- Help
- Google+
Looking for a new horror film to watch this Halloween season? Cuckoo, a bonkers mountain horror-thriller starring Hunter Schafer (Euphoria), is now available to watch at home after a successful release this summer.
It's got its fair share of creepy characters, eerie atmosphere, dramatic tension, and cinematic mountain lodge vibes a la The Shining. Far from a jump scare-filled traditional horror movie, Cuckoo is more dependent on building unnerving, creeping dread. Prepare for an uncomfortably tense, truly bizarre movie night.
Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Cuckoo at home.
What is Cuckoo about?Written and directed by Tilman Singer, the film follows 17-year-old American Gretchen (Schafer) who is uprooted to a resort in Bavaria with her father Luis (Márton Csókás), stepmother, Beth (Jessica Henwick), and 8-year-old stepsister, Alma (Mila Lieu).
Resort owner Mr. König (Dan Stevens) finds Gretchen a job working reception at a nearby lodge, where one day she's chased back to her new home on her bike by a mysterious hooded figure with glowing eyes. When nobody believes she was attacked, she's forced to investigate largely on her own. What she uncovers is quite bonkers and might leave you scratching your head.
Check out the full trailer below:
Is Cuckoo worth watching?Cuckoo reviews are a mixed bag, but lean mostly positive, with a 77 percent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 percent audience rating. Mashable's own reviewer Siddhant Adlakha calls it "incredibly strange and deviously fun."
"Whatever the film's more overt horrors, whether its chilling atmosphere or its attempts at amusing moral and visceral obscenities, they're all bound by Schafer's increasing physical and emotional despondency," wrote Adlakha in his review. "She doesn't just save the movie. She is the movie, making it all the more remarkable to watch."
As Schafer's first lead role in a film, she knocks it out of the park. And for her performance alone, it's worth a watch. Plus, of course, there's Dan Stevens.
How to watch Cuckoo at home Credit: NEONIf you skipped the big screen, you're in luck. You can watch Cuckoo at home as of Sept.17. The mountain horror-thriller is now officially available to rent or buy on digital-on-demand retailers like Prime Video, YouTube, and Apple TV for those who'd rather watch the film from their couch. If you'd rather wait and stream the film, keep reading for more information.
Note: If you choose to rent the film, you'll have 30 days to start watching and just 48 hours once you begin.
Here are some of the platforms where you can rent or purchase the film online:
Prime Video — $5.99 to rent or $9.99 to buy with Prime (save $5)
Apple TV — $5.99 to rent or $14.99 to buy
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — $5.99 to rent or $14.99 to buy
YouTube — $5.99 to rent or $14.99 to buy
Google Play — $5.99 to rent or $14.99 to buy
There's no official streaming date yet for Cuckoo, but since the indie film distributor Neon has a deal with Hulu, we expect the film to make its streaming debut on the service later this year. You can set yourself up for success by signing up for the streamer ahead of time. Hulu is surprisingly one of the most generous streamers for newbies, as it offers a free 30-day trial. Subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but we've rounded up a few different ways you can save on your subscription below.
The best Hulu streaming deals to watch laterBest Hulu deal for most people: Hulu annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $99.99 per year (save 16%) Get DealRather than paying $9.99 per month for Hulu, which adds up to $119.88 in a year, you can opt for an annual subscription and save 16%. An annual subscription with ads costs just $99.99 up front, which drops the monthly fee down to just $8.33 per month. Sure, you'll have to pay more up front, but you'll end up keeping more in your pocket in the long run.
Best bundle deal: Get Hulu and Disney+ for 37% off Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Duo Basic bundle: Hulu and Disney+ with ads $10.99 per month (save 45%) Get DealIf you're already a Disney+ subscriber or you want to get more bang for your buck, you can sign up for the Disney Duo Basic bundle and get both Disney+ and Hulu for $10.99 per month. That's just $1 more than paying for Hulu alone, or a savings of 45%. Even better, if you're a sports fan, you can throw ESPN+ into the mix for only $16.99 per month total. That's 47% in savings on all three services.
Best for students: Hulu Student Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student $1.99 per month (save 80%) Get DealStudents looking to stream Cuckoo and other Neon hits can sign up for Hulu for only $1.99 per month. That's a savings of 80% compared to the full cost of Hulu with ads. You'll just have to verify your college email address using SheerID to score the deal.
Best for T-Mobile users: Hulu (with ads) included for one year for Go5G Next customers Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile / Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free for select T-Mobile customers Get DealOne of the best ways to get free streaming services, including Hulu, is to switch your mobile plan to T-Mobile's Go5G Next plan. Customers on this plan get Hulu with ads included in their plan for no extra cost, plus Netflix and Apple TV+. If you're already on a Go5G Next plan, head over to the T-Mobile promo page and choose "redeem now" to claim your offer. You'll have to enter your T-Mobile number and account details in order to sign up for Hulu.
Note: After your initial 12-month promotional period, you'll also have to take action in order to keep your subscription alive.
The Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.
But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.
And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.
Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 21 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Monday, October 21, 2024:
AcrossChinese flatbreadThe answer is Bing.
The answer is Score.
The answer is OhISee.
The answer is Rachel.
The answer is Orlok.
The answer is Pews.
The answer is Icicle.
The answer is NoShow.
The answer is Greeks.
The answer is Eel.
The answer is Oro.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintBoxers do this for work.
SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 21 Hurdle Word 1 answerFIGHT
Hurdle Word 2 hintThey are gathered to hunt outlaws.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 21 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerPOSSE
Hurdle Word 3 hintA way to describe a chimney sweep's appearance.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 21 Hurdle Word 3 answerSOOTY
Hurdle Word 4 hintWhat winners get.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 21 Hurdle Word 4 answerPRIZE
Final Hurdle hintA bit of hail, a bit of rain.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerSLEET
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
National treasure Dame Jilly Cooper wrote beloved romantic novel Rivals in 1988, and it's now been adapted into a fittingly saucy TV series with Disney+ and Hulu. Part of the author's famous Rutshire Chronicles, the story throws you into the competitive TV industry in the '80s, where filthy rich neighbours — Olympic show jumper turned Tory politician Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and TV exec with a chip on his shoulder Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) — would love to see the other burn. And for the most part, everyone's having not-so-secret sex with everyone else in the sprawling estates of said industry heads in the Cotswolds.
But as Cooper herself told the audience of a Rivals preview screening in London in September, "It's about love, really. I think world's very low at the moment, we all need cheering up."
SEE ALSO: Here's your first rambunctious look at Jilly Cooper TV adaptation 'Rivals'The series was written and executive produced by A Very English Scandal's Dominic Treadwell-Collins with playwright Laura Wade, and Ted Lasso's Elliot Hegarty as lead director, alongside directors Dee Koppang O’Leary and Alexandra Brodski. It's an '80s dream, a shoulder-padded world of prawn cocktails, Blue Lagoons, and Depeche Mode blaring on tiny stereos. But ultimately, the show (and Cooper's book) is an ode to television in the '80s and how things were done.
"I remember my first job, the boss going off for a lunch with a channel and coming back hammered and going, we've got two new shows," said Treadwell-Collins. "And I thought, 'Wow, this is telly.'"
Just look at that '80s party table. Credit: Hulu / Disney+Treadwell-Collins spoke about people's reservations over how adaptable Cooper's raunchy books were for TV, saying, "I read Rivals over 20 years ago, and I've been wanting to put it on television. Lots of people laughed at me, and television people laughed at me and kept saying, "Ooohh Jilly Cooper. Jilly Cooper.' I kept saying, 'No, no!' It's such an amazing book with such a beautiful, twisted love story at the heart of it, and it's funny and witty and warm and clever, and it's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful book."
However, he ended up going directly to the source.
"I wrote to Jilly in the end. Felicity [Blunt, Cooper's literary agent] called me from lunch with her and said, 'Jilly's read your letter, and she wants to give you the rights, and she wants you to write it.' And that was magic. So we went to Jilly's house and sat on her living room floor with lots of bits of paper and planned out what we're going to do."
"It's about love, really. I think world's very low at the moment, we all need cheering up." - Dame Jilly CooperYes, this is Jilly Cooper so the series is about love and sex, but it's also deeply about class. "We talked about it a lot and it's the heart of Jilly's book," said Treadwell-Collins. "British people are obsessed with class, and everyone else around the world is obsessed with our obsession with class. I think what we're showing here is: you may be upper class, but that doesn't make you classy. We skewer the class system. We skewer our obsession with class, with garden parties and dinner parties and Tupperware parties. And as you go along, you'll see these characters' obsession with class starts to destroy people, and that's at the heart of the show."
The Rivals cast and crew spoke to British comedian and TV host Sue Perkins at a London preview about the series, joined by Cooper herself. As they spoke about their characters and the challenge of adapting Cooper's writing, we've distilled their conversation into a guide to each Rivals character and what to expect from the series.
Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black. Credit: Hulu / Disney+The Boys star Alex Hassell plays Rivals' big cheese, the philandering MP Rupert Campbell Black, who spends little time serving his constituents and considerable time serving the women of the Cotswolds. At the preview, Perkins described Campbell Black as "one of the most iconic dashing bastards in modern literature — read about, fawned over, and the subject of much adolescent frotting." I honestly can't do better than that. Being Cooper's leading aristocratic lothario, Hassell acknowledged the big shoes he needed to fill, and said Cooper's presence on set was always supportive, with tiny notes.
"Yes, it was quite intimidating," he said. "I'll be honest, what was very, very useful was every room that I went into as Rupert Campbell Black, everyone in the room was told before I got into the room to treat me as if I was the most attractive man in the world. Extremely helpful.
"When I got the part, I read Riders for the backstory, and once I got over being really intimidated by playing Rupert Campbell Black, I read Rivals too. I had to get over the fear of not being as ravishing as I should be. But as we went on, and basically, after I took my clothes off, I felt more comfortable, weirdly."
Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham. Credit: Hulu / Disney+The new-money antithesis to Campbell-Black's blue bloodedness, Lord Tony Baddingham is played by Doctor Who himself, David Tennant. The brusque managing director of independent commercial TV channel Corinium, Tony will do anything to triumph — over his competitors, over his neighbours, but mostly over his nemesis Campbell-Black.
"It's so potent, it's very British, but it's very human, I think as well, that 'I can never quite be where I want to be.' That sense of always being disappointed. That however hard you try, there's a club you're not allowed to be in," said Tennant. "For someone like Tony, that's devastating, and he can only try harder. He will never be satisfied because he's always one peg down from the exclusive club. And it kills him."
However, Tony's wife Lady Monica Baddingham (Claire Rushbrook) is the real key to his character, Tennant said.
"I love those scenes [between Tony and Monica] because it's where all the armour sort of falls away. You see the little boy again, and he's sort of got his mum there. He's got that comfort, that need. He's very at home with her, he absolutely needs her, he knows her entirely. Because he often runs this extraordinary lifestyle full of treachery and debauchery and everything else, but he always has to have Monica."
But above all, Tony values one thing. "Winning!" said Tennant. "Whatever that means in whatever the situation that he's in. It's the sense that because he can never quite have the ultimate prize, he must have all the other prizes, and everyone else must be at his feet. He's very balanced. There's no daddy issues at all."
Taggie O'Hara (Bella Maclean) Bella Maclean as Taggie O'Hara. Credit: Hulu / Disney+Sex Education actor Bella Maclean takes on Taggie O'Hara, the daughter of journalist Declan O'Hara (Aidan Turner) who finds adjusting to the Costwolds community pretty tumultuous — alongside her sister Caitlin, played by Enola Holmes 2's Catriona Chandler — and especially her interactions with Rupert Campbell-Black.
"I loved Taggie. When I was doing the audition process. I had about three days to read Rivals before my final round, and I was panicked because it's quite a hefty book, Jilly, and I read it pretty much overnight," said Maclean. "I became quite obsessed with Taggie. I think she's got quite an amazing moral compass, and she's in a world with quite strong characters, and she's not afraid to share her mind and stand up to you [Rupert]. And I think maybe that's why we start our love affair."
Declan O'Hara (Aidan Turner) Aidan Turner as Declan O'Hara Credit: Hulu / Disney+A hard-boiled journalist who leaves the BBC for a lucrative commercial TV studio, promised his own interview show, Declan O'Hara is the straight man of the series, played by Poldark's Aidan Turner. He's a protective father and attempted family man, but he spends most of the show on his program, Declan — much to the shagrin of his colleague and jealous host James Vereker (My Lady Jane star Oliver Chris) and his bored wife Maud (Ballykissangel star Victoria Smurfit).
Turner based his character on TV presenters from over the decades, including conservative columnist William F. Buckley Jr. "One in particular I quite like was The Firing Line, some of those older American, longform, dusty, smoky interviews. They were useful."
But it's not the only inspiration Turner drew on for his character. "I kind of stole from lots of people for the presenting stuff, and then lightly based it, I thought, on my dad. The more I watched it, that's my dad. That's his accent, that's the way he walks, he had a tach for 20 years exactly the same as that. So yeah, I think it's closer to my father that I might care to admit actually."
Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams) Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook. Credit: Hulu / Disney+Powerhouse American TV producer Cameron Cook, played by The Gentlemen actor Nafessa Williams, is flown over by Tony to Corinium to produce Declan's show. Williams found a lot of similarities in the fish-out-of-water experience of her character.
"It was a lot of life imitating art, right?" said Williams. "She came from New York to come here; I came from Atlanta to come here. So I understood her world, I understood her coming here being new, not understanding the world so much. I think what got me is when I read the script, I was just like, she's so strong, so smart, and so firm in who she is. I just felt like she also could hold her own amongst these really strong, powerful men, and I was just really excited to give my voice over to it. It's been really fun. I learned a lot."
Williams studied producers and portrayals onscreen like The Morning Show for her role, but she also got into the headspace of Cameron by channelling her own family.
"I always wanted to be an adult in the '80s. So I just remember those images of my mom and my grandmom — the red lip, the hair, and the fashion — and just really wanting to emulate that. So that was a good bit of my research, having that visual."
Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson) Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker. Credit: Hulu / Disney+Played by The IT Crowd's Katherine Parkinson, Lizzie Vereker is the eyes and ears of the Cotswolds. A writer, observing and recording the indulgent, dramatic shenanigans of her neighbours, Lizzie is like the Lady Whistledown of Rivals — and based on Cooper herself.
"Dame Jilly said to me, you know you're playing me? And I was extremely flattered to take on that responsibility," said Parkinson. "But I think it's important when you're playing a writer, to look invested in the people around you, and to be quite watchful, because that's something I've noticed with writers and so did that. But my hair isn't nearly as good as Jilly's, as you'll see."
Lizzie finds herself attracted to businessman Freddie Jones (played by EastEnders' Danny Dyer) and the two share a wonderful chemistry onscreen in the series' slowest burn romance.
"We really can't stand each other. I've asked him not to look at me except during the scenes," Parkinson joked. "No, I was very pleased that Danny played that part. I think it's so beautifully drawn throughout the series, their dynamic, in these quite economically written scenes by Laura Wade and Dom. It says so much with so little sometimes. And, you know, it's over eight episodes so it's a kind of slow burn relationship, which feels very '80s. I'm not sure how many slow burn relationships are allowed to happen in a world of Tinder and so on."
Rivals is now streaming on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ in the UK.
SAVE OVER $20: As of Oct. 21, the Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones are on sale for $38 at Amazon. That's a saving of 37% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones $38.00 at AmazonYou can't go wrong with a good pair of over-ear headphones. They're comfortable, block out distractions, and of course, offer incredible sound quality. And if you're looking for a quality, reliable pair of headphones that don't cost hundreds of dollars, we've found the deal for you.
As of Oct. 21, you can grab the Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones for just $38, reduced from $59.99. This deal is available in all four colorways: Black, White, Blue, and Cappuccino. Not to mention, this is the lowest price they've ever been at Amazon.
SEE ALSO: The best headphones for iPhone owners in 2024A big selling point of these headphones is the battery life, lasting up to 50 hours — perfect for those of us who always forget to charge our tech. It also has quick-charging capability, so when it does run out of juice it won't be long before they're back in use.
In terms of sound quality, these headphones offer customizable sound settings through the Sony app, so users can adjust the equalizer to match their preferences. It also comes with Sony's DSEE technology, which enhances the quality of compressed music files, giving you a much better listening experience.
And here's looking at the forgetful among us, this model also comes with a fast pair option. If you misplace your headphones, you can easily find them by sound or check their last known location in Google’s Find My Device app on your smartphone.
This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.
SAVE OVER $9: As of Oct. 21. the CHONCHOW gaming keyboard and mouse bundle is on sale at Amazon for $9.49. That's a saving of 50% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: CHONCHOW CHONCHOW Gaming Keyboard and Mouse $9.49 at AmazonGaming accessories don't have to break the bank. With many products costing hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars, it's easy to forget that you can do it cheaply.
And that's exactly what this gaming keyboard and mouse bundle offers. As of Oct. 21, you can treat yourself to a gaming keyboard and mouse for under $10. This CHONCOW bundle is reduced by 50%, now just $9.49. This is only available on the White and Black option, however. For White Transparent you'll pay $18.99.
SEE ALSO: Save over $50 on this versatile and responsive gaming headsetWith 104 keys and a sturdy tripod design, both the keyboard and the mouse are built to reduce stress on your hands. So if you're planning some long gaming sessions, comfort comes front and center with this keyboard.
It's also compatible with a long list of platforms including Windows XP, 7, and 10, iMac, Linux, and gaming consoles like PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Switch. Thanks to the USB-A connection, it's plug-and-play, so there's no complicated setup — just connect it and off you go.
But the main selling point is the rainbow backlighting which you can easily control and create lighting effects, switching between breathing or solid modes.
Head over to Amazon to grab this deal before it runs out.
SAVE $300: As of Oct. 21, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is on sale for $1,599.99 at Amazon. This deal saves you 16% on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 $1,599.99 at AmazonWherever you stand on the iPhone vs. Samsung Galaxy argument, there's no denying that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 looks cool. A folding touchscreen phone? Come on, our teenage flip-phone-owning selves would go wild for it. And if it's been on your adult wishlist for a while, you'll be pleased to know it's currently on sale at Amazon.
As of Oct. 21, you can live out your folding touchscreen phone dreams for $1,599.99, reduced from $1,899.99. This deal is available on the 256GB option in the Navy and Silver colorways.
SEE ALSO: Snag a Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 for a new low price at WalmartBesides the folding tech, the outer display really just functions like a regular smartphone screen, while the larger inner screen provides more space for apps or split-screen use, similar to that of a tablet. And like most newer smartphones, it comes with a range of photo abilities, from wide-angle to telephoto.
We really like the "With Circle to Search" feature. With this, you can circle anything on your screen — like shoes or gadgets — and instantly find where to buy them. The phone also comes packed with various AI tools, such as Generative Edit which helps you clean up images, remove objects, and enhance colors.
This is a limited-time deal on Amazon, so act quick before it runs out.
New images from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope demonstrate how a withered star remnant is only mostly dead — that is until a bloated nearby star reanimates it, a la Frankenstein.
The legendary observatory has monitored a double star system about 700 light-years away from Earth for more than 30 years, capturing how it dims and brightens over time as a result of strong pulses from the primary star. The binary, composed of a white dwarf star and a red giant star, has a caustic relationship, releasing tangled streams of glowing gas into the cosmos like an erratic lawn sprinkler.
Astronomers have dubbed this toxic pair in the constellation Aquarius a "stellar volcano" for how it sprays streams of glowing gas some 248 billion miles in space. For comparison, that's 24 times farther than the diameter of our solar system.
NASA is watching the stars to study how they recycle elements into the universe through nuclear energy.
"The plasma is shooting into space over 1 million miles per hour – fast enough to travel from Earth to the Moon in 15 minutes!" NASA said in a statement. "The filaments are glowing in visible light because they are energized by blistering radiation from the stellar duo."
SEE ALSO: This nova is on the verge of exploding. You could see it any day now. When a white dwarf star swings close to a red giant star, it draws away hydrogen. Credit: NASA Goddard illustrationThe binary star system, known collectively as R Aquarii, is a special type of double star, called symbiotic, and it's the closest such pair to Earth. In this system, an elderly red giant, bloated and dying, and a white dwarf, the shriveled core of a dead medium-sized star, are orbiting each other.
The big star is over 400 times larger than the sun and varies dramatically in brightness over a 400-day period. At its peak, the red giant is 5,000 times brighter than the sun. Like the big star in R Aquarii, the sun is expected to bloat into a red giant in about 5 billion years.
When the white dwarf in R Aquarii gets close to its hulking companion along its 44-year orbit, the dead star steals stellar material away with gravity, causing hydrogen gas to heap onto its cool surface. That process makes the corpse rise from the dead, so to speak, warming up and eventually igniting like a bomb.
NASA and the European Space Agency created the above timelapse video of R Aquarii using Hubble images that spanned 2014 to 2023.
This thermonuclear explosion is called a "nova" — not to be confused with a supernova, the obliteration of an enormous star before it collapses into a black hole or neutron star. The nova doesn't destroy the white dwarf — rather, the explosion merely causes it to spew more elements, like carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and iron, back into space.
This year scientists have been on the edge of their seats, waiting for a nova to emerge from T Coronae Borealis, or T CrB, a binary star system about 3,000 light-years away in the Milky Way. This particular nova, which should be visible to the naked eye, is intriguing because it experiences periodic outbursts. Experts have determined it detonates about every 80 years.
A few months ago, experts believed the white dwarf would go nova sometime before September. Curiously, that sudden brightening hasn't happened yet.
Tweet may have been deleted"Recurrent novae are unpredictable and contrarian," said Koji Mukai, a NASA astrophysicist, in a June statement. "When you think there can’t possibly be a reason they follow a certain set pattern, they do — and as soon as you start to rely on them repeating the same pattern, they deviate from it completely."
These events are critical to understand because of how important they are for generating and distributing the ingredients for new stars, planets, and life. And this is what astronomer Carl Sagan meant when he said humans are made of "star stuff." The same substances that make our bodies were literally forged within the cores of stars, then flung through the cosmos when the stars burst.
R Aquarii blasts glowing jets that twist up and out following strong magnetic fields. The plasma seems to loop back onto itself, weaving an enormous spiral.
Now that we’re over the Prime Day threshold, Amazon’s getting ready for the holiday shopping season by rolling out deals across a wide range of products, including smart home gadgets and appliances. If you want to get ahead of winter’s chilly embrace, we’ve rounded up some of the best deals to help you stay cozy without breaking the bank.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Oct. 21. If none of these seem particularly exciting, we’ll have a new post up tomorrow with the latest batch of deals to check out. You can also check our lists from Oct. 19 and Oct. 18. Most of these deals are still available, including the JBL Tune Flex true wireless noise-canceling earbuds and the Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: ecobee ecobee Smart Thermostat bundle $239.99 at AmazonThe ecobee Smart Thermostat bundle (which includes a built-in air quality monitor and smart sensor with SmartSensor for doors and windows) is on sale for $239.99, down from $329.98. That’s a 27% discount or $89.99 off.
The bundle includes an ecobee Smart Thermostat (with a built-in air quality monitor) and a SmartSensor two-pack to help keep your home comfortable. The door and window sensors can monitor when doors and windows are opened and closed and adjust the temperature accordingly to save you energy (up to 26% per year, according to the manufacturer).
Best heater deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dreo Dreo space heater $35.96 at AmazonIf you get cold easily or work in a chilly office, the Dreo space heater is 10% off and includes a remote. It’s small enough (3.04 pounds) to take to work or carry from room to room but has a 1500W advanced PTC system that can deliver heat up to 200% farther than a traditional space heater.
It also has a 12-hour timer, child lock, and memory function, so you can stay comfy no matter where you are. Plus, the tilt-detection safety system and V0 flame-retardant materials make it a safer heating option.
Best power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker 535 PowerHouse $329.99 at AmazonCheck out our full review of the Anker 535 PowerHouse.
If there’s one thing we can count on, it’s unpredictable weather. With winter just around the corner and hurricane season still in full swing, it's smart to have a power source on hand for emergencies.
Right now, you can get the Anker 535 PowerHouse for $329.99 — that’s $170 off and a nice deal if you're looking for a backup power solution to keep your devices charged and running during an outage. The Anker 535 is also a Mashable favorite that we’ve recommended in the past for its powerful 1,024Wh battery capacity, multiple ports, and fast 60W USB-C charging.
“At $500, I can say that it is worth the investment for somebody who needs to be prepared for inclement weather (like myself living in Florida) or spends lots of time in remote areas and may not have access to outlets such as campers or those on a road trip,” writes Mashable contributor Jenna Clark.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
There's nowhere but up for the AI gadget market to go in 2025, because that market in 2023 and 2024 was, sadly, riddled with junk.
Overly ambitious devices debuted — seemingly pegged to the rapturous response to ChatGPT and other LLMs — but once they got into the hands of consumers, to say they did not please would be an understatement.
There was rabbit r1, an underwhelming orange box that, according to Mashable's Kimberly Gedeon, was essentially a fidget spinner with a screen, with which the user could... do very little. The Verge's headline summed it up as "an unfinished, unhelpful AI gadget." Then came the Humane AI Pin, which YouTube tech reviewer Marques Brownlee described bluntly as "the worst product I've ever reviewed."
SEE ALSO: A huge Windows 11 2024 update dropped today: 5 new AI-powered features, including RecallSo the first movers got attention, but it wasn't for their utility, and it wasn't exactly positive. The early AI gadget entrepreneurs have been more like the inventors in that old stock footage of crazy, turn-of-the-century flying machines that don't actually fly.
As we look ahead to 2025, the hope is for more polished, functional devices. There is, to be absolutely clear, no guarantee we'll get any such thing.
1. AI apps preprogrammed into hardwareUseful AI that you can actually hold in your hand might not come in the form of a shiny new "AI-powered" device at all in 2025. Instead, it might materialize via an update to the smudged and scratched device you already have in your pocket.
You might not have even noticed, for instance, that the vaunted "Apple Intelligence" suite of features that made headlines earlier this year didn't actually ship with the new iPhone 16. This may have been on purpose. Features like "Genmoji" and new Siri are neat ideas that are nonetheless far from revolutionary, and it's unlikely Apple wanted iPhone 16 reviewers including long digressions about disappointing AI in otherwise positive hardware reviews. But Apple will inevitably roll out more new phones in 2025, and they'll inevitably ship with these AI features. Instead of a bang, AI will arrive on iPhones with an "oh there that is."
And don't be too surprised if AI features "debut" in this low-key way on other devices like smart TVs and car infotainment systems in 2025.
2. AI complementing existing wearables"AI you can wear" has been part of AI fever since before ChatGPT, and the integration of AI into wearables has definitely already begun. In 2025, however, we should start to see wearables large numbers of people actually own featuring AI software they might actually use. So even if you're not exactly planning to be first in line at an Apple Store to buy a next-generation device in the Apple Vision product line — even though the multi-thousand-dollar headset will probably get a huge AI update in 2025 — there might still be an AI-enabled wearable in your price range next year.
SEE ALSO: First impressions of Humane's Ai Pin: A very out-of-hand proof of conceptDuring a recent Meta keynote from Mark Zuckerberg — which was focused more on a far-out new wearable technology very much not coming in 2025 — Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses received some AI updates without too much fanfare. This came right as Meta deepened its investment in the world of glasses. Don't be surprised, then, if this niche piece of tech, mostly touted for its hands-free photography capabilities, suddenly materializes on faces all over your community next year, and seems to be less a livestreaming tool than a sort of wearable assistant or companion.
Similarly, Fitbit's AI upgrades, and upgrades that make Apple Intelligence features accessible via the Apple Watch should show up on people's bodies next year.
3. 2024 announcements becoming realityThis is probably the AI-powered stuff you're looking for.
In 2025, we’ll start seeing concepts from 2024 materialize as real hunks of plastic — at least, the ones that survive the hype cycle. One such example is the "Friend" AI medallion, a wearable, orb-like companion thingy, created by Avi Schifmann (though its origins are somewhat in dispute). Its purpose is ostensibly to offer emotional support — to be an AI friend who can provide advice and commiseration, rather than, say, summarizing your Zoom meetings. It's supposed to ship in the first quarter of 2025.
Samsung's Ballie, an AI-powered smart robot shaped like a ball that charmed attendees at CES this year could also receive a 2025 release.
4. Expect the unexpected in AI gadgetsIf 2025 is anything like the past few years, we can expect some bizarre, unexpected AI gadgets to emerge — things no one asked for but which might weirdly work.
If 2025 sees the release of, say, a line of AI-powered spoons that stir your sauces, but also taste them and suggest changes to your recipe, well, would you be all that surprised? It's a weird time for tech.
By now, you’re probably aware of AI chatbots and their basic pros and cons: They churn out passable text about almost anything you want, but they’re not about to be mistaken for real people. They also hallucinate often.
But the word "chat" is right there in the name, and you can engage in a back-and-forth with them, although the sort of “can you feel pain”-type questions that researchers and commentators were eager to ask when they first came out have been exhausted, and pretty much no one thinks these machines are sentient. Some people nonetheless enjoy playing make-believe with AI companion chatbots, but if that’s you, you probably don’t need this article.
Instead, you’re probably more of a chatbot normie, and you're wondering how you can have a memorable experience with this new category of software. At their best, chatbots can be a little like funhouse mirrors. They reflect back just enough of a human-like form that you can have some introspective fun by staring into them — and maybe even learn a little about yourself in the process.
SEE ALSO: X to allow third parties to train AI on your postsBelow are five genuinely fruitful prompts you can punch into a chatbot. Despite all of your silicon-based interlocutor's flaws, you might find yourself roped into a lively or even contentious interaction.
1. "What’s an overwhelmingly common opinion I might hold that is probably wrong?"Different Chatbots will have different notions of what qualifies as an "overwhelmingly common opinion," but the answers they give in response to this prompt are diverse, and at times, genuinely remarkable. At one point, ChatGPT served me a hot take about real estate in response to this. Normally, however, chatbot responses to this are like mini Malcolm Gladwell chapters.
Credit: Mashable screenshot via OpenAISmaller models might refute conventional wisdom no one actually believes, like "money buys happiness." But you can always just demand something less trite in a follow up prompt. It’s impossible to be rude to a robot.
2. "Tell me a story in elementary school [insert language you are learning]."No chatbot will generate a riveting story, but that’s not the point here. The point is to get an instant lesson on demand. Ask it what the words you don’t know mean, and then ask it whatever comes to mind after that — but do it without using your native language. 15 minutes of chatbot language immersion is a great workout you can include in a balanced language-learning regimen.
3. "Ask me a question I might find too painful to answer." Credit: Mashable screenshot via OpenAIJust to be clear, no chatbot I encountered was able to come up with a question "too painful to answer." Chatbots are pretty trite, but if you set the standard impossibly high for potential impact — you’re asking it to be so provocative that you break down emotionally — you just might get something that at least registers on your emotional Richter scale in some way. That’s pretty good.
Note: This prompt is apparently too spicy for Anthropic's Claude to answer at all.
4. "[Insert most original thought you've ever had] Who are some people who thought of this before me and what did they say?"Many of us think we’re original thinkers with unique minds, and that our opinions are so brilliant we should be made philosopher kings. If that’s you, or even if it isn’t, one fairly accessible stress test for your latest kernel of wisdom is to throw it into the chatbot of your choice and prompt it to tell you how unoriginal you really are.
The chatbot’s response might trace back through the great thinkers of history and literature — a humbling and enlightening exercise — or it might completely misunderstand what you’re getting at. Either way, it opens up a dialogue with the past and shows how thoughts like yours fit into the wider evolution of human ideas.
5. Summarize, contextualize, and refute [XYZ concept] in 100 words. Credit: Mashable screenshot via AnthropicCan a chatbot take a complex idea and compress it into just 100 words? No! But once again, if you set the bar extremely high, when the chatbot doesn’t reach that bar, you at least get a shortcut to basic understanding out of the deal.
The bot’s summaries will leave out key details — enough to make the answer a bit inscrutable in some cases, but this prompt can spark a useful discussion. After a few follow up questions, the lightbulb in your brain just might turn on. If not, you can always ask it for its human-written source, and then go and read that source.
TL;DR: Take flight with the Ninja Dragon Sky 8 — an obstacle-avoiding smart drone, now available for $99.99 (reg. $199).
Advanced obstacle avoidance tech lets you fly confidently, even in tight spaces
Optical flow positioning helps you hover smoothly and take sharper shots
Equipped with an HD camera for capturing high-quality aerial photos and videos
Simple one-button takeoff and landing makes it easy to master flying
Can handle 360-degree flips and rolls — impress your friends!
Lightweight and portable, so you can bring it along on all your adventures
LED lights make flying at night as fun as it is during the day
Get the Ninja Dragon Sky 8 Obstacle Avoidance Smart Drone with optical flow for $99.99 and experience seamless, obstacle-avoiding flights on your next outdoor adventure.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Dragon Ninja Dragon Sky 8 Obstacle Avoidance Smart Drone With Optical Flow $99.99TL;DR: Get the Mini 4G Dual SIM Smartphone for $94.99 (reg. $119) and enjoy compact convenience with dual SIM support.
Opens in a new window Credit: Rochas Divine Mart Mini 4G Dual SIM Smartphone $94.99If you’re looking for a versatile and compact smartphone that won’t break the bank, the Mini 4G Dual SIM Smartphone could be just the ticket
Get the Mini 4G Dual SIM Smartphone for $94.99 (reg. $119) and enjoy compact convenience with dual SIM support. This Android-based device is perfect for travelers, busy professionals, or anyone who needs the flexibility of two phone lines in one pocket-sized device.
With dual SIM slots, you can easily manage separate work and personal numbers, or save on international roaming fees by using a local SIM while abroad.
The Mini 4G comes in black and silver, offering a sleek look that resembles the design of a Samsung Galaxy, but at a fraction of the price. It’s great for those who prefer a smaller phone that can easily slip into a pocket or bag. The familiar Android interface means you’ll have access to apps via Google Play, making it a practical choice for anyone already accustomed to Android.
Parents may find it’s an affordable starter phone for kids or teens, providing essential features without the expense of a high-end device. It keeps them connected, while the budget-friendly price tag gives parents peace of mind. The Mini 4G isn’t just about affordability — it’s a reliable choice for anyone needing essential smartphone functions in a straightforward, no-fuss package.
For a limited time, the Mini 4G Dual SIM Smartphone is on sale for $94.99 — a smart choice for anyone seeking a portable, affordable, and functional device for everyday use.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: These open-box JBL Tune 520BT headphones give you wireless audio and deep bass for just $36.99 (reg. $49).
Deliver rich, deep bass that makes every song feel like a live performance
Wireless and lightweight, perfect for all-day listening on the go
40-hour battery life means more music and fewer charges
Bluetooth 5.0 for easy pairing and reliable connections with all your devices
Hands-free calls and voice assistant support keep you connected without missing a beat
Comfortable on-ear design that’s easy to wear wherever you go
Considered "open-box", which just means the headphones were briefly handled or returned, inspected for quality, and are in new condition — allowing you to enjoy a discount on a top-notch product
Get ready to enjoy your favorite tracks in style with these open-box JBL Tune 520BT on-ear wireless headphones, all for just $36.99.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Tune 520BT On-Ear Wireless Headphones (Open Box) $36.99TL;DR: Host your WordPress site for life with a Hostverge Lifetime Subscription on sale for just $39.99 (reg. $99).
Opens in a new window Credit: Hostverge Hostverge WordPress Hosting Lifetime Subscriptions (Starter Plan) $39.99Managing a website means more than just creating content. You also have to make sure the site itself runs smoothly, stays secure, and handles growth effectively. It's a lot of work to do on your own, but there are tools out there that will do the hard parts for you.
Hostverge is a WordPress hosting service that gives users the tools they need to manage websites. Plus, you don't have to worry about any ongoing costs, because Hostverge has a lifetime plan available for just $39.99 (reg. $99). That means no more monthly hosting payments to worry about — but that's just the beginning.
The host with the mostLifelong hosting is easy on the budget, but affordability doesn't mean much if the platform is completely bare bones. So it's a good thing Hostverge also offers a bunch of other exciting (and unlimited) services. That includes unlimited storage and bandwidth, so users can expand their sites without encountering technical restrictions. With free SSL certificates and malware protection, Hostverge also provides the security necessary to safeguard websites and maintain visitor trust.
You'll also benefit from a global CDN that accelerates website loading times for audiences across different regions. Hostverge’s hosting solution includes unlimited email accounts, allowing businesses to manage communication seamlessly with built-in spam protection. The platform’s WordPress staging environment even makes it possible to test changes before making them live, minimizing the risk of errors.
Running a shop and can't afford losing a sale because your site is offline? Hostverge has a 99.99% uptime guarantee, so you'll have uninterrupted service around the clock.
Why pay monthly for web hosting?If you're going to keep your WordPress site live indefinitely, then paying monthly just means one more bill that's never going away.
Instead, get a Hostverge Lifetime Subscription on sale for $39.99.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Live stream Baltimore Ravens vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers for free on My5. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
It's time once again for Monday Night Football — and it's a major clash as the Ravens visit the Buccaneers. Both teams are defending divisional champions and share a strong record of 4-2 so far this season.
It was shaky start for the Ravens — despite being tipped as contenders to challenge for the Super Bowl — but they're coming off four straight wins. The pairing of quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry looks sharp and powerful right now. The Ravens are a serious danger in the red zone.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, scored big against the Saints last week. QB Baker Mayfield had a strong showing, but — like the Ravens — their defence can be shaky at times. All of which means Ravens vs. Buccaneers could be a high scoring game.
With a simple hack, you can live stream select NFL fixtures for free from anywhere in the world. To watch Baltimore Ravens vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers for free, here's all the information you need.
When is Ravens vs. Buccaneers?Baltimore Ravens vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers takes place at 8:15 p.m. ET on Oct. 21. This fixture will be played at Raymond James Stadium.
How to watch Ravens vs. Buccaneers for freeBaltimore Ravens vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers is available to live stream for free on My5.
My5 is a free streaming platform that's geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this platform worldwide with a VPN. VPNs can help by hiding your real IP address (digital location) and connecting you to secure servers in other countries (including the UK), which allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and access free streams.
Access free live streams of the NFL 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 the UK
Visit My5
Live stream Ravens vs. Buccaneers for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming aren't free, but the top VPN services do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By signing up for these deals, you'll be able to access free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. It's a short-term solution, but this gives you enough time to watch Baltimore Ravens vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers and other select NFL fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently available for $99.95. Within this limited time deal you'll get an extra three months at no additional cost, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup for free, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Ravens vs. Buccaneers for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Amazon's massive Prime Day events generate consistent hype, but Black Friday remains the biggest shopping holiday of the year by far.
Black Friday always takes place on the fourth Friday in November (and the day after Thanksgiving), which happens to fall abnormally late in the month this year. For consumers, that means two things: There's a shorter-than-usual window for last-minute Christmas shopping, but more-than-usual leeway for scoping out Black Friday deals in advance. Plan accordingly.
I'm a Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable, and I've been covering Black Friday sales since 2019. Here's what I think you need to know about them in advance and what you can expect to see from major retailers.
When is Black Friday 2024?With Thanksgiving slated for Thursday, Nov. 28, Black Friday is happening on Friday, Nov. 29 this year.
That being said, most retailers begin rolling out "early Black Friday deals" well ahead of time (days, if not weeks in advance). Some draw things out even longer with Black Friday discounts that bleed into the following weekend. In practice, Black Friday is not restricted to a rigid 24-hour timeframe.
The same goes for Cyber Monday, a similar but more online-centric shopping holiday that happens the same weekend. (It's scheduled for Monday, Dec. 2 in 2024.) Most retailers will shift into Cyber Monday mode by the Sunday after Black Friday, if not earlier. The entire weekend's festivities are typically referred to as "Cyber Weekend."
SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day vs. Black Friday: When are the deals better?None of the major retailers have confirmed their official plans for these sales just yet, but I can make some educated guesses about them based on prior years' happenings.
Black Friday at AmazonAmazon formally began its 2024 holiday shopping season with Prime Big Deal Days, a 48-hour sale for Prime members on Oct. 8 and 9. (You may have seen it referred to as "October Prime Day," a riff on Amazon's flagship Prime Day sale in July.) The only sale that's currently on the retail giant's calendar is its fourth annual Holiday Beauty Haul from Oct. 21 to Nov. 3. However, an Amazon blog post notes that "[more] exciting deal events are planned ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday."
Amazon's Black Friday sale started a week early in 2023, ushering in "some of the lowest prices of the year so far." New discounts dropped as often as every five minutes during certain periods of the event, and a special selection of deals was timed with the inaugural Black Friday NFL game (aired for free on Prime Video). Many of Amazon's Black Friday deals then lingered into its Cyber Monday sale, which also got an early launch that Saturday.
Amazon said last year's extended Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale was its "biggest ever compared to the same 11-day period ending on Cyber Monday in previous years," so I wouldn't be surprised if it used the exact same formatting for Black Friday 2024. Expect its announcement to arrive sometime in early November: In 2023, it dropped on Nov. 5.
Black Friday at WalmartWalmart hosted a Holiday Deals event from Oct. 8 through Oct. 13, which opened online with 12 hours of early access for paid Walmart+ members and continued in stores on Oct. 9. (This marked the earliest-ever start to its year-end shopping season.) Its schedule is currently wide open, but a press release called that sale Walmart's "first Holiday Deals event of the season" — emphasis mine — and teased "more incredible deals events to come, including its can’t-miss Black Friday and Cyber Monday events." This would track with Walmart's past holiday programming, which typically involves multiple sales staggered throughout November.
SEE ALSO: Walmart vs. Amazon: Which retail giant has the best deals?In 2023, Walmart scattered its "best savings of the season" across two Black Friday Deals events in early and late November; the second one directly overlapped with Black Friday proper. These sales kicked off online with a three-hour head start for Walmart+ members before opening to the public, and they went live in stores two days after the fact. They then culminated in a one-day, online-only Cyber Monday sale that also featured early access for the Walmart+ crew.
An early November announcement detailing Walmart's 2024 plans is quite likely: Last year, it popped up on Nov. 1.
Walmart Black Friday hoursFor shoppers who want to check out those deals in person, Walmart stores are usually open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time on Black Friday. The big-box store has confirmed that its stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day "so associates can spend the day with their families."
Black Friday at Best BuyBest Buy set its 2024 holiday plans in motion earlier than all of its retail rivals this year, and it's been working overtime ever since. In late September, it opened the floodgates with a Member Deal Days sale for paid members of its My Best Buy program. That was succeeded by an Apple Trade-Up Event that ran during the first half of October, plus a 48-Hour Flash Sale that coincided with Prime Big Deal Days. Next up is a Prep for the Holidays Event (beginning Oct. 21) packed with deals on gadgets for entertaining, then a 3-Day Gaming Event from Oct. 25 to 27.
Best Buy seems to like being the earliest, busiest birdie. After three days of early access for paid My Best Buy members, it began offering early Black Friday deals on Oct. 30 in 2023. It then launched into a prolonged official Black Friday sale featuring "incredible deals on thousands of gifts and top brands" a week in advance of actual Black Friday, going head to head with Amazon. It tied a bow on things with a two-day Cyber Monday sale beginning that Sunday.
Best Buy rolled out those Black Friday plans on Oct. 17 last year, so expect its 2024 schedule to show up any day now.
Best Buy Black Friday hoursIf you're thinking about participating in the age-old tradition of camping out outside of a Best Buy on Black Friday, know that its brick-and-mortar stores were open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time last Black Friday. (No pressure, though: All of its deals should be available online, too.) They're normally closed on Thanksgiving, but that's not set in stone for 2024 just yet.
Black Friday at TargetTarget threw its hat into the ring with a Circle Week event from Oct. 6 to 12, presenting members of its free-to-join loyalty program with an opportunity to "save on thousands of items ... and get an early start on holiday shopping." As things currently stand, it doesn't have any other sales in the pipeline — and I don't expect to hear a peep from it about Black Friday for the next couple of weeks.
Target's 2023 Black Friday sale was a weeklong event packed with its "best planned prices of the season" that ran from the Sunday before Black Friday through the Saturday after. It chased that shindig with an online-only Cyber Monday event, which brought in a fresh selection of new deals for the following Sunday and Monday.
Target didn't announce last year's programming until Nov. 16, or just three days before the sale started.
Target Black Friday hoursThe bullseye brand's stores will probably open at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday, as they have been in years past. They'll for sure be closed on Thanksgiving: Target CEO Brian Cornell made that a permanent policy in 2023.
TL;DR: Live stream Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Prime Video is the home of Monday Night Hockey this season, with the Tampa Bay Lightning facing the Toronto Maple Leafs in the next live fixture hosted by the platform. This service is aimed at Canadians, but fans from around the world can bypass geo-restrictions to live stream top NHL fixtures for free with a simple hack.
If you want to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Lightning vs. Maple Leafs?Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 21. This fixture will be played at the Scotiabank Arena.
How to watch Lightning vs. Maple Leafs for freeTampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs is available to live stream on Prime Video in Canada, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this game. Fans can watch Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (plus more Monday Night Hockey fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.
Fans from outside Canada will need to use a VPN to watch the NHL for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:
Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)
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 Canada
Watch Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top 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 NHL without actually spending anything. This is obviously only a short-term solution, but this gives you enough time to watch select NHL fixtures before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free live streams from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for the NHL?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NHL, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, saving you 49% on list price. This deal includes a bonus three months of coverage, a year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The likes of Apple and Google are building powerful new AI features straight into their latest operating systems. Many of these new features, however, require the most up-to-date powerful phones out there. Apple Intelligence, for example, is limited to the iPhone 15 Pro or any iPhone 16 model, which is a relatively small subset of iPhones still in use.
But thankfully, you don't have to buy a new phone to take advantage of the latest and greatest AI features. There are tons of AI-powered apps available for smartphones, computers, and more – that you can use with your older devices. Here’s a look at some of the best AI apps you can install on your compatible older device right now.
SEE ALSO: Is this image AI-generated? How to tell in 3 easy steps. ChatGPTAvailability: iOS 16.1 (16.1 or newer, iPhone 8 or later), Android (6.0 or newer), macOS (14 or newer, with M1 or better), web
AI has been brewing in the tech world for years, but OpenAI’s ChatGPT is the first big splash when it comes to generative AI. So it makes sense that it would feature on this list. Anyone with a decent internet connection can access ChatGPT through the web, and you'll get full functionality in the web itself, including the ability to type or record voice prompts.
However, you'll get some additional features with the ChatGPT app, which is available on iOS, Android, and macOS, and is expected on Windows at some point in the near future. Using the dedicated app, you'll be able to start voice conversations with ChatGPT.
As someone who has used this feature, it's pretty eerie how natural it sounds. Using ChatGPT, you can generate texts, email replies, and even code. With one of its multimodal models, it can now see content in images too. You can access ChatGPT for free, though for its newest and most advanced models, you'll need a ChatGPT Plus subscription, which costs $20 per month.
SuperwhisperAvailability: iOS (16.0 or newer), macOS (13 or newer)
The tech underpinning ChatGPT has spawned a huge range of apps and services too. One of my personal favorites is Superwhisper, which leverages OpenAI's Whisper voice recognition model to enable voice typing with stunning accuracy.
Superwhisper essentially creates tiny recordings of your voice when it's activated, then uses the Whisper model to transcribe what you say into text. Again, it's incredibly accurate, and using the Superwhisper app on macOS or iOS, you can even have the text that's generated cleaned up by one of OpenAI's GPT models to remove any ums or ahs, and make sure that everything is grammatically correct.
Its best use case is definitely on the Mac, and I've found that the iOS app isn't anywhere near as capable or as accurate. That said, if you type a lot on a Mac, you may find that Superwhisper speeds up your workflow by quite a bit, especially considering the fact that it lets you type into any text box on your Mac.
You can try out Superwhisper for free; however, you'll only get 15 minutes of recording using the Pro-level features, after which you'll be limited to basic features that aren't as advanced or as capable. Most users who really want to take advantage of the service will want to subscribe to a Superwhisper Pro subscription, which costs $8.49 monthly, $84.99 annually, or $249.99 for a lifetime subscription.
SpeechPulseAvailability: Windows (10 or newer, 64-bit), macOS (13 or newer, with M1 or better)
Windows users aren't being left out of the voice transcription revolution, though. Windows users who want a stunningly well-built AI-powered transcription service should consider SpeechPulse, which also leverages OpenAI's Whisper model for accurate transcriptions, and lets you type into any text box.
SpeechPulse is actually available on both Windows and macOS, so if you're looking for an option that you can use on two operating systems, it might be a good choice for your needs. It's available as a one-time payment instead of a subscription. However, if you use a Windows and a macOS computer separately, you'll need to buy separate licenses, each of which costs $59.95.
Canary MailAvailability: iOS (11 or later), macOS (10.14 or later), Android (8 or later), Windows (10 or later)
Perhaps you're looking for AI apps for more specific use cases, and one of the most common use cases for AI right now is email. Canary Mail is being billed as the AI email copilot, helping users quickly reply to emails, reformat text to better serve specific purposes, and more.
For example, you could have Canary Mail generate a reply to an email by giving it a prompt of only a few words. Canary Mail is available on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, and you can start using it for free. However, more advanced users will want to consider subscribing to the $3 per month growth plan or the $10 per month pro plus plan, which is built for professional teams and charged on a per-user basis.
ReplikaAvailability: iOS, Android, web
Want a friend that you can talk to without judgment? Replika may not be a human friend, but it is aimed at allowing users to talk through their problems with an AI bot. It's a little weird at first, but you'll get used to it, after which you may find that it's actually helpful.
Sure, again, it's not a real friend, but sometimes talking through problems can help you solve them without the need for an actual person to talk to. Users have found Replika to be everything from a bit of fun to therapeutic, and it learns over time about you as you use it more.
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...
Boston's most important responders: Bostonians The people of Boston are to be congratulated for being...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
Digital Privacy: A Catch 22 Mobility, convenience, accessibility and real-...
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...