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Sex in cinema is back, baby. 2024 has been a banging year at the movies thanks to steamy fare like Rose Glass's neo-noir thriller Love Lies Bleeding, Luca Guadagnino's love-triangle drama Challengers, Sean Baker's sex-worker-centered comedy Anora, and last, but certainly not least Halina Reijn's May-December drama Babygirl.

Written and directed by Bodies Bodies Bodies helmer Reijn, Babygirl has earned dynamic buzz out of its Venice Film Festival premiere, from which Nicole Kidman was awarded the Volpi Cup for her riveting performance as the female lead. As she has in daring productions like Eyes Wide Shut, The Paperboy, and Big Little Lies, Kidman rejects her polished persona as a megawatt star (and AMC advocate), embracing a messy journey of sex and danger.

SEE ALSO: 42 movies you'll want to see this fall

Yet Babygirl stands out among these other sexy films and series by keeping the playfulness of fucking fiercely at the center of its wilfully problematic romance. In that, even the seediest sequence has a bit of sweetness ground in. 

Babygirl genderswaps a common May-December dynamic.  Director Halina Reijn and Nicole Kidman. Credit: A24

At first blush, Babygirl's premise sounds almost tediously familiar: A high-powered CEO's family and job are threatened, thanks to a torrid affair with a lusty young intern.

Except Reijn genderswaps these roles, so the mighty CEO isn't a snarling Michael Douglas type; she's played by a crisp, cool Kidman. And rather than a curvy nymph swanning into their new workplace in a snug pencil skirt, Triangle of Sadness' Harris Dickinson strolls in with a blazer and a bored expression. And just like that, the expectations of this erotic tale are thrown off-kilter. 

Romy Mathis (Kidman) seems to have it all: a posh Hamptons home, a luxury Manhattan apartment, a handsome, doting husband (Antonio Banderas), two lovely teen daughters Isabel (Esther McGregor) and Nora (Vaughan Reilly), and a high-power job, where she's not only respected but also a role model for women in male-dominated fields. However, deep down Romy desires to be disrespected, debased, and made to beg. It's a wish so dark she can't even share it with her long-time partner. So when this beautiful and blasé hunk talks to her as casually as he might a barista, she's uncomfortably aroused. And he knows it. 

Samuel (Harris) is a new take on the problematic Lolita trope: a young person (typically a girl, often a minor) who is portrayed as sexually precocious and self-aware way beyond their years. Early on, he can sense that what Romy is missing in her life is a place where she can play at being submissive. Tough but tender, Samuel is ready to be her dominant, expecting her to grovel on a dirty hotel room floor or drink a tall glass of milk just because he said so. Romy's desire is one often associated with male execs, especially in BDSM circles. The genderswapping of this May-December dom-sub relationship (the opposite of say Steven Shainberg's office-set BDSM rom-com The Secretary), makes for a thrillingly transgressive narrative.

SEE ALSO: A beginner's guide to understanding Dom/sub dynamics

Romy and Samuel's relationship is undeniably hot, thanks to the intense chemistry between Kidman and Harris. Yet it's an onscreen romance that might well make its audience squirm, because of the power dynamics, the age difference, the non-conforming gender roles, and the kinky sex. This relationship is deeply fucked up even before Romy suggests their safe word be "Jacob" — the name of her husband. And all of this works toward a lusty and liberating message that sex should be about aching emotional honesty and fun discoveries. 

Babygirl revels in sexual experimentation and consent.  Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in "Babygirl." Credit: A24

BDSM gets a bad wrap in the media, often because it's mischaracterized as abusive or bullying. Reijn and her cast embrace a version of Dom/sub sex where consent is not just essential but also exciting. In a husky voice, Samuel tells Romy to do certain things. She might blush or refuse him, and he'll urge her tell him why. It's not pressuring, it's communication. Notably, the kind of dialogue — awkward and exhilarating — that she can't manage to open with her sweet husband. 

Far from the "zipless fucks" dreamed of by Erica Jong or idealized in erotic thrillers of the '90s, Babygirl uses these moments of clumsy conversation and fumbling foreplay not only to ground their sexual fantasy in a more realistic setting, but also, because there's a freedom to seeing the process here. We see the pair's chosen cheap hotel room as a sexual sandbox, where both feel liberated as playmates. The power dynamic is in effect, but pleasure is the goal both seek to find together. And perhaps because it's Kidman in the lead, Babygirl urges its audience to take themselves less seriously in the bedroom, and be a bit like Romy and Samuel. 

Nicole Kidman delivers a hot-blooded and vulnerable performance that could make her an Oscars frontrunner.  Antonio Banderas and Nicole Kidman in "Babygirl." Credit: A24

Some will likely balk at or criticize Kidman for taking such a sexually raw role. (She faced similar critiques over The Paperboy.) As Romy, Kidman is given a level of power few women in the world will ever have. And so there’s a knowing discomfort in watching her surrender that power to some reverent dude in a necktie. As the stakes of this drama heighten through the possibility of Romy losing her job or her husband or the respect of her assistant (Talk to Me's Sophie Wilde) and daughters, there are plenty of reasons to judge this relationship. Yet within those scenes, Kidman lets loose a version of this character who is so radiantly human, so beautifully flawed, full of yearning and shame, that she is comprehendible. Even as we know, she’s making "bad choices," we might be a relieved to watch someone dare to do that. By living vicariously through Babygirl's dizzying highs and gut-churning lows, you might feel inspired to embrace the truth of yourself as Romy does over the course of this movie. 

Kidman thoughtfully knocks herself off of the high pedestal of glamour girl movie stardom to give us this gift. While the scenes of sexual discovery can feel downright juvenile with their laughter and awkward conversations around consent and kink, Babygirl has a profound maturity in its psychological understanding and empathy for unconventional desires. 

As to the Oscars, Kidman’s win in Venice suggests she’s in good standing this award season. Sexual liberation and unapologetic nudity certainly didn’t hurt Emma Stone last year in the best actress race so she won for Poor Things. However, Kidman's age might prove a challenge. Even as there is a rise in May-December romances featuring an older woman and younger man (including Kidman's summer release A Family Affair), there can be a backlash against older women lusting for a younger man, as we’ve seen in the mixed reception of The Idea of You, a rom-com about a middle-aged single mom hooking up with a 20-something boyband member.

Kidman is helped, however, by being surrounded by strong performances. Harris is finely tuned at the cross-section of lusty fantasy and irksome reality, playing a character who maintains a sultry mystique, justified by his place in Romy’s conflicted perspective. Banderas warmly portrays a loving partner/father, edging the fun of the affair with the pain of his inevitable discovery of it. Wilde withers as a keen assistant. McGregor brings a free-spirited Gen Z sense of sexual liberation as Romy’s queer daughter with a love triangle of her own, while Reilly succinctly captures the sweet innocence of a child that might well be shattered by the cracking of her mother’s all-mighty facade. 

Altogether, the cast makes Babygirl a stunner, landing silly moments as well as sexy ones. Emotionally naked, unapologetically provocative, and defiantly playful, Reijn's film joyfully explores the complicated ties that bind. Amid stiff competition, she delivers one of the sexiest, most thrilling films of the year. 

Babygirl was reviewed out of its North American premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. A24 will release the movie in theaters Dec. 25.

Netflix released its trailer for Anna Kendrick's directorial debut, "Woman of the Hour," and it's harrowing. Watch.

"Bodies Bodies Bodies" director Halina Reijn's A24 erotic thriller "Babygirl" sees Nicole Kidman in the lead. Watch the trailer.

Today is a huge day for Chromebooks, particular the Chromebook Plus family. For the uninitiated, Chromebook Plus laptops support the most advanced AI features from Google Gemini.

When Google showed off a gaggle of new Chromebook Plus models in May, it boasted that, with the help of Gemini Advanced, it could help you write, generate graphics, brainstorm, write code, and more.

Now, Google is releasing two new Chromebook Plus laptops — and introducing even more new Gemini features that the owners of these models will get to enjoy.

SEE ALSO: Everything Google announced at its big Chromebook showcase Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is the "thinnest and lightest Chromebook Plus" the ChromeOS team has ever rolled out to market.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

As someone who got a chance to get some hands-on experience with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, I can confirm that it is razor thin. I don't even know how they managed to pack any internals inside.

However, as far as its heft, I've held plenty other 16-inch laptops that are far lighter. Still, it's not bad with a weight of 2.6 pounds.

Speaking of specs, it comes with the following:

• Intel Core 3 100U processor

• 8GB of RAM

• 256GB of storage

• 15.6-inch, OLED screen

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus reportedly lasts 13 hours on a charge, but we'll be the judge of that once we put it through our own in-house testing.

It costs $699.

Refreshed Lenovo Chromebook Duet

OK, I am actually excited about this one. I distinctly remember when the first iteration of the Lenovo Chromebook Duet darn-near flew off the shelves when Chromebooks were hot during the height of the pandemic.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

It's one of the best-selling Chromebooks in recent years, according to Google. When I reviewed the first-generation Lenovo Chromebook Duet back in the day, I was blown away by its 13-hour battery life and clicky keyboard.

Spinning off from the Chromebook Duet's success, Lenovo launched the Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook in 2022.

Now, we've got a refreshed Lenovo Chromebook Duet, which is a tablet that comes with a keyboard and kickstand that can transform into a miniature laptop. I can't wait to test it to see if it has the same pizazz as its predecessor.

It comes with the following specs:

• MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor

• Up to 8GB of RAM

• 128GB of storage

• 10.95-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel display

And it's only $349.

New Gemini features for Chromebook Plus laptops

Chromebook Plus laptops, including the aforementioned Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, will have the ability to access the following new Gemini-based features.

Credit: Google

• Get through content faster with "Help me read." This feature lets you quickly summarize PDFs, articles, or websites with a simple right-click. Want more details? You can ask follow-up questions to dive deeper. Starting next year, you’ll even be able to highlight specific sentences or paragraphs for further clarification.

• Break language barriers with Live Translate. Whether you’re on a Zoom call or watching a YouTube livestream, Live Translate instantly provides AI-powered captions in over 100 languages.

• Effortlessly capture thoughts and audio with the Recorder app. With Google AI, the Recorder app not only transcribes audio, but also identifies and labels different speakers. It even provides a summary of the recording, making reviewing a breeze.

• Polish your video calls with studio-grade features. Look and sound your best with AI-powered mic improvements and appearance tweaks. The studio-style mic enhances clarity while cutting background noise, and appearance settings adjust your lighting and brightness automatically.

New Gemini features for all Chromebooks

Starting in October, all Chromebooks will come with Gemini built right into the shelf. In other words, you don't need to open the Chrome browser to chat with Gemini.

This way, the AI chatbot is just a click away. Another eye-catching feature coming to all Chromebooks? You'll have the ability to pin important files to your Chromebook shelf. This is ideal if you have any documents that you frequently access. Instead of searching for them all the time, you can have them within easy reach on your Chromebook shelf.

The new Gemini features, on both Chromebook Plus and regular Chromebooks, are expected to roll out via updates throughout October.

A purchase of a Chromebook, by the way, comes with three months of Google One AI Premium.

Google Chromebooks Get Deal

This Tuesday, Google continues its investment in AI with the announcement of even more Gemini-powered features coming to Chromebooks. Back in May, Google launched a slew of new Chromebooks with its generative AI tools.

With the latest announcement, Google is debuting two new Chromebooks, including a Samsung Chromebook Plus that comes in a sleek, thin package.

New Chromebooks

This launch brings an expansion of features across all Chromebooks. Now, all models will incorporate Chat with Gemini, but Chromebook Plus models are getting even more. New tools include Help me read, Live Translate, and a Quick Insert key.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11-inch Credit: Google

With an 11-inch screen, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet focuses on portability. The compact size, the same as the smallest iPad Air model, is easy to throw in any back. Plus, it's a 2-in-1 style laptop. The kickstand and detachable keyboard allows you to use it as a tablet. It's compatible with USI 2.0 styluses, but unfortunately, it doesn't come with a pen. It has 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD. Like other tablets, it includes two cameras, a front-facing camera of 5MP and a back-facing camera of 8MP.

It costs $349 and will be available in October 2024.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus Credit: Samsung

This launch also debuts Samsung's first Chromebook Plus. Like the Lenovo, it emphasizes portability, measuring 11.8 mm in thickness and weighing just 2.58 pounds despite its 15.6-inch screen. It has 8GB RAM with 256GB SSD as well as an Intel Core 3 100U processor. Outfit with all of the new Gemini features announced at this launch, it's a promising debut in the Chromebook line-up.

While we haven't gotten our hands on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, it's hard not to compare it to the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch model, which starts with 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD, just like Samsung's Chromebook Plus. However, Samsung's is even lighter, measuring about .8 pounds less and 4mm slimmer. Despite their similar stature, that says nothing of how the two compare in processing — something we'll just have to measure ourselves.

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook will be available in October 2024 and costs $699 — $600 less than the MacBook Air (M3) 15-inch laptop.

New Chromebook Plus features

The new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus highlights the latest features Google is unveiling, however, all Chromebook Plus models will eventually see the latest updates. All of these features will be available through automatic updates coming later in October. Here's are the new features to expect:

• Quick Insert key: Now included on keyboards, you'll find the Quick Insert Key, which launches a menu of shortcuts like Help me write, emojis and GIFs, recently visited links, and Google Drive integrations. The Quick Insert key is coming to the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus to start, but will eventually be available on all Chromebook Plus models next year. Users on standard Chromebooks can use the keyboard shortcut (Launcher Key + F) to access the same menu.

• Help me read: Google's Help me write composes emails and more to help you sound more eloquent and now the Help me read tool, summarizes anything you need to read, including PDFs and websites. To access the Help me read tool, just give the mouse a right click, and you'll receive a bulleted summary of the most important takeaways.

• Recorder app: This AI-powered tool automatically creates transcriptions on Google Meet, Zoom, and more. It automatically detects different speakers while capturing the audio.

• Built-in video call features: To make all your digital meetings better, two new features boost your mic and video quality. A studio-style mic reduces background noise to deliver clearer audio. Plus appearance effects adjust brightness and lighting for an enhanced look. Essentially, it makes you look like you have a professional ring light look without actually having one.

• Live Translate: Using AI, Google now automatically produces like translations for whatever you're doing, whether it be video calls, files, YouTube videos, or livestreams. It's currently available in over 100 languages.

New features on all Chromebooks

• Chat with Gemini: To access Gemini chat, you no longer need to open up the browser, as it comes pinned to the Chromebook shelf.

• Google One AI Premium plan at no cost for three months: This plans provides access to Gemini advanced. Chromebook Plus purchases come with 12 months of the plan.

• Welcome Recap: When you log back into your Chromebook, the Welcome Recap tells you exactly where you left off and provides suggestions on meetings you need to join and sites you were last browsing.

• Focus mode: Essentially a more advanced 'Do Not Disturb', Focus mode blocks out notifications and lets you create the perfect environment to get work done. You can choose a set amount of time for your study time and even play soundscapes and white noise.

Cooler temps are creeping in, and it’s time to start rocking your warm wool sweaters, beanies, and boots. But you know what else is begging for a full-on fall transformation? Your home. 

It’s amazing how a few new pieces of furniture and some cast-iron cookware from Walmart can cozy up the vibe of your entire space. You’ve been road-tripping and pool-dipping all summer. Let’s make over your space for spicy chili nights and fall streaming — and nab some killer deals.

Scientists say they've finally found a world orbiting Barnard's star, the closest single star to the sun.

This rocky planet, discovered with the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile, is smaller than Earth, and flies around its tiny cool star every three days. Barnard's star is six light-years away from us, in the constellation Ophiuchus. The only closer stars are the trio that make up the Alpha Centauri system. 

Anyone have déjà vu? Yes, exoplanet hunters have thought before they'd found worlds around this particular star — a popular sci-fi setting — and their discoverers seemed pretty darn sure of their data, too. 

But this one is the real deal, a new research team says. Honest. 

"The discovery of this planet, along with other previous discoveries such as Proxima b and d, shows that our cosmic backyard is full of low-mass planets," said Alejandro Suárez Mascareño, a coauthor of the paper published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics today. 

SEE ALSO: Scientists haven't found a rocky exoplanet with air. But now they have a plan. A confirmed exoplanet orbits Barnard's star every three days. Credit: ESO / M. Kornmesser illustration

Despite its close proximity to our solar system, Barnard's star is too faint to see with the naked eye. A simple eight-inch amateur telescope should be able to spot it in deep space, though. 

This special star, a target of exoplanet searches for over a century, has a long history of false positive planet detections. Six years ago, an international team of researchers thought they had found a planet three times larger than Earth, just outside the so-called habitable zone, in the Barnard's star system. The authors of that paper, published in the journal Nature, characterized the world as frozen and circling its red dwarf host star every 233 days.

That potential discovery, using the radial velocity method, relied on 771 observations over two decades. Though at the time it was considered an unconfirmed candidate, the lead scientist had said in a statement then that he was "99% confident that the planet is there," though the team would continue to observe the star to rule out other "possible, but improbable" explanations. 

Tweet may have been deleted

The radial velocity technique looks for subtle changes in the frequency of starlight as seen from Earth. The gravitational tug of an orbiting planet is thought to cause little wobbles in the light measurements. But sometimes astronomers can be fooled: What might appear to be a planetary signal could in fact be little spots on the surface of the star, causing a false detection. 

Since the 2018 super-Earth candidate was proposed, other astronomers' follow-up studies have formally refuted its existence, including this most recent one. In 2021, a team led by astronomer Jack Rubin conducted nearly 120 new observations with an instrument on the Hobby-Eberly Telescope in Texas and found the mistaken signal was associated with the star's 145-day rotation period. 

The clue that there was a misinterpretation came from the fact that the strongest signal coincided with a period when stellar activity was also strong. In 2022, another team found that the planetary signal was unlikely. 

But that wasn't the first time the star had tricked astronomers into thinking it had planets. Astronomer Peter van de Kamp thought he had discovered two gas giant planets around Barnard’s star, the first as long ago as the 1960s. Some astronomers say he may have died believing he was the first to ever locate exoplanets. His findings were invalidated in later years.

Unlike the previous bloopers, the newly discovered planetary signal — suggesting a world half the mass of Venus — is the first exoplanet to be confirmed in the Barnard's star system with at least two other telescopes. Other verifying observations came from the Roque de los Muchachos and Calar Alto observatories in Spain and the La Silla Observatory in Chile. Astronomers estimate the planet to be about 20 times closer to its star than Mercury is to the sun, with a surface temperature of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Barnard's star is only six light-years away from the sun. Credit: IEEC / Science-Wave – Guillem Ramisa infographic

The bad news: Even if the star were about 2,500 degrees cooler than the sun, the planet would still be too hot for liquid water to exist on its surface, and not likely to be habitable, said lead author Jonay González Hernández. But the good news is that the team has found three other planet candidates near the star — and perhaps one of those, if confirmed, could be Earth-like. 

The previously suspected exoplanets were dubbed "Barnard b" until they were ruled out through the complicated and nuanced process of discovering new worlds trillions of miles away.

So, in the famous words of the To Tell the Truth game show, will the real Barnard b please stand up? 

There's a certain kind of person you don't want to be Too Online. I'd be uneasy, for instance, if my brain surgeon had a vast meme collection — put down the phone, pick up the scalpel.

Politicians, however, are in a more complicated position. In 2024, it's impossible to run an effective campaign while ignoring the internet, especially since millions of Gen Zers will be eligible to vote for the first time in this election. But it's easy for campaigns to cross the rubicon from effectively using the internet to being Too Online. There is the risk of confusing online noise for meaningful outreach, fringe concerns for real issues, and engagement as good press.

I'd argue that the pendulum has swung too far. Today's presidential campaigns are Too Online, and it's to the point where real-life issues might get lost in the noise of memes and digital posturing.

This isn't to say both campaigns are the same; they're not. However, both candidates have leaned heavily into online spaces, albeit very differently. Kamala Harris' campaign has embraced popular internet trends like "Brat Summer" and viral TikTok sounds like Chappell Roan's "Femininomenon" to court young voters. Donald Trump's camp, on the other hand, has veered into race-baiting edgelord memes, such as baseless claims about Haitian immigrants eating pets, framing it as a crucial election issue for his base.

The difference remains stark: Harris risks coming across as cringe-worthy or overly focused on online voters, while Trump pushes dangerous, often fabricated ideas to rile up his fervent supporters.

Campaigning in the Meme Age

So, how are these campaigns "too online"? First, let's acknowledge that it's likely not actually the candidates themselves. Trump famously doesn't use a computer — his phone is seemingly just a machine for posting tweets or updates on Truth Social — and I doubt Harris or her running mate Tim Walz are scrolling all that much. JD Vance might be knee-deep in forums, but who knows? Still, it's clear that their campaigns are focused on online culture.

SEE ALSO: Tortured no longer: Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris after presidential debate

Walz, a 60-year-old Midwest football coach, verbally described the Abe Simpson "old man yells at cloud" meme when asked to review Trump's debate performance. Over on the @KamalaHQ social media accounts, Harris' campaign leaned into Brat and coconut tree memes; it even dunked on the Trump campaign with a popular Real Housewives of Salt Lake City audio on TikTok. (The @KamalaHQ TikTok account is run by five Gen Z staffers.) Some of this is necessary. The world is, after all, an online world.

"Candidates can really set the agenda [on social media] and make sure that people are talking about the things that they want people to pick up on," said Dr. Caroline Leicht, a researcher at the University of Southampton who studies media and political communication with a focus on social media.

Leicht added: "With social media, there are these opinion leaders who then take over the conversation and spread the message further. So it's really free advertising in a way."

Harris' campaign, in particular, has capitalized on this free advertising. A spokesperson told Semafor that their online strategy aims to "meet voters where they are." After President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July, Harris saw a spike in online interest. The memes worked — but maybe they learned the wrong lesson. The excitement mattered more than the memes. Voters welcomed a fresh face on the ticket, and memes followed naturally. You can't force a meme. Over-prioritizing an online presence risks becoming a distraction, emphasizing engagement that doesn't necessarily translate to votes. Focusing too much on crafting viral content or having the most polished online presence could be a damaging fool's errand. Let's not forget Hillary Clinton's attempt to connect with young voters in 2020. Her use of the phrase "Pokémon Go to the polls" got a lot of attention online, but none of it was positive. The phrase was endlessly memed and mocked.

To be fair, the Harris campaign has said its hope is to capitalize on trends, not create them.

"We're leveraging organic viral trends and online energy for V.P. Harris's presidential bid to do two big, and election-winning things: bring the conversation about the stakes of this election to the places a lot of our voters are getting their news from and two, transfer the enthusiasm we're seeing online to grow our grass-roots supporter network,” Seth Schuster, a spokesman for the Harris campaign, told the New York Times in August.

SEE ALSO: The Trump campaign's take on Tim Walz's coaching days proves they don't know football

But spend enough time online, and it will poison your brain in some way. I say this as a professional Too Online person. It's literally my job. But have you ever tried to explain a new meme to someone? You end up sounding fully detached from reality because, well, you are. It's like the Jesse/Walt meme from Breaking Bad — yes, I'm using a meme to describe being Too Online, I see the irony — and someone really does need to ask you what the fuck are you talking about?

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The campaigns must realize that most people aren't as online as they are. Do you know who works on campaigns? People who spend all day online. Spending all day online is an easy way to get fooled into thinking it matters more than it does.

Pew data showed that 44 percent of people between the ages of 18-49 say they go online "almost constantly," but this could be anything from Googling to emailing to, yes, posting memes. That number drops steeply with older folks. Just 22 percent of those between the ages of 50-64 say they were that online. The number craters to 8 percent of those 65 and older. Do you know who votes? Older people. The type of folks who might actually care that Harris did three interviews with influencers before a mainstream TV sit-down. (Though, of course, she has courted older voters, too, with moves like her interview with Oprah, a Baby Boomer icon.) Fifty-five percent of the electorate was 50 or older in the last presidential election. Meanwhile, 67 percent of folks between the ages of 18-49 didn't vote — and that is a much better turnout than in non-presidential elections.

In other words, the most online folks aren't reliable voters. The people seeing your campaign's memes might not cast a ballot. Or, worse, the memes could turn them off because they might not appear genuine.

That's how you get the Harris campaign sending out a Dril tweet and then Dril — perhaps the most influential Twitter poster of our time — immediately hating it in a very public, very direct way that wasn't a good look at all for the VP. He called out some of the worst alleged atrocities from Israeli soldiers. The war in Gaza is a major issue for young voters — who often are not aligned with the current administration's support for Israel — and especially among those who are Very Online. If the campaign is going to engage with young voters who are super online, then you're inviting criticism on what's proven to be a third-rail issue for politicians.

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Or, less seriously, being super online risks the Harris campaign looking cringe to younger voters or out-of-touch with others. It's how you get a bungled, embarrassing CNN segment trying to explain the whole Brat thing, which is more on CNN but also a super awkward thing for a campaign courting CNN viewers. I'd rather Harris' platform or speeches get that airtime instead of a chartreuse meme. Remember what I said about trying to explain a meme out loud? The Harris campaign and its need to win the meme wars is flirting with that reality.

Even some of the creators who support Harris want to see more emphasis on substantive policy talk. Elizabeth Booker Houston, a millennial TikTokker who attended the DNC in August, told TIME, "People want policy, and they do want to talk about the details of things, right? Not everything can be sugar — you’re going to get a tummy ache."

"They're eating the dogs!"

Trump and Vance, well, that's entirely different. They've immersed themselves in the anger-fueled, rightwing online ecosystem. If the Harris campaign relies too heavily on memes, then the Trump campaign is being dragged down by them.

They're seemingly following the path of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' campaign, which mistook the rightwing's online grievance culture for a sizable voting bloc. Most notably, Trump's baseless, race-baiting claims about Haitian immigrants eating dogs and cats in Springfield, Ohio, have been an utter disaster. As BBC reported, the rumor was started by a self-described social media influencer at a city meeting, took off on Facebook, and then spiraled into a national talking point — without a shred of evidence or truth.

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It makes sense that the Trump campaign might lean on Facebook memes, even as Meta itself shifts away from current events and politics. Republican voters tend to be older, as do Facebook users. Sprout Social data found that 51 percent of Facebook users were at least 40 years old. More than 60 percent of TikTok users, meanwhile, were under 40. Pew data showed, meanwhile, that Facebook is the only social media platform used more by Republicans than Democrats. (It's also the world's largest social media network.) The divide is clear.

SEE ALSO: Donald Trump posts AI image to attack Kamala Harris

Trump, however, ran with the Facebook rumor on the national debate stage, screaming, "They're eating the dogs!" — something everyday voters would have to find ridiculous. What began as a meme soon became another meme, with some mocking Trump and Vance and others supporting them. The audio even started trending on TikTok. With time, everywhere you looked online, people were posting about eating dogs and cats. Is this really what's going to win over the vanishingly few undecided voters? Vance seemed to think so, even asking folks to "keep the cat memes flowing."

The kicker? Vance even admitted it's probably made up. "If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that's what I'm going to do," he said in an interview with CNN. In other words, it's just shitposting...but, you know, as an effort to get access to the nuclear codes.

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But the Trump campaign really does seem to think shitposting is a winning strategy. They've rolled out what NPR dubbed a tour of "dude influencers." Trump has talked with some of the pre-eminent right-leaning and rightwing online bros, like Logan Paul, Tucker Carlson, and Adin Ross. These are the sorts of folks that right-leaning young men might find controversially funny or interesting. In short, it's a press tour for male shitposters.

A need for balance

Clearly, a digital presence matters — 2016 showed us that. What was 2016 if not a referendum on the internet's power, with Trump seemingly tweeting his way into the White House? It makes some sense, then, that the Harris campaign recently spent $200 million on digital ad-buys, which was a record amount. But there's a line between effective online engagement and over-reliance. Maybe we don’t need Tim Walz narrating memes aloud, and we definitely don’t need any more rightwing cat memes.

As Dr. Leicht notes, "There is a very difficult balance to find, and I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all solution."

For most voters, a campaign's memes won't change their vote. Even young voters won't likely cast a vote based on online presence. Polls show they care about economic issues — like most voters — and mostly don't support sending military aid to Israel or the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Posting online matters for attention purposes, but from there, campaigns need to have something tangible to offer.

Focusing too much on memes also opens the door for errors — like becoming the next "Pokémon Go to the polls" moment. There's a fine line between being savvy and losing sight of what's really important to constituents. The Harris campaign risks falling into the latter category with its meme obsession, while the Trump campaign has gone too far down the rabbit hole of internet conspiracies.

Perhaps I’m biased, being so entrenched in the online world. I'm always logged on, and it makes me think they're always logged on. But I'd argue it takes one to know one, and it’s safe to say these campaigns have become Too Online. They've started confusing the digital world with the real one.

It's time to log off a little — touch grass, if you will — or, more importantly, go knock on more doors.

Jon Stewart pretended to be an undecided voter on "The Daily Show", and used some charts to analyse Donald Trump's responses to specific policy questions.

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 1 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Tuesday, October 1, 2024:

AcrossSimba's scourge

• The answer is Scar.

"_____" you loud and clear!

• The answer is IRead.

LazyTown antognist and internet celebrity Robbie

• The answer is Rotten.

Android alternative

• The answer is iPhone.

Children's doctor?

• The answer is Seuss.

Real-time encryption system

• The answer is RTEs.

DownApple assistant

• The answer is Siri.

Harvests

• The answer is Crops.

Air of Athena, Ares, and Aphrodite

• The answer is Aether.

Snitch slangily

• The answer is Ratout.

Closely compacted

• The answer is Dense.

Lock ____

• The answer is Ness.

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.

Travelling requires a lot of planning. You need to be prepared with a checklist of essentials, and then pack everything in such a way that you're not left with a crumpled mess of belongings on the other side.

Something you don't need to pack is a VPN, but it should still be at the top of your list. Why? These security services protect your data and personal information when you're travelling, as well as providing access to top streaming sites from around the world. So whether you're dreaming of getting away, planning your next big trip, or in the departure lounge, you need a VPN by your side.

What is a VPN?

VPNs provide protection for your data and identity when you're online by creating an encrypted tunnel for your online traffic. This protects your personal information by hiding your IP address, and allowing you to safely use public WiFi hotspots.

This means that your internet traffic can't be tracked and recorded by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or other third party, wherever you are in the world.

Do you need a VPN for travelling?

A VPN is an essential when you're travelling for two key reasons: encryption of your web traffic and access to the websites and apps you use when you're at home.

Any sort of activity on an unsecured WiFi network leaves your private information and browsing habits exposed to the world, unless you're using a VPN. The likelihood of using an unsecured network is increased when you're away from home, so the need for a VPN is great.

The need to access content when travelling is also significant. There will be plenty of moments when you need to access a particular site or app when you're on the road, but you're blocked due to your location. VPNs can bypass these blockades by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in the UK. This process can trick your favourite services into thinking that you're back home, meaning that you can continue to access the content you love.

What are the most important VPN features for travelling?

The best VPNs for travelling will have certain features in common. To help you make sense of everything, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to think about before committing to a service. You should consider connection speed, server network, number of simultaneous connections, and more:

• Bandwidth — There are VPNs that place monthly caps on network bandwidth. You should avoid these services, unless you're on a free trial. If you're paying for a VPN, you need to be able to download and upload as much as you want.

• Connection speed — You shouldn't accept a significant drop in connection speed with a VPN, because this is going to result in buffering when you're streaming. If you're planning on watching a film or downloading a file when travelling, you should opt for something with decent connection speeds.

• Encryption — You are likely to come across terms like "military-grade" and "enterprise-grade" encryption. There are clearly different levels of encryption, and whilst it's important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best options will all offer powerful protection for your data.

• Number of simultaneous connections — The best VPNs let you connect a large (or unlimited) number of devices with the same account. A service that offers multiple simultaneous connections lets you protect all of your devices with the same plan.

• Privacy policy — You should be aware of the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of a VPN, and these practices should be clearly laid out in a privacy policy. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up, so it's absolutely vital that your VPN is not going to store these details.

• Server network — The very best VPNs provide access to thousands of geographically diverse servers. It's useful if a VPN has a lot of servers in key locations, because you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming, shopping, or browsing anonymously when you're travelling around.

You should also think about things like price and subscription options, but these features represent are a good place to start.

Do you need to pay for the best VPNs?

There are a lot of free versions of top VPNs, plus free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. With this in mind, why would you ever pay for a VPN?

The fact is you get what you pay for with VPNs. There are always catches with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. These plans will work fine for some people, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading on the move, it isn't going to work. Free trials work differently: they come without limitations, but don't tend to last very long. Trials give you the opportunity to test out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution if you're travelling.

To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up. The best VPNs are generally the most expensive, but there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you're willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What is the best VPN for travelling?

There are a lot of VPNs out there all offering different sets of features, with different pricing plans. Finding the best service for you is not easy, so we recommend taking some time to carefully access your options and decide on what you really need from a provider. Once you have established your priorities, you can check out this roundup of the best VPNs for travel.

We have tracked down everything on offer and lined up a selection of the very best VPNs for travelling. We have tried to find something for everyone and every budget, and you can find popular services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost VPN in this roundup.

These are the best VPNs for travelling in 2024.

There is no such thing as too many streaming sites. Sure, you might already be subscribed to Netflix and Prime Video, but there might be hit shows and newly-releases movies still out of reach. We're not suggesting you subscribe to everything out there, but one more subscription couldn't hurt.

If you're looking to expand your content options, you might have considered Max. This popular streaming platform offers TV favourites, blockbuster movies, and new Max originals. So what's stopping you? Well, despite Max expanding into Europe in 2021, the UK is still not on the list. Try and visit the platform from the UK, and you'll be greeted with "Sorry, Max isn’t available in your region yet."

We know this is tough news to take, but you still have the ability to stream on Max in the UK. All you need is a VPN.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide protection for your data and identity when you're online. They create a private network that hides your real IP address, which boosts your online privacy and anonymity, and makes sure that your activity is untraceable and secure.

It's not the easiest concept to grasp, so it can be helpful to think about a VPN like an encrypted tunnel. All of your online traffic passes through this tunnel, and nobody can see inside. Everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.

Why should you consider investing in a VPN?

VPNs are designed to provide protection for your sensitive information, which is obviously a major reason to consider investing in a service. Cybersecurity is an absolutely vital part of existing online these days, and VPNs offer the features needed to secure your online world against the worst of the web. It's not all about online security and privacy though, because an increasing number of subscribers are looking to boost their content options.

VPNs can be also be used to watch content that is normally blocked in your location. By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another country, you can watch all your favourite content from that location. VPNs can bypass the geo-restrictions of the most popular streaming sites, including Max.

How do you access Max with a VPN?

The process of accessing Max with a VPN is not exactly simple. First you need to do is open up your preferred VPN, select an American server in order to spoof your IP to a U.S. address, and then head to Max. This makes Max think you're in the U.S. when you're actually in the UK. The next step is to add your payment information.

Max only lets you sign up if you have a payment card that’s tied to the U.S. If you don't have this, you'll need to follow these steps:

• Open up your preferred VPN on your iOS/Android device and connect to a server in the U.S.

• Create an Apple ID/Google Play account

• Register your account on the app store

• Download and install the Max app

• Create a new account in the Max app with your email address and password

• Pay with your UK PayPal account

We know this is a little laborious, but it's worth it.

What should you consider before investing in a VPN?

Rather than listing off every feature offered by the best VPNs, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to think about if you're planning on streaming with a VPN. You should look out for connection speed, server network, number of simultaneous logins, and other important features:

• Connection speed — Using a VPN is likely to produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything significant. This will result in buffering, which is going to make it difficult to stream without frustration.

• Number of simultaneous connections — The best VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account. You should seek out services that offers multiple simultaneous connections, so you can stream on all your devices at the same time.

• Privacy policy — It's worth paying attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of the VPN you are planning on using to stream, because access to extra content shouldn't come at the expense of your online privacy and anonymity.

• Security — We know you're here to find a VPN for streaming, but you shouldn't forget about security. The best services will let you unblock top streaming sites whilst offering powerful protection for your data.

• Server network — Some VPNs provide access to literally thousands of geographically diverse servers. The best services offer access to a lot of servers in key locations, so you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming.

There are other things to consider, like price and subscription plans, but these features are a good place to start.

What is the best VPN for Max?

We've lined up a selection of the very best streaming-friendly VPNs for unlocking Max, including popular services like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN. You just need to consider all of these options, and pick out the service that best suits you and your lifestyle.

These are the best VPNs for Max in 2024.

We can talk about decision fatigue in the context of buying robot vacuums on the buyer's end all day, but let's consider an equally fatiguing decision experienced by me: a professional robot vacuum reviewer constantly being asked, "Which robot vacuum should I get?"

After testing over 20 robot vacuums in the past five years, I can totally rattle off recommendations easily to someone, but only after I've also asked them a million questions. Mostly, I need to know whether they care more about budget, the thorough cleaning itself, or a true hands-off cleaning experience.

SEE ALSO: How to choose a robot vacuum in 2024: Consider these 5 features before buying

But when I got my hands on the Eufy X10 Pro Omni soon after it came out at CES 2024 in January, I quickly realized I might just have a new catchall answer to that big, general robot vacuum question — or at least a recommendation that meets goals of people who prioritize getting a bang for their buck and people who prioritize doing as little work as possible on their end.

Why the Eufy X10 Pro Omni is so impressive on paper

Over the past two-ish years, two robot vacuum features, in particular, have emerged to set the premium robot vacuums apart from the entry-level ones. They are AI-powered small obstacle avoidance technology and self-washing and drying mopping pads. Not only did Eufy bravely attempt both of them without severely hiking the price tag to match, but both features are actually pretty competent — I wouldn't have been surprised if a cheap robovac talking this fancy talk couldn't actually walk the walk.

If you really care about the automation aspect of a robot vacuum, those two convenience-related features are reason to choose the X10 Pro Omni over similarly-priced hybrid models like the Roomba Combo j7+ or Roborock Q8 Max+, which still require you to manually handle the mopping pads and refill the water tank after each use or two.

Maintenance: I simply love not touching soggy mopping pads

Past automatic emptying, which is more common than not for a robot vacuum to have these days, the Eufy X10 Pro Omni's dock also automatically washes and dries its two mopping pads after each use. Its dock also has two large water tanks: one with clean water that refills the smaller water tank onboard the vacuum and a dirty water one that holds whatever's wrung out of the mopping pads after each use. Refilling the clean water tank and dumping the dirty water are only required every few weeks, depending on mopping frequency and intensity. I mopped my kitchen and bathroom several times a week for four-ish months and only had to deal with the tanks a couple of times.

The two water tanks sit on the left and the big dust bin (bag) sits on the right. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The washing and drying garage under the dock does need to be wiped down occasionally. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

I have thought about the mopping pads 100 percent fewer times. The Omni X10 Pro's dock deals with them completely, washing them and then drying them with hot air to prevent that moldy wet fabric smell. You know, the exact one that I have to be near when testing a 2-in-1 robot vacuum that needs its mopping pads to be removed and washed by hand. That level of effort (and grossness) is enough to make me want to skip mopping altogether, so I think that the self-cleaning mopping pad system is actually pretty crucial for getting your money's worth out of the mop part.

The self-empty dust bag in the dock lasts even longer than the water tanks. The Eufy X10 Pro Omni vacuumed various floors in my homes almost every other day from mid-May to mid-September, and I didn't get a "full" notification until the end of that period.

Cleaning performance: Not always spotless, but satisfactory

Allegedly, the X10 Pro Omni dishes out 8,000 Pa of suction power — pretty high compared to the market leading 10,000 Pa seen on a few Roborock models or the alleged 11,000 Pa seen on a Yeedi model. Compared to other robot vacuums in this price range, 8,000 Pa kicks ass — on paper.

But comparing cleaning prowess based on that one suction power metric alone is kind of a moot point when not every robot vacuum brand even measures suction power in Pascals. (iRobot and Shark are the two big ones that don't.) The real test is simply how much the botvac sucks up in real life.

In my testing, the Eufy X10 Pro Omni's suction power was strong enough to pick up about 90 percent of the dry debris I threw at it on hardwood, and was about 80 percent successful at pulling hair and rice from a medium pile rug. It's not the level of thoroughness I'd achieve when taking my Dyson out for a spin, but I felt comfortable letting the Eufy X10 Pro Omni take care of the random crumbs that show up in the kitchen, as well as kitty litter in my bathroom.

One or two giant chip crumbs is probably the more likely mess over a handful, but I posed a challenge here. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Aside from that one tiny crumb that was somehow dragged onto the rug, the X10 Pro Omni got them all. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The few occasions when some debris around the edges was left behind taught me to always opt for two cleaning passes instead of one and either turbo or max suction (the strongest two out of the four).

The X10 Pro Omni's mopping performance has a similar story: It's absolutely reliable enough for keeping hard floors nice and shiny on a daily basis, especially if you're even less likely to mop or Swiffer by hand than you are to vacuum. I can almost always tell the difference in stain visibility when a hybrid robot vacuum mops with one flat pad or two spinning pads, as the latter just seems to be more robust — less wiping, more scrubbing. I felt like I could trust the X10 Pro Omni's dual pad situation enough to thoroughly spot clean a marinara sauce or wine spill before the cats could get to it.

You can put Eufy's cleaning solution in the water tank for a more hygienic gloss. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

There were a few instances where two passes and one of the higher water intensities were necessary, like a spot where I spilled sesame oil — just one single light pass left the hardwood feeling greasy. I also noticed that the shoe stains by the front door aren't completely gone after the X10 Pro Omni has attempted them on a few occasions, but then again, every 2-in-1 robot vacuum struggles with those.

User friendliness and navigation: The X10 Pro Omni assimilates pretty easily

Much of the robot vacuum experience comes from how seamless of an addition it is to your home and lifestyle. In this regard, the Eufy X10 Pro is overall a pretty polite house guest.

Its long battery life (over two hours of cleaning on one charge) means that I can comfortably queue up my "two passes for good measure" task in multiple rooms without it having to pause and charge in between. Though those extra passes might take a few extra minutes, the X10 Pro Omni isn't unbearably loud, even on max suction. The automatic emptying roar isn't so demure, but it's not a huge deal.

SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum

But for me, the main criterion that makes a robot vacuum a polite house guest is whether or not it continually navigates to the right spot without getting lost or stuck. The X10 Pro Omni whipped up a very accurate map of my home on the first try, only requiring me to split one room (many robot vacs I test think that, like, four rooms are the same room). I only experienced the X10 Pro Omni being unable to figure out its position and returning to the dock during a handful of cleaning sessions, but queuing it up again does the trick.

As long as it's not unable to complete a task because it's physically stuck, I'm pretty satisfied. The X10 Pro Omni carves around table and chair legs with ease, finding the perfect angle to scoot around rather than giving up and sitting there. My favorite part? It hasn't eaten any cords or socks (though my cat's shoelace toy did have to be untangled from below).

Downsides: My one major gripe feels so fixable

Unfortunately, the X10 Pro Omni's obstacle avoidance technique is also the source of my main complaint. It's so cautious about not sucking up rogue pieces of laundry that it mistakes the fluffy bath mat in front of my shower as a piece of laundry to avoid. Every single time. That wouldn't be so annoying if there was an option to ignore an incorrectly-identified obstacle like several other robot vacuum apps offer, but there's no way to do that on Eufy's app. Shouldn't the AI powering the obstacle recognition want to learn and adjust?

No other robot vacs I've tested recently have an issue with that pink rug. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

This means that I have to move that rug out of the bathroom ahead of a cleaning. However, I've learned to do that with all small rugs regardless, because if the X10 Pro Omni actually does attempt to vacuum a rug, it turns up the corners and jumbles it all around. It even has a hard time gently hoisting itself over the edges my large low pile living room rug and kitchen runner.

Is the Eufy X10 Pro Omni worth it?

The Eufy X10 Pro Omni doesn't do... anything perfectly (does any robot vacuum?), but it cleans, navigates, and maintains itself competently enough to make it a front runner over a ton of older hybrid vacuums. Specifically, the X10 Pro Omni is the better value over any hybrid model that isn't equipped with those two game-changing features: small obstacle avoidance technology and self-cleaning mopping pads.

I won't pretend that there aren't some performance and navigational quirks that'll need some getting used to, but for the price, the X10 Pro Omni covers all of the bases necessary to make your day-to-day a lot easier. If you're still iffy, look for it during October Prime Day — that $599.99 sale price is impossible to argue with.

Eufy X10 Pro Omni $799.99 at Amazon
Shop Now

You already know you can ask Alexa to tell you the weather (and if it’s rainy, she’ll kindly suggest you bring an umbrella) but there are actually a ton more ways she can help you lead a more efficient, less stressful life. You just have to know what she can do. 

1. Make a grocery list

Did you finish up the last of the milk in this morning’s cereal? Ask Alexa to add some 2% to your shopping list. Make it a family thing and remind everyone who eats in your house to tell Alexa when they’ve finished something, too. When you’re ready to go to the market have her read off everything you’ve collected during the week.

2. Entertain your dog

Have to leave your best friend for a bit and don’t want him to fret? Just say “Alexa, play relaxing dog music in the kitchen.” Because yes, she has a playlist for that. Maybe your pup wants something more upbeat? Ask Alexa to “open Puppy Jams” and she’ll first ask how your pooch is feeling so she can tailor her musical choices to his mood. Not for nothing, Alexa is also a great initial resource when your pooch eats something he shouldn't. “Alexa, open MyPetDoc. Are grapes bad for dogs?” (They are.) Of course, Alexa should never replace an in-person vet visit, but she can get you started and can even connect you with a vet if you need one.

3. Manage multiple cooking timers

The pasta and the garlic bread will be done at different times, and both are no beuno if they go too far. Ask Alexa to set a timer for 8 minutes to get the perfect al dente pasta and then ask her to set another timer (4 minutes?) for the bread. While you’re at it, ask her to how many calories are in a glass of Chianti.

4. Call everyone to dinner

We are tired of screaming through the house when it’s time for dinner. Ask Alexa to save your vocal cords by doing it for you. Saying, “Alexa, make an announcement – dinner time!” activates every Alexa in the house with a clanging dinner bell and your voice saying “dinner time!” No screaming required. How quickly the kids actually show up is another thing entirely.

5. Activate your Roomba

Alexa can pair with a bunch of robot vacuums, starting and stopping cleaning by voice command. Setting it up is as simple as going into the Alexa app and searching for your vacuum. Once you find and link the device you’re good to go.

6. Order household supplies

You’re never near your list when you run out of batteries, or paper towels, or moisturizing lotion. But it’s likely you’re near an Alexa. Ask her to send you some AAAs, and she’ll ship you the exact same type and brand you bought the last time, which means the task is completely off your mental list before it even went on it.

7. Make a chore chart

Build out a list of weekly chores for everyone in your house – bring the recycling down on Monday night, change the sheets on Sunday, even study for a Friday morning math test. Once you’ve listed the chores, assign them to their various owners. When someone completes a chore as intended, they let Alexa know. Here’s the best part: She keeps score. So at any moment during the week you can ask her for a “chore score.” At one point per completed chore, it turns things into a competition and may actually mean stuff gets done.

An icy visitor is flying through the inner solar system.

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, also called Comet C/2023 A3, has grown brighter as it's approached the sun, allowing astronauts aboard the International Space Station to capture vivid footage of this ancient ball of ice, rock, and dust. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick recently posted a view of the comet rising beyond Earth as the station zipped through its orbit at some 17,500 mph.

"Comet rises above the horizon just before orbital sunrise amongst aurora and swirling satellites," the space agency's flight engineer posted online. The comet makes its appearance at the bottom of the view at about 12 seconds into the short clip.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

In this view from Sept. 29, the comet is some 75 million miles from Earth, and 38 million miles from the sun (Earth is 93 million miles from our star). As comets approach the sun, they heat up and eject dust and gas into space, leaving long wakes of millions-of-miles-long material, as you can see below. Comet C/2023 A3 just made its closest approach to the sun on Sept. 27, and is now en route to the profoundly frigid realms of the deep solar system.

Tweet may have been deleted

Comets have a lot of material to burn, as they're typically miles long to tens of miles long. "When frozen, they are the size of a small town," NASA explained. One particular comet, discovered in 2021, is a whopping 85 miles wide.

Although Dominick captured the comet with a camera, he did note that it's visible to the naked eye from the space station, too. And down on Earth, it might be visible to skygazers. The "best show," as the comet zooms between Earth and the sun, is likely to happen in mid-October.

But if this comet eludes you, or you can't escape to dark enough skies, enjoy the view from space.

Most default screensavers are pretty dull. Like, I already know my TV is a TCL — I don't need the TCL logo to be constantly present onscreen. And don't get me started on those old-school bouncing DVD icons that never made it into the corner.

Luckily, it's relatively easy to turn your TV screensaver into a slideshow of your own photos, so that you can see your family, friends, pets, or bygone vacations smiling back at you when you're not watching Netflix. It's a small change that can make your home feel a little cozier — a little more like your space.

The best method will vary depending on your TV, so here are a few options to try.

Option #1: Investigate your TV's cloud-based features

Your smart TV likely includes built-in features for setting up a photo screensaver. 

Roku, for example, has Photo Streams, which is accessible to anyone with a Roku account. Simply log in, create a new "stream," and upload your photos. From there, the Photo Streams channel should appear on your Roku menu, and your screensaver will be "automatically set to Photo Streams," according to Roku.

Similarly, an Amazon Fire TV can set a slideshow screensaver using images you've uploaded to Amazon Photos. A Google TV can create a screensaver using images from Google Photos. You get the idea.

Option #2: Opt for an add-on streaming device

Even if you don't have a smart TV, adding a streaming device to your current TV can help you access the same features outlined above. For example, a Roku device means you'll have a Roku account, which means you can use Photo Streams — and it'll likely cost you less than $50.

An Apple TV box is especially simple to use for custom screensavers. Just open the Photos app, which should be synced with the rest of your Apple devices, and select an entire album to use. 

You can also use AirPlay to cast photos straight from your iPhone or iPad, though that's not really a set-it-and-forget-it method. It can be helpful if you want to display a slideshow during a get-together, though!

Option #3: Turn to the trusty USB

Are the other options not working out? It's time to get vintage with it. Load your selections onto a USB drive, then plug it into the USB-A port on your TV. From there, many TVs will detect the drive and give you a list of options for media playback, including slideshow speed.

If you want even more control over your slideshow's pacing, you can upload all your photos into a PowerPoint presentation, set transitions between slides, and save that to the USB drive before you plug it in. Just be sure it's a file type compatible with your particular TV — an mp4 should do the trick in most cases.

Even if you have to do some extra work, having a custom slideshow on your TV can go a long way toward personalizing your home. 

And if you want to use something other than your own photos? Try matching your home's aesthetic with a slideshow of open-access images, like from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's open-access collection. 

The possibilities are endless, really. After all, it's your space.

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to this CompTIA and IT exam training bundle for just $49.99 through October 27 — featuring top-rated exam simulators and hands-on labs.

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5. ExamsDigest: Want the ultimate all-in-one resource? ExamsDigest includes 15+ certification paths across CompTIA, AWS, Cisco, Microsoft, and Google. With performance-based questions and labs tailored to real-world scenarios, you’ll have everything you need to pass these industry-standard exams.

Not only does this bundle offer lifetime updates — meaning you’re always getting the latest information — but it’s also tailored for professionals, career-changers, or anyone seeking to future-proof their skills in the competitive tech world.

Whether you’re building a professional portfolio, troubleshooting network issues, or exploring cloud architecture, this CompTIA and IT exam training bundle can help — priced at just $49.99 until October 27.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to BitMar, a Bing-powered streaming content finder, for only $19.99 through October 6 — no ads, just endless content.

Opens in a new window Credit: BitMar BitMar Streaming Content-Finder: Lifetime Subscription $19.99
$150.00 Save $130.01 Get Deal

Endlessly scrolling through apps trying to find something to watch can be exhausting. That’s where BitMar steps in — think of it as your personal content concierge.

With lifetime access to BitMar on sale for only $19.99 (reg. $150, on sale through October 6), you can search across multiple streaming platforms without jumping between apps.

Powered by Bing search and BitMar’s own filtering algorithms, it narrows down exactly what you want to watch, instantly. Whether it’s a new show, a niche documentary, or a hidden gem, BitMar makes it easy to find.

But here’s the best part: BitMar brings all this together without annoying ads. If you’re someone who streams YouTube, you’ll know how rare that is unless you’re paying a pretty penny for a premium subscription. With BitMar, you can watch content from YouTube, free of ads, saving you the monthly cost.

BitMar’s design isn’t just functional; it’s a breeze to use. The intuitive interface makes finding and streaming content smooth, even if you’re not super tech-savvy. And for all you cord-cutters and streamers, it’s a cost-effective solution with lifetime access. No subscriptions, no recurring charges — just an endless supply of free content at your fingertips.

Ready to ditch the endless scroll and simplify your streaming life? BitMar’s got your back, offering a huge library of content and zero ads.

Until October 6 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get a lifetime subscription to the BitMar Streaming Content-Finder on sale for $19.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get an 8-inch touchscreen car display compatible with CarPlay and Android Auto on sale for $99.99 (reg. $159.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Mesay 8-inch Rotatable Touchscreen Display with Wireless Apple Carplay / Android Auto Compatibility $99.99
$159.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal

’Tis the season for road trips, whether you’re navigating back home for the holidays, to a friend’s house, or visiting Grandma. This year, make the drive safer and more enjoyable by adding CarPlay and Android Auto to your ride. Yeah, you can do that, even if your car is older than you.

If your car, truck, or Batmobile has a cigarette lighter for power and somewhere to mount the screen, it’s compatible with this 8-inch touchscreen display. Easily update your car for just $99.99 (reg. $159.99).

Imagine plugging in your destination on your phone, seeing the directions on a much larger screen on your dash, and controlling your road trip playlist, all from one central hub. It even rotates from landscape to portrait orientations, so you always get the best viewing experience.

Quick, seamless installation

You don’t need to be a tech expert to set this thing up. After you hook it up to power and install it on your dash, just figure out how you want to listen to music. It has built-in speakers, or you can use Bluetooth, FM radio, or an aux cable to connect to your car’s stereo.

Safer road-tripping? Check out the rear camera. 

Just when you thought the deal couldn’t get any sweeter, this CarPlay display comes with reverse-view capability. (Note that you may need external products to use this feature.) When you put your vehicle in reverse, the screen automatically switches views so you get a clear view of what’s behind you. No more backing into shopping carts or trees.

Make your road trips and daily commute easier and safer with this CarPlay and Android Auto car screen, now $99.99 (reg. $159.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get your hands on 1080p HD Digital Night Vision Binoculars for $69.99 (reg. $129.99) and start capturing fascinating sights in the night.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mesay 1080p HD Digital Night Vision Binoculars with 2.8-inch Screen $69.99
$129.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal

Ever wondered what’s really going on in the woods or the sky after dark?

Find out with 1080p HD Digital Night Vision Binoculars on sale for almost half off at $69.99 (reg. $129.99).

You don’t have to just rely on shaky phone videos or blurry pics from others — you can be the one to capture everything that happens when the sun goes down.

These binoculars are equipped with powerful night-vision technology, allowing you to spot things in the dark with crisp 1080p HD clarity, and save it. Whether you’re scanning the night sky for some extraterrestrial activity or just trying to catch a glimpse of wildlife, you’ll have the edge with this gadget. The 2.8-inch screen makes viewing easy, so no squinting or missing out on key details.

They’re not bulky, either. Designed to be lightweight and compact, these binoculars are perfect for outdoor adventures or just casually hanging out in your backyard. And with the ability to capture video, you can document everything — no more “I swear I saw something” moments. You'll have the footage to back it up.

Your ticket to becoming the night’s ultimate observer is here — get these 1080p HD Digital Night-Vision Binoculars on sale for $69.99 for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.