Mashable

Apple Intelligence has finally launched with the rollout of iOS 18.1 from Monday. Apple has been leading up to this release for months, riding on high interest in artificial intelligence with the the tagline "AI for the rest of us."

Even so, it's still unclear to many people exactly what Apple Intelligence even is. We've broken it down to give you everything you need to know about Apple Intelligence.

SEE ALSO: Apple Intelligence is finally here, but these 5 features won’t be available until December Apple Intelligence is 'the next big step for Apple' Credit: Apple

Apple describes Apple Intelligence as a "personal intelligence system that combines the power of generative models with personal context." Essentially, Apple Intelligence is a suite of AI-powered tools, ones which use your personal data to generate information which is more tailored to your specific circumstances. These tools are embedded directly within Apple's operating system and existing apps, rather than being their own separate, standalone programs.

"It’s personal intelligence, and it's the next big step for Apple," CEO Tim Cook said during Apple Intelligence's announcement in June. 

Available in iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, Apple Intelligence may draw from data such as "your routine, your relationships, your communications, and more" in order to learn about your personal context and customise its generated results and recommendations to you.

There are understandable privacy concerns regarding giving AI access to all that personal information. Apple has stressed that privacy and security were important considerations when designing Apple Intelligence, with many of its features running entirely on your device. Others use Private Cloud Compute, Apple's cloud computing system dedicated to AI processing.

"When using Private Cloud Compute, users' data is never stored or shared with Apple; it is used only to fulfill their request," Apple said in this week's press release. 

ChatGPT is integrated into some parts of Apple Intelligence, including its Writing Tools and Siri, for which OpenAI's data-use policies apply. However, users can opt out of ChatGPT integration.

What can Apple Intelligence do? Credit: Apple

You won't be seeing a shiny new Apple Intelligence app pop up on your Home Screen. Instead, Apple Intelligence will show up as new tools and features added to your devices' existing apps and operations. At launch, this includes:

• Writing Tools. Apple intelligence can proofread and rewrite text for you, automatically changing wording and adjusting its tone between professional, concise, or friendly. It can also transcribe audio recordings in the Notes or Phone apps (recording calls now being something that you can do), and generate summaries of text content. Writing Tools is available in "nearly everywhere you write," including Mail, Messages, and third-party apps.

• Clean Up in Photos. Users can edit images in the Photos app to completely erase unwanted elements with ease, allowing you to remove your ex from that otherwise perfect holiday snap.

• Create a Memory movie in Photos. Currently only available on iPhone and iPad, the Photos' app Memories feature will now allow users to type a description of the video they want. Apple Intelligence will then put together a "Memory Movie" using your text as a prompt, pulling photos and videos to match it. Apple claims the resulting clip will have a storyline, "chapters based on themes identified from the photos," and even a narrative arc. It will be interesting to see the plotline Apple Intelligence generates in response to prompts such as "everything we ate in Italy."

• Natural language search in Photos. Users have had the ability to search for images in their Photos app by typing in words for a while. These were restricted to simple, direct words such as dates, places, and objects. Apple Intelligence has upgraded this function by allowing you to use more natural language and describe what you're searching for, such as "John cooking in a blue jumper." You can also search for events that occurred in videos, and jump right to them.

• Notification summaries. Long and stacked notifications will now be summarised on your Lock Screen, courtesy of Apple Intelligence. On one hand, this may save you scrolling through 100 new messages after the group chat blows up. On the other, getting dumped through an AI-generated summary of breakup texts does feel pretty dystopian. Fortunately, you can turn Apple Intelligence's Message summaries off in Settings.

• Reduce Interruptions Focus. Apple Intelligence will now look at the content of your notifications when you're in the new Reduce Interruptions Focus mode, and show them to you anyway if they require immediate attention. Apple provided the example of a text telling you to pick up your child — a timely message that it's important not to miss.

• Priority messages in Mail. A new Priority Messages section at the top of your Mail inbox will now show you your most urgent emails, with Apple Intelligence surfacing important messages such as boarding passes and requests that require an immediate response.

• Smart Reply in Mail and Messages. Auto-generated responses have been around for a while. However, Apple Intelligence's Smart Reply will not only provide suggestions for response, but identify any questions in the message you're replying to so that all of them are answered.

• Summaries in Mail and Messages. Apple Intelligence will let you summarise emails and text messages without even needing to open them, including condensing down long threads.

In addition to all of this, Apple Intelligence has added several enhancements to Apple's digital assistant Siri. These include the ability to type to Siri, a more natural voice, and "more resilient request handling."

Apple does intend to add more Apple Intelligence features in the future, with a significant update currently planned for December. This will include Priority Notifications, onscreen awareness for Siri, and AI-generated emoji. Still, Apple Intelligence's current features should be more than enough for Apple fans to explore until then.

Which devices have Apple Intelligence? Credit: Apple

At launch, Apple Intelligence is available on all iPhone 16 models, as well as a couple of the more souped up iPhone 15 phones. Specifically, you can get Apple Intelligence on:

• iPhone 16

• iPhone 16 Plus

• iPhone 16 Pro Max

• iPhone 16 Pro

• iPhone 15 Pro Max

• iPhone 15 Pro

Apple Intelligence is also available on several of Apple's tablet and laptop devices. In order to get it, Apple devices must have an M1 chip or later (or an A17 Pro chip in the case of the iPad mini):

• iPad Pro

• iPad Air

• iPad mini

• MacBook Air

• MacBook Pro

• iMac

• Mac mini

• Mac Studio

• Mac Pro

Where is Apple Intelligence available? Credit: Apple

Apple Intelligence is available in most regions, the primary exceptions being the EU (though they can get it on Mac) and China. However, only US English is supported, meaning users outside the US will have to change their device and Siri's language if they want to play around with Apple Intelligence now.

The company will be adding English-language support for more regions in December, specifically for Australian, Canadian, Irish, Kiwi, South African, and UK English.

Indian and Singaporean English will have to wait longer, with Apple looking to add them as it expands to more languages over the next year. Other languages it will be adding include Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. 

How to get Apple Intelligence Credit: Apple

If you decide you do want to try Apple Intelligence out, getting it is relatively easy. First, check that you have a compatible device. If you do, make sure it's set to US English, and switch it over if it isn't. You can do this by going to "Settings," "General," "Language & Region," "Add Language…," then selecting "English (US)." 

You'll also have to make sure you have at least 4GB of storage. Apple Intelligence's storage requirements will increase as more features are added in the future, so you'll probably want to make sure there's a bit of leeway.

Once those requirements are confirmed:

1. Update your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1.

2. Go to "Settings."

3. Tap or click "Apple Intelligence & Siri."

4. Tap or click "Join Apple Intelligence Waitlist."

This doesn't mean you can immediately dive into Apple Intelligence, as following these steps will only put you on the waitlist. Apple states that while waitlist times vary, Apple Intelligence will usually be available within a few hours.  You'll receive a notification letting you know that you can activate Apple Intelligence once it's available.

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

A home should be safe and secure. That's all part of what makes it a home. And in the 21st Century, being safe and secure home means upgrading your home the latest and greatest smart tech. In other words, you need a smart security camera.

Security cameras are not only a great deterrent for break-ins and unwanted visitors, they're also an excellent means of monitoring what's happening around your home. It's little wonder that smart security cameras have become increasingly popular, which is evidenced by the rapidly advancing technology and the numerous models available.

But how do you know which home security camera is the best for you and your family? Selecting any technology for your home is hard. It's easy to get blindsided by specifications, added to the fact that everyone's home and routine is different. But don't fret: We're here to help secure your home with some helpful information and a roundup of the best security cameras currently available.

What is a smart security camera?

A smart security camera connects to an app or to your WiFi. They tend to stream live video directly to your smart device (such as a phone or tablet) and will generally have features that can be controlled remotely or via a voice assistant, They may even be powered by AI technology, with features such as automatic motion detection. You don't have to choose a smart security camera, of course, though all of the cameras on this roundup have smart technology. It's pretty much the standard now.

What’s the difference between indoor and outdoor security cameras?

Outdoor cameras must be robust enough to withstand changes in temperature and a variety of weather conditions. And when it comes to indoor cameras, most people prefer devices that easily blend into their home/decor. You don’t want anyone to be aware that they’re being recorded. After all, intruders are notoriously camera shy!

Are wireless security cameras reliable?

It’s important to consider what kind of “juice” a camera needs to operate. Does it rely on batteries or does it require a power source? You might face constraints as to where you can place a camera that needs a power source. Conversely, batteries obviously have a limited life. We can say with a moderate degree of confidence that a dead camera isn’t incredibly useful. It’s not a case of which is best, but which type better suits you.

Do security cameras have audio?

Some cameras do indeed offer audio surveillance as well as imagery. Some options will simply have a microphone that allows them to capture sound. Others can both capture and emit sound, turning them into a sort-of intercom with two-way audio.

Do security cameras require WiFi?

Like the vast majority of technology today, many security cameras available have WiFi capability. This is great for a handful of reasons including the fact that it's harder to disable them. Moreover, most cameras with WiFi allow you to turn your house into a smart home. They can integrate with Amazon and Google and even potentially let you remotely lock your door, control your lights, as well as sending you texts/alerts.

How do you access your video footage?

Though some cameras come with microSD cards, many models don’t store their footage themselves. Instead, they rely on cloud services for storage and offer you remote access. Keep in mind that not all storage is alike. Some might save footage for a month, others only a week. Additionally, you may have to pay a subscription fee for the cloud service. It’s important to consider that when pricing your options. 

What is the best security camera?

It’s all about which security camera suits you and your home. Your lifestyle or comings and goings may require a part spec. What you need are options. That’s why we’ve done the research for you and pulled together some top picks.

These are the best security cameras in 2024.

TL;DR: For a limited time at the Mashable Shop, a Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac lifetime license is on sale for £19.25 (reg. £176.53) through 3 November.

If you're struggling to be productive at work or school, then we've got a deal that might help. Right now, Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac is on sale for £19.25, an 89% discount that won't last long.

If you use a Mac for work or personal projects, consider giving yourself the gift of enhanced productivity. Even though it’s a slightly older version of Office (the most recent version is the 2021 edition), it still packs a punch with reliable features and well-loved apps. 

Office 2019 for Mac includes essential applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. These tools are designed to meet various needs, whether you're drafting important documents, managing work or home finances, creating presentations, or organising your email and calendar.

It also includes other favourite apps, including OneNote, for amplified note-taking in one central place. It also comes with Teams Classic 2019. 

One of the best aspects of MS Office 2019 is that it’s a one-time purchase. For under £20, you get lifetime access to the suite without the need for recurring subscription fees, like you would with Microsoft 365. The license covers one Mac device, and it lasts as long as your device does.

Give yourself a productivity boost at a price point that won't stress you out.

Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac is on sale for £19.25 (reg. £176.53) until 3 November at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac £19.25 at the Mashable Shop
£176.53 Save £157.28 Get Deal

A close election is all about uncertainty. So it's not surprising that many Americans are relying on polls to offer comfort, or warning. Not all polls are created equal, however — and election experts caution that some are more impartial than others.

Not only that, pollsters vary wildly in their level of outreach, and how much they adhere to industry norms regarding data accuracy.

Take this poll released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University, which says Vice President Kamala Harris was ahead of former President Donald Trump by three percentage points in the battleground state of Michigan. On Twitter/X, the improved result for Harris buoyed her supporters, while Trump fans challenged the poll’s veracity.

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Samara Klar, Ph.D., a political science professor at the University of Arizona’s School of Government and Public Policy, stresses transparency when it comes to deciding what polls to give credence to. 

“A poll consumer should be able to clearly see how the data were collected, when it was administered, how many people are in the sample, and demographics of who they are,” Klar tells Mashable. 

A weighty matter

Pay attention to whether a poll’s results are weighted, Klar adds, referring to the statistical technique done to data after collection. Weighting aims to correct sampling errors by measuring certain responses differently to account for the poll's underrepresented groups.

For example, if few respondents of a poll are Gen Z, or female, that pollster may give more weight to younger women’s responses than older, male participants.

"If the data are weighted, it is helpful to know the criteria upon which the weighting was done," says Klar.

Ideally, she adds, polls should have sample sizes close to 1,000 respondents, "as this allows for smaller margins of error and closer estimates."

SEE ALSO: Why Elon Musk is skipping around on stage for Donald Trump

A margin of error — typically around 3% for 1,000 respondents — is a caveat, acknowledging a sample can never provide a full picture. The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) describes error margins as “the range that [a respondent’s] answer likely falls between if we had talked to everyone instead of just a sample.

"For example, if a statewide survey of adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points finds that 58% of the public approve of the job their governor is doing, we would be confident that the true value would lie somewhere between 55% and 61% if we had surveyed to the whole adult population in the state."

'No way to be sure a poll is reliable'

Even accounting for ideal sample sizes, weighted data, and margins of error, David Wasserman, senior editor and elections analyst at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, paints a less rosy picture of polling accuracy.

"There is no way to be sure a poll is reliable because response rates are very low these days," Wasserman says. "Every pollster is making a different assumption about who will turn out and vote that may or may not turn out to be accurate. You can give the same raw data set to 10 different pollsters and you might get seven or eight different top-line results of a survey based on how the pollsters assume each cohort of voters are going to comprise the electorate."

If it seems like random polls are popping up everywhere lately — not just the ones from established pollsters like YouGov or The New York Times/Siena College — well, that's because they are. "There are plenty of newer pollsters with no track record or very limited track record this cycle, as there were in 2022," Wasserman says. "Democrats are fond of pointing to Republicans flooding the zone with Republican-leaning surveys."

"There is obviously an effort by mainstream and other pollsters to correct the under-sampling of Trump’s base of support in 2016 and 2020. Pollsters are going about that in different ways but one of the most common ways is to weight their sample by how voters recall voting in the 2020 election."

The weighting of so-called "recall votes" aims to correct the hesitation of some voters to admit they voted for a past presidential loser. So pollsters weighting recall votes this cycle would give more emphasis to those admitting to voting for Trump in 2020. 

One thing that unites all good pollsters, according to both Klar and Wasserman, is adherence to standards set by the AAPOR. Members of the organization, which includes the most respected pollsters, agree to abide by the organization’s Code of Professional Ethics and Practices. That includes standards on training, transparency, sampling methods, and weighting.

Reaching voters in the modern age

The dearth of responses to most polls requires careful consideration regarding weighting, Wasserman says. While the idea that pollsters are ringing up landlines is outdated, Wasserman says, even contacting people through cell phones, texts, or online panels is a challenge.

Many pollsters have also started utilizing mail to reach respondents, according to the New York Times — often with an offer of a financial incentive to take an online poll, referred to as a probability panel. The new methodology is a way to counter the low response rates of randomly calling potential voters, which is something only one notable pollster, Quinnipiac, still does.

"It's common for telephone polls, even if they’re overwhelmingly cell phone samples, to wield less than 1% completed responses," Wasserman says. "For every 100 phone calls you’re making, you might get one completed survey, sometimes it’s less than that.

"Text to web modality is reaching younger voters. But it’s difficult to reach 18-34-year-old voters no matter what mode you’re using, so what ends up happening is pollsters up-weight the respondents they do get in that age bucket to reflect their expected share of their electorate. But pollsters have to make a judgment call about what share they expect."

The Cook Political Report features a national polling average on its website, culling the latest data from a range of respected and diverse pollsters, like Fox News and ABC News/Washington Post. Three times this year, Cook conducted their own battleground state polls with a large online panel.

“We can’t be positive that our numbers reflect the true state of play, but we made our best effort to come up with an approach that our polling partners, a Democratic firm and a Republican firm, both felt comfortable with,” Wasserman says.

While imperfect, polls still serve an important purpose, Klar insists.

"Polls are great at showing us a snapshot in time: what do people think now," she says. "Forecasting requires that polls predict the future: Who will actually show up to vote weeks, or months, or sometimes years, from now? Will people change their minds between now and then? If you're interested in learning what people think today, then polls are tremendously valuable."

On the other hand, "if you're looking for a crystal ball to predict the future, you have to take poll results with a grain of salt."

Trailer for "A Man on the Inside," the latest sitcom from "The Good Place" creator Mike Schur, starring Ted Danson, is coming soon to Netflix.

Dwyane Wade is the latest athlete to suffer the slings and arrows of the internet's jokes after having the bad fortune of a bewilderingly unrecognizable statue.

In the annals of the internet, typically speaking, you see the word "unrecognizable" to describe a celeb whose weight fluctuated or hair changed. But in this case, I'd wager it'd be hard to decipher if this statue was intended to be Wade, were it not for the Miami Heat jersey. It was unveiled Sunday in front of Miami's Kaseya Center, honoring a moment in which the retired NBA legend shouted "this is my house" after a big shot.

Tweet may have been deleted

I mean...come on. At least, to my eye, that does not look like Wade. It's perhaps not as bad as that infamous Cristiano Ronaldo debacle from 2017, but it's reminiscent. There is a long history of these sorts of bad statues, but the Wade one really isn't great. Sports pundit and Ringer founder Bill Simmons said it's the worst he's ever seen.

The internet, naturally, responded with jokes.

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Wade himself said he loves the statue, so perhaps that's all that matters.

As part of its big week of Mac announcements, Apple let slip on Monday morning that the first wave of Apple Intelligence features have been let loose unto the world immediately.

Of course, that doesn't mean anyone with a newer iPhone, iPad, or Mac can just use Apple Intelligence right now. It would be silly to simply allow people to use features that are out. Instead, you need to go through a (hopefully quick and painless) process to get Apple Intelligence activated on your iPhone. Here's how it works.

SEE ALSO: Apple Intelligence is finally here, but these 5 features won’t be available until December Apple Intelligence: How long it takes to get off the waitlist

On its support website, Apple has a handy how-to list for getting Apple Intelligence off the ground on your device. Here's a basic rundown of how it works:

1. Update to iOS 18.1

2. Go to Settings

3. Go to "Apple Intelligence & Siri"

4. Tap "Join Apple Intelligence Waiting List"

According to Apple, everyone has to sit on the waiting list before they can use Apple Intelligence. The company says you can expect to be let off the waiting list "within a few hours" of joining it, but wait times may vary. Ideally, it'll be less than a day, but we'll have to wait and see how it works for people online before knowing for sure.

As a reminder, this is just the first step of Apple Intelligence infecting all your devices. This rollout features rools for summarizing and proofreading text and removing unwanted images from existing photos, but heavily generative features like Genmoji and Image Playground aren't available yet.

Elon Musk's dubious $1 million voter lottery is getting a dose of legal scrutiny, as the city of Philadelphia sues the billionaire and X owner to stop the swing state payouts.

The city's district attorney Larry Krasner is accusing Musk of trying to influence voters and running an illegal lottery, opening up the business owner to local prosecution under the state's strict lottery regulations. Krasner has asked a judge to order Musk stop the giveaway immediately, with more than 280,000 Pennsylvanians already signed up for the raffle.

SEE ALSO: The truth about voting machine security in the 2024 election

The payouts come from Musk's new America PAC, created to back the presidential campaign for Donald Trump and support "constitutional values," which ostensibly include secure borders and free speech. Musk has donated more than $118 million to the PAC, eclipsing other high-dollar contributions from the likes of the DeVos family, the Winklevoss twins, former U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft, and Jimmy John's founder James Liautaud.

Following the super pac's unveiling, Musk said he would award daily $1 million payouts to randomly-selected voters residing in swing states who signed his petition to "support the Constitutional rights to free speech and bear arms." The giveaway wasn't the first money offer from the billionaire, and many have questioned the payouts' legality under federal law. Others expressed concern about personal data privacy for those entering.

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To get around finance laws, Musk has called the lottery winners "America PAC spokespeople" and refers to the six-figure offers as "paychecks," not winnings. According to the lawsuit, Musk's actions also violate consumer protection laws by allegedly favoring winners that have attended Trump rallies. The Justice Department has also warned Musk against further action under the America PAC "lottery." Trump has avoided associating with the lottery, but has called on Musk as an ally.

Musk has recently joined the Trump campaign trail in addition to his vocal support for the candidate online. A recent New York Times report alleges that Musk's motive for supporting the twice-impeached former president is to protect himself and his companies from dozens of federal probes and to maintain his billions in government contracts.

"The Sticky," starring Margo Martindale and Jamie Lee Curtis, hits Prime Video December 6.

Wondering about the Apple Intelligence release date? I've got some good news and some bad news.

The good news is that Apple Intelligence is available now on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can play around with new features like notification summaries, AI-powered writing tools, and an updated Siri that's more tolerant of disfluencies.

However, some of the more highly anticipated Apple Intelligence features, like Genmoji and Image Playground, are not out yet. Fortunately, they will be headed our way soon.

Apple Intelligence release date

As of this writing, you can use Apple Intelligence now, as long as you have a device that's compatible with Apple Intelligence. For example, iPhone users must have an iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max or newer to enjoy Apple Intelligence.

Apple Intelligence Credit: Apple

For iPad users, you'll need an iPad with an A17 Pro or M1 chip (or newer). For Mac users, you'll need an M1 Mac (or newer).

Plus, you'll need to make sure that your device has iOS 18.1 (or iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 for iPads and Macs, respectively).

The new Apple Intelligence suite features the following:

• Clean Up Tool (Apple's answer to Google Magic Eraser)

• Writing Tools (Rewrite different versions of text for a more appropriate tone)

• Siri's new ability to handle disfluency

• Siri's expanded product knowledge (e.g., you can ask it questions like "How do I share my Wi-Fi password?")

• Transcripts for Voice Memos and call recording

• Get brief summaries of notifications, emails, texts, and more

• Natural language search in the Photos app

• Use the "Memories" Photos app feature to create a movie by typing a description (e.g., "Last summer in our garden" or "Everything we ate in Italy")

• Priority Messages intelligently shows the most urgent emails

• Smart Reply provides suggestions for quick responses to emails

Keep in mind that you'll need to join a waitlist before using Apple Intelligence. Waitlist times can vary, from five minutes to several hours.

Apple Intelligence features that aren't here yet

As mentioned at the outset, there are still some Apple Intelligence features that are not here yet, but they're on the horizon.

Credit: Apple

The following Apple Intelligence perks are coming in December:

• Genmoji (generate your own emoji)

• Image Playground (generate your own images)

• Image Wand (transform rough sketches into more sophisticated images)

• ChatGPT integration with Siri

• Visual Intelligence (a new Google Lens-like feature for iPhones with the new Camera Control feature)

Apple Intelligence is currently available in the US, but it will roll out to Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK in December.

It's not often a talk show goes silent. After all, it's right there in the name — it's a talk show.

But actor Saoirse Ronan did just that on a recent episode of The Graham Norton Show, the British talk show that typically features a roundtable discussion among famous folks. Ronan was the lone woman on the panel, which also featured actors Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, and Eddie Redmayne and the host, Norton.

SEE ALSO: 'The Outrun' review: Saoirse Ronan leads a tender and poetic addiction drama

Redmayne mentioned being taught how to use a phone as a defensive tool for his role in the assassin series The Day of the Jackal. Mescal and Norton cracked a few jokes about searching for your phone in a self-defense situation.

"Who is actually going to think about that?" Mescal said while miming the act of pulling a phone out of his pocket. "If someone actually attacked me, I'm not going to go 'phone.'"

The men laughed and Redmayne agreed, before Ronan pointed out that, actually, women need to constantly think of ways to defend themselves.

"That's what girls have to think about all the time," she said.

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A hush immediately overtook the panel and the crowd, and the male actors made sounds of agreement while nodding.

Then Ronan broke the silence with, "Am I right, ladies?" which was met with applause and cheers.

It has become a super viral moment, with lots of people posting clips online and people loving the point Ronan made.

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It was a brief moment in the show, but Ronan powerfully reminded the room how different the world can be for women and men.

The fediverse is growing.

Loops, an open-source TikTok clone, has started to accept sign ups, as first reported by TechCrunch.

The short form, looping video platform will provide an open-source alternative to TikTok in the same way that Mastodon provides an alternative option for X, formerly Twitter. Loops was created by Daniel Supernault, the founder of the open-source Instagram alternative Pixelfed. The project is being financed by user-support.

For those unfamiliar, the fediverse is a group of social media platforms that are working together through a federated protocol in order to allow users to communicate and interact with one another between social networks. A number of online platforms like Mastodon, Wordpress, Flipboard, and even Meta's Threads have joined the fediverse in the past year or so. By implementing this protocol, Threads users can choose to have their content automatically become accessible on platforms like Mastodon.

Loops will work much like TikTok, allowing users to post short form videos as well as comment on and share clips. However, for new users, content will be held in a moderation que as they build their "trust score." This trust score will also help the platform hide certain comments and apply warning labels to clips. Users with high trust scores will be able to post content immediately without having to wait for approval.

SEE ALSO: Bluesky gains half a million new users in one day after X changes how blocking works SEE ALSO: Bluesky is developing paid subscriptions — but will always be free to use, it says

As with most open-source platforms, Loops is user privacy-oriented. The platform says it will not sell user data to third-party advertisers or allow user content to be used to train AI.

It will be interesting to see an independent alternative to TikTok. While the viral video platform has found competition with YouTube Shorts, most other attempts to take on TikTok have yet to be successful. Facebook, for example, tried to take on TikTok with an app called Lasso which it eventually shut down in 2020.

Will Loops be successful? Judging by the surge in popularity for X alternatives like Bluesky and Threads, it certainly has a shot.

On Sunday afternoon in New York City's Washington Square Park, Timothée Chalamet "did the funniest thing possible" by showing up to his own lookalike competition.

SEE ALSO: What is facial contrast makeup? It's the latest TikTok trend dictating how to feel beautiful.

Over 1,000 people gathered in the park after signs advertising a Chalamet lookalike competition with a $50 cash prize appeared all over Lower Manhattan and social media. The sign directed potential Timmys and attendees to a Partiful event that boasted over 2,700 RSVPs.

At 1 p.m. yesterday, the event (and madness) ensued under the Washington Square Arch, which was live-streamed across news channels and social media. There were Wonka Timmys, Bob Dylan Timmys, and Dune Timmys battling it out for a giant trophy and $50 check, and the New York Police Department showed up and arrested a Timmy. But it was Chalamet's surprise appearance that caused the biggest stir online.

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A tweet with over 450,000 likes and 15 million views broke the news. It featured a photo of the real Chalamet posing with a lookalike and said, "LMAOO TIMOTHEE CHALAMET ACTUALLY SHOWED UP TO THE TIMOTHEE CHALAMET LOOKALIKE CONTEST IN WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK." The user replied with a charming video of Chalamet surprising his lookalike.

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Fans were quick to post footage from every angle of Chalamet's quick walk through the crowd and comment on their favorite part of the saga. One wrote, "the best part is him making his way through that entire crowd and no one noticing because there’s 100 other people that look like him there." Another said, "him arriving in a mask i know his dramatic ass wanted a big reveal he’s so funny."

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Chalamet's surprise arrival came after a photo of him walking next to one of the posters advertising the event while shooting his upcoming film Marty Supreme circulated on social media. One user posted that image next to a photo of Chalamet at the event, writing, " This was the greatest cultivation of events."

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The silly competition and Chalamet's appearance brought joy to New York City and fans far and near, a rarity in today's social media climate. One user wrote, "Such charm, such whimsy… the city needed this." Another said, "timothee chalamet lookalike contest is giving me the most joy i’ve felt in a hot minute."

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Google's AI Overviews are rolling out to over 100 more countries today, including Australia and New Zealand, bringing the algorithmically generated search summaries to millions more users five months after its US launch. It seems pretty safe to say the search giant considers the feature a success.

"We can actually do better than what's on your Search page," Hema Budaraju, Google's Senior Director of Product Management for Search, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: The new Google AI Overview layout is a small win for publishers

Rather than completely replace your standard Google Search, Budaraju stated that AI Overviews are intended to be a "jumping off point" for further investigation, quickly addressing questions that are more complex, nuanced, or have no immediate answer. As such, they may not appear for more straightforward questions which are satisfactorily answered by the Search results page.

"We add AI Overviews where we believe that it has additional value," said Budaraju.

Noting that AI Overviews have been tested "extensively," Budaraju emphasised that Google focused on Search quality and safety, implementing extra precautions concerning important topics such as health information. 

"For us, quality and responsibility is very important to the system," said Budaraju. "And some of it is learning — learning very actively through our users and learning very actively through our system."

According to Google, its testing has shown that users find search results with AI Overviews more helpful, and that younger people aged 18 to 24 have higher engagement with the feature. Users are reportedly staying longer on websites when they do click through as well. Hopefully this means people are being vigilant about thoroughly double-checking any information they're served with authoritative sources.

AI Overviews will be rolling out globally in the coming weeks, and will be available in all currently supported languages regardless of the country users access the feature from. At present, Google's AI Overviews are available in English, Hindi, Indonesia, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Credit: Google

Google initially launched AI Overviews for U.S. users in May, and was very quickly met with both jokes and criticism. Users posted screenshots of incorrect AI-generated summaries on social media (some of which were wrong to a dangerous extent), while Mashable's testing found that AI Overviews were generally "a little worse" than standard Google Searches. 

Though Google claimed that "a very large number" of screenshots were faked, the company did state that it was working to address issues with AI Overviews via improving its algorithms and removing erroneous responses.

Such improvements were apparently enough that Google felt comfortable rolling out AI Overviews to the UK, India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil in August. It also updated the AI Overview interface, more prominently displaying relevant websites on the right side of the page instead of below the generated summary. With today's rollout, millions more will now have access to Google's AI-generated search summaries.

GET $100 OFF: Don't miss out on $100 off YouTube's NFL Sunday Ticket! Today's the last day to score this deal and watch every out-of-market NFL game this season.

Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube Our pick: NFL Sunday Ticket $379.00 at YouTube
$479.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

We’re just one month into football season, and if you haven't already bought an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription, today's your last chance to take advantage of a limited-time offer that could save you $100.

As of Oct. 28, you can score $100 off YouTube’s NFL Sunday Ticket package, which gives you access to every out-of-market NFL game on Sundays. Typically, the full-season NFL Sunday Ticket package costs $479, but with this limited-time deal, you can get the full season for $379. (If you’re a student, you can get it for $199.)

SEE ALSO: So your NFL team stinks: The 2025 NFL Draft online resources you need to survive

In addition to watching every out-of-market NFL game on Sundays, the NFL Sunday Ticket package through YouTube lets you watch up to four live games on one screen in multiview. You can also get unlimited in-home streams and two streams outside your home, so you can watch games on your smartphone, tablet, or other connected devices. Plus, you can track your fantasy football players throughout the games with Fantasy View.

Want even more? This deal is also available for the NFL Sunday Ticket + NFL RedZone package, which gives you all the benefits of the NFL Sunday Ticket and up to seven hours of live football coverage with Scott Hanson, featuring up to eight games within the octobox.

Note: This subscription will auto-renew at the regular price after the season ends. If you don’t want that to happen, cancel before the renewal date.

Apple’s much-anticipated Apple Intelligence suite is finally rolling out with iOS 18.1, bringing a range of AI-driven features straight to your iPhone. The free update is live as of today, though some of the more advanced tools are slated to drop in December, per Apple’s latest announcement.

SEE ALSO: Every Apple Mac announcement so far

Leading off the announcement was Apple’s new Writing Tools—a versatile assistant designed to elevate your writing across the board. Writing Tools will let you rewrite, proofread, and summarize text directly in apps where you’re typing, from notes to messages. Apple Intelligence also includes a revamped, more conversational Siri and a new notification summary system that aggregates key updates across your emails, group chats, notes, and more.

SEE ALSO: Apple just announced the M4 Apple iMac: Here's how to pre-order it Still waiting for key Apple Intelligence features

More features are set to arrive in December with three new tools: Genmoji, Image Playground, and Image Wand.

Genmoji lets users create personalized emojis based on descriptions or photos, allowing for unique likenesses of family and friends. Image Playground enhances user-created sketches with AI, turning rough drawings into refined images. Image Wand goes a step further, generating images based on on-screen context—like creating bird illustrations while reading about birds. These tools build on the AI features in iOS 18.1, pushing Apple deeper into the generative AI space.

SEE ALSO: The real AI update: Apple launches iOS 18.2 developer beta

Apple is rolling out updates to Writing Tools, adding context-specific prompts that let users generate creative text—like transforming a dinner invite into a poem. Apple is also integrating ChatGPT’s data directly into Writing Tools and Siri, enhancing response depth and variety to better compete with popular language models.

According to Apple, the iPhone 16 lineup will also be getting a unique addition with Visual Intelligence — a feature limited to these models due to its integration with the new Camera Control button. Visual Intelligence allows users to look up information by simply pointing the camera at an object, bypassing the need to snap a photo or navigate photo app settings. It’s not revolutionary, but it streamlines searches.

Apple Intelligence won’t be available for all devices, with support limited to newer models. Only users with an iPhone 16 series (including the 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max), iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, iPads with an A17 Pro or M1 chip and later, and Macs running on M1 chips or newer will have access.

A new era of fandom has entered the villa: Netflix will now let you save and reshare your favorite scenes directly to your friend and followers. That's right. No more black screens or scrounging the timeline for ripped clips to share to your stan account, the app will do it for you.

Introduced to iOS users exclusively on the Netflix app, the new Moments feature allows users to pause their content, save a clip of what they just watched to their account (to revisit over and over again, of course), and then share to external social media platforms, group chats, you name it. Saved Moments will live under the "My Netflix" tab, and media rewatches will begin wherever you last saved a Moment. The feature will be added for Android users in the coming weeks, the company said.

SEE ALSO: What to Watch: Best scary movies

Fans at large have turned clip sharing into an economy of its own. As a popular way to evangelize your favorite shows, movies, or actors to the greater public, started by the mid-2000s GIF obsession, clip sharing has taken over apps like TikTok and Twitter on dedicated clip farming accounts that rake in millions of views. Until now, attempts to screen record or screenshot Netflix content have been fully blocked by the site, leaving most of the internet's beloved fancam makers and stan accounts at the whim of ripped illicit recordings of their favorite media.

The company will also release a celebrity video series featuring Netflix stars going over their favorite scenes. "You know that feeling when a scene, character, or line from a show or movie just sticks with you," Netflix chief marketing officer Marian Lee shared with Variety, "And you can’t help but text your friends, ‘You have to watch this, it’s so good!?' Our new campaign is all about celebrating these unforgettable moments, taking you back to the feeling you had when you first became obsessed with a great show on Netflix."

The new feature may be a calculated advertising move for Netflix itself, with viral clips often dictating public interest in both new and old media.

SEE ALSO: This is how those sexy 'Challengers' fan edits got made so quickly

But as some rejoiced, other users were quick to point out the irony of Netflix finally allowing a (monitored) version of content sharing, while at the same time cracking down on password sharing, striking its most affordable plans, and erasing digital content — including originals — from its platform.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted How to save and share a Moment Total Time

• 2 min

What You Need

• Netflix mobile app

Step 1: Download the Netflix app and log in to your account.

Step 2: Begin playing your favorite piece of media.

Step 3: When you get to your favorite part, tap on the screen and select "Moments" on the bottom left corner of the screen.

Step 4: Hit "Save" on the scene (timestamp will be included).

Step 5: You can save Moments in the app or export them to platforms like X, Instagram, or Facebook, or send them directly to your friends with a link.

SAVE UP TO 51%: Beats headphones and speakers are on sale at Amazon. Shop the Beats Studio Pro headphones for $169.99, saving $180 for 51% off.

Best Beats Deals Best Beats deal Beats Studio Pro headphones $169.99 at Amazon (Save $180) Get Deal Best earbud deal Beats Studio Buds+ $129.99 at Amazon (Save $39.96) Get Deal Best speaker deal Beats Pill $126.99 at Amazon (Save $22.96) Get Deal

We're still a month out from Black Friday, so it's a little too soon to call these early Black Friday deals. However, this week is bringing a bounty of deals across categories, including marked down MacBooks and tablets. On the headphone front, Beats are offering killer deals on their entire line-up.

Beats were Apple's first endeavor into the headphone market, and while AirPods have taken the lead in popularity, we're still big fans. The Beats Fit Pro are some of our favorite workout headphones and the Beats Studio Buds+ make for a great alternative to AirPods. And while those models are on sale, the best deal comes on the Beats Studio Pro headphones.

Best Beats deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro headphones $169.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $180.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Noise-cancelling headphones are crucial when you need to block out noisy environments or people — we all have an office yapper. However, with models topping $200, $300, or $400, making the investment is not easy. That's why we always keep our eyes peeled for big markdowns and this week, it's all about the Beats Studio Pro.

Compatible with both Apple and Android systems, the Beats Studio Pro deliver fantastic sound and incredible battery life at 24 hours with ANC and 40 hours without. They're normally $349.99, but this week, you can find them down to $169.99. That's just four cents away from its lowest price ever. That gives you $180 off for 51% savings.

More Beats deals

• Beats Solo 4 — $99.99 $199.95 (save $99.96)

• Beats Studio Buds — $99.99 $149.95 (save $49.96)

• Beats Pill speaker — $126.99 $149.95 (save $22.96)

• Beats Studio Buds+ — $129.99 $169.95 (save $39.96)

• Beats Fit Pro — $159.99 $199.95 (save $39.96)

GET 10% OFF: Stretch your holiday budget further! As of Oct. 28, you can get 10% off when you spend $25 or more on a wide selection of toys. Shop for birthdays, holidays, or just because. This offer ends Oct. 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Spend $25, get 10% off Get Deal

Whether you have a big family or just a few little ones to shop for this season, a discount or two can help stretch your holiday budget.

Right now, Amazon is offering a 10% discount on $25 or more toy purchases, making it a great time to stock up on gifts for the tikes in your life. All you have to do is add the toys to your cart, and the discount will be automatically applied once you've reached the $25 threshold.

SEE ALSO: The best gifts for teenage girls, according to teenage girls

With a wide selection of toys for kids of all ages, Amazon has plenty of options to choose from. You'll find classic board games and puzzles, like Yahtzee Classic and Twister Jr. Splash, educational toys, stuffed animals, action figures, and more. There are also a ton of arts and crafts supplies on sale, including chalk sets, coloring books, and wood-building kits.

No matter what kind of gift you're looking for, odds are you can find it and save 10% in the process.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Oct. 28: OUR TOP PICK Apple 11-inch iPad Air (M2, 128GB, WiFi) $499 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Beats Studio Pro $169.99 at Amazon (save $180) Get Deal BEST SMARTHOME DEAL Amazon Echo Hub $124.99 at Amazon (save $55 with on-page coupon) Get Deal BEST KIDS DEAL Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (32GB) $109.99 (save $80) Get Deal

We're exactly one month out from Thanksgiving, which means Black Friday season is creeping up on us. Honestly, though, there's no need to wait to start ticking off your shopping list. Amazon has already started dropping prices on its own gadgets. Not to mention, Apple is delivering plenty of exciting discounts. We've rounded up a few of the best deals we could find today to help you kick off your shopping.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Oct. 28. If you don't see anything that catches your eye, stay tuned the rest of the week as we select new deals each day.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 11-inch iPad Air (M2, 128GB, WiFi) $499.00 at Amazon
$599.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

The M2 iPad Air saw its first price drop before it even made its official debut back in May. It's seen multiple discounts since, including on Prime Day, but none have been as big as today's $100 discount. As of Oct. 28, you can grab the 11-inch M2 iPad Air with 128GB of storage and WiFi connectivity for just $499 instead of $599. It may not be a massive design change from the previous generation, but it's definitely a welcome upgrade. As Mashable's Kim Gedeon noted in her review, "The M2 chip brings sweet energy efficiency and a performance uptick."

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro $169.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $180.00 Get Deal

Not only did Mashable reviewer Alex Perry give the Beats Studio Pro 4.5 out of 5 stars, but he also awarded them a Mashable Choice badge of honor. Between their rich, immersive sound, solid active noise cancellation, and tremendous battery life, "It's hard to find a pair of over-ear headphones with a better all-around experience than Beats Studio Pro," he writes. Typically these headphones would run you $349.99, but you can pick them up at Amazon as of Oct. 28 for only $169.99. That's over half off and just a few cents shy of their lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Hub $124.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $55.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

Essentially the brain to your smart home, the Echo Hub offers a full-featured control panel with instant access to all of your smart gadgets — lights, switches, cameras, thermostat, doorbell, etc. Rather than keeping the control center locked inside of someone's smartphone, anyone can play music, stream videos, ask Alexa questions, dim the lights, see who's at the door, or adjust the temperature all from one central location. With a limited-time on-page coupon, you can snag it for only $124.99 instead of $179.99. That's 31% in savings and matches its record-low price from Prime Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (32GB) $109.99 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal

Designed for your 6- to 12-year-old, the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro came out last year and was marketed as Amazon's "best kids tablet yet." It features a 10.1-inch 1080p full HD display, a lightweight design, 3GB of RAM, up to 13 hours of battery life, and is 25% faster than the previous generation. Plus, of course, it includes a durable case (with a built-in kickstand) that can stand up to all of your little one's adventures (and messes). As of Oct. 28, it's back down to just $109.99 from $189.99. That's a savings of 42% and matches its all-time low from October's Prime Day.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.