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Ever wondered how a VPN works? It can hide your IP address, encrypt your data from prying eyes, and let you bypass geo-restrictions so you can watch the latest Netflix shows. But how, exactly, does it accomplish these tasks?
Virtual private networks (VPNs) are a lot less complicated than they seem. Put simply, they create an encrypted tunnel between your device(s) and the internet, hiding your internet activity from anyone being a tad too nosy (e.g., your internet service provider (ISP), third-party trackers, or nasty hackers).
Internet data encryption in VPNs isn’t anything new. In fact, it can be tracked all the way back to the 1970s, when the U.S. Department of Defense got involved in protecting internet communication. Since then, VPNs have exploded in the digital space, with a whopping 1.6 billion reported users worldwide. Better yet, encrypting your internet traffic comes with many benefits these days.
Here’s a better look at how VPNs work — and what they can do for you.
SEE ALSO: Do you need a VPN on your phone? Here’s the truth. How does a VPN work?
VPNs create an encrypted tunnel encapsulating data packets, a.k.a. your internet traffic, and transmits them through a series of encrypted connections. Essentially, they act like a secret tunnel for your traffic. For a step-by-step play on a technical level (with a side of layman’s terms), here’s how they work:
VPNs use tunneling protocols — like PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, WireGuard, and OpenVPN — to establish an encrypted tunnel. These protocols define how data packets are encapsulated, encrypted, and transmitted securely.
Using encryption algorithms like AES-256, the VPN then scrambles data packets, making them indecipherable to anyone intercepting them during transmission.
The VPN client software installed on your device initiates the connection request. Then, the VPN server, operated by the VPN service provider, authenticates the user, establishes the tunnel, and routes the encrypted traffic. These servers also have their own dedicated IP addresses.
The VPN client encapsulates the original data packets with routing instructions. These data packets are then encrypted using an established key, making what is in the data packet unreadable. In other words, your internet activity.
The encrypted packets are transmitted over a network (e.g., the internet) through the established tunnel.
Upon reaching the VPN server, the packets are decrypted using a private key, and the original data is extracted.
When it reaches the VPN server, it then decrypts the data, removes the tunnel encapsulation, and routes the data packets to where they need to go on the internet.
There are many ways a VPN can be used in your daily internet activities, especially if you’re taking full advantage of all the tools the best VPNs provide. When it comes down to it, there are three ways a VPN can give your internet browsing an upgrade.
Privacy: By hiding your IP address, VPNs keep your internet activities hidden from your ISP, government surveillance, or hackers on Wi-Fi networks, especially public ones.
Security: Using a variety of encryption methods, a VPN will protect your data from being seen or stolen.
Bypassing geo-restriction: If you’re trying to sneak past a blocked website or need to access a country specific streaming service, a VPN can connect to servers in different countries and keep your true IP address hidden, giving you the keys to unlock content virtually anywhere around the globe.
Hungry for more VPN coverage? Check out Why you should be using a VPN and why you should have one for your phone.
Bitdefender Premium VPN $2.50 Per Month for 1 Year Plan at BitdefenderAre AirPods even worth it?
It's a fair question — Apple is known for making excellent tech, but also for way overpricing that tech even when competitors have better options at cheaper prices.
Which is why you might be wondering if the AirPods Max, for instance, which were released in 2019 and are priced at $549, are actually $120 better than the latest over-ear headphones from Bose released last year, or $150 better than Sony's flagship headphones released in 2022.
SEE ALSO: Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones review: New design and improved sound qualityFor people who love to stay cocooned safely within the Apple ecosystem, that splurge might be worth it. But for most folks, not so much. If you're going to be paying premium prices, you'll want to know that's money well spent. Fortunately for Apple lovers, we've consistently rated the brand's iconic buds as some of the best wireless earbuds on the market.
Based on our in-depth reviews of the current AirPods lineup (and the competition), we've made this guide to help you find the best AirPods for you.
What AirPods are available for purchase in 2024?Right now, you can find four primary AirPods models available for sale from the Apple Store and other retailers. This includes three pairs of wireless earbuds and the AirPods Max headphones:
AirPods (Second Generation) — $129 (often on sale for $89 to $99)
AirPods (Third Generation) — $169
AirPods Pro (Second Generation, USB-C) — $249 (often on sale for $189)
AirPods Max — $549 (often on sale for $489 to $499)
You might be able to find a couple older models, like the Second Gen Lightning port AirPods Pro, at retailers like Amazon or Walmart, but likely from a third-party seller, and likely not for a consistent price. We've also heard rumors that Apple will be dropping a new AirPods Max model and more affordable noise-cancelling AirPods later in 2024. For this guide, we'll be focusing on the best AirPods available at the time of writing, but if you're not in a rush, you may want to wait.
SEE ALSO: iOS 18: A mysterious new audio feature is reportedly coming to Apple MusicOur AirPods recommendations are based on in-depth and hands-on reviews. Because the right product for you may depend on your budget, we've taken price and discounts into account, too. We've been consistently tracking the best Apple deals biweekly for the past two and a half years, and we're confident we can help you pick the right headphones for the best possible price.
Best for most people: Apple AirPods Pro (USB-C) Apple AirPods Pro (USB-C) $189.99 at WalmartCheck out our full review of the AirPods Pro (Second Generation, USB-C).
Who it's for:The newest Apple AirPods Pro are for the person who wants the best of all worlds: well-rounded sound, impressive active noise cancellation, plenty of portability, and a price that (if you catch it at the right time) doesn't exceed $200. In other words, most Apple users looking for earbuds should start here.
Why we chose this:"The first time I turned on active noise cancelation while walking down a busy street, I was in awe. The sounds around me disappeared almost completely," Mashable's Stan Schroeder wrote in his review of the second-generation AirPods Pro (before the USB-C version hit the market). He went on to say, "These are the first pair of earbuds I'd actually consider taking on an airplane (instead of my much larger and clunkier over-ear headphones)."
The newer AirPods Pro equipped with USB-C are pretty much the same, except now you can throw away your lightning cables (exempting, of course, anyone with an iPhone before the iPhone 15). The button on the stem is less sensitive than touch controls you'll find on other earbuds, and the four sizes of silicone ear tips allow you to find the best fit, and therefore the best seal possible, maximizing both the sound of your music and ANC power.
As for how these headphones actually work, 11mm dynamic drivers do an excellent job of delivering a clear and robust sound signature. We do wish Apple offered a customizable EQ, but we appreciate the presets. (If that's a dealbreaker for you, you might want to check out the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds).
One final buying tip for these Apple wireless earbuds — they go on sale often, dipping to at least $199, but we've also seen them hit $189 a few times, and even $179. So, if you're not in a rush to buy, we recommend waiting and keeping an eye on our deals coverage.
Battery life: 6 hours per charge with ANC (30 hours with case) | Colors: White | Active Noise Cancellation: Yes
Best without noise cancellation: Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) Opens in a new window Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)Check out our full review of the AirPods (2nd Gen).
Who it's for:For the no-frills headphone user, the one who doesn't really care about ANC and would rather save some cash while remaining in the AirPods family, we recommend the second-generation AirPods. Yes, the ones released in 2019, not the wildly overpriced (even for Apple) third-generation AirPods from 2021.
Why we chose this:These earbuds aren't the latest and greatest. In fact, they're five years old, and you can definitely find cheap wireless earbuds from other brands with better features. However, if you're an AirPods user who doesn't want to make the jump to ANC prices, you're better off with these second-gen AirPods over the newer third-gen buds.
For starters, there's about a $70 price difference between these earbuds. The second-gen AirPods technically have a $129 list price, but they are pretty much permanently on sale at $99 these days (and are known to dip even lower). Third-gen AirPods also go on sale with some regularity, but you'll usually find them at their full price of $169, so we'd say that $70 price difference is accurate. Yes, the newer buds are going to look sleeker and more like the Pros. They also offer a better sound signature and six hours of battery per charge instead of the five hours you'll get with the second-generation AirPods.
Even so, there's no reason to pay $169 for earbuds without noise cancellation in 2024. Basically, our case for the second-gen AirPods is more a case against the third-gen model, but if you're dead set on AirPods and don't care about ANC, the more affordable option will give you the the best bang for your buck.
Battery life: 5 hours per charge (24 hours with case) | Colors: White | Active Noise Cancellation: No
Best over-ear option: Apple AirPods Max Apple AirPods Max $449.00 at AmazonCheck out our full review of the AirPods Max.
Who it's for:Over-ear headphones usually provide the best sound and noise cancellation due to their larger design and secure fit. If you're looking for the best of both and have the cash to burn, the AirPods Max will be your Apple headphones of choice (and the only Apple headphones for now). That being said, you can find better headphones for the money, so only buy these if you're determined to stay inside the Apple family or love the design and comfort.
Why we chose this:Again, these are technically the only over-ear headphones from Apple, so making this recommendation wasn't all that difficult for us. Though we maintain that, in most cases, these headphones are simply too expensive for what they are, we can't say they're without merits, or an audience that is likely to love them.
Before we get into said merits (and they do have a lot of them), let us try to talk you out of buying them first. If the option for a wired connection is a dealbreaker, then you'll need to opt for other headphones, as these simply don't have an audio jack. Prefer a carrying carrying case? Well, you technically get a Smart Case, but calling that a case is basically like calling a sock a shoe. It just doesn't do the same job. The ear cups also don't fold, so portability isn't their strong suit unless you're wearing them 24/7 (which many people do, as their modern design and cool colors have made them something of a fashion accessory). It isn't easy to make the most of their 20 hour battery life because they don't ever turn off, and at most go into a low battery mode when placed in their "case."
Okay, so now that we crapped on these Apple headphones for a paragraph, why are we still recommending them? Well, even though there's no EQ you can customize, they do sound damn good, and they offer Adaptive EQ for folks who trust Apple to pick the ideal bass and treble levels. The active noise cancellation certainly holds its own with other premium headphones (though, as we mentioned in the intro, these other headphones tend to be about $100 cheaper). For movie lovers, the spatial audio also provides an immersive experience. And for folks who love design, you won't find anything else like them.
So, that leaves us with a very specific audience for these wireless headphones: people who love the look, crave great sound and top-notch ANC (but don't care too much about adjusting it themselves), and are willing to sacrifice some other basic functionalities in the process.
Battery life: 20 hours | Colors: Silver, pink, green, sky blue, space gray | Active Noise Cancellation: Yes
Best AirPods alternative: Beats Studio Buds + Beats Studio Buds + $129.99 at AmazonIf you want the basic experience of AirPods and either own an Android or don't want to pay AirPods prices, the Beats Studio Buds + offer active noise cancellation, great battery life, and a well-balanced sound profile.
Why we chose this:AirPods are popular with iPhone users because of how smoothly they're integrated with iOS. As Apple's other headphones brand, Beats pretty much replicates the experience for a fraction of the price.
Though there's no EQ on these headphones, they sound nice out of the box, and they do big favors for bass-heavy tracks. The ANC isn't quite up to the AirPods Pro level, but unless you need elite noise cancelling, these are likely to do the job. If you're not a fan of the stemmed AirPod design, you'll be happy to know these Studio Buds are stemless and compact. They still have on-earbud button controls, which are slightly more awkward to use than AirPods, but by no means inelegant.
The battery life is comparable to the AirPods Pro, giving you about five and a half to six hours of continuous listening time with active noise cancellation. If you have an Android, these earbuds are compatible with Google Fast Pair. And they come in several colorways, including a unique transparent one for folks who like more of retro vibe.
Sure, you won't get fancy extras like spatial audio or customizable EQ, but to be fair, the AirPods Max also do without the latter, and so these are the earbuds to get if you want a pair that epitomizes the phrase "good enough." At the $169.95 asking price (and a frequent sale price of $129.95 or less), these earbuds are $80 less than the $249 AirPods Pro. In other words, they're also our budget AirPods Pro pick.
Battery life: 6 hours with ANC, 9 without (27 hours with charging case) | Colors: Ivory, black, transparent, silver | Active Noise Cancellation: Yes
How we test AirPodsWe've been reviewing AirPods at Mashable for a while, with current and past editors and staff writers contributing to our pool of reviews. For this shopping guide, we consulted our editors and past reviews. Mashable has dedicated reviews for all of the AirPods featured in this article, and our shopping experts spent weeks (and often months) evaluating their sound quality, battery life, comfort, and overall feature set.
We don't have a dedicated review for the Beats Studio Buds +, but we did test them recently for our guide to the best headphones of 2024. For this guide, we retested these Beats earbuds to make sure they still had the battery life, noise cancellation, and sound quality to make them a worthy AirPods alternative.
Obviously, some of these models came out a few years ago. That's why we made sure to note where they might be lacking and alternatives that might offer a better value in 2024. We considered any missing features that are now more common among premium headphones, including customizable EQ and powerful noise cancelling, and evaluated where Apple's headphones held up and where they fell short. We've also been tracking prices on AirPods for years, allowing us to make recommendations on when to buy (and therefore, squeeze the most value out of your purchase).
As mentioned earlier in this guide, we do expect Apple to release new AirPods products in 2024. Once we have confirmed release dates for any new AirPods, we'll be sure to update our recommendations accordingly.
In this new casual dating era, the best hookup apps are on just about every single person's smartphone — and for good reason. You watch TV on demand (thank you, Netflix), and your food can be ordered and delivered while you sit on the couch (hello DoorDash), so why would finding a potential hookup partner be any different?
SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to know What makes a good hookup app?The best hookup app for you will depend on your sexual orientation and desires, and you might need to try a few. There's no one single app you can use to find guaranteed partners, but you'll probably want to skip any apps that feature a 10-minute questionnaire about romance, hopes of marriage, meaningful connections, or expensive subscriptions (we're looking at you, eharmony).
Instead, focus on finding a hookup site that encourages users to have spontaneous casual sex, multiple communication features (like video chat), and fully functional memberships that let you connect with others without emptying your wallet.
SEE ALSO: The best free dating apps for budget-conscious singlesIf you want to pay for a premium membership, that's up to you. But we recommend sticking to cult faves like Tinder, Grindr, and Hinge. All of these apps have free versions that give you just enough functionality to meet and connect with potential partners for casual sex without breaking the bank. You can likely find a hookup by the weekend without paying a cent.
Whether you're looking to have a one-night stand, exchange nudes with strangers, or have some phone sex before you doze off, we've rounded up the most reliable hookup apps for every type of single. You can download them via the Google Play or the App Store and start swiping in minutes.
eBay will soon stop accepting American Express cards, citing "unacceptably high" processing fees. In response, American Express has claimed its fees are no higher than any other credit card, and it doesn't need eBay anyway.
In a statement released on Wednesday, eBay announced that American Express cards will no longer work in its online marketplace from Aug. 17. It is currently in the process of notifying users of the change.
SEE ALSO: eBay introduces AI-powered 'shop the look' features"After careful consideration, eBay has decided to no longer accept American Express globally effective August 17 due to the unacceptably high fees American Express charges for processing credit card transactions," said eBay.
"Based on research, we know that the vast majority of eBay customers are willing to use alternative payment options to continue enjoying buying and selling on our marketplace."
Other credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are currently accepted by eBay, as are payment methods like PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo.
eBay also took the opportunity to call for further regulation of credit card networks, stating that it would help increase competition and thus reduce transaction processing costs.
"At a time when payment processing costs should be declining because of technological advancements, investments in fraud capabilities, and customer protections by merchants like eBay, credit card transaction fees continue to rise unabated because of a lack of meaningful competition," eBay wrote.
American Express swiftly responded to eBay's rejection, saying that it is "disappointed" in the decision. It also disputed the characterisation of its fees as high.
"Our research tells us that in the US the cost of acceptance for American Express is comparable to what eBay pays for similar cards on other networks," American Express said in a statement. "We find eBay’s decision to drop American Express as a payment choice for consumers to be inconsistent with their stated desire to increase competition at the point of sale."
The company further stated that eBay "represents less than 0.2% of [its] total network volume," and that people can continue to use their American Express cards "with millions of merchants around the world."
According to Forbes, the average credit card processing fee for merchants ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 percent per transaction, with American Express sitting on the higher end of the scale. While Visa reportedly charges merchants around 1.15 to 2.4 percent, American Express charges 1.43 to 3.3 percent.
A difference of less than one percent may not seem like something to make a fuss about, but it can add up to a significant hunk of cash when applied to the sheer volume of transactions eBay facilitates. Though removing features and limiting options rarely delights customers, it seems as though everyone's trying to cut costs in this economy.
At this year's WWDC, which kicks off on June 10, Apple will reportedly launch a new password manager called Passwords.
This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who claims Apple plans to launch the new app as part of iOS, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15, all of which will likely debut next week.
The app will reportedly be powered by Apple's password-syncing service iCloud Keychain, and will be able to generate passwords and keep track of them. Keychain is already a sort of a password manager, but it's not exactly user friendly as it's hidden in Apple settings and only shows up when it recognizes a password field that needs to be filled.
Passwords will allow users to organize their logins into different categories, and it will also be able to automatically fill login and password fields when needed, the report says. Verification codes, such as those on Google Authenticator, will also be supported.
Finally, Passwords will work on Vision Pro, as well as Windows computers.
SEE ALSO: Apple commits to 5 years of security updates for the iPhone, but that's not the whole storyWhile this probably isn't great news for third party services such as LastPass, Dashlane, and 1Password, which provide more or less the same functionality, it's a logical step for Apple, given that its Keychain is basically already doing it, just not in a very user-friendly way.
Beyond Passwords, next week's WWDC event is expected to largely focus on AI, and likely won't feature any new hardware. Read our expectations for the event here.
WWDC kicks off on June 10 at 10 a.m. PT. If you're not attending in person, you'll still be able to watch the stream here.
TL;DR: Starting on June 7, make your data visually digestible with Microsoft Visio Professional 2021 for £15.61 (reg. £195.43) for a limited time.
In many types of business, communication and efficiency often stem from the ability to understand data and workflows clearly. But unless you're a graphic designer, it's not easy to whip up flowcharts and org charts at a moment's notice. The right commercial software and business tools can help.
Case in point: Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional offers features that enable professionals across industries to visualise and communicate data easily and quickly. And through June 10, this Microsoft Visio Pro deal grants you a Windows lifetime license for just £15.61 (reg. £195.43).
This software can be especially helpful when dealing with large, complex data or tricky workflows. Pick from dozens of ready-to-go templates and more than 250,000 shapes and stencils to get your visual started.
One of the standout features of Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional is its ability to connect diagrams directly to real-time data. This dynamic link means that any changes in the underlying data are reflected in your diagrams, providing up-to-the-minute visual insights so you can make informed decisions for your team.
It also supports brainstorming with an array of templates for visualising problems and mapping solutions, including fishbone diagrams and SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). You can even auto-generate org charts from outside data sources like Excel.
Please note that this deal does not include a subscription to Microsoft 365. It requires either a Microsoft 365 commercial subscription or a OneDrive or SharePoint membership. It also requires a license for the desktop version of Microsoft 365 apps, a Power BI subscription for editing, and a Power Automate subscription. For eligible professionals, this deal lets you add Microsoft Visio to your Microsoft Suite for a one-time purchase of £15.61. Plus, your device's license will never expire.
Be sure to redeem this offer within 30 days of purchasing, and don't miss out on an affordable way to streamline and visualise your workflow during this limited-time price drop.
Starting on June 7, get a lifetime license to Microsoft Visio Professional 2021 for £15.61; this deal ends June 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional for Windows £19.97 at the Mashable ShopTL;DR: Watch Canada vs. Ireland in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup for free on Disney+ Hotstar. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The next fixture of the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup is coming up and it's back to Group A as Canada and Ireland take to the pitch. The lineup includes batters Aaron Johnson and Mark Adair in what's set to be an exciting game.
If you want to watch Canada vs. Ireland in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading because we have all the information you need.
When is Canada vs. Ireland?Canada vs. Ireland in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup starts at 10:30 a.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. BST on June 7. This fixture takes place at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in East Meadow, New York.
How to watch Canada vs. Ireland for freeCricket fans in India can watch the 2024 Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup for free on the Disney+ Hotstar app, including this match between Canada and Ireland.
This content is technically geo-restricted to India, but anyone from around the world can access this free live stream with a VPN. These are tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access this free content on the Disney+ Hotstar app from anywhere in the world.
Access free T20 Cricket World Cup live streams by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in India
Download the Disney+ Hotstar mobile app
Watch Canada vs. Ireland in the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these money-saving offers, you can gain access to free live streams without parting with any money. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select T20 matches before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Disney+ Hotstar?ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing live sport on Disney+ Hotstar, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including India
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.
Watch Canada vs. Ireland in the 2024 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch New Zealand vs. Afghanistan in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup for free on Disney+ Hotstar. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
This year's 2024 Men's T20 World Cup is well underway and cricket fans have been loving this summer of cricket. Hosted in the U.S., this year's tournament is a significant milestone as it marks the first time the USA has hosted a global cricket tournament.
The next fixture sees New Zealand and Afghanistan go head-to-head, so if you want to catch the game for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading as we have all the information you need.
When is New Zealand vs. Afghanistan?New Zealand vs. Afghanistan in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on June 7 / 12:30 a.m. BST on June 8. This fixture takes place at the Providence Stadium in Georgetown, Guyana.
How to watch New Zealand vs. Afghanistan for freeFans in India can watch the 2024 Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup for free on the Disney+ Hotstar app.
For fans elsewhere in the world, this free content is geo-restricted to India, but you can access free live streams with a VPN. These tools work by hiding your real IP address (digital location) and connecting you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access this free content on the Disney+ Hotstar app from anywhere in the world.
Access free T20 Cricket World Cup live streams by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in India
Download the Disney+ Hotstar mobile app
Watch New Zealand vs. Afghanistan in the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select T20 games before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Disney+ Hotstar?ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing live sport on Disney+ Hotstar, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including India
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.
Watch New Zealand vs. Afghanistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup for free on Disney+ Hotstar. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Next up in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup is Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh, one of the best matchups from the tournament. Team captains Najmul Hossain Shanto and Wanindu Hasaranga will lead their teams out in another exciting match for cricket fans.
Want to tune in to Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh? Keep reading, because we have all the information you need.
When is Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh?Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on June 7 / 01:30 a.m. BST on June 8. This fixture takes place at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas.
How to watch Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh for freeSmartphone users in India can watch the 2024 Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup for free on Disney+ Hotstar.
While this free content is geo-restricted to India, anyone from around the world can access these free live streams with a VPN. This is a tool that can mask your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access this free content on the Disney+ Hotstar app from anywhere in the world.
Access free T20 Cricket World Cup live streams by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in India
Download the Disney+ Hotstar mobile app
Watch Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh in the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming aren't free, but most VPNs offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without parting with your money. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every T20 fixture before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Disney+ Hotstar?ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing live sport on Disney+ Hotstar, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including India
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.
Watch Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh in the 2024 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch Scotland vs. Finland for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Euro 2024 is fast approaching, which means competing countries are running out of time to prepare. It's all about building momentum before the main event. And that's exactly what Scotland will be looking to do against Finland, preferably with a comprehensive victory at home.
If you want to watch Scotland vs. Finland for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Scotland vs. Finland?Scotland vs. Finland kicks off at 7:45 p.m. BST on June 7. This fixture takes place at Hampden Park.
How to watch Scotland vs. Finland for freeScotland vs. Finland is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.
Unblock BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer
Stream Scotland vs. Finland for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to provide free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to stream Scotland vs. Finland before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking BBC iPlayer to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
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 Scotland vs. Finland for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch England vs. Iceland for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
This is the last chance for England to build momentum and experiment before Euro 2024, which makes this international friendly with Iceland pretty important. The Three Lions will want to win first and foremost, but they'll also be looking to play some impressive stuff. All the while avoiding injuries to key players.
If you want to watch England vs. Iceland for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is England vs. Iceland?England vs. Iceland kicks off at 7:45 p.m. BST on June 7. This fixture takes place at Wembley Stadium.
How to watch England vs. Iceland for freeEngland vs. Iceland is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.
Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access Channel 4 from anywhere in the world.
Unblock Channel 4 by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit Channel 4
Stream England vs. Iceland for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to provide free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to Channel 4 without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to stream England vs. Iceland before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Channel 4?ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking Channel 4 to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
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 England vs. Iceland for free with ExpressVPN.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for June 7's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
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.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
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.
Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Large, round fruit.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no letters that appear twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.
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 Wordle #1084 is...
MELON.
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.
Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
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 June 7's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Concoct
Green: A slender veneer
Blue: Dust off
Purple: Things computer nerds do
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Dream Up
Green: Thin Covering
Blue: Remove, as Crumbs
Purple: Verbs for a Software Engineer
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 Connections #362 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayDream Up: CONCEIVE, ENVISION, IMAGINE, PICTURE
Thin Covering: COAT, FILM, LAYER, SKIN
Remove, as Crumbs: BRUSH, FLICK, SWEEP, WIPE
Verbs for a Software Engineer: CODE, DEVELOP, HACK, PROGRAM
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.
Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.
If House of the Dragon Season 1 was the slow burn of the fuse leading up to the Dance of the Dragons, then Season 2 is the powder keg finally going off. Dragons will battle dragons, kin will slay kin, and thousands of soldiers and smallfolk will lose their lives in the oncoming war between Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and her half-brother Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney).
SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' recap: The 9 most WTF moments so far ahead of Season 2Yet as explosive as the Dance is, House of the Dragon Season 2 is more interested in the cost of war than the epic scale of it. The first four episodes made available to critics are certainly, by definition, spectacular. Dragon dogfights are officially on the table, after all! More often, though, the season lingers on the characters' grief in the face of atrocities, and their fear of escalating the conflict to even greater heights. It's these intimate moments of hesitation that make House of the Dragon Season 2 such a brutal, affecting watch, as members of Team Black and Team Green move inexorably towards bloodshed.
House of the Dragon Season 2 drops us into the tense early days of war. Matt Smith in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Theo Whitman / HBOHouse of the Dragon picks up in the days following the death of Rhaenyra's son Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) at the hands of Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) and his ferocious dragon Vhagar. Much of Rhaenyra's inner circle — including her husband/uncle Daemon (Matt Smith) — urge her to retaliate in kind, but her grief is all-encompassing, and she fears that an all-out war will do irreparable damage to the kingdom she's sworn to protect.
Over in King's Landing, the situation is reversed. Aegon wishes desperately to send dragons to annihilate his foes. His Small Council, especially his Hand Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) and his mother Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), advise caution and a longer-term strategy. Aegon isn't alone in his bloodlust, though. Aemond and Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) share his readiness for war, although with somewhat clearer heads than their more unpredictable king. Still, the threat of mutually assured draconic destruction hangs over both camps.
SEE ALSO: Here's what happens next in 'House of the Dragon,' according to the bookHouse of the Dragon teases out that fiery threat to its breaking point, tension bleeding through the screen until you feel like you'll snap. When the tension finally does break, it's with a cycle of shocking mayhem and bloodshed from both sides, with innocents most often bearing the brunt of the violence. Each act crosses a new threshold into war. There is no individual point of no return, but rather a continuous spiral into oblivion. As Rhaenys (Eve Best) remarks to Rhaenyra, history may not even remember the moment the war began in earnest.
Rhaenyra and Alicent remain the heart of House of the Dragon. Olivia Cooke in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBOThe Dance of the Dragons itself plays out in the air or on battlefields, including an impressive set piece that calls to mind some of Game of Thrones' best battles. But House of the Dragon always works best when it mixes the intimate with the epic. In Season 1, we saw the conflict of succession play out in the festering relationship between former best friends Rhaenyra and Alicent. In Season 2, this pairing remains the personal bedrock on which the show is built, only now in a different context.
With Rhaenyra on Dragonstone and Alicent in King's Landing, the two don't have much of a chance at interacting while they are at war. However, House of the Dragon is sure to link them in different ways. A scene that intercuts Rhaenyra's funeral pyre for Lucerys with Alicent's prayers to the Seven in episode 1 makes for a heartbreaking reminder of how the two remain intertwined. Elsewhere, the ways in which both are undermined by members of their Small Councils — especially their male relatives — prove frustrating.
In a season that weighs suing for peace against jumping straight to violence, it is most often women, like Alicent and Rhaenyra, who hold out hope for less bloodshed, while most of the men, like Aegon and Daemon, champ at the bit for a fight. It's a dilemma that calls to mind House of the Dragon's very first episode, which juxtaposed Aemma Arryn's (Siân Brooke) painful birth with a celebratory tournament. Aemma had no choice in bearing her pain, nor did she have a choice to avoid the violent, fatal C-section forced upon her. The men in the tournament, by comparison, are just playing at (and opting into) pain.
Rhaenyra and Alicent's wishes to avoid further pain for their families and the realm are well-founded — but as forces mobilize beyond their control, and as they reckon with their own roles in the war, is peace even possible anymore?
The answer, as we've known since Lucerys's death — really, since the death of Viserys — is no. But that inevitability makes House of the Dragon's slippery slope into war all the more tragic. There's no rushing into battles here without making sure everyone understands the consequences of what comes next. So when the dragons finally dance, the reaction is not one of awe, but of devastation.
House of the Dragon Season 2 premieres June 16 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
Meta is leaking devices on Threads for those who are eagle-eyed enough to see it.
Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth posted a video (via TechRadar) on Threads that's meant to showcase some new VR software features, but that's not why it's interesting. At one point, you can see a white Meta Quest headset on a desk in the background that is clearly neither the Quest 2 nor Quest 3, but something that has elements of both.
Folks seem to think this is a glimpse at the rumored Quest 3S, a budget-friendly version of the Quest 3.
SEE ALSO: Meta is using your posts to train AI. It's not easy to opt out. Tweet may have been deleted Meta Quest 3S leaked?To be more specific, per TechRadar, the headset in the video has a white plastic exterior like the Quest 2, but different cameras on it that could perhaps enable some of the cooler passthrough/XR stuff that's in the Quest 3. Recently, some vague store listings for the Quest 3S appeared in Meta's online storefront, so this appears to be a real thing.
Unfortunately, that's about all we can definitively say about the device at the moment. From a quick glimpse in the background of a Threads video, all you can really tell is that it looks more like a Quest 2 than a Quest 3. It's not clear which controllers it uses (if any) or which features it offers.
Maybe this will be the thing that finally gets us all to embrace the metaverse.
New Google Play guidelines are putting the cuffs on generative AI apps offering dubious tools, such as deepfake "undressing" apps and those producing graphic content.
The updated app store policy, announced Thursday, instructs generative AI apps and their developers to build-in precautions against offensive content, "including prohibited content listed under Google Play’s Inappropriate Content policies, content that may exploit or abuse children, and content that can deceive users or enable dishonest behaviors."
Developers must also offer in-app flagging and reporting mechanisms for users stumbling across inappropriate content and "rigorously test" their AI models, TechCrunch reported.
SEE ALSO: ChatGPT features rumored for iOS 18 will reportedly be opt-inThe rules apply to apps that produce AI-generated content in "any combination of text, voice, and image prompt input." This includes chatbots, image generators, and audio-spoofing apps using generative AI. The policies do not apply to apps that "merely host" AI content or those with AI "productivity tools," such as summarizing features.
In May, Google announced it was devaluing AI-generated (or "synthetic") porn results in its internal search rankings, attempting to dress a growing problem of nonconsensual, deepfake pornography. The company also banned advertising for websites that create, endorse, or compare deepfake pornography.
The move came after a wave of viral, celebrity-centric deepfakes circulated on X and Meta platforms, including graphic advertisements for an AI-powered undressing app that featured underage photos of actor Jenna Ortega. Google was already fielding thousands of complaints from victims of nonconsensual, sexualized deepfakes, many of whom filed Digital Media Copyright Act (DMCA) claims against websites populating their likenesses.
AI industry insiders have issued multiple warnings about the threat of misinformation and the nonconsensual use of people's likenesses, including a recent open letter penned by OpenAI and Google DeepMind employees. The group noted the potential risk of "manipulation and misinformation" should AI advancements continue without regulation.
Google's app store regulations follow a White House AI directive issued to tech companies last month. The announcement called on industry leaders to do more to prohibit the spread of deepfakes, with Google specifically heeding a call to curb apps that "create, facilitate, monetize, or disseminate image-based sexual abuse." If you have been a victim of deepfake abuse, there are steps you can take; read more about how to get support.
Changes to Adobe's Terms of Service have users confused and outraged that their work — even unpublished and in-progress projects — may be used to train AI models.
Users of various Adobe apps including Photoshop and Substance Painter received a pop-up notice on Wednesday saying "we may access your content through both manual and automated methods, such as for content review."
Tweet may have been deletedThe updated section (that went into effect all the way back on February 17, 2024) in Adobe's Terms of Service says:
"Our automated systems may analyze your Content and Creative Cloud Customer Fonts (defined in section 3.10 (Creative Cloud Customer Fonts) below) using techniques such as machine learning in order to improve our Services and Software and the user experience."
The language is vague. But the specific mention of "automated systems" and using "machine learning in order to improve our Services and Software," immediately drew concerns that users' creative work would be used as training data for Adobe's AI tools.
SEE ALSO: Adobe's new generative AI tools for video are absolutely terrifyingAside from the implication that any and all user content would be fodder for training data without credit or compensation, there's the specific privacy concern for users working with confidential information. "I can't use Photoshop unless I'm okay with you having full access to anything I create with it, INCLUDING NDA work?" posted artist @SamSantala on X.
Tweet may have been deletedOn a separate page that breaks down how Adobe uses machine learning, Adobe says it doesn't use content stored locally on your device, so only content that's stored in the Creative Cloud. Otherwise, content that users make public, such as contributions to Adobe Stock, submissions to be featured on Adobe Express and to be used as tutorials in Lightroom are used to "train [Adobe's] algorithms and thus improve [its] products and services."
Tweet may have been deletedSuch uses of public content have already been in place since Adobe launched its AI model Firefly, which generates images and powers other AI features like Generative Fill. Adobe touts Firefly as commercially safe, but has also said Firefly was trained on public domain data, which includes AI-generated images from its competitor Midjourney — a product that artists allege was the result of copyright infringement.
All that's to say, gathering training data for AI models is a murky issue that has made it difficult for creatives and companies alike to trace copyrighted content and prevent unauthorized works from seeping into model training. And that has undermined Adobe's deployment of purportedly ethical AI features and put customers' trust in jeopardy.
Tweet may have been deletedTo be clear, Adobe's latest policy change has not been conclusively shown to expose users to privacy invasions, but users are understandably concerned at even a mere hint that their private work may be accessible to Adobe's AI models. The new Terms of Service don't make any explicit mention of Firefly or AI training data, but the update says it may need to access user content to "detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security, legal, or technical issues," and enforce its Terms which bans illegal or abusive content like child sexual abuse material. This may mean that Adobe seeks to monitor access user content for specific violations.
But the language used, including broad-term allusions to machine learning for "improving" Adobe tools taps into concepts the privacy-minded have justifiably become wary of at a very sensitive moment.
Mashable has reached out to Adobe for clarification and will update this story if we hear back.
Warm up your vocal cords: The 77th annual Tony Awards are streaming on June 16, 2024. Here's how to watch the show live even if you don't have cable.
UPDATE: Jun. 4, 2024, 1:30 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with details of the 77th annual Tony Awards, including nominations, ceremony date and time, and streaming information.
The annual Tony Awards are set to take place on June 16, 2024. Here are the best ways to watch: BEST FOR PARAMOUNT+ NEWCOMERS Paramount+ with Showtime annual subscription $59.99/year for new or returning subscribers (save 50%) Get Deal BEST FOR WALMART+ MEMBERS Paramount+ Essential annual subscription free with a Walmart+ account (save $59.99/year) Get Deal BEST FOR EXISTING PARAMOUNT+ SUBSCRIBERS Paramount+ Premium annual subscription $119.99/year (save 17%) Get Deal BEST CABLE ALTERNATIVE YouTube TV free trial, then $57.99/mo for your first 3 months (save $45) Get DealBroadway's best are getting ready to gather in New York for the 77th annual Tony Awards. After the writers' strike last year resulted in an unscripted ceremony, this year's awards will return to form with Ariana DeBose hosting for the third time.
DeBose will also serve as producer and choreograph this year's opening number. "I couldn’t pass up the chance to host the Tonys one more time at Lincoln Center," she said in a statement. "I’m excited to collaborate with the team to create an incredible celebration of this season’s achievements on Broadway for our community and for everyone at home."
If you want to tune in live to celebrate Broadway's biggest night, here's everything you need to know.
When are the 2024 Tony Awards?The 77th annual Tony Awards are set for Sunday, June 16 at 8 p.m. ET at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. There's also a pre-show dubbed The Tony Awards: Act One, which will showcase exclusive content on Pluto TV and Paramount+, that airs an hour prior to the ceremony.
Who’s performing at the 2024 Tony Awards?Performances have yet to be announced, but if the 2024 Tonys follow in past shows' footsteps, we can take a guess. Most (if not all) of the nominees from the Best Musical and Best Revival of a Musical categories tend to perform at the awards. Here are some of the shows you can expect to see performances from this year:
Hell's Kitchen
Illinoise
The Outsiders
Suffs
Water for Elephants
Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club
Gutenberg! The Musical!
Merrily We Roll Along
The Who's Tommy
The Alicia Keys musical Hell's Kitchen and the rock-and-roll drama Stereophonic scored a baker's dozen nominations each, making them the most nominated shows. Other standouts include The Outsiders with 12 nominations and Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club with nine nominations. You can take a look at the full list of nominees at the Tony Awards website.
How to watch the 2024 Tony AwardsThe 2024 Tony Awards will be broadcast live simultaneously on CBS and Paramount+ with Showtime. If you're a cable subscriber, you can simply switch the channel over to CBS at 8 p.m. ET on June 16 and you're good to go. Not near a TV? You can also use your cable login at CBS.com to watch live. If you don't have cable, you can only tune into the live broadcast through Paramount+ with Showtime (not the Essential plan) or a live TV cord-cutting service (more on that below). If you're on the Paramount+ Essential plan, the broadcast will be available to stream the following day.
Can I watch the Tony Awards for free?CBS is free over the air in the U.S., which means that, even without cable, you can watch the show live using an antenna. Don't have an antenna? No worries — you can tune into the Tony Awards via Paramount+ or a live TV cord-cutting service like YouTube TV or FuboTV. You could also ask a cable-subscribing friend or family member for their login information and use it to sign in with a TV provider on CBS.com, but sometimes that's more trouble than it's worth.
Surprisingly, there are a couple of different ways cord-cutters can watch the Tony Awards live and for free (or at least at a discount). For those who don't feel like buying and installing an over-the-air antenna, here are your best streaming options.
Best for new and returning subscribers: 50% off Paramount+ with Showtime for one year Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ with Showtime annual subscription $59.99If you've never subscribed to Paramount+ in the past, or you're returning after some time away, you can secure an entire year of the Paramount+ with Showtime plan for half price. That knocks the $119.99 per year cost down to just $59.99, which breaks down to just $4.99 per month. This deal will allow you to watch the Tony Awards live on June 16 and plenty more series and films throughout the year. Just remember to cancel before the year is up if you want to avoid charges. Otherwise, your subscription will renew for $119.99/year. Be sure to use this promo link in order to secure the discount — it's valid until July 14, 2024.
Best for Walmart+ members: Free Paramount+ Essential Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart+ / Paramount+ Paramount+ Essential free with a Walmart+ subscription Get DealA Walmart+ membership is the gift that keeps on giving. Like Amazon Prime, subscribing comes with many perks beyond free shipping. Walmart+ members also get Paramount+ Essential included with their membership for free. You won't be able to watch the Tony Awards live, but you can watch the broadcast immediately after it airs on your Essential account. New subscribers can score a 30-day trial to kick things off.
There are a couple of ways to save on a Walmart+ membership as well if you're looking to subscribe long-term. You can save around $5/month by subscribing to an annual plan instead of monthly. Plus, select Verizon MyPlan members can save $2.95/month on a Walmart+ subscription.
Best cable alternative: YouTube TV free trial Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV Free trial, then $57.99/mo for your first 3 months (save $45) Get DealWhile Paramount+ is the only dedicated streaming service to broadcast the Tony Awards live, many cord-cutting services that serve as cable replacements offer live channels or logins to access live channels, which will allow you to tune in. YouTube TV is our top pick for its extended free trial and 3-month discount. If you sign up around the time of the Tony's, you'll be able to watch the broadcast live and for free during your trial. If you don't want to be charged, be sure to cancel before your trial period is up. Otherwise, it'll cost you $57.99 per month for your first three months — that's $45 in savings.
Best for existing Paramount+ subscribers: Save 17% on an annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium annual subscription $119.99 per year (save 17%) Get DealIf you're already a Paramount+ subscriber, but want to save some money, you can switch your monthly subscription to an annual subscription and save 17%. For the with Showtime monthly plan, you'll pay $11.99 per month, which comes out to $143.88. But if you pay for an entire year at once, it'll only cost you $119.99 — that's a savings of over 17%. It may not be free, but with a whole year paid for in advance, you can watch the Tony Awards live and plenty more without worrying about canceling in a specific time frame.
Honorable mentionsParamount+ Essential annual subscription — $59.99/year (save 17%)
Hulu + Live TV — free 3-day trial, then $76.99/month
FuboTV Pro — free 7-day trial, then $79.99/month
DirecTV Stream Entertainment package — $69.99/month
Dads come in many forms, and Father's Day is a time to celebrate all the father figures who are special and important in your life. If you want to get your dad, stepfather, grandpa, or whoever else something truly special, swing for a personalized Father's Day gift this year.
Because of the nature of customized and personalized gifts, you can't do this thing last minute — some planning is required. Consider how much time it will take to actually create the gift, then factor in shipping time as well. Depending on where you order from, you'll likely want to allow a few weeks before Father's Day. (Father's Day 2024 is June 16.)
Say your dad is a big craft beer guy — grab some etched pint glasses for his home bar. Or get a real tear-jerker of a present, like a piece of art featuring audio of your voice. We've rounded up some suggestions to help you find the perfect gift.
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