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She's a fashion model! She's a computer genius! She's got dark obsessions that have her fixated upon a serial killer! In the 1960s or '70s, these fantastical beats would've made for a swank giallo film – meaning that Italian subset of slashers that are all loose morals and leather gloves (think Dario Argento or Mario Bava). But nowadays, what we get instead is Red Rooms (Les Chambres rouges), Quebecois director Pascal Plante's deliciously lurid courtroom drama cum techno thriller which opened Montreal's 2023 Fantasia Film Festival.

SEE ALSO: What to watch: Best scary movies

Red Rooms gives one hell of a star-making role to relative newcomer Juliette Gariépy as our gorgeous and disturbed model slash tech detective. As Kelly-Anne, she's an enigma wrapped in avant-garde high fashion in front of the camera (her agent says, "Weird is her thing") who opts for inconspicuous blacks and grays at home. Kelly-Anne can turn it up to one hundred and fifty when the flashbulbs pop, but everything about her home life seems nondescript — her apartment is a sterile box perched high in the Montreal sky, and she seems to have no friends or family to speak of. Not even a plant!

What she does have is her obsession with "The Demon of Rosemont," a serial killer who's been butchering teen girls and broadcasting it on the dark web to the highest bidders. The red rooms of the film's title indicate both the internet forums where these videos are broadcast, as well as the physical locations themselves where these snuff films are made – the latter literally turning red with blood as their terrible proceedings play out. 

But Kelly-Anne is hardly alone in this fixation – it's a case that’s captured the attention of the world, the sort of snuff films that long seemed the stuff of Hostel-like fiction finally being proven all too terrifyingly real. And like Kelly-Anne, no one can look away, especially now that there's a suspect on trial. 

Everything seems to indicate that Ludovic Chevalier (Maxwell McCabe-Lokos from Stanleyville) is the murderer behind the black ski mask seen on the videos – videos that only took a small matter of time to leak beyond the confines of their original rarified chat rooms into the wider world's web. Much to the horror of the murdered girls' families, and to everyone with a conscience...Not that half of those people don't want a peek anyway. As Chevalier's trial begins, the judge warns the jurors they should leave immediately if they're not prepared to witness awful things, and not a single one of them stirs.

Red Rooms is a courtroom drama of darkest inclinations. Credit: Courtesy of Utopia

But the full scope of the case is anything but cut-and-dry. For one, there's the question of the number of victims, as two of the snuff videos have leaked online but the mutilated remains of three girls were found on Chevalier's property.  And it should be noted that we see no violence on-screen, but we do hear it, and we hear truly horrible actions described in lingering, clinical detail. Which is almost always worse? When a filmmaker trusts their audience to fill in the details, our imaginations become the grimmest kind of devils.

The mother of the youngest victim, Francine (Elisabeth Locas), has become the face of the families in the courtroom and in the media. Her emotional pleas to the press for information have captured everyone's heart, even as Plante — through Kelly-Anne's gaze — wanders dangerously, thrillingly, toward finding Francine's showmanship itself somewhat distasteful. She seems almost too distraught that there is no snuff film showcasing her daughter's final moments? Clearly, this is not a film unwilling to probe at unsettling impulses.

Francine also vociferously makes her disgust with the serial killer groupies who attend every court session well known to any microphone that will listen. And yes, Kelly-Anne is indeed one of those groupies. When she's not posing in haute couture or winning piles of bitcoin in online poker games, she's sleeping in an alleyway behind the courthouse so she can be the first in line to watch the proceedings live and in person. And she sits riveted to every micro-expression on Chevalier's bored, expressionless face.

But what is she watching for? Plante's direction and script and Gariépy's performance all steadfastly refuse to let us know what is motivating Kelly-Anne’s bizarre fixation. Does she know Chevalier? Is she in love with him or trying to solve the case? As sure as the press and the prosecution are that they got their man, the murderer is masked in the videos; the defense very well might have its reasonable doubt. The eyes seem like his, but is that enough?

All facets of true crime come under the microscope. Credit: Courtesy of Utopia

Clementine (Laurie Babin) is one of the other young women who attends the proceedings as religiously as Kelly-Anne does, and she is convinced Chevalier is innocent. She, too, is willing to weaponize the press, ranting outside of court every day to every camera about due process and doctored videos. As a contrast to Kelly-Anne's austere reserve, Clementine couldn't be more different. And so when the two women strike up a tentative friendship, we’re forced to wonder if Kelly-Anne agrees with Clementine; she assumes the role of devil's advocate in their conversations, but only mildly so. 

Inscrutable as she might be, Kelly-Anne seems drawn to any kind of extreme behavior. But she's like an alien observer looking into it – "it" being humanity, emotion, a firm stance in any direction. The adaptability that makes her an excellent model seems to have hung her out to dry in real life, but her dispassion benefits her in poker and online sleuthing as well. It seems as if she can hack anything, seeing ways through the ones and zeroes that the rest of us would never. Indeed, the slow build of Kelly-Anne's long game is masterfully unfurled by Plante, and as we watch the pieces slap into place, it's truly some of the best use of the internet and its disturbing possibilities that I've ever witnessed on-screen. 

It all comes back to our killer leading lady. Credit: Courtesy of Utopia

The role of Kelly-Anne is a whopper of one; it's the sort of complicated (one might even say "unlikeable") role that actresses live for, and which hardly ever seem to come along. The only recent U.S. correlation I can think of is what David Fincher and Rooney Mara did with the significantly underrated The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and even Lisbeth Salander would tell Kelly-Anne to take it down a notch.

And Juliette Gariépy gives a coolly masterful turn, threading through every derangement little shockwaves of life and humor where you'd usually expect to see a more clinical, atypical touch. She keeps surprising, scene to scene, millisecond to millisecond, just as you get the feeling that Kelly-Anne is surprising herself just as much. Gariépy is somehow totally in control of a person totally out of control, but in an extremely controlled fashion. 

And where Plante finally lands us, and Kelly-Anne, has to be seen, jaw agape, to be believed. Red Rooms is very good at digging its finger around under the skin of everybody's salacious relationship with true crime – the media, the public, the law itself – and spilling out our most untoward compulsions across the floor like so much crimson splatter. Like those giallo films of yore, it can be pulpy and silly; Kelly-Anne remains a gorgeous model slash brilliant computer hacker, after all. But in its bigness, it approaches an almost operatic truth, finding equal measures of perversity on both sides of justice's scales.

Red Rooms is now available to watch on demand via Apple TV+.

UPDATE: Oct. 2, 2024, 2:24 p.m. EDT Red Rooms was reviewed out of its North American premiere at Fantasia Film Festival 2023. This review was originally published on July 29, 2023. It has been updated to reflect its digital release.

Wondering how to watch college football this season? Here are your best options: Best for affordability Sling TV Blue Plan $20 for the first month, then $40/month (save $20 ) Get Deal BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV Pro plan 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for 1 month (Save $20) Get Deal

The Oregon Ducks and Michigan State football teams are scheduled to meet at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, for a Big Ten Conference contest on Friday, Oct. 4. The game is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. 

Oregon, ranked No. 6 in The Associated Press poll, enters the matchup 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten. Most recently, Oregon defeated UCLA 34-13. Michigan State comes into the contest 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten. On Sept. 28, Ohio State beat MSU 38-7. Entering Friday, Oregon leads the all-time series 4-3 vs. Michigan State.

SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable

Dan Lanning is the Oregon Ducks football head coach. Jonathan Smith is the Michigan State football head coach. 

Oregon Ducks vs. MSU football kickoff time and network

The Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan State football game is scheduled for a 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT start on FOX on Friday, Oct. 4. The FOX broadcasters are scheduled to be Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), and Alison Williams (sideline reporter). 

Without cable or satellite TV, some options to watch the Oregon vs. MSU football game via online live stream include FuboTV and Sling.

Best streaming services for Michigan State vs. Oregon football game

You need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. Here are the best streaming services to consider for Friday's MSU vs. Oregon Ducks football game on FOX. 

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Blue Plan Get Deal

FOX is available on Sling TV in select markets. Those include Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Gainesville, Houston, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tacoma, Tampa, and Washington, D.C. 

If you’re not in one of those markets, getting Sling TV won’t help you watch the Oregon vs. MSU football game. 

If you’re in one of those markets, getting Sling TV for the Ducks vs. Michigan State football game would work for you. You’ll need the Blue Plan, which comes at $20 for the first month and $40 for subsequent months.

Sling TV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

Visit the FuboTV website to see if your zip code includes the FOX broadcast. If you’re in luck, then you can get FOX with the FuboTV Pro plan, which has a one-month introductory rate of $59.99/month and a regular subscription rate of $79.99 per month. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

This word describes an undomesticated animal.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 4 Hurdle Word 1 answer

FERAL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Evil Knievel did these better than anyone.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for October 4 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

STUNT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Soaked in an unpleasant manner.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 4 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SOGGY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A tool that holds things together.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

CLAMP

Final Hurdle hint

A state of agitation.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

TIZZY

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.

But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.

And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.

Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 3 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Friday, October 4, 2024:

AcrossExclamation of frustration

• The answer is Argh.

Party pooper

• The answer is Bore.

Something sweet

• The answer is Sugar.

Applications

• The answer is Uses.

Digs for pigs

• The answer is Pens.

DownTake unfair advantage of

• The answer is Abuse.

Pineapple Express actor Seth

• The answer is Rogen.

It covers a lot of ground

• The answer is Grass.

___ Royal Highness

• The answer is Her.

Slangy greeting

• The answer is Sup.

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 Games

Are 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.

Apple's iOS 18.0.1 is out, and it brings fixes for several issues that have troubled iPhone 16 and 16 Pro owners.

This includes the touch screen bug that rendered iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro's touch screen unresponsive in some circumstances, as well as a bug that froze the iPhone 16 Pro's camera when recording macro mode on the Ultra Wide camera in 4K with HDR turned off.

A bug which caused Messages to quit when replying to a message with a shared Apple Watch face was also fixed, as well as a performance issue related to memory allocation on certain iPhone models.

We haven't seen any new features or upgrades in this release, but the list of fixes above should be enough to make you want to upgrade as soon as you can.

Alongside iOS 18.0.1, Apple also updated iPadOS to version 18.0.1, as well as macOS Sequoia to version 15.0.1. On the iPad side of things, fixes include a fix for Messages and performance issues analogue to the bugs in iOS 18. As for macOS Sequoia, the new release also fixes the Messages bug, and improves compatibility with third-party security software.

SEE ALSO: How to use Genmoji on iOS 18

All of the new releases should be available for all users under Settings - General - Software Update.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, October 4, 2024:

AcrossWhat lanternfish can do, using organs called photophores

• The answer is Glow.

Channel with "Vanderpump Rules" and "Below Deck"

• The answer is Bravo.

Consumed

• The answer is Eaten.

Really need a bath

• The answer is Stink.

Change for a twenty

• The answer is Tens.

DownStorm drain cover

• The answer is Grate.

"Et tu, Brute?" language

• The answer is Latin.

Bakery fixtures

• The answer is Ovens.

Stats or policy nerd

• The answer is Wonk.

Work email sign-off

• The answer is Best.

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 Games

Are 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 Mashable

By 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 October 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Driver's catch-all

These words are inside the car.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are stored near the passenger seat.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Glovebox.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 4

• Atlas

• Flare

• Title

• Glovebox

• Quarter

• Manual

• Registration

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 4 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 4

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.

The Northern Lights are set to make another appearance over the next few days, bathing the sky over the U.S.-Canadian border in a beautiful display of colour. Here's how you can view the aurora borealis' amazing natural light show.

SEE ALSO: Footage shows return of colossal sunspot that created Northern Lights

According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), northern U.S. states may be able to see the Northern Lights from Oct. 4, with the display expected to persist until Oct. 6. Some of the lower Midwest to Oregon might also catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis, though odds improve toward the top end of the country.

This weekend's aurora is a result of strong G3 geomagnetic storms predicted to arrive at Earth over the next three days, with the SWPC having issued Geomagnetic Storm Watches until Sunday. Fortunately, these storms should be more dazzling than disruptive. Though geomagnetic storms can cause issues such as power outages and radio disruption, the SWPC predicts that the "limited, minor effects to some technological infrastructure" which may occur during these particular storms will be "mainly mitigatable." As such, you can enjoy gazing at the Northern Lights without any worries.

How to get the best view of the Northern Lights Credit: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center

Though you can't control the weather or cloud cover obscuring the Northern Lights, you can take some steps to ensure you get the best view possible.

First, you should check that you're looking up at the right time. Searching for the Northern Lights before sunset will leave you disappointed, as auroras aren't clearly visible during the day. Instead, you should try at night when the dark sky provides the Northern Lights with a contrasting backdrop. According to the SWPC, the best viewing time for an aurora borealis is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

You should also try to view the aurora from somewhere with as little light pollution as possible. If you're willing to travel, a certified Dark Sky Place close to the U.S.' border with Canada should give you excellent visibility. These locations have been independently reviewed and recognised as having minimal light pollution, allowing for some of the best possible views of the night sky.

Even if you can't travel to one of these areas, you should still go out and look up anyway. When conditions are right, auroras can be visible from over 600 miles away.

What causes auroras? Tweet may have been deleted

While auroras can also be caused by solar flares, we can thank coronal mass ejections for this particular display. As the name suggests, a coronal mass ejection is when the Sun expels significant amounts of plasma and magnetic field from its corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere. 

The resulting solar wind then travels toward Earth, though it can take some time to arrive. Even the fastest coronal mass ejections can take most of a day to get here, while radiation from solar flares can arrive in as little as eight minutes. 

Upon arrival, the majority of the solar wind is deflected away from Earth courtesy of the planet's magnetic field. Not all of it is sent back out into space though, with some charged ion particles entering said field instead. Such particles travel to Earth's polar regions where the magnetic field is weakest, colliding with oxygen and nitrogen atoms once there.

This chemical reaction creates the colourful lights that make up an aurora. If it's located in the Northern Hemisphere it's called an aurora borealis, while those in the Southern Hemisphere are called aurora australis.

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TL;DR: Live stream Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA preseason for free on Ran.de. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

A lot of fans thought that the Denver Nuggets would meet the Boston Celtics is the NBA finals last season, but the Nuggets fell short. That was disappointing for a talented team led by the incredible Nikola Jokić, so they'll want to start the new season with some much needed positivity.

The stars are unlikely to play a major part in preseason games, but you can still get a taste of what each team is set to offer this season. And there's always the chance to spot a talented rookie before anyone else.

If you want to watch Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA preseason for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics?

Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA preseason starts at 12 p.m. ET on Oct. 4. This game takes place at the Etihad Arena.

How to watch Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics for free

Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics is available to live stream for free on Ran.de.

Ran.de is geo-restricted to Germany, 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 Germany, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the NBA preseason from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics for free on Ran.de by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Germany

4. Visit Ran.de

5. Watch Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the NBA preseason without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Germany

• 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 Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA preseason for free with ExpressVPN.

There is no better way to spend your free time than sitting back and watching your favourite sport, preferably surrounded by mountains of snacks and refreshments.

You simply can't escape sport these days, as every news channel, social media platform, and panel show constantly pumps out the latest highlights from all over the world. Global sport has never been easier to follow, which has resulted in a growing contingent of fans who follow sports and teams from other countries. We're all for following your passion, but this interest does cause an issue. What if your favourite sport is not readily available in your location?

It's all well and good checking in on your team from time to time online, or maybe watching the highlights from last night's game on YouTube, but this just isn't going to be enough for the most dedicated of fans. This group will need to watch games live, which can be tricky if you're based on the other side of the planet.

Whether you desperately want to follow the NBA, NFL, NHL, or some other three-letter acronym, there is a solution to your problem. No, we're not going to suggest that you try and find some dodgy stream that throws even dodgier ads your way. Instead, you should consider investing in a VPN.

Do you need a VPN to watch the NBA?

The NBA League Pass provides a solution for anyone who wants to watch their favourite teams live online. However, if you live in U.S. or Canada, NBA League Pass blackouts prevent you from watching certain live games.

The only way to get around these geo-restrictions is with a VPN. These security services encrypt all of your data, protect your identity, and hide your real IP address. By connecting to a server in a location with full access to the game you want to watch, you can trick NBA League Pass into thinking you are based in a location that isn't blocked. This is the same technique used by lots of VPN subscribers to access extra libraries of streaming sites like Netflix.

Also, you can find much cheaper subscription deals if you sign up from a server in another country. There are always new deals dropping, but at one point you could have saved 75% on an annual NBA League Pass subscription from India. It's quick and easy to switch your location to India with a VPN, meaning you could access the best deal in a matter of seconds.

It's important to point out that you will always need a subscription to the NBA League Pass if you want to watch every game. A VPN can bypass geo-restrictions and save you a lot of money on a subscription, but they do not grant you access to everything for free.

What are the most important VPN features for streaming sport?

The world of VPNs can be a complicated and frankly overwhelming place to be if you don't know what's going on. This is where we can help. We've researched everything you need to know about VPNs, and highlighted a selection of features that actually matter when it comes to streaming sport:

• Bandwidth — The best VPNs do not place monthly caps on network bandwidth, but there are some cheap services that only let you download a certain amount of data. Obviously, you should avoid these services. You should only consider VPNs with unlimited bandwidth, so you can stream as much sport as you wish.

• Connection speed — If there is one thing that completely ruins a sport streaming session, it's buffering. Every VPN is going to cause a drop in connection speed, but it shouldn't result in lag or buffering. Make sure you select a VPN with consistently strong connection speeds so that you can watch the NBA without interruptions.

• Number of connections — This feature isn't the most important if you only ever use one device, but if you're in a large household with loads of devices, it's better to subscribe to a VPN with an unlimited number of multi-logins. This means you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with the same account, so everyone can watch their favourite sport at the same time. Not many VPNs offer unlimited connections, but most of the best services let you connect at least five devices simultaneously, which is probably enough for most people.

• Server network — VPNs provide access to literally thousands of servers located all around the world, and it's these servers that grant you access to things like the NBA International League Pass. It's important to pick a VPN with a large and diverse selection of servers so that you can always find a reliable and speedy connection.

It's important to take all of this into consideration when selecting a VPN for streaming any sort of sport from around the world. The best strategy is to think through these important features, and weigh them against your own set of personal priorities. Then you should have a clearer idea about what really matters to you.

Should you use free VPNs?

Before we get into the best VPNs for watching the NBA, it's worth tackling to most common question when it comes to VPNs. Should you pay for a VPN, or try a free service?

There are plenty of free VPNs out there that offer a decent set of features, but these almost always have limits on data, server network, and connection speed, so if you want to stream freely, we really wouldn't recommend them.

The good news is that there are a lot of cheap plans on offer from the leading services, especially if you're willing to commit to long contract. The cheapest monthly rates are reserved for the longest contracts, so if you find a VPN that ticks all of your boxes, it might be worth signing up for a lengthy plan.

What is the best VPN for watching the NBA? 

There are a lot of VPNs that provide a user-friendly viewing experience for the NBA, but we know you're only interested in the very best. That's why we have lined up a selection of the best VPNs for streaming sport, including the best deals on popular services like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN.

There should be something for everyone and every budget on this list, so all you need to do is consider the options we have highlighted, and pick the service that suits you best.

These are the best VPNs for watching the NBA in 2024.

If you're buying, trading, and selling cryptocurrencies, a cryptocurrency wallet is a must-have digital accessory. We're not just talking about a Bitcoin wallet either — there are a growing number of cryptocurrencies out there for you to invest in.

But what is a crypo wallet? And how does it work? And do you really need one? We understand any confusion. The digital world can be confusing and moves at a relentless, always-upgrading pace. And you're right to be cautious: The new-fangled crypto world can be a shady, scammy place.

If you're new to it all, don't worry. We've compiled a list of great crypto wallets — options for all kinds of cryptocurrency owners — and answered the key questions.

Do you need a crypto wallet?

Technically, you don't need a crypto wallet, but just as a regular wallet keeps your cash and cards safer, a crypto wallet makes everything easier. It keeps everything in one place, so you can see exactly what crypto assets you own. It's also ideal for making Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency transactions. Simply put, if you want to be organised with how you track and monitor your cryptocurrency, you need a crypto wallet.

Are there different types of crypto wallet?

At their simplest, there are two types of wallet — a hot wallet and cold wallet — which are then broken down into subsections. A hot wallet is one that is actively connected to the internet, while a cold wallet is offline.

What is a hot wallet?

Let's break down the hot wallet with a bit more detail. Being connected to the internet means it's really easy to make transactions but hot wallets also more vulnerable to attack. The wallets typically break down to being either a mobile wallet or a desktop wallet, depending on if you're using a smartphone app or desktop app.

Another term you may see is an online wallet or cloud wallet. These are very easy to use as you can access them from any location. However, your private keys are stored on another server, which can be risky. Generally, it's not advised to use them for large amounts of money.

What is a cold wallet?

A cold wallet is not connected to the internet. That means there's no risk of being hacked but you do need to physically store items. One example is a paper wallet, which involves storing your Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency as a QR code that is printed out. Another form of cold storage wallet is a hardware wallet. It lets you store your private keys in a secure physical device while cryptocurrencies stored within the wallet are kept offline, so no chance of them being hacked.

Within the cold wallet category there are are also custodial wallets. These are digital wallets where the private key or keys are held by the service provider. You access and spend money on it but you don't have full control over it. The service provider could even potentially stop you from transferring funds.

What is the safest crypto wallet?

There isn't really one type of truly safe crypto wallet. They all have different strengths and advantages largely depending on how you're looking after your currency.

On the surface, hot wallets appear to be the riskiest. That's because you're dependent on the security of a provider. Cold storage may seem like the best solution, with crypto hardware wallets seemingly unbeatable, right? Kind of. These may not be vulnerable to hackers as they're offline but they are susceptible to external damage, theft, or simple loss of the hardware.

There's no perfect solution. You just need to weigh up what works best for your needs.

Will your Bitcoin grow in your crypto wallet?

For the most part, unfortunately not. Unlike a regular bank account that may have interest added to investments, a crypto wallet is solely a means of storage. Just like a regular wallet, it's somewhere to keep your finances safe rather than to see them grow and develop. There are some exceptions. Coinbase Wallet allows you to earn interest, but there's a certain amount of risk with rates fluctuating.

What is the best crypto wallet?

The good news is that there are plenty of crypto wallets out there, so you have options. The bad news is that selecting the right one is tricky. This is where we can help. We've lined up a selection of the very best crypto wallets, with something to suit everyone.

These are the best crypto wallets in 2024.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for October 4's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 4 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 October 4 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 4 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

It's the name given to a book, movie, or position, often revealing its essence.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one letter that appears twice.

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. SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 4 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...

TITLE.

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.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 4's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 4 What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: A curve that dips inward

• Green: Just a little bit

• Blue: Famous animated characters

• Purple: Types of dates

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Concavity

• Green: Small Amount

• Blue: Disney Characters

• Purple: ___Date

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 #480 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Concavity: DENT, DIMPLE, DING, DIVOT

• Small Amount: DAB, DASH, DOLLOP, DROP

• Disney Characters: DAISY, DALE, DOC, DORY

• ___Date: DELIVERY, DINNER, DREAM, DUE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 4

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.

OpenAI is changing up ChatGPT's interface to look more like a digital notepad for projects.

On Thursday, OpenAI announced a beta "canvas" feature for writing and coding. Canvas is different from the traditional chatbox interface, which makes it tedious to refine or develop ideas without the back and forth prompts.

"Although the [ChatGPT] interface is easy to use and works well for many tasks, it’s limited when you want to work on projects that require editing and revisions. Canvas offers a new interface for this kind of work," the announcement said.

The new feature is ChatGPT's first major design change since its launch in 2022. OpenAI has been busy doing other stuff, like launching multimodal model GPT-4o, reasoning model o1, and raising $6.6 billion in its latest investment round. According to reports from the New York Times, OpenAI told investors it plans to increase revenue from $3.7 billion this year to $11.6 billion by 2025. The updates to ChatGPT, such as making it more dynamic and user-friendly, could potentially help OpenAI meet its ambitious financial goals.

Canvas makes it easier for users to iterate ideas with ChatGPT. Credit: OpenAI

For now, Canvas is only available to paying subscribers, but OpenAI says it plans to expand access to non-paying users when it's out of beta. If you're a ChatGPT Plus or Teams user, you can select "ChatGPT 4o with Canvas" from the model dropdown and get to work. Access for Enterprise and Edu subscribers rolls out next week.

From here, all you need to do is enter a prompt related to writing or coding and it will activate Canvas by opening a new window. Per OpenAI's announcement, ChatGPT has been trained to recognize certain prompts that trigger canvas. For writing help, users can highlight specific parts of the text and click "ask ChatGPT" to edit or ask certain questions about the highlighted text.

There are also shortcuts found in the lower lefthand corner for suggesting edits, shortening the length, changing the reading level, polishing for grammar, and adding emoji. The ChatGPT format remains in a left sidebar in case you want to keep the conversation going.

Canvas has a shortcuts bar for making edits. Credit: OpenAI

For coding, Canvas works in a similar way, by recognizing coding-related prompts that trigger a new window. Shortcuts include: Review code, Add logs, Add comments, Fix bugs, and Port to a language by translating your code into a different programming language (i.e., JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Java, C++, or PHP).

If you made a mistake, you can hit the back button and revert to the previous version. When you're finished working, simply close the window, and you'll find yourself back in the normal ChatGPT interface. To find the project again, just click on the module saved in your chat history.

Sarah Paulson is no stranger to horror. Here, she goes into detail with Mashable Entertainment Editor, Kristy Puchko, about why 'Hold Your Breath' hits different.

The best early October Prime Day fitness tracker deals at a glance: BEST APPLE DEAL Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) $299 at Amazon (Save $100) Get Deal BEST SAMSUNG DEAL Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Bluetooth, 40mm) $195.30 at Amazon (Save $104.69) Get Deal BEST GARMIN DEAL Garmin Venu 3S $399.99 at Amazon (Save $50) Get Deal BEST GOOGLE DEAL Google Pixel Watch 3 $299.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal BEST SMART RING DEAL Oura Ring 3 (Horizon) starting at $299.99 (save up to $100) Get Deal

If you're looking to bring home a new fitness tracker, Prime Day is a great time to shop. Though the official Prime Big Deal Days event doesn't kick off until Oct. 8, Amazon has already put up tons of deals on items across every department, fitness trackers and smartwatches included.

Now that the weather is getting cooler and the leaves are starting to change, you might be more inclined to start that jogging program you were looking forward to. Or you might decide to get ahead of New Year's resolutions and start heading to the gym. Whatever you're planning, there are plenty of smartwatch and fitness tracker deals already available to help you get going — with brands like Apple, Garmin and Samsung running the show. Fitbit deals are currently MIA, but we're not surprised. The brand typically waits until closer to the official event to join the party, though a couple of Google Pixel deals have popped up already.

We'll be keeping a running tab below on all the best fitness tracker deals throughout Amazon's October Prime Day. If you don't see the wearable you're looking for on sale yet, check back regularly for the latest updates.

Best Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) $299.00 at Amazon
$399.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple Watch Series 9.

Despite the recent release of the Series 10, the Apple Watch Series 9 is not exactly outdated. You won't get the slightly larger display and sleep apnea sensor, but you'll still get the same 2,000-nit max brightness, Double Tap feature, and 18 hours of battery life. Not to mention, you'll save $100 on the Series 9 because it's no longer the shiniest new Apple toy. If you're upgrading from an old Apple Watch or are brand new to the fruit company's wearables, you won't be disappointed.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 10

• Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) — $411.99 $429 (save $17.01)

Series 9

• Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) — $299 $399 (save $100)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) — $329 $429 (save $100)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS + cellular) — $599 $749 (save $150)

SE

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) — $189 $249 (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) — $229 $279 (save $50)

Ultra

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + cellular) — $734.89 $799 (save $64.11)

Best Samsung Galaxy Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 $195.30 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $104.69 (Bluetooth, 40mm) Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Galaxy Watch 6.

When a new generation makes its debut, we often see ultra-low prices on the previous one. Such is the case with the Galaxy Watch 6. With the arrival of the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra over the summer, the Watch 6 is now steadily sitting below $200. Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, you can grab the 40mm version with Bluetooth for only $195.30, which is 35% in savings and a new record-low (by about $1). Only a year old, the sixth generation is still a very good smartwatch. It includes a nuanced breakdown of sleep habits, sleep coaching, personalized heart rate zones, irregular heart rate notifications, and a better battery life over its predecessor, which led Mashable's Alex Perry to dub it "the king of the Android smartwatch mountain."

More Samsung Galaxy Watch deals

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Bluetooth, 44mm) — $194.72 $329.99 (save $135.72)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Bespoke Edition (Bluetooth, 44mm) — $279.99 $379.99 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Bluetooth, 44mm) — $287.34 $329.99 (save $42.65)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (Bluetooth, 43mm) — $329.99 $399.99 (save $70)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (LTE, 44mm) — $329.99 $379.99 (save $50)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (LTE, 47mm) — $581.62 $649.99 (save $68.37)

Best Garmin deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Venu 3S $399.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Ideal for smaller wrists, the Garmin Venu 3S is about .2 inches smaller in diameter and .3 oz lighter than the standard Venu 3. It still offers the same advanced features, like a built-in speaker and microphone to take calls, the ability to store music, and an abundance of health and fitness tools and insights. The only real difference besides the size is that the 3S has a slightly shorter battery life (about 10 days in smartwatch mode versus the 3's 14 days), but it still blows the Apple Watch battery out of the water. It's usually $449.99, but you can save $50 ahead of the October Prime event and get it for only $399.99. That's just a few bucks away from its all-time low.

More Garmin deals

• Garmin Forerunner 55 — $168.99 $199.99 (save $31)

• Garmin vívoactive 5 — $249.99 $299.99 (save $50)

Best Google deal Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 (LTE, 45mm) $399.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Google Pixel Watch 3 just dropped in Aug., which makes this discount at Amazon ahead of Prime Big Deal Days its biggest one yet. This is the first Pixel Watch to offer a larger size case, which Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon says is "a visual stunner." Its battery life largely remains the same as its predecessor, but the Pixel Watch 3's dynamic refresh rate might allow you to squeeze out a little more. It also features a whole lot of software upgrades, including enhanced running features, AI-driven form tracking, a new Morning Brief feature via Fitbit, and updated media controls.

More Google deals (including Fitbit)

• Google Pixel Watch 2 (WiFi) — $231.70 $249.99 (save $18.29)

Best smart ring deal Opens in a new window Credit: Oura Oura Ring 3 (Horizon) starting at $299.99 (save up to $100) Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Oura Ring 3.

The Oura Ring 4 launches later this month, so it's no surprise that we're seeing the Oura Ring 3 on sale ahead of Prime Day 2. Regardless of the colorway you choose, you'll get a discount between 10% and 22% off. For instance, the stealth and brushed titanium models are 22% off, coming in at $349 (down from $449). The gold and rose gold models, on the other end of the price spectrum, are $449 after a 10% discount. The third-generation ring is a low-profile fitness tracker that offers in-depth info about sleep, workouts, recovery, mindfulness, and more through a variety of sensors, though sleep tracking is truly where it shines.

More smart ring deals

There are currently no other live deals on smart rings, but we'll be keeping our eyes peeled.

We showed the 'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' cast a Charli SCS fan edit calling Sauron 'brat'. This lead to some intense debate!

Amazon’s fall Deals event is right around the corner and if you haven’t made a shopping plan yet, we’re here to help.

The San Francisco company is gathering the billions its executives believe they will need to continue building new A.I. technology.