Technology

TL;DR: Get this 9-inch wireless car display for $89.97 (reg. $179) and enjoy Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, hands-free features, and phone mirroring on the go.

Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart 9-inch Wireless Car Display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Compatibility & Phone Mirroring $89.97 at Mashable Shop
$179.99 Save $90.02 Get Deal

Long drives, constant app switching, and fumbling for directions can turn even the best road trips into a hassle. Enter this 9-inch wireless car display for $89.97 — your ticket to a safer, more connected driving experience. It brings Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and phone mirroring right to your dashboard, making your commute smoother and smarter.

This display is built for versatility. Whether you’re an iPhone or Android user, it’s got you covered with seamless compatibility for both systems. Navigation, calls, and texts are now all within reach without taking your hands off the wheel. Phone mirroring even lets you access your favorite apps directly on the screen, so entertainment is never out of reach.

Safety comes first with this gadget. The large touchscreen is designed to reduce distractions by keeping everything you need in one place. A quick glance is all it takes, helping you stay focused on the road.

Entertainment gets an upgrade too, allowing you to stream music, podcasts, and videos (safely for your passengers, of course). And because it’s wireless, you won’t have to deal with messy cords getting tangled up in your setup.

A smarter, safer drive is just one install away. Turn your car into a high-tech hub with this 9-inch wireless car display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and phone mirroring for $89.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle covers Python, AI, app development, and more. And through 12 January, Mashable readers can enroll for just £27.84 (reg. £1,194.10).

Opens in a new window Credit: Shutterstock The 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle £27.84 at the Mashable Shop
£1,194.10 Save £1,166.26 Get Deal

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to dive into the tech world, here’s your moment. For just £27.84 (reg. £1,194.10), the 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle is on sale for Mashable readers for a limited time.

This online course bundle includes 15 courses and 213 hours of expert-led training — enough to build a robust foundation in programming, whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to upskill. Covering essential programming languages like Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript, this bundle is designed to take you from zed to certification-ready with 15 courses and a limited-time £27.84 price tag — that's just £1.86 per course.

Imagine learning to develop web applications, design mobile apps, analyse data, and even dive into the realm of artificial intelligence, all from the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. The bundle’s courses are available 24/7, making it easy to fit learning into your schedule.

With real-world applications and hands-on exercises, you’ll be applying them to build practical projects that can bolster your portfolio and impress potential employers. 

The courses in this bundle focus on high-demand skills that can open doors to a wide range of tech careers. Want to develop powerful web applications? You’ll learn JavaScript, Vuex, and SQL to build full-stack projects from scratch. Interested in data science? Courses in Python and machine learning give you the tools to analyse data and generate insights that drive business decisions. For those intrigued by the future of AI, there’s a deep dive into OpenAI, ChatGPT, and computer vision — topics reshaping industries across the board.

With a growing demand for tech-savvy professionals, investing in your coding skills is a smart move.

Pick up this 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle while it's on sale for just £27.84 (reg. £1,194.10) through 12 January.

The 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle - £27.84 | Get It Here

StackSocial prices subject to change.

One day, you’re an all-powerful CEO, star wife, and mother, and the next day you're eating out of your young intern’s hand, quite literally. How is this contradiction possible, if it is a contradiction at all? The answer for both Nicole Kidman’s character in Halina Reijn’s film Babygirl and for many others who identify as BDSM submissives lies in the elusive concept of subspace: a metaphorical space and altered state one submits to during a kink scene, thanks to arousal and exchange of consent.

SEE ALSO: 'Babygirl' review: Nicole Kidman to 'Challengers': Hold my beer

The notion is very new to Romy Mathis (Kidman, whose performance won her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at this year's Venice Film Festival). She's the sharply dressed big boss with her hair always pinned up, until she meets Samuel (Harris Dickinson): a much younger, cocky, and borderline rude intern wearing a suit twice his size, filling it with ego. Romy finds herself trembling when Samuel controls a stray dog about to jump on her in the street with a mere whistle and a nod. From this seemingly passing interaction, the flows of her desire steer the narrative into the unknown waters of ambivalent wants and surrender, as Romy and Samuel begin an affair based on the exploration of dominance and submission.

"Scene" and its double meaning  Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in "Babygirl." Credit: A24

According to Lina Dune, kink educator and host of the Ask a Sub podcast, a Dominant/submissive (D/s) relationship affords "a ritual space," where equal, consenting adults negotiate, establish boundaries and safe words, and create "a container where things can transform and alchemize." The set-up is called a "scene" and within the kink scene, the submissive can experience subspace. In theatre, cinema, or kink, we associate the word "scene" with a curated experience and performance. 

Speaking to Mashable, director Halina Reijn champions this dual meaning, adding that for her, Babygirl is about performing. "Of course, in a BDSM setting, there’s a lot of performing," she says, "but sex in general can also be very performative." As a result, this theme informed the script and conversations with Kidman, becoming an instrument to explore the character's authentic self. "Romy thinks she has to perform the perfect mother, lover, wife, leader," says Reijn, "and we are all a little bit like that — what we forget to do is be ourselves and accept whoever we are."

Featured Video For You Halina Reijn explains 'Babygirl’s' trojan horse of sexual tension

But what makes Babygirl stand out is that it shows dominance and submission as a process of negotiation, trial and error, rather than a textbook example or a polished act. Babygirl’s kink scenes feel real and inviting because they lay bare the mechanisms in the inner workings of control exchange. In each scene, Samuel umms and ahhs, trails off, laughs in the middle of his commands, while Romy is shown to resist, back out, and change her mind. For the actors, this means an extra layer of performance that incorporates flippancy and respect for consent; for the viewer it means relatability.

Not every scene is a "scene" but subspace is a space Credit: A24

Subspace is a term used within the D/s and BDSM communities, according to Dune, to talk about "the altered state that comes about through the experience of submission." She insists that it is a wide category that encompasses individual experiences that may differ from one another, like that of intoxication or alcohol intake, for example. Scientifically, the state is a reaction to adrenaline, oxytocin, and endorphins rushing into the brain, but what does subspace feel like? 

Dune explains that for some people it may be "a floaty, dreamy, quiet disconnected feeling," while others might giggle or cry. "I like to refer to it as 'getting high on your own supply,'" she says, "because you're not on anything, but the experience of crossing over a taboo."

Thinking of cinematic representations of liminal states — hallucinations (Enter the Void), drug-induced trips (Queer), or drunkenness (Another Round) — perhaps film is the most suitable medium to portray a subjective, heightened state of mind. The key is in the spatial metaphor: one "goes into" or "inhabits" a space. Unlike other films, Babygirl doesn’t rely on classical point-of-view shots showing a dizzy, spell-binding world seen through the protagonist's eyes. Instead, the handheld work of Reijn’s long-time collaborator, cinematographer Jasper Wolf is more subtle. 

Lights, camera, submission! Credit: A24

Halfway through the film, Romy and Samuel decide to meet at a cheap hotel. No wonder, their affair belongs to clandestine spaces, the four walls of every office, bathroom stall, and hired bedroom swelling with desire. When it’s just the two of them, they can be free from the outside world’s demands. In that sequence, Romy storms out and comes back, Samuel wrestles her to the ground, and their power dynamics become a source of play: a scene begins. The camera sinks down with her, framing her face in a close-up, while Samuel becomes a blur in the background: where he touches her and how is not as important as Romy’s reactions. 

Discussing that part of the film, Wolf tells Mashable that the camera is like a third character in the room with them. Instead of story-boarding the shots, he would film long, single takes to capture the erotic flow of power exchange. The camera often remains still and fixed on Romy, letting the viewer accompany her throughout the cascade of emotions coloring her face with arousal: from surprise through shame to blissful release, we partake in her surrender. 

"It's like an honest and sometimes relentless gaze on what is going to happen between the two," he says. 

Coordinating subspace Credit: A24

Why can’t words accurately describe subspace? "If we lived in a matriarchal utopia, perhaps we would have more words for it," jokes Dune. But in today’s individualistic Western world, she points out that people "are expected to actualize themselves in a way that’s masculine-coded. Submission, in contrast, is understood to be very vulnerable which is more female-coded." 

In cinema, pop culture, or daily life, the derogatory stereotype for men in power who want to be dominated and/or humiliated is often presented as a point of humor. Admitting a submissive desire costs a lot: "I'll receive at least one phone call per week from someone who says they want to be a sub, but stress on the fact that they are not submissive in their day-to-day life," says Dune. 

What’s novel about Babygirl is that not only does it show the characters’ vulnerability, but also how much they are willing to reveal to one another. In cinematographic terms, this exchange of consent is translated by panning movements linking Romy and Samuel's faces as they look at each other. "Put simply," says Wolf, "the camera is often a representation of her inner world: it becomes more free and fearless alongside Romy."

On set, the cast and production team worked with intimacy coordinator Lizzy Talbot (No Hard Feelings, Dead Ringers) to ensure there were no surprises. Dickinson, who had previously worked with Talbot on the TV series A Murder at the End of the World, underscored the importance of clear communication. "If you approach [sex] scenes with too much trepidation and sensitivity, it can be anxiety inducing; you need an intimacy coordinator to be very direct and pragmatic about it," he tells Mashable's Anna Iovine. Reijn also brainstormed with Talbot when writing the intimacy scenes, saying that the work with a coordinator "goes much further than just being on set with her."

Facing subspace Credit: A24

Later in the film, there is a second hotel room scene, where Samuel "directs" Romy from across the lavish suite. He commands her to strip, tells her where to put her hands and how to pose. Even when both are naked, the camera doesn’t linger on the nudity of their bodies, but their faces. When sharing subspace, they see each other anew, and their newfound intimacy translates into the visuals. To channel the ebb and flow, Wolf used a mix of camera lenses, shifting between spherical and anamorphic. As for the visible effect, "it’s not in your face and it shouldn’t be," he says, "but a slight change of perspective [makes you] suddenly see them with different eyes." The game of letting your guard down plays out on their faces.

Unlike films like Steven Shainberg's Secretary, which relates submissive kink to trauma, Babygirl succeeds in telegraphing to a wider audience the message that these are real people, and their desires — even when dangerous to their status quo — don’t have to be as destructive or severely punished. "The BDSM community,” says Dune in relation to Secretary, "wants to see more empowered people portrayed as submissive and break that stereotype." 

But she is optimistic: "I think we’re getting closer to better representation of BDSM on screen. Obviously, I would be a lot more excited about films that hire sex workers as consultants, but for example, a film like Sanctuary had less research done into the BDSM community, but what I saw on screen rang true to me." Dune admits that she doesn’t expect education from cinema, or at least not the kind that sex and kink educators like herself offer, adding that "film should be about fantasy."

By setting Babygirl’s subspace explorations against a corporate, hetero-mono-normative backdrop, Reijn also makes a political point. However ephemeral, subspace is a consent-bound altered state that resists categorization. Perhaps a way for some of us to survive the capitalist hell is to surrender — to desires or to films like Babygirl — and take Dune’s advice: "Let the film dominate you."

Babygirl is now showing in cinemas.

Go web go! Marvel Animation has dropped a new trailer for the upcoming animated Spidey series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.

We're back to basics with this Disney+ series, sending Peter Parker (voiced by Hudson Thames) to the early days of his newfound powers, attending high school, living with Aunt May (Kari Wahlgren), and finding himself under the mentorship of Norman Osborn, future Green Goblin (Colman Domingo).

Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio are voicing their roles of Matt Murdoch/Daredevil and Wilson Fisk/Kingpin from the Netflix series, while Downton Abbey: A New Era's Hugh Dancy takes on Doctor Octopus, Cathy Ang voices Pearl Pangan, and Paul F. Tompkins is Bentley Wittman/The Wizard. But there's plenty more appearances in store.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is streaming on Disney+ from Jan. 29.

Arch Linux has built up a fanbase of dedicated Linux users who use it as their main distro. Here's why I'm not one of them, despite Arch's importance to my work.

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

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest 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 Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Keep from scoring

• Green: Used in England's summer sport

• Blue: Offensive players who play or played in LA or St. Louis

• Purple: Athletes known by their father's name

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

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

• Yellow: Prevent a goal

• Green: Cricket equipment

• Blue: Rams WRs past and present

• Purple: Famous juniors

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #97 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Prevent a goal - BLOCK, PARRY, SAVE, STOP

• Cricket equipment - BAIL, BALL, BAT, STUMP

• Rams WRs past and present - BRUCE, HOLT, KUPP, NACUA

• Famous juniors - BECKHAM, EARNHARDT, GRIFFEY, RIPKEN

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.

If you want to merge multiple PDF files into one, there are multiple ways to do that on Windows 11. You can use a free desktop app, a website, or run a command from Command Prompt to combine the files.

Whether you enjoy gaming on the go or in the comfort of your own home, you'll want to keep your Steam Deck protected against accidental drops and shock damage with a decent protective case.

As streaming and downloadable media increase their dominance, Blu-ray players are being discontinued across the industry, which means that sooner or later you won't find any players on the shelf should your current one give up the ghost. So what now?

Hertz is reportedly trying to sell some of its electric vehicles to the people who are currently renting the cars. The rental car company is apparently looking to unload a portion of its EV fleet and is proactively reaching out to customers about the option to outright buy the vehicles they're renting.

A viral post on Reddit showed an apparent email from Hertz offering a customer the option to buy the very EV they were renting. In this case it was a 2023 Tesla Model 3 for $17,913. Folks in the comments mentioned getting similar offers for other EVs.

Reddit

Hertz communications director Jamie Line told The Verge that this wasn't a new strategy and seemed to suggest it wasn't limited to EVs.

"By connecting our rental customers who opt into our emails to our sales channels, we’re not only building awareness of the fact that we sell cars but also offering a unique opportunity to someone who may be in the market for the same car they have on rent," Line said.

Hertz has long sold vehicles from its fleet and there are a number electric cars currently for sale on its site. Hertz did announce this year a plan to sell-off some 30,000 EVs after major losses.

The generative AI boom has led to more tools for upscaling and enhancing photos. I’ve been using the free Upscayl app to improve photos and screenshots, and the results have been (mostly) impressive.

Apple's Family Sharing lets you share Apple purchases and subscriptions with your family group, but it's more than just a way to let your wallet catch a breather. Here are the others ways it can help you instill a sense of togetherness.

Have you ever wondered if there was an easier way to install and update apps on your Windows 11 machine? One of the best tools for doing so is the Windows Package Manager (WinGet), which ships with the operating system itself.

The AirTag is arguably the best smart tracker for keeping an eye on your valuable belongings. While it’s easy to slip into a purse or luggage, you’ll need an AirTag holder to attach it to your keys, straps, pets, and more.

Fans of retro tech, including me, often get nostalgic about Windows XP. I used it in my childhood but didn’t think it was anything special, until a few months ago when I came across a project that modified Windows 11 to look exactly like XP. I’ve been down the XP rabbit hole since and learned some cool things you might not know.

When I’m asked to recommend a Linux distribution for beginners, I always suggest Ubuntu. It’s one of the easiest to master, but there’s still a learning curve for longtime Windows users. Here's what recommend for first-time Ubuntu users to make the transition much easier.

The 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl featured stunning football: No. 18 ranked Iowa St. knocked off No. 13 Miami in a high-scoring, 42-41 victory. However, when it came to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, hardly anyone was talking about the actual football.

That's because it is one of the most wonderfully unhinged events you'll ever see. Last year, the game generated headlines after it "sacrificed" its strawberry mascot as a toasted trophy for the winning team. In 2024, the Pop-Tarts Bowl ramped things up. They had a competition among Pop Tart mascots to be sacrificed, they resurrected last year's pastry, they ripped packaging off, and all-in-all just got super weird.

Only at this weird college football game could you see a humanoid Pop-Tart being lowered to its "death" with a sign reading "Follow Your Dreams." Naturally, the internet loved it all.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

This BlueSky post from Anne T. Donahue really summed the festivities — which all centered around a Pop Tart going to "mouth heaven" — by basically calling it a Mad Men fever dream.

don draper: the pop tart, he's selfless. the sacrificial lamb; a testament to his commitment to his truth -- a greater good. pop tarts rep: i ... i still don't get it. don draper: gentlemen (takes a long drag off his cigarette) he's jesus christ.

[image or embed]

— anne t. donahue (@annetdonahue.bsky.social) December 29, 2024 at 8:56 AM

The festivities truly were something else — I, for one, cannot wait for the 2025 Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Apple Numbers isn't as popular as Excel, but it’s a powerful spreadsheet application that offers all the essential features you’d expect. If you're thinking about making the switch, here are some functions and features you should master.

Taking a digital detox can involve things like app and website blocking or finding ways to focus without picking up your phone. These iPhone features and third-party apps can give you a head start.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games 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 today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 29 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Variations of a warm color associated with passion or intensity

• Green: Details you would confirm when setting a meeting or schedule

• Blue: Varying quantities of hair

• Purple: Sounds like a tree but isn't

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: Shades of Red

• Green: Appointment Specifications

• Blue: Different Amounts of Hair

• Purple: Tree Homophones

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 #569 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Shades of Red: BRICK, CHERRY, MAROON, RUBY

• Appointment Specifications: DATE, DURATION, LOCATION, TIME

• Different Amounts of Hair: HEAD, LOCK, STRAND, WISP

• Tree Homophones: BEACH, FUR, PAIR, YOU

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 29

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.