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TL;DR: Watch AC Milan vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League has an exciting new format that promises to deliver more matches between the biggest and best sides in Europe, and that starts with AC Milan vs. Liverpool. These two sides have a famous history in this competition, and this opening round fixture stands out as one to keep a close eye on.

If you want to watch AC Milan vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is AC Milan vs. Liverpool?

AC Milan vs. Liverpool in the Champions League starts at 8 p.m. BST on Sept. 17. This fixture takes place at the San Siro.

How to watch AC Milan vs. Liverpool for free

AC Milan vs. Liverpool is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch AC Milan vs. Liverpool (plus more Champions League fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video.

Fans from outside the UK will need to use a VPN to watch the Champions League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

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

2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly 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 UK

5. Watch AC Milan vs. Liverpool for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch AC Milan vs. Liverpool on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Stream AC Milan vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

"When will Apple tackle smell cancellation?" was all I could think of while testing the AirPods 4 on a flight from San Jose, Calif. to Atlanta. Unfortunately, I dealt with a flatulent neighbor who kept letting one rip.

Phew!

But while my nostrils were fighting for their life on a Boeing 737, my ears had a different experience: a blissful, quiet ride during an eight-hour trip from California to New York (with a malodorous connecting flight to Atlanta between the journey).

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

For the first time ever, the entry-level AirPods have active noise cancellation (ANC). Apple unveiled the new AirPods 4 on Sept. 9 at the "Glowtime" event where the Cupertino-based tech giant debuted the new line with two variants: one with ANC and one without ANC.

During my flight from San Jose to New York, with a (stinky) layover flight to Atlanta, I tested the new AirPods 4 with ANC. How did they fare with loud PA announcements, noisy chit-chat, and the biggest challenge of them all, plane engine noise? Let's find out.

AirPods 4 price and specs

As mentioned, you can choose between two AirPods 4 variants.

Holding the AirPods 4 with ANC Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

There's AirPods 4 without ANC, which costs $129.

And then you have AirPods 4 with ANC, which will set you back $179.

Both can do the following, thanks, in part, to the H2 chip:

• Personalized Spatial Audio (a personalized profile for the best customized listening experience)

• Siri interactions (nod your head "no," for example, to reject a phone call after Siri announcement)

• Voice Isolation (your voice sounds clearer on calls)

• Up to 5 hours of listening time (as claimed by Apple)

However, what sets the $179 AirPods 4 apart from the cheaper option is, of course, active noise cancellation.

They also feature Transparency Mode (lets you hear the environment around you), Conversation Awareness (detects when you're speaking and adjusts audio settings accordingly), and Adaptive Audio (auto adjusts between Transparency Mode and ANC depending on your environment).

The AirPods 4 with ANC can charge with an Apple Watch charger; plus, they have wireless Qi charging support. Finally, the ANC-capable AirPods 4's charging case has FindMy support as well as Precision Finding (which means your iPhone can direct you to your AirPods 4 by telling you how many feet you are from it.)

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable AirPods 4 with ANC $179.99 at Amazon
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The AirPods 4 are available for pre-order now and will start shipping on Sept. 20.

AirPods 4 design

I have a pair of AirPods Pro, and while I adore how they sound, they love to fall out of my ears. Not everyone has this issue, though. Just some of us. And for those who fall into that category, Apple has given us some acknowledgement.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The new AirPods 4, whether you purchase one with ANC or without, are designed to fit most people. Apple boasted that it analyzed the ears of many users. There are, indeed, "common" ear shapes, as well as canals that are more atypical and out-of-the-ordinary. I definitely fall into the latter category, so I thought, "If there's anyone who can test the AirPods 4's new 'one-size-fits-most' design, it's me!"

As it turned out, the AirPods 4 fit really, really well. When I popped them into my ears, I didn't feel the need to lodge them in tightly so they don't take a tumble (like my AirPods Pro). Wearing them on two planes, they remained snug. I even ran on the treadmill with them for an hour — they never fell out.

However, after wearing the AirPods 4 for nearly eight hours straight on a plane, I sensed some faint aching. To be clear, they're not painful whatsoever — just a mild discomfort. Where exactly? I had to look this up, but it’s called the "Crus of Helix," which is where the top part of the earbuds rests against my ear.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Fortunately, that subtle sensitivity, which only occured in my left ear, disappeared in a few minutes.

Again, this is likely just a "me" thing — I have an abnormal ear shape.

Signature look

The AirPods 4 still have a signature design language with longer stems (compared to the AirPods Pro lineup). In contrast to my AirPods Pro, the AirPods 4's earbuds appear to be slightly taller and wider.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Msshable

The AirPods 4 also still sport that all-white trademark style, but I love a good dark blue or rich black body, so maybe one day — perhaps AirPods 5 — we'll see more color options for the popular earbuds.

Force sensor

The AirPods 4 also continue to feature the force sensor located on the stem. I used it to swap between ANC and Transparency Mode during my flights seamlessly.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

When I heard the faint sound of a PA system, I'd press on the sensor to turn on Transparency Mode. When I wanted total immersion, I'd press the stem again to turn on ANC. (You can also swap between modes on your iPhone via the Control Center.)

Plus, you can double-press the stem to play the next track — and triple-press the stem to play a previous track (among other controls).

AirPods 4 active noise cancellation

As mentioned at the outset, with the ANC-enabled AirPods 4, I flew from San Jose, Calif. to Atlanta before hopping on another NYC-bound flight.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I spent nearly eight hours with the AirPods 4 in my ears. As I hinted in my hands-on review, the AirPods 4 sounded like honey to my ears — and even more so when ANC was on. While I was at the airport, sounds of coo-ing babies, loud conversations, and rolling luggage were significantly reduced, allowing me to sink deeper into some of my favorite Apple Music playlists.

It was as if the AirPods 4 erased the cacophonous world around me, allowing me to sit in a quiet, empty void, with nothing but myself, my earbuds, and Sabrina Carpenter. "Me Espresso" already sounds darn good, but on the AirPods 4, it sounds immaculate.

Did I hear the airplane engine?

No headphones are going to completely get rid of engine noise. For example, when I compared the AirPods Max and Sony XM5s, two high-priced over-ear headphones, even they had some external noise leak through the devices. (But the AirPods Max did a better job at handling ANC.)

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, the AirPods 4 did, in fact, significantly reduce the drone of the airplane engine. I noticed the ANC eliminated the high-pitched whine of the plane, creating a much more pleasant listening experience. However, it didn't completely get rid of the lower, rumbling sounds of the engine — it was still faintly noticeable.

It reduced it, yes, but it didn't eliminate it completely, which is, again, par for the course for ANC. Overall, the AirPods 4 did a great job at dampening the sound of the plane as it ripped through the air at more than 500 miles per hour.

ANC is a rarity in open-ear designs

People may underestimate how unusual it is to get ANC support in an open-ear design like the AirPods 4. As I mentioned in my hands-on, unlike the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods 4 do not feature silicon tips. As such, it doesn't have a tight seal stuffed in your ears to support ANC technology in blocking external sounds.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, Apple boasted that it was able to accomplish this engineering challenge by using upgraded microphones (the same ones found on the AirPods Pro 2), the H2 processor, and cutting-edge computational audio.

AirPods 4 sound quality

You know what's funny? I tested the AirPods 4 on both the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. On the former, songs like "Me Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter and "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" by Billie Eilish sounded great, but there's a clear absence of multi-dimensional audio.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

On the iPhone 15 Pro Max, these songs sounded phenomenal. It's likely due to the AirPods 4's incredible Personalized Spatial Audio feature, which also comes with dynamic head tracking. It gave the music expansive, enveloping vibes that felt as if the music was twirling all around me.

Listening to "Me Espresso," the deep bass was steady and comforting while the higher notes felt light — almost as if I was floating. This song, with ANC in the mix, felt like I was sinking into a plush bean-bag chair where the world disappeared around me and I could immerse myself into a colorful, well-balanced soundscape.

Eilish's voice sounded haunting and ethereal on the AirPods 4. The earbuds perfectly captured the slow, pulsing, heartbeat-like rhythm.

AirPods 4 battery life

Apple says that the AirPods 4 are rated for up to 5 hours of battery life on a single charge (4 hours with ANC), but what was battery life like during my own experience?

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

To test it, on a Friday, I popped my AirPods 4 in at 1:30 p.m. when it was juiced up to 100%. I listened to music, with ANC on, throughout the whole experience, barely giving my AirPods 4 a break. At times, I spoke to my mom, dad, and fiancé. By around 6:42 p.m., it died.

That being said, Apple was nearly spot on with its four-to-five hour rating. The AirPods 4 lasted 5 hours and 12 minutes — with active noise cancellation on.

Of course, with the charging case, you'll be able to squeeze out more time. (Apple says up to 30 hours.)

AirPods 4 call quality

I called two people to test the AirPods 4's call quality.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

(After several people told me that I sound like I'm in a "hole" while using my Sony XM4's, I couldn't wait to test the AirPods 4 to see if it delivered a better experience.)

As it turned out, whether I spoke with my mom or partner, both reported that I sounded crisp and clear on the AirPods 4, thanks, in part, to the AirPods 4 Voice Isolation feature.

This perk is designed to enhance your voice and remove unwanted background voice — and it worked well as I walked through the busy streets of Manhattan.

AirPods 4 charging case

I am totally digging the AirPods 4 charging case. Apple condensed the size and made it significantly smaller and more compact. My AirPods Pro were already pretty portable, but the AirPods 4 takes up even less space, which is always welcome while traveling.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I would often stick the case inside the seatback pocket in front of me on the plane, but it's so tiny, it would often disappear into the abyss.

By the way, at one point, I did manage to misplace my AirPods. But luckily for me, I was able to use FindMy. The earbuds emitted some beeps, allowing me to find them with ease.

As mentioned, the AirPods 4's charging case supports Qi charging. You can use your Apple Watch's charging cable to charge it, too.

Keep in mind, though, that to pair your AirPods 4 with your device, you'll need to double tap the indicator light until it turns white. In other words, there's no more back button. There's a hidden functionality within the LED indicator that lets you initiate paring mode. To launch a reset, you'll need to double tap three times.

Plus, for what it's worth, the AirPods 4 charging case is now dust, sweat, and water resistant with an IP54 rating. So it can tolerate some splashes of water and dust, but you may want to keep it away from the pool and sand.

AirPods 4 Siri interactions

Available on iOS 18 for iPhone, as well as iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and watchOS 11 (if you're pairing the AirPods 4 with a supported iPad, MacBook, or Apple Watch, respectively), the new earbuds have a new perk called Siri Interactions.

AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

How does it work? Siri will ask you questions that will require your confirmation, and you can "reply" without even uttering a sound by shaking your head yes or no.

You can use Siri Interactions to accept and reject calls, and dismiss or answer messages/notifications.

Are AirPods 4 worth it?

Absolutely. I love them so much, they have replaced my AirPods Pro as my new daily driver earbuds. Again, fit was one of my concerns with my AirPods Pro, but now, I don't have that issue with the new one-size-fits-most design on the AirPods 4.

The active noise cancellation is elite, allowing me to immerse myself into the honeyed soundwaves that emanate from the AirPods 4. The AirPods 4 are, without a doubt, the best in-ear earbuds I've ever tested in a long while. They're definitely getting a place in our best headphones for noise cancellation list.

Apple has a handle on ANC, but if it can drop a lil' somethin' somethin' for smell cancellation, my traveling survival kit will be complete.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable AirPods 4 $179.99
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Travelling usually means compromising. Limited luggage space and the need to prioritise practicality often relegates matters of style to an afterthought, if they're thought of at all. This can result in you finally arriving at your picturesque holiday destination only to feel like the most disorganised, dishevelled person on the face of the Earth.

You aren't the only person who's been left haggard by travelling, and the hotel staff have likely seen it all before. Even so, a few thoughtful upgrades to your travel kit can help you feel more glamorous than gremlin, as well as reduce your travel struggles. Incorporating a little luxury may also help you reframe your travel identity for yourself, transforming from a harried airport sprinter to a poised and put-together globetrotter. After all, it's hard to feel your best when you aren't looking your best.

Here are four essentials to help you travel in style.

SEE ALSO: 7 overlooked and underrated essential travel gadgets 1. Insta360 Flow Pro Credit: Insta360

As the famous saying goes, the best camera is the one that's with you — and more often than not, that's the one on your phone. This doesn't mean you couldn't use an extra gadget to upgrade your photography, though.

The Insta360 Flow Pro is a gimbal, tripod, and selfie stick all in one, helping you perfectly frame your holiday videos. In addition to compensating for shaky hands, the Flow Pro can use AI to track subjects, allowing you to film yourself in steady, cinematic panning shots even when travelling alone. The buttons on its handle also enable you to control your camera, whether you want to change your phone's orientation, switch between the front and back cameras, start and stop tracking and recording, or even zoom in.

An upgrade from the Insta360 Flow, the Flow Pro adds 360-degree tracking, one-tap NFC pairing for quick and easy setup, and a light to indicate when tracking is active. This severely souped-up selfie stick even has native tracking within the iPhone camera (though you should definitely update your iPhone to iOS 18 to ensure this works properly).

While Insta360 Flow Pro does have extra compatibility with iPhones, Android users can still benefit from this gadget as well. Green bubble adherents won't be able to use one-tap pairing or tracking in their phone's native camera, but will otherwise be able to enjoy the Insta360 Flow Pro's full functionality via the Insta360 app. You'll probably want to use the Insta360 app even if you do have an iPhone anyway, as it offers a smoother experience, improved tracking, and access to features such as 3x3 panoramic photos.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insta360 Insta360 Flow Pro at Amazon
Shop Now 2. MAISON de SABRÉ Weekender bag Credit: MAISON de SABRÉ

MAISON de SABRÉ's Weekender Bag is the type of bag you travel with if you have your life together and don't mind if everyone knows it. Made of gorgeously supple full-grain leather, this beautiful 23-litre luggage option is both fashionable and functional, firmly establishing you as prime airport crush material.

The Weekender has six internal side pockets to help keep your belongings organised, including a padded sleeve for your laptop and a zipped option on the opposite side. It also has two external sleeve pockets, one of which can be zipped open at the bottom to turn into a luggage passthrough. Though even if you opt not to use the passthrough, The Weekender's structured base allows it to sit neatly on top of your suitcase without you having to worry about it sliding off. The bag also features shoulder carry handles, and comes with a detachable crossbody strap for an alternate carry option.

Featured Video For You One day you might be able to travel by water, land, and sky all in one vehicle – Future Blink

Weighing 1.45 kilograms (3.19 pounds), the Weekender is slightly heavier than MAISON de SABRÉ's 1.42-kilogram Duffle Bag, which also has a larger 35-litre capacity. However, this is because the Weekender is designed to be used more frequently, so has increased reinforcement. Considering how attractive this bag is, you'll probably be searching for any excuse to use it. Though on the other hand, the Weekender is also so pretty that subjecting it to the cruel rigours of travel almost feels like sacrilege regardless of whether it can take it.

Opens in a new window Credit: MAISON de SABRÉ MAISON de SABRÉ Weekender Bag
Shop Now 3. Sonos Ace headphones Credit: Sonos

A good pair of headphones is imperative to a good travel experience. Unless you're on a road trip and it's your turn to drive, there's a good chance you'll spend a significant amount of time watching the scenery go by during the travel part of travelling. A decent soundtrack can make these hours feel restorative rather than mundane.

Sonos' Ace headphones are the speaker company's highly anticipated first foray into wearables. With decades of audio experience behind its development, the Sonos Ace offers exceptional sound quality, long battery life, notable comfort, and a well-balanced transparency mode in a sleek, minimalist design. This includes removable magnetic ear cups, so you can swap them out if they get damaged rather than ditching the whole device. The headphones come with a handy carry case as well, so you don't have to worry about them getting tossed around in your bag. 

The Sonos Ace operates via Bluetooth, so that's something to keep in mind if you were hoping to be able to connect via WiFi. However, if you just want to listen to your Spotify playlist on your phone, these headphones should have you covered. Like other Bluetooth headphones, the Sonos Ace can also be used to listen to your plane's in-flight entertainment if you pair it with Twelve South's AirFly wireless adapter. They're a particularly good option if you already have a Sonos sound system at home as well, as you can pair it with the Ace to easily swap audio from your speakers to the headphones and vice versa.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ace headphones at Amazon
Shop Now 4. Solbari ultra wide cotton linen hat UPF50+ and Traveller broad brim sun hat UPF50+ Credit: Solbari

Hats are severely underrated travel items. Many people have never had a good quality hat, getting by with miscellaneous branded caps that offer mediocre coverage at best. Considering that a bad sunburn can completely derail a trip, it's an area that travellers would do well to consider more seriously.

Solbari is an Australian brand focused on sun protection — and if anyone knows about sun protection, it's Australians. The country is notorious for its powerfully damaging sun which is seven to 10 percent stronger than in the U.S., resulting in sun safety being baked into its national consciousness as a constant concern for all Australians.

Solbari's ultra wide cotton linen hat UPF50+ is a fashionable yet functional addition to your travel kit. Made of a breathable linen and cotton blend that feels luxurious to handle, this lightweight hat's wide five-inch brim extends even further to six inches at the back, offering fantastic protection against the sun while also looking stylish. The hat even has a small slot at the back for you to pull your ponytail through, so it isn't uncomfortably pressed against the back of your skull.

While Solbari doesn't offer linen in its men's styles, its popular Traveller broad brim sun hat UPF50+ includes four vents to help keep you cool. With a brim measuring three inches at the front and 3.5 at the back, the hat is made of thin, lightweight nylon that's both water- and stain-resistant, features which are always beneficial in travelling gear.

Both of these Solbari hats are UPF50+ rated, and have adjustable chin straps and drawstrings at the back to keep them safely on your head (though the former is removable if that's the look you prefer). The cotton linen hat does fold up more easily than the Traveller which has a stiffer rim, but the latter still packs flat for easy transport. You can always simply loop the chin strap around your luggage handle as well.

Opens in a new window Credit: Solbari Solbari Ultra Wide Cotton Linen Hat UPF50+ at Amazon
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Solbari Solbari Traveller Broad Brim Sun Hat UPF50+ at Amazon
Shop Now

Right from the get-go, The Penguin finds itself in a sticky situation.

The new series from HBO serves as a sequel of sorts to Matt Reeves's The Batman, but it can't risk changing the paradigm in Gotham City too much. After all, Reeves has The Batman Part II to prep for, so The Penguin needs to keep the playing field relatively similar to the end of the first movie in order to ensure continuity between the films. That leaves showrunner Lauren LeFranc with a seemingly small amount of wiggle room to work with.

SEE ALSO: 40 shows we can't wait to see this fall

Luckily, LeFranc and The Penguin are able to do quite a lot with that minimal space, conjuring up a grounded (if somewhat derivative) crime drama that examines how Batman villain Oswald "Oz" Cobb (Colin Farrell) became the monster he is today.

What's The Penguin about? Cristin Milioti and Colin Farrell in "The Penguin." Credit: HBO

The Penguin picks up in the aftermath of The Batman, with Gotham in total disarray following the Riddler's flooding of the city. Adding to the chaos is the death of mob boss Carmine Falcone. His demise has left a power vacuum in Gotham's criminal underworld, and Oz, tired of playing second fiddle to wealthy mobsters, plans to fill that vacuum himself.

Of course, that's easier said than done. Sure, Oz manages to dispatch of Carmine's son and heir Alberto Falcone (Michael Zegen) fairly quickly. But that only stirs up more trouble with the Falcone family — particularly with Carmine's dangerous daughter Sofia (Cristin Milioti), a reformed serial killer known as "The Hangman" who's just been released from Arkham State Hospital.

Colin Farrell goes full Sopranos mode in The Penguin Colin Farrell in "The Penguin." Credit: HBO

As Oz navigates a web of crime and lies — mostly of his own making — on his way to the top, The Penguin pays healthy tribute to the crime dramas that preceded it. Most notable among them is HBO's own The Sopranos, with Oz taking on the role of a scarred Tony Soprano, complete with some mommy issues of his own. This constant crime pastiche can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it allows us to get down and dirty for some street-level Gotham action, with production designer Kalina Ivanov reveling in grimy alleyways and hideouts. On the other, it risks sending The Penguin into generic gangster territory.

The Penguin mostly steers clear of any Batman-related fun. (The Caped Crusader himself is absent, although not particularly missed or needed here.) So without even a hint of the more ridiculous elements of earlier iterations of Oz — my kingdom for some kind of umbrella gun! — the series can feel unmoored from its source material. Why does this story have to center on the Penguin? What separates it from other crime dramas before it?

SEE ALSO: The 13 best TV shows of 2024 (so far)

One answer? Farrell's performance, which soars with the help of some impressive prosthetics that render the Oscar nominee near-unrecognizable. As Oz, Farrell is a snarling force to be reckoned with, all ambitious drive with a hint of fun lurking beneath the surface. Several details from The Penguin help tease out this fun side a little more. Take, for example, his affinity for Dolly Parton, or his diva-esque demands that all cilantro be picked from his food. Nothing quite hits the heights of his meme-worthy, "Holy God, what are you showing me?" from The Batman, but Farrell still makes a meal of Oz's every reaction.

In theory, these comedic details soften Oz. They're not the only story elements to do so. Oz often waxes poetic about mobster Rex Calabrese, whom he views as a kind of benevolent overlord in his neighborhood growing up. Rex's role in the community earned him a parade when he died, and Oz hopes to leave a similar legacy. Look, he's already caring for his ailing mother Francis (Deirdre O'Connell) and taking teenager Victor (Rhenzy Felix) under his tuxedoed wing. What a nice guy!

But of course, those surface-level observations don't account for the fact that Oz almost murdered Victor before roping him into his schemes, or that Francis sometimes refers to her own son as a devil. The Penguin takes great pleasure in hinting that Oz might actually have some good in him, only to turn around and remind us how bad he is. That pattern can feel repetitive in the show's middle stretch, but The Penguin's final two episodes deliver some earth-shattering revelations that recontextualize quite a bit of what we've seen, deepening Oz beyond just some "bargain basement hustler," as one character calls him.

Cristin Milioti steals The Penguin as Sofia Falcone Cristin Milioti and Colin Farrell in "The Penguin." Credit: HBO

Speaking of earth-shattering, let's talk about the character who quickly becomes the star of The Penguin: Sofia Falcone. From the moment she appears behind Oz, it's clear this mobster heiress is the one to watch. Milioti starts her run on the show playing Sofia as part sinister, part tragic figure who might be more than the villain others label her to be. Yet as the show goes on, she transforms into a more confident threat — and The Penguin is all the better for it.

The Penguin's earlier episodes can drag a tad, loaded down with gangster worldbuilding it feels like we've seen a thousand times before. But it really kicks it into high gear in its fourth episode, which focuses on how Sofia wound up at Arkham and would be broken by the facility's cruelty. Milioti is equally vulnerable and ferocious throughout, and when we finally catch up to her in the present day, she all but runs away with the show. It feels like we've been treated to a bait and switch: Oz and Farrell are good fun and all, but Sofia is the heart of The Penguin — and the reason I kept tuning back in.

The Penguin premieres Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

In an unexpectedly moving feature at the top of Google's search platform, the company's Doodle today honours the late artist Sophie Xeon, known as SOPHIE.

Designed in collaboration with Sophie's family, the Google Doodle marks the birthday of the visionary Scottish musician and producer celebrated for her experimental electronic hyperpop. Sophie died in a sudden accident in 2021 at the age of 34 in Athens, Greece.

The Google Doodle also comes a week before a final, posthumous, self-titled album, SOPHIE, is to be released through labels Transgressive and Future Classic. According to Pitchfork, Sophie had almost finished the album before she died. Produced by Sophie and her brother Benny Long, with contributions from friends and collaborators like Kim Petras, BC Kingdom, Evita Manji, and Popstar, the album is out Sept. 27.

SEE ALSO: Google Doodle celebrates Indigenous artist and human rights activist Barbara May Cameron

Clicking on today's Doodle will prompt an animated music video set to the 2018 song "Immaterial" from her Grammy-nominated debut album Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides, the only album she released — though her 2015 collection of singles PRODUCT is all-time.

Google posted a statement from Sophie's family and friends on its Doodle blog. The detailed reflection speaks to Sophie's love of electronic music and festivals from an early age, her influences like Orbital, Moby, and The Prodigy, her emergence as a truly unique, intuitive, and futurist artist, DJ, and producer in the 2010s, and the making of her posthumous album.

"SOPHIE, the self-titled follow-up album, though always intended as a more accessible, more ‘pop’ sounding record, undoubtedly maintains Sophie’s uncompromising and infinitely ambitious outlook," the statement reads. "Made with her brother and many of her closest friends and collaborators, the album sits somewhere between a SOPHIE live show in the clouds, a massive party in her recording studio and the sweatiest club you’ve ever been to hosted by SOPHIE and friends."

"The future has always been a big part of Sophie, and we hope Sophie continues to be a big part of the future," the statement concludes. "As always with Sophie, exactly what comes next and what shape it takes remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, there is a lot more still to come."

"The future has always been a big part of Sophie, and we hope Sophie continues to be a big part of the future."

Many are reacting to the Google Doodle in the comments of the Short, with fans finding it a beautiful surprise on a tech platform.

"Never expected a Google Doodle to bring tears to my eyes, but here we are. Love and miss you forever, Sophie," wrote @hoby7439.

"i miss her everyday, rest in peace our hyperpop queen," wrote @VULNICURRA.

"what a beautiful treat to see this on my google homepage! Sophie is missed! i listen to her music every day," wrote @laurenisalltherage.

Three of the biggest YouTubers in the world have teamed up to launch a rival to Lunchables.

MrBeast, Logan Paul, and KSI announced on Monday that they're launching Lunchly, a pre-packed school lunch for kids that brings together two of their existing products.

SEE ALSO: Wonka bars and ghost kitchens: How food became the next frontier for YouTubers

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, already has chocolate brand Feastables, while Logan Paul and KSI have energy drink Prime. Lunchly boxes will contain a bottle of Prime and a bar of Feastables chocolate, along with either "Fiesta Nachos", "The Pizza", or "Turkey Stack 'Ems".

Tweet may have been deleted

The trio are going after Lunchables — which offers similar products — very directly, showing a comparison to Lunchables products on Lunchly's website in terms of calories and protein provided.

During a live stream the trio confirmed that Lunchly would be arriving in stores in the US "later this week" (a store locator is available on the Lunchly site). It's not currently available in the UK, but KSI said he was hoping it would be in "the next few months".

Donaldson will likely be hoping that this new product takes some of the attention away from recent allegations made by participants in his upcoming Prime Video show, Beast Games, who accused the YouTuber of filming in unsafe conditions.

Apple's watchOS 11 is now available for download, brining sleep apnea notifications to users for the first time.

The publicly available version of watchOS 11 comes after several beta variants, with most of the new features focusing on health and fitness.

Perhaps the most interesting among them is sleep apnea detection, a feature that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved for Apple, and which the company announced at its Sept. 9 event. Apple says it uses the Watch's accelerometer to detect small movements at the wrist during sleep, which are associated with interruptions in normal respiratory patterns (the metric Apple is using for this is called Breathing Disturbances). Apple then uses this data to notify the user if it identifies signs of sleep apnea.

SEE ALSO: Apple Watch Series 10 unveiled: What's new for Apple's thinnest, lightest watch yet?

The feature works on Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra, and is available in more than 150 countries and regions, including the U.S. and the EU.

Apple's new watchOS 10 also brings a new app called Vitals, which gives the user an overview of their daily health status, as well as a metric called training load (visible in the Activity and Vitals apps) which shows how the user's workouts are affecting their body over time.

Other new features include more customization options for Activity rings, a more personalized Smart Stack, the new Tides app for those who enjoy open water activities, and more info for users who log a pregnancy in the Health app.

New Watch Faces: The redesigned Photos face, Flux, and Reflections. Credit: Apple

There's a couple of new features that aren't health or fitness related, too, such as the Translate app being available on the Watch for the first time, as well as three new Watch faces: a redesigned Photos face, the Flux face, and the Reflections face.

The new watchOS 11 is available as a free upgrade for Apple Watch Series 6 and later, provided you have an iPhone Xs or later running iOS 18.

TL;DR: Live stream Juventus vs. PSV in the Champions League on discovery+. Access this streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League is back with a brand new format that promises more big games between the best sides, including the first match between Juventus and PSV. The Italians will be favorites to win at home, but don't count out PSV. They've started this season really strongly and will fancy their chances against a Juventus side that's still in transition.

If you want to watch Juventus vs. PSV in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Juventus vs. PSV?

Juventus vs. PSV in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. BST on Sept. 17. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Stadium.

How to watch Juventus vs. PSV

Juventus vs. PSV is available to live stream on discovery+.

discovery+ is not available all around the world, but anyone can access this streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations, meaning you can unblock discovery+ to stream the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Juventus vs. PSV from anywhere in the world 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 access to discovery+

4. Sign in to discovery+

5. Watch Juventus vs. PSV from anywhere in the world

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Live stream Juventus vs. PSV in the Champions League from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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Robotic Martians can see blue Earth in Mars' sky.

The Curiosity rover, a car-sized NASA robot looking to find evidence of past habitability on the Red Planet, recently snapped an image of Mars' misshapen moon, Phobos, and Earth next to each other.

"It's the first time an image of the two celestial bodies have been captured together from the surface of Mars," the space agency explained.

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

In the photo below, you can spot a ridge of Mars' Mount Sharp at the bottom of the image. The upper right contains both Phobos — a moon 17 miles long — and Earth, which from some 200 million miles away appears as a bright speck of bluish light. (The second image is a blown-up view of the two objects.)

"From the rover's perspective, the inset area would be about half the width of a thumb held at arm's length," NASA explained.

The moon Phobos and Earth seen in the upper right. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS A zoomed-in view of Phobos, on left, and Earth. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS

The Curiosity rover captured this image on Sept. 9, 2024, during its 4,295th Martian day (called a "sol") on Mars. It's been rumbling over Martian terrain for over 12 years, and is currently ascending the 3.4-mile (5.5-kilometer) high Mount Sharp, a place that once experienced dramatic Martian floods.

Compared to our moon, which appears almost perfectly round, Phobos is misshapen. It's not massive enough for its gravity to form a sphere. What's more, Phobos has been hit time and time again by potent space rocks. "Phobos was nearly shattered by a giant impact, and has gouges from thousands of meteorite impacts," NASA noted. The glaring impact site is Stickney crater, which is 5.6 miles (nine kilometers) wide.

As Curiosity continues its long slog up Mount Sharp, its robotic sibling, the Perseverance rover, is sleuthing the irradiated Martian surface for past evidence of microbial life. This means "chemical signatures and structures that could possibly have been formed by life billions of years ago," the agency said.

Still today, no evidence of life has been found on Mars — though NASA has spotted some compelling geologic leads. It's clear, however, that the now-desert planet once teemed with lakes and rivers, back when it was a warmer, more hospitable, world.

Featured Video For You 10 mind-blowing discoveries from the James Webb Telescope

The first thing you must know about BOYNEXTDOOR is that they're loud. Not the kind of loud that turns off and on for cameras, but the kind that's natural and uncontainable — an energy that fills a room even when they're just being themselves.

The six-member boy group is doing exactly that, being themselves even amidst a hectic press day in early September that's kept them confined to a single practice room at their company's Seoul headquarters for the past few hours. Their energy doesn't wane; instead, it spills over into the room in random bursts — chaotic yet endearing for a group whose ages range from 17 to 21 — as they talk over one another, shout out jokes, and laugh without warning. One moment, they’re focused; the next, they interrupt one other, each voice competing for attention. Jaehyun, the group's charismatic leader, sums up their vibe in three words: "Gen Z swag." 

SEE ALSO: The 15 best K-pop songs of 2024 (so far)

The atmosphere is even more charged on the day of this interview because it's oldest member Sungho's birthday. "I'm still working," he says. "But it's OK. I'm so happy." 

When BOYNEXTDOOR debuted last year, they jumped onto the K-pop scene with youthful exuberance. Their music captures the essence of growing up with songs about love, friendship, and the everyday highs and lows of being young. With their latest EP, 19.99, they find themselves on the cusp of adulthood (turning 20, to be exact), caught between the desire for freedom and the weight of new responsibilities. Then, there are the more tangible signs of growing older. "My body feels heavier," Jaehyun, now 20, jokes. "It's harder for me to dance." 

Dancer Riwoo, however, sees little significance in numbers. "Youth is definitely a mindset," he says, pointing to their own internet habits as proof. "All of our members have this Gen Z vibe, and we love using memes. But Woonhak is the youngest of the band, but he knows the least number of memes." Taesan, who turned 20 in August, shrugs off any dramatic change. "I just feel like I’m one year older," he says.

For a group that proudly embraces their "Gen Z swag," it’s no surprise that their phones are never far from reach. Whether they're scrolling through memes, catching up on new music, or just filling downtime between schedules, their devices are an extension of themselves. Riwoo laughs, "The notification on my phone says I spend six hours a day on it." Jaehyun quickly points out that their screen time depends on their schedule. "If we have a lot of different schedules on one day, it's very hard to put our hands on our phones, but if we don't have anything, we spend a lot of time on our phones." 

Sungho nods in agreement. "Whenever I see the members during our free time, we’re usually either listening to music or watching YouTube. We all have pretty similar habits."

Just how similar? Ahead of the release of their new EP, we chatted with the boys of BOYNEXTDOOR about the videos filling up their Watch History, their go-to karaoke songs, their favorite fan edits, and how what they watch online inspires them creatively.

'부모님 관람불가' Official MV

Mashable: The song "부모님 관람불가 (Dangerous)" is quite mischievous. For the members who worked on the lyrics and composition — Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak — were there any particular experiences you drew from to create this narrative of a rebellious kid?

Jaehyun: Unlike now, when I was a kid, my mom would tell me to come home. I don't know why, but I really felt like I didn't want to go home. So if my mom called me and said, "Come home right now," I'd be like, "Oh, I'm on my way." And then I would just goof around for 30 more minutes outside to just not go home. If I told her I would be home in just 10 minutes, I would goof around for another 40 minutes. So those are the moments I drew from [while working on the song]. I think that was my rebellious side when I was a kid. 

What do your parents think of the song? 

Jaehyun: They said it was going to be a hit. [Laughs.] Instead of focusing on the lyrics, they just listened to the melody of the song, and they liked it. So I was really excited. 

Do you have a favorite memory from filming the music video? 

Woonhak: Korean barbecue! 

Sungho: Samgyeopsal!

Woonhak: Do you know samgyeopsal? 

Of course! 

Woonhak: I remember the Korean pork belly we had. There's a scene at the very end of the music video when we're on the rooftop cooking samgyeopsal and eating. It tasted so good. It was very early in the morning, and when I put that pork belly in my mouth, it just melted away. 

I really liked the karaoke scene in the noraebang. It looked really fun. What's your go-to karaoke song? 

Woonhak: Do you know [the Korean rock band] Buzz? The song is called "가시." 

Jaehyun: "고해" by Yim Jae-beom. He's the Korean Kurt Cobain.  

Leehan: My go-to song is "Tears" by So Chan-Whee. 

Jaehyun: She's the Korean Beyoncé. 

Leehan: That's right. 

Sungho: My favorite song is "Love Never Felt So Good" by Michael Jackson. 

Riwoo: Mine is "Lazenca, Save Us" [by N.EX.T]. It's a heavy metal song. 

Jaehyun: The Korean Steelheart. 

드디어 GD 등장!!!!!! 함성소리 가득했던 태양콘서트👍

Sungho, you are a big fan of Taeyang, right? 

Sungho: We are all big fans of Taeyang and BIGBANG. Taeyang recently had a concert, and it's one of the concerts that I really wanted to go to. So when the concert was over, I immediately looked up the concert on YouTube to find as many clips as possible.

That's how your fans watch your performances, too. 

Sungho: Exactly. So I'm a fan of Taeyang, and I can relate to [our fans] ONEDOOR in that way because they would also be looking up my stages and performances. 

Jaehyun, you specifically mentioned Taeyang and G-Dragon's "Good Boy" performance from this concert as your favorite. How does it make you feel when you're watching it? 

Jaehyun: So it's been about seven years since I've seen G-Dragon on stage. So I was really waiting for this moment. My heart was pounding watching this clip, and I felt like a legend is always going to be a legend. 

[보넥도] "잘생긴 남자들이 7분 30초 동안 웃겨줘요"

Jaehyun, you recommended this fan-made compilation, which, when translated into English, reads, "Handsome men make me laugh for seven minutes and 30 seconds." 

Jaehyun:  Well, I looked up BOYNEXTDOOR on YouTube, and it just randomly popped up. So I started watching because in the thumbnail, all of us looked really crazy, so it intrigued me. And when I clicked on it, I was like, "We really did that?" Because we were goofing around [and] we were acting pretty crazy. So it was a fun experience to watch me on the screen doing weird stuff. It was fun. 

Do you guys often watch fan edits of yourselves? 

Woonhak: Of course we do!

Jaehyun: We do it often. 

Woonhak: Recently, there has been more ONEDOOR, so we see a lot of YouTube Shorts made by our fans. 

Leehan: I recently saw that fans are printing out our faces on paper and wearing them like masks to role-play as us. And that's really fun. 

That's a new one. I haven't seen that!

Jaehyun: There's a certain type of fan edit that I really love. It's when they compile different clips of ourselves, and then they put really good background music to it. I love those.

✨1500만뷰 모음집✨ 2023년 무도 레전드 TOP7 모아보기 | 무한도전⏱오분순삭 MBC120721방송

The show Infinite Challenge is really popular in Korea. Woonhak, are these the kinds of video compilations you'll watch while you're eating or in between schedules? 

Woonhak [in English]: Muhan Dojeon is my life. I watch it every day. 

Sungho: You do. 

Jaehyun: Great job. 

Woonhak [in English]: It's so funny, and it makes me smile. I'm happy [when I'm watching it]. 

Do you like to watch these videos while you're eating? 

Woonhak [in English]: Yes! The video is so sweet and delicious.  

Woonhak, you said earlier that your favorite meme is an Infinite Challenge meme. Who sends the most memes in the group chat? 

Woonhak: I think it's either Riwoo or Sungho. They're the big brothers of the group. They use the most memes.

Who's the most active in the group chat? 

Leehan: Our leader Jaehyun.

Woonhak: But Riwoo is also pretty talkative.

"The Urinal Curse: kill every beat 🐲🔥" (via @avemoves)

Riwoo, as a dancer, you've said that you get inspired by watching other dancers' videos online. What is it about this dancer, AVE, that you really like? 

Riwoo: I recently got to know him, and he's a dancer we cannot confine into a single genre. That's what I really like about him. And I think, you know, vocals are like a type of music that you listen to, but dance is a type of music that you watch. I think he did a great job just conveying music into his dance moves. So I'm a big fan.

I know you contributed to the choreography of "Dangerous." Can you tell me a little bit about that process and how you draw inspiration from various sources?

Riwoo: So I created the intro part of the choreo. After we learn the entire choreo, I tweak it so that it's more BOYNEXTDOOR and more our style. Regarding finding inspiration, I try to watch a lot of overseas dance clips of pop stars and other artists. It's really important to pull out the different charms that we have as individuals. So I focus on that as well.

How would you describe the BOYNEXTDOOR dance style? 

Riwoo: It's very free-spirited. Instead of making sure that we are perfectly synchronized, we want to let everyone show their individuality in the choreography.

"Sleep music for peace of mind"

Taesan, what do you like about ASMR? 

Taesan: Yeah, I've recently been listening to a lot of ASMR music. 

Does it help clear your mind? 

Taesan: It helps, especially when you're under stress. Recently, I started meditating to relieve stress. It helps clear your mind and ease your stress.

I know you write a lot. Do you feel like it helps with your creative process at all? 

Taesan: I don't think so. I mainly listen to it to calm my thoughts and help me fall asleep. 

Elvis Presley, "Jailhouse Rock" (Music Video)

Leehan, I didn't realize you were such a big fan of Elvis Presley!

Leehan: One of my favorite songs is "Hound Dog," and when I was on a flight recently, I watched a movie about Elvis Presley [Baz Luhrmann's Elvis]. The film really touched me, so I started looking up his music videos and watching those videos on YouTube. He's got his own kind of dance moves, which I find really cool. 

Elvis was a charismatic showman. When you watch clips of him, are there certain things that you can take away from his performance to help inform yours? 

Leehan: As I was watching, I felt that Elvis had his signature moves, like the wobbly leg dance. So I thought before I retire, I would like to make a signature Leehan move. 

Is there a move you're thinking about? 

Leehan: Oh, no, not yet. But if I come up with one, I'll make sure that I let you know what it is and walk you through it.

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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 September 16'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 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 September 17 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Shorthand for someone really attractive.

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 B.

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...

BEAUT.

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 the latest 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 September 17'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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 17 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: What cheerleaders do for crowds

• Green: Shoe types

• Blue: Positions in parliament

• Purple: Sounds like a name

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: Get Excited, With "Up"

• Green: Kinds of Shoes

• Blue: Legislative Roles

• Purple: Name Homophones

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 #464 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Get Excited, With "Up": AMP, FIRE, HYPE, PSYCH

• Kinds of Shoes: FLAT, MULE, PUMP, SLIDE

• Legislative Rolesk: CHAIR, LEADER, SPEAKER, WHIP

• Name Homophones: DUG, MATTE, MIC, PEAT

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.

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 the latest Connections.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Brownish-orange.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 17 Hurdle Word 1 answer

TAWNY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Knight fight ending.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 17 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

YIELD

Hurdle Word 3 hint

On the hunt.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for September 17 Hurdle Word 3 answer

PROWL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Fancy way to express joy.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 17 Hurdle Word 4 answer

EXULT

Final Hurdle hint

Not a plus.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

MINUS

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

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 Tuesday, September 17, 2024:

AcrossGame of throwns?

• The answer is Darts.

Give a heads-up

• The answer is Alert.

Like some credit card accounts

• The answer is Cheap.

Not costing much

• The answer is NoFee.

It's celebrated every April 22

• The answer is Earth.

DownMove to the music

• The answer is Dance.

Hawaiian "hi"

• The answer is Aloha.

Make an allusion (to)

• The answer is Refer.

Reward for a well-behaved dog

• The answer is Treat.

U.S. men's basketball star with eight three-pointers in the gold medal game, familiarly

• The answer is Steph.

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 the latest Mini Crossword.

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

You know what they say: Don't hate the player, hate the game.

Dating can be difficult, even at the best of times. Whether it's finding common interests and shared passions, or even something as simple as holding a meaningful conversation, it can take a lot of work to find that special someone. It doesn't matter if you're looking for a long-term relationship or more of a fleeting connection. Dating can be awkward, challenging, and even downright stressful.

It's not all bad though, and just because it can be difficult doesn't mean it can't be fun. And for gamers, fun is what really matters. The fun factor of dating apps is part of the reason we keep coming back to them. This is why apps like Tinder, what with its swipe-happy function, have become so popular. Thanks to the digital nature of the modern gaming market, gamers are able to connect with friends from all over the world in whatever they're playing. The right dating apps and sites can offer that same opportunity, allowing you to meet people who share your passions. 

Do you really need to use dating sites?

Meeting in bars, clubs, parks, and other romantic locations still happens on a regular basis, but you're shortening your odds of finding something special by subscribing to a dating site. Why not give yourself the best chance of success?

Dating sites and apps allow you to get your information out there to a massive network of like-minded individuals, and you can save a lot of time, energy, and cash by testing out a potential relationship on an app before meeting in real life. Using dating apps is also a whole lot less intimidating than meeting someone face to face.

Should you use free dating apps?

The likes of Tinder and Hinge are seriously popular dating apps with massive networks of users, and they are free. Most of the biggest and best dating sites also have free versions, so yes, you can easily enter the online dating game without spending anything. There are levels to this game though.

For the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up some cash. You can still find love with a free app, but if you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control, we recommend upgrading.

What do you need to know before using a dating app?

The first rule of online dating is to just be yourself. By being yourself and presenting yourself accurately and honestly, you open yourself up to the possibility of a great relationship with someone who likes you just the way you are. Also, don't be afraid to make the first move. Forget all those outdated rules that say a man is supposed to make the first move or that a woman can't pay on a first date. Instead, focus on finding an equal partner who helps support your goals, wants to see you succeed, and has dreams of their own.

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for women

Once you decide to meet up, stay open. We often come up with an idea for how someone will be after meeting them online, and it's rare that your expectations sync up with reality. Allow yourself to really get to know this person for who they are rather than who you thought they would be before you make up your mind.

If you really like them after finally meeting in person, set up your next date while you're still hanging out. If you really don't feel a connection, then do the right thing and tell them. Not only will they appreciate your direct approach, but it will alleviate that post-date awkwardness of wondering where you stand.

What is the best dating app for gamers?

Whether it's the tried and tested sites like Match and eharmony, or sites that offer a little more for the gamer in you like GamerDating, there is a site out there that can help you find the perfect player two for life.

We have lined up all the best dating sites for gamers, with something for everyone. All you need to do is check out these options and pick a favourite. Simple, right? Almost. You will then need to actually start dating, but we'll leave that to you.

These are the best dating sites for gamers in 2024.

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

Online dating is now the norm. "We met on Tinder" is the new "we met in a bar." And this isn't going to change any time soon.

Countless children have been born to parents who met via an online dating app like Match or eharmony, and according to eharmony, more than 50% of couples will meet online by 2031. They would say that, but it’s understandable given online dating’s popularity.

The only real problem with online dating is that there are so many services out there to consider. With so many options on the table, it can be difficult to know where to find the best crop of potential lovers. Each dating app will have features that will matter differently to you depending on your lifestyle, what you are actually looking for, and what's most important to you. Looking for Ms. Right? Or perhaps just Mr. Right Now? It's helpful to know how each dating app is different so that you can surround yourself with people who want the same thing as you.

What are the benefits of using a dating site?

Dating sites and apps allow you to get your information out there to a massive network of like-minded individuals. Plus, you can save a lot of time, energy, and cash by testing out a potential relationship on an app before actually meeting. We know that some dating apps can be expensive, but just think about all those wasted coffees you could avoid by chatting through an app first.

Should you use free dating apps?

There are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are seriously popular options with massive networks of users. Plus, most of the biggest and best dating sites have free versions with limitations on certain features. So yes, you can easily enter the online dating game without spending anything. There are levels to this game though, and sometimes free apps just don't cut it.

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for women

This won't be a surprise to hear, but you get what you pay for with dating sites and apps. For the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up the cash. We're sorry to break it to you, but the best dating sites don't come cheap.

What is the best dating app?

Whether you're looking for something super specific or have tried every app on the market, we have put together a handy guide that breaks down what the deal is with each of these online dating experiences. We have lined up a selection of your best options for finding love, finding a hookup, and more, including leading services like EliteSingles and AdultFriendFinder.

These are the best dating apps in 2024.

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

If there's anything better than changing into pajamas, squeezing yourself between the crisp, slightly cold sheets of your bed, and plowing through an entire season of 90 Day Fiancé after a busy day, we have yet to experience it.

This gloriously trashy reality series is a guilty pleasure for a lot of people out there, and it's just one of literally thousands of TV shows and movies available on Hulu, the bright green-branded streaming service founded in 2007. 

Hulu provides on-demand access to a stacked lineup that includes hit movies like Annihilation and Sorry to Bother You; cult-favourite shows like Rick and Morty and This Is Us; and exclusive originals like Shrill and The Handmaid's Tale.

Unlike Netflix, that has expanded internationally, Hulu's library is strictly limited to viewers in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. military bases. That's because Hulu doesn't own international streaming rights for any of its shows and movies; it only holds the U.S. distribution licenses. If Hulu were to expand the availability of its content abroad, it would have to make new deals with distributors to acquire streaming rights in other regions — and that requires a lot of negotiating and money-spending.

There's still a chance Hulu will go global. But until then, those attempting to watch Hulu from outside the U.S. will have to circumvent Hulu's geo-restrictions with the help of something called a virtual private network, or VPN.

Do you need a VPN to watch Hulu?

To prevent users outside the U.S. from accessing its shows and movies, Hulu requires two things of its accountholders: a U.S.-issued form of payment and a U.S. IP (internet protocol) address — that's the numerical ID containing information about your location and web activity that gets assigned to your device by your internet search provider, or ISP, when you connect to a local network. It's like a house's physical address, but for your computer/smartphone/tablet.

That IP address part is where a VPN comes into play. For the uninitiated, a VPN is a service that creates a safe, secure connection over the internet by routing your device's traffic through its own private servers. Known as encryption, this process shields your personal information and online activities from the prying eyes of your ISP and — this is key — creates a temporary IP address that hides your true location.

You can probably guess where we're going with this: If you're trying to watch Hulu from outside the U.S., you can have a VPN spoof your IP address and trick Hulu into thinking you're based in the U.S. Simple, right?

Actually, not so much. Because here's the thing: Hulu isn't dumb.

Does Hulu block users with a VPN?

Just like Netflix, Hulu prohibits its accountholders from using VPNs in an effort to protect its licensed content, and it'll slap you with an error message if it thinks you're trying to use one to watch its content. Its tactics are threefold:

1. Hulu blocks anonymous IP addresses whose geographical location it can't verify 

2. Hulu checks your IP address against its own blacklist of known VPN servers

3. Hulu keeps a lookout for IP addresses with a large number of users. If there are too many people sharing any given server, Hulu will assume you're all using a VPN and shut that shit down.

If a VPN provider wants to unblock Hulu for its users, it needs to steer clear of Hulu's blacklist while maintaining a sizeable U.S. server network. These are no easy feats, so the list of VPNs that can consistently bypass Hulu's ferocious firewall is pretty short. 

What is the best VPN for watching Hulu?

Need help making sense of all this? Below, we've broken down the pros and cons of VPNs that are currently capable of unblocking Hulu and keeping you anonymous online. That way, you can make an informed decision on how to spend your hard-earned cash.

These are the best VPN for watching Hulu in 2024.

We are living in the golden age of streaming, with absolutely loads of platforms hosting a massive library of content. We have literally thousands of movies and shows to choose from every night, and yet, it can still feel like there is nothing left to watch. We are spoilt for choice, but still not satisfied.

Not content with the wide range of streaming sites on offer, a lot of users are turning to VPNs to unlock extra content from around the world. These services can connect you to a server in another location to bypass the geo-restrictions of top sites like Netflix. With a VPN, you can even connect to a secure server in Japan and access a bunch of top dubbed movies and anime shows from this extremely popular library.

Before we get into the best VPNs for Japanese Netflix, we should probably make a few things clear. Here's everything you need to know about VPNs and the process of accessing this library.

What is a VPN?

VPNs are powerful security tools that protect your personal information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. With a VPN, all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats, so all of your activity is untraceable and secure.

Why do you need a VPN?

We know that a lot of people are only interested in VPNs for their ability to access extra movies and shows, but it's important to remember that these services are primarily designed to provide protection for your sensitive information. By encrypting all of your online traffic, VPNs help you to remain protected against cyber threats like hackers, surveillance software, and malware.

Then there is streaming. VPNs hide your real IP address and connect you to a server in another country, so you can watch all your favourite content from that location. The process is quick and easy. You don't need to be a VPN expert. You can open up a whole new world of content in just a few clicks.

How do you watch Japanese Netflix with a VPN?

The process of accessing Japanese Netflix with a VPN is actually really simple:

1. Sign up to a 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 Japan

4. Visit Netflix to watch movies and shows from the Japanese content library

You still need to be subscribed to Netflix for this trick to work, obviously. A VPN is not going to grant access to the streaming site for free. A VPN provides access to more libraries from around the world, once you're subscribed.

What is the best VPN for Japanese Netflix?

There are a lot of VPN services out there that can reliably unblock Japanese Netflix, but which is the best for you? Everyone is different, but we've lined up something to suit every streamer. We've also highlighted the best deals on ExpressVPN, Surfshark, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, NordVPN, and more.

These are the best VPNs for Japanese Netflix in 2024.