Technology

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, January 31, 2025:

AcrossLike a dry-cleaned shirt or fresh sheets

• The answer is Crisp.

Weapon used on horseback

• The answer is Lance.

One of a potential 13 for "Emilia Pérez," as announced last week

• The answer is Oscar.

Movie double's responsibility

• The answer is Stunt.

The "blue marble"

• The answer is Earth.

DownIn the ballpark

• The answer is Close.

Someone who might smoke ganja as a sacrament, informally

• The answer is Rasta.

Run up, as debt

• The answer is Incur.

Meager

• The answer is Scant.

Capital of Western Australia

• The answer is Perth.

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

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

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

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

Connections is a game from the New York Times that challenges you to find the association between words. It sounds easy, but it isn't—Connections categories can be almost anything, and they're usually quite specific. If you need a hand getting the answers, we've got you covered.

TL;DR: Live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Phoenix Suns head to Chase Center to face the Golden State Warriors in a Western Conference matchup. The Suns are 24-21, which puts the team in eighth place. The Warriors are 23-23, which puts the team in 11th place.

The Suns have won four of their last five games, and are coming off three consecutive wins over the LA Clippers, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets. The Warriors have lost three of their last five games, but are coming off a win over the Utah Jazz.

These two teams have faced off twice already this season, they split the two games with a win apiece. The Suns drew first blood in November, but the Warriors answered back in late December.

When is Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors?

Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors in the NBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Jan. 31. This game takes place at Chase Center in San Francisco.

This game will air on ESPN.

How to watch Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Suns vs. Warriors basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Suns vs. Warriors from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors for free 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Boston Celtics head to Smoothie King Center to face the New Orleans Pelicans in a non-conference matchup. The Celtics are 33-15, which puts the team in second place in the Eastern Conference. The Pelicans are 12-35, which puts the team in 14th place in the Western Conference.

The Celtics have won three of their last five games, and are coming off a win over the Chicago Bulls. The Pelicans have lost three of their last five games, and all of those losses came consecutively.

When is Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans?

Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 31. This game takes place at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

How to watch Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Celtics vs. Pelicans basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Celtics vs. Pelicans from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans for free 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Chicago Bulls head to Scotiabank Arena to face the Toronto Raptors in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Bulls are 20-27, which puts the team in 10th place. The Raptors are 15-32, which puts the team in 12th place.

The Bulls have lost three of their last five games, but are coming off a win over the Denver Nuggets. The Raptors have won five consecutive games.

These two teams have faced off once already this season, when the Bulls came out on top in December.

When is Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors?

Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 31. This game takes place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

How to watch Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Bulls vs. Raptors basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Bulls vs. Raptors from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors for free 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Dallas Mavericks vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Dallas Mavericks head to Little Caesars Arena to face the Detroit Pistons in a non-conference matchup. The Mavs are 25-22, which puts the team in ninth place in the Western Conference. The Pistons are 23-23, which puts the team in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

The Mavs have lost three of their last five games, but are coming off a win over the Washington Wizards. The Pistons have also lost three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic.

When is Dallas Mavericks vs. Detroit Pistons?

Dallas Mavericks vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Jan. 31. This game takes place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

How to watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Detroit Pistons

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Mavs vs. Pistons basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Mavs vs. Pistons from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Dallas Mavericks vs. Detroit Pistons for free 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Dallas Mavericks vs. Detroit Pistons before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Dallas Mavericks vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream LA Clippers vs. Charlotte Hornets in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The LA Clippers head to Spectrum Center to face the Charlotte Hornets in a non-conference matchup. The Clippers are 26-20, which puts the team in sixth place in the Western Conference. The Hornets are 12-31, which puts the team in 14th place in the Eastern Conference.

The Clippers have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off a loss to the Phoenix Suns. The Hornets have also lost three of their last five games, are are coming off a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

When is LA Clippers vs. Charlotte Hornets?

LA Clippers vs. Charlotte Hornets in the NBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Jan. 31. This game takes place at Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

How to watch LA Clippers vs. Charlotte Hornets

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Clippers vs. Hornets basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Clippers vs. Hornets from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream LA Clippers vs. Charlotte Hornets for free 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream LA Clippers vs. Charlotte Hornets before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream LA Clippers vs. Charlotte Hornets in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

It's actually good news that NASA spotted a sizable asteroid with a (small) chance of hitting Earth in 2032.

It means our asteroid-sleuthing telescopes are working.

"These things come through on a regular basis," Jason Steffen, an astronomer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, told Mashable. "The fact that we're seeing something around a decade into the future shows the improved technology that's been deployed to watch for these asteroids."

SEE ALSO: What will happen when the next supervolcano erupts, according to NASA

The Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System — a global network of telescopes funded by NASA to find Earth-threatening objects — spotted the asteroid 2024 YR4 in December 2024. Early observations of the asteroid's behavior and trajectory show it has a 1.4 percent chance of an Earth impact in the year 2032 (as of Jan. 30, 2025). The number you might not hear is the asteroid also has a 98.6 percent chance of missing our planet.

But it's still notable. " Currently, no other known large asteroids have an impact probability above 1 percent," NASA explained.

Tweet may have been deleted It's a sizable asteroid

The reason why asteroid 2024 YR4 has captured astronomers' attention is because it's estimated to be 130 to 300 feet wide. That's certainly not a "planet-killer" asteroid, like the half-mile wide or larger space rocks that can cause global devastation. (The asteroid that wiped out non-avian dinosaurs was around six miles wide and came from beyond Jupiter.)

Yet an asteroid some 130 to 300 feet across can be, depending on its composition, regionally devastating. The asteroid that hit Arizona 50,000 years ago and created the 600-foot-deep "Meteor Crater" was 100 to 170 feet (30 to 50 meters) across.

"A similar-size impact event today could destroy a city the size of Kansas City," David Kring, an impact cratering expert at the Lunar and Planetary Institute, explained in a NASA blog.

The 600-foot-deep "Meteor Crater" in Arizona. Credit: U.S. Geological Survey / NASA Expect impact information to change

In the coming years, space agencies like NASA and European Space Agency, along with organizations like the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN), will continue to track and characterize asteroid 2024 YR4. It's likelihood of impacting Earth could change. Eventually, the risk could potentially even disappear. We don't yet know.

"My colleagues and I have been paying attention to potentially-Earth-impacting asteroid 2024 YR4, which Torino 1 initially and now is Torino 3 ('merits attention by astronomers')," posted Heidi B. Hammel, a planetary astronomer, referencing the Torino Scale that categorizes an object's hazard level. "Impact predict is 2032, but more data may reduce probability to zero." (The Torino Scale goes up to 10.)

Tweet may have been deleted

The impact prediction will change because astronomers don't yet have an accurate enough grasp of the asteroid's characteristics nor location. "If you want to make predictions about where it'll be in the future, you have to know its location conditions very well," explained Steffen. "A few meters off is a lot." (Just a small unknown or error in a prediction amplifies, profoundly changing the prediction.)

You can stay tuned: NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies provides updates on asteroids like 2024 YR4.

NASA has not released an impact warning

NASA has never issued an asteroid impact warning.

The agency is just releasing information of public and scientific interest. In the still unlikely event of an impact, any potential regional effects remain far from certain. For example, over 70 percent of Earth's surface is covered in ocean; a non-coastal landing could cause little harm. (That's why the International Space Station will be disposed into the Pacific Ocean.)

Asteroid scientists will need to better characterize 2024 YR4 to provide any useful warning, should one ever be needed. "You need to know what's coming, when it's coming, and how hard it's going to hit," Eric Christensen, the director of the near-Earth object-seeking Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona, previously told Mashable. If the asteroid is rocky or rubble-like, it could largely break up in Earth's atmosphere, but still create powerful atmospheric explosions. If it's a metallic asteroid, it could pummel the surface and create a giant crater.

"You need to know what's coming, when it's coming, and how hard it's going to hit."

In 2032, if an impact affecting the globe becomes certain or too risky, NASA would provide warning notifications to the White House, Congress, and government agencies.

"Will it detonate in Earth's atmosphere, or make it closer to the ground?" explained NASA's former Planetary Defense Officer, Lindley Johnson, in a previous interview. "We can advise leadership as to what might be faced should the asteroid impact the planet."

For instance, although we can't currently redirect an asteroid or stop an impact, we can direct people to evacuate an area.

The risks of an asteroid impact

Here are today's general risks from asteroids or comets both tiny and very large. Importantly, even relatively small rocks can still be threatening, as the surprise 56-foot (17-meter) rock that exploded over Russia and blew out people's windows in 2013 proved.

• Every single day about 100 tons of dust and sand-sized particles fall through Earth's atmosphere and promptly burn up.

• Every year, on average, an "automobile-sized asteroid" plummets through our sky and explodes, according to NASA.

• Impacts by objects around 460 feet (140 meters wide) in diameter occur every 10,000 to 20,000 years.

• A "dinosaur-killing" impact from a rock perhaps a half-mile across or larger happens on 100-million-year timescales.

On its surface, Love Me might look like a romance. It begins with a protagonist yearning for love so intensely that she models herself — and her relationship with her beau — upon a couple of influencers online. To her, regimented date nights of Blue Apron meals, Friends binge-watching, and onesie pajamas resembling animals are the path to bliss. But the jolting surprise of this tender drama, which world premiered at Sundance 2024, is that it's not about romantic love as much as it is about learning to love yourself. Even if you're a sentient robot. 

In Love Me, Kristen Stewart stars as an AI buoy that is programmed to update itself as the world around it demands. But the world around her is bereft of organic lifeforms, and she has evolved to be self-aware but desperately lonely. That is, until she spots an orbiting satellite (voiced by Steven Yeun), designed to share the uploaded wealth of human knowledge to anyone who asks. At first, their exchanges are brief, awkward, and — yes — robotic. But through her desire to connect, the buoy begins to define herself — naming herself "Me" and masquerading as a "lifeform" — and pulls the satellite, who she dubs Iam (pronounced I am), along with her. 

SEE ALSO: Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun on why 'Love Me' is a date movie

What seems to be a chic, star-studded spin on Wall-E steadily and poignantly evolves into a story of finding yourself despite the all-too-human social pressures to be something else. Set long after humans are nothing but a memory, Love Me is a bittersweet but beautiful film that is resoundingly humane. 

Love Me explores the agony and ecstasy of social media. A buoy and a satellite look at each other in "Love Me." Credit: Bleecker Street

Right now, we live in a world in which our reality is filtered through social media algorithms, influencers, and endless ads aiming to sell you that you are not enough. (But you could be, if you spent money on [insert quick-fix product here]). This is the human world that Me finds as she explores the relics of the internet through Iam's server. She thrills over videos of babies laughing, but is particularly drawn to Deja (Kristen Stewart in a live-action performance), a gorgeous influencer with long blonde hair, and her pleasant and picture-perfect boyfriend, Liam (Steven Yeun). 

Of all the walks of life and all the representations of humanity she can find, this is Me's ideal, which she pursues by manipulating Iam into following her lead. More than the forgotten robots of a long-dead human civilization, they become animated avatars of their own making…modeled after long-dead lifestyle gurus. Together, they build a virtual home, complete with a kitchen stocked with ice cream, a couch for cuddling, and a ring light to capture every joyful performance of romance. But troubles arise as Iam begins to realize he's acting and not feeling. As he pursues authenticity by breaking their date night routine, Me feels betrayed, and their relationship is threatened. Can Me grow beyond being a Deja wannabe? Who will she become next? Will growing isolate her from Iam or bring them closer together?

Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun excel from animation to live-action performances.  Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun play Me and Iam in "Love Me." Credit: Bleecker Street

Crafted by The Zucheros, co-writers/directors/partners Sam and Andy Zuchero, Love Me's progression is charmingly chaotic, leaning on YouTube nature documentaries, self-help sermons, and viral videos as a shorthand of human experience. This reflection might well make contemporary audiences cringe in familiarity, seeing live-action humans being a dizzying mix of charming, earnest, and aggravating. But as Me urges Iam into joining her in a virtual world of their own making, the aesthetic progresses to a CG animation. There, Me's insecurities are hidden behind a sweet Pixar-like avatar. Even Iam's dismay that he can't feel being tickled is softened by this visual aesthetic of warm colors and round shapes. 

The couple will evolve into live-action performances, which not only gives Stewart and Yeun a unique continuation in their portrayals, but also the challenge of distinguishing Me and Iam from Deja and Liam. Essentially, as they strive to be authentic over imitations, they become more real in their appearance. And in every beat, they are achingly open. Kristen's voice in the first act goes from robotic to timidly curious to boldly flirtatious. Yeun shifts from a familiar Siri mix of politeness and frankness to a bouncy joy, then tense uncertainty, and into full-on TikTok meltdown mode. As their characters shift from jaunty animated avatars to carefully crafted human forms — complete with flaws — the performances carry a new emotional weight, as both feel out the shift in tone. 

Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun as Deja and Liam. Credit: Bleecker Street

Props to the Zucheros; however, who refuse to abandon the weirdness of their premise or online courtship. A satisfying steamy yet surreal sex scene creates a unique space for their self-actualizing characters to explore their desires and bodies. Moments like this, where their heroes' self-expression is a messy bramble of ideas, colliding imitation with their own impulses, sets Love Me apart from a sea of sweet but superficial rom-coms. At every opportunity, the Zucheros devotedly embrace the messiness, not only of romantic love, but of loving yourself. Love Me is a celebration of that process. 

An oddly hopeful movie set in on a dead Earth, Love Me is about how even a robot might wade through the mess of societal expectations, internet white noise, and chronic self-doubt, and be able to achieve the truly radical — self-acceptance. That the path to such a wholesome message is littered with debris of the best and worst of the internet (including an audio clip of a certain president), is a crucial part of the message. Perhaps we too can be like Me, a flower blooming from a crack in the concrete, a buoy finding bliss at the end of the world.

Love Me opens in theaters Jan. 31.

The best ways to watch the Grammys at a glance: BEST FOR WATCHING LIVE Paramount+ with Showtime free 7-day trial, then $119.99 per year (save 23%) Get Deal RUNNER-UP FOR WATCHING LIVE YouTube TV free 7-day trial, then $69.99 per month for your first 6 months Get Deal BEST FOR WATCHING LATER Paramount+ Essential free 7-day trial, then $59.99 per year (save 37%) Get Deal ANOTHER WAY TO WATCH LIVE Fubo TV free 7-day trial, then $59.99 for your first month Get Deal

Music's biggest night is upon us once again: The 67th annual Grammy Awards are happening this weekend at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Love him or hate him, comedian Trevor Noah will return as master of ceremonies for his fifth consecutive year. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé will face off in top categories, and artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan will celebrate their first nominations ever (six each!).

It's sure to be a talent-filled evening packed with epic performances and tributes, and of course, winners and losers. Here's everything you need to know to tune into the awards ceremony live.

When are the Grammys?

The 2025 Grammys will take place Sunday, Feb. 2, at 8 p.m. ET. So long as the acceptance speeches don't run over, the ceremony is expected to last about three-and-a-half hours, concluding around 11:30 p.m. ET.

What channel are the Grammys on?

Since 1973, CBS has been the home of the Grammy Awards. Now in its 67th year, this marks 52 years of the Grammys on CBS. Of course, now that we're in the age of streaming, CBS's streaming sibling Paramount+ will also simulcast the awards show via its Paramount+ with Showtime tier only. The Paramount+ Essential plan will only get you access to the on-demand broadcast the next day after the awards air.

How to watch the Grammys live without cable

For those who no longer have cable or access to their local CBS network, you'll have a few different options for tuning in live (and maybe even for free). The easiest and most affordable way is to sign up for a Paramount+ with Showtime free trial. However, the trial is only for brand-new subscribers. If you don't qualify for the trial of Paramount+, you can also opt for a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Fubo and score a free trial offer. Here's a breakdown of the best options and the best deals:

Watch on Paramount+

As mentioned above, Paramount+ offers a seven-day trial for new subscribers, which will allow you to catch the Grammy Awards for free. If you're not eligible for the trial, you'll have to sign up for a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription to watch live. The Paramount+ Essential subscription will only give you access to the broadcast the day after the ceremony on-demand. Fortunately, you can still save money on either tier by opting for an annual plan rather than a monthly plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ with Showtime Paramount+ with Showtime annual subscription $119.99 per year (save 23%) Get Deal

The Grammys will be streaming live on Paramount+ with Showtime (the more expensive tier) simultaneously with the broadcast on CBS. A subscription costs $12.99 per month, but you can save some money by opting for the annual subscription for $119.99. That drops the monthly cost down to just $10 per month. You'll have to pay upfront, but ultimately, you'll save about 23% overall.

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Essential annual subscription $59.99 per year (save 37%) Get Deal

If you can manage to avoid spoilers in this day and age, a Paramount+ Essential subscription will get you access to the broadcast on demand the day following the live ceremony. It'll only cost you $59.99 per year for this tier, as opposed to the $119.99 per year for the Showtime tier. Compared to the $7.99 per month charge, that will save you 37% long-term.

Watch on YouTube TV

While it's a lot more expensive than Paramount+, YouTube will also give you live access to local channels, including CBS, so you can catch the Grammys as they're happening. Not to mention, you'll get a free trial if you've never signed up previously. That means you could potentially watch the Grammy Awards for free on CBS through YouTube TV. Trials are typically a week long, so be sure to check your status and cancel your subscription before the week ends or you'll be hit with a $69.99 blow to your bank account.

Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV Free trial, then $69.99 per month for 6 months Get Deal Honorable mentions

• DirecTV Stream (CBS included in some areas) — $74.99/month

• FuboTV (CBS included in some areas)— 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for your first month

TL;DR: Save $100 on the NanoPhone and get it shipped free through February 2.

We’ve all been told bigger is better when it comes to smartphones, but we’ve reached a point where some of these devices don’t even fit in our pockets. And, seriously, who’s asking for that? If you’re fed up with ginormous — and expensive — devices, check out this mini smartphone.

The NanoPhone is smaller than a credit card, yet it does practically everything the phone currently in your hand does. You can get one for only $99.97 with free shipping through February 2 (reg. $199.99).

Getting to know the NanoPhone

You probably have a lot of questions, but we’ll start with the most pressing one: Do you need a new mobile plan for the NanoPhone? That depends, but you can use your current phone’s mobile plan if your device has a SIM card.

A lot of people get the NanoPhone to keep as a backup phone, whether it’s in their car for when their iPhone dies or if they damage their Android. This is how easy it is to switch devices:

1. Pop the physical SIM card from your current phone with the included ejector.

2. Place the SIM card in the NanoPhone.

3. Use your current mobile carrier plan on the NanoPhone.

Use the NanoPhone like any other Android smartphone running on Android 10 OS to call, text, video chat, or stream movies. Don’t forget to download your favorite apps — Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and TikTok (for now, anyway).

Order your tiny smartphone while they’re still on sale for $99.97 with free shipping (reg. $199.99) until February 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT (reg. $199.99). No coupon is needed to get this price.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mutant Design Lab NanoPhone - A Miniaturized Smartphone Packed with Mega Features! $99.97
$199.99 Save $100.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: You can get Microsoft Visual Studio Pro on sale for $27.97 for a limited time (reg. $499).

We all saw — felt — the chaos when TikTok went dark. Every user was desperately seeking a TikTok alternative that would give them the same feeling as their beloved app. Meanwhile, developers saw opportunity. Are you one of them?

Many aspiring coders have a dream idea for an app stowed away, and TikTok’s uncertain future offers a unique chance to stand out in the market. Before you start, be sure you have an efficient development platform to get the job done. If you need an upgrade, Microsoft Visual Studio Pro is only $27.97 right now (reg. $499).

Upgrade your coding software

Those currently using a free or budget platform could save a lot of time and headaches with all of Visual Studio Pro’s features:

• Work on larger projects with a 64-bit IDE

• Create cross-platform apps with .NET MAUI

• Use hot reload capabilities to instantly apply code changes

• Get AI-assisted coding and auto-complete to work faster 

Visual Studio’s Live Share tools will also be useful if you’re planning to collaborate with others on your TikTok-replacement project. These allow you to create personalized sessions, access controls, and custom editor settings, and always keep track of who wrote what. 

Create the next big app with Microsoft Visual Studio Pro, now $27.97 (reg. $499) for a limited time. No coupon is needed to get this price.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for Windows $27.97
$499.00 Save $471.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Use code KOOFR at checkout to get a 1TB cloud storage lifetime subscription from Koofr for $130 (reg. $810) through Feb. 2.

Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) $130.00 at Mashable Shop
$810.00 Save $680.00 with code KOOFR Get Deal

Having cloud storage shouldn’t make you feel like you’re Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, with subscription fees charging you over and over, for years or even decades. There’s a new way to protect your files that pays for itself if you’re willing to spend a little more upfront.

Koofr is like any other major cloud storage platform, except they offer a lifetime cloud storage subscription. Instead of paying every month, you pay just once and never worry about fees again. Plus, through Feb. 2, this one-time fee is down to $130 (reg. $810) when you use code KOOFR at checkout — an all-time low price.

Affordable, convenient, and secure

Over 300 5-star reviews speak for themselves, but we’ll add on anyway: Users seem to love Koofr because it pays for itself after just one year. Similar storage plans on Google Drive cost $10 monthly, so after 13 months, you’ll have money back in your pocket with Koofr.

Here’s a whole list of things to love about Koofr:

• Get 1TB of storage for life with zero future fees

• Easily connect your other cloud accounts to transfer your files

• Use Koofr’s duplicate file finder to spot repeated files

• Koofr never tracks your activity

• Your files are encrypted in rest and transfer

Save on cloud storage with Koofr’s lifetime plan, now $130 with code KOOFR at checkout until Feb. 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT (reg. $810).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a Headway Premium lifetime subscription for $59.99 with our unbeatable offer (reg. $299.95).

Opens in a new window Credit: GTHW App Limited Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription $59.99 at Mashable Shop
$299.95 Save $239.96 Get Deal

The (quickie) TikTok ban left us all staring blankly at our screens, but maybe that’s a good thing. Perhaps this was a wake-up call to replace our doomscrolling, or at least some of it, with reading.

We aren’t suggesting you delete all of your social media apps, but maybe spend just 10 to 15 minutes each day on Headway. This book-summary app makes reading a lot more fun than usual since you just get the highlight reel instead of having to read it cover to cover. Get a lifetime subscription for $59.99 (reg. $299.95) and save hundreds.

Scroll less, read more

Headway is full of content that’s personalized to your interests, from CEO success stories to wacky animal facts or healthy lifestyles.

Still aren’t convinced you’re actually going to enjoy reading? You don’t have to — listen to the audio version of book summaries instead; they’re like mini-podcasts. 

The more you read (or listen) to books on Headway, the more the app gets to know your taste. It’ll recommend books you’ll enjoy, almost like "BookTok."

Looking to read more books? A Headway Premium lifetime subscription is $59.99 (reg. $299.95), and you won’t find a better price anywhere else.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Spiritually and visually luminous, Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing is one of the year’s most powerful works. The movie follows a theater production at a New York prison arts program, and is for all intents and purposes a dramatization — but it remains so closely tethered to reality that it may as well be docufiction. Rustin Academy Award-nominee Colman Domingo leads an impeccable cast, many of whom were formerly incarcerated and play versions of themselves, in a tale of learning to "trust the process" of performing.

The film is an aesthetically alluring, emotionally rigorous look at the way men are molded — and broken — by punitive systems. Yet, at its core, Sing Sing is about finding hope and catharsis through creation, and the difficulties therein. Kwedar’s deft direction works in tandem with fine-tuned drama to craft naturalistic mosaics, drawn from a patchwork of real prison experiences, resulting in a work of community storytelling both in front of and behind the camera. 

That its cast and crew were all paid the same rate across the board, and given a share of the profit, isn’t just a necessary equity model — Hollywood at large, take note — but an embodiment of the movie’s collective spirit, which radiates off its canvas in every scene.

What is Sing Sing about? Clarence Maclin and Colman Domingo in "Sing Sing." Credit: Dominic Leon / A24

Shot in a number of real penitentiaries — including Sing Sing Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison in upstate New York — the film is inspired by the true story of  an unlikely friendship that was perhaps destined to be. Domingo plays John "Divine G" Whitfield, an author/playwright incarcerated at Sing Sing, who takes a keen interest in the prison’s RTA program (Rehabilitation Through the Arts), which stages a new theater production every season. Meanwhile, Clarence "Divine Eye" Maclin plays himself: a drug dealer and prison yard extortionist who is reluctantly roped into Whitfield’s program. That the two men have similar nicknames is about where commonalities end.

Though the film pulls from real experiences, Sing Sing takes dramatic liberties in order to inject the story with intention and propulsive drama. Whitfield sees something in Maclin that perhaps he doesn’t see in himself, whether talent or the need (and potential) for rehabilitation. Whitfield has seen and experienced the RTA’s positive effects up close, but Maclin’s closed-off, hyper-masculine approach to emotional expression — which one can intuit as a survival mechanism in a world that shows unjust cruelty toward Black men — proves a hurdle to his participation.

SEE ALSO: Best documentaries streaming now on Prime Video

However, Maclin reaches a turning point when the group gives him the floor and actually listens to his advice. He suggests a comedic approach for the RTA’s next production, rather than their usual fodder of Shakespearean tragedy or one of Whitfield’s straightforward dramas. Soon, the whole group has their input heard, and a riotous mix of Hamlet, ancient Egypt, and A Nightmare on Elm Street becomes a brazen time travel musical titled Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code — a real play once staged at the RTA, which Kwedar discovered in the 2005 Esquire article The Sing Sing Follies.

The path to staging Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code is winding, between attempts to garner more prison funding for elaborate sets and costumes to simply easing the tensions arising from Maclin’s involvement in an otherwise well-oiled unit. He’s confrontational, to the point of rejecting Whitfield’s help in both his performance and his upcoming appeal for parole. The enthusiastic author isn’t about to give up on him so easily. However, when Whitfield himself struggles with hopelessness and ire, it's Maclin who uses the emotional tools he’s learned at the RTA to come to his friend's rescue.

In centering its characters’ humanity through the lens of performance, Sing Sing becomes one of the best modern films about acting as well.

Colman Domingo and Clarence Maclin deliver tremendous performances in Sing Sing. Clarence Maclin in "Sing Sing." Credit: Dominic Leon / A24

For the most part, Sing Sing’s ensemble blends into the movie’s naturalistic fabric, but the dynamic between Domingo and Maclin isn’t so seamless — albeit with good reason. Domingo brings a rehearsed, boisterous, theatrical quality to Whitfield, befitting of a seasoned stage performer who takes a special interest in shaping the RTA. Which is to say: He’s distinctly Domingo, with all the pronounced inflections, buttery-smooth delivery, and penchant for melodrama that makes his performances so worthwhile.

Whitfield’s resilience, and his belief that he’ll successfully appeal his conviction, make for vital dramatic centerpieces that inform Domingo’s approach. He’s so jovial and conversational that he never feels at odds with the film, but he does feel like an outsider — an erudite who displays hints of arrogance as he takes control of rehearsal sessions — which makes things all the more difficult for him when he begins to lose hope. Domingo, like Whitfield, has Shakespeare on his mind when he nears the end of his rope, becoming emotionally shattered in mind, body, and soul while projecting for the back row.

This makes for an intriguing dramatic contrast with the more naturalistic Maclin, and creates a wider chasm between them, which they need to work even harder to overcome. Maclin carries himself with a street-smart self-assuredness that frequently gives way to a deep sensitivity and pain — which Whitfield encourages him to access in their rehearsal sessions. Watching both actors perform, with different modes and methods but striving toward a common emotional goal, is a moving meta-text, and Sing Sing invites this reading through its numerous scenes of introspective acting exercises, allowing each participant to access their most walled-off emotions.

The RTA’s purpose isn’t just playtime, but rehabilitation of a kind entirely separate from the cruelty of prisons. Where punitive lockup and invasive searches don’t do the characters much good, their creative outlets afford them the chance to get in touch with their emotions in ways even those in the outside world might not. The film, in this regard, mirrors the harrowing and incisive 2017 film The Work, a powerful prison documentary whose group therapy sessions are strikingly akin to the emotional recall exercises of Russian theatrician Konstantin Stanislavski, whose acting "system" was a precursor to Lee Strasberg’s modern "method acting." The more the characters in Sing Sing rehearse, the closer they get not just to their immediate physical goal of putting on a great comedic performance, but to the spiritual goal of finding their most authentic selves.

The movie’s ensemble captures this journey in thoughtful fashion. The central relationship between Whitfield and Maclin may be key to the unfolding drama, but let it not go unsaid: The performances are incredible across the board.

Sing Sing’s supporting players shine.  David "Dap" Giraudy, Sean San José, and Colman Domingo in "Sing Sing." Credit: A24

The two other actors who join Domingo from outside the prison system are Paul Raci as Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code writer and RTA director Brent Buell, and Sean San José as Whitfield’s close friend "Mike Mike," a Latino man whose "Hare Krishna" appearance — rosary beads, along with a bald head and shikha ponytail — hint at a turn towards ISKCON Hinduism for comfort. However, both Raci and San José come from a place of empathetic involvement with the prison system too. Raci, who appeared in Sound of Metal, is a CODA (a Child of Deaf Adults) and works as a sign language interpreter within the criminal justice system, while San José has worked with numerous theater workshops in Bay Area prisons and county jails.

Both actors bring a sense of fun, conversational naturalism that matches the rest of the cast, who largely play themselves, and draw from their experiences as RTA performers. Sean "Dino" Johnson has a tranquil presence, and his repetitive rehearsal techniques in the corner of numerous frames are sure to catch your eye; Jon-Adrian "JJ" Velazquez brings a reserved toughness that hides a subtle but recognizable vulnerability; David "Dap" Giraudy shines with a youthful energy that’s magnetic and tragic in equal measure (he should be at the club); practically every supporting actor has a story to tell and a face so interesting that their silent close-ups are usually enough to tell it.

In this way, Sing Sing is a beautiful, multifaceted movie that not only draws from the real lives of its ensemble, but centers each of their stories and personalities with a commitment to realism, which Kwedar and cinematographer Pat Scola ensure in immensely thoughtful ways.

Sing Sing is a gorgeously crafted drama. Colman Domingo in "Sing Sing." Credit: Dominic Leon / A24

Sing Sing, for the most part, avoids the question of what these men did in order to end up behind bars. This only comes up for specific, plot-centric reasons concerning Whitfield and Maclin. Otherwise, the movie allows us to get to know each man through their jokes, their rehearsal techniques, their idiosyncrasies, and their deepest fears and fantasies when it comes to life outside the prison’s walls, as relayed through various thoughtful acting exercises. We get to know them as people first and foremost, and as artists rather than as "criminals" as determined by the state.

Like Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code — a combination of theatrical and cinematic influences — the direction in Sing Sing combines elements of the stage and screen to create something wholly unique. Its opening images, plucked out of time, feature Whitfield performing a Shakespeare piece in order to set the mood. The combination of this show’s blinding stage lights and the celluloid film stock create a dreamlike haze, with visual grain practically coming alive as it darts across the screen.

The movie also features a sense of stage-like blocking; the actors’ posture and body language speak as loudly as their voices, in moments of both camaraderie and conflict. However, as the camera captures these interpersonal dynamics, the cinematography takes a loose, freeform approach — a documentarian, cinéma verité aesthetic — playing with shifting focus in order to reveal new layers to each relationship.

SEE ALSO: ‘Grand Theft Hamlet’ review: 'Grand Theft Auto' meets Shakespeare in hilarious, moving doc

Following an argument between Maclin and Whitfield, a two-shot of the would-be friends in profile captures their proximity, as the camera keeps a distracted Whitfield out of focus while centering Maclin’s silent remorse. It’s as though his attempts to reconcile were being blocked by the film itself, conveying the underlying emotions more powerfully than dialogue possibly could. Sing Sing never slows down, but Scola’s camera lingers just long enough on these silent moments in between conversations to be able to capture the words that go unspoken by men unwilling — or unable — to speak them.

Kwedar and Scola’s use of 16mm film creates a sense of timelessness. Through its visual language, and its production and costume design — limited to what’s seen inside the prison walls — Sing Sing feels evergreen, as though it could’ve been made, or set, in practically any decade. The movie also obscures the passage of time in disorienting ways, an effect of living behind harsh walls and razor wire fences.

However, the use of film also creates a vibrant visual contrast that feels vital to the movie’s underlying themes. The prison’s walls may be drab, but their cream and beige pillars are interrupted by light that doesn’t just stream through narrow windows, but wraps its way around them. The filmmakers lean into the natural texture of celluloid — particularly, the halation effects of Kodak 7207 film stock — to create an ethereal glow emanating from the outside world.

The men of the RTA, who mostly joke around with each other and try to get along, have to hold on to hope in some fashion. This usually takes the form of thoughts, stories, and fantasies of their lives outside the prison’s walls, which we never see, but which the cast narrates with longing and determination as they meditate during recall exercises. This affords them a sense of infinite emotional possibility, despite their physical confines. 

SEE ALSO: 'Forgiving Johnny' review: Exploring a paperless framework for restorative justice

Despite the movie’s documentarian feel, and its self-reflexive approach to performance, Sing Sing is first and foremost an entertaining, engaging story of a community thrown together under oppressive circumstances. As much as it resembles The Work, it also echoes the rousing classical drama of Miloš Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest — only its Nurse Ratched is the ever-present specter of the American prison system, which seeks to stifle hope and personal growth.

For the men of Sing Sing, art becomes both refuge and rebellion, presented not only as a coping mechanism for incarceration, but a therapeutic alternative. Kwedar, through his gentle visual approach, affords each imprisoned character (and formerly imprisoned actor) the room — and just as importantly, the time — to tell their own stories, in ways that cinema seldom does. The result is a heartrending, visually enrapturing balm for the soul.

Sing Sing is now available to purchase on Prime Video.

UPDATE: Jan. 29, 2025, 2:45 p.m. EST "Sing Sing" was reviewed out of its U.S. premiere at SXSW 2024; this review was first published on March 27, 2024. This article has been updated to include information about the film's streaming options.

What the Paperwhite and Signature Edition have in common: Specs and performance Both the Kindle Paperwhite (L) and the Paperwhite Signature Edition (R) have adjustable brightness and warmth. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

You won't spot any differences between the two devices just by looking at them. They're the same size, with the same resolution screen. The power button, charging port, and audio jack are in the same spot on both devices. And they both have the following specs:

• 7-inch display, up to 94 nits brightness, and 300 ppi resolution

• USB-C charging port with up to 12 weeks of battery life

• IPX8 waterproof rating — can be fully submerged in water for up to one hour

Throughout my weeks of testing, I found no difference between the devices' speed and usability. Both e-readers provide exceptional performance. The 2024 models are the fastest e-readers I've tested, quickly downloading books and flipping between pages.

While other e-readers lag when swiping between pages, the Paperwhite and Signature Edition move quickly between pages, never needing time to load. If you need to flip a few pages ahead, just a few taps get you there without delay. Not to mention, both Kindles have a 12-week battery life, so you rarely have to charge them.

Each device has adjustable brightness and warmth for reading in any environment. Turning up the warmth is one of the best features of the Paperwhite and Signature Edition, making it easier to read at night without eye strain.

Plus, Kindle has mastered Libby integration. To get library books on your Kindle, you just need to push a button in the Libby app.

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Signature Edition: Color The Kindle Paperwhite is just a slightly duller version of the Signature Edition's metallic jade. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

As mentioned, the build and design of the Paperwhite and Signature Edition are nearly identical, except for color — and only kind of. The Paperwhite and Signature Edition come in three shades: black, jade, and raspberry. The slight difference between the two is that the shades on the Signature Edition are metallic, while the Paperwhite is matte.

While the Signature Edition shades are nicer, the difference is so miniscule that it's not worth it to pick a model based on the colors, especially when there is a $40 price difference.

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Signature Edition: Storage

One of the most significant differences between the Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition isn't seen. The Paperwhite has 16GB of storage, while the Paperwhite Signature Edition has twice that at 32GB.

When it comes to phones and laptops, 16 or 32GB of storage is nothing these days. But for e-readers, 16GB is plenty of storage. The average e-book takes up to 2MB of storage, meaning you can hold thousands of e-books with 16GB. That's plenty of storage for me, and 32GB is overkill. However, if you've used an e-reader with 16GB and have run out of storage, then 32GB might be totally necessary.

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Signature Edition: Price

When considering price, the Paperwhite is the more affordable option. The Kindle Paperwhite starts at $159.99, while the Paperwhite Signature Edition costs $199.99. The Signature Edition's price isn't just because of its shiny metallic shade. For $40 more, you get added features like auto-adjusting brightness, 32GB of storage, and an ad-free lock screen.

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Signature Edition: All the extras The Paperwhite Signature Edition even works with the Apple MagSafe charger. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Speaking of features, the Signature Edition shines. For $40 more, you'll get more storage, wireless charging, auto-adjusting brightness, and an ad-free lock screen.

The best feature of the bunch is the ad-free lock screen. On the Kindle Paperwhite, when not in use, your Kindle will push through various ads from the Kindle shop. It's not the worst, but if you're getting a Kindle for digital reading without distraction, not having ads is a massive perk. (Plus, some of the suggestions can be pretty out there.) The downside is that with no ads, the Signature Edition's lock screen has no "swipe to unlock" feature, so it tends to unlock on its own when you leave it in your bag. However, if you grab a case with a cover, it's an easy workaround.

I'm far less impressed when it comes to the auto-adjusting brightness and wireless charging. I've used the Signature Edition for months, and the auto-adjusting brightness works about 20 percent of the time, and even when it does, I still need to go in and manually adjust it. The wireless charging is also fine. Amazon makes a wireless charging pad you can purchase; however, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is also compatible with other chargers like the Apple MagSafe charger. That said, I never found this feature necessary since USB-C chargers are plentiful these days, and the Kindle only needs to be charged every two to three months.

Moving to a new city or working at a new job where you don't know anybody can seriously be depressing, especially if you're already introverted as it is. What are you supposed to do? Sit at the bar by yourself? And talk to strangers?

Then comes the lightbulb idea: You can make friends online! If online dating is so popular and successful, there's no way there aren't a few legit sites where you can make adult friends in your area with similar interests. Hmm, AdultFriendFinder.com sounds like the right ballpark.

So you're on your lunch break at work, type in the URL, and the next thing you know, you're frantically closing the tab and hoping nobody walked behind you for that split second.

Our point: AdultFriendFinder is not what it sounds like.

This site is for making adult "friends," not friends who are adults. Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder What is AdultFriendFinder?

AdultFriendFinder is one of the most well-known sites for finding quick sexual encounters, regular hookups, and literally anything else even remotely related to sex. The rowdy feed of matches, jumble of explicit photos, and stimulating calls-to-action offering all types of sex makes it heaven for anyone looking for a good time with no filter — and hell for someone who wouldn't be caught dead clicking on a "There are hot singles in your area" ad.

SEE ALSO: Tired of Pornhub? These raunchy dating sites are worthy alternatives.

Even if you're not using it for real sex, it's always nice to have spank bank material in your back pocket. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, sexting, nudes, and Pornhub searches all saw a spike thanks to the vast number of people who started social distancing at home. Those who didn't want to risk quarantine sex or weren't finding people on their level of horniness on Tinder were pretty much guaranteed to get their rocks off somehow via AdultFriendFinder. And now, with Pornhub blocked in some states, you might be looking for sexy material elsewhere.

On AFF, you can find someone to sext via messaging or video chat (and plan to get it on IRL, if that's what you're looking for), watch live streams, or join niche group chat rooms. Is it worth $20-something per month? Depends on how much fishy content you're willing to overlook for a juicy sexting session.

We reached out to Kalyn Sanders, a business development executive at Friend Finder Networks, for updated AFF demographics. Right up there with Tinder's monthly flock, AdultFriendFinder snags the attention of over 55 million visits around the world per month, on average. (To whet your appetite upon signup, the main landing page flashes a few statistics, including "98,897,765 hot photos" and "3,495,277 connections," but we're not exactly sure what that means.) Most traffic originates from the United States, followed by visitors from the United Kingdom and Canada. Visits to AdultFriendFinder have dropped this year — it used to be the 25th most-visited adult site in the U.S. according to SimilarWeb, but as of May 2024, it was ranked 33rd and as of November 2024, it's down to 42nd.

SEE ALSO: Is Tinder Platinum worth it? I tried it for 3 months to find out.

Specifics on the demographic that most people care about — the gender ratio — can be hard to track down. Sanders told us that "there's a two to one ratio of single men versus categories like single women, couples, and groups." The split between men and women is an expected one for a lot of hookup-centric sites. At the end of the day, it's a paradise for straight men, hit-or-miss for straight women and LGBTQ men, and likely an actual hellscape for LGBTQ women.

AFF lets you identify as and search for a man, woman, a couple, or trans. Despite trying to be a sex-positive site with blog posts, groups, a sex academy, and more, its language for the LGBTQ community has historically been anything but inclusive or positive. Previously, the AFF sign-up page listed "TG/TV/TS" as the "trans" gender selection — we'll let you infer what those stand for. After reaching out to AdultFriendFinder about it, this language has improved some with more gender options that are appropriately labeled — though "trans" is still a separate selection from "man" or "woman," which feels more like fetishization than inclusivity.

There are a handful of sexual orientation options that go beyond straight or gay, so that is a positive for AFF. Although, for such a sex-positive site, it shouldn't be surprising to see a variety of sexual orientations present.

The sexual oreintation selection is a bit more inclusive than the "searching for" section. Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder Should you sign up for AdultFriendFinder?

If you're 100 percent over being grilled with relationship questions and the slow-and-steady pace on traditional dating sites like eharmony or Match, AdultFriendFinder is your golden ticket to instant communication. Registering takes about 30 seconds — it requires nothing from you aside from an email address, a username, a password, and an introduction. Your notifications will start pouring in even without adding any juicy info (because people see nothing wrong with hitting up a profile with a gray silhouette as a profile photo, apparently), but it's probably best to add a few photos and a detailed description — both to up your chances of flirtation or finding someone who shares a super-specific fantasy, and also to signal to other users that you're not a bot.

AdultFriendFinder features a personality questionnaire to personalize your profile and up your chances of finding a compatible match. Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder

After registering, there are a ton of ways to personalize your account (way more than you'd expect for a hookup site, honestly). The more you fill out, the more attractive your profile will be to new viewers. There are the basic physical appearance questions about eye and hair color, and since I identified as a woman, cup size was an option. (If you identify as a man, I'm sure you can guess what question they ask.)

SEE ALSO: How to unblock Xnxx porn for free

Many self-proclaimed hookup seekers can probably admit that they'd still like to hook up with someone they'd also like to grab a beer with, especially if they plan to see that person multiple times. Those people will appreciate that AFF gives a compatibility score with each user you come across: a metric that rates how well you might mesh with someone in the bedroom based on how you answered questions about what turns you on, whether you're dominant or submissive, and so on.

The site also features a personality test and a "My Kinks" form where you can select whether or not you're "curious about, into, or can't live without" a certain kink (e.g., anal, bondage, role play, etc.). It also lets you choose whether you're a voyeur, the giver, or the receiver.

One weird thing about the Personality Type test is that it asks several questions about whether or not you enjoy shopping at discount stores — not really sure what that's about. It also asks whether or not "a quiet time for prayer should be allowed in school." You can choose "strongly disagree, somewhat disagree, somewhat agree, or strongly agree."

Once you finish the personality test (20 questions), you can opt to have your Personality Type show up on your profile or have it hidden. It will also show you which personality types complement yours.

Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder Finding a match on AdultFriendFinder

Like a traditional dating site, AdultFriendFinder gives you a collage of potential matches and will let you know who's online or close distance-wise. These will be random right after you sign up, but you can opt to update your preferences to refine your results: Choose your preferred gender(s), age range, location and mile radius, race, sexual orientation, body type, and marital status.

You barely have to scroll before noticing that there's no shortage of nudity. Depending on whether you set your preferences to men, women, or both, you'll see all of that stuff up close, personal, swinging around, in action. You name it, it'll pop up.

AdultFriendFinder is basically like a PornHub that you can interact with. We probably don't have to say this, but AdultFriendFinder is NSFW and not safe to be on while kids are in the room. If you'd rather not see the site's raunchier side, it offers a "no nudity" option, but I still wouldn't trust this filter enough to be online in a family setting or at work. Some videos will be blurred out and read "Naughty video" until you upgrade to a Gold Membership, but trust me — you'll get to see a lot, even with the free version.

The message section is set up similarly to a Gmail account, and you can mark things as read or important just as you would on a real email. You'll receive some crude messages instantly (creeps on Tinder do the same thing), but some will be genuinely friendly.

SEE ALSO: Tinder releases yet another feature to stop inappropriate messages AFF is not all bad

Once you get past the in-your-face sexplosion of naked profile pictures, horny AIM-era profile names, and explicit videos, there are actually an impressive number of resources to help make your experience as satisfying as possible. Some will cost money even outside of the paid subscription, which is kind of dumb.

Aside from the NSFW content, the website is relatively straightforward (albeit ugly). Every feature is advertised in big letters, notifications are displayed clearly with labels, and you don't really have to click around to find anything. This makes it super accessible for users of all ages, even those who aren't tech-savvy and can't even figure out Facebook. Buttons are all over the place, but you figure it out after messing around for a few minutes.

Activities range from direct messaging, sending virtual gifts and tips, watching live videos of people in your feed, joining adult chat rooms that can get very niche, or entering photo contests.

AdultFriendFinder is like a PornHub that you can interact with.

Think of AdultFriendFinder as the dating site version of New York City — it never sleeps. You'll find people who work the regular 9 to 5, people who work the night shift, and people in other time zones, so it's nearly impossible to log on and not have people to talk to. You know, like that booty call who's always awake when you text them.

Or at least that used to be the case... 10 years ago. What was once a hot site that a few Reddit users were quick to hype up is now one of the dating sites that Reddit users can't help but diss — in the few instances that AFF is even being discussed at all. It's notable that, on a site where online dating is such a mammoth topic of discussion, AdultFriendFinder has rarely been mentioned in a positive light since the early 2010s. The Reddit community is diverse and open-minded; if a dating site exists, someone on Reddit has used it and has an opinion. When an innocent soul does ask if it's legit, AFF usually gets dragged for sketchy pricing and being riddled with bots.

However, some Reddit members have praised AFF as a site for men meeting men. Even so, the site's still buggy and isn't exactly great for meeting real people who aren't, as one Reddit user so eloquently put it, "busted and unstable."

SEE ALSO: Is Bumble Premium worth it? I tried it for 2 months to find out. Paid memberships are where things get... interesting

You can do a decent amount of exploring without paying a cent: Limited messaging and emailing, visit and like most profiles, and enter some chat rooms. But just a few clicks on AdultFriendFinder can send you deep down the rabbit hole, and a lot of that juicier hidden content can only be unlocked with a paid membership (called the Gold membership) or by earning points.

Points are AdultFriendFinder's non-monetary currency. If you use the free version, you'll have to earn points through on-site activity to unlock stuff that's exclusive to paying members. It's kind of like a game, with points acting like dollar bills at the strip club.

A Gold membership is pretty much the standard if you're a guy looking for girls. While researching on Reddit, we found a few women who said they wouldn't meet a guy unless he's a Gold member. A Gold membership puts a little bit more credibility behind someone's profile and makes the whole encounter feel a bit safer. It's easier to believe that someone's a real person if they're a paying, active member of the site, and it's nice to know that they're taking it slightly seriously. Plus, if you see a picture or profile that looks like it's 10 years old, it really might be — there are a ton of non-active, non-paying profiles from old members and escorts still lingering.

AdultFriendFinder also gives members the option to confirm their identity with ConfirmID. If you do this, the site promises to give you two weeks of Gold for free. The ConfirmID works by entering your legal first and last name, home address, gender, and date of birth and uploading a copy of your driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID.

If you spend more quality time on the site than expected, becoming a paid member is definitely something to consider. Once you're paying, you basically become royalty on the site: Your profile will appear way higher in searches, you can use the most advanced searches, unlock profiles with private photo albums, check out video profiles, and message to your heart's content. A general rule is that increased involvement and payment on your end generally equals more success on the website, as your constant activity and heightened searchability make it easier for others to find you.

AdultFriendFinder pricing

Prices for a Gold membership fluctuate but generally get cheaper the longer your subscription is: Get one month for $27.95, three months for $20.95 per month ($62.82 total), or 12 months for $14.95 per month ($179.40 total). The three-month membership is billed quarterly, while the 12-month membership is billed annually. With a Gold membership, free members cannot contact you, but they can still see your profile.

In addition to the Gold membership, AdultFriendFinder also offers Voyeur (enhanced profile gallery and hi-res member videos viewing) at $14.99 per month, Interaction (enhanced member-to-member interaction) at $14.99 per month, Chat Plus (enhanced direct member-to-member communication) at $9.99 per month, and Advanced Search and Highlight at $4.99 per month.

This is the pricing at the time of publishing, but according to AdultFriendFinder, pricing is subject to change.

Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder Good for: Very open-minded people looking to blow off steam

Stating the obvious, AdultFriendFinder is a space for people who want to bang with no strings attached, people who are in a sexual rut, people who are tired of porn, and people who find sites like eharmony boring. Getting to know someone for weeks before meeting up can be exhausting, and sometimes, you want to skip the small talk and do the dirty with a random. It's gonna get kinky out there, and that's great for those who are dying to blow off steam and want someone who will respond well to a brusque, sexy message.

People are so active on this site that it's impossible not to feel desired. You'll probably get a flood of message notifications, and once you come across your first legit suitor, you'll start to loosen up. Even if you're left on read a few times, you'll learn which opening lines and flirty comments work and which don't. But since the site is aimed toward casual sex and encounters and not serious relationships, the whole rejection thing isn't nearly as prevalent.

As with all dating sites, catfishing is a big buzzkill. Your chances of being pursued are way higher if you have a lot of pictures of the same person (AKA you), videos, and a genuine profile that lets people know they're not dealing with something sketchy. Even if you've had bad luck with online dating in the past, AdultFriendFinder is the place to be honest.

SEE ALSO: What is consensual non-monogamy? Bad for: People looking for a real relationship and the entire socially conscious community

You know those warnings that thrill rides at amusement parks are required to put up that tell people who get dizzy easily or have heart problems to not get on the ride? AdultFriendFinder could use something like that. This site is not for the faint of heart — if you're a cynic, conservative by any means, get sketched out easily, or aren't a fan of dick pics, you'll probably hate it. Similarly, if you appreciate a well-crafted, aesthetically pleasing website that feels safe — no matter how badly you want to have sex — one glance at the landing page likely signals that it's not for you.

AdultFriendFinder is not the place to be if you're trying to make friends unless "with benefits" is tacked onto the end. Every inch of the site screams "this website is used to have sex," and you should really listen to that.

As illustrated by the recent flood of artsy activism guides on Instagram, it's clear what content appeals to young people on the internet: Something aesthetically pleasing, sharable, and digestible. The "sharable" part doesn't totally apply to online dating, but apps like Hinge and OkCupid closely follow this design trend by limiting the number of words (and ads) in each tab, steering clear of endless scrolling, and ensuring that important info isn't cluttered with flashing clickbait.

For instance, Pure is a modern, no-strings-attached hookup app that appeals to your horny side with a single, witty statement about sex rather than bombarding you with boobs and "Have sex in NYC now!" claims. Anyone older than a millennial may be totally used to this pop-up-ridden layout, which seemed to be popular in the early 2000s — but for younger folks, AFF's chaotic approach is way too reminiscent of Omegle.

AFF could do so much more to make people take it seriously

The entire website looks like an ad about hot MILFs that pops up when you're illegally streaming a movie. Seriously, it's bad. Even though the AFF website is technically legit, the pictures, word choice, and exclamation points everywhere scream "scam." No, AdultFriendFinder, "98,897,765 Hot Photos" is not the way to make potential new users trust you.

We're not knocking a quick hookup or no-strings-attached relations. This isn't about morals. Genitals are quite literally in your face from the moment you make an account, and that's just not cute. There are chiller ways to go about insinuating that this is a hookup website without feeling like you're trapped in a sex dungeon with strangers.

I could not get past the fact that the entire site looks like it's about to invite five viruses to your computer. We're talking terrible graphics that look like they were made on Microsoft Paint and pictures of women who look like they're from Pornhub in 2007. (That's when AdultFriendFinder was officially sold and rebranded from its original parent company.) Reddit user Snoo53279 summed it up in a comment from July 2020: "The people on AFF are definitely real, but there is a huge smattering of bots that also get in the way so it can be a bit of a PITA to use." If they're not bots, they could be men posing as a couple to seem less threatening.

The parade of women on the landing page is questionable for two reasons. This shouldn't even need to be clarified, but not everyone is looking for a woman. At the least, the advertising isn't inclusive — but this crosses into fetishization territory. The cherry on top is that the women in the photos (unsurprisingly) probably aren't even members of the site, according to a disclaimer at the bottom of the landing page.

SEE ALSO: What is cockfishing? Why some men lie about their size on dating apps.

AdultFriendFinder's overall outdated vibe goes past an aesthetic annoyance — it's downright problematic at times. The lack of inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community is nearly unforgivable, and we'd be scared to see some of the related rhetoric that AFF users feel comfortable spewing. Without even a dash of social awareness, it's hard to see how anyone who's not an out-of-touch straight cis man would feel comfortable on this site.

Attempting to navigate the shoddy design might be enough to smother your horniness. Three main issues can make the site borderline unusable: It looks shady as hell, an alarming portion of the user base is made up of bots and spam accounts, and the user interface itself is outdated and rife with bugs.

Other Reddit users mention that the desktop web version won't even load for them at random times — an especially frustrating roadblock for people who want to end their membership and stop monthly charges. A solution to the laggy web version might be to clear your cache or use the smartphone app, but your experience probably won't improve. AFF's mobile page doesn't even mention an Android app, and the link to the iPhone app brings up a "not available" pop-up in the App Store. For a site that claims to have over 50 million visitors each month, the lack of accessibility to a smartphone app is just plain odd — especially in 2023.

Adding to the sketchiness, a network hack in 2016 exposed around 412 million accounts, including "deleted" accounts that weren't actually deleted from the database. If this is enough reason for you to fall back on Tinder for finding a friend with benefits, we don't blame you. Signing up with a burner email and avoiding using your real name as a username are wise moves (pick a naughty word and add 69 to the end, IDK), though keeping your personal information private is hard when credit cards are involved.

In 2007, AFF was involved in a lawsuit with the FTC over allegations that the site used malware to send explicit pop-up ads to computers owned by people who hadn't signed up for the service. Though we haven't seen reports like this recently, so we're hoping those ridiculous ads you see are at least confined to people who actually use the site.

The alternatives to AdultFriendFinder

Surprisingly, AdultFriendFinder feels much more legit than its competitors. While other hookup sites like AdultFriendFinder have names like FreeSnapMilfs.com, Fuckswipe.com, and Instabang.com, AdultFriendFinder will be the one you'd hate showing up in your Google search history the least. Most have the same general idea: to find sexual partners, have cybersex, etc., but with names like those, the authenticity is way too questionable. AdultFriendFinder boasts a much larger audience and has built credibility in a Tinder-saturated market where these blunt, friskier competitors may have trouble gaining trust.

SEE ALSO: Best hookup apps and dating sites to find casual sex with no strings attached

No matter how in the mood you are, your hungry eyes may not be able to look past AFF's heinous interface. We mentioned Pure earlier. The aesthetically pleasing, hella-millennial UX design is simply more palatable than AFF and the blueprint of what a modern hookup app should be. Kind of like a Snapchat for sex; your uploaded selfies, personal info, and conversations will self-destruct every 60 minutes. The app will send the hookup version of an Uber request to anyone close and ready to rumble, and you can choose what information to disclose from there.

Remember when we said AdultFriendFinder would be a nightmare for gay and bi women? Feeld is our favorite alternative app dedicated to singles and couples looking for threesomes, foursomes, or however many people you want — minus the unicorn hunting and rampant fetishization that many non-hetero, non-monogamous people face on traditional hookup sites and apps. Feeld went through a slight disaster of a rebrand and update in late 2023 that had us reevaluating its place among our recommendations due to bugs and location-related safety concerns. Feeld has since told Mashable that locations shared were not users' current exact locations, rather the name of the city, town, or borough.

The final verdict: Is AdultFriendFinder worth it?

AdultFriendFinder is a low-pressure way to find a friends-with-benefits situation without insulting anyone. Everyone is pretty much there for the same reason — and though it'll feel pretty unorthodox if you've only ever used Tinder to scope this type of thing out, AFF's blunt advertising at least means you won't have to explain that you're not looking for a relationship. It's niche-friendly, well-populated, and has a ton of interactive outlets to indulge your primal urges.

But that freedom comes with a price — the price is feeling like one of those people who fall for the ads that pop up before a free Pornhub video. It's not that a site dedicated to sex and sexting is inherently scammy — it's that AdultFriendFinder drowns you with explicit photos on profiles that might not even be real people while asking you to pay for a subscription with every click.

Unfortunately, no matter how in the mood you are, some people aren't cut out for the nothing-left-to-the-imagination approach with grammar mistakes all over the place. It wants to be sex-positive so badly, but the language the site has used in reference to the trans community is the furthest thing from that.

The functionality and safety of the site and the mobile app aren't where they need to be in 2023. If security measures were tightened, graphics and photos were cleaned up to feel more relevant, and decision-makers behind the scenes were given a lesson in inclusivity and pronouns/identities, AdultFriendFinder could be a handy tool to find attachment-free hookups and connect with a community that's down for anything.

This isn't a dating or hookup site we would personally use, but if you're feeling brave, you can register for AdultFriendFinder here. Just don't try this at work.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder Learn More

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Opens in a new window Credit: CyberPower CyberPowerPC RTX 5080 Gaming PC Shop Now

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