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TL;DR: Live stream Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Miami Dolphins are taking on the Buffalo Bills in the next round of Thursday Night Football, and you can watch all the action without spending anything. That's great news for fans, because this matchup could go either way. Both sides won their first game of the new season, and will be looking to build some momentum with a midweek victory.

If you're interested in watching Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills for free, we have all the information you need.

When is Dolphins vs. Bills?

Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills takes place at 8:15 p.m. ET on Sep 12. This fixture will be played at the Hard Rock Stadium.

How to watch Dolphins vs. Bills for free

Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills is available to live stream on Prime Video in the U.S., but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills (plus more Thursday Night Football fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

Fans from outside the U.S. will need to use a VPN to watch the NFL 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 U.S.

5. Watch Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills 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 top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. It's a short-term solution, but this gives you enough time to watch select NFL fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently available for $99.95. Within this limited time deal you'll get an extra three months at no additional cost, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup for free, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Dolphins vs. Bills for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Middle-earth may be crawling with orcs, Balrogs, and Dark Wizards, but the worst villain in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is none other than Kemen (Leon Wadham).

SEE ALSO: Tom Bombadil's introduction in 'The Rings of Power' is right out of 'Fellowship of the Ring'

Kemen was a somewhat minor presence throughout The Rings of Power Season 1, albeit an unmistakably slimy one. As a rising politician, he worked with his father Ar-Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle) behind the scenes to turn the people of Númenor against Queen Tar-Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). He even tried his hand at some sneaky arson in order to stop the Númenorean forces going to Middle-earth.

But now that Pharazôn is king, Kemen is able to operate in the open, with all the authority of Númenor behind him. That kind of unchecked power leads to some seriously nasty, entitled behavior. In just the fifth episode of Season 2, Kemen goes on quite the evil tear, cementing himself as one of the biggest threats to Middle-earth — and the most punchable character in the series.

Kemen's reign of terror begins with a task from his father: Strip the members of the Sea Guard of their ranks. That includes Captain Elendil (Lloyd Owen), whose loyalty to Míriel and faithfulness to the Valar constitute as treason in Kemen's eyes.

SEE ALSO: Did you catch this hint at the Stranger's real name in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2?

As Elendil hands in his sword, his former sailors salute him in an "O Captain! My Captain!" moment straight out of Dead Poets Society. Of course, Kemen interrupts the proceedings with the snotty comment, "He's nobody's captain now." Shut up, man! Isn't it enough you've turned Elendil's daughter Eärien (Ema Horvath) against him? Leave the bratty remarks at home!

Leon Wadham and Trystan Gravelle in "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power." Credit: Ross Ferguson / Prime Video

Kemen only gets worse as the episode goes on, waltzing into the oldest shrine to the Valar in Númenor and breaking up a memorial service for the soldiers who died in Middle-earth. Hey, wasn't one of the biggest reasons people hated Míriel because she let soldiers go to Middle-earth in the first place? The hypocrisy is off the charts! The least you could do is let people grieve these losses in peace before you start condemning their shrines.

But Kemen isn't into doing the least evil. He's here to do the absolute most, whether that's pettily smashing a Valar relic, poking at Elendil's strained relationship with Eärien, or smirking like there's no tomorrow. Serious props to Wadham for selling Kemen's infuriating self-satisfaction so hard. He somehow manages to make a seemingly innocuous statement like "It's in the way of the new aqueduct" the most enraging line in the entire show.

SEE ALSO: What does 'Sûza-t' mean in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2, episode 4?

Thankfully, Elendil must have heard my pleas for someone to haul back and punch Kemen in the face, because the legend smacks the living daylights out of him. Remember when Tyrion slapped Joffrey in Game of Thrones? Yeah, I felt the exact same levels of hype here.

The ensuing brawl doesn't end well for Elendil's men, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't rock to see Kemen get absolutely bodied by former Sea Guard member Valandil (Alex Tarrant), though he's ultimately too honorable to finish Kemen off. But you know who doesn't have any problem being dishonorable? That's right, Kemen. Númenor's biggest twerp stabs Valandil in the back, and just like that, I need him to get decked in the face again. Too bad Elendil's being thrown in jail; otherwise I know he'd follow through.

Kemen's rage-inducing behavior throughout this episode is not only proof of him being an all-around bad guy — it's also proof of the corruption of Númenor, and the Men who live there. No wonder this episode also focuses on Sauron's (Charlie Vickers) efforts to convince Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) to make Rings of Power for Men. He knows that people like Kemen exist, and that they'd do anything for power.

Truly, if Kemen ever comes to Middle-earth, he's a prime candidate for one of the nine rings for Men. Lord of the Rings fans know how that would turn out: with ultimate corruption, and transformation into a Ringwraith. According to Pharazôn, Kemen's late mother did prophesy that he would come to an "ill end," and I'd say becoming a Nazgûl falls under that umbrella. (Getting punched again would also qualify, and it would be more than welcome!)

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 is now streaming on Prime Video, with a new episode every Thursday.

Spider One's "Little Bites" trailer has dropped, teasing a mother who feeds the monster in her basement in order to protect her daughter.

Stephen Colbert has shared his thoughts on Taylor Swift's Kamala Harris endorsement post, including some clear Easter eggs.

Apple's new iPhones can charge faster than ever — if you plug them in.

This is according to certification from the China Quality Certification Centre, as spotted by ShrimpApplePro and reported by 9to5Mac. All of Apple's new iPhones are capable of 45W charging over USB-C.

SEE ALSO: Apple 'Glowtime' event 2024: iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and everything else announced

During its keynote on Monday, Apple did mention that the new iPhone 16 range of devices support faster wireless charging. The official specs sheet says so as well; according to Apple, all of the new phones (the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max) support MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with a 30W adapter or higher, as well as Qi2 wireless charging up to 15W. Apple also says that the phones are capable of fast charging over wired; according to the specs, you can get up to "50 percent charge in around 30 minutes" with a 20W adapter or higher paired with a USB-C charging cable.

Tweet may have been deleted

What the spec sheet doesn't say is that last year's models could charge at a maximum of 30W, while the new ones can peak at 45W, theoretically enabling even faster charging.

For the end users, this means that they should be able to get their iPhone 16 devices to charge faster than ever if they use a compatible 45W charger. It will take some real-world testing to see which chargers work best, and whether you can get a meaningfully faster charge this way, though.

"The Daily Show" host Jordan Klepper has broken down Trump's reaction to the presidential debate.

Prime Video is the seriously popular on-demand streaming service that hosts literally thousands of movies, shows, and award-winning Prime Originals. Amazon Prime offers one-day delivery, unlimited music, and includes this impressive streaming service.

Amazon Prime Video works out at a similar rate to other streaming video services like Netflix. However, you don't get a delivery service, music streaming, and access to the Kindle library with Netflix. It's for this reason that so many people continue to sign up to Amazon's video streaming service. Amazon Prime Video is available to stream on all the Kindle Fire tablets and more than 600 other devices, including pretty much every computer, smartphone, console, and smart TV you can imagine.

This all sounds great, but imagine for a moment that not everything is perfect. Imagine that everything is not well with the world, because you have signed up to Amazon Prime Video to specifically watch one programme, and it's only shown on the U.S. version of the service. It's a troubling thought and it seems to happen fairly regularly.

Fortunately, there is something you can do to avoid this annoying issue. You can use a VPN to gain access to all of the best American content from the UK.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network from a public internet connection. VPNs hide your real IP address so all of your online activity is untraceable and secure.

Does this make sense? We understand that this sort of technology can be confusing, so it can help to think of a VPN as a tunnel through which all of your online traffic passes. This tunnel is encrypted, meaning that nobody can see into it, and everything inside is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.

What are the benefits of using a VPN?

VPNs are used to provide protection for your sensitive information, and this is obviously important. These services are vital for improving you cybersecurity, there is another reason that VPNs are so popular.

These tools can also be used to watch content that is normally blocked in your location by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another country. This simple process tricks leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country, meaning you can watch all of the extra content from global libraries.

VPNs are keys to the online world, granting you access to more of the shows and films you love by bypassing geo-restrictions.

How do you unblock U.S. Prime Video with a VPN?

The process of accessing the American version of Prime Video with a VPN is actually really simple. All you need to do is open up your preferred VPN, select an American server in order to spoof your IP to a U.S. address, and then head to Prime Video.

There is a bit of a cat and mouse situation with streaming sites and VPNs, as sites like Prime Video and Netflix look to detect VPN usage and block servers. This is why you should always try and pick a VPN with a large and diverse network of servers, so you always have plenty of options to bypass restrictions.

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

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

There are plenty of VPNs out there that can bypass online restrictions to unblock Prime Video, which is good and bad. It's great to have options, but with so many VPNs to consider, it can be tough to pick the best option for you. This is where we come in.

We have outlined the best VPNs for the job. If you're looking to unlock more content from anywhere in the world, we recommend checking out ExpressVPN, PureVPN, NordVPN, and the other names in this list. There should be something for everyone and every budget. You just need to weigh up each VPN against your own set of preferences, and pick a favourite.

These are the best VPNs for Prime Video in 2024.

You've probably come across VPNs. These security services protect your data and identity when you're navigating the online world. They are increasingly important in today's world, as the fight against cyberthreats becomes more serious every day. Of course, not everyone uses these services for boosting cybersecurity.

A lot of subscribers sign up to unlock more content from around the world or give themselves an advantage when gaming.

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is an essential service that secures your internet connection, giving you greater control over how your online activity can be tracked, and providing a combination of security (keeping your computer and data protected) and privacy (keeping your identity protected).

So how does a VPN accomplish this? By creating an encrypted connection between your computer and a server operated by the VPN service, that’s how. When you’re connected to the VPN server, all of your network traffic passes through a safe, protected tunnel that no one else should be able to monitor. That's the theory anyway.

Even the very best VPNs will likely have an impact on your connectivity, though, sometimes to the point where lag gets in the way of your gaming — which is unacceptable, particularly if you’re a first-person shooter fan.

Do you need a VPN for gaming?

First and foremost, VPNs should be used to protect your personal information when you're online, and that doesn't change if you're gaming. It's important to remain anonymous as hackers and other online threats can still access your personal details when you're playing your favourite titles. The best way to ensure that you're data is private is with a VPN.

There is an argument that using VPNs can also increase your chances of success when gaming. With games that use skill-based matchmaking, VPNs can help you find easier lobbies. By connecting to a VPN, you can hide your real IP address and connect to a secure server in another location. This simple process tricks the game into thinking you are based elsewhere. Why is this useful when it comes to games like Call of Duty: Warzone? You can connect to a country with fewer gamers, or connect to a country at a less busy time of the day. This reduces your chances of meeting skilled players.

What is the best VPN for gaming?

So how do you select a VPN when both security and gaming are priorities. You need a VPN that ticks three boxes — speed, ping, and protection — so that when you’re in a virtual life and death situation, lag doesn’t deliver the killer blow.

These are the best VPNs for gaming in 2024.

The chilly period between the beginning of autumn and the start of spring, in which anyone not coupled up finds themselves seeking to be tied down by a serious relationship, is known as cuffing season. It's that time once again.

We might like to think that we are all deeply complex individuals, but we're actually pretty simple creatures. In the summer, when the sun is shining and temperatures soar, we are more content to remain single. We socialise more, meet new people, and enjoy the feeling of being untethered. However, as we enter the colder months, we yearn for companionship. It’s a fact. It’s science. It’s instinct.

Much like the bear, we naturally want to bunker down and protect ourselves against the oncoming freeze. That means movie marathons, duvet days, and ideally someone to hold. As the cold weather bites, you owe it to yourself to find that special someone, even if what you are really searching for is a human-sized hot water bottle. Either is fine.

Do you actually need to use a dating site?

Dating sites and apps can make finding a compatible potential partner easier, but it's still dating. Not everyone is going to be a match. While apps like Bumble let you display what kind of relationship you're looking for, others don't, so you might end up going out with someone only to realise you're not looking for the same thing.

Having said that, there will be people on dating sites who are looking for the same thing as you. And using a dating app to find them is a lot easier than going up to strangers on the street or in bars and asking if they're looking for a relationship. Apps and dating websites expand your dating pool and allow you to meet people with similar interests you might not run into naturally in your everyday life.

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.

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.

Why should you consider upgrading to a paid site when there are free services? It all comes down to access to advanced and premium features. You can still find a hookup 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 is the best dating site for cuffing season?

We have compared the best dating sites and apps to help you in your journey, so you can make the most of cuffing season this year. We have lined up a selection of your best options for cuffing season, including popular sites like AdultFriendFinder, Match, and eharmony. The choice is all yours.

These are the best dating sites in 2024.

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

The online world isn't always the friendliest of places for women, particularly when it comes to trolling and misogyny on social media. From Twitter reply guys, to other forms of online harassment, to straight up cyberstalking, letting women exist in peace seems to be a hard concept to grasp.

When it comes to dating apps specifically — where others often assume that a dating app profile means that one is willfully subjecting themselves to creepy comments — the chance of women enduring such unsettling experiences feels doubled. The onslaught of men grasping at straws for attention with messages saying "think they saw you somewhere" or requesting nudes in their opening line is an online dating specialty.

Is it easier to shoot your shot by simply using a hot selfie on your Instagram story as bait for your crush? That's a classic tactic that'll never die. But unless you and said crush are already in some sort of flirtationship and already follow each other on social media, finding love, a hookup, or someone to grab a drink with could happen a lot faster with the right dating app (as opposed to waiting to meet someone at work or agreeing to a blind date).

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites to help you find a connection

This means not deleting and re-downloading Tinder after every breakup or every time you ghost (or get ghosted by) your current entanglement. Tinder can truly be a great place to meet genuine people who are open to getting serious, to find a reliable friend with benefits, or to get a good-old-fashioned confidence boost from a mutual right swipe. But if you're frustrated with horny users disguising themselves as relationship seekers or relationship seekers who can't handle it when you say you're just looking for a hookup, opting for a dating site more finely-tuned to what you're looking for means you'll spend less time dealing with people who aren't looking for the same thing. 

Maybe you can't stand starting every conversation from scratch. Maybe your biggest fear is ending up on a date with someone who doesn't care about cats. Instead of a lazy bio, dating apps that delve into someone's hobbies, favourite movies, career goals, or political views before even talking to them opens up a wealth of clever ice breakers, and ensures that you aren't going into things blindly. 

What are dating apps doing to make dating safer?

Meeting someone from the internet in person for the first time is nerve-wracking for anyone. But for women, it can dredge up the same fear that occurs when walking alone past a big group of men. 

Match Group is making strides toward a safer dating experience: Tinder was the first to unveil new features coming out of its partnership with Noonlight, a safety app that tracks the location of users and notifies authorities if there are concerns. Before heading out on a date, Tinder users can log info about where they're going and who they're meeting, as well as hit a panic button to alert authorities if there's an emergency.

Match Group plans to roll out the same features for its other apps, like Hinge and OkCupid, later. In March 2021, Tinder announced plans to let users run a background check on their matches.

Should you use free dating apps?

There are plenty of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are popular options with massive networks of users. You can easily enter the online dating game without spending anything, 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 probably going to need to cough up some cash. The best dating sites don't come cheap, and whilst you can still find a hookup with a free app, you should upgrade is you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control.

What are the best dating sites for women?

Whether you're looking for a fun time or your next long-term relationship, we have picked out a wide range of apps and sites for different types of daters. So whatever you're looking for, we have you covered with this guide.

We have done the tough stuff, looked at all the facts and figures, and worked out which sites are the best options for every single type of woman out there. We have narrowed it down to the best sites, and reviewed the likes of eharmony, Match, Lumen, and AdultFriendFinder for your consideration.

These are the best dating sites for women in 2024.

Historically, sustainability and tech have not gone hand in hand. The precious metals required to make our electronics often come from conflict areas, with environmental and humanitarian repercussions. However, the tech industry is making strides forward, with Apple pushing toward all its products being carbon-neutral and exclusively using recycled cobalt batteries.

So, for those concerned with being sustainable shoppers, things are getting easier, but they aren't perfect. The most sustainable practice is to use your electronics until their dying breaths, which unfortunately come much sooner than you'd hope, thanks to planned obsolescence. So when you do need to buy a new laptop, what should you do?

Acer is answering the desire of sustainability-minded shoppers with the Aspire Vero 16. This eco-conscious laptop is crafted from paint-free surfaces and uses recycled and ocean-bound plastics, not to mention it ships in 100 percent recyclable packaging. That's a lot of good, but the biggest question remains: How does it actually perform? Well, it does just fine, but it could be better. Here's the full rundown on the Acer Aspire Vero 16.

Acer Aspire Vero 16 specs and price The Acer Aspire Vero 16 is designed like any other laptop but with a thick plastic shell. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Acer Aspire Vero 16 is a classic laptop with a clamshell design. It currently costs $749.99 at Acer. Its specs run as follows:

• Intel Core Ultra 5

• Intel Arc graphics

• 16GB of RAM

• 512GB SSD

• 16-inch, 1920 x 1200 resolution display in a 16:10 aspect ratio with a 60 Hz refresh rate

• Two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, one HDMI port, a Kensington security slot, and a headphone jack

Other Acer Aspire Vero 16 models include 8GB RAM with 512GB SSD or 16GB RAM with 1TB SSD.

Acer Aspire Vero 16 design My MacBook-using self was in heaven with all these ports. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Design plays a massive role in the Acer Aspire Vero 16, as it's the heart of the laptop's sustainability. The build is a departure from classic metal frames, instead built from PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastics. Plus, the exterior is VOC- and paint-free to further its sustainability, with a touchpad made from ocean-bound plastics.

The exterior instead feels like thick, smooth plastic that reminds me of other recycled plastic materials with its speckled gray color. It is meant to be cement-inspired, which... yeah, that's what it's giving. With the plastic structure, it's highly durable with a MIL-STD-810H military-grade rating. It's a rugged laptop designed to withstand shock from drops or temperatures. So, while it is technically plastic, this isn't a crumbling, cheap Chromebook.

While one might expect the Aspire Vero 16 to weigh less being made from plastic, it's heavier than its metal counterparts. It weighs 3.97 pounds compared to the 15-inch MacBook Air's 3.3 pounds. Even though the difference is slight, it still feels substantial. I felt that weight when carrying it with one hand like I would my 15-inch MacBook Air. The Acer Aspire Vero 16 was far more difficult to carry with a top-heavy, unbalanced feel.

A snapshot of my love hate relationship with the laptop's touchpad. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The biggest design drawback is the recycled plastic touchpad. It was consistently unresponsive as I guided the mouse around the screen. Clicking right and left takes so much pressure that I often felt like I had to slam my hand down to get a response. After my first hour with the laptop, I gave up and plugged in a USB mouse to feel like I could actually use it successfully.

Luckily, the laptop has an abundance of ports. Maybe it's because I'm usually a MacBook user, but I felt spoiled to have access to multiple USB-A and USB-C ports and an HDMI. When I first saw the plethora, I took a sigh of relief, knowing I wouldn't need the usual adaptors.

Acer Aspire Vero 16 performance and battery The keyboard works just fine on the Acer Aspire Vero 16, but the touchpad was constantly finnicky. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Using the Acer Aspire Vero 16 wasn't the most thrilling experience. It's a solid performer that lives up to daily tasks; however, it never blew me away. Initially, I thought it was a slow mover, taking a while and several clicks to open apps and windows. However, most of that problem was a result of the touchpad. Once I moved over to using a USB mouse, things went faster, sparking the realization that the computer isn't a slow processor; the touchpad is just poorly designed.

It balances multiple tasks well; I was able to move between various programs while working, juggling word processing, email, Slack, and Spotify. Streaming was mostly seamless. The graphics were disappointing while I was watching YouTube videos or streaming episodes of Survivor. I found the video to look grainier and more pixelated compared to the stellar resolution I'm used to with my MacBook. However, if I weren't so picky, I'd think it looks fine, just a little dull.

Running Geekbench 6, its multi-core test came in at 6,274, middling in range, which I felt occasionally in its performance. After streaming for several hours, I could feel the laptop working harder as it would stall between apps, needing some buffering time to load windows.

Despite the lackluster graphics, I was surprised at the webcam's resolution. When I tuned into a regular video call, I was pleased with how clear my picture was. However, I was alarmed by how orange I looked, finding quite a bit of color distortion. So, while the 1440p QHD webcam will have your picture sharp, you lose color accuracy.

Sure my summer tan was in full swing, but I'm certainly not that orange IRL. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

On the sound front, both the mic and speakers worked as expected. I could listen to music clearly without a busted, tinny sound.

The Acer Aspire Vero 16 struggles the most with its performance in terms of battery life. With daily use, I didn't notice how short the battery life was, as I was primarily using it at my desk with close access to the charger. Since it was so bulky, I didn't really want to haul it around.

I ran a video run-down test to assess the battery, playing Tears of Steel at 1080p on a loop until the battery ran out. The battery life came in at 5 hours 52 minutes, which is outrun by many other laptops we've tested. It won't get you through an entire workday, but that might not be an issue. Its size and heft make it a reasonably stationary laptop, so you may always be close to your charger anyway.

Is the Acer Aspire Vero 16 worth it?

Answering if the Acer Aspire Vero 16 is worth it is a game of priorities. If sustainability and purchasing products with responsibly sourced materials is what you care about most, then the Acer Aspire Vero 16 is certainly a good option. With its thick recycled plastic frame, you can feel good about what it's made of and enjoy the added durability benefits. With its army-grade durability rating, it will take a tumble and not sustain damage. Plus, at $749.99 with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD, it's a decent value for the specs.

However, if you're just looking for a good, budget-friendly, solid-performing Windows laptop, I would look elsewhere. The Acer Aspire Vero 16 is weak in processing, scoring just 6,274 on the Geekbench 6, and lacks battery life, lasting just under six hours. For about $150 more, you could go for the Lenovo Yoga 7i, which has superior battery life and processing, plus it doubles as a tablet.

Acer Aspire Vero 16 $749.99 at Acer
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SAVE $60: The Shark Pet cordless stick vacuum is on sale for just $199.99 instead of $259.99 at Target for Circle members. That's 23% in savings through Sept. 14.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Pet cordless stick vacuum $199.99 at Target
$259.99 Save $60.00 with Target Circle Get Deal

Light enough to control with one hand, yet powerful enough to crush pet hair, stick vacuums untether you from the outlets of yesteryear. And when it comes to cordless vacuums, Shark is one of the best brands you can reach for.

Through Sept. 14, the Shark Pet IX141H cordless stick vacuum is on sale for just $199 at Target for Circle members — that's $60 off its MSRP and a 23% discount overall. It may not be the lowest price we've ever seen on this model, but it's currently the best discount across retailers besides Shark itself where it's sitting at the same price (it's currently $229.99 at Amazon and full price at Best Buy).

Not yet a Target Circle member? It's super easy — and free — to sign up. Just enter your name, email, and other basic information to become a member. Once you're officially part of the Target Circle club, head over to the deal page for the Shark Pet stick vacuum and the savings should be reflected. The deal will then auto-apply when you add it to your cart.

The Shark Pet IX141H is a mid-level stick vacuum with an anti-allergen complete seal, which makes it a great choice for pet parents. It's also super maneuverable, has a large 0.83-quart dust bin, runs for up to 40 minutes on a full charge, and comes with a crevice tool to tackle tough corners and cracks. Plus, it has built-in LED headlights to illuminate all that dust and debris your naked eye misses.

The race in artificial intelligence has many lanes, with chatbots being among the most recognizable. However, experts have found these familiar AI models often have significant flaws, including biases. One pervasive issue is racial bias, where AI systems struggle to address questions related to communities of color accurately. Enter ChatBlackGPT, a culturally informed chatbot designed to challenge and address AI bias.

Launched on June 19, widely known as Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S., ChatBlackGPT aims to create a more inclusive AI experience.

SEE ALSO: The ultimate AI glossary to help you navigate our changing world

Nearly three months after launching the culturally inclusive chatbot, CEO and founder Erin Reddick, 30, spoke with Mashable about the platform and her journey in the tech world.

Mashable: What is ChatBlackGPT?

Erin Reddick: ChatBlackGPT is a culturally informed AI. It's [a] generative AI that's rooted in the acknowledgment of social, economic, and systemic racism — and the diaspora of Black and brown people in America. It's an opportunity for people of color to have relatable conversations with AI.

What was your experience with AI and tech prior to founding ChatBlackGPT?

[It's been] all together, about five years. Between Amazon, Microsoft, and AWS...it's been an amazing journey. It's always been inspiring to work around the most brilliant people out there, and it's true that it can be quite isolating. You need to have thick skin and know who you are to succeed in the space. But it's built me into the person I am today, who can own their own narrative in the technology space and feel confident doing so.

Why did you decide to make ChatBlackGPT, and how did you go about creating it?

I always like to say one word: racism. Honestly. Because if it didn't exist, there wouldn't be a need for what I do, and it wouldn't be celebrated and appreciated the way that it is.

For example, if you ask prominent leaders today how they feel about the technology, a lot of them say that it's low risk. But it's not low risk, in reality, for Black and brown people because the biases that persist are affecting our daily lives, inside and outside of the work environment. It is a high-risk technology for us, and I want to build something so that we don't get stuck waiting for a policy to force companies to mitigate risk and have to suffer in the meantime.

Can you unpack the role of bias in AI?

Bias is everywhere, and it's impossible to fully be rid of it. If you were to ask a usual chatbot, and I have, "What is a Black job?" It answered that it was under-the-table work, drug trafficking un-taxed, with no benefits. But when you ask, "What is a white job?" It says, usually educated, insured, legal, tax-paying. While that might not outwardly appear as a bias, what it does is, it reaffirms a bias that a lot of people who hold racist or superiority complexes, and views — it confirms their bias against Black people. It is offensive because we are Black people who work any job that there is, not just the jobs that AI describes. 

What is "responsible AI?"

I would describe it as having a clean diverse data set. Something that helps mitigate risk or is responsible in the way that it functions without hurting people, and is fair and doesn't produce the ability to be destructive.

It is developed with red teaming and bad actors in mind so that you can make sure that people who are going to take advantage of it in a negative way aren't able to. Building it responsibly to have an inclusive design. Using it responsibly is, first of all, not taking it at face value and trusting it right away. Also, make sure that you check what you're looking at, and then do not put your personal information into these systems just to understand how powerful it is, and also ask, "How many shortcomings can it have?"  

How has ChatBlackGPT performed since its launch on Juneteenth?

It's done great. We have our beta on Open AI's Customizable store, and we've gone from 1,000 users to 5,000 since the launch. We have a 4.6 rating, which I think is great for having no customizable proprietary data within. Our standalone app is also doing well — we have about 2,000 people who have access to the tool, and we are currently developing it with proprietary information, working with historians and other experts to make sure that it reflects correctly in our society today and in a useful way.

What are the benefits of having a personalized AI experience, or at least one more specific to one's culture?

When people learn about a culture, it's really important that it's not diluted and told from the perspective of a fragile mindset or the erasure of the realities of true history in any culture. It's so important to respect that history lives on in how our systems play out, in how people are treated in society, and [shows] why things are the way that they are. Things like critical race theory exist for a reason.

So you can imagine that having an AI that acknowledges the state of today in relation with culture and history is really important. A lot of the feedback that I get is that people had in the past prompted AI over and over and over again to get a response that actually fit what they were looking for. Even if they were just generating content for diverse audiences, like diversity doesn't just mean LGBTQ, and deaf [people], or something like that. It also just means that when I'm looking to create advertising on this hair product, it understands porosities and curl patterns, and all of that relevant [information] being automatically built into an AI creates psychological safety within the technology.

How is ChatBlackGPT different from other culturally sensitive or aware AI products?

Firstly, there aren't very many out there. But what makes us different is that we're not just focused on the history being told. We're also capturing the current-day, modern, Black history so that we aren't leaving it up to God knows who to write a book and rewrite history. However, we're looking to solidify history now with our voices to influence policy, influence risk, mitigation and the degradation of Black and brown people in AI.

We also want to ensure that it represents the community [with a] true, inclusive design. We don't just have a bunch of people working in the background that you never meet, and you never see unless they're stealthy. But we actually invite people to contribute, and they can see themselves reflected in what we're doing.

Why did you choose to name your product ChatBlackGPT?

It's like chatting with a group of black people instead of the Eurocentric, typical GPT that you run into most commonly. It's obvious what it is, and nobody gets confused. 

When did the idea for ChatBlackGPT come about and how has it evolved since launch?

The idea came about after I got laid off; I was looking to take charge of my relationship with technology. I really wanted not to let whether or not I had a job at a big fancy tech company determine whether or not I was a Black woman in tech. So, I reclaimed my identity by studying AI and placing myself around some of the best people who are experts in it. 

But before that I had just done my regular research and noticed a lot of articles popping up about AI erasing Black history. Then I delved into the fact that AI has been in a lot of products and producing and creating a lot of harm for the Black community for a long time, and that was so saddening for me. And then the third part that got me into it was Black people, realizing how bad it's been, and how bad it is. So I wrote a really strong algorithm that reflects and is able to produce answers with the relevant context for our community.

Why did you think it was important to focus solely on the Black community versus, more broadly, communities of color?

Because I'm a subject matter expert. That's the only lived experience that I can personally validate, and in order to test a product, I think you need experts dedicated to doing that. So for me, that is what I felt most confident I could make the most impact doing. We are expanding to other cultures and looking to involve different communities and culture consensus committees to build that representation out for as many cultures as possible.

How do you train this AI for ChatBlackGPT?

You can't claim to represent a community you don't talk to. 

Do you have any partnerships for ChatBlackGPT? 

We partner with anybody willing to learn more about why this work is important. For example, 11 Labs is sponsoring our AI voiceover content. I am a responsible AI lecturer at the University of Washington, as well as Emerson.

Why is it important to partner with HBCUs? And what do those partnerships consist of? 

I'm currently scheduled to speak at the White House National HBCU conference. And we're looking to get interns who are hopefully sponsored to come in and help us develop this product. I would love for them to produce a white paper just on the experience, and how they can use it on their resume is endless. They can use it to get into jobs or work in AI. But [I want] to give people a chance to contribute to something that they can't easily get their hands on but can see the effects of their contribution immediately.

What are some of the next steps for ChatBlackGPT?

We're continuing to have in-person activations where we can listen to the community and make sure that our voices are heard. We'll continue showing up at different conferences and spreading the word as well as working to make sure the product can stay in the hands of people that need it.

Is there anything else you want to add? 

People should try it! ChatBlackGPT beta is available on the Open AI customizable store, you just search GPTs and then our tool is ChatBlackGPT.ai. So you can use both, but the point is that it's made for us — and it's by us. I want them to use it to their advantage and enjoy it.

Jay Buckey flew to space as a NASA astronaut in 1998. Decades later, he watched one of his experiments leave Earth on a SpaceX rocket.

The space company's Polaris Dawn endeavor — a private venture funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman — is a five-day mission around Earth featuring an ambitious attempt at a spacewalk. The mission also carries dozens of science experiments, including one designed by Buckey, today a professor of medicine and director of Dartmouth College's Space Medicine Innovations Lab, and Mimi Lan, a Dartmouth PhD candidate and engineer.

Specifically, it's a device to collect the SpaceX travelers' urine. It's part of the scientists' aim to track bone loss in astronauts — particularly in future deep space journeys — and to monitor whether a space traveler is at risk for developing kidney stones. That's because, in space, calcium leaves our bones, enters the bloodstream, and exits in the urine.

"If you remove gravity, the bone starts to break down," Buckey told Mashable after the mission successfully launched on Sept. 10.

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

Buckey and Lan want to prove that the "first morning void" — the first pee in the morning and usually the most concentrated one of the day — can reliably track bone loss and show if astronauts are at a higher risk for developing kidney stones. (Kidney stones are created when substances like calcium become too concentrated in urine.) If this were to happen in en route to, say Mars, an alerted astronaut could start drinking plenty more water, or if needed, take medication. No one wants to pass a kidney stone ever; particularly in a tiny space capsule.

"If you remove gravity, the bone starts to break down."

The SpaceX passengers will use the device similar to the one shown below, held by Lan, to collect their concentrated first morning urine. In outer space, urinary calcium goes up briskly, so the researchers suspect that just one a.m. void on this condensed mission will be enough to show they can reliably capture a usable sample. For this experiment, the samples won't be analyzed in space, but will be taken to a lab on Earth. (For comparison, the SpaceX passengers provided urine samples before launch.)

Mimi Lan holding a urine collection device, similar to the one aboard SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission. Credit: David Haley / Dartmouth College Tweet may have been deleted

NASA is intensively investigating bone loss in astronauts, and how to prevent it — so such a tracking device could be hugely relevant as the agency endeavors to build a lunar-orbiting space station and send people to deeper space.

"For every month in space, astronauts’ weight-bearing bones become roughly 1 percent less dense if they don’t take precautions to counter this loss," the agency explains. "Much research focuses on determining the right combination of diet, exercise, and medication to keep astronauts healthy during missions and when they return to Earth or set foot on the Moon or Mars."

ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Alexander Gerst exercising on the space station to combat loss of bone density and muscle. Credit: NASA

While orbiting the moon, or on a long voyage to Mars or an asteroid, Buckey envisions an astronaut collecting their first morning void for three days in a row every couple weeks or so. That seems like an achievable option in cramped quarters, amid days filled with spacecraft operations, attempting to exercise, run experiments, and survive. Many of the next expeditions to the moon and Mars won't be aboard a spacious space shuttle (which was large enough to carry eight astronauts).

"The future is smaller flights in small capsules," Buckey said.

TL;DR: Grab the Luminar Neo lifetime bundle with lifetime access for $149.97 through September 29, including add-ons like overlays, LUTs, and professional tutorials.

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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 12'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 12 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Opposite a woodwind.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one letter that appears twice

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...

BRASS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for September 12s 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 12 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: Gonna come back to this

• Green: In service of

• Blue: Icons of the NBA

• Purple: Maybe food, maybe the greek alphabet

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: Mark Online for Later

• Green: Behalf

• Blue: NBA Legends, Familiarly

• Purple: Ending with Greek Letters

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 #459 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Mark Online for Later: BOOKMARK, FAVORITE, LIKE, SAVE

• Behalf: ADVANTAGE, BENEFIT, INTEREST, SAKE

• NBA Legends, Familiarly: BIRD, CURRY, KOBE, MAGIC

• Ending with Greek Letters: BIOTA, FETA, MOCHI, PEPSI

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 today's Connections.