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The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, October 18, 2024:

AcrossPackers make picks in it, for short

• The answer is NFL.

Slow ___ (South Asian primate)

• The answer is Loris.

The "S" of N.Y.S.E.

• The answer is Stock.

Like twilight

• The answer is Dusky.

Wilt Chamberlain once had 100 in a single N.B.A. game: Abbr.

• The answer is Pts.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 18 DownStill sleeping

• The answer is NotUp.

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by" poet

• The answer is Frost.

Dog kisses

• The answer is Licks.

Trippy drug

• The answer is LSD.

The air up there

• The answer is Sky.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

SAVE OVER $50: As of Oct. 18, the HyperX Cloud II is on sale for $49 at Walmart. That's a saving of 51% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: HyperX HyperX Cloud II $49.00 at Walmart
$99.99 Save $50.99 Get Deal

Gaming accessories don't need to drain your wallet, because there are always deals to be had. We're always on the hunt for great deals, and this offer on the HyperX Cloud II wired gaming headset is one that gamers everwhere will love.

As of Oct. 18, you can snag this headset for only $49 at Walmart, saving you over 50% on list price.

This headset is a fantastic option if you're looking to upgrade without breaking the bank. Enjoy comfort from memory foam ear cushions for long gaming sessions, plus incredible audio from the large 53mm drivers. The 7.1 virtual surround sound also helps create an immersive experience by accurately pinpointing sounds in your environment.

The microphone is impressive, too. It's detachable, and noise-canceling to ensure clear communication with your teammates.

According to HyperX, this model is compatible with 7.1 virtual surround sound on PC and Mac. And stereo on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.

Save over 50% on this versatile headset at Walmart.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 18 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: All wrapped up

These words are delicious.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are wrapped foods.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Dumplings.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 18

• Gyoza

• Wonton

• Samosa

• Dumplings

• Ravioli

• Pierogi

• Empanada

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 18 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 18

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and 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 Strands.

SAVE $60: As of Oct. 14, the Garmin Forerunner 955 is on sale for $439 at Amazon. That's a saving of 12% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 955 $439.00 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $60.99 Get Deal

Garmin is one of the most recognizable names in the fitness tracker game. With watches for lifestyle, beginner athletes, serious endurance athletes, and everything in between, it has a product for everyone. For runners specifically, there's the Forerunner range. And we can't help but share the love for the Forerunner 955.

As of Oct. 18, the Garmin Forerunner 955 is reduced to $439 at Amazon. That's a saving of 12% on list price, and the lowest it's been priced in over three months. This deal is only available on the non-solar model.

The 955 boasts an array of fancy tools, tracking features, and training tips. Standout features include training readiness, training load, HRV, and sleep monitoring. The battery life is seriously impressive, too, lasting up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and up to 42 hours in GPS mode.

The 955 also supports full GPS tracking, which makes runs, rides, and even open-water swims incredibly accurate. Did we mention it has a 5 ATM water resistance?

Unlike some of the newer models including the Forerunner 965, you won't have an AMOLED display. However, the colors are still vibrant enough that we think this deal is still worth considering.

Run over to Amazon to check out this deal.

TL;DR: Through 27 October at the Mashable Shop, you can get a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium and pay just £34.58 (reg. £230.52) with code HEADWAY.

These days, finding time for anything extra can be a challenge. However, learning and growing as a person is typically a must if you'd like to move ahead at work or generally feel fulfilled in your own life. Of course, with such a busy schedule, there aren't enough hours in the day for reading all the self-improvement bestsellers on your reading list.

Headway is a mobile app that aims to make growth fun and easy. It offers a simple way to enrich your mind and broaden your horizons, even when you're pressed for time. Through 27 October, you can get a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium for just £34.58 (reg. £230.52) when you use the code HEADWAY at checkout.

Headway provides key ideas and insights from the world's bestselling nonfiction titles. It provides more than 1,500 summaries with up to 50 added monthly. You have the option to watch, listen, or read your summaries, which means you can choose to read on your lunch break and listen on your commute home.

It’s ideal for anyone looking to incorporate self-growth into their life. By breaking down complex concepts into bite-sized nuggets, Headway helps you learn and grow, no matter how hectic your day might be. Some of the many topics include productivity, self-growth, money and investment, negotiation, and love and sex. 

While Headway gives you access to the essential ideas, concepts, and principles of each book, it doesn't replace the full content of the original work. The summaries are designed to introduce you to the core messages and key takeaways, making it easier to decide whether to explore the complete book further.

Headway also gives you personalised recommendations to help you reach your goals. Don't miss your chance to make learning a convenient part of your life with this limited-time offer.

A lifetime subscription to Headway Premium is just £34.58 (reg. £230.52) when you use code HEADWAY through 27 October at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: GTHW App Limited Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription £34.58 at the Mashable Shop
£230.52 Save £195.94 Use code HEADWAY Get Deal

TL;DR: Live stream Scarlets vs. Bulls in the United Rugby Championship for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The United Rugby Championship brings together some of the best club rugby sides in the world. It feels like there are massive clashes every weekend, with genuine world-class players on display.

That is very much the case with Scarlets vs. Bulls. The South African side are unbeaten this season, but Scarlets will be hopeful of changing that in front of their passionate home support.

If you want to watch Scarlets vs. Bulls in the United Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Scarlets vs. Bulls?

Scarlets vs. Bulls starts at 7:35 p.m. BST on Oct. 18. This fixture takes place at the Parc y Scarlets.

How to watch Scarlets vs. Bulls for free

Scarlets vs. Bulls in the United Rugby Championship is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can stream on TVNZ+ from any location.

Access free live streams of the United Rugby Championship by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ+

5. Live stream Scarlets vs. Bulls for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming aren't free, but leading VPN providers do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By signing up for these deals, you'll be able access free live streams without actually spending anything. This is a temporary fix, but it gives you enough time to stream Scarlets vs. Bulls (plus more United Rugby Championship fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the United Rugby Championship?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to live stream the United Rugby Championship, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including 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 $99.95 and includes an extra three months of coverage for free — 49% off list price. This deal includes a year of unlimited data backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Scarlets vs. Bulls for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2024 Ningbo Open for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Interested in watching live coverage of the 2024 WTA Tour? TVNZ+ is the streaming service for you.

This popular free streaming service is offering coverage of a number of top tennis tournament this year, including the Ningbo Open. The likes of Haddad Maia and Krejčíková are competing in this year's tournament, so fans can expect some stellar performances from some of the best players in the world.

If you want to watch the 2024 Ningbo Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Ningbo Open?

The Ningbo Open is a women's tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts at the Yinzhou Tennis Center. This tournament is part of the 2024 WTA Tour.

When is the 2024 Ningbo Open?

The 2024 Ningbo Open is the seventh edition of the competition. This year's tournament takes place from Oct. 14 to Oct. 20.

How to watch the 2024 Ningbo Open for free

The 2024 Ningbo Open is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-blocked to New Zealand, but anyone from around the world can access this free streaming site with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, meaning you can unblock TVNZ+ in just a few clicks.

Access free live streams of the 2024 Ningbo Open by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ+

5. Watch the 2024 Ningbo Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every Ningbo Open match before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the WTA Tour, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live tennis is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Ningbo Open?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including 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 $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 the 2024 Ningbo Open for free from anywhere in the world 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 18'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 18 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 18 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 18 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Spent some time in the slammer.

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 T.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 18 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...

STINT.

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 17

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

The “best bromance in tech” has had a reality check as OpenAI has tried to change its deal with Microsoft and the software maker has tried to hedge its bet on the start-up.

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 17'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 SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 18 What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 18 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Sorry this wasn't it pal

• Green: You only get one

• Blue: Cashless transactions

• Purple: Types of Amazons

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow - Clunker

• Green - Opportunity

• Blue - Non-Cash Way to Pay

• Purple - Amazon___

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 #493 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Clunker: BUST, DUD, FLOP, MISS

• Opportunity: CHANCE, SHOT, TIME, TURN

• Non-Cash Way to Pay: CARD, CHARGE, CREDIT, PLASTIC

• Amazon___: KINDLE, PRIME, RAINFOREST, RIVER

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 17

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

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 17

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.

Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield discuss the ways that food is utilized in 'We Live in Time' and how Florence Pugh's culinary background was able to flourish in this film.

Megan Thee Stallion and Venom have a silly FaceTime call in a promotional clip for "Venom: The Last Dance," out Oct. 25.

We warned you that this change was coming – but X has just made it official: Blocking on Elon Musk's social media platform, formerly known as Twitter, will no longer actually block users from viewing content — and now users appear to be fleeing X once again. 

Tweet may have been deleted

Essentially, a block on X will now just mean that a blocked user can't interact with your posts. They can still see them though, which was not the case before this change. The change to the block function was met with largely negative reactions, with even Musk supporters pointing out the user safety concerns that come with this shift.

SEE ALSO: Musk is gutting X's blocking feature — why this change is dangerous

And it appears the change in the block function was enough for some users to flee to a new social media platform. X alternative Bluesky announced on Thursday that it had gained half a million new users in the 24 hours since X made the formal announcement about the change.

update: half a million new people in the last day 🤯 welcome, いらっしゃいませ, 환영, bem-vindo! 🦋🎉

[image or embed]

— Bluesky (@bsky.app) October 17, 2024 at 1:00 PM Bluesky grows by 500,000 in 24 hours

Bluesky is one of the few X alternatives that have found success after Musk's acquisition of then-Twitter. It is the third largest micro-blogging type social media platform after competitors X and Meta's Threads. However, unlike those two companies, Bluesky is registered as a public benefit corporation, and brands itself as the decentralized social media platform (Threads also has decentralization features).

"welcome to the 100k+ people who have joined Bluesky in the last 12 hours!!!" the official Bluesky account on Bluesky announced just after 2am on Oct. 17.

welcome to the 100k+ people who have joined Bluesky in the last 12 hours!!! 🦋 🎉

— Bluesky (@bsky.app) October 17, 2024 at 2:22 AM

Bluesky then followed up with an update close to the 24 hour mark.

"update: half a million new people in the last day," the official Bluesky account posted.

Both Bluesky and Threads tend to notice a bump in user sign-ups after Musk makes a decision that appears to alienate X users. However, despite having fewer resources than the Instagram-linked Threads, Bluesky continues to attract hundreds of thousands of new users every time X users set off for a new home

For example, when Brazil banned X from operating in the country last month due to the company's refusal to comply with its laws, Bluesky touted another surge in user growth. In just one week, the social media platform gained 3 million new users.

Shortly after that bump in user numbers, Bluesky announced that it had hit 10 million users. Now, thanks to this latest move by X, Bluesky has just blown past 11 million users. It'll be interesting to see what X does next to bring about Bluesky's next milestone.

Elon Musk's X is moving forward with his proposed changes to blocking users, a shift that allows blocked accounts to see a user's public profile and posts but prevents them from interacting with the content. 

Musk, who has long made it known he doesn't agree with the current blocking and moderation environment online, sees the account blocking standard as ineffectual, with bad actors using alternative accounts or private browsers to get around the block. 

Tweet may have been deleted

The notion is a fragment of the truth. Blocking has never been an effective solution for online harassment. Nor does it guarantee a user's online safety. But it's a first defense against bad actors and abusers in online spaces. And, when used in conjunction with more expansive measures and online safety education, it fills out a user's safe online experience toolbox.  

A standard blocking feature is also a required safety component for downloadable social media apps in online marketplaces. So what will happen when it's gone?

SEE ALSO: Bluesky gains half a million new users in one day after X changes how blocking works Stalking, harassment, and the rise of deepfakes make blocking necessary

Almost a month after Musk initially posted about the change, X users logged on to find a formal pop-up from the platform alerting users to the change. Many were enraged, calling it a misunderstanding of how blocking is fundamentally used and a move that will only support further stalking and harassment.  

Users pointed out that the block button is often the first recourse in situations of mass doxxing or online verbal abuse, like death threats, spurred by a viral post or controversy. Most noted that the new blocking tool makes being online even more difficult for those choosing to keep public accounts, often for professional reasons, essentially forcing users to switch to private profiles if they don't want previously blocked accounts to view their musings and photos. It's essential for many in setting online boundaries.

It also means less protections for communities and identities already at risk for harassment. GLAAD's 2024 Social Media Safety Index, an annual review of online platforms' protection policies, found that X was the most unsafe platform for LGBTQ users. The same was true in 2023. Advocacy organizations like the Trevor Project frequently recommend at-risk users exercise the ability to block users liberally. 

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

X's altered blocking features could have even greater repercussions on young users, too, who already face higher risks of abuse on these platforms amid a national mental health crisis. 

A report by Thorn, a tech nonprofit combating child sexual abuse, found that teens rely heavily on online safety tools to defend themselves in digital spaces, and are "most likely to use blocking and leverage it as a tool for cutting off contact in an attempt to stop future harassment," according to the organization. 

"Online safety tools serve as a primary defense for minors facing harmful online sexual interactions," the report reads. "Many youth prefer using tools like blocking, reporting, and muting over seeking help from their offline community. In fact, teenagers are about twice as likely to use these online tools than to talk to someone in their real-life network." 

This reliance on digital features by young users conjures up other issues — an overreliance on piecemeal platform policies, as well as a sense of shame and fear in reporting these interactions to people in real life, to name a few — but that won't be solved by removing the features altogether. 

X is already failing to appropriately address concerns about content moderation on its platform, and has been relying on an opaque policy of "rehabilitating" its offending users. As the amount of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, lamely checked by Big Tech, increases, open access to youth accounts and the media they post is even more concerning.  

At large, social media platforms have been under fire for their failures to address online safety and mental well-being. While Musk has brought back some safety and moderation offerings (after gutting them), other social media platforms have leaned more severely into customizable online safety tools, including blocking features. Instagram's recent "Limits" and "Teen Accounts," for example, have built up even more barriers between young users and strangers online — it's parent company Meta has introduced similar restriction across its platforms.

"Dune: Prophecy," set over 10,000 years before the events of "Dune," premieres Nov. 17 on HBO and Max.

I don’t know about you, but I’m all about saving money these days. I’ve sifted through my subscriptions and canceled ones I don’t use. I comb through my bank statements each month. I even invested in a bamboo whisk to make my own matcha lattes.

But I kept hitting a glitch when it came to saving money on my phone’s mobile plan. My big carrier had just increased the price of my plan and added a new monthly fee — but I felt helpless because, well, I need my phone.

I decided to make the jump and give the free TextNow service a try. I knew I could keep my phone and number, two important things to me. I also knew that TextNow offers free unlimited talk and text nationwide, plus what it calls Free Essential Data, which would allow me to check my email and use rideshare apps and maps — also for free with the one-time purchase of a $4.99 SIM card.

An easy SIM setup and Free Essential Data Credit: Michelle Kehm

After downloading the app, I was prompted to either transfer my existing phone number to TextNow or pick a new number with any national area code I desired, a nice perk. I opted to keep my old number, which would transfer over once I activated their SIM card. In the meantime, I was given instant access to free calls and texts through the app over WiFi with a temporary number. 

Since I was looking for an alternative to my big-carrier mobile plan, ordering a SIM card for a one-time payment of $4.99 was a no-brainer.  When my SIM arrived by mail, I popped it into my phone and walked through a simple setup. 

The TextNow SIM is what would allow me to make calls and texts from just about everywhere, with coverage that mirrored my big carrier. My calls were glitch-free, and the audio quality was robust. It’s worth noting that you don’t use your native dialer when using TextNow — all comms go through the app — so the usage felt a little different at first, but I quickly got used to it and could send photos, sushi emojis, and cat GIFs in my texts, plus get voicemails from my dad.

The SIM also unlocked TextNow’s Free Essential Data plan, which let me check my email from the grocery store checkout line, map my way to the nearest tea bar, and even book a ride to get there. 

Add-on data and a 5G network seal the deal Credit: Michelle Kehm

Using TextNow’s basic free services might be enough for some people, but I typically need more data when I’m operating out of pocket. For those days, TextNow offers an unlimited 1-hour pass for $.99, an unlimited 24-hour day pass for $4.99, or an unlimited monthly pass for $39.99. 

I love the flexibility of these options; I don’t always have to commit to a monthly plan to get the service I need. Instead, I can just upgrade for a few hours or a day when necessary. I chose the ad-free month pass and was able to download a work PDF, scroll my socials, and even listen to a podcast episode while at the dog park. I honestly forgot that I was using TextNow mobile data and not my previous big carrier — probably because TextNow uses the nation’s largest 5G network for coverage. 

A mobile plan that saves you big money Credit: Michelle Kehm

All in all, TextNow works like any big mobile carrier but with in-app ads in most plans (that’s how it’s free). It’s a win for students on a budget, parents wanting a free phone plan for their teenagers, and even budget-conscious data hounds like me. 

I think I finally may have found a solution to my mobile budget conundrum. TextNow proved to be a reliable alternative to my big carrier, and even if I buy the month pass for $39.99, I’ll be saving money, considering my big carrier just upped the cost of my monthly plan and added fees. Using TextNow, I can manage my own data costs, starting at $0. With savings like that, I can treat myself to fancy matcha lattes again and still stick to my budget.

Nick Frost and Synnøve Karlsen star in "Black Cab," coming Nov. 8 to Shudder.

The latest trend on TikTok is, well, a fecal matter. People have discovered that nearly every name you can imagine has a "poop song" — a ditty with their name and the word poop in it — seemingly made by the same guy. So, of course, people are posting their respective poop songs, often going viral if they have a particularly unique name.

That is...pretty much the trend in a nutshell. Granted, the poop songs are funny. They're all sung by an artist named The Odd Man Who Sings About Poop, Puke and Pee. (More on that guy later.)

SEE ALSO: No more TikTok FYP? California social media bill could totally reshape kids' online world

Each song follows the same general formula: sing the name, sing the word poop, keep the vocals relatively monotone and the music pretty simple.

Here's one for a person named Aoife, an Irish name, which racked up more than 17 million views.

Here's one from a person named Kia, which garnered 14 million views.

Here are TikToks of poop songs for a Gracie, Amelie, and Mason.

You might wonder why these songs exist. And it's a reasonable question because who would take the time and effort to make so many poop songs. The answer to that question is Matt Farley, an internet character of personal fascination for me.

I first discovered Farley years ago in a manner you might expect. I was visiting friends in New Orleans and found it hilarious to play songs about poop over the speakers in their home — I admit my sense of humor is juvenile but it got a laugh.

Farley absolutely floods Spotify and other streaming services with songs that'll turn up in very specific searches. Things like towns, celebrity names, and, yes, toilet humor. In fact, one of his most popular projects is "The Toilet Bowl Cleaners" with such hits as "Butt Cheeks Butt Cheeks Butt Cheeks!" and "The Poop Song." For what it's worth, I find "Butt Cheeks Butt Cheeks Butt Cheeks!" genuinely hilarious — in a surreal, strange way. Some of these tracks have racked up millions of plays, but Farley's playing a volume game.

Farley has been featured in lots of major media, including the Tonight Show and a profile in the New York Times. That article in the Times noted Farley has put out some 24,000 songs in total. Anything you can think to search — birthdays, promposals, and any name pooping — he's there.

"People like to criticize the whole streaming thing, but there’s really a lot of pros to it, Farley told the Times while estimating he made about $200,000 in 2023 off streaming royalties.

So that's where the trend is coming from — one guy dumping songs into the sewers of the internet. And if poop songs keep being a trend on TikTok he might churn out more steaming hot songs this year.

The tech giant has been increasing live programming on its streaming service, but this will be its first test with news.

SAVE $50: As of Oct. 16, get the Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, 256GB, WiFi) for $949 at Best Buy. That's a discount of 10%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) $949.00 at Best Buy
$999.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal

As far as tablets go, you really can't go wrong with a good iPad. While the base models are great for watching your favorite shows or reading books at home or on the go, you get more oomph when you upgrade to an iPad Pro. It's an excellent option for casual users and professionals alike, specifically artists or creatives who need more power from their tablets, but don't necessarily want to carry around a laptop or rely on their smartphone. If you fall into that category, or just want to drop some cash on some pumped-up tech, you can head to Best Buy and snag a sparkling new M4-powered iPad Pro for a great deal today.

As of Oct. 17, get the Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, 256GB, WiFi) for $949 at Best Buy. That's $50 off its normal price of $999 and a discount of 10%. This price applies to both the Space Black and Silver colors.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Slash $300 off the crazy fast M3 Pro MacBook Pro

The iPad Pro itself is one of Mashable's favorite iPads for professionals, and this one comes with an impressive one-two punch of the M4 chip and Ultra Retina XDR display for a crisp screen no matter what you get up to on it. Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon praised the 13-inch model with the same internals, complimenting its "power efficiency" and "breakneck performance."

This model works with additional accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, so you can feasibly create a portable MacBook-like situation on the go by putting all three together. It's more than powerful enough to handle all your doodling, note-taking, and any other creative tasks you may throw at it, while simultaneously acting as a viable entertainment system on-the-go.

If you've had your eye on an iPad Pro for some time, $50 off is a bit of savings that goes a long way to getting a great new tablet home with you.