IT General

Sport dominates the lives of millions of people around the world, and fortunately most of it is available to watch on one platform or another. That is unless you are abroad.

If you are travelling, you might find yourself blocked by your favourite streaming platforms. If you want to keep up to speed with all the action when abroad, you need to invest in a VPN. A VPN relocates your IP address back home and bypasses those pesky geographical restrictions. This means that you don't need to put your security at risk with some sketchy stream that regularly cuts out and fills your screen with risqué adverts.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide protection for your data and identity when you're online by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. This means that all of your activity is untraceable and secure. Try thinking about VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.

Can you use free VPNs for streaming sport?

Yes, there are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs out there, plus free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. Alternatively, you can pay for a VPN. So which option is best for you and your lifestyle?

You get what you pay for with VPNs. There tends to always be a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. If you're just an occasional user, these plans will work fine. But if you're going to be streaming or downloading, this isn't going to work. Free trials are a little bit different: they come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

How do you watch sport with a VPN?

All you need to do is open your VPN of choice, connect to a secure server located back home, and enjoy undisturbed coverage of your preferred sport platform. It's that easy. The only difficult aspect is actually selecting a VPN service to use. That's because there are so many great services out there, offering different sets of features that will suit some users more than others.

What is the best VPN for sport?

A VPN could provide access to games that would usually be out of reach. We have made choosing a service as easy as possible. We have tracked down the best VPNs for speed, security, simplicity, and much more, so you can make an informed decision.

These are the best VPNs for watching sport in 2024.

"The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert unpacks Kamala Harris' interview with Bret Baier on Fox News.

SAVE $20: As of Oct.18, the Ninja PB051SG Coffee Maker is on sale for $79.99 on Amazon. That's 20% off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja PB051SG Coffee Maker $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

Barista-quality coffee when you wake up is every coffee lover's dream. And this dream can very well become your reality.

Before you go planning an early morning coffee run in your pajamas, why not try out the Ninja PB051SG Coffee Maker? Take-out quality coffee, from your own home. And as of Oct. 18, this coffee machine is reduced to $79.99 at Amazon, saving you $20 on list price. It even has a built-in milk frother, so if a super-dry cappuccino is your drink of choice, you'll be well served.

But our favorite thing about this coffee machine is in the name, you can use both ground coffee and pods. With most machines making you choose one, we like that this Ninja model lets you pick from a wide range of coffee brands and different levels of convenience.

SEE ALSO: Upgrade your morning brew with this heavily discounted Nespresso Vertuo coffee machine

It has a super slim and stylish design, so it won't stand out in your kitchen. And if you like your countertops clear, it's nifty enough to be hidden away in between uses. The colorways are stylish too, and fitting for most kitchen designs. Sage Green, Glacier Blue, Black, and Stone are all available at this discounted price.

Ready to drop your instant coffee? This is a limited-time deal on Amazon, so don't waste any time.

Apple's iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro boast much-improved battery life, but for some users, the opposite has been the case.

According to a pretty large number of posts on Apple's official forums and Reddit (via MacRumors), battery life has been pretty abysmal for some iPhone 16 and 16 Pro owners running iOS 18. The complaints actually started earlier, while iOS 18 was still in beta, but the issue apparently hasn't been fixed, bringing a new wave of dissatisfied users now that iOS 18 is widely available.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15: How are they different?

Most users who experienced the issue say their phones have simply drained very fast while being idle, or while doing fairly undemanding tasks like playing music. "Listened to music for the first 2.5 hours of my day (with less than 45 minutes screen time) and realized my battery was at 68 percent," said one user on Reddit. "I’m comparing my activity to my previous iPhone 14 I have to my girlfriend. She is at 78 percent while I’m at 45 percent. Something not going right here," said another.

Featured Video For You 5 reasons iPhone 16 is the best upgrade for you

It's worth noting, however, that some users aren't experiencing these problems, and some (but not all) said that upgrading to the iOS 18.1 beta remedied the issue.

Fortunately, this type of bug is quite common with new iOS releases; we've seen similar issues resolved after a software update. Now it's up to Apple to look into this one and fix it.

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for October 18's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 18 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 18 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 18 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Spent some time in the slammer.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one letter that appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 18 The Wordle answer today is...

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

STINT.

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 18

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

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 17's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 18 What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 18 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Sorry this wasn't it pal

• Green: You only get one

• Blue: Cashless transactions

• Purple: Types of Amazons

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

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

• Yellow - Clunker

• Green - Opportunity

• Blue - Non-Cash Way to Pay

• Purple - Amazon___

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #493 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Clunker: BUST, DUD, FLOP, MISS

• Opportunity: CHANCE, SHOT, TIME, TURN

• Non-Cash Way to Pay: CARD, CHARGE, CREDIT, PLASTIC

• Amazon___: KINDLE, PRIME, RAINFOREST, RIVER

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 18

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 18

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

The Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.

But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.

And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.

Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 18 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Friday, October 18, 2024:

AcrossStadium souvenirs

• The answer is Caps.

Animated mermaid

• The answer is Ariel.

Buzz off

• The answer is Leave.

Bowling alleys

• The answer is Lanes.

Boys, to men

• The answer is Sons.

DownPoker declaration

• The answer is Call.

Regions

• The answer is Areas.

"Sing us a song, you're the _____ man"

• The answer is Piano.

Lucky number

• The answer is Seven.

Amount to make do with

• The answer is Less.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

SAVE $135: As of Oct.18, the Garmin Venu 2S is on sale for $264.99 on Amazon. That's 34% off the list price, and the lowest it has been at Amazon in almost a year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Venu 2S $264.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $135.00 Get Deal

A deal on Garmin is always worth considering, and this latest deal on the Venu 2S smartwatch is perfect for anyone looking for a watch that blends lifestyle features with fitness tracking.

As of Oct. 18, this Garmin watch is on sale for $264.99 on Amazon, saving you 34% on list price. This is also the lowest price it has been available for in 11 months.

The Venu 2S is the perfect tracker for someone who enjoys a range of fitness activities as well as lifestyle tracking. Health features include heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and even stress level feedback. Plus, it offers built-in GPS, so you can track your outdoor activities without needing to take your phone with you.

SEE ALSO: Fitbit vs. Apple Watch: Putting smartwatches and fitness trackers to the test

The Venu 2S also comes with music capabilities. Download up to 650 songs to your watch, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer, and connect with wireless headphones. Another reason to leave your phone at home.

The screen is AMOLED, meaning it's bright, colorful, and incredibly vibrant. And if battery life is important to you, the Venu 2S is seriously impressive, lasting up to 10 days in smartwatch mode and up to 7 hours in GPS mode with music.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so act quick so you don't miss out.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Extremely

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 18 Hurdle Word 1 answer

ULTRA

Hurdle Word 2 hint

More than a friend.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 18 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LOVER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

The sleep version of this has treatment available.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 18 Hurdle Word 3 answer

APNEA

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Otherwordly being.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 18 Hurdle Word 4 answer

ALIEN

Final Hurdle hint

Also known as a pic.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

PHOTO

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

With a clever premise and a taste for violence, Parker Finn's feature debut, Smile, has earned many fans since its release in 2022. Now, the highly anticipated sequel, Smile 2, takes the previously established creepy grin curse from the first film — which passes from person to person after someone witnesses a horrific death — and adds the elements of fame and the entertainment industry to the mix. What would happen if a pop star was haunted by a malevolent spirit in front of countless cameras? 

Bringing in elements from movies like It Follows and The Ring, the original Smile centered on a psychiatric doctor named Rose (Sosie Bacon), who witnessed the gruesome, self-inflicted death of one of her patients. Soon after, Rose began to lose track of reality as increasingly strange things happened around her, including the recurrence of the chilling smile that's this franchise's namesake. The movie's finale was tantalizingly open-ended, leaving the door ajar for even more mayhem. 

SEE ALSO: How to watch: Best Scary Movies Smile 2 is even more fun and gory this time around.  Naomi Scott in "Smile 2." Credit: Paramount Pictures

Picking up just days after the original left off, the movie's latest victim is former good cop Joel (Kyle Gallner), who remains haunted by the immolation death of his girlfriend Rose. Joel tries to pass the smile curse to another unlucky recipient, but he soon dies a terrible death anyway, passing this paranormal plague to a drug dealer named Lewis (Lukas Gage). Lewis in turn passes it to pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), who is still reeling from a devastating car crash that injured her and killed her boyfriend. As in the first film, Skye begins to see and hear things others can't, time slips through her fingers in a blink, and nightmares start to take over her reality. 

To match his superstar heroine, Finn goes all in on creating an unpredictable narrative that's full of jump scares, creepy imagery, and spine-tingling sound effects. There are even more violent injuries, body horror, and bloody deaths to make an audience recoil, and plenty of upsetting details, from Skye's compulsive hair-pulling habit (aka trichotillomania) to a group of smiling backup dancers chasing Skye through her apartment in choreographed formation. These scares can feel delightfully over the top, almost like a carnival ride, but they're as creative and horrific as the best parts of the Final Destination series. 

Finn builds up Skye's story so that she's the perfect victim for this curse. She's battling her own demons and memories even before she's surrounded by those damned unnerving smiles. Skye struggles with the trauma of the car accident, as well as frayed relationships damaged by her struggles with addiction; others hold her history of addiction against her, assuming her current public meltdowns are nothing more than a relapse. As Skye, Scott is marvelous as our doomed heroine, acting out like a diva at her wit's end — yet one who’s resourceful enough to fight back against her omnipresent enemy. She performs the hell out of Cristobal Tapia de Veer's songs for the film, screams often and wildly, and wades through the bloodiness of her nightmares and worst moments of her life with equal amounts of fear and sadness. 

Keeping relationships can be just as scary as the movie's recurring rictus. Lukas Gage smiles in "Smile 2." Credit: Paramount Pictures

As with the original, the monster's style of gaslighting damages the main character's relationships with those around her, further isolating her until there really is no escape. And as in the horror classic A Nightmare on Elm Street, some of these fateful visions have a way of affecting the real world. Given Skye's public profession, Smile 2 finds time to explore the trappings of fame and how even beloved artists can feel alone in the entertainment industry. Before her performance, Skye meets several fans, including one obsessed devotee who wants her to be more than just a parasocial relationship. The scary encounter disturbs her even after he's escorted away by security. As Skye's condition deteriorates, her momager (Rosemarie DeWitt) pushes her to stay on track for her tour and often brushes aside her objections because she's more worried about pleasing other industry folks, like music exec Darius (Raúl Castillo). 

Smile 2 delivers the thrills and chills of its predecessor with an even more pronounced funhouse feel.

Skye's saving grace is her estranged friend Gemma (Dylan Gelula), who steals almost every scene she's in and brings in-jokes to break up Skye's increasingly bewildering situation. They're longtime friends who split over a year ago, and their estrangement has weighed heavily on Skye. In her moment of need, Gemma is the only person she can count on, and yet the thought of reaching out terrifies Skye almost as much as being left alone. Their relationship is one of the forces inspiring Skye to face her problems, but it's also one of her many sources of heartache. 

Smile 2 expands on what the original movie got right. Rosemarie DeWitt, left, and Naomi Scott star in "Smile 2." Credit: Paramount Pictures

It's not often that a sequel exceeds its original, but Smile 2 delivers the thrills and chills of its predecessor with an even more pronounced funhouse feel. The twists and turns of Finn's script can be just as shocking as many of the jump scares, defying expectations multiple times in a scene. The body horror dial feels a bit more turned up, with less time spent on explanations since the movie operates with the understanding that audiences have seen the original. Instead, Finn's script leads Skye through various deceptive paths at a swift pace, each one more outrageous than the previous, knowing that nothing is as effective at unnerving its audience as showing off that creepy toothy grin for an uncomfortable amount of time. 

Finn and his cinematographer, Charlie Sarroff, also have fun visually turning the movie on its head — sometimes literally. For example, several iconic shots of New York City, where Skye is supposed to kick off her grand tour, are flipped upside down, emphasizing that something is very wrong with our character. In another scene when Skye is lying in bed next to Gemma, the camera is tilted on its side, once again playing with perspective to show their close proximity to one another. If you watched the original, you'll know to expect the gore and the jump scares, but Finn has more surprises in store all the way to the credits, subverting some of his own story beats and keeping the audience in suspense even if they're already fans of Smile.

Smile 2 opens in theaters Oct. 18. 

Dating app Hinge is known for its prompts — so much so that other dating apps have started implementing them, too. Gone are the days of bare profiles and a few photos of you that are filtered to death. Today's singles want to know more about someone before sending a "like."

SEE ALSO: TikTok's retro dating dance trends harken back to the days of courtship

While Hinge revealed its top 25 prompts in 2023, Mashable asked which ones reign supreme going into this year's cuffing season. Here are Hinge's top 25 prompts based on how frequently they lead to conversations, as of October 2024:

1. I go crazy for — the new #1 prompt, up from #3 last year

2. My simple pleasures

3. The way to win me over is — was #1 last year

4. Together, we could

5. Typical Sunday — entered the top 5, was #9 last year

6. This year, I really want to

7. A life goal of mine

8. I'm looking for

9. Dating me is like — now in the top 10

10. We'll get along if

11. My most irrational fear — no longer in the top 10 like last year

12. I'm convinced that

13. My greatest strength

14. I want someone who

15. Unusual skills

16. My Love Language is

17. I'm weirdly attracted to

18. The key to my heart is

19. What if I told you that

20. I recently discovered that

21. The one thing you should know about me is

22. I'll fall for you if

23. I won't shut up about

24. I geek out on

25. All I ask is that you

"I geek out on" is a new addition to the list, bumping off last year's #25, "I bet you can't."

Last year, Hinge's director of relationship science Logan Ury told Mashable that prompts allow potential matches to see your silly and vulnerable sides. They're an opportunity to share your values and interests and show your quirks.

Don't write one-word answers! If you're serious about finding a partner — whether short or long-term — put some more thought into it. It can lead to an in-depth conversation. And if the prompts do lead you to meet someone offline, here's a guide to fun first dates this autumn.

TL;DR: Identify plants for life with Plantum’s premium plan — only $14.97 through October 27 for unlimited access.

Imagine walking through a garden or forest and being able to name every plant you see. With Plantum AI Plant Identifier’s premium lifetime subscription on sale for $14.97, you’ll have access to a powerful plant identification tool that makes every nature walk an adventure. Just snap a picture, and Plantum will instantly tell you the species, care tips, and fun facts about your leafy find.

Perfect for both plant newbies and green thumbs, Plantum uses AI to recognize thousands of plant species, offering detailed insights right on your phone. This app isn’t just for wild plants — it’s great for identifying houseplants, too. Whether you’re unsure about that new succulent or just curious about a flower you spotted, Plantum has the answers.

And with a lifetime subscription, you won’t need to worry about monthly fees or renewals. You get unlimited access to plant IDs, plant care guides, and a personal plant collection feature. Plus, with Plantum’s accurate care tips, you can keep your houseplants thriving without having to guess their needs.

This tool is a great gift for anyone who loves the outdoors (including yourself!), wants to learn more about the plants around them, or simply wants to take better care of their indoor garden. So, whether you’re on a hike, at the park, or just browsing your local nursery, Plantum makes plant identification fun and easy.

Until October 27 at 11:59 p.m., take advantage of this sale on a lifetime subscription to a Plantum AI Plant Identifier Premium Plan for $14.97 (reg. $59).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Plantum - AI Plant Identifier Plantum - AI Plant Identifier Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (For iOS Only) $14.97
$59.99 Save $45.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get a refurbished 2020 MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) on sale for just $514.99 (reg. $1,499).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2020 refurbished Apple MacBook Air, 13.3-inch (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $514.99
$1,499.00 Save $984.01 Get Deal

You're ready to upgrade your laptop, but not quite ready to drop $1,500. We've got you.

Right now, you can get a refurbished 2020 MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) on sale for just $514.99 (reg. $1,499). It's grade-A refurbished, which means it's in near-mint condition and may have very minimal to zero amounts of scuffing on the case

What you can expect from your MacBook Air:

• Apple’s M1 chip delivers fast and efficient performance, perfect for multitasking, streaming, and everyday use

• 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology provides vibrant colors and clear visuals for any task

• Lightweight and portable at just 2.8 pounds, making it ideal for students, travelers, and on-the-go professionals

• 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD ensure quick boot times, seamless app performance, and plenty of storage for essentials

• Top-tier refurbished quality: Minimal wear on the body with no visible damage, a pristine screen, and a keyboard in great shape.

  • Battery holds at least 80% of its original capacity, ensuring reliable performance

• All-day battery life up to 18 hours keeps you powered through work, entertainment, and creativity without constant charging

Upgrade to this refurbished 2020 Apple MacBook Air M1 on sale for $514.99 and enjoy premium Apple performance at an incredible price.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

You might not expect the minds behind 2020 horror comedy Come to Daddy to produce one of the sweetest family-friendly films of 2024, but Bookworm is full of such wonderful surprises.

SEE ALSO: 42 movies you'll want to see this fall

With Bookworm, director Ant Timpson has teamed back up with Come to Daddy screenwriter Toby Harvard and star Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings, Yellowjackets) for another story of a child bonding with their estranged father. Only this time, Timpson and Harvard swap Come to Daddy's meat cleavers and flaming crossbows for magic tricks and outdoor adventuring. The result is an endearing treat anchored by great performances from both Wood and Nell Fisher (Evil Dead Rise) alike.

What is Bookworm about? Nell Fisher and Elijah Wood in "Bookworm." Credit: Vertical

The titular, self-described "card-carrying bookworm" is 11-year-old Mildred (Fisher), whom we first meet constructing an elaborate trap to ensnare her cat. Don't worry, she doesn't mean any harm! She's just fine-tuning her methods for catching the Canterbury Panther, a real-life New Zealand urban legend. The first person to capture proof of it will receive $50,000, and Mildred hopes to secure that money for her and her single mother Zo (Morgana O'Reilly). That money becomes extra necessary when Zo winds up in an exploding toaster-induced coma.

Enter Strawn Wise (Wood), Mildred's biological father and a full-time magician. (Although much like Arrested Development's Gob Bluth, he'd prefer the term "illusionist.") He's flown all the way from America to help her out, so imagine his surprise when he finds that Mildred wants nothing to do with him. She scoffs at his card tricks, pokes holes in all his illusions, and gives him such a thorough verbal dressing-down that you'll wonder how Strawn doesn't hang up his (comically large) hat right then and there and head home.

SEE ALSO: 'The Apprentice' review: Donald Trump biopic's secret weapon is Roy Cohn

Instead, Strawn decides to finally step into his role as a father and take Mildred on a camping trip to find the Canterbury Panther. Cue the adorable explorers' outfits, gorgeous landscape shots — as a diehard Lord of the Rings fan, it's great to see Wood adventuring through New Zealand again — and moving father-daughter bonding.

Bookworm delivers a heartfelt father-daughter story. Elijah Wood and Nell Fisher in "Bookworm." Credit: Vertical

That bonding doesn't come right away, nor does it come easily. Mildred understandably has trust issues when it come to her absentee father, issues that one simple camping trip won't fix. But Bookworm doesn't take the too-easy route of portraying Strawn as a totally deadbeat dad. Instead, Timpson and Harvard take care to explore his awkward attempts at connecting with Mildred — a David Copperfield–related mix-up is in the cards — and his own worries of failure, both as an illusionist and as a father. Wood is wonderful here, delivering a performance that runs the gamut from goofy to deeply melancholy. From fart jokes to contemplative monologues, he can do it all, managing to turn the wildly dressed Strawn — again, it's hard to get past his big hat — into a flesh-and-blood human.

Mildred, too, defies any possibility of just being another precocious child in film. Yes, she sasses her dad and is able to spout an alarming number of nature facts, but Timpson, Harvard, and a charming Fisher imbue her with so much more than a sharp mouth and wit. These things act as a shield for her loneliness, and were also borne out of it: A scene where Mildred laments her mother's overprotectiveness — comparing it to being wrapped in bubble wrap and cotton wool — is particularly effective thanks to Fisher's contemplative, deeply felt work.

The combination of Wood and Fisher's performances is pure magic, not only in scenes where they work through Strawn and Mildred's complicated relationship, but also in Bookworm's more adventurous sequences, which balance physical comedy and genuine danger on a knife's edge. Here, Timpson and cinematographer Daniel Katz craft moments that call to mind great adventure films of yore — including one scene on a rope bridge that feels undeniably Indiana Jones–inspired — while still keeping Bookworm grounded in Mildred and Strawn's personal journeys. Boasting elements that parents and kids alike will adore, Bookworm is proof that the live-action, family-friendly adventure genre is still alive and kicking.

Bookworm was reviewed out of its US premiere at Fantastic Fest 2024. It hits theaters Oct. 18.

If you've dreamed of learning to code, you may wonder how to start. Linux might be the best OS to start your programming journey in. You'll be in good company for learning how to program how professionals do. Here are several reasons why what's good for them is good for you as a new programmer.

Victims affected by a massive 23andMe data breach could collect a heck of a paycheck. A proposed settlement agreement would offer up to $10,000 to victims.

Under the settlement that still needs court approval, the "company will provide as much as $10,000 to qualifying customers, depending on the hardships they incurred, as well as other security services," reported CNET. The breach, which affected millions, came to light around this time last year.

Most users whose data was hacked could expect to get a relatively small payout, if and when the settlement is approved. The top-end folks — those who might see that $10,000 — would have to prove they suffered hardships like identity fraud due to the privacy breach.

Nearly 7 million users were affected.

The settlement comes at a particularly unstable time for the genetics company. All of its independent directors resigned from the board last month amid disagreements with the company's CEO and co-founder Anne Wojcicki. A detailed report from The Financial Times noted that company has suffered mass layoffs, seen its valuation deflate by billions, and even proposed the relatively cut-rate $30 million settlement with affected users due to the "dire financial condition" of the company.

"I'm certainly not alone in feeling like there’s tremendous value — not just monetary value, but also truly disruptive value that can transform healthcare for people — in what Anne has built," an anonymous former senior staffer told the FT. "I think that’s why everyone finds it so heartbreaking right now to see things sort of spinning out of control."

SEE ALSO: 23andMe confirms how many people were affected by its data breach. It's not great news.

Julie Bowen, Bruce Campbell, Anna Camp, Emjay Anthony, Chiara Aurelia and Kezii Curtis give us the rundown on their 80s-era series about Satanic panic in a small Michigan town.

The Pixel 8 Pro was not a cheap phone at launch, and it's still expensive now. Pick up a case to protect your pricey tech before you regret it!

One of the best and most surprising shows of 2023 is back for a second season, and it's honestly (and thankfully) like we never left it. 

Created by Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein, Shrinking Season 1 hilariously and unabashedly harnessed the everyday pain and absurdity of grief, and left most of its characters in a pretty solid place, emotionally, in the finale. In Season 2, Segel's rule-breaking therapist and widowed father Jimmy is understandably still haunted by the past, but it's different this time — with the sudden arrival of the man responsible for his wife's death (a welcome cast addition in Shrinking writer and Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein). How the hell would you react?

SEE ALSO: 15 minutes of sadness: Behind the therapy trick in 'Shrinking'

The show's brilliant cast all return for a second round, taking the characters through new challenges and delivering the show's very funny, genuinely moving script to perfection. With just two episodes out on Apple TV+, Shrinking picks up where we left off with these now ingrained characters and wisely doesn't reinvent the wheel.

Shrinking's superpower remains its superb cast and sharp writing. Jessica Williams and Christa Miller. Credit: Apple TV+

Once again a brilliant lead, Segel steps back into the role of Jimmy with relatable finesse, with the actor's signature earnestness and weary sense of optimism being put to the test with the arrival of Goldstein's character this season. Segel is still at his comedic best here, defying the insistence of his revered colleague Paul (an excellent-as-ever Harrison Ford) that he quit it with the "Jimmying" (his tendency to take the therapy sessions out of the office). Some of the outrageous lines that come out of Jimmy's mouth can't be swallowed again ("Speaking of cars…"), despite his attempts. Plus, Segel's awkward banter with the talented Lukita Maxwell as Jimmy's daughter, Alice, really makes the show, with Maxwell giving Alice genuine depth and deadpan hilarity at every turn.

Now a professor, having gained a recommendation from Paul last season, Gaby (the superb Jessica Williams) is struggling with the guilt of sleeping with her dead best friend's husband, while trying to resist their natural chemistry — a chemistry Williams and Segel flawlessly convey, with Williams' speedy retorts one of the show's best elements. But one of the unsung reasons to watch Shrinking is Williams and Christa Miller as Jimmy's neighbour Liz, as the pair craft one of the most satisfying best friendships on TV. They're a duo who say exactly what they think to each other. It's deeply refreshing, and not always the right move, but it's a delight to watch their unpretentious, no-holds-barred connection.

Featured Video For You Jason Segel and the 'Shirinking' cast reveal their tricks to de-stress

Meanwhile, Paul privately struggles with sharing his deeper feelings for Julie (Wendie Malick) and publicly grumbles through contemporary phrases like "Good news if true" and "I never say beep-boop" with all the open, eloquent disdain we've come to expect from Paul. Thanks to what Paul calls Jimmy's "textbook dual relationship" with his patient-turned-friend Sean (an expertly understated Luke Tennie), Paul takes over Sean's treatment. However, never fear, Segel's Jimmy continues his fine-tuned Holt/Perolta energy with Ford's Paul, hoping for his approval at every turn and finally seeing his house.  

As Jimmy's best friend, Brian, Michael Urie is audacious as ever, shining in moments of utter rage — when Brian screams on a hiking trail after hearing some news he wasn't privy to, "Fuck rescue dogs! That's right. Fuck hiking! Fuck that headband! Actually I like that headband … Fuck this whole mountain!" you feel it in your bones.

It's a truly ensemble affair, with this season allowing the characters more room to branch out into anxieties and challenges — with one big one in particular.

Jason Segel's Jimmy is haunted by the past again — but it's different this time. Harrison Ford and Jason Segel. Credit: Apple TV+

For the entirety of Season 1, Segel navigated Jimmy through the complexities and pain of losing a loved one, with the grief of his wife's death in a car accident the driving force in his and his daughter's growth. Though grief is by no means ever "done," Jimmy found himself on pretty solid footing at the end of the season. However, he's faced with a darker side of the past in Season 2, one that's played by Shrinking writer Brett Goldstein. 

Though an accomplished, Emmy-winning comedy actor, Goldstein remained strictly behind the page for Season 1. This season, Goldstein takes on an unenviable role in a cast full of now-beloved characters, showing up as the man responsible for Jimmy's wife's death in a car accident. While the first two episodes don't give us much to go on, Goldstein's few moments on screen have enabled Jimmy's rage to come out, so expect much more here.

Shrinking still gives actually good advice.  Lukita Maxwell and Michael Urie. Credit: Apple TV+

Being a show about therapists, Shrinking often gives some excellent advice (check with your own therapist, of course, before implementing anything you see). Season 1 explored the real "15 minutes of sadness" technique and discussions around compassion fatigue, and this season, Paul leans on a tool called "reversal of desire." In episode 2, Alice's friend Summer suggests she write a letter to the man responsible for her mother's death and not send it, an age-old processing technique. (It's a letter Alice finds difficult to put into words that aren't simply "You ruined my life ... eat my ass.")

Whether its characters are learning to understand their triggers or trying to process their frustrations with one another, Shrinking arms you with a collection of common sense, usable advice for your own complicated stuff. Honestly, it feels great to be reconnected with such flawed, vulnerable, hilarious characters, all of whom are simply trying to figure it out day by day.

Shrinking, one of TV's best-written comedies, returns to cut to the deep shit among the regular shit, without judgment and with a lot of laughs. Consider us prescribed.

Shrinking Season 2's first two episodes is now streaming on Apple TV+, with a new episode every Wednesday.

Mozilla is rolling out more performance improvements to Firefox, this time focused on the browsers WebAssembly runtime. Some processing tasks are now more than 75 times faster in Firefox.