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TL;DR: Through Sept. 3, if you want to prep a computer for work or school, you can get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for only £43.10. Once they're set up on your device, your license will never expire.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle £43.10 at the Mashable ShopIf you're shopping for a computer or upgrading an old one, you might also want to update it with a new operating system and the apps you're going to use every day.
Whether you're getting a computer for school, work, or just to use at home, Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office could be welcome additions to any machine, and you only have to pay for them once with this lifetime deal. With this bundle, you can get a shiny new OS, the latest Windows 11 security features, and a full suite of productivity apps — all for the mad price of £43.10 (reg. £343.39) until Sept. 3.
Update your computer for lessMicrosoft Office Pro 2021 is different from Microsoft 365. Though, this version comes with many of the same apps, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. However, these are slightly older versions and can only be installed on one device. The tradeoff is that you aren't paying for them every month, and you can use them as long as you have the computer they're installed on.
Windows 11 Pro isn't compatible with every computer, so double-check your device's specs before purchasing. Once it's installed, you might notice some exciting changes that are immediately apparent. Changes like rounded window edges and snap layouts, and that's not even touching on all the security upgrades.
If you're installing on a school or work computer, tools like bitlocker encryption, wake and lock, and support for biometrics login could be welcome upgrades, too. If this is a home computer, then check out what the DirectX 12 Ultimate does for gaming compatibility.
Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office for lifeDon't miss your chance to give your computer a serious productivity overhaul.
Until Sept. 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT, take advantage of this sale on a Microsoft Office 2021 lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro for £43.10.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open on 9Now and TVNZ+. Unblock these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Novak Djokovic is yet to win a Grand Slam this year, which feels weird. The Serbian star is obviously used to winning, so he probably feels pretty weird about the whole thing as well.
The last Grand Slam that Djokovic won was the US Open, and he's back to defend his crown. Standing in his way are the next generation of stars, including Carlos Alcaraz and Jannick Sinner.
If you want to watch the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is the US Open?The US Open is a hardcourt tennis tournament held annually at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center within Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York. The US Open is the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year, after the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon.
The current singles champions are Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff.
When is the 2024 US Open?The 2024 US Open takes place from Aug. 26 to Sept. 8.
How to watch the 2024 US Open for free in the UKThese free streaming services are offering coverage of the 2024 US Open:
9Now and TVNZ+ are geo-restricted to Australia and New Zealand respectively, but fans in the UK can access these free streaming services with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Australia and New Zealand, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ without hassle.
Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open 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 Australia or New Zealand
Watch the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the US Open without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the US Open?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free in the UK, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand
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 £82.12 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 the 2024 US Open for free in the UK with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Take a wide range of free online courses from Stanford University with edX.
Anyone can become a student of Stanford University with a little help from edX. This popular online course provider hosts absolutely loads of online courses from this famous school. It's worth taking some time to look around at all the options, because there really is a lot on offer.
edX offers online courses on topics like Python, mathematics, computer science, and much more. These are the best Stanford University courses you can take for free this month.
These free courses do not include certificates of completion, but that's the only catch. You can still learn at your own pace with unlimited access to all the resources on offer, so what exactly is stopping you from enrolling in something you're passionate about?
Find the best free online courses from Stanford University at edX.
Opens in a new window Credit: Stanford University Stanford University Courses Free at edX Get DealOh 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 10'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.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 10 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 10 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Healer.
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 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 today's Wordle is...
MEDIC.
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 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 August 10'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.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 7 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: Red
Green: Available to work
Blue: Microsoft tools
Purple: Movies based on real people
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Things that are Red
Green: Be in Commission
Blue: Microsoft Products
Purple: Biopics
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 #426 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayThings that are Red: DEVIL, MARS, ROSE, STRAWBERRY
Be in Commission: FUNCTION, OPERATE, RUN, WORK
Microsoft Products: EDGE, OFFICE, TEAMS, WINDOWS
Biopics: BLONDE, JOBS, MILK, VICE
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.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Thanks to a new feature, "blue checks" may no longer dominate reply threads on X.
There has been a lot of criticism over the past few years regarding how Elon Musk changed the blue check. The blue checkmark was previously used to verify the authenticity of notable users when the platform was known as Twitter. Under Musk, X now doles out blue checks to anyone who pays $8 per month for X Premium. On top of that, blue check subscribers were given priority in the mentions of posts.
SEE ALSO: How Elon Musk and X's decision to sue advertisers may have just backfiredAs a result, X users would often find blue checkmark accounts' posts sitting at the top of the replies to their own post, even if these replies were completely irrelevant to the conversation.
\And here's how it looks on X for web:
Sort replies on X for web Credit: X screenshotThe latter two reply sorting options are pretty straightforward. "Most recent" shows replies in chronological order from newest to oldest. "Most liked" shows the replies with most likes first. Blue check accounts appear to have completely lost any advantage that the paid subscription provided them when selecting either of these two menu options.
It's unclear exactly how X is determining how to sort posts via the "most relevant" option. However, it appears to be the same sorting method as the previous default. Blue checks do still appear to be prioritized in this view.
Any user can change the reply sorting options on any post that they view, not just their own posts.
It'll be interesting to see if these new options prove to be popular with X's user base. If many X users prefer to view replies via most liked or most recent, it seems like X Premium subscriber rates could potentially take a hit as one of blue check users' paid subscription benefits loses some of its power.
Nearly 3 billion people are affected by a recent data breach at a background check company. A large database compilation filled with billions of users' credentials was published just last month. Customers with AT&T, ADT, and countless other firms have had their sensitive data stolen by cyber criminals recently.
Data breaches are seemingly on the rise. Many times, there's little to nothing that the average consumer can do about it. Sometimes, affected individuals aren't even aware that their data was part of a breach.
If you do find out that you're the victim of a data breach, that means a company that has your data was compromised. Hackers, scammers, thieves, and other nefarious individuals now have access to data about you.
SEE ALSO: [Update: Meta responds] Scammers are using Meta's copyright takedown tool against influencersHere's what you can do to protect yourself:
Change your passwordsFirst things first, change the password of the account affected by the data breach. Oftentimes, there's so much data stolen that most users will have a chance to stop any unauthorized use of their account.
Yes, you've been told time and time again to not use the same password for multiple accounts, but we know that you have. Cybercriminals can easily make the connection to those other accounts so go and change the passwords for any secondary accounts tied to your name or username that are the same or similar to the one that has been stolen.
Use two-factor authenticationTwo-factor authentication will stop any unauthorized access to your account, even if someone else has your password. If the service or platform in question offers two-factor authentication, it's highly recommended that you turn it on.
There are two basic types of two-factor authentication: one that texts users a code, and one that requires the use of an authentication app — usually (but not always) on a mobile phone. Since phone numbers can be stolen and SMS messages can be intercepted, it's highly recommended that users go with an authentication app. When signing into a platform once an authentication app has been enabled, a user will be required to open the mobile app, temporarily memorize the constantly changing code that appears on their screen, and input it into the platform that they are trying to access.
Monitor your accountsIt's important to know exactly what accounts on what platforms were affected to discern exactly what type of information could have been stolen. Services like haveibeenpwned.com help users monitor whether their account credentials have been stolen in a data breach.
Even if you know which account was affected in a breach, you should still check to see if there were any cascading effects that made its way to your other accounts.
After finding which accounts were affected, check with the company who experienced the data breach to see if they have any additional information or recommendations as to what their users should do to protect themselves.
Check your credit reportsBe on the lookout for the worst case scenario: Your identity being stolen as a result of a data breach.
It's certainly horrible to find a social media account compromised and going through a platform's process to regain access is never fun. But that ordeal pales in comparison to the headaches you'll have in store if someone used your data to access your bank account or commit fraud.
It's important to monitor your credit report if there's a breach at a company that stored relevant financial-related data. You can get a completely free credit report at annualcreditreport.com. In addition, services like Credit Karma provide a free daily summary of your credit score and report information.
If you are a victim of identify theft, it's important to immediately contact your bank and the credit institutions. You'll need to freeze your credit, apply for a new credit card number, and even potentially close accounts. Victims of identity theft can report a crime as well at identitytheft.gov.
Again, most users will likely find that they just need to change passwords and sign up for two-factor authentication. But, if you're one of the more unlucky victims of a data breach whose victimizer crossed over from from stealing data to stealing money, you need to be proactive and take action to protect your finances as soon as you can.
ChatGPT's Voice Mode has some security flaws, but OpenAI says it's on top of it.
On Thursday OpenAI published a report on GPT-4o's safety features, addressing known issues that occur when using the model. GPT-4o is the underlying model that powers the latest version of ChatGPT, and comes with a Voice Mode that was recently released to a select group of users with a ChatGPT Plus subscription.
SEE ALSO: What OpenAI's Scarlett Johansson drama tells us about the future of AIThe "safety challenges" identified include standard risks like prompting the model with erotic and violent responses, other disallowed content, and "ungrounded inference" and "sensitive trait attribution" — assumptions that might be discriminatory or biased, in other words. OpenAI says it has trained the model to block any outputs flagged in these categories. However, the report also says mitigations don't include "nonverbal vocalizations or other sound effect" such as erotic moans, violent screams, and gunshots. One can infer, then, that prompts involving certain sensitive nonverbal sounds might improperly receive a response.
OpenAI also mentioned unique challenges that come with vocally communicating with the model. Red-teamers discovered that GPT-4o could be prompted to impersonate someone or accidentally emulate the user's voice. To combat this, OpenAI only allows pre-authorized voices (minus the notorious Scarlett Johansson-sounding voice). GPT-4o can also identify other voices besides the speaker's voice, which presents a serious privacy and surveillance issue. But it has been trained to deny those requests — unless the model is being prompted on a famous quote.
Red-teamers also noted that GPT-4o could be prompted to speak persuasively or emphatically, a feature that could be more harmful than text outputs when it comes to misinformation and conspiracy theories.
Notably, OpenAI also addressed potential copyright issues that have plagued the company and the overall development of generative AI, which trains on data scraped from the web. GPT-4o has been trained to refuse requests for copyrighted content and has additional filters for blocking outputs containing music. On that note, ChatGPT's Voice Mode has been directed not to sing under any circumstances.
OpenAI's numerous risk mitigations covered in the lengthy document were carried out before Voice Mode was released. So the ostensive message of the report says that while GPT-4o is capable of certain risky behavior, it won't do it.
However, OpenAI says, "These evaluations measure only the clinical knowledge of these models, and do not measure their utility in real-world workflows." So it's been tested in a controlled environment, but when the broader public gets their hands on GPT-4o, it could be a different beast when out in the wild.
Mashable reached out to OpenAI for additional clarity about these mitigations, and will update if we hear back.
SAVE $105: As of August 9, the Apple iPad (9th gen) is $224 at Amazon. That's 32% off its normal price of $329 and the new lowest price we've tracked.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple iPad (9th gen) $224.00 at AmazonStill looking to add a new iPad to your tablet collection? There's a new deal floating around that beats a similar one that we tracked earlier this week, and you won't want to miss out.
As of August 9, you can snatch up the Apple iPad (9th gen) at Amazon for just $224, which is down from its normal price of $329. That's $5 cheaper than when we shared this deal on August 7, and a new low price for this model. That means it's prime time to add it to your cart.
This is a fantastic option whether you're lookinig for a daily driver table or just something to enjoy the errant Netflix session. It can handle whatever you throw at it thanks to its A13 Bionic chip, and its 10.2-inch Retina display will have no trouble showcasing your favorite TV shows and movies in crisp and bright color. Additionally, it comes with an ultrawide front camera perfect for Zoom calls or taking a ton of selfies, whatever you prioritize.
It's not just good or entertainment or scrolling around online, though. You can use this iPad with your Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard to make it a portable workstation while you're on the go. It's got plenty of storage space at 64GB, and enough battery life to last you all day – or longer, if you use it sparingly.
You can grab one for yourself, or it might be a good idea to go ahead and lock one of these iPads in for the holidays. They're coming up a lot faster than you might think, after all.
SAVE 46%: Get Cync by GE smart light bulbs for just $12.99 at Best Buy, down from the list price of $23.99. That's a discount of $11, almost 50% off.
Opens in a new window Credit: CE GE Cync Direct Connect smart light bulbs (pack of two) $12.99 at AmazonIt's back-to-school time, and there are a ton of deals right now on products for kids and teens alike. If you've been looking for an affordable way to jazz up a teen's bedroom or a college dorm room, this GE Cync Direct Connect smart light bulb deal is for you.
As of August 9, you can get a two-pack of the GE Cync Direct Connect smart light bulb for just $12.99 at Best Buy. That's a 46% (or $11) discount from the list price of $23.99.
These are a lot more affordable than the Philips Hue bulbs, and you're getting all the features you would want from a smart bulb, especially at this price. The biggest advantage these bulbs have is that they don't need a hub. So when you invest the $13, that's all you need to get started with some cool lighting for your dorm room.
You can also set schedules, cook up scenes, control your lighting remotely (even from outside your home,) and get Alexa and Hey Google support. These are the full-color version, which means you can make an RGB theme to go along with your gaming PC too, if you want.
SAVE 40%: As of today, Aug 9, the GoveeLife Smart Tea Kettle is on sale for just $35.99. This limited-time Amazon deal saves shoppers $24 off the smart tea kettle's usual price of $59.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: GoveeLife GoveeLife Smart Tea Kettle $35.99 at AmazonNew - and high up - on the list of things I never knew I needed until just now: a smart, voice-controlled tea kettle for brewing tea just as it was intended.
Today at Amazon, you can score the GoveeLife Smart Tea Kettle for just $35.99 at Amazon. That's $24 (or 40%) off the voice-controlled kettle's usual price of $59.99. It's a return to the Kettle's best price, which we also saw last month.
If you're like me, you bring your water to a boil on the stove with your old-school kettle, taking the exact temperature instructions on the box of your tea of choice totally for granted. But any true tea connoisseur will tell you that those steeping temperatures matter: water temperature has a major impact on the tea's favor. With the Goveeife Smart Tea Kettle, you have to-the-exact-degree temperature control within the range of 104°F to 212°F. You can control the WiFi-enabled Bluetooth tea kettle through the app, voice commands, or simple buttons. Not only do you have full control over temperature, but you can also set the Kettle on a schedule to save yourself some extra time in the morning.
Take your daily tea ritual to the next level when you score the GoveeLife Smart Tea Kettle for just $35.99 at Amazon.
SAVE $59.99: As of Aug. 9, you can get Madden NFL 24 on the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 for just $10 at Best Buy. Snag this deal and prepare for the launch of Madden NFL 25 on Aug. 16.
'Madden NFL 24' deals Xbox Series X/S 'Madden NFL 24' $10 at Best Buy (save $59.99) Get Deal PlayStation 5 'Madden NFL 24' $10 at Best Buy (save $59.99) Get DealLook, we know that Madden NFL 25 is out in just a few days on Aug. 16, and under normal circumstances, there'd really be no point in hopping into the previous entry if you haven't already done so. But, the circumstances have changed: Madden NFL 24 is a mere $10 on the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 ahead of 25's release. That's $59.99 in savings, and more than enough reason to play the game for a few days in anticipation of the new one.
SEE ALSO: Why 'College Football '25' means so much to its long-suffering fansWhile you're at it, you may even want to place your preorder for Madden NFL 25, which you can do right now for the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 (as well as their previous console generations), and PC. If you pre-order Best Buy, you'll even get a fun little bonus in the form of a $10 Best Buy gift card. So, if you're going to pick up a copy anywhere, we say do it there.
And if you really can't get enough virtual football, we highly recommend picking up EA College Football 25 to round out your sports game collection, which we think is even better than the Madden titles. That'll run you $69.99 for the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 versions.
STOCK UP AND SAVE: Prep for hurricane season with emergency preparedness deals at Amazon. Save on flashlights, power banks, generators, and more essential supplies.
Our top picks: Best flashlight deal GearLight LED Flashlights (Two-Pack) $15.20 at Amazon (save $4.79) Get Deal Best battery deal Energizer Battery Pack (48 Count) $28.48 at Amazon (save $10.50) Get Deal Best power bank deal 24,000mAh Anker Power Bank $103.99 at Amazon (save $46) Get DealHurricane season officially began on June 1, but depending on where you live, you might not have gotten more than a little sprinkle until now — peak season.
If you live on the East Coast (especially in the South), like I do, then you’ve probably been dealing with the aggressive wind and day-to-day rain from Storm Debby. My power’s flickered on and off a few times, and my dogs haven’t been on a walk since Monday — it’s been miserable.
SEE ALSO: Hurricane Debby track shows Florida landfall near. See the path onlineAs of August 8, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts there will be 17 to 24 named storms this season, including four to seven major hurricanes with 111 mph or greater winds. That's a lot of weather to weather, especially if you’re unprepared.
To help make sure you don’t end up stranded sans essentials, we've rounded up the best deals on emergency supplies like flashlights, batteries, and power banks.
Whether you're stocking up your home or your car, now’s the time to get ready for the storms ahead.
Best flashlight deal Opens in a new window Credit: GearLight Our pick: GearLight LED Flashlights (Two-Pack) $15.20 at AmazonHaving a flashlight on hand (even if you live in an urban area) is a good idea. You never know when the power might go out.
Right now, you can get two GearLight LED Flashlights for just $15.20 at Amazon (with the on-screen coupon). This two-pack of mini but mighty flashlights has more than 79K reviews and a 4.6-star rating. Each 1040 Lumen LED tactical flashlight has five modes and a zoomable beam. Plus, they’re virtually indestructible — they can withstand a 10-foot drop and are water-resistant. These flashlights are battery-powered, so you’ll need AAA batteries to use them.
Best battery deal Opens in a new window Credit: Energizer Our pick: Energizer Battery Pack (48 Count) $28.84 at AmazonSpeaking of batteries (the things we used before smartphones and USB charging became the norm), stocking up on a reliable set is a smart move.
This Energizer Battery Pack includes 24 Energizer MAX alkaline double AA batteries and 24 Energizer MAX alkaline triple AAA batteries. It may seem like overkill, but having both sizes on hand means you'll be able to power everything from your flashlight to your radio.
You can get this 48-pack for just $28.84 on Amazon.
Best power bank deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Our pick: 24,000mAh Anker Power Bank $103.99 at AmazonThere’s nothing worse than being in an emergency situation with no way to call for help or reach the outside world. That’s why having a power bank charged and ready to go is a must. (It’s also handy to have one when traveling to keep your phone powered up.)
The 24,000mAh Anker Power Bank can power your laptop, tablet, and phone multiple times over. It has multiple ports, so you can charge up to three devices at the same time. The digital display makes it easy to see how much juice you have left.
It’s compatible with iPhone 15 (all models), iPhone 14 and 13 models, Samsung Galaxy phones, Macbook, and more. Just be sure to double-check the fine print to make sure your device is compatible.
While it’s normally 149.99 at Amazon, you can get it today for 103.99 with an on-site coupon.
What else should you stock up on to weather the storm? Bottled water, non-perishable foods, a first-aid kit, a NOAA weather radio, a portable generator, and sandbags (depending on your area) are all good places to start.
As hurricane season rages on, it's better to be safe than sorry.
There's something sinister about much of reality television. So often these shows appeal to our most hedonistic desires, deliberately stoking discord amongst their cast in pursuit of spectacle and commercial gain. Yet despite this, we just can't seem to stop watching.
Indie game The Crush House seizes upon this voyeuristic thirst for drama, positioning you as a reality show producer tasked with recording the flirting, fighting, and failed friendships synonymous with shows like Love Island, Big Brother, Too Hot to Handle, and the like. It also puts a menacing spin on such shows, lampooning our never ending craving for content. Even so, it unfortunately struggles to capture why people like reality television in the first place.
SEE ALSO: The 15 horniest reality TV shows, ranked Welcome to The Crush House Credit: Screenshot: MashableDeveloped by UK studio Nerial, The Crush House is a self-described "thirst-person shooter" centering on a late '90s reality television show of the same name. In it, four young singles are put up in a coastal Malibu mansion for five days, with the assumption that interpersonal drama will inevitably follow. Of course, this isn't the only conflict transpiring in the deceptively bright and welcoming house.
You play as Jae Jimenez Jung, The Crush House's producer. You're also the show's casting director, props master, and advertising coordinator, though the vast majority of your time will be spent as the reality show's cameraperson. In fact, aside from a lone production assistant delivering instructions via a walkie talkie, it seems as though you're the only staff member working to ensure the show goes on.
Stave off cancellation for five straight days and you'll have completed a season.This responsibility doesn't come with as much freedom as you might imagine. Unseen corporate powers monitor your daily performance, and will cancel The Crush House if you fail to satisfy enough audience groups by filming their preferred content. You also have to choose when not to record, so you can let ads run to earn money for props around the house.
Stave off cancellation for five straight days and you'll have completed a season, winning you and the cast a trip down the Crush House's swirly pink Success Slide. Then it's time to do it all again with a new cast — and further The Crush House's ominous persisting story.
The audience is always right. Weird, but right. Credit: Screenshot: MashableThe Crush House's audience demographics will vary each day, and have different preferences regarding the subjects, action, and cinematic techniques they like to see on screen. Most of them are fairly straightforward, though it isn't always clear exactly what every demographic is after. While Foot Fans, Butt Guys, and Girls For Girls' desires were obvious, I still have no idea what the Glitched or Libertarians wanted.
Fortunately, continuing to pander to an audience you've already fully satisfied will grant overflow points into all the other demographics watching. So if you film enough exercise equipment to make the Gym Rats happy, their contagious joy will begin to impact the Fish Freaks, Art Collectors, and Divorced Dads as well. Filming three or more audiences' preferred content in the same frame also nets you a very satisfying bonus, helping you fill the gauges faster. As such, it didn't matter too much that I never figured out what made the Activists or Cynics happy.
Featured Video For You Video game technology helps paralysed woman regain speechI found the best strategy was to satisfy my audiences as early as possible, then simply put the camera down and let ads run until night falls and the day's episode ends. (Despite some discussion of voyeuristic sex, there isn't any risque after dark filming. It's all kept fairly PG-13, with nobody getting further than some enthusiastic kissing, while the residents sleep in unsexy pods kept in an off-limits area.)
Airing the same ad multiple times in one day does devalue it, making it pay out less. Even so, less cash is still cash, and there didn't seem to be any benefit of continuing to serve audiences once my quota was filled. It was also fun to see ads nodding to other indie games such as Cult of the Lamb and Mars First Logistics. I was typically able to net over $1,000 per day, which I used each night to buy audience-satisfying props such as karaoke machines and butt-shaped pillows.
Rules are made to be crushed Credit: Screenshot: MashableNighttime is also when you can break one of the only two rules you're given as The Crush House's producer: Do not speak to the talent.
Cast members make requests regarding how you portray them on the show, creating an extra challenge on top of simply satisfying your audiences. Though never deep enough to stir up empathy or make you feel connected to the characters, these nighttime conversations further the game's progression while providing your best glimpse into the cast's personalities.
All 12 of The Crush House's rotating roster of sexy singles have individual profiles with separate likes and dislikes. Milo is the "volatile hippy kid," Ayo is a "scary gym chick," while Emile is described as a "French stud." The game encourages you to consider how their traits might interact when choosing four cast members at the beginning of each season. However, aside from surface level behaviour, these profiles seemed to have minimal bearing on how the housemates actually interacted.
Credit: Screenshot: MashableThe Crush House uses a "semi-procedurally generated dialogue system" which takes into account cast members' character traits and relationships when creating conversations. Yet they all tend to repeat the same base conversations, asking each other about their opinion on birds, starting fights over whether or not it's "margarita time," and failing to confess their affections to each other. People swing suddenly from enemies to lovers and back again at dizzying speeds, with no clear rhyme or reason to these changes. They'd also occasionally have conversations while in completely separate rooms.
The result is that, instead of feeling like you're in your favourite reality show, The Crush House feels more like watching chatbots talk to each other. I quickly stopped paying attention to relationships or trying to evaluate a cast's chemistry, simply choosing whoever I felt like tossing into the house next. Half my audience would prefer I film flowers, plumbing, or a drink dispenser than the cast's shenanigans anyway. In fact, I'd often ignore drama unfolding on the other side of the house in favour of filming a bush. What makes for well-rated television in real life in no way translates to The Crush House.
In a clever twist, the shallow and repetitive nature of the cast's conversations did begin to take on new significance as The Crush House's larger plot developed. It's always gratifying to see indie devs find clever approaches to managing their technical limitations, and in fact use such limits to enrich the narrative of their game. Even so, it still didn't make me want to listen to these conversations, nor compel me to care about the speakers.
'The Crush House' suffers from shaky early season syndrome Credit: Screenshot: MashableThe lack of coherent in-universe cast plotlines and personalities is where much of The Crush House's untapped potential lies. The fun of reality television isn't just watching people fight or kiss. It's in getting to know the people and following their storylines, so you're elated when the couple you're shipping finally kisses or shocked when they betray each other.
While The Crush House's procedurally generated conversations do attempt to make each playthrough feel dynamic, they sacrifice such stories and audience connection. As a result even the most fiery exchanges had no significance or weight, with their participants easily interchangeable and their words meaningless. It made me wonder whether the game might have benefitted from a smaller cast with more curated, impactful dialogue and relationships.
Lacking such interpersonal dynamics, The Crush House relies on its darker underlying plot to try engaging players. Unfortunately, while this does add some interest with a clear narrative, its obvious predictability fails to make up for the lost potential. It's also difficult to become invested in the characters' fates when they feel so two-dimensional.
It took me approximately nine hours to play through to The Crush House's credits, and I didn't find much replay value unless you want to try rushing through a second playthrough to get the alternate ending. The game frustratingly auto-saves after you're already locked into one ending, so you have to go through the whole game again to see the other.
I do think The Crush House is an interesting title, particularly for reality show fans. A video game about filming a reality show is a fairly unique concept with undeniable potential. Sadly, it's such a big, fun idea that doing it justice is a difficult task. While the nature of reality shows is that they are largely unscripted, generated dialogue just doesn't have the same effect. There's a reason video game narratives and dialogue are typically carefully written and planned.
The Crush House is a short, sweet game that you can finish in a day, and reality show fiends will likely find it novel. But I can't shake the feeling that it could have been more.
Some customers of ADT security equipment may have had personal information leaked onto the internet.
The home security giant acknowledged as much this week in an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), per BleepingComputer. Hackers apparently got into ADT's systems and stole limited customer information to post on a hacking forum.
SEE ALSO: The best home security systems"After becoming aware of the incident, the ompany promptly took steps to shut down the unauthorized access and launched an investigation, partnering with leading third-party cybersecurity industry experts," ADT's 8-K filing said.
According to ADT, the information that was leaked was limited to email addresses, phone numbers, and postal addresses. Without giving any hard numbers, ADT claimed that only a small percentage of its customers were affected by this hack.
BleepingComputer noted that data apparently stolen from ADT was posted on a hacking forum at the end of July. That data allegedly included customer user IDs and what products they had purchased from ADT. Companies are required to notify affected customers after data breaches in the U.S. and elsewhere, so if you were affected, you may hear from ADT soon, if you haven't already.
Whether you want to take gorgeous portraits or snap tons of pics at that party you have coming up, the best camera deals this week have you covered. Shop our picks below:
Best Camera Deals Best Mirrorless Camera Canon EOS R100 $399 at Amazon (Save $200) Get Deal Best Point and Shoot Camera Sony ZV-1 $648 at Amazon (Save $101.99) Get Deal Best Instant Camera Deal Kodak Mini Shot 2 ERA (60 sheets bundle) $159.99 at Amazon (Save $30) Get DealWhen was the last time you took a photo with an actual camera? It might seem clunky this day and age to use single-function tech, especially if you're on the younger side of tech buyer, when your smartphone's camera can do so much. But having a camera, whether it's a sophisticated mirrorless camera or a simple instant camera for taking quick pics, can be fun and useful for preserving important memories. And it's a lot more fun than just scrolling through photos on your phone. There's just something to be said about having physical photos in your collection, taken by devices engineered to give you the best images possible.
If you're thinking about taking the plunge and grabbing a camera, now's a good time to do so. We've found a few deals you won't want to pass up on some of the best options around right now, with top names like Canon and Kodak to choose from. We've rounded up our picks below of the best camera deals of the week so you've got a few to choose from when you decide to start shopping.
Save money and take some awesome photos with the cameras below, which are all on sale now.
Best mirrorless camera Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Canon EOS R100 $399.99 at AmazonThe Canon EOS R100 is an affordable mirrorless camera that gives you more options than you'd get with a smartphone for an affordable price. It boasts a 24.2MP CMS sensor, 3.5 fps burst shooting mode with autofocus, 4K video capture, and 120 fps shooting at 1280 x 720. It has a sleek black body and is comparable to the more expensive DSLR EOS Rebel T7 but for less money, making it a good entry-level mirrorless option for anyone looking to get more into serious photography. Plus, its autofocus mode helps to pick out faces while shooting so you don't have to struggle with doing it on your own.
Best point and shoot camera Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sony ZV-1 $648.00 at AmazonThe Sony ZV-1 camera is a fantastic point and shoot option that's especially great for vlogging, especially if you typically create content for video platforms like YouTube. It's a compact option that's also good at shooting still photos, with a 20.1MP 1-inch sensor that makes for absolutely excellent video quality paired with a 3.5mm mic that means you don't have to provide an external one if you're recording a lot of sound beyond voice. It's simple to use for beginners and professional users alike, and its autofocus is worth writing home about, too – it can nail down moving people and pets easily so you don't have to fiddle with your settings.
Best instant camera Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kodak Mini Shot 2 ERA (60 sheets bundle) $159.99 at AmazonThis Kodak Mini Shot bundle comes with everything you need to take instant photos and print them to share with all your friends and family. It may look simple, but it has plenty of options, like auto-focus and face detection so you don't just take blurry photo after blurry photo. It has a thin, sleek and perfectly portable body that can print your images in seconds. Plus, this bundle gets you 60 additional printing sheets, so if you do take some throwaway pics here and there, you can try again. It's the perfect companion for a beach day or a vacation with friends. Plus, you get the instant gratification of photos in your hands in minutes.
At one point in time, finding love was a much more difficult process. It required you to commit to "putting yourself out there," relying on good old-fashioned luck to find what you were looking for, whether it be true love or a quick fling. But nowadays, the dating scene is easier to get into thanks to the best dating apps.
SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to knowPeople today are meeting their soul mates on dating apps — something that's becoming more and more common as society learns to navigate the ins and outs of online dating. A 2022 survey from the Pew Research Center found that out of nearly 6,000 respondents, one in 10 partnered adults (those who were married, in a long-term relationship, or living together) met through a dating app. For adults under 30 and members of the LGBTQ+ community, 20 to 24 percent found their partner on the apps.
A dating app for every desireWith so many dating apps out there, it's easy to feel confused or overwhelmed by the options. While Match Group (Tinder, Match, Archer, OkCupid, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, and The League, among others) continues to dominate the market, you don't have to limit yourself to just one brand when looking for the best dating app.
There's a bit of an abundance of choice when it comes to settling on the best dating app for you, which can make an already tiring process that much harder. While Match Group (Tinder, Match, Archer, OkCupid, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, and The League, among others) continues to dominate the online dating market, you don't have to limit yourself to just one brand when looking for the best dating app. We encourage you to expand your horizons while picking one out, and maybe test a few to figure out what you like and don't like (kind of like dating, we guess?).
SEE ALSO: How to stay safe on dating appsFor example, First Round’s On Me (FROME) is a newer app that's gained popularity for its date invitation feature. Choose a drink, date, time, and venue, and the app will send a personalized invitation to your potential match. Once a date is confirmed, it's locked into both users' calendars, and the in-app chat feature is activated 12 hours before the date.
Other apps like Pure cater to people open to ethical, non-monogamous relationships or threesomes. There really is something for everyone, including more traditional dating apps like eharmony, Facebook Dating (think Tinder Lite, for your grandma), and Christian Mingle that swap endless scrolling for compatibility quizzes and faith-based connections.
One alternative app that we did originally recommend but can't anymore, though, is Feeld. The company's Dec. 2023 rebrand brought with it a slew of bugs and, more importantly, some location-related safety concerns. Since then, we've heard additional rumblings about security. Until we have more information, we'd suggest avoiding it for the time being.
The best dating apps of 2024After testing out each of the apps and putting them through their paces, we've narrowed them down to just the best dating apps of 2024. Through hands-on testing, customer reviews, availability (all are available on the App Store or Google Play), privacy, and overall user-friendliness, we feel confident that you'll find your perfect match among these recommendations.
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