Mashable

TL;DR: Live stream France vs. Argentina in the Autumn Nations Series for free on TF1+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Autumn Nations Series has delivered some really entertaining games between the best sides in the world, and we're not done yet.

Fresh from beating the All Blacks last weekend, France now welcome Argentina to Paris. Argentina narrowly lost to Ireland in their last meeting, and will be desperate to turn things around with a big performance.

If you want to watch France vs. Argentina in the Autumn Nations Series from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is France vs. Argentina?

France vs. Argentina in the Autumn Nations Series kicks off at 8:10 p.m. GMT on Nov. 22. This fixture takes place at the Stade de France.

How to watch France vs. Argentina for free

France vs. Argentina is available to live stream for free on TF1+ in France.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock TF1+. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in France, meaning you can unblock TF1+ to stream the Autumn Nations Series for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream France vs. Argentina 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 France

4. Visit TF1+

5. Watch France vs. Argentina for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Autumn Nations Series without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream France vs. Argentina (plus more Autumn Nations Series fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for TF1+?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on TF1+, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including France

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream France vs. Argentina in the Autumn Nations Series for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2024 Players Championship Finals on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Butlin's Resort in Minehead is the place to be this weekend, as the 2024 Players Championship Finals comes to town. It's a little late to secure a ticket, but all is not lost. You can still live stream all the action from the comfort of your own home.

If you want to watch the 2024 Players Championship Finals for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Players Championship Finals?

The Players Championship Finals is a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation. The top 64 players from the 2024 PDC Players Championship series take part.

The defending champion is Luke Humphries.

When is the 2024 Champion of Champions?

The 2024 Players Championship Finals is the 16th edition of the PDC darts tournament. This year's event will take place from Nov. 22 to Nov. 24 at the Butlin's Resort, Minehead.

How to watch the Champion of Champions for free

The 2024 Players Championship Finals is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can stream the Players Championship Finals from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ITVX to live stream the 2024 Players Championship Finals 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 UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Steam the 2024 Players Championship Finals from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can access ITVX without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to stream the 2024 Players Championship Finals before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

There are many VPNs that can reliably access free streaming platforms like ITVX, including popular services like Surfshark and NordVPN. These services are strong options, but ExpressVPN is the top choice for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Watch the 2024 Players Championship Finals for free with ExpressVPN.

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

Looking to earn major points at home? Or do you just need to do something special to show you care? Gift-buying occasions are a golden opportunity to show the lady in your life just how special she is — your mum, your girlfriend, your wife, your daughter, your next door neighbour, anyone. She undoubtedly deserves it.

There’s a wealth of unique items scattered across the worldwide web — from smellies and self-care to technology and everything in-between. Plenty of choice is great but the product overload can lead to impulse buying. In other words, don’t blow £200 on a piece of clothing for the sake of it. If it’s not right, she’s just not going to wear it. Or even worse: She'll return it. Oh, the shame of it all.

It’s time to pull out all the stops and get her something that matters. Which means taking the time to wade through the depths of the internet to find that perfect gift. And before you even think about it, we implore you to not go down the generic flowers route. Please. It’s 2024, and not every woman is wooed by fine wines and Belgian chocolates.

This time around, we want you to think about who your special girl really is, and show her you know that with your gift. As they say, “it’s the thought that counts” — but that means you have to put some actual thought into it.

We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help get you started on the important tasks of finding a gift — and not just any gift, but the gift of all gifts – for that lucky lady. Filled with the best tech, self-care accessories, unique ideas and more, this list has something for every woman's tastes.

These are the best gifts for her in 2024.

Wicked is already bursting with stars, from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to Jonathan Bailey and Jeff Goldblum. But the film takes its star meter up a notch by incorporating three of the most influential figures from the original stage show into the film.

SEE ALSO: 'Wicked' review: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo aspire for movie musical magic Who has cameos in Wicked? Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in "Wicked." Credit: Universal Pictures

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, the original Broadway Elphaba and Glinda, both pop into Wicked for brief cameos that nevertheless had the audience at my screening going wild. They show up in the song "One Short Day," when Elphaba (Erivo) and Glinda (Grande) arrive in the Emerald City for the first time.

While there, Elphaba and Glinda go to a performance of Wizomania, a musical all about the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Goldblum). Wizomania makes up a short section of "One Short Day" in the musical, but the film expands on it, adding in a new story about the Wise Ones of Oz, who wrote a book called the Grimmerie that is only legible to those who are magically gifted (like the Wizard). Fittingly, Menzel and Chenoweth play the Wise Ones.

At an early screening and Q&A about the film, Wicked composer and lyricist Schwartz discussed the new Wizomania section and bringing Menzel and Chenoweth into the fold.

"[With Wizomania], we have time to show more of the Wizard's propaganda, how he's getting this fake story out into the world and persuading all of Oz that he has talents that he doesn't," Schwartz said. "Also, we wanted to explain more about what this mysterious book, the Grimmerie, is, because it figures importantly not just in this movie, but extremely importantly in movie two."

Schwartz and Wicked director Jon M. Chu had always wanted to incorporate Menzel and Chenoweth into the film, but couldn't figure out how. Would they be a teacher at Shiz University? Someone's mother? Finally, it was Chu who suggested the Wise Ones, especially since these roles work as a tribute to how Menzel and Chenoweth kickstarted Elphaba and Glinda's onstage lives. Their section also contains some fun connections to their original roles, with Chenoweth shushing Grande in an extremely Glinda-like way, and Menzel hitting us with her original "Defying Gravity" ending riff.

Meanwhile, Schwartz himself makes an appearance at the end of "One Short Day," declaring to Elphaba and Glinda that "the Wizard will see you now!"

Of the experience on set with Menzel, Chenoweth, Erivo, and Grande, Schwartz said, "We basically just shot it, but cried mostly."

Wicked is now in theaters.

Robotics company RobotLAB recently opened up a new warehouse and showroom in Las Vegas, offering up their four-foot-tall synthetic creations to the city’s casinos, resorts, and restaurants. According to the Dallas-based company, the robots can clean hotel rooms, serve up cocktails, provide security services, and give information and directions. Not only that, the ‘bots can also sing, dance, and give fist bumps.

“Robots bring automation to repetitive tasks — such as serving food, cleaning, and more,” RobotLAB Las Vegas partner Ketan Vaidya tells Mashable. “Instead of employees doing low value, back-breaking work, robots can do it, so that employees can focus their attention on providing excellent service to their customers.”

While some Vegas visitors may blanch at the idea of robot housekeepers and synthetic concierges, the novelty and potential trickle-down cost savings may lessen the impersonal sting — and robots in Vegas are not exactly new, as synthetic bartenders have operated in the city for years. More difficult for RobotLAB, and similar companies hoping to make moves in the service industry, is how human workers already doing said “low value” work will greet their potential robot replacements.

In Las Vegas, the powerful UNITE HERE Culinary Workers Union Local 226 has been anticipating companies like RobotLAB setting up shop and demanded “innovative technology language” in their contracts with the Strip’s big resort casinos.

Celebrating at RobotLAB's new Las Vegas location. Credit: Courtesy RobotLAB

“The Culinary Union negotiated a strong contract in 2018 to win innovative technology language that protects workers when the company brings in new technology and has been utilized to bargain over software, use of devices, and automation,” Bethany Khan, spokesperson and director of communications & digital strategy for UNITE HERE, tells Mashable. “In 2023, those rights were protected and expanded.”

The most recent contract guarantees advanced notification when new technology is introduced that may impact jobs and an increase in service recognition pay, extended health care, and pension fund contributions for workers laid off due to technology changes, according to Khan. RobotLAB has not publicly inked a deal with a notable Strip property, but Vaidya says they are having “conversations with several casinos.” As Khan points out, all the big resorts on the Strip — like Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, and the Bellagio — are unionized, meaning RobotLAB must meet with UNITE HERE representatives for demos and conversations before automatons are taking your luggage or making your bed.

For now, RobotLAB is finding success in Vegas with restaurant chains like Kura Revolving Sushi Bar and Sourdough & Co., which are utilizing the company’s delivery and serving robots. Smaller businesses may gravitate to RobotLAB's robots through their leasing options, which Vaidya says go for between $20-40 a day. As far as purchase price, Vaidya says "costs vary depending on solution" but KLAS reported the robots can cost "as much as a new car."

RobotLAB Las Vegas General Manager Jacob Fisher believes the products will create human jobs along with replacing them, telling KLAS, “There’s always going to be a person needed to maintain and service the robots. So we are just going to have robot conductors.”

Fisher's response is probably cold comfort to most UNITE HERE members, but the union did obtain language in their 2018 contract that ensures unionized casino-resorts provide "mandatory free re-training to use new technology for current jobs" and "access and mandatory free job training if there are new jobs that are created due to automation and technology," according to Khan.

Ted Danson and Michael Schur are joined by Stephanie Beatriz, Mary Elizabeth Ellis and Lilah Richcreek Estrada to delve into the themes of community and stepping outside of your comfort zone in A Man on the Inside.

A Man on the Inside is now streaming on Netflix.

The scheme was deemed one of the most "sophisticated" phishing scams of all time. But now, the five alleged cybercriminals thought to be behind the group that security researchers have called "Scattered Spider" have officially been criminally charged.

Four individuals from the U.S. – Ahmed Hossam, Eldin Elbadawy, Noah Michael Urban, Evans Onyeaka Osiebo, and Joel Martin Evans – have been charged by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft. In addition, Tyler Robert Buchanan of the UK has also been charged with an additional wire fraud count.

SEE ALSO: AT&T, Ticketmaster data breach hackers charged with stealing 50 billion records

The five defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, as well as up to five years in federal prison for conspiracy, and a mandatory two year sentence for aggravated identity theft. Buchanan also faces up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charge.

"We allege that this group of cybercriminals perpetrated a sophisticated scheme to steal intellectual property and proprietary information worth tens of millions of dollars and steal personal information belonging to hundreds of thousands of individuals," said United States Attorney Martin Estrada according to a Department of Justice statement. "As this case shows, phishing and hacking has become increasingly sophisticated and can result in enormous losses," Estrada continued.

What was the Scattered Spider scheme?

As Ars Technica reports, Microsoft researchers called Scattered Spider "one of the most dangerous financial criminal groups," and for good reason.

The alleged cybercriminals are thought to have carefully planned out an elaborate and hyper-targeted phishing scam that went after employees of large companies like MGM and Twilio. In fact, Scattered Spider's breach at MGM, which involved a phone call to the company's help desk, resulted in a temporary shut down of the company's hotel and casino operations, costing the company $100 million.

The Scattered Spider plan of attack involved sending text messages to employees at the targeted companies while pretending to be part of their employer's IT department. The texts urged the employees to login to a link provided in the text message, otherwise, the text message claimed, their employee accounts would be deactivated.

Instead of an internal company page, the link led to a phishing website designed to steal the user's information. Once on the fake website, employees would input their login credentials and two-factor authentication under the assumption that the request and website were legitimate.

From there, Scattered Spider would have the necessary information to access the computer systems of both employees and employers. Scattered Spider allegedly stole confidential information from businesses, such as intellectual property and confidential work products, and employees, such as names, email addresses, and telephone numbers.

According to federal documents, the group was able to utilize this information to steal millions of dollars from victims' cryptocurrency wallets. 

Scattered Spider's scam lasted from September 2021 to April 2023.

"The defendants allegedly preyed on unsuspecting victims in this phishing scheme and used their personal information as a gateway to steal millions in their cryptocurrency accounts," said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, in the DOJ's statement. "These types of fraudulent solicitations are ubiquitous and rob American victims of their hard-earned money with the click of a mouse."

Busy these days? Who isn’t. If you’re too swamped to scroll around for early deals on the gifts that everybody’s after this year, we’ve got your back. We’ve rounded up six awesome gifts for the pickiest and hardest-to-gift people on your list — and they’re all a steal of a deal at Walmart, right now.

From your comic-book-obsessed sister to your gaming cousin to your mom who’s thinking about renovating the kitchen, score big on these Walmart Black Friday picks and check gifting off your to-do list.

.editor-content .raw-embed { max-width: 70rem; !important } section.relative.p-8.my-12.mx-auto.w-full.max-w-3xl.border.md\:p-12.md\:my-16.border-secondary-300 { display: none; } @media (min-width: 1024px) { .qualcomm-disclaimer-text { max-width: 48rem !important; } } /* REMOVE FONT IMPORT before deploy*/ /* @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Outfit:wght@100..900&display=swap');*/ .show-on-mobile { display:none !important; } .hide-on-mobile { display:block !important; } /* Reset margins and padding */ /*body { margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: Outfit, sans-serif; display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; flex-direction: column; background-color: #ffffff; }*/ /* Container for the cards */ .container-card { display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; width: 100%; max-width: 900px; margin: 20px auto; } /* Individual card styles */ .card { width: 100%; margin: 40px 0; perspective: 1000px; } /* The inner container which flips */ .card-inner { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 572px; transition: transform 0.8s; transform-style: preserve-3d; box-shadow: rgba(149, 157, 165, 0.3) 0px 8px 24px; } /*hover*/ .card-inner:hover { -webkit-transform: rotateY(5deg); transform: rotateY(5deg); } /* Apply hover transformation on back */ /*.card.flip .card-inner:hover { -webkit-transform: rotateY(175deg); transform: rotateY(175deg); }*/ /* Apply flip transformation */ .card.flip .card-inner { transform: rotateY(180deg); } /* Front and back of the card */ .card-front, .card-back { position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; backface-visibility: hidden; } .card-front { background-color: #ffffff; z-index: 2; } .card-back { background-color: #ffffff; transform: rotateY(180deg); } /* Image style */ .card img { width: 100%; height: 85%; object-fit: cover; } /* Button styles */ .button-container { display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; height: 15%; margin-top: 0px; } .button-card { padding: 31px 20px; /*background-color: #4c4edd;*/ background-color: #cba35d; font-family: Outfit; color: white; border: none; cursor: pointer; /*border-radius: 5px;*/ font-weight: 700; font-size:20px; width:100%; border-top: 2px solid white; background-image: url(https://immersive.mashable.com/immersive/mashable/walmart/jumpstart-your-holiday-gifting/v04/gold-foil.jpg); text-shadow: 0em 0em 0.3em rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4); transition: transform 0.5s; } .button-card:hover { /*background-color: #6566e2;*/ background-color: #f2dcb4; /*background-image: linear-gradient(0deg, red, red), url(https://immersive.mashable.com/immersive/mashable/walmart/jumpstart-your-holiday-gifting/v04/gold-foil.jpg);*/ border-top: 2px solid white; background-blend-mode: multiply; } .title-persona { font-family: Outfit; font-weight: 700; font-size:26px; text-align: center; padding-bottom: 20px; } /* Responsive Design */ @media (max-width: 880px) { .card { height: auto; } .card-inner { height: 520px; } } @media (max-width: 840px) { .card { height: auto; } .card-inner { height: 500px; } } @media (max-width: 800px) { .card { height: auto; } .card-inner { height: 470px; } } @media (max-width: 480px) { .card-inner { height: 775px; } .show-on-mobile { display:block !important; } .hide-on-mobile { display:none !important; } /* Image style */ .card img { width: 100%; height: 90%; object-fit: cover; } /* Button styles */ .button-container { display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; height: 10%; margin-top: 0px; } } @media (max-width: 400px) { .card-inner { height: 718px; } }

For your noob digital gamer

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For your lil’ filmmaker

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For your comics fan

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For your spa-obsessed pal

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For your favorite fixer

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For your lil’ filmmaker

Gift Now Gift Now

For your all-in gamer

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For your comics fan

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For your spa-obsessed pal

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Britt Robertson and Chad Michael Murray discuss their roles in The Merry Gentlemen plus their own city-versus-country vibes and what made this project special.

The Merry Gentlemen is streaming now on Netflix.

Bluesky had one of its first major moments on Thursday, as former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination as President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general. The left-leaning social media platform responded in full force — with a flood of jokes and commentary.

This marked the first big news event for Bluesky's growing community to rally around since Trump's election victory, which had spurred a surge of new users to the platform.

SEE ALSO: As Bluesky surpasses 20 million users, beware the fake accounts

In case you missed it, the news itself wasn’t exactly a surprise. Gaetz’s withdrawal followed long-standing controversies, including allegations of sexual misconduct and statutory rape involving payments to a minor. While Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing, pointing out that a federal investigation did not result in charges, the cloud of allegations has lingered, as noted by the Associated Press.

Users on Bluesky were quick to jump on the news, reacting largely through memes and lighthearted commentary. The company itself has indicated it doesn't have an interest in supporting politicians — unlike X's Elon Musk devout backing of Trump — and has become the preferred platform for lots of left-leaning folks.

Since the election, the app has surged in popularity, climbing to over 21 million users, up from around 12 million in October. On Thursday, it felt like a significant portion of that growing user base had something to say — many of them with jokes aimed squarely at Gaetz.

Attorney General Matt Gaetz has brought down his first and last sex criminal, Attorney General Matt Gaetz.

— Josh Gondelman (@joshgondelman.bsky.social) November 21, 2024 at 12:45 PM

[Anne Hathaway Oscar acceptance speech voice] It came true!

[image or embed]

— Mark Harris (@markharris.bsky.social) November 21, 2024 at 12:33 PM

Folks, this is just a minor setback for Matt Gaetz. Well, several minors.

[image or embed]

— Zach Schonfeld (@zachschonfeld.bsky.social) November 21, 2024 at 1:19 PM

That news was as good as it Gaetz.

— George Takei (@georgetakei.bsky.social) November 21, 2024 at 1:15 PM

Matt Gaetz is unemployed. Lol

— Imani Gandy (@angryblacklady.bsky.social) November 21, 2024 at 12:46 PM

Happy to all who celebrate

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— Read the book Abolish Rent (@jphillll.bsky.social) November 21, 2024 at 1:27 PM

Happy to all who celebrate

[image or embed]

— Read the book Abolish Rent (@jphillll.bsky.social) November 21, 2024 at 1:27 PM

There were, of course, plenty of reactions and jokes about Gaetz on X as well. But for Bluesky, this moment felt particularly significant.

Twitter, before it became X, was known as the go-to platform for real-time reactions to breaking news. Bluesky's ability to step into that role, especially amid its post-election surge in users, signals a major milestone in its evolution as a social media hub.

If you're using the free version of Windows 10, Microsoft really wants you to upgrade.

Some users are getting full-screen pop-up ads encouraging them to buy Copilot+ PC and upgrade to Windows 11.

"With support for Windows 10 ending on October 14, 2025, rest assured we have you covered," the pop-up ad reads. "Windows 11 makes it easy to move your favorite files and apps over. Continue to experience everything you already know and love with a battery life that lasts, faster web browsing, and enhanced security."

SEE ALSO: Microsoft will let you clone your voice for Teams calls, powered by AI

According to Ars Technica, all of the ads feature a reminder that Windows 10's free security updates will stop. But those upgrades don't actually stop for ten months, so you've got time.

"Want the ultimate Windows 11 experience?" the pop-up ad asks. "Level up to the new Copilot+ PCs — the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever."

It's unclear why there's such a rush, but as Mashable has reported, having the most up-to-date software is usually the best choice for keeping your tech secure.

The trailer for Pixar's upcoming Elio is here to take us on an intergalactic adventure.

SEE ALSO: A complete ranking of every Pixar movie ever

The film centers on a space fanatic named Elio (Yonas Kibreab), who desperately wants to be abducted by aliens. Why? He has a mole in the exact shape of the Orion Nebula, so that has to be a sign.

Luckily for Elio, his dream is about to come true. He's beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from planets across the universe. When Elio claims to be Earth's leader, he finds himself interacting with a whole host of new life forms — and maybe having to solve an intergalactic crisis or two along the way.

Elio hits theaters June 13.

OpenAI may have accidentally deleted important data related to its ongoing copyright lawsuit brought by the New York Times.

First reported by TechCrunch, counsel for the Times and its co-plaintiff Daily News sent a letter to the judge overseeing the case, detailing how "an entire week’s worth of its experts' and lawyers' work" was "irretrievably lost." OpenAI had provided the plaintiffs with two dedicated virtual machines for researching alleged instances of copyright infringement. According to the letter, on Nov. 14, "programs and search result data stored on one of the dedicated virtual machines was erased by OpenAI engineers."

SEE ALSO: OpenAI says over 2 million people consulted ChatGPT for the 2024 election

The Times has accused OpenAI, and Microsoft which uses OpenAI's models for its Bing AI chatbot, of copyright infringement by training its models on paywalled and unauthorized content. The lawsuit detailed multiple instances of "near-verbatim" copy in ChatGPT responses. OpenAI has refuted this claim, saying their models were trained on publicly available data, and therefore fair use under copyright laws. The case hinges on the Times being able to prove that OpenAI's models copied and used its content without compensation or credit.

OpenAI was able to recover most of the erased data, but the "folder structure and file names" of the work was unrecoverable, rendering the data unusable. Now, the plaintiffs' counsel must start their evidence gathering from scratch. In the letter, counsel affirmed that there's "no reason to believe [the erasure] was intentional," but also pointed out how "OpenAI is in the best position to search its own datasets." The AI company has avoided sharing any detail about its training data.

Other similar copyright claims have been filed against OpenAI. But a lawsuit from Raw Story and AlterNet was recently dismissed because the plaintiffs could not prove enough harm to support their claims. Meanwhile, OpenAI has struck licensing deals with several media companies, to use their work for training and providing ChatGPT responses with citations. Recently, Adweek reported that OpenAI is paying publishing giant Dotdash Meredith at least $16 million a year to license its content.

SAVE 46%: The Google Nest Video Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen, Snow) is just $98 during the Amazon Black Friday event, down from the typical price of $179.99. That's a savings of $81.99 and the best price we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Nest Video Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen, Snow) $98.00 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $81.99 Get Deal

Ready or not, it's time to shop for the holidays. Black Friday sales are well underway at Amazon and Best Buy, offering some of the best prices we've seen all year on some holiday must-haves. If you've been thinking about getting a video doorbell, there's a great deal in store at Amazon.

As of Nov. 21, the Google Nest Video Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen, Snow) is on sale at Amazon for only $98, down from the standard price of $179.99. That means you'll be in for a 46% discount and a savings of $81.99. Not only is this the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon, it beats the Black Friday sale price at Google's online storefront.

The wired Google Nest Video Doorbell gives you an uninterrupted view of your front door with no charging required. With the free Google Home app, you'll be able to get instant notifications when someone comes to the door. But instead of getting non-stop notifications every time a leaf blows by, Google uses smart detection to tell the difference between a package, animal, or car. With the free app, you get access to the previous three hours of activity, with two-second previews and five-minute clips of important events.

The doorbell also allows for two-way audio, so you can let your friend know you'll be outside in two minutes or let the delivery person know it's ok to leave the package on the front porch. You can also select a pre-recorded response.

Amazon isn't messing around with sale prices on Google home security devices this Black Friday. Not only does Amazon have the lowest sale price on the Nest Video Doorbell, the retailer also beats others by offering 30% off the Google Nest Indoor Security Cam. Together, you could be making some serious improvements to your home security system this winter.

If you're shopping Black Friday sales and expect packages to arrive on your doorstep in the next few weeks, upgrade to the Google Nest Doorbell and keep an eye on your porch. With the sale price at Amazon, you'll be scoring a sweet 46% discount, spending just $98 instead of the typical $179.99. Now that's a smart deal for a smart home.

Digital wallets and payment apps — like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, and PayPal — are facing stronger regulations under the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the nation's bank and financial service watchdog.

Through a new rule passed Thursday, the agency will have the power to supervise the behavior and policies of nonbank companies offering digital funds transfer and payment wallet apps —recategorizing these processors and their Big Tech owners under similar rules to banking institutions. Under its new powers, the CFPB can keep a closer eye on data collection and sharing, monitor fraudulent transactions and disputes, and act as a safeguard for users who are forcibly unbanked by having their accounts closed or frozen.

SEE ALSO: One thing to know before you buy a gift card

"Today's rule represents the latest step to strengthen oversight of large technology firms in consumer financial markets," the agency wrote. "The CFPB warned Big Tech firms in 2022 about their obligations under consumer protection laws when using behavioral targeting for financial products."

The rule applies to apps and services that process more than 50 million transactions per year. According to the CFPB, the most popular of these apps process over 13 billion consumer payment transactions annually. Payment apps have skyrocketed in use and popularity, outpacing the use of traditional debit or credit cards and even financial institutions at large among predominantly middle and lower income users. According to a 2023 report by the CFPB, the amount of money transferred over payment apps quadrupled between 2018 and 2022, with apps storing billions of dollars outside of federally insured banks or credit unions. The CFPB and other watchdogs have warned that this poses a higher risk of loss and fraud.

Consumer advocates like the National Consumer Law Center (NCL) are celebrating the new rule. "As our financial system evolves, it’s important that regulators keep up. Director Chopra and CFPB staff have done invaluable work over the past three years to ensure that payment facilitators follow the law, even as the technology advances. The final rule announced today will better protect the millions of consumers who use digital wallets and payment apps every day," said NCL vice president of public policy, telecommunications, and fraud John Breyault. In January, a coalition led by the NCL urged the CFPB to broaden the proposed oversight to additional financial areas, as well, including crypto-asset transactions and correctional money transfers and release cards.

"Digital payments have gone from novelty to necessity and our oversight must reflect this reality,” wrote CFPB director Rohit Chopra in a press release. "The rule will help to protect consumer privacy, guard against fraud, and prevent illegal account closures."

SAVE UP TO 55%: Amazon's Black Friday sale is now live, and so are the deals on Amazon Echo devices. Find the lowest prices ever on Echos, including 55% off the Amazon Echo Pop, which is back down to $17.99, saving you $22.

Best Echo Device Deals Best Echo deal Amazon Echo Pop $17.99 at Amazon (Save $22) Get Deal Best Echo Show deal Amazon Echo Show 5 $44.99 at Amazon (Save $45) Get Deal Best Echo alarm clock deal Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon (Save $35) Get Deal Best Echo Kids deal Amazon Echo Pop Kids $22.99 at Amazon (Save $27) Get Deal

"Alexa, when do Black Friday deals start?" Right now.

This year, Black Friday falls on Nov. 29, 2024, and while we're still weeks away, the early deals are here. Apple is already unleashing deals across its products, and big ticket items like robot vacuums are dipping in price ahead of the big event. So if you're looking to make your home a little smarter, now is the time to shop Amazon's Echo devices.

Echos are some of the easiest (and most affordable) ways to upgrade your smart home, helping you do everything from play music to set daily lighting routines. Just one month ago, we were tracking deals during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, and we saw the lowest price ever on Echo Devices. Way ahead of Black Friday, we're already seeing those deals swing back around.

Here are the best deals on Amazon Echo Devices to shop ahead of Black Friday.

Best Echo device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Pop $17.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $22.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The line-up of Amazon Echo devices is sprawling. You can find everything from a multitasking smart speaker to a touchscreen smart home hub. The absolute best deal on Echo devices right now is on the Amazon Echo Pop. This small but mighty device with a quality speaker and built-in assistant so you can play music just by calling out to Alexa.

Currently, it's down to $17.99 — its lowest price ever. That knocks 55% off the regular price for $22 in savings. While we expect this price to hang around through Black Friday weekend, you can rest assured you're getting it at a great deal when you buy now.

More Amazon Echo deals

• Amazon Echo Pop Kids — $22.99 $49.99 (save $25)

• Amazon Echo Auto — $24.99 $54.99 (save $30)

• Amazon Echo Dot — $22.99 $49.99 (save $27)

• Amazon Echo Dot Kids — $27.99 $59.99 (save $32)

• Amazon Echo Spot — $44.99 $79.99 (save $35)

• Amazon Echo Show 5 —$44.99 $89.99 (save $45)

• Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids — $49.99 $99.99 (save $50)

• Amazon Echo — $54.99 $99.99 (save $45)

• Amazon Echo Show 8 — $79.99 $149.99 (save $70)

• Amazon Echo Hub — $124.99 $179.99 (save $55)

SAVE $19.01: As of Nov. 21, get the Apple Magic Mouse at Amazon for $79.99, down from $99. That's a 19% discount and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple Magic Mouse $79.99 at Amazon
$99.00 Save $19.01 Get Deal

One of Apple's veritable superpowers is its ability to design seamless, svelte-looking products like the MacBook Pro and the iPhone. But one of its most attractive items that often gets overlooked is the Magic Mouse. It's simple to add to just about any Mac setup, and having a physical mouse instead of relying on a trackpad can fundamentally change the way you use your computer. If you don't yet have one, today's a good time to grab a Magic Mouse at the lowest price we've seen ahead of Black Friday.

As of Nov. 21, get the Apple Magic Mouse for just $79.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $99. That's a discount of $19.01 and 19% off. It's the lowest price we've spotted for this model, and you can get either the Black or White colorways at this discount.

SEE ALSO: Amazon has dropped the Apple MacBook Air to its lowest-ever price for Black Friday

The Magic Mouse is compatible with your Mac, MacBook, and iPad, and it connects via Bluetooth. It comes with a rechargeable battery that you can juice up via USB-C, and it connects, as its name implies, "magically" to your devices without any frustrations you might get from other mice. It's small, sleek, and clicky, and the entire mechanism moves when you press down. It isn't divided into buttons, as you can click contextually for a right-click.

If you want to enhance your on-the-go workstation or just stop relying on your MacBook's trackpad, a Magic Mouse is a great addition to your setup. And at this price, it's really worth grabbing even if you just want it as a backup.

SAVE $90: As of Nov. 21, Apple AirPods Pro 2 are available for $159.99 at Amazon. That’s a 36% discount off their usual price of $249.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $159.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $89.01 Get Deal

Your playlist deserves better, and so do your ears. Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro are on sale for $159.99 during Amazon’s Black Friday event. That’s $90 off their usual $249 price tag — enough savings to justify upgrading from that tangled mess of wired earbuds you’ve been clinging to since the early 2010s.

The AirPods Pro 2 aren’t just headphones — they’re your personal sound sanctuary. Equipped with Apple’s H2 chip, these earbuds deliver twice the noise cancellation of the original model. That means no more being serenaded by crying babies on flights or chatty coworkers when you’re trying to focus. When you need to tune into the real world, Transparency mode and the new Adaptive Audio feature adjust on the fly, keeping things seamless.

SEE ALSO: Save over 80% and get a free £10 voucher with the best Black Friday Audible deal

The sound quality? Chef’s kiss. Custom drivers ensure crisp highs, rich bass, and an audio experience that makes your favorite songs sound better. Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking takes it further, making you feel like the lead in your cinematic soundtrack. When it’s time for a call, Voice Isolation ensures your voice comes through clearly, even if you’re in the middle of a bustling café — or dodging street performers in Times Square.

Comfortable enough to forget you’re wearing them, the AirPods Pro 2 come with four silicone tip sizes and an IP54 rating, meaning they can handle sweaty workouts and unexpected rain. With up to six hours of listening time per charge and 30 hours total via the USB-C MagSafe case, they’re in it for the long haul.

This deal is for the classic white model — because sometimes, sticking with the original look is the boldest choice. Don’t wait too long; these earbuds are a Black Friday favorite and might vanish faster than your favorite track on repeat.

GET $340 OFF: As of Nov. 21, you can get a roborock Qrevo S Robot Vacuum and Mop for $459.99. That's 43% off the original price or $340 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: roborock roborock Qrevo S Robot Vacuum and Mop $459.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $340.00 Get Deal

Where floors are concerned, the roborock has it handled — take advantage of this Black Friday sale for the easiest cleaning day you’ve ever had. A variation of our top robot vacuum, the roborock Qrevo S Robot Vacuum and Mop is priced up, but justifies this with superior cleaning. 

The roborock Qrevo S deploys both a vacuum and mop, automatically cleaning up messes and suctioning away pet hair, dust and dirt. It leverages powerful 7000Pa suction to ensure it gets everything.

SEE ALSO: Finally live: Amazon's official Black Friday sale and a ton of new deals are here

At its dock, the Qrevo S self cleans its mop and vacuum, even squeezing the mop, and auto-drying it with a hot air feature. The dock is designed to self-clean without maintenance from you for up to seven weeks.

As of Nov. 21 you can get the roborock Qrevo S Robot Vacuum and Mop for $459.99 — that’s $340 off its full price of $799.99.

The robot mop uses smart obstacle avoidance to ignore slippers, socks, and sleeping cats. The system uses LiDAR to navigate and also generates 3D maps of your home to help, which you can also view. 

Take advantage of this Black Friday sale and innovate your home cleaning with one of the best robot vacuum brands we’ve tested.

Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once) and Zosia Mamet (The Decameron) team up for the dark rom-com series Laid.

SEE ALSO: 'Laid' trailer: Stephanie Hsu and Zosia Mamet investigate a literal body count

Hsu stars as Ruby, a woman who learns that all her past lovers are dying in bizarre ways. Are these deaths all just coincidence, or could she be passing along some strange kind of sex curse? To find out, Ruby and her best friend AJ (Mamet) will take a walk down memory lane to warn all of Ruby's past hook-ups that they're (probably) going to die. What could go wrong? And how can Ruby find love when seemingly everyone she touches is marked for death?

Laid premieres Dec. 19 on Peacock.