Bluetooth speaker deals are heating up ahead of Prime Day

This is a fun little speaker with a battery life of up to 10 hours. It's waterproof up to IPX7, so you don't have to worry about ruining it when you go to the pool and it gets splashed (or dunked underwater). It can stream audio from all your devices within a 33-foot range, and it has two sync modes that let it pair with other onn. speakers, if you have them. And if you don't want to connect via Bluetooth, it comes with a 3.5 mm input for a wired connection.

Grab one now while it's still in stock — a $15 speaker is a great buy, even if you're only going to use it here and there.

Score viral Solawave products for 30% off at Nordstrom

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 11:02

Shop Solawave products for 30% off at Nordstrom through July 22. Check out our favorite deals below:

These are the best deals form the Solawave Nordstrom sale: Best Solawave wand deal Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand $118.30 at Nordstrom (save $50.70) Get Deal Best acne treatment deal Solawave 3 Minute Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment $48.30 at Nordstrom (save $20.70) Get Deal Best Solawave serum deal Solawave Skin Therapy Activating Serum $20.30 at Nordstrom (save $8.70) Get Deal

Since launching in 2020, Solawave skincare wands, devices, and serums have taken over social media and beauty magazines alike. While viral beauty products aren't always worth the hype, that's not the case when it comes to Solawave. Last year, we gave the Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand a Mashable Choice Award, an honor we give to only our favorite products we test.

That's why we're excited about the current Solawave sale going on at Nordstrom. From today, July 12, until Monday, July 22, Solawave products are 30% off at Nordstrom. This sale includes the celebrity-favorite Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand, the Solawave 3 Minute Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment, and Solawave serums, moisturizers, and mists.

Best Solawave wand deal Opens in a new window Credit: Solawave Our pick: Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand $169.00 at Nordstrom
Get Deal Why we like it

The Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand packs a lot of power into one little tool, giving you four different non-invasive skincare treatments in one place. Its red light therapy feature helps reduce wrinkles and smooth out fine lines, while its galvanic current helps enhance the absorption of skincare products. The wand also offers heat therapy to treat dark circles, and therapeutic massage to help reduce puffiness in your face. The wand also features a three-minute timer, so you know exactly how much time to spend on each area in order to get effective results. Today's sale brings the wand's price down to under $120, so it's a great time to buy if you want to see Solawave results for yourself.

Best acne treatment deal Opens in a new window Credit: Solawave Our pick: Solawave 3-Minute Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment $48.30 at Nordstrom
$69.00 Save $20.70 Get Deal Why we like it

If you want to focus specifically on treating your acne, then the Solawave 3-Minute Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment will be the best Solawave device for you to use. The device uses two different kinds of light therapy: blue light therapy to help eliminate acne-causing bacteria, and red light therapy to reduce inflammation and redness. Together, these therapies help give you clearer, healthier skin. Whether you want to clear up active acne or prevent further breakouts, this three-minute routine can help you meet your skincare goals. Plus, this sale brings the device down to a budget-friendly price under $50.

Best Solawave serum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Solawave Our pick: Solawave Skin Therapy Activating Serum $20.30 at Nordstrom
$29.00 Save $8.70 Get Deal Why we like it

To reap the full benefits of your Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand, you'll also need to buy the Solawave Skin Therapy Activating Serum. Luckily, the serum is part of the sale, too. Normally $29, you can score the lightweight serum for $20.30 at Nordstrom. To use, you'll apply the serum to the area you want to treat and glide the wand over the area for three minutes. Not only does the serum activate the wand, but we also appreciate how it can layer with your existing skincare routine.

Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford team up in 'Captain America: Brave New World' trailer

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 10:38
"Captain America: Brave New World" hits theaters Feb. 14, 2025. Watch the first trailer now.

The Margaritaville Tahiti Margarita Machine is $74 off — make frozen drinks at home

Fri, 07/12/2024 - 10:22

GET $74 OFF: As of July 12, the Margaritaville Tahiti Margarita Machine is available at Amazon for $450.23, down from $525. That's a 32% discount of $74.77.

Opens in a new window Credit: Margaritaville Store Our pick: Margaritaville Tahiti Margarita Machine $450.23 at Amazon
$525.00 Save $74.77 Get Deal

The Margaritaville Tahiti Margarita Machine is back in stock and on sale at Amazon, so you can embrace your inner vacationer and whip up frozen margaritas at home. It is summer, after all, and if you can’t afford a trip to the tropics, you might as well bring the tropics to you.

Sure, this little machine might seem ridiculous, especially when you see its $525 MSRP (Amazon inflated the price, so we’re only acknowledging the actual price), but with a $74 discount bringing it down to $450.23, it's a pretty sweet deal. And, according to Mashable’s Culture Reporter Tim Marcin, the price is the only thing about this machine that doesn’t make sense.

SEE ALSO: TikTok's newest obsession is coming — meet the Ninja Slushi

In his review, Marcin writes, “But is it cool? Would it be fun to break out at a party? Does it make a decent drink? Yes, yes, and yes. If you have a ton of people over, it would be an amazing tool for passing out drinks fast.”

The machine can whip up frozen margaritas, daiquiris, coladas, and more in just a few minutes. (The three blending jars create a 72-ounce frozen drink.) It comes with the recipes you need to get started, and the ingredients are easy to find.

So, if you have a bunch of friends and like to throw parties (and have the cash to drop on silly but fun impulse buys), this could be a great addition to your home entertainment setup.

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