Blogroll

jQuery’s influence on the web will always be evident. When it was first introduced in 2006, jQuery became a fundamental tool for web developers almost immediately. It simplified JavaScript programming, making it easier to manipulate HTML documents, handle events, perform animations, and much more. Since then, it has played and continues to play a major role in the evolution of web standards and browser capabilities.

With the rise of modern JavaScript frameworks, fewer developers may be choosing to use jQuery for new projects, but worldwide usage is still extremely high. After analyzing the results of a survey conducted by IDC, the OpenJS Foundation estimated that 90% of all websites use jQuery. And about a third of those use an outdated version.

The jQuery Team and OpenJS Foundation are working to fix that as part of the Healthy Web checkup campaign. This guide will explain why it is important to keep your jQuery version up to date and walk you through the process of upgrading jQuery.

Why Is Upgrading jQuery Important for Security?

Security Vulnerabilities: Like any software, jQuery may contain security vulnerabilities in its codebase. These vulnerabilities can range from Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities to more severe issues like Remote Code Execution (RCE). As vulnerabilities are discovered, the jQuery team releases patches and updates to address them. By upgrading to the latest version of jQuery, you ensure that your application benefits from these security fixes, reducing the risk of exploitation by attackers.

Security Best Practices: Newer versions of jQuery often incorporate security best practices and enhancements to mitigate common security threats. These improvements may include stricter input validation, improved handling of user-generated content, and better protection against XSS attacks. By upgrading, you adopt these best practices and strengthen the security posture of your application.

Compliance Requirements: Many industries and regulatory frameworks require organizations to maintain up-to-date software and address known security vulnerabilities promptly. Failure to upgrade jQuery and address security issues could lead to non-compliance with these requirements.

What About Browser Support?

jQuery 1.x, 2.x, and 3.x each have a different list of supported browsers. However, given current browser market usage, the browsers that jQuery 3.x supports, which includes IE 9+, should be sufficient in almost all cases. jQuery 4.x will still support IE11, even though Microsoft announced it is officially out of support.

How Do I Upgrade jQuery?

The jQuery Team provides the jQuery Migrate plugin to make upgrading jQuery as easy as possible. It is mainly meant as a development tool that generates warning messages in the browser console that can be used to identify and fix compatibility issues. It temporarily restores deprecated features and behaviors so that older code will still run on newer versions of jQuery while the compatibility issues are addressed.

There are two versions of jQuery Migrate: 1.x and 3.x (there is no Migrate 2.x). Only one version should be used at a time, but you may need to use both in succession if upgrading from a jQuery version that predates jQuery 1.9.

For example, if your current jQuery version is 1.4.4, first use jQuery Migrate 1.x to upgrade to jQuery 1.12.4 and then use jQuery Migrate 3.x to upgrade to the latest jQuery (3.7.1, as of this writing). If your current version is 2.2.4, you only need to use jQuery Migrate 3.x to upgrade to the latest jQuery.

Using jQuery Migrate

First, add jQuery Migrate to your page *after* loading jQuery.

<script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.7.1.js"></script> <script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-migrate-3.4.1.js"></script>

Then, test your website or application. As different jQuery APIs are used, jQuery Migrate will log messages to the console warning about any deprecations or breaking changes. Address each warning one at a time.

Finally, when no more warnings are logged to the console and all breaking changes have been addressed, the jQuery Migrate can be removed and migration is complete!

See the jQuery Migrate README for more details.

jQuery Upgrade Guides

The jQuery Upgrade Guides can be helpful when you’re looking for more details on a breaking change, or you just want to see the full list of breaking changes for each version. There are upgrade guides for jQuery 1.9, 3.0 and 3.5 that list all of the breaking changes that happened in those releases. Most of the breaking changes listed will probably not apply to your code, but these guides add some context and explanation for each change.

A Note on Future jQuery Versions

With jQuery 4.0 on the horizon, you may wonder what the process will be for upgrading to jQuery 4.x. The answer is that it will be the same as upgrading to jQuery 3.x and it can still be done in one step. In other words, there will be no need to upgrade to jQuery 3.x before upgrading to jQuery 4.x. You will be able to upgrade straight from 1.9+ to jQuery 4.x. We will also have an upgrade guide ready for jQuery 4.0.

Conclusion

Upgrading jQuery is essential for maintaining the security, performance, and compatibility of your web applications. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can safely upgrade to the latest version of jQuery and take advantage of its new features and improvements while ensuring that your web application remains protected against any discovered vulnerabilities. Remember to regularly check for updates and stay informed about new releases to keep your codebase up to date.

Android 15 is set to revolutionize how devices charge by potentially enabling NFC (near-field communication) technology.

Commonly used for contactless payments and to charge phones wirelessly, this addition was discovered in the latest Android 15 Beta release by Android Authority. Dubbed "NfcCharging," it could introduce wireless charging capabilities to a wider range of devices, particularly budget models that typically lack Qi charging (the current standard for wireless power).

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 9 is rumored to steal this iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 feature How would 'NFC charging' work?

Although NFC charging offers a slower charging rate, peaking at just 1W, it could still prove beneficial in emergencies. For instance, it would take around five hours to fully charge a 5,000mAh battery — making it a less efficient, yet convenient alternative. Primarily, NFC charging could be more useful for smaller devices like earbuds, styluses, and smartwatches due to their low-power requirements and smaller battery sizes.

This emerging technology promises to make wireless charging more accessible, especially for devices too small to support Qi's larger antennas. With NFC antennas being significantly more compact, they could easily fit into a greater variety of devices.

While the concept of NFC charging has been around for some years, its implementation has been limited. However, if integrated into Android natively, it could set a new trend for device charging, potentially paving the way for replacing Qi charging if the speed and efficiency of NFC can be enhanced. This would simplify the internal design by reducing the number of required antennas and allowing for larger batteries or additional features within devices.

Expected to debut between August and October 2024, more insights into NFC charging and other Android 15 updates are likely to be unveiled at the Google I/O 2024 event on May 14.

SAVE $124.98: The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet (128GB) productivity bundle is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon, down from the normal bundle price of $404.97. That's a 30% discount. The bundle includes the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet, keyboard case, and stylus pen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet (128GB) productivity bundle $279.99 at Amazon
$404.97 Save $124.98 Deal includes the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet, keyboard case, and stylus pen. Get Deal

Working from home or the local cafe can be a welcome break from the office — especially when you have the right equipment to make it easy. If you're looking to upgrade your work set-up for when you're away from the office, Amazon has the perfect deal.

As of April 17, the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet productivity bundle is $279.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard bundle price of $404.97. That's a 30% discount or a savings of $124.98. The bundle includes the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet (128GB), a magnetic keyboard case, and a stylus pen.

SEE ALSO: The best tablets: iPads are great, but have you tried literally anything else?

The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet earned a Mashable Choice award, with SaVanna Shoemaker giving the tablet a high rating of 4.6 out of 5 in her review. "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," writes Shoemaker.

Thanks to today's deal, you'll get the 11-inch tablet with 2.4 million pixels in addition to a setup that makes it ideal for working away from the office. The included keyboard case has a built-in trackpad that's capable of gestures like pinch to zoom and scrolling with two fingers. The integrated back cover not only serves as protection but also includes a stand. And the keyboard doesn't require charging, simply plugging into the Fire Max 11 tablet.

You'll also get an Amazon stylus pen with the productivity bundle. Take notes, draw, or mark up a PDF with ease thanks to the stylus. If you're nervous about losing the stylus pen, have no fear: it attaches magnetically to the side of the tablet.

If you prefer to work from home or you'd love to not lug a heavy laptop with you while traveling, the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet productivity bundle could be ideal for streamlining the process. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, you can grab the bundle for 30% off.

Carrie Bradshaw is a narcissist. She's a terrible friend. She's delusional. She's the problem. She's problematic. Gen Z can't handle her.

The internet has been throwing around these opinions since Sex and the City arrived on Netflix, ushering in a new wave of Carrie Bradshaw discourse nearly 26 years after the groundbreaking HBO series premiered. The show and its iconic heroine still strike a chord with viewers. Gen Z icon Olivia Rodrigo even weighed in during one of two sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden, wearing a bedazzled tank top that read "Carrie Bradshaw AF." (The second night, she donned another embellished tank; this one said "And just like that.")

SEE ALSO: Why the internet stans Ireland

Sex and the City has long been a source of inspiration for meme culture, something Sylvia Sierra, associate professor of communication and rhetorical studies at Syracuse University, attributes to the breadth of material fans have to play with. "People get really into referencing media where they can imagine themselves in that world," she told Mashable. Throughout its six seasons, viewers get immersed in Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte's lives as single women in New York City, and each episode includes memorable characters like Charlotte's friend who steals her baby name and oddball plots like Miranda crushing on a sandwich. 

There are longstanding Sex and the City memes, like refashioning the structure of Carrie's voiceovers to fit the current moment — starting with popular Carrie-isms like "I couldn't help but wonder" and "And just like that." Carrie's outsized reactions are also endlessly reposted to react to headlines, especially when that news concerns New York City.  

Recently, a new meme has emerged: Big is moving to Paris. It's mainly used to illustrate how consumed Carrie was by her own problems, specifically her relationship with Big. Twitter / X users write out a conversation in the voices of the three other protagonists of the show, ending with Carrie announcing, "Big is moving to Paris." For instance, after an earthquake shook New York City one user wrote: 

Charlotte: It was 4.8 on the Richter scale!

Miranda: The Richter scale is a totally outdated method for measuring magnitudes and everyone knows it.

Samantha: Let's just say it wasn't the only thing making my walls shake this morning.

Carrie: Big is moving to Paris

Similar posts circulated after the solar eclipse. Soon, Carrie announcing Big's move left the confines of Sex and the City's world making other popular characters, like Dune's Paul Atreides, say "Big is moving to Paris."

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Unlike other often-quoted moments, Carrie never actually says, "Big is moving to Paris." In the now infamous Season 2 episode that finds Samantha taking the girls to a S&M-themed restaurant, Charlotte getting involved with a shoe salesman with a foot fetish, and Miranda sleeping with an exhibitionist — that's real television — Carrie breaks down at brunch with the girls. Big casually told her he might move to Paris for seven months. At brunch, she says, "I wanted to kill him. And he's standing there giving me the 'what's the big problem' eyes."

She doesn't even say "Big is moving to Paris" in the next episode when the girls stage an intervention with Carrie for excessively talking about their breakup.

Despite its absence, the phrase gets at a central tension of the series.

Why we're still talking about Carrie Bradshaw

The meme "tickled" Sienna Axe, a 23-year-old in Seattle, so much that she changed her display name on X to "Big is moving to Paris." It just made sense, she said. "I saw 'Big moving in Paris' and I was like, yeah Big is moving to Paris. She's always saying that shit," Axe told Mashable. "The world could be ending, and Big would still be moving to Paris and that would still be the most important thing in the world to Carrie Bradshaw."

Axe first got hooked on the show after watching it with her mom, specifically the episode after Carrie and Big broke up and she has a brief fling with an overzealous jazz musician. "I thought it was just so crazy that I sat down and watched the rest of the show," she said. 

Katherine Morgan, a 30-year-old writer and Powell's Books employee in Portland, Oregon, recently wrote a thread defending Carrie against her critics but still laughed at the "Big is moving to Paris" meme. "She does that a lot when someone has news or is talking about current events and then she refocuses the conversation on Big," she said.

Tweet may have been deleted

In 2013, writer Emily Nussbaum examined how Sex and the City played with the romantic comedy form by pushing back against viewers' desire to identify with Carrie. For The New Yorker, she wrote, "It switched the romantic comedy’s primal scene, from 'Me, too!' to 'Am I like her?' A man practically woven out of red flags, Big wasn’t there to rescue Carrie; instead, his 'great love' was a slow poisoning. She spun out, becoming anxious, obsessive, and, despite her charm, wildly self-centered—in her own words, 'the frightening woman whose fear ate her sanity.'"

One could argue that Carrie's reaction to Big moving to Paris exemplifies Big's poison driving her to insanity. As one X user wrote, "This is the most down bad anyone's ever been btw."

Tweet may have been deleted

"​​People often look to the media for examples of how to behave and do things in their everyday life and what personalities to have or behavior to enact," said Sierra. Memes are a way for viewers to negotiate those examples. "People use memes to circumscribe the boundaries of what is acceptable and isn't acceptable." 

The "Big is moving to Paris" meme rejects Big's hold over Carrie. "They're distancing themselves [from Carrie] and communicating that this is not what we want to be by ridiculing and laughing about that character," said Sierra. 

"There's so many stereotypes, and ideologies embedded in the media that we consume. In this case, it's a stereotype about a certain woman who's very self-centered. When you recirculate it, you're bringing that stereotype to mind, but by making fun of it, you're rejecting that way of being, and presenting an ideology that's not acceptable," she continued.

By making fun of it, you're rejecting that way of being, and presenting an ideology that's not acceptable.

But even during Sex and the City's cultural heyday, Carrie and Big's relationship was a point of contention for fans. In 2002, Joke Hermes, a professor of media, culture, and citizenship at Inholland University, conducted a study of conversations about the show on Jump the Shark, an internet forum for discussing when a television show fell off. "People reacted strongly against the Carrie and Big storyline early on," Hermes told Mashable. 

Like Sierra, she sees the memes as reacting to something bigger than just the characters. "[Carrie and Big] explore women's condition. We have the jobs we want to do, we are our own women, and then there's this old dream of finding the right guy to be a complete person, which is — as we used to say in the 1980s — the complete myth of patriarchy," said Hermes. "It's an ongoing discussion about how we think about men and women today and whether we're still invested in thinking about femininity and masculinity as total opposites."

It's easy to reject Carrie, but there are those like Morgan who embrace her chaos. "It's freeing to have a model for being loud and wrong because sometimes you have to be a little bit loud and wrong and say what you think so your friends can correct you," Axe said. Being loud and wrong is an essential part of growing up, and in an era where so many women are growing up publicly — whether that be Rodrigo or your average TikTokker in NYC — Carrie Bradshaw is relatable. When Rodrigo calls herself "Carrie Bradshaw AF" she's embracing the messy side of love and womanhood.

While the internet continues to wrestle with issues we've failed to resolve in the past 26 years via Carrie and Big, every New York City transplant on TikTok will continue to battle it out to be "the next Carrie Bradshaw."

Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular, 41mm) $433.30 at Amazon (save $265.70) Get Deal BEST TV DEAL Samsung 75-Inch The Frame LS03B Series QLED 4K TV $1,895 at Amazon (save $1,102.99) Get Deal BEST EARBUDS DEAL Amazon Echo Buds with wired charging case (2nd gen) $54.99 at Amazon (save $65) Get Deal BEST SECURITY CAMERA DEAL Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera $77.99 at Amazon (save $51.99) Get Deal BEST COMPUTER DEAL Mac Mini (M2 chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $499 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal

In the highly oversaturated world of e-commerce, Amazon consistently comes out on top — not just because of its convenience, but largely due to its array of deals. If you're a sucker for a sweet discount, we've scoured the lengthy list of daily deals at the mega-retailer and handpicked some of the most impressive ones we could find. While it may not be a major shopping holiday, there are plenty of price drops on big-name products, including the Apple Watch, The Frame TV, and Echo Buds.

Here are the best Amazon deals of the day for April 17. And don't miss out on our picks from April 15 and April 16 — many of those deals are still live.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Amazon deal of the day: Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular, 41mm) $433.30
$699.00 Save $265.70 Get Deal

If you've had the Apple Watch Series 9 on your wishlist since its debut, your patience has been rewarded with an all-time low discount. Despite its rocky start to the year (Apple removed the blood oxygen sensor from its watches due to a patent dispute), the Series 9 is alive and thriving. It comes with a few fancy new features like Double Tap and a 2,000-nit display, which makes it more readable in sunlight (one of Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder's favorite features). The 41mm version with GPS and cellular connectivity is typically $699, but you can save 38% as of April 17 and snag it for just $433.30.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 75-Inch The Frame LS03B Series QLED 4K TV $1,895.00 at Amazon
$2,997.99 Save $1,102.99 Get Deal

Thanks to Samsung's The Frame TVs, gone are the days of staring at a boring black rectangle on your wall when your TV is switched off. These TVs feature a unique ambient "Art Mode" that displays paintings and photos when the QLED screen is not in use. Many images come pre-loaded onto the TV, but you can also upload your own or subscribe to Samsung's Art Store for more options. The 75-inch version is down to an all-time low price of $1,895 as of April 17 — that's 37% off its usual cost.

Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera $77.99 at Amazon
$129.98 Save $51.99 Get Deal

If you're looking to add a second set of eyes outside of your home, the Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera lets you see what's happening in crisp HD at any time of day. It features 700 lumens of motion-triggered illumination and two-way audio, plus advanced motion detection via the Blink subscription plan. At 40% off, it's back down to its all-time low price of $77.99 (reg. $129.98).

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Buds with ANC (wired charging case) $54.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $65.00 Get Deal

Some of our favorite wireless earbuds, the second-generation Echo Buds, are on sale at Amazon for just $54.99 as of April 17. While that's not the lowest price we've seen — that honor goes to the $49.99 deal from March 2022 — it's still an incredible deal on a pair of noise-canceling earbuds. Compared to the first-generation duds, Amazon's second iteration "deliver good sound quality, effective ANC, and a slimmed down build." Mashable's Alex Perry was impressed with them upon testing, calling them "a steal for anyone who wants to dip their toes into the world of ANC without setting their wallet on fire."

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Mac Mini (M2 chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $499.00 at Amazon
$599.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

If you're looking to upgrade our work-from-home setup without breaking the bank, the M2-equipped Mac Mini is a solid place to start. The ultra-portable desktop computer offers a zippy performance, support for up to two displays, upgraded graphics from its predecessor, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports for advanced connectivity. Better yet, it's just $20 shy of its all-time low price as of April 17. Snag it on sale for just $499 at Amazon.

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

Snapchat users will now see a ghostly image hovering over their AI-generated images, as Snapchat joins other Big Tech companies using watermarking tech to battle AI misinformation and deepfakes.

Images made using Snapchat's AI tools, like the app's extend tool and its recently launched Dreams feature, will be stamped with a transparent watermark (Snapchat's ghost logo) once it's exported or downloaded off the app. Users receiving AI-generated images may also see the ghost logo and the app's "sparkle" AI icon.

SEE ALSO: Is AI good or bad? The answer is more complicated than 'yes' or 'no.'

Currently, Snapchat marks AI-generated content, included text conversations with its My AI chatbot, in various ways. Images created using Dreams are accompanied by a "context card" that explains the feature and generative AI. My AI conversations and the extend tool uses "contextual" icons, like the sparkle symbol, to

"We also take great care to vet all political ads through a rigorous human review process, including a thorough check for any misleading use of content, including AI to create deceptive images or content," the platform wrote. "The addition of these watermarks will help inform those viewing it that the image was made with AI on Snapchat."

Along with the new transparency tool, Snapchat also committed to ongoing AI literacy efforts. So far, that just entails a generative AI FAQ available on its Support Site.

"While all of our AI tools, both text-based and visual, are designed to avoid producing incorrect, harmful, or misleading material, mistakes may still occur," the company wrote. "Snapchatters are able to report content, and we appreciate this feedback."

AI watchdogs say watermarking technology isn't a sure fire solution, however, even as tech's big players hinge their user-side bets on it.

In February, OpenAI announced it would be adding metadata watermarks to images generated by DALL-E 3. Google launched its SynthID, a tool that adds similarly invisible watermarks to AI images, in August. Youtube, meanwhile, is enforcing penalties against users who don't use its labelling system for digitally altered content.

By now, everyone has likely seen Boston Dynamics' robots.

The company's videos, usually showcasing what its Atlas hydraulic robot model could do, pretty much always go viral. Yes, these videos show off the incredible technological accomplishments of a company that has created a humanoid robot that can do parkour. But, the videos were popular due to the quirky nature of the robot. Atlas would slip! Atlas would fall over. Sure, some of Atlas's movements could be a bit dystopian – a sneak peek into a world where robots rule over humans – but Atlas also kind of looked like a Disney/Pixar creation.

But, earlier this week, Boston Dynamics surprisingly bid farewell to Atlas, retiring the beloved humanoid robot model.

But I don't believe anyone was quite expecting what Boston Dynamics had in store for us next.

The all-new Atlas

On Wednesday, just one day after the retirement of Atlas, Boston Dynamics uploaded a video announcing the all-new version of Atlas, a fully electric robot.

The new Atlas clearly has a brand new design. It's now slimmer, looking more like an actual human body-type. And it has a round head, something missing from the old Atlas' structure. In an announcement, Boston Dynamics says it is teaming with Hyundai to roll out real-world commercial uses for Atlas.

But, the video that Boston Dynamics released to introduce the world to the new Atlas certainly was a choice. It's giving off T-1000 from Terminator 2 vibes as opposed to the quirky kids movie feel of the old Atlas.

The video starts with the new electric Atlas lying on a mat. Suddenly, his legs rise and invert, landing almost crab-style. The legs then lift the rest of the robot's body up like something straight out of a Japanese horror movie. Its head suddenly spins, like Regan from The Exorcist, to face the camera. With its torso and arms still facing the wrong direction, the robot starts walking towards the camera. Atlas' torso then flips around to face forwards and the robot stops in front of the camera. After a second, each section of the body begins to spin away from the camera and Atlas loudly marches off.

Boston Dynamics doesn't really show off too much in the video — in terms of real-world capability anyway — so we still have to wait to find out if the new Atlas will amaze audiences in the way that the old one did. The company usually does deliver though, with each of its robot models proving to be better than the previous iteration.

But, there's no denying that Boston Dynamics has chosen a pretty creepy way to introduce the world to the new fully electric Atlas. John Connor, please standby.

Need to backup your iPhone? As a rule of thumb, you should always backup your computer — and that same rule applies to your iPhone, too.

Trust us. We've lost data, files, and other digital media before by not regularly backing up our device. You never know when you'll lose your iPhone.

Backing up your iPhone is easier than ever. In the early days of the iPhone, it use to be annoying to pull out the wire, connect your iPhone to your computer, and go through the iTunes backup process. Now, you can simply use iCloud.

How to backup iPhone

All it takes is the tap of a button to backup your iPhone now. And you can set up your device to automatically make regular backups, too. Let's walk through this simple process.

1. Go to Settings and tap your Apple ID name at the top Credit: Matt Binder / Mashable screenshot 2. On the Apple ID screen, tap on iCloud. Credit: Matt Binder / Mashable screenshot 3. Under the Device Backups section, tap on iCloud Backup Credit: Matt Binder / Mashable screenshot 4. For automated backups, make sure the 'Back Up This iPhone option' is switched on. Credit: Matt Binder / Mashable screenshot 5. To backup your iPhone immediately, tap on the 'Back Up Now' option. Credit: Matt Binder / Mashable screenshot

Note: iCloud does not include photos and videos in your iPhone backup. Those media files are stored separately in iCloud Photos.

Apple gives iPhone users free 5GB of iCloud storage. For some users, this will be enough. For others, they'll have to upgrade to an iCloud+ paid plan. Both your iPhone backup on iCloud and your iCloud Photos share the same storage space, so make sure you have an appropriately sized plan that has enough storage space for your photos and latest iPhone backup.

The old Alexa can't answer your questions about Taylor Swift's new album, but Swift can.

In promotion of The Tortured Poets Department, out April 19, the pop star will answer your burning questions about the album on Amazon Alexa. For example, when you ask, "When does Taylor Swift's new album come out?" Alexa passes the mic to Swift who says, "Hey it's Taylor Swift. My new album The Tortured Poets Department is out this Friday. All is fair in love and poetry."

SEE ALSO: Taylor Swift's music returns to TikTok ahead of 'The Tortured Poets Department' release

Swift famously never shies away from any opportunity to promote her music, despite current critiques of her artistic integrity. She managed to be the only Universal Music Group artist to get her music back on TikTok ahead of her album's release. That's not to mention her recent collaboration with Spotify in Los Angeles: a "library installation" that reveals details about the album via poetry typed on faux old-timey parchment — a fun gimmick that the corporate partnership detracts from. (Each piece of paper features the Spotify logo.) And on Instagram, if you type "Taylor Swift" a writing emoji appears.

Tweet may have been deleted Credit: Instagram

For her last album, Midnights, she partnered with TikTok and Spotify as well as Amazon Prime's Thursday Night Football and Tumblr. She's also one of many artists utilizing the album variant approach to maximize sales and profits.

Swift recently became a billionaire and remains under fire for her private jet use. But Alexa can probably tell you that.

SAVE 18%: An Amazon Fire TV Cube streaming device is just $114.99 at Amazon, down from the standard price of $139.99. That's a savings of $25.

Amazon Fire TV Cube streaming device $114.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal

Does your TV take forever to boot up Netflix, taking precious time away from your evening shows? If you tend to wait for apps to load, investing in a high-end streaming device could make your viewing experience more enjoyable. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, you can get lightning-fast streaming while saving some money.

As of April 17, the Amazon Fire TV Cube is $114.99, marked down from the normal price of $139.99. That's an 18% discount or a savings of $25. This deal includes the Fire TV Cube streaming device, an Alexa voice-enhanced remote, and a power adapter.

SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV deals

The Amazon Fire TV Cube is capable of streaming 4K media, fast. Amazon says the Fire TV Cube is two times as powerful as the popular Fire TV Stick 4K Max. The Fire TV Cube uses an octa-core 2.0 GHz processor for faster launching and navigating of your favorite apps like Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu. The cube can also support WiFi 6E for the latest in speedy internet connection.

The Fire TV Cube also works with voice commands thanks to the included remote control, so you can ask Alexa to change the volume of the TV or open Disney+.

If your streaming device is no longer keeping up or can't support streaming in 4K, this is your sign that it's time to upgrade. Grab the Amazon Fire TV Cube for just $114.99 and get used to quick streaming and navigating.

Wade Allain-Marcus describes how he sees his Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead as more of a remix than a remake. Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead is now in theaters.

SAVE $30: The Shokz OpenFit wireless headphones are on sale for $149.95 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $179.95. That's a 17% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shokz Shokz OpenFit headphones $149.95 at Amazon
$179.95 Save $30.00 Get Deal

Headphones have become part of our everyday tech needs. Whether you prefer over-the-ear or earbuds, finding a pair that feels comfortable can be tough. If you're searching for a pair that focuses on comfort and all-day wearability, today's deal at Amazon might grant your wish.

As of April 17, the Shokz OpenFit wireless headphones are just $149.95, down from the standard price of $179.95. That's a savings of $30 or a 17% discount.

The Shokz OpenFit focus on a comfortable and secure fit without sacrificing sound quality. They have an over-ear design that keeps the earbuds secured thanks to a flexible ear hook. This design can be especially beneficial if you like to go for neighborhood runs, workout with a jump rope, or otherwise tend to have issues with keeping earbuds in place.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds on Amazon start at just $9

With the included charging case, expect to get up to 28 hours of listening time. The Shokz OpenFit also use situational awareness, so while you're jamming out to your favorite playlist you can still hear what's happening around you. This trend is appearing more often, with the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds also focusing on letting users stay in tune with their surroundings.

The Shokz OpenFit are also great for those who live in climates where rain is common. The OpenFit have a double layer of waterproof steel mesh and gauze so a bit of rain or sweat won't be an issue.

If you're tired of earbuds being painful after an hour of wear, the Shokz OpenFit aim to offer both comfort and function. Plus, they have pretty awesome battery life. Score today's deal to save $30 and listen in comfort.

SAVE $80: As of April 17, get the 32-inch 2-Series HD Amazon Fire TV for just $119.99. That's a discount of 40%.

32-inch 2-Series HD Amazon Fire TV $119.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal

If you're in the market for a new TV, there are tons of great options available — but some of the best smart TVs you'll find are part of Amazon's Fire TV series. These affordable displays offer big functionality at low prices, especially if you're looking to add a screen to your home setup or a starter TV that you don't want to spend an arm and a leg on. Now's a great time to lock in a purchase as you can get one of the lineup's budget models for even cheaper than usual.

As of April 17, the Amazon 32-inch 2-Series Fire TV is just $119.99 at Amazon. That's $80 off its normal price of $199.99, and a discount of 40%.

SEE ALSO: Turn your TV into a digital art gallery for $32

This is a basic smart TV that doesn't offer many of its higher-priced siblings' features, but it's still a great screen if you want smart capabilities. It uses the Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote for hands-free control with Alexa Voice Search, which means never typing in long show names at a snail's pace again. On top of that, it supports all the normal Alexa apps you'd be able to use within the Fire ecosystem.

This TV doesn't support 4K, as it only goes up to HD 720p resolution, so keep that in mind when purchasing. But at this price, you get a streaming-capable TV with voice control support, live TV streaming, and a connection to Fire TV's live TV options, plus gaming and music. It's a great buy for just over $100.

iOS 18, Apple's next big annual update, is several months away, but it's never too early to start talking about it.

Yes, rumors are already flying around about iOS 18, the theoretical follow-up to last year's iOS 17 update. I say "theoretical" because Apple has yet to publicly talk about it, but you can rest easy knowing it'll almost certainly come out at some point this year. And when it does, it may or may not be a total overhaul of the iOS experience (more on this later).

Here's everything we know about iOS 18 so far.

SEE ALSO: The best MacBooks: Which Apple laptop would we buy in 2024? iOS 18 release date

This part is easy. Even with no confirmation from Apple, we can safely assume iOS 18 will launch in September, around the same time as the also-unconfirmed iPhone 16.

That's because every new version of iOS launches in September, around the same time as the new iPhone. Unlike MacBooks and iPads, iOS release dates are

iOS 18 features

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a well-known Apple prognosticator, reported in January that iOS 18 will "one of the biggest" updates in iOS history.

AI and Siri

Expect iOS 18 to have some kind of emphasis on AI, generative or otherwise.

Siri could get an AI boost Credit: Apple

This could mean improvements to Siri as well as AI integration into Messages and other built-in iOS apps. Perhaps Messages could proofread your texts for you, or Safari could summarize webpages. These features would be in line with what Samsung and Google have done with their most recent flagship devices.

Keep in mind, however, that Apple is not planning to debut its own generative AI chatbot, according to Gurman.

Instead, Apple is reportedly in talks with companies like Google, OpenAI, and Baidu for key AI partnerships (via MacRumors). Also revealed in his Power On newsletter, Gurman said "it looks like the initial wave of [artificial intelligence] features will work entirely on device.

In other words, iOS 18's reported new AI features won't be relying on cloud processing.

And finally, according to a backend code discovered by Nicolás Álvarez, Safari will reportedly have an AI-powered browsing assistant. (A MacRumors contributor confirmed the code exists.)

RCS messaging standard

Aside from that, the best prediction we can make regarding iOS 18 is that texting with Android users will probably be a better experience.

Credit: Apple

That's because Apple already confirmed it will adopt the Rich Communication Services (or RCS) messaging standard starting this year.

As MacRumors pointed out, this means that the following should see improvements between iOS and Android devices:

• Wi-Fi messaging

• Read receipts

• Typing indicators

• Audio messages

• Resolution of photos and videos

We're also expecting to see improvements to group chats between iPhone and Android phones.

Accessibility

When it comes to accessibility features, which includes settings that better support your vision, mobility, hearing, and cognitive needs, iOS 18 is reportedly getting some enhancements.

First up is Live Speech. This perk, which lets you type what you want to say before it gets read aloud, is getting a new "Categories" feature, according to MacRumors.

With this new functionality, you'll now have the option to organize frequently used or favorite phrases into categories of your choice.

Secondly, rumor has it that Apple is rolling out "Adaptive Voice Shortcuts," which lets you map custom phrases to a specific accessibility feature. As such, if you say a specific custom phrase, you should be able to launch the accessibility feature that you linked it to.

More customizable Home Screens

Historically, Apple hasn't really let iPhone Home Screen customization roam free, aside from giving users the ability to move icons around. But according to MacRumors, Apple could roll out a Home Screen refresh with iOS 18, with users reportedly to be given more freedom with icon arrangement — and per Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, more customization could also be coming for Lock Screens too.

Apple Maps

According to MacRumors, iOS 18 will bring two new features to Apple Maps:

• Custom routes

• Topographic maps

Custom routes allows users to select roads of their choice before navigating from point A to point B, a feature Google Maps already supports.

Credit: Apple

Topographic maps, which already debuted on Apple Watch via watchOS 10, allow users to see maps with more detail, including contour lines, trails, elevation, and more.

Notes app

According to an exclusive from AppleInsider, the Notes app will have two new features in iOS 18:

• Built-in audio recording support

• "Math Notes," a feature that leverages Apple Calculator

Diving a little deeper into these new features, the Notes app in iOS 18 is reportedly getting an audio recording perk in the app. Users will likely have the option to add images and texts to these voice notes. For example, a student can record a lecture and add screenshots of their lecture to the audio capture.

There's also an alleged new "Math Notes" feature. "The update is likely to usher in support for displaying mathematic notation, an essential shorthand for academic, science, and engineering applications," AppleInsider said.

AirPods 'hearing aid mode'

Alongside the release of iOS 18, Gurman claims that the AirPods Pro will get a new "hearing aid mode."

Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Keep in mind that the AirPods Pro already have a Conversation Boost feature, which increases the clarity of speakers directly in front of the user. However, what Apple has planned for its earbuds is reportedly a slight upgrade.

iOS 18 is expected to be revealed at WWDC 2024 in June. Stay tuned for Mashable's coverage on the highly anticipated Apple event.

TL;DR: Watch Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Arsenal and Bayern Munich could not be separated in the first leg of their quarter-final matchup. There was a lot of quality on display, mixed in with a big dose of drama. And we're expecting more of the same in the second leg. Everything is on the line, after all.

If you want to watch Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal?

Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal will kick off at 8 p.m. BST on April 17. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal for free

Austrian viewers can live stream select Champions League fixtures for free (with German commentary) through Austrian broadcaster ServusTV. This free schedule includes the quarter-final second leg fixture between Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal.

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

Unblock ServusTV 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 Austria

4. Visit ServusTV

5. Stream Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal in the Champions League for free

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to provide free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to ServusTV without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal before recovering your investment. And the best VPNs return your cash without hassle.

What is the best VPN for ServusTV?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

• 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 free from throttling

• 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.

Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal for free with ExpressVPN.

I'd just got in the bath when my phone buzzed on the window sill. It was, alas, out of reach. But I had a sneaking suspicion of who the message was from.

I got up and leaned across to my device, bath suds and water dripping all over the floor. With wet fingers, I swiped up to see the WhatsApp and instantly wished I'd stayed in the bath.

"Send pics," read the message from the guy I barely knew.

Until this moment, things had been going so well. So well, in fact, that I was deeply suspicious.

Sending nudes to a near-stranger in the early stages of dating is a boundary for me. That might not be the case for everyone, but in my case, it's not something I do unless I'm sleeping with the person. But at this point, I hadn't even gone on a first date with this guy yet. We'd simply kissed on a night out with friends and started texting each other.

I sat back in the bath and deliberated how to respond. My heart raced as I asked myself if it was easier to just comply with this request. My thoughts urged me not to be awkward, not to be a prude. But something stronger was overriding these — a fierce feeling that I just didn't want to do what was being asked of me. The anxiety I could physically feel told me I'd be crossing my own boundaries if I yielded.

I waited an hour, scrambling to find the right words to tell him 'no.' "Hey," I began. "So I have a rule that I don't send pics to someone unless I've slept with them." He replied almost instantly. "That is a very good rule," he said. The conversation went back to whatever we'd been talking about before. No awkwardness, no annoyance, nothing that I'd feared had happened.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that at age 30, I shouldn't be struggling to tell a man I'd met twice that I didn't want to do something. But here we are. My friends also tell me they feel highly nervous, overcome with anxiety when setting boundaries in the early stages of dating.

Why are boundaries important?

So, why are boundaries so important? "Boundaries set the basic guidelines for how a person wants to be treated," according to Neil Wilkie, founder of online couples therapy platform The Relationship Paradigm. "Clear boundaries are essential for our own mental health and self-esteem."

While this post deals primarily with boundaries in dating and romantic and sexual relationships, I'd note that boundaries are vital in ALL relationships — be that with family, friends, colleagues, and even your internet followers. For marginalised communities, in particular, respecting boundaries is deeply important in preventing re-traumatisation, and examples of boundary violations can include white people asking their Black friends to explain racism and people tagging sexual violence survivors in social media posts about sexual trauma. Everyone has the right to set boundaries and to have them respected.

SEE ALSO: How to set sexual boundaries Why does boundary setting feel difficult?

Boundaries are key, but in terms of dating, establishing them with someone you like and don't know very well can seem a little daunting at first. "When we’re nervous about holding onto someone else’s approval we can compromise on boundaries," Rachael Lloyd, relationship expert at eharmony, told me. "But once you start doing that, your own sense of self can erode and you can soon lose yourself in the relationship." If you're not 100 percent sure of your own boundaries, Lloyd said you might be clued in by your instincts. "You’ll know when a boundary is overstepped because you’re likely to suddenly feel triggered emotionally, within your body."

Getting in early with boundary setting also means heading off at the pass any potential future sources of resentment and friction that could arise. "In the early days of a relationship it is rare for a couple to discuss boundaries, which will mean that the ground rules are unclear and uncertain," explained Wilkie. Discussing your sexual boundaries with a new partner is particularly important in making sure you both feel comfortable and safe. "It is so much easier to talk about boundaries in the early days of a relationship as that will be coming from a place of growth and clarity rather than resentment and blame," Wilkie added.

How to talk about boundaries

What do you do if a discussion with someone you're newly dating veers into territory that you're not OK with? "If you enter into a topic of conversation that makes you feel uncomfortable or is delicate, such as political views, family life or salary, politely assert your boundary and explain that you’d rather not discuss that at this point, while changing the conversation to something that you have in common," explained Lloyd.  

SEE ALSO: How to set boundaries at work

But you don't have to wait until a line has been crossed before having a chat about boundaries. Why not have a conversation about both your boundaries? "Introduce the topic gently, maybe by asking them, 'What is important for you in a relationship?'. If they open up, great. If not, then try again in a different way," Wilkie suggested. "Notice what is important for you and what boundaries you feel are being transgressed. Bring these up in a way like: ‘When you do x, I feel y’ rather than ‘It’s horrible when you do x’ do."

If the person is reluctant to discuss boundaries, or if they react badly to you setting a boundary, this could be a red flag. "If they are breaking the boundaries and don’t want to engage in conversation about it, question if are they right for me?" said Wilkie.

When it comes to intimacy, it's advisable to bring up sexual boundaries before you've entered a sexual encounter with that person. In the moment, if you are having sex with someone and a boundary is being crossed, remember that consent can be withdrawn at any point, and each new sexual act that's introduced in an encounter needs to be consented to. Our boundaries change and evolve over time, so if you're in a long-term relationship with someone, check in with each other and see where you're at.

If you're in a long-term relationship with someone and you want to have a meaningful exchange about one another's boundaries, you could try drawing up a list. Wilkie suggested getting each partner to draw up a list of what their boundaries are, then sharing and discussing what those boundaries mean to them, before comparing any similarities and differences. Making sure you've been listened to and understood is really important. If you feel there's room for improvement in the way your partner interacts with and respects those boundaries, let them know. If you want to, schedule regular meetings to chat about these and whether sufficient progress has been made.

At the end of the day, we're all entitled to boundaries and we deserve to have them respected. Just because you're in the early stages of dating someone doesn't mean you have to compromise on something that keeps you feeling protected and safe. The person's response to a boundary being set will usually give you a good idea about whether this relationship is worth pursuing.

This article was first published in 2020 and republished in 2024.

Shōgun is a series full of wily political operators, unpredictable fight scenes, and the occasional devastating earthquake. Yet the biggest obstacle our characters have had to face is none other than a single gate leading out of Osaka Castle — a gate which becomes the focus of two of Shōgun's best scenes.

SEE ALSO: 'Shōgun' review: 2024's first great TV epic is here

In episode 3, "Tomorrow Is Tomorrow," Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) must leave Osaka in order to avoid death at the hands of Ishido Kazunari (Takehiro Hira) and the rest of the Council of Regents. His plan to make it out of the city plays like something out of a farce, complete with faked labor pains and Toranaga switching places with his wife Kiri No Kata (Yoriko Dōguchi). Ishido's men almost catch on to the ruse, but John Blackthorne's (Cosmo Jarvis) improvised outrage on behalf of Kiri's virtue manages to cause enough chaos to throw them off the scent. The entire sequence is a perfect balancing act of comedy and suspense, but the next time Shōgun returns to the gate leading out of Osaka Castle, we're in for a much more somber affair.

Anna Sawai in "Shōgun." Credit: Katie Yu / FX

Flash-forward to "Crimson Sky," Shōgun's ninth entry and its most heartbreaking to date. The whole episode focuses on Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai) as she enacts the next stages of Toranaga's plan for victory. She arrives in Osaka and requests that she leave the next day along with Kiri and Toranaga's consort, Shizu No Kata (Mako Fujimoto). But that request, like so many elements of Shōgun, is not as simple as it may seem. That's because Ishido won't let any of the nobles staying in Osaka leave. Don't call them hostages, though! He'd prefer you think of them as very secure guests.

Mariko's demand to leave places Ishido in a tight spot. If he doesn't allow her to go, he's fully confirming that everyone in Osaka Castle is a prisoner. But if he does let her go, that sets a precedent for everyone else in the castle to leave as well. He states that he and the Council will deliberate, to which Mariko retorts that if she is unable to leave the next morning, she'll have failed to do her duty to Toranaga, and will therefore have to commit seppuku.

That takes us to Shōgun's second iteration of the Osaka gate scene, a tense showdown during which a determined Mariko and her retinue advance through waves of guards and archers. Eventually, she is unable to continue and resigns herself to commit seppuku later that day.

SEE ALSO: 'Shōgun' is a master class in period costuming

With Mariko's seemingly inevitable death on the horizon, and with the gradual attrition of her forces grinding her to a halt, this Osaka gate scene couldn't feel more different than Toranaga's madcap escape in episode 3. And yet that first escape sequence is key to understanding Mariko's attempt to leave.

"Your job is to teach the audience how to watch the show," Shōgun showrunner, co-creator, and executive producer Justin Marks told Mashable. "Everything in episode 3 is a setup for what happens in episode 9." Episode 3 establishes not only the architecture of Osaka Castle — including the layout of that specific gate — but also the degree of difficulty it takes to escape.

Everything in episode 3 is a setup for what happens in episode 9. - Justin Marks

"The real focus of it is that it took the most powerful man in Japan an incredible amount of subterfuge to [leave Osaka]," Marks said. "How is one woman going to walk out? The point is, she's not. It's theater, it's performance art. That's the essential part of this, which is to demonstrate all that [Ishido] will do to keep her from going, but for her to keep going anyway."

Anna Sawai in "Shōgun." Credit: Katie Yu / FX

Shōgun has always prepared us for the possibility that Mariko might die, especially since she's asked for death so many times. Yet that possibility truly begins to feel like a reality during this gate sequence. Something as simple as a character trying to go from Point A to Point B becomes a deadly act, as episodes' worth of context — including the difficulties of Toranaga's episode 3 escape — bear down on Mariko's every footstep.

"The entire season funnels to this one moment where a character is walking, trying to pass through a gate," Shōgun co-creator and executive producer Rachel Kondo told Mashable. Kondo also wrote "Crimson Sky" along with Caillin Puente.

The entire season funnels to this one moment. - Rachel Kondo

"The impression I got reading the book [by James Clavell] was that the 50 feet to that gate is a journey that Mariko has been trying to make for her entire life," Marks added.

For Mariko, her attempt to leave Osaka and the subsequent declaration of seppuku are necessary services she must perform for Toranaga. But they're also a chance for her death to serve a greater purpose in a cruel world that sometimes treats people as if they're disposable.

"She's fighting for more than just her own sense of resolution," Kondo explained. "I think she was fighting for all the women who don't ever get the chance for their deaths to mean something."

Even though Mariko doesn't die in this moment, "Crimson Sky" sees her face down death time and time again: First at the gate, then at her near-seppuku, then finally in a brutal third-act attack that does take her life. The constant proximity to death prepares us for her eventual farewell, and even though it may be tragic for the audience and for the characters around her, Marks believes that survival past this point would have crushed Mariko further.

"She would hate victory over death," Marks said. "What she could no longer stand was to suppress her own wants in service of this world anymore. And she asserted that through an army trying to stop her."

He added, of the gate scene, that "it's the point where there's no going back for Mariko. You realize the whole show has been about her. And if you thought it was about anyone else, then you probably weren't watching closely enough."

Shōgun is now streaming on Hulu, with the finale premiering April 23.

Sexting, as Bo Burnham taught us, isn't sex — it's the next best thing.

I personally wouldn't go that far, but sexting can be pretty fun and downright hot if done right. The rub is that the act can also be an awkward minefield. Thoughts may cross your mind, like: Is now a good time to sext? What do I even say?

To answer these questions, we asked the sexperts. As it turns out, sexting (like sex itself) is an opportunity for you to liberate yourself, explore what you want in bed, and get to know your partner better.

SEE ALSO: Can't stop stalking your crush online? It may be limerence. How to sext

Sexting can benefit both you and your budding relationship (or hookup, or however you define it).

By sharing your desires and boundaries together, you're forging a deeper connection. Texting feels lower stakes than talking in person, especially if your relationship is new. Thus, it's a great option if you're shy about sex and have difficulty vocalizing what you want, said Casey Tanner, a certified sex therapist and sex expert for toy brand LELO.

Make no mistake, though: Sexting is legitimate communication, even if it's through screens.

Sending saucy messages back and forth can even be a kind of foreplay. It can build suspense and anticipation for when you see each other in-person next, even if that won't be anytime soon.

How to ask for consent while sexting

Before anything else, get consent — both about sexting in general and for individual sessions.

Ask yourself if you trust your partner enough to sext, advised Edwina Caito, a head writer at sex/sex toy blog BedBible. Decide if you're comfortable with the activity in the first place.

If yes, Tanner offered more questions to self-reflect: Is your style more flirty, raunchy, or suggestive? Are you OK sending nudes, and if so, what body parts do you want to photograph?

Have conversations about these boundaries before your first roll around in the digital hay. Set ground rules, said Caito, whether they be time-related — such as, don't send nudes before 6 p.m. when someone may be at work — or about what kind of media and messages you will and won't send.

You can even set a boundary for which messaging services you prefer to use to sext. Apps like Snapchat and Signal have features like disappearing chats, and the former sends a notification when the other person screenshots your messages. Alternatively, turn on Instagram's vanish mode for the same features.

As sexuality educator Jamie J. LeClaire wrote for sex wellness shop Unbound's blog, set an expectation for language used in sexts, too. If you're uncomfortable with some words — say ones that describe genitalia — tell your partner, and encourage them to share any words they dislike in turn.

Furthermore, consent at one time doesn't extend to every time. Always make sure it's OK to send through a naughty text or photo before doing it. A tip from Unbound is having a go-to emoji that serves as a way to ask, "Is now a good time for you to receive some smut?"

And never, ever share messages or other media that a partner sent to you (unless they ask you to, that is).

Sexting is a lower-stakes way to express your desires to your partner. Credit: Bob Al-Greene / Mashable How to start sexting conversations

Tanner said to keep your messages pithy if you're just starting out. "Keeping messages on the shorter side gives you a little more leeway to ease into something new," she said. "You also give yourself more space to reflect in between texts about what feels good and where your boundaries are."

Your first message can be coy while sparking your partner's interest and making them think (about you, or an experience you both had in the past).

A couple examples Caito gave to get things rolling, are:

• "I'm lying in bed and can't stop thinking about you."

• "I can't stop thinking about what we did the other night."

Another option is to ask your partner questions, like:

• "What would you do if you were here right now?"

• "What was your favorite part about the other night?"

These texts are suggestive enough to gauge how your partner feels at the moment and get the conversation going. Feel free to be more direct if that's your style, though. You can let your partner know that, say, you've just gotten out of the shower and haven't put anything on yet. There's also the classic, "What are you wearing?"

Tips for great sexting

Now that you're engaging in textual coitus, where do you go from here?

Be as explicit as you want to be. You don't need to even refer to actual body parts if you don't want to, euphemistically or not. "I'm so wet" has the same impact as literally describing the state of your crotch, for instance.

Caroline Spiegel, founder of audio porn site Quinn, suggests contextualizing your sexy messages by telling your partner how you feel about them, what you want to do with them, and what you believe are their hottest features.

You can ask your partner to share fantasies, but don't feel pressure to reveal everything about your sexuality in one go, said Tanner. Texting your partner that they'll "just have to wait and see" can be just as tantalizing as revealing your desires.

To that end, you don't need to talk about activities you don't want to do. Instead, guide the conversation back to what gets you going, said Caito.

Compliment your partner, said Spiegel, to show you're really paying attention to them. Some examples she said are:

• "I love the way you look at me when you…"

• "I can't stop thinking about that time when you said…"

Another tip of Spiegel's is to use your partner's actual name as opposed to a pet name. "You might be surprised how hot it is to be called by your real name in a spicy context," she said.

How to send sexy voice notes and videos

Texts are great, but you can also incorporate different mediums to produce a multimedia sexting experience.

With iMessage and WhatsApp, for instance, you can send sexy voice notes. "I hear all the time from women how they wish their boyfriends or significant others would send audio notes or videos instead of dick pics," said Spiegel.

SEE ALSO: How to have sober sex

Hearing your partner's voice can be encouraging ("such a hot photo"). Cursing can also go a long way.

You can send photos and videos as well, or even take it to FaceTime if texting just isn't enough. And, of course, GIFs and emoji are easy options if words just can't express what you want to get across.

Caito also suggested an app-controlled sex toy your partner can handle if you're long-distance...but it's a toss-up on whether they'll work. As former Mashable reporter Jess Joho found, Bluetooth sex toys may have more connectivity problems than they're worth.

As with physical sex, it may take time to get in a sexting groove with a partner, and that's OK. The more you communicate your desires, whether vocal or over text, the easier it'll get.

Sexting can be a place to explore fantasies and get creative, said Tanner — all from the comfort of your fingertips.

This article was first published in 2021 and republished in 2024.

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 17 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 17

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, April 17, 2024:

AcrossChinese greeting that literally means "You good?"

• The answer is nihao.

Best in Show, for one

• The answer is award.

Ball room music?

• The answer is disco.

Modify, as a hem

• The answer is altar.

Was out in front

• The answer is led.

DownAbsolutely nothin'

The answer is nada.

"You can count on me"

• The answer is iwill.

Quickness

• The answer is haste.

Like a rainbow's path

• The answer is arced.

Stinky tofu has a strong one

• The answer is odor.

Today in "things we learned on the internet," did you know you could screenshot an entire webpage on your iPhone?

You may think you already know how to screenshot on an iPhone, but you can also do so for a full page, then save it as a PDF and revisit its contents whenever your little heart desires. Taking full-page screenshots on iPhones is super simple and helpful, yet I, a person who's owned an iPhone for over a decade, had no idea it was possible until I watched this TikTok video.

SEE ALSO: How to mirror your iPhone to your TV

If you, like me, are tired of screenshotting webpages on your phone in chunks and struggling to figure out which order they go in, this handy hack is for you. Allow me to walk you through the steps of how to take a full page screenshot on an iPhone, and you'll be taking your own full page screenshots in no time.

How to take a full page screenshot on iPhone

It may or may not surprise you, but taking a full page screenshot on an iPhone is just as simple as taking a regular screenshot. You can take a full page screenshot on any iPhone or iPad, as long as the device is running the latest iOS update — we're up to iOS 17 at this point. Here's how:

Total Time

• 2 min

What You Need

• iPhone
• Safari browser

Step 1: On your iPhone, navigate to your desired webpage in the Safari app.

Step 2: Snap away (screenshot) by simultaneously pressing the lock button and volume up button.

Step 3: Then keep an eye out for the preview of your screenshot that appears in the lower lefthand corner of your phone screen.

Step 4: Once you see the preview, tap it and you'll be taken to a screen that gives you image editing abilities (here, you'll have the option to crop the screenshot, mark it up, add your signature, and more).

Step 5: After you've completed your desired edits, you'll notice two options above the image. The default screenshot option is "Screen," but to the right of that you'll see a "Full Page" option.

Step 6: Select "Full Page" to transform your regular screenshot into a full page screenshot, then use the slider on the right side of your screen to navigate the length of your screenshotted webpage.

Here's how to create a full page screenshot. Credit: mashable composite: apple How do you save a full page screenshot on iPhone?

Learning how to take full page screenshots on iPhones is easy. The only thing that's a bit tricky is the process you'll undergo to save them. Unlike normal screenshots, full page screenshots aren't saved to Photos.

After you've edited a full page iPhone screenshot to your satisfaction, tap "Done" in the upper lefthand corner of your screen. This will prompt you to delete the screenshot or save it as a PDF to Files. Should you choose to save the full page screenshot, you'll be given several options, such as saving the screenshot to your a folder in your iCloud Drive or saving it to your iPhone in a folder such as Pages. (You'll also have the option to create a new folder to store your full-page screenshot. You can do that by tapping the folder icon in the upper righthand corner of your screen near the "Save" option.)

Featured Video For You How to screen record on an iPhone

Once you figure out where you'd like to save your file simply smash that save button and you're all set.

How to save your full page screenshot. Credit: mashable composite: apple Can you take full page screenshots of anything on an iPhone?

Sadly, full page iPhone screenshots seem to be limited to the Safari app, which means you can't save full page recaps of iMessage chats, social media feeds, or Slack DMs. If you attempt to full page screenshot anything outside of the Safari app the "Full Page" option won't appear on your editing screen, which is how you'll know the feature can't be utilized.

Though the option to take a full page screenshot on an iPhone or iPad technically isn't new, I have to imagine there are more than a few device owners out there using their devices who still have yet to uncover the trick. If you're already familiar with full-page screenshots, you're ahead of the game. Now spread the word. The iPhone screenshotters of this world need to know these tricks.

This article originally published in March 2021, was updated in July 2022, then updated again in April 2024.