IT General

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a lawsuit against "Pokémon with guns" game Palworld this week, officially kicking off a fight that's been looming since January. Now Palworld developer Pocketpair has responded, claiming it has no idea why it's being sued. This actually isn't as absurd as it sounds.

In a statement released on Thursday, Pocketpair confirmed it had received notice of a patent infringement lawsuit and was investigating its claims, though refrained from specifically naming either Nintendo or The Pokémon Company.

Interestingly, Pocketpair also said it doesn't yet know the details of exactly what it's accused of.

SEE ALSO: 'Pokémon with guns' game 'Palworld' hit with inevitable Nintendo lawsuit

"We have received notice of this lawsuit and will begin the appropriate legal proceedings and investigations into the claims of patent infringement," Pocketpair wrote in its statement. "At this moment, we are unaware of the specific patents we are accused of infringing upon, and we have not been notified of such details."

Tweet may have been deleted Why is Nintendo suing Palworld? Credit: Pocketpair

Though Pocketpair's claims of ignorance may initially seem ridiculous, they're less surprising once you consider the nature of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's claims.

Palworld drew international attention during its January early access launch due to perceived similarities between its titular Pals and Pokémon designs. Some 3D modellers even directly compared character models, speculating that Pocketpair had stolen assets —  a theory the developer has consistently denied.

However, patents don't cover such elements, which would more appropriately be handled by a copyright. Instead, a patent infringement lawsuit is more likely to deal with technical elements such as gameplay mechanics.

Palworld's gameplay does have undeniable gameplay similarities to the Pokémon franchise, with both allowing players to capture and battle teams of fantastical monsters. Even so, they're far from the only monster-taming games out there, with games such as Dragon Quest V and Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei series preceding both.

As such, the exact nature of Nintendo's beef with Pocketpal isn't immediately apparent.  

It seems reasonable to speculate that the lawsuit may involve Palworld's "Pal Spheres." To capture a Pal in Palworld, players first fight their target to lower its health and increase the probability of a successful capture. They then throw a Pal Sphere at the Pal, trapping them inside it. 

As anyone familiar with Pokémon games will know, this mechanic operates very similarly to Pokéballs.

The theory that the lawsuit concerns Pal Spheres is further supported by several divisional patent applications Nintendo and The Pokémon Company jointly submitted after Palworld's launch. Some of the patents seem to concern mechanics such as aiming and throwing an item to capture a creature, as well as throwing an item to release a captured creature and start a battle.

Divisional patents essentially split a pre-existing patent into multiple separate ones, separating distinct inventions that were previously bundled together. Such split patents are still considered to have been in effect from the date of their parent patent, meaning they could feasibly form the basis of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's lawsuit against Pocketpair.

As noted by Japanese patent attorney Kiyoshi Kurihara in Yahoo Japan (via Automaton West), Nintendo and The Pokémon Company requested that processing for these divisional patent applications be fast-tracked.

Of course, all of this is mere speculation at present, with the exact details of the lawsuit yet to be confirmed. When previously reached for comment, The Pokémon Company told Mashable that it "refrain[s] from commenting on the matters related to the content of the lawsuit."

Mashable has also reached out to Nintendo and Pocketpair for comment.

"It is truly unfortunate that we will be forced to allocate significant time to matters unrelated to game development due to this lawsuit," Pocketpair said in its public statement. "However, we will do our utmost for our fans, and to ensure that indie game developers are not hindered or discouraged from pursuing their creative ideas."

TL;DR: Live stream the NFL for free on 7plus, 6play, TVNZ, or My5. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The popularity of the NFL has been steadily growing in the UK, and now that select games actually take place in London every season, this interest will surely continue to climb.

The problem with this situation is that a lot of new followers will be disappointed with the streaming options on offer, especially if you're aiming to save some cash this season. It's not easy to follow the NFL for free, but there is always a way.

If you want to watch the NFL for free in the UK, we have all the information you need.

What is the NFL?

The NFL is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC).

Each side plays 17 games in the regular season, with seven teams from each conference advancing to the playoffs. Everything culminates with the Super Bowl, a final game played between the winners of the AFC and NFC championship games.

When is the NFL?

The NFL regular season runs from September to January. The Super Bowl takes place in February.

How to watch the NFL for free in the UK

It is possible to live stream the NFL for free on these platforms:

• Australia — 7plus (select regular season games and every NFL playoff game)

• France — 6play (one game per week)

• New Zealand — TVNZ (up to three games per week)

• UK — My5 (Monday Night Football games)

These streaming services are geo-blocked, but fans in the UK can access everything with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free streaming services from around the world to watch the NFL without spending anything. The process is actually really straightforward.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the NFL

4. Visit 7plus, 6play, TVNZ, or My5

5. Watch the NFL for free in the UK

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £76.70 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these deals, you can gain access to free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select NFL 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 the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 £76.70 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 the NFL for free in the UK with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Football might be America's favorite sport, but interest from around the world has been steadily growing in recent years. You can find fans of the sport in every corner of the globe, all with the same burning questions about how to follow the game without a costly subscription.

Fortunately, it's possible to watch the NFL without spending anything. If you want to watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the NFL?

The NFL is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC).

Each team plays 17 games in the regular season. Following that, seven teams from each conference advance to the playoffs, culminating in the Super Bowl. This game is played in early February between the winners of the AFC and NFC championship games.

When is the NFL?

The NFL season begins annually with a three-week preseason in August, followed by an 18-week regular season running from September to January.

How to watch the NFL for free

Fans can live stream the NFL for free on these platforms:

• Australia — 7plus (select regular season games and every NFL playoff game)

• France — 6play (one game per week)

• New Zealand — TVNZ (up to three games per week)

• UK — My5 (Monday Night Football games)

These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone from around the world can access these free platforms with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free streaming services from around the world without hassle.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the NFL

4. Visit 7plus, 6play, TVNZ, or My5

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

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the NFL without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select NFL fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Your collection of bar cart staples probably includes the usual suspects: a mixologist-approved stainless steel shaker, cute or quirky umbrellas, and exotic syrups.

Get ready to add an unexpected item to that list: 7UP. That's right, the lemon-lime-flavoured soft drink from your childhood wants you to make space on your drink trolley for its fizzy goodness. In a move aimed at capturing the hearts — and taste buds — of Gen-Zers and Millennials, 7UP has launched a global campaign under the banner "Level Up With 7UP". The main idea is that 7UP can be a key ingredient for elevating any social gathering, from low-key beach days to happening house parties.

Here's what you need to know — and how you can join in the fun.

7UP tapping into timely trends

Millennials and Gen-Zers are comfortable experimenting with unique food and drink combinations. After all, these are the generations responsible for such iconic (if not bizarre) creations as butter boards, egg flights, and croissant-doughnut hybrids. These cohorts are also suckers for a throwback. So, it’s not a stretch to think that they’ll embrace a classic choice like 7UP as a modern addition to their mixology toolkit.

The campaign also taps into other social trends, like mixology at home and craft mocktail culture, as well as the fact that younger consumers are increasingly open to experimenting with unique beverage options, from matcha mojito mocktails to muddled pineapple and lime cordials. (The absolute explosion of seltzer options in your supermarket’s drink aisle is proof of this movement.)

Notably, the campaign also spotlights 7UP's Zero Sugar variant, which offers the same citrus-forward flavour without the sugar. This inclusion is a nod to the growing demand for diverse beverage options, particularly among younger consumers seeking great, refreshing drinks with less sugar.

The strategy behind the ‘z campaign

To drive home their message, 7UP is rolling out a dynamic mix of content, starting with a short film that depicts friends getting together and playfully experimenting with 7UP in their drink recipes. The video illustrates how this familiar soda can be transformed into a creative mixer that adds flair to any gathering. (And it just might provide you with inspiration for your next flat party or happy hour theme.)

In addition to the film, 7UP has also introduced a series of influencer collaborations that demonstrate inventive ways to add 7UP’s signature citrusy punch to any bespoke beverage of choice. For instance, the soda can be used in unique versions of both classic and novel drinks—from tropical punches to fruity infusions to lemon-lime spritzes. 

The hashtag challenge: #LEVELUPWITH7UP

Got an idea for up-levelling your favourite drink? You can join the party online. The #LEVELUPWITH7UP hashtag invites users on platforms like TikTok and Instagram to share their own drink recipes using 7UP. Show off your creation with everything from quick tutorials to more in-depth explorations of the endless possibilities.

In the coming weeks, 7UP is taking their new campaign global, hitting markets like Egypt, Vietnam, Portugal, India, and Thailand. Expect a slew of locally produced influencer content with regional twists, tons of giveaways, drink sampling events, and even some VIP beach parties. Want in on the action? Keep an eye on the brand’s social feeds for all the juicy details.

Whether you're coming up with a new mocktail or enhancing your refreshing spritz recipe, 7UP promises to bring a novel twist to your next gathering — and an unexpected addition to your perfectly curated bar cart.

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

Online dating as a lesbian, for the most part, still involves having your space invaded by straight people.

The heteronormative weirdness got so alienating that lesbians began turning to TikTok as a means of meeting other single lesbians — turns out, it's a pretty good matchmaker.

But it's unrealistic to expect a social media app to work like a dating app for everyone. It's hard for some of us to comprehend, but not everyone spends every free minute on TikTok. Lesbians who have exhausted their local romantic options are still going to want to see who else is out there in time for cuffing season.

Is online dating difficult for lesbians?

For much of current history, some people have acted as though lesbians didn't exist outside of porn and Ellen DeGeneres, while jokes swirled about how girls only turned to dating women if they had a bad experience with a man. Even in 2023, these tone-deaf assumptions still find a way to rain on the lesbian online dating experience. If it's not a man appearing in your feed when you specifically marked that you're searching for women, it's matching with a woman just to be hit with the classic "My boyfriend and I are looking for a threesome."

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for women

There's one big problem: The apps targeted toward the straights are still where most of the queer users are, too. Though women-only apps like HER are gaining traction fast, they can still be a bit of a ghost town...or a scammer's paradise. You just have to decide whether you'd rather deal with the quirks of Tinder and have more options to swipe through or be fine with coming across the same profile three times as long as it's not a man.

What is the best dating app for lesbians?

A decent number of dating sites and apps specifically for lesbians do exist, but most are plagued with the same issues: Either their sole purpose is to sexualise lesbians and aren't really meant for genuine connection at all, or their lax security protocols make it way too easy for ill-intentioned men to sign up pretending to be women. If you're wondering why we left most of those so-called female-only apps out, that's why.

With that in mind, we have lined up a selection of strong options to suit lesbians and gay women. Hopefully, there is something for everyone in this roundup.

These are the best dating apps for lesbians in 2024.

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

The bisexual community has an inside joke that describes what it's like to date as a bi person: People think it means double the options or double the fun, but it really just means double the rejection.

Self-deprecating jokes like this one are at the core of the Single People Club regardless of sexuality, but bisexual people do face extra roadblocks in the dating world.

Yes, online dating sucks for everyone. Horny jerks disguise themselves as relationship seekers, your DMs are constantly filled with bad pickup lines and overly persistent creeps, and many times, the site's algorithm ignores the filters that you've set. But the fact that there are no dating sites that cater specifically to bi people means that they're frequently swiping on people who don't take bisexuality seriously.

The "B" in LGBTQ+ makes up 50 percent of the queer community, but it's one of the least-acknowledged letters in the acronym. There are dating sites for lesbians and dating sites for gay men, but nothing specifically for those who identify as bisexual. What makes the bi dating landscape — especially the online one — so tricky to manoeuvre?

What is unicorn hunting?

One of the most antiquated stereotypes about bisexual people is that they're always down to get physical and down for polyamory. "Unicorn" is a term used to describe a bisexual person (usually a woman) who sleeps with heterosexual couples. In online dating, unicorn hunting is when a straight, taken female user toggles that she's "looking for women" — not genuinely looking for a girl to get to know romantically, but rather for a girl interested in a threesome with her and her boyfriend or husband or whoever. Of course, they don't mention this until later.

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for women

No one is saying that threesomes are bad. Reddit users who have experienced this mention that they don't have a problem with "ethical non-monogamy." They have a problem with being tricked into it.

Are bisexuals welcome on heteronormative apps?

Another frequent bisexual experience is one that all women face online, now heightened by the mere mention of "bi" in a dating app bio: men being creepy. Too many straight men have yet to grasp the concept that bisexuality is not a green light to ask a stranger how many girls they've been with or if she likes men or women better.

Catfishing is also an issue. Some men have such a rabid obsession with queer women that they'll sign up for a dating site as a woman just to see an all-women swiping field. It's a total privacy breach at the least, and certainly doesn't boost your willingness to meet up with someone in real life. Many dating sites are working to increase transparency about first name and age by requiring Facebook verification during sign-up.

Are queer dating apps inviting to bisexual users?

Does "gold star lesbian" ring a bell? The delineation is given to lesbians who have never slept with a man. Countless bisexual women have reported being ghosted after disclosing that they have been with a guy before, and profiles with "gold stars only" in the bio have popped up, too.

This crowd of Reddit users explain the ways they've experienced biphobia on gay or lesbian dating sites. They've been told that they're not "actually bisexual" if they haven't been with anyone of the same gender before or that they're "basically straight" if their most recent relationship was a heterosexual one. Summed up: if you're not monosexually gay, it's a cop-out. Invalidating someone's sexual experiences is the opposite of the supportive sex-positivity that you'd expect from inside the queer community, and it contributes to many bisexual folks' struggles of not feeling queer enough.

Should you put "bi" in your dating app bio?

Adding those two simple letters to your bio will draw some unwanted attention, and it's going to be a pain in the ass. But in the long run, it'll also act like a filter to weed out people who try to put sexual orientation into a box.

The idea that being bisexual is just a pit stop to being "fully-blown gay" — or that it means that you're attracted to everyone you see — probably aren't thoughts you'd prefer a partner to have. They're especially not opinions you'd like to hear about months down the road from someone you thought you knew well. The easiest way to ensure that you won't be left heartbroken over someone not accepting your sexuality? Let them know from the jump.

"Coming out" over and over again is unfair. But doing so right off the bat also acts as an early screening for people who identify as bi but say they wouldn't date another bi person — something that a lot of bi men experience from bi women.

Can you actually find a relationship online?

Do bisexual people get dealt a tough hand on dating apps? Yes. Does that mean meeting someone special online is impossible? Absolutely not. A 2017 study cited in the MIT Technology Review found that people who meet online are more likely to be compatible and have a higher chance of a healthy marriage if they decide to get hitched. Further, a 2019 study done at Stanford found that nearly two-thirds of modern same-sex couples meet online.

It sucks that there's no legit dating app specifically devoted to bi individuals and other singles who respect what it means to be bi — yet. However, this also means that a good portion of other single bi folks are probably on those popular dating apps that you've considered. At least you know the user base is there.

What is the best dating app for bisexual people?

There are a lot of dating apps out there, each offering a different set of features that will suit some daters better than others. To help you find something that suits you and your lifestyle, we have lined up a selection of standout options that should suit just about everyone.

These are the best dating apps for bisexual people in 2024.

BBC iPlayer is one of the most popular streaming sites in the UK. Users get access to a wide range of dramas, original shows, and much more on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs. BBC iPlayer is also ad free, which is a nice bonus that we're sure everyone can appreciate.

The only catch is that if you're travelling or not permanently based in the UK, BBC iPlayer will recognise that you're not in its catchment area and immediately block you. To bypass this frustrating blockade, you will need to use a VPN. These cybersecurity services can hide your real IP address and connect you to a secure server in the UK, which tricks BBC iPlayer into thinking you are based in the country. This quick and easy process maintains access to everything that BBC iPlayer has to offer.

The key message is that if you want to keep up to speed with all your favourite shows on BBC iPlayer, you are going to need a VPN. But which VPN is the best for unblocking and watching BBC iPlayer? We'll get to that after answering a few of the most important questions concerning the world of VPNs.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, are powerful security tools that provide protection for your identity and data by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. The best way to visualise a VPN is to think of it like an encrypted tunnel through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.

Do you need a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer?

You can continue to watch BBC content when you're outside of the UK by downloading your favourite shows on the iPlayer app before you depart the country. This is a solid move for any movies or shows that have already been released in full. However, this method does not help with shows that are still being released or live sports.

To keep up with this kind of entertainment, your only option is to use a VPN.

Can you watch BBC iPlayer from abroad?

If you think accessing BBC iPlayer abroad is going to be tricky with a VPN, think again. It's actually a really simple process that absolutely everyone can understand:

1. Sign up to a streaming-friendly VPN

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

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

4. Log in to BBC iPlayer to watch live content and your favourite shows on demand

You could be anywhere in the world, but the process remains the same.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

There are a lot of VPNs out there that can reliably access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world, but which is the best service for you? To help you find something that ticks your boxes, we've handpicked a selection of the very best streaming-friendly services for everyone.

ExpressVPN can be found at the top of this roundup for a number of reasons: it has a streaming-friendly interface, security focused features, and strong connection speeds. All of this provides users with a straightforward and speedy streaming experience. That's not to say that ExpressVPN will suit everyone best, and the likes of Surfshark, CyberGhost VPN, and NordVPN will appeal to many users.

These are the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer in 2024.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2024 AFL Grand Final for free on 7plus. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Aussie Rules is a fast-paced and physical game that provides entertainment to millions of fans every week, but the game hasn't exactly traveled well outside of Australia. This situation should change, because we're confident that the rest of the world would absolutely love the footy.

The AFL Grand Final is Australia’s most-watched sporting event of the year, and if you're interesting in giving this sport a chance, this could be the perfect opportunity to see what all the fuss is about. And you don't have to spend anything to watch all the action this year.

If you want to watch the 2024 AFL Grand Final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the AFL Grand Final?

The AFL Grand Final is an Australian rules football match that determines the winners of the Australian Football League season. The game traditionally takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the last Saturday in September. It attracts one of the largest audiences in Australian sport, with a capacity crowd of up to 100,000.

When is the 2024 AFL Grand Final?

The 2024 AFL Grand Final is the 129th edition of the annual grand final of the Australian Football League. This year's game takes place on Sept. 28.

How to watch the 2024 AFL Grand Final for free

The 2024 AFL Grand Final is available to live stream for free on 7plus.

7plus is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in Australia. This quick and easy process makes it look like you're connecting from Australia, so you can access 7plus from anywhere in the world. It sounds complicated, but it's actually really straightforward.

Watch the 2024 AFL Grand Final from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Sign up for 7plus

5. Watch the 2024 AFL Grand Final from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these offers, you can secure access to the 2024 AFL Grand Final without committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can unblock 7plus and then recover your investment after the AFL Grand Final.

What is the best VPN for 7plus?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy

• 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 heavily discounted plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 AFL Grand Final for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: This 2019 Microsoft suite bundle gives you lifetime access to Microsoft Office, Windows 11 Pro, Project, and Visio for just $71.94. No more worrying about Microsoft 365 outages.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Ultimate 2019 Microsoft Bundle: Office, Project, Visio and Windows 11 Pro $71.94
$927.98 Save $856.04 Get Deal

Tired of relying on Microsoft 365 just to deal with another outage?

With this All-in-One 2019 Microsoft suite, you’ll never be left hanging because your software is already 100% yours, on your computer, for life. Instead of renting your productivity tools, why not own them outright with a permanent license?

For just $71.94 through September 29, you can get lifetime access to all the essentials you need to get work done — Microsoft Office, Project, Visio, and Windows 11 Pro — and no need to worry about cloud disruptions or service issues.

This bundle includes Windows 11 Pro, giving your PC a complete operating system upgrade. Whether you're multitasking with Snap Layouts or tightening security with BitLocker and TPM 2.0, you'll get a faster, more secure experience. For gamers, there’s DirectX 12 Ultimate to make sure your graphics are top-notch.

In terms of productivity, Microsoft Office 2019 is packed with everything from Word to Excel for tackling professional projects. Need to manage complex workloads? Project 2019 has you covered, making team collaboration and project tracking easy. And if you're looking to create flowcharts or diagrams, Visio 2019 integrates seamlessly with Office, giving your presentations and plans a professional edge.

Why deal with interruptions when you can own it all? Grab this bundle now, and never worry about subscriptions or outages again.

Until September 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office, Project, Visio and Windows 11 Pro on sale for just $71.94.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Make music in seconds with lifetime access to Supermusic AI on sale for $39.97 (reg. $319). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Supermusic Supermusic AI: Lifetime Subscription $39.97
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Ever wished you could write a song about [x]? Supermusic AI makes it easy to bring your musical ideas to life, with no training required.

Get lifetime access to this powerful tool for only $39.97 (reg. $319) if you purchase by 11:59 p.m. PT on August 25.

Turn an idea into a song in seconds

Whether you're a hobbyist experimenting with different genres or a content creator in need of original tracks, Supermusic AI’s “prompt-to-song” feature allows you to craft unique songs in minutes. Simply choose a style, input your ideas, and watch as AI turns them into studio-quality tracks.

From pop and jazz to electronic or niche genres, Supermusic AI can handle it all. Want a high-energy dance track or a smooth, jazzy background for your video project? Supermusic's cutting-edge AI models ensure the music isn’t just passable, but sounds like it was produced in a professional studio.

While the AI takes care of most of the work, you’re still in control. Supermusic AI lets you adjust tempo, tweak melodies, and fine-tune every detail, ensuring each track matches your exact vision.

Best of all, there's no need for monthly subscriptions or expensive software. With this one-time purchase, you’ll have everything you need to keep making music for years.

Bring your musical ideas to life with Supermusic AI. Secure lifetime access to Supermusic AI today for just $39.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a monster of a cloud storage deal: Grab 20TB of storage for life at only $79.97 (reg. $1,494) when you sign up for Prism Drive at the Mashable Shop.

Safe, reliable, and flexible storage is more important than ever. Whether you're backing up precious family memories or securing critical business data, having the right cloud storage is key. Prism Drive offers the solution, with up to 20TB of secure cloud storage available for lifetime access at just $79.97 — over a $1,000 discount from the usual price.

Don't need 20TB of storage space? Lifetime access to Prism Drive's 2TB, 5TB, and 10TB plans are also on sale at the Mashable Shop.

What makes this cloud storage deal different?

With Prism Drive, you can easily save and access any type of file from any of your devices. You can even preview larger files without having to download them. Perfect for business travelers, families, and students, Prism Drive’s intuitive interface makes file management a breeze with simple drag-and-drop functionality. Accidentally delete something? No problem—there’s a 30-day trash retrieval feature to recover lost files.

Your data is also protected with zero-knowledge encryption, password-protected sharing, and top-tier cybersecurity measures that meet or exceed industry standards, ensuring your files remain safe. You're the only one who knows what you're saving, so nobody's going to see that embarrassing karaoke video you just can't bare to delete. 

Don’t leave your digital life unsecured. Get a unified storage solution for all your files with a 20TB Prism Drive secure cloud storage deal for $79.97 (reg. $1,494).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Prism Drive Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (20TB) $79.97 at the Mashable Shop
$1,494.00 Save $1,414.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Charge three Apple devices at once with a 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad, now on sale for $26.97 (reg. $69.99). 

Smart devices make life easier, but keeping them charged can be a hassle. If you travel with multiple devices, you know the annoyance of bringing a different charger for each one. And if you've ever found a tangled mess of USB-C cables in your bag, you know how frustrating it can be to keep everything organized.

If you're trying to pack light, the 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad is a perfect solution. This compact charging station folds neatly to the size of a wallet, even while it powers up your devices. Plus, it's currently on sale for $27.99 at the Mashable Shop, though that deal won’t last long.

A traveler's charger

A perfect travel companion for your devices, this charging station lets you power up to three gadgets at once, yet it folds into a compact square for easy storage. The station includes modules for phones, headphones, and watches, offering 15W output for cell phones, 5W for AirPods, and 2.5W for Apple Watches. It's also MagSafe-compatible for your iPhone and Apple Watch.

This power station is equipped with built-in safety features like over-voltage protection, over-current protection, short-circuit protection, temperature control, and foreign object detection, giving you peace of mind while your devices power up.

Save space and keep your batteries full with a folding wireless charger. Get the 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad on sale for $26.97 (reg. $69.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad $26.97 at the Mashable Shop
$69.99 Save $43.02 Get Deal

A 60th birthday is a big milestone. Retirement is (hopefully!) on the horizon and the hustle and chaos of life is about to veer in the direction of relaxation, travel, setting your own schedule, and cultivating passions. 

To honor this new phase of life, we’ve come up with 24 perfect 60th birthday gifts, from budget to splurge-worthy that will make your birthday person smile and shake their head at their good fortune — you always pick out the most perfect presents.

Electric kettle Credit: Govee / Amazon

This kettle is truly the gold standard for tea lovers of all ilks. An app helps set temperatures exactly where you need them for various brews, and the gooseneck spout provides the most lovely, consistent pour ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Govee / Amazon Govee Smart Electric Kettle $63.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $16.00 Shop Now

Croquet set Credit: ApudArmis / Amazon

Help make sunny days in their backyard even more delightful with this traditional, old-school croquet set. “Off with their head!” calls are optional.

Opens in a new window Credit: ApudArmis / Amazon ApudArmis Six Player Croquet Set $45.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $14.00 Shop Now

  

Nordic Track Treadmill Credit: NordicTrack / Amazon

This treadmill and the companion iFit software will transform their workout life. Take a (virtual) run up the slopes of Mount Fuji with immersive, cinematic verite, or increase endurance with HIIT sessions where they can vary speed and incline. 

Opens in a new window Credit: NordicTrack / Amazon NordicTrack T Series Treadmill at Amazon
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Pottery wheel Credit: VEVOR / Amazon

Are they a little bit clay-curious? Pottery, especially wheel throwing, has become hugely popular recently because it forces you to Focus. On. One. Thing. An incredible gift to give someone who spends most of their life as a masterful multi-tasker.

Opens in a new window Credit: VEVOR / Amazon VEVOR Pottery Wheel $149.59 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $20.40 Shop Now

Golf divot and cigar holder Credit: Dynasty Golf / Amazon

For the golfer who has everything, small luxuries can make all the difference. That’s where this magnetic divot fixer and cigar holder comes in. This gadget keeps their stogie safe and secure while they set up their next drive.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dynasty Golf / Amazon Golf divot tool and cigar holder at Amazon
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Digital picture frame Credit: Canupdog / Amazon

The magic of new family photos or videos (up to 15 seconds long) appearing on their digital picture frame is hard to overstate. The connected app means they can program the lineup themselves, or you can take over the reigns and surprise them with new snaps as they happen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Canupdog / Amazon Digital Picture Frame at Amazon
Shop Now

 

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones Credit: Bose / Amazon

A really nice pair of noise-canceling headphones is a luxury that soon feels like a necessity. Incredible fidelity when they want to queue up their favorite podcast or Spotify playlist and sweet silence when they just want to block out the world.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose / Amazon Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones at Amazon
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Amazon Echo Dot Credit: Amazon

You can never have too many Alexas. Sure they probably have one in their kitchen already, but getting another one means they can get the latest weather while they’re actually getting ready in the bedroom, or play “question of the day” while they wind down in the living room at night.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Dot $34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15.00 Shop Now

Soft throw blanket Credit: YnM / Amazon

Knitted from super soft, chunky, chenille yarn, this will be the blanket they reach for on the couch, in the reading chair, or at the foot of the bed. Pair it with a cute mug and some tea and it’s a self care moment in the making.

Opens in a new window Credit: YnM / Amazon YnM Chunky Throw Blanket at Amazon
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Essential oil diffuser Credit: ASAKUKI / Amazon

Self care comes in many forms, and one of them is most definitely aromatic. This diffuser is controlled by an app, which means they can toggle on and on from the comfort of the bathtub. Win.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASAKUKI / Amazon Essential Oil Diffuser $21.23 at Amazon
$35.99 Save $14.76 Shop Now

White noise machine Credit: Dreamegg / Amazon

This teeny, tiny white noise machine is the size of an egg so they can bring perfect slumber wherever they roam. With 16 sounds, USB recharging, and a glowy on button that means they don’t need to fumble in the dark to turn it on.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreamegg / Amazon White Noise Sound Machine $18.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $6.00 Shop Now

Temperature-Controlled, Self-Heating Coffee Mug  Credit: Nextboom / Amazon

There is nothing worse than going for that sip and gagging on now-freezing coffee in their morning mug. No more! This 14-ounce electric version keeps their caffeine delivery at the perfect temperature all day long, whether that’s “warm,” “hot,” or “piping” (they choose). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Nextboom / Amazon Temperature-Controlled, Self-Heating Coffee Mug  $99.95 at Amazon
$129.95 Save $30.00 Shop Now

Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set Credit: LARS NYSØM / Amazon

As lovely as they are functional, these can take up permanent residence on the dining room table, or also be used to easily grind less conventional dried spices like cardamom or cinnamon. They are completely rechargeable, which means there is literally no excuse for under-seasoned dinners.

Opens in a new window Credit: LARS NYSØM / Amazon Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set $49.99 at Amazon
$65.99 Save $16.00 Shop Now

Sleeping mask  Credit: Mavogel / Amazon

Help ensure that sleep comes as swiftly and soundly as it did in their 20s with this plush, enveloping sleep mask. Super soft and breathable, this one has extra fabric on the bridge of the nose making sure no light sneaks in. Pair it with a night away at an aesthetic AirBnB and you’re in business.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mavogel / Amazon Sleep Mask at Amazon
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Delsey Paris Luggage Credit: DELSEY Paris / Amazon

Good luggage can feel splurge-y, which is why it's a great gift for the avid traveler on your list. This spinner from Delsey harkens back to vintage styles but has all the modern bells and whistles, like TSA-approved combination locks and interior compartments for hanging clothes and shoes.

Opens in a new window Credit: DELSEY Paris / Amazon DELSEY Paris Chatelet Hard + Hardside Luggage at Amazon
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Marriott Bathrobe  Credit: Marriott / Amazon

Somehow the bathrobes in fancy hotels are always the best – the softest, the most luxurious. Now you can gift a Marriot terry cloth robe to your favorite birthday person and make them feel like they’re on vacation every time they step out of the shower.

Opens in a new window Credit: Marriott / Amazon Marriott Terry Velour Robe $89.10 at Amazon
$99.00 Save $9.90 Shop Now

Amazon Paperwhite Kindle Credit: Amazon

How long has it been since they’ve invested in a new kindle? The latest paperwhite versions have larger displays, extended battery life, and easier page turn. Those Collen Hoover books won’t read themselves!

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite at Amazon
Shop Now

EverFoams Soft Slippers Credit: EverFoams / Amazon

These slippers are everything. Fluffy, cozy and with treads for the occasional impromptu dog walk, these shoes are what indulgent Saturday mornings are made of. 

Opens in a new window Credit: EverFoams / Amazon EverFoams Soft Slippers at Amazon
Shop Now

Charcuterie Board Gift Set Credit: SMIRLY / Amazon

This is a charcuterie board on steroids. Complete with a main board and three side boards, plus carving utensils, dip bows, and a wine opener. You better get an invite to their next shindig.

Opens in a new window Credit: SMIRLY / Amazon Charcuterie Board Gift Set
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Carbon Klean Peeps Glasses Cleaner Credit: Peeps / Amazon

It’s an influencer darling, but for good reason. This backpack/purse/workbag sized gadget takes grungy lenses and makes them like new again with just a few swipes. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Peeps / Amazon Carbon Klean Peeps Glasses Cleaner at Amazon
Shop Now

Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker Machine Credit: DASH / Amazon

This fun dessert maker solves an important problem – when you want one seving of ice cream only. The special person on your list can churn their own ice cream in their flavor of choice and 20 minutes later dig into the goodness. Oh, there’s also a special chute for adding mix-ins. We’re sold.

Opens in a new window Credit: DASH / Amazon DASH My Mug Ice Cream Maker Machine at Amazon
Shop Now

Dyson handheld vacuum Credit: Dyson / Amazon

Yes its a bit of a splurge, but isnt that what birthdays are for? A Dyson hand vac will transform the cleaning game, ensuring no rogue dog hair or popcorn kernel is ever safe again. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson / Amazon Dyson Humdinger Handheld Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon
Shop Now

Gritin 9 LED Rechargeable Book Light Credit: Gritin / Amazon

Help them conquer their late-night scrolling addiction with this perfect little book light. It hooks right onto their current page-turner, recharges in a jiff, and isn't bright enough to disturb their sleeping partner.

Opens in a new window Credit: Gritin / Amazon Gritin 9 LED Rechargeable Book Light $14.99 at Amazon
$23.99 Save $9.00 Shop Now

TL;DR: Live stream Australia vs. New Zealand 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 been typically explosive, with some massive performances and surprise results. Australia have not impressed in this year's competition, and went down 67-27 in their last game against Argentina.

The Wallabies will need to improve against New Zealand, a team looking to bounce back after two defeats against South Africa. The All Blacks will be motivated to end the Rugby Championship on a high.

If you want to watch Australia vs. New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. New Zealand?

Australia vs. New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby Championship kicks off at 1:45 a.m. ET on Sept. 21. This fixture takes place at Stadium Australia.

How to watch Australia vs. New Zealand for free

You can live stream the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+, including Australia vs. New Zealand.

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:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in one of the countries listed above

4. Visit NZR+

5. Live stream Australia vs. New Zealand for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to a free live stream of Australia vs. New Zealand 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 Australia vs. New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

A film that's as much about its own gimmick as what that gimmick represents, Aaron Schimberg's A Different Man casts Sebastian Stan as Edward, a man with pronounced facial differences that he eventually sheds through a miracle cure. However, when a now traditionally handsome Edward is cast in a play about his own life, the thorny question of artistic representation is broached in discomforting and hilarious ways.

The film doesn't just draw attention to its decision to cast a pretty Hollywood face as a man with neurofibromatosis. That would be too easy an escape hatch, and too superficial a character study. Instead, it further complicates its questions of optics and politics by having a real actor with the same condition as Edward play a significant role in the film: Adam Pearson, who is known for appearing in Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin, after which he became a public advocate against "disfigurement stigma." Pearson also starred in Schimberg's 2018 film Chained For Life.

Pearson’s charismatic arrival, as a man who threatens to usurp the role of Edward from himself, sends Edward down a surreal emotional spiral. This on-screen clash of fiction and reality not only forces a strange, poignant self-reflection — for Edward, and for the film as a whole — but it also creates an fascinating meta-text that tells its own story about the actors in the film. It's as much a tale of outward appearance as it is inner anxieties, a balance Schimberg strikes in careful ways as he crafts a stunning, distinctly New York comedy-drama about seeing oneself.

What is A Different Man about? Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, and Adam Pearson star in "A Different Man." Credit: Berlinale Film Festival

As Edward mopes around his apartment building, avoiding interactions as best he can, neighbors and various handymen alternatingly stare and offer polite but forced nods, as though it takes them special effort to avoid mentioning his differences. Edward is an actor, and not an altogether terrible one, though his roles are limited — not only by his appearance, but by his utter lack of self-confidence. Edward is halfway between invisible and hyper-visible; some don't see him as fully human or as a viable romantic interest, while others stop and stare. He exists in limbo, trudging along day by day in his cramped, dilapidated New York apartment, which Schimberg and cinematographer Wyatt Garfield capture with a sense of grimy texture.

When Ingrid (Renate Reinsve), an attractive wannabe playwright from Europe, moves in next door, Edward's prospects finally seem to change. After an initial skepticism, she takes a curious interest in him, and even offers to write a play for him to star in. However, his lack of conversational skills can't help but create an awkward dynamic whenever they chat, as though he were some pet project for her to foster. Whatever the reality, Edward's hunched-over body language and mousey demeanor hint at a kind of emotional impenetrability, as though he'll read the worst in any situation because it's the treatment he's come to expect.

When a radical medical procedure verging on sci-fi body horror promises him a new life, Edward takes advantage of it in a very literal way, using his new face to start a brand new life and "killing off" the old Edward as though he were a fictional character. Time goes by, and he finds professional success in real estate — a forward-facing career — as a handsome man named Guy. But upon discovering Ingrid has written a play about his life, his curiosity gets the better of him, and he auditions with the help of a flimsy prosthetic mask.

Although Ingrid intends to cast someone with facial differences in the role, which she insists she didn't base on any real person, Guy's performance convinces her that he’s a miraculously a perfect fit, despite the fact that he doesn't have any facial differences. He embodies all of Edward's gestures and his physical and emotional  anguish, even in scenes where Ingrid imagines conversations and inner monologues that don't match what we’ve seen unfold between them in previous scenes, back when Guy was still Edward. The play, it seems, is born from Ingrid’s limited, patronizing perspective on Edward. The more this stage production goes on, the more Edward is forced to reckon with the past, and with realizations the film presents through stark, unsettling zooms into his bewildered expression. Despite having a new face, he may still be the same lonely, miserable person on the inside; perhaps now more than ever, since now he has no one with whom he can share the truth about who he once was.

Sebastian Stan delivers an impeccable performance. Credit: A24

As an actor playing two versions of a character, and subsequently playing a third, fictitious version — one he can't play too well, lest he be found out — Stan is shouldered with a monumentally complex task. The prosthetics used to craft his differences allow him to emote within reason, but posture and movement are the tools through which he constructs Edward. 

Not only does Stan perfect the ticks and eccentricities of a decidedly average actor (i.e. the real Edward pre-procedure), but when he's reborn as Guy and cast as Ingrid's conception of Edward, he crafts a sense of metamorphosis and regression. As the traditionally good-looking Guy playing this Edward, he delves deep into the vulnerable anxieties the character had begun to suppress as part of his new life, if only to try and bring some amount of honesty to a role he believes is dishonest. 

These multi-layered complexities yield fascinating scenes of rehearsal and rewriting, bringing to the fore the film's innate question of whether people far outside Edward's physical and emotional experience are capable of telling his story. Ironically, the side the movie seems to come down on is a hesitant "maybe not," at least as far as Ingrid is concerned. But Schimberg is not Ingrid, and he's under no delusions of passing off Edward as a work of pure imagination.

This is largely because to anyone who's seen Pearson before — whether in a movie, a TEDx Talk, or his numerous wrestling game show appearances — it's clear that Edward, played by Stan, is distinctly modeled off Pearson, and the story practically exists so that he can show up in some capacity. The very knowledge that Pearson is involved with the film, and that Schimberg has worked with him before, colors A Different Man in a new light, and brings a wholly external context to Stan's performance. 

Of course, even without this knowledge, this context remains discomforting. Either way, Stan is playing a man he theoretically shouldn't be, the same way Guy wearing prosthetics to play Edward ought to be seen as ill-advised to those around him (due to the problematic nature of "performing" physical disability and of robbing a disabled actor of a rare opportunity). However, Guy's in-world explanation for Ingrid as to why he's able to so deeply tap into the character of Edward is illuminating too. He concocts a lie about having once been best friends with someone with facial differences, which he claims not only gives him license to tell this story but allows him to tell it intimately and empathetically.

This is likely akin to Schimberg's own reasoning too. Having become friends with Pearson after their collaboration on Chained For Life — a film that embodies similar debates — he has made an entire movie "about" him in numerous ways, treating him as both concept and human being... But who does Pearson play in the movie? Well, that's an entirely different delight.

While watching the film, one might be inclined to believe it features the best work of Stan's career; it even won him Berlin Film Festival's Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance. However, even this praise is designed to be second-guessed at the back of one's mind, since his role is one that projects a life of awkwardness and isolation onto Edward from people outside his experience — another idea the movie self-reflexively lampoons through debates between Guy and Ingrid. And just when it seems like this moral conundrum is one the film might avoid, it crafts an explosive alternative.

All of a sudden, Pearson shows up as an eccentric man named Oswald, an equally curious actor who stumbles upon Ingrid's production. From the moment he appears, he delivers a performance so radical in its conception that he fundamentally changes what A Different Man is even about.

Adam Pearson is the film's not-so-secret weapon. Credit: A24

Between films like The Elephant Man and Schimberg's Chained for Life, facial differences on screen have been tied closely to pity and moroseness, an idea with which A Different Man constantly toys via Edward's story. However, for anyone familiar with the real Pearson — as Schimberg no doubt is — he appears to be fairly upbeat and well-adjusted, despite speaking about the bullying in his past. The film's plot is about a character with the same condition as Pearson, but Edward's reality doesn't seem to match Pearson's in the slightest. So, in order to further highlight this disconnect, Schimberg writes Pearson a role that swings toward a completely different extreme that vastly reimagines the type of roles that ought to be available to actors regardless of differences, facial or otherwise.

The moment Oswald appears, he passive aggressively comments on Ingrid's casting choice with his posh enunciation — Oswald, like Pearson, hails from London— a small detail that yanks the film in an even more head-spinning direction. Oswald is everything Edward wishes he could be: a brash playboy who reads people like a book, wears ostentatious shirts, and worms his way into social and professional circles with ease.

Pearson plays the role with slick, effortless panache. Each moment he's on-screen is incredibly exciting; Oswald swallows every scene whole, practically sapping Edward's energy as he's forced to confront an uncanny reflection of himself who represents truths he might not want to face. Is this who Edward could've been all along? And, more importantly, is the lie he's living worth it?

The more these questions torture Edward, the more surreal A Different Man becomes. Its very premise starts to feel like a fever dream, buoyed by escalating interpersonal tensions as Oswald forces his way into a consulting role on the play. Slowly but surely, he begins imposing his own, supposedly more "authentic" vision of Edward’s life on Edward's own story, until the question of whether or not Oswald should simply replace Guy in the play becomes unavoidable. The concept of authenticity is so stretched and contorted by these developments that it becomes thematic taffy, with no distinct or solid form.

However, as A Different Man piles layer upon layer of confounding complication, it remains emotionally true to itself, which is to say, both to Edward's increasingly paranoid self-reflection, and to Schimberg's scrutiny of his own work (both this film, as well as Chained For Life). The film neither shies away from its innate surrealness, nor hesitates to get its hands dirty when it comes to real and vital conversations on whose stories can and should be told (and more importantly, how), even though it reflects each of its thoughts on the subject through a funhouse mirror.

By grounding its story in a character drama first and foremost, A Different Man anchors its many plot zig-zags, and its anxieties about its own existence, to a tangible emotional reality. Schimberg walks a razor-thin line between sincere self-critique and gaudy exploitation, and in the process, practically erases the boundary between them. The end result reveals uncomfortably funny new modes of on-screen representation, expressed in ways both innovative and exciting. 

A Different Man opens in limited release Sept. 20, before going nationwide on Oct. 4.

UPDATE: Sep. 18, 2024, 4:12 p.m. EDT A Different Man was originally reviewed out of the Berlin International Film Festival. This review, which was first published on March 2, 2024, has been updated to reflect its theatrical release.

2024 has had more than its fair share of crime-comedies, for better or worse. For better, there was the on-point Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, which saw Eddie Murphy back in action and riotously funny; Drive-Away Dolls, a proudly trashy Coen Bro comedy with a queer perspective; and The Fall Guy, an action-packed comedy that bombed at the box office despite critics' praise and A-listers Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt headlining. For worse, well, the year began with the abysmal misfire that was Argylle. Then this summer offered the limp handshake that was the Matt Damon/Casey Affleck double-hander The Instigators, as well as the video-game inspired flop Borderlands.

So where might Wolfs, which reteams Ocean's Eleven's George Clooney and Brad Pitt, fall on this spectrum? Thankfully, into the successes camp! Teamed up to snark, sneer, and shoot it out, these old-school stars bring fresh gloss to a genre mash-up that's been through it. And they do it by going back to the basics. 

Wolfs has an old-school Hollywood feel. 

Written and directed by Jon Watts, the helmer of Spider-Man: Homecoming, Far From Home, and No Way Home, Wolfs begins with a classic setup. When the rich and powerful need a problem (or a body) whisked away, they call on a "fixer." Except this time, two independent contractors were called in for the same job. These lone wolves — or "wolfs" because they are not together — must overcome their trust issues to team up, finish the job, and survive the night. 

It's a concept that's easy to imagine Alfred Hitchcock or Billy Wilder pitching to the likes of Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart — two stars who can stand up to each other's on-screen presence, their energies charged and clashing with intensity and comedy. Watts' banter, based in a husky vintage machismo with an edge of modern self-awareness, makes every line a dig or a dare. And his players know how to throw down.

George Clooney and Brad Pitt are once more marvelous together. 

Far from the mischievous cohorts of Ocean's Eleven to Thirteen, the fixers here are not friends. Clooney has a rumbling snarl at the ready, while Pitt plays the smug bastard, a smirk his most cutting tool. As their characters have a lot in common, from the way they dress in all black and rubber gloves to their code of ethics and loner vibes, they are less odd couple and more mirror images. This doppleganger setup risks getting stale as the two initially echo each other — much to their clients' frustration (and ours!). But Clooney and Pitt work in opportunities to set their loners apart, like how the former certainly has more patience than his slightly younger and more impulsive counterpart. 

Within the film, these men annoy each other precisely because they have so much in common. They are for each other a crisp reflection of their own failings, their aging and degrading relevance in an industry obsessed with perfection. On a meta level, one might imagine the film serves as a commentary between the rivalries of Hollywood leading men, up for the same roles and frustrated by the familiar faces that are their competition. But Watts keeps that subtext, not plunging into overtly into showbiz like Shane Black, the American filmmaker behind such invigorating crime-comedies as the L.A.-set The Nice Guys and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Watts also won't veer into the provocative spectacle of Black's work, where bared flesh and florid curses mingle with intense on-screen violence. Still, he has a clear vision. 

Wolfs opts for the punchline over the provocative. 

The job these fixers must face is to clean up the bleeding, mostly naked corpse lying on the floor of a posh Manhattan penthouse, and getting the tough-on-crime district attorney, who's covered in blood, away with an alibi and nothing to worry about. The first clever turn on convention is a gender-swap. It's not another powerful man fleeing from the body of a scantily clad young woman. Instead, Watts cast Amy Ryan (Only Murders in the Building) as Margaret the D.A., and a gawky Austin Abrams (Do Revenge) as the "not a prostitute" (as Margaret defines him) sprawled out in boxy tighty-whities. 

The image of the Kid (as he's credited) lying there, bleeding in bright white undies looks more like an outtake from a college dude comedy than a crime movie. And Watts works that angle and energy to entertainingly outrageous places. This ranges from a clever yet comedic body disposal bit to a chase scene that loops all around downtown Manhattan with Looney Tunes-style zaniness, to a dance sequence that is as surprising as it is sublimely silly. Within the mean streets of New York gangsters and a shadowy elite rich in secrets and resources, these fixers race about wildly while trying to maintain their cool. And the very paradox of that is terrifically fun. 

Freed of the PG-13 restraints and lore requirements of the MCU, Watts' R-rated comedy delves into sex, drugs, and non-comic-book-style violence. But the verve and wonder he brought to the Spider-Man movies is felt here too, thrumming from the anxiety in the central rivalry, but also in just about every supporting player who pops up along the way. Props to the ensemble. Whether they're in a single sequence, zip around like a cartoon characters on cocaine, or can only be heard as a threatening voice on the phone in Wolfs, all of them dazzle, bringing texture to Watt's grim yet glittering Gotham, where anything can happen — and absolutely does!

All in all, Wolfs is a rousingly fun comedy that harkens back to such boldly funny films as The Nice Guys, Logan Lucky, Midnight Run, and Some Like It Hot. Watt's sharp script entrusts Clooney and Pitt to swagger for all their worth, conveying character through gravitas giving face, not spewing backstory. The supporting cast grounds their mugging by going bigger, so these fixers still seem like the chillest dudes in a room where no one can really be chill. This collective spirit infuses every frame with an energy so spontaneous that Wolfs almost feels like watching live theater. In the end, Wolfs is a hoot in a way that feels almost vintage, but let's go with timeless. 

Wolfs opens in select theaters Sept. 20, followed by a debut on Apple TV+ Sept. 27.

UPDATE: Sep. 18, 2024, 4:24 p.m. EDT Wolfs was reviewed out of the Venice International Film Festival. This review was first published on Sept, 1, 2024, and has been updated to reflect theatrical availability.

"Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?" asks The Substance. Repeated like a ritualistic chant, this provocation and promise echoes via the in-universe advertising for a mysterious body-swapping product, which allows people to create a younger version of themselves. The insecurities of a middle-aged actress take center stage in Coralie Fargeat's sophomore feature, the body horror romp that won her the Best Screenplay award at Cannes. However, despite featuring a few astute ideas about aging, the result feels dramatically scattered, and — ironically, given its attempted takedown of how women are perceived in Hollywood — aesthetically superficial.

SEE ALSO: Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley go full body horror in 'The Substance' trailer

While visceral in spurts, The Substance is never quite in control of its satire on sexualization, an excess in which it revels without always meaningfully subverting. Its lead performances are fine-tuned — especially from Demi Moore, who delivers intrepid, career-best work — but the film is more a collection of mild jabs than a full-throated deconstruction of a cultural gaze.  

That said, if gory practical delights are what you seek, then The Substance might thrill you on occasion, especially in its blood-soaked finale. However, its gestures toward empowerment and cinematic reclamation are too often insubstantial.

What is The Substance about? Credit: Courtesy of MUBI

Fargeat introduces us to '80s sex symbol Elizabeth Sparkle (Moore), not through her on-screen work but through a static close-up of her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as the decades go by. Like the actress herself, the plaque is initially fawned over, but eventually forgotten and ignored. This is about as meaningfully symbolic as the movie gets, given how closely entwined Elizabeth's celebrated sidewalk tile is to her celebrity status, and her worth in the public eye.

When we first meet Elizabeth, she's the host of an aerobic workout show, an outmoded form of television, for which she wears distinctly 1980s gear. Now in her fifties, she's a nostalgia act, and she soon learns that her obnoxious network executive boss, Harvey (Dennis Quaid), wants to replace her with someone younger. However, at a routine doctor's visit, she meets an ethereally dashing young physician who looks practically airbrushed, and tips her off about a life-changing product by slipping her a phone number. After a bit of sleuthing and a minor scavenger hunt, she ends up in possession of a personalized medical kit with strict instructions in large print reminiscent of a beauty start-up, and a creepy but informative video clip filmed like a pristine advertisement. "Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?" the voice in the video asks, before introducing her to "the substance," a cell-splitting chemical that will allow her to — through disquieting means best left unspoiled — essentially clone a new version of herself.

We often see Elizabeth inspecting her bare body in the mirror, looking for lesions and sagging skin. But when she creates a younger version of herself — an avatar who goes by the mononym Sue (Margaret Qualley) — this new and "improved" doppelgänger features none of those perceived imperfections. It's also particularly notable that, like the young physician, Sue has blue eyes instead of Elizabeth's green, an ostensible "improvement" upon whose racial dimensions the film never touches.

It is, perhaps, understandable that the film's approach to the perception of feminine beauty remains locked into white and Western standards, since this is the lens through which the white Gen X celebrity Elizabeth views herself, though it becomes at least mildly frustrating by the end. Through its plot mechanics, which involve Sue and Elizabeth swapping states of waking and unconsciousness for a week at a time so that their paths never cross, the film goes to great lengths to introduce numerous different dimensions to their dynamic with each other, and with the world around them. However, for each new idea introduced by The Substance, another seems to fall by the wayside, leaving little room to explore the wider implications of the body as part of the body politic.

The film's premise also grows increasingly bothersome with how little it's actually geared towards Elizabeth's psychology and self-reflections.

The horror sci-fi plot of The Substance feels incomplete. Credit: Courtesy of MUBI

The mysterious nature of "the substance" allows its rules to be written on the fly, but Fargeat seldom seems to take advantage of this. There are distinct limitations placed on how much time Sue can spend living Elizabeth's life and vice versa, and there are clear consequences for breaking these rules, but the temptation to break them is seldom rooted in strong-enough notions of character.

To start with, the actual psychological relationship between the two actresses remains unclear. Despite the insistence of the company's spokesperson (over the phone) and its numerous printed reminders that Elizabeth and Sue are one person, they're made immediately distinct in their wants, and become two separate characters tethered to these rules by happenstance. Furthermore, as Sue scales the ladder of success and all but replaces Elizabeth, the veteran actress has little incentive to keep up this game of weekly body-switching, even though an encounter with another person using the product seems to frame it as a kind of addiction. The film's dramatic language only ever highlights the contrary. Since at least one of them has to be unconscious at all times, Elizabeth is barely a passive observer to Sue's life, only witnessing its aftermath when she awakens. Elizabeth neither benefits materially from Sue’s success, nor gains any tactile pleasure from letting Sue out into the world, since the two women share no mental, emotional, or metaphysical connection.

This does, at times, result in a kind of mother-daughter dynamic, wherein Elizabeth wants to (but cannot) live vicariously through a younger extension of herself, and it's also at times literally a tale of a younger actress replacing an older one. Moore effectively channels the fears and jealousies therein, but the storytelling remains constantly at odds with each one of these underlying themes. Scenes of each actress inspecting themselves in the mirror are placed in sharp contrast with one another, introducing the sort of dysmorphia brought on by cosmetic surgery. But the premise — of a middle-aged woman and her younger copy never occupying the same physical or psychological space — prevents any one of these ideas from taking hold emotionally.

At one point, Elizabeth wakes up to find that Sue, while heavily intoxicated, has made rash decisions that affect both their careers. The older actress insists that these weren't her choices but those of someone else, thus invoking the language of substance abuse — another crutch an aging actress might turn to in order to cope with being discarded — only this doesn't work as intended. While it echoes the denial and self-delusion that can accompany addiction, Elizabeth is also simply correct about Sue being her own distinct person. The Substance demands to be read through an abstract lens, but it remains too tethered to the literal, through crossed wires and half-baked themes, for the kind of poetic readings that might make it feel harmonious.

The filmmaking in The Substance feels confused. Credit: Courtesy of MUBI

Elizabeth's story often works in isolation, especially when her fears of aging — and of losing her professional and personal value in the process — take disquieting physical form. The film is at its most unnerving through subdued changes, from small injuries akin to paper cuts and tiny spores of infection, to the vile and uncouth presence of Quaid's Harvey (you've never seen a man eat shrimp cocktail in such a disgusting manner). However, while its more overt transformations are impressive feats of practical filmmaking, they're seldom viscerally effective, playing like lesser versions of scenes and images from other, better movies.

Numerous elements reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining appear on-screen, from patterned carpets and red bathroom walls, all the way to specific shots, but these obvious callbacks serve little thematic purpose beyond recognition. While some films are invoked for more specific reasons, like the body horror of Brian Yuzna's cult horror-comedy Society and Ridley Scott's sci-fi slasher Alien, others like Hitchcock's Psycho become reference points without clear purpose, as though Fargeat were attempting to simultaneously pay homage to Hollywood's male-centric, female-focused horror canon while defying and deconstructing it. Unfortunately, she seldom succeeds, and her comparisons end up setting a high bar that the movie cannot clear. 

SEE ALSO: Scream time: The best horror movies on Netflix right now

A major, self-aware element of The Substance is its presentation of Sue, seen as a virginal temptress by the appropriately named Harvey and other male executives. She's often shot like the female subject of a beer commercial: glossy, needlessly hyper-sexualized, and simultaneously central to the allure while being disposable to the product. And while this aesthetic takes hold when she's on set, in front of studio cameras, it's Fargeat's camera that films her this way, a perspective that isn't tethered to that of the media or male onlookers within the film. This approach isn't inherently problematic, but there's no evolution to it.

Beyond a point, gratuitous shots of Margaret Qualley's crotch and buttocks are just that: gratuitous. The message of "this is how the world sees women" is clear the first, second, and third time this framing appears, but at 140 minutes in length, the movie's lack of any real aesthetic exploration or refutation becomes numbing and boring. The scenes that exist outside of this setting don't meaningfully diverge from it either. (Benjamin Kracun's lighting is often too flat and over-lit for Fargeat's visual composition to introduce dramatic dimensions).

Unfortunately, The Substance lacks meaningful psychological exploration too. Its inability to sink its teeth into any one idea stems from a surface-level approach to nearly all of them. Like with her debut feature, Revenge, Fargeat's subversion of the "male gaze" is limited to most peripheral reading of what is, at least in academia, a vital analytical concept. Spend enough time in online film circles, and you might see the "male gaze" reduced merely to an objectifying lens with men behind the camera, or worse, to the blanket aestheticization of the female form, which entirely ignores the origins of the term (popularized by feminist theorist Laura Mulvey) as a foundational psychological framework rooted in the works of Freud and Lacan.

The concept of "gaze," in its original meaning, certainly involves the pleasures of looking, but it also goes far beyond this act. At the cost of being reductive — though you can read Mulvey's essay for yourself — it also wrestles with an audience's projection and identification, and though it uses visual fetishization as its fulcrum, isn't necessarily limited by who is behind or in front of the camera. If anything, The Substance often fails to confront or even account for these notions of cinematic "gaze" in their totality, because it isn't interested in the dynamic between Elizabeth and Sue, whether they're meant to be distinct beings or parts of a single whole.

Sue, although she has corporeal form, is entirely a spectral projection. She's a fantasy of both men's desires and Elizabeth's desires. But in crafting this specific sci-fi premise, Fargeat too often separates them, nullifying her own drama in the process. She allows for little (if any) actual confrontation of Sue's creation as an act of embodying the idea of gaze, or cinematic fetish, let alone aesthetically refuting it. Elizabeth may be afforded the chance to reckon with the deterioration of her own physical form, but her fantasies and eventual contempt for Sue are never fully allowed manifest as self-contempt — a key element in any story about the psychology of beauty standards, and the ways in which male-dominated society forces women to see themselves. 

The camera, though it reflects the way some phantom third party might capture Sue, seldom affords Elizabeth a personal gaze, an inward gaze, in a way that at least depicts her potential for autonomy, even if The Substance is reticent to grant her any in order to make its malformed point. Some have compared the film to past Cannes Palme d’Or winner Titane by Julia Ducournau, which is a far superior film, but the gulf between the two is illustrative. Where Ducournau's biomechanical transformations both reflect and deepen its characters, Fargeat simply uses metamorphosis as an extension of that which is already self-evident through plot and performance, resulting in an operatic climax that, while innovative in its practical execution, lacks truly transgressive flair.

Fargeat's midnight body horror stylings may have struck a chord with the Cannes jury — perhaps as a novelty in a competition lineup filled with straightforward dramas — but its style has no real substance. 

The Substance opens in theaters Sept. 20.

UPDATE: Sep. 18, 2024, 4:58 p.m. EDT The Substance was reviewed out of Cannes. This review was first published on June 3, 2024, and has been updated to reflect theatrical availability.

The best noise-cancelling headphones Most comfortable headphones Bose QuietComfort Ultra $349 at Amazon (Save $80) Shop now Best for audiophiles Sony WH-1000XM5 $328 at Amazon (Save $71.99) Shop Now Best for bass lovers Sony ULT Wear $178 at Amazon (Save $21.99) Shop Now Best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple users Apple AirPods Pro $189.99 at Amazon (Save $59.01) Shop Now Best sounding earbuds Sony WF-1000XM5 $248 at Amazon (Save $51.99) Shop Now Best mid-range earbuds Beats Studio Buds+ $169.99 at Amazon Shop Now Best budget earbuds Anker Soundcore Life P3i $49.99 at Amazon Shop Now Best battery life Dyson OnTrac $499.99 at Dyson Shop Now

Whether you work from home, find yourself on an airplane more often than not, or simply want to turn down the volume of the outside world, noise-cancelling headphones are exactly the tool you need.

Even the best value headphones will feel lacking if they don't come equipped with halfway decent noise cancellation. Besides, there are simply too many headphones on the market (our testing pool gets bigger month by month) for you to pay hundreds only to get subpar ANC.

SEE ALSO: I got my hands (and ears) on Dyson's colorful new noise-cancelling headphones

To help you pick the right model, Mashable editors and reviewers tested dozens of headphones and earbuds and picked out the best noise-cancelling headphones of 2024 (so far).

Do noise-cancelling headphones actually work?

There's a big difference between outside noise being blocked and music simply being loud enough to drown it out. If you're looking for the maximum amount of noise cancellation, you want to go for headphones that have active noise cancellation.

Active noise-cancelling headphones electronically cover up the sounds coming from your surroundings by using internal microphones that listen to what's happening in the world around you, then invert the noise and send it to the speakers. The idea is that both the output and the input will cancel out, leaving you with near-silence. Over-ear headphones also create a tight seal around your ears that adds another layer of sound blocking.

If you've tried a pair of noise-cancelling headphones before and haven't been impressed, don't be discouraged. It's partially about finding the headphones that match your preferences, as not all ANC performs equally. For instance, cheaper ANC headphones may have a more noticeable hissing sound that you'll hear when the noise cancellation is turned on, which can be distracting for some folks.

Other headphones may be great at blocking at low tones, but more prone to letting high-pitched tones in. Typically, more premium headphones will yield better results, but we have budget picks below that still do a solid job.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best budget wireless earbuds vetted by our headphones experts

In the past, not many earbuds featured active noise cancellation that was comparable to over-ear headphones, but newer iterations like the AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds hold their own in the ANC space. However, even these earbuds can't quite get the same seal that headphones can, so if you're looking for maximum silence, you might be happier with over-ear headphones. However, if you want to cut down on the bulk, earbuds make for great alternatives.

What are the best noise-cancelling headphones to buy?

Bose and Sony are both top names when it comes to any type of audio, but especially when it comes to noise cancellation. Both brands feature industry-leading ANC on top of superb sound quality. There are also some other brands and models worth checking out, so if you want to tune out ambient sound, we've laid everything out for you below, from your more premium options to your budget picks.

Most comfortable headphones: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones $429.00 at Amazon
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Read our full review of the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra headphones.

Who it's for:

Over-ear headphones can be great for blocking out noise, but less great for comfort when they're too heavy or squeeze your head too much. If you're someone who wants to wear your headphones all day, the Bose QuietComfort line was made for you. We've previously tested the QuietComfort 35 IIs and the QuietComfort 45s, and the QuietComfort Ultra was easily the most comfortable of the three. They're also the most expensive at $429, so you will be paying a premium.

Why we picked this:

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones up the ante on the long-popular line from the brand, giving you all-day wear with spatial audio.

We don't know how Bose improved on the design as much as they did, but we wore these headphones for hours — on flights, with glasses on, all day — and they wore through it all without squeezing or feeling heavy. To drop the royal Mashable we for just moment, I (Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard) can attest to these easily being headphones I could wear all day, and I wasn't alone in that feeling. Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino also recently tested out these headphones, and found that their biggest draw was their comfort, noticing that she didn't experience the same ear aches she might get after wearing her Sony WH-1000XM4 for the same amount of time.

She did say, however, that their active noise cancellation and sound profile were good, but not great. In her opinion, she found them to be a bit lacking, noting that the ANC "is really good at blocking out low-pitched noises, [but] it can't wholly block high-pitched sounds unless you turn up the sound to unhealthy volumes." Personally, I found the ANC to do the job for me, but most of the noise I block out on a day to day basis isn't super high-pitched.

Where Mangino and I really agreed is that the ear cup controls and multipoint pairing leave much to be desired, especially at this price point. It can be difficult to easily connect with the button that acts as the on/Bluetooth pairing button — sometimes it's immediately responsive, and sometimes you have to press it a few times, and wait in between for it to properly turn on and connect. Like past QC headphones, these also can be touch and go with multipoint pairing, but I found them to function better at least than the QC 45 headphones, which often made audio have small skips with more than one device connected.

Finally, these headphones weirdly don't offer passive playback, so you will need to rely on them being charged whether you're listening wired or wirelessly. Thankfully, Mangino and I found that it was surprisingly hard to run down the battery on the Ultras, even if you're regularly using ANC and spatial audio. Ultimately, if what you prize above all else is comfort, we think these flaws will feel worth the trade-off.

Battery life: 24 hours | App-connected: Yes | Colors: Black, sandstone, white

Best for audiophiles: Sony WH-1000XM5 Sony WH-1000XM5 $348.00 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $51.99 Shop Now

Check out our full review of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones.

Who it's for:

If you want good ANC, but especially value clear and well-rounded sound, these are your headphones. Whether you really like to blast your music, or just want to hear the lows, highs, and mids of a song, the WH-1000XM5s are the headphones on our list most likely to deliver.

Why we picked this:

Sony's flagship noise-cancelling headphones produce a balanced sound that let your music shine, while giving you enough ANC to block ambient noise.

Here's what Mashable Deputy Reviews Editor Miller Kern had to say about listening to Brandi Carlile’s “Right on Time” on the XM5 headphones: "The vocals and instruments all got to shine, and the headphones made it feel like I was there in the studio. These are probably the best-sounding headphones I’ve ever tried." That audio quality, combined with their comfort and effective noise cancelling, are what earned them a Mashable Choice Award. And if you're intimidated by messing around with an equalizer, the app presets along with the "Find Your Equalizer" feature make it easy to find the sound settings that hit just right.

Their portability factor could be a little better — the ear cups don't fold in — but chances are, you'll want to be listening to them most of the time, anyway. When you are on the go, the microphone is another standout feature. Kern relayed that even on a walk home in New York City, she could hear who she was calling perfectly, and be heard herself without any background noise getting in the way. As an added bonus, they have a battery life that beats the Bose QC Ultras by a good six hours, offering some of the best battery we've seen from premium over-ear headphones.

Battery life: 30 hours | App-connected: Yes | Colors: Black, navy, silver

Best for bass lovers: Sony ULT Wear Sony ULT Wear headphones $198.00 at Amazon
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Check out our full review of the Sony ULT Wear headphones.

Who it's for:

If you don't need a fancy custom equalizer to know you like punching up the bass ten out of ten times, the new Sony ULT Wear headphones are made for you. Our reviewer praised these headphones for offering balanced sound and powerful bass, a rare combo. These are also a great pick for those looking for a more affordable alternative to the WH-1000XM5s.

Why we picked this:

Sony released the new ULT line in April, and considering the price, they're some of the best Sony headphones ever made. They're designed for anyone who's a fan of bass. In addition to the equalizer in the app, the headphones have a dedicated ULT button that lets you bump up the bass on demand. The 40-millimeter driver keeps it sounding clear and not crispy, making these headphones a worthy competitor to the WH-1000XM5s, our top pick for the best sounding noise-cancelling headphones.

When testing the two headphones side by side, Mashable's Miller Kern found that while both headphones sounded great, "the ULT Wear’s sound was fuller and felt more like surround sound. And even on the standard setting, the bass sounded richer on the ULTs." We still stand by the WH-1000XM5s as a better pick for audiophiles, but Kern makes a strong case for buying these over the XM5s. "[To] the average person, I’d say the ULT Wears are the winners — especially for those who prioritize bass and fullness in their audio." For $100 cheaper, these are a more than fair alternative to Sony's flagship headphones.

Battery life: 30 hours | App-connected: Yes | Colors: Black, off-white

Best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple users: Apple AirPods Pro Apple AirPods Pro $297.50 at Amazon
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Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro (Generation 2).

Who it's for:

If you want ANC without all the bulk, the AirPods Pro are small, discreet, and (thanks to the their long-awaited USB-C charging port) easier to charge. Though over-ear headphones typically provide superior ANC, these AirPods have impressive noise cancellation for a pair of buds. You'll probably enjoy them a little extra if you have other devices within the Apple ecosystem.

Why we picked this:

Are they pricey? Absolutely. Is their ANC worth it? Here's what Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder had to say: "These are the first pair of earbuds I'd actually consider taking on an airplane (instead of my much larger and clunkier over-ear headphones)." Though these aren't the only Apple headphones with ANC, we highly prefer these over the AirPods Max, which we think are way overpriced (they're double the cost of these Pros) and don't have the performance to justify that price tag.

Other than that killer ANC, AirPods are great for travel because they take up minimal space in your carry on, they sound great, and they have a Conversation Awareness mode which automatically lowers the volume when you're talking, so placing a drink order is easy as can be. And with their new USB-C port, you can charge them directly from an iPhone 15.

To get a perfectly snug fit to maximize your listening experience, you'll have your choice between four ear tips. Apple claims these buds support lossless audio, but as of right now, only with the Apple Vision Pro, so you'd have to shell out an additional $3,500 for that experience.

You can find AirPods on sale with some regularity if you shop from Amazon or Walmart — we recommend waiting until they at least drop down to $199 at either retailer before buying a pair.

Battery life: 6 hours (up to 30 hours with charging case) | App-connected: No | Colors: White

Best sounding earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5 Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds $298.00 at Amazon
Shop Now Who it's for:

Love high-quality audio but not so fond of the feeling of headphones over your ears? These Sony earbuds are the earbud model of the flagship WH-1000XM5 headphones we recommended above.

Why we picked this:

These earbuds deliver a rich, well-balanced sound profile, without the weight of over-ear headphones. The ear tips material are not the usual silicone found on AirPods and other earbuds, but a more foam-like material you'd find on an ear plug, allowing for all-day wear that creates a firm seal without sacrificing comfort. People who aren't fans of the stemmed design made popular by AirPods will appreciate that Sony didn't attempt to make a carbon copy. Plus, these Sony earbuds still offer functional touch controls.

The Sony companion app allows for a ton of customization, including for those aforementioned touch controls, paired devices, and of course, an equalizer. Those who feel a bit intimated by a completely custom equalizer will appreciate the "Find Your Equalizer" feature, which gives you two rounds of options to select from while listening to music to narrow down what settings actually sound the best. Once you've made your selection, a final before and after sound test confirms you're happy with the mix, making it easier than ever to get the most out of your music.

We also enjoyed the Adaptive Sound Control, which switches the earbuds automatically from noise cancelling to ambient sound transparency modes based on whether you're sitting or walking around (settings that can be adjusted). Multipoint pairing also lets you switch between two devices with next to zero lag. If you hate using transparency mode because of how it amplifies outside sounds, you can adjust that, too.

Admittedly, these earbuds are pricey, but we think the premium features and quality sound justify the cost for someone who wants a lot out of their earbuds.

Battery life: 7-8 hours per charge (24 hours with case) | App-connected: Yes | Colors: Black, silver

Best mid-range earbuds: Beats Studio Buds+ Beats Studio Buds+ $169.95 at Amazon
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We're currently evaluating whether the new AirPods 4 are a better fit for the best mid-range pick. We'll update this post accordingly, but in the meantime, check out our full review of the AirPods 4.

Who it's for:

We don't think these earbuds perform quite as well as the newest AirPods Pro, but they also cost $80 less. If you're trying to get quality ANC earbuds for under $200 (but are willing to spend more than $50), then the Beats Studio Buds+ are the way to go. Plus, with Google Fast Pair support, they're better suited for Android users than the AirPods Pro.

Why we picked this:

We love a good dupe, what can we say? While these Beats aren't a one-to-one match for the AirPods Pro, they give a lot of the same basic functionality at a much more affordable price. And at six hours per charge with ANC, they match the Pro's battery life exactly.

As for how they sound, these are Beats headphones, so expect the bass to come through nice and clear. They're not too bass heavy though, and they give plenty of balance on higher frequencies. Their ANC definitely isn't at the same level as the Pros, so having a well-rounded sound is nice, as playing music in tandem with ANC will give you your best shot at blocking out the world around you.

You'll have your choice between four colorways, including black, silver, ivory, and transparent. During our testing, we also found these earbuds fit more comfortably than the AirPods Pro, so if you tend to have trouble getting AirPods to stay in your ears, these are a better option for you. If you can, we recommend waiting for these earbuds to go on sale — you can often find them for $149.95 or $129.95.

Battery life: 6 hours with ANC, 9 without (27 hours hours with charging case) | App-connected: No | Colors: Black, silver, white, transparent, pink

Best budget earbuds: Anker Soundcore Life P3i Anker Soundcore Life P3i $49.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Who it's for:

If you're on a tight budget but still want to enjoy noise cancellation, the Anker Soundcore Life P3i earbuds offer a surprisingly solid performance. Don't expect elite ANC, but these affordable earbuds don't require too much of a sacrifice in sound quality.

Why we picked this:

We're going to start with the major hitch of these earbuds: switching between devices sucks. They don't have multipoint pairing, and if you want to use them with your phone after using them with your laptop, you have to manually disconnect them (or in our experience, sometimes outright unpair them), with your laptop first. It's easily their biggest flaw, and where we most obviously felt their price point during testing.

With that out of the way, these earbuds still have a lot going for them. For starters, they cost $50 and can often be found on sale for even less. Though inexpensive, these earbuds are comfortable to wear all day, have a custom equalizer in the app plus 21 presets (we're fans of the Treble Booster), customizable touch controls for each earbud, and a battery life that outdoes the Apple AirPods Pro. You won't have extras like spatial audio, and the ANC leans on background hiss more than premium models, but not terribly so.

For a pair of $50 earbuds, we're impressed. We recommend them for anyone who doesn't want to shell out $100 plus for a pair of noise-cancelling earbuds.

Battery life: 7 hours with ANC, 8.5 without (36 hours with charging case) | App-connected: Yes | Colors: Black, white

Best battery life: Dyson OnTrac Opens in a new window Credit: Alex Humphreys / Mashable Dyson OnTrac headphones $499.99 at Dyson
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Check out our full review of the Dyson OnTrac headphones.

Who it's for:

The Dyson OnTrac headphones aren't perfect, but if long-lasting battery life is your top priority and you're willing to pay for it, these provide the best battery life we've ever seen on a pair of noise-cancelling over-ear headphones. They're also extremely comfortable, too.

Why we picked this:

Short answer: 55 hours of battery life with noise-cancelling turned on.

That's what Dyson claimed with these headphones, and what Mashable contributor Timothy Beck Werth confirmed when he tested them out over the period of a month. And that noise cancelling works well.

As for the longer answer, let's begin with a couple of questions: Are these headphones Dyson-level expensive? Yes (though they're still $50 cheaper than AirPods Max, which max out at 20 hours of battery life). Is the Dyson logo on the headband kind of tacky? Also yes. And the multipoint pairing is lacking, which really shouldn't be an issue on a pair of $500 headphones. However, if you can live with that, you'll get headphones that Werth called "the best...I've tested yet," with excellent sound quality, solid ANC, swappable ear plates (for a price), and again, 55 full hours of battery life with the active noise cancellation turned on.

They certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea (or in everyone's budget), but if you want the best battery life money can buy, Dyson's OnTrac headphones are for you.

Battery life: 55 hours with ANC | App-connected: Yes | Colors: Customizable components with multiple colors, including copper, aluminum, and coral red.

How we tested the best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds

Every single pair of headphones we included in this guide was hands-on tested by a Mashable reporter or editor. What exactly makes a good noise-cancelling headphone? Here's what we considered:

• Active noise cancellation performance: Though we always weigh this feature when testing headphones, we paid extra attention to it for the purposes of this guide. For the headphones tested specifically for this guide, we made sure to use them indoors and outdoors, to wear them while someone was trying to speak to us, while playing loud music externally, and while going about our usual workdays. (Many headphones not specifically tested for this guide, including the AirPods Pro and Sony WH-1000XM5s underwent very similar testing conditions).

• Comfort: Though this category can be extra subjective due to different user preferences and head and ear sizes, we also look at how adjustable headphones are in terms of suiting different wearers, whether with earbud ear tips or headphone band adjustments.

• Audio quality: While testing headphones, we listen to music across a variety of genres, as well as podcasts to tell how they perform in different audio settings. Where applicable, we test out different equalizer presets and play around with equalizer settings to see how they affect headphones' performance.

• Battery life: We noted how quickly the battery drained while testing, and if the rate at which it drained held up to the battery life claims from the brands.

• Value: We considered all the above features combined in relation to the headphones' price points, and compared them against each other to determine which products are worth it. Where applicable, we noted where the value for one feature made sense and where it didn't — for instance, in the case of the Bose QC Ultra headphones, their price point makes sense for something seeking incredibly comfortable headphones, and less so for someone who wants the best sound experience possible.

• Premium features: We looked at the cool extras each headphone offered, whether that be spatial audio or a great customizable equalizer. While this did factor into the value somewhat, we didn't weigh it as heavily as the above conditions, as we believe that a headphone needs to be able to perform the basics well before getting to show off its extras.

We pulled these recommendations from our existing pool of headphone reviews and from hands-on testing performed specifically for this buying guide. A couple of options that didn't make our updated guide include the AirPods Max, which do have good ANC and sound quality, but also a less impressive feature to price ratio, especially compared to newer options from Sony and Bose.

Recent testing updates

As of Jan. 2024, we removed the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 headphones from this guide not because they're sub-par headphones (they definitely aren't), but because they're an older model that's harder to find in-stores and online these days. We recently tested their replacement, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e headphones, and though we loved how they sounded, wore, and looked, we were a little less impressed with the power of their ANC and finicky multipoint pairing.

In April 2024, we added the Anker Soundcore Life P3i earbuds, Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds, and Sony ULT Wear headphones to our list of recommendations. We also tested the JBL Tour One M2 headphones, and while we appreciated their excellent multipoint pairing, battery life, and balanced sound, we didn't find that their noise cancellation matched up with similarly priced headphones.

Finally, as of August 2024, we said goodbye to the Bose 700 headphones as our recommendation for the best noise-cancelling headphones with adjustable ANC. This was a long time coming — these headphones have technically been discontinued since the release of the Bose QC Ultra headphones in September 2023, but remained available from retailers other than Bose. We'll be on the lookout for any new models that match the adjustable noise cancellation these Bose headphones once offered.

We also tried out the Denon PerL Buds Pro, but found that their excellent sound quality couldn't make up for how uncomfortable they wore and how much they cost.

In August and Sept. 2024, we tried out the new JBL Live Beam 3 headphones, and we liked their sound, unique design, and touchscreen case that made it easy to check the headphone's battery life and control audio. However, their noise cancellation wasn't quite up to par for $200 earbuds. We've also added the Dyson OnTrac headphones as our pick for the best battery life, thanks to the impressive 55-hour battery life.

What's up next

We're evaluating whether the AirPods 4 are a better pick for the best mid-range headphones, especially as the $179 model now come with active noise cancellation. In the meantime, you can read our full review of the new AirPods.

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 20'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 20 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A hint that there's fire.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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...

SMOKE.

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.

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 20'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.

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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.

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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 September 20 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: Assuming

• Green: A person

• Blue: Star Wars

• Purple: Phrases that could follow after "kitty"

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: Presume

• Green: Somebody

• Blue: Characters in The Empire Strikes Back, Familiarly

• Purple: Words After "Kitty"

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 #466 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Presume: FIGURE, IMAGINE, SUSPECT, THINK

• Somebody: CHARACTER, INDIVIDUAL, PARTY, PERSON

• Characters in The Empire Strikes Back, Familiarly: BOBA, CHEWY, EMPEROR, SOLO

• Words After "Kitty": CAT, CORNER, HAWK, LITTER

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.