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This stoner comedy is a perfect pick for 420

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 11:00

There are movies so chaotic in their influences that — by right — they shouldn't work. And yet, somehow, by combining wildly disparate elements with DIY spectacle, they are simply magic. This month has seen two such marvels, the first being Vera Drew's ultra-personal superhero parody The People's Joker, which unfurls a touching trans coming-of-age tale against a backdrop of Batman villains. The second is the gleefully absurd slasher spoof from directors Lindsey Haun and Nick Roth, called Hanky Panky.

No matter how deeply you've dived into horror comedies, I can assure you that you've never seen anything quite like this. And that's because Haun and Roth collide references from everything from The Shining and Deliverance to Little Shop of Horrors, Men in Black, Doctor Sleep, and Clue — because why not? And we're not talking the brand of parody of 2000s "Not Another" infamy, where everything from teen movies to epic movies got lumped together in a studio-glossy yet sloppy narrative. Hanky Panky is so far from color-by-numbers that it's the comedy equivalent of a Jackson Pollack.

What is Hanky Panky about? Credit: Happy Canyon Club

This sensational stoner comedy begins — as much horror does — on a remote snowy mountain, where a cozy wooden cabin sits. As Sam (Jacob DeMonte-Finn), dressed in a suit and a concerned expression, approaches, a sound-alike of The Shining's score plays. So when Sam starts conversing with his unconventional best friend — a talking handkerchief called Woody (voiced by Toby Bryan) — there's a sharp and silly contrast in tone. All you need to know about Woody at this point is he's devoted to Sam, pushing the sad sack to make bold choices in life and love, and he loves messes. Like sexually. Woody loves to get wet and dirty, literally.

Anyhow, this means Woody is urging Sam to flirt with warm and spacey Diane (Ashley Holliday Tavares), who gleefully believes in the powers of expanding one's mind through psychedelics. But the rest of this mountaintop crew is less friendly. Snarling Carla (Christina Laskay) is hoping a group environment will give her a break from her dunderheaded husband, Cliff (Anthony Rutowicz). Blathering on is Dr. Crane (co-director Roth), a pretentious PhD-holding bartender ("At a wine bar! He doesn't even know how to mix drinks!") whose bombshell wife, Lilith (Azure Parsons giving Madeline Kahn as Mrs. White in Clue), is notoriously two-faced (literally!). Their hosts are the conspicuously incestuous sister-brother team of Rebecca (Haun in a campy femme-fatale role) and her hillbilly brother, Norm (Bryan again). And for good measure, a suspiciously plucky neighbor (Clare Grant) keeps popping by with baked goods — that are clearly store-bought.

So what's going on in this bizarre getaway? Well, that's for sheepish Sam to find out. And, heads up, it involves a talking top hat, voiced by Seth Green.

Hanky Panky is divinely stupid. Credit: Happy Canyon Club

From the cold open, in which a random man flees an unseen threat only to be cut down in blood-splattered snow, Hanky Panky shows it knows how these stories go. Amid the outlandish details of talking fashion accessories, there's the steady pacing of a slasher. There's a threat, and the first one to be keen to it is the last one anybody will believe. Slowly, characters begin disappearing or dying off, and it's up to an innocent to save the day by growing braver and bolder. But Roth and Haun fill this familiar framework with fresh fun through an absolute avalanche of silliness.

On one level, there are the brazen sex jokes of Woody, who begs to touch a "wet mouth" and audibly orgasms when he's used to clean up a gross mess. But there's a weirdly sweet side to his bond with Sam. Once chastised for his incivility, the horny hanky pleads to be held, chirping, "Uppies! Uppies!" like a repentant toddler.

Elsewhere, this excellent ensemble happily chews the scenery, leaning into every opportunity to be too much, whether reacting to clumsy puppetry (where the strings are clearly visible), gloppy blood that looks like Icee syrup, or otherworldly revelations. Hilarity explodes in heated arguments over women's fashion, shocked reactions that lean into the operatic, and a prolonged slap fight that circles from Clue-like fun to a bit tiresome and back around to stupid funny. And then there are comically awkward moments of social cues misread that scorch with cringe comedy. One particular standout comes when a panicked Sam details his suspicions to an annoyed Carla, who gestures to the novel in her hand and replies, "I'm trying to read. So...."

Everyone involved knows exactly what kind of movie this is and embraces it, making for a welcoming atmosphere that urges audiences to join in the fun. And the intersection of absurdity and commitment is reminiscent of Aunty Donna, the Australian comedy troupe whose Netflix series is easily one of the funniest things streaming has ever seen.

Hanky Panky comes together in chaos. Credit: Happy Canyon Club

The kooky characters who collide in the cabin are archetypes plucked from a wide range of genres, including the determined detective and tearful bombshells of film noir, the smug intellectual of Frasier, the nagging wife and dopey husband of sitcoms, and beyond. Even bits of science fiction make their way into Hanky Panky. Incredibly, instead of this film seeming like Roth, Haun, and company are chucking everything at the wall to see what sticks, the film feels less forced and more free.

As is the case with The People's Joker, Hanky Panky feels passionate about its allusions and yet irreverent toward them, making for a romp that is spontaneous even in its familiar bits. Proudly a B-movie, this gleefully silly slasher plays like the best stoner comedies, offering a world where paranoia is justified and getting high is downright heroic. But in the end, you don't need to smoke up to enjoy Hanky Panky — though it couldn't hurt.

Hanky Panky is available on Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu, and Apple TV on April 19.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 6 best self-emptying robot vacuums for no-effort cleaning in 2024

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 11:00

UPDATE: Apr. 19, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EDT Roborock, Ecovacs, Eufy, and Samsung debuted new mopping robot vacuums at CES 2024. We're in the process of getting our hands on them for testing and will update our top picks accordingly.

The best self-emptying robot vacuums have one huge perk past the obvious act of vacuuming the floor for you. (Hint: It's in the name.)

When you outsource vacuuming to a robot, your floors get cleaned way more often. The only downside of this extra attention? More debris off the floor means a dust bin that fills up faster, and emptying a vacuum's dust bin by hand is arguably the worst part of the chore.

SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum

Enter self-emptying robot vacuums. These vacs do your vacuuming and emptying for you for a few weeks at a time, storing the debris the robot vacuum collects on each trip in a larger compartment that's located in the charging dock.

Are self-emptying robot vacuums worth it?

Not having to lift a finger when it comes to floor maintenance is well worth it for anyone who just doesn’t have the time — or the interest — in wrestling an upright vacuum out of the closet every few days. The next question is whether you want the true set-it-and-forget solution that only automatic emptying can provide, and if you're willing to pay more for it.

Automatic emptying quickly proves its worth in households where the layer of pet fur would otherwise have you dumping the vacuum's tiny dust bin after just a few rooms. The best self-emptying robot vacuums let you off the hook for months at a time. And when it actually is time to empty the bigger dust bin, most self-empty docks trap dust inside a disposable bag, meaning you won't have to see or touch the nasty stuff at all.

SEE ALSO: How to choose a robot vacuum in 2024: Consider these 5 features before buying

For people with allergies, auto-emptying also spares you from inhaling the inevitable puff of dust that emerges when dumping a dust bin into the trash.

Speaking of avoiding the grosser parts of the job, if you want a robot vacuum that mops, many self-emptying docks also take it upon themselves to deal with dirty mopping pads after the job is done. CES 2024 ushered in a new wave of flagship robot vacuums that self-wash and self-dry the soggy mopping pads in the same dock where debris is held.

While self emptying could add anywhere from $100 to $500 to a robot vac's overall price tag, automated mopping pad washing and drying is the automation that really kicks the price up over the $1,000 mark. Remember that both of these are optional in most cases, so if you're on a tight budget or tight on space, you can forgo the fancy dust bin and save significantly.

We've been testing the latest and greatest self-emptying robot vacuums released in 2024 against our old favorites from 2023 and 2022. Here are the best self-emptiers to consider for your home:

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best laptop deals for April 2024, from an M2 MacBook Air to the HP Spectre x360

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 11:00

UPDATE: Apr. 19, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with new laptop deals, pricing, and availability.

The very best laptop deals at a glance: Best laptop deal under $300 Dell Inspiron 15 (3520) $279.99 at Dell.com (save $50) Get Deal Best laptop deal under $600 HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch $399 at Best Buy (save $100) Get Deal Best laptop deal under $900 Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch $849 at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo (save $150) Get Deal Best laptop deal under $1,200 HP Spectre x360 14t-eu000 $1,099.99 at HP.com (save $350) Get Deal

A new laptop is almost always a splurge, but keeping your eyes peeled for deals can make it much easier to pull the plug on an upgrade. The good news is that you've got options at a variety of price points via Best Buy, Amazon, and beyond, 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.

SEE ALSO: Here's when to buy a laptop, whether you need the latest specs or a great deal

Read on for our running list of the best laptop deals as of April 19. (And if you don't see any models that check all the boxes on your spec wish list, come back soon: We add new picks every other week.)

Best laptop deal under $300 Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Dell Inspiron 15 (3520) $279.99 at Dell.com
$329.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This Dell laptop features a 12th-generation (2022) Intel Core i3 CPU, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and a 15.6-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It's nothing spectacular and a little outdated, but this is a spec sheet we rarely see at this price point: Most cheap, entry-level PCs under $300 have dinky discontinued Intel Pentium/Celeron CPUs, 4GB of RAM, pokier eMMC flash storage that maxes out at 128GB, and 60Hz refresh rates. (Hell, even some nicer laptops don't have 120Hz refresh rates — M3 Apple MacBook Air included!) It's marked down to $279.99, which is a $50 discount.

More laptop deals under $300Best laptop deal under $600 HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch $399.00 at Best Buy
$499.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's review of the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch.

Despite needing better speakers and a longer battery life, HP's Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is a stellar big-screened laptop for budget shoppers. (Even more so at this price, which saves you 20%.) "[It] has capable internals, a vibrant display, and some interesting software features that make it a solid pick for Google-based productivity and (especially) entertainment," to quote my own review. This is the base configuration with an Intel Core i3-N305 processor, 8GB of memory, and 128GB of Universal Flash Storage (UFS).

More laptop deals under $600Best laptop deal under $900 Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch $849.00 at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo
$999.00 Save $150.00 Get Deal Why we like it

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

The 13-inch version of Apple's previous-gen MacBook Air won a Mashable Choice Award upon release in mid-2022, with tech and games reporter Alex Perry praising its peppy M2 processor, superb battery life, satisfying keyboard, and lightweight frame. A permanent price drop spurred by last month's release of its (very comparable) predecessor has brought it down to a new starting price of $999, and a $150 discount at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo scoots it even further into budget territory — as far as MacBooks are concerned, at least.

More laptop deals under $900Best laptop deal under $1,200 Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Spectre x360 14t-eu000 $1,099.99 at HP.com
$1,449.99 Save $350.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's review of the HP Spectre x360 14.

Another Mashable Choice Award-winner, the new HP Spectre x360 14 is a superb 2-in-1 laptop with an exquisite keyboard, a rich 16:10 display, crisp speakers, and a looong battery life. (We got over 11 hours out of our battery tests.) It left tech editor Kim Gedeon extremely impressed: It's "one of the best — if not the best — Windows laptops you can buy (for now)," she wrote. The base configuration with an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H processor, Intel Arc graphics, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage was on sale for $1,099.99 at the time of writing, or $350 off. That's $50 cheaper than the sale price we flagged two weeks ago.

More laptop deals under $1,200
Categories: IT General, Technology

The week's best robot vacuum deals: Catch the Roomba j7 at 50% off

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 11:00

UPDATE: Apr. 19, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with the latest robot vacuums on sale in April, including several leftover Eufy and Roborock vacuums still at their Amazon Big Spring Sale prices.

A quick look at the best robot vacuum deals this week: Best budget deal iRobot Roomba j7 $299 at Amazon (save $300.99) Get Deal Best self-emptying deal Shark Matrix RV2300S $299 at Walmart (save $200.99) Get Deal Best vacuum-mop combo deal Eufy X9 Pro $599.99 at Amazon (save $899.99) Get Deal

Only three things are certain in life: Death, taxes, and a few days each month when you need to vacuum but just don't have time. Whether you detest the chore or hope to make your home upkeep a bit breezier, a robot vacuum is a lifesaver.

SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum Best non-mopping robot vacuum deal iRobot Roomba j7 $353.00 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $246.99 Get Deal Why we like it

We're always going to sound the alarm when a 50% discount is spotted on a Roomba. Even without mopping or self-emptying capabilities, the Roomba j7 is still one of the most solid Roombas — and robot vacuums in general — that you could bring home, and that's all due to small obstacle avoidance. On top of room-to-room smart mapping, any j series Roomba steers clear of things like phone chargers, pet waste, and socks.

This capability, which we first experienced when testing the Combo j7+, is an absolute game changer if your previous gripe with robot vacuums was that you had to clean up the room before sending them out to clean.

More robot vacuums (that don't mop) on saleBest robot vacuum and mop hybrid deal Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy X9 Pro $599.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $300.00 Save with Prime Get Deal Why we like it

Eufy's X9 Pro debuted in fall 2023 and sits right in the sweet spot between the X8 Pro (on sale for $399.99) and the X10 Pro Omni (a CES 2024 debut that is still at its full price of $799.99). The X9 Pro is more reminiscent of its pricier successor: It has a flat edge to get into corners, it mops, washes, and dries its own mopping pads, and uses AI to detect and avoid small obstacles like phone cables.

As a mopper, the X9 Pro provides more elbow grease than many competitors thanks to double-pressurized, rotating mopping heads. These automatically lift above the ground if carpet is detected.

More robot vacuum hybrids on sale
Categories: IT General, Technology

'Rebel Moon: Part Two - The Scargiver' review: Can Zack Snyder save his space epic? 

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 09:22

Here we go again. It's been just four months since Zack Snyder dropped Rebel Moon: Part One - Child of Fire on Netflix. The project — originally pitched as a Star Wars movie — failed to thrill critics or audiences. (It currently holds a 21 percent rating from the former and 57 percent from the latter on Rotten Tomatoes.) But Netflix bet big on Snyder, who has long had DCEU fans in a tizzy over his dark visions of grim heroics and perfume-ad glamorous protagonists. By the time the first Rebel Moon movie was getting slammed online, the sequel had already been made. So, Rebel Moon: Part Two - The Scargiver arrives, too soon for the failure of the last film to be forgotten.

But here's the surprise: This sequel — which really feels more like the second act of a Snyder cut that could use a generous edit — is better than what came before. Or at the very least, it's less doggedly dour, giving its talented supporting cast, which includes Djimon Hounsou, Bae Doona, and Elise Duffy, the chance to flex.

SEE ALSO: The best sci-fi movies on Netflix to escape reality How does Rebel Moon: Part Two connect to Part One?  Credit: Netflix

Rebel Moon: Part Two - The Scargiver picks up immediately at the clumsy end of the last movie. Steely heroine Kora (a stiff Sofia Boutella) returns to her village with her lackluster love interest Gunnar (Michiel Huisman) and a band of outcasted warriors at her side, willing to help her adopted community fight back an evil empire. Meanwhile, the vicious Admiral Atticus Nobel (Ed Skrein in Deadpool smirk mode), who nearly died in their last battle has healed up, and is coming for round two. 

Bizarrely, the character development that critics begged for in Part One is wedged into Part Two ahead of this climactic confrontation. With five days until the villainous space forces will descend on the humble farming planet of Veldt, Kora and her crew not only have to prepare for battle — they have to harvest the crops! It's a bit comical to see Snyder's love for slo-mo action applied to Hounsou wielding a scythe or Doona tossing grain. But undeniably, it is a pretty sight, in part because their characters clearly relish this moment of peace and communal harmony. Later scenes involving a village celebration bring further warmth to the film — that is until these warriors party foul by trauma dumping their tragic backstories in silent gold-tinted flashbacks.

The placement of these revelations is confounding, coming a full movie too late. But each performer understands the two-part assignment of them. In physical performance, their actions carry a slight theatricality, capturing the severity of these events on their psyches. In voiceover, one by one, they speak with regret, grief, and growling determination, detailing their motivations. Even as the CGI that swirls around them feels more suited to the slight hokiness of Doctor Who than a Hollywood blockbuster, these earnest deliveries ground their heartbreak.

It's a good sequence, but feels outrageously out of place. Imagine if George Lucas Took three hours before explaining who Princess Leia is? 

Sofia Boutella can't shoulder Snyder's stodgy space opera.  Credit: Netflix

As inexplicably as Rebel Moon as a whole is structured, its second part is stronger for its richer inclusion of the other warriors. Korra, with her background as an orphan refugee turned heel for the evil empire turned rebel, is an arc we've seen in Star Wars with Finn and recently in Fallout with Maximus. But Snyder and his fellow screenwriters Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad bring nothing new to this archetype. And Boutella's performance is so steely that she's out-emoted by a robot. 

Credit: Netflix

Voiced by Academy Award-winner Anthony Hopkins, Jimmy the battle droid is still woefully underused. Aside from once more intoning the opening exposition dump (instead of the iconic Star Wars crawl), he spends most of this movie stealthily looking on — while wearing antlers — as the organic characters scurry about in preparation for war. When he finally touches down in the action, it is thrilling — but also easy to want more.

Elsewhere, others carry emotional weight where Boutella's stiffness fails to. Doona, playing a lone swordsmaster finally embraced by a community, offers a heart-warming arc alongside committed fight sequences. As an intimidating war hero, Honsou, who was astonishingly underused in the last film, gets a chance to give a rousing speech, ooze pathos, shed tears, and even raucuously cheer. And when it comes to slo-mo kicking dudes in the chest, no one does it better. Elise Duffy, who places the face-painted rebel Milius, brings a grounded earnestness, while Skrein huffs and puffs, relishing the role of wolf. (Sadly, MVP of the first film, Charlie Hunnam's douchebag space pirate, is long gone.)

This is not the space epic you are looking for.  Credit: Netflix

While The Scargiver finally brings character and fun into the mix, it still falls short in terms of a satisfying action epic. It's a too little and too late, I'm afraid. Whether this is a Star Wars movie or simply inspired by George Lucas's world-changing epic franchise, it's impossible not to compare them. And Snyder doesn't have what it takes to compete. 

Some of it is a matter of scale. While Rebel Moon boasts an array of sets, special effects (including Snyder's flat-bladed version of lightsabers), crowd scenes and scads of costumes, these movies feel stingily budgeted when it comes to stunt scenes. For instance, a much-anticipated sequence of betrayal is finally revealed, and its ruthless regicide shot chiefly in frustrating close-up, robbing us of the grandeur of this horrid moment. Other fight scenes are similar confined, bleeding away the awe that might be had over bombastic, big spectacles. Thankfully, in Doona's sword battle, wide shots give us an encompassing view of her sweeping fight choreography. But within these moves, there's nothing show stopping. 

The big climax — it seems — is where the bulk of the budget is employed. Here, laser guns spray bright red flames. Smoke blooms from plummeting spaceships. A long-awaited warrior finally has his super cool spotlight moment, while others nobly risk annihilation for the cause. Good and evil clashes on land and in the skies, with fire, fury, and laser sabers. This finale is where you can most clearly feel Snyder's passion for his own galaxy far far away.

Still, walking so dedicatedly in the shadow of Star Wars, Rebel Moon cannot shine.

Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire is now streaming on Netflix.

Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver is now streaming on Netflix.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tesla leaks details about upcoming Model 3 Performance

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 09:08

Tesla's Model 3 Performance "Ludicrous" variant seems to really be around the corner.

The company apparently leaked numerous details about the upcoming model on its own website. Though not visible in normal browsing, the specs and feature list is accessible in the site's source code, as discovered by the sleuths over at Tesla Motors Club (via Electrek).

The Model 3 Performance (or "Ludicrous", another rumored name based on earlier leaks) is an upcoming, performance-oriented variant of the Tesla Model 3. We've seen what it looks like thanks to an apparent private presentation held in Malibu, but now we have close-to-official word on some of its specs.

SEE ALSO: Tesla cars are getting a massive software update. Here's everything we know.

We've dug through the source of the UK version of Tesla's site and seen the details with our own eyes. The feature list is as follows:

  • Exclusive to Model 3 Performance, the redesigned front and rear fascias, rear diffuser and carbon fibre spoiler give a unique look, and work together to optimise high-speed stability

  • All-New Adaptive Suspension

  • All-new adaptive damping powered by in-house software gives you enhanced body control, without sacrificing daily usability or comfort.

  • The latest generation driving mode integrates adaptive suspension controls with a performance-optimised powertrain to deliver more response and fun behind the wheel

  • Track Mode V3 features all-new calibration for the powertrain and adaptive suspension to give you more authority behind the wheel, you can customise handling balance, stability controls and regenerative braking to set the car up how you like it.

  • All-new seat design with enhanced side and cushion bolsters hold you in place, while ventilation keeps you cool.

  • Bespoke chassis and suspension hardware is tuned to provide intuitive, razor-sharp response to driver inputs.

  • Forged Performance wheels, Lightweight, staggered wheels provide sharper turn-in response, improved predictability, increased traction out of corners and optimised aerodynamics.

  • Enhanced pedal feel and improved heat management ensure consistent braking at all speeds and across a wider temperature range.

  • The lightweight carbon fibre décor and refined weave pattern is unique to Model 3 Performance.

While it's hard to discern the actual specs of the car, this tidbit can also be found in the code:

  • All-new high-performance drive units deliver more than combined 500 horsepower and 0-60mph in {ACCELERATION} seconds. Welcome to the most powerful Model 3 ever.

Notably, the word "Ludicrous" is mentioned once in the code, but the car is referred to as Model 3 Performance throughout, indicating that the name will remain unchanged (the original Model 3 Performance was discontinued after Tesla launched the updated, "Highland" version of Model 3 in 2023).

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this leak is that it's actually on Tesla's webpage and can still be found by searching through the source, indicating that the launch of Tesla Model 3 Performance (or Ludicrous) is imminent.

Categories: IT General, Technology

'What You Wish For' trailer has Nick Stahl literally cook for his life in culinary thriller

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 08:59

The trailer for culinary thriller What You Wish For doesn't explicitly show Nick Stahl chopping up and cooking people, and indeed he might not be. It doesn't appear entirely off the table, though.

What You Wish For follows Ryan (Stahl), a chef who flees to Latin America after being buried in gambling debts. Fortunately, friend and fellow chef Jack (Brian Groh) generously welcomes Ryan into his luxurious home, giving him a peek at an extravagant lifestyle maintained by cooking for elite clients.

Ryan quickly grows envious of his host's good fortune. So when the unexpected opportunity to adopt Jack's identity arises, Ryan seizes the chance to take his friend's seemingly easy life for himself. However, he soon finds out that this comfortable lifestyle comes at a grim price.

Exactly what that price is isn't made entirely clear by What You Wish For's trailer. But judging from the vague threats and blood splatter, Ryan's culinary skills are definitely a matter of life or death.

What You Wish For will be released in theatres and digitally on May 31.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 More Leadership Styles—and When to Use Them

Havard Management Tip of the Day - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 06:01

Yesterday we listed three of the most common leadership styles and when to use them. Here are three more styles to add to your toolbox. Affiliative leadership, which centers on building emotional bonds. This style builds connections and creates a positive company culture, but it shouldn’t be used in isolation. It may not provide sufficient […]

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Categories: Management

How to watch NBA live streams online for free

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 06:00

TL;DR: Stream select fixtures from the NBA for free on Ran.de. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NBA is a unique spectacle. In no other sport can you watch incredibly tall athletes be made to look tiny by aliens who could probably touch the sun if they stood on tip toes. And almost all of these shockingly tall athletes display a skillset that mere mortals can't even fathom.

The NBA could make a legitimate argument that it hosts the very best athletes in the world. Sure, the NFL might disagree. And rugby definitely attracts some special specimens. But the NBA has a bunch of seven footers dunking on each other. That's tough to beat.

If you are interested in watching the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the NBA?

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America made up of 30 teams (29 from the United States and one from Canada). The reigning league champions are the Denver Nuggets.

When is the NBA?

The NBA regular season takes place from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The league's playoff tournament runs into June, culminating with the NBA Finals championship series.

How to watch the NBA for free

Free-to-air channel ProSieben airs select NBA games, with free live streaming available on Ran.de. Fans can watch two NBA games every weekend during the regular season, with many playoff and finals fixtures also available to watch for free.

Ran.de is geo-restricted to Germany, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Germany, meaning you can access this streaming service from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

  4. Connect to Ran.de

  5. Watch the NBA for free 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 money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select NBA games before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on Ran.de, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Germany

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

  • Strict no-logging policy

  • Fast streaming speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Watch the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the NRL 2024 online for free in the U.S.

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 06:00

TL;DR: Stream the NRL 2024 for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from the U.S. with ExpressVPN.

The NRL might feel like something that's happening very far away in a distant land full of kangaroos, beautiful beaches, and lamingtons. But big hits, magic footwork, and astonishing handling is universally loved by fans everywhere, so forget the fact that it's all going on Down Under.

If you want to watch the 2024 NRL season for free from the U.S., we have all the information you need.

What is the NRL?

The National Rugby League (NRL) is a professional rugby league competition in Australasia, with participating clubs from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and New Zealand.

When is the NRL in 2024?

The 2024 NRL season will run from March 2 to Oct. 6. Each team plays 24 matches, with the regular season followed by a finals series contested by the eight highest placed teams. Everything culminates in the NRL Grand Final.

How to watch the NRL for free in the U.S.

You can live stream NRL matches for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can access 9Now from the U.S.

Stream the NRL 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 Australia

  4. Visit 9Now

  5. Stream the NRL for free from the U.S.

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 making the most of these offers, you can gain access to 9Now before recovering your investment. This is not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch NRL live without actually spending anything.

What is the best VPN for the NRL?

You've got plenty of options when it comes to bypassing geo-restrictions to access free streaming services. VPNs like NordVPN and ProtonVPN will do the job, but ExpressVPN is the top choice for streaming sport.

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing 9Now to stream the NRL, 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 polic

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Stream the 2024 NRL season for free from the U.S. with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch NHL live streams online for free in the U.S.

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 06:00

TL;DR: Stream the NHL for free on CBC Gem and Ran.de. Access these free streaming platforms from the U.S. with ExpressVPN.

There is no other sport that combines skill, grace, elegance, and people punching each other quite like ice hockey. We love the merging of elements, and so do millions of fans from all around the world. The issue for these legions of dedicated hockey fanatics is that it's not easy to follow the sport for free. But nothing is impossible in this golden age of streaming.

If you are interested in watching the NHL for free from the U.S., we've got all the information you need.

What is the NHL?

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America made up of 32 teams (25 in the United States and seven in Canada).

When is the NHL?

The NHL season is typically held from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. After the regular season, 16 teams advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs, a four-round tournament that runs into June to determine the league champion.

How to watch the NHL for free in the U.S.

It's possible to stream the NHL for free on these platforms:

  • Canada — CBC Gem (select NHL games)

  • Germany — Ran.de (select NHL games)

CBC Gem and Ran.de are geo-restricted to Canada and Germany respectively, meaning you'll be blocked if you attempt to connect from anywhere else in the world. Fortunately, VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Canada and Germany, meaning you can access these streaming services from the U.S.

Stream the NHL for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Canada or Germany

  4. Connect to CBC Gem or Ran.de

  5. Watch the NHL for free in the U.S.

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 money-back guarantees or free trials. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch NHL live streams before recovering your investment. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games without actually spending anything.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the NHL?

There are a number of streaming-friendly VPNs, including popular services like NordVPN and CyberGhost VPN. Those are strong choices, but ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming the NHL for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Canada and Germany

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

  • Strict no-logging policy

  • Fast streaming speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Watch the NHL for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch IPL 2024 live streams online for free in the U.S.

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 06:00

TL;DR: Live stream IPL 2024 for free on JioCinema. Access this free streaming platform from the U.S. with ExpressVPN.

Cricket is a sport that baffles a lot of people. Where is the intensity? Where is the drama? Where is the fast-paced action that we get from just about every other sport?

Sure, some forms of the game can drag on. But that does not include the Indian Premier League. This T20 cricket tournament has all the top talent in one place, in a fast-paced form of the game that attracts some of the most passionate fans in the world. You need to check out the IPL, because it is electric.

If you're interested in watching the IPL 2024 for free from the U.S., we have all the information you need.

What is the IPL?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a men’s T20 cricket tournament first held in 2008. The league features 10 city-based franchise teams. Each team plays 14 league games, followed by the playoffs that are contested by the top four teams from the standings.

Chennai Super Kings are the current champions.

When is the IPL 2024?

The IPL takes place between March and May each year. This year's tournament runs from March 22 to May 26.

How to watch the IPL for free in the U.S.

Fans can live stream every IPL cricket match this season for free on JioCinema.

JioCinema is geo-restricted to India, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can stream with JioCinema from the U.S.

Access JioCinema to stream the IPL 2024 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 India

  4. Visit JioCinema (you will need an Indian phone number to sign up)

  5. Watch the IPL for free from the U.S.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 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 leveraging these offers, you can watch IPL live streams without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select IPL fixtures for free.

To retain access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for IPL?

There are a number of VPNs that can reliably bypass geo-restrictions to unblock free streaming services, including popular options like CyberGhost VPN and NordVPN. These will work fine, but ExpressVPN is the top choice for streaming live sport.

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including India

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

Watch the IPL 2024 for free from the U.S. with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch F1 live streams online for free in the U.S.

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 06:00

TL;DR: Live stream F1 for free on ORF, ServusTV, RTBF, or RTL ZWEE. Access these free streaming services from the U.S. with ExpressVPN.

F1 brings together the very best drivers in the world, competing in unbelievably fast cars in front of passionate fans. What's not to love? Everyone wants to witness wheel-to-wheel racing from the best of the best, and that's exactly what F1 delivers.

The problem is that it's not easy to watch F1 for free. It's not easy, but it's not impossible. If you are interested in watching F1 for free from the U.S., we've got all the information you need.

What is F1?

Formula One (or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars. A season consists of a series of races (Grands Prix) that take place in multiple countries and continents on either purpose-built circuits or closed public roads.

When is F1 in 2024?

The 2024 F1 season features 24 races held all over the world between March and December. China, Miami, Austria, USA, Brazil, and Qatar will each host a sprint weekend this season.

How to watch F1 for free in the U.S.

Fans can stream F1 for free on the following platforms:

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, meaning you'll be blocked if you attempt to connect from the U.S. Fortunately, you can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access these streaming services to watch F1 for free from the U.S.

Follow these simple steps to unblock these free streaming services from the U.S.:

  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 Austria, Belgium, or Luxembourg

  4. Connect to ORF, ServusTV, RTBF, or RTL ZWEE

  5. Watch F1 for free from the U.S.

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch F1 live streams without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select races for free.

If you want to retain access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need to subscribe. But do not fear, because the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for F1?

There are a number of streaming-friendly VPNs that can reliably unblock free streaming sites from around the world, including the likes of NordVPN and ProtonVPN. Those are both solid options, but ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming F1 in the U.S., for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

  • Fast streaming speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. By using the guarantee, you can watch F1 races for free.

Watch F1 for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get Microsoft Project 2021 Professional or Visio for under £20

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 06:00

TL;DR: Microsoft Project Professional for Windows and Microsoft Visio Professional for Windows are both on sale for £16.02, saving you 92% on list price.

Managing projects and complex data is full of challenges. With so many moving parts, it is easy (and not uncommon) for something to slip through the cracks. Luckily, we live in a digital age that offers efficient apps for almost everything. Microsoft Project Professional 2021 for Windows was built to help you manage your projects, and MS Visio 2021 Professional was made to make diagramming and charting easier — and you can choose either for just £16.02.

With Project Professional 2021, you'll be able to streamline project planning, execution, and monitoring all in one central place. Create detailed project plans, from smaller tasks to more significant complex projects. Keep things running smoothly and on budget with tools for automated scheduling and integrated ways to help reduce things that aren't working efficiently.

Project gives you the ability to start off seamlessly with pre-built templates to help you save time. PMs can auto-populate start and end dates, run what-if scenarios, and do super-helpful things like using visual representations to show complex schedules. In addition, MS Project makes submitting timesheets easier, with the ability to see time spent on and off projects.

Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional for Windows, on the other hand, is specifically designed to help you deal with diagrams, complex data, and more. Access a vast library of templates, shapes, and stencils to make org charts, network diagrams, flowcharts, and floor plans easier to present, understand, and communicate to others.

Get one of the following Project versions on sale for a limited time:

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Lucknow Super Giants vs. Chennai Super Kings online for free

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 06:00

TL;DR: Watch Lucknow Super Giants vs. Chennai Super Kings in the IPL for free on JioCinema. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The IPL is in full swing, and as we approach the third week of matches, who's next in line? The next fixture sees Lucknow Super Giants take on Chennai Super Kings; will they be triumphant against last year's winners?

If you want to watch Lucknow Super Giants vs. Chennai Super Kings for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Lucknow Super Giants vs. Chennai Super Kings?

Lucknow Super Giants vs. Chennai Super Kings starts at 3 p.m. BST on April 19. The match will take place in the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India.

How to watch Lucknow Super Giants vs. Chennai Super Kings for free

JioCinema is offering free live streams of every IPL cricket match this season in 4K resolution on its app.

JioCinema is geo-restricted to India, but anyone can unblock this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access JioCinema from anywhere in the world.

Unblock JioCinema to stream the IPL 2024 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 India

  4. Visit JioCinema (you will need an Indian phone number to subscribe)

  5. Watch Lucknow Super Giants vs. Chennai Super Kings for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

Most of the best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch IPL live streams without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select IPL fixtures for free.

If you want permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for JioCinema?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking JioCinema, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including India

  • 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

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream the IPL for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Aberdeen vs. Celtic online for free

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 06:00

TL;DR: Stream Aberdeen vs. Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Aberdeen and Celtic are only one game away from the Scottish Cup final, but two doesn't go into one. Only one team can order some nice suits for a big day out at Hampden Park, so we're expecting total commitment from both sides as they battle it out for a chance of silverware.

If you want to watch Aberdeen vs. Celtic for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Aberdeen vs. Celtic?

Aberdeen vs. Celtic kicks off at 12:30 p.m. BST on April 20. This fixture takes place at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

How to watch Aberdeen vs. Celtic for free

Aberdeen vs. Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final will be broadcast live on BBC One Scotland, with free live streaming available on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK. This straightforward process makes it look like you're connecting from the UK, so you can access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer 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 UK

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

  5. Stream Aberdeen vs. Celtic for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream Aberdeen vs. Celtic before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Aberdeen vs. Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

M. Night Shyamalan's 'Trap' trailer has Josh Hartnett as a doting dad with a killer twist

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 04:16

The trailer for psychological thriller Trap has arrived, and in classic M. Night Shyamalan fashion, it comes with a twist.

Trap follows a father (Josh Hartnett) who accompanies his teen daughter (Ariel Donoghue) to a concert by pop singer Lady Raven (Shyamalan's own daughter Saleka). Noticing an outsized police presence at the venue, he soon finds out that the performance is actually a trap to catch a notorious serial killer who the authorities believe will be in attendance.

SEE ALSO: 'Knock at the Cabin' review: M. Night Shyamalan's latest is for believers

Learning that your child is in the same location as a brutal murderer would be a nightmare for the most parents. However, this particular dad is not most parents. In fact — spoiler alert — he may be the killer they're looking for.

Trap arrives in theatres Aug. 9.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 19

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 04:00

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 April 19's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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.

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

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.

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

A pay increase.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

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 Wordle #1035 is...

RAISE.

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.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

TikTok for Business: Everything you need to know

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 03:23

TikTok is a unique social media network known for inspiring creativity (and memes) to a global community of over one billion users, including more than 8.5 million Australians. TikTok serves as a platform for forging connections, offering entertainment, fostering business growth, and enabling creative exploration with people from around the globe. TikTok's appeal also extends beyond everyday users, having also become the preferred platform for over 350,000 businesses seeking to discover their audience and leverage it for real-world success.

More: Expert tips on how to use TikTok for Business

If you haven’t made an account by now, it's likely a few people in your life have had their eyes glued to the app at some point in the past few years. With those eyeballs comes opportunity. According to TikTok’s surveys, 81% of users list “discovering new products and brands” as a reason to log in to the platform. And one in two Gen Z TikTok users say they're likely to buy something while using TikTok.

Growing from what was once considered a fringe video, TikTok has managed to build a strong platform to facilitate e-commerce, and an effective advertising model that provides businesses with an easy path to sell their products and services on the platform. These days, businesses need a solid social media strategy to cut through the noise and stand out in a crowded marketplace, especially when reaching Gen Z. TikTok provides some easy tools to allow you to not only make creative ads on a budget, but also use trending topics and sounds to boost the visibility of your business and stay relevant.

If you’re still holding off on promoting your business on TikTok, you could be missing out on a well of untapped potential sales. If you are completely new to TikTok, or even an avid user who hasn’t looked into the business side of the app, we’ve put together this guide on everything you need to know.

What is TikTok?

TikTok is a video-sharing social media platform that allows users to create, discover and share visually powerful content with millions of people across the globe. TikTok specialises in short-form, 60-second video content, and is renowned for its simple and highly personalised content delivery feed. The TikTok audience is hyper-engaged, while maintaining a diverse mix across its +1 billion userbase, and 8.5 million people in Australia.

What is TikTok for Business?

TikTok for Business is a centralised platform for advertisers on TikTok. It aims to create a straightforward portal to guide businesses through the whole process of creating ads, finding the right audience, setting budgets, and analysing campaign data. If your goal is to reach new or dormant customers, grow sales, or just showcase what your business is all about, TikTok can make it happen.

Creating a TikTok Business Account is completely free, and the custom tools and features that are provided with a TikTok for Business account are custom made for small and growing businesses. In the brave new world of TikTok advertising, small businesses and sole operators aren’t overshadowed by larger corporations with massive marketing budgets. As long as your advertising is creative, resonant, and well-targeted, you could see your own business become the bigger fish in the pond.

TikTok for Business key features

  • Creative ad formats and automation tools – Get creative and distinguish your business from others, while saving time by having the hard work done for you.

  • Targeting tools – Enhance your reach or hone in on particular customer profiles or demographics. Even create your own customer segments to personalise your ads as much as possible.

  • Royalty-free music – Capture your audience’s attention with trending tunes and create a viral buzz around your brand.

  • Video scheduler – Strategise, manage and time your posts for highest impact.

  • Ad performance tracking and custom report creation – Keep your finger on the pulse and stay agile.

What advertising options are available on TikTok?

A TikTok Business account provides you with access to a wide range of ad solutions through your Ads Manager. There are a number of popular ad formats available on the platform, some of these include:

  • In-Feed Ads – These appear the same as any other video on the audience’s feed. There is also an included button with a call to action that can lead to an external landing page.

  • TopView Ads – TopView ads first appear as full page ad, and then transition to a standard TikTok video, this guarantees the advertiser at least a few seconds of attention from the audience.

  • Spark Ads – These are similar to in-feed ads, but allows advertisers to turn existing videos into ads, and drives traffic to the brand’s TikTok profile.

  • Brand Takeover Ads – A brand takeover is the most ambitious and expensive of the available ad formats. These display a full page ad for five seconds as soon as users open the app.

How much do ads cost on TikTok?

Advertising on TikTok is priced dynamically, with vastly different prices depending on the format of your advertisement, the time of day you want your ad to run, and how many people you want to see it. Typically speaking however, TikTok ads cost around AU$10-$50 per thousand views.

How do TikTok ads perform?

TikTok ads perform incredibly well for the investment. TikTok provides your business with legitimate cut through to a highly engaged market – 70% of TikTok users say they have found new products and brands on the platform (and that’s users as a whole, not those intentionally looking to shop). Some e-commerce business users rely on TikTok alone for their advertising, not feeling the need to go elsewhere.

Getting started with TikTok for Business

It’s easy to get started, simply create an account on the TikTok for Business website using an email address or phone number, determine your business goals, audience and budget, and then get creating! Your account will be verified within 24 hours, and you’ll then have access to dedicated support and tutorials to help you along the way.

TikTok For Business provides a robust set of tools to help businesses promote their products and services on the TikTok platform. With creative ideas and usage of the platform’s analytics tools, any business can make a real impression on TikTok.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 19

Mashable - Fri, 04/19/2024 - 03:00

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 April 19's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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.

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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.

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: Gorilla glue something

  • Green: Publishing

  • Blue: Making diamonds

  • Purple: Types of A's

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: Attach with Adhesive

  • Green: Published Lines

  • Blue: Diamond Qualities

  • Purple: A-___

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 Connections #313 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Attach with Adhesive: ADHERE, GLUE, PASTE, STICK

  • Published Lines: COPY, TEXT, WORDS, WRITING

  • Diamond Qualities: CARAT, CLARITY, COLOR, CUT

  • A-___: LIST, OK, PLUS, ROD

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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