Blogroll

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

CREATED BY US

» Two Years of the Russia-Ukraine War – Key numbers. Casualties. Military spend. Foreign aid.
» $$$Trillions – Vast spending figures plucked from news headlines. Updated for 2024.
» Drugs – All of them. In one graphic. Easy to swallow? (Bluesky)
» Vaccines work – Especially for Measles. (Mastodon)

CREATED BY OTHERS

» Ever heard of the Butter Line? and the somewhat related Scone Map?
» A dazzling interactive graphic on the most important tech in the world (ft.com)
» Everybody is crazy for Protein? Here’s why. (Reddit)

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

» Getting USA to Net Zero by 2050 – Not easy. Not impossible.
» Things Going Up! Up! Up! – Stuff that’s improving substantially, globally.

OUR LATEST DATASETS

» Two Years of the Russia-Ukraine War – Key numbers two years into the conflict (data)
» Facebook’s “Supreme Court” –  The major cases of Meta’s oversight board in one sheet (data)
» The A24 Movie Browser– Every movie, everywhere, all at once (data)
» UPDATED Ransomware Attacks – Biggest. Most recent. Notable. 630+ entries. (data)
» UPDATED Data Breaches – World’s worst hacks. Curated since 2016. Now 450+ entries. (data)

Subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates

Save $150: As of April 8, you can grab the 13.6-inch MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) at Amazon and Best Buy for just $849 — a new record low that saves you 15% on its $999 MSRP.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $849.00 at Amazon and Best Buy
$999.00 Save $150.00 Get Deal

One of the best ways to save on a MacBook — or any laptop for that matter — is to remain open to buying older generations.

Case in point: the M2 MacBook Air, which came out in 2022, is on sale for just $849 at Amazon and Best Buy. At $150 off its $999 price tag, this laptop has hit a new record low that situates it about $50 away from the M1 MacBook Air's $799 price from a few months ago (basically, the M2 Air is firmly in a budget MacBook range at the moment).

When the M2 Air first came out, it started at $1,099, but following the release of the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air, dropped its starting price to the current $999. Now that the M3 line is out, it's no surprise that we're starting to see even better deals on this ultra-portable laptop.

SEE ALSO: The best cheap laptops for 2024, tested and reviewed

Despite being "dated," the M2 still gets the job done. It may not be able to handle photo or video editing quite as well as the M3 MacBook Air, but that doesn't mean its tech is obsolete. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display offers plenty of space for multitasking which the M2 processor is more than capable of handling, especially for everyday work tasks. When testing out this MacBook back in 2022, Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry was able to get up to 24 hours of real-time usage on the battery, and appreciated that all through his testing, the fan stayed silent.

He put it best when at the beginning of his review, he stated, "If you’ve been waiting four or five years to upgrade your MacBook Air, go ahead and do it now. " It'll cost you a good $250 less than the $1,099 M3 Air.

The iPhone 16 Plus might be the black sheep of this year's iPhone family.

Well, that's maybe a little dramatic, but a recent leak paints a somewhat concerning picture regarding its battery size.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 rumors: Release date, price, specs, features, and more iPhone 16 reported battery sizes

Someone going by "OvO Baby Sauce OvO" on the Chinese social media platform Weibo (spotted by Phone Arena) posted leaked battery sizes for all four new iPhones set to come out this year. Here's what we are reportedly working with:

• iPhone 16: 3,561mAh

• iPhone 16 Plus: 4,006mAh

• iPhone 16 Pro: 3,355mAh

• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4,676mAh

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16: This rumored design change could mean more screen real estate

Those numbers might look like some hot nonsense out of context, but Phone Arena did the lord's work and compared them to last year's iPhone 15 models, expressed as percentage differences. Every new iPhone's battery is slightly larger (up two to six percent) except for the 16 Plus, which has a reduction of 8.6 percent compared to the iPhone 15 Plus.

There are, of course, some caveats to this. One is that these numbers could simply be wrong. Another is that, even if true, they don't tell the full story about each phone's practical battery life. It's possible that the 16 Plus gets more juice out of a single charge than the 15 Plus due to back-end wizardry that makes the battery more efficient, if not actually larger. We just don't know yet.

But this is something to keep an eye on for the folks who like bigger iPhones.

New rumors suggest that Apple may be revamping its Apple TV experience by introducing a built-in camera capable of video calling and hand gestures.

SEE ALSO: Apple TV+ is getting a price hike Apple TV may be controlled via hand gestures soon

According to a report by Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter, these features are part of Apple's broader ambition to enhance its smart home offerings. This would mark a significant shift from requiring an iPhone to conduct FaceTime calls on Apple TV, potentially streamlining the user experience by allowing direct calls from the device.

The idea also extends to introducing more interactive gesture controls, a step beyond the existing capabilities enabled by tvOS 17, which include simple gestures like triggering fireworks with a thumbs-up during a FaceTime call. However, the specifics of these new gestures remain unspecified.

SEE ALSO: 8 FaceTime gestures that trigger cool reactions on iOS 17

These developments hint at Apple's ongoing exploration of in-air gesture controls, a concept further underscored by a patent granted in April 2023 and the gesture-based interactions on the Vision Pro headset. This innovation could address some user frustrations with the Apple TV’s Siri Remote, offering a more intuitive control scheme.

While the potential for a new Apple TV equipped with these features seems promising, with Gurman speculating a launch in the first half of 2024, it's still uncertain whether Apple will proceed with these plans.

The success of such features would heavily depend on their execution, as they need to offer a genuinely convenient alternative to current methods without complicating the user experience.

UP TP 42% OFF: Now through April 9, HBO's Max streaming service is offering new, returning, and existing customers the chance to get up to 42% off its yearly subscription plans.

Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max streaming subscription Get up to 42% off a yearly subscription Get Deal

Whether you're a sports fan, news junkie, or cinephile, Max's limited-time subscription offer is a deal you don't want to miss. Through April 9 (that's tomorrow!), you can score up to 42% off an annual subscription by prepaying for one year.

This discount is available for each subscription tier, and the prices start at as low as $5.83 per month. You can get a With Ads subscription for $69, an Ad-Free subscription for $110.99, or the Ultimate Ad-Free subscription for $139.99 per year. Each subscription includes a B/R Sports add-on (subject to change during your promotional period).

SEE ALSO: How to watch Max from anywhere in the world

After the discounted year, your subscription will automatically renew at the regular yearly price unless you cancel before the renewal date. You can cancel your subscription anytime, but you won't get a refund for the unused portion of the year.

This limited-time offer is available to new, existing, and returning customers. If you're an existing customer, you can't apply this discount to your existing plan, but you can switch to one of the other discounted yearly plans offered.

The solar eclipse 2024 is today, and if you're anything like me, you're curious about what time — specifically — the highly anticipated celestial event will swing by your location.

If you're not sure if you're within the path of the solar eclipse, check out our 2024 solar eclipse calculators. (As for me, I live in New York, so while I won't get to see a total solar eclipse, I'll witness a partial one.)

Now that you know whether you're within its path, you can check out our page of solar eclipse times for each time zone. But if you want to know its exact time, check out the SolarEclipseGuide app for iPhone.

Best app for solar eclipse 2024

I've downloaded a few apps for the solar eclipse, but my favorite is SolarEclipseGuide.

Thanks to this app, I can see the exact time of the solar eclipse's appearance based on my location. For example, according to SolarEclipseGuide, I'll see the moon begin to show its shadowy figure at around 2:19 p.m. ET and it will cover the sun at its fullest at 3:23 p.m., give or take a few minutes.

The moon is beginning to rear its head a little after 2 p.m. ET for me Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Not only does the app show me the exact time of the solar eclipse based on my location, but it also offers a demo of how the solar eclipse will look from my point of view.

According to the "SolarEclipseGuide" app, this is what the solar eclipse will look like for me based on my location. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

This allows me to see what, exactly, Mashable's Mark Kaufman, our resident science and space expert, means when he says that I'll only get to see a "partial eclipse."

Enjoy the celestial show, but be careful

The solar eclipse is a beautiful show that doesn't happen very often. (As Kaufman explained, it's a rare occurrence). As such, you may be tempted to whip out your phone and take a picture of it. However, it's not a good idea to take a picture of the solar eclipse with your phone (unless you're a pro photographer and you have the proper filters for it).

SEE ALSO: What NOT to do during the imminent solar eclipse

And if you plan on stepping outside to witness the solar eclipse, make sure you're wearing NASA-approved glasses so you don't run the risk of damaging your eyesight.

Now that you've been prepped with the safety basics, and you now likely know when — exactly — you might be able to witness the rare solar eclipse, enjoy the show.

Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK Anker Soundcore Sleep A10 earbuds $88 at Amazon (save $81.99) Get Deal BEST APPLE DEAL USB-C AirPods Pro $189.99 at Amazon (save $59.01) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL SodaStream Art starter kit $99.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal BEST AMAZON DEAL Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $199.99 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal

Another week, another slew of top-notch deals from Amazon. With Target's Circle Week running from April 7 through 13, we're expecting Amazon to offer some competitive pricing this week to counter the event. And to start things off, we're seeing some impressive discounts on Apple AirPods Pro, Amazon's own tablets, Soundcore earbuds, and more.

We've sorted through the listings and handpicked a few excellent deals you can shop on April 8. Here are our top pics for the best Amazon deals of the day.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Amazon deal of the day: Anker Soundcore Sleep A10 earbuds $88.00 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $81.99 Get Deal

If you've ever tried to sleep in earbuds, then you know how uncomfortable most models can be. The Soundcore Sleep A10 earbuds, on the other hand, are built for exactly that. Whether you're a side sleeper or you toss and turn throughout the night, the Sleep A10 earbuds are designed with a slim, lightweight design that'll stay snugly in your ear all night without discomfort. Their four-point noise masking build also creates a secure seal to block out annoying car alarms and barking dogs. As an added bonus, these buds track your sleep patterns and provide insights into your sleep quality. They usually go for $169.99, but as of April 8, they're on sale for just $88 — that's 48% in savings and a new all-time low price. They hit a previous low of $99.99 during last year's Prime Day and March's Big Spring Sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: SodaStream SodaStream Art sparkling water maker starter kit + extra bottle $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Sparkling water lovers can whip up their own batches at home with the SodaStream Art starter kit, which includes the SodaStream Art sparkling water maker, a quick-connect CO2 cylinder, and two carbonating bottles. The Art has a retro design, a unique carbonating lever, and a slim profile that slides conveniently on your countertop. It's usually $149.99, but as of April 8, you can save 33% and snag it for only $99.99. That's just $4 away from its lowest price ever, which was hit during Black Friday season 2023. More SodaStream products are also on sale for up to 33% off if you prefer a different model or bundle.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple AirPods Pro (USB-C) $189.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $59.01 Get Deal

It's no secret that we love the AirPods Pro at Mashable (they're our favorite noise-cancelling earbuds and one of our top picks for flying). So, when we see a deal, it's our duty to report it. As of April 8, the USB-C buds released in fall of 2023 are back down to the all-time low price of $189.99 — that's 24% off the usual cost of $249. While the USB-C version of these buds is virtually the same as the second-generation Lightning AirPods Pro (released in 2022), we're still huge fans. Small upgrades like improved dust resistance, a claim of support for lossless audio with the Apple Vision Pro, and of course, the USB-C charging port, make the buds worth it at full cost and a total steal at less than $200.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $199.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal

Amazon's best iPad competitor, the Fire Max 11 tablet, is back at its all-time low price of $199.99 at Amazon as of April 8. Usually $279.99 at full price, that's just under 30% in savings. It's hardly the first time its reached this low price, but after skyrocketing back to full price to kick off April, it's nice to see the discount back. As Mashable's reviewer noted, "The Amazon Fire Max 11 has a large, 11-inch display and is blazing fast, making it a good alternative to pricier tablets for streaming and games."

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

Acer laptops on sale as a Target Deal of the Day Most affordable deal Acer Aspire 3 (Intel Core i3-1115G4, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $239.99 at Target ((Save $160 with Target Circle)) Get Deal Best for storage Acer Aspire 3 (Intel i5-1135G7, 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $299.99 at Target (Save $200 with Target Circle) Get Deal Best 2-in-1 option Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $299.99 at Target (Save $200 with Target Circle ) Get Deal

Target Circle Week is here, bringing with it tons of deals on household essentials, vacuums, toys, beauty products, and more. Though the sale will last through April 13, some deals will only be live for 24 hours, and for April 8, that includes three impressive deals on Acer laptops.

The lineup is as follows: you can grab the 15.6-inch Acer Aspire 3 with an Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD for just $239.99 instead of $399.99, the 15.6-inch Acer Aspire 3 with an Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $299.99 instead of $499.99, and finally the 2-in-1 Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 with an Intel Core i3-N305 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD for $299.99 instead of $499.99.

According to our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis), the Aspire 3 is a laptop meant for just the basics, but what it does it does well. You're not likely to mistake your machine for a MacBook Pro, but for under $300, you can use the 15.6-inch display to easily run basic work tasks and browse the web. For anyone who anticipates needing a little extra storage space, bumping up from the i3 to i5 model may be worth the extra $60, but if you're already looking at a laptop this basic, you may be fine with the most affordable model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Aspire 3 (Intel Core i3-1115G4, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $239.99 at Target
$399.99 Save $160.00 Shop Now

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Aspire 3 (Intel i5-1135G7, 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $299.99 at Target
$499.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal

For anyone interested in a convertible laptop on the cheap, the Aspire 3 Spin 14 is an incredibly affordable option. Admittedly, the Spin 14, like its non-convertible counterparts above, really offers just the basics unlike the 2-in-1 picks we recommend. However, those picks range from $500 to $1,700 more expensive than the Spin 14, which will do the job for note taking (either with typing or by hand) and basic drawing, while sticking to a smaller budget. Unfortunately, according to Target support, it doesn't come with the Acer Active Stylus, but it can be purchased separately for $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $299.99 at Target
$499.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal

For any of the above deals, you will need a free Target Circle membership, which you can sign up for online.

SAVE UP TO 40%: Target Circle Week is here! Now through April 13, you can save up to 40% on floor care, outdoor living, toys, and more.

Our top picks: Best vacuum deal Dyson V8 Origin cordless vacuum $329.99 at Target (save $100 ) Get Deal Best electronics deal Beats Studio Pro Bluetooth wireless headphones $199.99 at Target (save $150) Get Deal Best toy deal Lego Creator 3-in-1 Mighty Dinosaurs Model Building Set (31058) $8.39 at Target (save $3.60) Get Deal Best kitchen deal KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer $279.99 at Target (save $170) Get Deal

It seems like these days, we're never far off from a major retailer holding a huge savings event. From the humble days of Black Friday and just one Prime Day event, our shopping calendars are now packed with savings throughout the year. Target is never one to sleep on a sale event, and this week, the massive retailer is celebrating the change of season with hundreds of discounts.

Target Circle Week kicked off on April 7 at 2 a.m. CT, and thousands of items are on sale. To score these deals, you'll need to be a member of Target Circle, which is free to join. The savings include 40% off floor care items, 30% off outdoor living, and 10% off Target gift cards. The sale extends through April 13.

Target has become one of the most reliable major retailers, with a massive selection of goods ranging from TVs to patio sets to coffee beans. It's truly a one-stop-shopping experience that tends to have us leaving with many more items than we went in for.

Target Circle Week extends to all Target Circle members. The Circle program is free to join, so there's no reason not to sign up.

Here are some of the best deals you'll find during the Target Circle week sales event:

Best Target Circle Week vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Our pick: Dyson V8 Origin cordless vacuum $329.99 at Target
$429.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This week, Target is offering the Dyson V8 Origin cordless vacuum for $100 off. This highly-rated vacuum can run for up to 40 minutes on a single charge and features a detangling motor bar cleaner head, which pet owners will appreciate. It's also lightweight and can convert into a handheld vacuum for quick spot cleaning.

More floor care deals:

• Shark Professional Steam Pocket Mop — $89.99 $109.99 (save $20)

• Bissell CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vacuum — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

• Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine and Upright Shampooer — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)

• Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus Carpet Cleaner — $258.99 $308.99 (save $50)

Best Target Circle Week electronics deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Our pick: Beats Studio Pro Bluetooth wireless headphones $199.99 at Target
$349.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Beats Studio Pro Bluetooth wireless headphones are $150 off this week at Target. With active noise cancellation and up to 40 hours of battery life, these headphones deliver immersive sound and comfort for long listening sessions. A quick 10-minute Fast Fuel charge will give you up to four hours of additional playback.

More electronics deals:

• Apple AirTag (1 Pack) — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)

• AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Case (USB‑C) — $189.99 $249.99 (save $60)

• Apple Watch Series 9 GPS Aluminum Case with Sport Band — $349.99 $429.99 (save $80)

Best Target Circle Week toy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Our pick: Lego Creator 3-in-1 Mighty Dinosaurs Model Building Set (31058) $8.39 at Target
$11.99 Save $3.60 Get Deal Why we like it

Target Circle Week has a ton of deals on toys this week, but one that stands out is the Lego Creator 3-in-1 Mighty Dinosaurs Model Building Set (31058). For just $8.39, you can give your little one hours of building fun with this versatile set that can be built into three different dinosaur models. It also includes a dinosaur prey (a buildable rib cage).

Best Target Circle Week kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: KitchenAid Our pick: KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer $279.99 at Target
$449.99 Save $170.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer is on sale during Target Circle Week. This coveted kitchen appliance is on sale for just $279.99, down from $449.99. With its powerful motor and large capacity, you can make everything from bread dough (up to seven pounds) to cookies (11 dozen). More than 10 stand mixer attachments are available for this mixer, making it even easier to make fresh pasta or grind your own meat.

In addition to those deals, Target Circle Week also rewards shoppers for stocking up on essentials. Spend $50 or more on eligible home care items and score a $15 Target gift card. If you have Ulta Beauty products in your bathroom, spend $50 on eligible Ulta items, and you'll also receive a $15 Target gift card.

No one will deny inflation has hurt the wallet lately, but shopping sale events at major retailers can be a perfect way to save on some household essentials. The Target Circle Week event is one to check in on if you're looking for any spring or summer upgrades to your home, wardrobe, or cosmetic cabinet.

TL;DR: Stream the 2024 Grand National for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

For lovers of horse racing, it doesn't get any bigger than the Grand National. Time seems to stand still for this annual event, with the eyes of a whole country (and beyond) focused on Aintree Racecourse.

If you're interested in watching the 2024 Grand National for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is the 2024 Grand National?

Grand National Day is the traditional final day of the Grand National Festival. The 2024 Grand National takes place at 4 p.m. BST on April 13.

How to watch the 2024 Grand National for free

The 2024 Grand National will be broadcast live on ITV1, with free live streaming available on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, 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 the UK. This process makes it look like you're connecting from the UK, so you can access ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ITVX by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Stream the 2024 Grand National for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can gain access to ITVX without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to stream the 2024 Grand National before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Stream the 2024 Grand National for free with ExpressVPN.

I learned that my iPhone 15 Pro Max and the upcoming 2024 total solar eclipse do not mix. I stumbled upon BGR's article, which warned sky gazers about using their phones to take pictures of the imminent cosmic event.

If you're like me, you may be wondering "Why?" After all, who wouldn't want to snap a photo of such an awe-inspiring celestial occurrence?

As it turns out, taking a photo of the 2024 solar eclipse could damage your iPhone's camera hardware.

SEE ALSO: How the 2024 solar eclipse will be different from the last Why you shouldn't take a photo of the 2024 solar eclipse with your phone

In the same way that you shouldn't use a telescope or binoculars to gaze at the sun (you could melt your eyeballs off), you shouldn't use your phone's shooter — or any other poorly equipped camera — to take a photo of the solar eclipse.

BGR says that no smartphone is designed to handle the intense solar rays the sun emanates. "Using your camera or phone could cause the heat from the rays to become so concentrated that it could melt the lens inside," the tech outlet warned.

Days before the April 8 eclipse, NASA provided similar advice.

Tweet may have been deleted

There is a workaround in that you can purchase filters for your phone and camera.

NEEWER 67mm Clip On Filters Kit for Phone & Camera Credit: Amazon

But I spoke with Mashable's science editor Mark Kaufman, and he strongly recommends simply enjoying the event with approved solar glasses, as opposed to trying to capture the celestial spectacle with camera filters (unless you're an astrophotographer, of course). After all, you have the best optics tool on your face: your peepers.

SEE ALSO: Solar eclipse 2024 livestream webcams: How to watch

It must be emphasized that it's imperative that your eyes are protected. NASA recommends getting "ISO 12312-2" grade solar eclipse glasses that filter harmful light. The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has a list of green-lighted sellers, including Rainbow Symphony, which sells these solar eclipse glasses.

The historic 2024 total solar eclipse is set to make its trajectory from Texas to Maine on April 8. Mashable's Elisha Sauers, our space reporter, suggested some useful 2024 solar eclipse calculators to help you determine whether you're in its path.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon NEEWER 67mm Clip On Filters Kit for Phone & Camera Get Deal

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Rainbow Symphony Solar Eclipse Glasses Get Deal

TL;DR: JioCinema is offering free live streams of every IPL cricket match this season. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Cricket is such a divisive sport. Some dedicated followers of almost every kind of sport simply can't understand the appeal of the game. And then there are the cricket fanatics, who follow every form of cricket with a passion that's unmatched.

The IPL might represent a sweet spot for both camps. It's got all the top players in one place, competing in a fast-paced form of the game surrounded by some of the most passionate fans in the world. The IPL is simply electric.

If you're interested in watching the IPL 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the IPL?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a men’s T20 cricket tournament first held in 2008. Since it's inception, it has quickly become one of the most popular sporting events in the calendar, with a host of stars taking part every year.

Chennai Super Kings are the current champions, beating Gujarat Titans in the 2023 final.

When is the IPL 2024?

The 2024 Indian Premier League is the 17th edition of the competition. The tournament features 10 teams and runs from March 22 to May 26.

How to watch the IPL for free

JioCinema is offering free live streams of every IPL cricket match this season in 4K resolution on its app. Users can select multiple camera angles, check live scores, stats, and even heat maps of IPL games. Games can even be streamed in 12 languages (including English, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, and Bhojpuri).

JioCinema is geo-restricted to India, meaning you'll be blocked if you attempt to access this platform from outside the country. Fortunately, you can bypass this online blockade with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can stream with JioCinema from anywhere in the world.

Unblock JioCinema to stream the IPL 2024 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 India

4. Visit JioCinema (you will need an Indian phone number to sign up)

5. Watch the IPL for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch IPL live streams without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select IPL fixtures for free.

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

What is the best VPN for streaming the IPL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming the IPL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including India

• 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 £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. You can use that guarantee to recover your cash after watching the IPL. This is sneaky, but it works because ExpressVPN returns your cash without hassle.

Watch the IPL 2024 for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

VHS tapes spattered with blood and big hair-sprayed hair will plunge you into '80s horror in the MaXXXine trailer.

A24 horror empress Mia Goth is back in the third instalment Ti West's horror trilogy following the writer and director's X and Pearl. This time set in the 1980s, the film follows adult film star and Hollywood hopeful Maxine Minx (Goth), who, after surviving a massacre, finally gets a role that could be her big screen breakthrough. But there's a serial killer called the Night Stalker on the loose, targeting rising Hollywood stars, and Maxine's past could catch up to her.

The cast for MaXXXine is stacked: Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Lily Collins, and Halsey. Pearl and X alumni are back too, including director of photography Eliot Rockett and composer Tyler Bates.

MaXXXine stalks into cinemas July 5.

First-person shooter (FPS) games just became more accessible for people with low vision.

Audio tech company JBL has teamed up with nonprofit AbleGamers and electronics company Harman to create new software that allows people with low vision to play FPS games with optimised audio cues.

SEE ALSO: The biggest assistive technology and accessibility triumphs of 2023

JBL Quantum Guide Play, which has been in development over the past year and has now been launched for use with Counter Strike 2, uses Spatial Audio, JBL Quantum's head tracking tech, and AI and machine learning algorithms to render in-game objects and buildings as audio cues. Essentially, the software reproduces the process of echolocation (when reflected sound waves help to establish the features of an environment), so gamers can map out the world and detect obstacles through sound.

JBL Quantum Guide Play essentially uses advanced tech to emulate echolation. Credit: JBL

It's a free tool that's now available to download from JBL's website for Windows only, and works with or without headphones. There's also a training map on Steam.

The tech company teamed up with nonprofit AbleGamers, which focuses on tackling social isolation for people with disabilities through building community through gaming.

"If you told me three years ago that a first-person shooter game would be played by a person with a visual impairment, I’d say that’s kind of hard, but many companies, like JBL, are investing in it, and this is a first step towards greater accessibility," Chris Bernauer, managing director, Ablegamers Brazil, told Mashable in a statement.

"When we’re talking about a first person shooter like Counter Strike, I don’t think a project like this would ever work without visually impaired players being part of it. Understanding what’s the core of the game and the tools needed, hence needing really good audio cues that will tell them that’s there’s an enemy, if there’s a wall in front of you, or that they need to shoot them.”

Credit: JBL

Sophie Soon, a Paralympic athlete and gamer diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy, which causes deteriorating vision, said in a video for JBL Quantum Guide Play, "In my teenage years, I went to my friend’s house and we would play Left For Dead on the Xbox and that was something I really enjoyed and thought was super fun. But unfortunately as I get older, my condition deteriorates even further; it becomes a lot more difficult for me to play.

"When I first opened up the Guide Play application it really amazed me how detailed they were — like, making noises when there was a wall near me or letting me know of an alert if there was an enemy in front of me. All these things that I didn’t even think about has all been meticulously put into the game."

Josh Tseng, a digital accessibility specialist, YouTuber, and gamer diagnosed with congenital glaucoma, which also causes deteriorating vision, said in the video, "At the time when I was starting to lose my eyesight, games like Counter-Strike: GO, Fortnite, these were becoming very popular. And I’m not going to lie, I really did feel like I was missing out because these games were simply not built for people who are vision impaired."

Featured Video For You This talking, AI-powered backpack could help those with low vision navigate — Future Blink

According to the World Health Organisation, "2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment" worldwide — and among them, there are plenty of gamers like Tseng and Soon. JBL gave them the opportunity to test the Guide Play software both solo and in a multiplayer LAN party set-up.

"When I loaded up the game, it gave all the sound effects, the loading screen, and the whole experience of loading up an AAA game for the first time in what has to be years," said Tseng. "It actually felt really good."

"The whole experience of loading up an AAA game for the first time in what has to be years...it actually felt really good." - Josh Tseng

In a press release, JBL said it wants the gaming community to share their feedback on the software to help improve it, and for developers to download the open-source code to implement it into their own games — available "soon" according to the website.

"Through JBL Quantum Guide Play, we are creating a platform that enriches the gaming experience for everyone, transcending limitations and building a more inclusive gaming community," said Grace Koh, vice president and general manager, consumer audio, Harman Asia Pacific, in a press statement.

"JBL Quantum Guide Play is just a first step towards accessibility in FPS games. We are making it open-source and hoping that brands and developers can adopt it for their games and even contribute to its improvement."

JBL recommended that people with zero percent vision seek assistance setting up the software and on first use. You can download it from JBL's website.

The total solar eclipse will be making its way across North America on Monday, April 8, and you better be set with your eclipse glasses in hand as the astronomical phenomenon passes.

But when exactly should the 43 million people under the total solar eclipse path have their heads turned up to the sky?

SEE ALSO: Everything about the 2024 solar eclipse you need to know Where to find total solar eclipse timesNASA's Eclipse Explorer

NASA, of course, has been monitoring the eclipse and updating the public for months. Check out their Eclipse Explorer, which also shows you previous eclipse paths, to see just how much of the 2024 eclipse you'll spot, and when. Just put in your zip code, hit enter, and find out everything you need to know.

For example, those in Dallas, Texas will need to have their eclipse glasses on before 1:40 p.m. CDT. Observers in Cleveland, Ohio can expect to see the total eclipse at 3:13 p.m. EDT, while Buffalo, New York residents will get theirs shortly after, at 3:18 p.m.

U.S. Naval Observatory's eclipse tool

The U.S. Naval calculator provides more specific data based on latitude and longitude (don't worry, they help you find that). Keep in mind you'll need to convert the time from Universal Time to your timezone. According to the site, Burlington, Vermont eclipse chasers will be glasses up at 3:26 p.m. EST.

Time and Date calculator

Global weather and clock website Time and Date has its own eclipse calculator, too, which provides a full timeline of eclipse events, simulations, and more.

Credit: PeterHermesFurian / iStock via Getty Images Plus Featured Video For You The coming solar eclipse is rare. But just how rare is it? Total solar eclipse times by state

While a partial solar eclipse will be visible across the entire continent, only regions in what's known as the "path of totality" will get to observe the total solar eclipse — sorry West Coasters. These include five states in Mexico, six Canadian provinces, and 15 U.S. states: Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont.

Totality will begin in Mexico at 11:07 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) and end around 5:16 p.m. Newfoundland Time (NDT).

Residents of U.S. states in Central Standard Time should expect to see the eclipse starting around 1:27 p.m. It will pass by 2:06 p.m.

Those on Eastern Standard Time will spy the solar eclipse between 3:01 p.m. and 3:35 p.m.

For more specific times for your city, check out one of the calculators above.

Check out more Mashable total solar eclipse coverage:

• What's the big deal about solar eclipses? It's a 'full-body experience.'

• Are you in the solar eclipse path? These calculators tell you.

• A solar eclipse can cook your eyes. Here's when to put the glasses on.

• The thrilling solar eclipse is soon. An expert gave us viewing tips.

• How the 2024 solar eclipse will be different from the last

A rare solar eclipse looms large on our cosmic calendars.

The moon will pass between the sun and Earth on April 8, 2024, allowing those in the 115-mile-wide "path of totality" to witness a gripping event. It's a celestial coincidence that reveals our star's ghostly corona (atmosphere), and if possible is an experience not to be missed.

Tens of millions in the U.S. reside in the coveted path where the moon's shadow traverses Earth's surface, but for those that either aren't in this relatively narrow region or simply want an online opportunity to view the eclipsed sun, NASA and other organizations will provide livestreamed footage of the event.

SEE ALSO: NASA astronaut witnessed an eclipse from space. It was 'unnatural.'

Here's how to watch the 2024 solar eclipse on the web.

The path of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Credit: NASA Science Visualization Studio NASA solar eclipse livestreams

Between 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST on April 8, NASA will show views of the eclipsed sun from different parts of the path of totality, as the shadow of the moon moves across the nation.

"We'll have telescope feeds and experts talking about the science of the eclipse," Kelly Korreck, the space agency's eclipse program manager, said at a recent press conference.

- You can watch the NASA livestream with commentary on YouTube (the video is also posted below) and NASA+ (which is the space agency's streaming service).

- You can also watch a NASA livestream with more live telescope feeds (up to 12) and no commentary on YouTube or NASA TV's Media Channel.

- NASA will also host an eclipse-viewing party in Spanish beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET on the agency's NASA en Español YouTube channel.

Exploratorium solar eclipse livestreams

The Exploratorium — an interactive science museum in San Francisco — will offer livestreams from the path of totality in Junction, Texas and Torreón, Mexico. Climatologically, these arid, southern areas have some of the best odds of clear, largely cloudless skies on April 8.

You can watch the Exploratorium's live feeds from the Exploratorium eclipse website. The Torreón, Mexico livestream starts at 10 a.m. PST (1 p.m. EST) and the Junction, Texas stream begins at 10:45 a.m. PST (1:45 p.m. EST).

Eclipse feed from summit of Whiteface Mountain

The University at Albany Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC) has a new webcam atop Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondack Mountains, located at 4,867 feet in elevation.

Tune into the Whiteface Mountain YouTube channel or watch below between 3:25 p.m. and 3:28 p.m. EST — that's when the total solar eclipse hits that region.

Virtual Telescope Project Solar Eclipse livestream

The Virtual Telescope Project — which livestreams footage from robotic telescopes to make astronomical sights available to the public — will use multiple telescopes to show the eclipsed sun.

"I'm happy to inform you that the Virtual Telescope Project will be sharing live, online, the upcoming total solar eclipse, thanks to a number of collaborators in
the right parts of the world," Gianluca Masi, an Italian astronomer and director of the Virtual Telescope Project, said in an email.

The livefeed is scheduled to start at 17:00 UTC (12 p.m. EST). You can watch on the site's WebTV.

And for those who still have the chance to see the total solar eclipse from the path of totality, eclipse viewers, experts, and astronomers alike all strongly recommend you experience this otherworldly event in the flesh.

"It blew me away," Terry Virts, a retired astronaut and former International Space Station commander, recently told Mashable. "It's an amazing, amazing experience."

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

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

AcrossBlack ___ (military missions)

• The answer is ops.

Pirate's booty

• The answer is loot.

New ___, capital of India

• The answer is Delhi.

On average, it's roughly 239,000 miles from Earth

• The answer is moon.

What's been fully "eclipsed" by 8-Across in this puzzle

• The answer is sun.

DownGetting up there in years

The answer is old.

Robert Bly wrote one called "Seeing the Eclipse in Maine"

• The answer is poem.

Times for musicians to shine

• The answer is solos.

Biblical "you"

• The answer is thou.

Traveler's stopover

• The answer is inn.

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

Your phone might feel like an essential life tool, but how irritating is it when you have to take it out of your pocket fifty times a day? In a world where the smartphone quickly overtook the need for wearing a watch on your wrist, things now seem to be turning back.

So why not get a smartwatch? It gives you all the benefits of a traditional wristwatch whilst also providing you with features you normally have on your smartphone.

But picking out the right smartwatch for you is more complicated than buying a traditional wristwatch. The smartest smartwatches aren't one-size-fits-all. It's about finding one with the features and spec to suit your lifestyle and day-to-day needs. Even your preferred brand of smartphone can affect which watch is best for you. If you've decided you do want a smartwatch though, here's everything you need to know.

What is a smartwatch?

A smartwatch is a lot like a regular wristwatch, but it's effectively a wearable computer. Like your smartphone, it (usually) has a touchscreen interface with a series of features you can use. These include allowing you to access social media apps, receive and reply to messages, make calls, and track your workouts. A smartwatch also functions as a regular watch, so you can, well, tell the time, set alarms, and more. 

What other features do smartwatches have?

Almost all smartwatches cover the basics, such as working as a regular watch, offering basic fitness tracking tools, and pairing up with your phone to provide extra functionality. Smartwatches might also have stacks of workout modes — exercise guides for specific activities — as well as sleep tracking and other health metrics, particularly your heart rate or blood oxygen levels. Many work as portable music players when you pair them with earphones. GPS is also a standard feature for many smartwatches, so you can track where you're going and where you've been.

What's the difference between a smartwatch and fitness traker?

If you're solely interested in the fitness side of things and don't need your device to work so much as a smartwatch, you might need one of the best fitness trackers instead. These tend to be more basic than a smartwatch (although not always) but will still hold you accountable when working out. Smartwatches do fitness but also much more — they're like extensions of your smartphone, or a handy way to access smartphone features, music, or digital comms via a quick-and-easy tap of the wrist.

Is it worth getting a smartwatch?

Only you know the answer to that. Few smartwatches are cheap, and you'll need to invest in your purchase to get one of the best models. It can be a worthwhile purchase if you need the motivation to work out more frequently, or you want to reduce how often you look at your phone throughout the day, which can boost your productivity levels. Plus, of course, smartwatches can be a lot of fun for tech heads.

If you're looking for something for your kids to wear, one of the best smartwatches for kids could be a better option than the options below.

How long does a smartwatch battery last?

The most significant disadvantage to a smartwatch is its battery life. Some devices offer weeks of battery life, but the majority only provide you with a couple of days before you need to recharge them. Because of that, they require more maintenance than a regular wristwatch, although you can always recharge one in the same way as you do your smartphone. The tricky part is how easy it is to forget to recharge your device, meaning you don't use it for a day or so and the habit is lost. 

Do you need to carry your phone with a smartwatch?

This depends on what kind of smartwatch it is. Some smartwatches have cellular connections, so you can add it to your phone account and use it entirely independently from your phone. Others have built-in memory so that you get limited functionality while it's away from your smartphone. For the most part, it's best to assume you need to have your phone near the smartwatch for Bluetooth connectivity.

What is the best smartwatch?

The best smartwatch for you will depend on a number of factors, and it's important that you carefully consider all of the options out there before making any sort of decision. To help make your decision a little easier, we have lined up a selection of impressive models from top brands like Apple, Samsung, Garmin, and more.

These are the best smartwatches in 2024.

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

Moving to a new area or working at a new job where you don't know anybody can be seriously depressing, especially if you're already introverted as it is. What are you supposed to do? Go sit at the bar by yourself? And talk to strangers? No thanks.

Then comes the lightbulb idea: You can make friends online. If online dating is so popular and successful, there's no way that there aren't a few legit sites where you can make adult friends in your area with similar interests. After a quick search, AdultFriendFinder sounds like a good place to start.

So you're on your lunch break at work, type in the URL, and the next thing you know, you're frantically closing the tab and hoping nobody walked behind you for that split second. AdultFriendFinder is not what it sounds like.

What is AdultFriendFinder?

AdultFriendFinder is one of the most well-known sites for finding quick sexual encounters, regular hookups, and literally anything else even remotely related to sex. The rowdy feed of matches, jumble of explicit photos, and stimulating calls-to-action offering all types of sex makes it heaven for anyone looking for a good time with no filter — and hell for someone who wouldn't be caught dead clicking on a "There are hot singles in your area" ad.

Even if you're not using it for real sex, it's always nice to have spank bank material in your back pocket. During the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, sexting, nudes, and Pornhub searches all saw a spike thanks to the vast number of people who started social distancing at home. Those who didn't want to risk quarantine sex or weren't finding people on their level of horniness on Tinder were pretty much guaranteed to get their rocks off somehow via AdultFriendFinder.

On AFF, you can find someone to sext via messaging or video (and plan to get it on IRL, if that's what you're looking for), watch live streams, or join niche group chats. Is it worth £15-something per month? Depends on how much fishy content you're willing to overlook for a juicy sexting session.

We reached out to Kalyn Sanders, a business development executive at Friend Finder Networks, for updated AFF demographics. Right up there with Tinder's monthly flock, AdultFriendFinder snags the attention of over 55 million visits around the world per month, on average. To whet your appetite upon signup, the main landing page flashes a few statistics, including "98,897,765 hot photos" and "3,375,049 connections," but we're not exactly sure what that means. Most traffic originates from the United States, followed by visitors from the United Kingdom and Canada.

Specifics on the demographic that most people care about — the gender ratio — can be hard to track down. Sanders told us that "there's a two to one ratio of single men versus categories like single women, couples, and groups." The split between men and women is an expected one for a lot of hookup-centric sites. At the end of the day, it's a paradise for straight men, hit-or-miss for straight women and LGBTQ men, and likely an actual hellscape for LGBTQ women.

AFF lets you identify as and search for a man, woman, a couple, or trans. Despite trying to be a sex-positive site with blog posts, groups, a sex academy, and more, its language for the LGBTQ community has historically been anything but inclusive or positive. Previously, the AFF sign-up page listed "TG/TV/TS" as the "trans" gender selection — we'll let you infer what those stand for. Though, we will admit, this language has improved recently with more gender options that are appropriately labeled.

Can you find a serious relationship on AdultFriendFinder?

If you're 100% over being grilled with relationship questions on traditional dating sites like EliteSingles and eharmony, AdultFriendFinder is your golden ticket to instant communication. Registering takes literally 30 seconds — they require nothing from you aside from an email address, a username, a password, and an introduction. Though they don't require a bio or a picture, it's probably best to add a few to up your chances for messages and flirtation, especially if you're looking for something super specific, as you're more likely to be contacted by people looking for the same thing.

After you register, you'll see that there are loads of options to completely personalise your account (way more than we expected from a hookup site, to be honest). The more you fill out, the more attractive your profile will be to new viewers. There are the basic physical appearance questions about eye and hair colour, plus more intimate details.

There's also a personality test that seemed pretty close to something you'd see on Match or eharmony, and we guess it's comforting to know that some people on here care about what's on the inside as well.

One of the funniest forms was the "Purity Test," featuring 100 hilariously-worded questions about how far you're willing to go sexually. It felt like the sexy 20 questions game that you'd play with your middle school crush when neither of you knew how to flirt, but we guess this information is pertinent when you're on a site that's all about sex.

There's no real matching strategy other than the basic info on physical appearances, so don't get your hopes up when it comes to finding a lasting connection or kindred soul — but hey, if you're on the site for the same reasons most other people are, that stuff won't really matter anyway.

How do you find a match on AdultFriendFinder?

Like a traditional dating site, AdultFriendFinderAdultFriendFinder gives you a collage of potential matches at the top of your personal home page. These will be random right after you sign up, but you can opt to update your preferences to refine your results: Choose your preferred gender(s), age range, location and mile radius, race, sexual orientation, body type, and marital status. They'll let you know who's online when you are, which matches are closest to you, new people who liked or messaged you, and all of that good stuff.

AdultFriendFinder is basically like a PornHub that you can interact with. We probably don't have to say this, but AdultFriendFinder is NSFW and not safe to be on while kids are in the room. Some videos will be blurred out and read "Naughty video" until you upgrade to a Gold Membership.

The message section is set up similarly to a Gmail account, and you can mark things as read or important just as you would on a real email. How professional. You'll also receive messages instantly, which is definitely a confidence boost even though you know they're probably just looking for one thing.

You can tell who took the time to look at your profile and who is sending the same thing to everyone, but it's nice to see that there is a range. Unlike more traditional dating sites, these people don't need to talk and get to know you for months before meeting. If you're tired of things moving too slowly or need a change of pace, it's pretty awesome to know you can immediately make plans for each night of the week.

What does AdultFriendFinder get right?

Once you get past the in-your-face sexplosion of naked profile pictures, horny AIM-era profile names, and explicit videos, there are actually an impressive number of resources to help make your experience as satisfying as possible. Some will cost money even outside of the paid subscription, which is kinda dumb.

Aside from the NSFW content, the website is relatively straightforward (albeit ugly). Every feature is advertised in big letters, notifications are displayed clearly with labels, and you don't really have to click around to find anything. This makes it super accessible for users of all ages, even those who aren't tech-savvy and can't even figure out Facebook. Buttons are all over the place, but you figure it out after messing around for a few minutes.

Activities range from direct messaging, sending virtual gifts, watching live videos of people in your feed, joining adult chat rooms that can get very niche, or entering photo contests.

Think of AdultFriendFinder as the dating site version of New York City — it never sleeps. You'll find people who work the regular 9-5, people who work the night shift, and people in other time zones, so it's nearly impossible to log on and not have a lot of people to talk to. You know, like that booty call who's always awake when you text them.

Or at least that used to be the case... 10 years ago. What was once a hot site that a few Reddit users were quick to hype up is now one of the dating sites that Reddit users can't help but diss — in the few instances that AFF is even being discussed at all. The Reddit community is diverse and open-minded, and if a dating site exists, someone on Reddit has used it and has an opinion on it. It's notable that, on a site where online dating is such a mammoth topic of discussion, that AdultFriendFinder has rarely been mentioned since the early 2010s. When an innocent soul does ask if it's legit, AFF usually gets dragged for sketchy pricing and being ridden with bots.

Is AdultFriendFinder free?

As previously mentioned, you can do a lot on the site without paying a penny: You can message people, reply to emails, and visit most profiles and chat rooms. You know, all of the basic stuff. But with just a few clicks AdultFriendFinder can send you deep down the rabbit hole, and a lot of that juicier hidden content can only be unlocked with a paid membership (called the Gold membership) or by earning points.

Points are AdultFriendFinder's non-monetary currency. If you're a free member, you'll have to earn points through on-site activity to unlock stuff that's exclusive to paying members. It's kind of like a game, with points acting like money at the strip club. You can "tip" updates, photos, or videos from a member that you like, buy "bling" (which is basically a badge that makes you look cooler), watch racy videos that are usually blurred out or access other exclusive site content, or "buy" a Gold membership for a month. The more points you have, the more you get out of the site.

But all of that stuff takes a really long time, and is honestly just a hassle. If you want access to all those features, just pay for a Gold membership and upgrade.

If you're a guy looking for girls, we might suggest getting a Gold membership as the standard. While researching on Reddit, we found a few girls who said they won't meet a guy unless he's a Gold member. A Gold membership puts a little bit more credibility behind someone's profile and makes the entire encounter a little less threatening. It's easier to believe that someone's a real person if they're a paying, active member of the site, and it's nice to know that they're taking it slightly seriously. Plus, if you see a picture or profile that looks like it's five years old, it really might be — there are a ton of non-active profiles from old members and escorts still lingering on the site.

If you find yourself spending more quality time on the site than you expected, becoming a paid member is definitely something to consider. Once you're paying, you basically become royalty on the site: Your profile will appear way higher in searches, you can use the most advanced searches, and you can read emails and message to your heart's content (messages and emails are limited with a free account).

A Gold membership can unlock everything that the site has to offer, including unlimited messaging, profiles with private photo albums, and video profiles that are only available for Gold members as well. A general rule is that increased involvement and payment on your end generally equals more success on the website, as your constant activity and heightened search-ability makes it way easier for others to find you. Plus, you'll just get bored with the free features after a while.

Like every other dating site, prices for a Gold membership get cheaper the longer your subscription is: one month is £25.08/month, three months is £16.71/month, and one year is £11.27/month.

Who should try AdultFriendFinder?

This is pretty obvious, but AdultFriendFinder is ace for people who want a quick hookup, people who are in a sexual rut, people who are tired of porn, and people who find sites like eharmony to be lame. Those long compatibility tests can be exhausting, and sometimes you just wanna skip the small talk and have sex. It's gonna get kinky out there, and that's great for those who are dying to blow off steam and are in need of someone who will respond well to a sexy message. It also might be a good place for people who are freshly out of a breakup and in need of attention.

Did we mention it's also a huge confidence boost? People are so active on this site, it's impossible not to feel adored. Just seeing the notifications of users wanting to talk to you will make your heart flutter, and you'll start to loosen up. Even if you're rejected a few times, you'll learn which opening lines and flirty comments work and which don't, making you a smoother operator.

AdultFriendFinder's pro-sex, judgment-free environment means it's open to everyone and highly inclusive, no matter your gender identity or sexual orientation. The variety of people on this thing is so massive that it's nearly impossible to not to meet someone.

As with all dating sites, catfishing is a big buzzkill. Your chances of being pursued are way higher if you have a lot of pictures of the same person (AKA you), videos, and a genuine profile that lets people know they're not dealing with something sketchy. Even if you've had bad luck with online dating in the past, AdultFriendFinder is the place to 100% be yourself.

The site may look like an ad for a strip club, but don't judge a dating site by its cover. If you're willing to look past the questionable design choices, AdultFriendFinder can seriously expand your sexual horizons and introduce you to individuals you never would have met otherwise.

Who should avoid AdultFriendFinder?

You know those warnings that thrill rides at amusement parks are required to put up that tell people who get dizzy easily or have heart problems to not get on the ride? AdultFriendFinder could use something like that. This site is not for the faint of heart — if you're a cynic, conservative by any means, or get sketched out easily, you're probably going to hate it. If you appreciate a well-crafted, aesthetically pleasing website that feels safe — no matter how badly you want to have sex — then this dating site is probably not for you. Nothing is left to the imagination here, and it's definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea. You have got to be open minded.

AdultFriendFinder is not the place to be if you're trying to make friends, unless "with benefits" is tacked onto the end. Every inch of the site screams "this website is used to have sex," and you should really listen to that. You might get a date out of it, but don't expect the person to introduce you to their parents.

But this isn't to say that meaningful connections or finding a genuine adult friend (get it?) is impossible. There is always the chance of a pure friendship, particularly between two like-minded individuals.

What could AdultFriendFinder do better?

The entire website looks like an ad about hot MILFs that pops up when you're illegally streaming a movie. Seriously, it's bad. Even though the website is technically legit, the pictures, word choice, and exclamation points everywhere scream "scam." No, AdultFriendFinder, "98,897,765 Hot Photos" is not the way to make potential new users trust you.

We're not knocking a quick hookup or no-strings-attached relations. This isn't about morals. Genitals are quite literally in your face from the moment you make an account, and that's just not cute. There are chiller ways to go about insinuating that this is a hookup website without feeling like you're trapped in a sex dungeon with strangers.

It's difficult to get past the fact that the entire site looks like it's about to invite five viruses to your computer. We're talking terrible graphics that look like they were made on Microsoft Paint and pictures of women who look like they're from Pornhub in 2007. Reddit user Snoo53279 summed it up in a comment from July 2020: "The people on AFF are definitely real, but there is a huge smattering of bots that also get in the way so it can be a bit of a PITA to use." If they're not bots, they could be men posing as a couple to seem less threatening.

The parade of women on the landing page is questionable for two reasons. This shouldn't even need to be clarified, but not everyone is looking for a woman. At the least, the advertising just isn't inclusive — but this crosses into fetishisation territory. The cherry on top is that the women in the photos (unsurprisingly) probably aren't even members on the site, according to a disclaimer at the bottom of the landing page.

AdultFriendFinder's overall outdated vibe goes past an aesthetic annoyance — it's downright problematic at times. The "TS/TV/TGs" part of sign-up is nearly unforgivable, and we'd be scared to see some of the related rhetoric that AFF users feel comfortable spewing. Without even a dash of social awareness, it's hard to see how anyone who's not an out-of-touch straight cis man would feel comfortable on this site.

Attempting to navigate the shoddy design might just be enough to smother your horniness. Three main issues can make the site borderline unusable: It looks shady as hell, an alarming portion of the user base is made up of bots and spam accounts, and the user interface itself is outdated and rife with bugs.

Other Reddit users mention that the desktop web version won't even load for them at random times — an especially frustrating roadblock for people who want to end their membership and stop monthly charges. A solution to the laggy web version might be to clear your cache or use the smartphone app instead, but your experience probably won't get better there. AFF's mobile page doesn't even mention an Android app, and the link to the iPhone app brings up a "not available" pop-up in the App Store. For a site that claims to have over 50 million visitors each month, the lack of accessibility to a smartphone app is just plain odd — especially in 2021.

Adding to the sketchiness, a network hack in 2016 exposed around 412 million accounts, including "deleted" accounts that weren't actually deleted from the database. If this is enough reason for you to fall back on Tinder for finding a friend with benefits, we don't blame you. Signing up with a burner email and avoiding using your real name as a username are wise moves (just pick a naughty word and add 69 to the end, maybe), though keeping your personal information private is hard when credit cards are involved.

In 2007, AFF was involved in a lawsuit with the FTC over allegations that the site used malware to send explicit pop-up ads to computers owned by people who hadn't signed up for the service. Though we haven't seen reports like this recently, so we're hoping those ridiculous ads you see are at least confined to people who actually use the site.

What is the best alternative to AdultFriendFinder?

Surprisingly, AdultFriendFinder is one of the more tame hookup sites out there. While other hookup sites have names like Swing Towns and Instabang.com, AdultFriendFinder is probably the safest in terms of your Google search history. Most have the same general idea, which is to find sexual partners, have cyber sex, etc, but with names like those, you do start to question the authenticity. AdultFriendFinder is one of the biggest players in the world of legitimate adult dating/hookup sites and boasts a way larger and more diverse audience than a lot of these newer sites.

Horny Matches is one newer dating site that could be starting to slide in, but it hasn't stolen AdultFriendFinder's thunder just yet, perhaps due to its dodgy name. It does have its advantages, though. Horny Matches' first advantage is just that it's more modern and looks cleaner. The title is more obvious, but the main page encourages "taking the first step" rather than mentioning the words "horny" and "sex" multiple times. The audience isn't nearly as large as AdultFriendFinder, though, and most people will take more options and a less over an aesthetically pleasing app.

Is AdultFriendFinder right for you?

AdultFriendFinder is possibly the easiest, most low pressure way to find a friends-with-benefits situation without insulting anyone. Everyone is pretty much there for the same reason — and though it'll feel pretty unorthodox if you've only ever used to Tinder to scope this type of thing out, AFF's blunt advertising at least means you won't have to explain that you're not looking for a relationship. It's niche-friendly, well-populated, and has a lot of interactive outlets to indulge your primal urges.

But that freedom comes with a price — the price being feeling like one of those people who falls for the ads that pop up before a free Pornhub video. It's not that a site dedicated to sex and sexting is inherently scammy — it's that AdultFriendFinder drowns you with explicit photos on profiles who might not even be real people while asking you to pay for a subscription with every click. Unfortunately, no matter how in the mood you are, some people aren't cut out for the nothing-left-to-the-imagination approach with grammar mistakes all over the place. It wants to be sex-positive so badly, but the way sign-up talks about the trans community is the furthest thing from that.

The functionality and safety of the site and the mobile app aren't where they need to be in 2021. If security measures were tightened, graphics and photos were cleaned up to feel more relevant, and decision-makers behind the scenes were given a lesson in inclusivity and pronouns/identities, AdultFriendFinder could be a handy tool to find attachment-free hookups and connect with a community that's down for anything.

If you're brave enough to jump into the action, you can register for AdultFriendFinder. Good luck out there — and don't try this at work.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder Get Deal

Artificial intelligence is ramping up on Spotify. First, the company launched its AI DJ. Now, select users can use AI to help create personalized playlists based on niche prompts — even simply using emoji.

Spotify Premium users can enter prompts that will generate AI playlists, a feature now available for subscribers in the UK and Australia on Android and iOS devices. The AI Playlist is currently in beta, and will allow users to type in unique prompts to create said playlists.

Credit: Spotify

In a blog post, the streaming platform provided some examples of what the AI tool can do: "Looking for 'an indie folk playlist to give my brain a big warm hug,' 'relaxing music to tide me over during allergy season,' or 'a playlist that makes me feel like the main character'? AI Playlist has you covered." Prompts can range from moods to activities to movies to colors, and yes, subscribers can drop in emoji for their prompt.

SEE ALSO: 13 best websites to analyze your Spotify data

Spotify said it will "continue to iterate and innovate" on the tool, with no plans yet to roll it out to more markets.

To try it yourself, head to "Your Library" at the bottom-right corner of the Spotify app. From here, click on the "+" sign and select "AI Playlist", where you'll then be guided to select a prompt or enter one of your own. Spotify says to get "creative and be specific". The tool will then generate a playlist just for you, which can be edited after.