- Help
- Google+
By rights, a prequel to Rosemary's Baby should be an unholy abomination, offensive to the lovers of horror. Not only is Roman Polanski's seminal 1968 film iconic and beloved by critics, audiences, and the Academy Awards (which honored Ruth Gordon with a very rare Best Supporting win in a horror movie), but also, a prequel to a a 56-year-old horror classic seems destined to be a grubby cash grab. And yet, Natalie Erika James has done the impossible with Apartment 7A, delivering a horror gem that shines without detracting from its inspiration point.
Beginning months before Rosemary Woodhouse moves into Manhattan's infamous Bramford apartments, Apartment 7A follows Terry Gionoffrio (Julia Garner), who was only a minor figure in Rosemary's Baby. Some might scoff that this story echoes Rosemary's in some ways, including the suffocating attention and manipulation from the nosy Castevets next door (played here by Dianne Wiest and Kevin McNally). But the screenplay by Natalie Erika James, Skylar James, and Christian White manages to weave similar beats and familiar figures together with distinctive demonic dazzle and a sharp difference in their heroine's wants.
A fantastic follow-up to James' scary-as-hell feature directorial debut, Relic, Apartment 7A is an exhilaratingly frightening tale of ambition, betrayal, and bodily autonomy that fits slyly with its source material, yet makes a timely statement all its own.
How does Apartment 7A fit into Rosemary's Baby? Credit: Gareth Gatrell / Paramount+In the original film, Terry Gionoffrio has a single scene with Rosemary, in which the two bond while doing laundry in the creepy basement of the Bramford. Friendly Terry tells her new neighbor that she lives with Roman and Minnie Castevet, who took her in off the street. "I was starving and on dope," Terry confesses, adding, "I'd be dead now if it wasn't for them…dead or in jail." She also shares a look at her strange-smelling necklace, a good luck gift from Minnie.
Apartment 7A fleshes Terry's story, detailing who she was before tumbling onto the Bramford's sidewalk and what became of her between her intro in Rosemary's Baby and her dramatic exit. Terry was a dancer on the brink of breaking out when she suffered an ankle injury that pushed her to drugs to deal with the pain and made her infamous among New York City's theater community. Desperate for her luck to change, Terry is easily wooed by the kindness of the Castevets, who offer her a free room and a private meeting with their theater producer neighbor Alan Marchand (Jim Sturgess). They even get her homemade medical polstices from their next-door neighbor Mrs. Gardenia (Tina Gray).
Yes, Rosemary's Baby fans, the Mrs. Gardenia whose apartment Rosemary and Guy move into at the start of their movie.
Apartment 7A connects to but is not confined by Rosemary's Baby. Credit: Gareth Gatrell / Paramount+While James stays true to some plot points to keep the classic canon intact, she makes some standout changes. For instance, while Rosemary comes into the laundry room in this prequel, the scene from the original is not recreated. It's not even similar; in Apartment 7A, the costumes and Terry's hair don't match that 1968-shot scene. This suggests James is embracing how Terry's perspective might shift the appearance of things, including fashion and which moments matter to her. While their meeting might have been a pivotal moment for Rosemary, for Terry, it just wasn't — she had bigger things on her mind by then.
More fascinating is how James depicts Terry's dark night with the devil. As Terry's brain is rich with imagery from musicals, her drug-induced vision of those violating events runs like a stage production. The Bramford is transformed into a 2-dimensional stage set, a dashing Marchand leads her in a waltz, and finally a demon — bedecked in sparkling sequins — crawls upon her supine body.
I've been saying horror movies need more song-and-dance numbers, and Apartment 7A has arrived to prove my point! This is scary and spectacular, glittery and gruesome. Sincerely, James has taken the somberly horrifying story of manipulation, bodily violation, and betrayal from the source material, but made it her own with a passion for musical theater.
Apartment 7A not only infuses Terry's love of theatrical spectacle into her nightmares, but also into her motivation. So when she discovers she's pregnant, a baby is not a gift much coveted — like it was for Rosemary — it's an obstacle to carving out her career. Set in a time where abortion was not a legalized form of healthcare, this pushes Terry — with the support of her dear friend Annie (Marli Siu) — to a back-alley abortionist, resulting in a scene that is horrifying on many levels.
Julia Garner is extraordinary in Apartment 7A. Credit: Gareth Gatrell / Paramount+It must be incredibly intimidating to walk in the shoes of Mia Farrow, specifically one her most iconic roles. But Garner seems unshaken. Perhaps because her Terry is brasher and more openly defiant to Minnie's intrusions. Perhaps because being batted around by snaking chorus girls and cruel casting directors — as one truly painful scene makes clear — has hardened her.
Watching Garner grit her teeth, then throw on a smile to perform for the cold hearts of New York City, is not only bracingly entrancing, it also makes me wish those reports of her playing Madonna in a could-be biopic will pan out. Garner has got it, meaning a combination of screen presence and grit that makes her instantly recognizable as a force to be reckoned with. And that's exhilarating to see in this scenario, where we know damn well what she's up against. Rosemary couldn't beat them, but could Terry possibly find a way out of the wicked labyrinth that is the Bramford?
With Relic, Natalie Erika James spun an intimate tale of mother-daughter relationships and family curses into a rivetingly scary thriller. Here, she uses that gift of emotional intelligence and skill for crafting unsettling scenes to tell a story that's familiar yet all the more frightening for it. We know where Terry's story will end because of Rosemary's Baby. Yet James keeps us at the edge of our seats as she expertly spins a web of rich drama and sly horror, working in heartfelt conversations, shattering jump scares, and defiant dazzle. From Polanski's foundation, she builds a glittering tale of girlhood stolen that is sick, stunning, and horrifyingly relevant.
Apartment 7A comes to on-demand and Paramount+ on Sept. 27.
TL;DR: Get five years of fast, secure online privacy with AdGuard VPN for just $34.97 (reg. $359).
Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard VPN: 5-Year Subscription $34.97We live in a world where online activity is routinely tracked. So, it makes sense that ensuring your privacy and security should be a top priority.
Get a 5-year subscription to AdGuard VPN for just $34.97 (reg. $359.40) and get peace of mind by securing your internet connection with advanced encryption and a no-logs policy, so your data remains private and protected. Order by 11:59 p.m. PT on September 29 to get this killer price.
No matter what you're doing, AdGuard VPN has you covered with 60+ server locations worldwide. AdGuard VPN gives you fast, reliable connections — no matter where you are.
When it comes to VPNs, speed is essential. AdGuard VPN offers optimized protocols that help give you a fast and seamless internet experience. It's designed so you don't have to experience frustrating buffering or lag. And with the ability to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, you can protect every device in your home with just one account, whether it's your laptop, phone, or tablet.
AdGuard’s Threat Protection goes beyond privacy features. It also helps block malicious ads, trackers, and potential online threats before they even have a chance to reach you.
Don't miss this opportunity to get five years of protection and privacy at a price that's right.
A five-year subscription to AdGuard VPN is just $34.97 (reg. $359) through September 29.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for September 26Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, September 26, 2024:
AcrossLights on nightstandsThe answer is Lamps.
The answer is Opera.
The answer is Train.
The answer is Toned.
The answer is Antsy.
The answer is Lotta
The answer is Apron.
The answer is Meant.
The answer is Pries.
The answer is Sandy.
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'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: Here's the answer hints for September 26 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 26 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Special deliveryThese words are great for nesting.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThe answers are all related to items needed for babies.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is BabyGear.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 26Crib
Stroller
Highchair
BabyGear
Blanket
Swing
Playpen
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.
Hurricane Helene is growing into a vast, powerful storm.
The National Hurricane Center's computer modeling, which ensures such storms don't sneak up on anyone, predicts Helene will make landfall as a potent cyclone in Florida's Big Bend region on Thursday. But the impacts of such a sprawling storm will be widespread, including in areas like Tampa, which will see strong winds and some five to eight feet of storm surge.
"Helene is expected to rapidly intensify and grow in size over the eastern Gulf of Mexico," the center wrote on Sept. 25. "There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Panhandle."
Watch for guidance from local National Weather Service offices and other relevant agencies for updates and evacuation information.
SEE ALSO: Why it's impossible to forecast the weather too far into the futureFor those in the Tampa region or interested in the storm's impacts there, you can watch on the webcams below.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedThough a number of factors influence the formation of strong hurricanes (a lack of opposing winds that can break apart storms, moist air, etc.), a vital influence is warm sea surface temperatures of over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Warm oceans act as jet fuel for hurricanes, storm scientists explain. That's because warmer oceans fuel tropical storms as more water naturally evaporates into the air, giving storms energy and moisture to intensify.
Today, Atlantic hurricanes are already twice as likely to develop from a milder storm into a major hurricane.
Tampa Bay Riverfront webcam Siesta Key Beach Clearwater Beach Hilton Clearwater Beach CamAnd remember, as you're watching the slightly shifting track updates of Hurricane Helene, the track forecast cone is not an impacts cone. For example, regions far north of landfall — like in parts of Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas — will see extreme deluges of rain and flooding.
"Make sure to stay up to date with the latest forecast as we move throughout the event at http://hurricanes.gov," the hurricane center emphasizes.
Helene is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane, and whether you're concerned about loved ones in Florida, or you're an armchair meteorologist, you can check out camera views of these adverse weather conditions by watching webcam livestreams.
Florida's gulf coast — particularly the Big Bend section of the Panhandle — is bracing for impact late Thursday. Rain and storm surge will move up the state's west coast throughout Thursday as the storm continues gaining strength. NOAA warned residents as of 4:00 a.m. ET Wednesday to be aware of "life-threatening storm surge along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Florida Big Bend. The highest inundation levels are expected along the coast of the Florida Big Bend."
SEE ALSO: Hurricane Helene: Spaghetti models track the storm’s pathTo get a clearer understanding of conditions on the ground from a safe distance away, watch these webcam livestreams showing beach and other coastal conditions as this dangerous storm invades the U.S. mainland.
This list is organized from west to east.
Seascape, Florida webcam during Hurricane HeleneLocated in Seascape, Florida, this webcam usually shows a placid white sand beach near Whale's Tail Bar & Grill, and the sea beyond.
Webcam showing Rosemary Beach during HeleneIn normal times, this webcam displays the view from the roof at Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar in Rosemary Beach, a vista that includes a number of homes, the ocean, and a nice view of the sky.
Watch Helene conditions at Panama City Beach's Laguna BeachThis beach camera normally shows beach conditions at Laguna Beach Christian Retreat in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Panama City Beach livecams during Hurricane HeleneThis webcam shows Palazzo Beach in Panama City Beach.
And this view, also at Panama City Beach, shows another beach with pale sand as seen from Majestic Towers Beach Resort.
Port St. Joe webcam showing Hurricane Helene conditionsIn less stormy times, this is the pleasant view of St. Joseph Bay from the back deck of Gulf County's Tourist Development Council building.
Cape San Blas during Hurricane HeleneAnother view of St. Joseph Bay, this one from a gas station at Scallop Cove. This mostly shows sky, and periodically switches views, showing the bay from two directions.
St. George Island during hurricane conditionsThis webcam ordinarily presents a view of Bob Sike's Cut, a pleasant swimming beach on St. George Island.
Watch Helene conditions in Steinhatchee, FloridaThis is normally a view of the Steinhatchee River emptying into Deadman Bay, as seen from Roy's Restaurant.
If you've been online at all recently, there's a good chance you've come across Moo Deng. The baby pygmy hippo has enthralled the internet for weeks, with photos of the adorable two-month-old plastered across every social media platform. People just can't get enough of Moo Deng, and would like to see the baby as frequently as possible.
Fortunately, Moo Deng's caretakers at Khao Kheow Open Zoo have heard your cries. The Thai zoo has launched a 24-hour livestream of its pygmy hippo enclosure, giving people the world over a chance to glimpse Moo Deng and coo over her cuteness in real time.
SEE ALSO: Why we’re all in love with a little hippo named Moo Deng How to watch Moo Deng's livestreamMoo Deng's livestream is available via the Zoodio website, which also hosts livestreams of other animals such as elephants and penguins. To watch it, simply head over to Zoodio's hippopotamus page, then scroll down and select the "Live Streaming" tab.
The second tab above the information box, it shouldn't be too difficult to identify. Though the Zoodio website is in Thai, the "Live Streaming" tab is in English.
When is the best time to see Moo Deng on the livestream? Credit: LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty ImagesKhao Kheow Open Zoo's pygmy hippo livestream runs for 24 hours, so you can tune in any time. However, this doesn't mean you'll definitely get to see the famous meatball whenever you pop over to the stream.
Aside from the fact that Moo Deng and her family are expected to continue their important pygmy hippo business with little concern for camera placement, there's also the time difference to consider. Thailand is 11 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time, meaning that Moo Deng's enclosure will be dark during daylight in the U.S. While pygmy hippos are nocturnal, visibility may not be the best.
Still, if you can't sleep and are looking for something to soothe you, it may be worth checking out Khao Kheow Open Zoo's livestream to see if Moo Deng will bless you with her presence.
Tweet may have been deletedYou should also keep Moo Deng's schedule in mind if you want the best chance of spotting her. According to a schedule shared on Khao Kheow Open Zoo's official social media accounts (translated by Facebook), Moo Deng starts her day with a shower at around 8 a.m. local time (9 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. PDT).
Most of Moo Deng's time is spent sleeping in the water, sleeping on the ground, and waiting for her mum to eat. However, you may catch her being a little more active at around 2 p.m. (3 a.m. EDT / 12 a.m. PDT). She also spends some time playing with her mum at around 11 p.m. (12 p.m. EDT / 9 a.m. PDT).
Khao Kheow Open Zoo states that visitors have doubled since Moo Deng's birth in July, with people flocking from all corners to catch a glimpse of her. According to director Narongwit Chodchoi, 10,000 people recently came to visit on a single Saturday. In comparison, the zoo usually receives around 900 visitors on weekdays and 4000 on holidays.
Moo Deng's overwhelming popularity has also prompted the zoo to put a 5-minute viewing time limit at her enclosure, as well as restrict viewings to weekends for safety.
Tweet may have been deletedSadly, not all the crowds have been well-behaved. Some visitors have reportedly thrown objects at Moo Deng, splashed her with water, and shouted at her in attempts to wake her. The zoo has condemned such activity, installing security cameras and threatening legal action against anyone who harasses the hippos.
Fortunately, watching Moo Deng via livestream and squealing about her cuteness from home won't cause her any distress. There isn't a time-limit either, so you can stare at her squishy little face for as long as you like.
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, launched last year, is getting a host of updates, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg who also announced the new Meta Quest 3S and Project Orion (a pair of AR glasses that are not-yet-ready for market).
Zuckerberg highlighted several new features, including more natural conversations with Meta AI, the AI assistant behind the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses.
Credit: MetaHe also introduced live language translation for one-on-one interactions and “Be My Eyes” support, allowing volunteers to assist low-vision users by describing what they see through the glasses.
However, there's one feature coming to the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses that aims to solve a common frustration for drivers: providing reminders of where they parked.
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses can help remind you about where you parked"We're adding the ability for the glasses to help you remember things," Zuckerberg said at Meta Connect 2024.
Demo of parked car reminder on Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Credit: MetaDemonstrating a use case for this, Zuckerberg provided an example in which a Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses-wearing user said, "Hey Meta, remember where I parked."
Meta AI took note of this in the simulated demo. When the user returned, they asked, "Hey Meta, remember where I parked?"
In response, Meta AI said, "You parked in space 9702."
"If you're heading somewhere, no more forgetting where you parked," Zuckerberg said. "Now, it will just help you out with that; your glasses have you covered."
Although Meta AI can tell you where you parked, there’s a bit of irony in needing to remember to ask it in the first place. For forgetful users, the challenge may not just be finding the car, but also remembering to ask Meta AI for help. That said, the parking reminder feature is just one of many conveniences the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses offer.
Zuckerberg also mentioned grocery shopping as a use case. For example, if you need an avocado for a smoothie later in the day, the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses can remind you to pick it up at the grocery store before heading home.
Zuckerberg didn't provide an exact date for when we can expect these updates, but he said that they're coming soon.
For more on what these AI-powered spectacles can do, check out our announcement piece on the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses.
Opens in a new window Credit: unknown Ray-Ban - Meta Smart Glasses - Wayfarer - Matte Black/Polarized Gradient Graphite with $75 Amazon.ca Gift CardTL;DR: Live stream Ajax vs. Besiktas in the Europa League for free on Tabii. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The first round of Champions League fixtures produced some really entertaining games, and we're expecting more of the same from the Europa League. There are a lot of really interesting matchups to consider, including Ajax vs. Besiktas. Both sides will be desperate to start strongly and take all three points.
If you want to watch Ajax vs. Besiktas in the Europa League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Ajax vs. Besiktas?Ajax vs. Besiktas in the Europa League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Sept. 26. This fixture takes place at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
How to watch Ajax vs. Besiktas for freeAjax vs. Besiktas is available to live stream for free on Tabii.
Tabii is offering free live streams of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League for the next three seasons. Tabii is geo-restricted to Turkey, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Turkey, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Europa League from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Ajax vs. Besiktas on Tabii 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 Turkey
Sign in to Tabii
Watch Ajax vs. Besiktas for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the Europa League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Ajax vs. Besiktas (plus more Europa League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Tabii?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tabii, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Turkey
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 Ajax vs. Besiktas in the Europa League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Get this comprehensive ethical hacking bundle on sale for £29.99 (reg. £823.82) through September 29 and learn everything from Python to social engineering.
Opens in a new window Credit: StackCommerce The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle £29.99 at the Mashable ShopCybersecurity is a fast-moving field, and ethical hacking is your gateway to understanding how to protect systems from real-world attacks.
This all-encompassing ethical hacking course bundle is packed with expert-led courses designed to take you from beginner to professional — all while staying hands-on and practical. From building your own tools in Python to testing wireless networks, this bundle covers all the essentials for a budding ethical hacker. Through Sept. 29, you can score lifetime access to all 18 courses for just £29.99.
One course worth mentioning is Hacking Wireless Networks. You’ll dive deep into WiFi hacking techniques used by professionals, uncovering vulnerabilities in wireless networks and learning how to secure them. With more than 50 lectures and access to all the necessary tools, you’ll be equipped to understand the vulnerabilities of modern WiFi environments and how to mitigate them.
If you’re curious about how to break into secure systems, the Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing course gives you a hands-on approach to finding and exploiting weaknesses. You’ll work through everything from cracking passwords to taking control of vulnerable systems, all while learning the theory behind each attack — making it easier to apply these skills in real-life situations.
Another course, Hack People, Systems and Mobile Devices, offers an in-depth look at social engineering. You’ll use tools and techniques that professionals rely on, getting the full picture of how to protect against these crafty attacks.
Whether you’re new to the field or looking to sharpen your skills, this comprehensive collection will help you become an ethical hacking pro.
Priced at £29.99 until Sept. 29, this extensive ethical hacking course bundle is packed with value for anyone serious about cybersecurity.
Curious about other privacy and security deals? Check out all of the privacy and cybersecurity courses at the Mashable Shop.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
While I was watching Colin From Accounts Season 2, I had the realisation that comedy shows rarely make me laugh out loud. Even the ones I enjoy.
Colin From Accounts is an exception. This Australian rom-com from husband-wife team Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer, which started as a canine-themed meet-cute in Season 1, uses its second season to hilariously build on some already-very-funny foundations.
SEE ALSO: The 30 funniest comedies on Hulu, because we all need a laugh What's Colin From Accounts Season 2 about?Season 1 sees brewery owner Gordon (Brammall) meeting trainee doctor Ashley (Dyer). He almost runs her over with his car after she flashes him en route to work, resulting in him hitting a runaway dog (the titular Colin) and the two banding together to nurse the poor pooch back to health. The first season is all about their burgeoning relationship, and Season 2 picks up directly where we left them: Gordon and Ashley are now a couple, and the dog takes something of a backseat as they navigate their way through misunderstandings, changing friendships and awkward family encounters.
The same supporting cast of friends and colleagues are back for Season 2. Credit: Paramount+ Season 2 has some brilliant (and horrible) new characters.Speaking of awkward family encounters, Season 2 doubles down on the theme of nightmarish in-laws. In Season 1 we had Ashley's never-say-the-right-thing mother Lynelle (Helen Thomson) and her deeply icky partner Lee (Darren Gilshenan). If you thought they were bad, though, Gordon's family provide impressive competition. The episode that introduces his brother Heavy (Justin Rosniak), a sleazy father-of-three who delights in his brother's past behaviour, is as hilarious as it is cringe-inducing. Later, when we meet Gordon's misogynistic dad Brian (John Howard), things get even worse.
All of these characters are painful and hilarious in equal parts, amusing to watch not just because they're so cringey, but because they're also believable. This is a trick Colin From Accounts pulls off time and again — every new person that comes into Gordon and Ashley's lives, from Megan's (Emma Harvie's) self-obsessed new partner Rumi (Virginia Gay) to the slimy "Chief Growth Officer" Jared (Broden Kelly) who wants to buy Gordon's bar, are as familiar as they are wince-inducing.
"What are you driving?" says Jared at one point during his sales lunch with Gordon, after he's made his intentions to buy the brewery abundantly clear.
"I drive—"
"Not anymore," comes the immediate response, accompanied with a knowing half-grin, and Kelly's delivery is so perfect it's difficult to believe he isn't actually a sales rep.
Gordon's brother Heavy is just one of many cringey new characters. Credit: Paramount+ Colin From Accounts is the perfect blend of funny and awkward.It wouldn't be right to directly compare Colin From Accounts with Baby Reindeer, because the latter is a much darker show. But there is something similar in the way both series blend tone and genre. Baby Reindeer derived much of its comedy from situations that were so awkward they were hard to watch, and Colin From Accounts utilises a lighter version of this, from double dates gone terribly wrong to a finale that – without getting into spoilers – is the stuff of social nightmares.
The show is consistently funny, occasionally moving, and permanently fun to watch, with characters you alternate between groaning at and rooting for. Like Colin, we're quickly swept up into the chaos of their lives, carried along, and made all the happier for it.
Colin From Accounts Season 2 is streaming on Paramount+ from Sept. 26.
TL;DR: Live stream Fenerbahce vs. Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League for free on Tabii. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
José Mourinho is used to competing in the latter stages of the Champions League, but he'll have to make do with the Europa League this season. His Fenerbahce side will have aspirations of going far in this year's competition, and a strong start against Union Saint-Gilloise will certainly set them up for success.
If you want to watch Fenerbahce vs. Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Fenerbahce vs. Union Saint-Gilloise?Fenerbahce vs. Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. BST on Sept. 26. This fixture takes place at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.
How to watch Fenerbahce vs. Union Saint-Gilloise for freeFenerbahce vs. Union Saint-Gilloise is available to live stream for free on Tabii.
Tabii is offering free live streams of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League for the next three seasons. Tabii is geo-restricted to Turkey, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Turkey, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Europa League from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Fenerbahce vs. Union Saint-Gilloise on Tabii 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 Turkey
Sign in to Tabii
Watch Fenerbahce vs. Union Saint-Gilloise for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the Europa League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Fenerbahce vs. Union Saint-Gilloise (plus more Europa League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Tabii?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tabii, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Turkey
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 Fenerbahce vs. Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The next Thursday Night Football fixture sees the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants. This exciting matchup is available to watch all around the world with a simple hack. And better yet, fans don't need to spend anything to live stream all the action from the MetLife Stadium.
If you're interested in watching Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Cowboys vs. Giants?Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants takes place at 8:15 p.m. ET on Sep 26. This fixture will be played at the MetLife Stadium.
How to watch Cowboys vs. Giants for freeDallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants is available to live stream on Prime Video in the U.S., but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants (plus more Thursday Night Football fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.
Fans from outside the U.S. will need to use a VPN to watch the NFL 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 the U.S.
Watch Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants 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 deals, you can 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 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 on sale for $99.95, saving you 49% on list price. This deal includes an extra three months for free, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for September 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 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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 26 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:To show appreciation for one's actions.
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 T.
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...
THANK.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by 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.
Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD, is a tech-focused content creator with nearly 20 million YouTube subscribers, renowned for his reviews of the latest gadgets.
He has dunked on the likes of the Humane Ai Pin and the Rabbit R1 with titles like "The Worst Product I've Ever Reviewed" and "Barely Reviewable," but praised the Apple Vision Pro (despite calling it flawed), OnePlus 12, and other products.
However, the seasoned, and arguably respected, tech reviewer recently released a new wallpaper app called Panels. And if X (formerly Twitter) is anything to go by (and the Apple App Store reviews), the reception for the app has been poor.
Even Jesse Lyu, the CEO behind Rabbit R1, appeared to display some schadenfreude over the wave of criticism Brownlee has faced online, sharing the following meme with his followers.
Tweet may have been deletedThe meme depicts Brownlee as the grim reaper, poking fun at how some critics perceive the YouTuber as a "startup killer" with his candid reviews. (When Brownlee reviewed the Humane Ai Pin, for example, there was chatter about whether his harshness thwarts the growth of small-time gadget makers.)
The meme shows Humane Ai Pin co-founder Imran Chaudhri, Lyu, and Apple CEO Tim Cook being victims of Brownlee's sharp tongue. Interestingly, the last person of the lineup is Brownlee himself, implying that the YouTuber's latest venture should be subjected to his own brutal critiques.
MKBHD's new Panels app gets poor reviewsIt's not just Lyu, however, who has been trolling Brownlee. The Panels app, revealed in Brownlee's new iPhone 16 review video, is designed to offer a curated collection of high-res wallpapers from artists.
Credit: Apple"I'm so pumped to be launching this app!" Brownlee said in a Sept. 23 X post. "People have asked where I get wallpapers FOREVER, so this is the answer, now and forever: PANELS!"
However, the replies underneath Brownlee's post don't appear to match his enthusiasm.
"Pretty disappointed in this," Ian Zelbo said. "Doesn’t have the polish / design I’d expect. Seems like something that’s been on the App Store already that you slapped your name on. Ads everywhere and it just all feels like a cash grab to me"
"The app is trash, you can get better, high-res wallpapers for free right here and many other accounts on X," Corbin Williams said.
"This damages your brand," said Alex Kehr. "It's crazy that the #1 tech reviewer known for advocating for quality and usefulness would release a cash-grab subscription app with terrible UI design, filled with ads, and offering mediocre wallpapers."
"Delete this garbage and pretend it was a joke," bl0rq suggested.
Based on the replies, as The Verge pointed out, it appears that users are unhappy that the iOS version of Panels asks whether it can track users' activity. One of the data points that it reportedly monitors is location. (Though, as you'll read later, Brownlee refutes this claim.)
On top of that, the app requires users to sign up for a $49.99 annual subscription or an $11.99-per-month membership. There are some wallpapers you can access for free, but only a few — and they're in standard definition (not high-res). But first, to access them, users have to watch two advertisements.
"$50/yr for WALLPAPERS?! And not a single high-res wallpaper downloadable for free with ads? Love team MKBHD and all, but that’s crazy," Nevan said.
"Half of your reviews are like 'uh it’s expensive and it doesn’t really do anything' lol you should review yourself," cometcalls said.
MKBHD responds to feedbackAs a result of the feedback, Brownlee posted a tweet on Sept. 24 that, in part, said, "I hear you!"
In response to privacy concerns, Brownlee said the following: "First thing we're doing is fixing the excessive data disclosures, as people rightfully brought up. For transparency, we'd never actually ask for your location, internet history, etc. The data disclosures (that everyone is screenshotting) is likely too broad, and largely driven by what the ad networks suggest."
In regards to pricing, Brownlee said that delivering value for the premium version is a personal challenge — and he plans to dial back ad frequency for the free experience, with more updates to come.
The Panels app isn't MKBHD's first foray into an entrepreneurial venture. For example, Brownlee has collaborated with Atoms for a sneaker line as well as accessories maker Ridge.
The road ahead for Brownlee’s Panels app seems uncertain, but with a dedicated following and a promise of improvements, there’s still hope for redemption.
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 September 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 September 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: Decorations on the seams of something
Green: Addition
Blue: Ways a drink can be prepared
Purple: Types of strings
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Decorative Edge
Green: Increase, In A Way
Blue: Specifications for a Bartender
Purple: String___
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 #473 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayDecorative Edge: BORDER, FRILL, FRINGE, TRIM
Increase, In A Way: GROW, MOUNT, SWELL, WAX
Specifications for a Bartender: DRY, NEAT, STRAIGHT, VIRGIN
String___: BEAN, BIKINI, CHEESE, THEORY
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.
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.
Coming soon to Google Earth: Time travel.
According to Google, some new updates on the way to the company's satellite imagery platform Google Earth, will allow users to "travel back in time" and view satellite and aerial images that go as far back as 80 years ago.
Google Earth lets you explore more of the pastIn its update announcement, Google says some cities, including London, Berlin, Warsaw and Paris, will have imagery dating back to the 1930s. As of right now, most locations on Google Earth go no further back than just a few decades ago. The new changes will double the time frame for even those locations.
San Francisco in 1938 Credit: Google San Francisco in 2024 Credit: GoogleGoogle Earth users will be able to go back in time and compare those historical photos with current ones too. Google gives an example of comparing the San Francisco of 1938 with 2024 and seeing how much the geography of the region changed. In the sample photos provided by Google, one can see how in the 1938 photo, ports in San Francisco were used mainly for shipping. The same location in more recent photos are filled with restaurants and cruise ships.
The historical imagery will be available for Google Earth users on both web and mobile.
Google's developer blog says that these updates should be rolled out in the "upcoming weeks" In addition to the historical satellite and aerial imagery, Google also announced it was expanding Street View on Google Maps in almost 80 countries. The company will also improve image quality by sharpening imagery on Google Earth and Google Maps using new AI models.
The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are entering a new market, as the company announces a new collaboration with accessibility service provider Be My Eyes that will help wearers get the assistance they need.
Be My Eyes provides free human and AI support for users who are blind or have low vision, pairing them with sighted volunteer helpers who can describe a visual field or object, read text, navigate a space, or answer questions in real time.
With a brand new integration of the accessibility app and the tech giant's wearable, Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses owners can now use the Be My Eyes “Call a Volunteer” experience entirely using voice commands. All they need to do is say out loud, “Hey Meta, Call a Volunteer on Be My Eyes” to be paired with multilingual audio or video support.
Users can toggle between their glasses and smartphone cameras, as well, allowing volunteer and user to communicate in a variety of ways.
SEE ALSO: Everything announced at Meta Connect 2024The Meta and Be My Eyes collaboration is a big first for the company, as it's tech wasn't previously compatible with smart glasses or other hands-free devices.
"Our collaboration with Meta launches an experience that addresses something that our community of blind and low-vision users has been requesting for a long time, namely hands-free access to our services." wrote Be My Eyes CEO Mike Buckley. "The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have enabled that, and with our integration we have now opened a gateway to unprecedented levels of accessibility, unlocking new opportunities for those navigating their daily lives. And this is just the beginning."
In the past, Be My Eyes has partnered with companies like Google and Microsoft to expand their reach, and have grown in popularity over the last several years — the app now has more than 7 million volunteers. In 2023, the company announced an entirely new venture to support the demand: generative AI. In partnership with OpenAI and ChatGPT, Be My Eyes launched its AI-powered virtual volunteer to provide instant chat-based support.
Meta is sprucing up its Ray-Ban smart glasses in other ways, too, including a complete suite of new AI features and collaborations. Users will be able to ask the Meta AI what they're looking at in more detail, ask for help finding where their car is parked, send messages, and translate speech in real-time. And those who get their music or audiobook fixes on Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, and iHeart can more easily find and play their favorite content.
"Call a Volunteer" on Ray-Ban glasses will be available soon, rolling out first to users in the U.S., Canada, UK, Ireland, and Australia.
In the race to make truly useful AI for a mass audience, Meta just jumped forward a few key steps — including AI's ability to "see" objects and provide live, lip-synched translations.
At the Meta Connect developers' conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the latest version of Llama. That's the open-source Large Language Model (LLM) powering the AI chatbot in the company's main services: Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram.
Given that reach, Zuckerberg described Meta AI as "the most-used AI assistant in the world, probably," with about 500 million active users. The service won't be available in the European Union yet, given that Meta hasn't joined the EU's AI pact, but Zuckerberg said he remains "eternally optimistic that we can figure that out."
SEE ALSO: Where to preorder the Meta Quest 3SHe's also optimistic that the open-source Llama — a contrast to Google's Gemini and OpenAI's GPT, both proprietary closed systems — will become the industry standard. "Open source is the most cost-effective and the most customizable," Zuckerberg said. Llama is "sort of the Linux of AI."
Meta AI edits photos by textBut what can you do with it? "It can understand images as well as text," Zuckerberg added — showing how a photo could be manipulated simply by asking the Llama chatbot to make edits. "My family now spends a lot of time taking photos and making them more ridiculous."
Voice chat is now rolling out to all versions of Meta AI, including voices from celebrities such as Judi Dench, John Cena and Awkafina. Another user-friendly update: When using Meta AI's voice assistant with its glasses, you no longer have to use the words "hey Meta" or "look and tell me."
SEE ALSO: Meta Connect 2024: Meta’s Orion AR glasses unveiledZuckerberg and his executives also demonstrated a number of use cases. For example, a user can set up Meta AI to provide pre-recorded responses to frequently asked questions over video. You can use it to remember where you parked. Or you can ask it to suggest items in your room that might help to accessorize a dress.
The most notable, and possibly most useful feature: live translation. Currently available in Spanish, French, Italian and English, the AI will automatically repeat what the other person said in your chosen language. Zuckerberg, who admitted that he doesn't really know Spanish, demonstrated this feature by having an awkward conversation live on stage with UFC fighter Brandon Moreno.
Slightly more impressive was the live translation option on Reels, and other Meta videos. The AI will synchronize the speakers' lips so they look like they're actually speaking the language you're hearing. Nothing creepy about that at all.
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...