Blogroll

Collecting all your favourite snacks and drinks, surrounding yourself with comfortable cushions and blankets, and then spending hours in front of a screen can be a truly therapeutic experience. Unfortunately, there is one big problem with this hobby: There is a limited amount of content out there to keep you entertained.

We are a greedy bunch, and regular streamers can quickly get to a point when it feels like there's nothing left to watch. What are you supposed to do then? Don't panic, because there is a simple solution to this frustrating issue.

If you've reached this point of streaming shortage, you should consider investing in a VPN.

What is a VPN?

VPNs are security tools that provide protection for your information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location). All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.

SEE ALSO: 30 best movies on Netflix to stream right now

The act of hiding your real IP address is what can trick leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country.

Do you need a VPN?

VPNs are used to provide protection for your sensitive information, which is obviously super important. This isn't the only reason VPNs are so popular though, because these tools can be also be used to watch content that is normally blocked in your location.

By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another country, you can watch all your favourite content from that location. For example, you could watch all the extra films and shows on American Netflix that are not usually accessible outside of the U.S. There is so much content out there that can be accessed with the help of a VPN.

Everyone is in need of something that can bypass geo-restrictions to access all of this blocked entertainment, and that something is a VPN. These services are keys to the online world, granting you access to more of the shows and films you love.

How to unblock U.S. Netflix

If you think accessing American Netflix is going to be difficult with a VPN, think again. It's actually a really simple process that absolutely everyone can understand:

1. Sign up 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 U.S.

4. Visit Netflix to watch movies and shows from the U.S. content library

If you're worried that this whole thing sounds a bit illegal, then maybe we can reassure you. It's currently legal to watch Netflix while using a VPN, although we should point out that Netflix states in its terms of service that it may restrict your account without compensation or notice if you are engaged in "improper" use. We're not entirely sure what that means, but consider yourself warned.

We should make it very clear that you still need to be subscribed to Netflix for this trick to work. A VPN is not going to grant access to the streaming site for free. A VPN provides access to more libraries from around the world, once you're subscribed.

Should you use free VPNs?

There are plenty of free versions and free trials of VPNs, so why would you ever consider paying for a service? As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs.

There is always a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. These plans will be just fine if you're just an occasional user, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading anything, this isn't going to work. Free trials are different as 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.

To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you generally need to pay up. That being said, services like ProtonVPN offer an impressive set of features for free. However, you might have trouble streaming Netflix with this free version.

What is the best VPN for Netflix?

There are a lot of VPN services out there that can effectively unblock American Netflix, but which is the best? There are plenty of strong options for you to consider, but we wouldn't want you wasting your time checking everything out. To save you time, we've handpicked your best options. Each service has a different set of features that will suit some users better than others, and it's all about finding something that works for you.

ExpressVPN is at the top of this list because it combines essential features with impressive results, but it isn’t the only option available to you. We have lined up all the best VPNs for unblocking Netflix, with something for everyone on this list. We've highlighted the best deals on the likes of Surfshark, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and NordVPN.

These are the best VPNs for Netflix in 2024.

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

Dating is a competitive game, and you should do everything you can to give yourself a chance of success. Looking your best and smelling fresh is a good place to start, but nothing shortens your odds of success like signing up to a dating site.

The problem with this tactic is that there are just so many dating sites out there to consider, each with a different set of features that will suit some people better than others. It's difficult to know which site is best for you, and you could easily spend hours researching all of the sites on offer without a definitive answer.

We know that you don't have time for all of that, so we've set out to make things a little easier for you.

What are the benefits of using dating apps?

By subscribing to a dating site, you're shortening your odds of finding a connection. It's as simple as that.

Dating sites and apps let you get your information out there to a massive network of like-minded individuals, and provide the opportunity to test out a potential relationship on an app before actually meeting in real life.

SEE ALSO: Best hookup apps and dating sites to find casual sex with no strings attached

Subscribing to dating apps and sites is also a way less intimidating way of meeting someone compared to a face-to-face situation. If you find the idea of meeting people slightly terrifying, these apps can help you face your fears from the comfort of your own home.

Is online dating worth the hassle?

Sentiments aside, we have some hard data to back our reasoning for Why Online Dating Is Worthwhile™: Statista predicted that the online dating audience will grow to 53.3 million by 2025, compared to 44.2 million users in 2020. A study from Stanford released in 2019 asserted that online dating is officially the most common way for couples to meet, rounding out at nearly 40 percent of couples having first met online.

This pre-pandemic prediction came before the COVID-era dating app sign-ups surge. Though people are eager to get back to doing as many things IRL as possible now, dating apps are still a great place to find someone, whether you want a relationship or are just looking to get nasty.

And yes, though there are algorithms that dictate what profiles pop up on your screen, we firmly believe that the stars aligning still comes into play. After all, the person who signs up on the app and is looking for love at exactly the same time you are is up to fate and the universe, proving that online dating romance is very much alive and well.

Because it's not 2007 anymore, the need for mobile-friendly online dating isn't just a millennial thing — people over 40 don't have time to sit around at their home desktops, either. Dating sites that are older than most members of Gen Z (like Match and eharmony) have been forced to give serious attention to their smartphone counterparts if they don't want to be outgrown.

However, that statistical promise still requires patience and a game plan, the game plan is choosing the dating app with features that best fit your lifestyle — and the lifestyle of the type of person you're looking for. Are you looking for an app strictly for sex or an app more serious than Tinder but less serious than eharmony? Or maybe, you'd just really love to find an app where queer women aren't relentlessly sexualized by creeps and pestered by unicorn hunters.

Should you use free dating apps?

The good news is that there are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are good examples of free apps with massive networks of users.

The bad news is that a lot of free apps simply don't cut it. You get what you pay for with dating sites and apps, and for the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up the cash.

You can still find something worth your time with a free app, but if you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control, we recommend upgrading. Paid sites provide access to premium features that give you the best chance of finding something special.

What is the best dating site?

We're sorry to break it to you like this, but there isn't a single dating site that is better than the rest. Instead, there are a lot of sites and apps with similar features and packages, and the best option for you really comes down to your own set of preferences.

To make the decision process a whole lot easier for everyone, we have lined up a selection of the most popular sites in the dating game, including leading sites like EliteSingles, Match, and Eharmony. All you need to do is pick a favourite from the bunch.

These are the best dating sites in 2024.

Gaming is all about small margins. Whether you are looking to invest in a new gaming mouse, keyboard, or monitor, the objective is the same: improve your overall experience and gain a competitive edge over your opponents. No matter how small the variables, your'e in it to win it.

The same goes for SSDs. They're little, but these devices can have a significant impact on your gaming system. It's almost certainly time for an upgrade.

But it you don't know your SSDs from your RPGs, it's not always easy to choose the right model for you. That's where we come in. We've picked a selection of the best SSDs and put together some helpful information.

What is an SSD?

Solid-state drives (SSDs) are all-electronic, non-volatile random access storage drives. SSDs are used as the internal storage in smartphones, tablets, and laptops, and are increasingly often found instead of hard drives in desktop computers. This is because they work faster, meaning a device's operating system will boot up faster, programs will load quicker, and files can be saved almost instantly.

Do you need an SSD for gaming?

The short answer is "no, not necessarily". If you are already equipped with decent CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage, you should have no issue with your gaming system. However, if you are really looking to squeeze everything you can out of your experience, you could benefit from investing in a gaming-friendly SSD.

Adding an SSD will result in faster game load times, improved game boot times, and smoother general gameplay. And who doesn't want that?

Do you need an SSD for a PS5?

In this case, we say "yes". Especially if you're serious about PS5 gaming. The PS5 comes equipped with just 667GB of usable internal storage. Not only will that fill up in no time, but we're just really just scratching the surface of PS5 gaming. That means a whole lot of games, campaigns, and data that you'll ultimately need extra storage to enjoy.

How does an SSD work?

Unlike a hard disc drive, an SSD is made up of two key components — a controller and flash memory chips. The SSD reads and writes data to these flash memory chips. If that all sounds confusing, here's a quick guide to some of the jargon you'll find when researching SSDs:

• Endurance — This refers to the maximum data that can be written onto an SSD, generally measured by DWPD (drive writes per day).

• Flash memory — A type of non-volatile data storage. It essentially means that it retains data even when the power source is switched off.

• Heatsink — A heatsink transfers heat from your SSD. A heatsink may be built into your SSD, or can be bought separately.

• IOPS — AKA input/output operations per second. Essentially the maximum number read/writes that an SSD can perform per second.

• Read/write speeds — This is how fast the SSD takes to open a file on your device (i.e. read) and how fast it saves data on the SSD (writes). This is measured in MB/s (megabits per second).

We know that's a lot to take in, but we promise it's not that complicated. Keep these points in mind when considering the options out there.

What is the best SSD for gaming?

You have plenty of options when it comes to SSDs. There are a lot of recognised brands that produce high-quality devices that can significantly improve your gaming experience. To help you find the best option for your system, we have lined up a selection of the best SSDs for gaming.

These are the best gaming SSDs in 2024.

Some users on X are finding themselves to be blue-checked once again. They never asked for it.

Elon Musk's app is handing out verified checkmarks to users who have more than 2,500 "verified subscriber followers", providing such users with free Premium memberships. Those with over 5,000 verified subscriber followers will receive Premium Plus. Musk announced the move on X last week.

Tweet may have been deleted

No one can forget that Musk's takeover of Twitter, now X, involved a heavy rebrand of the blue tick. Musk vowed to remove the app's legacy verification program – which he referred to as a "lords & peasants system" – and replaced this with a series of questionable moves, including the CEO personally paying for some celebrities to retain their legacy blue ticks. For others, acquiring the now meaningless blue tick meant paying at least $8 per month.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk confirms X accounts with certain subscriber levels will get Premium bonuses

But now, users are automatically verified once again and most of them aren't happy about it.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Users may have the option to hide their blue ticks, another facet of X's ill-advised verification program. Looks like most of the new subscribers would rather opt for that, than to have people think they paid to be blue-checked on Musk's app.

TL;DR: Through April 7, save an additional 20% on this WiFi and micro SD mini camera with code SECURE20 and get it for $48.79.

The TOKK™ CAM C2+ could be used as a home security cam, personal body camera, or even a way to keep an eye on your pets while you’re away, since it supports micro SD and WiFi recording. Normally $89.99, you can get it for $48.79 with code SECURE20 until April 7.

Enter: A new world of personal security and peace of mind

Think of the TOKK™ CAM C2+ as your second pair of eyes. With a clip that attaches to the camera’s magnetic back, you can easily install it anywhere you want to monitor — maybe your front porch, your parked vehicle, or your dog's crate. Connect it to your home’s 2.4GHz WiFi or insert a micro SD card and the camera will record in 1280x720p resolution with high-quality audio and night vision. 

If you choose WiFi connectivity, you can view recorded footage within the iCookyCam iOS or Android mobile app. This also allows you to set up push notifications if the camera detects motion, like if your package carrier arrives or if your pup wakes up from their nap.

Another key feature of the TOKK™ CAM C2+ is its pocket-sized design. Measuring 1.5 by 1.5 inches and weighing just 19 grams, it truly goes wherever you need it to and won’t weigh you down if you want to use it as a personal body cam. It’s also USB-rechargeable, requiring zero expensive batteries or annoying cords for operation.

Keep an eye out with this TOKK™ CAM C2+ day and night-vision camera for $48.79 (reg. $89.99) with code SECURE20 at checkout until April 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Browse other security-related deals as part of this limited-time coupon sale.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tech Essential TOKK™ CAM C2+ Range of Smart WiFi Day/Night Vision Camera $48.79 at the Mashable Shop
$89.99 Save $41.20 with code SECURE20 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 7, save an extra 20% on this ethical hacking online boot camp bundle with code SECURE20, making it under $4 per course.

As you can probably imagine, online privacy goes far beyond dreaming up a creative password and declining cookies — as crazy as that last part sounds in the real world. There’s actually an entire field dedicated to cybersecurity, and it’s one that you could work in without a degree if you have the right experience and certification.

This ethical hacking online boot camp bundle can help you get those credentials from home, and it’s 20% off right now when you use code SECURE20 at checkout: $35.99 (reg. $143). Try out this coupon on other security-related deals on our site through April 7.

Crack the code to cybersecurity: Self-paced online learning

Though some job titles or companies might prefer or require a college degree, you could build a standout resume with coveted skills and certifications that help you land a position like penetration tester, ethical hacker, or vulnerability analyst with these courses. 

They start at the bare basics and work up to hands-on projects:

• Hacking with Python: Learn to write security programs that automate tasks or develop tools for penetration testing. These courses also help you code other non-security-related projects.

• Network analysis with Wireshark: Understand network traffic and detect malicious activities.

• Web application security: Think like a hacker and use that perspective to secure your programs against threats like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and session hijacking.

• Infrastructure penetration testing: Test and explore vulnerabilities in Windows and Linux systems, including finding open ports, exploiting systems, and using tools like Metasploit. 

And that’s just scratching the surface. After completing most or all of the lessons, you’ll find two specialized courses that help you prepare for the CompTIA PenTest+ certification exam. This helps prove your newfound expertise to prospective employers so you can potentially land a role in this lucrative industry. 

Become an ethical hacker with this online boot camp bundle for $35.99 when you use code SECURE20 at checkout (reg. $143) until April 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: iSecur1ty The Complete Ethical Hacking Boot Camp: Zero to Mastery Certification Bundle $35.99 at the Mashable Shop
$143.00 Save $107.01 with code SECURE20 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 7, see the world and keep your memories with these HD Digital Camera Binoculars for just $121.99 (reg. $199).

Is there a more universal experience than rejoicing at the start of spring? Probably. However, it is such a delight to welcome the first buds on trees and the beginning of longer days and more sunlight. Many of us use that excitement to spend more time outside to soak up some vitamin D and fresh air.

If you enjoy walks, hikes, or bike rides in nature, these modern binoculars could have your name on them. Observe the birds and other wildlife on your springtime adventures with these binoculars, which offer 12X magnification in high resolution. You'll even be able to record what you see and snap photos to share with friends and family.

It also offers a range of over half a mile, which can be helpful if you're a hunter or bird watcher, as well as an anti-reflective coating, which is designed to prevent water damage and enhance light transmission, providing super clear images even in difficult lighting situations. It's also thoughtfully small and portable.

With precise focus adjustment, a waterproof design, and a two-inch LCD screen to watch it all on, these camera binoculars are a worthwhile investment if you are an outdoor or nature lover. They could also come in handy for sporting events or concerts, both big and small when you need a closer view.

Elevate your spring activities and beyond with HD Digital Camera Binoculars while it's on sale for just $121.99 (reg. $199) for a limited time — a 52% savings.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mesay HD Digital Camera Binoculars $121.99 at the Mashable Shop
$199.99 Save $78.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 7, score the Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad 10th-Gen for just $99.99 (open-box). (Reg. $249.)

While navigating an iPad on the touchscreen can be convenient, it can also be a challenge when it comes to typing lengthy documents, filling out forms, or sending emails. This open-box 2022 Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad offers a more comfortable typing experience so you can get more done in a fraction of the time.

The built-in, click-anywhere trackpad supports multi‑touch gestures and the cursor in iPadOS. Designed to manage ​​precise task handling, you’ll be able to complete any assignment as you would on any standard keyboard. The 14-key function row allows the user to access easy shortcuts, saving time in the long run.

The Apple Magic Keyboard Folio comes in a chic white color and has a two-piece design with front and back protection for extra durability. The adjustable stand has flexible viewing angles for customizing comfortability preferences and deflecting glares.

This detachable keyboard is designed to be great for anyone who’s on the go or needs a reliable setup when working remotely. Simply prop it up and start fleshing out a report or watching your favorite movie — just as you would on a laptop or PC.

Open-box items are often excess inventory from store shelves or items that have been returned from retail stores back to the warehouse. Products may have had customer contact or been repackaged, but rest assured they go through a verification process that verifies they’re still in new condition and put in fresh packaging.

Get this 2022 open-box 10th-generation Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad for only $99.99 (reg. $249).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad 10th Gen (Open Box) $99.99 at the Mashable Shop
$249.00 Save $149.01 Get Deal

The fastest spacecraft in our solar system has captured wild footage inside the sun's atmosphere.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe — a craft flying much closer to the sun than any previous mission — witnessed massive "vortex-like structures" in our star's outer atmosphere, called the corona. You can see the unprecedented view below, taken by the probe's WISPR camera (short for Wide-field Imager for Parker Solar Probe) and recently posted online.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

Researchers suspect that the phenomena was caused by a coronal mass ejection (CME) — when the sun ejects a mass of super hot gas (plasma) into space — interacting with the solar wind. The sun's solar wind is constant, as our medium-sized star emits a steady stream of charged particles.

The new research associated with the footage, published in The Astrophysical Journal, concluded that this find in uncharted realms of the sun has created new opportunities to better understand and predict CMEs, outbursts that can severely harm communications and electrical grids on Earth. Technically, these rare vortices are called "Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities," or KHI.

"The direct imaging of extraordinary ephemeral phenomena like KHI with WISPR/PSP is a discovery that opens a new window to better understand CME propagation and their interaction with the ambient solar wind," Evangelos Paouris, a space weather researcher and member of the WISPR team at George Mason University, said in a statement.

CMEs "can endanger satellites, disrupt communications and navigation technologies, and even knock out power grids on Earth," NASA explains. Infamously, a potent CME in 1989 knocked out power to millions in Québec, Canada. The CME hit Earth's magnetic field on March 12 of that year, and then, wrote NASA astronomer Sten Odenwald, "Just after 2:44 a.m. on March 13, the currents found a weakness in the electrical power grid of Québec. In less than two minutes, the entire Québec power grid lost power. During the 12-hour blackout that followed, millions of people suddenly found themselves in dark office buildings and underground pedestrian tunnels, and in stalled elevators."

An artist's conception of NASA's Parker Solar Probe passing through the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona. Credit: NASA

The space agency's Parker Solar Probe will continue its speeding dives into the sun's corona. To withstand the heat, it's fortified with a 4.5-inch-thick carbon heat shield that's pointed at the sun. The shield itself heats up to some 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, but just a couple of feet behind the shield, the environs are surprisingly mild.

Later this year, the spacecraft will reach a whopping 430,000 miles per hour.

Sexting (dirty talk, swapping nudes, sending explicit audio messages...the list goes on, depending on your personal preference and comfort level) is one way to take your dating life to new heights.

Whether you're single and ravenous for some sexy screen time with a stranger, in a long-distance relationship that's keeping the passion alive through digital intimacy, or interested in amping up your solo sex toy sessions with steamy instructions from an AI companion, mastering the act (art?) of sexting leads to a more fulfilling physical and emotional experience.

And, no, we're not talking about flirting with your crush on Facebook Messenger or sliding into someone's DMs on Instagram. We're talking about good old-fashioned dirty talk with a modern twist (think: video chat, sexy snaps, and erotic audio messages, with self-destructing features for added privacy). We made a lot of accounts to test the best sexting apps, and we've gathered our favorites below. You'll recognize some of them from our guide to the best dating apps, and for more adult fun, check out our review of the best hookup apps.

Once viewed as taboo, sexting is a mainstream way to communicate your desires

According to a 2023 survey of U.S. adults by the market research platform Statista, 77 percent of participants said they've sent at least one sext — that's up from 45 percent in 2019 and just 14 percent about 10 years ago.

SEE ALSO: The cherry emoji and 14 other emoji you can use to sext

And we're pretty sure those numbers will rise as tech advances and societal norms evolve to become more accepting and inclusive of sexual expression.

Sexting isn't just a saucy way to get off; it's a great tool for building trust and intimacy and sharing or exploring your wants and fantasies in a consensual and safe manner. It can also help you and your partner feel more connected and maintain a strong sexual bond (so the next time you get together, it may be even hotter). This is especially true in long-distance relationships or during periods of physical separation.

How to start sexting

For some, just the thought of sending an explicit message or racy photo can be intimidating. (And that's OK!) There are so many apps and resources out there to help even the most novice sexters feel empowered and confident.

Not sure where to start? Based on our research and hands-on testing, we've narrowed down the best sexting apps of 2024 to the following top contenders:

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 April 4 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 4

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, April 4, 2024:

AcrossTiny bit of kindling

• The answer is twig.

"I will take the Ring to Mordor, though I do not know the way" speaker

• The answer is Frodo.

Screenwriter Sorkin

• The answer is Aaron.

Suffix with Louis and Jackson, in city names

• The answer is ville.

Trimmed parts of green beans

• The answer is ends.

DownOne might be on track to arrive

The answer is train.

"What in the ___?!"

• The answer is world.

Venerated celebrities

• The answer is idols.

Missing

• The answer is gone.

#1 choice, informally

• The answer is fave.

Another day, another unpaid severance lawsuit against Twitter/X and Elon Musk. Former Twitter executive Nick Caldwell is suing the social media platform for approximately $19.3 million in withheld entitlements, joining a slew of similar claims which have arisen since Musk took over in 2022.

Filed in a California District Court on Wednesday, the lawsuit states that Caldwell resigned from his former role as Twitter's General Manager for Core Technologies on Oct. 22, 2022 — mere days before Musk officially took the reigns as its new owner. At the time, Twitter's termination policy stated that executives such as Caldwell were entitled to severance packages if they resigned for "Good Reason" or were fired without cause. 

SEE ALSO: Former Twitter/X executives sue Elon Musk for $128 million in unpaid severance

Caldwell contends that his resignation fulfilled this requirement because Twitter going private meant he would no longer directly report to the CEO of a publicly traded company. Such a circumstance was specifically listed as a "material adverse change" and "Good Reason" for resigning under the company's termination policy. Twitter was officially delisted from the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 28.

In response to Caldwell's resignation, Twitter/X allegedly told him that he would serve out his notice period until Nov. 27, but did not provide its standard separation agreement despite repeated requests. Musk subsequently fired Caldwell on Nov. 27, terminating him for alleged "failure to comply with the Company’s written policies or rules, including its code of conduct," as well as "gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of [his] duties."

This meant that, in Musk's assessment, Caldwell had been fired with cause and was thus no longer entitled to his $19.3 million severance package. Caldwell disputes this, claiming that he resigned for "Good Reason" before he was ostensibly fired, and that Twitter/X failed to provide any facts or proof to substantiate its accusations against him.

"Tellingly, Musk’s termination letter, like those of the other executives, did not include any facts demonstrating any misconduct or grounds for termination for 'Cause,'" the lawsuit reads (emphasis original). "With no factual basis, Musk simply accused Mr. Caldwell of misconduct as a ploy to evade paying him millions of dollars in severance benefits that Musk/Twitter owed to Mr. Caldwell."

In addition to his $19.3 million severance entitlements, Caldwell is seeking interest, attorney's fees, and almost $490,000 for the value of the restricted stock units Twitter/X should have vested when his employment ended.

Twitter/X and Musk have been accused of withholding severance from over 2000 people

This is far from the only case of unpaid severance plaguing Twitter/X. The company has been inundated with a deluge of severance claims since Musk's acquisition in late 2022, with the billionaire having laid off approximately 80 percent of its staff. Last September the company agreed to settlement talks with approximately 2,000 former employees, all of whom have accused Twitter/X of withholding their entitlements.

Caldwell isn't even the only former Twitter/X executive chasing millions in severance. In a similar lawsuit filed last month, Twitter/X's former Chief Executive Officer Parag Agrawal, Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal, Chief Legal Officer Vijaya Gadde, and General Counsel Sean Edgett accused the company of withholding a combined total of over $128 million in unpaid severance. Like Caldwell, these former executives also accused Musk of fabricating reasons to fire them in order to avoid paying out their entitlements.

"Because Musk decided he didn’t want to pay Plaintiffs’ severance benefits, he simply fired them without reason, then made up fake cause and appointed employees of his various companies to uphold his decision," the plaintiff's complaint read. "He claimed in his termination letters that each Plaintiff committed 'gross negligence' and 'willful misconduct' without citing a single fact in support of this claim."

Basically, there seem to be two possibilities. Either Twitter/X's entire executive suite was engaging in gross negligence and willful misconduct, egregious behaviour which went completely undetected until Musk figured it out within mere hours of taking over the company. Or Musk was attempting a clumsy, ill-conceived scheme to stop haemorrhaging money into a $44 billion acquisition he did not want but was legally obligated to go through with.

Regardless of your job, rank, or industry, written communication is a skill that can set you apart from your peers. Here’s a three-step framework to help you level up as a writer—whether you’re writing an email, a formal document, a social post, or something else. First, determine the purpose of what you’re writing. What result […]

257257

TL;DR: The Complete 2024 CompTIA Course Bundle by IDUNOVA is on sale for £50.94 with the code SECURE20.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to change careers, you should consider joining the IT field. With a wealth of opportunities for computer nerds as technicians, ethical hackers as penetration testers, and bossy types as project managers, and more, there’s something for almost everyone — and many titles don’t require a degree.

Instead, you can earn CompTIA certifications to train for the job and prove your skills to employers. While you have to pass each exam, this training bundle could help you pass with flying colours for £50.94 with the code SECURE20.

With courses in 12 certifications, it may be difficult to know where to start. If you have little or no prior IT experience, you may want to begin with CompTIA Fundamentals+ and A+, industry standards that also build a foundation for more advanced training. 

From there, explore certifications that could help you land your dream job title:

• Network+: network administrator or IT support manager

• Server+: server administrator, data architect, or support technician

• Linux+: cybersecurity engineer or web administrator

• Cloud+ and Cloud Essentials+: cloud specialist or business development manager

• Project+: IT project manager or coordinator

• PenTest+: penetration tester or web app penetration tester

• CySA+: vulnerability analyst, threat hunter, security architect

• CASP+: cybersecurity manager or information security analyst

As you can see, there are opportunities for many different areas of interest, and you get lifetime access to training courses in them all. You may need a degree for some, but you only need a certification for many of these IT jobs.

Start exploring a new career path today with this 15-course CompTIA training course bundle, on sale for £50.94 with the code SECURE20.

Opens in a new window Credit: CommerceNova Ltd The Complete 2024 CompTIA Certification Training Bundle by IDUNOVA £50.94 with the code SECURE20 Get Deal

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 April 4'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:

Scaling a large object.

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 C.

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 #1020 is...

CLIMB.

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 April 4'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: Cooking an egg

• Green: Adrenaline junkie

• Blue: You can throw these

• Purple: Wrapping

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: Ways to Prepare Eggs

• Green: Exhilaration

• Blue: Thrown in Target Games

• Purple: ___Wrap

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 #298 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Ways to Prepare Eggs: BOIL, FRY, POACH, SCRAMBLE

• Exhilaration: BUZZ, KICK, RUSH, THRILL

• Thrown in Target Games: AXE, DART, HORSESHOE, RING

• ___Wrap: BODY, BUBBLE, GIFT, SHRINK

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.

Apple just had a massive outage of its services, with users around the world unable to access everything from the App Store to Apple TV. Fortunately the tech giant appears to have since resolved the issue, leaving you free to stream your Apple Music playlist in peace.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new AI: 3 ways Siri could beat ChatGPT

First complaints of an outage began appearing shortly after Apple's systems went down at 3:13 p.m. PT / 6:13 p.m. ET, with multiple users notifying the company that they were unable to access services such as the App Store, Apple Music, or Apple TV. Mashable's testing found that attempting to access the Apple Store on an iPhone during the outage brought up a notification that it "cannot connect."

It quickly became apparent that the issue was impacting many more services, though. The official Apple Support Twitter/X account has not made any general announcement about the outage, however it did tell users who raised the issue to bookmark its System Status page for updates.

Fortunately, Apple's services came back up at 4:35 p.m. PT / 7:35 p.m. ET, allowing Apple TV customers to resume streaming The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin without interruption.

Which Apple services were down?

Apple's website listed outages on:

• App Store

• Apple Arcade

• Apple Books

• Apple Fitness+

• Apple Music

• Apple Music radio

• Apple Music Subscriptions

• Apple Sports

• Apple TV Channels

• Apple TV+

• AppleCare on Device

• Audiobooks

• Mac App Store

• Podcasts

• Subscription Purchase

So basically the majority of Apple's most popular services were down, though fortunately Apple Pay remained unaffected. Apple Music Classical was still up as well, which was good news for anyone who prefers Tchaikovsky to Taylor Swift.

As of writing, Apple's Systems Status page lists everything back up except for AppleCare on Device.

Several other Apple services are still experiencing issues though, including:

• Apple Business Essentials

• Apple Business Manager

• Apple School Manager

UPDATE: Apr. 4, 2024, 11:15 a.m. AEDT Apple's Systems Status page now states that AppleCare on Device is back up as well.

UPDATE: Apr. 4, 2024, 11:39 a.m. AEDT The issues impacting Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple School Manager have now been resolved as well, meaning all of Apple's systems are now back up and running without problems.

The FCC is defrosting net neutrality once again, bringing back internet protection laws intended to keep users from paying high prices for the same web.

In an exclusive statement to Reuters, FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel said the federal committee would be voting to bring back net neutrality laws at the end of the month, despite lingering internal challenges. "The pandemic made clear that broadband is an essential service, that every one of us — no matter who we are or where we live — needs it to have a fair shot at success in the digital age," she told the publication. "An essential service requires oversight and in this case we are just putting back in place the rules that have already been court-approved that [ensure] that broadband access is fast, open, and fair."

But former net neutrality protections have failed to fully stick in the U.S., so what's up? 

SEE ALSO: Google is funding AI tools for nonprofits, including the World Bank What is net neutrality?

Net neutrality is an internet anti-discrimination principle that argues for the equal treatment of websites and services by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). In the words of its supporters, the concept ensures fast, open, and fair broadband access to all. It's the path toward an "open internet."

In practice, net neutrality regulations include prohibitions on ISPs blocking (legal) websites and services as part of paid packages, or throttling website speeds according to a customer's plan or at the ISP's discretion. Laws may also block the prioritization of services and providers that pay more for bandwidth access, or ensure that users of different ISPs receive similar web experiences. 

For consumers, a world without net neutrality could look like Verizon striking a deal with one website or streaming service, and then charging you more to access its competitors. An ISP could censor entire categories of apps from free access. Conversely, some credit the rise of online streaming services with former net neutrality protections, including the Disney+ acquisitions that now let you digitally stream what were once cable-only channels.

On the whole, net neutrality argues that telecommunications companies shouldn't be allowed to ramp up prices or put walls up to digital access without the government being involved. 

Advocates for net neutrality laws include digital rights advocacy groups, the ACLU, and even the inventor of the World Wide Web, arguing that an open market for broadband access is both a requirement for innovation and a free speech issue. 

What is the United States' stance on net neutrality? 

Debate between those aligning with providers and those in favor of more government oversight has led to a split among political leaders, with the majority of Republican leadership favoring the former and Democrats the latter. The FCC, made up of presidentially-appointed members that serve five-year terms, tends to lean toward the appointing side. Major providers, like Verizon and Comcast, have taken net neutrality to court — and won.

While the first FCC attempt to instate net neutrality laws happened way back in 2005, the regulations didn't officially make it onto the books until a decade later, with the support of the ardently pro-net neutrality Obama administration. In a 2014 White House statement, President Barack Obama wrote, "'Net neutrality' has been built into the fabric of the Internet since its creation — but it is also a principle that we cannot take for granted. We cannot allow Internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict the best access or to pick winners and losers in the online marketplace for services and ideas." The Obama administration's net neutrality agenda, known as the Open Internet Rule, included limits on ISP blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization. 

But the 2015 regulations were repealed by a new Republican-controlled FCC only a year later, under President Donald Trump. At the time, FCC chairman Ajit Pai argued the regulations had a negative impact on innovative internet investment and small providers. "These providers often serve rural and lower-income areas where better internet access and competition are most desperately needed. But they were forced to spend scarce funds on regulatory compliance rather than building out broadband to more Americans," said Pai. 

What followed were several years of failed bills to reinstate the Obama era laws, including a bicameral bill, known as the Save the Internet Act of 2019, introduced by Democratic legislators. As federal regulations stalled, states introduced their own net neutrality laws, like California's 2018 Internet Consumer Protection and Net Neutrality Act.

In a 2021 executive order, President Joe Biden called on the FCC to restore net neutrality rules, as well as require ISPs to report their prices and subscription rates directly to the FCC. Biden also championed the revival of the FCC's shelved "Broadband Nutrition Label," a standardized consumer label that would provide basic information about internet services and prices.

How will the FCC's decision affect internet users?

A "yes" vote from the FCC would reinstate protections and oversight powers bestowed under the Open Internet Rule. This means federal agencies would once again require ISPs to report speed, pricing, and network management practice; that information would then be made available to customers. 

Notably, Rosenworcel explained it would also provide the FCC with "new national security tools," which could impact international companies providing equipment and services to ISPs and U.S. customers. Amid growing political fears of foreign state actors online (read: TikTok), that fact could be the bipartisan chip that gets net neutrality back in U.S. law. 

The internet itself wouldn't immediately change for consumers with the revival of open internet laws, but the downstream effects could be significant to those shopping around for new providers, plans, services, and more.

SEE ALSO: Biden’s executive order: What it means for Big Tech and you

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) officially went into effect in the EU last month. That means Big Tech needs to start abiding by this new regulation that intends to spur competition on these companies' core platforms.

In Apple's case, one of the biggest results of the DMA has been to allow "alternative marketplaces," basically App Store competitors, on the iPhone.

What's coming for iPhone users in the EU

As The Verge points out, there's currently just one third-party alternative marketplace on iOS that users in the EU can currently download — a business-to-business marketplace for corporations to distribute their own internal apps called Mobivention.

However, there's a lot more on the way.

Epic Games, the company behind the super popular Battle Royale game Fortnite, has already shared its plans to soon launch its own alternative marketplace on the iPhone. 

In addition, Epic Games has announced they would use this distribution model to get Fortnite back on iOS for users in the EU. The game has been missing from Apple's App Store for nearly four years after the Fortnite developer and the iPhone maker had a very public falling out over App Store fees and revenue share models.

SEE ALSO: Apple already unbans Epic Games, will allow Fortnite on iPhone in EU

SetApp by MacPaw is also coming to the iPhone in the EU. Mac users may be familiar with SetApp, a sort of Netflix for Mac apps. The subscription service charges $9.99 per month and allows users to download and use any of the more than 200 third-party Mac apps that are part of its program for as long as they are subscribed. SetApp plans to bring a similar iOS subscription service to the iPhone via its alternative marketplace.

However, as both TechCrunch and The Verge note, an alternative marketplace called AltStore will likely be the first to make it to the iPhone.

AltStore leading the way

AltStore, by developer Riley Testut, has already existed for years as an "alternative marketplace" before the concept officially existed. Testut found a workaround that allowed iPhone users anywhere in the world to sideload AltStore, basically installing it directly to their device via their PC or Mac. Testut found a creative way to make his public App Store alternative work on an iPhone without being distributed via Apple's official App Store, in a similar way to how businesses install and use internal company apps on employees' iOS devices. 

AltStore comes with preloaded apps like Delta, Testut's Nintendo emulator and a perfect example of apps that likely would never be approved by Apple for distribution in the App Store.

Post by @rileytestut View on Threads

Testut's AltStore is currently undergoing Apple's alternative marketplace review process and will be ready to launch as soon as Apple approves of AltStore.

Once Apple approves, AltStore will be available for "official" download in the EU. The alternative marketplace will have two apps ready to go at launch: the aforementioned Delta game emulator, which will be available for free, and and clipboard manager called Clip.

Testut will require users pay a small fee for Clip, and it appears that this app will be used to test out a very new and unique mobile app subscription model. According to Testut, users will pay for Clip via a $1 or more pledge via the creator monetization platform Patreon. 

Patreon allows creators to setup subscription models so that their followers can pay a monthly monetary fee for exclusive content. According to Testut, AltStore will have Patreon directly integrated into it as its payment platform for paid apps. If all works out, Testut plans to allow other developers to distribute their own apps in AltStore and monetize them using the Patreon pledge model

One thing holding back more alternative marketplaces

With the DMA in effect for about a month now, it may seem surprising that we have yet to see a deluge of alternative marketplaces opening on the iPhone for EU users.

However, there's a good reason we haven't seen that yet.

When announcing alternative marketplaces, Apple also introduced a new "Core Technology Fee" for developers looking to distribute via these App Store competitors. Instead of paying 15 to 30 percent of app revenue to Apple like they would in the App Store, developers will now be paying €0.50 for every first annual install of their app over 1 million downloads. This includes free apps, meaning that a developer that creates very popular free app can owe Apple money for those downloads — a cost of business that never before existed in Apple's official App Store. And any developer that wants to distribute apps via alternative marketplaces needs to abide by Apple's new terms that include this fee. 

The EU is already investigating Apple for these new terms and fees to see if they are actually in violation of the DMA.

So, we'll definitely soon see a number of alternative marketplaces on iPhones in the EU. But based on the results of that EU investigation, we'll have to wait and see how many actually pop up.

Author John Green's books have frequently made homes for themselves onscreen, from The Fault in Our Stars to Paper Towns to Looking for Alaska. Next up to the plate is an adaptation of his 2017 novel Turtles All The Way Down, which premieres May 2 on Max.

Directed by Hannah Marks and starring Isabela Merced (Madame Web), Turtles All The Way Down centers on high schooler Aza (Merced), who struggles with a constant stream of anxious, obsessive thoughts. As seen in the trailer, these thoughts include worries about the sheer amount of bacteria living inside us, and whether others perceive her as "crazy." But when Aza reconnects with her childhood crush Davis (Felix Mallard, Ginny & Georgia), she'll embark on a journey that will prompt her to reconsider her potential for love, friendship, and happiness.

Turtles All The Way Down hits Max May 2.