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Google's annual developer conference is happening on May 14 and 15 this year.

On Friday, Google sent out invites for Google I/O 2024, which takes place at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.

Typically, Google I/O is the place where we hear about Android developments and Pixel devices, but this time we can expect a big, very big, humongous focus on artificial intelligence. Google's Gemini 1.5 AI model launched in February, and despite some serious setbacks, it will likely be an important topic (if not the most important topic) at this year's I/O.

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Android 15 news and updates are a given, but we might also see new Pixel phones, most likely the Pixel 8a, but foldables, tablets and other surprises could happen as well.

As is customary, the Google I/O dates were sort-of pre-announced with a puzzle, which has now been solved, but you can still check it out on the I/O site.

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Google I/O is an in-person event this year, but you'll be able to follow it online on Google's official site.

It shouldn't shock you that we're lonely. We're years into a global pandemic, and even before so we were in the midst of a "loneliness epidemic." In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy sounded the alarm on the loneliness epidemic, stating that, "approximately half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness" before the onset of COVID. In the last few years, loneliness has only been exacerbated by our current reality.

On Google, the search "why do i feel lonely when i have friends" soared 300 percent in the last year, according to Google Trends. Initially, this doesn't make sense; shouldn't the existence of friends mean you don't feel lonely? According to friendship and communication experts, not in the slightest.

SEE ALSO: Unlearning loneliness: How TikTok is rewriting the rules of connection What is loneliness?

First, let's establish what loneliness is. Loneliness can either be a chronic situation that lasts months or years, or it's a temporary, momentary feeling, explained professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas, Jeffrey Hall. 

Hall, who specializes in relationships and social interaction, says loneliness can be a healthy response to the feeling of disconnection. If you have good connections, loneliness may be a temporary feeling, Hall said, "because that is exactly the body's way of telling you to take action to connect."

We have a misunderstanding that loneliness is something to be avoided, or that it's a feeling you shouldn't have. But longing for friends is adaptive and healthy, according to Hall, and it's something that makes you work to keep friends close to you.

Social media and loneliness

"Social media" is inherently social, right? For years, people have been saying the opposite: That social media sometimes isn't very social at all. 

Passive social media use — scrolling, not directly interacting with anybody — is linked to higher levels of loneliness. If you already feel lonely and see other people out and about on Instagram stories, you're probably going to feel worse after that.

The highlights people share on social media may give you an idea of what an "ideal" relationship is. "People feel lonely when they perceive there’s a discrepancy between their actual relationships and what they perceive to be ideal relationships," said Amanda Holmstrom, professor in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University. "So, we can have friends but still feel like those friendships aren't 'ideal.'" Holmstrom's work focuses on communication of social support in relationships and how that impacts wellbeing.

SEE ALSO: The best dating apps and sites in March 2024

Assistant professor of communication studies at Colorado State University, Natalie Pennington, encourages focusing on the active parts of social media, like commenting on posts or DMing someone. 

Still, chatting over social media may not cure your loneliness. In a paper, Hall and Pennington, as well as UC Santa Barbara professor Andy Merolla, found that social media use didn't promote connection or decrease loneliness. "Being digitally surrounded by people is not a useful way to get over loneliness," Hall told Mashable.

Increased technology has, at the same time, enabled us to not show up for our friends (canceling plans is just a text away), while entrapping us to respond to many connections that weren't possible pre-social media. 

Why do I feel lonely when I have friends?

"It's absolutely possible to feel lonely when you have fantastic friends," said Hall.

Pennington identified three reasons why one might feel lonely when they have friends: they don't live close to their friends; they don't spend time with them; or they don't feel close to them.

"It's absolutely possible to feel lonely when you have fantastic friends."

The first one is self-explanatory. Maybe you made friends in college and you all moved to separate locations after graduation, or you don't live near your hometown, childhood friends anymore.

Even if friends are nearby, though, there are reasons we don't spend time with them. "Especially in adulthood...we have competing obligations, like work or family — and those things increase as we get older — which is why our friendship networks get smaller," Pennington explained, "and we just don't have time for them as much as we used to."

Pennington, whose research centers around friendship and meeting social connection needs, said this is a product of life stage more than the current time period we're living in. But political, societal, or governmental factors can play a role as well. 

"People are generally happy with the number of friendships they have, but less happy about how they are able to maintain them," said Holmstrom.

And, since the pandemic, we've been spending a lot less time for other people. Perhaps you've gone back to the office, but many people are still working from home and have much fewer day-to-day social interactions. 

SEE ALSO: The 13 best dating apps for lasting connections or casual fun

"People are still feeling the aftershock effects of trying to figure out how to reorganize their social life" in the wake of the pandemic, Hall said. Many people aren't isolating due to COVID anymore (though others are, and the World Health Organization still categorizes COVID as a pandemic), but it's undeniable that our lives have been impacted by lockdowns and extended remote work. 

"We've become accustomed to loneliness," Hall continued. "We've become accustomed to a lot less social stress, a lot less opportunities to be around other people."

Hall developed the communicate bond belong (CBB) theory, which states that people balance their energy for social interaction with their need to belong. When we meet new people especially, it requires more energy from us to create meaningful connections. If you're not used to being around people — and you're exhausted from all the other tasks in your life — the amount of energy you have for new and existing friendships drops.

In the last few years, our baseline for societal interaction fell too, which has led to a "societal inertia," Hall said. "We're accustomed to less [interaction], and then we're like, 'Man, I feel lonely.'" 

How to feel less lonely 

While social media won't help loneliness, other forms of connection will. In fact, Hall encourages people to respond to their loneliness by taking action. 

Face-to-face interaction is unsurprisingly the best way to feel less lonely, according to Hall, Pennington, and Merolla's research. This is especially true if you know the people you're around well. It goes back to the CBB theory: you're getting that need to belong met, and you're energized by being around people who know you.

If in-person interaction isn't not possible, schedule a phone call with a friend or loved one.

SEE ALSO: How to have a successful double date

"Phone calls appear to be the most superlative form of distance communication compared to anything else right now," Hall said. This remains consistent in research now as well as that before social media. Lower down in the "ladder of communication" is video chatting; texting; group texting; and social media and email towards the bottom. 

Maybe you're in the habit of not answering messages, or not following up with people. It's understandable especially given the entrapment of being beholden (or at least thinking you are) to responding to texts, emails, Slack messages, DMs…the list goes on. But we can practice the skill of returning the text, or following up and asking to have a phone call. You can build it into your routine, if you have the capacity to do that.

This is especially true if you're friends with someone who feels lonely and disconnected themselves. "Making sure that you're more responsive to the people who are struggling is actually a very good thing to do," said Hall. "If you have more, you should give more."

If you're chronically lonely — which begets depression and vice versa, Hall said — then getting out of that can be more difficult. If you're highly anxious or depressed, seek professional help if possible. You don't need to pressure yourself to increase your social interactions; give yourself grace.

Know that you can feel closer to your friends in just a few minutes every day. In research done by Hall, Holmstrom, and Pennington, they found that just doing one small action with a friend over the course of a day increases people's wellbeing. These actions don't take much time and are pretty attainable, said Holmstrom: joking around, practicing careful listening when a friend talks, or offering a friend a sincere compliment. 

"One thing I've been doing lately is reaching out to some of my childhood friends when I remember something fun or funny we've done in the past," Holmstrom said. "I remind them of that time and how important that memory is to me. Though I can't speak for them, I do know that it makes me feel connected with them and like I'm keeping our friendship alive, despite our hectic lives and geographical distance."

TL;DR: As of March 15, get The Ultimate Microsoft Excel Certification Training Bundle for $29.99 — that's 37% off.

Across industries, Excel is hard to avoid. You might have seen Excel in every workplace, but that doesn't mean you're a master, even if you've worked with it before. There's more than one way to use Excel, whether you're using it for data analysis, data visualization, automation, or just to organize a few tables. 

Learning the basics of Excel on your own could be tough and require a whole lot of trial and error. If you want a more informed guide to help you out, then hop into the Ultimate Microsoft Excel Certification Training Bundle for just $29.99.

Excel instruction from excellent instructors 

This bundle doesn't have a starting point, so you can jump straight into the course that matches what you want to learn. However, if you're a total Excel beginner, Microsoft Excel from Beginner to Advanced could be the place to get the basics down. This course goes over basic functions, charts, and data management tools, and no experience is required to work through it. 

If you already have some Excel experience, you can move directly into specialized courses on pivot tables, macros, advanced functions, power query, and power pivot. 

Each course is taught by a real expert like Chris Dutton, a certified Excel Expert, analytics consultant, and best-selling instructor with over a decade of experience in data visualization. 

Learn Excel fundamentals 

Whether you're in data analysis or trying to streamline your workload by automating some of those exhausting repetitive tasks, becoming an Excel aficionado could be what makes all the difference, and this is how you get started. 

For a limited time, get this Microsoft Excel course bundle on sale for $29.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

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TL;DR: As of March 15, get this 2024 Cybersecurity Developer and IT Skills bundle of courses for just $59.97.

There's more than one way to learn the fundamental skills you might need in the IT industry, and learning on your own might be a whole lot cheaper than going to college before you're ready. Studying on your own may not be the same as getting a formal certification or degree, but it could still help you get acquainted with the industry or even an entry-level job.

If you're ready to start learning core concepts in cybersecurity and IT, get the 2024 Cybersecurity Developer and IT Skills bundle while it's on sale for only $59.97.

Start your IT education

This bundle on its own doesn't come with an official certification in IT or cybersecurity, but the skills you take from it could be an effective introduction to the industry, and there are even CompTIA prep courses if you do want to seek out an official certification exam. 

Courses cover a range of topics from Microsoft Azure to Linux, penetration testing, coding with Python, managing mobile security, and a whole lot more. All course materials are available for life, so you can take as long as you want to study them. That works out well because there's over 400 hours of video lessons to work through, but courses aren't linear, so you can pick and choose courses based on the topic you'd like to learn about.

All of these courses are taught by iducate (formerly iCollege), and are known for comprehensive online learning packages covering essential IT topics to help aspiring professionals.

Prepare for official cybersecurity certifications

If you want to start studying basic IT concepts and skills, this bundle gives you a wealth of material to do it at your own pace. 

Get the best price online when you get the 2024 Cybersecurity Developer and IT Skills bundle while it's on sale for $59.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

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TL;DR: As of March 15, get Microsoft Office for Windows or Mac at just $29.97 each.

Whether you're starting a new semester or bringing your work home with you, it's important to have reliable software for basic productivity on your computer. That might mean getting a good data organizer, a simple and efficient word processor, or just a good email app.

If you've been using Microsoft 365 to accomplish all of that, you might be paying more than you need to. That does give you the latest version of some Microsoft apps, but the subscription fees aren't cheap. A low-cost alternative is to get the 2019 version of Microsoft Office for Windows or Mac and get many of the same apps for life. 

Apps without a subscription fee

If you've been using Microsoft 365, the apps in this suite might look a little familiar. While they may be the 2019 versions, they're still ready to go whether you need to write up an essay for school, organize a dataset for work, or just organize your inbox. 

There are some minor differences between the Mac and Windows versions of Microsoft Office 2019. Mac users get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams Classic. Windows users get the same apps, but instead of Teams Classic, they get Publisher and Access. 

For both software bundles, you can install each app on one computer once for life. That means if a student installs them before their freshman year of college, they could graduate without ever needing to drop another cent on the tools they've used to connect with professors, craft presentations, and take notes. 

Productivity software for life

Paying every month for software you'll always need is like adding a subscription fee to productivity. 

Check out these one-time payment deals:

• Lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows, on sale for $29.97

• Lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac, on sale for $29.97

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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TL;DR: As of March 15, get an AdGuard VPN Subscription (one, three, or five years) for 70% off or more.

It pays to be proactive. Whether it's about work, your health, or your online presence, getting ahead of potential problems is usually good. 

That's why tools like AdGuard VPN can really come in handy. Virtual private networks (VPNs) can keep you and your data private while online. A VPN encrypts your information as you go about your online business, whether it's personal or for work. With this data privacy tool's strict security protocol and zero-logging policy, you can rest assured that your data is protected and safe.

AdGuard has more than 60 locations available throughout the world, so you can connect privately from virtually anywhere. Not only that, but AdGuard enables you to bypass geo-restricted content.

As an AdGuard subscriber, you get super-fast servers, unlimited data to stream and download to your heart's content, and access to the servers in all its locations.

Enjoy the convenience and flexibility of connecting on up to ten devices at the same time. And because it has a wide compatibility, you can extend that access across all platforms, giving you the power and control over your online privacy.

Until March 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get one of the following AdGuard VPN subscriptions for a price-drop rate:

• One-year AdGuard VPN subscription, on sale for $19.97 (reg. $71).

• Three-year AdGuard VPN subscription, on sale for $29.97 (reg. $215).

• Five-year AdGuard VPN subscription, on sale for $39.97 (reg. $359).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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The best streaming deals to watch 'Dune: Part One' at a glance: BEST MAX DEAL FOR MOST PEOPLE Max (With Ads) annual subscription $99.99/year (save $1.66/month) Get Deal BEST MAX DEAL WITH NO ADS Max (No Ads) annual subscription $149.99/year (save $3.50/month) Get Deal BEST FOR CRICKET CUSTOMERS Max (With Ads) Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month unlimited plan (save $9.99/month) Get Deal BEST NON-STREAMING OPTION Rent or puchase 'Dune: Part One' on demand $3.99 or $7.99 at Prime Video Get Deal BEST TRIAL Hulu with ads Free 30-day trial, then $7.99 per month Get Deal BEST FOR T-MOBILE CUSTOMERS Hulu (with ads) Free on Go5G Next T-Mobile plans (save $79.99/year) Get Deal BEST HULU DEAL FOR MOST PEOPLE Hulu with ads annual subscription $79.99/year (save 16%) Get Deal BEST BUNDLE DEAL Hulu and Disney+ $9.99/month (save 37%) Get Deal

With Dune: Part Two currently dominating the box office, now is the perfect time to revisit the first film in the planned Dune trilogy. Or, for those new to the Duniverse, it's a great time to jump in.

A visual and technical masterpiece, the Denis Villeneuve-directed film was showered with praise from both critics and audiences alike — a huge feat considering the 1984 adaptation of the same name was largely a creative flop. The 2021 film earned 10 Oscar nominations and took home six, including Best Visual Effects, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, and Best Cinematography.

What is Dune about?

Dune is based on a 1965 Frank Herbert novel of the same name — and the massive universe it generated. The new adaptation sticks closely to the plot of the original science-fiction masterpiece. Fair warning: It's a complex plot.

After relocating from ocean planet Caladan to desert planet Arrakis, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) is thrust into the center of a battle for control of the most precious substance in the universe: Melange. The spice, which can extend human life, enhance abilities, and unlock the ability to see into the future for some, can only be found on the treacherous Arrakis. The film follows his journey in navigating the hostile environment — which never sees rain and is inhabited by massive, deathly sandworms — and seeking to bring peace to the planet after his family comes under attack.

If this all sounds weird and confusing, you're not alone. We even wrote up a detailed explainer for newbies that need a little help figuring out what Dune is all about.

Read our full review of Dune: Part One.

Here's a glimpse at the first Dune installment in the official trailer:

Is Dune streaming?

Denis Villeneuve's first installment of the sci-fi franchise hit Max (then called HBO Max) at the same time it debuted in theaters back in October 2021. The film is still streaming on Max in 2024. As of March 1, Dune also started streaming on Hulu — the same day Dune: Part Two hit theaters. Unfortunately for Netflix subscribers, Dune: Part One also left that app the day prior.

Is there a Max free trial?

At the time of writing, Prime Video is offering a free 7-day Max trial if you add it as a channel through your Prime Video account. However, it's worth noting that this free trial disappeared back in January and just reappeared. In other words, it could most certainly disappear again. So, take advantage of the trial period while it's still around! There's currently no free trial through Max itself or as an add-on through Hulu.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Prime Video / Max Sign up for Max through Prime Video Free 7-day trial, then starting at $9.99 per month Watch Now Is there a Hulu free trial?

If you're brand new to Hulu or you're returning after canceling previously, you can score a free 30-day trial and easily watch Dune (and plenty of other great series and films) without getting charged. Just be sure to cancel before the 30-day trial period ends to avoid seeing a charge on your bank statement.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu trial Free for 30 days, then starting at $7.99 per month Watch Now Best streaming deals to watch Dune

If you want to brush up on Dune: Part One before heading to the theaters, or watch it for the very first time, you'll need either a Max or Hulu subscription. If it helps with your decision, when Dune: Part Two concludes its theatrical run, it will be headed to Max for its streaming debut. As HBO's premium streaming service, Max offers three subscription tiers starting at $9.99 per month, as well as annual subscription options. Hulu offers two subscription tiers starting at $7.99 per month, as well as an annual subscription and bundle options.

We've broken down the best Max and Hulu streaming deals below, so you can decide which plan is best for your streaming needs.

Max subscription dealsBest Max streaming deal for most people: Save 17% on Max with ads annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max (with ads) yearly subscription $99.99 per year (save 17%) Watch Now

The cheapest tier on Max costs $9.99 per month and includes ad breaks. If you only want to watch Dune: Part One, you can easily sign up for a month of Max with ads and cancel before you're charged for another month. If you're in it for the long run and want to stick around for Dune: Part Two's arrival on Max as well, we recommend the yearly subscription instead. An annual plan with ads will run you $99.99 per year, which breaks down to only $8.33 per month instead of $9.99. That's 17% (or $1.66) per month in savings.

Best Max deal with no ads: Save 22% on a Max Ad-Free annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max (No Ads) annual subscription $149.99 per year (save 22%) Watch Now

If you're willing to pay a bit more for an ad-free experience, you have the Max Ad-Free and Max Ultimate tiers to choose from. The Ad-Free tier costs $15.99 per month or $149.99 per year, which saves you 22% and is probably the best value Max has to offer. If you're looking to splurge and watch Dune: Part One in the best possible format, the Max Ultimate subscription is your best bet. It also offers an ad-free viewing experience, plus 4K Ultra HD video quality and Dolby Atmos immersive audio. It costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year (save 17%).

Best Max deal for Cricket customers: Free Max with ads for customers on the $60/month unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: Cricket / Max Max (with ads) Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month plan Watch Now

Cricket Wireless customers on the $60 per month unlimited plan can score Max with ads for free as long as their account remains in good standing. Just head over to the Max app or navigate to Max on a browser, choose Cricket as your provider, and use your Cricket credentials to log in. Then you'll be able to watch Dune: Part One (and Dune: Part Two, once it comes to streaming) for no extra cost. Cricket Wireless customers on different plans can change or upgrade in order to secure the deal. Check the terms and conditions on Cricket's website to learn more.

Hulu subscription dealsBest Hulu deal for most people: 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

If you don't qualify for Hulu's 30-day free trial or you want to keep your subscription rolling after your trial ends, you can save money by opting for an annual subscription instead of a monthly plan. While Hulu with ads usually costs $7.99 per month, that fee drops to just $6.67 per month when you pay up front. At $79.99 per year, you end up saving about 16%. If you're just looking to watch Dune and move on with your life, a monthly plan will do. But if you plan on sticking around long term, a yearly plan is the best bang for your buck.

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

At the end of January, T-Mobile began offering Hulu with ads for free to those on the Go5G Next plan. If this includes you, just head over to the T-Mobile website and choose "redeem now" on the offer page. Then, enter your T-Mobile number and account details to sign up for Hulu and you're good to go. After the initial 12-month promotional period, action will be required on your part to keep your Hulu subscription going.

Best for students: Hulu Student Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student $1.99 per month Watch Now

Students looking to dive into the world of Arrakis can score a Hulu deal two different ways. The more straightforward option is to sign up for a Hulu Student account. While there's no free trial, it'll only cost you $1.99 per month. That's 75% off the usual Hulu monthly cost. The only requirement is that you can prove you're actually a student via SheerID.

Another option is to sign up for Spotify Premium for Students, which gives students free access to Hulu with ads with their Spotify Premium account. There's a one-month free trial to test things out, then it'll cost you just $5.99 per month for both services. Like the first option, you'll need to prove your student status via SheerID.

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

If you're an existing Disney+ subscriber or simply just looking to get the most bang for your buck in the streaming era, it's worth checking out the Disney+ bundle. (Full disclosure: this is not the best option if you're simply looking to watch Dune and bounce.) With the Disney Duo bundle, you can get Hulu with ads and Disney+ with ads for only $9.99 per month — that's just $2 more per month than paying for Hulu on its own (37% in savings). Sure, you'll have to deal with some ads while streaming, but it's still an excellent streaming deal.

Other ways to watch Dune: Part One

Thanks to video-on-demand services like Prime Video and Apple TV+, you can also rent or purchase the digital version of Dune: Part One and avoid signing up for another streaming service. Renting is the cheapest option, but you'll only get 30 days of access and just 48 hours to finish watching once you begin. If you'd rather be on your own timeline and watch Dune: Part One as often as you'd like, we recommend purchasing it for your digital library instead.

You can rent or purchase Dune on demand at the following digital retailers:

• Prime Video — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to purchase

• Apple TV — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to purchase

• Vudu — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to purchase

• Google Play — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to purchase

"You want to get nuts? Come on! Let's get nuts." A memorable line from 1989's Batman could speak for much of Michael Keaton's filmography. Whether playing a violent vigilante defending Gotham, a poltergeist with an ax to grind, Mr. Mom, a scheming salesman, or a series of comical clones, there's traditionally a scorching spontaneity in his performances. You don't know when he might switch from the charismatic Keaton — with the raised eyebrow and blue-collar charm — to the wild-eyed dynamo with explosive potential to be a hero or a villain. 

Having walked this line for decades on screen, Keaton perfectly casts himself in his second directorial effort, the neo-noir thriller Knox Goes Away. 

What's Knox Goes Away about?

Written by Gregory Poirier, Knox Goes Away stars Keaton as the titular anti-hero, an aging assassin whose days are numbered. However, it's not some old enemy or fresh-on-the-scene punk who's gunning for him; John Knox faces a deep betrayal from within his own body. Diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disorder Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Knox has only weeks before fast-acting dementia will overtake his ability to operate independently. 

Naturally, Knox starts by getting his affairs in order; he cashes out an unusual retirement fund, updates his will, and shares the grim news with his closest friends. One is a sensitive sex worker (Joanna Kulig) with whom Knox shares Thursday afternoons and his vast collection of books. The other is Xavier (Al Pacino), an aging thief with a lust for life and a wife half his age. But Knox's exit strategy is disrupted when his estranged son Miles (James Marsden) shows up on his doorstep, covered in blood. He's killed someone, and he needs help covering it up. So, naturally, Miles turns to his killer dad. 

An expert on such matters, Knox is coolly swift in his response. But can he save his son — and maybe even their relationship — before Knox "goes away"?

Michael Keaton is the strong center of Knox Goes Away. 

This is not the fly-off-the-handle madman of '80s-era Keaton, nor is it the growling (but electrifying) old grump of Birdman or The Flash. Leaning away from more theatrical flourishes, Keaton plays Knox as someone who's lived this long by being able to fly under the radar. Speaking softly but darkly, like a low roll of thunder, Keaton breathes backstory into this curious killer before the script does. There's no malicious glint in his eye as he goes out on assignment. There's no cocky smirk when he's cornered his mark. This is a job, pure and simple. 

Knox is a man of stern and solid expression — until he is not. Cinematographer Marshall Adams plays with overexposure and rattling POV shots to visually reflect Knox losing grip on his memories and cognition. Keaton relaxes his knit brow and dulls his hard stare, giving audiences a flash of the slippery terror of dementia. In the wrong hands, this plotline might have come off as a crass gimmick. However, Keaton plays this battle with Knox's brain with nuance, thereby inviting audiences into this savage experience and its horror. 

Keaton pulls together a crackling cast in Knox Goes Away. 

As its hero is the kind of guy who holds his cards close to his vest, this clever thriller surrounds him with more outrageous figures. Marsden, who often plays smug or humorously cocky, is well-cast here. Like Keaton, he sheds his signature swagger but instead turns in a performance blistering with fear and rage. Opposite Miles's sputters, Knox seems all the more in control — even when he's not. 

Ray McKinnon, who co-starred with Keaton in the TV mini-series Dopesick, plays foil as a fellow hit man whose aging rock-punk vibe makes him a curious companion to the philosophizing Knox. Marcia Gay Harden pops up for a powerful scene, aiming her hurt with the deadly accuracy of a pistol. Kulig is the femme fatale of this neo-noir tale, oozing sensuality as she becomes the dubious confidante of a dying hit man. Meanwhile, Suzy Nakamura (Avenue 5) brings a low-boil intensity as a police detective determined to make sense of a cavalcade of confusing clues. Her dry sense of comedy spices up exposition scenes as well as confrontations with the Knox gang. 

Keaton clearly has a sharp eye for spotting the talents of his peers, but his best pick (aside from his own casting, of course) is Pacino. Incredibly, these two stars have never appeared in a film together before. Like Keaton, Pacino has played his fair share of baddies and hard-pressed heroes. So, when he pops up in a bathtub, double-fisting Chinese takeout and a glass of wine, it's hard to guess if he'll be a friend or foe of Knox's in the end. Along the way though, it's a dizzying hoot to see Pacino playing such a gleefully sleazy eccentric. Together onscreen, there's a crisp tension and unspoken yet vibrant intimacy. But their chemistry plus their personas mean this relationship adds a fresh layer of tension, adding another question to the mix: Can this crook be trusted? 

Knox Goes Away is a lean and keen thriller. 

While the film may star its director, Knox Goes Away doesn't feel like a vanity project. Keaton gives his ensemble roles that — no matter how brief — offer a chance to shine. His own character, meanwhile, remains an enigma, sharing his overarching plan in vague snippets. As such, the script urges us to play detective, trying to uncover what exactly Knox is up to; it's an engaging activity to be sure. 

As a director, Keaton neatly weaves together the tension of Knox's final mission with the pathos of his impending doom. There's no time to fall apart over bad luck, and Knox wouldn't dare. But instead, he opens up in small ways — not always on purpose — giving a peek to the secrets of his guarded heart. This makes for a movie that isn't just blood-pumping and mind-bending, but also gut-wrenching. You might figure out where it's going before it arrives, but you'll likely enjoy the twisted journey. 

In the end, Knox Goes Away is a must-see for Keaton fans and a solid watch for anyone in search of a thriller worth its runtime. 

Knox Goes Away opens in theaters March 15.

UPDATE: Mar. 14, 2024, 5:31 p.m. EDT "Knox Goes Away" was originally reviewed out of its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.

A movie made for fans of tear-jerking viral clips and Anthony Hopkins, One Life tells the story of Sir Nicholas Winton — often dubbed the “British Schindler” — in two distinct timelines. In 1938, a young Winton (Johnny Flynn) travels from London to Prague to assist refugee efforts on the eve of World War II. Fifty years later, and still carrying the guilt of those he wasn’t able to save, an older Winton (Hopkins) attempts to finally reckon with the weight of the past, which inadvertently leads him to being invited as a guest on the British talk show That’s Life. His appearance made his story public, but it was a moving viral clip of the episode that made it globally-known in 2009.

The combination of Hopkins’ casting and the potent subject matter makes One Life instantly intriguing, especially as a movie that builds to a recognizable moment often shared online. For the most part, it’s a simple, straightforward war drama, whose bifurcated structure allows Hopkins to tug at the heartstrings. However, the way it approaches the events of the clip are a surprising extension of the film’s more complicated moments. Its final act is, as expected, incredibly moving, but first-time feature filmmaker James Hawes isn’t content with wrapping things up in a neat and comfortable bow.

SEE ALSO: ‘Evil Does Not Exist’ review: Ryusuke Hamaguchi weaves a captivating cautionary tale One Life hops back and forth in time

In 1988, Hopkins’ version of Winton wanders aimlessly around his quaint country home when he isn’t out collecting charity donations for local children. He has a frank and matter-of-fact disposition with his wife, Grete (Lena Olin), displaying subtle impatience during any moment he isn’t helping someone else. Perhaps it’s a strange psychological outcome of his time in the metaphorical trenches, but when we first meet Winton in the 1930s, he behaves much the same way, as if he were somehow predisposed to survivor’s guilt.

Part of it has to do with his principled mother, Babi (Helena Bonham Carter), and her stories of their family escaping Germany for London in the 1870s in the wake of rising antisemitism. All of Winton’s grandparents were Jewish, but he was baptized, and his family later changed their name from Wertheim to Winton to avoid German associations during World War II. He’s a man whose identity is in flux, except for his innate Good Samaritan drive. So, he leaves his cozy stockbroker job behind and travels to Czechoslovakia — a state on the verge of Nazi occupation — if only to help with the paperwork at a refugee camp.

Helena Bonham-Carter plays Winton's mother, Babi. Credit: See-Saw Films

However, for Winton, the bare minimum isn’t enough, and a first-hand look at the condition of the local children spurs him into action. He is, in some ways, in over his head as a newcomer, but if something isn’t done soon, hundreds if not thousands of kids may not survive the oncoming winter, or worse.

The frenzy of young Winton working to organize rescue trains and corresponding with English foster families makes up a good chunk of the flashback scenes, which are awash in grim hues of blue and grey. However, its 1980s timeline is entirely different, between its more summery appearance, its lengthy, quiet stretches, and its contemplative tone. The past is about action, the present about thought, and One Life as a whole is about their interplay. It occasionally presents this dynamic in soulful fashion, with a handful of cuts between the timelines that create or enhance meaning — at one point, the older Winton recalls vital moments when he’s submerged in water and needs to come up for air — though after a while, it settles into a mechanical rhythm, cutting back and forth between the ’30s and the ’80s practically at random.

However, even when the movie’s aesthetic and narrative connective tissue dissolves, a vital thread continues to connect the two timelines together: its lead performances.

Anthony Hopkins and Johnny Flynn complement each other’s work

One Life’s two versions of Winton are sides to a coin, and the actors playing him bounce effortlessly off each other despite never sharing the screen. Flynn, though he’s saddled with the lion’s share of the movie’s action and urgency, seems to allow Hopkins to dictate the character’s broad outline, from his hesitant dawdle, to the hints of sing-song Welsh intonation that permeate nearly every character he plays. Flynn is, in essence, embodying a younger Hopkins and modulating his impersonation to fit Winton’s sincerity.

Johnny Flynn plays a young Winton. Credit: See-Saw Films

However, since the two Wintons live on opposite sides of World War II, there’s a clear distinction between them that goes far beyond their physical appearances. Flynn’s eyes, for instance, betray a sense of optimism, and perhaps even naivete. Hopkins’, on the other hand, seem constantly weighed down by forces and memories just off-screen. His eyes are so alluring that Hawes uses extreme closeups of his gaze to open the film, as the aged Winton inspects old photographs of some of the children he rescued, perhaps wondering what became of them.

Hopkins’ version of the character also feels constantly torn, despite his calm and personable demeanor. He seems in constant, silent anguish over his little corner of history not being widely known — though in making it known, he knows he runs the risk of making it about himself. This is, perhaps, where Hawes and Hopkins end up diverging slightly; the film, as written and shot, seems to frame Winton as almost supernaturally noble. It roots his rejection of the spotlight in a down-to-earth-humility that everyone around him seems to recognize. However, Hopkins’ performance is so piercing and multifaceted that it practically transcends this simple approach. He’s so good at what he does that he nearly breaks the film, or at the very least, warps it around him (editor Lucia Zucchetti follows suit, holding on Hopkins’ close ups for long, introspective stretches, as if she were reading his thoughts). 

Where the camera and dialogue capture the surface of his conundrum — the idea that Winton doesn’t want to make this painful chapter about himself — Hopkins probes further into this decision, wrestling with it with every word, glance, and gesture. As a delayed fuse of sorts, Winton’s decision to withhold information for so long is the reason the movie’s 1980s timeline exists at all, and his desire to find the right outlet or angle for the story is what keeps this history secret. Each time Winton acts nobly or commendably, and each time he’s complimented for it, Hopkins responds politely, but with a lingering discomfort, as if humility is (at least in part) a mask he wears over something shamefully human.

In his public appearances, the real Winton never once hinted at a desire for recognition, and Hopkins by no means chooses to hold a genuine hero to account. However, practically single-handedly, the actor rescues One Life from the brink of hagiography by introducing thorny paradoxes to the character, which turn every one of his scenes and interactions into an emotional highwire act. It’s a must-watch performance on par with his Oscar-winning role in The Father, as he makes a meal out of the subtle ways in which an elderly gentleman who’s seen untold horrors (and has bottled them all up) might bristle at the thought of his internal contradictions or of a spotlight being cast on them — contradictions that only grow and fester by the end.

One Life takes an unexpected approach to a famous viral clip

Another key contradiction in One Life is that of Winton’s German-Jewish identity, two parts of his history which had, at various points, been buried and disguised. In Prague, both come rushing to the fore at once, between Jewish refugees approaching him with fear and caution because of his Germanic features, and a rabbi probing at his Jewish roots to figure out whether he truly wants to help — and if so, his reasons.

The inherent irony of Winton’s heroism — as the rabbi points out — is that it would involve separating young Jewish children from their families and their culture, an act that inadvertently falls in line with the Nazis’ credo. “Do not start what you cannot finish,” the rabbi tells him, translating it from Hebrew. In lieu of a more tangible connection to Judaism, this stern advice becomes his lifelong mantra, so much so that it lingers with him for decades after the war. After his chat with the rabbi, rescuing refugees from Prague becomes not just an altruistic act, but a divinely inspired one — a holy burden with no expiration date.

Living with this burden is what makes Winton so compelling in the film’s 1980s segments. It is the movie’s ultimate contradiction: the idea that he cannot rest without closure and self-forgiveness for being unable to do more than was humanly possible. And so, when it comes time for him to take the spotlight, and for the events in the viral video clip to make their way to the screen, they don’t arrive with the sense of storybook finality with which That’s Life presents them. They feel, instead, jagged and uneven, and they rob the movie of what might have otherwise been a picture-perfect “happy ending” akin to most awards-bait period films.

Hopkins, as expected, digs harrowingly deep into the character during the concluding act, as he lets all of Winton’s guilt and anguish seep to the surface. However, even his release of pent-up emotion doesn’t yield the kind of cinematic catharsis that often follows such scenes. Instead of a crescendo, One Life’s depiction of Winton’s famous clip feels like an open wound left to fester — one that cannot be easily healed by naked displays of sentiment for public consumption. And so, it feels more true to life than most cinematic depictions of war and its lingering aftermaths, in ways likely to leave its audience stewing with discomfort amid their tears.

During the film, Winton often claims he wants people to learn from his story, and while One Life takes a long while to resemble something remotely instructive, it does so in an especially meaningful way: by leaving us to carry the same burdens and the same uncertainty he once did, with no end in sight.

One Life opens in theaters March 15.

UPDATE: Mar. 14, 2024, 5:26 p.m. EDT "One Life" was originally reviewed out of its World Premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. 

Dating isn't just hard; it's expensive. Luckily, modern tech has made dating more accessible and affordable, and the best free dating apps promise to connect you with your potential soul mate — no credit card required. (We know, it sounds too good to be true.)

Thanks to advanced filters, matching algorithms, and location-based features, dating apps have made it easier to connect with others without worrying about your wallet or whether or not you're meeting an axe murderer (we're looking at you, Craigslist).

Are any dating apps completely free?

Remember those gym trials that lure you in with "free" access, then lock you in with hidden fees and iron-clad contracts? Some dating apps pull a similar bait and switch with "free" features. However, there are free options worth trying.

That's where we come in. We've scoured the web to find the real deal, legit, truly free dating apps where you can create a profile, browse matches, and even chat with potential dates without reaching for your wallet.

We've put dozens of dating platforms to the test. Whether you're an introvert, a college student, or just looking for some steamy sexting action, we've got you covered.

Consider us your dating app guinea pigs — we've done the hard work testing free trials and niche dating sites so you can focus on finding your perfect match without paying to swipe.

SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to know What are the best free dating apps?

Dating apps like Tinder, OkCupid, and Hinge have a free version that holds its own against its paid counterparts. That said, there are also some completely free, more niche dating apps worth checking out too, like Archer, Lex, and heybaby.

Below, we've compiled a list of free dating apps to find your forever partner, a casual encounter, or something in between without paying a dime.

Note: It's almost impossible to find a dating site or app that doesn't have some sort of paid upgrade feature, but all of the dating sites below have a free membership option that gives you almost everything you need for the full experience. These aren't apps like Match or eharmony, where you need to pay to do basically anything.

Featured Video For You These dating sites and apps are perfect for people on a budget

Pornhub has blocked access to its platform in Texas, citing the state's new age verification laws. Frustrated Texans must now scatter to the winds in search of explicit imagery, like the lustful days of yore. This marks the seventh U.S. state to have been barred from Pornhub's lewd library.

For years, Texans in search of adult content could venture to Pornhub's website to immediately receive numerous graphic depictions of various creative sex acts. Now, people using a Texas IP are instead greeted by a very unsexy open letter explaining that its pornographic videos are no longer accessible to them.

SEE ALSO: The best alternatives to Pornhub and XVideos

"[W]e have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Texas," reads Pornhub's notice. "In doing so, we are complying with the law, as we always do, but hope that governments around the world will implement laws that actually protect the safety and security of users."

Why has Pornhub banned Texas? Tweet may have been deleted

All of this comes down to age verification. The Texan Pornhub ban follows a U.S. Court of Appeals ruling last Thursday, which partially overturned an injunction against Texas House Bill 1181 (HB 1181). Ostensibly aimed at protecting minors from harmful sexual material, HB 1181 requires websites hosting pornographic material to verify users' ages through methods such as viewing their government-issued identification. 

HB 1181 also requires such websites to display slew of scary health warnings, including claims that porn is "potentially biologically addictive, is proven to harm human brain development," "weakens brain function," is "associated with low self-esteem and body image… and mental illnesses," and "increases the demand for prostitution, child exploitation, and child pornography."

Tweet may have been deleted

Though HB 1181 was initially scheduled to go into effect last September, several corporations in the adult industry obtained a preliminary injunction against it (though Pornhub and its parent company Aylo were not among them). The plaintiffs argued that HB 1181 was likely to violate both their First Amendment right to free speech and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which states that service providers can't be held liable for content users publish on their platform.

However, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton appealed the decision, leading to last week's ruling that HB 1181's age verification requirement can go ahead. 

"Applying rational-basis review, the age-verification requirement is rationally related to the government’s legitimate interest in preventing minors’ access to pornography," Judge Jerry E. Smith wrote in his ruling. "Therefore, the age-verification requirement does not violate the First Amendment."

The court further found that Section 230's purpose is to "immunize web service providers for harm caused by unremoved speech on their website," making it inapplicable since liability under HB 1181 doesn't depend upon harm.

Thursday's judgement wasn't a complete loss for the adult industry. The ruling did uphold the injunction on HB 1181's health warnings, finding that the demanded disclaimers "unconstitutionally compelled plaintiffs’ speech." However, that win means little if Texans are unable to access Pornhub anyway.

Taking to Twitter/X, Paxton quickly claimed Pornhub's withdrawal from Texas as a victory.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Sites like PornHub are on the run because Texas has a law that aims to prevent them from showing harmful, obscene material to children," said Paxton. "In Texas, companies cannot get away with showing porn to children. If they don’t want to comply, good riddance."

Pornhub isn't against age verification

Pornhub could continue operating in Texas if it followed HB 1181's age verification requirements and began checking users' IDs. However, the company has expressed concern about doing so, contending that the specific age verification methods mandated by the Texan legislation are "ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous."

"Not only does this impinge on the rights of adults to access protected speech, it fails strict scrutiny by employing the least effective and yet also the most restrictive means of accomplishing Texas's stated purpose of allegedly protecting minors," wrote Pornhub.

That isn't to say Pornhub is completely against any sort of age verification for adult content. The pornography platform simply believes it needs to take a different form — specifically, device-based age verification. 

Tweet may have been deleted

Rather than require adult-oriented websites to individually check visitors' identities, a device-based system would hold verification of a users' age on their phone, tablet, computer, or device manufacturer's network. Devices would come with blocks on child-unfriendly websites pre-installed, with these restrictions only lifted once its user's age has been verified.

According to Pornhub, this would allow for more consistent enforcement of age restrictions, as well as prevent curious minors from accessing alternate porn platforms that don't comply with the law.

"We believe that the only effective solution for protecting minors and adults alike is to verify users' age on their device and to either deny or allow access to age-restricted materials and websites based on that verification," wrote Pornhub. "To come to fruition, such an approach requires the cooperation of manufacturers and operating-system providers."

Spank banks across the U.S. suffer shrinkage

Losing Pornhub is already a massive blow to horny Texans across the sizable state. Sadly, their alternate options for risque content have also been reduced. Aylo has blocked Texan IPs from accessing all its other free adult entertainment websites as well, including Brazzers, YouPorn, and RedTube, removing a significant swathe of material from Texan spank banks.

Tweet may have been deleted

In a statement to Mashable, Aylo's Vice President of Brand and Community Alex Kekesi said that the company was "reviewing options and consulting with [its] legal team."

"Aylo has publicly supported age verification of users for years, but we believe that any law to this effect must ensure minors do not access content intended for adults and preserve user safety and privacy," said Kekesi. "We believe that the real solution for protecting minors and adults alike is to verify users’ ages at the point of access — the users’ devices — and to deny or permit access to age-restricted materials and websites based on that verification."

"We will continue to fight for our industry and the performers that legally earn a living, and we will continue to appeal through all available judicial recourse to recognize that this law is unconstitutional."

Texas isn't the first U.S. state that Aylo has banned. Its platforms previously exiled North Carolina and Montana in January over similar legislation, following bans in Utah, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Virginia.

TL;DR: Microsoft Project 2021 Professional is on sale for £23.45, saving you 88% on list price.

Even seasoned professionals might struggle to get a handle on a large, complex project. Instead of working out everything yourself, try a toolset designed for complicated projects. Microsoft Project 2021 Pro is a management tool you can use to outline, organise, and execute your plans, and it's only £23.45 for life. 

A project can mean a lot of things, whether you're leading a new marketing push with a small team or organising a whole department for a new major goal. Big or small, projects can get disorganised quickly if you don't have the tools to organise your team, outline your tasks, and manage all the moving parts. That's where Project Pro comes in. 

This project management software lets you manage timelines, organise budgets, check your resources, and overall just keep track of your project from the beginning to the end. If you're organising a big team, skip all the manual scheduling and use Project Pros automated scheduling tools. And make sure to take advantage of timesheet submissions so you can track what's getting done.

Visualise how a task assignment will go with a what-if scenario. Need to assign a task to another team member? Project Pro lets you visually represent complex schedules with multiple timelines. With a lifetime license for Microsoft Project Professional 2021, users can install the software on one Windows PC for use at home or work. 

Give yourself or your team the tools to rock your next big project. For a limited time, you can get Microsoft Project 2021 Pro for £23.45.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Project 2021 Professional (PC) £23.45 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

Productivity is a matter of optimizing your energy, not just your time. And taking regular breaks—even short ones—is an essential way to sustain your capacity to get things done. These strategies can help you be more disciplined about making breaks a habit. Block time for communication. It can be tempting to use the spare minutes […]

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Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for March 15's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

About to blow.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter E.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #1000 is...

ERUPT.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for March 15's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Criticism

• Green: My fault

• Blue: Cover for me

• Purple: Ways to play

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

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

• Yellow: Criticize

• Green: "My Mistake!"

• Blue: Alibi

• Purple: Play___

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to Connections #278 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Criticize: BLAST, KNOCK, SLAM, TRASH

• "My Mistake!": APOLOGIES, OOPS, PARDON, SORRY

• Alibi: DEFENSE, EXCUSE, OUT, REASON

• Play___: DATE, DEAD, DIRTY, DOH

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Invincible's Steven Yeun goes deep on the what superheroes mean in our society and how they might be misunderstood. He gives insight as to how his own insecurities growing up have helped him recognize his own superpowers.

The second half of Season Two will consist of four episodes premiering weekly, starting Thursday, March 14 on Prime Video.

Keep an eye out on your home and what goes on around it with deals on Google Nest security cameras and video doorbells at Amazon. You can't put a price on peace of mind, but you can definitely save some cash with this sale.

Google Nest security camera and video doorbell deals: Best security camera deal Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor) $139.98 (save $40.01) Get Deal Best security camera with floodlight deal Google Nest Cam with Floodlight $219.98 at Amazon (save $60.01) Get Deal Best wireless video doorbell deal Google Nest Doorbell $139.99 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal

Your home should be your sanctuary, but it can be hard to feel safe sometimes. Whether you're concerned about living alone and want a home security camera or you want to screen visitors with a video doorbell, there's an option out there for you.

Google Nest's inventory offers a variety of products to help you feel more secure in your home. As of March 14, Amazon is offering up to 22% off some of the brand's security cameras and video doorbells so you can bolster your anti-intruder and theft precautionary measures. The result? You feel happier, safer, and more secure in your home.

Below, shop our picks for some of our favorite deals included in Amazon's Google Nest sale.

Best security camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Nest Cam (Outdoor or Indoor) $139.98 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $40.01 Get Deal Why we like it

The Google Nest Cam (Outdoor or Indoor) is a great indoor or outdoor security solution that lets you check in from anywhere 24/7. It streams 1080p HDR video with night vision and offers up to three hours of free event video history so you can browse through anything you might have missed or want a second look at (without a subscription). Its built-in intelligence can also discern between people, animals, and cars and send you alerts to your Google Home app. Place it anywhere you want since it's battery-powered, and have some peace of mind knowing you've got an all-seeing eye watching over you and your home – or whatever you want to keep an eye on.

Best security camera with floodlight deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Nest Cam with Floodlight $219.98 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $60.01 Get Deal Why we like it

The Google Nest Cam with Floodlight adds a super bright floodlight to everything you get with the original Nest camera. The light will automatically go on if it detects activity that you've deemed important via its companion app. It offers 24/7 1080p streaming video, three hours of free event history, and storage of up to an hour of recorded activity if your Wi-Fi goes down. You'll score a built-in speaker and a mic so you can communicate with those who might enter your space. If you live in a darker area and need some major illumination, you can't go wrong with this model.

Best video doorbell deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Nest Doorbell $139.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Google Nest Doorbell is a wireless video doorbell that can discern if a person is by your door, or if it's an animal, package, or car. It'll then send you an alert through your Google Home app. Like Google Nest cameras, it offers a constant live feed of HDR video, and will give users up to 60 days of event video history with a Nest Aware subscription. It's also super easy to install as a wireless addition to your door, with a built-in battery that doesn't require an external power source. Talk to and listen to anyone at your door, set up pre-recorded messages to greet visitors, and set up alerts to notify you of important events. It's rugged enough to make for an all-weather doorbell, and should give you a handy way to screen visitors without ever getting up.

Best Shark Days deals: Best robot vacuum deal Shark IQ 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop $188 at Walmart (save $261.99) Get Deal Best upright vacuum deal Shark Vertex DuoClean Upright Multi-Surface Vacuum 179.99 at Walmart (save $170.99) Get Deal

Have you started your spring cleaning regimen yet? Now's a great time to save on robot vacuums, upright vacuums, and more you need to cut through all the grime and debris with Walmart's Shark Days sale. From now through March 31, you can score discounts on vacuums, mops, robot vacuums, and everything in between from Shark.

Whether you're looking for a new steam mop to get in the habit of regular cleaning sessions or a lightweight stick vacuum to handle quick messes, you'll find it at Walmart right now. We've curated some of the best deals you'll find during the sale so you can spend more time cleaning and less time shopping.

Take a look at what's up for grabs and score some new appliances.

Best robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark IQ 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop $188.00 at Walmart
$449.99 Save $261.99 Get Deal Why we like it

The Shark IQ 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop is a powerful unit that has all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a premium model and then some. For under $200, it's an especially great deal, as it not only offers both vacuum and mop capabilities, but it includes Shark's Matrix Clean Navigation for precise movement and LiDAR to map out your home and avoid obstacles. Compare this to models like iRobot's Roomba 694 on sale for $179.99 at Amazon that don't come with even half of these features (especially LiDAR and other advanced cleaning features) and you can see why this deal is such an enticing one.

More robot vacuum deals

• Shark Matrix Robot Vacuum — $249 $299.99 at Walmart (save $50.99)

• Shark Matrix Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop — $539.99 $699 at Walmart (save $159.01)

• Shark ION Robot Vacuum — $159 $249 at Walmart (save $90)

Best vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Vertex DuoClean Upright Multi-Surface Vacuum $179.00 at Walmart
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A creepy demo of "Figure 01," a humanoid, conversational robot, has hit the internet — and I can't believe it's not a deleted scene from I, Robot.

In the demo, Figure 01, packed with OpenAI-tech, is asked what it can "see." Showing off its visual recognition prowess, the avant-garde robot accurately explains what's in front of it: a red apple, a drying rack with dishes, and the man who asked Figure 01 the question.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT: How to make it read responses aloud

OK, a bit uncanny, but it's nothing we haven't seen before, right? For example, last year, Google showed off how the AI model Gemini could recognize stimuli placed in front of it, from a blue rubber duck to various hand-drawn illustrations (though it was later discovered that slick editing slightly exaggerated its capabilities).

But then, the man asks, "Can I have something to eat?" Figure 01 grabs the apple, clearly recognizing that it's the only edible object on the table, and hands it to him.

Er, are we sure that Will Smith isn't going to pop up any time soon?

How does the Figure 01 robot work?

What, exactly, is underpinning Figure 01's seamless interaction with a human? It's a new Visual Language Model (VLM) transforming Figure 01 from a clunky hunk of junk to a sci-fi-esque, futuristic robot that is a little too human-like. (The VLM stems from a collaboration with OpenAI and Figure, the startup behind Figure 01.)

After handing over the apple, Figure 01 reveals that it can tackle several tasks at the same time when asked, "Can you explain why you [gave me the apple] while you pick up this trash?"

While recognizing what's trash (and what's not) and placing the proper items into what Figure 01 identifies as a bin, the robot explains that it offered the man an apple because it was the only thing in front of him that can be eaten. That's some impressive multitasking!

Finally, the man asks Figure 01 how well it thinks it did. In a conversational manner, the robot says, "I-I think I did pretty well. The apple found its new owner, the trash is gone, and the tableware is right where it belongs."

According to Brett Adcock, the founder of Figure, Figure 01 has onboard cameras that feed the VLM data that helps it "understand" the scene in front of it, allowing the robot to smoothly interact with the human in front of it. Alongside Adcock, Figure 01 is the brainchild of several key players from Boston Dynamics, Tesla, Google Deep Mind, and Archer Aviation. 

Taking a dig at Elon Musk's Optimus robot, Adcock boasted that Figure 01 is not teleoperated. In other words, unlike Optimus, which went viral for folding a shirt, Figure 01 can operate independently.

Adcock's ultimate goal? To train a super-advanced AI system to control billions of humanoid robots, potentially revolutionizing multiple industries. Looks like I, Robot is a lot more real than we thought.

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, despite the fancy name, is a simple device. It's exactly the same as the fifth-generation Kindle Paperwhite, but it costs $50 more and has four upgrades: 32GB of memory (up from 8GB), wireless charging, an automatically adjusting front light, and no ads.

Since we already established that the standard Paperwhite is a great e-reader, the focus of this review is simple: To figure out whether these four improvements are worth the extra money.

SEE ALSO: Get up to 80% off more than 700 Kindle books A thoroughly great e-reader

My colleague Alex Perry reviewed the regular fifth-gen Paperwhite, but here are my basic impressions (coming from someone whose primary e-reader before now was a second-gen Paperwhite).

The new Paperwhite is just the right size and sat perfectly in my hand. It's also beach ready, with an IPX8 rating, which is a big deal to me, especially when compared to my iPad mini, which officially isn't water resistant at all.

The USB-C charging port on the bottom was a much-needed upgrade from the microUSB port on previous Paperwhites. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

I have only one beef with the device's design, and that's the fact that Amazon moved the power button to the bottom from the top, which took some getting used to. (It's worth noting that this change happened on a previous iteration of the Paperwhite.)

The new Paperwhite is a lot faster than my old model, but it could be faster still, especially when browsing through menus. The battery lasts forever, and having a USB-C port instead of the old microUSB connector is a blessing.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Kindle Rewards So, what do you get for that extra $50? Compared to my ancient, 3rd generation Paperwhite, the new one is shaped a bit more like a typical book, which isn't a bad thing. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

One thing you won't get on this Kindle is ads. Compared to ads on certain other devices, advertisements on the Kindle's homescreen aren't nearly as intrusive, but I still prefer zero ads on something I paid for. You can remove the ads from the base model Kindle for an extra $20, but then the price difference between the two is a mere $30, which means you should really look at the other extras you get with the Signature Edition.

You know what they say about memory: More is always better. That said, unless you're a voracious reader, or you constantly send a bunch of periodicals to your Kindle, you won't need more than 8GB. The Kindle Paperwhite SE has 32GB, which is overkill, but it is comforting to know you'll never have to worry about storage.

Whether wireless charging will be worth it for you depends entirely on whether you normally use it in other scenarios. All Kindles have great battery life, so you won't be charging them very often. I do have wireless chargers in my car and scattered all around the house, so the ability to just toss the Kindle onto them and have it charge is a nice, if marginal, improvement.

The MagSafe isn't the best way to charge your Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, but it works! Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Fun fact: I tried to charge the Kindle Paperwhite SE using Apple's MagSafe magnetic charger for the iPhone, and not only does it work, but the charger sticks (though just barely) to the Kindle like it does to the iPhone. Pretty great.

The display, automated

The last big improvement on the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is the display.

The 6.8-inch, 300ppi display is sharp, crisp, beautiful to look at, and won't tire your eyes even after long reading sessions. The bezels on the sides and top of device are far smaller than on the previous iteration, but there's still enough room to rest your fingers without accidentally flipping the page.

The display now makes brightness adjustments on its own. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Now for the big difference between the regular and the SE version of the Paperwhite: Automatically adjusting front light. The best way to explain the importance of this feature is to think of smartphones: Literally every single modern smartphone has this feature. You don't think about it much, but if someone took the feature away, you'd definitely notice.

It's similar on the Paperwhite. The display automatically sets brightness depending on the amount of light in your environment. I like reading in very dim light, and the Kindle set the screen's brightness pretty much as I would do. The device supports dark mode (bright text on dark background), and if I switched to that, it readjusted the brightness accordingly. I love the feature and though I could live without it, I'd be slightly annoyed about having to adjust brightness manually again.

Is the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition worth it?

This may be because I'm biased from reviewing Apple devices — Apple charges an arm and a leg for upgrades and extra features — but I feel like the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is worth it.

For $50, you get no ads (a $20 value), wireless charging, 32GB, and an improved display. None of it is essential, but it does feel like you're getting a decent value for your money.

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $189.99 at Amazon
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