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NEW BEATS HEADPHONES UNDER $200: On May 2, Beats released the Beats Solo 4 headphones. The newest generation of over-ear headphones is available for $199 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 headphones $199.00 at Amazon
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With the release of the Beats Solo 4 over-ear headphones, you can score a pair of headphones with the latest upgrades and adaptations without breaking the bank.

The new headphones dropped on May 2 for $199 at Amazon in four style-forward colors: Matte Black, Silver, Cloud Pink, and Slate Blue.

SEE ALSO: The best headphones for 2024 (and why they made our list)

The Beats Solo 4 headphones are a refreshed take on the previous generation, the Beats Solo 3. Now, the everyday wireless headphones come equipped with upgraded drivers, rebalanced acoustics, and an improved frequency response. When you listen, you get clearer sound with greater range.

Weighing only 217 grams, these ergonomic headphones are designed with plush ear cushions, prioritizing comfort. With a battery life of 50 hours, the Beats Solo 4 outpace the previous generation by 10 extra hours

For all of the upgrades that were added, there is one important feature that wasn't: noise-canceling technology. While forgoing noise-cancelation technology leaves us scratching our heads, the Beats Solo 4 headphones are still a worthwhile option for folks who want the latest in design, comfort, and acoustics.

Head to Amazon today to get your pair of brand-new Beats Solo 4 headphones.

GET UP TO 35% OFF: As of May 3, you can get up to 35% off Nespresso machines at Amazon, including the Nespresso VertoPlus and Nespresso Vertuo Next Deluxe.

Our top picks: Best deal overall Nespresso Vertuo Next Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine $146.97 at Amazon (save $62.98) Get Deal Best runner-up deal Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine $174.97 at Amazon (save $74.98) Get Deal Best budget pick Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine $118.97 at Amazon (save $50.98) Get Deal

If you’re tired of hitting the snooze button and rushing out the door with only enough time to grab a mediocre cup of coffee on your way to work, then it's time to treat yourself to a brand-new espresso machine — but not one of those slightly intimidating espresso machines that look like they’re reserved for professional baristas. I’m talking about a Nespresso machine.

SEE ALSO: The best espresso machines for making perfect coffee at home

These compact and user-friendly espresso machines are designed for busy people who love coffee but don’t have time for bells and whistles first thing in the morning. And with up to 35% off select Nespresso machines at Amazon, there’s really no reason not to upgrade your coffee game and start each day with a delicious, barista-quality brew. These deals are so good, you’ll be singing “that’s that me espresso” all the way to the office.

Here are some of our favorite Nespresso machine deals as of May 3:

Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Our pick: Nespresso Vertuo Next Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine $146.97 at Amazon
$209.95 Save $62.98 Get Deal Why we like it

The Nespresso Vertuo Next Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville is definitely worth the investment, especially since it’s only $146.97 right now. I have the original Vertuo Next, and I use it every single day at least three times, and it’s never let me down.

The Next Deluxe features a sleek and modern design and a versatile coffee and espresso brewing system. It can brew 5, 8, and 12-ounce coffees, as well as single and double espressos. I brew mine over ice, but you can also enjoy piping hot espresso beverages.

It’s only 5.5 inches wide, so it’s perfect for smaller spaces and Nespresso offers more than 40 specialty Vertuo brews to choose from.

Best runner-up deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Our pick: Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine $174.97 at Amazon
$249.95 Save $74.98 Get Deal Why we like it

For another $20 or so, you can get the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville, which is currently priced at $174.97 (save $74.98). This machine comes with tons of features and accessories like the Aeroccino milk frother, so you can create your favorite lattes and cappuccinos right at home (just like Dina Kalanta).

It takes 25 seconds to heat up and brew, so you can get your caffeine fix quickly. With four brew sizes, you can customize your caffeinated beverages just the way you like.

Best budget pick Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Our pick: Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine $118.97 at Amazon
$169.95 Save $50.98 Get Deal Why we like it

If you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, the Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville is only $118.97 (save $50.98). This little machine does everything you’d need it to, from brewing single and double espressos to crafting 5- and 8-ounce coffees.

It has a 40-ounce water tank and can hold up to 10 pods in its used pods container.

On The Idea of You's companion album, the film's star Nicholas Galitzine sings, "I think I need a new direction lately," a sly reference to the boy band One Direction.

The album is a clever marketing ploy for a romantic comedy based on a book inspired by One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles. It follows the romance between Styles' stand-in, Hayes Campbell (played by Galitzine), a member of the boy band August Moon, and Solène (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old gallerist and mother. The film's creators aimed to reinvent One Direction with a 2024 twist.

SEE ALSO: 'The Idea of You' review: Anne Hathaway dazzles in rom-com inspired by Harry Styles fandom

When the trailer dropped, Directioners immediately noticed two creative liberties taken by The Idea of You: August Moon's loose pants (One Direction was famously of the skintight black jean persuasion) and the idea that in the film's universe, a boy band like One Direction headlines Coachella. But what about August Moon's sound?

August Moon's music was penned by Savan Kotecha and Carl Falk, the same songwriters responsible for One Direction's smash hit "What Makes You Beautiful." When the first August Moon single, "Dance Before You Walk," dropped fans immediately heard the similarities with Kotecha and Falk's work with One Direction. While Kotecha told Mashable that One Direction wasn't a musical inspiration for the album, the resemblances are undeniable.

I'm here to answer the question, does August Moon have that one thing? Here are seven August Moon songs ranked by how likely they could pass as a One Direction tune.

7. "Taste"

Through the years, One Direction's sound morphed from Euro-pop to pop-rock to the kind of music you play when you're driving with the windows down — but the closest the boys ever got to something as groovy as this was "Never Enough," which is to say not very close. "Taste" is not and will never be a One Direction song, it's too funky. It borrows its sound from a much more modern boy band: BTS. The track has the same groovy bones as the K-pop group's No. 1 single "Dynamite."

Thematically it's on par with One Direction songs of the horny variety like "No Control," "Change Your Ticket," and "Perfect."

Most One Direction lyric: "Any time I'm on the road (road) / Just tell me where to go"

6. "The Idea of You"

One thing the boys never did was get a woman involved. The boy band didn't need to do duets because they were already singing in a quintet. But it's very curious that "The Idea of You" duet is with singer-songwriter Anne-Marie, who's already in the One Direction universe. She released a duet with Niall Horan in 2021 titled "Our Song." Aside from the female singer of it all, "The Idea of You" sounds more like a Disney original song than something by One Direction which can be attributed to the heavy piano presence.

The lyrics of "The Idea of You" are so sappy that maybe with the stretch of the imagination, this could have been a scrapped One Direction song written by Ed Sheeran.

Most One Direction lyric: "So I'll wait a lifetime or two with the idea of you"

5. "I Got You"

Immediately a jump scare. In the first second of the song, Galitzine sounds like he's doing Harry Styles cosplay. That little whisper is very soft-spoken Styles on his first solo album. But as soon as Galitzine's countdown is over, the song shifts into Shawn Mendes territory. The track relies on some guitar slaps between strums, something the boys never did. But this is the first August Moon song to finally feature some boy-on-boy harmonizing, the sacred backbone of One Direction. A singer is trying badly to be Zayn in the song's back half, but no one does it like him.

SEE ALSO: 'The Idea of You's August Moon gives us the boy band bops we deserve

Lyrically, this is an updated version of "Little Thing" — an Ed Sheeran number — for the internet era with a sprinkling of "Don't Forget Where You Belong," which features the band's most profound lyrics, "If you ever feel alone, don't."

Most One Direction lyric: "Baby when you're feeling lonely I got you"

4. "Dance Before We Walk"

The extremely wordy title immediately signals a likeness to One Direction, and this is the song that spurred conversation about the sonic parallels between August Moon and One Direction. The introduction and instrumentation are very Four, but the voice modulation detracts from its likeness. However, the fact that you can hear Galitzine's English accent shine through when he sings, "Walk," tilts the scale towards One Direction. The nonsensical lyrics score major One Direction points, as well. It also features a bridge, something the August Moon songs are deficiently lacking compared to One Direction's robust catalog of bridges.

There are moments in which the electric guitar is so reminiscent of One Direction that you can imagine Niall in all his fried-hair glory performing the song on guitar while the other boys rough house on stage.

Most One Direction lyric: "Ooh, what you gonna do, what you gonna do, over, baby?"

3. "Go Rogue"

A solo moment from Galitzine, "Go Rogue" is reminiscent of Niall-forward tracks like "Fools Gold," but this is more of a ballad than any song One Direction ever produced. It's like "Once in a Lifetime (Piano Version)," and it also reminds listeners of "Over Again," "Summer Love," and "Moments," a.k.a. the sad ones. The fact that the song is all about being a song is painfully One Direction, who wrote the inspired track "I Want to Write You a Song."

Most One Direction lyric: "Is it alright if I play a song for you tonight?"

2. "Closer"

From the first 10 seconds, you can tell Galitzine is channeling his inner Harry Styles, his vocal prowess evident in the strain of his croon. The similarities continue with "Closer" featuring One Direction's trademark musical pause.

One Direction's musical journey was marked by significant changes across their five albums. "Closer" resonates with the boy band's later phase, when they began writing more of their music and honing their unique sound. With the inclusion of Zayn's ad-libs and a bridge, "Closer" could seamlessly fit into the Four album. Notably, the song earns bonus points for its clever use of "girl" and its "moonlight" references. 

If there's one thing One Direction did, it's release earworms, and "Closer" is the stickiest August Moon track. The second post-chorus is the perfect soundtrack for five boys to dance to exclusively with their elbows, à la the "One Thing" music video.

Most One Direction lyric: "Girl, we could keep it going the whole night / Or do a little more in the moonlight"

1. "Guard Down"

"Guard Down" starts like any great pre-"Stockholm Syndrome" One Direction song: with a guitar riff that's immediately abandoned in favor of a drum. Like much of One Direction's catalog, it's rock-inspired and sounds like it's by another well-known band that pre-dates them — One Direction's original secret sauce. There's one moment that is deliciously reminiscent of Zayn's part in "She's Not Afraid." It will have you kicking your feet and reminiscing on the boys' glory days.

And "Guard Down" being Galitzine's favorite track off the album can't be a coincidence...

Most One Direction lyric: "Night after night she takes control"

UPDATE: May. 3, 2024, 9:30 a.m. EDT We've updated this article with the hottest deals available. Be sure to check them out!

GET UP TO 70% OFF SELECT TOYS: It's Masturbation May, which means discounts on sex toys, accessories, lube, and more.

Our top picks Masturbation May at Lovehoney Lovehoney Up to 50% off select toys Shop Now Masturbation May at Lovers Lovers BOGO 50% off We-Vibe and Playboy Pleasure products Shop Now Masturbation May at Babeland Babeland Up to 70% off Shop Now Masturbation May at Femme Funn Femme Funn $50 off the Intro to Funn bundle Shop Now

If you've ever needed a commercialized reason to celebrate self-pleasure, here's one: It's officially Masturbation May.

It's time to prioritize self-care and give yourself the attention and pleasure you deserve. (We hope you're doing this anyway, but maybe a national observance will encourage you to go beyond your usual routine.)

SEE ALSO: The best sex toys for masturbation that anybody can enjoy

As of May 3, you can browse hundreds of deals on sex toys, accessories, lube, lingerie, and more to make the most of Masturbation May. Whether you're looking for a new vibrator, some high-quality lube, or a wedge to make getting into position even easier, there's a little bit of something for everyone out there.

Need help finding a trustworthy retailer? We've rounded up some of our favorite sales and promotions from popular brands like Lovers, Lovehoney, and Fun Factory.

Lovehoney Opens in a new window Credit: Lovehoney Masturbation May at Lovehoney Up to 50% off sex toys, free gift when you spend $79, $100 off sex toy bundles, more Shop Now

Lovehoney is one of the largest sex toy retailers on the internet. The company is known for its wide selection and affordable prices. It's got everything from cock rings to vibrators to bondage gear — you could literally scroll the site for hours (we definitely have).

Right now, Lovehoney is offering some pretty good deals for Masturbation May (though none of the promotions specifically mention the holiday, so we expect to see even more deals roll out throughout the month).

Here's a quick look at some of Lovehoney's current deals:

• Get a FREE gift when you spend $79 or more. There's no code needed; just shop and choose your gift at checkout.

• Get up to 30% off LELO products, including the popular LELO Smart Wand 2 Large (which we included in our best sex toys for women roundup) and the LELO Hugo.

• Get up to 50% off select sex toys and lingerie.

• Build your own sex toy bundle and save $100.

Lovers Opens in a new window Credit: Lovers Masturbation May at Lovers BOGO 50% off We-Vibe and Playboy Pleasures, BOGO 10% off performance enhancers, more Shop Now

Lovers is a chic online boutique (though they have physical locations, too) where your fave vibrators, dildos, and other goodies are just a click away.

The images and descriptions make you feel like you're shopping on Instagram or some other trendy platform meant for community rather than just transactions. Plus, the selection is carefully curated, so it's not a random mix of products (we're looking at you PinkCherry).

Here's a quick look at some of Lovers' current deals:

• BOGO 50% off We-Vibe and Playboy Pleasure products with the code UPGRADE.

• BOGO 10% off 3 Single Pack Performance Enhancers with code BOGO10.

• Get 20% off the Svakom Hannes Neo Masturbator, no code needed.

It's the beginning of the month, so if you don't see something that catches your eye right now, keep checking back. More deals are likely to be added throughout May (according to our sources, the next wave of promotions will be announced on the Lovers website on May 9).

Babeland Opens in a new window Credit: Babeland Masturbation May at Babeland $20 off $150 or more, up to 70% off sex toys, more Shop Now

Babeland has some of the cutest sex toy shops you'll ever see in cities, including New York and Seattle. Founded in 1993, Babeland is a well-established and respected feminist sex toy store that offers some pretty sweet deals on the reg.

They prioritize inclusivity, education, and pleasure in their product offerings and create a safe and empowering environment for customers, and you can feel that on the website.

Here's a quick look at Babeland's current deals:

• Give your hand a hand this Masturbation Month with $20 off with code DIY20. (Note: A $150 minimum purchase is required for the discount.)

• Get up to 70% off (yes, 70%!) select sex toys and accessories in Babeland's Deep Discounts section.

• Get 20% off Good Vibes toys, no code needed.

• Get the INYA Ripple Rabbit for just $35.50 during Babeland's Flash Sale.

Femme Funn Opens in a new window Credit: Femme Funn Masturbation May at Femme Funn $50 off the Intro to Funn bundle Shop Now

If you haven't heard of Femme Funn, we encourage you to take a peek at its website. This company is all about female empowerment (and power in every sense of the word). Femme Funn was one of the first sex toy companies to offer an all-silicone (read: no seams) bullet vibrator and has since expanded its product line to include a variety of innovative toys.

We also heard that the company plans to release quite a few discounts this month to celebrate Masturbation May. (This is pretty unheard of because the brand rarely offers discounts.)

Right now, the brand is kicking off Masturbation May with $50 off its Intro to Funn bundle which includes the Ultra Bullet, Booster Rabbit, and Ultra Wand.

The Handy Opens in a new window Credit: The Handy Masturbation May at The Handy 30% off all sleeves with the code SLEEVES30 Shop Now

This one’s for all the men out there who are looking for a hands-free experience. The Handy is a revolutionary male masturbator that offers a unique and immersive pleasure experience — the site says it “bridges the gap between fantasy and reality.” You can sync this stroker with interactive adult content, use it with a remote control, or use it manually offline.

The Handy is like a Fleshlight on steroids. You can buy different sleeves to customize your experience, and a desk mount is available for hands-free play.

Here's a quick look at some of The Handy’s current deals:

• Get 30% off all sleeves with the code SLEEVES30.

• Get 40% off Handy Lube, no code needed.

• Get 20% off The Handy between May 24 and May 31, no code needed.

Even more Masturbation May deals:

• Get 10% off sitewide at AdultVibeToys.com with code PLAY10.

• Get 10% off any Fun Factory toy, including the all-new Share Vibe Pro, with the code MASHABLE10.

• Get 15% off select toys at Dame, no code needed.

• Get 15% off any product at Good Vibes all month with the code MAYPLAY.

• Get 15% off sitewide at ZALO with the code ZALOLOVE.

• Get 20% off the AMO and the ATOM at Hot Octopuss with the code MMAY20.

• Get 30% off the KURVE and PLEX at Hot Octopuss with the code MMAY30.

• Get 50% off the Maya bullet vibrator at Love Not War with the code MMMAYA50.

• Get 50% off the PULSE SOLO INTERACTIVE at Hot Octopuss with the code MMAY50.

• Get up to 50% off plus a FREE toy at LELO, no code needed.

• Get 50% off the CAPO vibrating metal dildo at L'ACIER, no code needed.

• Get up to 60% off select sex toys at Unbound, no code needed.

• Get up to 70% off select toys at Le Wand, no code needed.

Tomorrow is Star Wars Day. Whether you plan to celebrate by binge-watching the iconic space saga or indulging in some amusing wordplay wishing your friends a happy "May the 4th," the LEGO Store is offering a host of deals that will take your day to the next level.

Opens in a new window Credit: LEOG LEGO Store Star Wars Day sale Shop Now

As of today, May 3, the LEGO Store is gearing up for Star Wars Day with free gifts, discounts on select sets, and opportunities for LEGO Insider members to win 2x-4x points on purchases. Shoppers have until Sunday, May 5 to take advantage of these offers either in-store or online.

Shoppers can earn free gifts by spending money on select LEGO Star Wars sets. As with most promotions, the more money you spend, the more sophisticated your free gift will be. When you spend $40, you'll receive an AAT buildable. From there, you'll have the opportunity to score a Battle of Yavin Collectible when you spend $90, and a Trade Federation Troop Carrier set when you spend $160.

To take advantage of discounts on sets, shoppers must first become LEGO Insider members. However, the good news is that the program is entirely free. Once you sign up, you'll be able to score Chewbacca for $35 off as well as the Emperor's Throne Room Diorama for $15 off by using a unique promotional code that is delivered to each member.

With each purchase, shoppers will earn double or quadruple the regular amount of Insider Points, which can then be put towards future purchases to earn discounts and rewards.

Now is a great time to be earning points since LEGO is also dropping new releases that shoppers will want to put on their wish list, including the TIE Inceptor.

Save money and celebrate a galaxy far, far away when you shop the LEGO Store's Star Wars Day sale now through Sunday.

Did you know that when someone blocks you on X (formerly Twitter), they can still reply to your posts? This opens up the possibility of abuse, with someone blocking you and then slandering, impersonating, or otherwise abusing you on the very same platform without you seeing it.

Now, X is changing the way blocking works. On Thursday, the company's Engineering account explained the changes as follows: "If a user who has blocked you replies to one of your posts, you will now be able to see their reply. This change enables you to identify and report any potential bad content that you previously could not view, safeguarding both your account and the overall integrity of our platform."

Tweet may have been deleted

X owner Elon Musk previously said the block functionality on X "makes no sense," and that it's going to be "deleted as a 'feature' except for DMs." While that hasn't happened yet, it appears that X is working towards changing the block feature until it's more in line with Musk's idea of the platform functioning as a "public town square."

SEE ALSO: Twitter/X might charge all new users a 'small fee' before they can post, like, and reply

"Our goal is to allow users to control their experience while maintaining the public visibility of posts," the post from X's Engineering team added.

An unresolved issue remains: Reporting abuse on X doesn't seem to do much. I've reported numerous scam accounts over the past couple of months, and they seem to just keep on appearing. The company's strategy of charging users for the "verified" blue checkmark hasn't done much to fix the problem, either.

Doja Cat appeared on "The Tonight Show" and played a game of "Musical Genre Challenge" with Jimmy Fallon.

TL;DR: Stream the 2024 Italian Open for free on RaiPlay. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The attention of the best tennis players in the world will be firmly set on the French Open and Wimbledon, but you can't just turn up at those tournaments and expect to win without proper preparation. Fortunately, tournaments like the Italian Open exist to provide players with the opportunity to build momentum before Grand Slams.

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

What is the Italian Open?

The Italian Open is an annual professional tennis tournament held in Rome, Italy. It is played on clay courts at the Foro Italico, and is usually held during the second week of May.

The defending singles champions are Daniil Medvedev and Elena Rybakina.

When is the 2024 Italian Open?

The 2024 Italian Open is the 81st edition of the competition. This year's event takes place from May 6 to May 19.

How to watch the 2024 Italian Open for free

The 2024 Italian Open is available to stream for free on RaiPlay. This free streaming service will broadcast 11 singles matches of the men's tournament, plus the women's singles final or the men's or women's doubles final.

RaiPlay is geo-restricted to Italy, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Italy. This process makes it look like you're connecting from Italy, so you can access RaiPlay from anywhere in the world.

Unblock RaiPlay by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit RaiPlay

5. Stream the 2024 Italian Open for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can gain access to RaiPlay without actually spending anything. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream the 2024 Italian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RaiPlay?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Italy

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream the 2024 Italian Open for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live sttream the 2024 Giro d’Italia for free on SBS on Demand, RTBF, or RaiPlay. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It really doesn't get much tougher than cycling. We'll be honest and say that we don't fully understand the appeal of setting out in the morning to punish yourself over long climbs through potentially miserable conditions, but this sort of thing clearly works for a lot of people, because we see plenty of enthusiasts out there on the roads every day.

What we can see the appeal of is watching the very best cyclists in the world going wheel to wheel in one of the most prestigious cycling events on the calendar. We're talking about the Giro d'Italia, and we've got all the information you need to watch this year's event.

What is the Giro d’Italia?

The Giro d'Italia is an annual multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in Italy. The Giro d'Italia is one of cycling's most prestigious three-week-long Grand Tours, and is arguably the world's second most important stage race after the Tour de France.

When is the 2024 Giro d’Italia?

The 2024 Giro d'Italia is the 107th edition of the famous race. This year's event takes place from May 4 to May 26.

How to watch the 2024 Giro d’Italia for free

It's possible to live stream the 2024 Giro d'Italia for free on these streaming platforms:

• Australia — SBS on Demand

• Belgium — RTBF

• Italy — RaiPlay

These free streaming services are geo-restricted to their country of origin, meaning you'll be blocked if you attempt to connect from anywhere else in the world. That is unless you're using a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free streaming platforms from any location.

Stream the 2024 Giro d'Italia for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for 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 Australia, Belgium, or Italy

4. Visit SBS on Demand, RTBF, or RaiPlay

5. Watch the 2024 Giro d’Italia for free from anywhere in the world

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

Most of the best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these guarantees, you can watch Giro d’Italia live streams without committing with your cash. This is a sneaky trick, but it works.

What is the best VPN for Giro d’Italia?

There are a lot of streaming-friendly VPNs out there for you to consider, but ExpressVPN is probably the best service for live streaming top sporting events. ExpressVPN is a great choice for streaming the Giro d’Italia, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria, Belgium, and Italy

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This heavily discounted plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can sign up to watch 2024 Giro d’Italia and then recover your investment with the money-back guarantee.

Live stream the 2024 Giro d’Italia for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Taylor Fritz vs. Andrey Rublev in the 2024 Madrid Open for free on RTVE. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Madrid Open has been thoroughly entertaining, with some standout performances as top players look to prepare for the French Open. Two of those impressive performers meet in the semi final, with Taylor Fritz and Andrey Rublev set to battle it out for a place in the final.

If you want to watch Taylor Fritz vs. Andrey Rublev in the 2024 Madrid Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Fritz vs. Rublev?

Taylor Fritz vs. Andrey Rublev will meet in the 2024 Madrid Open at around 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST on May 3.

How to watch Fritz vs. Rublev in the 2024 Madrid Open for free

The 2024 Madrid Open is available to live stream for free on RTVE.

RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Spain. This process makes it look like you're connecting from Spain, so you can access RTVE from anywhere in the world.

Unblock RTVE by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit RTVE

5. Stream Taylor Fritz vs. Andrey Rublev for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) Learn More

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these offers, you can gain access to RTVE without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream the 2024 Madrid Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTVE?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Spain

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A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Taylor Fritz vs. Andrey Rublev for free with ExpressVPN.

These dissolvable devices ‘tag’ organs to monitor abnormal activity and can help detect post-surgery complications.

Nida Manzoor's lauded comedy series "We Are Lady Parts" is back for Season 2. Watch the trailer.

Conan O'Brien interviewed his "Hot Ones" physician Dr. Arroyo during the latest episode of his podcast.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for May 3 SEE ALSO: 'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for May 3

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, May 3, 2024:

AcrossBaseball level just below the majors

• The answer is aaa.

Letters written on a bottle of poison, in the cartoons

• The answer is xxx.

Three, on a grandfather clock

• The answer is iii.

Tic-tac-toe winner

• The answer is ooo.

"Delicious!"

• The answer is mmm.

Down"What goes up must come down," e.g.

The answer is axiom.

x + y = y + x, e.g.

• The answer is axiom.

This is a given

• The answer is axiom.

Picture this: Two tennis players lock eyes across the court. One is an elite athlete feeling the pressure to win a title on his home turf. The other is a down-on-his luck "bad boy" who hasn't cracked the top 100 in the rankings. Both are flagging at the tail end of a grueling match, but animosity still hangs thick in the air between them. This game isn't just crucial to their careers: It's a chance to settle a score.

No, I'm not describing the tense showdown between Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor) in Challengers. I'm talking about the central match of HBO's tennis mockumentary, 7 Days in Hell.

SEE ALSO: 'Challengers' most WTF moments: From Tashi's knee injury to those sexy churros

Andy Samberg and Kit Harington lead this 40-minute-long special about two rival tennis players locked in a brutal week-long match. While it originally came out in 2015, it's relevant once again as the perfect companion piece to Luca Guadagnino's latest film. Think of it as Challengers' much sillier cousin.

What is 7 Days in Hell about? Andy Samberg and Kit Harington in "7 Days in Hell." Credit: John P Fleenor / HBO / Kobal / Shutterstock

7 Days in Hell centers on a pair of tennis stars who couldn't be more different from one another. Aaron Williams (Samberg) is the adopted brother of Venus and Serena Williams (the latter appears as herself in several talking heads). He's tennis's American bad boy, happy to showboat around the court and shred on his racket like it's a guitar. But after killing a man with his powerful serve in the Wimbledon final — this is the level of absurdity we're working with here — his career takes a sharp nosedive. Think lawsuit-worthy underwear lines, PCP, and stints in prison.

On the other side of the net is Charles Poole (Harington), a prodigy who became the youngest player to ever turn pro. His overbearing mother (Mary Steenburgen) claims she'll only love him if he becomes top-ranked in the world, and he's currently England's greatest hope at a British man winning Wimbledon. Needless to say, the pressure is on for the upcoming tournament.

SEE ALSO: 'Challengers' love triangle is 'Twilight' for people not afraid to see boys kiss

A surprising set of circumstances pits Charles and Aaron against each other in the first round of Wimbledon, but what everyone thought would be a blowout victory for Charles suddenly becomes something much more intense. Rain delays, nonstop rallies, and progressively stupider interruptions drag the match out for seven days, the two men locked in eternal battle.

If Challengers is about tennis being sexy and emotionally charged, then 7 Days in Hell is about tennis being stupid and emotionally charged. Tennis rackets become murder weapons, lines on the court become places to hide lines of cocaine, Queen Elizabeth II (June Squibb) shows up to flip players off. The humor tends towards the ridiculous and juvenile — there are so many penises, both real and CGI — making for a great contrast to tennis etiquette.

7 Days in Hell sends up the documentary genre as well, including an inspired segment where the film's talking heads, including Fred Armisen, Will Forte, and John McEnroe himself, get really passionate about Swedish courtroom drawings. But like in Challengers, it's that final face-off on the court that really gets the blood pumping.

How is 7 Days in Hell similar to Challengers? Kit Harington and Andy Samberg in "7 Days in Hell." Credit: Mashable composite: John P Fleenor / HBO / Kobal / Shutterstock

Challengers and 7 Days in Hell have a surprising amount in common. Their pivotal games are a chance to unleash all the pent-up hostility between the two players, from one sleeping with the other's partner to one disrespecting the other's skill. A current of homoeroticism runs through both as well, but while Challengers takes a cheekier approach with sexy churros, 7 Days in Hell goes balls to the wall with all-male prison orgies. (It makes sense in context. Kind of.)

Even Challengers' much-discussed three-way kiss between Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), Art, and Patrick has similarities to 7 Days in Hell. When faced with two streakers, Aaron playfully makes the pair kiss, calling to mind Tashi's memorable power play. A confused Charles looks on, erection protruding — not unlike Art, post-makeout scene!

But where Challengers' threesome remains metaphorical, 7 Days in Hell goes right for the literal. Tennis is sex, the former says, while the latter points out, "sex is also sex." Challengers may be a more sensual movie, but boy oh boy, is 7 Days in Hell more explicit.

So if you're still buzzing from seeing Challengers and craving more outrageous tennis stories, 7 Days in Hell is the ideal bite-sized treat. Watch it, love it, then cook up some Aaron Williams/Charles Poole/Art Donaldson/Patrick Zweig/Tashi Duncan fanfic. It's the crossover we need and deserve.

7 Days in Hell is now streaming on Max.

TL;DR: Through May 5, amp up your resume with this Python programming course bundle, on sale for $24.97 (reg. $120).

You don't have to attend an expensive boot camp to learn how to code. Whether you're looking to start a career in programming or enhance your current coding skills, there are opportunities to learn that don't involve signing up for a pricey class and leaving home to attend it.

This comprehensive 10-course bundle lets you learn Python from industry experts from the comfort of your own home. Even better, this Python online learning bundle is priced at $24.97 (reg. $120).

Python's simplicity and versatility have made it a favorite for both beginners and professionals. It is used at Google, Facebook, DropBox, and many other top names in tech. It’s used in web development, data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more. In fact, knowing Python is essential in many coding environments.

Starting with The Complete Python Course, you'll learn the basics before progressing to more advanced topics. Other courses include Automatic Stock Trading with Python, which covers basics, exit and entry strategy, simulating a bot's thinking, and more. Learn to Code with Python goes over strings, variables, debugging, and built-in functions, with lessons from Boris Paskhaver, a software engineer, author, and consultant. Apache Spark 3: Real-Time Stream Processing Using Python is designed to help users understand real-time stream processing and shows them how to apply it to processing solutions. This course covers state-less and state-full streaming transformations, spark-structured streaming APIs, and a lot more.

If you don't understand all of those terms, then don't be intimidated. This course is designed to help you become an expert. This Python course bundle is on sale for $24.97 (reg. $120) through May 5.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shutterstock The Premium Python Programming Certification Bundle $24.97 at the Mashable Shop
$120.00 Save $95.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through May 5, learn more about AI for generating text, images, automating tasks, and streamlining your workload when you enroll in the ChatGPT and Gemini AI course bundle for $29.99. 

Knowing how to use ChatGPT isn't the same thing as being an expert in AI. Just getting the AI to respond to a prompt is simple. Being able to use AI for advanced projects and automation may require a bit more practice. 

If you want to enhance your own understanding and AI skills, consider enrolling in this ChatGPT and Gemini AI online learning bundle. This comprehensive introduction to AI shows you how to use AI tools for marketing, social media, education, automation, and more. All content is available for life, so you can set your own pace. And for a limited time, you can sign up for just $29.99. 

Use AI like a pro

This course bundle includes 65 video lectures with 10 hours of content to study. Lectures cover how to use AI to generate text for marketing, blogs, and scripts for generating images for social media, presentations, and web design. 

While the bundle covers the well-known AI tool ChatGPT, you'll also learn skills for Gemini AI, Bard, and DALL-E 2, among others. What you're studying isn't all theoretical. Learners also get the chance to take on real-world projects to see how AI can help you efficiently solve problems. 

We should note that the "e-degree" offered by the course isn't the same as getting a formal degree from a university. The certificate is for course completion only.

If you're struggling to master skills like prompt engineering on your own, then this could was designed to help you become more than a superficial AI user. Get this ChatGPT and Gemini course bundle on sale for $29.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Eduonix Learning Solutions The 2024 Complete ChatGPT & Gemini AI Advanced E-Degree $29.99 at the Mashable Shop
$790.00 Save $760.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: If you're self-employed, a freelancer, or a small business who files taxes in the United States, avoid frustration with FlyFin, an AI-powered tax app with a 3-year subscription on sale for $44.97.

Doing your taxes as a freelancer can be a nightmare. Between calculating payments, tracking expenses, and maximizing deductions, there's a lot on your plate, and the stakes can be high. If you miss your quarterly payments or don't pay enough, you may have to pay a fine or worse. 

FlyFin is an AI-powered tax app designed to streamline the tax filing process for freelancers and small business owners. By automating many of the frustrating (and time-consuming) parts of doing your taxes, FlyFin could help you save a ton of time without risking a skipped step or misplaced number. Normally, a 3-year Flyfin AI Tax App subscription would cost $252, but you can get it for only $44.97 until May 5.

Let the robot do your taxes

When filing taxes as a freelancer, every season is tax season. FlyFin has tools to track your expenses, calculate quarterly payments, and help you get advice from actual CPAs within the app. No more struggling through the process all on your own.

Tracking deductions as a freelancer is also a lot of work. That's why FlyFin includes an AI-powered deduction tracker that identifies potential tax write-offs to help you save money. It even has an automatic reminder to help you avoid missed payment deadlines. 

Keep in mind, this app is only for freelancers, self-employed individuals, and small business owners filing taxes in the United States. This offer is only available to new users. 

Again, you can get a three-year subscription to FlyFin AI Tax App for $44.97 until May 5 at 11:59 p.m. PT. No coupon needed to get the best price online. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: FlyFin FlyFin AI Tax App: 3-Year Subscription $44.97 at the Mashable Shop
$252.00 Save $207.03 Get Deal

SAVE $203.01: Through May 5, keep your space conveniently cool with this Costway 3-in-1 Portable Evaporative Air Conditioner Cooler with a remote control for just $95.99. That's 68% off the regular price of $299.

Opens in a new window Credit: Costway Costway 3-in-1 Portable Evaporative Air Conditioner Cooler with Remote Control $95.99 at the Mashable Shop
$299.99 Save $204.00 Get Deal

We all know how insufferable those steamy summer days can be. Don't wait until you're in the thick of it to figure out a cooling solution for your space — get a portable AC at a major discount today.

Through May 5, the Costway 3-in-1 Evaporative Air Conditioner Cooler is on sale for just $95.99, down from its regular price of $299. That's a discount of 68%, or $203.01 off.

This portable AC unit doesn't use an energy-eating compressor to cool the air; the evaporative design uses a honeycomb cooling pad and a fan to help reduce the room's temperature. It also comes with two ice-crystal boxes to enhance the cooling power. The air conditioner can also be used as a fan, offering three fan speeds to choose from.

Those with allergies or sensitivities might also like that this unit has the added benefit of an air filter with an anion generator to help remove dust, bacteria, and other particles from the air. The filter can be removed, washed, and reused to further save money.

Fit with four wheels for easy moving, you can use it in your home office during the day and move it over to the bedroom for a cooler sleeping environment at night. It even comes with a remote control so you can adjust the settings when you're too hot to get up.

This unit is a practical option whether you’re looking to stay cool in the summer heat or want a convenient way to improve air circulation and humidity in your home. Get ahead of the heat and pick up this Costway 3-in-1 Portable Evaporative Air Conditioner Cooler and remote control for $95.99 (reg. $299).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Two of the best VPNs around are WireGuard and OpenVPN. To the casual VPN user, they essentially offer the same results: faster VPN connections, security, and reliability, right? Not exactly. 

While WireGuard (released in 2015) is a more modern protocol that’s been vastly adopted by several of the best VPN services, OpenVPN (released in 2001) is still widely used and is considered to be more secure. 

In the grand scheme of things, one isn’t truly better than the other, as it depends on what you’re using your VPN for. This analysis will help you decipher the key differences between the two. 

WireGuard vs. OpenVPN: Speeds

When it comes to internet and VPN connection speeds, WireGuard is the go-to choice. It was specifically designed to offer higher speed performance and be lighter than OpenVPN. To put that into perspective, WireGuard only uses 4,000 lines of code, whereas OpenVPN uses around 70,000.

This lightweight process makes it easier to package and send information, making it faster to browse through websites, stream content, play online multiplayer games, and more. 

It isn’t to say OpenVPN is slow, but WireGuard can pull off speedier connections. So if speed is a priority, you’ll want to switch to a WireGuard VPN protocol.

Winner: WireGuard

WireGuard vs. OpenVPN: Security

Security is a priority for OpenVPN, as its Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption protocol makes it hard for anyone to break through. It supports military-grade AES-256 encryption, has the ability to bypass nearly all firewalls, and is adaptable enough to include several additional security features, such as a kill switch. 

While WireGuard is arguably just as secure, its ChaCha20 cryptography uses fewer lines of code, which is shorter than AES-256. It also doesn’t obfuscate your connection as a matter of course, meaning it’s apparent that you’re actually using a VPN. That said, many prominent VPN services have these features included anyway, like obfuscated servers or dynamic IP addresses.

Overall, if you’re using public Wi-Fi, or need a secure way to access heavily restricted websites, it’s best to use OpenVPN. 

Winner: OpenVPN

WireGuard vs. OpenVPN: Reliability

Both WireGuard and OpenVPN are open source, meaning that anyone can delve into their codes to see if everything is in order. This alone makes them reliable protocols to use, as developers and experts can see if there are any vulnerabilities or backdoors that can be exploited by threat actors. 

Winner: Draw

Other VPN protocols

WireGuard and OpenVPN aren’t the only protocols you can use, as there’s also IKEv2/IPsec, L2TP/IPsec, and PPTP. Now, major VPN services have also tried their hand in creating their own VPN protocols, namely ExpressVPN and NordVPN — and with notable success.

ExpressVPN has its very own Lightway protocol, which is touted to be faster, more secure, and more reliable. Launched in 2020, this open-source protocol uses wolfSSL cryptography that’s been vetted by third-party companies for transparency and security, is lightweight for speedier VPN connections, and is less prone to connection drops. 

NordVPN rivals this with its proprietary NordLynx protocol. It’s built around the WireGuard protocol, but provides even faster VPN connection speeds while still keeping privacy and security a priority. According to NordLynx’s speed test results, it makes it one of the fastest VPNs around. 

Both VPN protocols are available on a majority of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. If you’ve opted to subscribe to ExpressVPN or NordVPN, it’s worth giving these protocols a try over WireGuard and OpenVPN. Besides, it only takes a couple of clicks to switch VPN protocols.