IT General

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Opens in a new window Credit: Oak Academy The 2024 Cloud Computing Course Bundle (CompTIA and AWS) $29.99
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TL;DR: Grab the MEZZO+ Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones for $49.99 (reg. $69.95) and experience music, calls, and podcasts without the discomfort of earbuds.

It's not surprising that we've all been guilty of cramming earbuds into our ears, only to feel uncomfortable after a short while. If you're not so pleased with in-ear living, the MEZZO+ Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones are a true game-changer for your listening experience.

These innovative headphones offer a healthier, more comfortable way to enjoy your music, podcasts, and phone calls without blocking out the world around you. And for a limited time, they are on sale for just $49.99 (reg. $69.95).

Unlike traditional in-ear or over-ear headphones, the MEZZO+ uses bone conduction technology to deliver sound through your cheekbones, leaving your ears open to hear everything else. Whether you're on a morning run in the burbs or commuting through a bustling city, you can still enjoy high-quality audio while staying aware of your surroundings.

Bone conduction is the same technology used in hearing aids for decades. It allows sound to bypass the eardrums and go straight to the inner ear, making it a more comfortable option for long-term listening. For those concerned about long-term ear health, this method is effective and much less intrusive than traditional headphones.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Conduction Labs MEZZO+ Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones $49.99
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Opens in a new window Credit: Apowersoft LightPDF AI-Powered Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription $79.99
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TL;DR: For a limited time, the CASA HUB 360 8-in-1 aluminum foldable USB-C Hub Stand is just $99.99 (reg. $129).

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Opens in a new window Credit: Adam Elements CASA HUB 360 8-in-1 Aluminum Foldable USB-C Hub Stand $99.99
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The trailer for The Wild Robot has reduced me to tears every time I've seen it. What can I say? The idea of a robot finding community in the wilderness was just too much for my heart to handle, even in a three-minute package.

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

It's great news, then, that The Wild Robot delivers on its trailer's promise a thousandfold. Director Chris Sanders, known for Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, has crafted a sweet (and yes, tear-jerking) tale of motherhood and connection, all backed up with some of DreamWorks' most stunning animation to date.

What's The Wild Robot about? Credit: DreamWorks

Based on the novel by Peter Brown, The Wild Robot strands us on a deserted island alongside ROZZUM unit 7134 (voiced by Lupita Nyong'o). Unable to complete tasks for her human owners as her programming demands, ROZZUM — or "Roz" for short — looks to the island's many wild animals to try to fulfill her function.

It quickly turns out that these animals don't love a robot barreling down on them with a cheerful cry of, "Do you need assistance?" No matter that Roz can mimic their movements or understand their language; to the inhabitants of this island, she's a frightening intruder, and is treated as such. Without any understanding of the island's ecosystem, Roz winds up in dust-ups with everyone from thieving raccoons to frightening bears, leaving her dinged up and all alone.

SEE ALSO: 'Flow' review: An animated animal adventure unlike anything you've seen before

Roz's initial isolation opens the floodgates on the first of The Wild Robot many sob-worthy moments. I dare you not to hear her confused plea, "Did anyone order me?" without your heart breaking. Someone help this robot find her purpose, please!

That purpose comes to Roz in the form of an unhatched goose egg, the last survivor of its nest. Once the gosling, named Brightbill (voiced by Heartstopper's Kit Connor), hatches and imprints on Roz, it's up to her to teach him how to swim, eat, and fly in time for migration. But the parenting process proves to be more than just any old menial task, and Roz soon finds herself experiencing thoughts and feelings beyond her programming.

The Wild Robot is a precious exploration of motherhood and community. Credit: DreamWorks

Sanders is no stranger to crafting films that meld the classic fish-out-of-water trope with unlikely friendships. Lilo & Stitch's eponymous human-alien pairing is one of the greats, along with the dragon-rider dynamic between How to Train Your Dragon's Hiccup and Toothless. With Roz and Brightbill inThe Wild Robot, Sanders hits the jackpot once again.

Brightbill and Roz may be a goose and a robot, but so many of their interactions feel true to those between human parents and children. Roz is constantly concerned about doing right by Brightbill — something a wry mother possum named Pinktail (voiced by Catherine O'Hara) tells her is par for the course of parenting. Meanwhile, Brightbill walks the line between wanting independence and worrying about what will happen if he migrates away from Roz. Sure, he and Roz fight in the way that only mothers and teenagers do, but it's clear that they know they're each other's whole world.

SEE ALSO: 'Agatha All Along' review: Kathryn Hahn conjures up pure, witchy fun

That sense of closeness is made all the stronger by the fact that both Roz and Brightbill are viewed as "defective" by members of their own kind. When Roz encounters the occasional other robot, they are confused by her ability to feel at all. For his part, Brightbill takes after his mother, developing a near-robotic voice and punctuating his every move with a whir or beep in order to mimic her, a habit that other geese find off-putting. Of course, in the end, these differences end up being Roz and Brightbill's greatest strengths, a message that, while nothing revolutionary, always bears repeating.

The Wild Robot also widens its scope beyond Roz and Brightbill, showing how Roz relates to the island's other critters. In another one of the film's most touching relationships, Roz relies on conniving fox Fink (voiced by Pedro Pascal) for help with Brightbill. His philosophy, like that of many other animals on the island, is that there's one rule to life: Eat, or be eaten. Roz sees things differently, proposing that kindness can be its own survival mechanism. Over the course of the film, Fink and the other animals' outlooks shift from the former to the latter, a testament to Roz's impact on those around her. She's changing the island as much as it is changing her.

Roz is the next great movie robot. Credit: DreamWorks

Roz's ability to bring misfits and entire communities together places her in conversation with other great animated robots in film, like Wall-E and the Iron Giant. So does her individual transformation, which The Wild Robot crafts with tremendous care.

Nyong'o's voice acting is impeccable here, and vital to Roz's journey. At the start of the film, she voices Roz as relentlessly chipper, with a hard robotic edge that mirrors how Roz stands out in an otherwise all-natural environment. As The Wild Robot continues, Nyong'o adds more emotions to Roz's vocal toolbox, letting her get mad, uncertain, and exasperated. The end result is a voice that's full of feeling yet still carries traces of the robotic; it's the culmination of a breathtaking tightrope of a vocal performance.

Nyong'o's work goes hand in hand with Roz's extraordinary design and animation. Her dynamism and versatility as a character — she can be a crab! A lighthouse! A builder! — is matched only by that of the artists who brought her to life. Every scene gives you something new to notice about Roz, whether it's the ever-flickering displays in her eyes or how the light strips along her body convey emotion. Like Nyong'o's performance, Roz's design also charts her arc on the island, with each mechanical injury or occasional plant growth acting as exquisite visual storytelling.

The Wild Robot is a visual marvel. Credit: DreamWorks

Speaking of exquisite, it's impossible to talk about The Wild Robot without highlighting its gorgeous animation. DreamWorks has shifted away from the 3D CGI look somewhat in past years, with a more illustrative style on display in films like The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. For The Wild Robot, Sanders opts for a watercolor-inspired aesthetic, with the film looking like something out of a fairy-tale storybook.

Pristine forests and tidal pools bloom to life on screen, their blue and green hues a sharp contrast to Roz's metal-gray plating and blinking lights. Flocks of geese take flight in a dazzling airborne montage. Roz's bright lights slash through a driving snowstorm. Each image is a marvelous snapshot on its own. But together, they create something wholly incredible, making The Wild Robot an unforgettable viewing experience and a perfect capstone to celebrate DreamWorks' 30th anniversary.

The Wild Robot is available to own or rent on digital Oct. 15 and is also in theaters.

UPDATE: Oct. 14, 2024, 3:20 p.m. EDT "The Wild Robot" was reviewed out of its premiere at Fantastic Fest and hit theaters Sept. 27. This article was originally published on Sept. 21 and has been updated to include the most recent viewing options.

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 15'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 15 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 15 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 15 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Tool for fruits.

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 C.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 15 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...

CORER.

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 15

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 12'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 15 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 15 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: Football

• Green: Scrolling through TV

• Blue: Funny guys in makeup

• Purple: Definitions of D

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 - Football Positions

• Green - Cable Channels

• Blue - Fictional Clowns

• Purple - What "D" Might Stand For

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 #492 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Football Positions: Center, Guard, Quarterback, Safety

• Cable Channels: Discovery, History, Nickelodeon, Oxygen

• Fictional Clowns: Homey, Joker, Pennywise, Ronald

• What "D" Might Stand For: Defense, Democrat, Dimensional, Drive

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 15

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

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 15

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 15 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Tuesday, October 15, 2024:

AcrossDollars and cents

• The answer is Cash.

Retired NFL star receiver Shannon

• The answer is Sharpe.

German striker Timo

• The answer is Werner.

Have in mind

• The answer is Intend.

Hip hop supergroup collaboration between Kid Cudi and Jacques Bermon Webster II

• The answer is Scotts.

Mailed

• The answer is Sent.

DownEgg container

• The answer is Carton.

"Arrested Development" star Will

• The answer is Arnett.

Money used

• The answer is Spent.

Grazing groups

• The answer is Herds.

Cheese with holes

• The answer is Swiss.

As a consequence

• The answer is Hence.

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.

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

Copper coin.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 15 Hurdle Word 1 answer

PENNY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Kitchen garb.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 15 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

APRON

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Highly skilled.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 15 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ADEPT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An adhesive or coating material.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 15 Hurdle Word 4 answer

RESIN

Final Hurdle hint

Vacations can help you do this.

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

RELAX

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

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: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, October 15, 2024:

AcrossShrimp ___ (garlicky entree)

• The answer is Scampi.

"Wow, so fancy!"

• The answer is OoLaLa.

Disney's take on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale "The Snow Queen"

• The answer is Frozen.

Paid for a poker hand

• The answer is Anted.

DownCommon place to find a lost TV remote

• The answer is Sofa.

With 4-Down, farm attraction in autumn months

• The answer is Corn.

Tons and tons

• The answer is Alot.

See 2-Down

• The answer is Maze.

Begged

• The answer is Pled.

McKellen who played Gandalf

• The answer is Ian.

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.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 15 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 15 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Beast mode!

These words are found in a zoo.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words used to describe animals.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is CreatureFeature.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 15

• Horn

• Hair

• CreatureFeature

• Wing

• Tail

• Feather

• Scale

• Shell

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 15 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 15

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and 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 Strands.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 14'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 15 What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. 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 15 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Each of these need to be fast to win

• Green: Everything except professional

• Blue: Call them like you see them

• Purple: A collection of highs

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

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

• Yellow - Portion of a Race

• Green - Types of Wrestling

• Blue - Actions at the Line of Scrimmage

• Purple - High ____

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 Sports Edition #21 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Portions of a Race: LAP, LEG, SEGMENT, STAGE

• Types of Wrestling: ARM, FREESTYLE, GRECO-ROMAN, SUMO

• Actions at the Line of Scrimmage: AUDIBLE, HARD COUNT, MOTION, SHIFT

• High _____: FIVE, JUMP, KNEES, STICKING

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.

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

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 14

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.

TL;DR: Through 27 October, this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 (lifetime license) and Windows 11 Pro bundle is on sale for £22.96 (reg. £335.49). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Suite 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle £22.96 at the Mashable Shop
£335.49 Save £312.53 Get Deal

Whether you’re a small business owner, professional, or student, this bundle has the tools you need to make the most of your PC. With this bundle of the Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Suite and Windows 11 Pro, you can upgrade your operating system and utilise software that can help you stay productive. Through 27 October, you can get both of these Microsoft tools for a one-time total of £22.96.

With lifetime access to a 2021 Microsoft Office device license, you can create an impressive PowerPoint presentation, update your CV in Word, and connect with co-workers in Teams. And for everything to run smoothly, you'll also need a powerful operating system like Windows 11 Pro, designed for the modern-day professional. The seamless interface (which includes Copilot, the new Windows AI tool) makes navigating and multitasking easy.

Upon purchase, immediately download and install the software, and you’ll be up and running in no time. Lifetime licenses are only valid on one PC at a time and are great for work or home. Meanwhile, Windows 11 Pro offers encrypted authentication and advanced antivirus defenses for advanced cybersecurity. The antivirus defenses help protect your data and work to keep your private information safe.

Once more: a Microsoft Office lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro bundle is available for only £22.96 (reg. £335.49) until 27 October at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Watch NHL live streams for free on Laola1 and Prime Video. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Ice hockey is a beautiful sport that combines the grace and elegance of ice skating with a level of physicality that you simply don't see in other sports. We love the merging of elements, and so do millions of fans from all around the world.

The problem for all of these fans is finding a way to watch the NHL without spending a fortune. Streaming live sport doesn't tend to come cheap, but there's always a way to watch your favourite sport for free.

If you are interested in watching the NHL for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to watch the NHL for free

The good news is that it is possible to stream the NHL for free. The following platforms are offering free coverage of the NHL:

• Austria — Laola1 (select NHL games for free)

• Canada — Prime Video (Monday Night Hockey for free with 30-day trial)

These free streaming services are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Austria and Canada, meaning you can access these live streams from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NHL for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 and Canada

4. Connect to Laola1 or Prime Video

5. Watch the NHL for free in the UK

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NHL live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games for free.

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

What is the best VPN for the NHL?

There are a number of streaming-friendly VPNs, but ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming NHL games for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria and Canada

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming 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 30-day money-back guarantee. By using the guarantee, you can watch NHL games for free. This is sneaky, but it works because ExpressVPN returns your investment without hassle.

Watch the NHL for free with ExpressVPN.

Watch out, teens and tweens: A majority of adults want cellphones out of the classroom, according to a new poll.

The recent Pew Research Center survey of 5,110 U.S. adults found that 68 percent backed a ban on middle and high school students using a cellphone in the classroom. Twenty-four percent of respondents opposed the idea while 8 percent were unsure.

When asked to identify why they supported a ban, participants said they thought students would develop better social skills and be less likely to cheat, as a result. They also think such a ban could reduce school bullying.

But they drew the line at a more restrictive approach. Only roughly a third of the respondents favored blocking phone access for the entire day, not just in the classroom, while more than half opposed it.

SEE ALSO: Why teens are telling strangers their secrets online

The survey findings may inform the ongoing struggle over the role of technology and internet-connected devices in the classroom.

Educators and their unions have long argued that phones and constant access to social media platforms distracts students, enables bullying, and burns teachers out. School districts have even sued technology companies, including Meta and TikTok, arguing that they don't sufficiently warn young users of the risks of using their platforms.

Adults surveyed by Pew who oppose any kind of ban overwhelmingly cite concern about parents being able to reach their child when needed. They also believe the rule would be too hard for teachers to enforce, and that cellphones can be a useful teaching tool.

Kim Whitman, co-founder of the Phone-Free Schools Movement, told Mashable in an email that the organization backs a day-long phone-free policy in order to offer students and teachers the "most benefits." Whitman said placing phones in a storage tool, like a phone locker or in baskets secured in the school office, can further reduce cyberbullying, social media conflict, and poor face-to-face engagement with peers.

Some school districts and state governments have already moved toward different types of bans. California recently passed legislation requiring school districts to develop a policy for restricting phone use at school by 2026. Florida banned phone use in the classroom this school year. Louisiana is poised to prohibit students from using and possessing a cellphone for the entire day, starting in the 2024-2025 school year.

The Pew survey did find more resistance to the idea of a ban from younger adults. Less than half of survey respondents under the age of 30 support restrictions on cellphones in the classroom, whereas more than three quarters of adults ages 30 to 49 favor them. That percentage rises to 80 percent among participants ages 50 and older.

Whitman said that students "deserve" phone-free schools so they can focus and engage with students and peers.

"This means loud lunch rooms and more students participating in afterschool activities, which creates community and greater sense of belonging," Whitman wrote in an email. "Don't we want this for all kids?"

UPDATE: Oct. 14, 2024, 2:33 p.m. EDT This story has been updated to include comment from Kim Whitman, co-founder of the Phone-Free Schools Movement.

Music streaming can be a very personal experience, which is why finding the right service that fits all your needs can be a bit challenging. However, there are many choices available to you beyond Spotify, Apple Music, and other mainstream services. Here are some underrated music streaming services that you might be missing out on.

Starting with iOS 18.1, you can easily change the primary email address associated with your Apple Account without going through a multistep process.

Samsung is now offering a limited-time open enrollment program for its Care+ program. The open enrollment program, which allows you to register previously purchased phones with Care+, is accompanied by a 20% discount.

If you've seen just about any Superman movie, you'll know that Superman's people, the Kryptonians, make heavy use of crystals in their fictional technology. Including the storage of memories and even entire minds within them. When the writers first conceived of this idea, it seemed like mystical sci-fi hand-waving, but now it's essentially real.

Who needs text-based prompts when you can simply talk to your favorite AI? Voice interaction is the hot new feature that developers are scrambling to add to their models, with ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode, Copilot's Natural Voice Interaction, and Gemini Live leading the way.