Blogroll

Play like a pro with 30% off a Backbone One Mobile gaming controller

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 17:17

GET 30% OFF: Level up your mobile gaming with the Backbone One controller for just $69.99 (save $30)!

Opens in a new window Credit: Backbone Our pick: Backbone One mobile gaming controller for iPhone $69.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

Looking to upgrade your mobile gaming experience? Amazon's got you covered with 30% off the Backbone One Mobile gaming controller.

This nifty gadget has responsive analog triggers, tactile buttons, and clickable thumbsticks so you can transform your mobile device into a full-fledged gaming console. Plus, with pass-through charging technology and a 3.5 mm headset jack, you can keep your device powered up while gaming on the go (as long as your iPhone has a lightning connector; if you have an iPhone 15, you'll need to see the USB-C version).

SEE ALSO: The best gaming deals this week, from 'Star Wars Jedi: Survivor' to 'Dead Space'

With this deal, you'll also receive a month of Backbone+ (even if you prefer to use it for gameplay without the premium subscription). The Backbone app is the central hub for your gaming experience; you can explore new games, join your friends, and share gameplay clips on social media.

Although this controller has a PlayStation-style design and features, it'll work with Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and any other game or service that supports controllers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

'The Gentlemen' cast break down the show's biggest moments

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 16:38

Mashable UK editor Shannon Connellan speaks to some of The Gentlemen's leading cast about prepping for the series, the appeal of deconstructing wealth, and some of the series' most memorable scenes.

The Gentlemen is streaming on Netflix from March 7.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Who is Ricky Stanicky? John Cena and Zac Efron break down the film's elusive character

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 16:12

John Cena and Zac Efron, Jermaine Fowler, Andrew Santino, William H. Macy and Peter Farrelly break down the film's elusive character. Ricky Stanicky is currently streaming on Prime Video.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Florida Man Games, Dune boba kiddie pools, Chauncey the Bear from 'Imaginary' slays by and more top stories

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 15:27

From Dune: Part 2's weird baths to Oscar hype, host Josh Burstein takes us on a comedic journey through the week's top stories.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix online for free

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 13:14

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for free on ORF, ServusTV, RTBF, or RTL ZWEE. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Fans of F1 are desperate for some genuine competition for Max Verstappen, but after the Bahrain GP, we're not convinced that anyone can match the pace of the Red Bull driver. But we live in hope. Things could change in Saudi Arabia this weekend. We're not sure how, but they could.

If you're interested in watching the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?

The 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix takes place over 50 laps of the 6,174-kilometre Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah. The full schedule can be found here:

  • Practice 1 — 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. GMT on March 7

  • Practice 2 — 5 to 6 p.m. GMT on March 7

  • Practice 3 — 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. GMT on March 8

  • Qualifying — 5 to 6 p.m. GMT on March 8

  • Race — 5 p.m. GMT on March 9

Sky Sports is broadcasting live coverage of every race weekend this season, with race highlights of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix available on Channel 4 after the race on March 9. But there's an alternative you should know about, and it's completely free.

How to watch the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for free

The good news is that you can stream F1 for free in 2024. The following platforms are offering free coverage of this season:

The problem is that these free streaming services are geo-restricted, meaning you'll be blocked if you attempt to connect from an unsupported location. Fortunately, you can bypass these geo-restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access these streaming services from anywhere in the world.

Unblock these free streaming services 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 Austria, Belgium, or Luxembourg

  4. Connect to ORF, ServusTV, RTBF, or RTL ZWEE

  5. Watch the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for free

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Formula 1 live streams for free. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can stream the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix without actually spending anything.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for F1?

There are a number of streaming-friendly VPNs out there, but ExpressVPN is the top choice for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 94 countries including Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg

  • 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 five simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 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 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2024 World Triathlon Championship Series Abu Dhabi online for free

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 13:10

TL;DR: Stream the 2024 World Triathlon Championship Series Abu Dhabi for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Swimmers, cyclists, and runners are all really impressive. But triathletes are on another level. To be able to perform to such a high standard in each discipline is simply incredible. It's exhausting to even watch.

If you want to watch the 2024 World Triathlon Championship Series Abu Dhabi for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the World Triathlon Championship Series?

The World Triathlon Championship Series is World Triathlon's annual series of events used to crown an annual world champion. There are multiple rounds of competitions culminating in a Grand Final race.

When is the 2024 World Triathlon Championship Series Abu Dhabi?

The World Triathlon Championship Series starts in Abu Dhabi. The full schedule for the event is as follows:

  • March 8 — Women's Race at 11:35 a.m. to 1:05 p.m. GMT

  • March 8 — Men's Race at 1:35 to 3:05 p.m. GMT

  • March 9 — Mixed Relay at 10:35 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. GMT

How to watch the 2024 World Triathlon Championship Series Abu Dhabi for free

The World Triathlon Championship Series opener in Abu Dhabi will be shown live on BBC iPlayer.

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

Access BBC iPlayer to stream the World Triathlon Championship Series 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 the UK

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

  5. Stream the World Triathlon Championship Series in Abu Dhabi for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 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 streaming sites without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the World Triathlon Championship Series in Abu Dhabi before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 94 countries including the UK

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to five simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the World Triathlon Championship Series in Abu Dhabi for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best VPNs for your iPhone

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:58

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

VPNs are great tools for anyone concerned about diminishing privacy on the internet. These days, it's difficult to surf the web without leaving behind a trail of your activity.

While there's certainly no foolproof privacy option, VPNs are a popular way to shroud your web identity, and they're available for almost any device that connects to the internet, including iOS devices like the iPhone.

What is a VPN?

A VPN forms a protected tunnel that you send all of your information through. Instead of sending and receiving information in the open, it happens under the cover of an encrypted connection between your iPhone and the websites and services that you are visiting. Nobody can see your data, and all of your activity is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.

Do you need a VPN for your iPhone?

An iPhone is an expensive purchase, and therefore something that you should really be protecting at all costs. To keep your data protected in transit, you need a VPN. With a VPN's protection, nobody can see or tweak your network traffic, not even the network's owner. VPNs encrypt your traffic before it leaves your phone. This encrypted data stream travels to a server owned by the VPN company, where it's decrypted and sent on its way. This keeps your activity under wraps.

What is the best VPN for your iPhone?

Whether or not you need a VPN is completely up to you. Your iPhone provider isn't going to recommend or offer the service. It comes down to whether or not you'd like to increase your anonymity online — and much of this depends on how you use the web.

If you do wish to invest in a VPN, we can help. We have listed the best VPNs to protect your iPhone, including popular services like PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and NordVPN.

These are the best iPhone VPNs in 2024.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best VPNs for unblocking streaming sites

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:57

We know why you're here, and that's to access more content from around the world with the help of a VPN. You can use these popular services to binge-watch all of the movies and shows you want, even if they're not usually available in your location. Once you've connected to a VPN, you'll be able to override streaming geo-restrictions and unblock everything on offer.

You've already got a lot of options when it comes to streaming, with the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ pumping out masses of great entertainment at the moment, but sometimes these sites can be cruel. We've all been in the same situation: you sign up to a service to watch a particular show, only to realise that it's not available in your location.

This is when a VPN can help.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are valuable tools for improving your online security. They help you to stay safe and anonymous online by shielding your personal data from the prying eyes of authorities and hackers.

These clever services work by hiding your IP address and rerouting your internet traffic through an encrypted VPN tunnel. This secures your bank transactions, protects your digital identity, and lets you work safely on public WiFi networks. This process also means that you can trick leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country, meaning you can watch all the extra content that is normally locked to that location.

What should you consider when subscribing to a VPN?

There are plenty of things that you should consider when it comes to streaming with a VPN, and we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to think about before subscribing:

  • Bandwidth — There are some VPNs out there that place monthly caps on network bandwidth, meaning you can only download a certain amount of data. You should avoid these services, unless you're on a free trial. If you're paying for a VPN, you should be able to download and upload as much as you want.

  • Connection speed — A VPN is going to produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything that results in painful buffering. If you're going to be streaming with a VPN, you obviously don't want anything that will impact your connection speed to the point that you can't watch a film or show without frustration.

  • Encryption — There are different levels of encryption, and whilst it's important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best options will all offer powerful protection for your data. You are likely to come across terms like "military-grade" and "enterprise-grade," which just means that you can rely on it to do its job.

  • Number of connections — The best VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account. At the very least, you should opt for a service that offers multiple simultaneous connections. This means you can stream securely on all your devices.

  • Privacy policy — It's worth paying special attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of the VPN you are planning on using. These practices should be laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren't clear, it's best to avoid. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. If privacy is the objective, it's absolutely essential that your VPN is not going to store these details. If it does, the whole thing is kind of pointless.

  • Server network — The best VPNs provide access to thousands of geographically diverse servers, which means you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming. If you want to unlock content from a particular location, you should make sure a VPN has servers in that country.

There are absolutely loads of things to consider when subscribing to a VPN, and we wouldn't expect you to remember everything. The most important things to keep in mind when searching for a streaming-friendly VPN are connection speed and server network. The rest is a bonus.

Should you use free VPNs?

The good news is that there are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, plus free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. Alternatively, you can pay for a VPN. So which option is best for you and your lifestyle?

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs. There tends to always be a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. If you're just an occasional user, these plans will work fine. But if you're going to be streaming or downloading, this isn't going to work. Free trials are a little bit different: they come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

What we're saying is that the best option for streaming securely and accessing the online world without restrictions is with a paid subscription to a VPN. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up. The best VPNs are generally the most expensive, but there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you're willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What is the best VPN for streaming?

A VPN is the safest, fastest, and most reliable way to gain access to your favourite shows, movies, sporting events, and videos. This does not mean that every VPN is great for streaming however, and some services are better suited to the job than others.

Finding a VPN for streaming is not a simple task, and that's why we've helped you out by lining up a selection of your best options. We know that everyone has a different set of priorities when it comes to connection speed, security, and customer support, and that's why this line-up offers a bit of everything.

We checked out everything on offer, and ExpressVPN, NordVPN, CyberGhost VPN, Surfshark, and more have made the cut. It's really down to you to decide on your favourite option, and we recommend taking your time and carefully considering everything on offer.

These are the best streaming VPNs in 2024.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jamie Dornan's 'Hot Ones' goes from 0 to 100 pretty damn quick

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:44

"Is that totally, like, street legal?"

This is the question Jamie Dornan pain-whispers after suffering through Da Bomb on his Hot Ones episode, shortly before describing it as "a violent leap off a cliff" and telling host Sean Evans he never wants to see him again.

Aside from that he manages to keep things fairly calm, answering questions about his lowest moment auditioning, the times he nearly gave up on acting, and his new season of The Tourist while munching through increasingly spicy wings.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for March 8

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:44

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 March 8 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 8

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, March 8, 2024:

AcrossPut away in the overhead bin
  • The answer is stow.

Pair for a skier
  • The answer is poles.

Confuse
  • The answer is addle.

With 9-Across, noted product of Vermont
  • The answer is maple.

See 8-Across
  • The answer is syrup.

Liquid-absorbing substances
  • The answer is sops.

DownSends incessant messages to
  • The answer is spams.

Bad Wordle to spoil
  • The answer is todays.

Seasoned hand
  • The answer is oldpro.

Begin to cry
  • The answer is wellup.

Slowly drips out
  • The answer is seeps.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2024 Oscars without cable

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:00
The best deals for watching the Oscars live without cable: BEST LIVE TV STREAMING SERVICE YouTube TV free trial, then $62.99 per month for 3 months (save $30) Get Deal BEST BUNDLE OPTION Hulu + Live TV (includes Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+ with ads) $76.99 per month Get Deal MOST AFFORDABLE LIVE TV STREAMING SERVICE Sling Blue $20 for your first month, then $40 per month (save $20) Get Deal BEST FOR STREAMING THE NEXT DAY Hulu with ads free 30-day trial, then $7.99 per month Get Deal BEST NON-STREAMING OPTION Gesobyte Digital Antenna $29.90 at Amazon Get Deal

Last year was full of movie magic. With Barbenheimer launching a massive return to cinema and streaming services throwing their hats into the ring, we were blessed with some truly exceptional films in 2023. On March 10, Hollywood honors those films we've fallen so hard for at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony. The Oscars will take place at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting for the fourth time. For those who cannot attend in person (aka all of us), here's everything you need to know to tune into the ceremony live — with or without cable.

When are the 2024 Oscars?

The 96th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 10, 2024 and will air live at 7 p.m. ET on ABC, with the pre-show airing ahead of it at 6:30 p.m. ET. For those with cable or over-the-air TV, you can tune your TV to your local ABC station or watch online via ABC.com or the ABC app by logging in through your pay TV service provider. No cable access? No worries; we've rounded up the best ways to watch the Oscars live without cable below.

Who are this year's Oscar nominees?

It comes as no surprise that Barbie and Oppenheimer both scored a ton of Oscar nominations after the exceptional year each film had, with the latter earning 13, the most of any film. Yet despite its eight nominations, Barbie was also snubbed in major categories — neither Greta Gerwig (the film’s director) nor Margot Robbie (its star and producer) received individual nominations.

After Oppenheimer, Poor Things and Killers of the Flower Moon came out on top with 11 and 10 nominations, respectively. Bradley Cooper's Maestro managed to nab seven, while American Fiction, Anatomy of a Fall, The Holdovers, and The Zone of Interest each earned five — including Best Picture. See a full list of the 2024 Oscar nominations below in the FAQs.

How can I watch the Oscar nominees for Best Picture?

Want to get up to date on the best films of the year (at least by the Academy's standards) ahead of the ceremony? Here's a hint: you're going to need a lot of streaming services. American Fiction, Anatomy of a Fall, Poor Things, and The Zone of Interest are currently only available to rent or purchase on digital. Meanwhile, The Holdovers and Oppenheimer are streaming on Peacock, Barbie is streaming on Max, Maestro is streaming on Netflix, Killers of the Flower Moon is streaming on Apple TV+, and Past Lives is streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime. Learn more in our roundup of the best ways to watch all 10.

How to watch the Oscars live without cable

If you've cut the cord and committed to the world of streaming, you'll need a live TV streaming service in order to watch the Oscars live. These services essentially act as cable alternatives, allowing you live access to a well-rounded channel selection via your internet connection (rather than a cable connection). Unlike cable, these services are contract-free, so you can cancel whenever you wish. And as a bonus, many of them offer free trials — that means you could very well watch the Oscars live for free, then cancel before you're charged. But we'll leave that up to you. Here are the best options (and deals) for a live TV streaming service.

Best introductory offer: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube YouTube TV free trial, then $62.99/mo for your first 3 months (save $30) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan includes over 100 live channels, including your local ABC network. You'll also get unlimited DVR space, three simultaneous streams, and up to six individual accounts with personalized recommendations. It's "arguably the best premium live TV streaming service out there," especially with the current introductory offer. For a limited time, you can get your first three months of YouTube TV for just $62.99 per month instead of $72.99 per month — that's $30 in savings. Not to mention, you can test the waters with a free 7-day trial.

Best for bundling: Hulu + Live TV Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu + Live TV Hulu + Live TV $76.99 per month Get Deal

Hulu + Live TV is pretty similar to YouTube TV, with access to over 95 live TV channels (including your local ABC network), personalized profiles, and unlimited DVR. It's a bit pricier, however, at $76.99 per month with no free trial. But we still recommend it because your subscription comes bundled with Hulu with ads, Disney+ with ads, and ESPN+ with ads (a $14.99 per month value). That's three premium streaming libraries on top of nearly 100 live channels all for just $76.99 per month.

Most affordable overall: Sling TV (only for select areas) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Blue package $20 for your first month, then $40 per month Get Deal

We love Sling for its a la carte setup and affordable pricing. You pick your package and channels depending on what you actually want to watch. In order to watch the Oscars, you'll need access to ABC, which is included in Sling's Blue base package. Unfortunately, since ABC is a local network, it's only available in some local markets. Check to see if your local market includes ABC before you pull the trigger — Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, and more are included. Typically, Sling's base package costs $40 per month, but with the current introductory offer, you'll pay just $20 for your first month.

Best for streaming later: Hulu with ads Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu with ads free 30-day trial, then $7.99 per month Get Deal

If you can properly avoid spoilers, a regular Hulu with ads subscription will give you access to the ceremony the day after the live show on March 11. It's by far the cheapest option: you can sign up for free for 30 days, then it'll cost you just $7.99 per month. You won't get all the excitement that comes with watching live, but if you don't mind that, this is your best bet.

Honorable mention: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV free 7-day trial, $79.99 per month Get Deal

Another live TV streaming service similar to YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, Fubo is more-so geared at sports fans. It includes access to your local ABC network, as well as over 100 other live channels. Plus, you can test it out for seven days. After that, you'll have to pay $79.99 per month, making it one of the more expensive options on the list.

Honorable mention: DirecTV Stream Opens in a new window Credit: DirecTV Stream DirecTV Stream starting at $69.99 per month Get Deal

DirecTV Stream offers another reliable live TV viewing experience, with your local ABC network and other favorites. However, its plans can get pretty expensive due to hidden fees. They start at $69.99 per month for the 75+ channel plan.

Another option for watching live: get a digital antenna Opens in a new window Credit: Gesobyte Gesobyte Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna $29.90 at Amazon
Shop Now

If you live close enough to your local TV station broadcast towers, you can access broadcasts live and for free with a digital antenna. There are a ton of options on the market — check out these recommendations from our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) — ranging in price and style. Check the distance range before making a purchase. The closer you are, the clearer your local broadcasts will come through. For example, the one above by Gesobyte, which has over 33,000 5-star reviews, costs less than $30 and offers a 250-mile range.

Categories: IT General, Technology

ChatGPT: How to make it read responses aloud

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:00

Wondering how to make ChatGPT read its text responses aloud? In case you missed it, OpenAI announced the new feature on Monday.

The perk is rolling out to the Android, iOS, and web versions of the popular AI platform. But you may be wondering, "How do I activate this feature?" Allow us to show you in a few simple steps.

(Note that this feature is different from ChatGPT Voice, which lets you have full-blown conversations with the AI assistant.)

How to make ChatGPT read its responses aloud

As mentioned, you can prompt ChatGPT to read its responses aloud, which is particularly useful if it spits out a lengthy response. Instead of reading it yourself, you can make ChatGPT verbalize it for you.

In this tutorial, we'll be using the iOS ChatGPT app as our model.

Total Time
  • 3 min
What You Need
  • iPhone

Step 1: Launch ChatGPT

Fire up ChatGPT on Android or iPhone. (Make sure the app is updated before launching it.)

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Step 2: Ask ChatGPT a question to prompt a response

Fire off a question or statement to ChatGPT and wait for a response from the AI assistant.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Step 3: Long press the response

After long pressing the response, a menu will appear. Tap on "Read Aloud." Soon after, you'll hear a voice read the message.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The ChatGPT read aloud feature should be available to all users, whether you have a subscription or not. If you don't see the new feature yet, try updating the app. If you're still having trouble, don't worry. Wait a bit and try again — the new tool is rolling out to users gradually.

Categories: IT General, Technology

'Love Lies Bleeding' review: Kristen Stewart headlines gnarly masterpiece

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:00

There are movies that grab you by the throat. There are movies that punch you in the gut. Love Lies Bleeding is both, and I fucking love it. 

From the mind of Rose Glass, writer/director of the 2020 stunner Saint Maud, comes a queer romance that's as packed with thrills as it is with raw sensuality and dazzling star power. Come for Kristen Stewart sporting a DIY mullet and a dirty mouth. Come for Katy O'Brian (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania's scene-stealing warrior princess Jentorra) flexing not only her muscles but her range as a beguiling bodybuilder with a perm as big as her dreams. Come for Ed Harris and Dave Franco in roles both comedic and nerve-rattling. But come. 

Love Lies Bleeding is a gnarly masterpiece, and you're gonna want to see it on a big screen with the best sound system possible. 

What is Love Lies Bleeding about? Credit: A24

Set in 1980s New Mexico, Love Lies Bleeding centers on the kismet romance of Lou (Kristen Stewart) and Jackie (Katy O'Brian) The two cross paths at a grimy garage gym, the kind where the stink of sweat will never leave the cinderblock walls and cement floor. Handmade signs boast proclamations that "Pain is weakness leaving the body," and "If you believe it, your body can achieve it."

Stewart, who has dazzled on countless red carpets, begins the film elbow-deep in an overloaded toilet. Lou runs the gym, everything from checking in members to closing at night and cleaning the can. In a rundown town, she willingly lives on the fringe, not because she is queer but because she's had a brutal falling-out with her father, local kingpin Lou Sr. (Ed Harris). 

Jackie swans into town as if she's never had a bad day, her smile radiant, her hair bouncy, her muscles glorious. She knows she's a bombshell, and she relishes the attention from gym rats, sketchy would-be employers, and the surly "grade-A dyke" who runs the gym. After a shared glance, and then a shared cigarette, Lou and Jackie rush headlong into sharing more and more of themselves — their bodies, their dreams, and eventually their secrets. Jackie dreams of dominating a bodybuilding competition in Vegas that could change her life for the better. Lou dreams of a world where she doesn’t have to fear for her sister Beth (Jena Malone), who is the devoted punching bag of her abusive husband JJ (Dave Franco).

Their path to these dreams is one thick with violence, impulse, and regret. But the only way out is through. And so in an attempt to save them both from retribution, they must believe in each other and achieve more than they could ever imagine.

Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brian are mesmerizing together. Credit: A24

Stewart, who was a child actor in adult fare like The Safety of Objects and Panic Room, found mainstream success via the Twilight franchise, but she's effortlessly swung between arty indies (Personal Shopper, Spencer, Love Me) and glossy studio flicks (Underwater, Happiest Season) throughout her career. In her latest, she wears a sneer of a haircut and a sulking disposition, spitting insults at a world that's only treated her badly. But the moment she and O'Brian share a frame, there's a kinetic transformation, a spark in her eyes reflected in her co-star's. Together, their chemistry is electrifying.

Love Lies Bleeding doesn't shy away from sex. Far from the glossy nonsense that plays to straight male fantasies, their fucking is raw, passionate, even clumsy. Close-ups of hands groping flesh and tearing away panties, dirty talk with lips bitten in response. These smoking hot scenes of sapphic love scoff at the tedious online outrage about sex and cinema. Sure, these scenes are titillating. But more than that, they exhibit the ravenousness of these misfits — their need for a connection to someone who really sees them. And they see each other with a definitely female gaze that recognizes warts and all. Or in this case, much blood, sweat, tears, and goop. 

Love isn't easy here. Melodrama flares up with both characters, grabbing on with a ruthless grip that makes every moment exhilarating. Who needs cardio or therapy when Rose Glass is making movies?

Visceral visual splendor and aural horror.  Credit: A24

Glass doesn't waste a frame while building her heady aesthetic. Love Lies Bleeding opens at the bottom of a deep canyon, lit red as fresh blood and looking up at a dark blue, star-studded sky. This proves a sign of what's to come; the same red hue colors flashbacks to a horrid memory. The stars twinkle like the light in Jackie’s eyes or the sequins on her competition bikini. A town caked in dirt, Jackie stands out in her pink and shimmery gym gear. Though built to take on any fight, she is a naive innocent in the seamy underbelly of Lou's family. 

The sound effects ripple with sounds of squelching and tearing. The wet amid the desert underlines the catastrophic collision of hard muscles and fragile emotions. Sometimes these squishing sounds give an expressive oomph to a moment of dramatic tension or to a physical transformation. Sometimes it's a gut-churning sound of violence to drive an offscreen blow right to the bone. Saint Maud also boasted a bold and unnerving soundscape and blood-curdling violence. Love Lies Bleeding proves its spiritual sister, not only in disturbing jolts but also in its ardent leap of faith. 

Love Lies Bleeding is a hopeless romantics' tale turned toxic.  Credit: A24

To follow a stranger home. To move in after one night together. To take on the powers that be. To dream of running away together. Every step of their love is a leap of faith. Though the film stretches into elements of the fantastical, Glass won't let the audience escape the grisly labyrinth of bloody sacrifices made in the name of love. 

Here's where supporting players lend a helping (or hurting) hand. Franco's breezy charm curdles beneath a stringy mullet and uncool dad mustache. Malone's signature sassiness is erased with a dopey broad smile, accented by a split lip and quivering stare. Playing a lovelorn local who'd die for Lou, Anna Baryshnikov (Dickinson) has the air of '60s-era Goldie Hawn on meth — sweet yet savage. Then there's the intoxicating horror of Harris's perturbing patriarch. 

With a long, thinning, gray crescent of hair, he instantly strikes an air of an aging tyrant holding onto flourishes that no longer suit him. Surrounded by bug terrariums and many, many guns, he's an eccentric figure who exudes menace to his underlings, speaking in a low, impatient growl or firing a shot by their heads if he catches them loafing. But in scenes with his daughters, the growl softens — even in the face of Lou's hate. And in this softness, he alludes to a long and complicated relationship, one where cruelty and commendations came with equal intensity. This makes his every syllable one to hang on. Because we, like Lou, know that at any moment the flip my switch. 

In every relationship within Love Lies Bleeding, Glass gives a sense of good and bad, daring audiences to find the line when enough is too much. 

Love Lies Bleeding is a must-see — full-stop.   Credit: A24

Incredibly among the life-or-death drama, lusty romance, and pulpy action, Love Lies Bleeding is wickedly funny. A moment of carefully planted levity here or lunacy there encourages the audience to revel amid moments of revulsion, reminding us of the couple's dizzying newlywed phase even in their darkest moments.

Weaving together tones this different with such grace, Glass is a marvel. Despite its provocative sex scenes and horrific violence, the most outrageous thing about Love Lies Bleeding might be that it's only her second film. Her confidence and trust in the audience would be laudable even if the film didn't work as well as it does. And it works so hard, the audiences leaves out of breath. 

By giving us leading ladies this enchanting, she makes it impossible not to root for Lou and Jackie, but she doesn’t let us off the hook for falling for them. Instead, she delivers an ending that is fearless, fun, and unforgettable. As harrowing as it is tender, as horny as it is horrifying, Love Lies Bleeding is one of the best films of 2024. 

Love Lies Bleeding opens in limited theatrical release March 8, then expands nationwide March 15.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The women fighting to make women and girls safe in the digital age

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:00

So much of our lives are now lived online. From meeting partners via dating apps, starting a business from scratch and using social media to find clients, or attending work or education remotely, the online world is where we now spend a great deal of our time. But for women, girls, and marginalised people, the digital era also opened up new opportunities for harm and abuse.

Issues like image-based sexual abuse, deepfakes, sexist bias, and surveillance have come to the forefront of conversations around women and digital safety, but harms continue to persist as legislation is slow to catch up. But women are fighting back to ensure that the digital age serves women rather than excludes them, and to insist that the online world is one that we can exist in safely and unapologetically.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting a list of the women and organisations that are working to make our digital world a safer and more empowering place for women and girls.

SEE ALSO: Deepfakes of Taylor Swift have gone viral. How does this keep happening? Seyi Akiwowo, founder of Glitch

At the age of 23, Akiwowo was elected as the youngest Black female Councillor in East London; a monumental achievement. For Akiwowo, what should have been a cause for celebration ended up being an experience which subjected her to viral online abuse. When the speech she gave to the European Parliament calling out racism went viral, she was met with the full force of online abuse. By using her platform to launch a campaign to "Fix the Glitch," this led her to found Glitch, a not-for-profit which delivers workshops on digital safety and wellbeing. Following their joint campaign with the End Violence Against Women Coalition, the UK government integrated women and girls’ safety into the Online Safety Act, and Glitch are now calling for all political parties to address online abuse in their political manifestos. Her book How To Stay Safe Online is a practical handbook for women and marginalised genders, equipping them with the tools to protect our digital wellbeing.

Seyi Akiwowo, founder of Glitch. Credit: Glitch Georgia Harrison, campaigner and reality TV star

Image-based sexual abuse went from being a personal battle that many victims battled in private to a national campaign when Love Island star Georgia Harrison took her ex-partner Stephen Bear to court for non-consensual sharing. In 2020, Bear had uploaded an intimate video of them on his OnlyFans account, and soon after ‘Georgia Harrison sex tape’ became a top Google search. But after taking the courage to waive her right to anonymity, her campaigning led to a monumental change in the law. It removed the need for intent to cause distress or humiliation for non-consensual sharing to be prosecuted, therefore making it much easier to prosecute and giving countless victims a better chance of justice against this type of digital abuse.

'Love Island' contestant, Georgia Harrison at a demonstration organised by Refuge outside the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, in April 2023, calling for specific protections to be included in the Online Safety Bill. Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League 

Computer scientist Joy Buolamwini was a scholar at MIT’s Media Lab working on her first design project at the institution when she experienced first hand the impacts of racial bias on digital technology. Buolamwini created what she called the Aspire Mirror, which used face-tracking software to register the movements of the user and overlay them onto an aspirational figure. When she realised the facial recognition wouldn’t detect her until she was holding a white mask over her face, she was confronted face on with what she termed the "coded gaze". She soon founded the Algorithmic Justice League, which exists to prevent AI harms and increase accountability. Since then, she has written Unmasking AI, her debut bestselling book on redesigning and reclaiming AI for the good of humanity. In an age where algorithms are replacing humans, this accountability and transparency is essential to preventing technology from creating new risks or entrenching existing inequalities.

Joy Buolamwini, president of the Algorithmic Justice League, speaks during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) annual meeting in New York in Sept. 2023. Credit: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images Elena Michael, Director and Co-Founder of Not Your Porn

Not Your Porn is a survivor-led organisation that supports women and girls who have experienced image-based sexual abuse. Michael got involved in Not Your Porn while at law school. Michael and Kate Isaacs, who started the campaign, got in contact over Twitter and since then Michael has gone on to run the campaign with two fellow campaigners. Michael directs Not Your Porn alongside her day job working in support services for neurodivergent children and adults.

In 2024, Not Your Porn will be launching their Survivor Network, which aims to provide a safe space for survivors and raise greater awareness of image-based sexual abuse. In Feb. 2024, Not Your Porn signed a joint letter to Ofcom alongside 43 other specialist organisations and experts, warning that they are not effectively tackling illegal content relating to stalking, harassment and image-based sexual abuse, which is preventing a safer internet for women.

European Sex Workers Alliance

When it comes to online safety, sex workers are often overlooked. Due to the criminalisation of sex work in many countries, the human rights of sex workers are often ignored and not upheld, meaning that they experience disproportionate harms and digital risks. European Sex Workers Alliance are using the lived experiences of sex workers to shape and influence EU and national policymaking, ensuring that sex workers’ voices are heard and their rights protected. 

SEE ALSO: Is WhatsApp banning sex worker accounts?

From their recent lobbying, they got big porn platforms included in the list of Very Large Online Platforms, meaning that the EU’s new Digital Services Act will impose the same accountability and transparency rules on large porn platforms that social media giants are subject to. In April 2024, they are hosting the first Convention on Sex Work, Technology and Human Rights: Digital Rights for All, to bring sex workers and digital rights activists together to learn and collaborate. 

Alice Hendy, Founder of R;pple

Any loss is immensely painful, but loss to suicide is something that changes you forever. Alice Hendy lost her brother Josh to suicide in 2020, when he was aged 21. After looking through his laptop, she realised that Josh was looking at harmful content online before his death, Hendy founded R;pple, a web browser extension that intercepts when people are at their most vulnerable. Once downloaded, if someone searches for content relating to suicide or self-harm, it signposts people to mental health resources and services that can help. 

The work that Hendy has done to prevent suicide and intervene when people are at their lowest is changing lives already; 24 individuals have come to them directly to say they’re still here because of R;pple’s interventions. Hendy was awarded an MBE this year for her services, demonstrating the transformative power that tech designed for good can have on our safety and wellbeing.

Sneha Revanur, founder of Encode Justice

At age 15, Revanur founded Encode Justice, a youth led AI-focused civil society group, to rally against the adoption of a risk-based algorithm in replacement of cash bail. In the three years since its founding, the organisation has grown from her home state of California, to an international movement of 800 members across 30 countries. Encode Justice has contributed to restriction of surveillance in multiple states, spearheaded advocacy for over 10 pieces of federal legislation and helped shape the White House’s Bill of Rights for an Automated Society and President Biden’s executive order on AI. Listed as one of TIME’s 100 AI, she is a groundbreaking Gen Z organiser, who recognises the radical potential and vital role that younger generations play in shaping our digital world for the better. 

Sneha Revanur speaks onstage during Unfinished Live at The Shed in Sept. 2022 in New York City. Credit: Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Unfinished Live Black Girls Code

We are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of closing the STEM gender gap, in an age where technology shapes so many aspects of our lives. The gaps in representation in tech teams results in biased products, be it racist facial recognition software or sexist chatbots. Historically, women have been excluded from the tech industry, and women of colour in particular are historically underrepresented in tech, with just 3 percent of Black women making up the IT workforce. This is what led to the creation of Black Girls Code, which aims to get 1 million girls of colour in tech by 2040. Founded in 2011 by Kimberly Bryant, an African American electrical engineer, the organisation reached over 2.5 million girls and young women in 2023 alone. By closing the STEM gender gap and focusing on girls and women of colour aged between seven and 25, this organisation is making our digital world feminist by design. 

Kimberly Bryant, CEO Black Girls Code, speaking at Glamour Women Of The Year 2016 LIVE Summit in Hollywood in 2016. Credit: Mike Windle/Getty Images for Glamour Hera Hussain, founder of Chayn

Hera Hussain was born in the UK but grew up in Pakistan. After helping two friends escape abusive marriages and realising the challenges to finding basic information about their rights and how to cope with gender-based trauma. This led her to found Chayn, a survivor-led non profit organisation that provides women experiencing abuse with online resources and services in multiple languages.

The resources Chayn provides are free and written by survivors and trauma experts from around the world, ranging from guides on online safety to video courses on healing from image-based abuse and toxic relationships and getting one-to-one reflective support through chat from their Bloom project. More than 500,000 people have benefited from Chayn's services since 2013. In order to make technology safer by design, they also do research on how technology can be made trauma-informed so there’s less abuse.

Hera Hussain, founder of Chayn. Credit: Chayn

If you have experienced sexual abuse, if you are based in the U.S., call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org. If you have had intimate images shared without your consent, call the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative’s 24/7 hotline at 844-878-2274 for free, confidential support. The CCRI website also includes helpful information as well as a list of international resources.

If you are based in the UK and have experienced intimate image abuse (aka revenge porn), you can contact the Revenge Porn Helpline on 0345 6000 459. If you have experienced sexual violence and are based in the UK, call the Rape Crisis helpline 0808 802 9999.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988; the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860; or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch 'Anatomy of a Fall': Where is the Oscar-nominated film streaming?

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:00
The best streaming deals to watch 'Anatomy of a Fall': BEST FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS Hulu (with ads) trial Free for 30 days, then $7.99/month (save 16%) Get Deal BEST BUNDLE DEAL Hulu and Disney+ (with ads) $9.99/month (save $5.99/month) Get Deal BEST FOR T-MOBILE CUSTOMERS Hulu Basic (with ads) Free on Go5G Next T-Mobile plans (save $79.99/year) Get Deal BEST FOR STUDENTS Spotify Premium for Students with Hulu Free one-month trial, then $5.99/month (save up to $12.99/month) Get Deal BEST FOR LONG-TERM SUBSCRIBERS Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $79.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal BEST FOR WATCHING BEFORE THE OSCARS Rent 'Anatomy of a Fall' on Prime Video $5.99 Get Deal

Justine Triet's Anatomy of a Fall, one of our favorite movies of 2023, hits Hulu this month. The film took home the Palme d'Or at last year's Cannes Film Festival and is nominated for five Oscars this year, including Best Picture and Best Director. If you missed this explosive courtroom drama amidst the overflow of excellent cinema in 2023, now's your chance to get caught up.

While the movie won't hit streaming until after the Oscars on March 10, you can still watch it beforehand. Here's everything you need to know to watch Anatomy of a Fall at home.

SEE ALSO: How to watch all of the 2024 Best Picture nominees before the Oscars What is Anatomy of a Fall about?

The initial premise of Anatomy of a Fall is a mystery. Did the man lying dead in the snow below his family's cabin accidentally fall, intentionally jump, or get pushed?

Sandra (played by Sandra Hüller), a German novelist, is accused of killing her husband, Samuel (Samuel Theis) at their isolated French chalet. A year later, we see their relationship scrutinized and picked apart in the courtroom. "What follows is brutally tense and darkly funny, a riveting experiment in cinematic allegiance that sports brilliant performances from Hüller, Milo Machado Graner, Swann Arlaud, and one very good dog," Mashable entertainment reporter Belen Edwards writes in her synopsis.

Read our full review of Anatomy of a Fall.

Featured Video For You The (very) brief Oscars history of women nominated for Best Director How to watch Anatomy of a Fall

Want to watch Anatomy of a Fall before the Oscars? It's currently available to rent or purchase via video-on-demand retailers for around $5.99 or $14.99, respectively. Just note that with rentals, you'll only have 30 days to begin watching and just 48 hours to finish once you start.

Here are the quick links to rent or purchase the film on digital:

  • Prime Video — $5.99 to rent / $14.99 to buy

  • Apple TV+$5.99 to rent / $14.99 to buy

  • Google Play — $6.99 to rent / $14.99 to buy

  • Vudu — $5.99 to rent / $14.99 to buy

  • YouTube$6.99 to rent / $14.99 to buy

When is Anatomy of a Fall streaming?

Although you can still find it in select theaters nationwide, Anatomy of a Fall is set to make its streaming debut on March 22, 2024 exclusively on Hulu. Unfortunately, that's after the Oscars on March 10. If you want to watch it before the ceremony, you'll have to rent or purchase the film via a video-on-demand service, as noted above. If you don't mind the wait, you can stream the film on Hulu. Not a Hulu subscriber? Keep reading to learn the best ways to sign up, including a generous trial that could let you watch Anatomy of a Fall for free.

Where to stream Anatomy of a Fall: The best Hulu deals

If you want to stream Anatomy of a Fall come March 22, you'll need a Hulu subscription. Of course, it's not as cut and dry as you may think. There are monthly and annual options, ad-supported and ad-free tiers, free trials, third-party deals, and even bundles to choose from. Lucky for you, we've broken down all the details below to help you make the best choice for your streaming needs (and for your budget).

Best for new (or returning) subscribers: Hulu 30-day free trial Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free 30-day trial, then starting at $7.99 per month Watch Now

If you're brand new or returning to Hulu after cancelling previously, you can get a 30-day trial period and easily watch Anatomy of a Fall (and plenty of other great films) for free. Just be sure to cancel before your 30 days are up if you want to avoid charges. If you decide to keep your subscription going after your trial, it'll run you $7.99 per month with ads or $17.99 per month without ads.

Best for long-term viewing: Hulu (with ads) annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $79.99 per year (save 16%) Watch Now

For those who don't qualify for the free trial, the best way to save some money on your subscription is to pay for a yearly plan instead of a monthly plan. It typically costs $7.99 per month for the ad-supported tier, but if you opt for an annual plan, that monthly fee drops to just $6.67 per month. Paying $79.99 up front is certainly an investment, but you'll end up saving about 16% over a year's time. If you plan on watching more than just Anatomy of a Fall, sticking around long term definitely gets you more bang for your buck.

Best for T-Mobile customers: Hulu (with ads) included for one year Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile / Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free with T-Mobile Go5G Next plan Watch Now

As of late January, T-Mobile customers on the Go5G Next plan can get Hulu with ads for free. To claim your free subscription, just head over to the T-Mobile website and choose "redeem now." Then, enter your T-Mobile number and account details to sign up for Hulu. After your initial 12-month promotional period, you will be prompted to take action to keep your Hulu subscription going. But otherwise, this deal is pretty direct.

Best for students: Spotify Premium for Students with Hulu Opens in a new window Credit: Spotify / Hulu Spotify Premium for Students with Hulu Free 30-day trial, then $5.99 per month Watch Now

Students have access to some of the best streaming deals around. When it comes to Hulu, there are a couple different ways to save. First up, there's Spotify Premium for Students, which includes access to both Spotify Premium as well as Hulu with ads for only $5.99 per month. Better yet, you can test it out for a month before paying anything. The only requirement is that you can prove you're a student through SheerID.

Another option is to sign up for a Hulu student account on its own. While there's no free trial, it'll only cost you $1.99 per month — that's 75% in savings compared to the usual monthly cost. Like the first option, you'll have to be able to prove you're a college student via SheerID in order to claim the deal.

Best bundle deal: Hulu + Disney+ (with ads) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Hulu + Disney+ (with ads) $9.99 per month (save 37%) Watch Now

This popular Disney bundle is the top streaming deal for most people. It may not be the best option for you if you're simply looking to watch Anatomy of a Fall, but if you want to watch as many TV shows and movies as possible, then look no further. With the Disney Duo bundle, you'll get access to the full Disney+ streaming catalog, as well as the full Hulu catalog (both with ads) for only $9.99 per month. That's just $2 more per month than paying for Hulu on its own (or 37% in savings).

Sports fans can also toss ESPN+ into the mix with the Disney Trio bundle for only $14.99 (44% in savings) per month. If you don't mind a few ads here and there and you want access to as much content as possible for your money, the Disney bundle has you covered.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save an extra 20% on this multifunctional keyring

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:00

TL;DR: Through March 10, get the WonderCube Pro all-in-one mobile keyring at an extra 20% discount with code ENJOY20.

Modern living means being able to video chat with your friends across the country at a moment's notice. It also means needing to carry around an arsenal of wires, chargers, and gadgets just to stay connected while on the go. The minds at WonderCube have given us an adorable solution for that, but don't let the size fool you.

The WonderCube Pro is made to be an all-in-one mobile solution for keeping your digital world afloat without too much clutter. And you can save an extra 20% when you use code ENJOY20 through March 10.

Packed with features and designed with portability and convenience in mind, it acts as a universal charger for all of your Android and Apple devices. It has a one-inch foldout USB cord. The gold-plated connectors with the USB charge offer easy, fast charging.

On top of the charging options, it can sync and transfer super fast, and it has tiny micro-suction cups that allow it to work like a phone stand in a pinch. A built-in flashlight and emergency charger round out the features.

Measuring just one cubic inch, WonderCube Pro is designed to be as small and portable as possible. Attach it to your keyring, backpack, or purse, and take it with you wherever you go.

Upgrade your on-the-go lifestyle to include this little wonder.

Get the WonderCube Pro Keyring while it's on sale for $35.19 when you use code ENJOY20 through March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: WonderCube WonderCube Pro: All-In-One Mobile Keyring $43.99
$70.00 Save $26.01 with code ENJOY20 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Get 20TB of cloud storage for life for $72

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:00

TL;DR: Through March 10, get a lifetime subscription to 20TB of Prism Drive Cloud Storage for just $71.98 with code ENJOY20.

Those low storage warnings are no fun, but it's hard to get rid of them for good when you're working with less and less space on your devices. You may have deleted everything you can delete, but sometimes there are files you don't necessarily use that you also don't want to get rid of. Whether they're family photos, old homework files from school, or important work documents, not every file has to be something you use every day. If you have one place to keep all your extra files, then you can clear some space on your devices and save everything you want. 

That's where Prism Drive comes into play. This lifetime cloud storage service gives you 20TB to use as you please, and it's only $71.98 if you purchase with this limited-time coupon ENJOY20.

20TB for life

Prism Drive is a secure solution for backing up your files. Whether you're using it for yourself or for the whole family, Prism Drive lets you keep all your files in one secure location that's all yours for life. 

Uploading your pictures isn't the same as locking them away in an old album. Prism Drive makes it easy to share your files with shareable links, so you can send anyone access to the photos you want them to see. 

This cloud service also makes it easy for you to do your own file management with tools like file previews. You can view photos or watch videos without downloading them, so they remain safely locked behind the 256-bit AES encryption. 

Free space on your hard drive

Stop letting pictures and old files clog your phone, tablet, or computer.

Until March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get a Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage 20TB lifetime subscription for just $71.98 with code ENJOY20. That's the best price online, too. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Prism Drive Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (20TB) $99.99
$1,494.00 Save $1,394.01 with code ENJOY20 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Game on with this licensed Atari console for $55.99

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:00

TL;DR: Through March 20, get an open-box officially licensed My Arcade Atari Game Station Pro for only $55.99 with discount code ENJOY20.

Whether you're playing with the same old gaming buddy or trying to show your kids what games were like when you were a kid, those old games never really get old. And it's a good thing they don't because you can still play them, but now you don't need an old TV and an ancient console to play them on. 

Instead, you can get a full library of games at the same time you get the console to play them on, and the whole thing is seriously marked down. The My Arcade Atari Game Station Pro comes with games already built in, and you get it for $55.99 with coupon code ENJOY20 through March 10.

Find your 'Player 2'

This console is licensed by Atari, so it's the real deal. The discount is because it's an open-box return, meaning it's in like-new condition but may have been a floor model or was returned having barely been out of the box. 

This game console features over 200 built-in Atari games. Relive the golden age of gaming with two 2.4 GHz wireless joysticks inspired by the original Atari design.

Just connect the console to your TV and enjoy a wide variety of classic titles like Asteroids®, Centipede®, PONG®, Breakout®, Missile Command®, and Warlords®. The console connects directly to the TV via HDMI, so you may not need any adapters or old-school cables. The joysticks are totally wireless. And though you may remember some games being unforgiving, this modern iteration gives you the option to save your progress whenever you want. 

200+ games pre-loaded and ready to play

The days of old-school couch co-op games aren't over. They're just retro now, but you can still grab your favorite gaming buddy and play some classic titles together with a few modern twists for convenience. 

Until March 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT, use code ENJOY20 to get the My Arcade Atari Game Station Pro for just $55.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: My Arcade My Arcade Atari Game Station Pro: Video Game Console with 200+ Games (Open Box) $69.99
$99.99 Save $30.00 with code ENJOY20 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Here's why celebs might sport red buttons on the Oscars red carpet

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:00

If you spy a small red button on the lapel or dress straps of Hollywood's finest this weekend, know that it's not a stylish accessory or Oscars red carpet necessity, but instead the latest attention-garnering symbol of a humanitarian outcry.

The pins, which feature the image of a red, outstretched hand holding a black heart in its palm, are the official ready-to-wear symbol of the Artists for Ceasefire initiative, which began with an industry-wide letter signed by actors, musicians, and other creatives asking President Joe Biden to back a congressional call for immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel. 

Artists for Ceasefire is one of many campaigns, including those backed by political representatives, asking the U.S. government to take a stand against the deadly conflict. "Ceasefire now!" has become a rallying cry for outraged global citizens, and celebrities have adopted the phrase as both an indication of pro-Palestinian sentiment and as a general statement against violence.  

SEE ALSO: The Oscars social media frenzy fundamentally misunderstands 'Barbie'

Periods of ceasefire following widespread armed conflict are a throughline in the history of Israel and occupied Palestine, and represent a chance for humanitarian aid to more effectively enter the region. Following the events of Oct. 7 and a brief week-long ceasefire, global leaders have introduced several rejected proposals for a long-term cessation of conflict. Experts believe that U.S. leadership's call for a ceasefire may act as a catalyst for brokering a longer-term ceasefire, as the death toll climbs to upwards of 30,000. Thus, the global call for ceasefire is seen by many activists as a bare minimum humanitarian solution to curb ongoing violence and displacement taking over the region. 

On March 3, Vice President Kamala Harris finally vocalized support for a six-week long ceasefire, calling the conflict a "humanitarian catastrophe" displaying an "immense scale of human suffering." While the Academy Awards ceremony wields significantly less geopolitical influence than the White House, the event has seen its fair share of Hollywood elites cementing their political stances and actions on stage, from anti-war statements in the 1970s and early 2000s to calls for action during the AIDS epidemic and the ongoing climate crisis.

This year's red carpet offers similarly salient ground for continued public and social attention. 

Last year, celebrities took a similar, but differently aligned, stance at the 2023 Academy Awards ceremony in support of the Ukrainian refugee crisis. Main category nominees like Cate Blanchett and Dolly DeLeon pinned small, handmade blue ribbons to their outfits ahead of press photos, part of a United Nations–backed symbolic campaign. 

This time around, the movement is for the civilians of Gaza, where deaths climb and the UN warns that widespread famine looms unless aid is brought in. The Artists for Ceasefire campaign, launched in October, is backed by global anti-poverty organization Oxfam America and international social justice network ActionAid USA. 

Other consensus-gathering initiatives have appeared across industries, including a letter introduced by the Musicians for Ceasefire initiative, which has since gathered thousands of signatures. "We cannot be silent. We draw inspiration from Artists Against Apartheid that helped end apartheid in South Africa," the letter reads. "We refuse to let our music be used to whitewash oppression and human rights violations anywhere. We insist that all governments stop sending weapons and military funding to Israel and to any other state involved in crimes against humanity."

The recently announced Athletes for Ceasefire has gathered hundreds of signatures from current and retired professional athletes, as well, with the letter noting "the right of the Palestinian people to live in peace and security" and calling attention to the industry's history of activism: "In signing this letter, we continue a long legacy of athletes speaking up for the human rights of all people, such as Olympians John Carlos and Tommie Smith who raised their fists at the 1968 games in part to demand that apartheid South Africa and Rhodesia be held to account. We stand in the proud tradition of 'The Greatest' Muhammad Ali who stood for Palestinian freedom throughout his life both in word and deed."

Social media accounts like @Ceasefire_Tracker now document celebrities, politicians, governments, and organizations who have signed onto similar campaigns or made public statements calling for the cessation of attacks.

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This year's Grammys ceremony saw the first wave of public alignments with the Artists for Ceasefire collective, including the red lapel buttons sported by indie music phenoms Boygenius. That same night, singer Annie Lennox called for a ceasefire after an in-tribute rendition of the late Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U." "Artists for ceasefire!" Lennox called out. "Peace… in the world!"

Subsequent industry events saw several other celebrities donning ceasefire apparel, as well. To the praise of many online, actor Joe Alwyn (you may recognize him as the ex-boyfriend of Taylor Swift) signed the letter and sported a button at last month's Pre-BAFTA Filmmakers Dinner.

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Among several other examples, star of FX's The Bear Ebon Moss Bachrach wore a pin to the Screen Actors Guild awards in February, as did actor Tony Shalhoub and Succession's Arian Moayed. Comedian and actor Joel Kim Booster was singled out as one of a few attendees wearing a ceasefire pin to the Independent Spirit Awards. 

Red carpets have also invited other forms of protest, including pro-Palestine gatherings outside of ceremonies and symbolic on-carpet statements. 

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The famed red carpet of the 2024 Academy Awards may be the biggest opportunity yet for Hollywood's celebrities to signal their support for the humanitarian cause, with tens of millions of viewers tuning into the main ceremony. In addition to growing positive sentiment for expressing support among their fans, some celebs could be compelled to join via their connections to other organizations. Many are UN ambassadors, and, much like last year's action, some may be motivated to join UNICEF's calls for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian intervention. 

Whether or not someone will make a statement on the main stage depends on their willingness to go down in ceremony infamy. During her acceptance speech at the 1978 Oscars ceremony, actress Vanessa Redgrave faced industry ire for calling out defamatory remarks and death threats made against her by extremist Zionists and the Jewish Defense League— Redgrave had recently produced and narrated the documentary The Palestinian. In a comment directed to colleagues (like co-star Jane Fonda) and Academy members who defended her, Redgrave said, "I think you should be very proud that in the last few weeks you've stood firm and you have refused to be intimidated by the threats of a small bunch of Zionist hoodlums whose behavior is an insult to the stature of Jews all over the world and to their great and heroic record of struggle against fascism and oppression... I salute you, and I thank you, and I pledge to you that I will continue to fight against anti-Semitism and fascism."

Of the hundreds of signatories to the Artists for Ceasefire letter, only a handful are nominated for the night's big awards, including Lily Gladstone (nominated for Best Actress for Killers of the Flower Moon), Bradley Cooper (Best Actor for Maestro), America Ferrera (Best Supporting Actress for Barbie), Mark Ruffalo (Best Supporting Actor for Poor Things), and Jon Batiste (Best Original Song for American Symphony). Ramy Youssef, co-star of Best Picture nominee Poor Things, has signed the letter and already spoken out in support of the ceasefire at previous Hollywood events. Former winners Mahershala Ali and Lupita Nyong'o, who will present awards on the main stage March 10, have also joined the collective.

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Other red carpet familiar faces who have aligned with Artists for Ceasefire (and may make an appearance) include Academy Award winners like Jessica Chastain and Joaquin Phoenix; Emmy-winners Quinta Brunson and Sara Snook; previous nominees Florence Pugh, Andrew Garfield, and Oscar Isaac; and notable filmmakers like Jordan Peele, Alfonso Cuarón, and Ryan Coogler. 

While a good portion of viewers and fans will be keen to spot their favorite celebs and creatives donning buttons on Oscars night, other organizations are warning pro-Palestine supporters to be more vigilant. A group made up of campaigns Film Workers for Palestine and SAG-AFTRA Members for Ceasefire along with advocacy organization Jewish Voice for Peace issued a warning to their followers ahead of the ceremony, writing in a joint Instagram post: "March 10th is the Oscars, don’t let your self be distracted by the glitz and glam while the Israel launches their planned attack on Rafah, a place they deemed a 'safe zone'. Film workers and audiences, we cannot let ourselves be distracted! EYES ON RAFAH MARCH 10! The world is watching."

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Last month, many American Super Bowl viewers were shocked by post-game news that the Israeli government had opened fire on the city of Rafah, a southern "safe zone" home to millions of Palestinians. Many called the timing suspicious, alleging the alignment of the attacks with the live event was intended to steer attention away from the Israeli army's actions. 

With public attention to the Palestinian cause at a digital high, the stage is set for a night of red pins — if Hollywood chooses to poke holes in their shining attire.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get a button remote for your Apple TV for just $24

Mashable - Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:00

TL;DR: Through March 10, get the Function 101 Button Remote (Siri Apple TV Remote alternative) for just $23.99 with code ENJOY20.

We love the Apple TV. The only downside is the remote. If you're tired of fumbling with your Apple TV remote, struggling to seamlessly navigate menus and control your favorite content, you are not alone. Enter this Function101 Button Remote for Apple TV and Apple TV 4K. You can get it for 20% off at just $23.99 when you use coupon code ENJOY20 through March 10.

The beauty of this remote is that it's made with traditional-style remote control buttons that are easier to manipulate. And there was thought behind the layout of the buttons, too, to offer you easier movement.

With dedicated buttons for essential functions like menu navigation, play/pause, a multi-functional power button, and volume control, the Function101 Button Remote simplifies the way you interact with your Apple TV. Whether browsing content, watching movies, or playing games, you'll appreciate the convenience and efficiency of this sleek remote.

It works with all Apple TV and Apple TV 4K models. The remote's infrared tech allows for a near-instant sync, so you can be up and running right out of the gate. You'll be able to use your remote up to about 39 feet away if necessary.

If you think you might enjoy your Apple TV better with a more traditional remote, this is a good time to try it.

Get this Button Remote for your Apple TV or 4K Apple TV for $23.99 with code ENJOY20 until March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Function101 Function101 Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K $23.99
$29.99 Save $6.00 with code ENJOY20 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology
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