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I don’t need to explain to you that nudes are a generally private affair. I sometimes think of my collection built up over the years, just sitting up there in The Cloud, waiting to get hacked and ruin my life. Or the ones potentially still on phones of people I really wish they weren’t, you know, people who might sell them to The Sun if I ever become a celeb or, like, Prime Minister. Perhaps, this has got you thinking about all of yours up there too. Well, now imagine posting them online for strangers to rate out of ten – by choice. Because that’s what happens on the subreddit r/RateMyNudeBody.

Confused? Horrified? I get it, I’d have thought this would be most people’s worst nightmare. But scroll down the group and you’ll see post after post of people – mainly women – posting captions like "Rate my body please (f)," "19 (f) honesty/advice appreciated," and "What are your thoughts on me? (f)," alongside a naked photo. Granted, most faces are covered but it just takes one person to recognise you, surely? Some people even include their height and weight on there – "22 (f) 5'0 92 lb" – which I can’t say I’m a fan of. It’s not all women, but men's posts get a lot less traction – generally zero to two comments, compared to the usual 60 or few hundred for women.

SEE ALSO: How selling nudes on OnlyFans helped my body image issues

I spoke to four women who post on this group to attempt to figure out: just why? Their stories unveil the highs of approval and kinky fun, but also the crashing lows that caused one woman’s life to spiral out of control – from becoming a daily poster to the time she was actually recognised by school friends. Through these conversations, it’s clear that validation is one of the main drivers, and an interview with a male user sheds light on the commenting side, too.

So, what’s this all about? The community bio says it’s a place for getting an honest opinion and rating, with a big focus on refraining from insults and being rude. In a post pinned to the top of the group, it reads "NO ERECTIONS ALLOWED," and suggests those inclined head to, um, r/RateMyCock instead. Other guidelines stress that the content isn’t allowed to be "overly sexy" – and it’s true, often they’re quite functional mirror selfies – and there’s rules stating no playing with yourself or even showing sex toys. But is it possible to make a place like this not, well, horny? 

For 33-year-old Molly* from Michigan, the horniness is all part of the fun. "I mainly use Reddit when I’m horny and seeking attention or validation," she tells me. "I found this group when I was looking for subreddits to share nudes on, years ago. The first time I posted I was nervous, but nowadays I’m very comfortable with sharing my nudity – I do it out of habit and boredom."

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for steamy chats and discreet digital encounters

Molly, a graphic designer, likes that this group isn’t as filled with women promoting their OnlyFans accounts as other nude pages on Reddit. The rating system isn’t that important to her, but she finds herself drawn to her lower ratings. "I often reach out to users and find out what they didn't like. I like the challenge of getting them to increase their score, it’s a lot of fun," she says. "They usually don't change their minds, even if I send them more photos, but that doesn’t bother me. It only sucks when I'm told that they don't get hard from my pics – getting men hard is, like, a hobby of mine."

The more I scroll, though, the less sexual I actually find the group. "New mom working on my confidence and positive body image!" posts one user. "Is my body bad?" says another. Getting a self-esteem boost seems to be one of the biggest drivers for women, including Anya*, a 28-year-old student from Klaipėda, Lithuania. 

"I didn't get involved because I thought it was sexual, I was mostly curious," she tells me. "I posted because I suffer from pretty poor self-image. Two years ago, I was dealing with an eating disorder and weighed about 30kg less than I do now, so my assessment of what I look like is distorted." Although it seems unlikely, Anya assures me that the group doesn’t trigger her, and that she isn’t actually a regular user anyway. In fact, she found relief in her comments – the few compliments gave her a real confidence boost. 

Anya is transgender and has spent the last seven years on hormones. "I've never had someone to tell me anything about my body. I’ve never had a partner or fling, even before I started my transition," she says, noting that she took her first ever nude for this group. "I don't have regrets, it showed me that I'm not so unattractive to some people."

Unfortunately, the ratings of Melissa Miele, a 35-year-old lawyer from Chetumal, Mexico, leave less to be desired. "4/10, no tits but I like the bush" says one user. Another reads: "5/10 this body needs some love. Eating right and exercising a bit will transform you, you look healthy, don’t be lazy and go for some running in the park!" It doesn’t stop her posting, though.

SEE ALSO: Find your match: The best dating apps of 2024

"I’m a realistic woman. I know I’m not beautiful and I don't have the best body, but I also know that it’s enough for some people," she tells me. "In everyday life, I don't get much attention, I’m a bisexual woman who wears masculine clothes and is always ignored. That's why I look for attention online, sometimes I need male approval."

Miele has uploaded naked photos to various sites from the age of 24. "Exhibitionism turns me on, and I started to get the attention I always craved," she adds. "I fulfilled users' requests and found the whole thing so sensual; I masturbated way too much there." Back then, Miele was posting nudes online daily, now she uses this group around twice a month. She’s engaged and keeps her activity in the group a secret from her wife-to-be, apparently only because her partner "has radical feminist ideas and hates male attention."

It feels important to stress that such negative reviews really are in the minority, though. Many of them are sweet or complimentary (sort of), whether the person is conventionally hot or not. "I don't think you're fat at all, very athletic build... You look great naked!!!!!!" says one such fella replying to a woman asking if she’s fat – also proving the comments are never far from upholding our painful beauty standards, no matter the intention. On a photo where one young woman has visible thigh scars, the comments are a-flood with men saying things like, "It seems like you’ve made a lot of progress, I’m proud of you," and, "Please promise no more cutting, you’re beautiful and perfect inside and out." Plus, "Time heals all and I hope you give yourself that."

Adrian*, 30, is a sales rep from Birmingham, UK, and he doesn’t actually do honest ratings. "It's not really people’s fault if they're not my type, there's nothing they can do about that," he tells me. "Someone who’s large and isn't, shall we say, Hollywood sexy can get a good confidence boost from flattery." Though he notes, um, "petite and perky for the win."

SEE ALSO: Celebrate Masturbation May with deals from Lovers, Lovehoney, Fun Factory, more

Adrian uses the group for its kinky side, mainly. "After all, we all want to see people we find attractive naked and it's a more personalised thing on Reddit for sure," he says. "As someone with an extremely high libido, it helps. I probably visit it a few times a week." 

Now the question you’ve been waiting for: Does he wank to the posts on there? Apparently not. "Some might get me hard, but masturbation would typically come from interactions in DMs, discussing kinks and delving into people’s sexuality." This is the crux of why Adrian uses the group: the hope that an explicit conversation will follow.

Interestingly, almost no women comment with ratings, and Adrian thinks it’s all because the comment history is public and easily viewed on your profile. This makes sense, considering it didn’t take me long to find Adrian’s first Reddit comment, from two years ago, which says: "I’d love to stretch you out." This was followed shortly by: "I'd gladly go to town on those nipples whilst you ride all my eight inches."

Adrian sees nude groups on Reddit as a safe way for people to explore their sexuality. "At best, my comment starts a dialogue with both parties turned on and enjoying it, and at worst, it's a positive comment to someone who genuinely may need a confidence boost," he adds. 

But the "at worst" of this group can be a lot more damaging for the women posting. California-based Emily*, 27, started posting on nude Reddit groups at 24. She was in a sex-less relationship and turned to the group for validation and advice on which photos to send to her boyfriend. She’s white, thin, pretty, and conventionally very attractive – she received great reactions online and her use of the groups spiralled. She soon racked up tens of thousands of followers, enough for her own Reddit page, and started posting bi-weekly and daily at one period.

"I think it made me feel less alone, it started out as a coping mechanism for a broken relationship," she says. "My favourite aspect was the conversations with people, and it was an outlet that eventually turned creatively fulfilling. As silly as it sounds, just the little amount of photography and caption writing involved really did feel like the creative output I’d been searching for." She captioned her nudes with jokes, started discussions, vented about life and even wrote poetry. 

Soon enough, a business plan formulated for turning it into an OnlyFans, like she saw so frequently from other women on Reddit – though she was torn over this for a long time, believing it would be “exploiting” her fans. "I told myself I’d eventually tell my family when I had lots of money from Only Fans and I could show it changed my life," she says. "Keeping the truth from them was exhausting." Emily’s OnlyFans era was short lived, though. Within months, she got doxxed and someone sent all her nude links to her sister on Facebook, which she managed to successfully deny, before deleting her account.

Emily was still making thousands from people she met on Reddit, anyway. Over the three years, three different men financially supported her, covering everything from rent to food. But the emotional toll ended up outweighing those benefits. 

People she grew up with started recognising her on Reddit via things like her phone case, and at the end of 2023, her anxiety attacks got so bad that she came clean to her parents. "I needed them to understand the full story," she says. "I needed to get it off my chest." In March 2024, she deleted her account for good. "I sort of started losing respect for myself," Emily continues. "Reddit is freeing and it's super vulnerable, but I think a lot of women turn to posting nude during times where they feel broken, maybe."

All the women I spoke to have a search for approval in common. For many, this Reddit group is a substitute for validation offline, a replacement for attention in places like bars or on Instagram. "The validation is definitely similar to flirting and dating apps," continues Molly. "I'm really lacking validation in my job so it’s nice." Anya says she has no easy form of validation at all.

Most of us understand that buzz of approval as Instagram likes roll-in or you’re hit on in a bar, but sourcing that addictive hit from something as secretive as this group feels even more dangerous. I’d hoped I wouldn’t be another writer bashing a Reddit group, but the thought of girls as young as 18 and 19 (or younger, seeing as there’s no age verification) getting hooked on validation via this group is harrowing. Then there’s the clear gateway to OnlyFans to think about.

But there is a place for this community. After all, there’s a dark side to most places online. I may be glad to not be scrolling through naked body after body anymore, but one thing I will miss is the reminder of how gloriously different female bodies can be. Most of us have such a blinkered view of what ‘the perfect body’ is, and how imperfect our own is, but this group really reminds you that no two bodies are the same. It’s a bit like that heart-warming feeling you look around in a public swimming pool or dance class, and see women of all different ages and sizes – though I guess these are just a little less high risk.

*Names have been changed for privacy.

Off the heels of Hinge's new Hidden Words feature, the dating app is testing another: Your Turn Limits.

The feature will limit the number of unanswered messages users have in their queue. Those with eight or more matches waiting for them to respond won't be able to match with anyone new until they answer one or more of those messages — or end the conversation (presumably, unmatch). Hinge will test Your Turn Limits in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia starting this month, with the goal to roll it out to other markets based on user feedback. This will impact both free and paid users.

SEE ALSO: Gen Z should embrace being cringe to find love, Hinge says

When users are approaching the limit, they'll see a banner on top of their messages stating they're "approaching the limit."

"When 8 or more people are waiting for a reply, you need to reply or end chats," the banner continues. "Then you can send likes."

Hinge's 'You're approaching the limit' banner on top of chats. Credit: Hinge

Once you reach the Turn Limit, you must message someone back or unmatch to start liking new people. The banner atop chats reads, "You're at the limit," with the same explanation about eight matches.

If you attempt to like someone new, you'll receive a pop-up that states, "Too many people are waiting for your reply."

Hinge's Turn Limits banner and pop-up. Credit: Hinge

In a recent Hinge study, its researchers found that 44 percent of daters cite a lack of responsiveness as a top dating challenge. Internal data also found that matches where the first message was responded to within 24 hours were 72 percent more likely to result in a date.

Your Turn Limits is a continuation of features the app has created to engender conversation — like "Your Turn" in 2017, which prompted users to start a conversation with a match and reminded them when it's their turn to reply. Last year, Hinge reorganized match lists so chats where the user needed to reply were at the top. 

In an interview with Mashable, Hinge founder and CEO Justin McLeod said he imagines this feature will go through a couple iterations as it will be a big change for some users. Depending on the result of the test, Hinge will either tweak the feature or continue to roll it out to more markets. 

Your Turn Limits will impact Hinge's entire ecosystem, McLeod continued, as it doesn't just impact those users who have more than eight unanswered matches; it also impacts the users they'll interact with more as a result of the feature. Users who talk to their current matches may stop "liking" more people on the app, so they could end up with fewer matches. But, McLeod said, "I think we'll see more conversations and more dates across a broader part of the population."

Not only does this Hinge test come shortly after the app announced a new feature of its own, but it's also coming after Bumble launched a new suite of features including a revamp of its "women make the first move" signature. Bumble CEO Lidiane Jones cited exhaustion with dating apps as a reason for "Opening Moves," a new feature that lets men message first. According to Hinge’s press release, the goal of Your Turn Limits is to, in part, "reduce dating burnout" and encourage responsiveness.

In Mashable's interview, McLeod echoed the concern for dating app fatigue. "We're keenly aware that a lot of our users are feeling burned out or skeptical of the dating app experience and we're trying to be very responsive to that," he continued, by creating features that (hopefully) get users on more dates. 

Google I/O 2024 is right around the corner, so here's what you should expect from the highly anticipated live stream.

SEE ALSO: Google I/O 2024 date announced

We thought OpenAI was going to announce a search engine ahead of I/O 2024, but as it turns out, the company, instead, released a faster model called "GPT-4o" that's free for all ChatGPT users. Now, it's your move, Google.

I/O 2024 is expected to be an important event, not only for developers and tech enthusiasts but also for Google. The company is also facing opposition from Apple, which is not only in talks with OpenAI but also has been rumored to be building its own Google-like products for some time now.

Scheduled on the heels of Apple's surprisingly revealing iPad event, Google will more than likely be eager to reveal how its tech ecosystem will be peppered with generative AI features.

Here’s everything you need to know to tune in.

SEE ALSO: Google I/O 2024: How to watch When is the Google I/O 2024 event?

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 10 a.m. PT. Here’s when it will be happening around the globe:

• New York and Toronto: 1 p.m.

• Houston and Chicago: 12 p.m.

• London: 6 p.m.

• Honolulu: 7 a.m.

• Dubai: 9 p.m.

• Lagos and Paris: 7 p.m.

• Mumbai: 11:30 p.m.

Google I/O: how to watch

You can watch the live stream directly on YouTube. You can find the embed to that below:

Google I/O: what to expectAndroid 15

I/O is set to be a pivotal event for unveiling the latest Android version, Android 15. The initial betas have introduced features such as an updated Privacy Sandbox, partial screen sharing options, system-level app archiving, enhanced satellite connectivity, more in-app camera controls, and a new power efficiency mode.

The majority of Android 15 updates, however, are expected to be revealed at the conference. According to Android Authority, some key anticipated features include satellite messaging, potential lock screen widgets for tablets, a new At a Glance widget for phones, a redesigned status bar, and improved battery health monitoring.

The event may also highlight third-party assistant integrations for Alexa and ChatGPT that could allow you to use the latter hands-free, as rumored by Android Authority. There may also be plans to introduce a privacy-focused feature called Private Space — which is expected to bring notable privacy enhancements.

Google Gemini

Speaking of AI, Google will spotlight its latest developments with Gemini, the AI chatbot previously known as Bard. The discussions will likely cover how Gemini AI is being incorporated into various Google products such as Android, Google Search, and Workspace — underlining the company's commitment to integrating AI across its ecosystem.

As reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is finalizing a deal with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into iOS. Apple wants to do the same with Gemini but those plans are still being discussed with no deal reached.

Tweet may have been deleted

According to WIRED, whatever Google announces on the AI front may be an insight into what Apple has in store for the World Wide Developers Conference in June.

Pixel Fold

Alongside these software developments, Google may give us an update on some of its hardware developments, particularly the next iteration of the Pixel Fold, which was introduced at I/O 2023. If rumors reported on by Android Police are to be believed, the new Fold will feature a larger cover screen, increased RAM, and expanded storage capacities — although the event might see a limited number of hardware announcements as Google increasingly prioritizes software and AI integration.

Tweet may have been deleted

So, don't hold high expectations for this, and if you were expecting news on the Pixel 9, sorry to disappoint.

WearOS

As confirmed in the conference's session list, definitely expect to hear about Wear OS 5. TechRadar writes that Wear OS 5 is anticipated to debut on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. This news could be announced either at I/o or during Samsung's Unpacked event rumored for July, with shipping expected in August.

As TechRadar notes, leaks suggest that Samsung is working to integrate Wear OS 5 with its new Exynos 5535 chipset, which will first appear in the Galaxy Watch 7. However, Samsung’s version of Wear OS 5 will feature the One UI Watch overlay, offering a customized user experience.

Those seeking a purer version of Wear OS 5 might have to wait for the Google Pixel Watch 3, expected to be released in October.

The trailer for "National Anthem", Luke Gilford's queer love story about a cowboy meeting a polyamorous couple, has dropped.

TL;DR: Live stream every match from the 2024 Copa America for free on Sportitalia. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

This is a huge summer for sport. The French Open, Euro 2024, Wimbledon, the Olympics, and more top events are being squeezed into just a few months. What a time to be alive.

We're not going to suggest which event will provide the best entertainment, because that's on you. But for passionate fans, electric stadiums, and some of the most talented athletes on the planet, you should check out the 2024 Copa America. The likes of Lionel Messi, Vinícius Júnior, and Federico Valverde will be on display, which is a pretty good lineup of stars.

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

What is Copa America?

The Copa America is the top men's football tournament contested by national teams from South America. It is the oldest still-running continental football competition, and determines the champions of the continent.

The 2024 Copa America will start with four groups of four teams, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout rounds. The 10 CONMEBOL members are automatically granted entry, plus six North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football teams that qualified through the CONCACAF Nations League.

When is the 2024 Copa America?

The 2024 Copa America will be the 48th edition of the tournament. This year's event will be held in the United States from June 20 to July 14.

How to watch the 2024 Copa America for free

Sportitalia will broadcast every match from the 2024 Copa America for free, with free live streaming available on its streaming service.

Sportitalia is geo-restricted to Italy, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Italy, meaning you can access Sportitalia from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of Copa America 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 Italy

4. Visit Sportitalia

5. Watch Copa America fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but 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 the 2024 Copa America before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Sportitalia?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on sites like Sportitalia, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 94 countries including Italy

• 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 Copa America for free with ExpressVPN.

Whether you're trying to manage screen time and avoid certain websites, or whether you're setting some boundaries on your kid's device, there's an easy way to block sites on your iPhone.

If it's specifically the latter, you can also set up parental controls on your iPhone — just know they're not the full answer. But if you're keen to know how to simply filter websites directly so they don't show up in Safari, here's an easy guide.

SEE ALSO: How to put iPhone in recovery mode How to block websites on iPhone Total Time

• 2 min

What You Need

• iPhone

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone.

It's the icon with the grey cogs.

Step 2: Tap "Screen Time".

Credit: Shannon Connellan / Apple

Step 3: Tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions".

You may have to enter your Screen Time passcode if you've enabled it.

Credit: Shannon Connellan / Mashable

Step 4: Toggle on the switch that reads "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and tap "Content Restrictions".

Credit: Shannon Connellan / Apple

Step 5: Tap "Web Content."

Step 6: Choose from "Unrestricted Access," "Limit Adult Websites," or "Allowed Websites."

If you pick "Limit Adult Websites" you can choose specific websites to always allow or never allow. If you pick "Allowed Websites" you can select certain websites to only allow, and you can add extra sites here.

While you're here, read Mashable's five-part series on how parents can redefine internet safety and navigate those conversations with children.

Shudder's trailer for Steven Boyle's "The Demon Disorder", a horror about a family being overrun by a disturbing disease, has dropped online.

TL;DR: Stream select fixtures from the NBA for free on Ran.de. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NBA is a unique spectacle. In no other sport can you watch incredibly tall athletes be made to look tiny by aliens who could probably touch the sun if they stood on tip toes. And almost all of these shockingly tall athletes display a skillset that mere mortals can't even fathom.

The NBA could make a legitimate argument that it hosts the very best athletes in the world. Sure, the NFL might disagree. And rugby definitely attracts some special specimens. But the NBA has a bunch of seven footers dunking on each other. That's tough to beat.

If you are interested in watching the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the NBA?

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America made up of 30 teams (29 from the United States and one from Canada). The reigning league champions are the Denver Nuggets.

When is the NBA?

The NBA regular season takes place from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The league's playoff tournament runs into June, culminating with the NBA Finals championship series.

How to watch the NBA for free

Free-to-air channel ProSieben airs select NBA games, with free live streaming available on Ran.de. Fans can watch two NBA games every weekend during the regular season, with many playoff and finals fixtures also available to watch for free.

Ran.de is geo-restricted to Germany, 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 Germany, meaning you can access this streaming service from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Connect to Ran.de

5. Watch the NBA 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 they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select NBA games 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 streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on Ran.de, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Germany

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

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming 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 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

Making the jump from Android to iOS can feel like a big decision, and one that isn't to be taken lightly. The Apple ecosystem almost seems like the mob — once you're in, it's difficult to get out.

Fortunately, it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing situation. If you like the sound of AirPods but aren't quite ready to go all in on iOS, you can still check out Apple's earphones and headphones by pairing them with your Android device. Despite the company's largely closed ecosystem, AirPods do work with Android, letting even non-iOS users get a tiny slice of Apple.

SEE ALSO: How to find your lost AirPods in every possible scenario

Here's how to use Apple AirPods with an Android device.

Total Time

• 1 min

What You Need

• AirPods
• Android device

Step 1: Turn your Android device's Bluetooth on.

This can be done by opening "Settings" and selecting "Connections," where you'll find the option to activate Bluetooth.

Step 2: Press and hold the button on your AirPods.

If you are pairing AirPods or AirPods Pro, open their charging case but leave the earbuds inside. Then press and hold the round setup button on the back of the case. If you are pairing AirPods Max, press and hold the oval noise control button, found on the top of the right ear cup. 

Step 3: Wait for light to begin flashing.

Keep pressing the button until your AirPods' status light begins flashing white, which should take about five seconds.

Step 4: Select your AirPods on your Android device to pair.

Your AirPods should then appear on your Android device's list of Bluetooth gadgets. Select it to pair.

Using AirPods without an iOS device means you won't be able to use Apple's AI voice assistant Siri. But if you just want to listen to your Spotify playlist, or scroll through TikTok without bothering everyone else on the train, Apple AirPods will work just fine with an Android device.

TikTok is reportedly playing around with AI-generated search results.

According to screenshots obtained by The Verge, the social media giant is set to introduce a tool called "AI Smart Search" with material generated by ChatGPT. As per a separate page about the search results, TikTok says it will display this content when the algorithm "finds them relevant to your search."

SEE ALSO: Is the White House being hypocritical about TikTok?

Essentially, the app is reportedly testing AI-generated summaries appearing at the top of search results only for certain queries. The Verge found these for search terms like "best laptops" and specific recipes. These highlights appear at the top of some pages with the label "AI Search highlights", and summarize key information, a concept similar to the AI-powered summaries being implemented by Yelp, Slack, and Amazon.

It's not yet clear whether this feature is rolling out officially yet. A few quick searches on my own TikTok account did not result in any AI-generated highlights. Mashable has reached out to TikTok for comment.

Featured Video For You How to block people on TikTok

The news comes shortly after TikTok announced a new approach to watermarking AI-generated content, applying these labels automatically to content made offsite.

Last year, TikTok was spotted integrating Google results and Wikipedia summaries in-app, too. The integration of these third-party providers wasn't surprising: for years, TikTok has transformed into a search engine itself, especially for its Gen-Z users.

Meanwhile, TikTok is fighting an external battle in the U.S., currently opposing a bill that requires the app's parent company, ByteDance, to divest in order to remain accessible in the country. If TikTok fails to comply, the app may face a total ban.

Even on an Air Force base tarmac, a cicada landed on the president's neck.

The spectacular emergence of a double brood of cicadas in 2024, with some 1.5 million of the harmless insects emerging per acre in some places, will result in cicadas landing on people's shirts, arms, hair, and...beyond — just as the impressive insects did in 2021. But the bugs have no real interest in people: After 13 or 17 years of munching on roots underground, the periodical broods emerge to hastily mate and lay eggs.

So what's going on? When cicadas emerge, they seek out trees, the places where they often congregate, mate, and ultimately lay eggs on the ends of branches. And to a cicada, trees and people have similarities.

"Cicadas land on people because they strongly resemble trees," explained Eric Day, an entomologist and cicada expert at Virginia Tech. "It's rare to see a cicada on the ground."

SEE ALSO: Bed bug outbreaks are real. Here's what experts want you to know.

"Insects that utilize trees are strongly attracted to upright dark silhouettes and a human standing on an open area is close enough," added Day. "So cicadas and wood-boring beetles will go right towards any dark upright object."

That's why if you're standing on a flat runway, like President Biden, a cicada may be keen to find you. "You might be the tallest structure out there," mused Day.

"You might be the tallest structure out there."

The latest cicada emergence involves two different periodical broods, which are groups that emerge in 13 or 17 year cycles, that haven't emerged together in over two centuries, since 1803 (Brood XIII and Brood XIX). They're appearing in regions of the Midwest and Southeast, as shown in a map below.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

The sheer number of cicadas that emerge over a short time in spring also likely plays a role in the cicada landings, noted George Hamilton, the chair of the Department of Entomology at Rutgers University. With potentially millions of bugs around, a structure-seeking insect is more likely to find you.

Cicadas are indeed cacophonous as males vigorously vibrate their abdomens to attract mates. But they are no threat to people. And the cicadas' short-lived emergence is a great boon to wildlife.

A U.S. Forest Service map showing the 2024 emergence of cicada broods. The red region shows Brood XIII; the blue shows Brood XIX; and the yellow shows where their emergences overlap. Credit: USDA Forest Service

"Birds snatch them up, mammals easily spot them, and insect predators consume their fill," Robert Furey, a behavioral ecologist and entomologist at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, told Mashable in 2020 when a different brood, Brood IX, emerged. "Every predator with a taste for cicada flesh takes advantage of the easy prey."

"It’s an incredibly amazing biological phenomenon." Tweet may have been deleted

Though human development and urbanization in some places may slash the number of cicadas in some places (the bugs can't bore through pavement), President Biden can probably attest that the emergences are robust.

"It’s an incredibly amazing biological phenomenon," Day told Mashable.

This story originally published during the emergence of Brood X in 2021 and has been updated.

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: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for May 14 SEE ALSO: 'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for May 14

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, May 14, 2024:

AcrossKind of board for a séance

• The answer is Ouija.

Building add-on

• The answer is annex.

Info accompanying an artist's name on a museum placard

• The answer is title.

Be a tattletale

• The answer is tell.

___ as a fox

• The answer is sly.

DownPlant-based milk option

• The answer is oat.

Meters, miles, milliliters, etc.

• The answer is units.

What a file marked "Top Secret" may contain

• The answer is intel.

Powdered donut's filling

• The answer is jelly.

Figure skater's leap

• The answer is axel.

Every month we pick and share some of our favourite infographics, visualisations and data stories. Here’s what we found in our work folders and around the web.

CREATED BY US

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» Definitions of marriage, morphing from 1600 to the present day

It's not a search engine; it's a voice assistant.

When OpenAI randomly shared late last week that it would have a big announcement to kick off Monday, rumors swirled. Was OpenAI planning to try to overshadow the planned Google I/O event that the search giant had already scheduled for the following day, Tuesday? Was OpenAI about to drop a ChatGPT-powered search engine to compete with Google?

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman seemed to dispel those rumors quickly. Then Monday came, and OpenAI announced its new AI model that combines text, vision, and audio called GPT-4o, which would be free for all ChatGPT users.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI introduces GPT-4o and a new public image as your BFF

While ChatGPT will still have a paid tier, this new free AI model certainly puts OpenAI's non-paid offerings in line with what Google's AI model, Gemini, provides its users cost-free.

In addition, the GPT store filled with third-party chatbots for ChatGPT will no longer be exclusively for paying users but also for free users, opening a whole array of different third-party developer-made ChatGPT capabilities for millions of people.

For better or for worse (and I'd argue for worse), ChatGPT is undoubtedly eating into Google's search user base. Some internet users prefer chatbots for information instead of search engines. And this latest GPT model will certainly further that.

While this may dampen any free AI-related offerings Google is planning to unveil at Google I/O, the main focus of the announcement was the multimodal voice assistant, which was the real shot across the bow from OpenAI.

ChatGPT showcases the best voice assistant so far

Google likely breathed a sigh of relief after hearing ChatGPT wasn't launching a search engine. However, the voice assistant ChatGPT showed off on Monday should worry all the companies that have integrated voice assistants into their products — from Google Assistant to Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri.

Put aside what you think of voice assistants and whether you use them as part of your daily routine and watch this:

Tweet may have been deleted

The ChatGPT voice assistant easily appears to be the best on the market. Its voice is far and away more realistic than that of voice assistants that have been on the market for years. It just sounds more human than any of its competitors, from the tone of voice to the emotions displayed when speaking.

Furthermore, the voice assistant's ability to do all that while interacting with visuals basically kills off the array of new, kitschy AI hardware like the Rabbit R1 and the Humane AI Pin. The overwhelming critique for these products was that they didn't work so well initially. However, their utility now appears to be deemed entirely obsolete. I wouldn't say Google Assistant-powered Home devices are obsolete like these AI wearables, but they now sound very…outdated.

Also, recent reports suggest Apple has been working with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to the iPhone and that Apple is looking to update its AI voice assistant, Siri. Does OpenAI's new ChatGPT voice assistant factor in with Apple, Google's most significant mobile device competitor?

OpenAI's latest announcements won't distract from Google I/O. But these new OpenAI announcements will be fresh on everyone's mind. So, even more eyeballs will be on Google's event to see what they have in store.

Of course, this all assumes OpenAI can deliver an end product comparable to what it showed off at today's event. But if they can, will Google be able to respond in kind? We'll soon find out.

TL;DR: As of May 13, listening to your favorite podcasts just got a lot easier with lifetime access to a Player FM Premium Plan, on sale for $39.99.

With an abundance of new podcasts coming to the surface each day, you’ll likely never run out of content to listen to. Make your commute, workout, or trip more enjoyable by tuning into one of 50+ million podcast episodes on the Player FM app.

This lifetime membership gives you access to both an independent library and a hub for podcasts from other platforms, where you can listen to playlists, full play history, and resume playback on a variety of devices including iPhone, Android, web, Apple Watch, and Apple CarPlay — and it's on sale for $39.99, down 66% from $120.

You’ll especially love how Player FM syncs and organizes all of your podcasts from across various platforms. Tune in offline when Wi-Fi isn’t available and continue listening without having to rely on an internet connection. Check out the turbo fetch feature and get the latest episodes as soon as they hit the platform. 

With a wide variety of topics, you can search shows, episodes and subscriptions depending on which vibe you’re feeling that day. Listen to serial shows, news, business, or comedy podcasts (just to name a few). Find out what’s trending and never miss a beat.

For a limited time, get a Player FM Premium Plan lifetime membership for only $39.99 (reg. $120).

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Opens in a new window Credit: Maple Media Player FM - Podcast Player Premium Plan: Lifetime Membership $39.99 at the Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: Explore the world of Fallout 76 on Xbox for $5.99 (save $64), featuring new quests, enemies, and the largest Fallout map ever.

Welcome to the support group for those who got addicted to Amazon Prime's new Fallout series and now have to wait at least a year for the next season. Some of us are coping by jumping into the video games, and you might be surprised by how affordable it is to play the newest game in the franchise. You can get a Fallout 76 CD key for Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S for $5.99 (reg. $69.99), savings of 91%.

Unlock hours and hours of gaming content

Fallout 76 is the ninth game in the franchise, and it’s actually a prequel where you and other characters are living under the threat of nuclear annihilation. It’s also the largest Fallout world yet, so there’s a lot of content to explore:

• New storyline: Travel to new locations, battle new enemies, collect new weapons, and work on a new reputation system.

• C.A.M.P. (Construction and Assembly Mobile Platform): Customize and defend your own settlement.

• New quests: Uncover unique adventures and mysteries.

• Limited-time challenges: After completing tasks under a time limit, you can earn rare prizes and goods to use within the game.

Defend your world alone or with friends

Play solo or online with friends in Fallout 76. This does mean you’ll need an Xbox Live account to download and install the game, and an online multiplayer subscription like Game Pass or Ultimate (sold separately).

However, the game is still being updated regularly. Check out the April 2024 release notes with the latest improvements and bug fixes.

Will you survive? Find out for just $5.99 (reg. $69.99) with the Fallout 76 CD key for Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Bethesda Game Studios 'Fallout 76' (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, CD Key) $5.99 at the Mashable Shop
$69.99 Save $64.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: Turn your car into an entertainment streaming hub for your entire crew with this Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless adapter, on sale for $89.99 (reg. $129.99).

Hitting the road for your summer trips can be a lot of fun. That is until the kids start bickering, repeatedly asking to stop and whining about how long it's taking. An easy way to prevent most of that frustration is by giving them access to their favorite streaming services on the road. This PLAYAIBOX wireless car adapter can do just that, and it's on sale for $89.99 (reg. $129.99).

This handy little adapter is a bridge between your car’s infotainment system and your smartphone, enabling you to access maps, music, contact lists, and more directly from your dashboard without the hassle of wires.

It offers built-in YouTube and Netflix access, so you never run out of content to keep the little ones happily quiet while you drive to your destination. If you want more viewing options, you can even download apps like Spotify, Hulu, and Disney+ from the integrated Google Play Store.

So, while the adapter's all about making your trip better, keep in mind that video streaming is just for passengers to enjoy. Safety on the road comes first, always. It's up to the driver to think about the risks of using this gadget and to drive safely.

While it doesn't have a built-in GPS, you can use the phone mirroring feature to cast your favorite navigation app onto your dash display screen. It is compatible with over 800 vehicle models, 2016 to the present, with OEM wired CarPlay and touchscreen. You also need to have iOS 10.0 or Android 11.0 and above to use this.

Try to make your road trips as enjoyable as possible with this wireless car adapter that can turn your dash screen into an entertainment center.

Get the PLAYAIBOX Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Wireless Adapter with streaming service support while it's on sale for $89.99 (reg. $129).

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Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Wireless Adapter with Streaming Service Support $89.99 at the Mashable Shop
$129.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: Score this 8-in-1 tablet docking stand for only $54.99 and declutter your desk.

In the same way that many tech manufacturers no longer provide charging bricks with new devices, you might have noticed that the latest gadgets are ditching ports, forcing many of us to deal with multiple dongles, adapters, and cords.

For those who value a tidy desk, this ergonomic 8-in-1 tablet docking stand is on sale for $54.99 for a limited time, eliminating the need for a bunch of adapters. And with the tablet secured to the stand, you can go hands-free and use your tablet as a laptop.

This docking stand packs all the essential ports. It's equipped with a PD/100W port, an HDMI 2.0 port, an SD/microSD slot, a 3.5mm audio port, and three USB 3.0 ports.

The PD/100W is capable of quickly charging high-power devices with up to 100W. Meanwhile, the HDMI connects your tablet to larger displays, the SD and microSD card slots allow for instant access to memory cards, the 3.5mm audio connects your wired earphones and speakers, and USB 3.0 ports cater to a wide range of other accessories, including external hard drives, keyboard, and mouse.

This stand also adjusts up to 70 degrees, while the tablet holder can tilt up to 180 degrees, letting you find the perfect angle to avoid that all-too-familiar tech neck. Plus, thanks to the aluminum alloy construction, it's designed to be sturdy. When not in use, you can fold it up for convenient storage or transport.

Declutter your desk with this 8-in-1 tablet docking stand, on sale for $54.99 for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech 8-in-1 Tablet Docking Stand $54.99 at the Mashable Shop
$69.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal