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SAVE $90: As of Oct. 15, get the DJI Osmo Action 3 camera and accessories at Amazon for just 199, down from its usual price of $289. That's a discount of 31%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Osmo Action 3 $199.00 at AmazonThe weather may be getting cooler, but that doesn't mean you won't be out and about making outdoor memories. If you're the type of person who lives for fall activities, you might want to grab an action camera to capture everything. Specifically, one that you can mount and wear to capture every adventure — and there's a great one on sale at Amazon now.
As of Oct. 15, the DJI Osmo Action 3 is on sale at Amazon for just $199, down from its normal price of $289. That's a discount of 31% and $90 off. You also get a chest and backpack strap mount, as well as two additional batteries for up to a 320-minute runtime.
SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Score the biggest discount to date on the Sony ULT Wear headphonesThe DJI Osmo Action 3 has dual touchscreens with a hydrophobic coating and can go wherever you do. It can take 4K HDR footage of all your activities, whether you're skydiving or hitting the bike trail and pulling off some sick tricks. Your mount will keep your footage steady and level, so you never have to miss a moment of what you've got going on (and neither do your friends and family back home).
The camera has a 160-minute battery life made even longer with the included extra batteries, and it's super simple to mount or use in your hands to get a steady shot. If you like to swim or dive, you can even take it underwater. It's waterproof up to 16 meters without any need for additional attachments, so whether you go for a swim or do some serious scuba diving, you're covered.
Whether you want to head out and take some cool footage this year or you want to give it as a gift, this is a great price on a fall fun-ready camera.
OpenAI has lost a lot of top leadership lately, but they're gaining a big one: a top AI researcher from Microsoft.
In the wake of several high-profile exits, Microsoft's Sebastien Bubeck is joining the OpenAI team, according to a report from The Information. Bubeck told his staff on Monday that he's leaving for OpenAI. The new role at OpenAI is currently unknown, but the researcher is leaving Microsoft to "to further his work toward developing AGI," said a Microsoft spokesperson to the outlet.
SEE ALSO: OpenAI unveils major ChatGPT redesign with new ‘Canvas’ interface for writers and codersWithin the past year, OpenAI has seen an exodus of top leadership, including co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman (on extended leave) and most recently, CTO Mira Murati, over reported clashes with the direction CEO Sam Altman is taking the company. Reports have surfaced of prioritizing commercialization over responsible AI development as OpenAI grows further away from a research lab and more into a typical for-profit tech company.
Bubeck is a VP of Microsoft GenAI and led a machine learning team in the development of Microsoft's Phi models, which are low-cost, lightweight versions of OpenAI's GPT models that are now used for Bing Chat and various Office 365 AI features. What Bubeck will do at OpenAI is uncertain, but the development of smaller, cheaper AI models is a growing area of focus for all AI companies, since they can perform many of the same everyday tasks as the the larger foundation models for a fraction of the cost.
Recently, OpenAI has taken to launching mini versions of their models, like GPT-4o mini and o1 mini, a lightweight version of its advanced reasoning model. So perhaps we'll see more cost-effective models as OpenAI looks to turn a profit and recoup its funders $6.6 billion investment.
SAVE UP TO 55%: Find massive savings on nearly every pair of Beats headphones at Amazon. Take $100 off the Beats Studio Pros, which are down to $249.99 for 29% off.
Best Beats deals Best headphone deal Beats Studio Pro $249.99 at Amazon (Save $100) Get Deal Best earbud deal Beats Studio Buds $99.99 at Amazon (Save $49.96) Get Deal Best speaker deal Beats Pill $129.99 at Amazon (Save $19.96) Get DealWe expect to see discounts across an entire brand's line-up around big sales like Prime Day or Black Friday. Last week brought Amazon's October sale event, and while it ended officially on Wednesday, October 9, we've been following the deals that are still live — or have popped up since.
Beats deals are as good as ever following Prime Day. Nearly every pair of headphones (and a speaker) are discounted. There are hundreds of dollars in savings to be had, and we've rounded up the best deals from the brand.
Best Beats deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro $249.99 at amazonBefore there were AirPods, there were Beats. While the former has taken off in popularity, we haven't forgotten Apple's OG line of headphones because they're still really great. Among Beats headphones, the Studio Pro headphones are our favorite. They sound fantastic, have 24 hours of battery life with ANC, and fold into a nice portable package. Not to mention, they're stylish too. Kim Kardashian recently collaborated with Beats for a line of chic neutral colors that feel just right for fall.
In comparison to AirPods Max's $549 price tag, the Beats Studio Pro are a bargain at their listed $349.99. However, they're on sale for $249.99, taking $100 off the price for 29% in savings.
More Beats dealsBeats Flex — $49.99 $69.95 (save $19.96)
Beats Studio Buds — $99.99 $149.95 (save $49.96)
Beats Solo 4 — $129.99 $199.95 (save $69.96)
Beats Pill — $129.99 $149.95 (save $19.96)
Beats Studio3 — $159 $349.95 (save $190.95)
Beats Powerbeats Pro — $159.99 $249.95 (save $89.96)
Who needs Prime Day when you can score top brands like Dyson, Sony, and Apple at record-low prices on a random Tuesday? As of Oct. 15, we're seeing some great discounts at Amazon — some still lingering from Prime Big Deal Days and others just because. If you missed out on Prime Day 2 and you're looking to do some deal shopping, you've come to the right place.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Oct. 15. If none of these spark your interest, check back at our picks from yesterday, Oct. 14, as well.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Wear headphones $148.00 at AmazonCheck out our full review of the Sony ULT Wear noise-cancelling headphones.
We tested the Sony ULT Wear noise-cancelling headphones earlier this year, and they seriously impressed us. In fact, our Deputy Shopping and Reviews Editor Miller Kern wrote in her review, "We try not to make sweeping claims in our reviews at Mashable, but these honestly might be my favorite pair of headphones I’ve tried — especially when you consider the price." They offer multiple bass levels, solid noise cancellation, full 360-degree sound, customizable EQs, and intuitive on-ear controls for just under $200. As of Oct. 15, however, you can slash $51.99 off the regular price tag and get a pair (in white) for only $148. That's the lowest price on record.
Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Premium Plus $2.97Through Dec. 31, Amazon is offering Audible Premium Plus memberships for just 99 cents per month for your first three months. That's a massive savings of $41.88. A Premium Plus membership gives you discounted or free prices on the Audible Plus catalog of audiobooks, including Audible Originals and podcasts. Plus, you'll get one free title from the Audible premium selection, as well as exclusive member sales and discounts on all additional purchases. If you're hoping to get through your TBR list by the holidays, this is a pretty cheap way to do so.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V15 Detect Plus $599.99 at AmazonCheck out our full review of the Dyson V15 Detect.
While it's a few years old and no longer the only Dyson vacuum to sport a laser, the Dyson V15 Detect Plus is still one of the most powerful stick vacuums on the market. Its beastly motor unleashes 230 Air Watts of cyclonic suction while its green laser illuminates any specks of dust on your path. You'll see dirt and debris you didn't even realize was there, which is both disgusting and satisfying. It's usually $749.99, but as of Oct. 15, it's on sale for just $599.99. That's 20% in savings and you get five accessories to help with your cleaning experience.
Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville The Fresh & Furious Blender $149.95 at AmazonBreville's Fresh and Furious blender looks and feels like a fancy high-end appliance, but its price tag is surprisingly on the budget-friendly side. On sale for only $149.95 — that's $50 off its regular price — the blender is back down to its record-low at Amazon. It includes a 50-ounce jug, nine one-touch blending tasks, five speed settings, and an 1100W motor that can pulverize your ingredients into a silky smooth concoction. Plus, it just looks good atop your counter.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 with ANC $168.99 at AmazonCheck out our review of the AirPods 4.
Just released last month, we didn't expect a big price cut on the AirPods 4 with ANC during Prime Big Deal Days. But we'll still take any price drop Amazon's willing to offer. As of Oct. 15, one week after the big shopping event, the buds are still down to their Prime Day price of $168.99. That's nothing crazy (just $10.01 in savings), but not bad for a brand-new set of the very impressive fourth-generation AirPods. In case you're wondering if they're better than previous buds from Apple, our reviewer Kim Gedeon said, "I love them so much, they have replaced my AirPods Pro as my new daily driver earbuds."
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
SAVE $10: As of Oct. 15, get the 25W Apple MagSafe Charger at Amazon for just $29, down from its normal price of $39. That's a 26% discount and the same price we saw it for during Prime Day.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple 25W MagSafe Charger $29.00 at AmazonDid you score a new Apple iPhone 16? If you plan on charging it wirelessly by way of MagSafe, you need a new, up-to-date charger. That means another expense even beyond your initial phone purchase, as your older MagSafe charger isn't going to be able to handle the new phone for wireless re-ups. Instead, you'll want Apple's new 25W MagSafe Charger, which you can grab at Amazon right now. Luckily, you won't have to spend full price on it, since it's gone down to its lowest price since Prime Day.
As of Oct. 15, you can get the 25W Apple MagSafe Charger for just $29 at Amazon. That's $10 off its normal price of $39 and a 26% discount. This matches the Prime Day prices we saw last week. This price is for the 1 meter cable. You can get the 2 meter cable for $39 instead if you need some additional length.
If you want to make sure your iPhone 16 reaches max battery capacity quickly while charging it wirelessly, this is your only option. The previous 15W model won't cut it, so you'll hae to do an upgrade if you plan on dropping your phone to charge and go. It has a braided cable and a USB-C slot with a circular puck, if you're unfamiliar with MagSafe charging pads, so all you have to do is put your phone down and walk away – it'll do the rest.
Of course, you can still charge your older MagSafe-compatible models with this puck as well. That applies to iPhone 8 and later, and it'll work with AirPods that have wireless charging cases as well. Be sure to snatch up a charger if you want to keep up with the times.
SAVE 50%: Amazon Prime members can get a refurbished Amazon Smart Thermostat for just $34.99, down from the normal refurbished price of $69.99. That's a savings of $35.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Refurbished Amazon Smart Thermostat $34.99 at AmazonFrosty winter days will be here shortly. Now's a great time to find those wool socks and make sure you still have a decent pair of gloves. It's also time to start thinking about heating costs, and if you haven't yet upgraded to a smart thermostat, today's deal at Amazon is meant just for you.
As of Oct. 15, Prime members can buy a certified refurbished Amazon Smart Thermostat for just $34.99, down from the usual refurbished price of $69.99. That's a 50% discount for Prime members or a savings of $35. A new Amazon Smart Thermostat sells for $79.99, which means Prime members are scoring a $45 savings compared to buying a new device.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat aims to please when it comes to keeping you at a comfortable temperature. Made with Honeywell Home Thermostat technology, the device comes backed with Amazon's stamp of approval that the refurbished device looks and functions like new.
SEE ALSO: Move over Roomba! An Apple smart home robot is reportedly in the worksWith the Alexa app, you can schedule specific temperatures for specific times. With the ability to control the thermometer remotely, you can also alter the schedule or temperature when you're not home. That means you'll never need to deal with a dreaded bill if you happen to leave for a long weekend and forget to turn the thermostat down.
If you have an Alexa-enabled device at home like an Echo, you can use voice control to alter the settings of the Smart Thermostat. Keep in mind you'll need to be an Amazon Prime member to snag this discounted price. If you're not already a member, check out the benefits, which include free two-day shipping and exclusive sale offers. Prime costs $14.99 per month, or you can opt to save a bit and get an annual membership for $139.
If you're in the market for a more intelligent way to control your home's heat this winter, a refurbished Amazon Smart Thermostat is on sale for just $34.99 for all Prime members. Compared to a new model, you'll save $45.
SAVE $51.99: Our favorite pair of headphones for pounding bass is down to $148 post-Prime Day. Score a pair of off-white Sony ULT headphones for $148 for 26% off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT headphones $148.00 at AmazonWe're still coming down from Amazon's October sale, Prime Big Deal Days. Last week, the retailer dropped prices on headphones, laptops, and far more. If you missed out on the sale frenzy, no worries because the deals never stop rolling in. Or to be accurate, some prices just never came back up. The Sony ULT headphones just happened to be one of those products.
One of our favorite pairs of headphones, the Sony ULTs deliver pounding bass that creates a surround sound experience. It's all about bass with Sony ULTs, as these headphones, like the rest with a special ULT line-up, come with a button that punctuates the bass to even higher levels. If you like bass — you will like these headphones.
Some other things to like about these headphones includes insane battery life that tops 30 hours with ANC and 50 hours without. Plus, compared to Sony's other headphones, these are already affordable starting at $199.99.
Currently, the Sony ULT headphones in off-white are down to $148, saving you $51.99 for 26% off. This is the lowest price ever on these headphones, and considering only one color way is still on sale, we know this deal won't last long.
SAVE $10.01: As of October 15, get the noise-cancelling Apple AirPods 4 at their Prime Day price of $168.99, down from $179, a week after the sale. That's a discount of 6%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirPods 4 $168.99 at AmazonThere are tons of earbuds you could choose from if you're looking to buy a pair. But if you're an iOS fan, you probably gravitate more toward AirPods than any other brand. And if that's the case, you've more than likely already seen that there's a new pair of AirPods to be had: Apple AirPods 4, with or without ANC. They made their debut in late September, but they already saw a Prime Day price drop last week. If you happened to miss that discount, fear not – it's still alive and kicking.
As of Oct. 15, you can get a pair of noise-cancelling Apple AirPods 4 for just $168.99 at Amazon. That's $10.01 off their normal price of $179 and a discount of 6%. That's the same deal you could snag the AirPods for during Prime Day, so consider this your second chance at getting them for this price.
These new AirPods have been redesigned to be more comfortable and longer wear, with a shorter stem and quick-press on-board controls. Powered by an H2 chip, they blend active noise cancellation and a transparency mode to make listening more immersive than ever. They also work alongside Siri for hands-off multitasking, even the ability to share a song or show across multiple sets of AirPods so you can spend time with friends and family experiencing the same thing.
Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon took the AirPods for a test run and came away appreciating their "excellent ANC" and "honeyed sound quality."
"The AirPods 4 are, without a doubt, the best in-ear earbuds I've tested in a long while," Gedeon shared in our official review. "They're definitely getting a place in our best headphones for noise cancellation list."
It's a great time to snag these earbuds while they're still up for grabs at their Prime Day price, so don't miss them a second time.
If you're someone who encourages people to follow you on Instagram often, the Meta-owned social media company's latest update might be a game changer.
SEE ALSO: 'Underconsumption core' is just another form of consumerismAs of today (Oct. 15), you no longer have to hover over someone and painstakingly watch them type in your Instagram handle. Now you can set up profile cards that make your profile discoverable by QR code, similar to Venmo. Profile cards are two-sided, one side with the scannable QR code and the other features your handle, profile picture, bio, and a song of your choice. You can also customize the background of the QR code.
A preview of what profile cards look like. Credit: InstagramIn a press release, Instagram described the feature as "your IG digital business card." While it will be helpful for creators and small businesses who rely on the platform to make money and connect with customers, it may further encourage all users to commodify their profiles — to think of a follow as a networking opportunity. It's part of the endless signaling from social media platforms to reframe personal profiles as professional profiles and to treat social media as another job.
Profile cards are just another reminder that the days of posting a heavily filtered photo of your BLT are long gone.
SAVE 20%: Through Nov. 17, all existing Prime members can get 20% off their next Grubhub delivery of $20 or more with code PRIME20.
Opens in a new window Credit: Gruhub / Amazon Get 20% off a $20+ Grubhub order Applies to Amazon Prime members Get DealThinking about cancelling your Prime membership now that October Prime Day has passed? Sneak in a discounted food delivery first with a Prime-exclusive Grubhub promo code first.
Now through Nov. 17, all existing Prime members can use code PRIME20 to get 20% off their next order of at least $20. That's on top of the $0 in delivery fees that all Prime members get on every Grubhub order thanks to Grubhub+ being a full-time perk of Prime.
SEE ALSO: Testing the Ninja Slushi by making a frozen version of every drink I can think ofIf the delivery fees and the tip (which your 20% off discount could cover) are always your point of hesitation between getting food delivered and sucking it up and doing pickup instead, this deal is the ultimate little treat.
If you order (or daydream about ordering) food a lot, just know that Amazon drops Prime-exclusive Grubhub deals all the time. During Prime Big Deal Days, we saw this same deal, but for 50% off instead of 20%. There will surely be more to come over the next few months, too — a true cozy comfort when it's too cold to leave the house.
PREORDER: The new iPad mini (2024) is available for preorder through the Apple Store as of Oct. 15. The 128GB model starts at $499 and will start shipping on Oct. 23.
Where to preorder the new iPad mini The Apple Store Apple iPad mini From $499 Preorder hereYou'd think at the frequency Apple debuts iPhones and MacBooks, we wouldn't have to wait three years for a new iPad model, and yet, the iPad mini hasn't seen a refresh since 2021. We'd long speculated that a new iPad mini was coming, but several Apple events passed without any news. So imagine our surprise when Apple quietly dropped the announcement that we're finally getting a new iPad mini next week.
The new iPad mini also comes with new folio cases in charcoal gray, light violet, denim, and sage. Credit: AppleOur favorite iPad for reading is getting an upgrade from the inside out. The 7th generation iPad mini comes with the upgraded A17 chip, giving a 30 percent power boost from the previous generation. However, what that chip really unlocks is Apple Intelligence. The brand has been doubling down on AI in all its latest product drops, and the iPad mini is no different.
SEE ALSO: Free Apple Intelligence upgrade likely arriving soon, leak suggestsLater this month, all users with A17, M1, and later devices will get an update that includes new Apple Intelligence features including a writing assistant, Image Playground and Image Wand to generate images, and ChatGPT integration.
The new iPad mini is now compatible with the latest Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) and supports Bluetooth keyboards (no mention of the iPad mini finally getting its own Magic Keyboard.)
The iPad mini comes in four colors: space gray, blue, purple, and starlight. Models start at 128GB of storage, with 256GB and 512GB options also available. Preorders through the Apple Store are live with models shipping as soon as Oct. 23.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini $499.00 at AmazonUPDATE: Oct. 7, 2024, 12:00 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with the apps' latest pricing and availability.
In the age of on-demand everything, hookup apps are the go-to for casual dating. After all, if we can stream movies (thank you, Netflix) and order takeout (hello, DoorDash) with a few taps, why can't we find a potential partner the same way?
SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to know What makes a good hookup app?There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to hookup apps. What works for your friends might not work for you. Your best bet is to download a handful of options and see which one clicks with your vibe.
Skip the apps that are all about romance and happily ever afters (we're looking at you, eharmony). Instead, keep an eye out for apps that get straight to the point. The best hookup apps make chatting quick and easy (messaging, video calls, all that good stuff), and even the free ones should have features like profile verification to help keep you safe.
SEE ALSO: The best free dating apps for budget-conscious singlesIf you want to pay for a premium membership, that's up to you. But we recommend starting with the free versions of cult faves like Tinder, Grindr, and Hinge. These popular dating apps give you just enough functionality to connect with potential partners for casual encounters — all without spending a dime.
Whether you're looking to have a one-night stand, exchange nudes with strangers, or have some phone sex before you doze off, we've rounded up the most reliable hookup apps for every type of single. You can download them via Google Play or the App Store and start swiping in minutes.
SAVE 50%: Get an annual membership to Calm Premium for $34.99, instead of the usual price of $69.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Calm Annual Calm Premium membership $34.99 at CalmThe holidays are just a few weeks away, which means things might get a bit more stressful for a while. Even if you love the holidays, it's undeniably a busy and chaotic time. Introducing some relaxation can make a big difference and thanks to this birthday celebration sale, you could have relaxation at your fingertips for a lot less.
As of Oct. 15, a yearly Calm Premium membership is just $34.99, down from the normal price of $69.99. That's a 50% discount during the brand's birthday sale or a savings of $34.99.
Through the Calm app on Android or iOS or the website, Calm Premium offers restorative relaxation. With a Premium membership, you'll have access to a library of music, stories, and meditation to keep you feeling grounded through the hectic holiday season and beyond.
Calm Premium also comes with several original daily offerings, so you'll have fresh content each day. You also get access to Masterclasses with mindfulness experts that can help teach you how to keep calm without the app.
The membership can also be great if you struggle with sleep. Calm Premium has over 200 Sleep Stories that are designed to lull you into a restful sleep with narrations that include topics like nature, music, and fiction. If those don't sound appealing, tap into the Calm library of ASMR.
If you deal with stress and anxiety during the holidays, gift yourself an annual membership to Calm Premium before the chaotic season begins. Thanks to Calm's birthday sale, the membership is currently 50% off.
"I thought 'WLW' meant 'winners love winning,'" said TikTok user @ihatebodhi. In a video with over a million views, @ihatebodhi said he was confused about why masculine lesbians started DMing him once he started putting #wlw in his Instagram captions.
What does WLW mean?As @ihatebodhi learned, WLW means "women who love women" or "women loving women," not "winners love winning." It's an internet shorthand for folks to signal who they like, or find others like them.
SEE ALSO: Women are using dating apps to discover their queer sexualityAs is often the case within the LGBTQ community, WLW may mean different things to different people. To one person, WLW may refer to strictly women. To others, it can mean non-men who are into non-men, explained Melissa Fabello, a relationship coach for politicized people and PhD in human sexuality studies.
"When we're talking about individuals' way of understanding themselves, not assuming that a label or an identity means the same thing to all people who use it, and letting people explain what the nuances are for them is really important," Fabello said.
WLW has connotations similar to sapphic, another umbrella term used to describe attraction to women and femmes. "All of these words...have, at the core of them, that I think is really powerful, is a love for women, femininity, experiences of womanhood," Fabello said.
"There is a deep reverence for women, femmes, people with experience with womanhood," she continued, the latter referring to transmasculine people who were socialized as women but don't identify as women anymore.
Thus, Fabello said, WLW takes out the patriarchal understanding of lesbianism, which is a rejection of men. These terms center women, not men.
Where does WLW come from?There isn't a definitive source on the origin of "WLW." Some sites say that WLW originated in the Black community during the Harlem Renaissance, a culturally significant period for Black people in the 1920s and 1930s. This appears to trace back to a 2010 paper by a then-student at the University of California, Irvine, called "Women-Loving Women: Queering Black Urban Space during the Harlem Renaissance."
The paper begins with, "During the Harlem Renaissance (1919–1939), 'woman-loving woman' was a term used solely by and for women within the black community. The term was used by Ruth Ellis to describe women who engaged in same-sex sexual relations." Ruth Ellis was a Black lesbian activist who lived in the twentieth century. The author, Sam C. Tenorio, cites a documentary about Ellis's life, Living With Pride: Ruth Ellis @ 100, to support these claims. Tenorio, now an assistant professor at Penn State University, told Mashable in an email they don't remember specifics as they wrote the paper nearly 15 years ago. While WLW was used in the Ruth Ellis documentary, Tenorio couldn't recall if it was given a thorough definition.
This paper has sparked a debate online over whether "WLW" is part of African-American Vernacular English (AAVE).
"I've never heard it [WLW] associated exclusively with the Black community, not the way that 'same-gender loving' is," Kaila Adia Story, associate professor of women's, gender, and sexuality studies at the University of Louisville, told Mashable.
Same-gender loving, Story explained, is a term coined in the 1990s by activist Cleo Manago for Black LGBTQ people. Manago "felt like 'gay' and 'lesbian' and those terms were Eurocentric and whitewashed terms for identity," Story said. Also, within broader LGBTQ spaces, Black people often encounter instances of racism despite those spaces claiming to be liberal.
"It makes sense to me that a term would be created and invented to represent those folk who disassociate themselves with queer communities at the same time that they are queer," Story said of same-gender loving. She compared it to Alice Walker's term womanist — which refers to feminists of color — as the feminist movement in the late twentieth century centered around white women.
Another LGBTQ term with Black roots is stud, which means a Black masculine lesbian. Stud also came to prominence in the 1990s to differentiate the way a Black masculine lesbian is perceived in the world from how a white masculine lesbian is perceived. These terms cannot be separated from the context they are born from — "Black gay [men] and lesbians just encountering those incidents of racism and therefore wanting to disassociate from that," Story said.
"We don't know" whether WLW originated in the Black community at the time of the Harlem Renaissance, said Jessi Grieser, associate professor of linguistics at the University of Michigan, "but there's a lot of reasons to suspect that's the case."
SEE ALSO: As Grindr complaints rise, other gay dating apps try to swoop inWLW could've been used as code to camouflage its real meaning; if you were straight, you could think it means women who platonically love other women or love femininity. But if you were in the community, you'd know what it meant. Camouflage is a part of both Black language and LGBTQ code, Grieser explained, to obscure the true meaning for people who aren't "in the know" — white and/or straight people. The Harlem Renaissance was also an era where prominent Black women like blues singers Bessie Smith and Gladys Bentley were known to be sexually active with other women.
"Did [WLW] originate in the Harlem Renaissance? Signs point to yes," Grieser said, "but we don't have any scholarly confirmation."
WLW is similar to the more clinical terms MSM (men who have sex with men) and WSW (women who have sex with women), which are used in scientific research to explain someone's behavior without labeling their sexuality. But WLW is also distinct; it's not about sex, it's about love.
SEE ALSO: The best dating apps for lesbians — these are the apps queer women use to find each other in 2024Story can see WLW emerging from the Harlem Renaissance era of questioning gender binaries, or the 1970s lesbian separatist movement, or the 1990s era of "same-gender loving," but in her work, she hasn't come across it having the same Black roots as that term.
Whether WLW emerged in the Harlem Renaissance or sometime later, many people now use it online to express their preferences.
WLW or lesbian?Judging by Google search results, the interest in the meaning of WLW has spiked in recent years, especially since 2020. But just as the term's history is nebulous, so is the meaning. On TikTok, the #wlw hashtag may be used synonymously with #lesbian for some, but not for others. In the most basic definition, WLW encompasses all queer women and femmes — but ultimately, there isn't a cut-and-dry meaning.
"When we're talking about something as complicated as sexuality, there just is no easy answer," Fabello said. Sexuality is a complex web of experiences, she continued, and language can't fully describe the human experience.
So, use WLW how you want to use it — except for "winners love winning."
After three years of waiting, Apple has finally updated the iPad mini, bringing it to its seventh iteration.
The new iPad mini looks the same as before (though it does come in two new colors, blue and purple), with its 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display surrounded by bezels of equal width on all sides.
Inside, however, a lot has changed. The new iPad mini is powered by Apple's A17 Pro chip (that's the one from Apple's iPhone 15 Pro), and comes with 128/256/512GB of storage memory, doubling the starting storage from previous generation.
The more powerful chip will make the new iPad mini better at running demanding, new games, but it also brings support for Apple Intelligence, with features such as AI-powered Writing Tools, photo Memories, Image Playground, and a smarter, more integrated Siri. The AI features will be available this month, when iPadOS 18.1 becomes widely available; you can check out our overview of some features that are available in beta right now.
The 12-megapixel camera on the back supports Smart HDR 4, and there's also a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera on the front. The iPad mini now comes with Wi-Fi 6E support for faster connectivity, as well as Apple Pencil Pro support (available separately).
The powerful A17 Pro chip makes the new iPad mini better for gaming. Credit: AppleSome of the old colors are gone, so you now have four choices total: blue, purple, starlight, and space gray.
Apple's iPad mini starts at $499 for the Wi-Fi model, and $649 if you want cellular connectivity.
One of the reasons why Nintendo has such a foothold in the world of video games is that it's really good at making games. That's reductive, but true. First-party Nintendo games like The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are generally extremely elegant, polished to a sheen, and approachable by just about anyone. The last thing any of them do, usually, is make the player feel bad about themselves.
Mario Party has never really followed those rules. Sure, it's easy enough to pick up and play; just roll some dice and play mini-games! What could go wrong there? But for Mario Party's entire 25-plus years of existence, the series has existed less to provide simple pleasures and more to remind players that no matter how much they think they're in control, they're not.
Super Mario Party Jamboree, the latest in the venerable series, comes to Nintendo Switch this week. After playing some of it, I can confirm that part of Mario Party, if nothing else, has been left wonderfully intact. It may not be a "good video game" by conventional standards, but who cares?
SEE ALSO: I played 90 minutes of 'Mario & Luigi: Brothership' — here are my honest thoughts Super Mario Party Jamboree: The party where nobody leaves happy One of the new maps is a big mall. Credit: NintendoLike its predecessors, Jamboree is a multiplayer (both local and online) board game that's typically meant for up to four players, except for the modes where it's not. More on that in a bit. Games are divided into a minimum of 10 (or a maximum of 30) turns, and in each turn, every player rolls dice to move along the board with the eventual goal of collecting enough coins to buy a star, which is usually placed randomly on the board. At the end of each turn, everyone participates in a randomly selected mini-game, after which the victor(s) get a bundle of coins. Whoever has the most stars at the end wins the game.
Crucially, a bunch of bonus stars are given out at the end of the game, often resulting in a surprise winner. In other words, it's all random and nothing matters.
Jamboree brings a handful of new maps (as well as a couple of older ones from the original N64 games) and some mechanical tweaks. The biggest addition to the formula is probably Jamboree Buddies. These are support characters who show up and hang out on the board for a few turns. Anyone who passes by a Jamboree Buddy triggers a shockingly time-consuming mini-game for everyone on the board, with the victor recruiting the Jamboree Buddy to roll alongside them and provide unique bonuses based on which character it happens to be.
You can turn off motion mini-games if you want to, but why would you? Credit: NintendoDuring the review period, I was able to convince my roommate to play a full 10-turn game with me, which took more than an hour. I am always blown away by how long it takes to actually finish even a short game of Mario Party. Despite the length, though, we both had a really good time because the Mario Party schtick still works if you're in the right mindset. This series has always been about dice rolls and luck more than anything else, and that's on display here.
For example, at one point in the game, my roommate passed by a space that allowed him to spend a majority of his coins to steal a star from me. This briefly put him in first place. About 30 seconds later, due to conditions that he could not have foreseen nor avoided, he'd lost the star, still had no money, and I had more stars than I'd had before he stole one from me. Neither of us were actually really in control of any of this.
That's the spirit of Mario Party. You don't play Mario Party so much as Mario Party just kind of happens to you. You can go into every turn with a vague plan of what you want to do if the roll of the die goes your way, but there's always some kind of unpredictably stupid BS waiting for you. Mario Party is a fake tunnel painted on the side of a brick wall, and I'm sprinting into it every time.
Vroom. Credit: NintendoBut for what it's worth, Nintendo has made some genuinely good additions to Jamboree. Jamboree Buddies are sufficiently game-changing to justify how hard it is to acquire them, and the new maps I've played seem like worthy inclusions in the Mario Party pantheon. My favorite so far is a speedway map in which every character drives an open-wheel racecar, collecting coins with each completed lap and taking advantage of a variety of unique spaces and items to win the day.
There's also a 20-player online multplayer mode that I unfortunately haven't tried yet, to go along with several other side modes (like a basic single-player mode that introduces the player to various mini-games) that should at least keep kids busy.
Super Mario Party Jamboree also has many of the same problems as every other game in the series. Mini-games often don't control exactly how you'd like them to, especially ones that involve platforming or motion controls. As I mentioned earlier, it can take an egregiously long time to finish a game, too.
But what I won't do is criticize Mario Party for being Mario Party. When Nintendo has been making these games this way for nearly three decades, all you can do is accept that it's on purpose. If you're ultra-competitive and actually care about winning with skill and strategy, go play a real board game. Mario Party is for the real freaks who want to see their friends suffer more than they want to succeed themselves, and Jamboree is a perfectly fine vehicle for that.
Super Mario Party Jamboree launches on Nintendo Switch on Oct. 17.
Many Chicken Shop Date episodes have gone viral, but we have a feeling this next one is going to truly capture the internet's heart.
On Monday, creator and host Amelia Dimoldenberg shared a teaser for her upcoming date with actor Andrew Garfield. It's only eight seconds long, but frankly the tension is simmering.
Tweet may have been deletedAt the time of writing, that clip has well over 13 million views on X (formerly Twitter).
So, why is this particular date so hotly anticipated? Well the main reason is Dimoldenberg and Garfield have had a couple of interactions go viral before, at different red carpet events.
SEE ALSO: The 9 best Chicken Shop Date episodes to bingeHere's their first meeting at GQ's "Men of the Year 2022" event, which Dimoldenberg covered on the red carpet.
And here's their next meeting at the Golden Globes in 2023.
Both of those clips went viral at the time, and fans have been calling for a date ever since.
On Friday, it looks like we'll finally get our wish.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Getting reliable antivirus software is as essential as a keyboard and a mouse. It’s absolute madness to log on without it, to be quite honest. It doesn't matter what computer you have, there’s always something nasty lurking out there.
Staying safe from viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing threats is just the start of it. A strong antivirus software package can protect you from much more. It's not so much the hardware that's in danger, but stuff like your private documents, banking details, and personal photos that could be at risk from cyber criminals.
Free antivirus software is an option but, typically, free solutions are limited. Luckily, there are plenty of options out there for securing your PC, though that can make it hard to know which package to purchase. Buying this stuff can be a chore, with so much jargon and impenetrable tech-speak to wade through. That’s why we’re here help point you in the right direction. Here’s some handy need-to-know information.
What is antivirus software?Antivirus software is a programme designed to detect and remove viruses and other malicious software (or malware, as it’s better known) from your computer. They detect, isolate, and delete viruses, which prevents the malware from damaging your device. Antivirus products update automatically to provide protection against the latest viruses and malware.
What’s the difference between a virus and malware?They’re different but also kind of the same. Malware is an umbrella term for all kinds of malicious software. Viruses are just one type of malware. Other types include trojans, spyware, ransomware, and scareware.
How do computer viruses work?A computer virus will replicate itself and spread to devices as widely and quickly as possible (hence the name virus). Computer viruses infect applications and email. They are transmitted via websites, email attachments, storage devices, and even routers. Simple viruses can damage a hard disk or delete files. More sophisticated viruses can cause you to spam or may have clever ways of avoiding detection.
What’s anti-malware software?Antivirus software detects and removes viruses and some other types of malicious software, while anti-malware is a program that safeguards the system from all sorts of attacks. Anti-malware tends to deal with newer, more sophisticated threats. Antivirus software often comes built into a new PC (don’t let that stop you upgrading to something more sophisticated) while anti-malware is usually an add-on.
What are the best antivirus features?It’s tricky to pick one antivirus software because each one will suit different people and different types of computer usage. It’s worth remembering that having multiple antivirus software programs installed can cause issues, so it’s best to stick with just one. There are features worth looking out for to help make your choice. For instance, many threats stem from internet browsing so phishing protection can be a vital feature. Spyware and adware are also a problem, so it's worth checking out antivirus software options that can scan for these too.
Finally, you need software that provides an on-demand malware scan, as well as a vulnerability scan, so that you're always in control of what's going on with your data. Security is a fast-moving field so you want software that keeps on top of new trends, such as the recent growth in ransomware keen to steal your files from under you.
What's the best antivirus software?If that all sounds a bit complicated, don't sweat it — we've checked out the best paid antivirus software solutions and we've outlined why they're worth the money. Generally, you get what you pay for, but what price can you put on keeping your computer (and, more importantly, the data on there) safe from potential threats?
These are the best antivirus solutions for every situation in 2024.
Adobe announced a bunch of new AI features for Photoshop on Monday, including its generative tool that lets you easily "remove common distractions" from images. Yes, it's very similar to the company's existing "Generative Remove" tool, as well as Google's Magic Eraser, Apple Intelligence's Clean Up, and Samsung's Galaxy AI tools, which let you wipe pesky details of reality from your pics.
In a blog post by Photoshop product manager Pam Clark, the company detailed more features for the graphics editing platform, which use Adobe's generative AI model, Firefly. Highlights include a "Distraction Removal" tool within the existing "Remove" tool added last year, which lets you circle objects or people in the background to get rid of them.
SEE ALSO: What you should know about Adobe Lightroom's new AI featureThe similar "Generative Remove" tool is now widely available in Adobe's other image processing platform, Lightroom, having been launched in beta earlier this year.
Here's Adobe's example of the "Distraction Removal" tool in action:
Left: Credit: Adobe Right: Credit: AdobeAdobe has also added its Photoshop "Generative Expand" tool to InDesign, which lets you make an image larger using the crop tool, then uses generative AI to fill the frame with extended imagery. Plus, there's a new Adobe Substance 3D Viewer app out in beta through the Creative Cloud platform, which lets you integrate 3D content into 2D Photoshop designs more easily. You can read more about Adobe's other AI features in the blog post.
Adobe already added a suite of AI tools to Photoshop in April, including the ability to generate and edit images from text prompts — Adobe has updated this tool further in its latest iteration. But the update was instantly met with concerns over copyright — Mashable's Cecily Mauran has a full report on these concerns.
With the latest announcement of AI tools, Clark made sure to check the box and include a nod to creatives in the blog post and point readers to Adobe's public statement on AI-generated imagery; a corporate must in a time of increasing concern about this among illustrators, graphic designers, and other creatives.
"Our commitment to creatives is at the core of everything we do, with generative AI features designed to serve as a creative companion that streamlines your creative process," Clark's post reads. "As we develop these advanced technologies, we take pride in the fact that we do so responsibly and always respect the rights of creators."
It's been a rough year for Adobe following the debacle that saw the company update its Terms of Use. Users were outraged about ownership of their work after Adobe announced a vaguely worded new AI policy about AI model training. The company could have used a "Distraction Removal" tool there.
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