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Hinge's founder and CEO, Justin McLeod, is stepping down to launch Overtone, an AI-driven dating service.

McLeod launched Hinge in 2012, according to its website, and relaunched the popular dating app in 2016 "with a renewed commitment — helping people find love."

McLeod mentions the relaunch in a blog post on Overtone's website, stating that public sentiment was turning on dating apps at the time, and so was his. So he made the decision "to tear down Hinge as we knew it and rebuild from scratch."

SEE ALSO: Gen Z daters want deeper connections, but some use AI to date, Hinge reports

"And yet, as the cultural tides shift again, I've begun to feel a stir familiar to the one that sparked our reinvention ten years ago," McLeod writes, harking to the degrading public opinion of dating apps (even though Hinge has monetarily grown between 2024 and 2025).

McLeod then goes on to discuss the rise of AI connections and how they can't compare to human relationships — but that "AI, if used correctly, can help us invent an entirely new way for people to find their partners that is far more personal, far more efficient, and far more effective."

For the last year, McLeod and a small team within Hinge have been developing Overtone, which a Hinge spokesperson described to Mashable as an "AI-driven venture backed by Match Group" (the dating app conglomerate that acquired Hinge in 2018).

"Think less like a social platform, more like the experience of working with an all-star personal matchmaker," McLeod says in the blog post. "A service that prioritizes getting to know you — and everyone else — so it can make curated, personalized introductions to people on your wavelength."

Jackie Jantos, formerly president and chief marketing officer, will become Hinge's new CEO, according to a press release. Tamika Young will be Hinge's chief marketing and communications officer after previously serving as senior vice president of global communications. McLeod will remain as an adviser to Hinge through March.

Hinge, like many dating and hookup apps, has been leaning into AI recently. This month, it launched Convo Starters, an AI feature designed to help break the ice with a first message that's better than "hey." In January, Hinge released AI-driven prompt feedback to encourage users to write more thoughtful responses to prompts.

Hinge's own users are using AI to date, according to a report released by the app in November.

Overtone won't be the first AI-driven "matchmaker." Earlier this year, Mashable interviewed Nandini Mullaji, founder of AI matchmaking app Sitch. Another matchmaking service, Three Day Rule, launched an AI-powered matchmaking app this fall.

If you're tempted by a Lexus NX but keep wondering if there's something roomier, cheaper, and still just as relaxing, the Toyota Crown Signia is the twist you probably didn’t see coming. It delivers an easygoing kind of luxury that feels more “effortlessly cool” than “trying too hard.”

The popular Notepad++ text editor has been hijacked to spread malware, due to a security vulnerability in the app's update mechanism. If you have the app installed, make sure you have the latest version to stay safe.

TL;DR: Live stream Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks in the NBA Cup for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NBA Cup quarter finals are here, featuring some fascinating matchups including Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks. The Raptors have been one of the most interesting stories of the season. The Knicks started slowly, but have been looking pretty slick of late. This quarter-final matchup is difficult to predict.

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

When is Raptors vs. Knicks?

Raptors vs. Knicks in the NBA Cup starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 9. This game takes place at the Scotiabank Arena.

How to watch Raptors vs. Knicks for free

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

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

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream the NBA Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking a Chromebook is "simple" and is only suitable for kids at school, not serious work. Yet, ChromeOS has grown into a rather mature operating system, and there are plenty of features that can supercharge your productivity or expand your options hidden under the surface of that user-friendly interface.

Mazda’s sales momentum in 2025 isn’t being driven by new nameplates or radical redesigns, it’s being carried by two of its most established SUVs. Despite a competitive market packed with newer alternatives, these models continue to attract buyers with a mix of premium styling, engaging driving dynamics, and strong value that stands out in the crowded compact and mid-size segments.

The team behind Parrot OS (often shortened to Parrot) has announced the beta release of Parrot 7.0. The update, now in testing, brings several upgrades and improvements to the distribution that emphasizes security, including a switch to KDE Plasma as the default desktop.

ICEBlock, an app designed to document and alert users to the movements of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is suing the Trump administration for violating free speech protections after federal officials reportedly pressured tech companies like Apple to remove the app from online marketplaces.

In the lawsuit, the app's developers argue that the actions of White House officials to pressure private tech companies amounts to unlawful censorship and a violation of the First Amendment, contesting a claim made by officials that ICEBlock did not fall under forms of protected speech.

"The Bill of Rights — including the First Amendment — was crafted precisely to safeguard the People’s ability to question authority, expose governmental abuse, and hold public officials accountable: a reflection of the founders’ belief that an informed and vocal citizenry is the ultimate guardian of liberty," the complaint reads.

SEE ALSO: Trump to sign order prohibiting state AI regulation

White House officials argued that the app was a threat to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials and an "incitement to violence" against ICE agents. In response, Apple removed ICEBlock as well as other apps that let individuals record, document, and map the movements of immigration enforcement, including Eyes Up, which is intended as a non real-time archive of ICE activity to be used in legal defenses and other testimony.

Broadly, the administration has put pressure on marketplaces like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store to remove apps that let individuals document the conduct of federal DHS officers and related law enforcement. Last week, leaders of the House Committee on Homeland Security and Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability sent letters to said companies detailing an ongoing investigation into the creation, dissemination, and promotion of such apps.

"The Committee is concerned that these apps not only jeopardize the safety of DHS personnel but also enable malicious actors to incite violence and obstruct lawful government operations," the letter reads. That same argument was used by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who later threatened to prosecute news outlets who popularized ICE tracking apps. Attorney General Pam Bondi also threatened legal action against ICEBlock creator Josh Aaron, who filed the recent lawsuit.

In response to widespread protest across communities nationwide — focused on the often illicit actions of immigration officials in schools, residences, and other historically protected areas — the House committees have also been investigating "the rise in anti-law enforcement sentiment," and the "damaging impacts of doxing on morale and operational effectiveness" on immigration enforcement.

Ring has started rolling out its AI-powered facial recognition feature, Familiar Faces, to video doorbell owners across the United States. This addition means your smart doorbell can now identify your visitors, a major step forward for personalization that also brings significant privacy concerns.

Local page translation is one of the best recent additions to Firefox, but iPhone and iPad owners haven't been able to try it out. That's finally changing with the release of Firefox 146, and Mozilla is throwing in a few other minor improvements.

If you have an older SSD that you're looking to replace, you're probably wondering what to do with your previous drive. There are many ways to repurpose it, but the one thing you should not do is throw it away.

As the price of memory continues to skyrocket, and games become more and more demanding, it's fair to ask how much the RAM on your GPU actually matters. What's the right quantity? What about speed and bandwidth? If you're wondering what to decide when it comes to your next GPU's RAM, it's time to have the talk.

Over the last year, the Google Photos app has seen a series of redesigns. The image editor was one of the first things to be refreshed, and now Google has moved on to videos. If you’ve been relying on third-party apps like CapCut for simple video edits, get ready to tap the "Uninstall" button.

Wi-Fi cameras are incredibly convenient, but this convenience comes at a cost. Though you can stick them almost anywhere and use solar power or rechargeable batteries to keep them powered, you might find that they let you down when you need them the most.

GET IT AT AMAZON FOR $299.99: On Dec. 9, Hisense debuted the 32-inch S5 DécoTV QLED Fire TV at Amazon for $299.99. Featuring an art-inspired white fluid central stand, it's a chic budget-friendly alternative to the Samsung's 32-inch The Frame.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 32-inch S5 Hisense DécoTV $299.99 at Amazon
Available now Shop Now

Hisense unveiled a unique new TV on Dec. 9, and it's something we haven't really seen before: A premium-looking QLED TV for small spaces that doesn't have a premium price point. The 32-inch Hisense S5 DécoTV Fire TV, complete with a stunning white curved stand, is already available at Amazon for $299.99.

The DécoTV feels like it has filled a gap in the TV market in a few ways. There aren't a lot of 32-inch QLED TVs to begin with. You have Samsung's 32-inch The Frame at $599.99 and another 32-inch Samsung QLED for $499.99, and then a 32-inch TCL QLED TV that goes on sale for as low as $139.99. Otherwise, there's not much in between those price points — so before the DécoTV, you could either spend $500+ on a tiny TV or buy the cheapest possible small QLED option. (The two Samsung models are 4K, however, while the TCL and Hisense DécoTV have 1080p resolution.)

The Fire TV platform is the most intuitive of all to me, so I'm psyched that this is a Fire TV. Credit: Hisense

Because the DécoTV isn't 4K, I wouldn't go as far as to call it a Frame Dupe — that's the Hisense CanvasTV's role. But I would call the DécoTV a really strong affordable Frame alternative. There's definitely a niche for small space TVs that don't just look like a dark, plasticky hunk of technology. After all, if a room is a tight squeeze, the TV could easily be the focal point of the room. If The Frame and its wall art-esque bezels aren't in your budget, the white bezels that flow right into the DécoTV's chic stand are much more affordable, but still aesthetically pleasing.

I'd also argue that you should prioritize brightness for a kitchen or bedroom TV, and that's exactly what opting for QLED over regular LED does. In my own apartment and at my parents' house, the smaller non-living room TVs get a majority of their use during the day. It's always someone folding laundry in a bedroom while watching TV or doing some sort of kitchen chore while watching TV. The layer of quantum dots (the "Q" in QLED) that lies over the TV's LED backlight panel is responsible for boosting brightness, contrast, and color vibrancy to best the natural light pouring in through the windows.

SEE ALSO: If dark scenes are too dark on your TV, play around with these settings

That's why QLED TVs are the best TVs for watching sports in daylight — imagine watching the playoffs whilst being productive on a Sunday and actually being able to tell what's going on.

Tesla this. Tesla that. Are you interested in EVs and autonomous vehicles, but tired of hearing about Elon Musk and company?

Then you'll probably want to tune into Rivian's upcoming "Autonomy and AI Day" on December 11 at 12pm ET. 

Rivian, the California-based electric vehicle manufacturer founded by its CEO RJ Scaringe, hasn't shared too much information aside from the not-so-subtle name of the event. Although "Autonomy and AI" could be somewhat broad, the outlet RivianTrackr has some predictions concerning what the company seems likely to unveil during the event.

One announcement that is almost guaranteed at the event is the Universal Hands Free feature. Scaringe previously shared last month that he has spent hours in a Gen 2 Rivian R1 driving through Palo Alto, California with the car handling the road. RivianTrackr believes that this will be a practical feature, likely one promoted as handling highway driving, and not one marketed as a Tesla-like robotaxi service.

SEE ALSO: Tesla Robotaxis are crashing more than Waymo, even with human safety monitors

RivianTrackr predicts that the company will spend some time discussing its sensor technology. As the outlet points out, Rivian doesn't solely depend on cameras and will likely walk through its combination of technologies such as radar and ultrasonics alongside camera improvements. RivianTrackr also says the company could discuss LiDAR technology for future vehicles, even if the company is not prepared to unveil one equipped with it just yet.

A release rollout, such as a phased roadmap, alongside pricing discussions are also potential topics during the event. RivianTrackr says that Rivian hasn't provided much on either end yet and could provide some clarity to Rivian owners. RivianTrackr believes the autonomous features will be priced at a premium and not really attempt to compete with Tesla's pricing. They could be offered at either a one-time purchase or subscription model.

As Engadget points out, Rivian previously said that 2026 would see "a hands-off/eyes-off feature" that is "for controlled conditions with our current Gen 2 vehicles" so we could hear more about that as we're about to head into the new year. 

Lastly, RivianTrackr expects for Rivian to share more about AI with its vehicles in terms of "data collection, fleet learning, continuous improvement through over-the-air updates, and how Rivian’s vehicles will get better over time."

All seem like strong possibilities for Rivian to discuss on Dec. 11, especially the Universal Hands Free feature. Most importantly though, as RivianTrackr says, is the company's ability to show that it has credibility in the EV and self-driving space. We'll see in just a few short days.

Google is rolling out a suite of new video editing tools for Google Photos, making it easier for users to craft polished highlight reels directly from their phones. The updates, announced in a press release, expand on the app’s existing highlight video feature and introduce more creative control for Android and iOS users.

SEE ALSO: Google AI Overviews sparks antitrust probe for using publisher content

According to Google, one of the biggest additions is the launch of video templates on Android. These pre-built formats come with coordinated music, text, and pacing already synced to the soundtrack. Users simply choose a template, select their clips, and Google Photos automatically assembles a shareable video.

The company is also debuting a redesigned video editor across Android and iOS. The update introduces a faster interface, a universal timeline for multi-clip editing, and an adaptive canvas that makes rearranging and refining shots more intuitive. The goal, the press release notes, is to streamline the experience so creators spend less time navigating menus and more time producing videos.

Additional features include the ability to add soundtracks from Google’s built-in music library, as well as custom text overlays on Android with new fonts, colors, and background options for more expressive storytelling. Android users can also take advantage of improved single-clip editing, as the upgraded editor is now the default tool for making quick adjustments or adding music and text to individual videos.

Google says all the features are now available or will be rolling out shortly.

I don’t know about you guys, but I am thirsty for the upcoming season of Interview with the Vampire, especially after that gorgeously grotesque Shakespearean tragedy that was season two. Season three will shift its focus to Lestat de Lioncourt’s story and will be told through the power of rock music. In honor of the levitating rock-god's perspective, the show has officially been rebranded as The Vampire Lestat, which AMC+ is calling “a sexy pilgrimage across space, time, and trauma.”

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

The NBA Cup quarter finals feature some really interesting matchups, including Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat. The Magic have a perfect record in this competition, and there's a feeling that things are slowly starting to click after a slow start. That being said, we would be surprised if Erik Spoelstra didn't have something up his sleeve for this knockout game.

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

When is Magic vs. Heat?

Magic vs. Heat in the NBA Cup starts at 6 p.m. ET on Dec. 9. This game takes place at the Kia Center.

How to watch Magic vs. Heat for free

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

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

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream the NBA Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $120: As of Dec. 9, the Apple Mac Mini with an M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage is back down to just $479 at Amazon and Best Buy. That's 20% or $120 off its list price and matches its Black Friday discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Mac Mini (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $479 at Amazon
$599 Save $120   Get Deal

We saw some pretty excellent deals on Apple devices on Black Friday, but the majority of them up and disappeared right after Cyber Monday concluded. If you missed out on some of the best savings of the year, one has just resurfaced: the M4 Mac Mini for just $479.

As of Dec. 9, you can pick up the Apple Mac Mini with an M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for only $479 at both Amazon and Best Buy. That's 20% or $120 off its list price of $599. While it matches its Black Friday 2025 price, it's actually not the lowest price on record — but it's pretty dang close at just $10 shy.

The Mac Mini is Apple's small but mighty desktop that takes up just 5x5 inches of real estate on your desk. It packs 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and the speedy M4 chip in the base model. It's also built for Apple Intelligence, if you're into that. While it's pretty dang small, it still manages to pack two USB-C ports and a headphone jack on the front and three Thunderbolt 4 ports and an HDMI and Ethernet port on the back.

You'll have to pair it with a monitor, but it doesn't need to be a fancy Apple one. You could easily go with something cheap and efficient if you want to save some money — or go with something spec-heavy if you please. Whichever option you choose, you'll already be saving big on the Apple desktop computer itself with this deal.