- Help
- Google+
TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro together for just £40.84 (reg. £337.70) through 27 October at the Mashable Shop.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2021 + Windows 11 Pro £40.84 at the Mashable ShopWhen it comes to mastering your professional life, nothing beats the power combo of Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro.
Right now, you can own them both for life for just £40.84 (reg. £337.70) — no subscriptions, no hassle, just lifetime access to the software you need most.
Microsoft Office Professional 2021 gives you all the essential tools to create stunning documents, manage your data efficiently, and collaborate seamlessly with others. From Word to Excel, Outlook to PowerPoint, you’re covered for nearly any task, whether it's preparing a project proposal or managing a complex data report. Collaboration is also easier with real-time editing and co-authoring capabilities.
MS Office also has the added benefit of allowing you to work offline, something you can't do with the free app. This means you can work on proposal drafts while you fly to the conference.
Need to juggle multiple projects at once? Windows 11 Pro steps up your productivity game with enhanced multitasking features like Snap Layouts and Desktops, which allow you to organise and manage your workload more efficiently. With faster speeds and improved app management, you’ll stay on top of your deadlines and switch between tasks like a pro.
Since cybersecurity is non-negotiable, Windows 11 Pro keeps your data safe. Featuring enhanced antivirus protection, biometric login, and BitLocker encryption, your device will be guarded from online threats.
Azure AD integration also gives you top-tier security and manageability, perfect for professionals working remotely or within corporate environments. Plus, with AI-powered assistance from Copilot, you’ll benefit from smarter, more intuitive workflows.
Don't sit on this Microsoft Office deal for two professional powerhouses at a very reasonable price. Get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro together for a one-time payment of £40.84 (reg. £337.70) through 27 October.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Live stream Leinster vs. Lions in the United Rugby Championship for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
We're still in the early stages of the United Rugby Championship, but some teams have already made a big impression. Leinster have started incredibly strongly with five wins from five games, and meet the Lions at home in their next fixture.
Can anyone stop Leinster from winning a record ninth championship? If you want to watch Leinster vs. Lions in the United Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Leinster vs. Lions?Leinster vs. Lions starts at 5:15 p.m. BST on Oct. 26. This fixture takes place at the Aviva Stadium.
How to watch Leinster vs. Lions for freeLeinster vs. Lions in the United Rugby Championship is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.
TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but streamers can access this free platform from abroad with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can stream on TVNZ+ from any location.
Access free live streams of the United Rugby Championship 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 New Zealand
Visit TVNZ+
Live stream Leinster vs. Lions for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming aren't free, but leading VPN providers do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you'll be able access free live streams without actually spending anything. This is a temporary fix, but it gives you enough time to stream Leinster vs. Lions (plus more United Rugby Championship fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the United Rugby Championship?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to live stream the United Rugby Championship, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand
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 and includes an extra three months of coverage for free — 49% off list price. This deal includes a year of unlimited data backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Leinster vs. Lions for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Sharks vs. Munster in the United Rugby Championship for free on RTÉ Player or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
There are some really interesting matchups in the next round of United Rugby Championship fixtures, including Sharks vs. Munster. Both sides have been inconsistent this season, so we're really not sure which way this one is going to go. Either way, it should be a lot of fun to watch.
If you want to watch Sharks vs. Munster in the United Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Sharks vs. Munster?Sharks vs. Munster starts at 3 p.m. BST on Oct. 26. This fixture takes place at the Kings Park Stadium.
How to watch Sharks vs. Munster for freeSharks vs. Munster in the United Rugby Championship is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player or TVNZ+.
RTÉ Player and TVNZ+ are geo-restricted to Ireland and New Zealand respectively, but anyone can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland or New Zealand. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can stream on RTÉ Player or TVNZ+ from any location.
Access free live streams of the United Rugby Championship 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 Ireland or New Zealand
Visit RTÉ Player or TVNZ+
Live stream Sharks vs. Munster for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming aren't free, but leading VPN providers do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By signing up for these deals, you'll be able access free live streams without actually spending anything. This is a temporary fix, but it gives you enough time to stream Sharks vs. Munster (plus more United Rugby Championship fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the United Rugby Championship?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to live stream the United Rugby Championship, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland and New Zealand
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 and includes an extra three months of coverage for free — 49% off list price. This deal includes a year of unlimited data backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Sharks vs. Munster for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Stormers vs. Warriors in the United Rugby Championship for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The United Rugby Championship regularly throws together some really interesting matchups between evenly-matched teams. The Glasgow Warriors find themselves in third position in the early stages of the new season, but they've only won one more game than the Stormers in 12th place.
These two sides meet each other this weekend in South Africa. If you want to watch Stormers vs. Warriors in the United Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Stormers vs. Warriors?Stormers vs. Warriors starts at 12:45 p.m. BST on Oct. 26. This fixture takes place at the Danie Craven Stadium.
How to watch Stormers vs. Warriors for freeStormers vs. Warriors in the United Rugby Championship is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.
TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can stream on TVNZ+ from any location.
Access free live streams of the United Rugby Championship 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 New Zealand
Visit TVNZ+
Live stream Stormers vs. Warriors for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming aren't free, but leading VPN providers do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By signing up for these deals, you'll be able access free live streams without actually spending anything. This is a temporary fix, but it gives you enough time to stream Stormers vs. Warriors (plus more United Rugby Championship fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the United Rugby Championship?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to live stream the United Rugby Championship, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand
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 and includes an extra three months of coverage for free — 49% off list price. This deal includes a year of unlimited data backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Stormers vs. Warriors for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Lens vs. Lille in Ligue 1 for free on TV5Monde. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Derby du Nord is one of the biggest games in Ligue 1, and this year is extra special because Lens and Lille are level of points in the standings. We're expecting fireworks between these fierce rivals.
The great news for fans of French football is that it's possible to live stream select Ligue 1 fixtures without spending anything. With a simple hack, you can bypass geo-restrictions to access free live streams of top games from anywhere in the world.
If you want to watch Lens vs. Lille in Ligue 1 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Lens vs. Lille?Lens vs. Lille in Ligue 1 kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Oct. 26. This fixture takes place at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
How to watch Lens vs. Lille for freeLens vs. Lille is available to live stream for free on TV5Monde.
TV5Monde is geo-restricted to Europe, but anyone from around the world can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in France, meaning you can unblock TV5Monde to stream Ligue 1 for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Lens vs. Lille for free 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 France
Sign in to TV5Monde
Watch Lens vs. Lille for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of Ligue 1 action without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Lens vs. Lille (plus more Ligue 1 fixtures) before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services 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 TV5Monde?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on TV5Monde, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including France
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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Lens vs. Lille in Ligue 1 for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Al Hilal vs. Al Taawon in the Saudi Pro League for free on 10Play. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Saudi Pro League is the place to see the biggest stars shine bright. Neymar has been off that list for some time with a serious injury, but he's back to help Al Hilal secure another title.
Al Hilal might not actually need Neymar, because they're leading the Saudi Pro League with seven wins from seven games. Next up they face Al Taawon, currently placed in sixth position.
If you want to watch Al Hilal vs. Al Taawon in the Saudi Pro League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Al Hilal vs. Al Taawon?Al Hilal vs. Al Taawon in the Saudi Pro League kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Oct. 26. This fixture takes place at the Kingdom Arena.
How to watch Al Hilal vs. Al Taawon for freeAl Hilal vs. Al Taawon in the Saudi Pro League is available to live stream for free on 10Play.
10Play is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Saudi Pro League from anywhere in the world.
Access a free live stream of Al Hilal vs. Al Taawon 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 Australia
Visit 10Play
Live stream Al Hilal vs. Al Taawon for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Al Hilal vs. Al Taawon in the Saudi Pro League without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Saudi Pro League fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for 10Play?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 10Play, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia
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 Al Hilal vs. Al Taawon in the Saudi Pro League for free with ExpressVPN.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, 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 October 21's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 26 What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 26 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Pugilistic glossary
Green: OK players
Blue: Words before a word that rhymes with "not"
Purple: Among Billy Joel's many subjects
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow - Boxing terms
Green - Oklahoma QBs
Blue - ___ Shot
Purple - Athletes mentioned in "We Didn’t Start the Fire"
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 Sports Edition #31 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayBoxing terms: HOOK, JAB, KNOCKDOWN, UPPERCUT
Oklahoma QBs: BRADFORD, HURTS, MAYFIELD, MURRAY
___ Shot: CHEAP, JUMP, LONG, SLAP
Athletes mentioned in "We Didn’t Start the Fire": CAMPANELLA, DIMAGGIO, MANTLE, MARCIANNO
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 26If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 26 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 26 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Sing-songThese words are melodic.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words are types of songs that are sung.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is VocalMusic.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 26Aria
Lullaby
Spiritual
Jingle
Vocalmusic
Ballad
Shanty
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
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 October 26's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 26 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 26 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Cause a large amount of damage.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no reoccurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter W.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
WREAK.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 25Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 26's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 26 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Disarrange hair
Green: Long string of texts
Blue: Relaxing places to sit
Purple: Circular-shaped objects
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Fluster
Green: Series of Messages
Blue: Places to Lie/Sit That Move
Purple: Cylinder-Shaped Things
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 #503 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayFluster: FAZE, RATTLE, RUFFLE, THROW
Series of Messages: CHAIN, CHAT, CONVERSATION, THREAD
Places to Lie/Sit That Move: CRADLE, HAMMOCK, ROCKER, SWING
Cylinder-Shaped Things: CAN, ROLLER, SILO, SPOOL
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.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 25Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
"You're not ugly; you're just not doing your makeup according to your facial contrast," starts one of the over 52,000 videos of women using the "What's your contrast" filter on TikTok.
SEE ALSO: 'Beetlejuice lips' TikTok trend celebrates the natural creases of your lipsThe latest trend in beauty filters plays on women's insecurities to sell products, encouraging users to classify their faces based on the contrast between their features. The filter turns your face black and white, providing a model that categorizes faces into high, medium, and low contrast types. However, the standard for comparison is rooted in Eurocentric beauty ideals, offering only three skin tone options: light, medium, and dark. It suggests that the darker your features appear against your skin, the higher contrast you should assign to yourself. Each contrast level is linked to a recommended makeup style — low contrast calls for subtler looks, while high contrast leans towards bolder, more striking makeup.
In a video that's been viewed over 5 million times, the creator of the filter, @alieenor, a French makeup artist, says, "As someone who had very low self-confidence, this is one of my missions on earth to help women be confident in themselves. Help them use makeup to their advantage and not work against them." She pitches contrast theory as a tool to liberate yourself from insecurity and finally feel beautiful.
Her logic, as with any TikTok beauty trend, harmfully conflates self-worth with appearance — and prizes White European beauty above all else.
She argues, "It's an important factor to know about yourself." And explains, "If you're high contrast…in order to have a balanced face, you should add some kind of intensity. If you don't, it's okay. You understand why you look washed out." She talks about how discovering contrast theory helped her realize, "This makeup is not for me, it's not because I'm not beautiful."
While @alieenor might have created the filter in good faith to help women feel confident, it engages in a dangerous ideology that empowers "feeling beautiful" at whatever cost. In recent years, the beauty industry cleverly rebranded beauty as a form of self care, giving us all the excuse of "it makes me feel good!"
SEE ALSO: Slugging, gua sha, rice water, and more: How stolen cultural beauty practices feed viral videosPositioning contrast theory as a quick fix for low self-confidence sends a particularly harmful message to teenage girls—especially in an environment where algorithms are known to exploit their insecurities. A 2021 CDC report found that one in five teen girls felt persistently sad and hopeless, a 21 percent increase since 2011.
Creator @alieenor's explanations of medium, low, and high contrast have garnered 11.7 million, 1.7 million, and 7.2 million views, respectively. Despite contrast theory’s popularity on the platform, it faces significant criticism.
"This is another bogus trend that only works for fair skin and I'm going to prove it to you guys by doing high contrast versus medium contrast makeup on brown skin," said Monika Ravinchandran, a beauty creator, in a video. She goes on to argue that sorting people with really dark skin as low contrast, invalidates "full glam Black girl makeup."
"There's a reason Desi bridal makeup and the UK Black girls all eat up full glam," continued Ravinchandran. "Brown skin slays in high contrast makeup. Darker skin absorbs more light, so we actually need more dimension and we can take more color." By dictating what type of makeup suits different skin tones, critics argue that the theory also implicitly dictates what doesn't suit certain skin tones — essentially labeling those choices as unattractive or undesirable.
In the long history of TikTok beauty trends, contrast theory is nothing new. It follows in the footsteps of color analysis, the eyebrow filter, and the perfect face ratio filter. It's high time body neutrality gets its viral filter moment. But a filter like that would struggle to break into TikTok’s algorithm — especially since it wouldn't drive product sales or allow creators to earn commissions from promoting beauty products.
Bluesky is having a moment.
The small upstart social media platform has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past few months. Despite stiff competition from much bigger competitors like Musk's X and Meta's Threads, Bluesky's profile rose in the period after Elon Musk acquired Twitter, and then it managed to maintain its momentum.
On Thursday, Bluesky announced some news: The decentralized platform has now grown to over 13 million users and it just raised $15 million in financing.
However, further buried in the announcement was another interesting tidbit: Bluesky is planning to launch a paid subscription service.
SEE ALSO: BlueSky is pitching itself as a Threads alternative now Bluesky's paid subscriptionFor those who fled Musk's X due to the new paid model, let's address those concerns first and foremost. Bluesky says it will always remain free. And, unlike how Musk's X works, the paid subscription service will not provide paying subscribers with prioritization over free users.
So what will paying subscribers get? According to Bluesky, the company is currently developing a service that will allow paying subscribers to upload longer videos and further customize their profile page with different themes and avatar frames.
"Paid subscribers won’t get special treatment elsewhere in the app, like upranking premium accounts or blue checks next to their names," Bluesky chief operating officer Rose Wang wrote in a series of posts addressing likely concerns from users.
Of course, algorithm boosts, blue checkmarks, and prioritization in the replies are all bonuses that come with X's paid subscription service X Premium. Many users who left X cite Musk's paid subscription model as a major contributor to the degradation of that platform.
Bluesky has consistently capitalized on X's decisions, especially over the past few months. The platform has grown by millions of new users during that time frame as a result of X's ban in Brazil and X's decision to change how blocking works.
Bluesky has not yet announced any other features or potential pricing for the service at this time.
Creativity thrives when an artist can fully immerse themselves in their vision. And having the right tools is essential. For creators like Kapono “Pono” Asuncion, Lenovo’s Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition stands out as a powerful ally. With its AI-enhanced Intel chip and Windows 11 Copilot, this PC streamlines workflows, allowing artists to focus on what truly matters — creative expression.
Designed for the modern creativeWith Copilot’s smart assistance, Pono can focus on their art without getting bogged down by stress. The Yoga Slim 7i automates time-consuming tasks like image rendering and color correction, freeing up valuable time for creative exploration.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition 15-inch Laptop $1,279.99 at LenovoAs a self-taught multimedia maker, storyteller, and culture bearer, Pono appreciates how this new device from Lenovo can elevate their craft. "Finally, I have a tool that moves at the pace I need it to," they share.
Weighing in as a lightweight, ultra-slim device, the Yoga Slim 7i is designed for portability. It stays cool and quiet even under demanding workloads, with minimal fan noise — making it easy for Pono to take their work wherever inspiration strikes.
Credit: Pono Asuncion Powering precision and clarity in every detailPono’s creative process demands tech that keeps up with their fast-paced ideas and multitasking. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is just the ticket, featuring an Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor, 16GB of memory, and a 1TB SSD. This PC easily handles multitasking, whether Pono is running multiple Adobe programs or switching between ProCreate and Illustrator.
For many digital artists and designers, freezing and crashing are common headaches that can disrupt the creative flow and lead to lost work. Thankfully, those issues aren’t a concern for Pono. “This is the first computer I’ve had that doesn’t crash every time I open Adobe!” they say.
But it’s not just about power; the 15.3-inch 3K touchscreen offers vivid visuals that bring Pono’s artistic vision to life. Pono often switches between digital and analog, scanning things in and drawing over them, or printing out digital work to draw on. The screen’s PureSight Pro display delivers 100 percent DCI-P3 color accuracy, which is crucial for creating intricate layers and textures.
“I’ve been enjoying the textures on the display — it’s crisp and perfect for zooming in on details,” Pono notes. For someone inspired by the imperfections and textures found in nature, the Yoga Slim 7i’s screen helps them capture those nuances in their digital art.
Credit: Pono Asuncion Advanced AI for more charged creative sessionsBeyond just power and display quality, the Yoga Slim 7i integrates smart features that streamline Pono’s workflow. Smart Share, exclusive to Lenovo Aura Edition PCs, connects your smartphone to your laptop instantly via an AI virtual sensor. Just tap your Android™ or iOS device to your laptop — then drag and drop, edit photos, and share easily.
Lenovo's AI-driven Smart Modes are crucial to preserving Pono’s workflow. Power Mode optimizes energy consumption, letting Pono create for longer without worrying about draining the battery. If the laptop is idle, power levels automatically adjust to conserve energy. By blocking certain apps for a set amount of time, Attention Mode helps Pono minimize distractions so they can focus. And to keep up with healthier habits, Wellness Mode encourages Pono to take breaks to protect their eyes or grab a drink of water.
Credit: Pono AsuncionBeyond the Yoga Slim 7i’s personalized Smart Modes, the Ultra 7 Processor comes packed with advanced AI capabilities that enhance performance in real-time. Features like predictive power management and task prioritization allow for smooth transitions between demanding applications.
Conserving energy, empowering creativityFor Pono, the standout feature of this PC is its impressive battery life. The 70 Whr battery delivers unmatched performance, allowing Pono to work without charging more than once a day. Plus, with quick charging, those hyper-focused sessions remain uninterrupted.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition goes beyond performance; it also prioritizes sustainability. With a design that reduces its carbon footprint, it combines high-end aesthetics with durability. The top cover is crafted from recycled aluminum, and both the battery and speaker enclosure use recycled plastic. Even the packaging is made from recycled and biodegradable materials.
Credit: Pono AscuncionFor a creative like Pono, the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is the perfect companion, allowing them to create meaningful work while staying true to their values. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is a game changer for conscious creatives on the go.
It is not always easy to cancel your subscriptions. The Federal Trade Commission is trying to change that, but it's not going over without a fight.
As Reuters reported, a group representing companies like Comcast and Charter, sued the FTC on Wednesday over a rule it recently made called the "click-to-cancel" rule. The rule, which was announced earlier this month and ratified on Oct. 16, would ensure that customers know what they're actually signing up for before paying and that they'll be able to cancel a subscription just as easily as they made it.
SEE ALSO: Canceling subscriptions with one click just got way easier"Too often, businesses make people jump through endless hoops just to cancel a subscription. The FTC’s rule will end these tricks and traps, saving Americans time and money. Nobody should be stuck paying for a service they no longer want," commission chair Lina M. Khan wrote at the time of the rule's announcement.
It took the NCTA, formerly known as the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, less than a month to go to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans and file a suit against the FTC, saying the click-to-cancel rule oversteps the Commission's authority.
What happens next is up to the court, but for now, you might want to read the fine print.
GET A $20 CREDIT: As of Oct. 25, spend $80 on qualifying P&G home goods at Amazon and get a $20 Amazon credit.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Spend $80 on P&G products, get $20 Amazon credit Get DealThere are certain home goods that we all need to stock up on. Whether you need paper towels to clean up messes, detergent to wash your clothes, or dishwasher tablets to handle all those dirty dishes, you can do so right now at Amazon and save a little cash while you're at it thanks to a special promotion.
As of Oct. 25, spend $80 on qualifying P&G home products and get a $20 Amazon credit. That equals 25% back in credit on your $80 purchase. Shop the items on the promotional page first, and after your order ships, you'll get an email from Amazon letting you know that the promotional credit has automatically been added to your account. Check the status bar at the top of the deal page to see how close you are to getting the discount, and after you check out, you can go back and do it again — just in case you need more goodies.
SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Get 6 Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras for the price of 2Some of the items on offer include Tide Pods, Bounty paper towels, and Cascade dishwasher pods. But there's more than that on offer, including everything from shampoo to Swiffer PowerMops and refill mop pads. Diapers, skincare, tissues, probiotics, and a number of additional categories are also available, so even if you need a few very specific items, you can save thanks to this deal.
Check out the sale and nab all the things you normally get at the store in real life and get some cash back on the things you need to buy anyway. If you can wait for everything to ship, it's a great time to shop.
Social media's giants must face lawsuits brought forth by school districts nationwide, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled this week, which claim that the platforms are addictive and harming the country's youth.
Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snap will indeed head to court to face the high-dollar damage cases, which will proceed under a more narrow scope, Rogers decided. This comes despite a contrary decision by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge this summer, Bloomberg reported. As a result, the companies won't face hundreds of Los Angeles-based claims, but will be liable for more than 150 additional cases.
In the ruling, Rogers agreed that the companies "deliberately fostered compulsive use of their platforms" by students that placed a burden on school districts. Other claims would be thrown out under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields internet use and providers from most civil suits.
SEE ALSO: TikTok execs know exactly how many videos it takes to get addicted to its platformMeta, Google, and Snap have denied the allegations brought forth in the lawsuit. TikTok has not commented on this decision specifically, but has been vocal about its teen safety efforts in the past. Last week, the same California judge ruled that Meta has to face joint lawsuits from 34 district attorneys who allege the company's social media platforms are exacerbating the youth mental health crisis. Earlier this month, a similar coalition of district attorneys filed lawsuits against TikTok for its "addictive algorithm" and false safety marketing — internal documents revealed in the case found that TikTok's executives were aware of the addictive nature of its For You Page.
Rogers has overseen dozens of such cases, including a major class action filing against Meta, Google parent company Alphabet, and several other social media companies brought forth by parents and their children. In a 2023 decision related to the case, Rogers said that the social media platforms could be sued over negligence related to "defective products," but wouldn't move forward on claims that private messaging tools, notifications, and algorithmic recommendations were connecting minors to adults and causing harm, citing Section 230 once again.
GET $100 OFF: As of Oct. 25, you can get an Apple iPad (9th gen) for just $229.99, down from $329.99, at Target. That's a 30% discount and $100 off the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: 10.2-inch Apple iPad (9th gen) $229.99 at TargetIf you’re looking to score a deal on a tablet, you might want to browse Target’s digital shelves.
As of Oct. 25, you can score $100 off the Apple iPad (9th gen), bringing the price down to $229.99. That’s a pretty good deal for a 64GB tablet. (Note: The 256GB version isn’t available in silver but you can get it in space gray for $379.99.)
SEE ALSO: The best tablets: iPads are great, but have you tried literally anything else?This tablet can handle daily browsing, streaming, and almost anything else you’d need a tablet to do. It has a 10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone for natural-looking colors, an A13 Bionic chip, and up to 10 hours of battery life. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil (1st gen) and Smart Keyboard.
If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can get the Apple iPad (10th gen) at Amazon and Best Buy for just $299. The 10th gen has a slightly larger liquid Retina display, an A14 bionic chip, 4K video recording capabilities, and more.
Best Buy's Gaming 3-Day Sale is on right now. Don't miss out on some of the best deals of the event:
Best Buy Gaming 3-Day Sale Picks Best Gaming Deal Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Gaming Laptop, 14-inch (AMD Ryzen 9 895HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1649.99 at Best Buy (Save $350) Get Deal Best Gaming Handheld Deal Lenovo Legion Go Gaming Handheld $599.99 at Best Buy (Save $150) Get Deal Best Gaming Monitor Deal Samsung Odyssey OLED 69 Gaming Monitor $1079.99 at Best Buy (Save $720) Get DealFall is one of the best times to start diving into your favorite games, and what better way to do that than with some fresh new gear? You can pick up some of the hottest laptops, handhelds, monitors and other gaming tech now and save hundreds during the Best Buy Gaming 3-Day Sale, going on right now.
Whether you want to secure a new gaming laptop or you've had your eye on a handheld for some time, now's the time to shop Best Buy for some seriously great deals (they're so good, it's spooky).
But what should you secure from the sale that's actually worth getting? We went through and grabbed some of our favorite goodies you'll want to snatch up from today through Oct. 27. Find our picks below and be sure to secure the bag while it's all still available.
Best gaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Gaming Laptop, 14-inch (AMD Ryzen 9 895HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,649.99 at Best BuyIf you've been looking for a reliable gaming laptop, this Asus option is definitely not one to skip out on. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 processor backed up with 32GB of RAM and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, it can handle all the latest and greatest games with little effort. It boasts a 14-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a backlit RGB keyboard and massive 1TB SSD to hold all your important files as well as multiple games to keep you ready to play on the go as well. Plus, unlike so many other gaming laptops on the market, it comes in white, so that's a fun change of pace as well.
Best gaming handheld deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Lenovo Legion Go Gaming Handheld $599.99 at Best BuyThis solid Steam Deck competitor is a handheld that can take Valve's heavy-hitter on with gusto. It boasts "great specs" and "solid performance" according to Mashable reviewer Alex Perry, plus a "huge display." It has an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme GPU, 16GB of RAM, and can run all the PC titles you've probably had your eye on over the past few months, all at a 2560 x 1600 setting. It's comfortable, beefy, and capable, so if you want an alternative to the Steam Deck that isn't locked to Steam, this is a great pick.
Best gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Odyssey OLED 69 Gaming Monitor $1,079.99 at Best BuyA massive gaming monitor is one thing, but one with curvature can keep you immersed in your favorite games. This massive 49-inch Samsung monitor is perfect for whatever you're into, whether that's Call of Duty or Stardew Valley. With a resolution of 5120 x 1440 and a 240 Hz refresh rate, it's the winner if you have enough desk real estate to accommodate it. It's certainly large and in charge, but it actually does look great and performs well too. At $700 off, you might want to pounce on this deal soon — it's a monitor splurge that's actually worth it.
More deals to shop during the Best Buy Gaming 3-Day Sale:Asus ROG Ally Gaming Handheld — $549.99 $2.99 (save $649.99)
Scuf Nomad Wireless Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)
Astro Gaming A50 Gen 4 Wireless Gaming Headset for PS5/PS4 — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gaming Headset for PC, PS5 and PS4 - FaZe Clan Limited Edition — $99.99 $189.99 (save $90)
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Special Edition — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)
The Crew Motorfest — $24.99 $69.99 (save $45)
Want to know a secret? You don't really have to wait until Black Friday to score deals. This week has already brought us plenty of exciting discounts on brands like Apple, Google, Samsung, Sony, and more at Amazon. Just stick with us and we'll help you sort out what's actually a good deal and what's worth skipping.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Oct. 25. If you missed out on our picks from earlier this week, be sure to take a look. Many of the deals from Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 are still available to add to your cart, including a crazy cheap M2 MacBook Air and a record-low Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for Prime members.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Outdoor 4 6-camera system $179.99 at AmazonPet owners, frequent travelers, or any homeowner (or renter) seeking affordable peace of mind should check out this deal on Blink Outdoor 4 cameras. The Blink Outdoor 4 is tough to beat when it comes to budget-friendly security cameras. It works seamlessly with other Alexa-enabled devices, comes with customizable motion-detection zones, offers infrared night vision and two-way audio, and has a battery life of two years. That's why it's one of our top overall picks. As of Oct. 25, you can grab a six-pack of these easy to setup cameras for only $179.99. That's 62% in savings and a new record low. You essentially get six cameras for the price of two.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 10th generation (64GB, WiFi) ¤299.00 at AmazonWhen it debuted in late 2022, the 10th generation iPad retailed for $449, but it got a permanent price drop to $349 when the 2024 iPad Air and iPad Pro dropped in May. Now, as of Oct. 25, you can pick up the base model (64GB, WiFi) for only $299 — the same price drop it received on October Prime Day. It's not the most advanced iPad in the Apple ecosystem, but it's the most affordable current model (aside from the 9th generation iPad). It offers a powerful A14 Bionic chip, a Liquid Retina display, and comes in a variety of fun pastel colors. In our best iPad roundup, Mashable shopping reporter Sam Mangino writes, "It's perfect for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, and reading. It's also a nice choice if you're interested in using your tablet as a laptop but don't want to spend a ton of money."
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,109.99 at SamsungReleased at the beginning of 2024, the Galaxy Book4 Pro is a specced out Samsung laptop with all the bells and whistles. It packs an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU with Intel Arc Graphics, a 3K AMOLED touchscreen, AKG Quad speakers, a new Knox security chip, and 18 hours of battery life. The 14-inch model with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD is on sale for just $1,109.99 at Amazon as of Oct. 25 — that's $340 in savings and its lowest price on record.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTags (4-pack) ¤79.98 at AmazonFor iPhone users who like to travel, AirTags are a must. You can stick one on your suitcase, keys, purse, guitar case, and anything else you don't want to lose and keep track of its location as long as there's an Apple device with Find My nearby. You'll be able to see where you are in proximity to an item with an accuracy of just a few feet away. A single AirTag typically costs $29, which means it would cost you about $116 to buy four separately. With this four-pack deal, you'll pay just $79.98. That's almost like getting one and a half for free.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
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...