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Part of Industry's brilliance is its capacity for reinvention. In Seasons 3 and 4, HBO's finance thriller shook up its own formula: Widening its scope, experimenting with form, and even getting rid of Pierpoint and Co. entirely. But even with these shakeups in mind, nothing could have prepared me for the haunting ghost story at the center of Season 4, episode 2, "The Commander and the Grey Lady."

The episode centers on Sir Henry Muck (Kit Harington), who was mostly absent from Season 4's jam-packed premiere. Following a losing bid to become a member of parliament, Henry has fallen into a stew of depression, apathy, and misuse of drugs. His pain comes to a head during his 40th birthday party, a lavish costumed affair thrown by his wife, Yasmin Kara-Hanani (Marisa Abela).

SEE ALSO: 'Industry' Season 4 review: HBO's criminally underrated drama thrills in most ambitious season yet

This birthday comes with a heap of emotional baggage for Henry. As the episode unfolds, we learn that Henry's father died by suicide on his 40th birthday, and that Henry watched it happen. Haunted by that memory and feeling himself creeping toward a similar end, Henry breaks down at his birthday dinner.

Only the arrival of a mysterious stranger (Jack Farthing) seems to bring Henry any peace. He swans in and whisks Henry away to a local pub. Soon, though, the pieces fall into place. The stranger is actually Henry's father, appearing both as a ghostly vision and a reminder of Henry's most formative trauma.

The episode marks Industry's foray into the supernatural, a surprise that Harington found affecting.

"There's something really, deeply, emotionally moving about the idea of meeting your parent at the same age that you are," Harington told Mashable in a Zoom interview.

SEE ALSO: 'Industry' Season 4 tackles age verification and OnlyFans — and it's just getting started

He likened it to Andrew Haigh's 2023 film, All of Us Strangers, in which Andrew Scott's Adam encounters the spirits of his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell), who passed away when he was a child. Now around their age, he's able to share parts of his life he never got the chance to reveal to them, including coming out.

"I was in floods," Harington said of watching the film. "I don't easily cry, and I was in floods all the way through that movie."

"The Commander and the Grey Lady" occupies a similar space, where a child reconnects with their long-dead parent. Here, though, the effect is less melancholic in the vein of All of Us Strangers, and more foreboding. Henry's father shows him the self-inflicted gunshot wound that killed him, then hints that Henry will be joining him "very soon." It's the purest version of the dread that has fueled Henry all episode: that he may end up just like his father.

He almost does. Following his encounter with his father, Henry prepares to die by carbon monoxide poisoning in his estate's garage. However, at the last moment, he leaves the garage and returns to Yasmin, newly invigorated at having outlived his father and overcome this burden that's been weighing on him.

"He's had all this suicidal ideation, and then he makes it past it," Harington said. "It's this real moment in his life."

In any other show, you could imagine an episode of this scale, with as a big a swing as a full-on ghost story, being a late-season installment. Maybe even a finale! But for Industry Season 4, it's just part of the beginning.

"That episode, functionally, within Industry, is very important," Harington said. "Because for us to make it through the season and to get on board with Henry, we need to understand him right from the get-go. We need to empathize with him. We need to feel for him, and that has a very important purpose for the season's start, that we delve right into him in a very intense way so we can understand him."

Ultimately, the entire episode closes one chapter of Henry's life — one where he's burdened by the memory of his father — and opens a new one. However, given that this chapter will involve working with company Tender, which is coming under scrutiny from Harper Stern (Myha'la) and journalist Jim Dycker (Charlie Heaton), it's highly likely that Henry's about to hit a new rough patch very, very soon.

New episodes of Industry Season 4 premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love money.

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

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

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

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

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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 Pips hints, answers for January 19, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Novice

• Green: A lump sum

• Blue: Measurements

• Purple: Fast

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Inexperienced

• Green: 🤑

• Blue: Measured by SI units

• Purple: Words after "Quick"

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 #953 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Inexperienced: BUDDING, FRESH, NAIVE, NEW

• 🤑: BUNDLE, FORTUNE, MINT, WAD

• Measured by SI units: CURRENT, LENGTH, MASS, TIME

• Words after "Quick": FIX, SAND, SILVER, STUDY

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 19, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're not steady.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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: Answer, hints for January 19, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 19, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Shaking things up

The words are related to shakiness.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe unsteady things.

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 Lets Rock

NYT Strands word list for January 19

• Wobble

• Tremble

• Waver

• Quake

• Sway

• Teeter

• Lets Rock

• Vibrate

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 yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like an even surface.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today'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 hints today: Clues, answers for January 19, 2026 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 was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

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 Pips hints, answers for January 19, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Smooth.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter W.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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...

WAXEN

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 19, 2026

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 yesterday's Wordle.

TL;DR: Get a MacBook Air for only $199.97 (reg. $999) while supplies last.

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There’s a reason MacBooks typically come with sky-high price tags — they deliver Apple’s top features in a sleek, highly portable package. Fortunately, now you can get a MacBook Air for only $199.97 (reg. $999) if you act fast.

The MacBook Air is Apple’s lightest-weight laptop, letting you tackle your to-do list from anywhere. This model weighs in at only 2.96 pounds, but don’t be deceived by its sleek frame. It still packs plenty of power — a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM to be exact.

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If you like to store important files on your device, you’ll appreciate the 128GB of storage offered. There’s also an ample 13.3-inch widescreen display equipped with Intel HD Graphics 6000, so you can enjoy your favorite content in vibrant color.

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Upgrade your computer with this MacBook Air, now only $199.97 (reg. $999).

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TL;DR: Streamline your AI workflow with a lifetime subscription to 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan, now just $74.97 (reg. $540).

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There are a lot of different AI models on the market, and they all have their own unique strengths. For those of us who don’t want to stay on top of all of that, there’s 1min.AI. This handy platform consolidates dozens of AI models in one space, so you can see all their answers at once.

Right now, a lifetime subscription to 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan can be yours for only $74.97 (reg. $540).

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AI is supposed to make life a little easier — but if you’re spending time tab-hopping between models and researching which one is best for which request, it’s not all that helpful. That’s where 1min.AI comes in, offering a single, convenient place to view answers from popular AI models side by side.

With 1min.AI, you’ll see results from ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, Mistral, and more. Just pop in your request, review the different results, and pick the one that works best for you. You can get help with coding, create images, edit video or audio, and more — just make sure to always give the results a human once-over.

A lifetime subscription to 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan means you’ll receive weekly updates, an unlimited prompt library, unlimited storage, and unlimited brand voice options.

You’ll also get 4,000,000 credits a month, which you can use to write 1,112,500 words per month, research up to 5,933 SEO keywords per month, generate up to 1,186 images per month, or create up to 37 videos per month. If you ever need more, it’s easy to earn free credits by using the app, leaving a review, or referring your friends.

Work better with AI thanks to this lifetime subscription to 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan, now just $74.97 (reg. $540).

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NASA will soon run a high‑stakes fueling test on its Artemis II rocket, a practice run that must succeed before four astronauts can fly around the moon.

The U.S. space agency inched the 11 million-pound Space Launch System and mobile launcher to a Cape Canaveral, Florida, launchpad on Saturday, Jan. 17. The slow procession of the 322-foot rocket, topped with the Orion spaceship, took 12 hours on the aging crawler-transporter to complete. 

That four-mile trek could mark the first leg of Artemis II, a 10-day journey around the moon and back that will put the spaceship through its paces. The lunar mission will be NASA's first with astronauts —Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Canada's Jeremy Hansen — in 53 years since Apollo 17. 

The so-called "wet dress rehearsal" will load the mega moon rocket with 700,000 gallons of ultra‑cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants and take the countdown all the way to 29 seconds before liftoff. How this test goes will shape the flight timeline and determine whether launch opportunities in February remain in play.

"We need to get through wet dress, we need to see what lessons we learn as a result of that, and that will ultimately lay out our path toward launch," Artemis Launch Director Charlie Blackwell‑Thompson said. "With a wet dress that is without significant issues, if everything goes to plan, then certainly there are opportunities within February that could be achievable." 

SEE ALSO: NASA says Artemis II can fly without its big, broken deep space antenna NASA's mega moon rocket emerges from its massive warehouse at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 17, 2026. Credit: NASA / Joel Kowsky When is the wet dress rehearsal?  The 322-foot rocket, taller than the Statue of Liberty, rolls past the firing room on its way to the launchpad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 17, 2026. Credit: NASA / Aubrey Gemignan

During the test, teams will fill the rocket and rehearse every major step of launch‑day fueling. Controllers will run through all countdown procedures, including the final "terminal count," then stop on purpose at T‑29 seconds. NASA is targeting Feb. 2 for the crucial exercise, though that could change, depending on preparations. 

"We'll review the data,"  said Blackwell‑Thompson, "then we'll set up for our launch attempt." 

The results will determine whether NASA will hit its soonest launch window, which opens Feb. 6.

NASA's crawler-transporter carries the 11-million-pound rocket stack and mobile launcher to the launchpad at Kennedy Space Center on Jan. 17, 2026. Credit: NASA / Aubrey Gemignani

Artemis II builds on lessons from the uncrewed maiden voyage in 2022, which needed several tries to complete fueling. Engineers adjusted how they load liquid oxygen after seeing temperature issues and modified hardware after hydrogen leaks were discovered in the connection between the ground systems and the rocket. They also changed and cryogenically tested a key valve that caused trouble during the final uncrewed countdown.

Since Artemis I, the Kennedy Space Center has revised procedures and upgraded hardware as part of the Artemis II plan.

The mega moon rocket traverses 4 miles to get to the launchpad for a wet dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 17, 2026. Credit: NASA / Ben Smegelsky From left, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman, Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Christina Koch, pilot Victor Glover, and Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman take questions from reporters as the mega moon rocket rolls behind them to the launchpad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 17, 2026. Credit: NASA / Kim Shiflett When will Artemis II launch? After 12 hours of crawling, the rocket reaches launchpad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, after 6 p.m. ET on Jan. 17, 2026. Credit: NASA / Brandon Hancock

Once the wet dress rehearsal ends, engineers will pore over the performance of the rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and the ground systems. Only if the data looks clean will the mission managers move on to setting a specific launch date. 

NASA officials have rejected any characterization that the team has "launch fever" or that preparations have been rushed.

"I've got one job, and it's a safe return of Reid and Victor and Christina and Jeremy. I consider that a duty and a trust," said John Honeycutt, chairperson of the mission management team. "We're going to fly when we're ready."

TL;DR: Watch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There is quite simply no tournament like the Africa Cup of Nations. It's an electric combination of heated rivalries, colorful fans, and flair that is sometimes lacking from elite competitions. We know that the eyes of the footballing world are already fixed on the 2026 World Cup, but this incredible tournament should whet the appetite of fans before the main event next summer.

The likes of Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi, Sadio Mane, Bryan Mbuemo, and Victor Osimhen have been battling it out in Morocco. After weeks of fantastic competition, the trophy is up for grabs. Hosts Morocco are facing off against Senegal in the final. It's going to be fascinating to watch these talented sides battle it out in front of a passionate home support.

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If you're interested in watching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the Africa Cup of Nations?

The Africa Cup of Nations (or AFCON) is the main biennial international men's association football competition in Africa. 24 teams are drawn into six groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the knockout rounds.

The defending champion is Ivory Coast. Egypt is the most successful nation in the tournament's history, winning seven times and securing three consecutive titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

When is the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations?

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is the 35th edition of the competition. This year's event takes place from Dec. 21 to Jan. 18 in Morocco.

How to watch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

Channel 4 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 stream the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for 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. Connect to Channel 4

5. Watch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch AFCON without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms like Channel 4, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

Smutty fan fiction is having a moment, and the writers at 30 Rock are clearly more than happy to indulge. This time, Saturday Night Live reimagines the upcoming Harry Potter TV series as Heated Rivalry — but make it Quidditch.

SEE ALSO: 'SNL' returns with another Trump Cold Open

In the sketch, dubbed Heated Wizardry, Harry (Finn Wolfhard) and Ron (Ben Marshall) tumble into a torrid Hogwarts romance, with the faux trailer going out of its way to clarify that everyone involved is very much 18+. "Hogwarts is basically college now," the narrator helpfully explains. Plot? Lore? World-building? Irrelevant. We’re here to watch two hot wizards kiss.

Is the writing particularly good? Probably not. But that’s beside the point. The sketch fully commits to the genre, delivering steamy glances, breathless longing, and a surprisingly faithful production design for what is, at its core, a shamelessly horny retelling of Harry Potter. If nothing else, it proves that nothing is immune to the gravitational pull of thirst.

OpenAI is now doing the thing everyone assumed it eventually would: bringing ads to ChatGPT.

After weeks of user frustration over what appeared to be ads slipping into conversations, OpenAI finally laid its cards on the table. In a blog post published on Friday, the company confirmed it plans to begin testing ads in ChatGPT for U.S. users on the free and Go tiers, while promising that paid tiers like Pro, Business, and Enterprise will remain ad-free.

SEE ALSO: Could OpenAI buy Pinterest? Here’s how that would impact users and non-users alike

OpenAI insists this isn’t a betrayal of trust, but a trade-off.

"As ChatGPT becomes more capable and widely used, we’re looking at ways to continue offering more intelligence to everyone," the company wrote, framing ads as a way to expand access without forcing users to pay. The company also stressed a hard line between answers and advertising, saying users need to trust that ChatGPT’s responses are "driven by what’s objectively useful, never by advertising," and that conversations will not be shared or sold to advertisers.

That reassurance comes after a messy few months. In December, ChatGPT users flooded social media with screenshots of chatbot responses that suggested apps, stores, or products entirely unrelated to their prompts.

OpenAI pushed back, saying those were just poorly timed "suggestions," but the distinction didn’t land. Even users paying $200 per month for ChatGPT Pro said the experience felt off.

Behind the scenes, though, advertising has clearly been on the roadmap. Reporting earlier this month revealed that OpenAI has been quietly testing ad concepts internally, experimenting with layouts and disclosures designed to create what employees described as "a new type of digital ads" that wouldn’t immediately drive users away

And CEO Sam Altman hasn’t exactly been subtle about warming to the idea. Back in June, he said he wasn’t "totally against" ads in ChatGPT, even calling Instagram ads "kinda cool" — a quote that aged about as well as anyone expected. At the time, Altman emphasized that ads would require extreme care to get right. Now, that theoretical future is becoming real.

OpenAI says ads will be clearly labeled, placed separately from responses, and initially shown only when there’s a "relevant sponsored product or service" tied to a conversation. Users will be able to dismiss ads or turn off personalization entirely, and ads won’t appear for accounts under 18 or near sensitive topics like health or politics

Whether that’s enough to keep ChatGPT from feeling like just another feed remains to be seen. But with operating costs reportedly in the billions and AI companies racing to prove sustainable business models, the era of the ad-free chatbot was probably always going to be temporary.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

TL;DR: Live stream Senegal vs. Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We couldn't have asked for more from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. We wanted exciting football, passionate stadiums, and big moments of drama. We got all of that and more from this special tournament.

There's only one game left to play, and it's the one that really matters. Morocco face Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. The hosts were favorites going into the tournament, and so far, they've delivered on expectations. Morocco just need to make it past Senegal to lift the trophy in front of their own fans. To course, that's not going to be an easy task. Senegal are stacked with talented stars. It's going to be a tense, evenly-matched battle.

If you want to watch Senegal vs. Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Senegal vs. Morocco?

Senegal vs. Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Jan. 18. This fixture takes place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

How to watch Senegal vs. Morocco for free

Senegal vs. Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

Channel 4 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 unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.

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Live stream Senegal vs. Morocco for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit Channel 4

5. Watch Senegal vs. Morocco for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Senegal vs. Morocco in the AFCON final before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Senegal vs. Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final for free with ExpressVPN.

Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard took hosting duties on Saturday Night Live following the show’s hiatus, kicking things off with a sketch about generational clashing and their deeply incompatible definitions of "selling out."

SEE ALSO: 'SNL' returns with another Trump Cold Open

Wolfhard plays a teenager eager to hit the road with his indie band, much to the dismay of his father (James Austin Johnson). Not because Dad is anti-dreams or anti-music, but because he’s a pop star — and his son absolutely will not be slumming it through grunge shows at East Coast dive bars. As he puts it, "What could be more fulfilling than selling out arenas for the year and a half preceding 9/11?"

The sketch hinges on the wildly different ideas of artistic fulfillment between father and son, while also finding time to pile on chaos elsewhere. Dad’s boy band mates keep shamelessly hitting on Mom (Ashley Padilla), adding another layer of absurdity to the family dynamic. Those members include Curtis 5000 (Marcello Hernández), Cyber (Jeremy Culhane), and K-Dog (Andrew Dismukes), who is unmistakably just Kevin Richardson from the Backstreet Boys.

Saturday Night Live returned from its winter break and rang in the new year with what’s quickly become a familiar tradition now that Donald Trump is president again: letting James Austin Johnson suit up as Trump and riff on the absurd — and often deeply troubling — actions coming out of the White House since the show last aired.

As the saying goes, reality is stranger than fiction, and after a brief hiatus, the writers clearly had a lot of ground to cover. This time, Johnson wasn’t alone. He was joined by a full cabinet of “curiosities” and “little freaks,” including JD Vance (played by Jeremy Culhane), Marco Rubio (Marcello Hernández), Kristi Noem (Ashley Padilla), and Pete Hegseth (Colin Jost).

The sketch bounced rapidly from topic to topic, skewering everything from the (probably illegal) abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to ICE’s presence in Minnesota. It also found time for digs at rumors about Vance wearing eyeliner and increasingly pointed jokes about Trump’s deteriorating mental health.

TL;DR: Live stream Rams vs. Bears for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Chicago Bears mounted an exciting comeback against Green Bay in the Wild Card Round, marking their first NFL playoffs win in 16 years. Now they face tough competition from the Los Angeles Rams, who sneaked past the Panthers last weekend.

This is also the Bears' first winning season since 2019, so it could be their year in the playoffs — it feels like a story to follow as we head into the Divisional Round. The Rams have posted just one more win than the Bears, making them a fairly even match on paper. But we know anything can happen in the playoffs. And whoever wins this will meet the San Francisco 49ers or Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.

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If you want to watch Rams vs. Bears in the NFL playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Rams vs. Bears?

Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears takes place at 6.30 p.m. ET on Jan. 18. This fixture will be played at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.

How to watch Rams vs. Bears for free

Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ 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 a location with free coverage of the NFL

4. Register with TVNZ+

5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Rams vs. Bears and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

• 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Texans vs. Patriots for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Last week saw a dramatic Wild Card Round, with the Houston Texans trouncing the Pittsburgh Steelers for a spot in this weekend's Divisional Round against the New England Patriots.

It's not quite unknown territory for the Texans in the NFL playoffs, but they've never once advanced beyond this stage in their 24-year history. A spot in the Championship Game is a huge prize to fight for, let alone the Super Bowl itself. The Texans have a stellar defense this season, but they'll now face an MVP contender in the Patriots' Drake Maye. And the Patriots are back on form in a big way following a few very underwhelming years. All of which means this could be a Divisional clash for the ages.

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If you want to watch Texans vs. Patriots in the NFL playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Texans vs. Patriots?

Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots takes place at 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 18. This fixture will be played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

How to watch Texans vs. Patriots for free

Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ 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 a location with free coverage of the NFL

4. Register with TVNZ+

5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Texans vs. Patriots and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

• 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Give your PC a total refresh with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license, on sale now for $9.97 (reg. $199).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $9.97
$199 Save $189.03   Get Deal

You can’t get much for $10 these days. But if you’ve got an older PC lying around in need of some TLC, you can totally revamp it with a new operating system. Right now, you can get it for just $9.97 with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license — less than your lunch.

Give an old device a reboot with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license. This operating system was designed with the modern professional in mind, so you can rest easy knowing it will streamline your workflow and give your productivity a much-needed boost.

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Windows 11 Pro helps you tackle your to-do list with new features, including a seamless, easy-to-navigate interface. You can also work smarter, not harder, thanks to snap layouts, easy redocking, a more powerful search experience, and improved voice typing.

This new operating system includes access to a Microsoft Office favorite, Microsoft Teams, which helps you stay in touch with family, friends, and coworkers. It also puts Copilot right on your desktop, your very own AI-powered assistance that can answer questions, help with tasks, and even take actions like changing settings, summarizing web pages, or opening apps.

Aside from new tools that make life a little easier, Windows 11 Pro also keeps your PC’s cybersecurity top of mind. It includes biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and enhanced antivirus protection. You’ll also have tools like Azure AD, Windows Sandbox, and BitLocker device encryption at your fingertips.

Get a Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license for just $9.97 (reg. $199).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Another Game of Thrones show means another Targaryen family tree to memorize, and HBO's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is no exception.

The prequel series primarily centers on lowborn knight Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his young squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), following their time at a tournament at Ashford Meadow. However, despite A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' focus on Westeros' smallfolk, it's not long before the Targaryens show up to bring drama (and tons of "ae" names) to the tourney.

SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' review: 'Game of Thrones' prequel is a surprising comfort watch

If you're wondering how all these new members of the House of the Dragon are related to one another, you've come to the right place. Below, we've laid out the Targaryen family tree as it stands heading into A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1. For simplicity's sake, we've pruned some of the branches to show how these family members tie back to House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, and we've focused on the major Targaryen players you'll meet early on. Read on to meet your newest crop of Targaryens — and see how they all connect.

Behold, the Targaryen family tree. Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable King Daeron II Targaryen

The current head honcho of Westeros is King Daeron II Targaryen, the great-grandson of House of the Dragon's Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen. You won't actually meet him in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but his reign has molded the Westeros you'll see in the series.

By this point, almost 80 years after the events of House of the Dragon, Westeros is experiencing a period of peace, and it's all thanks to King Daeron II. He put an end to the Blackfyre Rebellion, a bloody coup attempt by legitimized Targaryen bastards, and he also managed to bring Dorne peacefully into the Seven Kingdoms. They don't call him "Daeron the Good" for nothing!

SEE ALSO: Is 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' kid-friendly? Daeron II's sons: Baelor and Maekar Targaryen Bertie Carvel and Sam Spruell in "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms." Credit: Composite: Mashable / Images: Steffon Hill / HBO

King Daeron II has four sons with his wife, Dornish Princess Myriah Martell: Baelor, Aerys, Rhaegal, and Maekar. For the purposes of this show, you really only need to care about the first and fourth sons, Baelor and Maekar.

Prince Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen (Bertie Carvel) is the eldest of Daeron II's sons. Not only is he heir to the Iron Throne, he's also Hand of the King. Like his father, he's deeply respected and viewed as wise and just. He has two sons with his wife Jena Dondarrion: Prince Valarr (Oscar Morgan) and Prince Matarys, but only Valarr appears in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Notably, Baelor doesn't have the Targaryens' silver hair, but instead favors his Dornish side with darker hair.

Harsher than his brother (but with much more silver hair), Maekar (Sam Spruell) is the Prince of Summerhall. He also has six children compared to Baelor's two, and several of them will play a larger role in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

Maekar's children: Daeron, Aerion, Aemon, Daella, Aegon, and Rhae Finn Bennett in "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms." Credit: Steffon Hill / HBO

Maekar and his wife Dyanna Dayne have six children together: Daeron, Aerion, Aemon, Daella, Aegon, and Rhae. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms primarily focuses on his sons, leaving Daella and Rhae out of the story.

His first son, Daeron (Henry Ashton), is also known as Daeron the Drunken, and he has the prophetic dragon dreaming gift of select Targaryens. House of the Dragon's Helaena Targaryen is similarly gifted.

Maekar's second son, Aerion (Finn Bennett), fits the bill of the classic "mad" Targaryen. Thinking he's a dragon in human form, he dubs himself "Aerion Brightflame" and wears a fiery helmet that is, admittedly, pretty sick. Still, his fashion choices can't make up for his cruelty and sadism.

Game of Thrones fans have already met Maekar's son Aemon: He's none other than Maester Aemon from Castle Black. Don't expect to see him in Season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, though, as he's currently studying to be get his maester chain in Oldtown. However, his existence in the world of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms serves as a reminder of how the show connects to Game of Thrones, whose events are a little under a century away.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

TL;DR: Live stream Memphis Grizzlies vs. Orlando Magic in the NBA for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NBA has been on tour this week. First the Orlando Magic took on the Memphis Grizzlies in Berlin, and now the same sides face each other again in London. There's always something special about these European games. The fans don't get to see NBA action all that often, so there's palpable excitement when the show comes to town.

If you want to watch Grizzlies vs. Magic in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Grizzlies vs. Magic?

Grizzlies vs. Magic in the NBA starts at 12 p.m. ET on Jan. 18. This game takes place at The O2 in London, UK.

How to watch Grizzlies vs. Magic for free

Grizzlies vs. Magic in the NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the U.S. and UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S. or UK, meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S. or UK

5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Learn More

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms delivers a first for HBO. It's a Game of Thrones spin-off without the Iron Throne.

In both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, characters want nothing more than to park their butts in that spiky chair so they can rule the Seven Kingdoms — and they're willing to start brutal wars to get there. But in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, there is no war for succession. There isn't even a shot of the Iron Throne!

SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' trailer promises epic Westerosi jousting action

Instead, the series focuses on a time of relative peace for Westeros, when hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his new squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), venture to a tournament at Ashford Meadow. At first, most of the people they'll cross path with are smallfolk, none of whom have the kingly or queenly aspirations of Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon's leads. Instead, they're most concerned with making coin and enjoying the tournament.

However, it's not long before the Targaryens enter the fray. Now dragon-less, Westeros' favorite incestuous family still rules the Seven Kingdoms. But which member of the family sits atop the Iron Throne?

Who is the king in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?

The current Lord of the Seven Kingdoms in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is Daeron II Targaryen, who doesn't actually appear in the show. He's presumably off in King's Landing while his sons Maekar (Sam Spruell) and Baelor (Bertie Carvel) head to Ashford Meadow.

To put King Daeron in the context of other Targaryens you may be familiar with, he's the great-grandson of House of the Dragon's Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) and Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith). He's also the great-great-great-grandfather of Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke).

But just because King Daeron doesn't make an appearance in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms doesn't mean he's not interesting in his own right. George R.R. Martin's The World of Ice & Fire lays out key elements of his rise to power and his rule.

King Daeron had a contentious relationship with his father, King Aegon IV. While the latter wanted to go to war with Dorne, which was not yet a part of the Seven Kingdoms, the former encouraged peace.

Aegon began to sow rumors that Daeron was not his legitimate son, and was instead the product of an affair between his wife (and his sister) Naerys and their brother Aemon. While he never formally disowned Daeron as his heir, Aegon did legitimize all his bastards on his deathbed in the ultimate "screw you" to his son. His bastard sons with noble mothers came to be known as the Great Bastards, and they went on to cause major drama. But then again, would we expect less from the Targaryens?

One of the Great Bastards, Daemon Waters, dubbed himself Daemon I Blackfyre and made a claim for the Iron Throne. So began the First Blackfyre Rebellion, which tore across Westeros and lasted from 195 AC (After Aegon's Conquest) to 196 AC. Daemon and his sons perished by the end of the rebellion, and Daeron retained the Iron Throne. That would be the last major point of conflict during his reign, although it wouldn't be the last Westeros saw of the Blackfyre Pretenders. (After all, it's the "First" Blackfyre Rebellion for a reason.)

Outside the Blackfyre Rebellion, Daeron's reign was a peaceful and important one. He managed to do what Aegon the Conqueror and several of his descendant could not: incorporate Dorne into the Seven Kingdoms, all without bloodshed.

Before Daeron even became a prince, he married Princess Myriah Martell as part of a peaceful pact with Dorne. Once he became king, he negotiated with Prince Maron Martell of Dorne to bring Dorne into the Seven Kingdoms.

For his kindness and wisdom, King Daeron became known as Daeron the Good, making him a massive step up from most of the other Targaryens we've met across Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. And while we won't meet him in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, you can thank him for the peaceful version of Westeros we witness in the series.

Seven knows we won't be getting that level of peace in House of the Dragon Season 3, that's for sure.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

As an iPhone user, I tried to buy into the hype of Apple's earbuds, but they just don't work for me. As I've learned, their one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work for everyone. I find them to be too big, and rather than keeping me tuned into my music, I spend more time tracking down a lost AirPod that's fallen out of my ear.

After losing two pairs of AirPods (yes, two), I gave up on Apple's earbuds. For a long time, I wrote off all earbuds, instead opting for over-ear headphones. But over-ear headphones are bulky, not ideal for working out, and difficult to store. So, is there a great, affordable alternative to AirPods? Yes, and I found it. Let's talk about the Soundcore P41i earbuds.

Soundcore P41i Earbuds $49.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $30.00   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Earbuds that actually fit These earbuds actually fit my ears compared to Apple AirPods. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Basic AirPods don't come with the option to customize the ear tips; for that, you'll have to get a pair of the more expensive AirPods Pro. Soundcore's P41i earbuds possess both affordability and a custom fit. The P41i comes with five different ear tips: extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large. As someone with smaller ears, I appreciated the extra-small ear tips, which made the P41i earbuds have a secure and snug fit.

The buds have a far more secure fit than AirPods. While wearing the P41i buds, I was never concerned about the earbuds falling out, especially when exercising or out running errands. Not to mention a better fit means better sound quality and less audio leakage.

To shop for an adjustable fit on a pair of AirPods, you'll need to opt for the AirPods Pro 3, which cost $239. Meanwhile, the P41i buds are just $79.99.

Easy connectivity for both iOS and Android

The biggest perk of AirPods, and why so many iPhone and iOS users go for the earbuds, is their seamless connectivity that doesn't require an app. Simply open the case, put in the earbuds, and you're ready to start listening. Well, the P41i can do that too.

While Soundcore does have its own app, it's not required to use these earbuds unless you're looking to adjust the audio settings. Once you initially set them up through the Bluetooth settings on your device, they'll stay connected. That means, just like AirPods, you can open the case, put in the buds, and be ready to go. Additionally, the Soundcore P41i supports multi-device pairing, allowing you to switch seamlessly between your phone and laptop.

A charging case that's also a charger The P41i's charging case is the ultimate travel companion with its USB-C cord and phone stand. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Most earbuds these days come with a charging case specifically designed to recharge your earbuds when not in use, but few charging cases are also equipped to serve as a charger. The Soundcore P41i comes with a built-in USB-C adapter. This means you can easily charge the entire case without scrambling to find a cord, or charge your phone on the go via reverse charging. Inside the charging case is also a small stand for you to prop up your phone on if you want to watch a show on the go. For those with older iPhone models that have a Lightning port, there's an option to buy a Lightning adapter with the earbuds.

Yes, they sound good too

OK, I've done a lot of talking about the P41i earbuds as an affordable alternative to AirPods, but how do they sound? Compared to top-tier earbuds like the Bose QuietComfort Ultras or the Technics AZ100s, the P41i's audio quality is not that elite. The earbuds are perfectly suitable, able to deliver music and podcasts accurately and clearly, but I wouldn't say they elevate the music. Active noise cancellation keeps out the hubbub so you can focus on your music.

Having used Apple's basic AirPods, I believe the P41i earbuds are comparable. Like AirPods, they won't be for the audiophile, but rather for the person prioritizing affordability, convenience, and ease.

A worthy AirPods alternative under $100 For $50 less than AirPods, the Soundcore P41i earbuds are an affordable alternative. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

I've already mentioned the price, but it's worth stating again just how affordable these headphones are. The Soundcore P41i earbuds cost $79.99, which is $50 less than the AirPods 4, but with more benefits, including ear tips. Even if you upgrade to the P41i earbuds with a Lightning adapter, it's only $10 more.

Apple AirPods 4 reached a more affordable price of $69 during Black Friday 2025, but if you can't wait to buy AirPods until Prime Day or Black Friday 2026, the P41i earbuds are an affordable alternative. They sound good, connect to your phone easily, and fit ears far better than standard AirPods do.