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TL;DR: Unblock X from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to unblock sites/apps is ExpressVPN.

There has been a lot of talk about X, formerly known as Twitter, potentially being banned in Brazil. That would be mildly annoying for all the X users in that country. We say "mildly," because there is an easy fix if this actually becomes an issue.

If you're looking for the best way to unblock X from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.

How to unblock X for free

VPNs hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions to secure access to sites/apps like X from anywhere in the world. This might sound complicated, but you can unblock your favorite sites/apps in just a few simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to X

4. Visit X 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 unblocking sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can unblock sites/apps and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution. If you want to retain permanent access to sites like X from anywhere in the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking X, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock X for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Unblock Twitch from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking Twitch is ExpressVPN.

Twitch is probably not banned in your location, but imagine for a second that you're traveling to a place without access. That's a scary thought, but there is a quick fix to sort this problem. VPNs can be used to secure access to Twitch from anywhere in the world, and you don't need to spend anything.

If you're looking for the best way to unblock Twitch for free from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.

How to unblock Twitch for free

VPNs are effective tools for bypassing online restrictions to unblock services.

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so that you can access Twitch from anywhere in the world. The process is straightforward.

Access Twitch from anywhere in the world in just a few simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to Twitch

4. Access Twitch 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 unblocking sites like Twitch are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can retain access to your favorite sites without spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling or temporarily away from home.

What is the best VPN for Twitch?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking sites like Twitch, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock Twitch for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Unblock XVideos from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

A lot of locations restrict your access to porn sites like XVideos, which is fair enough. But there are occasions when you simply want to spend some time in your own company with your favorite sites, and there's nothing wrong with that.

There's a time and a place for everything, and online blockades can get in the way of your online freedom.

If you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like XVideos from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.

How to unblock XVideos for free

With a VPN, you can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect to a secure server in another location. This means you can bypass geo-restrictions to access porn sites like XVideos from anywhere in the world.

This process might sound complicated, but you can unblock your favorite porn sites in just a few simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to XVideos

4. Visit XVideos

5. Watch XVideos content from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-year subscription + 3 months free) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling or temporarily away from home.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like XVideos, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. You can use the money-back guarantee to unblock XVideos for free from anywhere in the world.

Unblock XVideos for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream West Ham vs. Manchester City in the Premier League for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo. Access Fubo from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Premier League is up and running, and Manchester City are already looking like the team to beat once again. The defending champions find themselves at the top of the table after two games, and will hope to secure another win against West Ham this weekend.

If you want to watch West Ham vs. Manchester City in the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is West Ham vs. Manchester City?

West Ham vs. Manchester City in the Premier League kicks off at 12:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 31. This fixture takes place at the London Stadium.

How to watch West Ham vs. Manchester City for free

West Ham vs. Manchester City is available to live stream for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo.

Fubo offers coverage of all 380 matches of the 2024-25 Premier League season in Canada, but anyone can access this package with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Canada, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Premier League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2024-25 Premier League 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 Canada

4. Sign up for a seven-day free trial of Fubo

5. Watch West Ham vs. Manchester City in the Premier League 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch West Ham vs. Manchester City in the Premier League without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this weekend's Premier League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Premier League?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Canada

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream West Ham vs. Manchester City in the Premier League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Arsenal vs. Brighton in the Premier League for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo. Access Fubo from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Premier League consistently delivers entertaining games involving some of the best players in the world, and we're expecting more of the same this weekend. Everything starts with a interesting game between Arsenal and Brighton, as both sides look to secure their third win of the season.

If you want to watch Arsenal vs. Brighton in the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Arsenal vs. Brighton?

Arsenal vs. Brighton in the Premier League kicks off at 7:30 a.m. ET on Aug. 31. This fixture takes place at the Emirates Stadium.

How to watch Arsenal vs. Brighton for free

Arsenal vs. Brighton is available to live stream for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo.

Fubo offers coverage of all 380 matches of the 2024-25 Premier League season in Canada, but anyone can access this package with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Canada, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Premier League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2024-25 Premier League 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 Canada

4. Sign up for a seven-day free trial of Fubo

5. Watch Premier League fixtures 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Arsenal vs. Brighton in the Premier League without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this weekend's Premier League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Premier League?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Canada

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Arsenal vs. Brighton in the Premier League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Argentina vs. Australia in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Rugby Championship is a demanding competition, because there really aren't any easy games. Just ask Australia, fresh from two defeats against a very strong South Africa side.

The Wallabies will be hoping to secure their first vistory of the tournament against Argentina, but the Pumas will be confident after securing a win against New Zealand in the opening round of the Rugby Championship.

If you want to watch Argentina vs. Australia in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Argentina vs. Australia?

Argentina vs. Australia in the 2024 Rugby Championship kicks off at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 31. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi.

How to watch Argentina vs. Australia for free

You can live stream the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+, including Argentina vs. Australia.

The catch is that this free live stream is only available to fans in Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, and Ukraine.

If you do not live in one of these countries, you can use a VPN to change your digital location. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Rugby Championship on NZR+ from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2024 Rugby Championship 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 one of the countries listed above

4. Visit NZR+

5. Live stream Argentina vs. Australia 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 deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to a free live stream of South Africa vs. New Zealand without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the 2024 Rugby Championship before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Rugby Championship?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live rugby on NZR+ for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Argentina vs. Australia in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream South Africa vs. New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are no easy games in the Rugby Championship. In fact, most games are absolute battles between the best of the best.

That's what we're expecting from South Africa vs. New Zealand, a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final. South Africa are unbeaten in the tournament, whereas New Zealand are 1-1 from their two games against Argentina.

If you want to watch South Africa vs. New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is South Africa vs. New Zealand?

South Africa vs. New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby Championship kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Aug. 31. This fixture takes place at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

How to watch South Africa vs. New Zealand for free

You can live stream the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+, including South Africa vs. New Zealand.

The catch is that this free live stream is only available to fans in Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, and Ukraine.

If you do not live in one of these countries, you can use a VPN to change your digital location. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Rugby Championship on NZR+ from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2024 Rugby Championship 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 one of the countries listed above

4. Visit NZR+

5. Live stream South Africa vs. New Zealand 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 deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to a free live stream of South Africa vs. New Zealand without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the 2024 Rugby Championship before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Rugby Championship?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live rugby on NZR+ for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream South Africa vs. New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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 August 30's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been 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 August 31 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: Opinion is one

• Green: Branch is one

• Blue: Caesar is one

• Purple: Tails!

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: NEWSPAPER SECTIONS

• Green: TREE FEATURES

• Blue: KINDS OF SALAD

• Purple: SEEN ON BACKS OF U.S. COINS

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 #447 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• NEWSPAPER SECTIONS - ARTS, BUSINESS, COMICS, SPORTS

• TREE FEATURES - BARK, CROWN, RINGS, ROOTS

• KINDS OF SALAD - CHEF, GARDEN, GREEK, WEDGE

• SEEN ON BACKS OF U.S. COINS - EAGLE, MONTICELLO, SHIELD, TORCH

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

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

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 August 30's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 31 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Where water comes out.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SPOUT.

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.

Following Spencer and Jackie — biopic melodramas about Princess Diana and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy — Chilean director Pablo Larraín rounds out his informal trilogy with Maria, another film about a world-famous woman in close proximity to death. His subject this time is the iconic Greek-American opera soprano Maria Callas, and though the film doesn't come together as neatly (or completely) as either of its predecessors, its most powerful moments stand head and shoulders above them, thanks to towering, transcendent work from Angelina Jolie in the leading role. 

Maria is set during the final week of Callas' life, at a time when she lived in isolation, far from the spotlight. As Larraín and Spencer screenwriter Steven Knight imagine these pivotal days, the resulting film is, unfortunately, lesser than the sum of its parts. However, each of those elements is so individually exquisite as to yield material that not only proves incredibly moving, but also provides Jolie with a platform to craft what is perhaps the most complex performance of her illustrious career. 

What is Maria about?

Set in 1977, Maria opens on the day of Callas' death from a sudden heart attack, after her body is discovered in her Paris penthouse. It presents this scene from a distinctly ghostly vantage. As Larraín's hand-held camera peers in on the scene from an adjoining room, it takes on a spectral presence, framing the rest of the film — set during the preceding week — as though it were some kind of desperate letter from Callas sent from beyond the grave.

To put words in a dead figure's mouth can be risky business, especially when so little is known about her final years. But as with with Spencer and Jackie, Larraín's focus is the intersection of private and public lives. His biopics are, therefore, speculative by nature. His last film, the satire El Conde, re-imagined Augusto Pinochet as a vampire, and while Maria certainly doesn't go that far — Larraín understandably has more respect for Callas than for the Chilean dictator — it exists in a similar vein: as a stylized examination of 20th-century history.

In the week preceding her demise, Callas wrestles with trying to regain her voice, which hasn't been at its full power for some time. However, her withdrawal from the public eye has also led her to self-medicate with largely unregulated drug cocktails. The film tips its hands about their effects early on; Callas claims, to her diligent butler Feruccio (Pierfrancesco Favino) and her housemaid Bruna (Alba Rohrwacher) — her key confidants in the film — that she has a TV interview scheduled with a journalist named Mandrax (Kodi Smit-McPhee), the same name as one of her sedatives. When he arrives, he's never in the same room (or same shot) as anyone but Callas.

Angelina Jolie stars as Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's "Maria." Credit: Netflix

That Mandrax is a hallucination is hardly a surprise. In fact, Callas is hyper-aware of her increasing break from reality, though it can't help but read as if it may have been intended as a plot twist in some earlier draft. It takes a number of scenes before Callas' interview with the phantom reporter begins yielding any worthwhile material — which is to say, personal revelations about Callas' past, and ruminations on her fame, which begin to gradually alter the movie's tone and appearance.

Maria tells its story through shifting textures and timelines.

Hollywood biopics — especially their oft-parodied musical variety — tend to follow a standard structure, beginning on the precipice of a pivotal, late-career performance before the film unfolds in flashback. Maria upends this trend with distinct narrative purpose, stretching that aforementioned late-in-life moment across the entire film, while condensing Callas' life story to brief flashes of memory.

While the singer's music is central (and ever-present; her actual voice appears just as much as Jolie's), the specifics of her career, and her rise to fame, are of little interest to Larraín. He reduces them to an introductory montage burnt onto grainy celluloid stock, as though these moments from her performances had all been captured in great detail, and therefore didn't need to be the movie's focus. Rather than re-creating public performances, much of the film shifts rhythmically between Callas' past and present, often impulsively, as though it were depicting a haphazard stream of consciousness. This approach certainly has its strengths — the film is in constant motion, so at the very least, it's never boring — but it doesn't always move with purpose, and tends to repeat itself without finding new dimensions to its story.

On the plus side, Ed Lachman's dazzling cinematography makes the movie's present feel wistful. In its 1970s scenes, Maria either reminisces while wandering Paris — scenes which yield moments of musical splendor, where the real world collides with her imagined, operatic  one — or she visits an opera pianist to help her rehearse and re-capture her lost glory. These are painted with the warm tones of a perpetual sunset. The movie may be anchored by these scenes (its numerous flashbacks emanate from her conversations, both real and otherwise), but they're imbued with a sense of finality, and of time running out, as though Callas were keenly aware that she's nearing the end.

Her flashbacks tend to take two specific forms. Like the aforementioned, grainy film footage, moments of public performance — of Callas silhouetted by spotlight — appear as brief, nostalgic recollections as she attempts to sing once again and recapture her lost glory. However, the movie's more complete flashback scenes play out in pristine black-and-white, as though these moments had been more perfectly preserved. This canvas is reserved for a handful of flashbacks to Callas' tumultuous youth (where she's played by Aggelina Papadopoulou), but their crux is the time she spent with the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis (Haluk Bilginer), with whom she had a lengthy affair before his marriage to Jackie Kennedy.

The film presents the aged Onassis as a risible, rankled character, and Bilginer plays him with venomous charisma. However, his frequent presence in Callas' memories never quite feels justified. It's speculated, in dialogue, that they may have been each other's greatest loves, and the film even imagines a wonderful moment of private confession between them, but Onassis only ever feels like an obligatory inclusion, rather than a character whose impact on Callas is deeply felt instead of simply mentioned in passing. However, this and any other flaws the film may have are eventually hand-waved away by its central performances.

Angelina Jolie leads a phenomenal cast.

A film like Maria doesn't work without its central performances. Apart from Callas, the two characters with the lion's share of the screen time are Bruna and Feruccio, and though their prescribed roles are set in stone, they offer an intimate, loving perspective on the iconic vocalist.

As Bruna, a woman trained by Callas to be reverential, Rohrwacher allows the character's true feelings (and true concerns) to slip past her fealty. Feruccio, meanwhile, is far more forthcoming about his objections to Callas' drug use, and while he's often rebuked — sternly, yet calmy — Favino maintains a heart-wrenching adoration for Callas. The real Feruccio never sold Callas' private stories, even after her death, so while the movie draws on fantastical interpretations of her twilight years, it still does justice to Feruccio's loyalty, especially in moments when real reporters try to cruelly invade her privacy.

However, all this would be for nought had the role of Callas not been perfectly cast and performed. Larraín has tackled real figures before — his historical-fiction Neruda was about poet and politician Pablo Neruda — but his triumvirate of Hollywood biopics have all confronted the impact and allure of fame. Kristen Stewart was a fitting vessel for Larraín's Spencer, a story about a highly misunderstood woman upon whom aspersions were constantly cast. Jolie is a similarly flawless choice, given the degree to which Maria is about the dueling pain and allure of living in the spotlight.

Angelina Jolie stars as Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's "Maria." Credit: Netflix

Not just a famous actress, but arguably one of the world's most famous people in the mid-2000s, Jolie has achieved a level of global stardom of which few can even dream. However, her celebrity has been marked by everything from homewrecking accusations to a harrowing public separation involving alleged domestic abuse (her battle with breast cancer has also been a tabloid topic, though she first publicized it herself). In a recent press junket for the movie's Venice Film Festival premiere, Jolie was asked about the degree to which she drew on her personal life for her performance, though she refused to elaborate. However, seeing the degree to which she places her most vulnerable self on screen in Maria, it's clear she doesn't need to. Everything she has to say on the subject is contained within the four corners of the frame.

Jolie plays Callas at a physical and emotional low point, and she carries herself as though attempting to juggle the grace and poise of an opera legend with the burdened posture of someone who's given up. She is completely sure of herself when she speaks to other people, but lost in a sea of self-doubt behind closed doors — a duality that Jolie displays not only in different scenes, but within single conversations, as she turns away from and toward her castmates.

Callas is a mess of paradoxes. She's a woman both plagued by yet constantly in search of adulation. She's haunted by her past, but her past is what fuels her music, and accessing the most agonizing parts of her story is of the utmost importance if she's to find herself again. Jolie's performance feels similarly in tune with the actress' own history. The further Callas reaches into her soul, the more the curtain slips; you can practically see Jolie and her character becoming one, crying out in unison for some kind of respite from simply being themselves, and living at their level of constant visibility, no matter how much they love the spotlight. It's heart-wrenching to witness.

However, Jolie goes even further in creating this semi-fictional version of Callas, not just as a real woman, but as a figure practically destined — perhaps even cursed — to be immortalized on screen. The real Callas spoke rather conversationally, and with a more distinctly Greek intonation than Jolie does here. But rather than impersonating her, Jolie instead takes on a classically Hollywood, Transatlantic tone. 

This accent is easy enough to access, but Jolie's masterstroke is what she does with her voice. Not just her singing voice — though she sounds magnificent to this critic's untrained ear — but her speaking voice, which sounds pitched-up, as though it were emanating at a higher frequency through a microphone from the 1940s or '50s. The film may be set in 1977, but the '40s and '50s were Callas' professional peak; what better way to translate her idealized version of herself in cinematic terms?

Callas struggles to stand upright in Maria. Not just literally, because of her drug-dulled sense, but spiritually. The film as a whole may feel scattered, and might lose its way in the middle, but all the while, Jolie is locked in a constant battle to hold her head high — to live (and die) with dignity, while experiencing all the fears and convictions that come with a woman slowly accepting that she may be at the end of her life.

Usually, Larraín loves to show off his production design (with sets this lavish, who wouldn't?), and he loves to make his camera dance, but the smartest thing he does in Maria is get out of Jolie's way at just the right time. During more intimate or subtle scenes, he pulls back on his flourishes so that her performance can dictate the story at its most potent, painful moments. However, on the rare occasions the film's operatic formalism and Jolie's performance align — moments when Callas inches closer to finding herself during her musical search — the result is completely shattering.

Maria was reviewed out of its world premiere at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival. 

The social network will go dark in the nation of 200 million, the result of an escalating fight between Elon Musk and a Brazilian judge over what can be said online.

The prominent A.I. start-up is also considering a change to its corporate structure to make it more appealing to outside investors.

Brazil just gave Elon Musk's X the boot.

On Friday, Brazil's top court ordered that Musk's social media company X, formerly known as Twitter, be banned in the country.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's X is the 'home of social media piracy,' sports leagues say

The move comes after Musk has feuded with Brazilian Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has previously ordered that X remove content that spread fake news and misinformation. Musk and company classified the judge's requests as "censorship orders."

Musk himself has recently attacked the judge on X, calling Moraes an "evil dictator."

Tweet may have been deleted

Earlier this month, X closed its operations in Brazil, alleging that the judge threatened X representative Rachel Nova Conceicao with arrest if the company did not comply with the content removal orders.

While X the company exited Brazil, the platform still remained available and accessible to users in the country. On Wednesday, Brazil's Supreme Court ordered X to appoint a legal representative in the country within 24 hours. Failing to do so, X shared a statement on Thursday night anticipating a potential ban.

"Soon, we expect Judge Alexandre de Moraes will order X to be shut down in Brazil – simply because we would not comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents," the statement reads.

Losing its user base in Brazil will likely hurt X. The platform is popular in the country, with Brazilian users accounting for tens of millions of X's monthly active user base.

As the New York Times reports, many of the accounts that Judge Moraes ordered suspended belonged to supporters of Brazil's former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro. Some of the accounts that were ordered to be removed questioned the results of Brazil's 2022 election, which Bolosonaro lost.

Brazil requires that tech companies have a legal representative located within the country in order to operate there. The country has previously banned platforms, such as Telegram in 2022, for failing to comply with local laws. (Telegram has since resumed operating in Brazil.)

On Thursday, one of Elon Musk's other companies, the SpaceX-affiliated Starlink, shared that Brazil's Supreme Court had frozen the company's finances. Starlink's statement claims that the judge did so after he had determined that Starlink should be responsible for fines against Musk's X.

If you looked at the Facebook app on your phone today and saw that the colors had changed, you're not alone. Don't worry, though; you won't be stuck with it.

Users on X reported the change early on Friday, noting that the Facebook app's logo on their mobile devices — typically a white F on a blue background — had changed to a blue F on a black background.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Of course, everyone hated it.

Do not fear, though. A Meta spokesperson told Mashable that the change "was caused by a technical issue and has been resolved."

Everything will go back to normal if you update your app.

Spotify users on iPhone who listen to music and podcasts via Spotify Connect will have to take a few extra steps in order to control the volume on their audio devices — Spotify seems unhappy about it.

According to Spotify, Apple has "discontinued" the technology that let Spotify users control their volume via the physical iPhone buttons when streaming to speakers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and other devices via Spotify Connect.

SEE ALSO: Apple Sports app will give real-time NFL and CFB updates on your iPhone and Apple Watch

Users who try to use the physical iPhone buttons to turn the volume up and down will be served with a notification from Spotify letting users know they will need to use the volume slider within the Spotify app. Clicking on this "Want to change the volume?" notification will take Spotify users to the slider in the app.

This change will officially roll out on September 3, but some users are reporting that they are already being sent the notification when trying to change their volume.

An example of the Spotify notification when trying to use the physical iPhone buttons and what the Spotify app volume slider looks like. Credit: Spotify Spotify and Apple continue their feud

In its update, Spotify makes it clear that Apple is responsible for making things a bit more difficult for its iPhone-owning users.

"Apple has discontinued the technology that enables Spotify to control volume for connected devices using the volume buttons on the device," Spotify says on its support page for Spotify Connect. "While we work with them on a solution, you can use the Spotify app to easily adjust the volume on your connected device."

Mashable reached out to Apple for comment and will update this piece when we hear back.

As The Verge points out, Apple's changes have resulted in random volume spikes as well as other bugs for Spotify users, which led to Spotify altering how users can control the volume. The Sonos app made a similar change earlier this year after its users experienced similar problems.

"We’ve made requests to Apple to introduce a similar solution to what they offer users on HomePod and Apple TV for app developers who control non-Apple media devices," the Verge reports Spotify saying. "Apple has told us that they require apps to integrate into HomePod in order to access the technology that controls volume on iPhones."

While this specific volume control issue between these two industry behemoths may seem minor overall, it's actually just one more issue between Spotify and Apple in a larger ongoing feud.

Earlier this year, Apple was hit with a $2 billion fine in the EU after Spotify filed a complaint against the iPhone-maker over its policies prohibiting app makers from sending users outside of Apple's official App Store in order to sign up for subscription services.

In response, Apple published a public statement criticizing Spotify for using all of Apple's tools to run the iPhone app without paying the company.

In the statement, Apple pointed out that the company works with Spotify to ensure that its app works with "Siri, CarPlay, Apple Watch, AirPlay, Widgets, and more." But it now appears that Spotify volume controls via the iPhone's physical buttons are no longer included on that list.

Morfydd Clark, Charlie Vickers, Charles Edwards, Benjamin Walker, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Daniel Weyman, Markella Kavenagh, Megan Richards, Sam Hazeldine are joined by Showrunner Patrick McKay and Executive Producer Lindsey Webber

TL;DR: Get unlimited podcasts for life when you get a lifetime subscription to Podurama for just $39.99 (reg. $99). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Podurama Podurama Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$99.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal

If you’re into podcasts, you know the struggle: so many shows, so little time. With millions of episodes out there, how do you keep track of your favorites and discover new gems? Podurama is your answer (and your new podcast BFF).

This AI-powered podcast app isn’t just another podcast player; it’s a whole experience designed to make your podcasting life way easier and more fun. And right now you can get a lifetime subscription to Podurama for just $39.99 (reg. $99.99). No need to hunt for a better price around the internet — there isn't one. 

Pay once for a lifetime of listening

Podurama gives you access to over 30 million podcasts, so whether you’re into true crime, comedy, or niche hobbies, you’ll find something you love without needing you scour all your go-to apps.

Looking for something new to dive into? The app’s AI chatbot is like your personal guide, suggesting podcasts based on what you’re into, so you always have something fresh on the menu. If your library is getting a bit out of hand, Podurama lets you organize everything into neat folders or playlists, so there’s no more endless scrolling to find that one episode.

You can even search within episodes and set up alerts for specific topics, so you never miss a beat. Plus, if you’re on the fence about a new show, you can listen to a snippet before committing to the whole episode.

And for those who like to add a personal touch, Podurama lets you add custom RSS feeds or upload your private audio files, whether you’re on your phone or desktop. With Podurama, all your favorite podcasts are under one roof, and you can enjoy them for free. It’s basically the ultimate podcast app.

And it's on sale, too

Listen without limits. Get a Podurama Lifetime Subscription on sale for $39.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Apple wants to be the hub for all your football updates. With Twitter's slow degradation as X and an overwhelming number of competing sports apps, it doesn't seem like the worst idea.

The tech giant announced new features in its free Apple Sports app to help users access real-time updates to their favorite teams and games. This announcement comes as the all-important NFL and college football seasons kick off next week.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Apple Sports is intended to serve as a hub for checking scores, stats, and basic info about the games. The app features a play-by-play for each game, live score updates, and a new drive tracker that shows where the ball is. Because it's 2024 and everyone is now gambling on sports, betting odds are also displayed.

Credit: Apple

With iOS 18 and watchOS 11, you can now get live updates straight to your Apple Watch — that's clutch if you want to follow the play-by-play while not looking rude at an event during NFL season.

Credit: Apple

The Apple Sports app will let you follow your favorite teams and conferences. That way, you'll get all the updates you won't, but not the scores of games that don't matter to you.

Apple also said in a press release that it's planning a new drop-down menu that'll allow users to switch between different teams and leagues to check scores easily. Of course, the app has more than just football in it.

While the Apple Sports app has been around since February, this marks its first full football season. It also dropped at a time when X, FKA Twitter, doesn't work as well as it once did. As a sports fan, I used to use Twitter's Sports tab to follow scores and conversations around a game.

However, since Elon Musk bought the platform, that experience has degraded. Speaking from personal experience, it is no longer a reliable way to check a score. Apple Sports might not have funny tweets, but it could fill that void as a reliable, one-stop-shop for scores and updates.

GET UP TO $300 OFF: Dyson is offering up to $300 off this Labor Day. Shop now for deals on vacuums, hair care, air purifiers, and more.

Our top picks: Best cordless vacuum deal Dyson V8 Absolute $299.99 at Dyson (save $220) Get Deal Best hair care tool deal Dyson Supersonic Origin $299.99 at Dyson (save $100 ) Get Deal Best upright vacuum deal Dyson Ball Animal 3 $299.99 at Dyson (save $100) Get Deal

Almost every online retailer is pushing a big Labor Day sale, but Dyson’s been a bit more low-key about its offerings. Even though the brand isn’t blasting deals all over the internet, you can score up to $300 off select Dyson products right now.

SEE ALSO: A running list of the best Labor Day 2024 deals already live

The sale isn’t as extensive as what we’ve seen from other retailers, but the deals are just as solid. Some of the best offers include $220 off the Dyson V8 Absolute and $100 off the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. But you’d better act fast — we’re not sure how long these discounts will stick around.

Here are more details on some of the best Dyson deals we've found:

Best cordless vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Our pick: Dyson V8 Absolute $299.99 at Dyson
$519.99 Save $220.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Dyson V8 Absolute is a lightweight, cordless vacuum with a HEPA filtration system that captures allergens and expels cleaner air. It has a motorbar cleaner head designed to pick up pet hair and in-ground dirt (the specialized fluffy cleaner head is for hard floors). It also comes with a hair screw tool with a conical brush bar and crevice tool so you can really get into the crevices and corners (think: couch cushions, dog bed, etc.).

Right now, you can get the Dyson V8 Absolute for $299.99 via the Dyson website and at other retailers, including Macy's, Walmart, and Bloomingdale's. It's surprisingly not on sale at Amazon or Best Buy.

Best hair care tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Our pick: Dyson Supersonic Origin $299.99 at Dyson
$399.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Dyson Supersonic Origin (black/nickel) hair dryer is currently $100 off on the Dyson website. We’re not seeing this discount anywhere else, and the product isn’t available at most retailers. (Note: We’re specifically talking about the black/nickel Supersonic Origin.) It comes with a styling concentrator, has three speed settings, four heat settings, and a cool shot button to set your hair after styling.

According to Mashable’s Bethany Allard, the Dyson Supersonic is a quick and effective option for people who dry their hair often (read: every day) but is expensive at full price. With this discount, though, the Supersonic could be worth considering if you want a high-powered hair dryer that's gentler on your hair than some other models.

Best upright vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Our pick: Dyson Ball Animal 3 $299.99 at Dyson
$399.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Our last pick is a budget pick for those who don't need or want a cordless vacuum. The Dyson Ball Animal 3 upright vacuum is currently $299.99 on the Dyson website and at competing retailers, including Best Buy and Amazon. It’s built for pet parents and features a detangling motor bar cleaner head and an advanced filtration system. It can clean multiple surfaces, comes with a combination and stair tool, and has 15 feet of hose stretch, so you can go from the living room to the stairs without unplugging it.

Shop our best picks from Best Buy's Labor Day sale:

Best Buy Labor Day Sale Deals Best tech deal 2021 Apple iPad (A13 Bionic chip, 64GB SSD, WiFi) $199 at Best Buy (Save $130) Get Deal Best TV deal Sony 2024 77-inch Class Bravia 8 OLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV $2,899.99 at Best Buy (Save $1,000) Get Deal Best appliance deal LG Side-by-Side Refrigerator $1,299.99 at Best Buy (Save $422) Get Deal

Labor Day weekend is here, and it's time to rack up the savings. You've likely already spied some of the best Labor Day sales at the retailers that have already kicked their deal events into overdrive. Now, Best Buy has joined in on the festivities, and that means even more chances to save.

From now through Monday, September 2, you can shop deals on tech like tablets and laptops as well as TVs, home appliances, and much more. That means if you find something you like, you should go ahead and jump on it before it's gone. But sifting through everything Best Buy has to offer can be a bit of a chore. That's why we've gone ahead and taken care of all that for you.

Below, find some of our favorite picks from the Best Buy Labor Day Sale. There's no promo code required. All you need to do is add to cart and save hundreds. You can thank us later.

Best tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Our pick: 2021 Apple iPad (A13 Bionic chip, 64GB SSD, WiFi) $199.00 at Best Buy
$329.00 Save $130.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're in the market for a new tablet, you can't go wrong with a vanilla iPad, especially a 9th generation model. This one is paired with 64GB of storage, and you can get it for less than $200, which is almost unheard of when it comes to iPads. It can handle streaming, gaming, browsing, video calls and just about anything else you might demand of it, all in a fun, slim package. It also includes Touch ID and a powerful A13 Bionic chip, so it can multitask with the best of them. For the price, you're getting a robust tablet that works fantastically with the iOS ecosystem, if you've already got one established at home.

More tech deals:

• LG Gram Laptop — $2,099.99 $249 (save $900)

• HP Envy 2-in-1 14-inch Laptop — $599.99 $1,049.99 (save $450)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE — $349.99 $449.99 (save $100)

Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Our pick: Sony 2024 77-inch Class Bravia 8 OLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV $3,899.99 at Best Buy
Get Deal Why we like it

This gorgeous Sony Bravia TV is one of the most crisp displays you'll find in this price range, and this big discount makes it worth splurging on. Thanks to its over 8 million self-lit pixels, it serves up an eye-popping array of bright whites and deep, darker shades as well as Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X audio support. There's a lot to like about this newly-released model, and that's not even accounting for its massive 77-inch size. It's the perfect option for football season and everything else you want to watch in your living room.

More TV deals:

• Samsung 55-inch Class S90D OLED TV — $1,399.99 $1,899.99 (save $900)

• Samsung 65-inch Class DU7200 Series Crystal 4K TV — $469.99 $529.99 (save $60)

Best appliance deal Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy LG Side-by-Side Refrigerator $1,299.99 at Best Buy
$1,721.99 Save $422.00 27.2 cubic feet Get Deal Why we like it

This side-by-side Samsung fridge is an attractive, modern-looking appliance with a stainless steel finish that resists fingerprints. It has plenty of room for your groceries thanks to its 27.2-cubic foot capacity, and it comes with an ice maker so you can even enjoy chilled drinks and water any time you want. If you've been rocking with a traditional fridge and have been looking for a significant upgrade, this is an excellent choice that has a spacious interior. Plus, it should go with everything in your kitchen, as it avoids the "black or white" appliance design trap.

More appliance deals:

• GE 4.5 Cubic Foot High-Efficiency Top Load Washer — $559.99 $799.99 (save $240)

• Samsung 31 cubic foot 3-Door French Door Smart Refrigerator — $1,699.99 $2,339.99 (save $640)

• LG - 24-inch Front Control Built-In Stainless Steel Tub Dishwasher — $599.99 $899.99 (save $300)