IT General
Get a 1TB dual flash drive with high-speed transfers for just $75
TL;DR: Get a 1TB dual-USB flash drive that delivers fast transfer speeds and device compatibility with USB-C and USB-A connectors on sale for just $74.97 through September 29.
Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech Dual USB-C + USB-A 3.2 High Speed Flash Drive (1TB) $74.97$109.99 Save $35.02 Get Deal
When you’ve got tons of files to manage — whether for work, school, or personal projects — a basic flash drive might not cut it. Enter a 1TB dual-USB storage drive that’s designed to handle hefty file transfers while being incredibly user-friendly. With both USB-C and USB-A connectors, it’s perfect for switching between devices like Android phones, Macs, and PCs without needing any extra gear. And thanks to USB 3.2 tech, it’s seriously fast, so you can spend less time waiting and more time working.
Priced at $74.97 through September 29, this storage drive does more than just hold files — it’s built to make your life easier. With its high-speed transfer capabilities, it’s great for moving big video files, data sets, or tons of lecture notes in a snap.
Its dual compatibility with USB-C and USB-A means you can plug it into almost any device without needing extra adapters. It’s a breeze for students working on group projects or anyone who frequently switches between different tech setups. Plus, backing up your work is a no-brainer — you’ve got 1TB of space, which is enough to store up to 200,000 files, keeping your documents safe and sound.
Compact, fast, waterproof, and incredibly simple to use, this flash drive is a no-brainer for students, professionals, or anyone who needs reliable storage.
Grab this Dual USB-C and USB-A 1TB High-Speed Flash Drive on sale for $74.97 (reg. $109) through September 29.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Feed your curiosity with unlimited documentary streaming for life
TL;DR: Through September 29, get Curiosity Stream and watch documentaries for life for just $159.97 — a one-time payment for a world of knowledge.
Opens in a new window Credit: Curiosity Stream Curiosity Stream Standard Plan: Lifetime Subscription $159.97$399.99 Save $240.02 Get Deal
Looking for something new to watch that’s more enriching than the usual bingeworthy shows? Curiosity Stream offers a platform filled with engaging, educational content that goes beyond typical streaming services.
Whether you're passionate about history, science, or exploring unique topics, this service gives you access to an extensive collection of documentaries and docuseries. And the best part? You can get lifetime access for only $159.97 until September 29.
If you’re a documentary lover, there’s no need to settle for the limited selection on mainstream platforms. Curiosity Stream gives you access to a broader range of thought-provoking documentaries and docuseries, from true crime and history to deep-sea explorations and beyond. It even boasts Emmy-winning content.
The platform’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. You can filter by topic or collection, or even search by narrator, including well-known names like Sir David Attenborough and Morgan Freeman.
New content is added regularly so, with a lifetime subscription, you won’t be stuck watching the same shows over and over. You’ll have access to an ever-growing library of fascinating documentaries and educational content that you can stream on multiple devices — online or offline.
Don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy a lifetime subscription to Curiosity Stream Standard Plan for a one-time payment of $159.97 through September 29.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Modernize your ride with a wireless car display on sale for just $80
TL;DR: Upgrade your auto with an Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless adapter for $79.97 (reg. $129).
Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart PlayAIBox Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Wireless Adapter with Streaming Service Support $79.97$129.99 Save $50.02 Get Deal
Some of those little quality-of-life improvements in new vehicles really make a difference. Even just being able to wirelessly connect your phone is a huge improvement, but you don't actually need a new car for that.
If you're thinking about upgrading your car's tech but aren't quite ready to commit to a new vehicle, the PlayAIBox is the perfect solution. This compact device can transform your driving experience, turning your car into a smart, entertainment-filled hub. From wireless CarPlay and Android Auto to streaming your favorite shows, it's everything you need to make your ride feel next-gen — and it's on sale for just $79.97 (reg. $129).
Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto for your carWith the PlayAIBox, you can finally go wireless. Just plug it in, pair your phone, and you’re ready to hit the road. Whether you're listening to your favorite playlist or navigating with Google Maps, everything becomes smoother and more intuitive, no cables required.
But that's just the start. The PlayAIBox also brings streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Disney+ straight to your car's display. Waiting in the parking lot? No problem—catch up on your favorite shows or keep the kids entertained during long drives. Plus, with Google Play Store integration, you can expand your app options and add even more functionality to your car.
Powered by the Allwinner A133 chip, the PlayAIBox ensures smooth video playback and seamless app navigation. It even supports screen mirroring and external storage, making it versatile for all your content needs.
Compatible with a wide range of car models and smartphones, the PlayAIBox is an easy and affordable way to bring cutting-edge technology to your drive. Upgrade your car with the PlayAIBox Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless adapter with streaming support for just $79.97.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Our desks feel so much better after using this stand (and it's on sale)
TL;DR: Declutter with an 8-in-1 docking stand for only $49.97 (reg. $69).
Just like many tech manufacturers have stopped including charging bricks with new devices, you might have noticed that the latest gadgets are also ditching ports. This leaves many of us juggling dongles, adapters, and cords.
For those who prefer a clutter-free desk, the ergonomic 8-in-1 tablet docking stand is a great solution, now on sale for $49.97 for a limited time. It eliminates the need for multiple adapters, and with your tablet secured in the stand, you can go hands-free and even use it as a laptop.
Hardware specificationsThis docking stand comes fully loaded with essential ports, including a PD/100W port, an HDMI 2.0 port, an SD/microSD slot, a 3.5mm audio jack, and three USB 3.0 ports. The PD/100W port delivers fast charging for high-power devices, while the HDMI port lets you connect your tablet to larger displays. The SD and microSD card slots provide instant access to memory cards, the 3.5mm jack connects wired earphones or speakers, and the USB 3.0 ports support a range of accessories, such as external drives, keyboards, and mice.
The stand is adjustable too, with up to 70 degrees of tilt, and the tablet holder can rotate up to 180 degrees, allowing you to find the perfect viewing angle and avoid tech neck. Made from sturdy aluminum alloy, it’s built to last. When not in use, it folds up for easy storage or transport.
Declutter your workspace with this 8-in-1 tablet docking stand, available for just $49.97 for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech 8-in-1 Laptop & Tablet Docking Stand $49.97$69.99 Save $20.02 Get Deal
How to watch college football without cable this season
The 2024 college football season is officially in session.
This NCAA Division 1 football season marks the start of a new era — the traditional regional conferences and rivalries just got a major shake-up. The PAC-12 conference was dismantled last summer, which led to some conference scrambling. Starting this year — deep breath — USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington are part of the Big Ten alongside Ohio State, Penn State, and other top teams; Stanford and Cal have joined the ACC; and Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah have joined the Big 12 with TCU, UCF, and Texas Tech as potential new rivals. (Just two schools are left in the PAC-12, which is already set to change again next season.
It's also the first year with more than four playoff teams. In other words, college football is about to have a strange and exciting year.
If you want to tune into the 2024-2025 NCAA football season, we've got you covered. Keep scrolling to learn how to watch college football without cable in 2024, which channels you're going to need, and the best ways to get them.
Can I watch college football games without cable?Yes, you can watch college football without cable, but unless you sign up for a live TV service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, you'll need a patchwork of streaming apps. The 2024 college football season will be broadcast across an array of local channels, specialty sports networks, and even a couple streaming services. If you don't have cable, you still have plenty of options to tune into games, but deciding which works best for you is tricky.
A live TV streaming service or cable replacement will give you the most comprehensive channel selection but will also cost you the most money. However, the good news is that you can cancel at any time, unlike cable. A single streaming service like Paramount Plus or ESPN+ will give you access to a slim number of games but will cost you less than 10 bucks per month. (TL;DR: you get what you pay for.)
What channels are college football games on?Before you decide on which live TV service or streaming app you need to watch NCAA college football games, you need to know which networks your team(s) plays on. Check the conference list below to see which channels and streamers will air games for each conference in 2024. Not sure which conference your team is in? Check out the list over at ESPN.com.
American Athletic Conference (AAC) — ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) — ABC, ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+, The CW
Big 12 — ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+, Fox, Fox Sports 1
Big Ten — Big Ten Network, CBS, Fox, Fox Sports 1, NBC, Peacock
Conference USA — CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+
FBS independents — CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN+, NBC, Peacock
Mid-American Conference (MAC) — CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+
Mountain West Conference (MW) — CBS, CBS Sports Network, Fox, Fox Sports 1, truTV
Pac-12 Conference — ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+, Fox, Fox Sports 1, Pac-12 Network, The CW
Southeastern Conference (SEC) — ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+, SEC Network, SEC+
Sun Belt Conference — ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+
As noted above, the best streaming service for college football depends on your team and budget. The best streaming apps for live sports run the gamut of pricing — from eight bucks per month to a whopping $100 per month. The best live TV streaming services include YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and Sling. Sling is the most affordable of the bunch, but gives you access to a more limited live channel selection, while YouTube TV, Hulu, and Fubo offer hundreds of channels but cost a bit more. You can also watch limited live games on Peacock, Paramount+, and ESPN+ — some of which will exclusively host games this season.
It's just as, if not more, confusing as watching NFL games this season.
To help with your decision, we've rounded up the best streaming deals for college football fans. You can also check out the complete broadcast schedule on the NCAA website.
The best live TV streaming deals for NCAAF 2024Best live TV streaming deal: Sling Season Pass Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Season Pass: Sling Orange, Blue, and Sports Extra $199 for 4 months (save $92) Get DealChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
By prepaying for four months of Sling Orange, Blue, and Sports Extra in the Sling Season Pass, you can save $92. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, while the Sports Extra package unlocks access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more. It'll cost you $199 for four months of Sling Season Pass, which is significantly cheaper than any other live TV streaming service. Just be sure to check your local market to ensure you'll have access to the channels you need.
Best YouTube TV deal: $64.99/month for your first 4 months Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV Free 10-day trial, then $64.99/month for first 4 months (save $32) Get DealChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW
The best value for a live TV streaming service, YouTube TV gives you access to over 100 live channels. Those include most of the ones you need to watch college football games live — NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, as well as specialty networks like Fox Sports 1, and SEC Network. For a limited time, YouTube TV is offering new users a discount on their first four months of service. Plus, you can kick things off with a 10-day free trial. The base plan usually costs $72.99 per month, but you'll pay just $64.99 per month (save $32) for your first four months.
Best bang for your buck: Get Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+ together Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV (with Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+) Free 3-day trial, then $76.99 per month Get DealChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW
While other live TV streamers might cost a little less, Hulu's live TV service definitely offers the most bang for your buck. You'll pay $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial) and get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). For comparison, YouTube TV is typically $72.99 per month and only includes the live channels. With ESPN+, you'll unlock access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more.
Best live TV streaming deal for sports junkies: Take $30 off your first month of Fubo Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV Fubo Free 7-day trial, then $30 off your first month Get DealChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
Fubo isn't our first choice for a live TV streaming service, but we do like that it takes sports seriously. With a Pro subscription (the most affordable tier), you'll get access to most college football broadcasts for $79.99 per month. But hardcore fans will probably want to upgrade to the Elite plan for $99.99/month, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network as well. Either way, you can test the waters for seven days before you pay and, for a limited time, take $30 off your first month.
Best for CBS games only: Paramount+ with Showtime annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ / Showtime Paramount+ with Showtime $119.99 per year (save 17%) Get DealChannels: CBS
If your team is in the Big Ten or plays on CBS and you're only a casual college football fan, a subscription to Paramount+ with Showtime is probably the best option. Paramount+ with Showtime allows you to tune into live CBS broadcasts of Big Ten games, including the Week 4 showdown between new conference rivals USC and Michigan, plus the 2024 Big Ten championship game in December. It's regularly $12.99 per month, but you can save 17% by paying for a year upfront. That knocks the monthly cost down to just $9.99.
Best for NBC and Peacock games: Peacock Premium yearly subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $79.99 per year (save 17%) Get DealChannels: NBC, Peacock
Similar to Paramount+, Peacock offers simulcasts of games airing on NBC throughout the 2024 season. Plus, Peacock offers exclusive broadcasts as well. It's already pretty affordable at $7.99 per month, but you can save about 17% by paying for a year upfront. That knocks the monthly price down to $6.67, or $79.99 per year.
More Peacock deals:
Best for ESPN+ games: Save 15% on an ESPN+ Annual Plan Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN+ ESPN+ Annual Plan $109.99 per year (save 15%) Get DealChannels: ESPN+, plus some games on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC
Opt into ESPN+ for an entire year and pay $109.99 instead of $131.88. That saves you 15% overall and gives you access to hundreds of college football games across 20 different conferences this season. ESPN+ will also be the exclusive home to 16 SEC games, over 10 ACC games, and over 20 Big 12 games. It's also worth noting that as of Oct. 17, the price per month will rise to $11.99 and the price per year will jump to $119.99. In other words, it saves you $10 to sign up for an annual plan before then.
For just $4 more per month, you can also add ESPN+ to a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu.
NASA ventured into the Valley of 10,000 Smokes, a forbidding land
Imposing bears teem in Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve. But few dare enter its Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.
In 1912, a volcano was born here. It erupted for nearly three days. Its ominous ash clouds left the town of Kodiak, 100 miles away, in profound darkness, nearly obscuring lanterns held at arms' length. The valley itself was suffocated by a gargantuan load of up to nearly 700 feet of grainy volcanic ash. That ash remains there today. The once verdant land was transformed into a desolate moonscape. For years, potent columns of steam rose from the hot rocky ash, the "smokes" that lent the region its name.
It was the biggest volcanic eruption of the 20th century.
"I'm in awe of how large that event was," Patrick Whelley, a NASA geologist, told Mashable. "What a drastic change in landscape."
This year, Whelley co-led an expedition into the valley with a team of scientists. They investigated how this land reflects similar environments on other planets, like Mars, and the harsh, seemingly unlikely, places that might harbor life on other worlds.
SEE ALSO: What will happen when the next supervolcano erupts, according to NASASuch a journey isn't for the meek.
"Wind blows abrasive ash that irritates the eyes and lungs. Your food, no matter how carefully prepared, always seems to be gritty," Mike Fitz, a former Katmai ranger who often ventured into the valley, told Mashable. "Pumice and ash always threaten to get into your footwear where it can abrade your skin raw."
Exploration of the valley has a price. But it comes with unmatched rewards.
"The land is wild and raw and fascinating.""On a calm day, the silence is immense," Fitz, now a naturalist for the wildlife livestreamers explore.org, said. "I've experienced natural quiet so great on calm days at Novarupta [the volcano that erupted in 1912] that the sound of a zipper on a jacket or tent seems like an intrusion."
"The land is wild and raw and fascinating," he said.
Novarupta doesn't look like a classic mountainous volcano. Since 1912, it has existed as a cooled dome of lava 1,235 feet (380 meters) wide and 211 feet (65 meters) high. Credit: National Park Service Looking for life as we don't know itAmid the heated 1960s Space Race, NASA sent astronauts to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. They encountered wasted land, blanketed in volcanic rock, somewhat like the moon. (Indeed, upon later stepping foot on the surface of the moon, Buzz Aldrin marveled: "Beautiful, beautiful. Magnificent desolation." ) In the valley, the future moon explorers collected geologic samples, and learned how to convey their finds to scientists.
Over half a century later, in June, NASA geochemist Heather Graham entered this remote Alaskan realm to scour the environment for the types of life that may exist on worlds beyond ours — planets and moons. Except Graham isn't searching for familiar signs of life, like strands of genetic material. Rather, Graham seeks the chemical activities that could support life — particularly life elsewhere that might create energy and thrive in ways different from organisms on Earth.
"We're really thinking about life as we don't know it," Graham told Mashable.
"We're really thinking about life as we don't know it."That's why Graham, and NASA's Goddard Instrument Field Team, or GIFT, endeavor to such places. They're remote, largely untrammeled, and are the closest environments approaching something extraterrestrial on our planet.
"Look out your window," said Graham. "There's literally life everywhere. The whole point of me going to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is it's so hard to get away from life."
Indeed, from its cataclysmic inception, the valley seemed a harsh, untamed, unearthly realm. "This Valley appeared to be on another planet that was in the process of formation," wrote Robert F. Griggs, a scientist who discovered and documented the steaming Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes on a National Geographic Society expedition in 1916. (While we were not granted permission to show Griggs' historic images here, they are available to see on Katmai National Park and Preserve's website and this Park Service publication.)
"This Valley appeared to be on another planet that was in the process of formation."When Novarupta blew in 1912, it pressed the restart button in the valley. Even water vaporized. So it's a rare place to sleuth for effects that life could have had on this new environment. Could such microbes have left clues that they harnessed energy using these fresh geologic ingredients, brewed deep inside Earth?
To find out, Graham, as shown below, inspected now-quiet fumaroles — vents where hot volcanic gasses are emitted. Graham assessed these features to see if any materials are different (and potentially altered) from the fresh rock blown out of the volcano. She looked for the presence of accumulated microorganisms, collected samples, and sent them to a microbiologist to see who it is. (We'll have to wait to find out; the results are pending.)
Ultimately, the search for these hints of life inform astrobiologists like Graham — who investigate the possible origins and existence of life beyond Earth — about how we should look for life on other worlds.
On the recent trip to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, Heather Graham looks for evidence of past microbes that potentially lived around a fumarole. Credit: NASA / Caela Barry NASA astronauts in the 1960s investigating volcanic rocks in the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Credit: NASAAfter all, all life needs an energy source. If something dwells in the oceans of Enceladus, a Saturnian moon that shoots plumes from a subsurface ocean into space, it might exploit chemicals in ways far different than most life on Earth. Or in ways we can't yet imagine.
"The possibility space for life is much greater than our sliver of biology," Graham said.
A journey into the desolate valleyOften, NASA's Goddard Instrument Field Team can drive relatively close to field sites. But in the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, there are no roads.
A lifted school bus, capable of driving through rivers, ferried them to the foot of the valley. But then the scientists were on foot. "It's an intimidating landscape," Whelley, the NASA geologist who co-led the trip, said.
A party of 12 hiked some 16 miles to get near Novarupta, which required fording wild, at times unpredictable rivers, including the River Lethe, an ash-filled waterway. "Drowning in them is statistically the most dangerous thing about the Valley," Fitz, a former Katmai ranger, noted. (Writer's note: I have forded this river multiple times; half the time, amid a vigorous and high current, we were forced to turn back; Alaska doesn't play games.) Electric fences, to discourage the rare valley bear, encircled their tents. And anyone sleeping there at night is surrounded, literally, by volcanoes, some steaming. On such an eight day trip, the scientists had survival roles to play — like water collection.
But the payoff was conducting science in a place where Earth's surface has been remade.
Members of NASA's Goddard Instrument Field Team hiking out of the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. The expansive layering of volcanic rock, emitted by Novarupta in 1912, is the tan and light pinkish region to the right. Credit: NASA / Caela Barry The ash-covered Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, with the Novarupta lava dome labeled at center-right. Credit: USGS California Volcano Observatory (CalVO)The untrammeled valley can reveal what's transpired on other worlds. Places on Mars, for example, may have experienced similarly sized or larger volcanic eruptions, which blanketed mighty Martian glaciers in rocky ash, Whelley said. Scientists brought a ground-penetrating radar and other instruments to the valley to see how Novarupta's blast hid some large glaciers — and to demonstrate how similar events may have transpired on Mars. Another team investigated how clays could form following such a volcanic eruption — which could explain how such soils developed on Mars. We can't go to Mars today; but we can at least approximate desolate and extreme Martian environs.
"We need to find these places to do our work," Whelley explained. "They haven't been developed yet."
NASA's field team has explored volcanic landscapes in Iceland, lava tubes in Hawaii, remnants of an ancient supervolcano in California, and beyond.
Scientist Emileigh Shoemaker uses a ground-penetrating radar to investigate a glacier preserved beneath a thick layer of volcanic ash. Credit: NASA / Andrew Johnson Tweet may have been deletedBut time is running short in the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. A new world, composed of fresh rock, minerals, and chemicals, won't stay virgin forever. The willows are creeping in. Now that the ground isn't steaming, even some bears traverse the valley's edge.
This June, flowers popped up near Graham's tent.
"We're always in a race against life and time," she said.
Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 21
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 September 21'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 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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.
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 September 21 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A number.
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 S.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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...
SEVEN.
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.
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.
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 21
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 September 21'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 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 deletedEach 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 deletedPlayers 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 September 21 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: An Esper
Green: Deluxe edition
Blue: Kudos
Purple: In the extreme
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Clairvoyant
Green: Special Edition Adjectives
Blue: "Great Job!"
Purple: Extremely
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 #467 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayClairvoyant: MEDIUM, MYSTIC, ORACLE, PSYCHIC
Special Edition Adjectives: COLLECTIBLE, EXCLUSIVE, LIMITED. RARE
"Great Job!": IMPRESSIVE, NICE, PROPS, WELL DONE
Extremely: AWFUL, BLOODY, REAL, WAY
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.
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.
NYT Strands hints, answers for September 21
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 MashableBy 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: Here's the answer hints for September 21 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 21 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: I've got the music in me!These words are great places to rock out.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThe answers are all related to music venues.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is ConcertVenue.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 21Stadium
Festival
Theater
Arena
ConcertVenue
Nightclub
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.
This £18 AI consulting software helps you run your small business
TL;DR: As of Sept. 21, lifetime access to Consultio Pro is on sale for only £18.77 instead of the usual £149.46 when you use the code TAKE5.
So, you’ve decided to start your own small business, but where do you go from there? The Consultio Pro software gives you access to 50+ AI experts who can help you make informed decisions every step of the way. Take advantage of knowledge from a diverse collective of AI experts in event planning, social media, marketing, fitness, and more. When you have second thoughts, this program makes it feel like you always have an expert consultant in your corner.
Whether you’re a large corporation or a mom-and-pop shop, Consultio Pro provides data-driven and evidence-based insights. This innovative AI software allows you to fine-tune your goals, financial stats, and strategies as you go. The high-tech software is constantly evolving and updating its proficiency to ensure you get the most relevant data.
Forget waiting for your regular consultant to answer an urgent question, Consultio’s experts reply in real-time, with no appointments needed. This software gives you 24/7 access to expertise.
Copywriters, data analysts, and project managers can also benefit from Consultio’s AI experts. If an issue is keeping you up at night, it’s comforting to know you can chat with someone at 3 a.m. should you need to.
Access your lifetime subscription to Consultio Pro from both desktop and mobile devices. With no maximum number of devices it can be used on, you can sign into your account from work, home, or cell phone anytime. Please note this offer is only available to new users.
Get lifetime access to Consultio Pro for £18.77 (reg. £149.46) when you use the code TAKE5 at the Mashable Shop. This code is only available through Sept. 29.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Plus 8 Group Consultio Pro: Lifetime Access £18.77 at the Mashable Shop£149.46 Save £130.69 Get Deal
How to watch Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United in the Premier League for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo. Access Fubo from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Premier League is back in the spotlight after a string of entertaining Champions League fixtures kept everyone entertained through the week. There are a number of interesting games to keep tabs on this weekend, including Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United. The Eagles are still looking for their first win of the season — could they secure three points against Erik ten Hag's side?
If you want to watch Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United in the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United?Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United in the Premier League kicks off at 5:30 p.m. BST on Sept. 21. This fixture takes place at Anfield.
How to watch Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United for freeCrystal Palace vs. Manchester United is available to live stream for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo.
Fubo offers coverage of all 380 matches of the 2024-25 Premier League season in Canada, but anyone can access this package with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Canada, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Premier League from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024-25 Premier League by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Canada
Sign up for a seven-day free trial of Fubo
Watch Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most leading services do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United in the Premier League without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this weekend's Premier League fixtures before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, you can save 49% on the best VPN for live sport.
What is the best VPN for the Premier League?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including 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 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 $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United in the Premier League for free with ExpressVPN.
How to watch Liverpool vs. Bournemouth online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Liverpool vs. Bournemouth in the Premier League for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo. Access Fubo from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Premier League is widely regarded as one of the best domestic leagues in the world, and we're not going to argue with that. There are big games every week that deliver entertaining football in abundance, which is exactly what we're expecting from Liverpool vs. Bournemouth.
If you want to watch Liverpool vs. Bournemouth in the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Liverpool vs. Bournemouth?Liverpool vs. Bournemouth in the Premier League kicks off at 3 p.m. BST on Sept. 21. This fixture takes place at Anfield.
How to watch Liverpool vs. Bournemouth for freeLiverpool vs. Bournemouth is available to live stream for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo.
Fubo offers coverage of all 380 matches of the 2024-25 Premier League season in Canada, but anyone can access this package with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Canada, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Premier League from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024-25 Premier League by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Canada
Sign up for a seven-day free trial of Fubo
Watch Liverpool vs. Bournemouth for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most leading services do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Liverpool vs. Bournemouth in the Premier League without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this weekend's Premier League fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the Premier League?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including 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 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 $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Liverpool vs. Bournemouth in the Premier League for free with ExpressVPN.
How to watch West Ham vs. Chelsea online for free
TL;DR: Live stream West Ham vs. Chelsea in the Premier League for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo. Access Fubo from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
After a flurry of midweek Champions League fixtures, we're back to the comforting embrace of the Premier League. There are plenty of intriguing matchups this weekend, including West Ham vs. Chelsea. Both sides will be looking to secure three valuable points from this London derby.
If you want to watch West Ham vs. Chelsea in the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is West Ham vs. Chelsea?West Ham vs. Chelsea in the Premier League kicks off at 12:30 p.m. BST on Sept. 21. This fixture takes place at the London Stadium.
How to watch West Ham vs. Chelsea for freeWest Ham vs. Chelsea is available to live stream for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo.
Fubo offers coverage of all 380 matches of the 2024-25 Premier League season in Canada, but anyone can access this package with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Canada, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Premier League from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024-25 Premier League by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Canada
Sign up for a seven-day free trial of Fubo
Watch West Ham vs. Chelsea for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch West Ham vs. Chelsea in the Premier League without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this weekend's Premier League fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the Premier League?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including 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 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 $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream West Ham vs. Chelsea in the Premier League for free with ExpressVPN.
How to watch Reims vs. PSG online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Reims vs. PSG in Ligue 1 for free on TV5Monde. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
PSG have started the season really strongly, but the likes of Marseille and Monaco are following closely behind. The pressure is on the champions to keep winning, and that's exactly what they'll be looking to do this weekend on a trip to Reims.
If you want to watch Reims vs. PSG in Ligue 1 from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Reims vs. PSG?Reims vs. PSG in Ligue 1 kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Sept. 21. This fixture takes place at the Stade Auguste-Delaune II.
How to watch Reims vs. PSG for freeReims vs. PSG is available to live stream for free on TV5Monde.
TV5Monde is geo-restricted to Europe, but anyone from around the world can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in France, meaning you can unblock TV5Monde to stream Ligue 1 for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Reims vs. PSG for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in France
Sign in to TV5Monde
Watch Reims vs. PSG for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of Ligue 1 action without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Reims vs. PSG (plus more Ligue 1 fixtures) before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services 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 TV5Monde?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on TV5Monde, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including France
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 $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Reims vs. PSG in Ligue 1 for free with ExpressVPN.
How to watch Argentina vs. South Africa in the 2024 Rugby Championship online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Argentina vs. South Africa in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Rugby Championship has produced some amazing matches, as usual. Argentina have once again proved that they can beat anyone, but South Africa will be their biggest test. Argentina might be coming off an impressive 67-27 win over Australia, but South Africa have won every game so far.
Can Argentina do the impossible and beat the world champions? You can find out without spending anything.
If you want to watch Argentina vs. South Africa in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Argentina vs. South Africa?Argentina vs. South Africa in the 2024 Rugby Championship kicks off at 5 p.m. ET on Sept. 21. This fixture takes place at Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades.
How to watch Argentina vs. South Africa for freeYou can live stream the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+, including Argentina vs. South Africa.
The catch is that this free live stream is only available to fans in Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, and Ukraine.
If you do not live in one of these countries, you can use a VPN to change your digital location and stream for free. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Rugby Championship on NZR+ from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024 Rugby Championship by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in one of the countries listed above
Visit NZR+
Live stream Argentina vs. South Africa for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to a free live stream of Argentina vs. South Africa without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the 2024 Rugby Championship before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the Rugby Championship?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live rugby on NZR+ for free, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Argentina vs. South Africa in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
'The Remarkable Life of Ibelin' review: An equally remarkable doc about a 'World of Warcraft' player's inner life
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin blends traditional documentary techniques with World of Warcraft recreations to paint a touching portrait of the online life of a Norwegian gamer.
SEE ALSO: 'Never Let Go' review: Halle Berry horror flick intrigues, then stallsThe film, directed by Benjamin Ree, centers on 25-year-old Mats Steen, who died in 2014 from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. His parents, Robert and Trude, initially have a fairly bleak view of Mats' life. It seems to them that Mats was not social and spent most of his time gaming, so Robert and Trude worry he hadn't made any meaningful connections. However, after they announce Mats' passing on his old blog, they receive an outpouring of support that reveals Mats led a rich, love-filled life in the massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft, where he played a character named Ibelin Redmoore.
What’s The Remarkable Life of Ibelin about?The Remarkable Life of Ibelin first introduces us to Mats through Robert and Trude's home videos. Pivotal life moments play out at an accelerated pace: Mats as a newborn, Mats on his first day of school. As his dystrophy manifests and worsens, we also see footage of him falling and trying to get back up, followed by videos of him using a wheelchair, and even a time lapse of him gaming for hours at a time. Throughout it all, Robert and Trude lament what they see as his distance from those around him, wishing that they could have done more.
SEE ALSO: The 10 Sundance movies (and shows) you need to know aboutBut when Robert and Trude begin to receive e-mails from Mats' WoW friends, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin kicks into a whole new gear. It hits rewind — literally — and shows us everything we just saw from Mats' perspective, complete with posts from his blog, "Musings of Life," which are read aloud by an actor. Often, these voiceovers play over home video footage we've already seen, allowing Mats to lend his voice to the story in a crucial way.
The biggest change here is the inclusion of recreated scenes from Mats' WoW gameplay, pulled from over 42,000 pages of gaming logs. As these animated scenes play out, taking over from more tried-and-true documentary tools like talking heads and home videos, Ree immerses us fully in Mats' point of view. It's an effective shift in form: Whenever we enter WoW sequences, we know we're getting the closest we can to Mats' true story.
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin proves the power of online spaces.In the animated WoW scenes, we see Mats as Ibelin interacting with his online community, a role-playing guild known as Starlight. These interactions go beyond completing quests and slaying dragons, though. At one point, Mats forges an in-game romance that spills into the real world. At another, he helps a mother reconnect with her autistic son. Between animated WoW scenes and interviews with members of Starlight, we get a picture of Mats as kind, empathetic, and actively engaging in the kind of relationships Robert and Trude wanted for him — just online.
That virtual spaces can have a real-world impact is undeniable at this point, so The Remarkable Life of Ibelin's exploration of that fact rings true, if not particularly revelatory. However, as someone with an admittedly narrow view of WoW — one that skews towards stereotypes of toxicity — Ree's look at Mats' niche community is a moving case study. Like with Robert and Trude, the revelation of Mats' inner life challenged my own assumptions about gaming as a tool for connection.
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin keeps Mats' family life and WoW life mostly separate, mirroring his own experience and the experiences of those who knew him. Just as his parents didn't know much about his gaming life, his friends in the Starlight guild didn't initially know much about his personal life, as Mats kept fairly quiet about it.
However, both groups come together in the film's astonishing final moments, involving a memorial that will tug at your heartstrings and cue many, many tears. It's a remarkable closer, and along with the rest of The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, it serves as a touching tribute to what Mats meant to so many people, as well as the power of the virtual ties that bind us.
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin was reviewed out of Fantastic Fest. It hits Netflix Oct. 25.
Halle Berry reveals a crucial piece of backstory for her character in the survival thriller 'Never Let Go'
Waymo’s driverless cars are coming to these cities next
Waymo, the driverless car company run by Google parent company Alphabet, already operates autonomous vehicles in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix, and will soon be available in Atlanta and Austin.
The Georgia and Texas Waymo experiences, set to launch early next year, will be a bit different than what California and Arizona riders encounter. Thanks to a partnership between former enemies Waymo and Uber, riders in Atlanta and Austin will be required to use the Uber app to hail a robo-car (rides in Phoenix can use the Uber or Waymo One app, while service in L.A. and San Francisco has no Uber component). Even though they may request a Waymo via the Uber app, Austin and Atlanta users will not be guaranteed one, Forbes reports. Riders can decline a Waymo in those cities or update their settings so they never receive a self-driving vehicle.
SEE ALSO: Watch passengers react to a truly driverless Waymo rideUber will “manage and dispatch a fleet of Waymo’s fully autonomous, all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles that will grow to hundreds over time,” according to a statement from Waymo. “Riders who request an UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric may be matched with a Waymo for qualifying trips.”
Uber will be responsible for the Waymo depots in Atlanta and Austin, as well as cleaning and vehicle repair. Waymo will remain in charge of the car’s testing and operation, including roadside assistance and rider support functions, which includes a “Support” button available on a passenger screen.
Waymo isn’t the only autonomous car company linking up with Uber, as General Motors’ Cruise vehicles will soon be deployed via the Uber app. The Waymo partnerships could have something to do with the company being a loss leader for Alphabet, likely costing the parent company billions in losses, according to the Associated Press.
While a Cruise vehicle seriously injured a San Francisco pedestrian last year, Waymo’s cars have a better, but not perfect, safety record and are performing about 100,000 rides per week in L.A., San Francisco, and Phoenix, the AP reports.
New macOS Sequoia update reportedly not playing nice with VPNs and cybersecurity tools like CrowdStrike
It's a big week for Apple. The new iPhone 16 line hits store shelves today alongside the new AirPods 4. Just a few days earlier, Apple released the new iOS 18 and macOS 15, also known as macOS Sequoia, too.
However, Mac users are reporting some issues as it pertains to the latter release and the cybersecurity tools that they use.
As noticed by TechCrunch, Mac users who upgraded to macOS Sequoia are experiencing issues with their cybersecurity software and its compatibility with Apple's new operating system.
SEE ALSO: macOS Sequoia public beta: 5 new features that may convince Windows users to switch Cybersecurity tools reportedly clash with macOS SequoiaThe issue with macOS Sequoia not playing nice with cybersecurity tools was first discovered after some Mac users who upgraded reported that they were experiencing network connection issues on social media.
The errors were solved when users turned off cybersecurity tools from companies like Microsoft, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, and ESET.
In addition, BleepingComputer also discovered reports of Mac users having issues with utilizing VPNs on macOS Sequoia as well. The cybersecurity news outlet noted a change in macOS Sequoia's release notes that could point to the potential problem.
It appears that Apple removed a feature in macOS's firewall, which may have broken these applications. The firewall issue appears to be affecting some users' Firefox web browser too.
Obviously, turning off antivirus software or firewalls is not an ideal solution. Companies like CrowdStrike and SentinelOne are recommending that users not upgrade to macOS Sequoia until the issues are resolved.
While many Apple Mac consumers may not be affected by these specific issues as they don't use these products, it's important to note how any new software launch can result in issues on day one.
Be cautious and check with the developers of your essential everyday use applications regarding any compatibility issues before upgrading.
We reached out to Apple for comment. If we get a response, we'll update this article.
AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation: Why is no one talking about how it’s an engineering miracle?
You're probably reading this on a phone in your hand, or perhaps a laptop on your coffee table, and you have no idea — none — the blood, sweat, and tears that engineers endure to deliver the smooth-as-butter product you're using as we speak.
Before it got into your hands, it’s highly likely that engineers were hard at work, pulling their hair out and yelling obscenities, fixing hardware challenges that drove them up a wall. But there’s always a “Eureka!” moment where the masterminds experience that spark of a light bulb, bringing you the ready-for-market gadget you’re effortlessly using today.
For instance, I’ve spoken with engineers who’ve grappled with the difficult task of balancing heat output from powerful components with portability — a recurring issue in devices like headsets, gaming laptops, phones, and more.
This time, I got to speak with two head honchos behind the new AirPods 4 to take a peek through the peephole at how the new earbuds came to be — particularly the one with active noise cancellation.
SEE ALSO: AirPods 4: The new active noise cancellation made ‘Espresso’ sound like it was performed in a soundproof café First, a little background on AirPods 4Apple recently unveiled the new AirPods 4 with two iterations: one without active noise cancellation ($129) and one with active noise cancellation ($179).
Apple AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableYou may shrug and think, "So? What's the big deal?"
Well, before the AirPods 4 dropped, if you wanted ANC, you'd have to secure earbuds from the pricier AirPods Pro line. There's also the entry-level, non-Pro AirPods line (the lineage that the AirPods 4 descends from) that delivered great sound, but delivered zero ANC.
After all, the entry-level AirPods line have an open-ear design, making ANC trickier. Unlike the AirPods Pro, which have silicon ear tips that seal the ear canal to facilitate ANC technology, the non-Pro AirPods don't. But somehow, some way, Apple managed to pull it off with the AirPods 4.
AirPods Pro 2 with ear tips Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableAnd as someone who has tested them on a plane myself, they're pretty damn good. So the question is, how did Apple pull it off? Well, I ended up asking the AirPods team myself.
ANC on AirPods 4 was a challenge"It's unbelievable all the things that need to be balanced," Eric Treski, Director of AirPods Product Marketing at Apple, told Mashable regarding the AirPods 4. "It's battery size as it relates to battery life, and it's sound quality, which includes noise cancellation," and more.
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableNot to mention, Treski added, that our ears are very sensitive, making it difficult to include all of these internals into a tiny form factor that is the AirPods 4 without causing comfort to the average user.
But the real challenge, Treski said, was ensuring that active noise cancellation doesn't affect the music that you're listening to.
In other words, without getting too much into the weeds of things, active noise cancellation works by the device "monitoring" the outside noise and emitting an inverted soundwave, or what Treski calls "the anti phase," to neutralize or negate the external cacophony.
Let’s say you’re listening to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.” The challenge is ensuring that the anti-noise signal filters out the background noise without messing with the song or diminishing its sound quality.
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, the AirPods team managed to dodge this issue with the help of "algorithms and filtering," Treski said, as well as the H2 chip — the processor that the new AirPods 4 earbuds adopted from the AirPods Pro lineup.
And that's not the only thing that the AirPods 4 borrowed from the Pro family.
"One of the microphones for [the AirPods 4's] ANC is from the 'Pro' product," said Kate Bergeron, VP of Hardware Engineering at Apple, adding that it's a high-quality microphone that is ideal for the open-ear design found on the fourth-gen earbuds.
Because the AirPods 4's form factor is, for a lack of a better word, more "leaky" than the AirPods Pro, the H2 chip has to work harder than it does inside the Pro model to execute ANC — but it gets the job done.
"If you don't have really good mics, you'll hear a low noise hiss," Treski added. "So we have exceptional microphones."
The microphone that facilitates ANC is monitoring what you're hearing at 200 times a second. With a process called "adaptive EQ," it's ensuring that sound distortions caused by noise cancellation and other factors are corrected ASAP.
As someone who has listened to "Espresso" on the ANC-supported AirPods 4 over and over again, I can confirm that the H2 chip and the microphones have been doing their thing. The sound quality is mint and the ANC is impressive.
But ANC wasn't the only hurdle Apple had to overcome.
Transparency mode is no easy task either"Transparency seems so simplistic and easy," Treski said. Unlike ANC, Transparency Mode heightens environmental noise around you, so it can't be that difficult to implement, right?
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableWrong!
"It's incredibly challenging because you need to make sure that it sounds natural," Treski said. "Not just the environmental noise, but also your own voice while you're speaking."
On top of that, Transparency Mode would have to execute this task flawlessly with "extremely low latency." Otherwise, there would be too much of a mismatch between the sounds and what you're seeing.
Despite this challenge, Apple managed to fine-tune Transparency Mode to seamlessly blend environmental sounds with what you’re hearing through the AirPods. The result is a more natural experience, where voices and ambient noise flow through smoothly, making it feel like you’re not wearing earphones at all.
How did Apple discover the best fit for 'most'?For some, AirPods fit perfectly — and for others, like myself — not so much.
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableI'm just one of those folks with "weird ears," I guess. Bergeron assured me that that's not the case. "You look at people's ears and they're totally different in all aspects of their physiology," she said.
"We'll hear from people, 'The Pro' doesn't fit me' or 'The AirPods 3' doesn't fit me,'" Bergeron added. "And we want to learn from the challenges that people have."
In order to educate itself, Apple did some extensive research to find a "one-size-fits-most" shape on the AirPods 4.
As mentioned in Apple's "Glowtime" keynote that introduced the AirPods 4, Apple analyzed thousands of ear shapes, relying on advanced technologies like 3D photogrammetry and laser topography, that amassed over 50 million data points to refine the earbuds' design.
"We've come up with a relatively efficient way to scan people's ears through our own tools so we can build that database [and continue to find the 'best fit'] on an ongoing basis," Bergeron said.
After popping the AirPods 4 into my ears, I was relieved that they didn't creep out of my canal to take a tumble. Even when I violently shook my head from left to right, they stayed in place like they were holding on for dear life in a windstorm.
What's next for AirPods?Out of curiosity, I asked what Apple had up its sleeves for the next AirPods down the line, like AirPods 5 or AirPods Pro 3, for example. The Apple representatives, as expected, declined to respond.
However, Treski did conclude the interview with some food for thought.
"As you think about Apple Intelligence and Siri, and how 'one' that's becoming," Treski said, "it's just so natural right?"
And so, that's this sort of journey that we're on to really, you know, extend it further, which is why Siri Interactions is also a great time and opportunity to interact with Apple Intelligence today." he said.
Siri Interactions, by the way, lets you reject calls and texts, as well as accept them, just by shaking your head 'no' or nodding your head 'yes.' This is available on both the AirPods 4 without ANC and with ANC.
The AirPods 4 lineup, starting at $129, is available for pre-order now — and it will hit store shelves on Sept. 20.
UPDATE: Sep. 20, 2024, 2:34 p.m. EDT A quote from Eric Treski was edited for clarity.
