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TL;DR: Zoom in on life’s tiny details with a portable handheld LCD microscope with 4-inch screen on sale for $69.97 (reg. $100) through October 27.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mesay Portable Handheld Pocket LCD Microscope with 4-inch Screen $69.97 at Mashable Shop
$100.00 Save $30.03 Get Deal

Remember the days when you’d spend hours outside, fascinated by the tiny creatures crawling in the grass or the intricate details of leaves? That sense of wonder doesn’t have to disappear just because we’re adults now.

With a portable handheld LCD microscope on sale for $69.97 (reg. $100), you can rediscover the magic of the microscopic world — all without leaving your backyard.

Featuring a 4-inch LCD screen and magnification up to 1200x, this little device transforms everyday objects into something extraordinary. Imagine zooming in on the veins of a leaf, the details of a pebble, or even the textures of your favorite fabric. You’ll see the world in a whole new way, and it might be even more fascinating now than when you were a kid — or you can give one to your child and watch their eyes widen with fascination, too.

It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to carry — perfect for taking on nature walks, beach days, or even just exploring your own garden. Whether you’re sharing it with your kids to spark their curiosity or using it for your own nostalgic thrills, this microscope is your ticket to exploring the hidden wonders of the world.

This fun, educational tool is great for anyone with a curious mind.

Through October 27, you can get this Portable Handheld Pocket LCD Microscope with a 4" screen on sale for $69.97 (reg. $100).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The Ottocast wireless CarPlay adapter is on sale for only $44.97 (reg. $89.99) through October 27.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ottocast Ottocast U2-Air Wireless CarPlay Adapter 2022 Edition $44.97
$89.99 Save $45.02 Open-box product Get Deal

Ready to make your driving experience smoother, faster, and wireless? Say goodbye to tangled cords and hello to the Ottocast CarPlay Adapter.

For just $44.97 (reg. $89.99) through October 27, this nifty new, open-box device transforms your wired CarPlay into a wireless experience in as little as seven seconds. Simply plug it in, and you’re good to go — no complicated setups, no jumble of messy wires. The adapter automatically connects to your iPhone as soon as you start your car, making it a proper plug-and-play solution for seamless, wireless Apple CarPlay. 

Enjoy a stable and lightning-fast connection with the adapter’s 5G WiFi module. It helps ensure your music, navigation, and calls stay uninterrupted while you’re on the go. It’s designed to keep up with your busy life, making sure you stay connected without the hassle.

There's no need to change a thing in your car. The Ottocast is fully compatible with your vehicle’s touchscreen, steering wheel controls, voice commands, and even the control knobs. It’s a seamless integration that feels just like factory-installed wireless CarPlay.

The sleek, modern design won’t clutter your dashboard — it’s compact enough to blend right in. Plus, it comes with both USB Type-A to C and Type-C to C cables, making it a perfect fit for over 800 vehicles, and is compatible with factory-wired CarPlay in cars from model year 2016 to 2024.

New, open-box items are typically excess inventory from store shelves. This means you're still getting a new item, but just at a lower price.

The Ottocast US-Air wireless CarPlay adapter is on sale for only $44.97 (reg. $89) through October 27.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime device license for the 2019 Windows version of Microsoft Office for just $24.97 until Oct. 27 at the Mashable Shop — no subscriptions, just productivity.

Whether you love them or merely tolerate them, Microsoft software like Word and Excel are essential for workplace productivity.

And with this Microsoft Office deal at the Mashable Shop, you can get the whole Office suite for $24.97 (reg. $229). While this is a slightly older version of the suite, it's hard to argue with a sub-$25 price tag.

• Lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access for one device

• Features a modern, easy-to-use interface along with cloud connectivity, regular updates, and 24/7 customer service

• Great option for remote workers or students who need access to MS Office productivity tools for essays, presentations, email access, and more — no recurring fees ever

• After purchase, be sure to redeem code within seven days

• Can be installed on devices running Windows 10 or 11 (not supported on Windows 7 or 8)

Again, until Oct. 27, you can score a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows on sale for $24.97. Never pay for an Office subscription again.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows $24.97 at the Mashable Shop
$229.00 Save $204.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: On sale for $514.99 (reg. $1,499), you can own a "Grade A" refurbished M1 MacBook Air that’s good for your budget and the planet.

Looking to upgrade your tech without draining your bank account or adding to e-waste? A refurbished M1 MacBook Air (2020), currently marked down 65% to $514.99, could be the answer to all your eco-friendly, budget-saving dreams. This isn't just about owning a sleek Apple device; it’s about making a choice that’s good for you and the planet. After all, why buy new when you can save money and help reduce waste with a high-quality refurbished model?

The M1 MacBook Air is a legendary laptop. It was so well-designed that it was showing up in Mashable's best laptop guides four years after its launch. With Apple’s powerful M1 chip under the hood, this MacBook Air is more than just good looks. It handles everything from streaming and editing to multitasking like a champ. Plus, it’s so lightweight, you can easily toss it into your bag without feeling weighed down. This is the laptop you’ll be proud to bring to the coffee shop, work remotely, or simply flex at home — all while knowing you’ve made a sustainable choice.

Score a great deal on a powerful MacBook without that “new” price tag. You still get all the Apple cred and performance, but you’re saving cash and cutting down on waste by giving a refurbished device a second life. It’s a win-win. And with an "A" refurbished rating, you might not even notice it's been used before.

So, why not save the planet (and some money) with this refurbished 2020 MacBook Air? You’ll be doing good while looking good.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple M1 MacBook Air 13.3" (2020, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Space Gray) $514.99 at the Mashable Shop
$1,499.00 Save $984.01 Get Deal

Teens and parents alike may consider themselves familiar with classic signs of online grooming. For victims, that includes withdrawing from friends and family, becoming secretive about online activity, and sharing explicit images of themselves.

But predators are so skilled at deceiving their victims that signs of online grooming can actually be subtle and hard to detect, says Lauren Coffren, executive director of the exploited children division at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

In fact, when grooming takes place over a period of time, the dynamic can look much like any other friendship in the beginning, filled with conversations about mutual interests.

But another type of grooming, known as financial sextortion, can happen within hours and minutes, which prevents victims and their parents from picking up on the traditional or obvious warning signs. In these cases, predators may pose as a peer and send nude or explicit pictures to their victim, which is not uncommon for teens.

"These bad actors are really good at what they do," Coffren says. "They figured out these tactics of how to trick kids."

SEE ALSO: Why teens are telling strangers their secrets online Signs of grooming you might miss

1. The child is receiving a lot of compliments from a new friend.

Predators often earn a child's trust by complimenting them, says Coffren. They may have taken note of the child's interests or likes and dislikes, as indicated by their social media activity. Then they'll flatter the child by remarking on their good taste.

Compliments may also be based on the child's personality traits, such as their sense of humor or intelligence. Such remarks are designed to break down a child's defenses, and they may be particularly effective when a child already craves validation.

Parents might feel thrilled that their child is talking to someone online who appears to genuinely like them, but the new contact may have a predatory motive. It's important that parents have ongoing conversations with their child about the nature and frequency of online interactions that involve compliments and flattery.

2. The new friend is engaging your child's interests.

Predators can skillfully talk to children about their hobbies and passions, including gaming, music, sports, and pop culture, Coffren says. They build trust with a victim by being curious about and sharing those interests.

Again, this dynamic is something that parents typically embrace for their children when it involves trusted friends. But online, that new connection could be anyone, unless that person legitimately belongs to a child's broader in-person social circle.

If a child is excited by a new online relationship in which shared interests play a key role, parents should remain aware of how that continues to develop. While it could be an authentic peer-to-peer relationship that's fulfilling for both children, predators know how to make it hard for a child to know the difference between that and a bond based on deceit.

3. Their relationship looks like a friendship—with some differences.

Coffren says that traditional online grooming will often look like a typical friendship until the predator's behavior slowly starts to escalate. They might offer the victim gift cards, in-game currency, or other presents to appear generous and supportive. A young recipient will likely consider themselves lucky, not manipulated.

Escalation can also involve riskier chat topics, such as sexual interests. For a teen who wants to feel mature, or who is curious about their own sexuality, these conversations can feel like a step toward adulthood. Unfortunately, predators will ultimately take advantage of this.

Coffren says threats toward the child may follow soon after these exchanges. A predator will often threaten to share screenshots of the chats if the victim doesn't continue to talk to them, or if they refuse to share explicit imagery of themselves.

Coffren urges parents to regularly talk to their kids about what healthy relationships and boundaries look like so that they understand the potential implications of behaviors like gift-giving and riskier chats online. Parents should also discuss what a child can do if they're being targeted by a predator, which can include telling a trusted adult and blocking and reporting that account.

In general, she warns parents of the dangers related to children talking to any strangers online, given how swiftly exploitation can happen. To learn more about what online grooming looks like, and how to discuss it with children, Coffren recommends NCMEC's comprehensive resources on the topic.

Most importantly, Coffren advises parents to be unequivocally supportive of a child who shares that they've become a victim of online grooming.

"We put all of this pressure on children to be able to say, 'Never put yourself in that position,' instead of saying, 'OK, if you find yourself in that position, here's the steps you can do to be able to get out,'" Coffren says.

If you are a child being sexually exploited online, or you know a child who is being sexually exploited online, or you witnessed exploitation of a child occur online, you can report it to the CyberTipline, which is operated by the National Center for Missing Exploited & Children.

Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Price

Our first category is the simplest. One number is higher than the other, after all.

In terms of price, the regular Kindle walks away with this one because it's $40 cheaper than the Paperwhite. Whatever other advantages the Paperwhite may have, it will never have that one.

Winner: Kindle (2022)

Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Design Warm light is a welcome option. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

Both devices are imminently recognizable as Kindles, with default black colorways giving way to bulky bezels around Amazon's signature Kindle displays. While one doesn't necessarily look cooler or all that different from the other, there are major size differences to consider.

Here's how the two Kindles stack up in terms of dimensions:

• Kindle (2022): 6.2-inch x 4.3-inch x 0.32-inch with 6-inch display

• Kindle Paperwhite (2021): 6.9-inch x 4.9-inch x 0.32-inch with 6.8-inch display

The Paperwhite is a good deal larger than the regular Kindle, which is its main selling point. It also has an adjustable front light with 17 LEDs, compared to the four LEDs on the regular Kindle. If you need a bigger and/or brighter display, the Paperwhite is the one to get. It also allows you to use a "warm light" option for a more pleasant reading experience in the dark.

Just know that you're going to sacrifice some weight along the way. The regular Kindle comes in at 5.56 ounces, while the Paperwhite is a relatively bulky 7.23 ounces. Still, the Paperwhite has more going for it in terms of design, regardless.

Winner: Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Features One of the all-time great book titles. Credit: Mallory Minich / Mashable

This would've been a much more substantial conversation a few years ago. There was a time when the regular Kindle didn't even have a front light, which made the Paperwhite much more desirable by comparison. However, times have changed.

These days, the two devices' functionality is very similar. Both can read books (duh), play audiobooks via Bluetooth, and have screens that should look fine in sunlight due to a lack of glare. Unfortunately, both will display advertisements on the lock screen unless you pay an extra $20 for either Kindle.

Because the two devices' basic functionality is so similar, this one is kind of a wash. You'll be fine either way.

Winner: Tie

Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Storage

Here is where things get interesting.

Usually, the more expensive device has higher storage. That's how tech works, right? Not so with these two e-readers. The 2022 Kindle, despite being $40 cheaper before any Prime Day discounts, actually has twice as much storage at 16GB as the 8GB Paperwhite base model. Though, you can upgrade the Paperwhite to 16GB for $149.99 (or $10 extra). There's a substantially more expensive Paperwhite Signature Edition with 32GB of storage, but that doesn't help us here.

Winner: Kindle (2022)

Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Battery life

Time to normalize things a little bit. This time, the more expensive device is the better option.

Amazon rates the 2022 Kindle for six weeks of battery life on a full charge. As for the Paperwhite, the estimated battery life is a whopping 10 weeks. This is arguably splitting hairs because there's not much functional difference between having to plug in the Kindle every six weeks versus every 10 weeks, but 10 is greater than six, so the Paperwhite wins.

Winner: Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

Kindle (2022) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (2021): Water resistance

Some people like reading at the pool, at the beach, or in the bathtub. Why not? It's super relaxing. If you're one of those people, there's a clear winner here.

The 2022 Kindle is not waterproof at all. Don't get it wet. The 2021 Paperwhite, meanwhile, has an IPX8 rating, which, according to Amazon, means it can survive for up to 60 minutes submerged in up to two meters of water. That seems like a fairly unrealistic scenario, so if you accidentally drop the Kindle Paperwhite in the bathtub, you won't need to buy another device.

Winner: Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

Featured Video For You Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kobo Clara Colour: Which one is better?

TL;DR: Live stream Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams for free on 7plus. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NFL action continues today with a showdown between teams from NFC North and NFC West, with the Green Bay Packers at the Los Angeles Rams.

Both teams have had patchy starts to the season. The Packers have alternated wins and losses over the first four weeks and took a hit when quarterback Jordan Love injured his MCL — but he was back in a loss against the Vikings and will look to secure the Packers' second win on the road so far this season.

The Rams, meanwhile, have struggled to get going this season but will have the edge on home turf. Their only win came at SoFi — against the 49ers, no less.

If you're interested in watching Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Packers vs. Rams?

Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams starts at 4:25 p.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at the SoFi Stadium.

How to watch Packers vs. Rams for free

Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams is available to live stream for free on 7plus.

7plus is an Australian streaming site that's geo-restricted to viewers in the country. But anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy online tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) while connecting you to a secure server based in Australia. That will allow you to bypass geo-restrictions to access 7plus from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 7plus

5. Live stream Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not technically free, but top VPN providers usually offer free trial periods or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without parting with any cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it will give you enough time to watch Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams and other select NFL games before recovering any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, which saves you 49% off the regular price. As part of this limited-time deal you'll also get an extra three months of coverage at no additional cost, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup for free, and a money-back guarantee within 30 days.

Live stream Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

As we enter Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season, the New York Giants are about to visit the Seattle Seahawks in a clash between AFC East and NFC West.

The Seahawks are looking good so far, having won in the first three weeks of games. They dropped a game against the Detroit Lions last week but still have the edge over the Giants, who have only managed a single win so far and lost three.

But there's a long way to go in the season. It's still all to play for — and you can stream the Sunday football action for free.

If you want to watch New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks for free from anywhere around the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Giants vs. Seahawks?

New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks starts at 4.25 p.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.

How to watch Giants vs. Seahawks for free

New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is a New Zealand-based streaming site that's geo-blocked outside of the country. However, you still can access this free streaming platform from anywhere around the world by signing up for a VPN. A VPN is a useful online tool that will hide your real IP address (digital location) while also connecting you to a secure server in New Zealand. This will allow you to sidestep geo-restrictions and access TVNZ+ no matter where you're based.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ+

5. Live stream New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not actually free themselves, but the leading VPN services will usually offer free trial periods or money-back guarantee deals. Take advantage of this to access free live streams of the NFL without spending anything. It's obviously not a long-term solution, but it will give you enough time to watch New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks before recovering any initial downpayment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, which is a huge saving of 49% on the regular price. Within this limited-time deal you'll also receive a bonus three months at no extra cost, a full year of unlimited cloud backup, and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Giants vs. Seahawks for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NFL is back in London, but anyone from around the world can watch the New York Jets take on the Minnesota Vikings without spending anything. There's a quick and easy hack that can provide access to a free live stream of this exciting fixture, and we're not talking about those dodgy streams that leave your system exposed to the worst of the web.

If you're interested in watching New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Jets vs. Vikings?

New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings starts at 9:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

How to watch Jets vs. Vikings for free

New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

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

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Live stream New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. This is obviously a quick fix, but it gives you enough time to watch New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, saving you 49% on list price. With this limited-time deal you'll also get an extra three months of coverage, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee for free.

Live stream New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season, with the Baltimore Ravens visiting the Cincinnati Bengals for AFC North action. On paper this looks like a win for the Ravens, but as the saying goes in football: Any team can win or lose on any given Sunday.

The Ravens are tipped as one of the favorites for the Super Bowl, but between the regular season and playoffs there's a long way to go. So far they're 2-2, having dropped games to the Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Las Vegas Raiders. The Bengals, meanwhile, have scored just a single win so far.

If you want to watch Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals for free from anywhere around the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Ravens vs. Bengals?

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals starts at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

How to watch Ravens vs. Bengals for free

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is a New Zealand-based streaming site and is geo-restricted for viewers in that country only. However, anyone can access this free streaming platform by signing up for a VPN. A VPN is a useful tool that can hide your real IP address (digital location) while connecting you to a secure server in New Zealand. This will allow you to bypass geo-restrictions and access TVNZ+ no matter where you are around the globe.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ+

5. Live stream Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not actually free to use themselves, but the best VPN services usually offer free trial periods or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these deals, you'll be able to access free live streams of the NFL without spending a penny. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you enough time to watch Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals before recovering any downpayment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, which is a massive saving of 49%. As part of this limited-time deal you'll also get a bonus three months at no additional cost, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Ravens vs. Bengals for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Whether you work from home, find yourself on an airplane more often than not, or simply want to turn down the volume of the outside world, noise-cancelling headphones are exactly the tool you need.

Even the best value headphones will feel lacking if they don't come equipped with halfway decent noise cancellation. Besides, there are simply too many headphones on the market (our testing pool gets bigger month by month) for you to pay hundreds only to get subpar ANC.

SEE ALSO: How to find the best October Prime Day Deals

To help you pick the right model, Mashable editors and reviewers tested dozens of headphones and earbuds and picked out the best noise-cancelling headphones of 2024. And with Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days right around the corner, we've also added some buying tips for the sale on each of our picks below.

Do noise-cancelling headphones actually work?

There's a big difference between outside noise being blocked and music simply being loud enough to drown it out. If you're looking for the maximum amount of noise cancellation, you want to go for headphones that have active noise cancellation.

Active noise-cancelling headphones electronically cover up the sounds coming from your surroundings by using internal microphones that listen to what's happening in the world around you, then invert the noise and send it to the speakers. The idea is that both the output and the input will cancel out, leaving you with near-silence. Over-ear headphones also create a tight seal around your ears that adds another layer of sound blocking.

SEE ALSO: With October Prime Day around the corner, shop these early deals on noise-cancelling headphones

If you've tried a pair of noise-cancelling headphones before and haven't been impressed, don't be discouraged. It's partially about finding the headphones that match your preferences, as not all ANC performs equally. For instance, cheaper ANC headphones may have a more noticeable hissing sound that you'll hear when the noise cancellation is turned on, which can be distracting for some folks.

Other headphones may be great at blocking at low tones, but more prone to letting high-pitched tones in. Typically, more premium headphones will yield better results, but we have budget picks below that still do a solid job.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best budget wireless earbuds vetted by our headphones experts

In the past, not many earbuds featured active noise cancellation that was comparable to over-ear headphones, but newer iterations like the AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds hold their own in the ANC space. However, even these earbuds can't quite get the same seal that headphones can, so if you're looking for maximum silence, you might be happier with over-ear headphones. However, if you want to cut down on the bulk, earbuds make for great alternatives.

What are the best noise-cancelling headphones to buy?

Bose and Sony are both top names when it comes to any type of audio, but especially when it comes to noise cancellation. Both brands feature industry-leading ANC on top of superb sound quality. There are also some other brands and models worth checking out, so if you want to tune out ambient sound, we've laid everything out for you below, from your more premium options to your budget picks.

TL;DR: As of 5 October, you can get a lifetime license for PDF Converter Pro for just £19.03 instead of its regular £76.20 — that's a savings of 75%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter Pro: Lifetime License £19.03 at the Mashable Shop
£76.20 Save £57.17 Get Deal

PDF Converter Pro can take the headache out of working with PDFs — and maybe even make them your favourite file format. And for a limited time, a lifetime license to the software is on sale for 75% off, knocking the price down to just £19.03.

Featured before at the Mashable Shop, PDF Converter Pro is an all-in-one software that lets you go back and forth between file types, converting PDFs into images or spreadsheets, and then back again. You can convert PDFs into Word documents, JPGs, Excel files, and more in just a few clicks. This makes sharing documents for work, tax season, dealing with signing legal documents, and more a seamless process. No more dealing with pixelated scans of documents. With OCT technology built in, you can use PDF Converter Pro to extract text from an image with a scan.

Besides converting to and from PDF, this software can also merge multiple PDFs into a single file, split up just the pages you need to create a new document, or just grab the images on a document and ditch the text entirely. Other convenient features include the ability to compress a PDF that’s too large, adding password protection to PDFs for sharing safely and securely, editing or signing PDFs, and plenty of supported format options for flexibility. It even works the same for both PC and Mac users.

Here's a closer look:

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Take advantage of this lower pricing at the Mashable Shop until 27 October.

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TL;DR: Live stream New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Live streaming the NFL isn't always straightforward, which is a shame when so many games are must-watch. Let's be honest football fans: They're all must-watch games.

Today's AFC East showdown between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins will be of particular interest after shaky starts for both franchises — the Patriots have failed to notch up a single win since Week 1, while the Dolphins are on a three-week losing streak. Now in Week 5 — and with just one win apiece so far in the 2024 season — which team will score the win and look to build some momentum?

If you want to watch New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins for free from anywhere around the globe, we have all the information you need.

When is Patriots vs. Dolphins?

New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins starts at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

How to watch Patriots vs. Dolphins for free

New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted for viewers in New Zealand, but anyone can access this free streaming platform by using a VPN. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server within New Zealand, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access TVNZ+ no matter where you are around the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ+

5. Live stream New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free to use themselves, but the top VPN services tend to offer free trial periods or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you enough time to watch New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins before recovering any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand

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A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, which saves you 49% off the regular price. With this limited-time deal you'll also get an extra three months at no additional cost, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for October 6 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 6 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Got any bleu cheese?

These words will order a light but satisfying lunch.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Cobb salad ingredients.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Cobbsalad.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 6

• Eggs

• Tomato

• Greens

• Bacon

• Cobbsalad

• Chicken

• Vinaigrette

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 6 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 6

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

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 October 6's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 6 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.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 6 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 6 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A refreshing drink that ferments slowly in cool conditions.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 6 The Wordle answer today is...

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 today's Wordle is...

LAGER.

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.

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

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

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

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

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 October 6's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 6 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.

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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.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 6 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:

• Yellow: Run away

• Green: Cat things

• Blue: Navigate a digital site

• Purple: Types of cheese

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

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

• Yellow: Turn Tail

• Green: Things Cats Do

• Blue: Pages on a Website

• Purple: ___Cheese

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #483 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Turn Tail: FLEE, LEAVE, RETREAT, WITHDRAW

• Things Cats Do: KNEAD, PURR, SCRATCH, SHED

• Pages on a Website: ABOUT, CONTACT, HOME, LOGIN

• ___Cheese: COTTAGE, CREAM, GOAT, STRING

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 6

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

TikTok's legal troubles in the United States continue.

Reuters reported that the state of Texas sued TikTok on Thursday. According to state Attorney General Ken Paxton, TikTok has allegedly violated Texas state law and jeopardized children's safety with the popular video-sharing app's policies.

SEE ALSO: TikTok is convinced a buried rug in a woman's yard contains a body

Paxton accused TikTok of not providing proper privacy settings for accounts belonging to children, as well as targeting advertising at children. He wants civil penalties of as much as $10,000 per violation of Texas's Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act.

This isn't the first time TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese technology firm ByteDance, has been sued over children's safety concerns in the U.S. The federal government sued the company with similar allegations back in August. In addition to that, the federal government is seeking to ban TikTok in the country due to alleged safety problems for American users.

In other words, enjoy TikTok while you can.

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, October 5, 2024:

AcrossLego piece

• The answer is Brick.

Company whose name is spelled with up to 10 O's toward the bottom of its webpages

• The answer is Google.

Inventor of the first commercially available electronic instrument, a synthesizer

• The answer is Bob Moog.

Largest country without an official language

• The answer is USA.

Some smart devices

• The answer is TVs.

Muscular dog with black and tan fur, familiarly

• The answer is Rottie.

Precipitates freezing rain

• The answer is Sleets.

Warty hopper

• The answer is Toad.

DownMilky drink with "pearls"

• The answer is Boba Tea.

CD-___

• The answer is Rom.

"Aha!"

• The answer is I Got It.

Pumpkin spice ingredients

• The answer is Cloves.

Large beer containers

• The answer is Kegs.

Break off from the rest of the band

• The answer is Go Solo.

Go "pop"

• The answer is Burst.

Bill's time-traveling partner of film

• The answer is Ted.

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

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

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

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

Scientists have found a trio of stars dancing a high-speed cosmic do-si-do. 

In fact, the stars' tempo is so rapid, astronomers have labeled this a new record: Here, a pair of stars orbit each other in less than two Earth days, while a third makes a trip around them in 25 days. Before this discovery, the fastest known three-star grouping was Lambda Tauri, with its farthest star circling in 33 days.

It took 68 years to beat the record holder. A NASA satellite, MIT researchers, artificial intelligence, and even a few amateur astronomers worked together to find the triplets, part of a system called TIC 290061484 in the constellation Cygnus. 

"It’s exciting to identify a system like this because they’re rarely found," said Saul Rappaport, a retired MIT astronomer, in a statement, "but they may be more common than current tallies suggest."

SEE ALSO: Barnard's star tricked scientists before: why this planet is real.

You can watch the stars' unique orbit in the video below:

NASA's TESS mission — short for Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite — is mostly looking for new worlds as they pass in front of their host stars. But this unusual trio was detected because of the group's "strobe lights." The system is almost flat from the telescope's vantage point in space, so that means as the stars cross in front of each other during their orbits, they create eclipses. As the nearer star blocks the farther star's light, it will cause a flicker. 

Amateur astronomers who were looking for interesting cases found the eclipse patterns among TESS data with the help of machine learning. These sleuths originally met as participants in an online citizen science program called Planet Hunters. Later they collaborated again with professional astronomers to form the Visual Survey Group, an ongoing project of more than a decade. The team's paper detailing the unusually fast triplets was published in The Astrophysical Journal this week. 

The three stars are more massive than the sun, each ranging from six to eight times its weight. Based on their configuration, the stars' orbits are thought to be stable for millions of years. But, as they age, they'll eventually merge, exploding in a supernova and leaving behind a neutron star, one of the densest objects in space. That probably won't happen for 20 to 40 million years. 

Amateur astronomers found the trio's eclipse patterns among NASA's TESS mission data. Credit: NASA illustration

So far the team knows of no planets circling these stars. In the unlikely event that there is one, it would probably be far away, circling the three as if they were one star. The triplets' waltz through the sky is quite compact, happening within a ballroom more cramped than Mercury's orbit around the sun. 

"No one lives here," Rappaport said. "We think the stars formed together from the same growth process, which would have disrupted planets from forming very closely around any of the stars." 

Scientists say more than half of all stars in the galaxy have one or more companion stars. These solar systems can differ widely. Some have large hot stars coupled with smaller cooler ones, or pairs in which one star cannibalizes the other. The systems discovered have ranged from two to seven stars. 

The way these stellar groupings orbit each other can be extremely complex. In one six-star system, TYC 7037-89-1, three couples orbit each other, but two of the three pairs also circle one another. The third duo, in a vaster orbit, revolves around the other two pairs. 

A grouping of six stars has an extremely complex set of interconnected orbits. Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center infographic

In the newly discovered system, there's one more surprise. The stars are merely cogs in a larger machine. That's right: There's yet another comparable star among this group, making a distant loop over 3,200 days. 

The team wants to continue studying TIC 290061484 to collect more data on the fourth straggler star, as well as capture more details about the other stars' orbits, masses, sizes, and temperatures. With more sophisticated observatories in the future, such as NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope under development, studying other eclipsing star systems of even larger groups may become easier. 

"Before scientists discovered triply eclipsing triple star systems, we didn’t expect them to be out there," said co-author Tamás Borkovits, a research scientist at The University of Szeged in Hungary, in a statement. "But once we found them, we thought, 'Well, why not?'" 

NASA's about to launch a huge spacecraft to a world harboring voluminous seas.

Planetary scientists suspect Jupiter's moon Europa contains an ocean at least twice the size of Earth's. The Europa Clipper probe — which is the length of a basketball court and the largest craft the agency has sent on a planetary mission — is slated to blast to this distant realm on Oct. 10. Before the launch, NASA released a new detailed view of the moon's cracked surface, which shows why for decades researchers have been drawn to this tantalizing place.

"It's perhaps one of the best places beyond Earth to look for life in our solar system," Cynthia Phillips, a NASA planetary geologist and project staff scientist for the space agency's Europa Clipper mission, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

On Oct. 2, NASA shared the view below, which was taken from data gathered by the Galileo mission in 1998. It shows a close-up of Europa's chaotic landscape, which is evidence that something below the moon's thick icy crust — like an ocean — is stoking lots of change and deformity. Salty water may escape to the surface along fractures, leaving telltale reddish colors on Europa's ground. And irregular chunks of ice have likely been created by relatively recent surface movement.

"This region sports ice rafts that look like those at Earth's poles, where large chunks of ice break away and float freely on the ocean," the agency wrote. "Much of the region bears the reddish/brownish discoloration seen here — the same as seen along many of Europa's fractures. Scientists believe this material may contain clues about the composition of an ocean beneath the icy surface, if it is proven to exist."

A region on Europa called "Conamara," which demonstrates the icy moon's chaotic surface. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Orion Moon An artist's conception of the Europa Clipper spacecraft flying by the ice-covered moon Europa. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech

To prove whether an ocean exists and if it could host suitable conditions for life, Europa Clipper will make around 50 close flybys of the moon's surface. It's fitted with a number of high-resolution cameras, a ground-penetrating radar, and even a device (called SUDA) that will literally sample particles of Europa that have been ejected into space by tiny meteorites.

After looping through the solar system on a 1.8-billion-mile (2.9-billion-kilometer) journey, the craft will arrive at Europa in 2030, and spend 3.5 years collecting unprecedented data. To determine if the Jupiter moon is habitable, mission scientists need to answer some major questions. For example, all life needs energy: Does this ocean world provide an energy source? And does it harbor the basic chemical ingredients, like carbon, to form the building blocks of life as we know it?

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And, if all those conditions are satisfied, is there evidence the ocean has been around for billions of years, providing a stable environment for life to evolve and sustain itself in Europa's dark sea?

We'll find out.