Mashable

Lately, users have noticed an influx of AI-generated summaries of product reviews on Amazon. Can they be trusted?

Amazon products often have hundreds and thousands of reviews, and it can be tedious and time-consuming to sift through all this feedback. But shopping on Amazon for a laptop stand, for example, often requires sifting through many options on the site that vary drastically in quality, a workload more appropriate for investing in a car than for buying a quotidian household item. Last August, Amazon announced a solution to review fatigue: an AI-generated summary that succinctly highlights the pros and cons from customers.

SEE ALSO: 5 ways AI changed the internet in 2023

Theoretically, the feature is a useful tool that helps consumers quickly decide what products to buy. But the appearance of these summaries underscores the pitfalls of relying on generative AI: inaccuracy and misleading information.

A quick search on Amazon surfaced several issues. An AI-generated summary of reviews for the Manduka GRP Adapt Hot Yoga Mat, referred to a different yoga mat by a competitor brand, calling it the "Alo Warrior Yoga Mat." Amazon has since resolved this specific issue after Mashable brought it to their attention. But fixing individual inaccuracies in the outputs of a large language model is a bit like whac-a-mole, because not even the engineers fully understand the models' behaviors.

The AI-generated summary mistakenly calls the Manduka yoga mat the "Alo Warrior Yoga Mat," which is a different product and brand. Credit: Amazon

And therein lies the problem with relying too heavily on generative AI. Training AI to behave autonomously also means models can "act out" in unintended or baffling ways.

In a few other minor examples, the AI review summary for something called Musher's Secret referred to the product vaguely as "pet supplies" and said that it keeps "the psa pads warm." Being an ointment that protects dog's paws from icy pavements, that's probably meant to be "paw pads" unless "psa pads" are something we don't know about. In terms of AI common sense, it would seem the model "learns" to write things like "psa pads" in place of "paw pads" from the idiosyncrasies of real users, which would arguably lend the AI's outputs a certain authenticity. But is that what users should want?

The Musher's Secret review summary calls the product "the pet supplies" and writes "psa" instead of presumably "paw." Credit: Amazon

For a TheraGun mini massage gun, the review summary puts the word "app" in all caps, so it reads "they mention that the APP provides useful information about the battery and how long it lasts." It's reasonable to assume, the summary is talking about the accompanying app, but what if instead it was referring to a technical feature called "APP?"

Writing "app" in all caps is a minor issue but could be confusing for customers. Credit: Amazon

Granted, these are minor errors that don't impact the essence of the summary. Plus, human reviews contain typos all the time and that doesn't necessarily destroy their credibility. But perhaps the bar should be higher for a non-human intelligence that hasn't earned our trust yet. So any inaccuracy or nonsensical gibberish feels like an immediate red flag.

Still worse: if inaccuracies and hallucinations go unnoticed, these summaries — presented as more or less authoritative — could damage the reputations of products. A Bloomberg report discovered that the product review summaries exaggerate the negative aspects of reviews, which mislead consumers. The AI-generated summary of Penn tennis balls with a 4.7-star rating highlighted odor as a negative. But of the 4,300 ratings, "only seven reviews mention an odor." Not only does this mislead customers, it might create problems for merchants.

Plus, the reviews didn't specify the type of odor, but don't all fresh tennis balls have that pungent rubbery smell that some people even enjoy? References to things like the smell of tennis balls seem less like the inclusion of legitimate complaints, and more like the intrusive voices of Karen-style reviewers who disproportionately give products negative reviews due to something unreasonable like packaging being hard to open.

This use of the technology also raises questions about what should and shouldn't have AI-generated review highlights. For quality control and to ensure products don't have AI-generated summaries of scammy reviews, Amazon only uses Verified Purchase reviews, and focuses on products that have "a minimum number of reviews," and only in situations in which "customers share the same opinion," said spokesperson Maria Boschetti.

Currently, Amazon does not have review highlights for books, which seems like a good thing. But it does have review highlights for medicine like Advil ibuprofen, which may not rise to the level of a potential danger, but does suggest a certain lack of caution in the rollout of this feature. Amazon says it plans to expand into more categories, so caution does not seem to be on the menu at the moment.

While it wasn't hard to find flawed examples, customers are already finding the feature useful. A Mashable employee looking for an inexpensive tripod was able to decide by comparing the summaries of different product reviews, and picked one that had no negative feedback, compared to others that had slightly more mixed sentiments.

"Our analysis has found that review highlights are helping customers find the products they want and are leading to increased sales for sellers," said Boschetti. "We care a lot about accuracy, and we will continually improve the review highlights experience over time."

And let's be honest, most people can't or don't want to spend the time parsing through reviews when a simple summary will suffice — as long as it's accurate.

So should you trust these review summaries? A better question might be, are these summaries more convenient for users than the previous system? One could — very cautiously — argue that the answer to that question is "trust, but verify, by understanding the technology's flaws and weaknesses."

Wondering how to check the CPU temperature on your computer? Even some of the best laptops are guilty of running hot — and an overworked or failing CPU could be an issue.

Learning how to check CPU temperature on your computer is a great way to prevent minor issues before they become major problems.

A CPU that’s too hot can cause damage to your other computer components, slow down your entire system, or shut your computer off entirely. There several programs that can check your computer’s CPU temperature, but Core Temp is one of the easiest to use.

How to check CPU tempStep 1: Download the Core Temp program. Credit: Sarah Chaney

Head to the Core Temp website and click on the blue Download link at the top of the page. Open the .exe file once it’s finished downloading. 

Step 2: Follow the on-screen instructions to install Core Temp.

Once you’ve opened the downloaded .exe file, your computer might ask if you want to allow the app to make changes to your device; choose “Yes” for this prompt. 

The Core Temp Setup Wizard will pop up, and you’ll need to select “Next” on the following three screens, pausing only to change your download location if you’d like.

Step 3: Uncheck boxes to avoid installing unnecessary bloatware. 

On the screen with checkboxes, none of the boxes need to be checked. Most people will definitely want to uncheck the box for “Build your kingdom with Goodgame Empire,” but unchecking the other two pre-checked boxes will be personal preference.

Credit: Sarah Chaney

You can leave the box checked for “Create a desktop shortcut” if you want quick access to the program, or leave “Install additional language packs” if your native language isn’t English.

Select “Next” when you’ve unchecked all the options you don’t want, click “Install” on the next screen to finalize installation, and select “Next” one more time. On the final screen, clicking “Finish” will launch the Core Temp program and a Readme.txt file with instructions on how to use the program.

Step 4: Check out your computer’s CPU temperatures.

In the Core Temp program, you’ll see your CPU’s current temperatures below the “Processor #0: Temperature Readings” heading. Depending on your processor, you might see a temperature reading for each of your processor’s cores or just the first core.

Credit: Sarah Chaney

The first column displays your core’s current temperature, but you’ll want to leave the program open for a while and pay closer attention to the “Max” column. This column shows you the highest temperature your CPU core reached since opening the Core Temp program. 

What’s a normal CPU temperature?

A normal CPU temperature can vary based on your specific processor. In the Core Temp program, you can see your CPU’s “Tj. Max,” or Temperature Junction Maximum.” The “Tj. Max” number you see is the highest temperature that’s safe for your processor, so if you’re consistently seeing higher temperatures than that number, it’s time to diagnose a problem.

Generally, your CPU’s temperature should be between 40 to 50 degrees Celsius (104 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit) or lower with no active tasks; between 50 to 65 degrees (122 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit) when performing idle work (e.g., checking emails or shopping online); and between 65 to 80 degrees Celsius (149 to 176 degrees Fahrenheit) while running performance-intensive programs (e.g., gaming).

TL;DR: Through Jan. 28, get the 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle for only $49.99 (reg. $1,500).

Whether you’re looking to start a career in coding or just want to learn for fun, the 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle is great for beginners and experienced users alike. With 15 courses and 213 hours of content, this collection of lessons teaches you the basics of coding, game development, ChatGPT, and more while allowing you to learn at your own pace. And for a limited time, it's on sale for $49.99.

Lessons are taught by leading industry experts, like Jose Salvatierra (founder of Teclado and a software engineer), and give you the essential tools to get started in web development. Technology is evolving faster than ever, and you can better keep up with the competition by learning a new skill set. Create your own software, design a video game, or utilize OpenAI technologies— the creative opportunities are plentiful. 

This bundle includes the following comprehensive courses:

• Learn to Code with Python 3

• C++ for Absolute Beginners 2024

• ChatGPT Series: OpenAI Fundamentals 2024

• MySQL & SQL for Beginners

• The Complete Python Course: Learn Python by Doing in 2024

• Google Assistant Automation IoT Development

• Computer Vision & Deep Learning with OpenCV and Python: Build 15 Projects

• JavaScript Complete Guide with Practical JavaScript Projects

• Web Development with Vuex (2024)

• Flutter & Dart: Complete Flutter Dart Programming Course

• Java Programming for Complete Beginners

• Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification Training

• ChatGPT for Salesforce Development

• 2024 Complete Ruby on Rails 6 Bootcamp

• Game Development and Coding for Kids

Through January 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get the 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle on sale for just $49.99 (originally $1,500), with no coupon needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Joseph Delgadillo The 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle $49.99 in the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of January 24, save $20 on a lifetime subscription to Tykr Stock Screener's premium plan with the code STOCK and get it for just $119.99.

While it's initially intimidating to wager your hard-earned cash on stocks, investing is also one of the only ways you can grow your money. But it's understandably a scary venture for newbies, especially those not well-versed in the stock market just yet.

If that's the case for you, Tykr is a tool that can help you navigate the complexities of the stock market. And through January 28, you can grab a lifetime subscription to its premium plan for an extra $20 off with the coupon code STOCK.

Tykr is a stock screener developed to hold your hand in the chaotic world of investment. It provides educational tools to teach you what you need to know about investing, giving you the proper support to make informed investment decisions.

With Tykr, you can find investment opportunities in a matter of seconds. It supports over 30,000 U.S. and international stocks, exposing you to a broad spectrum of options to diversify your investment portfolio. But instead of just providing a mere list, it organizes stocks in various categories to guide you in identifying their financial strength. You'll know when a stock is considered a potential buy, something to watch, or is overpriced. The higher its assigned score is, the safer an investment vehicle it's supposed to be.

It's not sorcery. Tykr uses open-source calculations to analyze each stock, allowing you to have a look at how computations are made. Of course, you'll also get risk management lessons along the way so you can work on minimizing your losses as you grow your portfolio.

Normally retailing for $900, you can grab a lifetime subscription to Tykr's premium plan for an extra $20 off when you use the code STOCK and order through January 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tykr Tykr Stock Screener: Premium Plan Lifetime Subscription $119.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of January 24, get Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional for only $29.99 — that's 88% off.

Whether you need to draft a flowchart or create a floor plan, creating a clean, legible visual representation of complex data can be tough, especially if you're using software that isn't designed for it. Microsoft Visio is the tool for the job if you need to craft a visual representation of data, whether it's a chart, diagram, seating chart, or even mapping the furniture layout of a room. 

Typically, access to Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional would cost $249, but you can get it for just $29.99. 

It's off the chart

Ditch the MS Word graph insert and use an app that's actually designed to make your data look good. Use Visio for everything from crafting flowcharts, org charts, diagrams, and more. You can access premade templates or take advantage of starter diagrams and stencils to craft your own. 

Make sure to take a look at the huge library of shapes available in Visio's online content ecosystem. There are a quarter million of them, so there's plenty of room to insert visuals as needed, but you don't have to do everything manually. Visio supports automatic org chart generation using data from Excel, Exchange, or Microsoft Entra ID. 

This is a one-time purchase, but there are a few things to keep in mind with it. A Microsoft 365 subscription isn't included, but you do need one or a standalone subscription to SharePoint. Check out the other requirements for using this software, but they may already be covered if you're shopping for apps to use in the office. 

One app for all your data visuals

Use one app to create eye-catching visuals for all your data. 

Get Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional for Windows for just $29.99 (reg. $249). 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: SmartTrainingLab Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional for Windows $29.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: Through January 28, get this refurbished iPad Air with accessories for only $349.99 — you'll save 14% on the usual refurbished price.

When it comes to buying gadgets, it doesn't always stop at purchasing the device itself. There's usually an extra stretch on your wallet for accessories and peripherals, including a screen protector and a case. Before you know it, you've added a couple more dollars to your total, which isn't ideal, especially when trying to keep your finances in check.

This makes this deal on a refurbished iPad Air all the more enticing. Apart from a new-to-you device that's already a fraction of the price of a brand-new unit, it also comes with a bunch of accessories, saving you from the extra shopping hassle and added expense. Through January 28, you can grab the set for $349.99.

The refurbished iPad Air in this bundle may be a 3rd-gen 2019 model, but it boasts a litany of nifty features, including a 10.5-inch screen with a 2224 x 1668 touch-sensitive Retina display that makes surfing, streaming, and gaming sharper and an Apple A12 Bionic processor and 3GB of RAM that make even the most graphic-intensive games smooth to run. It also packs 64GB of internal storage for storing all your essential files, media, and favorite apps.

This iPad also has a dual camera for snapping high-quality photos, and its battery can last up to ten hours on a single charge. Rounding out the bundle are accessories, including a snap-on case, pre-installed tempered glass, and a charger.

It's worth noting that this iPad has a grade B refurbished rating, meaning it may have light scuffing or dents here and there. But despite the minute cosmetic marks, you'll be getting your hands on a 2019 iPad Air with high-tech features for less than what you'd pay if you opt to buy brand-new.

Formerly $409, you can grab this 2019 refurbished iPad Air bundle on sale for $349.99 until January 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2019 refurbished iPad Air bundle $349.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

Tesla is preparing to build a new electric car model in 2025, and it might be a banger.

According to Reuters, which cites four people familiar with the matter, Tesla has told suppliers it wants to start production of a new electric vehicle in June next yet.

UPDATE: Jan. 25, 2024, 11:58 a.m. EST Tesla CEO Elon Musk just confirmed most of this report during Tesla's earnings call on Wednesday. He called it a "next-generation, low-cost" car, and said that Tesla will achieve the lower price with a "revolutionary manufacturing system." His timeline is, however, a little less optimistic (and do note that Musk's timelines are almost always overly optimistic) than what Reuters' report suggested. "Our current schedule shows that we will start production towards the end of 2025, sometime in the second half," he said.

SEE ALSO: Tesla wouldn't put a solar roof on Model Y so this owner did it himself

The new car, codenamed Redwood, will be a compact crossover, some of the sources told Reuters. If true, this would likely make this new model an affordable, popular option among buyers. Tesla's mid-sized SUV, the Model Y, is currently the company's best-selling car.

According to the report, Tesla is looking to produce 10,000 units of this new model per week.

Tesla recently started selling a new model, the Cybertruck, after several years of delays. But that car is an unusually designed, pricy, massive pick-up, which will certainly never reach the volume of Tesla's most popular models. The company also recently started selling a refreshed variant of its Model 3 compact sedan, and reports claim that a refreshed version of Model Y is due to arrive this year.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in May that the company is working on two new models, though details were absent, save for a silhouette of one of the new cars. He did say that “both the design of the products and the manufacturing techniques are head and shoulders above anything else that is present in the industry.”

Musk previously mentioned a new model with a starting price of about $25,000; the company also plans to build a robotaxi, which is a car specifically designed to haul passengers autonomously.

TL;DR: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is on sale for £19.66, saving you 87% on list price.

Have a refurbished computer on your wish list? Whether you're hoping to receive a new-to-you device, or you are planning on placing a refurbished PC under the tree for a loved one, don't forget that it may need an upgrade in the Microsoft operating system department. That's where Microsoft Windows 11 Pro comes in.

You can save on a Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license with this amazing deal on the updated operating system. Windows 11 Pro makes an old device feel brand-new, and a lifetime license is currently available for just £19.66, no coupon code needed.

Refurbished devices are excellent for saving money, but you may not realise they likely won't come with the latest and greatest operating system. This deal on Microsoft Windows 11 Pro fixes that for a steal, offering the versatility of this revamped system. Not only is it packed with valuable features, it also offers enhanced security, improved performance, and plenty of customisable options to make your device your own.

Among the most helpful features available? Features that provide peace of mind like Microsoft Information Protection integration, which helps keep your most important info safe from data leaks, and BitLocker Encryption, which encrypts your data on your hard drive so it can't be read unless a correct decryption key is available. And with Windows 11 Pro, you'll get new updates and exclusive features, while enjoying all kinds of apps, features, and updates that aren't available to those with Windows 10. 

Save big on a lifetime license to Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, available for £19.66, with no coupon code required.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro £19.66 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

For Jay Duplass and his family, Tuesday nights are reserved for Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Right when new episodes drop, you can find Duplass — who plays Hades in the show — sitting on the couch with his wife, their 15-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son, and their two dogs, dinner at the ready, eager to dive into the next installment of Percy's (Walker Scobell) mythic adventures. For Duplass, a filmmaker and actor known for his work on movies and TV shows like Transparent and Togetherness, Percy Jackson and the Olympians marked the first project of his that his children could watch him in.

SEE ALSO: How is 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' different from the books?

"Not only is it the first thing that they can watch me in, but it's without a doubt their favorite book series of all time," Duplass told Mashable in a video interview. "They have read all of the books at least five times. They're rabid, rabid fans."

The idea of being part of an adaptation of this scale intrigued Duplass. "It's always interesting walking into a piece of art that you already know about. Mostly, it was a curiosity of wondering how they were going to do things," he said. "It was just cool to enter the universe. I honestly didn't go in with super strong ideas about what I wanted to do with Hades until I really got there and started working more and more with [the showrunners] to try and figure out exactly how it should be."

Now, with the release of Percy Jackson and the Olympians' seventh episode, "We Find Out the Truth, Sort Of," Duplass' children — and the rest of the world — finally get their first glimpse of his take on Hades. That's because after a series of deadly encounters with Greek gods and monsters, this episode sees Percy, Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries), and Grover (Aryan Simhadri) reach the Underworld at last, where they hope to confront Hades, the would-be lightning thief.

SEE ALSO: 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' review: The adaptation fans have been waiting for

"I've been watching every episode as they release and coming to terms with the fact that Hades is the goal of the journey. Like, 'Boy, I hope I did a good job!'" Duplass said. "I'm mostly just nervous as to whether my kids are going to like my portrayal of this person. They have very, very strong ideas."

By the time our main trio confronts Hades, Percy Jackson and the Olympians has already built up its own set of ideas as to what to expect from the God of Death. An exiled Olympian with a grudge against his brothers Zeus (Lance Reddick) and Poseidon (Toby Stephens), Hades has all the makings of a super powerful boss battle for Percy. Yet when Percy reaches Hades' palace, he finds a very different kind of god: One who is sassy, exasperated by his brothers' drama, and just really wants his helm of darkness back.

Playing up the comedy of Hades' true nature starts right from his entrance, when he leisurely strolls across his massive entry hall to greet Percy and Grover. "I remember the director Anders Engström telling me, 'Don't even feel like you need to rush. This is the big moment, we've been waiting the entire show to get here, so let it unfold as it will unfold,'" Duplass said. "We wanted him to feel lived-in and like he had been around a goddamn long time."

Jay Duplass as Hades in "Percy Jackson and the Olympians." Credit: Disney / David Bukach

Between sassing Percy and Grover and asking for his helm back, Hades delivers one of the most dramatic turns of the show. As soon as Percy brings up the potential for Kronos' return, he jolts into serious mode, angling to gain control of the Master Bolt in order to defend the Underworld. "There's all these hints that there's a lot more going on here, and obviously the end of this journey sets the stage for future books and a much bigger stage for war and battle and drama and conflict," Duplass said of playing this dramatic shift. "That was a pretty cool moment to be a part of."

Duplass was on set for one week filming his one scene this season. "That's wild for me because I originally come from the independent film world, where normally I'd shoot a six- or seven-page scene in half a day," Duplass said. "Obviously this is a very curated world, and there's lots of shots involved."

In another jump from independent film, the scene in Hades' palace was shot on a massive 360-degree stage surrounded by LED screens known as a "volume." The idea is to display environments on the screens in order to create a greater sense of immersion.

"It was truly a 360-degree view of the Underworld, so you really got to feel it," Duplass said. "It was just amazing to get that feeling of the loneliness where Hades is and the expanse of it."

Despite the grand scale of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Duplass described the shooting environment as fairly tight-knit. "As big as the show is and as big as the world is, it also felt like a family making a show at the same time," he said. "Rick [Riordan] being there all the time, he and I had lots of conversations both creatively but also just about life, and it felt like a very personally made piece of art. It's probably one of the larger things that I've ever been involved in, but it still felt like a homemade thing."

As for Duplass's Percy Jackson–loving children, did they ever ask him for spoilers and hints about the shooting process?

"They haven't asked me anything specific about it, but they've definitely been calling me Hades for like the last three months," Duplass said. "Literally dinner will be ready, and my daughter will be like, 'Hades!' Just holler it at me. It's so fun."

The finale of Percy Jackson and the Olympians premieres Jan. 30 at 9 p.m. ET on Disney+.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for Jan. 24's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

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

Artifact.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #949 is...

RELIC.

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

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for January 20's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Green - Optical necessities

• Yellow - Same letter apps

• Purple - Sounds different when fancy

• Blue - In the family

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

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

• Green - PARTS OF THE EYE

• Yellow - SMARTPHONE FEATURES BEGINNING WITH "C"

• Purple - WORDS PRONOUNCED DIFFERENTLY WITH ACCENT MARKS

• Blue - FAMILIAL NICKNAMES

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to Connections #227 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Green - PARTS OF THE EYE - CONE, IRIS, LENS, PUPIL

• Yellow - SMARTPHONE FEATURES BEGINNING WITH "C" - CALCULATOR, CALENDAR, CAMERA, CLOCK

• Purple - WORDS PRONOUNCED DIFFERENTLY WITH ACCENT MARKS - EXPOSE, PATE, RESUME, ROSE

• Blue - FAMILIAL NICKNAMES - DADA, GRAMMY, MUM, POPPY

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

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

The nominations for the 96th Academy Awards are out, and two of the biggest snubs are without question Barbie director Greta Gerwig and star Margot Robbie getting left out of the race for Best Director and Best Actress, respectively.

The two earned nominations in different categories — Gerwig for Best Adapted Screenplay, and Robbie for Best Picture thanks to her role as producer — yet their omission in Director and Actress failed to recognize their most prominent work in the film. Given that Barbie received eight nominations total, making it one of the most nominated films of the year, it is baffling that its lead and the director who made it all possible failed to make the cut.

SEE ALSO: The 7 biggest Oscar snubs from the 2024 Academy Award nominations

While the internet is up in arms about these snubs, so too is one of Barbie's most prominent stars: Ryan Gosling. Gosling, who received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role as Ken, issued a statement that expresses both his honor at being nominated, and his disappointment for Gerwig and Robbie's snubs.

Tweet may have been deleted

"I am extremely honored to be nominated by my colleagues alongside such remarkable artists in a year of so many great films. And I never thought I'd be saying this, but I'm also incredibly honored and proud that it's for portraying a plastic doll named Ken," Gosling wrote.

He continued: "But there is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally-celebrated film. No recognition would be possible for anyone on the film without their talent, grit and genius. To say that I'm disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement."

Gosling also congratulated his fellow Barbie nominees, including Best Supporting Actress nominee America Ferrera.

It's been a big few months for the WWE. 

CM Punk returned in November after abruptly walking away from the company 9 years ago. The Rock made a surprise return to kick off the New Year. 

And now WWE, the biggest pro wrestling company in the world, and Netflix, the biggest streaming service in the world, just announced a $5 billion deal that exclusively brings its flagship Monday night program Raw to the movie and TV show platform.

"WWE Raw is getting in the ring with Netflix!," the latter announced on Tuesday.

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"This partnership is one that will break new ground, and take @WWE to new heights," WWE Superstar and Chief Content Officer Triple H posted on X. "Now we change the game!!!!"

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As Variety reports, the deal spans ten years and lands the WWE a whopping $500 million per year, roughly double what the wrestling organization makes with its current NBCUniversal deal. Netflix does have an option to opt out after 5 years if it chooses. Netflix can also decide to extend the contract for another ten years as well.

Raw will air exclusively in U.S., Canada, the UK, and Latin America. According to Variety, it will also extend into other countries and territories as well later on. 

Perhaps most interesting, though, is the fact that outside the US, Netflix will also become home to WWE's other shows like Smackdown and NXT as well as special events like Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. 

SEE ALSO: WWE, UFC merge to form new sports entertainment company. See the details.

Currently, WWE has its own streaming platform, WWE Network, which is available to U.S. customers through NBCUniversal's Peacock and internationally through its own stand-alone subscription. It's unclear what will change with WWE Network once the WWE starts airing on Netflix

The ten-year deal between WWE and Netflix begins in January 2025, so wrestling fans will have a whole year to wait. But the significance of the deal will create anticipation all year, and between Netflix and the WWE, Netflix might be the bigger beneficiary of all that anticipation.

WWE makes billions, but its an even bigger deal for Netflix

WWE Raw has long aired on USA Network, first debuting in January 1993. WWE brought the show to another network once before, the now-defunct Spike TV, before ultimately making its home on USA Network once again in 2005. However, the Netflix deal will mark the very first time in its more than 30 year history that WWE Raw won't air weekly on cable television.

But, WWE won't lose out on potential viewership with the deal even with the more from live TV to live streaming. USA Network is currently available in around 73 million homes in the U.S. Netflix last reported that it has more than 77 million subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.

And, of course, WWE walks away with billions — roughly double the amount it makes off its current TV rights deal. Yet, Netflix may be the biggest winner here.

Competition in the streaming space has certainly been heating up over the past few years. Disney+, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Paramount+, and Peacock have all become major players in the market. And while Netflix may be able to compete or even dominate in the spheres of film and narrative television, it has fallen way behind when it comes to live events.

While competitors are airing live sports like the NFL and MLB or other special events like live award shows, Netflix has been almost completely missing from the live streaming business. Aside from comedy specials or other one-off shows, Netflix has not streamed any regularly airing events.

In the television industry, where movies and TV shows can be watched anytime and on-demand, can't-miss live events are still seen as the clearest path to huge ratings. That's why professional sports leagues and even the WWE can demand a premium price for the rights to air their shows and events.

WWE's weekly live Raw show will be Netflix's very first entry into regularly scheduled live event streaming. Will WWE fans flock to Netflix? Will Netflix customers discover the art of pro wrestling for the first time? Will WWE Raw's move from TV to streaming work? Will this keep Netflix in-line with its competitors when it comes to live events?

The answers to these soon-to-be answered questions may be more interesting than finding out which wrestler will take on WWE Universal champion Roman Reigns and main event this year's WrestleMania.

UPDATE: Jan. 23, 2024, 5:30 p.m. EST We've rounded up the best Apple deals this week from Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and more.

Best Apple deals this week: Best Mac deal 2023 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,599 at Amazon (Save $200) Get Deal Best iPad deal 2021 iPad (WiFi, 64GB) $249 at Amazon (Save $80) Get Deal Best iPhone deal iPhone 14 Plus at Verizon $0 on a new line with select unlimited plans (Save up to $799) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series SE, 2nd generation (40mm, GPS) $179 at Walmart (Save $70) Get Deal Best accessories deal Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) $189 at Amazon and Walmart (Save $60) Get Deal

Apple may have an iron grasp on the general population, but when it comes down to it, their products look good, work well, and stay cutting-edge — so of course, people love 'em. Whether you build your calendar around Apple events or you just want solid tech no matter the brand, Apple's got you covered. Sure, they're a little notorious for their high prices, but we've rounded up the best deals on iPads, AirPods, MacBooks, and more to help you save where you can. Check them out below.

Mac and MacBook deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: 2023 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,599 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro.

This laptop is $50 away from its lowest price ever, but it's definitely not the MacBook for everyone. If you find yourself doing more intensive tasks like video editing on your day to day, you'll probably appreciate the M3 speed and 1TB of built-in storage (though we did wish this had 16GB of memory instead of 8GB). Still, if you're looking for a more powerful Apple laptop at a slightly more accessible price, this is a decent deal to jump on. If you just need your laptop for more everyday tasks, we'd skip on this deal.

More Mac and MacBook deals

MacBook Air

• 2020 13.3-inch MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $749.99 $999 at Best Buy (save $249.01)

• 2022 13.6-inch MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $949 $1,099 at B&H (save $150)

SEE ALSO: Apple's Vision Pro is sold out

MacBook Pro

• 2023 14.2-inch MacBook Pro (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,399 $1,599 at Amazon (save $200)

• 2023 14.2-inch MacBook Pro (M3, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,599 $1,799 at Amazon (save $200)

• 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro (M1 Pro, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,799 $2,599 at B&H (save $800)

• 2023 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,849 $1,999 at Best Buy (save $150)

• 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,299 $2,499 at Best Buy (save $200)

Mac

• Mac mini (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $499 $599 at Amazon (save $100 with on-page coupon)

• Mac mini (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $675.99 $799 at Amazon (save $123.01 with on-page coupon)

iPad deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: 2021 iPad (WiFi, 64GB) $249 at Walmart and Amazon (save $80) Get Deal Why we like it

This $249 price tag doesn't quite match up with the $229 we caught this tablet at during Black Friday, but that doesn't mean this iPad deal is worth passing over. If you just need a tablet for the basics — some note taking, some video watching — and you want to go Apple, this is the best possible deal you can get by a long shot. At the time of writing, it's $100 cheaper than the 2022 iPad on sale. While there are notable design changes between the two tablets, you probably won't notice much of a difference in performance with casual use. Grab it from Walmart and Amazon.

More iPad deals

iPad (10th gen)

• 2022 iPad (WiFi, 64GB) — $399 $449 at Amazon (save $50)

iPad (9th gen)

• 2021 iPad (WiFi, 256GB) — $379 $479 at Walmart (save $100)

iPad Air

• iPad Air (WiFi, 64GB) — $499.99 $599 at Amazon (save $99.01)

• iPad Air (WiFi, 64GB) — $499.99 $599 at Best Buy (save $99.01)

• iPad Air (WiFi + cellular, 64GB) — $629.99 $749 at Amazon (save $119.01)

• iPad Air (WiFi, 256GB) — $649.99 $749 at Amazon (save $99.01)

• iPad Air (WiFi + cellular, 256GB) — $799.99 $899 at Amazon (save $99.01)

iPad mini

• iPad mini (WiFi, 64GB) — $399.99 $499 at Amazon (save $99.01)

iPhone deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: iPhone 14 Plus at Verizon $0 when you open a new line on select unlimited plans (save $799) Get Deal Why we like it

The iPhone 15 may be the latest iPhone available, and while the deals on the phone certainly aren't bad, they are contingent upon you having a decent trade-in. If you feel any doubt in your trade-in power, going for this Verizon deal on the 14 Plus requires none — only that you open a new line on select unlimited plans. Still some hoops, but far fewer to get an $800 phone basically for free.

More iPhone deals

• iPhone 14 (128GB) at AT&T — $5.99/month for 36 months on select unlimited plans, then receive $514.36 bill credit. $729.99 (save up to $514.36)

• iPhone 15 (128GB) at AT&T — $129.99 with an eligible trade-in on select unlimited plans. (save up to $700)

• iPhone 15 Plus (128GB) at AT&T — $129.99 with an eligible trade-in on select unlimited plans. $929.99 (save up to $830)

• iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB) at AT&T — $199 with an eligible trade-in on select unlimited plans. $1,199 (save up to $1,000)

• iPhone 14 (128GB) at Verizon — $0 with select 5G unlimited plans. $699 (save up to $699)

• iPhone 15 (128GB) at Verizon — $0 with an eligible trade-in on a new line and select unlimited plans. $829.99 (save up to $830)

• iPhone 15 Pro (128GB) at Verizon — $0 with an eligible trade-in on a new line and select unlimited plans. $999 (save up to $999)

• iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB) at Verizon — $199 with an eligible trade-in on a new line and select unlimited plans $1,199 (save up to $1,000)

SEE ALSO: OLED iPad Pro is reportedly in production. Here’s when it’s expected to launch. Apple Watch deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple Watch Series SE, 2nd generation (40mm, GPS) $179 at Walmart (save $70) Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not getting a smartwatch for in-depth fitness features first and foremost, choosing the Apple Watch SE can save you a ton of money. It has the same 18-hour battery life of other Apple Watches and the S8 chip found in the Series 8, and at $179, Walmart has it back down to its all-time low price.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 9

• Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) — $329 $399 at Amazon (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) — $329 $399 at Best Buy (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) — $359 $429 at Amazon (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) — $359 $429 at Best Buy (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS + cellular) — $459 $529 at Amazon (save $70)

SE

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) — $179 $249 at Walmart (save $70)

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) — $199 $249 at Amazon (save $50)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) — $209 $279 at Walmart (save $50)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) — $229 $279 at Amazon (save $50)

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular) — $229 $299 at Walmart (save $70)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS + cellular) — $279.99 $329 at Amazon (save $49.01)

Ultra

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + cellular) — $749 $799 at Amazon (save $50)

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + cellular) — $749 $799 at Best Buy (save $50)

Series 8

• Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm, GPS) — $289 $399 at Walmart (save $110)

• Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm, GPS + cellular) — $339 $499 at Walmart (save $160)

More Apple Watch deals

• Buy two, get $300 off on Apple Watches at AT&T

AirPods and accessories deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) $189 at Amazon and Walmart Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the second-generation Apple AirPods Pro.

Even if you're not deep in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro have excellent noise cancellation that make their steeper price well worth it. If you are looking to save some cash, grabbing them while they're $60 off is the way to go. In addition to ANC, you'll get six hours of battery life per charge, spatial audio, and lossless audio with the Apple Vision Pro. You can grab them for just $189 at Walmart and Amazon.

More deals on AirPods

• AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) — $189 $249 at Amazon (save $60)

• AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) — $189 $249 at Walmart (save $60)

• AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) — $189.99 $249 at Best Buy (save $59.01)

Even more Apple deals

• AirTags (4-pack) — $84.99 $99 (save $14.01)

• Refurbished Beats Studio Buds + — $99.99 $169.95 at Woot (save $69.96)

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

Subway, the sandwich fast food franchise, may be the latest victim of Lockbit, one of the world's most notorious ransomware groups.

According to The Register and CyberNews, Subway was listed on Lockbit's data leak website on Monday, with the ransomware group claiming one of its affiliates had scooped up hundreds of gigabytes of sensitive internal company data.

Is Subway hiding a major data leak?

Lockbit published a blog post alleging that the sandwich chain was trying to hide the data leak, which includes "all financial aspects" of the company.

“The biggest sandwich chain is pretending that nothing happened," the Lockbit penned post reads. "We exfiltrated their SUBS internal system which includes hundreds of gigabytes of data and all financial aspects of the franchise, including employee salaries, franchise royalty payments, master franchise commission payments, restaurant turnovers etc. We are giving some time for them to come and protect this data, if not we are open to sell to competitors."

As the ransomware group states, they are giving Subway time to respond to the data leak. Of course, this isn't out of the kindness of their hearts. This is a major aspect of what ransomware entails. Lockbit is likely giving Subway some time to give in to their affiliate's demands.

Based on LockBit's previous ransoms, The Register estimates that the cybercriminals are likely looking for tens of millions of dollars from Subway.

Lockbit did not provide any additional information about the purported Subway data leak. It remains uncertain whether ransomware was employed, if the affiliate discovered a vulnerability, or if the data was acquired through alternative means.

A Subway spokesperson provided a statement to Mashable's sibling-site PCMag, which simply stated that Subway is “exploring the validity of the claim.”

Lockbit has given Subway a deadline of Feb. 2 to respond before it releases the stolen data.

The first couple months of 2024 are stacked with huge video game releases, between Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, and Tekken 8. So, of course, "Pokémon with guns" is the one that steals all the thunder.

You may have heard about Palworld. It's a, er, quirky survival game that indeed involves creatures that look a lot like Pokémon (enough that there have been plagiarism accusations) with firearms, among other things.

The point is that Palworld is weird, in good and bad ways. The entire things feels a little sleazy and it's slightly confusing that it's on Xbox Game Pass.

But you're probably wondering exactly how it's weird. Here are four bizarre things you can do in Palworld.

SEE ALSO: 'Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth' review: Bigger is sometimes better 1. Punch cute little monsters Yeah, I'm starting to see where the plagiarism accusations are coming from. Credit: Pocketpair/Steam

Palworld doesn't play quite like a Pokémon game. Instead, it shares more similarities with titles such as Ark, in that the first thing you do is punch trees and rocks so you can build a workbench. But that's not all. Palworld asks you to punch in the first half hour or so.

To build an army of Pals (the fake Pokémon in question), you need to capture some first. In order to capture some, you must build a Pal Sphere and throw it at them. Before you can capture them, you need to weaken them first. Naturally, the way to do this early on before you have weapons is to, well, simply approach one and punch the heck out of it.

This is where Palworld admittedly lost me in the early goings, as I'm not really interested in duking it out with cartoon sheep. But hey, maybe you're into that sort of thing.

2. Arm cute little monsters Little guy, big gun. Credit: Pocketpair/Steam

Once you've done your Pal punching and built up a little army for yourself, it's time to turn them into a bonafide defense force. This is "Pokémon with guns," after all, so of course, you can give Pals guns.

There isn't really a lot else to say about this other than "some Pals can hold guns, so you can craft guns and give them to said Pals." At that point, you've got an adorable little virtual monkey holding an assault rifle or whatever. I hope you're proud of yourself. You turned an innocent creature into another cog in the war machine.

3. Put cute little monsters to work This just feels cruel. Credit: Pocketpair/Steam

The central thesis of Palworld as a survival game is that, eventually, you don't need to do all the boring survival game busywork yourself. Once you have a functioning base and a smattering of pals, you can place the ultimate burden of humanity upon Palworld's denizens: labor.

Pals have their own distinct skills that make them suited to different kinds of work, whether it's gathering, farming, or mining. Nobody actually likes punching trees to get wood for very long, so I suppose it's nice that Palworld lets you offload that labor to your Pals. That said, work is an entirely human creation and not something I would wish upon any critters.

4. Eat cute little monsters

Making and eating food is part of survival games. Naturally, Palworld is no different. You don't even need to ask: Yes, you can eat Pals in Palworld.

To do so, you need to get to level 12, craft a meat cleaver, and get to hacking away on whatever Pal you want to ingest. They'll drop meat, wool, and other resources, giving you materials to use however you see fit. Again, this is not something I would personally do. Pals are our friends. But you do you, player.

Muhahaha! Here I am continuing to fan the "Android vs. iPhone" flames with yet another blind test with iPhone users, allowing me to determine whether iDevice owners really prefer their own phone for photos.

Last time, I launched a blind test with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Google Pixel 8 Pro. The iPhone participants in that test preferred Android for zoomed-in photos, but when it came to wide and ultra-wide shots, Apple snatched the throne.

Now that I have the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, I couldn't wait to blind-test iPhone users once more.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra $549 Get Deal SEE ALSO: iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro: What are the differences? Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max photos

I took the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max with me to Columbus Circle in New York City over the weekend. I tested both phones' wide and telephoto capabilities — and even their night mode prowess.

U.S.S. Maine National Monument (wide)

I snapped photos of the U.S.S. Maine National Monument, which features a golden female figure inside a chariot.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 200MP ultra-wide camera while the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 48MP wide lens. The Samsung phone appears to have more muscle in this showdown, but despite the iPhone being seemingly out-equipped, the iDevice won participants' hearts.

Left: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Right: iPhone 15 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Admittedly, the Galaxy S24 Ultra's capture is more natural, accurately replicating the wintry scene's dreary, bleak ambiance. (Trust me; I was there.) However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max's wide camera, alongside the software, enlivened the setting, delivering better dynamic range and richer colors.

Look at the sky, too. The iPhone 15 Pro Max renders more clouds in its photo compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Winner: iPhone 15 Pro Max

U.S.S. Maine National Monument (Night)

I also snapped wide shots of the U.S.S. Maine National Monument at night.

Left: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Right: iPhone 15 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Although the Galaxy S24 Ultra does a better job at keeping lens flare at bay and maintaining the trees' wiry definition, the iPhone 15 Pro Max outperformed the Samsung device in capturing the weathered details on monument's steps.

The colors on the Apple phone are richer, too. It doesn't necessarily reflect the scene's natural hues, which are less striking in real life, but the richer tones caught participants' eyes.

Winner: iPhone 15 Pro Max

Columbus Circle Globe and Magnolia Bakery cake (3x telephoto)

The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 12MP telephoto camera, which is ideal for portraits and zoomed-in shots, with up to 5x optical zoom.

Left: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Right: iPhone 15 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, the new kid on the block, Galaxy S24 Ultra, has two telephoto cameras; one is a new 50MP telephoto with 5x zoom and the other remains the same (i.e., 10MP with 3x zoom).

The last-generation Samsung phone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, had two telephoto cameras, too, boasting a 10MP telephoto with 10x zoom and another 10MP telephoto with 3x zoom.

Some fans were up in arms about Samsung "downgrading" the 10x zoom to 5x zoom, but Samsung hinted that the new 50MP lens should compensate for the optical zoom range "downgrade."

Left: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Right: iPhone 15 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

At 3x zoom, I took photos of both the iconic Columbus Circle globe and a display cake inside Magnolia Bakery near Central Park South.

Participants again preferred the iPhone 15 Pro Max's shot. It's crisper, sharper, richer, and preserves more color. The globe photo is particularly striking; the iPhone 15 Pro Max seems to be better at rendering textures. You can almost feel the small indentations that appear on the iPhone 15 Pro Max's photo.

Winner: iPhone 15 Pro Max

Flowers (10x zoom)

By some miracle, I stumbled upon some flowers in the thick of New York City winter. However, I had to step inside a Manhattan pizzeria to find them.

I decided to test both phones' capabilities at handling 10x zoom. Keep in mind that the optical zoom for the Galaxy S24 Ultra maxes out at 10x before the software kicks in. For the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the cap is 5x.

Left: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Right: iPhone 15 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Here is where the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's fortunes start to take a turn for the better. Participants in this blind test preferred the Galaxy S24 Ultra here. And I don't blame 'em. The zoomed-in shot is sharper and more detailed, delivering less noise. The iPhone 15 Pro Max's software is overcompensating, making the flowers too pink.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Final thoughts

The iPhone-owning participants in this test preferred the iPhone 15 Pro Max, making it the champion of this blind test.

However, when it comes to zooming in real close, respondents preferred the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Fifteen iPhone-owning co-workers, colleagues, and friends participated in this blind test, but only 10 were valid as five failed to vote on all five photos.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max $1,199 Get Deal

UPDATE: Jan. 23, 2024, 11:43 p.m. EST Photos replaced with side-by-side format for easier comparative analysis for readers. Plus, first photos are wide photos, not ultrawide.

SAVE $70: As of Jan. 23, Beats Solo3 headphones are on sale for $129.95, down from $199.95. That's 35% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo3 over-ear headphones $129.95 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal

If you find yourself complaining about your headphones' battery life, wishing they could keep up with your routines, then it might be time for an upgrade.

Today, Jan. 23, Beats Solo3 over-ear headphones are on sale for $129.95 at Amazon. That's $70, or 35%, off the list price of $199.95. While this isn't the lowest price we've seen, these headphones offer good value and the savings make the purchase a bit less of a splurge.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best noise-canceling headphones for flying in 2024

With a 40-hour battery life, Beats Solo3 Headphones are well-prepared for everyday use or a long travel day. Even if you forget to charge one day, you won't be out of luck. And if for some reason you do find yourself in a jam, just five minutes of charging brings you back to three hours of battery life.

Beats Solo3 headphones are equipped with spatial audio technology, giving you a fully immersive listening experience that brings your music to life and makes you feel part of your favorite movies and games. Whether you're an Apple or Android user, connecting is easy thanks to the Apple W1 chip and Class 1 Bluetooth.

Upgrade your headphones today and save $70 when you shop Beats Solo3 headphones at Amazon.

SAVE 25%: Get the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 for just $1,799.97 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $2,399.99. That's a savings of $600.02.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 (Intel Core i7-13700H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD $1,799.97 at Amazon (save $600.02) Get Deal

If you're looking to invest in a new laptop and you have your eye on a MacBook Pro, you might also want to consider the very capable Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2. This model, which Microsoft has positioned as a viable alternative, boasts a lineup of interesting features that you may want to opt for over Apple's powerhouse, depending on your needs. One of those needs might be to save some cash, and you can do that right now given that this model is currently on sale.

As of Jan. 23, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is on sale for $1,799.97, down from its normal price of $2,399.99. That's a savings of 25%, or $600 off, and the lowest price we've ever seen this laptop go for. This model boasts a 14.4-inch touchscreen, an Intel Core i7 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD.

SEE ALSO: The best laptop deals for January 2024, from Apple's M3 MacBook Pro to a $480 HP gaming PC

Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon praised this laptop as a great option for users like professional artists "who'd benefit from using a display that tilts in an easel-like position for sketching and drawing." That's because this computer has a special design that lets you pull the display toward you and snap it into place to use as an easel or touchscreen device without the keyboard.

It's a great pick for anyone needing a leg up in terms of processing power or those who want a more accessible laptop that has both tactile and touch features. While it doesn't beat out the MacBook in terms of power or features, it's an easy enough buy when it's also more affordable.

SAVE AT LEAST 20%: Shop the Hydroflask Think Pink flash sale to get a minimum 20% discount on select bottles and tumblers in a pink colorway.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hydroflask Hydroflask 40 ounce All Around Travel Tumbler (trillium) $31.96 at Hydroflask (save $12.99 with code THINKPINK20) Get Deal

It's time to think pink. The hype around the pink Stanley x Starbucks collab turned all eyes to staying hydrated (in style) with the help of pink bottles and tumblers. However, if you haven't yet ended up in the Stanley tumbler fan club that TikTok raves about, you could score a 20% discount on a pink Hyrdroflask today.

As of Jan. 23, a selection of Hydroflask insulated bottles and tumblers in pink colorways are at least 20% off thanks to the brand's Think Pink flash sale. Enter the code THINKPINK20 at checkout to score the discount. Some items are already discounted, including 29% off the 40-ounce All Around Travel Tumbler, so your total savings could be well over 20%.

SEE ALSO: The pink Starbucks x Stanley cup is going for $200 on eBay. Shop these dupes instead.

Think Pink your way to savings on the perfect water bottle for you. The 20-ounce All Around Tumbler in the camellia colorway will keep you hydrated on the go, and if you prefer the security of a screw-on lid, go for the 24-ounce Standard Mouth with Flex Straw Cap in grapefruit. With the Think Pink discount code, the bottle comes out to $25.17, marked down from the normal price of $44.95. That's a 44% discount.

If you're already in the pink mindset, the Hydroflask Think Pink sale could be your opportunity to get a great deal on a Valentine's Day present. Alternatively, it's a great way to score an insulated pink water bottle without fighting crowds at Target. But you'll want to hurry — the Hydroflask Think Pink sale ends at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 23.