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FREEBIES AND LIFETIME LICENCE DEAL: As of Dec. 17, the Neural DSP Quad Cortex is available for $1,699 at Sweetwater, with financing options as low as $36.11 per month. Meanwhile, Daaci’s Natural Drums AI plugin is just $125.67 for a lifetime license — no subscriptions, no bloated bundles, just pure, dynamic drum grooves on demand.

Opens in a new window Credit: Neural DSP Neural DSP Quad Cortex Get Deal

Why you can't find a reliable drummer for your jam sessions? Drummers are either late, loud, or mysteriously absent when inspiration strikes. But what if I told you a $125.67 plugin could replace them forever — no backtalk, no endless tuning, no monthly fees? Of course, I'm joking. Plenty of amazing drummers are out there; they don't want to play with me.

Enter Daaci's Natural Drums AI plugin, the intuitive virtual session drummer you didn't know you needed. Pair it with the Neural DSP Quad Cortex for studio-grade guitar and bass tones, and you've got yourself an all-inclusive band setup for a fraction of the cost of hardware, drum kits, and overpriced subscriptions.

SEE ALSO: Want to learn guitar? This $40 bundle gives you a pro teacher

The Neural DSP Quad Cortex, priced at $1,699 at Sweetwater, is what happens when cutting-edge tech meets hands-on flexibility. This floor-ready digital modeler features a 2GHz Quad-Core SHARC processor — enough power to run multiple amp chains simultaneously. It packs over 50 amps, 70 stomps, and 1,000 impulse responses, from glassy cleans to face-melting saturation.

Neural's Capture Technology lets you digitize and save your favorite real-world gear for easy recall. And with CorOS 3.0, you can now integrate Neural DSP's popular plugins, like Archetype: Gojira X, expanding your tone palette without the fuss of external computers.

But here's where the setup really sings: Daaci's Natural Drums AI plugin. For $125.67, you're not just buying a drum machine — you're purchasing a lifetime license for an AI drummer that adapts to your ideas in real-time.

Other plugins force you into monthly payments or bloated bundles packed with kits you'll never use. Not here. With Natural Drums, you get seamless DAW integration (Logic Pro X, Ableton, Pro Tools, and more), control over complexity, fills, swing, and patterns, and the kind of lifelike grooves that actually sound like a human behind the kit. Want to start with a simple rhythm and spice it up later? Natural Drums lets you add embellishments, fills, and shuffles with a few clicks — all without hogging your CPU.

SEE ALSO: When does Spotify Wrapped start tracking for 2025? What we know.

Lifetime licenses like this are practically a unicorn in the plugin world. While other companies nickel-and-dime you for every little add-on, Natural Drums gives you everything you need upfront. No subscriptions, overstuffed bundles, or tricks — just a top-tier drum companion you can rely on forever.

Quad Cortex, for $1,699, and Natural Drums, for $125.67, turn your home setup into a professional studio with guitar tones and drum tracks that sound like they cost ten times more. You'll never feel like you're missing a piece of the puzzle laying down polished recordings, working on new ideas, or just jamming without the hassle of chasing down flaky bandmates.

At the end of the day, you're not just saving money on mics, amps, drum kits, and late-night rehearse-a-thons — you're investing in creative freedom. No drummer? No problem. With the Neural DSP Quad Cortex and Daaci Natural Drums AI plugin, you have your full band at your fingertips for less than a decent drum kit. Deals like this don't stick around forever — unlike your new AI drummer.

SAVE $70: As of Dec. 17, Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are on sale for $229 at Amazon. That's a saving of 23% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Ultra Open Earbuds $229.00 at Amazon
$299.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal

If you're looking for a great new pair of earbuds at a great price, look no further than Amazon's Daily Deals. Even without major retail holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday, you can find amazing discounts on all kinds of products, including the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.

As of Dec. 17, these earbuds are reduced to just $229 at Amazon. They've never been priced lower than this, and you can choose between all available colors: white, moonstone blue, black, and the diamond 60th-anniversary edition.

SEE ALSO: Get $50 off this incredible portable speaker from Beats

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are designed for music lovers who still want to be connected to their surroundings. They work by resting just outside your ears rather than fitting inside the ear canal like standard designs. This positioning uses Bose’s open-ear audio technology to direct sound precisely toward your ears, allowing you to hear music clearly without blocking external noise. This type of earbud is fantastic for running, walking, and any outdoor activity where you need to remain aware of your surroundings. They're also water resistant so there won't be any issues on rainy days.

This design doesn't mean you'll be scrimping on sound quality, in fact, it's quite the opposite. With a name like Bose, you know you'll be getting some of the best sounds around. Bose still manages to create an immense, full sound even though the buds don’t seal in your ears.

TL;DR: Live stream Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the Emirates NBA Cup with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

It's the second annual Emirates NBA Cup, previously known as the In-Season Tournament. The Milwaukee Bucks head to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Emirates NBA Cup Championship.

The Bucks have won three of their last five games, specifically their last three games, sending the team to the NBA Cup Championship. Milwaukee is currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The Thunder is riding a five-game win streak into the championship game, which makes sense considering they sit at the top of the Western Conference.

When is Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder?

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 17. This game takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The game will air on ABC.

How to watch Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Bucks vs. Thunder basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV 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. 

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. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

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

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

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

How to watch Bucks vs. Thunder from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

5. Watch Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $105: As of Dec. 17, the Amazon eero 6+ WiFi router is on sale for $194.99 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon eero 6+ mesh WiFi Router $194.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $105.00 Get Deal

If your patchy, unreliable WiFi makes you want to throw your router out of the window, let's talk about an upgrade. You shouldn't have to suffer with laggy video calls, buffering shows, or devices that just won't connect. And you don't need to spend a fortune to get away from this either.

As of Dec. 17, you can find incredible deals on mesh router systems at Amazon. This includes a great deal on the Amazon eero 6+ router system. Currently, this product is reduced to $194.99, saving you 35% on list price. This discount is specific to the three-pack option, but you can find deals across all bundles.

SEE ALSO: Is this router better than a VPN? You decide.

A mesh WiFi system includes a main router and two nodes (satellites) placed around your home. They work together to eliminate dead zones, providing reliable WiFi coverage all over your home.

The eero 6+ is a great option for a mesh router system that offers gigabit wifi speeds at an affordable price. It is backward-compatible with older eero devices, making it flexible for all home setups. It boasts WiFi 6 technology and an extra boost from the 160 MHz radio channel, so the eero 6+ ensures fast and reliable connectivity for the entire household. The TrueMesh technology reduces dead spots and dropped signals, keeping your smart home running smoothly even when you’re away.

The setup doesn't require any overly complicated instructions either. It can be done in minutes by using the eero app.

Move fast, however, this is a limited-time deal at Amazon.

SAVE $50: As of Dec. 17, the Beats Pill is on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a saving of 33% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill $99.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Christmas is fast approaching and if you didn't stock up on all your gifts during the recent Black Friday madness, Amazon's Daily Deals are about to become your best friend. With great discounts across anything from coffee machines to headphones, you'll find something for everyone. And for the audiophile in your life, you can't go wrong with this great deal on the Beats Pill portable speaker.

Recently upgraded, the Beats Pill is the same speaker we've loved for years, but better. It may appear petite and dainty, but it's robust. It packs a serious audio punch, with the new, bigger, bespoke racetrack woofer displacing 90% more air volume, meaning you get a much deeper, fuller bass. Not to mention, it even has IP67 water resistance so it's safe from accidental splashes.

SEE ALSO: Drumroll... Beats drop major last minute audio deals at Amazon

For portable listening, the new 24-hour battery life will keep you going all day long, and can even be used to charge your phone or other devices through a USC cable.

As of Dec. 17, the Beats Pill is reduced to $99.95 (down from $149.95), saving you almost $50 on list price. It has also never been priced lower than this, so you know it's a great deal. This price is available in all the colors offered by Amazon: matte black, champagne gold, and statement red, but without the power adapter or AppleCare+.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.

UPDATE: Dec. 17, 2024, 4:00 a.m. EST This story has been updated with new laptop deals, plus current pricing and availability.

The very best laptop deals at a glance: Best laptop deal under $500o Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $499.99 at Best Buy (save $300) Get Deal Best laptop deal under $1,000 Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal Best laptop deal over $1,000 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,499 at Amazon (save $500.99) Get Deal

Buying a new laptop is one of the biggest splurges a person will make every several years, so keeping watch for good deals is imperative. Whether you're looking for an everyday workhorse, a cheap Chromebook for homework, a 2-in-1 Windows PC for drawing, or a powerful premium gaming laptop, a decent discount can make it easier to take the leap on an upgrade.

As a Senior Shopping Reporter here at Mashable, I've been scouting and vetting the best laptop deals across major tech retailers for nearly two years. Read on for my top picks as of Dec. 17, including a sub-$500 OLED laptop, a budget-friendly MacBook, and a record-low price on the best laptop our team tried in 2024.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops of 2024, tested and approved by Mashable's experts

If you don't see any models that check all the boxes on your spec wish list, bookmark this page and come back soon: I add new picks every other week.

Note: Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart occasionally list incorrect MSRPs for laptops, making deals appear better or worse than they really are. If an MSRP you see below differs from the one shown on the laptop's product page, it's because I cross-checked it with the machine's manufacturer and corrected it.

Best laptop deal under $500 Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $499.99 at Best Buy
$799.99 Save $300.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Svelte at 2.8 pounds and 0.6 inches thin, this 14-inch Asus Zenbook features a pretty and bright touchscreen OLED display — a rare sighting at this price point. Its backlit keyboard is also a nice touch. The configuration with a mid-range Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, 8GB of memory, and a healthy 512GB of storage is currently just $499.99 at Best Buy, or 37% off.

An upgraded model with a better Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor and twice as much RAM and storage is also on sale at Best Buy. It'll run you $699.99 (normally $1,049.99), which works out to 33% off.

More laptop deals under $500Windows laptops

• Acer Aspire Go 14 (AMD Ryzen 3 7320U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $299.99 $349.99 (save $50)

• Acer Swift 1 (Intel Celeron N4020, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $299.99 $369.99 (save $70)

• Dell Inspiron 15 3535 (AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $329.99 $449.99 (save $120)

• HP Laptop 17t-cn300 (Intel Core i5-1334U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $369.99 $849.99 (save $480)

• Asus Vivobook 16X (Intel Core 5 120U, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $449.99 $699.99 (save $250)

• HP Laptop 15t-fd000 (Intel Core i7-1355U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $449.99 $914.99 (save $465)

• HP Pavilion 16t-af000 (Intel Core 5 120U, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $449.99 $1,019.99 (save $570)

• Acer Aspire 15 (AMD Ryzen 5 7535U, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $499.99 $549.99 (save $50)

2-in-1 laptops

• HP Pavilion x360 14t-ek200 (Intel Core 3 100U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $429.99 $699.99 (save $270)

• Dell Inspiron 14 7445 2-in-1 (AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $429.99 $729.99 (save $300)

• Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i (Intel Core i5-1235U, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $499.99 $679.99 (save $180)

Chromebooks

• Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 (Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $239.99 $399.99 (save $160)

• HP Chromebook Plus 15at-nb000 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $379.99 $599.99 (save $220)

• Asus Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip (AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $449.99 $629.99 (save $180)

Best laptop deal under $1,000 Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799.00 at Amazon and Best Buy
$999.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M2).

The previous-generation MacBook Air is a Mashable Choice Award winner and our current favorite budget MacBook: It has an awesome keyboard, it lasts all day, and its M2 chip has "enough horsepower to handle everyday tasks with ease," to quote our review. As an added bonus, Apple also recently bumped its base configuration to 16GB of memory (without a price hike). It's on sale for $799 at Amazon and Best Buy, or 20% off; it was $50 cheaper on Black Friday, but that's still a solid deal.

More laptop deals under $1,000MacBooks

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $899.99 $1,099 (save $199.01 with on-page coupon)

Windows laptops

• Samsung Galaxy Book4 (Intel Core 7 155U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $529.99 $899.99 (save $370)

• HP Pavilion Plus 14-ey0047nr (AMD Ryzen 5 7540U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $619.99 $999.99 (save $380)

• Lenovo Slim 7i (Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $714.99 $1,129.99 (save $415)

• Dell Inspiron 16 5640 (Intel Core 7 150U, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $799.99 $1,049.99 (save $250)

• HP Envy 17t-da000 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $799.99 $1,299.99 (save $500)

• Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, 14-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB eUFS) — $799.99 $1,349.99 (save $550)

• Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5 (AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $849.99 $1,219.99 (save $370)

• HP OmniBook X 14-fe0097nr (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $879.99 $1,199.99 (save $320)

• Asus Vivobook S15 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $899.99 $1,099.99 (save $200)

• Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $899.99 $1,099.99 (save $200)

• Acer Swift X 14 (Intel Core i5-13500H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $899.99 $1,099.99 (save $200)

• Acer Swift X 16 (AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $999.99 $1,249.99 (save $250)

• Acer Swift Edge 16 (AMD Ryzen 7 8840U, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $999.99 $1,299.99 (save $300)

2-in-1 laptops

• Lenovo Yoga 7i, 16-inch (Intel Core Ultra 7 155U, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $749.99 $1,049.99 (save $360)

• HP Envy x360 16t-ac000 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $699.99 $1,109.99 (save $410)

• Microsoft Surface Pro (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) + Keyboard Bundle — $999.99 $1,349.99 (save $350)

• Lenovo Yoga Pro 7 (AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $999.99 $1,354.99 (save $355)

Gaming laptops

• MSI Thin 15 (Intel Core i5-13420H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $649.99 $899.99 (save $250)

• Acer Nitro V 15 (Intel Core i7-13620H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

• Dell G15 5535 (AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $799.99 $1,049.99 (save $250)

• HP Victus 16t-r100 (Intel Core i5-14450HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)

• Acer Nitro 16 (AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $999.99 $1,399.99 (save $400)

Best laptop deal over $1,000 Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,499.00 at Amazon and the Microsoft Store
$1,999.99 Save $500.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the 13-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7.

Combining a 23-hour battery life with M3 MacBook-beating performance, a sophisticated design, and some entertaining AI features, we think Microsoft's Copilot+ PC is the best laptop that launched this year. (It's another Mashable Choice Award winner, obviously). The higher-end model we tested came with a Snapdragon X Elite CPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage, and Amazon and the Microsoft Store still have it on sale at its record-low Black Friday price of $1,499 — a 25% discount. Other variants with lesser specs start at $899.99 (or $300 off).

Best Buy was matching that price at the time of writing, but only for paid My Best Buy members.

More laptop deals over $1,000MacBooks

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,449 $1,599 (save $150)

Windows laptops

• LG gram 17 (Intel Core Ultra 155H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,799.99 (save $700)

• LG gram Style 16 (Intel Core i7-1360P, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,999.99 (save $900)

• Dell XPS 13 9340 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399 $1,999 (save $600)

2-in-1 laptops

• HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14t-fh000 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,249.99 $1,599.99 (save $350)

• HP Spectre x360 16-aa0047nr (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399.99 $1,849.99 (save $450)

Gaming laptops

• Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 (Intel Core i9-14900HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,049.99 $1,449.99 (save $400)

• Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Gen 9 (AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,519.99 (save $420)

• Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 9 (Intel Core i9-14900HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,149.99 $1,499.99 (save $350)

• HP Omen Transcend 16t-u100 (Intel Core i7-14700HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,179.99 $1,599.99 (save $420)

• Asus TUF Gaming F17 (Intel Core i7-13700H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,199.99 $1,499.99 (save $300)

• Dell G16 7630 (Intel Core i9-13900HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,299.99 $1,749.99 (save $450)

• Alienware m16 R2 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,499.99 $1,899.99 (save $400)

WordPress.org now requires users to affirm that pineapple is delicious on pizza before they can log in. It's the latest move in an increasingly antagonistic dispute between WordPress co-founder and Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg and web hosting service WP Engine.

As reported by 404 Media and confirmed by Mashable, WordPress.org's login page features a new check box next to the phrase, "Pineapple is delicious on pizza." Users are currently unable to log in or create a new account unless they tick the box, which was first spotted on Sunday. (WordPress.com remains unaffected.)

SEE ALSO: Hong Kong Pizza Hut offers free pineapple after Italy objects to Olympic win

The merits of pineapple on pizza has long been the subject of frequently lighthearted internet debate. However, this particular invocation is less jovial. WordPress.org's pineapple pizza mandate comes in response to a California District Court decision last Tuesday, which granted WP Engine a preliminary injunction preventing Automattic from blocking its access to WordPress.org.

The injunction also ordered Automattic to remove a check box on WordPress.org's login page, which required users to pledge that they were "not affiliated with WP Engine in any way, financially or otherwise." Users were unable to log in unless this box was ticked.

Yet instead of completely removing the box, it appears Automattic amended it to refer to pineapple on pizza instead.

Credit: Mashable screenshot: WordPress.org What's the WordPress drama?

The ongoing WordPress drama is primarily about alleged trademark infringement, with WP Engine and Automattic having been at loggerheads for months now.

1. Blog post from Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg disparages WP Engine

The dispute publicly kicked off when Mullenweg denounced WP Engine as a "cancer to WordPress" in a blog post on Sept. 21. WP Engine is a third-party web hosting service that specifically caters to websites built using WordPress' open-source content management system, which is hosted and available via WordPress.org. 

Mullenweg has since been loudly critical of WP Engine, deriding the company for disabling tracked changes, using branding that allegedly infringes on WordPress' trademark, and contributing little to develop the open-source software.

"[WP Engine] do about half a billion in revenue on top of WordPress and contribute back 40 hours a week, Automattic is a similar size and contributes back 3,915 hours a week," Mullenweg claimed in his post.

2. WP Engine sends cease-and-desist letter to Automattic

Of course, WP Engine wasn't pleased with this. The company responded with a cease-and-desist letter on Sept. 23, demanding Automattic and Mullenweg stop making "false factual statements." 

WP Engine also accused Mullenweg of threatening to take a "scorched earth nuclear approach" toward the company if it refused to pay Automattic to license WordPress' trademarks. Court documents indicate Automattic demanded eight percent of WP Engine's revenue to be paid on an ongoing monthly basis.

According to WP Engine, such licensing is unnecessary as its use of WordPress' trademarks to describe its services are permitted under fair use.

"Mr. Mullenweg’s covert demand that WP Engine hand over tens of millions to his for-profit company Automattic, while publicly masquerading as an altruistic protector of the WordPress community, is disgraceful," read WP Engine's letter.

"WP Engine’s uses of those marks to describe its services – as all companies in this space do – are fair uses under settled trademark law and consistent with WordPress’ own guidelines."

3. Automattic sends cease-and-desist letter to WP Engine, bans it from WordPress

Automattic responded to that with its own cease-and-desist letter also dated Sept. 23, demanding WP Engine "immediately stop all unauthorized use of [WordPress and WordPress-based ecommerce platform WooCommerce] trademarks." 

Acknowledging that it had contacted WP Engine about licensing the trademarks, Automattic stated that no agreement had been reached, and accused the company of misleading consumers into thinking it is affiliated with WordPress.

The WordPress Foundation's trademark policy was also amended to specifically call out WP Engine, acknowledging that "WP" is not covered by trademarks but asking that it not be used "in a way that confuses people."

"For example, many people think WP Engine is 'WordPress Engine' and officially associated with WordPress, which it’s not," the policy reads. "They have never once even donated to the WordPress Foundation, despite making billions of revenue on top of WordPress."

Mullenweg subsequently announced that WP Engine had been banned from WordPress.org on Sept. 25, breaking numerous websites and preventing updates from being implemented. While it was temporarily lifted two days later, the ban significantly disrupted WP Engine's ability to do business. 

"[P]ending their legal claims and litigation against WordPress.org, WP Engine no longer has free access to WordPress.org’s resources," Mullenweg wrote in said announcement.

Expanding further on his personal blog, Mullenweg claimed Automattic's demand that WP Engine pay up "isn’t a money grab: it’s an expectation that any business making hundreds of millions of dollars off of an open source project ought to give back, and if they don’t, then they can’t use its trademarks," 

4. WP Engine files lawsuit against Automattic

It was all downhill from there. On Oct. 2, WP Engine filed a lawsuit against Automattic and Mullenweg with a slew of allegations, including libel, slander, attempted extortion, and unfair competition. 

WP Engine also amended its plan names to remove the word "WordPress," and updated its website to make clear it is "not endorsed or owned by, or affiliated with" the WordPress Foundation or WooCommerce.

"Automattic’s suggestion that WPE needs a license to do that is simply wrong, and reflects a misunderstanding of trademark law," a WP Engine spokesperson told TechCrunch. "To moot its claimed concerns, we have eliminated the few examples Automattic gave in its September 23rd letter to us."

In response to the ongoing legal proceedings, Automattic maintains that "WP Engine has never lost the ability to access the WordPress code and plugins on the Website."

"WP Engine is asking that the court force Matt and Automattic to allow WP Engine to host and distribute their plugins on the WordPress.org website for free in the absence of any obligation requiring them to do so," Automattic stated.

What does pineapple pizza have to do with the WordPress lawsuit?

All of this brings us back to WordPress.org's pineapple pizza pledge.

In early October, Mullenweg amended the WordPress.org login page to add a mandatory check box pledging that users have no affiliation with WP Engine. In a Slack post at the time, Mullenweg stated that this checkbox was part of the ban on WP Engine.

Following the court's injunction last Tuesday, that box now demands loyalty to the pineapple on pizza agenda instead.

What connection this culinary debate has to the larger legal matter at hand is unclear, assuming it has any at all. Automattic has not made any public statement on the matter, while Mullenweg merely shared a post on X which highlighted the change.

It's likely that Mullenweg simply took the opportunity to make a joke, regardless of the more serious circumstances surrounding it. Even if it didn't have bigger fish to fry, it seems improbable that Automattic would follow up with users on their pizza preferences.

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 No. 25 Memphis Tigers and the West Virginia Mountaineers will face off in the first bowl game of the season this week at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The match will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 17, and is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

The Tigers earned the No. 25 ranking after winning four of their last five regular season games. Memphis finished the season fourth in the American Athletic Conference with a 10-2 record overall and 6-2 in conference. West Virginia did not earn a College Football Ranking after coming in ninth in the Big 12 conference, but they were 6-6 overall.

SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Memphis vs. West Virginia football kickoff time and network

The Memphis vs. West Virginia football game is scheduled for a 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT start on ESPN on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Best streaming services for Memphis vs. West Virginia football game

You need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Memphis vs. West Virginia football game on ESPN. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most channels: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature 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. 

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. 

Sustainability strategy is often plagued by a lack of focus. Companies try to do too much, spreading efforts thin and risking ineffectiveness and accusations of greenwashing. To tackle sustainability with precision and see impact, look at it through four distinct lenses. Lens 1: Business value. Identify sustainability efforts that directly improve your bottom line. Think […]

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TL;DR: Help them preserve cherished photos, videos, and important files with 1TB of Koofr cloud storage for life for just £94.60, with no recurring fees.

Who isn't on the hunt for a thoughtful gift that’s both practical and unique? That's why this offer has come at the perfect time.

Give your loved ones the gift of secure, lifetime cloud storage with Koofr’s 1TB plan — just £94.60 through 22 December. Because it's made to be user-friendly, it's ideal for parents, grandparents, or anyone who wants to keep photos, videos, and important files safe — even if they're not all that comfortable with digital files.

Koofr makes digital organisation simple and worry-free. Unlike other storage services, Koofr’s one-time payment model means no monthly fees, ever. Once you’re in, you’re set for life.

More than just a place to park files, it’s a thoughtful solution built to make digital storage easy, accessible, and secure. With 1TB of space, you can store up to 250,000 photos, 500 hours of HD video, or millions of documents. And if you’re already using services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive, Koofr lets you connect them all in one place for simplified access to all your files.

One of the more thoughtful features is the Koofr Duplicate Finder. Say goodbye to duplicate files taking up unnecessary space. Koofr makes it easy to keep storage neat and organised. And it's good to know that Koofr takes privacy seriously. It doesn’t track your activity, and all files are encrypted during transfer and at rest, so you can rest assured your data is private.

Koofr is ideal for anyone who wants to keep their digital files safe and accessible, especially those who might not be very tech-savvy. It’s a useful gift for backing up photos, archiving family memories, or securing important work documents.

Grab lifetime access to 1TB of Koofr Cloud Storage while it's on sale for just £94.60 (reg. £638.70) through 22 December.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) £94.60
£638.70 Save £544.10 Get Deal

If TikTok had you rushing to throw away your black plastic kitchen utensils, rest assured that those tools weren't as bad as they seemed.

A study went viral in November — as much as any study can go viral — that suggested black plastic kitchen utensils were shed lots of poison into our food thanks to a flame retardant carried over from recycled electronics that helped make the plastic tools. However, there was a big problem in the study that came down to simple math, as Canada's National Post reported.

In short, the study looked to measure the median amount a flame retardant toxin might get out of black plastic spatulas during cooking. The study found that figure was 34,700 nanograms per day, which, the study noted, was close to the EPA limit of 42,000. That, in part sparked lots of panic all over TikTok and in major publications about how black plastic cooking utensils were slowly poisoning everyone. I cannot tell you how many posts I saw online of folks throwing away their utensils or telling others to do so.

However, the study made a really simple math error, one that may have made its findings sound more severe than they should. The National Post reported that the study calculated that EPA limit by multiplying 7,000 — the amount of nanograms of the toxin per kilogram of bodyweight — by 60, to get the limit for a 60-kilogram (132 pound) person per day. That's how they got 42,000. But 60 multiplied by 7,000 is, in fact, 420,000 — meaning the exposure is actually less than one-tenth the limit.

Now that's not to say folks want any of that toxin leeching into their food. Zero would be a great figure. But as YouTube's favorite science nerd, Hank Green, pointed out on Bluesky "that paper on black plastic was a bit blown out of proportion by a simple math error."

Hey, so it turns out that paper on black plastic was a bit blown out of proportion by a simple math error. nationalpost.com/news/canada/...

[image or embed]

— Hank Green (@hankgreen.bsky.social) December 16, 2024 at 12:09 AM

Toxic-Free Future, an advocacy group that carried out the study, has said that while there was a mistake it does not affect the overall findings.

"As noted in the published correction, this comparison was not a major point of the study and the findings, conclusions, and recommendations are unaffected by this correction," the group wrote on Bluesky.

So you might want to still be wary of black plastic — but all those headlines and TikToks might've been a bit misleading.

Generative AI chatbots have a lot of potential, and from the get-go, companies like Microsoft and Google saw its potential to aid in internet searching. ChatGPT has entered this field too, and its Search feature is now available for everyone.

As the festive season approaches, it's time to think about switching off. Yes, you can shut your computer down and lock your keyboard away, but taking some other steps across the Microsoft suite of apps will ensure you can truly unplug this Christmas.

Robot mops offer hands-free floor cleaning and range in prices from budget-friendly bots to hi-tech premium offerings. The key differences in features and capabilities will determine which model suits your home and specific needs.

There is (or was) a vulnerability in Windows Defender, but you don't have to worry about it. That's the short version.

The longer version, for those who are interested, is that Microsoft detected a fault in its homegrown antivirus software and admitted as much in an official security note, per Forbes. Microsoft's security note included an executive summary that explained the problem in something resembling layman's terms:

"Improper authorization of an index that contains sensitive information from a Global Files search in Windows Defender allows an authorized attacker to disclose information over a network," the summary read.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft wants you to upgrade to Windows 11 or buy a new computer

In other words, it was theoretically possible for someone to use this exploit to send private files over a network to people who aren't meant to see them. There are apparently no known instances of anyone actually using this exploit, but it did exist. Emphasis on did.

That's because Microsoft has closed the loop on the exploit, confirming that users don't need to take any action to fix it themselves. Just don't do anything, according to Microsoft. That's easy enough.

Our top picks from Best Buy's Last-Minute Savings event Best Apple deal Apple MacBook Air (M2, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 (Save $200) Get Deal Best Bluetooth speaker deal JBL Charge 5 $139.99 (Save $40) Get Deal Best gaming deal Sony PlayStation 5 Slim (Digital Edition) Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle $374.99 (Save $75) Get Deal Best home deal KitchenAid Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer (5.5-quart) $279.99 (Save $170) Get Deal

The holiday season doesn't really arrive until you find yourself panicking over finishing your gift shopping on time. Luckily, Best Buy kicked off a sale for exactly this situation, aptly named the Last-Minute Savings event.

The sale started on Dec. 16 and runs through Dec. 24 at 11:59 p.m. CT, bringing with it savings on top brands like Apple, Therabody, PlayStation, JBL, KitchenAid, and LEGO. Options like curbside pickup, as well as same and next-day delivery make sure that you can get discounted items into your hands ASAP.

In addition to this sale, Best Buy will also be releasing its seventh and final round of doorbusters on Dec. 20. If you want a sneak peak at what will be available, you can preview the list now, which includes an LG OLED TV, Beats headphones, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

If you're ready to start shopping, below, you'll find some of the best picks available now from the Last-Minute Savings event:

Best Apple deals

• Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (10th generation, WiFi, 64GB) — $279 $349 (save $70)

• Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (10th generation, WiFi, 256GB) — $429 $499 (save $70)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) — $499 $599 (save $100)

• Apple Mac mini (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $599 $699 (save $100)

• Apple MacBook Air (M2, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $799 $999 (save $200)

• Apple iMac, 24-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,199 $1,299 (save $100)

Best headphones and speaker deals

• JBL Tune Flex earbuds — $49.99 $99.99 (save $50)

• JBL Clip 5 — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)

• Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)

• JBL Flip 5 — $79.99 $89.99 (save $10)

• Beats Pill — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)

• Marshall Emberton II — $99.99 $169.99 (save $70)

• JBL Charge 5 — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

• Bose QuietComfort headphones — $199 $349 (save $150)

Best gaming deals

• Save up to 50% on select video games for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

PlayStation

• Sony PlayStation 5 Slim (Digital Edition) Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle — $374.99 $449.99 (save $75)

• Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle — $424.99 $499.99 (save $75)

Xbox

• Xbox Wireless Controller — $34.99 $59.99 (save $15)

• Xbox Elite Series 2 Core wireless controller — $94.99 $139.99 (save $45)

• Xbox Series X (Digital) — $399.99 $449.99 (save $50)

Nintendo

• PowerA Nintendo Switch controller — $38.99 $64.99 (save $26)

• PDP Afterglow Wave Wireless Pro controller — $43.99 $54.99 (save $11)

Best TV deals

• LG 65-inch UT70 4K TV — $379.99 $599.99 (save $220)

• Samsung 75-inch DU6950 4K TV — $549.99 $749.99 (save $200) + one free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership

• Samsung 70-inch Q60D QLED 4K TV — $849.99 $999.99 (save $150) + get a free $50 Best Buy gift card

• Samsung 77-inch S84D OLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $3,299.99 (save $1,500) + get a free $100 Best Buy gift card

More deals from Best Buy

• Save up to 25% on select LEGO sets

• KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (4.5-quart) — $249.99 $329.99 (save $80)

• KitchenAid Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer (5.5-quart) — $279.99 $449.99 (save $170)

• Therabody Theragun mini (2nd gen) — $149 $199 (save $50)

• Therabody Theragun Prime — $199 $299 (save $100)

• Therabody Theragun Sense — $199 $299 (save $100)

• Therabody TheraFace Pro — $249 $399 (save $150)**

• Therabody TheraFace Mask — $499 $599 (save $100)

Facebook has long been criticized for collecting and selling our data. Also, it's easy to become hooked on the platform, wasting valuable time scrolling. If you wish to leave Facebook for these reasons, the platform gives you the option to take a temporary break or permanently delete your account.

You can now search your saved lists and locations in Google Maps, which might be just the tool you need to find that one cool spot you bookmarked weeks ago.

As spotted by 9to5Google, Google's handy "Saved" feature now lets you search, which means you can parse through webpages you bookmarked, Discover tabs, and locations you saved in Maps. So if you've saved lots of cool cafes, bars, restaurants, clubs, bookstores, hobby shops — whatever you're into — they're now searchable. Funny it took this long for the search tech company to introduce this feature.

The search functionality is obvious and easy to use. You simply navigate to your "Saved" section and use the magnifying glass search tool.

Tweet may have been deleted

Now, if you're not using the "Saved" section of your Google account — perhaps like the person writing this article — now could be the time to start. How To Geek wrote a helpful piece explaining why the feature is great but in short, saving locations is a way to create a virtual Rolodex of places you like, things you want to visit, and lots more. You can also create custom lists — things like "Taco Spots I Love" — and forever have them saved, even if you can't remember names or locations offhand.

With the ability to search, those lists will prove even more helpful.

As of Dec. 16th, you can get up to 51% off on Beats audio gear including Beats Studio Pro headphones, Beats Studio Buds, and the Beats Pill speaker.

The best Beats deals The best beats deal Beats Studio Pro $169.99 (Save $180) Get Deal The best Beats earbud deal Beats Studio Buds $79.00 ($70.95) Get Deal The best Beats speaker deal Beats Pill $99.95 ($50) Get Deal

Modern life is noise. Whether you want to tune out the hustle with a calming ambient dream-scape or dive face-first into the buzz of endless four-on-the-floor, a good set of headphones is crucial. Right now Beats deals at Amazon are offering some of the best prices we've seen.

We like Beats. Beats Studio Buds outclass entry AirPods in our testing and we love the versatility of Beats Studio Pros. The Pill is Apple's take on a portable JBL-style Bluetooth speaker. With deals up to 51% off. Now is a fantastic time to invest in a new set of Beats headphones.

The best beats deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro $169.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $180.00 Get Deal Why we like it

These over-ear headphones offer impeccable sound in an Apple package that will work with non-Apple devices. Beats is an Apple subsidiary, however, Beats gets to go to parties that Apple might not be seen at — namely Android parties. Simple to pair and equipped with a battery that goes and goes, these headphones are a wonderful pick for anyone that wants to bring high-fidelity sound with them on the go.

Right now Beats Studio Pro are available for 51% off ahead of the holidays. Gift these active noise cancelling headphones, or restock your own audio war chest.

SEE ALSO: My all-time favorite earbuds are back to their lowest-ever price at Amazon The best Beats earbud deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds $79.00 at Beats
$149.95 Save $70.95 Get Deal Why we like it

Beats Studio Buds compress great sound into tiny earbuds. Though Beats is an Apple brand, Beats Studio Buds upstage Apple's own entry AirPods. With hard hitting bass, good battery life, and cross-OS support, these versatile earbuds are a great pick for Apple or Android.

On sale for 47% off ahead of the holidays, now is a perfect time to invest.

The best Beats speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill $99.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Whether by the campfire or at the beach, group hangs go better with music. The Beats Pill is Beats' approach to the modern classic Bluetooth speaker. With the sound quality you expect from an Apple product and solid battery life, this speaker sounds great and is certifiably down for the outdoors. A little rain or river mud aren't a problem, it's weather resistant and equipped with an IP67 ingress protection rating.

The Beats Pill is currently on sale for 33% off at Amazon. Gift it to a car-camper you know, or buy it for yourself and bring better sound with you on next year's canoe excursions.

More Beats Deals

• Beats Solo 4 — $99.99 $199.95 (save $99.96)

• Beats Fit Pro — $149.00 $199.95 (save $50.95)

One of the issues with formatting charts in Excel is that there are so many menus that it's sometimes impossible to find the command you want to implement. What's more, many of the chart formatting options can be accessed in more than one place, adding further confusion.