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Wondering how to watch college football this season? Here are your best options: Best for affordability Sling TV Blue Plan $20 for the first month, then $40/month (save $20 ) Get Deal BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV Pro plan 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for 1 month (Save $20) Get Deal

The Oregon Ducks and Michigan State football teams are scheduled to meet at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, for a Big Ten Conference contest on Friday, Oct. 4. The game is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. 

Oregon, ranked No. 6 in The Associated Press poll, enters the matchup 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten. Most recently, Oregon defeated UCLA 34-13. Michigan State comes into the contest 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten. On Sept. 28, Ohio State beat MSU 38-7. Entering Friday, Oregon leads the all-time series 4-3 vs. Michigan State.

SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable

Dan Lanning is the Oregon Ducks football head coach. Jonathan Smith is the Michigan State football head coach. 

Oregon Ducks vs. MSU football kickoff time and network

The Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan State football game is scheduled for a 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT start on FOX on Friday, Oct. 4. The FOX broadcasters are scheduled to be Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), and Alison Williams (sideline reporter). 

Without cable or satellite TV, some options to watch the Oregon vs. MSU football game via online live stream include FuboTV and Sling.

Best streaming services for Michigan State vs. Oregon football game

You need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. Here are the best streaming services to consider for Friday's MSU vs. Oregon Ducks football game on FOX. 

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Blue Plan Get Deal

FOX is available on Sling TV in select markets. Those include Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Gainesville, Houston, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tacoma, Tampa, and Washington, D.C. 

If you’re not in one of those markets, getting Sling TV won’t help you watch the Oregon vs. MSU football game. 

If you’re in one of those markets, getting Sling TV for the Ducks vs. Michigan State football game would work for you. You’ll need the Blue Plan, which comes at $20 for the first month and $40 for subsequent months.

Sling TV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

Visit the FuboTV website to see if your zip code includes the FOX broadcast. If you’re in luck, then you can get FOX with the FuboTV Pro plan, which has a one-month introductory rate of $59.99/month and a regular subscription rate of $79.99 per month. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for October 4's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 4 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 4 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 4 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

It's the name given to a book, movie, or position, often revealing its essence.

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 T.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 4 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...

TITLE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 4's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 4 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 October 4 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: A curve that dips inward

• Green: Just a little bit

• Blue: Famous animated characters

• Purple: Types of dates

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: Concavity

• Green: Small Amount

• Blue: Disney Characters

• Purple: ___Date

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 #480 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Concavity: DENT, DIMPLE, DING, DIVOT

• Small Amount: DAB, DASH, DOLLOP, DROP

• Disney Characters: DAISY, DALE, DOC, DORY

• ___Date: DELIVERY, DINNER, DREAM, DUE

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 4

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.

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

This word describes an undomesticated animal.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 4 Hurdle Word 1 answer

FERAL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Evil Knievel did these better than anyone.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for October 4 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

STUNT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Soaked in an unpleasant manner.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 4 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SOGGY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A tool that holds things together.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

CLAMP

Final Hurdle hint

A state of agitation.

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

TIZZY

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 Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.

But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.

And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.

Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 3 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Friday, October 4, 2024:

AcrossExclamation of frustration

• The answer is Argh.

Party pooper

• The answer is Bore.

Something sweet

• The answer is Sugar.

Applications

• The answer is Uses.

Digs for pigs

• The answer is Pens.

DownTake unfair advantage of

• The answer is Abuse.

Pineapple Express actor Seth

• The answer is Rogen.

It covers a lot of ground

• The answer is Grass.

___ Royal Highness

• The answer is Her.

Slangy greeting

• The answer is Sup.

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.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2024 NRL Grand Final for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The big secret from the world of streaming is that you can access free services from around the world with a simple hack. That means you can watch the biggest sporting events the world has to offer without spending anything, including the NRL Grand Final.

If you want to watch the 2024 NRL Grand Final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the NRL Grand Final?

The NRL Grand Final determines the champions of the National Rugby League. Since 1999, this fixture has been held at Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) in Sydney.

When is the 2024 NRL Grand Final?

he NRL Grand Final 2024 will be held on Oct. 6.

How to watch the 2024 NRL Grand Final for free

The 2024 NRL Grand Final is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in Australia. This process makes it look like you're connecting from Australia, so you can access 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Watch the 2024 NRL Grand Final from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2024 NRL Grand Final from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these offers, you can secure access to the 2024 NRL Grand Final without committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can unblock 9Now and then recover your investment after the NRL Grand Final.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy

• 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 heavily discounted plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 NRL Grand Final for free with ExpressVPN.

OpenAI is changing up ChatGPT's interface to look more like a digital notepad for projects.

On Thursday, OpenAI announced a beta "canvas" feature for writing and coding. Canvas is different from the traditional chatbox interface, which makes it tedious to refine or develop ideas without the back and forth prompts.

"Although the [ChatGPT] interface is easy to use and works well for many tasks, it’s limited when you want to work on projects that require editing and revisions. Canvas offers a new interface for this kind of work," the announcement said.

The new feature is ChatGPT's first major design change since its launch in 2022. OpenAI has been busy doing other stuff, like launching multimodal model GPT-4o, reasoning model o1, and raising $6.6 billion in its latest investment round. According to reports from the New York Times, OpenAI told investors it plans to increase revenue from $3.7 billion this year to $11.6 billion by 2025. The updates to ChatGPT, such as making it more dynamic and user-friendly, could potentially help OpenAI meet its ambitious financial goals.

Canvas makes it easier for users to iterate ideas with ChatGPT. Credit: OpenAI

For now, Canvas is only available to paying subscribers, but OpenAI says it plans to expand access to non-paying users when it's out of beta. If you're a ChatGPT Plus or Teams user, you can select "ChatGPT 4o with Canvas" from the model dropdown and get to work. Access for Enterprise and Edu subscribers rolls out next week.

From here, all you need to do is enter a prompt related to writing or coding and it will activate Canvas by opening a new window. Per OpenAI's announcement, ChatGPT has been trained to recognize certain prompts that trigger canvas. For writing help, users can highlight specific parts of the text and click "ask ChatGPT" to edit or ask certain questions about the highlighted text.

There are also shortcuts found in the lower lefthand corner for suggesting edits, shortening the length, changing the reading level, polishing for grammar, and adding emoji. The ChatGPT format remains in a left sidebar in case you want to keep the conversation going.

Canvas has a shortcuts bar for making edits. Credit: OpenAI

For coding, Canvas works in a similar way, by recognizing coding-related prompts that trigger a new window. Shortcuts include: Review code, Add logs, Add comments, Fix bugs, and Port to a language by translating your code into a different programming language (i.e., JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Java, C++, or PHP).

If you made a mistake, you can hit the back button and revert to the previous version. When you're finished working, simply close the window, and you'll find yourself back in the normal ChatGPT interface. To find the project again, just click on the module saved in your chat history.

Sarah Paulson is no stranger to horror. Here, she goes into detail with Mashable Entertainment Editor, Kristy Puchko, about why 'Hold Your Breath' hits different.

The best early October Prime Day fitness tracker deals at a glance: BEST APPLE DEAL Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) $299 at Amazon (Save $100) Get Deal BEST SAMSUNG DEAL Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Bluetooth, 40mm) $195.30 at Amazon (Save $104.69) Get Deal BEST GARMIN DEAL Garmin Venu 3S $399.99 at Amazon (Save $50) Get Deal BEST GOOGLE DEAL Google Pixel Watch 3 $299.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal BEST SMART RING DEAL Oura Ring 3 (Horizon) starting at $299.99 (save up to $100) Get Deal

If you're looking to bring home a new fitness tracker, Prime Day is a great time to shop. Though the official Prime Big Deal Days event doesn't kick off until Oct. 8, Amazon has already put up tons of deals on items across every department, fitness trackers and smartwatches included.

Now that the weather is getting cooler and the leaves are starting to change, you might be more inclined to start that jogging program you were looking forward to. Or you might decide to get ahead of New Year's resolutions and start heading to the gym. Whatever you're planning, there are plenty of smartwatch and fitness tracker deals already available to help you get going — with brands like Apple, Garmin and Samsung running the show. Fitbit deals are currently MIA, but we're not surprised. The brand typically waits until closer to the official event to join the party, though a couple of Google Pixel deals have popped up already.

We'll be keeping a running tab below on all the best fitness tracker deals throughout Amazon's October Prime Day. If you don't see the wearable you're looking for on sale yet, check back regularly for the latest updates.

Best Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) $299.00 at Amazon
$399.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple Watch Series 9.

Despite the recent release of the Series 10, the Apple Watch Series 9 is not exactly outdated. You won't get the slightly larger display and sleep apnea sensor, but you'll still get the same 2,000-nit max brightness, Double Tap feature, and 18 hours of battery life. Not to mention, you'll save $100 on the Series 9 because it's no longer the shiniest new Apple toy. If you're upgrading from an old Apple Watch or are brand new to the fruit company's wearables, you won't be disappointed.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 10

• Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) — $411.99 $429 (save $17.01)

Series 9

• Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) — $299 $399 (save $100)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) — $329 $429 (save $100)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS + cellular) — $599 $749 (save $150)

SE

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) — $189 $249 (save $60)

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

Ultra

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + cellular) — $734.89 $799 (save $64.11)

Best Samsung Galaxy Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 $195.30 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $104.69 (Bluetooth, 40mm) Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Galaxy Watch 6.

When a new generation makes its debut, we often see ultra-low prices on the previous one. Such is the case with the Galaxy Watch 6. With the arrival of the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra over the summer, the Watch 6 is now steadily sitting below $200. Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, you can grab the 40mm version with Bluetooth for only $195.30, which is 35% in savings and a new record-low (by about $1). Only a year old, the sixth generation is still a very good smartwatch. It includes a nuanced breakdown of sleep habits, sleep coaching, personalized heart rate zones, irregular heart rate notifications, and a better battery life over its predecessor, which led Mashable's Alex Perry to dub it "the king of the Android smartwatch mountain."

More Samsung Galaxy Watch deals

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Bluetooth, 44mm) — $194.72 $329.99 (save $135.72)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Bespoke Edition (Bluetooth, 44mm) — $279.99 $379.99 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Bluetooth, 44mm) — $287.34 $329.99 (save $42.65)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (Bluetooth, 43mm) — $329.99 $399.99 (save $70)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (LTE, 44mm) — $329.99 $379.99 (save $50)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (LTE, 47mm) — $581.62 $649.99 (save $68.37)

Best Garmin deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Venu 3S $399.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Ideal for smaller wrists, the Garmin Venu 3S is about .2 inches smaller in diameter and .3 oz lighter than the standard Venu 3. It still offers the same advanced features, like a built-in speaker and microphone to take calls, the ability to store music, and an abundance of health and fitness tools and insights. The only real difference besides the size is that the 3S has a slightly shorter battery life (about 10 days in smartwatch mode versus the 3's 14 days), but it still blows the Apple Watch battery out of the water. It's usually $449.99, but you can save $50 ahead of the October Prime event and get it for only $399.99. That's just a few bucks away from its all-time low.

More Garmin deals

• Garmin Forerunner 55 — $168.99 $199.99 (save $31)

• Garmin vívoactive 5 — $249.99 $299.99 (save $50)

Best Google deal Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 (LTE, 45mm) $399.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Google Pixel Watch 3 just dropped in Aug., which makes this discount at Amazon ahead of Prime Big Deal Days its biggest one yet. This is the first Pixel Watch to offer a larger size case, which Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon says is "a visual stunner." Its battery life largely remains the same as its predecessor, but the Pixel Watch 3's dynamic refresh rate might allow you to squeeze out a little more. It also features a whole lot of software upgrades, including enhanced running features, AI-driven form tracking, a new Morning Brief feature via Fitbit, and updated media controls.

More Google deals (including Fitbit)

• Google Pixel Watch 2 (WiFi) — $231.70 $249.99 (save $18.29)

Best smart ring deal Opens in a new window Credit: Oura Oura Ring 3 (Horizon) starting at $299.99 (save up to $100) Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Oura Ring 3.

The Oura Ring 4 launches later this month, so it's no surprise that we're seeing the Oura Ring 3 on sale ahead of Prime Day 2. Regardless of the colorway you choose, you'll get a discount between 10% and 22% off. For instance, the stealth and brushed titanium models are 22% off, coming in at $349 (down from $449). The gold and rose gold models, on the other end of the price spectrum, are $449 after a 10% discount. The third-generation ring is a low-profile fitness tracker that offers in-depth info about sleep, workouts, recovery, mindfulness, and more through a variety of sensors, though sleep tracking is truly where it shines.

More smart ring deals

There are currently no other live deals on smart rings, but we'll be keeping our eyes peeled.

We showed the 'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' cast a Charli SCS fan edit calling Sauron 'brat'. This lead to some intense debate!

Amazon’s fall Deals event is right around the corner and if you haven’t made a shopping plan yet, we’re here to help.

Two Harvard students have created a privacy nightmare, according to 404 Media. Real-time facial recognition smart glasses, which pull up names, contacts, addresses, and more about a complete stranger just by looking at them.

On top of the facial recognition software capabilities, the students' project is even more eye-opening considering the hardware they're using to run it: Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses.

The students – AnhPhu Nguyen and Caine Ardayfio – say they won't be releasing the product nor the software behind it. The project, titled I-XRAY, is meant to raise awareness about what is possible with today's technology. In fact, it's something that Big Tech companies like Google and Facebook have long had the power to do, but they haven't released such capabilities due to the high potential for misuse. 

How it works

Nguyen and Ardayfio were able to create I-XRAY, thanks, in part, to Meta's smart glasses and PimEyes' facial recognition software.

While there are a few facial recognition search engines out there, PimEyes is perhaps the largest one that makes its technology accessible by the public. Users can simply upload a photo to PimEyes, and using facial recognition, the service scans the web for images of the individual in the photo. 

Using the information from PimEyes, I-XRAY can then identify the individual and find out personal information on them by scanning the internet for articles and through data brokers like FastPeopleSearch. This information can include full names, phone numbers, home addresses, social media profiles, and more.

The entire system is automated to start pulling this data as soon as the smart glasses detect an individual's face in the frame. The students uploaded a video to social media to show the process.

Tweet may have been deleted

Meta pointed out in their response to the I-XRAY project that any similar camera product can be adapted to utilize PimEyes in this way. There's nothing particularly unique about Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses' technology itself that allowed this project to happen.

However, Nyugen said there was a specific reason that the two students chose Meta's smart glasses: The creepiness factor of being able to dox complete strangers with hardware that looks just like a normal, everyday glasses. Unlike many wearables, the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses don't look like a tech device. Furthermore, their $300 price point puts them in a fairly affordable range compared to other similar products.

How to protect yourself

As previously mentioned, there isn't a public product or service out there that can do this – yet. But, if you are concerned about the potential to dox individuals on the fly like this, the two Harvard students explained how to protect yourself.

According to Nguyen and Ardayfio, it's as simple as reaching out to these data brokers to get your information removed.

For example, PimEyes provides an opt-out page where people can get their images removed from their facial recognition search engine. Data brokers like FastPeopleSearch also usually provide forms where users can request data removal from the service.

SAVE $170.99: As of Oct. 3, get the Shark Matrix Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum for just $329 at Walmart. That's a discount of 38%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Shark Matrix Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum $329.00 at Walmart
$499.99 Save $170.99 Get Deal

No one likes doing housework. Maybe you enjoy zoning out while doing dishes. Or perhaps you enjoy the fruits of your labor after cleaning house. But most people absolutely abhor having to drag the vacuum out and handling the housework. That's what robots exist for, people – specifically, robot vacuums. It's 2024, and it's time to leave the dirty work to them thanks to Walmart's Shark Days.

As of Oct. 3, you can get the Shark Matrix Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum for just $329 at Walmart. That's a discount of 38% and $170.99 off its normal price of $499.99. The sale is open to all Walmart shoppers, so no Walmart+ needed to take advantage of the deal.

This self-emptying robot vacuum uses Matrix Clean, which gives it up to 50% more suction power, to pull up debris, dirt, and dust from your carpets and hardwood floors. That's thanks to its precision grid that can help it take multiple passes over different areas of the carpet so there aren't any missed areas. When it's done, it can go right back to its base on its own to empty, holding up to 30 days' worth of dirt until you need to dump the reservoir on your own.

This LiDAR-equipped robot vacuum is a great option if you have pets thanks to its tough brushroll. You can set it to target specific rooms and areas of your home that need more care than others with heavy traffic or additional pet hair. When it's finished, it'll go back home to its base and recharge for the next cleaning session. If you're looking for a heavy-duty yet affordable option to clean your home without your input, this is it, so grab it while it's still around.

Time to stock up on literary scares: Today (Thursday, Oct. 3) is Terrify Your Tablet Day.

Hosted by Horrorsmith Publishing for the second year in a row, the 24-hour event is effectively a horror-only version of Stuff Your Kindle Day, where participating authors make their e-books available for free or just 99 cents. Unlike the titles featured in Stuff Your Kindle Day, however, Terrify Your Tablet Day-eligible ebooks are available across several platforms, including Kindle, Kobo, Google Play, Apple Books, Scribd, and via direct download.

SEE ALSO: Another Stuff Your Kindle event is here — this time for the horror fans

There are hundreds of ebooks featured in this year's Terrify Your Tablet Day, and you can see the full list on Horrorsmith's website; it'll be uploading titles in waves throughout the day. Below, we've pulled a selection of Kindle horror picks from the first upload to get you started:

Free horror e-books

• 21 Dares (Stephen Barnard) — $0 $2.99

• And Then There Was Silence (Candace Robinson) — $0 $2.99

• Along About Midnight (Dorian J. Sinnott) — $0 $2.99

• Black Death (David Hardy) — $0 $2.99

• Dark Songs (Keith Evans) — $0 $2.99

• From Dark Waters and Woods (Amanda Leanne) — $0 $2.99

• Home (Ben Young) — $0 $2.99

• Mind the Mirrors (Amanda Leanne) — $0 $2.99

• The Salem Legacy (Paul Carro) — $0 $6.99

• Smilin' Sam's Corn Maze (Stephanie P. Scissom) — $0 $0.99

• To Eat You With You (Kayla Burt) — $0 $2.99

• The Triangle Forest (Edward Flora) — $0 $2.99

• Who is Mara Wildes? (Amanda East) — $0 $2.99

$0.99 horror e-books

Note: Most of the following titles are free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. Amazon Prime members can snag a free three-month trial for a limited time.

• Abject Fear (Paul Carro) — $0.99 $6.99 (save $6)

• Awake In The Night (Shauna Mc Eleny) — $0.99 $5.99 (save $5)

• Ditch of the Damned and Other Tales (Ryan Hoyt) — $0.99 $3.99 (save $3)

• Hole: A Small Town Horror Novel (Matthew Doggett) — $0.99 $14.99 (save $14)

• The Naughty Corner (Mark Towse) — $0.99 $15.99 (save $15)

• The Original's Retribution (David Watkins) — $0.99 $2.99 (save $2)

• The Original's Return (David Watkins) — $0.99 $2.99 (save $2)

• Saltblood (T.C. Parker) — $0.99 $4.99 (save $4)

• Sudden Death (Theresa Jacobs) — $0.99 $7.50 (save $6.51)

• Territory (Dan Howarth) — $0.99 $5.99 (save $5)

• The Zombie Effect (Theresa Jacobs) — $0.99 $9.99 (save $9)

• We've Already Gone Too Far (MJ Mars) — $0.99 $5.99 (save $5)

Best Terrify Your Tablet thriller deals Best free book deal 'The Contract' by D.E. McCluskey and C. William Giles $0 at Amazon (save $13) Get Deal Best discounted book deal 'The Namaste Slasher' by Alan Shivers $0.99 at Amazon (save $14) Get Deal

Terrify Your Tablet Day is here, and it's bringing a slew of Halloween-themed book discounts to your favorite e-reader with it.

If you don't already know what Terrify Your Tablet Day is, it's basically Stuff Your Kindle Day, but spooky. Started by Horrorsmith Publishing in 2023, the themed sale is back again this Oct. 3, and full of free and discounted e-books from the horror, thriller, sci-fi, and dark fantasy genres. If you're more interested in thrillers — slashers, crime dramas; stuff like that — we've rounded up the best deals from the genre that are included in the Terrify Your Tablet event. Take a look below, and kick off spooky season the right way.

Note that all of these offers are exclusive to Kindle Unlimited members.

SEE ALSO: The best tablets: iPads are great, but have you tried literally anything else? Free Kindle thriller books

• 21 Dares (Stephen Barnard) — $0 $2.99

• The Contract (D.E. McCluskey and C. William Giles) — $0 $13.99

• Diary of Murders (Sarah Cook) — $0 $0.99

• Wrath (Karmellah Howlett) — $0 $1.99

• Along About Midnight (Dorian J. Sinnott) — $0 $2.99

• Home is Where the Bodies Are (Amanda East) — $0 $2.99

Discounted Kindle thriller books

• The Namaste Slasher (Alan Shivers) — $0.99 $14.99

• Awake In The Night (Shauna McEleny) — $0.99 $5.99

• The Ghost In Me (Theresa Jacobs) — $0.99 $9.99

• Sudden Death (Theresa Jacobs) — $0.99 $7.50 (save $6.51)

Some Apple Watch users claimed that they had their devices ruined by the latest beta release.

At least, that's the word on sites like Reddit, as spotted by Neowin. After installing the third beta for watchOS 11.1, some users found that their devices would freeze up not long after being turned on with the update installed. Common fixes like restarting the devices don't seem to work, either. Apple has since pulled the update so it's no longer available for download.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day is just around the corner: Here are the Apple Watches you can already grab on sale

If this happened to you, unfortunately, the only thing you can really do is send the device to Apple for repairs. As Neowin pointed out, Apple Watches don't allow users to revert back to old software after an update.

This is obviously a bummer for anyone who suffered a bricked Apple Watch, but it's a good reminder to be very careful about installing pre-release software onto your personal devices. Apple recently had to do something similar after an iPadOS update bricked some tablets.

Stuff Your Kindle Day, but make it Halloween.

That's basically what Horrorsmith Publishing said in 2023 when they debuted Terrify Your Tablet Day, which gave readers access to tons of free horror titles from the publisher (which, as you likely guessed from the name, specializes in the genre). Terrify Your Tablet Day is back for round two this year on Oct. 3, offering free and discounted books for fans of the genre.

SEE ALSO: Another Stuff Your Kindle event is here — this time for the horror fans

Obviously, horror is an expansive genre, which is why we're grateful the publisher broke down their free offerings by sub-genres, including psychological horror, thrillers, dark fantasy, and horroromance, just to name a few. On this list, you'll find all the free books offered from the cosmic horror and apocalyptic and dystopian genres — in other words, here's where you find the free sci-fi horror.

And if you don't have a Kindle, don't worry — these e-books are available for all e-reader devices, including Kobo, Google Play, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and direct website from authors where available.

Free sci-fi horror books from Terrify Your Tablet Day:

• Dead in Dallas: Dead Cities #1 by Alathla Morgan

• Black Death: An Extreme Horror Apocalyptic Novella by David Hardy

• All the Rage: An Extreme Horror Apocalyptic Novella by David Hardy

• Consumed By Rage: An Extreme Horror Apocalyptic Novella by David Hardy

• The Triangle Forest by Edward Flora

• Things From the Dark by K.K. Monroe

• The Salem Legacy by Paul Carro

Best Terrify Your Tablet dark fantasy deals Best free book deal Witch's Choice by A.K. Stuntz $0 at Amazon (Save $2.99) Get Deal Best discounted book deak The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed $1.99 at Amazon (Save $17) Get Deal Best dark fantasy memoir deal Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark by Cassandra Peterson $2.99 at Amazon (Save $15) Get Deal

Terrify Your Tablet is for the spookiest of readers. If you like eery thrillers, all things supernatural, or gorey slashers, this is a Stuff Your Kindle-style event made for you. This event, lead by Horrorsmith Publishing, is offering dozens of discounts on creepy books of all kinds.

Everyone can find something to read during this sale — including fantasy readers. Among the free and discounted books are dark fantasy novels. For readers of romantasy, October may have you eager to deep your toe into the darker side of the genre and dark fantasy is just right for you.

We've rounded up a series of dark fantasy novels (and one memoir from the queen of dark fantasy, Elvira) that are all free or discounted during Terrify Your Tablet Down. Here are the deals to shop.

Shop free dark fantasy books

• From Dark Waters and Woods: Stories of Growing Up in the Swamps by Amanda Leanne — $0 (save $2.99)

• Insanity's Respite by Josua E.B. Smith — $0 (save $3.99)

• The Salem Legacy by Paul Carro — $0 (save $3.99)

• Witch's Choice by A.K. Stuntz — $0 (save $3.99)

Shop discounted dark fantasy books

• In the Grimdark Strands of the Sinneret by Keith Anthony Baird — $0.99 $10.99 (save $10)

• The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed — $1.99 $18.99 (save $17)

• Dark & Dreadful Brutes by Lola Glass — $2.49 $4.99 (save $2.50)

• The Raven Spell by Luanne G. Smith — $2.49 $4.99 (save $2.50)

• A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie — $2.99 $19.99 (save $17)

• Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco — $2.99 $12.99 (save $10)

• Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark by Cassandra Peterson — $2.99 $17.99 (save $15)

The third "Paddington" film hits US theaters January 17. Can it top "Paddington 2?"

SAVE $100: As of October 3, get the Google Pixel Watch 3 (LTE) for just $399.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel Watch 3 (LTE) $399.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

Still looking to pick up a new smartwatch? There are tons of options, like the newly-released Apple Watch Series 9, or perhaps a Samsung Galaxy Watch might strike your fancy more. Need a third option? You might be interested in perusing Google's wares, especially given the fact that one of its most recent releases is on sale for its lowest price yet.

As of Oct. 3, get the 45mm Google Pixel Watch 3 (LTE) for just $399.99. That's $100 off its normal price of $499.99 and a 20% discount. It's also the lowest price we've seen for this particular model.

The Pixel Watch 3 is an improvement over its predecessor in several ways, with a 45mm screen that's twice as bright and 40% larger than the Pixel Watch 2. It offers a variety of AI-assisted tracking options, including sensors that measure your heart rate, workouts, and more. It's compatible with Fitbit Premium for a host of other workout and fitness-related metrics and features, including custom workouts and form tracking that's delivered in real-time.

Of course, you can also use the Pixel Watch 3 as a regular smartwatch if you aren't a huge fitness buff. Text, make calls, use your favorite apps, and keep in touch with friends and family right from your wrist. It offers 24 hours of battery life with an always-on display, so it can be your constant companion for Android devices, or one of Google's phones if you have one. This model can be used independently of your phone if you prefer with its own LTE connection so you can leave your device at home or in the car.

If you want to scoop up this watch at a great price, now's the time to do so with this pre-Prime Day deal. It probably won't go any lower for a while.