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TL;DR: Through 27 October, Mashable readers can get a lifetime device license to Microsoft Office 2019 for Windows or Mac for only £19.32 (reg. £177.18).
Whether you're starting a new semester or bringing your work home with you, it's important to have reliable software for basic productivity on your computer. That might mean getting a good data organiser, a simple and efficient word processor, or just a good email app.
If you've been using Microsoft 365 to accomplish all of that, you might be paying more than you need to. Sure, it does give you the latest version of some Microsoft apps, but the subscription fees aren't cheap. A low-cost alternative is to get the 2019 version of Microsoft Office for Windows or Mac and get many of the same apps for life. The 2019 version typically costs £177.18, but through 27 October, Mashable readers can get it for a one-time purchase of £19.32.
Apps without a subscription feeIf you've been using Microsoft 365, the apps in this suite might look a little familiar. While they may be the newest versions, they're still ready to go whether you need to write up an essay for school, organise a dataset for work, or just tidy up your inbox.
There are some minor differences between the Mac and Windows versions of Microsoft Office 2019. Mac users get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams Classic. Windows users get the same apps, but instead of Teams Classic, they get Publisher and Access.
For both software bundles, you can install each app on one computer once for life. That means if a student installs them before their first year of uni, they could graduate without ever needing to drop another pound on Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
Paying monthly for software you'll always need is like adding a subscription fee to your own productivity.
This is a limited-time offer from the Mashable Shop, and you only have until 27 October to purchase your device license. So, get a shift on and buy Microsoft Office 2019 (for Mac or Windows) while it's available for £19.32 (reg. £177.18), a whopping 89% discount for Mashable readers.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: RetailKing Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac £19.32 at the Mashable ShopGET FREE MYSTERY E-BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Oct. 24. Thousands of mystery e-books are available for free in this Cozy Mystery Book Blast.
The best mystery e-book deals on Stuff Your Kindle Day Best Contemporary Mystery Deal Knifed In Nice by Zara Keane $0 at Amazon Get Deal Best Historical Mystery Deal Murder in Venice by Martha Bond $0 at Amazon Get Deal Best Paranormal Mystery Deal Falling into Magic by Elizabeth Pantley $0 at Amazon Get DealStuff Your Kindle Day is a special 24-hour event that provides access to literally thousands of free books. We get that this promotion seems too good to be true, but it's legit. And better yet, these books are yours to keep forever.
If you're looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day, we've lined up everything you need to know about this Cozy Mystery Book Blast.
When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?Bookworms have had it good lately. The last Stuff Your Kindle Day took place on Oct. 22, with romance e-books on offer from a wide range of subgenres on Romance Book Lovers.
But now it's time to leave the romance behind and get cozy. On Oct. 24, the Cozy Mystery Book Club is offering cozy mystery e-books for absolutely nothing.
Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?The beauty of these Stuff Your Kindle Day events is that anyone can participate.
Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these free mystery e-books. It's even possible to download these books on your preferred app and read them directly from your phone, as these free titles are available on the Google Play and Apple Books apps.
Which e-books are free?Sourcing these free mystery e-books is incredibly straightforward thanks to the Cozy Mystery Book Club. Titles are helpfully organized into sub-genres of mystery, with a wide range of options in Contemporary, Historical, and Paranormal.
Alternatively, you can check out the Stuff Your Kindle Day landing page created by Amazon. Here, Amazon lists some standout titles and organizes everything by genre.
Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books per month that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow, so don't hold back.
Stuff Your Kindle Day book dealsPotions, Poisons, and Peril by Shéa MacLeod — $0
Happy Howl-o-ween Horror by Addison Moore — $0
A Witchy Mistake by Rhonda Hopkins — $0
A Twisted Riposte by Alyn Troy — $0
Lady Rample Steps Out by Shéa MacLeod — $0
The Catalogued Corpse by D.S. Lang — $0
In The Beginning, There Was a Murder by P.C. James — $0
Raining Men and Corpses by Anne R. Tan — $0
Hot Scheming Mess by Lucy Carol — $0
Maddie Swallows Mysteries by Kat Bellemore — $0
TL;DR: Live stream Pakistan vs. England (3rd Test) for free on Tamasha. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Test series between Pakistan and England has delivered some big moments from some of the best players in the world, and we're expecting more of the same in the final Test. The score is tied at 1-1, so everything rides on this epic conclusion.
The good news for fans is that it's possible to live stream this final Test match from anywhere in the world. And better yet, you can watch all the action without spending anything thanks to a simple hack.
If you want to watch Pakistan vs. England (3rd Test) for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Pakistan vs. England (3rd Test)?The 3rd Test between Pakistan and England takes place from Oct. 24 to Oct. 28. This Test match takes place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
How to watch Pakistan vs. England for freePakistan vs. England (3rd Test) is available to live stream for free on Tamasha.
If you can't access this free live stream in your location, you should consider using a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Pakistan, meaning you can access free live streams from around the world.
Access free live streams of Pakistan vs. England 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 Pakistan
Visit Tamasha
Stream Pakistan vs. England for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Pakistan vs. England (3rd Test) without committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this Test series before recovering your investment.
If you want to secure permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for Tamasha?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live cricket on Tamasha, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Pakistan
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 Pakistan vs. England (3rd Test) for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch the 2024 MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
This season of MotoGP been entertaining all the way through. Jorge Martín is holding onto his lead at the top of the standings, but Bagnaia, Bastianini, and Márquez aren't too far behind. The next stop on the calendar is the Chang International Circuit in Thailand, with only three races left to win vital points.
If you're interested in watching the 2024 MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is the 2024 MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix?The MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix takes place at Chang International Circuit. The 2024 MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix race starts at 3 a.m. ET on Oct. 27.
How to watch the 2024 MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix for freeEvery MotoGP 2024 race is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.
ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.
Unblock ServusTV by following this simple process:
Sign up for a 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 Austria
Connect to ServusTV
Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2024 MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live streaming is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for MotoGP?ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking ServusTV, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Austria
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Watch the 2024 MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Lyon vs. Besiktas in the Europa League for free on Tabii. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Besiktas have suffered a miserable start to this Europa League campaign. They've lost their two opening games, conceding seven goals and only scoring once. It has been painful for fans, but they'll still believe they can turn things around against Lyon.
Of course, that won't be an easy task. Lyon have won their first two fixtures in confident style. So the home side will go into this third-round matchup as favorites.
If you want to watch Lyon vs. Besiktas in the Europa League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Lyon vs. Besiktas?Lyon vs. Besiktas in the Europa League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Oct. 24. This fixture takes place at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
How to watch Lyon vs. Besiktas for freeLyon vs. Besiktas is available to live stream for free on Tabii.
Tabii is geo-restricted to Turkey, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Turkey, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Europa League from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Lyon vs. Besiktas on Tabii 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 Turkey
Sign in to Tabii
Watch Lyon vs. Besiktas for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Europa League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Lyon vs. Besiktas (plus more Europa League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for Tabii?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tabii, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Turkey
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Lyon vs. Besiktas in the Europa League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Fenerbahce vs. Manchester United in the Europa League for free on Tabii. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Europa League hasn't been a welcome distraction for Manchester United this season. Erik ten Hag's side haven't won in this competition yet. They haven't lost either, but a win would have been nice as they are tough to come by in the Premier League right now.
Fenerbahce will be desperate to pile on the pressure as they host Manchester United in the Europa League. José Mourinho is in charge of Fenerbahce, adding another level of spice to this matchup.
If you want to watch Fenerbahce vs. Manchester United in the Europa League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Fenerbahce vs. Manchester United?Fenerbahce vs. Manchester United in the Europa League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Oct. 24. This fixture takes place at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.
How to watch Fenerbahce vs. Manchester United for freeFenerbahce vs. Manchester United is available to live stream for free on Tabii.
Tabii is offering free live streams of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League for the next three seasons. Tabii is geo-restricted to Turkey, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Turkey, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Europa League from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Fenerbahce vs. Manchester United on Tabii 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 Turkey
Sign in to Tabii
Watch Fenerbahce vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Europa League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Fenerbahce vs. Manchester United (plus more Europa League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Tabii?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tabii, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Turkey
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Fenerbahce vs. Manchester United in the Europa League 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 October 24's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 24 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 23 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Loves to give orders.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There is one letter that appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.
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...
BOSSY.
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.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 23Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 24's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been 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 October 24 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: Timetable
Green: NYT services
Blue: Papercrafts
Purple: French
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Lineup
Green: NYT Offerings
Blue: Things Made by Folding Paper
Purple: French Words
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 #501 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayLineup: BILL, PROGRAM, SCHEDULE, SLATE
NYT Offerings: AUDIO, COOKING, GAMES, NEWS
Things Made by Folding Paper: AIRPLANE, CRANE, FAN, FORTUNE TELLER
French Words: ADIEU, BELLE, PAIN, TEMPS
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.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 23Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Your smartphone is likely being tracked by a tool called Locate X. Law enforcement and other U.S. state agencies use it. And they don't need a warrant to track you either.
This may or may not exactly be news to you. Locate X, created by a data surveillance company called Babel Street, previously received coverage in 2020. At the time, numerous reports uncovered a Secret Service document concerning the agency's contract with the company for usage of the tool.
SEE ALSO: Meta suspends celebrity plane tracking accounts like ElonJetHowever, 404 Media has a new look at the tool which includes a trial run of the program in action – and it's concerning to say the least.
The tool that can track your abortion clinic visitIn the trial, according to 404 Media, Locate X was able to focus on an individual cell phone which is displayed as a red dot in the tool.
The tool tracked the cell phone from an apparent residence in Alabama to a Lowe's store, then along the highway to a church, and then eventually to an abortion clinic in Florida. The red dot stayed at the abortion clinic for two hours before heading back to the apparent residence. The tool tracked the phone to the clinic just one single time.
Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, Alabama has outright banned abortion in most cases. Republican-run states that have outlawed abortion, including Alabama, have sought out further criminalization for those seeking abortions out-of-state in places like Florida where it's heavily restricted but still legal up to a certain point.
The cell phone tracking history provided above was all obtained without a warrant. It's worth noting that the tool alone cannot identify a user connected to the phone, but law enforcement could certainly use additional tools at agencies' disposals to identify a user.
In addition, the usage of Locate X for 404 Media's piece wasn't provided by law enforcement or a state agency. The trial was accessed directly through Babel Street by data removal company Atlas Privacy. The company, which is currently suing data brokers that enable tools like Locate X, was able to obtain a trial by simply saying it was a private investigation agency. No restrictions were placed on the trial.
As 404 Media points out, companies like Apple and Google have placed extra emphasis in recent years on securing users' location data on iPhones and Android devices. However, third-party apps, advertisers, and data brokers still collect varying degrees of information from users which make tools like Locate X possible.
As Krebs on Security reports, last week, Atlas Privacy filed a lawsuit against Babel Street, alleging that it is breaking a New Jersey law allowing law enforcement, government officials, and their families to be completely removed from data brokers' records.
If you're currently concerned about your cell phone being used to track your location via tools like Locate X, for now you can deny mobile apps' requests to track.
With 12 full days left until the 2024 U.S. presidential election, there are still concerns about if Meta can properly moderate political content on its platforms.
Two months ago, a Facebook user put the faces of presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on top of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels' characters in the Dumb and Dumber movie poster. The poster features Carrey and Daniels' characters grabbing each other's nipples — you know the one. The user then captioned it with the emojis "🤷♂️🖕🖕."
SEE ALSO: X hiring content moderators for a new 'Trust and Safety' center in AustinMeta removed the post because it went against the platform's Bullying and Harassment Community Standard, specifically because that standard doesn't allow "derogatory sexualized photoshop or drawings." The user appealed Meta's decision, which moved the decision up to Meta's Oversight Board. After that, Meta "determined its removal was incorrect, restoring the post to Facebook."
Meta's oversight board is a group with more than 20 members, including academics, policymakers, and journalists, and this group makes content moderation decisions on Facebook and Instagram. The board wrote that Meta's handling of this post gives them "serious concerns" about Meta's ability to moderate political content on its platforms.
"This post is nothing more than a commonplace satirical image of prominent politicians and is instantly recognizable as such," the board wrote. It continued:
In the context of elections, the Board has previously recommended that Meta should develop a framework for evaluating its election integrity efforts in order to provide the company with relevant data to improve its content moderation system as a whole and decide how to best employ its resources in electoral contexts.
It then referred to a previous case surrounding a general in Brazil who, amid that country's 2022 elections, called on activists to "hit the streets" — a remark tied to protesters storming Brazil's National Congress and Supreme Court. The board at the time made the opposite determination: that Meta failed by not removing the general's remarks in time to avoid adding to a volatile situation. The board, apparently, wants to see progress on the creation of a system of rules that would cover that past false negative, as well as this false positive.
Its statement continued:
Meta has reported progress on implementing this recommendation. Nonetheless, the company’s failure to recognize the nature of this post and treat it accordingly raises serious concerns about the systems and resources Meta has in place to effectively make content determinations in such electoral contexts.
The board wrote that it sees an "overenforcement of Meta’s Bullying and Harassment policy with respect to satire and political speech in the form of a non-sexualized derogatory depiction of political figures." It says this overenforcement could "lead to the excessive removal of political speech and undermine the ability to criticize government officials and political candidates, including in a sarcastic manner."
Tom Hardy is a one-man comedy duo who deserves better than Venom: The Last Dance. The English actor has played a variety of tough guys, from gangsters (Legend) and supervillains (The Dark Knight Rises) to the ultimate road warrior (Mad Max: Fury Road). But he might be at his very best as the oft-frustrated journalist Eddie Brock and his alien symbiote Venom, who is basically intrusive thoughts in the form of a goo demon. And for three movies (more if you count post-cred cameos), Hardy has been fighting valiantly for the love story that is Eddie and Venom's.
From Venom to its sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Sony embraced what jaw-dropped audiences warmed to in the first film, which was chiefly the undeniable chemistry between Hardy and... himself. Sure, one was bolstered by explosively slick and sick CGI to make the alien come alive. But Hardy, grumbling excitedly as an alien ready to rage (in both the vengeance and party senses), was unabashedly entertaining. Now, in the third entry, Venom: The Last Dance, Hardy's anti-heroes are in an all-out war — not just against a canonical bigger bad but against the franchise requirements that weigh this sequel down.
It's clear Sony still can't decide what to do with their Spider-verse, and more specifically its flashiest non-Spidey star. (Sorry, not sorry, Madame Web and Morbius!)
Venom: The Last Dance has way too many plotlines. Tom Hardy stars as Eddie Brock/Venom in Columbia Pictures' "Venom: The Last Dance." Credit: Sony PicturesFollowing the events of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Eddie/Venom (Hardy) are on the run as they are wanted in the death of Detective Patrick Mulligan (Stephen Graham). After grabbing drinks at a bar in Mexico (yes, calling back to the post-credit scene with Ted Lasso's Cristo Fernández), the dastardly duo decides to road trip to New York City, where Eddie plans to blackmail a judge to clear his name. It's a perfect plan, obviously, and a great setup for on-the-road hijinks. Excellent! However, then the MCU effect kicks in.
While Eddie/Venom are making their way out of Mexico, a new cranky villain lurks in a dark otherworld, surrounded by giant insect monsters with many, many teeth. This is Knull (played by Let There Be Carnage director Andy Serkis), a scary ancient evil thing who wants a never-before-mentioned MacGuffin that Eddie/Venom happen to have. So while they're on the run from the cops, the pair must duck the stalking monster and the US military forces out to imprison them at Area 51.
As if all that weren't enough plot, Venom: The Last Dance also works in a tragic backstory for a traumatized scientist, Dr. Teddy Payne (Ted Lasso's Juno Temple), and a daffy family of van-living hippies who really want a close encounter with an alien. (Good news for them!) All of this combined makes for a rollercoaster of a movie, with heady highs of bonkers Looney-Tunes-like action and comic book spectacle, and frustrating lows made up of cumbersome exposition scenes.
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, and Clark Backo in Columbia Pictures' "Venom: The Last Dance." Credit: Laura Radford / Sony PicturesThe screenplay by writer/director Kelly Marcel, who wrote Venom: Let There Be Carnage, has enthrallingly funny moments. But it ties itself into knots setting up Knull and Payne, who will clearly have bigger roles to play as the franchise barrels on. (Last dance, my foot!) Marcel sacrifices the zany exuberance and propulsive spontaneity of Hardy's performance by frequently abandoning him for gratuitous exposition dumps. All of Knull's scenes look the same, playing like a dimly lit teaser for a video game. The gray-haired villain is bound to a throne, grumbling threats with his head hung, over and over with no build in tension or information. And if you can't piece together what he's up to from his muttering, don't worry because Venom will explain it, as will another symbiote and several other human characters. As if "creepy alien aims for world-shattering conquest" is a new concept in superhero movies.
When Venom: The Last Dance embraces Tom Hardy's vision, it is glorious. Credit: Lacey Terrell / Sony PicturesWhile the Venom of the comics and the video games can be a gnarly horror, Hardy's spin on the character is far more charismatic. As we saw in the rave sequence of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, the lobster tank in Venom, and various scenes in Last Dance, this Venom is like a pesky little brother, fueled by chocolate, blood lust, and roaring impulses. Venom: The Last Dance is at its very best in these moments of chaotic inner conflict.
SEE ALSO: Surprise! Venom is the superhero who defines this pandemic momentFor instance, a drunken Eddie can barely stand, but Venom wants one more drink. So not only does he roar "TEQUILA!" with the enthusiasm of a frat boy on his 21st birthday, but his shiny black tentacles explode from Eddie's back to give his own spin on Tom Cruise's Cocktail agility. It's a mess, and it's uproariously hilarious. Other sequences that relish this playful mayhem involve a stolen horse, stowing away on an airplane from the outside, and a joyful dance number with Venom's beloved Mrs. Chen (the divine Peggy Lu) to the music of ABBA. (Of course, Venom is an ABBA fan.)
It's not just that Venom gets to be the chaos demon we love to live through vicariously. It's that Hardy playing Eddie is his perfectly matched straight man. Whether facing the indignity of losing a shoe, getting peed on by a drunk stranger, or making things awkward while warning off a could-be foe, Hardy grimaces, grins, and huffs with supreme comedic timing. As Eddie and Venom, Hardy is both Abbott and Costello, Lemmon and Matthau, Martin and Lewis. And as outrageous as everything around him is, he's even able to ground more heartfelt moments of bonding because it's impossible not to root for them, the oddest couple.
Venom: The Last Dance delivers plenty of action, graphic and goofy. Who says Venom can't fly? Credit: Sony PicturesThough rated PG-13, this Venom movie is pretty wildly violent. It starts off strong, giving Venom the chance to chow down on the heads of bad guys. Later, several humans will be put into the organic extraterrestrial version of a woodchipper, resulting in mists of blood. And as other symbiotes and alien beasties come out to play, all bets are off as the violence gets more comic, full of explosions, slithering limbs, and variously colored viscera.
Fans of Venom's lore will likely thrill over a climax that has all kinds of symbiote variants joining the fray. (Think Deadpool and Wolverine's climax with much more slime and less swearing.) And yet the most thrilling action moments are during a chase scene that's far less about violence than it is Venom leaping from one river-living critter to another to escape the clutches of the military. Venom as a fish! Venom as a frog! Venom making Eddie — ever so briefly — into a merman! These seem like Marcel pitches that could have been killed off by studio notes, and yet here they are — madly entertaining, absolutely ridiculous, and all the more miraculous because of it.
In the end, this makes for a movie that, like its predecessors, is a mess. Where Eddie and Venom have largely come to terms with being two very different personalities sharing the same vessel, Venom: The Last Dance feels at war with itself. On one hand, it is a silly road trip comedy enhanced by the shapeshifting silliness of its eponymous alien goofball. On the other hand, it's a straight-faced sci-fi drama about alien invasion. The former is kinetic, surprising, and uniquely thrilling as it collides genre expectations with a no-fucks-given energy. The latter — despite noble efforts from Temple, Chiwetel Ejiofor as a military leader, and Clark Backo as a spirited symbiote ally — is a slog, dragged down by cumbersome drama, stern speeches, and an aching lack of Venom.
Venom: The Last Dance is therefore one-half of a wonderful movie. Still, it's worth sticking through the rest for a totally gonzo finale that's somehow equally absurd and moving.
Venom: The Last Dance opens exclusively in theaters Oct. 25.
An open letter signed by 13,500 creatives, including Radiohead's Thom Yorke, actress Julianne Moore, and Nobel Prize-winning novelist Kazuo Ishiguro, denounced the use of their work to train AI.
SEE ALSO: 'AI poses enormous threats': Billie Eilish, J Balvin and more sign open letter denouncing AI in music."The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted," reads the brief letter. AI systems like OpenAI's ChatGPT train on preexisting text, images, video, and other creative materials.
Released Tuesday, the 29-word letter garnered signatures from a wide-vary of actors, musicians, authors, and organizations. Signatories include actor Kevin Bacon, comedian Kate McKinnon, author Ann Patchett, ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus, as well as composers. The CEO of Hachette Book Group and the head of Songwriters of North America also signed on.
The letter comes after the Artist Rights Alliance (ARA), a non-profit advocacy organization, released a music industry-specific open letter back in April. "For many working musicians, artists and songwriters who are just trying to make ends meet, this would be catastrophic," the letter said. "We must protect against the predatory use of AI to steal professional artists' voices and likenesses, violate creators' rights, and destroy the music ecosystem." It received signatures from over 200 artists including Billie Eilish, J Balvin, Imagine Dragons, Stevie Wonder, Nicki Minaj, Pearl Jam, Katy Perry, The Jonas Brothers, Jon Bon Jovi, Julia Michaels, Ryan Tedder, and the estates of Bob Marley and Frank Sinatra.
SEE ALSO: What is an AI art museum? The world will soon find out.Owners of work used to train AI have launches a series of copyright actions against AI scraping. Earlier this month Penguin Random House became the first of the big five publishers to change its copyright wording to target AI. The Recording Industry Association of America, which represents Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group, sued AI music start up Suno for training on copyrighted music, but Suno argued its protected by fair use. In 2023, The New York Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement.
Say goodbye to the guilt generated by those plastic air pillows stuffed into your Amazon purchase — the company announced earlier this month it's ceasing use of the eco-unfriendly packaging material.
"As of October 2024, we’ve removed all plastic air pillows from our delivery packaging used at our global fulfillment centers," Amazon wrote on its blog. "As part of this transition, we were able to quickly expand our use of paper filler made from 100% recycled content across North America to replace plastic air pillows, our biggest reduction in plastic packaging in North America to date."
Amazon has been announcing more sustainable steps in recent years, a necessity as its logistics business becomes a shipping behemoth. According to Capital One Shopping, 27.3% of all packages shipped in the U.S. went through Amazon Logistics last year, while the companies U.S. package volume increased 15.7% from 2022 to 2023. The company also has a huge global business, mailing out products throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America.
The removal of the plastic air pillows — which are possible, but often difficult, to recycle and contain a film often deadly to marine life — coincides with Amazon's slow transition away from plastic packaging. "In 2023, we decreased our average plastic packaging weight per shipment by 9% across Amazon’s global operations network, building on a 17% reduction in 2022," the company states. "Altogether, we’ve avoided 80,500 metric tons of single-use plastic packaging since 2020."
Still, the company's strides in plastic reduction have occurred mostly via overseas packaging changes. A recent report in The Guardian states Amazon's plastic packaging in the U.S. actually increased nearly 10% from 2021 to 2022. Back in December, two-thirds of Amazon's North America shipments included plastic delivery packaging. The company states an aim to reduce that by a third by December 2024.
SEE ALSO: How to recycle Amazon packaging (yes, all of it)As part of its pivot from plastic, Amazon is encouraging some consumers to opt out of packaging altogether, via its Ships in Product Packaging initiative. Products approved for zero packaging have been certified by Amazon and the specific products' retailers as safe to travel without mailers; this excludes products deemed intimate, collectible, possibly dangerous to handle, and of high-value. Surprisingly, some fragile items have been determined by Amazon as possible to ship sans packaging.
If a product still requires packaging material, Amazon is utilizing paper more often. The company retrofitted 120 plastic bag-making machines so that they now encase packages in made-to-fit paper bags. Much of Amazon's paper packaging, from cardboard boxes to paper padded envelope mailers, is recyclable — get more info here.
Next time you shop on Amazon, it might look quite different. The tech giant is testing a redesigned app that'll have a completely different look, and it began rolling out to some customers this week.
Perhaps the most noticeable change is what Amazon has called its new "window display." In the updated homepage, upon opening the app, users are greeted with large panels that swipe horizontally. Picture an Instagram carousel of sorts. Those panels are all personalized recommendations for the user. As you might expect, some of those recommendations basically amount to advertisements.
Here's a preview of what the window display will look like.
Credit: AmazonWrote Amazon in a blog post:
"The "Window Display" feature at the top of the homepage greets customers with personalized recommendations whether they are picking up where they left off on a previous shopping trip or looking for something new, including deals, new Prime Video and Amazon Music releases, and seasonal finds based on their shopping behaviors. For example, customers who love sports may see the latest pair of running shoes from their favorite brand, deals on fitness trackers, or a reminder for next week’s Thursday Night Football game. As customers scroll, the page is organized into groupings of related products with inspiration by topic, interest, or previous searches that may still be of interest to them."
The window display isn't the only change coming to the Amazon app. It's adding a "buy again" hub that "consolidates frequently purchased items into one location," the company wrote in its blog. So that means you shouldn't have to dig through your old orders to find the exact kind of treat your dog likes and you order every month (speaking from experience).
SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime members can now save 10 cents a gallon at select gas stationsYou might not yet see the changes to your Amazon homepage. My app remained unchanged at the time of this writing. Amazon said it was "testing these new experiences with select customers and look forward to sharing with more U.S. customers in the coming months."
GET UP TO 31% OFF: As of Oct. 23, take up to 31% off Ninja products at Amazon. Save on popular items like the Ninja Creami and the Ninja Blast.
Our top picks: Best ice cream-maker deal Ninja Creami $199.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Best portable blender deal Ninja Blast (2-Pack) $84.99 at Amazon (save $28) Get Deal Best air fryer deal Ninja Air Fryer (AF101) $89.99 at Amazon (save $40 ) Get DealIf you’re on TikTok (or a die-hard Ninja fan), you’ve probably seen the Ninja Crispi air fryer pop up on your feed. This little appliance is super popular for its convenient cook-and-store system: it includes six glass containers to cook in and then store in the fridge with airtight lids. It’s an all-in-one meal-prepping machine — and everybody who’s anybody seems to have one.
While the Ninja Crispi isn't on sale yet (don't worry, we’re keeping an eye on it), there are plenty of other Ninja gadgets and appliances you can snag ahead of the holidays, including the Ninja Creami ice cream-maker, which is also TikTok-popular.
SEE ALSO: TikTok is in love with the Ninja Creami, but am I?Here are our top picks for the best Ninja deals available now:
Best ice cream-maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami $199.99 at AmazonRemember when the Ninja Creami was the appliance du jour? Well, now it’s on sale for 13% off. This compact ice cream-maker is available at Amazon for just $199.99, a $30 discount.
With the Ninja Creami you can make ice cream out of basically anything (frozen fruit, yogurt, etc.) and it churns it up into a creamy, soft-serve-like texture. It has seven one-touch programs, including ice cream, sorbet, gelato, smoothie bowl, and more. This way, you can have ice cream on your own terms, without all the fillers and extras of store-bought options.
Best portable blender deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Blast $84.99 at AmazonMost blenders are bulky and a pain to clean. If you’re looking for a more compact, user-friendly option, right now you can get two Ninja Blasts on sale for just $84.99.
These cordless blenders hold 18 ounces and are perfect for taking on the go to blend up smoothies, protein shakes — you name it. They’re also cup-holder-friendly, BPA-free, and have a leakproof lid and a sip spout, so you can blend and sip right from the container.
With two, you’ll be able to use one while the other one is charging. Or, you can get a single Ninja Blast for $59.99 if you don't need two.
Best air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Air Fryer (AF101) $89.99 at AmazonWould this really be a Ninja roundup if I didn’t mention an air fryer? Right now, you can get the Ninja Air Fryer (AF101) for $89.99 at Amazon. That’s a 31% discount, or $40 off the list price.
At four quarts, this air fryer is ideal for making apps or side dishes. According to the manufacturer, the basket (which is dishwasher-safe) can hold up to two pounds of French fries. Air fry, dehydrate, roast, and reheat with the touch of a button.
You’ll also get a 20-recipe booklet with your purchase.
SAVE $99.01: As of Oct. 23, get the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + Cellular) for $699. That's a 12% discount and the lowest price we've seen.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + Cellular) $699.00 at AmazonThe holidays are right around the corner. If you're looking for a great smartwatch to gift someone, or you just want to snag one for yourself, you can't go wrong with an Apple Watch. Want to go big? The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best of the best when it comes to Apple's lineup, but it's also the most expensive. That means it's all the sweeter when you can snatch one at a great discount, like the one at Amazon right now that cuts it down to the lowest price we've seen.
As of Oct. 23, you can get the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mmm, GPS + cellular) for $699.99 at Amazon. That's $99.01 off its normal price of $799 and a 12% discount. It also happens to be the lowest price we've seen yet for this configuration. This particular model comes in the Rugged Titanium case with a Blue Ocean band, so if you aren't partial to those, that's easily fixed with a case and a new watch band.
SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch for every wristThe Apple Watch Ultra 2 is rife with plenty of features that make it well worth the price. It offers both GPS and cellular support, which means you can use it while out and about without being tethered to your phone. That includes calling, texting, and app usage. Of course, it also has an array of fitness-focused trackers, including heart rate, sleep, and other sensors, though the blood oxygen sensor is no longer included. On top of all that, it's an incredibly rugged piece of gear that's perfect for both casual users and fitness junkies alike.
If you're ready to upgrade to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, it's a great time and price to do so while it's still up for grabs.
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