Forbes released its list of the top 10 highest-earning YouTube creators and, for the third year in a row, the only woman on the list is a 7-year-old who makes way more than me.

Anastasia Radzinskaya, better known as Nastya, has upwards of 100 million subscribers across her 11 YouTube channels, and Forbes reports she made an estimated $28 million in 2021 through ad revenue and brand deals. Viewers follow along as she learns basic skills, like telling time and making a to-do list, against the highly saturated backdrop of her enormous home. Meanwhile, I write my silly little stories in an apartment the size of her patio.

The no. 1 earner was 23-year-old Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, whose "$456,000 Squid Game In Real Life!" video has racked up 202 million views in less than two months since its release. He reportedly made $54 million. He also spearheaded 2021's international #TeamSeas fundraiser, which raised more than $30 million to clean up the ocean.

MrBeast staged a massive 'Squid Game' set replica to recreate the hit Netflix drama. Credit: YouTube.com/MrBeast

Also on the list is 10-year-old toy king Ryan Kaji, controversial brothers Jake and Logan Paul, variety show pros Rhett and Link, trick shot magicians Dude Perfect, and gamers Preston Plays and Markiplier, who has made the list every year since 2016. The only newcomer to the top 10 is Unspeakable, who makes less expensive MrBeast-esque challenges like "Last to Leave the Pond wins $10,000."

Forbes notes that the top three earners — MrBeast, Jake Paul, and Markiplier — all made enough that they would have nabbed a spot on the brand's most recent list of the world's highest-paid celebrities. It makes you wonder: what will it take for YouTube creators to be considered mainstream celebs? Paul makes 90 percent of his income from boxing, and rarely posts on YouTube anymore. Boxers like Tyson Fury and Canelo Alvarez made the celebrity list, so why not Paul?

It's also hard to ignore the overwhelming number of white men on the list (Dude Perfect alone has five), a trend we've seen every year since Forbes started tracking these statistics. The last time a woman other than Nastya made the list was in 2017, when Lilly Singh clenched the no. 10 spot. In 2018, there weren't any women on the list at all.

Sometimes there are places you know, even if you don't know them.

Like even if you've never been to the top of the Empire State Building — I haven't — you could probably see an image and recognize it. There have been so many scenes in movies and TV shows set there that you'd almost have to have some idea of what it looks like.

If you've been on the internet for a while, then this video on Twitter from @Ballymoran will take you somewhere very recognizable. It's a brilliant bit of Google Maps fun. Ominous music plays as you get closer, closer, closer. You're expecting something spooky or weird. The ultimate destination, well, just watch.

Tweet may have been deleted

You're damn right that was a rickroll in the year 2022. Why the hell not?

Old internet jokes aside, it is neat to see the real world location where the classic Rick Astley video for his 1897 hit "Never Gonna Give You Up" was shot. For years we've all been staring unwittingly at those brick arches. Now we know they're at 150 Freston Road in London.

That's the curious magic of Google Maps. The Google Earth and Street View lets you, in an instant, drop in on any place in the world. Unsuspecting, it's all there, frozen in time. It's a feat of ubiquity from the tech giant that we can now get rickrolled by a map.

Save $53: In the market for a home air purifier? Walmart's got you covered with a discount on Mashable's top pick: the Coway Mighty Air Purifier. This aesthetically pleasing choice is on sale for just $196.69 in black, $53 off its usual cost, as of Jan. 14.

Adding an air purifier to your home can help reduce dust, odors, dander, smoke, mold, bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants. And Mashable's no. 1 pick happens to be on sale as of Jan. 14. The aesthetically pleasing Coway Mighty Air Purifier (in black) is discounted to $196.69, which is $53 off its usual cost.

Equipped with a HEPA efficiency rating of 99.97 percent and a four-way filtration system that captures particles as small as 0.3 microns in rooms up to 361 square feet, this air purifier has earned its "mighty" title. We particularly love that it comes with an energy-saving "Eco Mode," which turns its fan off automatically when it detects 30 minutes of no pollutants. When it senses any air pollution, it cuts back on and starts cleaning again.

If you're wondering if this mighty purifier can protect you from COVID-19, the answer is ... it's complicated. The best way to protect yourself is still to follow the CDC's guidelines and wash your hands often, wear a mask in public settings, maintain social distance, and get vaccinated. An air purifier can help reduce airborne contaminants, like viruses, in confined spaces, but like the EPA says, it's "not enough to protect people from COVID-19."

Credit: Coway

Coway Mighty Air Purifier

$196.69 at Walmart (save $53)

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• Breathe easy: These are 9 of the best humidifiers for a healthier home

• Best outdoor heaters for keeping summer going all winter long

Ready to crush your 2022 fitness resolutions? Bring home one of these discounted FightCamp systems, which are on sale as of Jan. 14:

• OUR TOP PICK: FightCamp Personal — $999 $1219 (save $220)

• BEST FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: FightCamp Tribe — $1299 $1,349 (save $50)

• BEST FOR EXPERIENCED BOXERS: FightCamp Connect — $399 $439 (save $40)

If you've tried running, spinning, weight lifting, and rowing, but just can't find a workout routine that you actually want to stick with, it might be time to try boxing. FightCamp is the Peloton of at-home boxing systems, and all of the packages are discounted as of Jan. 14. Plus, each package includes a free pair of boxing gloves (a $149 value).

For folks seeking motivating, high-energy workouts that aren't as mind-numbing as running on a treadmill, FightCamp gives you access to top boxing trainers via on-demand classes and tracks all your metrics from the comfort of your home. Definitely better than booking a boxing class on ClassPass.

Curious to find out more about FightCamp? Read on to discover each package, and scoop one up while the discounts are live.

OUR TOP PICK: FightCamp Personal — $999 (save $220)

By far the best deal on this list, the FightCamp Personal package is over $200 off and includes a free pair of gloves. Best for one person, the FightCamp Personal gives you the flexibility of working out in your own home with the motivation and killer workouts you'd get in an actual boxing gym. Track your activity with the brand's trademark punch trackers, and fill your bag with either water or sand for a weight of 250 pounds all the way up to 350 pounds, depending on what medium you use.

Credit: FightCamp

FightCamp Personal

$999 at FightCamp

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BEST FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: FightCamp Tribe — $1299 (save $50)

If the whole family wants to get in on the workouts, the FightCamp Tribe package includes everything you get in the personal package, plus a few extra pairs of gloves. This deal throws in an additional free pair of gloves, too — perfect for big households.

Credit: FightCamp

FightCamp Tribe

$1299 at FightCamp

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BEST FOR EXPERIENCED BOXERS: FightCamp Connect — $399 (save $40)

If you already have a boxing setup at home, the FightCamp connect package can help you take your training to the next level. This package features FightCamp's high-tech punch trackers, which measure punch volume, speed and output — so you can finally track your boxing progress. You'll also get a pair of boxing gloves and a set of quick wraps. As part of this deal, you'll receive an additional pair of gloves for free (a $149 value). This is the ideal setup for folks who do boxing training regularly and want to start tracking metrics and progress.

Credit: FightCamp

FightCamp Connect

$399 at FightCamp

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SAVE $39.01: Amazon and Walmart have both revived the former's record-low pricing on the Apple AirPods 3. As of Jan. 14, you can grab a pair at either retailer for just $139.99 (or 22% off their $179 MSRP).

Apple is reportedly planning on releasing some updated AirPods Pro later this year (along with a slew of other new products), which can only mean one thing: Its current and previous-gen earbuds will be getting some nice price cuts in the coming months.

Indeed, the AirPods 3 just returned to their all-time low post-Black Friday price at Amazon and Walmart. Head to either retailer to scoop up a pair for only $139.99, a deal that beats their Cyber Weekend discount by $10. (Math says it's 22% off their suggested retail price of $179, or a savings of just under $40.)

Pro tip: Order them from Walmart if you need them sooner rather than later. The big box store's estimated delivery date was four days out at the time of writing (free in-store pickup is an option, too), while Amazon's stock was slightly backordered until late January or early February; both are offering free shipping and 30-day returns.

Cheap wired earphones may make you a modern-day it girl and/or TikTok sensation, but they can't compete with the sleek convenience of a pair of AirPods. These latest 'buds feature Apple's nifty spatial audio technology for richer sound, an extended battery life, sweat and water resistance, and an updated design that's more in line with that of the current AirPods Pro. (They lack noise cancellation, though — maybe wait for this year's new Pros to come out if you consider it a must-have.)

This discount only lasted a day or so the last time it was live on Amazon, so don't wait too long to place your order.

Credit: Apple

Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)

$139.99 on Amazon (save $39.01)

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Credit: Apple

Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)

$139.99 at Walmart (save $39.01)

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• It's time to turn your vintage tech into a fashion statement. And more 2022 trend predictions.

New York wasn't ready for Anna Delvey, and neither are you.

The German heiress posing as a socialite is heading to Netflix with the trailer for Inventing Anna. Julia Garner stars as the real-life figure behind endless speculation and a whole lot of missing cash. Anna Chlumsky plays a reporter intent to learn Delvey's story. But she's met with more and more questions every time she gets close. The Shondaland series is based on Jessica Pressler's viral article on Delvey and her antics, and it paints a picture of someone obsessed with the high-society lifestyle, no matter what the cost.

Inventing Anna hits Netflix Feb. 11.

SAVE 20%: The JBL Clip 3 is a portable speaker that's truly ideal for on-the-go listening. As of Jan. 14, it's on sale for $39.95 at Amazon — 20% off its original price of $49.95.

Ever put your phone speaker-first into a plastic cup to amplify the sound, or prop it precariously above your shower head to get those shower acoustics? We do not recommend either, and with the JBL Clip 3, you can leave them both behind.

This portable Bluetooth speaker is super compact, is completely waterproof, and comes with a convenient carabiner-style clip. It has a battery life of up to 10 hours and comes in 12 colors, including mustard yellow and camouflage.

Check it out at Amazon for $39.95 and get yourself a travel companion that'll blast all your favorite tunes (a new BTS album is coming) while withstanding all your adventures.

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JBL Clip 3

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HBO's Euphoria is back, and with it came a slew of fashion-forward TikToks. Other notable trends this week include drawing your face to a soothing indie song and admitting something to a soft "yeah." 

And why aren’t you in uniform?

Euphoria, the dizzying HBO teen drama starring Zendaya, is known for its edgy make-up and outrageous fashion. These students are walking to AP U.S. History dressed like they’re going to a rave! Scratch that: None of these characters are even in APUSH (except for maybe Lexi). The way the teens in Euphoria dress for class has long been fodder for internet jokes — and now it's the blueprint for a TikTok trend.

Videos to the trend all start with someone dressed plainly while the sound of squeaky footsteps plays. Then, the audio "and why aren't you in uniform?!" appears, and the person walks off camera before reappearing in a Euphoria-inspired outfit. These TikToks are all captioned with some variation of "when you're leaving for the bus but forget you go to euphoria high school." 

The trend is hilarious because it grounds the absurd fashion of Euphoria in the mundanity of the modern high school experience, which only heightens the unrealistic nature of the 'fits in Euphoria. Not to mention, the idea of "euphoria high school" is funny when you consider it actually has a name. (But don't expect anyone to remember East Highland High.)

The trend is also an opportunity for TikTok users to show off fun, vibrant outfits that they may not get to wear every day. The trend is the perfect combination of humor and glorious fashion moments. 

Take @kaceystarz's video for example: The creator first walks out in a boring sweatshirt and jeans before re-entering in an iconic all-pink drag look. So far, the video has amassed over 1.5 million views and accumulated over 420,000 likes. 

Before and after a Euphoria-ification.

Credit: TikTok / kaceystarz

Credit: TikTok / kaceystarz

This trend is also the most ambitious TV crossover in history — the audio is ripped from an episode of Spongebob Squarepants. It's from a scene in which Spongebob is serving Squidward lemonade, and Squidward asks, "And why aren’t you in uniform?" So Spongebob walks backwards offscreen before walking back into frame in a maid's uniform. There have been over 108,000 videos that have used the Spongebob audio, including variations on the Euphoria trend like "Wes Anderson High" and "Pretty Little Liars High."

Uh… yeah.

A moment from Kali Uchis' TikTok New Year’s Eve performance has now gone viral. In the clip, Uchis takes a deep breath and whispers “yeah” into the mic. TikTokkers are using the sound to hesitantly admit or agree to something. The heavy sigh and hushed "yeah" has the capacity to represent a lot of different situations and emotions, making it an ideal viral TikTok sound. 

So far, over 74,000 videos have been made to the audio, including @carlyincontro's video captioned, "when ur a people pleaser and someone asks u to do something u don't wanna do." Another example of the trend is @r0ck3t.izac's video that reads, "do you stalk everyone who likes ur posts?" 

It's giving face. 

Picture this: "These Days" by Nico plays softly in the background while a TikTok user stares in concentration and a filter traces over their facial features with simple white lines. When they finish, they turn the camera away so we can see the finished product: a shaky drawing of their face. These mesmerizing videos have taken over TikTok. Over 820,000 users have drawn their faces, including Billie Eilish, and I have yet to see one I haven't enjoyed. 

On TikTok, we're so used to seeing high-energy dances and fashion trends, so it's refreshing to see such a popular art challenge. The combination of clean white lines, soothing indie music, and the satisfying reveal of the sketch at the end of each video makes them both relaxing and addictive. It's the perfect, soothing trend to break up the more chaotic content on your FYP.

John Cena, Danielle Brooks, James Gunn, and the Peacemaker cast and crew explain all the backstory you should know before watching the show.

Last year on Jan. 6, the day a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and attacked police, The Daily Show's Jordan Klepper was on the ground in Washington, D.C., reporting for the show. During the course of the day, Klepper and his crew faced harassment from the rioters (one of whom also tripped up Klepper's camera operator).

This year on Jan. 6, he returned. In the video above, Klepper speaks to people holding a "vigil" for the insurrectionists currently in prison, interviews more of the same angry protestors he usually speaks to at these events, and tracks down Rep. Matt Gaetz — who is currently being investigated for alleged sex trafficking — to a press conference he's holding alongside Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (the congressman is planning to "walk the grounds that patriotic Americans walked from the White House to the Capitol").

"Hey Matt Gaetz, if you are going to re-enact the events of January 6th, who is going to take a shit in the rotunda?" calls out Klepper, referencing the feces Trump supporters reportedly smeared on the Capitol walls. "And also, who is going to make the gallows?"

Klepper is moved aside by security, but before Gaetz has time climb into a waiting car he manages to get in one last question: "Isn't this a little bit childish, Matt, or is that what attracts you to this?"

Gaetz doesn't respond.

Even in a world where online dating has become the norm and it's now possible to skip the tiring process of scouring bars and events for other singles in order to get a date, sometimes it's just the thought of going on the date that's tiring. No matter what kind of encounter you plan, it will always require some sort of physical effort.

We're going to put this simply: we all have sexual needs, and sometimes we'd just like to satisfy those needs with human connection that doesn't require the extra effort of meeting someone in person. For that, we have sexting.

Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit photos or messages to one or more people. And there are apps specifically for sexting as well as sexting features in apps that are otherwise for dating in person.

What should you consider before sexting?

If you’re considering downloading a dating app for the purpose of sexting, it's important to remember a few basic rules. Yes, there are certainly fewer inhibitions than using a typical dating app to find a potential romantic partner, but there’s still a standard set of boundaries and rules of etiquette you should follow in order for all parties to feel at ease:

• No app can completely protect your privacy for you — that's your job. Though apps like Confide and Dust have certain features that are designed to protect your identity/content, they don't rule out all scenarios. For example, someone doesn't need to take a screenshot to capture a picture you send. They could easily just use another phone or device to snap or record whatever you send. You should always keep this in mind before sending anything that could be compromising, and do your best to make sure you trust the person who's receiving your messages.

• Assess the situation and know your audience. Usually it doesn't take much more than a few pre-sext texts (or pre-sexts) to gauge whether or not someone is interested in doing the cyber-dirty with you. Take the time to figure that out before you lead with something raunchy and uncalled-for. Please don't just start throwing dick pics at people left and right if they didn't ask.

• Be respectful: Privacy is sacred. The internet has the scary ability to make fleeting moments very permanent. If someone asks you to keep something to yourself, you'd better do it. While sexting can be light and fun, it also requires a serious level of trust. If you betray that trust, you're ruining it for everybody.

Read these rules. Repeat them, remember them, and you should be just fine.

What are the advantages of sexting compared to dating in real life?

Real-life dating is obviously the best way to get to know somebody long-term, especially if you're looking for any kind of serious, in-person relationship. And real sex will always be better than sexting. However, sexting is an alternative that may help you out in ways you didn't even think about:

Convenience — Whether you plan on actually wining and dining your date or just meeting to hook up, it always requires some extra effort. For those with super hectic schedules or those who just don't have room in their life (for whatever reason) for a steady in-person relationship, sexting is practically a saving grace. After all, your sex drive doesn't go away just because you're busy. Sexting allows you to take care of your sexual needs without putting yourself out.

Freedom — As is the case with most behind-the-screen activities, with sexting, you can let go of your inhibitions a bit and feel more comfortable exploring your sexual side knowing there's a certain barrier between you and the other person. You can experiment with language and ideas that maybe you wouldn’t feel completely comfortable exploring in person.

Safety — We've touched on the reasons why sexting might not be completely safe in terms of privacy, but to its credit, sexting offers an element of safety that in-person meetings don't. Sexting allows you to interact with both people you know and total strangers without putting yourself in dangerous or unwanted physical situations. Your experience should always be what you want it to be, and with sexting, if it's not going in the direction you want, it's just a matter of closing an app.

Exploring trust and intimacy — Getting comfortable with another person in close quarters doesn’t always come naturally for everyone — but opting for sexting gives way to a new level of exploration in terms of intimacy and trust. You don’t ever have to meet the person behind the screen if you don’t want to, but being able to practice feeling vulnerable without any strings attached can be a great lesson in being more open.

Fun — Let’s be honest for a second here. A night of sexting is always going to be a lot more fun than endlessly swiping right on a dating app and starting the same conversation over and over. Having the option of opening an app on your phone and engaging in a little virtual foreplay offers instant gratification and (almost) guaranteed pleasure.

What makes a good sexting app?

Before diving in with a sexting app, there are some things you should keep in mind when picking an option:

Privacy features — What happens in a sexting app doesn’t always stay in a sexting app; there are no guarantees that your conversations or selfies won’t wind up screenshot on someone’s phone. That said, certain apps do delete photos and conversations after a certain amount of time if you’re hoping to try to help lessen the chances of something getting leaked.

Safety — If you’re looking for a night of no-strings-attached fun online, it doesn’t really matter all too much if the person on the other end of your conversation has been verified — but if you do want to ensure you’re not being catfished or chatting with a bot, consider an app that links social media or verifies users.

Ease of use — You don’t want to find yourself in a hot and steamy conversation trying to figure out how to attach an image or a voice note. When it comes to sexting, the more user-friendly the platform is, the better. You’ll want something that’s efficient and fast.

Subscription pricing versus free features — How much are you willing to pay for bells and whistles? There are many apps out there that charge a couple of pounds a month for premium features if you’re looking for something a little more catered to your interests, but just as many offer excellent free platforms.

There are other things to consider, like price and subscription plans, but these features are a good place to start.

What is the best dating app for sexting?

Since sexting, by nature, comes with a lot of factors to consider (consent and privacy, for example), we've picked out the best sexting apps to get you off — to a good start, that is. We've tried to line up something for everyone, so check out these options, and pick your favourite.

These are the best sexting apps in 2022.

It'll take about one minute to figure out whether you'll be into Landscapers: a director yells "Action, rain!" while the words "This is a true story," appear onscreen as the fake rain falls over London.

A collaboration between Sky and HBO, the four-part series is inevitably polarising, as an overtly theatrical interpretation of a true-crime police procedural. But if you're into pulverizing that fourth wall, indulging in a spot of theatre, and the golden acting talents of Olivia Colman and David Thewlis, you'll be hooked.

Landscapers is inspired by the (actually) true story of Susan and Christopher Edwards (Colman and Thewlis), who were convicted of the murder of Susan's parents, William and Patricia Wycherley, in 2014 and sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison. They maintain their innocence to this day. It's a notorious case that people in the UK are probably more familiar with than those outside it.

Olivia Colman and David Thewlis as Susan and Christopher Edwards in "Landscapers." Credit: Stefania Rosini / HBO

The miniseries was co-written by Colman's husband, Ed Sinclair, and director Will Sharpe, who worked with Colman on the dark comedy series Flowers for Channel 4. The pair did extensive research into the case, poring over hours of interviews and news reports. But most notably, Sinclair had direct correspondence with Susan and Christopher, who are still serving time in separate prisons. The series shows happenings down to the detail — Christopher's polite "Surrender" email to the police, the couple's well-reported fish and chips, the fact that the pair turned themselves in while carrying a suitcase full of movie memorabilia.

It's this film-lover element of the Edwards case that the director truly runs with. The series spends a lot of time on Christopher and Susan's romance, specifically the lengths someone would go to for the person they love. This hyper-cinematic representation of the loving pair sees Sharpe and Sinclair trying to figure out how a seemingly ordinary couple could commit murder, then bury the Wycherleys (played by Felicity Montagu and David Hayman) in their own backyard in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The crime went unknown for 15 years, with the couple spending hundreds of thousands of dollars of Susan's parents' money — with a significant amount spent, bizarrely, on signed pictures of movie stars, film posters, and books.

Not your regular police procedural: Samuel Anderson, Kate O'Flynn, Dipo Ola, and Olivia Colman in "Landscapers." Credit: Stefania Rosini / HBO

Several scenes really lean into this level of story production, especially those that see characters recollecting memories, embellishing facts, or telling different versions of events. Quite literally setting the scene with heightened lighting and overtly set-like rooms, the pair recount (or construct) the weekend in question to the two lead investigators, DC Emma Lancing and DC Paul Wilkie (Kate O'Flynn and Samuel Anderson), who channel a Coen brothers energy while poking holes in the Edwards' story. Characters magically appear within these memories, striding in to deconstruct them. The bedroom crime scene becomes a neon-lit nightmare, where the deceased victims sit up and interact with the detectives. DC Lancing literally guides the characters and the audience between sets, looking directly into the camera to usher us on and directing her version of events as the police see it. The "London pub" that features in the pair's recounting is a David Lynch-like stage set as a generic British watering hole for Christopher's testimony.

At times this has the effect of Lars von Trier's Dogville meets "We Both Reached for the Gun" from the Chicago movie. It's this style that will either compel or repel viewers. Scenes from the pair's past are filmed in black and white, with the Edwards seeing themselves as main characters in one of the Hollywood films they love so dearly. Several sequences vividly weave this fantasy world they’ve created for themselves. The final episode features a surreal Wild West sequence that plays to Susan's obsession with Westerns and Gary Cooper, coming dangerously close to glorifying, even possibly excusing, the crime in question. But this style of overtly aware drama to represent a real case is at least something fresh for an extremely well-worn genre, taking it out of the courtroom and into the realm of Susan's imagination.

A memory from "Landscapers." Credit: Stefania Rosini / HBO

As well as painting a picture of the Edwards' inner world, this overt staging exposes our obsession with true crime, our insatiable need to know every last gory detail of a high-profile murder case. Those who know the case will know the core details. But Landscapers takes these widely reported touchpoints and stretches them out to dramatic lengths.

Though this theatrical style has the effect of making a few of Colman and Thewlis' lines and delivery feel extremely staged, the two lead actors are nothing short of phenomenal in what could have been two very boring roles. Colman brings her characteristic brilliance to the understated, intense role of Susan. A chilling and revelatory scene opposite Montagu as her mother proves one of the series' standouts. Thewlis undergoes a subtle transformation as Christopher, wielding polite yet unshakable protectiveness toward his wife. O'Flynn is spectacularly dry as DC Lancing, wiping the floor with her male colleagues while enduring blatant sexism, especially from the odious DCI Geoff Collier (played with uncomfortable hilarity by Daniel Rigby). Meanwhile, Dipo Ola provides light yet heartfelt moments as Susan's well-meaning junior solicitor Douglas Hylton.

While the theatrical, meta style of Landscapers might put some viewers off, the sheer ambition of the series to shed further light on a relatively well-known British story makes it a fresh take on the true-crime genre. Could a stage version be next? It'd work.

Landscapers is now streaming on NowTV in the UK and HBO Max in the U.S.

There's no topping the original Scream. And that's because there's no beating the sublime surprise of its ending. Sure, the sequels gave us the gleefully deranged performances of Timothy Olyphant, Laurie Metcalf, and Emma Roberts. Yes, they offer fun kills, suspenseful showdowns, and deliciously menacing monologues. But Stu and Billy were a double act that can't really be repeated, no matter how many times this franchise tries. So, in its fifth installment — titled simply Scream — there will be much murder, metaness, and teens, who are as pretty and witty as they are doomed. Yet filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett can't escape the long shadow of Wes Craven and his 1996 classic. 

The problem is that Scream's rules have built a box into which its sequels simply must fit. There will be a cold open, where a teen girl is horrifically attacked by a homicidal prank caller. A squad of hip high-schoolers will be more bemused than terrified by news of a killer in their midst. They will throw a party. They will prattle on about horror movies, this time name-dropping not only slashers like Halloween, but also "elevated horror" hits like The Babadook, It Follows, and The Witch. Then, many of them will die. The killers will be revealed but ultimately bested by Final Girl Supreme: Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell). There might be some shake-ups in location and the stereotypes who come out to play (and slay). But the franchise's rules have become less foreshadowing and more predictable thrills. So, while the blows hit hard — aided by gruesome practical effects and a grisly soundscape of snapping bones, splurging blood, and tearing flesh — their impact doesn't last. 

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group

From the start, the stakes of this Scream are hurt by slapping together the next generation of Woodsboro teens, giving us too little time to get to know them. The screenplay by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick stalks in the footsteps of screenwriter Kevin Williamson by setting the group up in a hangout just outside their high school. But instead of sharp articulations that succinctly establish the class clown, the nerd, the bad boy, the nice girl, and the mean girl, these teens are more defined by fashion than action. One of them wears a rainbow pin to hint at queerness. One sports a letterman's jacket, so let's assume he's a jock. One is — I dunno — blonde. 

They aren't characters as much as they are stand-ins for the beloved characters who came before. The most defining detail of several of these teens is that they're related to a former Scream character. So, hey here's Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown), who — like her late uncle Randy — lectures friends about how the laws of horror movies will dictate whether they live or die. To Brown's credit, she's a scorching screen presence, edged with a smirk and self-confidence that Randy didn't find until Scream 2. However, she — like so many of her co-stars including the spunky Jenna Ortega  — is trapped in a thankless role that is nakedly functional. (Seek her out in Yellowjackets and The Sound of Violence, both on Showtime now!) 

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group

Though this film centers on a new circle of friends, its heroine isn't among them. She's the haunted older sister of the first victim. A Sidney Prescott knock-off who is achingly dull, twenty-something Sam (Melissa Barrera) ran from Woodsboro and never looked back. But now she's back, dragging along a dark secret and her doe-eyed boyfriend Richie (Jack Quaid, who steals scenes with bursting energy). However, a new dark-haired heroine against Ghostface might not be enough to hook audiences. So, legacy characters return, meaning Sidney (Neve Campbell), Gail Weathers (Courteney Cox), and Dewey Riley (David Arquette). On paper, it's a savvy move. But in execution, it's more painful than the gut stabs that happen throughout. 

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group

Having been through this killing-spree rigamarole four times before, Sidney isn't even scared anymore. She and Gail are practically eye-rolling as they prep to pursue Ghostface once more. Their over-it attitude is played for laughs, but it kills tension. As for Dewey, this movie does him dirty, transforming him fully into the "half-man" horror trope. Damaged deeply by his brutal brushes with Ghostface, he's the limping, bitter, town drunk, who snarls survival advice from a shabby mobile home. To Arquette's credit, he brings more life to the film than his seemingly bored recurring co-stars, but it's a bummer to see Dewey so defeated. Sure, plot-wise, it gives him a chance to rally and redeem himself as a hero. But for fans who've long cheered for the resilient lawman, it's an ugly cheat on his character. 

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group

Nonetheless, this team of directors and writers brings thrilling kills to the screen, just as they did with the wildly fun horror-comedy, Ready or Not. Within these suspenseful slaying setpieces, the makers show a profound awareness of what audiences expect, like for the killer to pop up behind the fridge door as it closes. They use these expectations to toy with tension and subvert the expected jump scare, which makes the hits that do happen freshly surprising. 

For some, these scenes of sensational slaughter are all that might matter. If you're going for just one more haunted hayride through Woodsboro, then this Scream (or Scream 5 or 5cream) will satisfy you. But these filmmakers had the chance to make their mark on this franchise by doing something bold and new, and they just didn't. It's a shame, because the most shocking sequence is one where they break the slasher standards of nighttime homespun homicide. Regrettably, their finale is far safer. 

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group

Without spoilers, the climax dabbles in hot topics that have been more sharply explored in Ghostbusters (2016), Red Rocket, and Yellowjackets. So, while there's plenty of ghoulish spectacle, this Scream doesn't have much to say.  Though rambunctiously performed, the should-be big scenes about movies and murder ring hollow, flushed with buzz words without the sense that the screenwriters fully grasp their context. Sure, this Scream delivers in chills, thrills, and darkly funny moments. But its ending is less haunting than hectic. So, in the end, it doesn't cut deep. 

Scream opens in theaters Jan. 14.

Happy Valentine's season, lovebirds. Here's how to impress your wife, fiancé, girlfriend, or that cute girl you've been flirting with for months: Don't get her standard chocolates or that gaudy diamond necklace that jewellery stores are shoving down your throat.

That's it, that's the gift guide.

OK, maybe it's not quite that simple, but finding a romantic Valentine's Day gift that's not a complete cliché doesn't have to be hard. Why give jewellery every year when she's been complaining about her outdated smartwatch?

Real romance isn't about the amount of money you spend, or picking out the biggest bouquet of roses (though that is still very much an acceptable add-on). It's about showing that you pay attention, that you've honed in on who she really is, and that you appreciate everything she does. You can do all that via a brilliant gift — one that makes her life better and easier.

From wine and beauty subscriptions to smart home devices and niche ideas, there's an option for every type of lady — even if that type is super picky.

These are the best gift ideas for her this Valentine's Day.

TL;DR: As of Jan. 14, you can take 66% off a 3-month subscription to CodeSpark Academy (worth $29), and get it for just $9.99.

Parents know that a tablet can help almost any parenting situation, whether it's a stressful dining experience, a too-long road trip, or taking an important work call. But if you're like most parents, you probably worry about what all the screen time is doing to your child in the long run. Instead of having them watch mindless YouTube cartoons or unboxing videos, set your child on the path of success with a three-month subscription to CodeSpark Academy.

CodeSpark aims to be the easiest and most entertaining way for kids to learn the basics of coding. It helps ignite your child's curiosity by providing puzzles, games, and stories that are rooted in STEM and coding, and actually teaches your child real-life lessons along the way. When your child is on CodeSpark, they're not just staring at a screen. They're actually learning something important.

The CodeSpark app is specifically designed for children ages 4 to 9 to learn coding concepts from the ground up. Your child will be immersed in a storybook world of sequencing lessons, loops, conditional statements, events, boolean logic, and much more. One of the best things about using this learning app is that there are no ads whatsoever. When your child logs on, nothing will pop up and distract them from learning the basics of coding and sparking their curiosity.

Kids love it, too! They don't even realize how much they're learning because they're having too much fun. Hence, why it's earned such high ratings on the Apple Store — 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 23,000 reviews.

See what kind of content your child will uncover on CodeSpark:

Three months of access to CodeSpark Academy usually costs $29, but for a limited time, you can save 66% and sign up for three months of educational entertainment for up to three different kids' profiles in your home for just $9.99.

Prices subject to change.

Credit: CodeSpark

3 Months Access to CodeSpark Academy

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TL;DR: The Icy Bev Cooler 2.0 is just $26.99 at the Mashable Shop as of Jan. 14.

A water bottle that can simply hold water is so last year. The year 2022 is all about innovation, and everything should have more than one function if you're going to give it precious cabinet space in your kitchen. With the new Icy Bev Cooler 2.0, you'll get three functions in one bottle — and even better, it'll cost you less than the price of lunch.

The Icy Bev Cooler 2.0 is the only can and bottle insulator that also doubles as a reusable water bottle for when you don't need to insulate anything at all. Fully funded on Indiegogo, it's basically the invention you never knew you needed.

It features a double-wall vacuum-sealed stainless steel interior that keeps your cans and long-neck bottles insulated, no matter how hot it gets outside. To go from can to bottle holder, just add the cone top to the can-holding bottom and you have a whole other functional cooler. It fits most 12-ounce beer bottles and soda cans. There's even a sizing disk included in the set to make sure you get the perfect fit, no matter what type of beverage you're drinking.

The stainless steel is completely waterproof and shock-proof to protect the bottles and cans inside. It's the perfect accessory to take camping, golfing, boating, or even to use while you lounge in your own backyard. 

See how you can use this can and bottle insulator and how to transform it into a standard-sized reusable water bottle in the video below:

Normally the Icy Bev Cooler 2.0 retails for $29, since it's three beverage accessories in one. But for a limited time, you can shave 10% off of the price and take it home for just $26.99.

Prices subject to change.

Credit: Grand Fusion Housewares

Icy Bev Cooler 2.0

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TL;DR: The 3-in-1 Fast Wireless USB Charging Station is just $54.99 at the Mashable Shop as of Jan. 14.

If one of your resolutions is to be on-time more often, you need to start by getting organized. Nothing keeps you indoors for longer like a phone or Apple Watch that's on its last leg of battery life. If you want to make sure your devices are as ready as you are to hit the ground running at the start of each day, grab this three-in-one charger that takes care of all of your crucial devices at the exact same time — and in style. 

This 3-in-1 Fast Wireless USB Charging Station does it all, including charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch simultaneously, without slowing down the charge time. If your home is overrun by chargers and cables, this dock will also help you get organized.

Once you plug in the dock itself, you can wirelessly charge your three Apple devices without fishing for extra cords. The practical, modular design lets you charge all three devices at the same time, or just one or two at a time, depending on what you need in the moment. The dock is made out of flame-retardant refractory material, so your devices won't overheat, and the dock stays on any surface. With its silicone base, it also won't scratch your precious wood desks, glass tables, or any other surface you decide to place it on.

Better time management starts with better organization — not to mention better gadgets. This fast USB charging dock retails for $114, since it can charge up to three devices at once at lightning-fast speeds. Plus, it does it all completely wirelessly. But for a limited time, you can save 51% and take it home for just $54.99 in black or white.

Prices subject to change.

Credit: Ineedmeone

3-in-1 Fast Wireless USB Charging Station

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If last year's Uber Eats or Seamless summary is any indication, you may need to wind down a bit on ordering takeout. Haven't you heard? Cooking at home is the cool thing to do now. And not only does it help you save money, it can also make a tremendous difference in your diet and cooking skills.

Rekindle your relationship with your kitchen this 2022 by upgrading your cooking tools — and, you know, actually using them. Take your pick from these 10 options on sale.

Seido™ Japanese Master Chef Knife Set (8 Pieces)

No chef or home cook is worth their salt without a proper chef's knife, and this set nets you eight premium quality blades made with strong high-carbon stainless steel to offer sharp edge retention and durability. Unlike Western-style knives with edge angles of 25 degrees, Seido Japanese knives feature a more acute 15-degree angle for a sharper cutting face. Formerly $399, a set is on sale for $129.99.

Credit: Seido Knives

Seido™ Japanese Master Chef Knife Set (8 Pieces)

$129.99 at the Mashable Shop

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Curtis Stone 4-Quart Cast Aluminum Pan with Glass Lid - White (Remanufactured)

This do-it-all pan is ideal for everything from slow-simmering soups to braising meats. Its glass lid fits snugly to retain heat and moisture, but you can also use it without for easy stir-frying, deep-frying, sauteing, or baking. It usually retails for $59, but you can grab it on sale for $34.99.

Credit: Curtis Stone

Curtis Stone 4-Quart Cast Aluminum Pan with Glass Lid - White (Remanufactured)

$34.99 at the Mashable Shop

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Paula Deen 21620 17-Piece Red Non-Stick Cookware Set

You can pretty much whip up any dish imaginable with this 17-piece cookware set. Comprised of essentials, including various skillets, saucepans, measuring spoons, and more, this set provides you with a non-stick cooking experience that ensures every dish you make is cooked to perfection. Upgrade your kitchen for only $69.98 (MSRP $129).

Credit: Meyer Corporation

Paula Deen 21620 17-Piece Red Non-Stick Cookware Set

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IGLOO ICEB26AQ 26 lb. Portable Ice Maker - Aqua

This portable ice maker is designed to produce ice in as quick as seven minutes. It can create 26 pounds of ice per day, allowing you to keep your beverages nice and chilled all day. With an LED control panel, you can even choose from small or large size cube sizes and be notified when you need to add water. Enjoy cold drinks all day for $149.99 (MSRP $169).

Credit: Nostalgia Products

IGLOO ICEB26AQ 26 lb. Portable Ice Maker - Aqua

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Lodge LMPB21 Cast Iron Melting Pot and Silicone Brush

This iron melting pot makes for a great heat conductor and is ideal for warming butter, melting cheese, scalding milk, or heating syrup. With a silicone brush included, your basting needs are covered, too. Usually $29, you can get the bundle on sale for $26.99.

Credit: Lodge

Lodge LMPB21 Cast Iron Melting Pot and Silicone Brush

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Lafeeca Espresso Machine with Milk Frother Steam Wand

You'll finally be able to save money on coffee when you have this espresso machine that warms up in under a minute to provide hot espresso, with a 19-bar pressure pump that gives your shots balanced flavor and the perfect layer of crema. Thanks to the built-in high-pressure milking frothing function, you can also add the perfect foam to complete your drink. Originally retailing for $179, you can get it on sale for $143.99.

Credit: Lafeeca

Lafeeca Espresso Machine with Milk Frother Steam Wand

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JustBlend Portable Blender (Blue/2-Pack)

Make your favorite smoothies, shakes, margaritas, or even baby food anywhere with this portable blender capable of concocting 8-12 beverages on a single charge. It's equipped with six stainless steel blades that can crush ice, fruits, and vegetables and a built-in strap that you can easily carry. It typically goes for $99, but you can get it on sale for $79.99.

Credit: Just Blend

JustBlend Portable Blender (Blue/2-Pack)

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StirMATE® VS Variable Speed Smart Pot Stirrer - Gen 3

The StirMATE VS is the ultimate assistant in the kitchen, helping with constant stirring to prevent food from sticking and burning, all while developing more flavor and creaminess. It's also capable of self-adjusting to pots and pans 6 to 12 inches in diameter, and 3 to 9 inches deep. Make the best soups and stews for only $59.99 (MSRP $65).

Credit: Stirmate

StirMATE® VS Variable Speed Smart Pot Stirrer - Gen 3

$59.99 at the Mashable Shop

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Leakproof Silicone Non-Stick Baking Mat

Enjoy mess-free baking with this baking liner that transforms into a rimmed tray. Simply snap the corners together, and you'll have a leak- and spill-proof lip that catches oil and other liquids to keep your oven clean. Thanks to its transparent material, you can use stencils to pipe or trace any design you want. It normally retails for $19, but it's on sale for $17.99.

Credit: Grand Fusion Housewares

Leakproof Silicone Non-Stick Baking Mat

$17.99 at the Mashable Shop

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ChefWave Milkmade Non-Dairy Milk Maker

With the resurgence of almond, soy, hemp, and oat milk last year, it's pretty clear that many are weaning off regular cow's milk. If you happen to be one of them, this non-dairy milk maker lets you create fresh, plant-based dairy alternative drinks with six preset milk-making programs and digital touch control. All you need is a small handful of nuts, a touch of a button, and you're good to go. Enjoy homemade nut milk in an instant with the Milkmade from ChefWave, on sale for $199.95 (MSRP $215).

Credit: Chefwave

ChefWave Milkmade Non-Dairy Milk Maker

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Prices subject to change.

Tesla's Cybertruck is going to be late. Yes, even more late than you thought.

According to Reuters, the company has delayed initial production of its futuristic SUV to early 2023. The report cites one person familiar with Tesla's plans.

Reuters' source claims the delay is happening as Tesla is changing "features and functions" of the Cybertruck to better compete with other SUVs in the electric vehicle segment. These include the recently launched Rivian's R1T and Ford's upcoming F-150 Lightning.

The Cybertruck was unveiled in 2019, and production was originally scheduled to begin in 2021, which was later delayed to late 2022. According to the report, Tesla now plans to make a limited production of the Cybertruck in the first quarter of 2023, and then increase production output later in the year.

The report comes days after Tesla removed all mentions of Cybertruck production starting in 2022 from its website. The site now merely states that buyers will be able to complete their configuration "as production nears."

With Tesla lacking a PR department, the only source for news on the Cybertruck is CEO Elon Musk. The last thing he tweeted on the subject was a reply in December 2021 to a spotting of the Cybertruck at Tesla's test track in Fremont, calling it "CGI IRL" (CGI means computer-generated imagery, and IRL means "in real life"). Musk is expected to reveal more about the Cybetruck production start during the company's earnings call, scheduled for January 26.

Last month, Elon Musk revealed that Tesla would start accepting Dogecoin for some Tesla merch. That day has come, with Doge now being the only accepted currency for a few products on the Tesla store.

Tweet may have been deleted

Both the Gigi Texas Belt Buckle and the Cyberquad for Kids are solely available to purchase with Doge, and will set buyers back 835 and 12,020 Doge respectively — or around $160 and $2,300 at the current conversion rate. The Cyberwhistle was also one of these products, but the 300 Dodge or $60 stainless steel whistle has sold out already. There are no visible options for any other form of payment for these items.

Dogecoin's co-founder Billy Markus also shared the news on Twitter. According to CoinMarketCap data, the price of the meme coin has already jumped by 12 percent following this development.

Tweet may have been deleted

Dogecoin has long been a favorite cryptocurrency of Elon Musk's, with Tesla and the meme coin sharing a relationship of sorts. The form of cryptocurrency has seen both highs and lows as a result of Musk's tweets, as well as after one particularly infamous SNL sketch.

UPDATE: Jan. 14, 2022, 9:45 a.m. PST Musk tweeted about the crypto option shortly after Dogecoin was listed as a payment method on the Tesla website.

Tweet may have been deleted

SAVE 86%: ZenMate VPN provides access to secure servers in 79 countries from around the world, making it one of the best options for streaming. A three-year subscription to ZenMate VPN is on sale for £1.33 per month, and includes an extra three months for free.

ZenMate VPN has joined a host of other top services by extending its best Christmas deal into the new year, which is great news for anyone looking to save on cybersecurity in 2022. A three-year subscription to ZenMate VPN is on sale for just £1.33 per month in 2022, saving you 86% on list price.

This heavily discounted plan also includes an extra three months for free, and is fully refundable for 30 days. We don't think you'll need to use the guarantee, but it's nice to have a bit of protection against the risk of disappointment.

ZenMate VPN might be one of the cheapest services out there, but its range of features is anything but budget. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single account, with access to servers in 79 countries from around the world, apps for all leading operating systems, streaming servers, P2P support, and much more.

There are also no limits on connection speed or bandwidth with ZenMate VPN, making this slick service a strong option for streaming. You'll still need to be subscribed to top streaming sites, but ZenMate VPN can provide access to extra content from around the world.

Secure your online world with the best New Year deal on ZenMate VPN.

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ZenMate VPN (3-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free)

£1.33 per month at ZenMate VPN

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TL;DR: The Ultimate Amazon FBA and Dropship Master Class Bundle is on sale for £14.68, saving you 98% on list price.

We all know Amazon is a giant company with giant profits, but did you know that more than half of its revenue is fuelled by third-party sellers known as Amazon FBA partners?

If you have your own business, you can join in on the lucrative opportunity of selling on Amazon. With this Ultimate Amazon FBA and Dropshipping Master Class, you’ll get a blueprint for exactly how.

You’ll learn how to set up a custom ecommerce website and discover how to choose products to sell, find suppliers, and promote your new business. You’ll explore how to create your own privately labeled products and turn them into Amazon bestsellers. Plus, you’ll dive into dropshipping strategies that can help you gain customers. Overall, you’ll work your way through eight courses and 40 hours of content at your own speed until you feel prepared to throw your hat in the Amazon FBA ring. 

You’ll be learning from entrepreneurs and ecommerce gurus — like Nik Swami, who launched an ecommerce business selling viral products that hit multiple six-figures in its first year, and Justin O’Brien, who finished in the top eight for Entrepreneur magazine's Entrepreneur of the Year. Whether you have an existing small business or you’re totally new to the online sales game, these instructors will help you navigate the path to making money on Amazon.

During this limited-time price drop, you can gain access to the entire Amazon FBA course bundle for only £14.68.

Credit: Benjamin Wilson

Ultimate Amazon FBA and Dropship Master Class Bundle

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TL;DR: The Fundamental Drawing Bundle for Beginners is on sale for £29.35, saving you 96% on list price.

While drawing is an excellent skill to pick up anytime, it's even more appropriate during these days. Why? Because it can help you enter a state of flow. Or, in other words, it can make the outside world (and all the chaos that comes with it) fall away, and heighten your imagination, mindfulness, focus, and introspection. That's something we all could use.

You don't even really need to be good at it. Although, naturally, we all want to at least understand the basics before diving into a new hobby. That's where this Complete Creative Art and Science of Drawing Bundle comes in.

Featuring 12 courses and over 56 hours of content, this bundle will help you unleash your inner artist. The content itself is designed for beginners and will walk you through fundamental drawing skills for both traditional and digital mediums. You'll start with the art and science of drawing, which kicks off with topics as simple as how to hold the pencil correctly and how to draw shapes. It will then lead you through more complex concepts like cross-hatching, shading, atmospheric perspective, and linework. You'll also learn the step-by-step process of drawing specific things like figures, heads, animals, and even superheroes. And lastly, you'll take a brief look at how to translate your drawings to the digital world via Adobe Illustrator.

The instructors — including Brent Eviston, Robert Marzullo, and Ethan Nguyen — are all professional artists and designers with a 4.5-star rating or higher. Over 34,000 students have already enrolled in the basic skills course alone, with many leaving positive reviews after completing the coursework. 

Whether or not you become the next Picasso, this 12-course bundle will at least help you unleash some creativity during these weird times. And that's something we all could really use. Plus, since it's 90% off retail value at just £29.35, what do you have to lose?

Credit: Pexels

Fundamental Drawing Bundle for Beginners

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The first action-packed trailer for South Korean zombie series All of Us Are Dead has arrived, showcasing brutal action, terrifyingly fast zombies, and one more reason to be afraid of crowds.

Based on the 2009 webtoon of the same name, Netflix's All of Us Are Dead follows a group of teenagers forced to fight for their lives after their high school becomes the site of a horrific virus outbreak. These aren't your classic lurching undead either, looking much closer to the tsunamis of bodies seen in films like Train to Busan. Zombies are already bad enough, but they seem practically demonic when crawling after their victims at top speed.

There's an excellent chance All of Us Are Dead will be just as emotionally devastating as Train to Busan was as well, so prepare yourself. It's practically guaranteed that not all the kids will make it out this series alive — if anyone does at all.

All of Us Are Dead arrives Jan. 28 on Netflix.

For nearly two-thirds of American high schoolers Naviance software is an integral and nearly unavoidable part of the college research and application process. For colleges and universities, it’s also a targeted advertising platform with a captive audience of millions of students looking to make one of the largest financial investments of their lives.

The Markup examined the Naviance accounts of several students who granted us access and reviewed contracts between 10 universities and Intersect, a sister company to Naviance responsible for selling advertising campaigns on the platform. We uncovered how Naviance gathers data through its college guidance software and then allows colleges and universities to target students with paid advertisements encouraging them to enroll. 

The platform allows admissions officials to select what kinds of students will see their recruiting messages based on the students’ location, academic “ability,” the majors they’re interested in, and even their race. In one instance, The Markup found a university that deliberately advertised only to White students through Naviance. Several other schools used the platform to target students of all races in some states but only White students in others.

The software has become ubiquitous in the college search process. More than 10 million students use it to submit their college applications, request teacher recommendations, and submit transcripts. They research colleges and universities using Naviance’s SuperMatch feature, which calculates a “fit score” designed to show students how well aligned they are with a particular school. 

They use the software’s scattergram feature to compare their test scores and GPAs to previously admitted students from their own high school. And they receive messages through Naviance about schools that might be good matches for them.

Some of those messages, The Markup found, are actually paid advertisements from the schools. 

“There’s some social engineering at play that feels really concerning,” said Ceceilia Parnther, a St. John’s University professor who studies higher education leadership. “I see it being an electronic form of gatekeeping.”

Naviance and Intersect are owned by PowerSchool and are key parts of an ed tech empire—largely owned by the private equity firm Vista Equity Partners—that is exerting significant influence over students from kindergarten through college graduation. 

PowerSchool declined to answer many of The Markup’s questions for this story, but in a brief email, Darron Flagg, the company’s chief compliance and privacy officer, wrote that the feature that allows colleges to target students with advertisements based on their race was phased out in 2019—two years before PowerSchool acquired the companies. 

“The Intersect product does not allow matching criteria that excludes under-represented student groups,” Flagg wrote in an email.

That statement is directly contradicted by documents The Markup obtained through public records requests.

Students The Markup spoke to for this story said they felt misled and had often been confused about why they were receiving messages through Naviance from schools in which they had expressed no interest.

“I thought the results I was getting were really weird,” said Alexandra Raphling, a senior at Santa Monica High School, in California. “They weren’t consistent with my grades, they weren’t consistent with what I put in [as search criteria].… It kind of just shows that Naviance doesn’t have the best interest of students using the software at heart.”

Race-based advertisements

In August 2021, the University of California San Diego purchased an advertising campaign through Intersect that allowed it to send targeted messages through Naviance to students who had used the platform to research competitor institutions—as designated by UC San Diego—and to “racial or ethnic minorities,” according to a contract obtained by The Markup.

The $142,000 contract includes a campaign that specifically targets “racial or ethnic minorities” in California who used Naviance to research the University of Southern California, Arizona State University, or UC Irvine.(See the documents here.)

UC San Diego declined to comment.

The contract is set to run until 2023. It was signed five months after PowerSchool acquired Naviance and two years after the race-based targeting feature was supposedly phased out.

The Markup obtained contracts showing targeted advertising campaigns from nine other universities.

In addition to their contracts, City Colleges of Chicago and Northern Illinois University provided user manuals, copyrighted 2020, that explain how school officials can pick from “diversity filters” when selecting which students will see their recruiting ads. City Colleges of Chicago also provided an Intersect demonstration video that shows a narrator selecting from a list of racial identities and unclicking a box labeled “American Indian or Alaska Native”—meaning students who identify as members of those groups would not receive recruiting messages from the school.

The Intersect website currently states that clients can use the service to “find students who fit specific demographic variables (race, ethnicity, geography, class year, attendance at an under-represented school) and present messages about your institution to students who possess those characteristics.”

When The Markup presented its findings to PowerSchool and asked about Flagg’s earlier comments, spokesperson Madeline Willman wrote in an email, “PowerSchool stands by what has been provided as factual.”

Contracts from the University of Kansas show how the targeted advertising service the companies market as a means to increase student body diversity can actually be used to do the opposite.

In 2015, for example, the university paid for a year-long Naviance advertising campaign that targeted only White students in Kansas, Texas, and Minnesota. 

That purchase occurred before PowerSchool acquired Naviance, but the University of Kansas continued to use Naviance-targeted ads through at least June 2021. The later contracts do not specify whether the school targeted students based on race, and the University of Kansas did not respond to requests for comment.

In 2016, the University of Maine purchased a Naviance campaign that targeted White, Black, and Hispanic students in Massachusetts. But its ad campaigns in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont targeted only White students, according to contracts obtained through public records requests. The university did not respond to requests for comment.

The same year, the University of Massachusetts Boston purchased Naviance advertising aimed at both White and “other” students in New Jersey and New York. But in Connecticut and New Hampshire, it targeted only White students. 

“UMass Boston uses many recruiting strategies … to reach interested high-school-aged students with an aim toward growing diversity in our student body,” DeWayne Lehman, a spokesperson for the university, wrote in an email. He did not answer questions about why the university would target only White students in certain states.

“You can pretty much not escape”

Many colleges and universities have traditionally directed their advertisements using lists of prospective student names purchased from the ACT and from the College Board, which administers the SAT. But fewer high school students are taking those standardized tests.

In many places, the tests were canceled because of COVID-19. And even before the pandemic, universities were adopting test-optional application policies that did not require students to submit test scores. As a result, schools have been searching for new sources of data to fuel their marketing. 

EAB—which is owned by Vista Equity Partners, the same firm that holds a significant stake in Naviance’s parent company, PowerSchool—is currently the exclusive reseller of Intersect’s targeted advertising service. In its marketing material, EAB has presented its access to students through Naviance as a way for colleges and universities to find valuable advertising leads and make up for the loss of data from the ACT and SAT. “Unrivaled Reach: Influence and Engage Top Prospects via Naviance,” reads one recent EAB marketing presentation.

Naviance says that more than 10 million students spread across 40 percent of U.S. high schools use its services. That’s about two thirds of the 15.3 million students who were enrolled in high school in 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Education data.

Some districts, like Pittsburgh Public Schools, have made Naviance the mandatory cornerstone of their college and career readiness programs. 

Beginning in third grade, Pittsburgh students must complete at least two lessons or surveys tied to their Naviance account each year, according to a curriculum plan obtained through a public records request. In high school, Pittsburgh students are required to use Naviance’s SuperMatch college search feature, request materials from schools through the platform, and add at least one school to their “Colleges I’m Applying to” list, according to the document.

Pittsburgh Public Schools did not respond to a request for comment.

The surveys ask students to respond to prompts like “It is very important to me that other people see me as a successful person” and “I like to lead and persuade people and sell things and ideas.” In some cases, students take the surveys once in middle school and are not allowed to change their answers at any point in the future. In its user manuals for students, Naviance encourages students to use the survey results to determine their career goals and course plans.

Some districts, like Ann Arbor Public Schools, also use Naviance to administer their own custom surveys about students’ post-high-school plans. They ask students to answer questions like “How are you planning on paying for college?”—information that would be valuable to schools considering which prospective recruits to focus their recruiting efforts on.

The Markup did not find any evidence that Naviance was using students’ survey answers to help target advertisements. 

Kids and parents in several districts told The Markup that their schools required students to use Naviance to take career aptitude surveys, request teacher recommendations, submit applications, and research colleges, even if they had already identified the schools they intended to apply to.

“In order to graduate, you can pretty much not escape the use of Naviance,” said Cassie Creswell, a Chicago parent.

That level of reach has made the platform highly attractive for schools like New Jersey City University, one of the institutions that pays Intersect for advertising services, that are competing for a shrinking number of potential students.

Jose Balda, NJCU’s director of admissions, said that 382 freshmen—more than a third of the school’s incoming class in 2020—connected with NJCU through Naviance (although that may not have been the only way they discovered the university).

“This is essentially giving students the opportunity to add us to their shopping list,” Balda said.

A former Naviance account executive, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect his current job, put it a different way: “It’s a pay to play kind of idea, and I don’t think parents know that, but all the universities knew that.”

Empowering students

The former employee said that, despite the disguised advertising, he believes Naviance provides a valuable service to many students, especially those who have fewer resources or less familial experience with the college search process.

PowerSchool says Naviance empowers students with data that helps them make informed decisions about their post-high-school plans and tools to follow through on those plans.

Research into students’ use of Naviance suggests that increased use of the software correlates with increases in college application rates, but its ultimate effects are complicated.

In 2020, Christine Mulhern, then a Harvard University education researcher, investigated the scattergram charts that Naviance displays to students as they research colleges. The charts show students how their GPA and test scores compare to peers from their school who were accepted by a particular college.

Mulhern found that students were 20 percent more likely to apply to a college if they first saw a Naviance scattergram depicting the grades and test scores of previously admitted students. Other research has also shown that increased use of Naviance correlates with higher college application rates.

Viewing scattergrams had a particular impact on students of color, correlating with increased four-year-college enrollment rates for students who are Black, Hispanic, or received free or reduced lunch, Mulhern found. But the study also showed that those students who viewed Naviance scattergrams were “less likely to apply to reach colleges and more likely to attend a safety school” and that “it is probably not optimal for students to respond so strongly to admissions signals” like the GPA and test scores that the scattergrams show. 

Another study, conducted by University of California Irvine professor Roderic Crooks, examined how students in a Los Angeles high school that was 94 percent Latino and 6 percent Black responded to the introduction of Naviance and a school mandate that they use the platform to apply to at least four colleges.

He found that students rebelled against software-enabled surveillance of the application process, in some cases uploading fake applications to Naviance in order to meet their quotas and avoid expulsion.

“At the level of the school, at the level of the user, I think the benefits are quite limited,” Crooks said in an interview. “The benefits accumulate elsewhere.… Naviance wound up with this mountain of data through its activities that then became a saleable, actionable asset. Once these channels for aggregating data are created, then you start to see the companies pivot and start to be about something else.”

This article was originally published on The Markup and was republished under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license.

Have you ever fallen in love at first sight? If you want to, feast your eyes upon this truly enormous Lodge Cast Iron skillet making its way down I59.

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He's beauty and he's grace, he's mister United States. At 18 feet from handle to handle, and 14,360 pounds, Lodge says he's the "world's largest cast iron skillet." I want to cook the world's largest steak in him.

Lodge is opening a new museum at its South Pittsburgh, Tennessee headquarters to tell the history of cast iron. Mr. Big Stuff will proudly anchor the museum. A sight to behold!

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While the people who got to witness big skillet making its way down the highway are lucky in the utmost, Lodge shared a clip from the trip that really made the twitterverse flip.

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Lodge, purveyors of fine cookwear since 1896, got in on the fun with classic cast iron skillet puns.

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Some spoke heresy and threatened our high-heat ruler with violence.

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I'm just happy to live in a world where the world's largest cast iron skillet exists. Long live big skillet. Forever may he reign.

Save $176.02: It's powerful, it's portable, and it's on sale. As of Jan. 13, you can grab the Alienware m15 R4 gaming laptop for $1,999.98 at Amazon — the best price we've seen to date on this 2021 model.

Get a gaming boost with the Alienware m15 R4 15.6-inch gaming laptop, which on sale for a new low price of $1,998.98. Rest assured it has the specs you need for a smooth gaming experience, along with plenty of storage space for your next Steam shopping spree.

The primary engine of the Alienware m15 R4 is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6 graphics card, which offers enough power to handle the latest releases (like Halo Infinite). It also includes a 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10870H 8-core processor and 16GB of RAM for increased performance. And with a 1TB PCle solid-state drive for storage, you'll have plenty of space.

All that power is packed into a lean profile: This laptop is 20.5mm thick when closed and weighs around 4.65 pounds. While its 15.6-inch Full HD display might not sound as impressive as some 4K gaming PCs, Alienware boasts a lightning-fast 3000Hz refresh rate.

Credit: Alienware

Alienware m15 R4 15.6-inch gaming laptop

$1,999.98 at Amazon (save $176.02)

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If you missed playing Fortnite on the iPhone, there’s good news: Nvidia is working on a way to bring the game back to iOS. 

The company will offer Fortnite on iOS through Nvidia’s game streaming service GeForce Now, which can operate via the Safari browser. “Starting next week, Fortnite on GeForce Now will launch in a limited-time closed beta for mobile,” Nvidia announced in a Thursday blog post.

In 2020, Apple pulled Fortnite from the iOS App Store after its developer, Epic Games, broke the rules by adding a direct payment option inside the multiplayer title. The kerfuffle sparked an antitrust battle in the courts, which has thus far largely ruled in favor for Apple, although the case is still going through the appeals process.  

In the meantime, Apple has denied an Epic Games's attempt to reinstate Fortnite in the App Store. As a result, users who previously had Fortnite installed on their iPhones have been unable to receive game updates for the past 16 months. 

However, it seems Epic Games has now found another a way to bring back the multiplayer title to iOS through GeForce Now, which uses the cloud to stream games to iOS' Safari browser.

The Fornite version available to play on iOS will also include touch controls. Interested GeForce Now users can apply for the closed beta through a waitlist. “Members will be admitted to the beta in batches over the coming weeks,” the company added. 

The beta hopes to test Nvidia's server capacity, graphics delivery, along with the game’s touch controls. Participating GeForce Now members will also be able to stream the game on Android devices. But unlike iOS, Fortnite is still available on Android through app side-loading.  

In the future, Nvidia plans on enabling other touch control-friendly games through GeForce Now, which has mainly been targeting laptop and desktop users. 

“While PC games in the GeForce Now library are best experienced on mobile with a gamepad, the introduction of touch controls built by the GeForce Now team offers more options for players, starting with Fortnite,” Nvidia said. 

GeForce Now has a free membership, but the experience caps your cloud gaming sessions to one hour before you have to sign off and rejoin a server. A paid membership, which starts at $9.99 a month, gives you longer gameplay sessions and better graphics quality. An internet speed of at least 15Mbps is also required to run GeForce Now.

The beginning of a new year always sees an uptick in fitness interest.

If you’re thinking about adding adjustable dumbbells to your home gym or workout routine as you come out of hibernation, then know this: There are a ton of options out there.

If the thought of scouring the internet looking at sets of adjustable dumbbells stresses you out, allow us to do the heavy lifting for you. There are a few features you should consider before taking the plunge on a new set of weights. The following criteria can help narrow down your options:

• Adjustability. You’ll want to look for a set of adjustable dumbbells that are actually easy to adjust. If you find yourself missing the clanking of metal that you’ll typically hear in a gym, the traditional pin-lock set of dumbbells may be right for you. Or maybe you’re looking to incorporate weights into your H.I.I.T. (High Intensity Interval Workout) routines, in which case the simple twist of a dial would be better. You’ll find both on our list, along with the pros and cons of each.

• Weight settings. Another feature you’ll want to think about is the minimum and maximum weight settings offered. Why spring for a heavier set when you could easily find one in your desired weight range? The set used by serious weight trainers won’t be suitable for beginners or someone looking to rebuild muscle while recovering from an injury. It’s also important to look at the increments in which you can adjust the weights. Lucky for you, we’ve already done the research and have solid options in a variety of weight settings.

• Storage. You’re most likely in the market for adjustable dumbbells because you’re looking for a way to get fit without sacrificing precious space for equipment. If you don’t mind storing your equipment out in the open, a set that either comes with its own weight rack or sells a compatible one separately is your best bet. Otherwise, you’ll want to look for either a set that can be put away in a case, or one that's compact enough to fit into a drawer or closet. Whichever you prefer, we have a recommendation for you.

How do adjustable dumbbells work?

Adjustable dumbbells are a major hack for saving space in your home gym. While regular dumbbells have a set amount of weight attached to each end, an adjustable dumbbell allows you to change the weight on the bar.

Most sets use either a dial, a pin, or a lever to allow you to release weighted plates from each side of the dumbbell, and replace them with heavier or lighter ones. If you're using adjustable dumbbells while doing a workout that requires a lot of different weight in succession, you'll have more time between each exercise while you adjust the weight. But, the upside is that you'll save space and money if you opt for an adjustable pair over a full set of traditional dumbbells.

Which adjustable dumbbell set is the best?

Overall, we think the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells are an excellent choice for people who are looking to get swole. This set is great for all levels because it features weights as low as five pounds per dumbbell, and goes all the way up to 52.5 pounds per dumbbell. These are especially great if you're sharing a home gym with a partner or roommates, as there are plenty of weight levels for both beginner and advanced lifters. All weight adjustments are made using a simple dial, so you can spend less time fiddling with your weights and more time actually working out with them.

Need a few more options before you settle on a pair of adjustable dumbbells? Stop searching and start lifting — check out the rest of our top picks below.

SAVE 43%: Indulge in some cold and creamy deliciousness no matter the season with your own Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker. As of Jan. 13, it's on sale at Walmart for just $63.88 — 43% off the original price.

We can all pretend we wouldn't take a bowl of ice cream to the face in the middle of winter, but let's be honest. Ice cream has no season. Whether it's over 100 degrees or sub-zero outside, frozen desserts can — and should — be enjoyed year-round. There's just one problem: local ice cream shops lock their doors when the temperatures drop.

The Cuisinart ICE-20 Ice Cream Maker is on sale for $63.88, down from its usual $111.79, at Walmart. That's 43% in savings. With this countertop gem, you can make up to 1.5 quarts of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and more.

The Cuisinart's heavy-duty motor, automatic mixing arm, and large ingredient spout make churning frozen treats a breeze. Just pop the double-insulated freezer bowl in the freezer over night and mount it on the base when you're ready for some ice cream. Add your ingredients (no ice needed), put in the paddle, and let 'er rip. You can even add some toppings near the end of the 20- to 30-minute mixing process.

By making your own ice cream at home, you'll always know what's in it. (So if it's disgusting, like the infamous Kraft mac and cheese ice cream, only you are to blame.) Go ahead and experiment with plant-based milks, strange flavor combinations, or classic recipes. There's no judgment in your kitchen — especially in the middle of winter.

Credit: Cuisinart

Cuisinart ICE-20 Automatic Ice Cream Maker

$63.88 at Walmart (save 43%)

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SAVE $60.99: Chefman's 26-quart French Door Air Fryer+ Oven is on sale at Walmart for just $89 (normally $149.99) as of Jan. 13. That beats its Black Friday price there by $10.

If you've waited until 2022 to finally hop on the air fryer train, you might as well go big or go home.

Walmart just added the gigantic Chefman French Door Air Fryer+ Oven to its clearance section and dropped its price to only $89, which takes a good 41% off its $149.99 MSRP. (Ignore the big box store's inflated list price — Target also clocked it at $150.) This appears to be its lowest price to date, somehow beating even Walmart's own Black Friday Deals for Days offer by ten whole American dollars.

Not to wax poetic, but tearing into a hot, juicy rotisserie chicken like a feral animal at the end of the day is one of life's greatest pleasures — and with one of these bad boys on your countertop, you won't have to make any extra trips to the grocery store after work. At 26 quarts, it can easily fit an entire bird (plus a 9-by-13 sheet tray of veggies) in its cooking chamber. There's even a specific "rotisserie" setting alongside its air fry, broil, toast, and baking programs, with a simple dial control for temperature adjustments from 200 to 450°F. You'll be able to see right through its double doors' wide windows to make sure your dinner's getting crisped to perfection.

Clearance picks don't usually last long on Walmart.com, so don't dawdle on this one.

Credit: Chefman

Chefman French Door Air Fryer+ Oven

$89 at Walmart (save $60.99)

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Spiritus is a three-wheeled electric vehicle developed by Toronto-based company Daymak Avvenire.

In addition to being ridiculously fast, it apparently mines cryptocurrency in its downtime.

Climate 101 is a Mashable series that answers provoking and salient questions about Earth’s warming climate.

Top U.S. earth scientists announced Thursday that 2021 was among the hottest years on record. 

Specifically, the average global surface temperature was the sixth warmest, according to both NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), making the last eight years the eight warmest in over 140 years of reliable record-keeping. Temperatures in 2021 were nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit (about 1.1 Celsius) hotter than average temperatures in the late 19th century. Crucially, however, climate scientists emphasize it's the long-term temperature trend that really matters and best illustrates how global surface temperatures are changing, rather than what occurs during a particular year or group of years.

And the decades-long trend is unambiguous. Temperatures have been on an upward trajectory for nearly half a century. 

"It is the long-term effects on climate that we're really worried about," Zeke Hausfather, a climate scientist and researcher at the environmental science organization Berkeley Earth, told Mashable. "It is crystal clear that temperatures are going up, and they're going up quickly."

(Matching NASA and NOAA's temperature analysis, Berkeley Earth also independently found that 2021 was the sixth warmest on record.)

Average global surface temperatures since 1880 Credit: NASA

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Amid the rising global temperature trend there are small bumps, like little peaks and valleys. This is due to recurring, short-term climate patterns impacting the larger warming signal. The most influential of the patterns occur in the sprawling Pacific Ocean, which can see year-to-year periods of sea surface warming (El Niño) or cooling (La Niña). This temporarily pushes overall global temperatures up or down. That's why the decades-long story is crucial to watch. It cuts through the noise. 

"We live on a dynamic planet with lots of daily, weekly, monthly, and annual fluctuations," emphasized Sarah Green, an environmental chemist at Michigan Technological University who had no involvement with the 2021 climate reports. "If you're looking for long-term changes, you have to average over the long term."

"The focus on short-term variability is not really helpful," agreed Hausfather.

In 2021, La Niña conditions in the Pacific Ocean had a cooling effect on Earth. But even so, the human impact on our climate remains outsized. To illustrate, 2021 makes 1998 look like an unusually cool year. But 1998 was "crazy warm" at the time, noted Hausfather, as the warming trend was enhanced by a potent El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean.

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Today's relentlessly rising temperatures are no surprise. Large-scale human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels refined from ancient, carbon-rich, decomposed creatures, have driven momentous changes in the atmosphere. For example, levels of the most important greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, are now the highest they've been in some 3 million years, and are still rising. Each passing year, humanity emits prodigious amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.

With current carbon-cutting commitments from global nations, the world is on track to warm by some 2.7 C (nearly 5 F), which would have extreme, disastrous environmental consequences. Already, the consequences of warming are serious. For example:

• Extreme fires: Increased temperatures and dryness parch vegetation and allow wildfires to burn more rapidly, significantly contributing to unnatural infernos and extreme urban firestorms. ("It takes just a little bit of warming to lead to a lot more burning.")

• Severe deluges: A warmer climate allows the atmosphere to hold more water.  This boosts the odds for more severe and record-breaking deluges.

• Destabilized ice sheets: Warmer ocean waters have destabilized the Florida-sized Thwaites Glacier. It's receding back; if it collapses it can ultimately raise sea levels in the coming centuries by many feet.

• Ocean heating: The ocean absorbs over 90 percent of the heat humanity traps on Earth. That's a nearly unfathomable number. This portends continued sea level rise, great disruptions to animal life, and beyond. Ocean heat hit a record high in 2021.

• More vector-borne disease: As the climate warms, creatures that infect us with pathogens (vectors like mosquitoes and ticks) spread. 

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The impacts of climate change will only grow until nations drop carbon emissions to around zero. But with each passing year, efforts to limit warming to some 2 C (3.6 F) above 19th-century levels grow more daunting. The big solutions, however, like the vast expansion of powerful ocean wind farms and electric vehicle adoption, are well-known. 

"The more you delay, the harder it is," said Green.

PREORDER: Kirby and the Forgotten Land is launching for the Nintendo Switch on March 25 (peep the new trailer below). You can reserve a copy at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, GameStop, or the Nintendo eShop for $59.99 as of Jan. 13.

Deep breaths, everyone: Kirby and the Forgotten Land will make its Nintendo Switch debut on March 25.

Nintendo announced the game's release date this week alongside a brand new trailer, which previews some additions to the pink puffball's repertoire of copy abilities and two-player co-op gameplay (see below). If you want to reserve a copy ahead of time, it's officially up for preorder at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, GameStop, and the Nintendo eShop as of Jan. 13.

Featuring full 3D gameplay for the first time in the franchise's 30-year history, Forgotten Land places our plump protagonist in a post-apocalyptic world filled with overgrown shopping malls, abandoned amusement parks, mysterious jungles, and flooded metropolises — it's a little The Last of Us, but cuter. (Also, no throat-ripping fungus zombies.) Kirby's iconic swallow-enemies-to-steal-their-powers shtick will come in real handy as you traverse these mysterious realms on your quest to rescue Waddle Dees from the clutches of the Beast Pack, and you can have an IRL friend tag along as backup by sharing a Joy-Con.

When you're not busy slurping and spearing enemies, you can explore the main hub of Waddle Dee Town, which grows the more Waddle Dees you save; Kirby can visit different shops there, play games, and even lend a hand (nub?) behind the counter at the Waddle Dee Café. There's no online play, but you'll be able to compare your scores with other players by connecting to the internet with a Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately).

Hit the link below to lock in your preorder.

Credit: Nintendo

'Kirby and the Forgotten Land'

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UPDATE: Jan. 13, 2022, 11:50 a.m. EST This article has been updated with information about the game's release date, as well as its new trailer.

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Whether you find yourself playing VR golf with your coworkers after a big virtual meeting or getting caught up in an NFT heist about bored apes, tech in 2022 is about to get real weird for all of us. You'd best get educated now.

If 2021 was the year to know about fancy TV features like refresh rates, 2022 is the year to brush up on screens that sit a lot closer to our faces. Like it or not, tech companies like Sony, Meta, and Apple are making big pushes for VR adoption for both work and play. So, yes, you’ll have to learn what the heck the “metaverse” is. On top of that, people like Eminem are spending ungodly amounts of money on JPEGs that may or may not be vehicles for cryptocurrency scams, so you should probably come to grips with the blockchain and NFTs, too.

Sure, 2022 may not look quite like the Jetsons-esque utopia you imagined it could be as a kid, but there’s still plenty to look forward to in the coming year. Instead of retreating to the woods, take a few minutes to learn these terms so you can navigate the months ahead.

Metaverse

Aren't you excited to virtually surf with Mark Zuckerberg? Credit: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Last fall, Facebook hosted a dizzying livestream to show off its vision of the future; a future which largely involves spending a lot of time wearing Quest headsets. At the end, CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed Facebook’s new name, Meta. Was this a way for Zuck to distance future products and services from his eternally scandalous social network? Probably. But it also brings us to the one tech term you might hear more than any other in 2022: Metaverse.

Put simply, the metaverse is a persistent virtual world where people can work, play, and shop from anywhere using a virtual reality headset, augmented reality glasses, a phone, or any other compatible device.

The vision advanced by Zuckerberg and other metaverse proponents (like the individual who recently spent $450,000 to "live" next to Snoop Dogg's virtual mansion) has people existing as customizable 3D avatars who can go from a meeting in a fake boardroom to surfing on a virtual beach in a matter of seconds. Just think: You could be interacting "in-person" with your coworkers who are thousands of miles away while shopping for a digital t-shirt you can only wear in the metaverse.

It’s all very lofty and ambitious, and has just as much potential to be a dystopian capitalistic nightmare as it does to revolutionize working and socializing. No matter how you feel about the metaverse, though, you won’t be able to ignore it in 2022.

Virtual reality

Please do not use a Quest 2 out on the street. Credit: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

While you've almost certainly heard of virtual reality — more commonly known as VR — there's never been a better time than now to refresh your knowledge about it. After all, if the metaverse plan pans out, we could all be spending more time in VR than we would like to, especially if it becomes a regular part of work. Not exactly the virtual future you expected, right?

Anyway, VR is a blanket term for entirely digital spaces that folks can use special hardware, like the Oculus Quest and Valve Index headsets, to access. This isn't the same as booting up your PlayStation and running around in Grand Theft Auto on your TV. These headsets use special lens technology, cameras, and motion-tracking controllers to fully immerse you in their computer worlds, making things seem real even when they're not. VR can be used for everything from headshotting zombies and foul-mouthing your way through virtual escape rooms to visiting decades-old versions of your neighborhood.

Or you can just use it to fly around in a lawless, meme nightmare like VR Chat, a social networking VR app that would instantly kill someone from the 1800s if they saw it.

Augmented reality

Hey, those aren't supposed to be there! Credit: Chesnot/Getty Images

Another technology that's entirely separate but (in ways you'll understand shortly) is absolutely related to VR is augmented reality, or AR for short.

The idea of augmenting reality has serious 1970s sci-fi vibes to it but, in practice, it's usually a lot more innocuous than that.

Basically, AR is a way to place and anchor digital objects in the real world. Of course, they're not actually appearing in physical spaces, but your phone screen or AR glasses make it seem like they are. Remember the heady days of summer 2016 when it seemed like everyone in the world was obsessed with Pokémon Go, the mobile game that placed Pikachu on the sidewalk in front of you? That's probably one of the most mainstream uses of AR. The same goes for those silly effects filters you use on Snapchat.

Of course, AR has the potential for much more. Interior decorators could use it to virtually place furniture in a room before it actually arrives and doctors can use it to see the veins in someone's arm so they don't miss an injection. But also, Pikachu can be on your desk. That's important too.

Mixed reality

Remember when Tom Cruise did this? Welp, now it's real. Credit: Westend61/Getty Images

As big tech ramps up its metaverse (or metaverse-adjacent) plans, the term “mixed reality” is going to get thrown around from time to time. Yes, this is a distinct term from virtual reality and augmented reality, but if you understand both of those things, you’ll easily get what mixed reality is all about.

A simple way to think about mixed reality (abbreviated as XR) is that it’s kind of a mix of VR and AR. An XR device, like Apple’s rumored upcoming headset, would allow users to fully immerse themselves in a VR world but also see the real-world environment around them, with virtual objects on top of it if they want to.

While Apple itself reportedly has no metaverse ambitions, a true mixed-reality headset would enable virtual interactions in real spaces. 

Perhaps, one day we’ll all wear XR goggles for more immersive work and shopping experiences on the go. Whether that happens or not, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the concept now. 

Blockchain

This is where the Bitcoin comes from. Credit: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Our next two terms to know in 2022 — blockchain and NFTs — go hand-in-hand and you’ve likely heard of at least one of them many times by now.

The blockchain is a years-old concept and NFTs blew up in 2021, but according to experts, you’ll hear way more about them this year. 

Without delving into the technical aspects of the blockchain (which would take thousands of words), it’s best understood as a virtual public ledger where assets can be owned, traded, and tracked transparently, and without alteration by those with devious intentions. It’s decentralized, meaning no ultimate authority holds power over it. The same is true of cryptocurrency, which is decentralized virtual money that uses blockchains to facilitate and track transactions.

NFTs

"Art." Credit: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

This brings us to NFTs, or non-fungible tokens.

Think of an NFT as a unit of cryptocurrency that is totally unique to the owner, like a virtual collectible baseball card. People spend money on NFTs in several forms, but most commonly the idea is to have an immutable receipt of ownership over a piece of digital art. For some, the goal isn’t simply to patronize the artist and appreciate the art. Rather, the hope is that, over time, the NFT will appreciate in value and can be sold again at a higher price.

Of course, since NFTs don’t exist in the real world, anyone can simply right-click and save a piece of NFT art without spending thousands of dollars to stake a claim in it. The NFT world is also fertile ground for scam artists, who can sell stolen art, steal money, and do all sorts of other wild things. 

Lossless audio

Lossless audio is the closest you'll get to recreating the joy of vinyl. Credit: Tempura/Getty Images

Let’s step back from the world of suffocating VR spaces and internet funny money to focus on something a lot more conventional: Listening to music.

While it might not matter to most regular folks who just want to load up their running playlist on Spotify, streaming audio quality has never been as good as listening to a hard copy of a vinyl album. Common audio formats like MP3 compress songs down to reduce file sizes, which results in data loss, producing inferior quality. “Lossless” audio formats like FLAC exist to restore that data and make songs sound how they’re supposed to sound.

Tidal has offered a lossless option for a while now, while Apple Music and Spotify announced plans to support it in 2021. So far, only Apple had made good on that promise... Spotify hasn’t yet. Given that Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming platforms with more than 170 million paid subscribers (and a year-end Wrapped feature that dominates social media), it could have the power to push lossless audio to the mainstream if and when its HiFi service tier launches this year. Will it be expensive? Probably, but that's the price you pay for quality.

We understand that all of the above is a lot to take in: Work meetings in VR? People spending thousands of dollars on jpegs of cartoon apes? Snoop Dogg owning a virtual mansion? This may not be the future you wanted, but it's the future you have for the moment. Take a deep breath, try not to tie up too much of your money in crypto schemes, and be safe out there.

Save 50%: Ready to take your fitness goals to the next level? The Bowflex BXT6 Treadmill is on sale for just $899.99 at Best Buy, but you won't want to wait — this 50% savings is on for Jan. 13 only.

Of course, we'd all ideally like to keep our New Year's fitness resolutions, but going to the gym (during a pandemic or not) isn't always the most appealing activity. Sure, you could get some cardio done outside, but you might have to endure freezing January weather.

Home gyms are great, but they can get pricey quickly, unless you come across some killer savings — like, say, a Bowflex treadmill at 50% off. Yes, you read that right. For Jan. 13 only, you can grab the Bowflex BXT6 Treadmill for just $899.99, a $900 markdown, at Best Buy.

From its adjustable dumbbells to its weight machines, Bowflex has definitely earned its spot as a big name in home gym equipment. This treadmill in particular deserves some love for a few reasons. Customer review after customer review noted how quiet it is, even when you're really pushing the motor with a fast sprint. Though sturdy while in use, it's also easy to move around thanks to its wheels. Finally, its compatibility with the JRNY app means you'll get access to personalized adaptive workouts (and a year free of your JRNY membership with purchase).

Really, the only thing this treadmill is missing is the fancy built-in screen of the newer Bowflex 10, but it does have a space for a phone or tablet right above its LCD screen.

Finding any treadmill this decked out under $1,000, Bowflex or not, isn't too common. So if you're ready to invest in your home gym, you'll want to jump on this deal while it lasts for a limited time.

Credit: Bowflex

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Getting a gift of cash via Venmo is great — infinitely better than a gift card — but it’s hard to get appropriately excited and grateful about a row of numbers sandwiched between a rent payment and your share of last night’s pizza tab. 

So starting Thursday you can “wrap” your Venmo gift payments. It's still all in the app, but instead of the usual notification of fresh funds in your account it'll be more festive — even if it's not your birthday or a holiday. The idea came about after Venmo noticed during the pandemic that more people (almost 60 percent of current customers) were gifting money through Venmo with notes that said things like, "thanks" or "just because," as a Venmo rep explained in an email. Clearly, Venmo payments were becoming little expressions of love, so gift-wrapping was born.

Notice the new gift-wrap icon? Credit: Venmo

There are eight different gift-wrap designs with animations to amp up your cute and clever GIF- and emoji-filled note. To send a gift-wrapped Venmo payment you still click the same "Pay or Request" button on the home screen and proceed as usual with a recipient, note, and amount. But before sending it off, you'll notice a new gift-wrap icon next to the "Pay" button. It'll be a free feature when it rolls out to American users Thursday.

Click that and scroll through the wrapping options (there are currently some designs for the upcoming Lunar New Year) and pick one. You'll see a preview of the wrapped payment before confirming it's good to go. 

Give the gift of money. Credit: Venmo

If you're on the receiving end, you'll get a notification that you've received a gift (not a payment as your notifications for other payouts usually state). Once in the Venmo app you can unwrap the gift and view the animation. If you want to relive the unwrapping you can always click on the transaction on the payment details screen (the sender can also rewatch the animation from the same screen on their app). 

Now you'll stop confusing that Hanukkah present from mom with your roommate's portion of the utility bill. Maybe you’ll be so touched, you’ll remember to send a thank you note for once.

Folks, it’s time. After the first-ever 17-game NFL regular season, the dust has settled and the tournament of champions that ends at the Super Bowl finally has all its entrants. In other words: The 2022 NFL playoffs are here.

This is as wide open as the playoffs, which begin on Jan. 15, have ever felt, as both of last year’s Super Bowl teams (the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers) will be challenged for supremacy by newcomers like the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals. No one team is a clear favorite, which is as exciting as it is rare in this sport. 

But how the heck do you watch the games if you don’t have cable? You may have to spend some money, but it can be done without too much hassle.

Which networks are airing NFL playoff games?

One nice thing about pro football is that almost every game airs on network TV (aka the channels you don’t need to pay to see). Simply slap an antenna on your wall and you should get access to almost every playoff game, including the Super Bowl.

But to be more specific, here’s which channels you'll need to catch all of the single elimination tournament:

• FOX

• CBS

• NBC

• ESPN (for one game on Monday, Jan. 17)

Aside from ESPN, those networks can all be accessed locally over the air with an antenna. However, your individual situation might not lend itself to that. Signal problems or geographical oddities may occur. As long as you have adequate internet, streaming is the most reliable way to catch all the big plays.

Which streaming services carry all the networks?

Will Derrick Henry return to carry the Titans to glory? Credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Your best bet for watching every NFL playoff game without managing several free trials or remembering multiple passwords will be one of the many cable streaming alternatives out there. Specifically, there are three major ones that carry every one of the aforementioned TV channels:

• DirecTV Stream ($70 monthly)

• FuboTV ($65 monthly)

• Hulu with Live TV ($70 monthly)

It should go without saying that none of those options are especially cheap and it’s perfectly understandable if you don’t want to spend that much for something you’ll only use for a month. Unfortunately, only Fubo and Hulu offer free trials, and those only run for seven days. In other words, you won’t get much without just paying for a month of service.

A quick word to the wise: Local networks like FOX, CBS, and NBC are offered by all three services, but that’s not universally true across every part of the country. You should double-check the channel lineups on the DirecTV Stream, Fubo, and Hulu websites (they’ll ask for your ZIP code) to make extra sure you’ll be all set.

Are there cheaper streaming alternatives?

Unless you can grab a cable login from a friend or family member (which would grant access to at least the Fox Sports and ESPN apps on your streaming device or smart TV), one way to save a little bit of money is to subscribe to the $50 monthly Sling Blue + Orange package and the $10 monthly Paramount Plus premium package. 

Put simply, that particular Sling bundle gets you FOX, NBC, and ESPN, while Paramount Plus offers a live stream of your local CBS station. You’re ultimately only saving $5 to $10 by doing this (and you’ll have to remember multiple passwords and use multiple apps) but savings are savings.

Of course, you could always go to a bar or a friend’s house if they have cable to avoid all of this.

The point is that you don’t need cable to watch the 2022 NFL playoffs, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be cheap. Figure out what’s right for you and, above all else, go Chiefs.

A proposed bill in the UK is calling for commercial images featuring digitally-altered bodies to be labelled as such. This means advertisers, broadcasters, and publishers would have to include a disclaimer for any Photoshopped or edited images.

The bill, introduced by Dr. Luke Evans, was presented in Parliament on Wednesday, indicating a push for more honesty online.

A Tory MP and former general practitioner, Evans shared the news of the proposed bill on Twitter. In a thread, he wrote, "If an image has been edited for commercial purposes, or if somebody with considerable influence has edited an image they are being paid to post, I believe that the image should carry a disclaimer."

Tweet may have been deleted

In a statement on his website, the MP also outlined the bill, including its aims, how the bill would work, and the underscoring problem. Evans stated he is hoping to push against "unrealistic depictions" of body types, which the statement says can have a tangible impact and "wide-ranging effects on physical and mental health."

"Edited commercial images do not represent reality, and are helping to perpetuate a warped sense of how we appear, with real consequences for people suffering with body confidence issues," he wrote.

The effort to be "upfront" about edited images could potentially have a welcome impact on mental health and self-perception for young people in particular, amid a toxic culture on social media which promotes unrealistic standards of "perfect" body image. Here, social platforms including Instagram have done palpable damage to teenage girls — a Wall Street Journal investigation in September 2021 revealed that a third of teen girls said Instagram made them feel worse about their bodies than they already did.

An estimated 1.25 million people in the UK have anorexia and bulimia, according to eating disorder charity Beat. Concerns about body image are starting young, with 61 percent of adult and 66 percent of children feeling negative or very negative about their bodies "most of the time." With the ever-growing presence of social media and the huge amount of posts related to diet culture and cosmetic surgery available, this problem is not going away anytime soon.

Should the bill be passed, the Advertising Standards Authority, the country's independent regulator for advertising, will develop guidelines for how the disclaimer would appear, and whether an image can be regarded as "edited" or serving a "commercial purpose."

If you want to talk to someone about an eating disorder or treatment options, in the UK, Beat's helpline details are on their website — there's also a web chat option. You can also call Samaritans any time, day or night on 116 123, use a text line like Shout, or consult this NHS list of helplines and support groups. 

In the U.S. call NEDA's hotline at (800) 931-2237 or visit NEDA's website.

Nigeria is cool with Twitter again.

In June 2021, the country banned the social media site after it deleted a tweet from Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, citing abusive behavior policies.

Nigeria quickly responded by suspending Twitter due to "persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence." Somewhat ironically, the country announced the ban on Twitter itself.

Now, according to Reuters, the suspension was lifted starting midnight on Wednesday, January 13.

"Twitter has agreed to act with a respectful acknowledgement of Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation has been built," Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general of the National Information Technology Development Agency, said in a statement.

Abdullahi also said that Twitter agreed to appoint a country representative to engage with Nigerian authorities, as well as work with the federal government and the broader industry "to develop a Code of Conduct in line with global best practices, applicable in almost all developed countries."

Tweet may have been deleted

"We are pleased that Twitter has been restored for everyone in Nigeria. Our mission in Nigeria & around the world, is to serve the public conversation. We are deeply committed to Nigeria, where Twitter is used by people for commerce, cultural engagement, and civic participation," Twitter's public policy account tweeted on Thursday.

For some reason, pretty much everything Keanu Reeves says ends up being gold.

That's certainly the case in the above Late Show video, where everyone's favourite bullet-dodger sits down opposite Stephen Colbert for some quickfire questions — and then proceeds to think deeply about every single answer, even when the question is something as mundane as "best sandwich?" ("Best sandwich, you mean, like, for me?" is his initial response).

Are Reeves' answers up there with Jennifer Lawrence's answers? It's a close call. But Reeves' back-and-forth with Colbert is undeniably entertaining to watch.

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We all love our tech, but we also know that our beloved personal devices don’t necessarily love the planet. All the landfill waste, energy use, and carbon emissions can be a real bummer as we try to find ways to tackle climate change and make choices that have a positive impact.

The good news is that we can do things to make our tech habits more eco-friendly, like adjusting our monitor brightness, for starters. But more importantly, maybe we need to start thinking about buying more sustainable tech in the first place. If you’re on board with this line of thinking, Acer’s new Vero laptop, PC tower, and monitor might be worth checking out.

Take your recycling chops to the next level

Out of the gate, every product in the Vero PC lineup is made from recycled plastics and ships in up to 100% recyclable packaging, which is refreshing. From there, the laptop build uses standard screws, which means you can use the Phillips screwdriver in your kitchen drawer to do your own upgrades and eliminate waste. Add in the fact that these machines are powerful enough to chew through just about anything you throw at them, and you might just find your new eco-friendly forever device in this mix.

The laptop is one lean, green machine

The star of Acer’s Vero lineup is almost certainly the upgradable Aspire Vero laptop. This machine has a chassis and screen bezel made from 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics, and the keycaps are a whopping 50% PCR. Acer claims the chassis production cuts carbon emissions by 21%, which is also impressive. And while the Aspire Vero might be made from recycled plastic, it has a surprisingly sturdy feel and a premium look, with a cool, raw-material vibe. 

It also performs like a rock star. The Aspire Vero comes equipped with Windows 11 out of the box, and the 99% recyclable 15.6-inch FHD IPS display is powered by an 11th Gen Intel® Core™ processor and Intel® Iris® Xe graphics. You can easily play non-AAA games and run Zoom calls and CPU-intensive tasks on this machine. Acer also includes a VeroSense app that lets you adjust your battery life to help cut down on emissions.

Young happy female worker in bottling factory recycling department. Inspection quality control. Credit: Group4 Studio VIA Getty

The Vero Mini PC and monitor are a planet-friendly power duo

If you’re thirsty for more power, the customizable Acer Veriton Vero Mini PC will feed your need for speed without bulking up your space. The chassis is made with 25% PCR plastics, so it definitely checks the eco-friendly box. It comes loaded with connectivity options with Wi-Fi 6, and it has the latest Intel® Core™ i9 processor under its recycled hood.

Marry the Mini with Acer’s Vero monitor, made from over 50% PCR plastic and fitted with features that reduce eyestrain — something we all could use right about now — and you have quite the green power setup.

Acer’s bigger green scheme

It’s also worth mentioning that Acer has a cool eco-friendly mouse, mousepad, and laptop sleeves, so the company is taking its green initiative seriously — it’s no marketing scheme. Acer has already reduced its carbon emissions worldwide by 60%, and, as a member of the RE100 global initiative, it’s committed to 100% renewable energy by 2035.

Perhaps this type of forward thinking — making tech part of the solution and not the problem — is exactly what we need to start making impactful choices. The future of tech is here, and it’s green, baby.

What would you do if you lost out on a huge opportunity because someone leaked non consensual images of you?

That's the question at the core of director Wregas Bhanuteja's mystery/thriller Photocopier, which sees student Sur (Shenina Cinnamon) waking from a party to find out she's lost her university scholarship due to photos of her being taken at the event without her knowledge and shared publicly without her consent. So, she decides to take matters into her own hands and track down whoever's responsible.

With image based sexual abuse, privacy leaks, and large hacks on the rise, it sounds like this Indonesian thriller one might not always be an easy watch — but it will be very much of our time.

Photocopier is available to stream now on Netflix.

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If you've never heard the term "decolonize" but stumble across it on social media, where it pops up via hashtag or meme, the word can raise more questions than answers. 

At first glance, the call to decolonize sounds like a challenge to change your way of thinking, but how isn't necessarily made clear. The word's origins come from a period in the 20th century when former colonies gained independence from the countries that once dominated them (think Algeria from France, or South Africa from Britain). By the 1990s, however, the term took on new meaning when academics and activists used it to describe the process of rejecting and reversing the social, economic, and psychological effects of colonization, which systemically deprived Indigenous people, in particular, of their land, resources, relationships, traditions, and culture. 

For those who use the term, decolonizing is to recognize the ways colonial power still operates today; to advocate for, among other things, the return of land to Indigenous people; and to examine the ways in which colonialism, which emphasizes individuality and the exploitation of labor and resources, has shaped not just our political and economic systems, but also our way of being in the world. 

It's difficult to pack this much context into a single meme or hashtag, but creators certainly try.

TikTok viewers have watched videos with the #decolonization hashtag more than 14 million times. The themes are wide-ranging, but the most popular clips include brief explainers on how white supremacy influences nutrition and diet culture and how the Romance languages of colonizers introduced homophobia to African cultures. 

Still, these brushes with the idea of decolonization are no substitute for understanding the history of colonization and its contemporary effects in the U.S. and around the world. The ideas that animate colonialism, like racial superiority and exploiting natural resources to amass vast personal or institutional wealth, are still very much alive today and affect Indigenous people's fight for autonomy and equality. 

"Macro and micro" decolonization 

Jimmy Lee Beason II, a member of the Osage Nation and professor in the Indigenous & American Indian Studies department at Haskell Indian Nations University, in Lawrence, Kansas, uses his Instagram posts about decolonization as a tool for "information awareness," in order to draw attention to the concept. He conceives of most posts as a way to invite other Native people to look at things through the lens of decolonization and provide reassurance that they're right to challenge things like the Pledge of Allegiance and nationalism, which in turn can give them the confidence to pursue their original teachings and traditional values for themselves and within their communities. Memes and hashtags, in other words, are the starting point, not the conclusion.

Beason, who was careful to note that his observations are based on his own personal experiences as well as academic research, and that he doesn't speak for all Native American people, believes that decolonization happens on a macro and micro level. He says the ascent of colonialism began in the 1400s, when Christian European nations like Spain and Britain began "expanding their empires, looking for gold, glory, and God." Explorers typically viewed Indigenous people across the globe as "uncivilized" and "unable to appreciate the so-called wealth you could generate from extracting resources from the land," says Beason. Those views ultimately informed policies in America (and elsewhere) that systematically deprived Indigenous people of everything they held dear: land, family, tradition, culture, and beliefs. In the U.S., for example, the Indian Removal Act of 1830, gave the U.S. authority to forcibly displace tribes so that white settlers could take their land. 

One study recently published in Science estimated that Native Americans lost nearly 99 percent of the land they historically occupied. More than 40 percent of tribes represented in historical records have no land at all today, according to the research. The authors found that tribes were forced to inhabit land with less valuable natural resources, and that the terrain is also more likely to be vulnerable to climate change today. Importantly, that land often had little to no connection to past traditions and spiritual practices. 

"It's not correct to talk about 'historical' colonialism," Kyle Whyte, the study's co-author and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, told Science Magazine. "Colonialism and land dispossession are present factors that increase vulnerability and create economic challenges for tribes."

Other forms of colonization are just as devastating. When the U.S. government created boarding schools to separate Native American youth from their families and tribes and sent missionaries to convert Native Americans of all ages to Christianity, it frequently led to the prohibition of tribal languages, ceremonies, and traditions. Beason describes boarding schools as places where children would have their "cultural identity erased." 

"Not only was the U.S. government using the military to invade our territories and colonize them, they were trying to colonize our minds…" he says. 

In this sense, Beason says, the micro effects of colonization happen at the individual level when Native Americans lose their sense of self as it's rooted in generations of tradition and knowledge. For Beason, decolonization amounts to reversing the process by which Native Americans were stripped of what belonged to them, while restoring, as possible, their land, livelihood, and culture. 

What does decolonization mean in practice? 

While anyone can practice decolonization, it may look different for Indigenous people who've experienced the firsthand effects of colonization. Beason says that decolonization is a very personal act for Native Americans. It can mean relearning languages and customs, getting reacquainted with relatives, and becoming reconnected with value systems that existed prior to colonization. He notes that rejecting individualism while embracing that you're "equal parts in a greater scheme that's kind of beyond us" is key to this process. For tribes that have lost their language and ceremonies, it can mean adopting practices "gifted" to them by other tribes, which importantly strengthens the bonds of greater kinship. Beason warns that it's not going to look exactly the same for every individual or tribe, because they've experienced varying levels of colonization over the centuries. 

In terms of policy, Beason says decolonization focuses on issues like restoring land to tribes, fighting police brutality, and resisting the construction of energy pipelines. Beason says non-Native people who own deeds to land that once belonged to tribes can give it back to those communities. Those who don't possess such titles can instead be vocal about restoring land rights by contacting their elected officials, signing petitions, and financially supporting those campaigns. If that sounds far-fetched, there is in fact a movement to close Mount Rushmore and return it to the Lakota people as well as to give stewardship of the country's national parks to the tribes that historically inhabited that land. 

Understanding decolonization can also shift allies' thinking about what justice should look like. For every parcel of land that acknowledges its previous Native American inhabitants with plaques or exhibits, like the kind you might see at a suburban nature center, it's worth asking whether the ancestral stewards of those spaces are still fighting for access to their home rather than assuming they've vanished — and consider what you can do to aid them. Beason says that should start with asking what they need. Resources might include personal connections to help draw attention to the issue and material support like computers and community organizing spaces.

Sarah Rose Harper, a descendent of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and online community manager of the nonprofit Lakota People's Law Project, recommends this toolkit for people who want to become Indigenous allies. She urgently wants them to understand that colonization is ongoing.  

As one compelling example, Harper offers the intersecting crises of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and the "man camps" that spring up around oil and gas projects on or adjacent to tribal lands. Research and reporting have linked those camps, which house itinerant, mostly male workers, to violence against Native American women, girls, people, and Two-Spirit. (The latter is a term used by some Indigenous people to describe another gender role that is neither male or female.) Despite the high stakes, only the federal government, not tribal or state authorities, can prosecute crimes committed by non-Native Americans against tribal members. The government has historically failed to prosecute such cases, including those of sexual violence. The fight for clean water also connects to these ongoing crises since energy pipelines are known to contaminate drinking water. 

Though social media often presents decolonization as a catchphrase for a different way of thinking, Harper says people should consider it as a verb. (Like Beason, she framed her remarks as representative of only her own views, not of other "Nations, Tribal Communities, or Native Peoples.") Instead of just liking decolonization memes on Instagram, Harper says people should become curious about the idea, put any defensiveness aside, develop a general understanding of what the concept means, and act in ways that support Native Peoples' efforts to secure their rights. 

"If you are passively decolonizing…you are doing nothing to disrupt a power system that keeps people oppressed and disenfranchised," says Harper.  

HBO Max's beautiful new miniseries, Station Eleven is a solid adaptation of the novel by Emily St. John Mandel. While it makes some big changes, it remains faithful to the spirit of the book, which is an important aspect of any adaptation.

Station Eleven moves back and forth in time, following characters like Kirsten Raymonde (Mackenzie Davis) and Jeevan Chaudhary (Himesh Patel) as they struggle to live through an apocalyptic flu. When she grows up, Kirsten joins the Traveling Symphony, a troupe of performers whose way of life is threatened by a dangerous prophet. Other storylines include the creation of both a Museum of Civilization and a comic book titled "Station Eleven." There are a lot of characters and stories to juggle, and Station Eleven does its best to bring them all to life in a way that stays true to Mandel's work and makes good television.

Here are the biggest changes Station Eleven has made. The following contains massive spoilers for the novel and the show, so consider yourselves warned.

Jeevan and Kirsten

Just a casual pre-apocalypse grocery store run. Credit: Parrish Lewis/HBO Max

With its first episode, "Wheel of Fire," Station Eleven deviates from Mandel's novel in a big way. In the book, Jeevan helps Kirsten find her guardian in the wake of Arthur Leander's heart attack. That is the extent of their interaction. In the show, Jeevan offers to help young Kirsten (Matilda Lawler) get home after a performance of King Lear. As the episode progresses, a deadly flu rips through Chicago. (The location is another change from the book, much of which takes place in Toronto.) Realizing he needs to take shelter with his brother Frank (Nabhaan Rizwan), Jeevan brings Kirsten with him. And the three of them prepare to ride out the flu together

This change opens up an entirely new relationship for the show to explore and the opportunity to examine elements of these characters that Mandel didn't touch on. Kirsten's time before joining the Traveling Symphony is left vague in the novel (She was so young that she doesn't remember the early days of the pandemic.) In tying her story in with Jeevan's, Station Eleven promises we'll see more of how she was forced to grow up during the apocalypse. It also suggests we'll see how Jeevan and Frank deal with the responsibility of caring for her.

Aside from this merging of two storylines, the first episode tweaks Jeevan's character slightly. In the novel Jeevan is training to be a paramedic, so he attempts CPR on actor Arthur Leander (Gael García Bernal). The show makes no mention of this fact or of his time as a paparazzo. Instead, he briefly alludes to working as a reporter or "cultural critic" before admitting he doesn't have a job, suggesting that Station Eleven may be approaching his backstory differently than the novel.

St. Deborah-by-the-Water

Book readers will recognize St. Deborah-by-the-Water as one of the stops the Traveling Symphony makes on its journey. They visit the settlement early on in the novel to perform and reunite with two former troupe members, Charlie and Jeremy, who stayed there while the former was pregnant. When the troupe returns, the couple has fled because of the sinister Prophet who has taken up residence in St. Deborah-by-the-Water. The show introduces Charlie and Jeremy as they make the decision to stay behind. Their departure has a strong impact on Kirsten, who worries about people leaving her. Considering the timeline, it's unlikely that the show will cover Charlie and Jeremy's flight from St. Deborah-by-the-Water, especially since the Prophet hasn't appeared yet. Or has he…

A mysterious stranger

Kirsten and Alexandra (Philippine Velge) meet a strange traveler named David (Daniel Zovatto) and his ward Cody (Luca Villacis). He hits the Traveling Symphony with a sob story, but Kirsten isn't buying it. She picks up on inconsistencies in his accounts, rightfully points out that he's creepy, then stabs him and leaves him for dead.

Despite Kirsten's best efforts, David lives to be creepy another day. Station Eleven doesn't confirm whether he's the show's version of the Prophet. But based on his strange ruminations about Day Zero pain and his threats to make the Traveling Symphony disappear one by one, it's a big possibility.

Miranda and Arthur

Miranda gives a harsh toast. Credit: Warrick Page/HBO Max

Miranda Carroll (Danielle Deadwyler) plays a big role in Station Eleven, given that she creates the comic from which the show and novel take their name. As well as being an artist, she is Arthur's first wife. Their meeting in the show differs greatly from their meeting in the books. However, their marriage follows many of the same beats, including Miranda's realization that Arthur is having an affair with co-star Elizabeth (Caitlin Fitzgerald) and the divorce it spurs. 

In the novel, Miranda and Arthur both come from Delano Island, Ontario. They connect years after they'd each left the island, when Arthur is an established actor. Miranda leaves an abusive relationship to be with him, all while continuing to work on her comic book about Dr. Eleven. The show gives them a restaurant meet-cute, where Arthur asks Miranda questions about her art. 

Even though the events leading up to their marriage differ between the books and the show, both versions of Miranda and Arthur share a similar dynamic. You can immediately understand how protective Miranda is of Station Eleven, a sentiment that remains throughout their marriage and culminates in Miranda's rage when Arthur shows Elizabeth her drawings.

Miranda in Malaysia

Station Eleven expands on Miranda's pandemic experience in its third episode, "Hurricane." In both versions, Miranda is in Malaysia when the pandemic hits. In the show, she attempts to escape from Malaysia on a tanker but stops when she learns of Arthur's death. She remains stuck in her hotel with her pitch partner Jim (Tim Simons), whose attempts to remain casual about the situation mask his true horror. The results of this change are harrowing, giving us a clearer picture of hopelessness in the face of an unstoppable illness.

The Prophet

Station Eleven's fourth episode confirms that David, who we met in episode 2, is the show's version of the Prophet. There are a few key differences between book-Prophet and show-Prophet, though. In the book, the Prophet has already taken up residence in St. Deborah-by-the-Water, where he convinces the survivors of the pandemic that they're special. He also takes child brides, cementing his status as a monster. He even requests to marry Alex from the Traveling Symphony.

The show's Prophet also tries to take Alex away, only this time with discussions about how people born after the pandemic — post-pans — are special and free from trauma. It's essentially the opposite of his philosophy from the book. Show-Prophet's cult is made entirely of the children he's lured from their homes, and he gets points for not being gross and marrying them. However, he loses all those points by using the children as his personal army, resulting in many of their deaths.

Going to Pingtree

When Kirsten recognizes the Prophet's philosophy as being similar to that of Station Eleven, she gets the Conductor (Lori Petty) to bring the Symphony's actors to the settlement of Pingtree, where she left her copy. Everything that happens at Pingtree, from meeting Gil (David Cross) to the Hamlet performance, is a show-only occurrence. Station Eleven takes this new sequence as an opportunity to explore Kirsten's worries about abandonment via her conversations with Alex. It also emphasizes the importance of art and theater brings people in these dark times.

New characters in Severn

How to survive the apocalypse in an airport 101 Credit: Ian Watson/HBO Max

Episode 5, "The Severn City Airport," follows a group of survivors living in an airport through the early days of the pandemic. Among them are Arthur's friend Clark (David Wilmot) and second wife Elizabeth, as well as Arthur and Elizabeth's son Tyler (Julian Alberto Garcia). The episode adds some new characters to this storyline, including airport employee Miles (Milton Barnes), whose engineering skills become necessary for keeping the airport community afloat. Another addition is a custodian posing as a homeland security agent in order to gain authority over other survivors. These two new characters are effective ways of showing how people react differently to the apocalypse, either helping people or taking advantage of them.

The trouble with Tyler

The Severn episode reveals that David the Prophet is actually Tyler, Arthur Leander's son. In the book, Tyler becomes convinced that the pandemic happened for a reason, and he and Elizabeth leave the airport and begin assembling a following. The show complicates things quite a bit, starting with a possibly infected passenger making it off a stranded plane. Tyler tries to help him, but the man gets shot, and Tyler and Elizabeth end up in quarantine. His limited trust of people quickly devolves, until he fakes his death by setting fire to the stranded plane and pretending he's inside it.

This new departure drastically changes the course of Tyler's story. He's headed out into the world to survive alone, convinced that his own mother doesn't care about him. These thoughts emphasize his connection to the comic Station Eleven, which he uses as a prophecy in the present.

An unexpected alliance

Look at this adorable murder cult. Credit: Ian Watson/HBO Max

Station Eleven's sixth episode, "Survival is Insufficient," is where the show really begins to diverge from Mandel's novel. After the Prophet's attack on Pingtree, Kirsten hunts him down. But instead of killing him, she reluctantly joins up with him. She'll get him into the Museum of Civilization. In return, he'll leave the Traveling Symphony alone. It's a massive departure from the book, which sees the Prophet killed by one of his cult members not long after Kirsten meets him on the way to the Museum.

While this is a big difference between the show and the book, Tyler and Kirsten's alliance presents a fascinating opportunity to explore the relationship between two people, who have grown up in a post-pandemic world, and who feel a deep personal connection to Arthur Leander and the comic book Station Eleven. It's a relationship we don't get to see much of in Mandel's book. So, whatever comes next is bound to be interesting.

The Traveling Symphony at the Museum of Civilization

In "Survival is Insufficient," we accompany the Traveling Symphony to the Severn Airport, now called the Museum of Civilization. In the novel, they go there in search of Charlie and Jeremy. Here, they go because they've been invited to perform, and the orchestra is already there. Since the novel mostly focuses on Kirsten's perspective on this troupe, the Traveling Symphony's arrival is a new addition to the story. Another is the Conductor's collapse once she arrives. This is something that may get twisted to convince Kirsten that the Museum is hurting her people.

Jeevan, Kirsten, and Frank

Frank and Kirsten never meet in the book, but they're a lovely pairing in the show. Credit: Ian Watson/HBO Max

From the Red Bandana-induced hallucination to Kirsten's play, basically the entirety of episode 7, "Goodbye My Damaged Home," is a show-only creation. One of the only similarities between the show and Mandel's novel is that Frank dies. But the circumstances are very different in the book. Frank died by suicide instead of being killed by an interloper. In both instances, his death prompts Jeevan to leave. In the show, it also provides Kirsten with the dagger she uses to protect herself later on.

Despite its departure from its source material, "Goodbye My Damaged Home" is an incredibly compelling episode. It pays off on the show's biggest initial change from the books: the pairing of Jeevan and Kirsten. We see how Jeevan and Frank struggle to act as caregivers while also caring for themselves, as well as how Kirsten processes the pandemic through art like Station Eleven and her play — something she will continue to do when she joins the Traveling Symphony. Pairing a hallucinating older Kirsten with her younger self as she explores her memories is an effective way to exhibit just how much these weeks with Frank and Jeevan shaped her. As much as the Prophet insists that "there is no before," this episode proves otherwise, showing the impact the past and the initial days of the pandemic continue to have on the survivors.

Sinister Severn

Episode 8 of Station Eleven, "Who's There?" continues the show's separation from its source material by suggesting a very different finale from the one we get in the book. Mandel's novel ends soon after Kirsten arrives at Severn Airport and reunites with the Traveling Symphony. By this point, the Prophet is already dead. However, in the show, not only is Tyler still alive, but also he infiltrates the airport alongside Kirsten. His presence, as well as his belief that the Museum of Civilization is harmful, change the tone of Kirsten's reunion with her friends. Instead of being joyous, she's worried that they're being held hostage.

This worry is elevated by how Station Eleven positions Clark as an antagonistic figure. In the novel, he cultivates the Museum of Civilization and happily welcomes visitors like Kirsten. His show counterpart is a lot more paranoid, as shown by his strict adherence to quarantining and his insistence on verifying outsiders' identities. On top of that, he plans to shut down the Traveling Symphony's performance of Hamlet, fearing it will sow discord among Severn's younger population. Station Eleven makes it clear that Clark's paranoia is a result of his struggle to maintain order and keep everyone safe. He's certainly not a villain. But his cult-leader-esque wardrobe and the sinister music that plays while he questions Kirsten and Tyler suggest that he's not quite an ally either.

An explosive ending

Although show-Clark is far less trusting than book-Clark, the end of "Who's There?" proves that he has reason to be worried. In a game-changing move, Tyler blows up the Museum of Civilization. As the novel's version of Tyler died before reaching the airport, the Museum remained unharmed in Mandel's novel. The attack is a shocking twist in the adaptation. Plus, it sets the stage for a much more conflict-heavy climax than we get in the book. 

Jeevan's journey

Jeevan, where'd you go? Credit: Ian Watson/HBO Max

Before we can see how things play out at the Museum of Civilization, Station Eleven shows how Jeevan got separated from Kirsten and what has happened to him since. Episode 9, "Dr. Chaudhary," follows along as he gets mauled by a wolf, then kidnapped by a group of pregnant women in need of more doctors. The only problem? Jeevan isn't actually a doctor. Still, as the episode progresses, he helps the women in whatever way he can.

While Jeevan does become a doctor in the novel, the birthing storyline is a show-only creation, and an effective one. This whole episode is a trial-by-fire experience for Jeevan, who mentioned in the first episode that he didn't have a job and didn't seem to have much purpose in life. Here, he finds a purpose beyond keeping himself and Kirsten alive.

Station Eleven ignores the novel's version of Jeevan's backstory entirely. He was a paparazzo, then an entertainment journalist, then an EMT-in-training. In the book, this served as a basis for his doctoring abilities, whereas the show has him start from scratch. During his time photographing celebrities, he followed Arthur and took an invasive photograph of Miranda while the two were still married. It's a shame that that scene isn't included in the show, since Patel and Deadwyler both give great performances throughout but never get to interact. 

Although it doesn't focus on Jeevan's backstory, Station Eleven's pairing of Jeevan and Kirsten is a move that makes him more central to the plot. The novel sees Jeevan travel south, away from the Great Lakes, effectively removing him from the main narrative. By fleshing out his relationship with Kirsten and keeping him close to Lake Michigan, the show creates a possibility that he'll be more involved in the finale.

Miranda saves the day

Station Eleven's finale returns to Malaysia. We see how Miranda — though stranded and sick — played a large part in saving the lives of the travelers in the Severn City Airport. Reaching the pilot of the doomed Gitchegumee Air flight, she convinces him not to let anyone off the plane, sparing the travelers in the airport from infection. In her call with the pilot, Miranda mentions that she witnessed her whole family die during Hurricane Hugo. She was sitting above the water on a countertop when a live wire electrocuted everyone else in her flooded home.

Neither Miranda's conversation with the pilot nor her connection to Hurricane Hugo feature in Mandel's novel. However, they're fitting send-offs for Miranda's character (and Deadwyler's phenomenal performance). In her final moments, she saves the lives of hundreds — including Clark, Elizabeth, and Tyler — and from thousands of miles away.

Particularly telling is Miranda's revelation that she was coloring at the time of her family's death. This brief remark links her graphic novels to the greatest trauma in her life. Even the world of Station Eleven, the graphic novel, bears a striking resemblance to how Miranda's family died: Dr. Eleven is stranded on an isolated space station, which has been flooded. Like so many of the characters in Station Eleven, Miranda's art is a way for her to process her trauma. It's particularly moving, then, that her work provides meaning to people like Kirsten and Tyler as they process the end of the world. There's a sense of circularity to this chain of art, giving the finale's title, "Unbroken Circle," a whole new meaning. 

"The play's the thing"

The Traveling Symphony's climactic performance of Hamlet is a new addition, which makes sense given that it resolves the show-only conflict between Tyler, Elizabeth, and Clark. Kirsten views this performance of Hamlet as a way to get Tyler to communicate with Elizabeth. So, she casts them in the roles of Hamlet and Gertrude, respectively. Clark claims the role of Claudius, and the stage is set for a showdown between the three.

Kirsten's ploy works, once again cementing Station Eleven's thesis that art heals. This idea returns when Kirsten confronts one of the young members of Tyler's Undersea, who is planning to bomb the airport. Instead of fighting the child, Kirsten reads to her from "the Prophecy," aka Station Eleven. The resolution does feel a bit too neat — Tyler and his attack children murdered Gil after all – but it is in keeping with Station Eleven's hopeful vision of the apocalypse, where theater can mend years of anger and resentment.

A welcome reunion

Even when they were separated, Kirsten and Jeevan's connection was the heart of Station Eleven. When they finally reunite in the finale, it's a beautiful moment worth every episode of build-up, and it wouldn't have been possible if the show had stuck completely to its source material.

In the novel, Kirsten and Jeevan only interact for a few pages. Then, Jeevan moves too far away to reunite with her over the course of the book. The show's choice to bring them together works well for television, providing greater links between the characters and keeping the cast close together. It also allows us to start and end the series with Kirsten and Jeevan, further enforcing the themes of circularity and connection that run through both the show and the novel.

Final verdict

Take a trip to Station Eleven. Credit: Ian Watson/HBO Max

While Station Eleven veers away from its source material pretty early on, it remains an engaging adaptation of Mandel's novel. The show follows the book's example in examining how we rebuild our lives after calamity and how we use art as a mechanism to process pain and connect with others. The show also takes some interesting liberties with Mandel's characters, asking questions like, "What if Jeevan and Kirsten stuck together? What if the Prophet wasn't a child bride-marrying monster? What if he and Kirsten actually teamed up?"

The answers to these questions are sometimes exciting, sometimes muddled. Where the pairing of Kirsten and Jeevan mines new emotional depths, the Prophet storyline suffers when it fails to fully address Tyler's murderous actions. No matter how hard one might regard the book and show as separate entities, the radical re-imagining of Tyler is enough to give readers whiplash.

Still, for every Station Eleven book-to-show change that misses the mark, several others succeed. This show is proof that straying from the source material can be a good thing, as long as you stay true to your source's key ideas. It's also continued evidence that stand-alone novels can make great miniseries, as a single season of television provides enough time to truly delve into the meat of a novel without dragging it out. Here's hoping for more adaptations of Station Eleven's caliber in the future.

All episodes of Station Eleven are now streaming on HBO Max.

TL;DR: Walmart will reportedly have a limited stock of PlayStation 5 consoles available for paying Walmart+ members on Jan. 13 at 3 p.m. EST.

QUICK LINKS:

• PlayStation 5 — $499

• PlayStation 5 Digital Edition — $399

Manifesting a PlayStation 5 for 2022? Here's your first opportunity to snag the ever-elusive console at Walmart in the new year: The big box store is releasing a limited restock for paying Walmart+ members on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 3 p.m. EST.

This marks the console's first appearance at Walmart since before Christmas, but don't count on it being any easier to buy, even without holiday crowds. Sony supposedly cut its PS5 production for the current fiscal year "due to component and logistics constraints," per a Bloomberg report, which was bolstered by this week's news that the previous-gen PlayStation 4 (which is simpler and easier to make) will remain in production through 2022.

If you're feeling lucky, you can throw your hat into the ring simply by booting up your Walmart+ account and heading to Walmart.com as soon as it goes live. (Pro tip: Fill out your shipping and payment information ahead of time so you can click "Place order" ASAP — time is of the essence.) Take your pick from the standard PS5, which retails for $499, or the slightly cheaper PS5 Digital Edition; it scraps the disc drive to save you $100.

Do note that you won't qualify for the restock if you're only signed up for a free Walmart+ trial; access is limited to members paying its $12.95-a-month subscription fee. But considering that paywall works in your favor to combat bots and scalpers, it's well worth the price of admission. (Other Walmart+ perks include unlimited free delivery and fuel discounts, FWIW.)

Credit: Sony

PlayStation 5

$499 at Walmart

Shop the restock

Credit: Sony

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition

$399 at Walmart

Shop the restock

Explore related content:

• PlayStation 5 review: A big upgrade, and a bigger role for choice

• 7 of the best gaming headsets that will change the way you play PlayStation for the better

• 11 video games we can't wait to play in 2022

TL;DR: As of Jan. 13, you can take 11% off a CLIQ Portable Camping Chair 2-Pack and get it for $159.99 instead of $179.

Foldable chairs aren’t exactly high on everyone’s list of everyday carry essentials. But there are definitely instances when you wish you had one, right? That’s basically why the CLIQ Portable Camping Chair was created — and fully funded on Indiegogo.

Featured on Mashable before, the CLIQ is probably the most low-profile collapsible chair you’ll ever meet. It folds out from the compact size of a water bottle into a full-sized, comfortable chair that sits a foot off the ground. 

Don’t be fooled by its tiny size, though. It has four sturdy legs, a tip-proof design, and keeps you high and dry anywhere. And its twice-stitched, ripstop ballistic nylon and double seams help ensure it’ll last as your go-to foldable chair for many concerts, ball games, and camping trips in the future. And it can fit a full-sized adult up to 300 pounds, no problem.

To plop down just about anywhere, all you have to do is push a button and extend the arms. It takes about five seconds and you’ve got yourself a cozy place to park your derriere. It’s especially convenient for hikers, campers, concert-goers, beach bums, or anyone else who loves to spend time in the great outdoors — but doesn’t love having to get their bum dirty.

Each chair weighs only 3.6 pounds, so it’s not a huge bummer to tote around in a backpack or purse. (That's right: You can carry a chair in your purse.) Plus, you can easily fit four of them into a single pack, which saves an exceptional amount of space. It’s designed to be able to be brought along in any situation, making it perhaps the first chair to be considered an everyday carry essential.

Typically, a single CLIQ chair is $99, but you can save 11% by buying a two-pack for just $159.99. Keep one in your bag for yourself and another on hand for a friend.

Prices subject to change.

Credit: Cliq Products LLC

CLIQ Portable Camping Chair (2-Pack)

$159.99 at the Mashable Shop

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TL;DR: As of Jan. 13, the Stamina Cardio Climber is on sale for $599 — that's 20% off its retail price of $749.

Real life can quickly get in the way of even the best intentions. So, if one of your resolutions was to move more and stay off your couch as much as possible, you might as well cut out the middle man (the gym) so there are no excuses when it comes to moving your body. With the Stamina Cardio Climber, you can get a calorie-burning workout from the comfort of your home.

If you don't have to actually do the work of getting into the car and driving to the gym, imagine how much more you'll actually work out when there's no obstacle in your way. The best part about a cardio climber is that it utilizes all of your muscles in just a few easy movements. The low-impact workout will protect tired knees while also giving a great cardio workout, toning the entire body, and improving mobility along the way.

In this single machine, you can use the horizontal wide handlebars for a traditional stepper workout, which is perfect for lower body exercise. When you switch the height-adjustable vertical handlebars, you can turn the machine into a low-impact climbing exercise experience.

See the different ways you can use it to work out in the video below:

Normally, the Stamina Cardio Climber retails for $749. But for a limited time, you can shave 20% off of the total retail price and take home this workout machine for just $599. No need for a gym membership when you've got this bad boy.

Prices subject to change.

Credit: Stamina Home Fitness

Stamina Cardio Climber

$599 at the Mashable Shop

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TL;DR: The Sam's Club membership is just $19.99 with a $10 gift card at the Mashable Shop as of Jan. 13.

Sam’s Club may not have the cool factor of Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, but you know what it does have? Unbeatable prices, the ability to buy in bulk, members-only exclusivity, and a whole bunch of free stuff. 

If you’ve ever contemplated becoming a member, this deal will surely help you make the decision. For a limited time, you can sign up for a new one-year Sam’s Club membership for just $19.99 (normally $45). In doing so, you’ll unlock all kinds of incredible perks, prices, and savings. First up, you’ll get a free rotisserie chicken ($5 value) and an eight-pack of gourmet cupcakes ($8 value) simply by having them in your cart at checkout. Savings are already pre-loaded into your account, making it super simple to shop.

You’ll get a complimentary household card to secure more savings from already low-priced items. And it doesn’t just include groceries. Impressive savings span everything from kitchen supplies, to electronics, to furniture, and more. You’ll even get discounts up to 60% on hotel accommodations, score deals on rental cars, live events, attractions, movies, and more.

Not only is the membership itself already more than half off, but when you sign up for a limited time, you’ll get a $10 e-gift card for additional savings. Once you pay the membership fee, you’ll receive a $10 gift card through the email address you used for your membership. It’s redeemable not only at Sam’s Club and SamsClub.com, but also Walmart and Walmart.com.

It’s almost like they’re paying you to become a member! Sign up for a Sam’s Club membership today for just $19.99 and get free food, plus a $10 gift card to start shopping for premium products at incredibly low prices right away. You'll ultimately be saving 70%.

Prices subject to change.

Credit: Sam's Club

Sam's Club membership

$19.99 with a $10 gift card at the Mashable Shop

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TL;DR: The Amore Natural Hybrid Mattresses in full, queen, king, or California king are 24% off for a limited time at the Mashable Shop as of Jan. 13.

When you wake up well rested from having optimal spine support all night long — that’s Amore.

The Amore Natural Hybrid mattress offers the ideal balance between soft and firm, with cushioning comfort and excellent pressure response to boot. And if you’re in the market, you can score a full, queen, king, or California king mattress for 24% off for a limited time.

Amore’s all-natural mattresses are made with 100 percent organic fabric and chemical-free materials. These include carbon neutral-certified GOLS natural latex foam, pure New Zealand wool, and organic cotton. The latex was made from the sap of the rubber tree with no petrochemicals or solvents added — so it’s as pure as it comes. Plus, the wool is humanely sourced from one of the most pristine countries on the planet, and the cotton carries full Global Organic Textile Standard certification. 

Its total thickness is about 11 inches, with three inches of latex and eight-inch coils, which span the entire length and width of the mattress. It’s perfectly bouncy but supportive enough to provide pressure relief, making it an excellent option for both stomach and back sleepers. The coils also do a great job of reducing motion transfer, so you won’t be disturbed by your partner.

Each mattress is hand-crafted with love and built to last. If you’re a bit skeptical about purchasing a mattress online, you’ll be glad to know each one comes with a 100-night risk-free trial and a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Amore stands by its name and gives a little love away when you purchase a mattress. For every 10 sold, the brand donates one to a charitable organization for people in need.

For a limited time, you can score a brand-new, all-natural mattress from Amore in full, queen, king, or California king varieties for 24% off, or as low as $1,079.99. Each mattress comes with a free pillow for unbeatable comfort.

Prices subject to change.

Credit: Amore Beds

Amore Natural Hybrid Mattress

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On Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci said he expects the COVID-19 Omicron variant will infect "just about everybody," but that people who have been vaccinated will "very likely, with some exceptions, do reasonably well." Unfortunately, as Late Show host Stephen Colbert points out, that's a small, cold comfort considering how dangerous the disease has proven to be.

"Okay, there are certain things I don't want to equivocate on," quipped Colbert. "My life is one of them. You don't want to hear a skydiving instructor say, 'Jump from the plane! You will very likely, with some exceptions, do reasonably well!'"

People who are unvaccinated will do even worse though, being 10 times more likely to be infected and 20 times more likely to die, so still get those booster shots as soon as you can.

Colbert also noted optimistic expert predictions that Omicron has passed its peak and will soon drop off. My fingers are aggressively crossed hoping this is true.

"The worst of it could be over by March!" said Colbert. "And by the summer Omicron will be so out of the headlines its publicist will book it on Dancing With the Stars."

SAVE 83%: Private Internet Access is one of the best VPNs for security and streaming, with a slick interface making it a suitable option for beginners. A three-year subscription to Private Internet Access is on sale for £1.67 per month, and includes an extra three months for free.

You know how we said some of the best VPN deals were available over Christmas? We weren't lying, but some of the very best deals have stuck around for the new year.

The best deal on Private Internet Access is still available in 2022, which is great news for anyone who didn't get better cybersecurity in their stocking. A three-year subscription to Private Internet Access is on sale for £1.67 per month, saving you 83% on list price. This discounted plan includes an extra three months for free, and is fully refundable for 30 days.

Private Internet Access lets you connect 10 devices simultaneously with the same plan, meaning you can protect all of your phones and laptops with one account. Users get a wide range of customisable privacy features and a massive network of secure servers, with the ability to unlock top streaming sites like Netflix and Disney+.

Secure the best New Year VPN deal on Private Internet Access.

Credit: Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (3-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free)

£1.67 per month at Private Internet Access

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TL;DR: The Ultimate 2022 Backend Developer Bundle is on sale for £29.39, saving you 98% on list price.

Back-end development, also known as server-side development, is everything you don’t see when you look at a website or app. It’s what makes the wheels turn behind the scenes — including the databases, APIs, and servers. Without it, the aesthetically-pleasing website you see in front of you would just be a facade. 

If you want to learn to code, but aren’t sure where to start, back-end developers are in high demand and generally earn a hefty salary. And this Ultimate 2022 Back End Developer Training Bundle can lead you down the right path without breaking the bank.

Led by top-rated professionals like Laurence Svekis, a web tech expert and app developer; John Bura, a web, app, and game developer; and Maksym Rudnyi, a senior software engineer, this training packs a baker’s dozen courses on coding languages and technologies like JavaScript, Python, C, jQuery, CSS, Bootstrap 4, and more.

JavaScript and Python are the most in-demand programming languages in 2021, so you’ll definitely want to spend some time letting these skills sink in. Don’t worry; they’re built for beginners and there are no deadlines to rush you through. You'll get lifetime access to every course in the collection, so you can return to the information as often as you'd like. Plus, you'll get both desktop and mobile access, so you can learn on the go.

Other courses dive into ​​WebGL, one of the most popular graphics APIs in the world, React, the most popular Javascript library of the last five years, and jQuery, a JavaScript library that lets you do more with less code. Plus, there’s a one-off course on C programming that will teach you to code in 10 easy steps, and a CSS course where you’ll build five different responsive websites from scratch.

There's a lot of information packed into just 40 hours, so feel free to work completely at your own pace. You can kickstart your back-end development career for only £29.39 for a limited time. 

Credit: Skill Success

Ultimate 2022 Backend Developer Bundle

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TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to a Degoo Premium Mega Backup Plan is on sale for £110, saving you 96% on list price.

From work to taxes to streaming to writing personal emails, your computer goes through a lot — and sometimes things go wrong. But with the Degoo Premium mega backup plan, you'll have a backup of your most important files and videos.

Degoo is an artificial intelligence-based cloud storage system that keeps your files organised and safe. A one-time purchase gets you lifetime access to the plan, which includes 15TB of secure backup space in which you can manage and share files with ease. You can even replicate your backup as you perform it, as well as keep your backup up-to-date automatically thanks to the automatic file change detection feature.

Normally, a lifetime subscription to this cloud storage program retails for over £3,174. But for a limited time, you can get a lifetime subscription for a one-time payment of £110.

Credit: Degoo

Degoo Premium Mega Backup Plan

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SAVE 36%: The Kindle holds thousands of titles so you can take your library with you. The Kindle is on sale for £44.99 on Amazon as of Jan 13, and includes three months of Kindle Unlimited for free.

Were you hoping to find a Kindle in your stocking? If you were let down by Father Christmas last year, you can sort yourself out with this popular e-reader on sale for 36% off on Amazon.

The Kindle is on sale for £44.99 until Jan. 14, saving you £25 on list price. The deal gets better, because all purchases come with a three-month subscription to Kindle Unlimited for free. After the three-month promotional period comes to an end, your subscription will automatically renew for £7.99 a month. You can cancel this at anytime though, so there is no need to pay anything extra.

The Kindle has an adjustable front light that lets you read comfortably for hours, with a 167 ppi glare-free display that reads like printed paper. A single battery charge lasts for weeks, and the Kindle holds thousands of titles at the same time. It's the most popular e-reader because it looks great and works well. It's that simple.

Secure the best deal on the Kindle in 2022.

Credit: Amazon

Kindle + 3-Month Kindle Unlimited Subscription

£44.99 at Amazon

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Over 80 fact-checking organisations have come together to list four simple ways YouTube could combat the rampant spread of misinformation on their platform, if it felt so inclined.

In an open letter to YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, The International Fact-Checking Network's called out YouTube as "one of the major conduits of online disinformation and misinformation worldwide," and proposed it partner with them to implement policies for combating misinformation.

"YouTube is allowing its platform to be weaponized by unscrupulous actors to manipulate and exploit others, and to organize and fundraise themselves," the letter stated. Signed by dozens of fact-checking organisations from across the globe, U.S. signatories include FactCheck.org, MediaWise, PolitiFact, and The Washington Post Fact Checker.

"Your company platform has so far framed discussions about disinformation as a false dichotomy of deleting or not deleting content," the letter continued. "By doing this, YouTube is avoiding the possibility of doing what has been proven to work: our experience as fact-checkers together with academic evidence tells us that surfacing fact-checked information is more effective than deleting content [original emphasis]." 

While COVID-19 misinformation is the most immediately obvious issue, The International Fact-Checking Network noted YouTube has hosted medical misinformation such as false cancer cures for years. Political misinformation and hate speech are also significant concerns, with the letter claiming their damaging impact has been seen in multiple countries including Germany, Brazil, Taiwan, and, of course, the U.S.

"The examples are too many to count," The International Fact-Checking Network wrote. "We are glad that the company has made some moves to try to address this problem lately, but based on what we see daily on the platform, we think these efforts are not working — nor has YouTube produced any quality data to prove their effectiveness."

Last September, YouTube announced an update to its medical misinformation policy that would ban dangerous anti-vaccination content.

YouTube declined to comment on whether it would be taking up The International Fact-Checking Network's invitation to collaborate, but said in a statement to Mashable that it considers the situation to have "more nuance" than simply requiring more fact checking.

"Fact checking is a crucial tool to help viewers make their own informed decisions, but it’s one piece of a much larger puzzle to address the spread of misinformation," YouTube spokesperson Elena Hernandez said in a statement to Mashable.

Hoping to staunch the tide of misinformation, The International Fact-Checking Network's letter offered YouTube four simple suggestions on how it could stop facilitating the spread of misinformation. These are:

1. Commit to "meaningful transparency" on misinformation by supporting independent research, and publishing its full misinformation moderation policy — including the data powering its moderation algorithm.

2. Investing in independent fact-checking, while prominently debunking misinformation and providing context either superimposed on misleading videos or as extra video content.

3. Prevent YouTube's algorithm from recommending videos by creators whose content is repeatedly flagged as disinformation (particularly where they monetise their content).

4. Expand its efforts to combat misinformation in languages other than English, and provide country-specific data. The International Fact-Checking Network noted that misinformation on YouTube flew under the radar particularly in non-English speaking countries.

YouTube told Mashable it currently works with international publishers to add third-party context in information panels under some videos in some countries, and is looking to expand this further. The company also noted it already has policies against COVID-19 misinformation that "poses a serious risk of egregious harm," hate speech, harassment, and election misinformation, and claims its systems "raise authoritative content and reduce recommendations of borderline misinformation in all countries [in which they] operate." The Google News Initiative (Google owns YouTube) gave the International Fact-Checking Network $1 million "to bolster fact checking and verification efforts across the world," Hernandez said.

Of course, The International Fact-Checking Network's point is that YouTube's current policies historically haven't appeared terribly effective, and that more needs to be done. It also probably shouldn't be recommending "borderline misinformation" at all.

"Over the years, we’ve invested heavily in policies and products in all countries we operate to connect people to authoritative content, reduce the spread of borderline misinformation, and remove violative videos," said Hernandez. "We’ve seen important progress, with keeping consumption of recommended borderline misinformation significantly below 1% of all views on YouTube, and only about 0.11% of all views are of violative content that we later remove. We’re always looking for meaningful ways to improve and will continue to strengthen our work with the fact checking community."

However, these seemingly small percentages add up to a lot when you consider that YouTube has over 2 billion monthly logged-in users.

"And every day, people watch over a billion hours of video and generate billions of views," YouTube boasts.

That means videos with misinformation get tens of millions of views every day, no matter how YouTube tries to spin it.

Where oh where is Tesla's Cybertruck? Or, more to the point, when?

The electric carmaker's website dedicated to all things about the cyber-punk electric pickup keeps getting more and more vague about the EV's production schedule.

Back in October Tesla wiped the Cybertruck site of all pricing and model information, but kept a crucial detail: a production start time in 2022.

Now if you go to the same order page, you'll notice that where it once said, "You will be able to complete your configuration as production nears in 2022" it only states, "You will be able to complete your configuration as production nears."

The Cybertruck website as it looks today. Credit: Screenshot / Tesla

The change has some reservation holders worried about an even further delayed production schedule, as auto site Edmunds noted. The truck was first announced in 2019.

The 2022 deletion appears to have happened right before Christmas, based on a search using the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine tool. The Cybertruck is supposed to be built at Tesla's newest gigafactory in Austin, Texas. But the factory is still prepping for car production with tools and equipment still coming in as recently as this week.

We reached out to Tesla about Cybertruck production plans, but the company no longer has a communications team. Neither CEO Elon Musk nor the official Tesla account have tweeted any updates about the electric truck.

The stars of Wolf Like Me go head-to-head to see who knows more about romantic dramedies.

UPDATE: Jan. 12, 2022, 3:50 p.m. EST This story has been updated to reflect current pricing, including on a 75-inch Vizio TV that has dropped below $800.

• The Samsung 75-inch QN84A Neo QLED TV is a massive masterpiece if you want to go all out on a home theater, and it comes with $600 in Best Buy gift cards — $2,649.99 $2,799.99 (save $150)

• The LG 65-inch C1 Series OLED 4K TV has dazzling picture that can keep up with high-stakes gaming — $1,896.99 $2,499.99 (save $603)

• The TCL 50-inch 5 Series QLED TV is an affordable way to get QLED into your living room — $449.99 $599.99 (save $150)

Large 4K TVs no longer have to cost an exorbitant amount of money. Rather, these high-quality TVs featuring punchy colors, decipherable shadows, and smooth transitions are actually affordable for regular consumers. And to make them even more budget-friendly, we've gathered up the best deals on 4K and QLED TVs from top brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and more.

Samsung TV deals

Credit: Samsung

Our pick: Samsung 75-inch Q684 Neo QLED TV

$2,649.99 at Best Buy (save $350), plus get $600 in Best Buy gift cards

Get Deal

Why we love it

A pre-holiday 2021 survey by Adobe found that more time spent at home has movie theater stans eager for the big-screen experience at home. Go all out on your setup with this massive Neo QLED TV from Samsung. Bold contrast, eye-catching brightness, and deep blacks keep every auto-adjusted scene at peak performance.

The $150 discount on this premium TV is made even sweeter by two Best Buy gift cards ($100 and $500), which are included with your purchase. They can't be used toward the TV, but they indirectly save you $600 extra.

More Samsung TVs on sale

• Samsung 55-inch Q70A QLED TV — $899.99 $999.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 65-inch 8000 Series 4K TV — $679.99 $799.99 (save $120)

• Samsung 75-inch 7 Series 4K TV — $899.99 $1,099.99 (save $200)

• Samsung 75-inch Q70A Series QLED TV — $1,699.99 $2,099.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 75-inch A80A Series QLED TV — $1,799.99 $2,699.99 (save $900)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame QLED TV — $2,699.99 $2,999.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 85-inch Q60A QLED TV — $2,197.99 $2,799.99 (save $602)

LG TV deals

Credit: LG

Our pick: LG 65-inch C1 Series OLED 4K TV

$1,896.99 at Amazon (save $603)

Get Deal

Why we love it

The LG C1's OLED display has more than 8 million pixels to bring you deep blacks and vibrant colors. Its 4K AI processor adjusts with the content to ensure everything you watch looks the best it can. Its zippy refresh rate keeps heavy-graphics gaming on point, too.

More LG TVs on sale

• LG 43-inch UP8000 Series 4K TV — $359.99 $479.99 (save $120)

• LG 48-inch C1 Series OLED 4K TV — $1,196.99 $1,599.99 (save $403)

• LG 55-inch NanoCell 80 4K TV — $646.99 $799.99 (save $153)

• LG 65-inch UP7000 4K TV — $499.99 $619.99 (save $120)

• LG 65-inch NanoCell 75 Series 4K TV — $749.99 $949.99 (save $200)

• LG 65-inch 90 Series QNED Mini LED 4K TV — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)

• LG 65-inch G1 Series OLED TV — $2,399.99 $2,799.99 (save $400)

• LG 70-inch UP8070 4K TV — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

• LG 70-inch NanoCell 75 Series 4K TV — $899.99 $1,199.99 (save $300)

• LG 77-inch C1 Series OLED TV — $2,999.99 $3,299.99 (save $300)

Sony TV deals

Credit: Sony

Our pick: Sony 50-inch X80J 4K TV

$599.99 at Best Buy (save $100)

Get Deal

Why we love it

Sony doesn't often have the budget-friendly range that Samsung or LG do, so a mid-sizer for under $600 feels lucky. This X80J and the slightly more expensive X85J use different panels and offer different viewing experiences. If you care about wide viewing angles, this living room-sized X80J is the way to go.

More Sony TVs on sale

• Sony 55-inch X80J 4K TV — $649.99 $799.99 (save $150)

• Sony 55-inch X85J 4K TV — $899.99 $999.99 (save $100)

• Sony 65-inch X80J 4K TV — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

• Sony 75-inch X85J 4K TV — $1,399.99 $1,599.99 (save $200)

• Sony 75-inch X90J 4K TV — $1,699.99 $2,099.99 (save $400)

• Sony 77-inch X80J OLED 4K TV — $3,199.99 $3,499.99 (save $300)

• Sony 85-inch X95J Bravia XR TV — $3,999.99 $4,499.99 (save $500)

Other TV deals from TCL, Vizio, and more

Credit: TCL

Our pick: TCL 50-inch 5 Series QLED TV

$449.99 at Best Buy (save $150)

Get Deal

Why we love it

Wondering if QLED is worth it? Try this mid-size, mid-range model. TCL's 5 Series still utilizes quantum dots, which build a layer between LEDs and the screen to make hues pop and contrasts deepen. If you've never dabbled with HDR before, this brightness is game-changing — even if it's not the pop provided by a high-end Samsung QLED.

More TVs from TCL, Vizio, and more

• Vizio 50-inch M7 Quantum Series 4K TV — $569.99 $699.99 (save $130)

• Amazon 55-inch 4 Series 4K Fire TV — $379.99 $519.99 (save $140)

• TCL 55-inch 6-Series Mini LED QLED TV — $699.99 $949.99 (save $250)

• Hisense 65-inch 65A6G 4K TV — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

• Vizio 65-inch V-Series 4K TV — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

• Amazon 65-inch Omni Series 4K Fire TV – $599.99 $829.99 (save $230)

• Vizio 75-inch V-Series 4K TV — $799.99 $899.99 (save $100)

• TCL 75-inch 6-Series Mini LED QLED TV — $1,299.99 $2,299.99 (save $1,000)

Explore related content:

• A shoutout from a celeb on Cameo is the best personalized gift, actually

• The best 4K TVs: For gamers, Netflix binge-watchers, and everyone else

• Your TV needs a soundbar. Here are our faves.

The color-changing lights and futuristic look of Razer's Zephyr and Zephyr Pro face masks almost made everyone forget what masks are actually supposed to do: Protect wearers from COVID.

The kerfuffle around Razer recently removing "N95 grade" language from mask descriptions is certainly not a good look for the gaming gear company. But it's also a reminder to anyone in the market for a mask, test, or other COVID-related product in the wake of the Omicron variant surge to not take a company's claims at face value.

Sounding like official medical information by using jargon and putting up difficult-to-understand graphs doesn't make that information sound, or the product worthwhile. That's true for all sorts of health products, but when it comes to protecting against COVID, it might be all the more important to you.

Here's how a skeptical reviewer helped call out Razer's dangerous marketing of the futuristic-looking mask with changing, customizable lights and a cool translucent cover. And how you can protect yourself when shopping for COVID protection.

Razer removed this entire section of its website that gave readers the impression they'd be getting "N95 grade" protection. Credit: Screenshot: The Way Back Machine

While the Zephyr came out in mid-2021, Razer launched the Pro version of the mask, containing voice amplification, at CES during the first week of January. Marketing materials gave the impression that both masks offered N95 grade protection, which are supposed to seal around your face and protect from 95 percent of airborne particles — and that's where the company got into trouble. 

On Saturday, the gaming gear company Razer removed language from its website describing the filters in its Zephyr masks as "N95 grade." Users are supposed to switch out the masks' filter inserts, made and sold by Razer, every 72 hours. 

"The wearable by itself is not a medical device nor certified as an N95 mask," Razer said in a statement sent to Mashable. "To avoid any confusion, we are in the process of removing all references to 'N95 Grade Filter' from our marketing material." Razer had noted in product descriptions that the mask had "been tested for 95% Particulate Filtration Efficiency (PFE) and 99% Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE)," and confirmed that the testing took place in its statement.

Razer made the website copy change after criticism by popular China-based DIY builder and hardware reviewer Naomi Wu, who goes by "Sexy Cyborg," went viral. She was excited about the Zephyr because she thought a cool design that would make people actually want to mask up was promising and important. But ultimately, she was dismayed by what she saw as technical flaws.

Tweet may have been deleted

Wu and her supporters' criticisms were twofold. First, that the "N95 grade filters" did not actually have N95 certification, which is designated after meeting testing criteria by the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Second, aside from the filter insert, Wu claimed that problems with the mask's seal and other aspects of its construction compromised the efficacy of the mask itself. Essentially, even if you've got a good filter with N95 protection, there's no guarantee that the hardware you're putting it into will maintain that level of protection along the way.

Tweet may have been deleted

Wu has been calling out problematic masks since the beginning of the pandemic, when 3D printed masks — that didn't actually have great designs — became all the rage. You might also recall that early in the pandemic especially, when masks and quality PPE were scarce, warnings about fake N95s and KN95s were everywhere. Now, two years into the pandemic, we still don't know how to peel apart the marketing speak, and even well-known hardware brands have no issues trying to dupe us to make money.

Tweet may have been deleted

According to the Federal Trade Commission, the Omicron variant surge has led to increased anxiety among the public about how best to protect ourselves. That means bad actors seeking to cash in may sell faulty products, and could lead to consumers buying products that they might not have otherwise.

At the same time, some companies might not have bad intentions, but may be cutting corners to bring products to market when they're so in demand, according to the Better Business Bureau. Which is why it's especially important right now to double check that what you're buying is a quality product.

What to look for when buying COVID products

When it comes to masks, there's an easy way to do this. The CDC has a list of all N95 and KN95-approved mask-makers. So, thinking of stocking up on some new PPE? Just check that the company you're thinking of giving your hard-earned cash, and trust, to is on the list.

For masks or other COVID-related products, there are also a few other tactics you can use.

"If you are business or a consumer, BBB recommends when looking to purchase high demand items such as N95 masks, COVID test kits, and other pandemic related items, research the name of the business offering the item for sale on BBB.org," Sandra Guile, the director of communications at the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. "Read the reviews and complaints before deciding to make a purchase. If a claim sounds too good to be true, then, it probably is."

Eliza Duggan, a staff attorney at UC Berkeley's Center for Consumer Law & Economic Justice, provided some other tips for spotting and avoiding the "variety of product-related scams that have cropped up — from fake COVID-19 treatments to rental car scams to fake COVID tests." She recommends consumers:

• Review the FTC's newsletter on fakes and scams.

• Check the FDA's website to make sure COVID tests and PPE are on an approved list.

• Use a search engine to research the website you're buying from and see if there are complaints or scams associated with that website.

• Pay by credit card so you can more easily dispute a scam charge, and never pay for goods with a gift card.

• Report suspected scams to the FTC.

Unfortunately, finding reputable information can sometimes be challenging — which is partially why Wu felt it was important to call out Razer.

"Frankly, it’s difficult to tell consumers to do their research because of the sheer volume of misinformation out there from credible sources," Wu said via email. "There are very few authoritative, trustworthy, and easily understood sources on COVID med-tech and content algorithms aren’t optimized to promote the most accurate content, just the most controversial. All we can say is right now; best practice is disposable or elastomeric, NIOSH certified, N95 masks, as good a fit for your face as you can find."

When it comes to COVID products, don't let the flashing lights blind you.

Dexter Morgan's story is finally over, sixteen years after Dexter premiered on Showtime and introduced the TV audience to the decade's most charismatic serial killer. It was ostensibly over in 2013, when the Dexter series finale became one of the most hated series finales in history. But the necromantic powers of fandom revived the show for Dexter: New Blood, a sequel series that gave original showrunner Clyde Phillips a chance at ending Dexter's story his way. And he pissed people off all over again.

Dexter: New Blood ended with a bang. Dexter's now-teenage son Harrison, unsurprisingly outfitted with a budding Dark Passenger of his own, discovers his father's homicidal hobby just as Dexter loses control of an evidence trail that leads directly to his arrest. Desperate to escape the death penalty, Dexter kills Logan, an innocent police officer who is also Harrison's beloved wrestling coach, and makes his way to a rendezvous point in the woods. 

When Harrison guesses that the blood on Dexter's hands is Logan's, he finally perceives the depth of his father's sickness. Knowing Harrison has no future as the son of the most prolific serial killer in American history, Dexter talks Harrison through the act of shooting him in the heart. Harrison shoots. Dexter dies. And Harrison flees Iron Lake with the blessing of police chief Angela Bishop. RIP Dexter Morgan. Again. This time for real though.

Credit: Seacia Pavao/SHOWTIME

Enter: fan outrage.

Some have artistic gripes about the writing or pacing of New Blood. That's fine, to each their own. Another contingent of fans is angry because they think Dexter's death at Harrison's hands is a bad ending to the character's story. Those people are wrong. The Dexter: New Blood ending is awesome, and it's the only way Dexter's story could have ended with any level of satisfaction. 

To remind everyone of what the New Blood finale was meant to correct, we must harken back to the Dexter series finale. There, Dexter Morgan ships his son to Argentina, chucks his sister's body in the ocean, fakes his own death, and moves to the Pacific Northwest to become a lumberjack. The lumberjack finale was bad for a lot of reasons, mostly because it dodged the central question that the entire run of Dexter endeavored to ask: Is Dexter Morgan a good guy who does bad things or a bad guy who does good things?

The answer to that question is key to Dexter's self-conception. Without it, the finale said nothing about Dexter's character, what he thought he accomplished, or if he was capable of reflecting on the damage he caused. Dexter's moral arc screamed for some kind of consequence or reckoning. Providing that reckoning was all Dexter: New Blood had to do to justify its existence.

New Blood sets up Harrison's acceptance or rejection of his father as the final word on Dexter Morgan — the real answer to lumberjack finale's unasked question. He is Dexter's reckoning. It's not a narrative coincidence that he arrives right as Dexter unleashes his Dark Passenger after years of abstention. Harrison is Dexter v.2, a traumatized potential psychopath who could either fall fully into his father's darkness or reject his violent legacy. In turn, Dexter spends the series facing the choice to either encourage Harrison's darkness or shield his son from turning into a killer. It's an easy test and Dexter still fails it. 

Credit: Seacia Pavao/SHOWTIME

He fails the test halfway through the season, when he finds the razorblade Harrison used to nearly kill his classmate and reacts with psychopathic, un-parental glee. It's an understandable reaction for someone who has always considered himself alone in the world. That doesn't make it any less wrong or selfish. Dexter ignores his conscience/ghost sister Debra's insistence that Harrison is better off without him and comes clean about his identity as the Bay Harbor Butcher. Even after Harrison appears to accept Dexter's secret, it's the wrong choice; Harrison can only stomach his father's code in the context of vigilantism and saving lives, which is a concept Dexter admits to never considering. 

In his misplaced excitement to remake his son in his own image, Dexter gets sloppy. He gets caught for frankly stupid reasons and thrown in jail, where he kills Logan in his desperation to escape with Harrison and train his son to be his serial killing protege. It's Logan's death that causes the scales to fall from Harrison's eyes. Seeing how easily Dexter killed an innocent, Harrison perceives how unfixable his father's darkness really is.

At that moment, Harrison understands that the code is not about doing the "right" thing and saving lives. It was only ever a way to channel Dexter's inherent evil towards the least objectionable targets. Question answered: By his code, Dexter is worthy of a spot on his own kill table. Harrison knows it. Dexter knows it, and so he fully accepts his fate when Harrison levels a rifle at his chest. The unbearable weight of accepting his own monstrousness kills Dexter as surely as Harrison's bullet. From there, the character of Dexter Morgan has nowhere else to go. Existing beyond that answer would turn Dexter into a parody of himself.

In his final moments, Dexter surrenders his selfish impulse to transform Harrison into a murderer and performs his first act of true fatherhood. He dies so that his son may escape his legacy. Dexter: New Blood ends with Harrison leaving Dexter behind, both literally and metaphorically, driving out into the cold towards an uncertain future. The only surety is that he is free from whatever his father would have made him, free to be Harrison Morgan — not the Son of Dexter.

Dexter: New Blood is streaming on Showtime.

UPDATE: Jan. 12, 2022, 2:15 p.m. EST This story has been updated to reflect current sale prices and availability.

We've compiled the best deals on robot vacuums from brands like iRobot, Shark, and Ecovacs. Here are the ones to grab as of Jan. 12:

• BUDGET PICK: The Eufy Robovac G30 Verge maps your home in the app, which is rare for a vac under $150 — $149 $349.99 (save $200.99)

• BEST BUDGET ROOMBA: The entry-level Roomba i1 has better suction than the 600 series and is compatible with a self-empty dock — $279 $329 (save $50)

• BEST ROBOT VACUUM/MOP DEAL: The Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro+ uses LiDAR to vacuum and mop, then empties the mess on its own — $559.99 $799.99 (save $240)

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 get a little bummed when you can't have that satisfying dance with your Dyson, a robot vacuum is a lifesaver. Shop models on sale below.

Robot vacuums under $200:

Credit: Eufy

Our pick: Eufy G30 Verge

$149 at Walmart (save $200.99)

Get Deal

Why we like it

Well, it happened. The months-long run of the Roomba 692 at $177 has come to an end. If you're robot vacuum shopping on a budget, consider the Eufy G30 Verge instead. It tackles your home with basic home mapping that's less clumsy than most vacs at this range, which rely solely on obstacle sensors.

More robot vacuums under $200

• Ecovacs Deebot 710 — $139.99 $175.99 (save $36)

• Eufy 11S Slim Max — $169.99 $249.99 (save $80)

• iRobot Roomba 670 — $177 $329.99 (save $152.99)

• Eufy Robovac 15C Max — $189.99 $279.99 (save $90)

• Roborock E4 Robot Vacuum — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

Robot vacuums under $500

Credit: iRobot

Our pick: iRobot i1

$279 at Walmart (save $120.99)

Get Deal

Why we like it

With the Roomba 692 and 694 back to full price, your best bet for the next-cheapest Roomba is the i1. (Less than $300 is still a steal coming from iRobot.) The i1 has 10 times the suction power of the 600 series Roombas, and is compatible with iRobot's auto-empty dock.

More robot vacuums under $500

• Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo U2 — $209.99 $249.99 (save $40)

• Yeedi Vac Robot Vacuum — $209.99 $299.99 (save $90)

• iRobot Roomba e5 — $224.99 $349.99 (save $125)

• iRobot Roomba i3— $349 $399.99 (save $50.99)

• Neato Robotics D8 — $349.99 $599.99 (save $250)

• iRobot Roomba i6 — $399.99 $549.99 (save $150)

• Shark IQ Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $416.98 $599.99 (save $183.01)

Robot vacuums under $800

Credit: Neato

Our pick: Neato Robotics D10

$599.99 at Best Buy (save $200)

Get Deal

Why we like it

Give your corners some extra love with Neato's newest flagship vac, the D10. Neato is known for taking on the flat edge like Roomba's s9, but for about half the price. The LiDAR-powered D10 details along the walls and under kitchen appliances where side brushes can't always reach well. It also has a HEPA filter.

Robot vacuums under $1,000

• iRobot Roomba s9+ — $1,090.80 $1,299.99 (save $209.19)

Robot vacuum and mop hybrids and dedicated robot mops

Credit: Ecovacs

Our pick: Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro+

$559.99 at Amazon (save $240)

Get Deal

Why we like it:

The Deebot N8 Pro+ includes fundamental smart upgrades like LiDAR mapping and virtual boundaries for customizing its cleaning path down to specific rooms or areas. It also has sensors that avoid carpets while mopping and uses 3D obstacle detection to avoid small objects that cheaper vacs usually trip over.

More hybrids and robot mops on sale

• Roborock E4 Robot Vacuum and Mop — $259.99 $379.99 (save $120)

• iRobot Braava Jet M6 Robot Mop — $399 $449.99 (save $50.99)

• Yeedi Vac Station Robot Mop with Self Empty — $349.99 $549.99 (save $200)

• Shark VacMop AV2001WD — $399.98 $479.99 (save $80.01)

• Ecovacs N8+ Robot Vacuum and Mop with Self-Empty Station — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

• Dreametech Z10 Pro — $498.98 $598.98 (save $100)

• Roborock S6 MaxV — $459.99 $749.99 (save $290)

• iRobot Roomba i7 and iRobot Brava Jet m6 package — $944.98 $1049.98 (save $105)

Are robot vacuums worth it?

The control of an upright vacuum comes with its own type of satisfaction. But if you're not one to classify cleaning as cathartic, a robot vacuum could erase that huge, agonizing task from of your chore list. (And did we mention the joy of having "first day clean" floors all the time?)

But whether robot vacuums are worth it or not comes with a caveat: It can't be just any robot vacuum. A cheap robovac that doesn't do the job right — scattering dust, bumping into walls, getting stuck on area rugs — might actually create more work for you.

What to consider when buying a robot vacuum

• Suction power: A vacuum is the one purchase that you hope sucks a lot. Suction power is typically measured in Pascals (Pa), ranging between 600 Pa to 2,500 Pa. Stronger sucking will be needed to pick up heavier pieces of debris (be sure to set up a barrier around Legos) and to pull matted-down pet hair from rugs.

• Floor type: Carpeting and high pile rugs will probably require stronger suction than hard floors, as well as special features like an extra-wide or self-cleaning brush roll to prevent hair from wrapping and clogging. Folks in homes with multiple floor types might consider a bigger, sturdier robot vacuum that can hurl itself and its wheels over mats, rugs, and transitions from carpet to hard floors.

• Home layout: Every robot vacuum is equipped with sensors and drop detection. But if your home has lots of rooms, lots of turns, or lots of close-together furniture, you'll have fewer navigation issues with an advanced model that uses intelligent mapping to remember exactly how your home is laid out, including labeling of specific rooms, mental notes of staircases, and ability to deploy zone cleaning.

• Low-profile furniture: No one should have to be scared about what's accumulated under their couch over the past year. A robot vacuum measuring three inches or less in height should be able to scoot under most low-hanging couches and beds.

• Battery life and square footage: One of the main complaints people have about their robot vacuum is that it craps out in the middle of the floor. Larger spaces require more time to clean, and it all depends on how annoyed you'll be if it only finishes a few rooms at a time. Average run times for the list below range between 90 and 150 minutes, which translate to about 500 and 2,600 square feet covered on one charge.

• App control: WiFi-enabled robot vacuums can be synced with a smartphone app to control scheduling, manual start, cleaning settings, as well as telling your vac to make its rounds when you're not home. Low-end models that don't connect to WiFi will usually come with a separate remote. If you're used to asking Alexa or Google to turn off the lights or tell you the weather, a model with voice integration will blend in nicely.

Explore related content:

• The best robot vacuums for every budget

• Samsung's Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum is a must-have for pet owners

• The best treadmills to upgrade your home gym

If you were thinking of submitting your very own Wordle clone to the App Store, think again.

On Wednesday, multiple outlets reported that Wordle copycat apps which were just available as recently as yesterday, have been removed from the App Store.

Apple has confirmed to Mashable that the company removed the apps that had copied the hit viral word game from its App Store.

Shakked's Wordle knockoff as seen in the App Store before it was removed. Credit: Mashable Screenshot

An online firestorm erupted on Tuesday after self-described "degenerate app developer" Zachary Shakked shared the online success he was finding with his recently released App Store app called…Wordle. The app was an exact replica of software engineer Josh Wardle's word game called Wordle.

Josh Wardle's original 'Wordle' game Credit: Mashable Screenshot

One difference? Wardle's game exists on his website and is browser-based. Shakked essentially ported the game over into an iPhone app that was being distributed on the App Store. 

On top of that, Shakked was also monetizing the game via subscriptions, something that Wardle has specifically resisted doing. Wardle's original Wordle game is completely free to play.

Wordle clones were easily found on the App Store yesterday. Credit: Mashable Screenshot

The majority of the Wordle copycat apps in the App Store have been removed by Apple. Credit: Mashable Screenshot

It's important to note that Shakked's app and the other since-removed copycat apps were not just inspired by Wordle. Other than the distribution model and monetization effort, Shakked's iPhone app was an exact copy of Wardle's.

These apps flat-out copied everything from the Wardle's game's name to its UI to its game mechanics.

As theVerge points out, Apple's App Store guidelines state that developers should not just copy other existing apps.

"Don’t simply copy the latest popular app on the App Store, or make some minor changes to another app’s name or UI and pass it off as your own," read Apple's guidelines to developers.

At the time that this article was published, there were a few apps called "Wordle" still in the App Store. It's unclear if they will be removed as well.

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

Shakked, the "degenerate" developer, has since posted sort of a mea culpa on Twitter. He confirmed that his copycat app was removed by Apple. He also has offered an apology, claiming that he "fucked up." However, in the same tweet thread, he continues to defend himself and his actions.

Tweet may have been deleted

In a followup shortly after, Shakked claimed he spoke on the phone with Wardle and attempted to partner with him. Of course, this was after he had already copied Wordle and released it on the App Store. Wardle apparently declined the offer, according to Shakked.

The morale of the story? Come up with your own ideas. Don't flat-out copy other people's ideas. And if you do, perhaps bragging about it online is a bad idea.

A new app, Locket, has risen to the top of Apple's App Store charts over the past few days and I hate it.

Here's how it works: You download the app, and follow the directions to add it as a widget to your iPhone's home screen. Then you give the app all of your contacts, invite friends to join you, and take photos that are directly displayed on your friends' home screen. Basically, Locket turns your home screen into a private little messaging platform between you and whichever one of your friends you can convince to join you. There's currently no version of the app for Android.

Matt Moss, a UCSB grad who is building Hawkeye, a tool that will allow you to control your phone using just your eyes, created the app and told TechCrunch that it was a fun little side project of his.

"I built it as a present for my girlfriend for her birthday last summer," Moss told TechCrunch. "She was going back to school in the fall, so we were about to start a long-distance relationship. The process of getting a little photo from her on my home screen … seemed really appealing. Just a nice way to stay in touch."

I downloaded it and realized that out of the more than two million people who downloaded the app, not one of them was a contact of mine, so I had my long-distance best friend try it out with me. I could easily add the widget to my home screen but Dani couldn't — it was just in app form, which sort of ruins the whole reason to have the app. She turned her phone off and on again and it still wasn't working, so she updated her phone and, still, it didn't work. Finally, she deleted the app and redownloaded it, which seemed to work for her. Not great!

My phone on the left, with a photo Dani sent me of her bunny. Her phone on the right, with a photo I sent of my cat. Credit: Screenshot Christianna Silva, Dani Hamre

She's not the only user who ran into some technical issues while using the app. The free app has just a 3.4-star our of 5-star rating on the app store exactly because some users had trouble making the widget work.

Dani said she wouldn't use it because it wasn't worth the trouble.

"Cool idea to share an album with friends of like memes and stuff you can upload, but since you have to take a picture [and can't just upload from your photo collection] it’s like a glorified Snapchat," she texted me, later adding: "With today’s men I would be too scared to have a random widget of a [photo he sent] on my Home Screen."

It is kind of reminiscent of Snapchat, except that this app is on your home screen and all of your pics open immediately and everyone else around you can see it and you cannot change the photo until someone sends another one. As someone who frequently finds my own eyes snooping on strangers' phones in practically any public place, this makes me very nervous.

Moss seems aware of the similarities between his app and others but said the difference lies in the number of people you communicate with on the app.

"You end up with these huge social circles on the app — where you have 1,000 friends on Instagram, or you have to send Snapchats back and forth with your 100 closest friends — which actually takes a lot of effort at the end of the day," he told TechCrunch. “So the idea of making something that’s more geared towards those five closest people, or those 10 closest people, and then providing a way to make your phone feel more personal and geared towards people instead of these apps — I think there’s a real appetite for that."

And maybe there is! This could be the perfect app for you. But for Dani and me, it's simply not filling a void.

On the surface, 12-year-old Tinja's family is picture-perfect. Polished, a bit posh, and always ready with a smile for a group selfie. But there's something cracking this pretty facade. And it all begins with the egg hidden in the young girl's room. It's Hatching.

Making its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later this month, Hatching follows Tinja and her curious eggling through an unusual and unnerving coming-of-age story, exploring the dark side of mother-daughter relationships. Ahead of its debut, Director Hanna Bergholm'sn horror film is already sparking buzz. Word has it that there will be violence, gore, and much more in store. But we'd expect nothing less from IFC Midnight.

Good news for fans of freaky fairy tales and haunting horror, Hatching is due to come to theaters and VOD in just a few months.

Hatching opens in theaters and on demand Apr. 29.

Critical Role fans, rejoice! The red-band trailer for The Legend of Vox Machina is here, and it's glorious.

Based on the popular Dungeons and Dragons web series' first campaign, the upcoming adult animated series follows the adventures of ragtag mercenaries Vox Machina: Percy de Rolo (Taliesin Jaffe), Keyleth (Marisha Ray), Scanlan Shorthalt (Sam Riegel), Grog Strongjaw (Travis Willingham), Pike Trickfoot (Ashley Johnson), and twins Vex (Laura Bailey) and Vax (Liam O'Brien).

What starts as Vox Machina's quest to pay off their bar tab quickly morphs into an epic fight against a great evil. Despite the seriousness of their situation, these misfits aren't your typical fantasy heroes. The trailer wastes no time establishing their chaotic dynamic, complete with magical middle fingers, comical injuries, and a bar brawl or two.

As Scanlan so proudly says, "We're Vox Machina, we fuck shit up!"

We can't wait.

The Legend of Vox Machina hits Prime Video Jan. 28.

MIT researchers developed a new technique that produces low-voltage artificial muscles with fewer defects to improve flying microrobots' performance.

SAVE $70: Trying to get some exercise in while working from home? The Cubii Pro Under-Desk Elliptical Machine will let you do both at the same time, and as of Jan. 12 it's on sale at Amazon for $279 instead of $349. That's a discount of 20%.

The ball has dropped, calendars have been trashed, and the new year has been rung in — it's time to follow through on that resolution you made to get fitter in 2022. But if you work from home, it can feel like the only movement you get throughout the day is commuting from bed to your desk back to bed. In that case, it might be good to get some exercise in during the workday.

This Cubii Under-Desk Elliptical is a great choice for just that. It's compact, fits under most desks, and is adjustable for custom pedaling intensity. It also connects to the Fitbit app via Bluetooth, so you can see your workout breakdown (calories, distance, duration, and steps). It'll even send you notifications as a reminder to get your steps in.

The machine itself features eight resistance levels and is super quiet, so you run less risk of disturbing anyone else in the room with you. As PCMag points out in its review, though, this machine is designed for seated use. Those with standing desk setups won't get much use out of it, but for those of us who sit at a desk all day, it will do just fine.

Credit: Cubii

Cubii Pro Seated Under-Desk Elliptical Machine

$279 at Amazon

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Explore related content:

• Working from home? This is the best exercise equipment for you.

• The best workout equipment for building a home gym

• Is the Peloton app worth it if you don't own the bike? We tested it to find out.

If the thought of the big, bad internet slowly building a detailed profile of you gives you the heebie jeebies, we have fantastic news: There's a way to prevent that on an iPhone. 

You can turn on iCloud Private Relay, a beta feature on iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey that Apple says will ensure that your web traffic will be encrypted and sent through two separate internet relays. This will protect your IP address, location, and browsing activity from websites and network providers.

The only caveat? You must have an iCloud+ subscription, which ranges from $0.99-$9.99/month. 

We could all use a little more internet privacy in our daily digital lives, so here's how to turn it on. Do note that this process only enables iCloud Private Relay on one device. If you have multiple Apple devices you want to protect, make sure you follow these steps on each device. 

1. Open Settings, and tap on your name at the top

Tap on your name here. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

This will open your system settings, where iCloud Private Relay will be housed. 

2. Tap on iCloud, then Private Relay

Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Credit: Screenshot: Apple

This should pull up the description for Private Relay and a toggle button. Tap on the toggle to turn it green, and the feature should now be on. 

You can also choose to turn Private Relay on only for a specific WIFi or cellular network. To do that: 

1. In your Settings, tap on WiFi

Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Credit: Screenshot: Apple

This will display your current WiFi network and the usual list of other available nearby networks. Here, tap on the "i" next to your current network. Then, tap on the toggle next to Private Relay.

2. For cellular networks, open Settings and tap on Cellular

Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Credit: Screenshot: Apple

If you only have one line associated with your iPhone, you can just tap on Cellular Data Options and toggle on Private Relay. If you have multiple lines, choose the line you'd like to enable Private Relay on, then toggle it on. 

And that's it! You can now rest assured that your internet activity and information are a lot more secure. 

Online dating is pretty much the best thing that ever happened to introverts.

Now, you can scan for a potential mate without ever leaving the comfort zone that is your home. Of course, you'll eventually need to get up and go on a date. But hey, it's better than trying to find a single cutie at the bar or approaching a random person in a cafe.

Being introverted doesn't necessarily mean you're shy, but if you are a little more reserved than outgoing, dating apps can be a great way to make a first move without feeling like you're putting yourself out there too much, too fast.

Why should you consider using a dating site?

By subscribing to a dating site, you're shortening your odds of finding a connection. Dating sites and apps let you get your information out there to a massive network of like-minded individuals, and provide the opportunity to test out a potential relationship on an app before actually meeting in real life.

Subscribing to dating apps and sites is also a way less intimidating way of meeting someone compared to a face-to-face situation. If you find the idea of meeting people slightly terrifying, these apps can help you face your fears from the comfort of your own home.

Are there dating sites for introverts?

Tinder seems to be the go-to for anyone dabbling with online dating, but it's not automatically an easy place to socialise just because it's behind a screen. It's crowded, full of users with unspecified intentions, and has more going on than most introverts will probably feel like dealing with. If endless swiping and next to no filters have you feeling more discouraged than hopeful, it doesn't mean you're too much of an introvert for online dating — maybe all you need is a dating site that gives you more control and the ability to take things at your own pace.

If the idea of making conversation in large groups or going up to strangers is your personal idea of hell, there are dating services out there that can cater to your specific needs. Have a hard time coming up with the perfect first line? There's an app for that. Prefer to make meaningful connections without revealing what you look like? We found a few websites with features that can let you do that too. 

Do you really need to pay for dating apps?

The good news is that there are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are good examples of free apps with massive networks of users. The bad news is that a lot of free apps simply don't cut it.

You get what you pay for with dating sites and apps, and for the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up the cash. You can still find something worth your time with a free app, but if you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control, we recommend upgrading. Paid sites provide access to premium features that give you the best chance of finding something special.

What are the best dating sites for introverts?

To help improve your odds of finding the person to match your awesomeness, we have rounded up the best dating sites for introverts, including leading services like Match, eharmony, and AdultFriendFinder. There are even options specifically for hooking up, because being introverted doesn't mean you don't like to get it on.

These are the best dating sites for introverts, wallflowers, and shy people in 2022.

Dating as a senior isn't easy, but it's not nearly as tough as you think. Dating at any age is tricky — and being over 60 in the dating world could actually have its perks. There's a reason why post-retirement age could be the happiest time of your life.

Yes, there may be fewer potential partners in the dating pool, but if you think about it, that just makes everything less overwhelming. And now that online dating is hot and heavy for the over 60 crowd, it's easier than ever to track down that special someone.

It's totally normal to feel hesitant about making the jump to online dating, but there really isn't anything to fear.

How do you start dating again as a senior?

The first step to start dating after a break is simply acknowledging that you're ready. At this point, you can decide how and where you want to try to meet people. Dating apps have been around for decades, which means they are totally normal and shouldn't be a last resort.

You'll also want to be direct with what you're hoping to achieve. A serious relationship? Casual hookup? Friendship that might led to more? Whatever it is, be upfront because you don't want to fall for someone who isn't looking for the same thing. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to dating.

Should older adults consider using dating sites?

Finding the best dating site is intimidating at any age. That age group does have a few more options, which may be another reason that you're feeling unsure about online dating if you're a baby boomer.

However, youth has a disadvantage you may not have considered: Many people in their 20s and 30s just aren't ready to settle down yet. Developing a crush on someone is more likely to end up in an awkward "situation-ship" rather than a serious relationship. Dating over 60 means you're at an age when you know what you want and you're not afraid to put it all out there. This is the "no bullshitting" age of dating.

As you get older, you realise what's important to you and what you're truly looking for. Doesn't finding love with that mindset sound a hell of a lot easier? EliteSingle's senior dating blog notes that most older individuals realise that life is just too short to play games, and that older people take dating much more seriously than they did 40 years ago. And while it may be a little weird that this person isn't your first love, you can take solace in the fact that it could be lasting love.

Does all this seriousness mean that the excitement from meeting someone new is gone when dating as a senior? Absolutely not. An advice post for seniors on Zoosk says to "be prepared to return to your inner teenager," because the firsts are just as exciting. You'll get butterflies, wait for them call and do a happy dance when they do, and first kisses will be just as tingly.

Do you really need to pay for dating apps?

There are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are good examples of free apps with massive networks of users. The bad news is that a lot of free apps simply don't cut it. You get what you pay for with dating sites and apps, and for the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up the cash.

You can still find something worth your time with a free app, but if you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control, we recommend upgrading. Paid sites provide access to premium features that give you the best chance of finding something special.

What is the best dating site for seniors?

We scoured the internet to find the best dating sites for single seniors. Some websites are for all ages with a senior option, and some sites are specifically for people over 50. And we'll just tell you now: All of the sites have free memberships, but to get the real in-depth features to find real connections with other mature singles, you'll want to have a paid account.

We've noted those price differences, as well as the differences in sign up, navigation simplicity, and the overall relationship tone of the site to help you choose the best one to fit you. Take your pick from this strong selection of dating sites for seniors, including popular services like SilverSingles, Match, and eharmony.

These are the best dating sites for seniors in 2022.

Long-distance relationships are the epitome of bittersweet.

A perpetual ache takes the place of the company you wish you were keeping; whoever said "absence makes the heart grow fonder" was really onto something. They were also corny as hell, but mushy quotes elicit less of an eye roll when you treasure falling asleep on FaceTime together every night.

However, LDRs don't have to be as dramatic as Fake Deep Twitter makes them out to be. There are tons of items out there that can make the separation more bearable, especially if your next trip to see each other is still up in the air. Until teleportation is a thing, fill the void with these nifty gifts that can make you feel more connected, keep that spark alive, or simply help your S.O. feel less alone. (The presents can't prevent every downside, but at least they'll give your person reassurance that they're on your mind.)

While some of these gifts are clearly for couples, others aren't limited to a romantic long-distance relationship. Living far away from family members or friends and not seeing them often can be just as hard. Many of these gifts would make just as sweet a gift for your BFF or parent, too.

No two guys are the same, and not every man spends their days dreaming of whiskey stones. (In fact, we'd guess that very few of them do.) Traditional male stereotypes are a thing of the past, y'all, and it's time we started embracing that fact when we're looking for gifts.

Before you click “buy” on something that will definitely require a gift receipt, let us take the wheel and show you some options that are sure to make an impression on whomever that lucky guy is. (Need more specific gift ideas? Check out this gift guide for the father figure in your life, or this one if you’re shopping for your boyfriend.)

Whether he’s into kitchen accessories, fashion-forward athleisure, self-care products, or something more eccentric, we’re confident that he'll love the picks on this list.

Worried you're spending too much time staring mindlessly at random apps?

Well, apparently you're not alone. In 2021, people in the world's top 10 mobile markets for Android spent a solid 4.8 hours browsing apps, according to app analytics company App Annie's State of Mobile 2022 report. That's roughly a third of our waking hours.

Brazil and Indonesia were the countries with the highest usage (both clocking up a solid 5.4 hours on average), while the U.S. came in 10th with 4.2 hours per day (an hour more than Americans spend watching TV), and the UK came in 12th with four hours per day.

Usage has increased 30 percent since 2019.

Turns out people are more than happy to part with a bit of cash on their apps, too. App store spend across iOS, Third-party Android stores in China, and Google Play grew by 19 percent year on year, with $320,000 being spent per minute in 2021 and a total spend of *deep breath* $170 billion.

In terms of which apps people were spending their time on, the results aren't too surprising: seven out of 10 minutes were spent on social, photo, and video apps like last year — TikTok was the most downloaded app of 2021 globally, so no surprises there.

It's worth noting that App Annie's report is based on their App Annie Intelligence product, which the company explained to Mashable "provides proprietary estimates of mobile app downloads and revenue." The report's methodology can be found here, but Mashable has reached out for further clarification and we will update this article if we hear back.

In the meantime, if you're worried you're spending too much time doomscrolling, you can read some tips here to try and break the habit. If you're worried you're spending too much time on certain apps, meanwhile, it's worth noting that some (like TikTok) have features that enable you to limit your daily screen time.

Lime has launched its latest e-bike, featuring an array of upgrades. The Gen4, in the company's signature green and white, most notably has an interchangeable battery, in an effort to improve the sustainability and availability of the company's shared vehicles.

The launch is initially confined to Washington D.C., but the e-bike will roll out via small-scale pilots in other cities this spring, including Atlanta and Charleston in the U.S.

In early 2021, Lime announced a $50 million investment in the Gen4 model. The battery can be used between Lime's Gen4 e-bikes and Gen4 e-scooters (rolled out in 2021), which will hopefully result in reduced van trips for Lime's operations team replacing the batteries. The feature is also designed to improve reliability for the service and prevent large numbers of uncharged, unusable vehicles lying around on sidewalks.

"The launch of our Gen4 e-bike is an important step toward achieving our mission of building a future where transportation is shared, affordable and carbon-free," said Wayne Ting, CEO of Lime. "Standardising our swappable batteries across modes is a leap forward for Lime and the broader micromobility industry, making operations more efficient and sustainable, while improving reliability for riders."

Other significant updates to the bike include increased motor power, an improved phone holder, new handlebar display (already seen on Lime's e-scooters), an automatic two-speed transmission for a smoother ride, and a modular design which the company says extends the bike's usable life to five years — durability is a major issue for the micromobility industry.

The demand for e-bikes, shared or otherwise, appears to be continuing at a steady pace, as Americans apparently bought electric bikes at greater rates than they did electric cars during the pandemic. Here's all the electric bikes and scooters that rolled into CES 2022 for a glimpse of what's ahead.

When the COVID-19 vaccine arrived last year, we barely batted an eye at all the strange places we were expected to sit and get jabbed in the arm. A baseball stadium? Cool! A grocery store? I'll bring my shopping list! Sure, it was a little weird, but we were living in weird times, and waiting inside the hallways of your local middle school was a small price to pay in exchange for the protection of the vaccine. Today, like many things we found odd in 2020 and 2021, vaccination sites are just a part of everyday life.

Here are the most mysterious, miserable, and mundane places people have been vaccinated so far:

1. At Dracula's castle

Transylvania's Bran Castle is a national monument and landmark known to tourists as "Dracula's castle." While there's no evidence that Dracula author Bram Stoker based his lead character's abode on this residence, it's still cool to say you got pricked by something other than vampire fangs there.

You'll get boosters, not bites, at Bran Castle. Credit: Photo by DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images

2. Under the watchful eye of the Museum of Natural History whale

You may never get to live out your wildest Night at the Museum fantasies, but getting boosted under the largest known animal to have lived on Earth still grants you impressive bragging rights.

Tweet may have been deleted

3. In empty malls and abandoned department stores

Many Americans reported returning to their withering local mall or the hollowed out carcasses of department stores ravaged by the retail apocalypse for their shots. People have been vaccinated in a forgotten Lord and Taylor, an empty Best Buy, and a former Pier 1 Imports. TikTok user and blogger Lauren Haden, who is a friend, waited in line for her booster in the empty shell of Victoria's Secret, complete with mirrored ceilings and, inexplicably, cardboard Minion cutouts.

4. At a theme park

The general public was ushered into the empty lots of theme parks across the country, from Magic Mountain to Disneyland to Six Flags for a few months in early 2021. Originally closed in response to the pandemic, those parks have re-opened, with Disneyland closing its vaccination site and, ironically, not requiring park guests to show proof of vaccination.

The happiest place on Earth briefly doubled as a mass vaccination site. Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images

5. At an endearing local community space

Move over local libraries and swimming pools, the Italian Cultural Centre of Vancouver has seized the moment to educate an influx of non-Italians on the soothing properties of simmering marinara. Mmm... just like nana used to make it!

Tweet may have been deleted

6. In a drug store, with background music

Lots of Americans are getting vaxxed at their neighborhood pharmacy, so it's hard to say that the experience is unique. But there is a certain je ne sais quoi to getting vaxxed in fluorescent lighting, at the end of the makeup aisle, jamming to a 2000s hit.

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

7. In a club

People have reported getting their shots in all types of clubs, even strip clubs, but this tweet makes Berlin sound like the place to be. America, it's been real! I'm moving to Germany to untz untz untz while I get my vax.

Tweet may have been deleted

Last October, Apple shocked the world by introducing a simple, grey polishing cloth at the price of $19. Needless to say, it sold out almost immediately, rendering us geeks unable to buy the perfect ironic Christmas gift.

Now, as noticed by MacRumors, the legendary cleaning device is back in stock. The price is still $19, don't worry. And according to Apple's online store, the cloth should ship within two days in the U.S.

It'll probably sell out within days again. Credit: Apple

Note that Apple's retail stores don't seem to hold the cloth right now, so you'll have to go through the online store if you want one.

As for why would you want to spend $19 on a piece of cloth, beside bragging rights...well, Apple does say it is made with "soft, nonabrasive material" and that it "cleans any Apple display, including nano-texture glass, safely and effectively." I'm ordering mine as I type.

TL;DR: Save up to $10,000 on 3D printers from Glowforge.

If you’re into crafts and DIY endeavors or have ever dreamed about launching a side hustle on Etsy, then you've probably already been looking into a 3D printer. After all, they allow you to make custom items at home. The challenge though is the materials needed for most typical 3D printers are limited to plastics and other filaments.

That’s why Glowforge’s laser 3D printers are so intriguing. Rather than using filament to build items from the ground up, Glowforge models use lasers to carve products. This means you can use many different materials, from leather to wood to acrylic, in the machines.

Glowforge will print from most popular file formats, including JPG, PNG, and PDF, making it easy to create designs that are ready to print. There’s no monthly fee associated with Glowforge’s cloud service, and the company is running some pretty incredible deals on their printers to kick off 2022 — the biggest discounts they’ll offer all year.

Read on to see which model might be right for you.

Glowforge Basic (save $3,005)

Credit: Glowforge

If you’re new to the 3D printing world and are just getting started, then the Glowforge Basic entry-level printer should be just what you need. It’s normally $6,000, but you can snag it for a limited time for $2,995 — that’s over 50% off. The Glowforge Basic allows you to create beautiful, precise prints on a variety of materials at home.

Glowforge Plus (save $5,005)

Credit: Glowforge

If you are looking for a more premium 3D experience for personal use, then the Glowforge Plus is a great option. It has a top speed that’s twice that of the Basic model, plus it’s built to last thanks to premium components and a year-long warranty. The fact that you can get this model at $3,995 — over $5,000 off its original price — is just icing on the cake. And if you order a Plus or Pro model, they’ll throw in an additional $249 off plus free shipping.

Glowforge Pro (save $10,005)

Credit: Glowforge

If you’re 3D printing for a small business, or speed is an important factor, then you should look at Glowforge’s most popular model, the Glowforge Pro. It can handle much larger objects than either the Basic or the Plus, and it’s three times faster than the Basic. It also features a faster cut speed than either model and has enhanced cooling features — which means you can use it all day without worrying. Snag it for $5,9995.

Credit: Glowforge

Glowforge 3D printers

Save up to $10,000

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TL;DR: The TRAKK Wireless Massage Pillow is just $57.99 at the Mashable Shop as of Jan. 12.

It's hard to relax on flights. Whether you're in it for the long haul flying internationally or have a quick hour-long flight home, finding a comfortable way to lounge in a cramped airplane seat is the ultimate challenge. You could opt for a neck pillow and hope you're able to get a window seat to lean on. Or, you could grab the TRAKK Wireless Massage Pillow and let it work some magic.

The TRAKK Pillow is an easy way to arrive fresh at your destination. When you're in a cramped airplane seat, you can get relief fast from neck aches and muscle pains with a gentle massage. The cushion on this travel pillow is great for falling asleep while sitting up as well — taking the humble neck pillow to new heights.

The exterior is made from ultra-soft velvet, complete with memory foam that perfectly forms to the contours of your neck and upper back. It's comfortable enough to use without the massage options, which truly makes massage mode an added bonus.

With three different speed levels and five massage modes, you can create a customized massage suited to however you're feeling that day. It even heats up for added comfort. The different massage modes include kneading plus thermal therapy, thermal therapy plus vibrating, thermal therapy on its own, and kneading on its own. If you find yourself so comfortable that you end up falling asleep, no worries. The massager automatically shuts off after 15 minutes so you can truly set it and forget it. Just make sure you packed an anti-snoring device so you don't annoy your neighbor.

The TRAKK Massage Pillow typically goes for $99. But for a limited time, you can save 42% and scoop it up for just $57.99.

 Prices subject to change.

Credit: TRAKK

TRAKK Wireless Massage Pillow

$57.99 at the Mashable Shop

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TL;DR: The Scopio Authentic Stock Photography Lifetime Subscription is just $29 at the Mashable Shop as of Jan. 12.

The hardest part of maintaining a social media account for any business is having enough content to post. For a successful account, you should be posting a few times a day, but without access to high-quality imagery, that can get harder and harder to maintain.

With a lifetime subscription to Scopio, your photo issue is solved. Scopio has nearly one million photo options that are provided by 14,000 different photographers. Find the exact photography style you like in any color scheme to match the grid on your Instagram. You can even use these photos for blog feature images, website images, or anything you can think of. 

This isn't the first time we've featured Scopio. We particularly love that it's female-founded and its leaders are constantly recognized in the digital tech space. CEO Christina Hawatmeh was listed in the top 15 Entrepreneurs to follow in 2021 by New York Finance, while co-founder Nour Chamoun was featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2020. The brand is committed to diversity of photographers and content, so you can search images by gender, ethnicity, and even location to help narrow down your search within seconds.

Perhaps the best part about using Scopio is that the photographers are actually paid for each download you make. It's perfect for new photographers building their careers or even established ones to keep a presence going.

A lifetime subscription to Scopio retails for $3,480 since you'll get access to new images as they come out for the rest of time. But, you can score this limited-time deal for just $29.

Prices subject to change.

Credit: Scopio

Scopio Authentic Stock Photography Lifetime Subscription

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TL;DR: As of Jan. 12, you can get a yearlong subscription to YogaWorks On-Demand for $59 (it's usually $239, so you're saving 75%).

With snowstorms and new variants welcoming us into 2022, we could all use a little zen. And what better way to bring on that much-needed bliss than with 75% off an entire year of yoga?

It’s usually $239, but for a limited time, YogaWorks On-Demand is offering a one-year subscription for only $59. That means you can get access to over 1,300 on-demand yoga classes for less than $5 a month. We featured a lifetime deal on YogaWorks last month, but if you missed out, here’s another opportunity to jump aboard.

There’s no shortage of yoga platforms on the internet, but YogaWorks is known for its vast library of on-demand courses. From Iyengar to Yin to Vinyasa to Pilates, there’s a category for everyone. Better yet, since it’s all on-demand, there’s virtually no commitment involved. These courses are accessible anytime, anywhere, and from any device with a browser. You’ll find over 1,300 options at your fingertips, with new classes being added regularly. You can even make playlists of your favorites or follow along the journey series to help you achieve your goals.

With YogaWorks On-Demand, you'll get to enjoy some of the best yoga teachers around, including Melanie Lora Meltzer, Jocelyn Solomon,  Birgitte Kristen, and Vytas Baskauskas — just to name a few. There's a reason YogaWorks has been an industry leader for over three decades.

The YogaWorks On-Demand subscription is usually $239 for a year, or $19 per month. With this limited-time deal, you can slash 75% off and sign up for just $59 (under $5 per month).

Prices subject to change.

Credit: YogaWorks

YogaWorks On-Demand: 1-Yr Subscription

$59 at the Mashable Shop

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TL;DR: As of Jan. 12, you can get The 2022 Social Media & Digital Ads Certification Bundle — a $1,600 value — for just $34.99 (that's savings of over 97%).

Using social media for leisure is nothing like using it for marketing purposes. Leisurely posting that vacation photo on Instagram and receiving a handful of comments and likes is always nice, but when you run a business, you need to understand everything behind the scenes of posting that photo. It’s not easy, but with the help of this Social Media and Digital Ads Certification Bundle, you can get your skills up to par.

Featuring eight courses from Faisal Ahmed Siddiqui, a digital marketing and SEO expert, this bundle is designed to enhance your digital skills from all angles. It contains over nine hours of content, with an overview of social media marketing, a deep dive into Instagram and Twitter, a masterclass in Google Ads, and a complete guide to SEO. 

Siddiqui himself has worked with over 50 multinational brands, companies, and business partners and has managed millions in digital marketing assets. He has experience with marketing in a wide range of industries as well, including luxury fashion, tech, e-commerce, real estate, and more. His course structure is straightforward and to-the-point, without excessive wordiness that drags you down. If you’re a quick learner, you can breeze through it all in a single sitting. But with lifetime access, feel free to take as long as you’d like.

In these courses, you’ll understand the role of bookmarking, consumer reviews, blogging, as well as the impact of positive reviews, IG stories, and influencers. You’ll discover some social media stats that will completely flip the script when it comes to your approach, and even learn how to build an audience persona. Then you'll dive deeper into specific topics and platforms. Siddiqui will show you how to reap the benefits of on-page SEO, how to utilize Instagram through organic and paid sources, how to trend on Twitter, and how to create and leverage search, display, and discovery ads on Google.

A $1,600 value, you can sign up for this comprehensive digital marketing education from the comfort of your couch for only $34.99 for a limited time.

Prices subject to change.

Credit: Faisal Siddiqui

The 2022 Social Media & Digital Ads Certification Bundle

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The Late Show host Stephen Colbert has shared a little pandemic advice, urging people not to go out and deliberately catch COVID-19. Because apparently some people think that's a good idea.

"It seems ridiculous to purposefully catch COVID, but according to one doctor, the idea of intentionally trying to catch Omicron is 'all the rage,'" said Colbert. "Yes, getting Omicron is super popular — I hear it's dating Pete Davidson. He's got that BDE: that big Delta energy."

It should go without saying that actively trying to catch COVID-19 is a phenomenally terrible idea, one on par with bleach injections. As CNN reports, potential negative consequences include getting long COVID, stressing the healthcare system, and spreading the deadly virus to children.

We're all well and truly sick of this pandemic. Still, that doesn't mean getting actually sick is a smart move.

SAVE UP TO 31%: Popular Hisense and TCL TVs are on sale at Amazon. We've lined up all the best 4K TV deals in January 2022, saving you up to 31% on list price.

January gets a lot of hate, but it's really not so bad. The weather tends to be bleak and everyone has lost the will to socialise. We know this sounds bad, but it just means you've got license to sit back and relax.

With all that relaxing on your to-do list, you could benefit from a new 4K TV. There is no better way of doing nothing at all than settling down for a marathon streaming session. And if you're planning on working your way through a lot of shows this January, you really should consider an upgrade.

Fortunately, there are a couple of seriously impressive January 4K TV deals that could help you secure a top device for less:

Hisense 43A7GQTUK QLED Series 43-inch 4K UHD Dolby Vision HDR Smart TV — £378 £549 (save 31%)

A wider palette of colour provides smoother gradients for a more vivid and realistic watching experience. The Dolby Vision HDR technology also offers up astonishing brightness and contrast, making this 4K TV a great option for movie nights.

TCL 65C729K QLED TV 65-inch Smart 4K UHD TV — £779 £999 (save 22%)

This TV uses Quantum Dot technology that produces a billion different colours and shades to produce exceptionally lifelike image performance. The 100Hz display also lets you enjoy fast sporting transmissions and action movies without flickering or twitching.

Take your pick from these popular 4K TVs and save up to 31% this January.

FREE DISNEY PLUS: Disney+ usually costs £7.99 per month, but you can claim three months for free with the best mobile deals. Get three months of Disney+ for free when you purchase a Samsung Galaxy S21 FE on Mobiles.co.uk.

Popular online retailer Mobiles.co.uk has dropped a bunch of tariff deals on the new Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, which launched on Jan. 4. The deals alone are worth considering, but there is another reason to consider this new device.

As well as big data allowances on this impressive 5G device, customers can claim three months of Disney+ for free when they purchase the handset before June 11. Participants must enter their purchase information into their Samsung account to receive a code for redemption. The Disney+ subscription will automatically renew after the three-month promotional period. You can cancel this at anytime though, so there is no pressure to pay anything extra.

If you're looking for the best Samsung Galaxy S21 FE deals, we've got your back. Everything listed below is available with the free Disney+ promotion:

• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G — iD Mobile, 20GB data, £34.99 per month, free upfront

• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G — iD Mobile, 50GB data, £35.99 per month, free upfront

• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G — iD Mobile, 100GB data, £36.99 per month, free upfront

• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G — iD Mobile, unlimited data, £37.99 per month, free upfront

• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G — Vodafone, 100GB, £39 per month, £20 upfront

• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G — Vodafone, unlimited data, £43 per month, free upfront

These deals are only available for a limited time, so you may need to act fast to secure these low rates. Consider yourself warned.

Credit: Disney Plus

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TL;DR: The 2022 Premium Learn Game Development Bundle is on sale for £29.40, saving you 95% on list price.

If you’ve been sitting on a great idea for a game, but haven’t had a clue how to bring it to life, it’s about time you signed up for some training. There’s no time like the new year to reinvent yourself and do all the things you always wanted to do. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, after all.

The 2022 Premium Learn Game Development Bundle is your ticket to creating your very own video games — and launching them — from scratch. And it’ll only cost you £30.

In this day and age, you don’t have to have connections to big tech conglomerates to create a best-selling game. Just look at all the indie hits that wound up taking over the internet — Among Us, Undertale, and of course, Minecraft. All you need is the right instruction and some motivation.

This game development bundle features 130 hours of content on C#, Unity, Unreal, and Blender, all designed for beginner and intermediate developers. So, even if you have never dabbled in development or software, you’ll be able to pick up the skills fairly easily. You’ll start super simple, so no coding experience is required, either. Better yet, you can connect with the instructors at GameDev.tv before, during, and after the courses on dedicated forums for students. 

As you make your way through each course, you’ll start building your very own games from scratch, including a side-scrolling jumping game, a quiz game, a role-playing game, and more. You’ll also build your own game assets, 3D models, detailed terrain and landscapes, and everything else involved in designing the next big video game. 

Playing games is fun, but designing games is much more exciting. Get the 2022 Premium Learn Game Development Bundle for just £30 for a limited time. No code necessary.

Credit: GameDev.Tv

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TL;DR: A five-year PlayStation Plus subscription stackable code bundle is on sale for £161, saving you 26% on list price.

Still can’t get your hands on the PlayStation 5? Tough luck. At least you can unlock more features of your current console with this stellar deal on PlayStation Plus. 

PlayStation Plus opens up access to online multiplayer mode, delivers free games to your account each month, and gives you exclusive discounts and deals on select games, add-ons, preorders, and more from the PlayStation store. It's certainly worth the £44 cost every year. But for a limited time, you can save 26% on not one, not two, but five years of all these perks.

What’s great about PlayStation Plus is that you can pick up your games on any console that has them installed. So, when you finally do get your hands on a shiny new PlayStation 5, your Plus subscription will transfer over.

Another awesome perk of PlayStation Plus is the exclusive members-only skins, cosmetics, weapons, and more for free-to-play games like Fortnite and Apex Legends. Your characters and accessories will stand out from the crowd.

You can expect to see a range of blockbuster hits, indie gems, and multiplayer party games during your five-year subscription. In fact, your collection of games will look pretty impressive when it’s all said and done. Since these codes are stackable, you can split up the five years of access if you wish. Maybe you want to share them with your gaming buddies or gift them to family members for the holidays. There are five unique codes for each subscription, so you can apply all five into your account or give away some and keep a few for yourself. The choice is yours.

These five stackable PlayStation Plus subscription codes typically cost £220, but you can save 26% and get it for just £161. But act fast to secure the deal.

Credit: PlayStation

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SAVE 49%: Get a year of free unlimited cloud backup from Backblaze with ExpressVPN. A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £5.13 per month, and includes an extra three months for free.

ExpressVPN is a streaming-friendly VPN that offers fast connection speeds, powerful encryption, and reliable unblocking of top streaming sites like Netflix and Disney+. You still need to be subscribed to these streaming sites to watch, but a VPN can provide access to a lot more content from around the world.

The process of accessing extra libraries of content is actually really simple with ExpressVPN. All you need to do is open up the app, select a server from another location in order to spoof your IP address to that country, and then head to Netflix. This simple process makes Netflix think you're in another country when you're actually in the UK, so you can watch all the great content that is normally locked to that location.

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £5.13 per month, saving you 49% on list price. This annual plan includes an extra three months of coverage and one year of unlimited cloud backup from Backblaze for free. All subscribers get a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can recover your cash if you're not totally satisfied.

ExpressVPN is not the cheapest VPN, but it is one of the most reliable and fastest options for streaming. Unlock more content from top streaming sites with ExpressVPN.

Credit: ExpressVPN

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Privacy seems elusive in today's world, especially pertaining to our most sensitive information. If you watch porn, you probably want to shield yourself from prying eyes of advertisers, your internet service provider — or even just your roommate.

A VPN, or virtual private network, appears to be a simple solution. VPNs mask your current location, and there are plenty available — free or paid, as apps or browser extensions. 

These networks are easy to use, but should you use a VPN to watch porn? Well, the answer is complicated. 

VPNs aren't "an anonymity cloak," said Yael Grauer, investigative tech reporter at Consumer Reports, despite what their marketing may say. The reality is, some scenarios are best suited for other web security tools — and it's actually possible that a VPN can weaken your safety.

How do VPNs work?

VPNs are a privacy and security tool that protects you in three key ways according to Harold Li, vice president at ExpressVPN. 

One is that VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and data. When this information is unencrypted, anyone in the chain between you and the destination (say, a porn site) can potentially see it. An example is the owner of a WiFi hotspot you use at a coffee shop. With a VPN, however, your traffic can't be seen by that intermediary. 

Secondly, VPNs encrypt DNS (Domain Name System) requests. Li compared DNS to a phonebook. A DNS request is like looking up a number in the phonebook — you're asking your computer to find something, like a website.

The third tactic is that VPNs mask your IP address, which is a unique number connected to your device and linked to your location. Computers need IP addresses in order to communicate with each other and know "where" to send information. When using a VPN, you replace your actual IP address with the VPN's address.

"A VPN concentrates on hiding your real IP address," explained Chris Hauk, consumer privacy champion at online privacy blog Pixel Privacy, "while also encrypting your internet connection so third-parties can't easily track you simply by monitoring your connection.”

What a VPN can and can't do

Know that any VPN won't make you totally anonymous. Sites can track you in ways besides your IP address. For example, a site's cookies (a file on your computer that tracks your activity) or other trackers will still be there even if you use a VPN, said Jon Callas, director of technology projects at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).

Browser fingerprinting is yet another way you can be followed online. This method logs data like your browser, operating system, screen resolution, and language. 

Further, your browsing history will still exist if you use a VPN, Callas explained. If you paid for anything, the site has your payment information as well.

When choosing whether to use a VPN, ask yourself what you want to protect yourself from, said Grauer. This is to discern whether a VPN is actually the best option.

Here are two instances Grauer said they could be useful for porn viewing: 

• To bypass a firewall (say, on hotel WiFi that blocks porn sites)

• If you're worried about your ISP (internet service provider) seeing and potentially selling your data, as VPNs hide your info from your ISP

Grauer herself isn't concerned with the latter point. "There's a lot of people that look at porn," she said, "so personally, I don't feel the need to hide that I look at it…from my internet service provider."

What about snooping family or roommates? Clearing your browser history may be your best bet — or even investing in a screen filter so no one physically around you can see what you're browsing. Using an Incognito window, which doesn't log history, may help too, but keep in mind that sites can still track you.

If loved ones or your building management have access to your WiFi and are savvy enough, however, they can potentially access your data. In that case, a VPN could help, Li explained, as it reroutes your traffic. 

Callas agreed. "If the threat is 'I don't want my apartment building to know what porn I watch,' a VPN works," he said.

VPNs enable free speech in some areas as well, said Li. Should you live in a country where queer sex and thus queer porn is illegal, a VPN could mask your IP from the government. Grauer wouldn't rely on one in these severe instances, however, as VPNs can fail. She recommended people in these circumstances instead contact human rights organizations to figure out what security steps to take, as technology, laws, and government practices are ever-changing.

If the specific VPN you use doesn't have a "kill switch," which shuts off your internet connection if it's not working, then authorities — or whomever else — could potentially see your traffic. Check if your VPN has a kill switch either in the features rundown on the company's website, or in the VPN settings.

Not all VPNs are made equal 

"Some [VPNs] are more trustworthy than others," said Grauer, who tested 16 VPNs along with her team last year. In its evaluation, Consumer Reports focused on characteristics like whether a VPN company conducted third-party security audits, and whether the company itself held customer information — as opposed to ease of use and cost. This takes into account what security experts look for in a platform.

Grauer found that most VPN companies fell short in terms of exorbitant ad claims (like that they provide "military-grade encryption," which isn't a real term or standard of protection ) and poor privacy practices (such as selling user data). A few, however, had truthful marketing and better policies like security checks by outside companies: IVPN, Mozilla VPN, and Mullvad VPN.

Hauk doesn't recommend free VPNs as they sometimes sell data, or even insert their own tracking cookies into a user's browser settings. If your goal is to stop your ISP from seeing and selling your data, a free VPN could do exactly what you're trying to prevent.

Each VPN is different, so when looking for one, check if and how they collect user data. Li confirmed, for example, that ExpressVPN doesn't keep activity or collection logs. 

Helpful privacy measures besides VPN

A VPN isn't the end-all of security; other tools could better help with various issues. 

If you're worried about advertising trackers on porn sites following you throughout the web, Grauer recommends a tracker blocker like Privacy Badger, created by EFF, or uBlock Origin.

Should you be concerned about malware, try one of the many malware removal and protection services on the market.

Another tool is a privacy-focused browser. Brave is Hauk's favorite, as it blocks third-party tracking cookies and ads by default and randomizes your fingerprint, along with similar protections.

Additionally, Hauk singled out the latest versions of Apple's Safari as it offers privacy and anti-tracking features alongside the introduction of macOS Monterey, like tracker blocking.

Opera also has excellent protections, said Hauk, like its own VPN. "Users should keep in mind though that the Opera VPN only protects the user's in-browser activity," he noted. "The rest of your online activity, such as from apps like P2P torrenting apps, is still left out in the open."

Grauer mentioned Google Chrome, as Google has a robust security team, though you need to specifically opt out of Google tracking your data.

So, should I use a VPN to watch porn?

Are you concerned about your internet service provider, housemates, or building manager accessing your data? Then yes — a VPN would help. Furthermore, if you're in a hotel or somewhere that has a firewall up for porn sites, a VPN can also circumvent that.

Remember, however, that not all VPNs are the same. Take a look at their fineprint to see if they're going to collect or sell your data. If a privacy policy doesn't explicitly state that the company won't sell your data, that could be a red flag.

Read specific porn sites' terms of service and privacy policies to see how exactly they'll track you, too, Grauer said. According to Pornhub's privacy policy, for example, the site tracks IP addresses and sets cookies, which have the potential to collect information about your site usage. If your VPN works properly, your IP address will be hidden — but you'll need another tool to take care of the cookies.

Ultimately, a VPN won't make you invisible to porn sites nor others. There are, however, additional services like tracker blockers that can make your experience that much more private.

At least he didn't try to hide it.

Zachary Shakked, a self-described "degenerate app developer," proudly boasted on Twitter Monday of copying the popular word-puzzle game Wordle. Shakked released his own "free-to-play" version of the game, dubbed "Wordle — The App," on the Apple App Store and skinned it to look similar to the actually free version available online and developed by software engineer Josh Wardle.

"I love Wordle so much I decided to make my own Wordle app but with a twist," he wrote on Monday. "You can play unlimited times if you're on the Pro version."

What a twist. Credit: Screenshot: Twitter

The Pro version, it should be pointed out, costs $29.99. "Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase on a once a week basis," explains the App Store listing.

Calling it like he sees it. Credit: Screenshot: Twitter

Notably, Shakked seems to have found success. Before making his Twitter account private Tuesday afternoon, he claimed that "we're going to the fucking moon," referring to growing interest in the app.

Mooning. Credit: Screenshot: Twitter

While downloads may be trending up, scores of Twitter users called out the developer for ripping off Wardle's idea.

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

We reached out to Shakked in an attempt to determine if he has a response to the swift backlash (other than making his Twitter account private), but received no immediate response. We also reached out to Wardle, who released the Wordle web game in October, but received no immediate response.

According to the New York Times, Wardle named the game "Wordle" as a play on his last name. Shakked, however, initially appeared outwardly defiant. In response to a Twitter comment that Wardle was first to use the "Wordle" name for a word-puzzle game, Shakked wasn't swayed.

"Was he first," asked Shakked. "I see an app called Wordle that was last updated five years ago."

It's unclear what specific app he is talking about, and if that app is also a word-puzzle game almost exactly like Wardle's version.

No regrets. Credit: Screenshot: Twitter

It's worth pointing out that, as of the time of this writing, there are at least five other word-puzzle games with some variation of the name "Wordle" in the App Store all released within the last few weeks that appear to copy Wardle's game. So one might wonder why Shakked's version in particular is on the receiving end of so much ire — that is, if he weren't being such a dick about it.

UPDATE: Jan. 10, 2022, 4:15 p.m. EST: In a statement, Razer confirms that "to avoid any confusion, we are in the process of removing all references to "N95 Grade Filter" from our marketing material." It also pledged to reach out to existing customers to "clarify" what the mask can and can't do.

UPDATE: Jan. 10, 2022, 10:15 a.m. EST: Over the weekend, Razer removed references to "N95 grade" from its marketing web pages, and updated the fine print on its "The Science Behind Razer Zephyr" website.

Before:
"Razer Zephyr is not a medical device, respirator, surgical mask or personal protective equipment (PPE) and is not meant to be used [in] medical or clinical settings."

After:
"The Razer Zephyr and Zephyr Pro are not certified N95 masks, medical devices, respirators, surgical masks, or personal protective equipment (PPE) and are not meant to be used in medical or clinical settings."

The company did not publicly announce the removal of "N95 grade" from its website. On Saturday, it simply posted a tweet that said it has "taken feedback and guidance from regulatory agencies to establish our testing protocols for the Razer Zephyr and Razer Zephyr Pro," which includes a link to the aftermentioned science website. Note that on its page, Razer does not say the masks are "certified," only that they "took guidance" from regulators.

Tweet may have been deleted

Razer has not yet responded to PCMag's request for comment from last week.

The original story is as follows:

Not all "N95s" are the same.

Gaming PC maker Razer plunged into the protective mask world during COVID, selling paper masks, cloth masks and its pièce de résistance—the Razer Zephyr, a light-up wearable air purifier with what it says are "N95-grade filters." At CES this week, it unveiled a new version, the Razer Zephyr Pro, which amplifies your voice from behind the mask.

Following that announcement, my Twitter feed exploded with rage against the company's "N95" claim. Naomi Wu, an influencer in the 3D-printing world, argued that having an "N95 Grade filter" doesn't make something an N95 mask. But most people will see that phrase as equivalent to "N95 mask," no matter how many fine-print disclaimers Razer adds, she says.

"N95 grade filters with two-way protection," Razer's website says.

In the US, the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certifies that N95 respirators "used in an occupational setting meet the minimum construction, performance, and respiratory protection standards." It also maintains a website of NIOSH-approved N95 respirators listed by manufacturer from A-Z. Razer's products are not on the NIOSH list.

In its fine print, Razer acknowledges that the Razer Zephyr and Zephyr Pro "are not medical devices, respirators, surgical masks, or personal protective equipment (PPE) and are not meant to be used in medical or clinical settings." It also says that while it has "adopted standards" set forth by NIOSH, it has not been certified by the agency.

Razer is clearly using the "N95" signifier here.

When we reviewed the original Zephyr, Razer told us it worked with a company called Intertek to perform testing for Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) certification. It also filed the Zephyr with the FDA. We contacted Razer, but have not yet heard back.

Wu says she raised a complaint with the CDC. A lot of the problem here is around tricky usage of medical and legal terms that the layperson can't be expected to understand. For example, the designation between "adopting standards" and getting certified by NIOSH.

In the last day, Razer appears to have added a section to its Zephyr product page comparing its mask to other safety solutions.

I don't have any way of actually testing mask efficiency, but marketing contradictions make the whole thing look shifty. It says the Zephyr is not personal protective equipment (PPE), but at the top of its product page, it says the Zephyr uses "replaceable N95 Grade filters for daily protection." So if the Zephyr is not PPE, why claim this personal equipment provides protection? It feels disingenuous. Ultimately, the disclaimer below shows this isn't the protection it intuitively appears to be. Unless the mask is properly certified, wearing it might as well be Fallout cosplay.

Are you confused by these two boxes? You should be.

I'm being picky here. Fabric masks with filters are useful, according to several studies, just not to N95-certified levels. I mostly wear a set of ratty, overused KF94s that are probably at this point more placebo effect than anything else.

But as my mentions have shown recently, a lot of people do care about the use of "N95" here, and Razer's marketing feels over the line. It should stop using that term.

UPDATE: Jan. 11, 2022, 3:00 p.m. EST This story has been updated with the best sex toy deals from across the internet, including some enticing new price drops from Lovehoney's collection.

• The We-Vibe Tango is a bullet vibe but better — $59 $79 (save $20)

• The Satisfyer Pro 2 is a suction toy that uses air pulses and vibrations, yet still keeps costs low — $39.95 $89.99 (save $50.04 with code NYSALE)

• The Lelo Ina Wave 2 is one of the best rabbit vibrators out there, thanks to its Wave Motion technology — $159 $199 (save $40)

We're not saying that treating yourself to some new sex toys will almost certainly improve your life, but we're also not not saying that. Spending some money on upping your solo sesh game or adding a little spice with a partner is well worth the investment. Though we do believe in springing for well-made toys since you'll be putting them in, on, and around your genitals, that doesn't necessarily mean you have to drop a ton of cash. Every week, we'll be rounding up the best deals directly from manufacturers and online sex shops alike, so you can find a toy you'll love, at prices you'll love (almost) as much. Check out our finds from this week below.

Vibrator deals

Credit: We-Vibe

Our pick: We-Vibe Tango

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Why we like it

Read more from Mashable about the We-Vibe Tango here.

Think bullet vibrator, but better. The We-Vibe offers the perfect pinpointed vibrations, with a flat-topped lipstick-shaped head that's better than the rounded design you'll find on most bullet vibes. It's also waterproof and rechargeable, making it clear why Mashable culture reporter Anna Iovine deemed the Tango "the best bullet vibrator I've tried."

More vibrator deals:

• Babeland Spritz vibrator — $7.99 $16 (save $8.01)

• Satisfyer Magic Bunny Vibrator — $29.98 $79.99 (save $50.01 with code NYSALE)

• Love Honey Bigs Bunny Girthy Rechargebale Rabbit Vibrator — $44.99 $89.99 (save $45)

• Original Magic Wand — $69.95 $99.99 (save $30.04)

• Lovehoney Dream Wand Rechargeable Mini Massage Wand Vibrator — $39.99 $79.99 (save $40)

• We-Vibe Tango — $59 $79 (save $20)

• Evolved Monroe Tapered Vibe — $74.25 $99 (save $24.75 with code LOVE25)

• Lelo Ina Wave — $143 $179 (save $36)

• MysteryVibe Crescendo vibrator — $171.75 $229 (save $57.25)

• Lelo Ina Wave 2 — $159 $199 (save $40)

• Lelo Soraya 2 — $175 $219 (save $44)

Clitoral stimulator and suction toy deals

Credit: Satisfyer

Our pick: Satisfyer Pro 2

$39.95 at Pink Cherry (save $50.04 with code NYSALE)

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Why we like it

Suction toys are great for those that love all the attention on their clit, but they can also be quite expensive. With the Satisfyer Pro 2, you don't have to sacrifice quality for cost. Unlike other clit stimulators, the Pro 2 uses air pulses and vibrations (with 10 different vibration modes, by the way), so getting that just-right intensity is as easy as it should be. Plus, this USB rechargeable waterproof toy allows you to take those good vibes to the bath and shower without any worries.

More clitoral stimulator and suction toy deals:

• Mantric Rechargeable Rabbit Ears Clitoral Vibrator — $32.49 $64.99 (save $32.50)

• Womanizer Starlet 2 — $55.99 $79.99 (save $24)

• Better Love Tap Dancer — $69.99 $175.99 (save $106)

• Lelo Sona Cruise — $90.01 $137.99 (save $47.98)

• Lelo Sona Cruise 2 — $111 $139 (save $28)

• Womanizer Premium Clitoral Suction Stimulator — $149 $199 (save $50)

• Lelo Sila — $135 $169 (save $34)

Dildo deals

Credit: PinkCherry

Our pick: PinkCherry Lucky Dick Realistic 8.25-inch Dildo

$24.98 at PinkCherry (save $35.01 with code NYSALE)

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Why we like it

When it comes down to it, everyone will have their own preferences when it comes to dildos (or any sex toys, for that matter), but here's why this one is worth a second look. The silicone material gives the dildo some flex, so you can find those just-right angles (which can feel even better thanks to its approachable size). The circular base doubles as a suction cup too, making this dildo easy to hold, fit into a harness, or stick on to the non-porous surface of your choosing.

More dildo deals:

• Lovehoney Realistic Suction Cup Dildo 7.5-inch — $12.49 $24.99 (save $12.49)

• Fifty Shades of Grey Feel It Baby Color-Changing Silicone G-Spot Dildo 7-Inch — $15 $49.99 (save $34.99)

• Lovehoney Pink Spiral G-Spot Sensual Glass Dildo — $18.49 $36.99 (save $18.50)

• Lovehoney Double Delight Adjustable Vibrating Strap-On Dildo — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25)

• Lovehoney Firm Friend Stainless Steel Beaded Dildo 6.5-Inch — $42.49 $84.99 (save $42.50)

• Le Wand Hoop Double-Sided Stainless Steel Pleasure Tool — $115.96 $145 (save $29.04 with NYSALE)

Deals on sex toys for penises

Credit: Fleshlight

Our pick: Fleshlight Go Stamina Training Unit Lady Pack

$69.95 at Fleshlight (save $11.90)

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Why we like it

When it comes to sex toys specifically for people with penises, Fleshlight might just be the most recognizable name out there, and for good reason — they're masters at the masturbation sleeve. Fleshlight's sleeves have made our favorites list before, and this bundle comes with a compact version of one of the brand's most popular sleeves, the Stamina Training Unit, as well as lube and cleaner.

More deals on sex toys for penises:

• Lovehoney Ring It On Rechargeable Vibrating Rabbit Cock Ring — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)

• Honey Pot Textured Realistic Vagina Male Masturbator — $32.49 $64.99 (save $32.50)

• Tenga Egg Variety Pack — $35.10 $39 (save $3.90)

• Lovehoney Hot Shot Rechargeable Warming Male Masturbator — $44.99 $89.99 (save $45)

• Satisfyer Men Vibration Masturbator — $49.95 $84.99 (save $35.04)

• Satisfyer Men Heat Masturbator — $54.95 $79.99 (save $25.04)

• Buy 2 Fleshlight sleeves, get one free — $99.90 $149.85 (save $49.95)

• Lelo F1S V2 penis sleeve — $186 $219 (save $33)

• MysteryVibe Tenuto wearable vibrator — $211.65 $249 (save $37.35)

• Fleshlight Quickshot Launch Vantage Pack — $221.95 $246.85 (save $24.90)

Anal toy deals

Credit: Lovehoney

Our pick: Lovehoney Booty Buddy 7 Function Vibrating Butt Plug 4-Inch

$12.49 at Lovehoney (save $12.50)

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Why we like it

Looking for a butt plug that's beginner friendly but still offers a little something extra? This Lovehoney pick comes in an approachable size, has a nice curve for easier p-spot stimulation, has seven different vibration settings, and is completely waterproof. And you get all this versatility for just over $10.

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• Lovehoney Booty Buddy Silicone Butt Plug — $8.49 $16.99 (save $8.50)

• PinkCherry Graduated Anal Beads — $8.98 $24.99 (save $16.01 with code NYSALE)

• Lovehoney Booty Buddy 7 Function Vibrating Butt Plug 4-Inch — $12.49 $24.99 (save $12.50)

• PinkCherry Triple Trainer Anal Kit — $19.95 $59.99 (save $40.04 with code NYSALE)

• Lovehoney Inner Glow Jewelled Metal Butt Plug 3-Inch — $14.99 $29.99 (save $15)

• Lovehoney Get Started Beginner's Anal Kit — $25.79 $42.99 (save $17.20)

• Lovehoney Seven Function Silicone Rechargeable Vibrating Prostate Massager — $27.47 $54.95 (save $27.48)

• Lelo Hugo prostate massager — $175 $219 (save $44)

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• Black Furry Hand Cuffs — $4.95 $19.99 (save $15.04 with code NYSALE)

• Strap-On Harness Kit with Realistic Dildo 6.5 Inch — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)

Explore related content:

• What to look for when buying a sex toy

• Where to buy sex toys online (even at Target)

• The best budget-friendly sex toys under $50

UPDATE: Jan. 11, 2022, 2:55 p.m. EST We've gathered up some of the best deals from across the Apple universe, including the M1 iMac at its lowest price ever.

• BEST MAC DEAL: The MacBook Pro (M1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is a solid all-around laptop that can power you through all kinds of tasks, minus the premium price tag — $1,299.99 $1,499.99 (save $199.01)

• BEST REFURBISHED DEAL: iPhone 11 (64GB) — no matter your carrier or plan, you can score a good deal on this iPhone — $498 $569 (save $71)

• BEST IPAD DEAL: 2021 iPad Mini, a tiny tablet that packs a punch — $459 $499 (save $40)

• BEST IPHONE DEAL: The iPhone 13 Mini (64GB) at Verizon is a mini phone with plenty of storage space and a battery life worth bragging about — $0 with select trade-ins or BOGO with any unlimited plan $699.99 (save up to $699.99)

• BEST APPLE WATCH DEAL: The Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS) is the latest Apple smartwatch and on sale in a bunch of different colors — $369 $399 (save $30)

• BEST ACCESSORIES DEAL: The AirPods Pro are the perfect earbuds for staying focused — $189.99 $249 (save $59.01)

You could really kill some time trying to dissect the iron grasp Apple has on the general population, but when it comes down to it, its products look good, work well, and stay cutting-edge — of course people like them. Whether your favorite day of the year is its annual September reveal event or you just want a solid computer no matter the brand, Apple's got you covered. Sure, it is a little notorious for its higher prices, but we've rounded up the best deals on iPads, AirPods, and more to help you out. Check them out below.

Mac and MacBook deals

Credit: Apple

Our pick: 2020 MacBook Pro

$1,299.99 at Amazon (save $199.01)

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Why we like it

Check out Mashable's official review of the 2020 MacBook Pro.

Whether you're a student, video editor, or simply a person in need of a laptop, the MacBook Pro is a great all-around pick. With its M1 chip, 13-inch Retina display, and a battery capable of powering you through the day, you'll get why this laptop is a solid machine for many different kinds of users.

More Mac and MacBook deals

2020 MacBook Pro, 13-inch

• MacBook Pro (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,149.99 $1,299.99 (save $149.01)

• MacBook Pro (M1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299.99 $1,499.99 (save $199.01)

• MacBook Pro (Intel Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299.99 $1,799 (save $500)

2020 MacBook Pro, 16-inch

• MacBook Pro (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,159.99 $2,399.99 (save $240)

• MacBook Pro (Intel Core i9, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,299.99 $2,799.99 (save $500)

2020 MacBook Air, 13-inch

• MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) at Amazon — $949.99 $999 (save $49.01)

• MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) at Amazon — $1,149.99 $1,249.99 (save $100)

More Macs

• 2020 Mac Mini (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $599.01 $699 (save $99.01)

• 2020 Mac Mini (M1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $799.99 $899 (save $99.01)

• 2021 24" iMac (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,399 $1,499 (save $100)

Refurbished Macs and MacBooks

• Renewed 2019 21.5" iMac (Intel Core i3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $729.99 $1,099.99 (save $370)

• Refurbished 2017 MacBook Air (Intel Core i5, 128GB) — $379.97 $1,400 (save $1,020.03)

iPad deals

Credit: Apple

Our pick: 2021 iPad Mini (WiFi, 64GB)

$459 at Walmart (save $40)

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Why we like it

Check out Mashable's full review of the iPad Mini.

The iPad Mini is incredibly portable, looks like a cute baby iPad Air, and is speedy thanks to its A15 Bionic chip (a.k.a. Apple's latest mobile processor). Since its release last fall, finding it in stock and on sale hasn't been too easy. At the time of writing, only the space gray model was available at the sale price, so you'll want to act fast if you're interested in what Mashable senior editor Stan Schroeder calls the "best (small) iPad ever."

More iPad deals

• 2021 iPad Mini (WiFi, 64GB) — $459 $499 (save $40)

• 2021 iPad Air (WiFi, 64GB) — $539 $599 (save $60)

• 2021 11" iPad Pro (WiFi, 128GB) — $749 $799 (save $50)

• 2020 11" iPad Pro (WiFi, 256GB) — $809.99 $899.99 (save $90)

• 2020 12.9" iPad Pro (WiFi, 256GB) — $989.99 $1,099.99 (save $110)

• 2021 11" iPad Pro (WiFi, 512GB) — $999 $1,099 (save $100)

• 2021 12.9" iPad Pro (WiFi, 128GB) — $999 $1,099 (save $100)

iPhone deals

Credit: Apple

Our pick: iPhone 13 Mini at Verizon

$0 with select trade-ins or BOGO with any unlimited plan

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Why we like it

Check out Mashable's official review of the iPhone 13 Mini.

If you're picking up some new phones for more than one person this holiday, it'll be difficult to find a better deal than this buy one, get one on the iPhone 13 Mini at Verizon. Though this model looks quite similar to its predecessor, the starting storage of 128GB and improved battery life definitely justify the upgrade.

More iPhone deals

• iPhone 12 Mini (64GB) at AT&T — $314.99 with a switch to any unlimited plan and no trade-in necessary — $629.99 (save up to $314.99)

• iPhone 12 (64GB) at AT&T — $15 per month for 36 months on an unlimited plan, then receive up to $190 in bill credits

• iPhone 13 (128GB) at AT&T — $0 with an eligible trade-in and unlimited plan $799.99 (save up to $799.99)

• iPhone 13 Pro (128GB) at AT&T — $100 with an eligible trade-in on an unlimited plan, with installed payment plan $999.99 (save up to $800)

• iPhone 12 Mini (64GB) at Verizon — $0 with a new line on an unlimited plan $599.99 (save $599.99)

• iPhone 13 Mini (64GB) at Verizon — $0 with select trade-ins or BOGO with any unlimited plan $699.99 (save up to $699.99)

• iPhone 13 (128GB) at Verizon — $0 with an eligible trade-in on an unlimited plan or BOGO with any unlimited plan $799.99 (save $800)

• iPhone 13 Pro (128GB) at Verizon — $0 with select trade-ins $999.99 (save up to $999.99)

Apple Watch deals

Credit: Apple

Our pick: Apple Watch Series 7 in Green/Clover

$369 at Amazon (save $30)

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Why we like it

Apple's newest smartwatch has a larger face, increased support for biking, and better durability. You can find it at this price in a bunch of different colors at both Amazon and Walmart, but get it nice and quick with that Prime shipping.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 7

• Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS) at Amazon — $369 $399 (save $60)

• Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS) at Walmart — $369 $399 (save $30)

• Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm, GPS) at Amazon — $399 $429 (save $30)

• Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm, GPS) at Walmart — $399 $429 (save $30)

SE

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) at Amazon — $229 $279 (save $50)

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) at Walmart — $229 $279 (save $50)

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) at Best Buy —$249 $279 (save $30 and get four months free of Apple Fitness Plus)

• Apple Watch SE (44m, GPS) at Walmart — $269 $309 (save $40)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) at Amazon — $279 $309 (save $30)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) at Best Buy — $279 $309 (save $30 and get four months free of Apple Fitness Plus)

Series 3

• Apple Watch Series 3 (38mm, GPS) at Best Buy — $169 $199 (save $30 and get four months free of Apple Fitness Plus)

• Apple Watch Series 3 (38mm, GPS) at Walmart — $169 $199 (save $30)

• Apple Watch Series 3 (42mm, GPS) at Walmart — $179 $229 (save $50)

• Apple Watch Series 3 (42mm, GPS) at Best Buy — $199 $229 (save $30 and get four months free of Apple Fitness Plus)

Refurbished

• Refurbished Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm, GPS + Cellular) — $355.95 $499 (save $143.05)

• Renewed Apple Watch Series 5 (44mm, GPS) — $290 $429 (save $139)

Apple accessories deals

Credit: Apple

Our pick: AirPods Pro

$189.99 at Amazon (save $59.01)

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Why we like it

Check out the official Mashable review of the AirPods Pro.

They're not the latest AirPods release, but they're still one of our favorite earbuds out there. With spatial audio, active noise cancellation, and interchangeable silicone tips, they certainly make for a more functional pair of buds than the third-gen AirPods.

More Apple accessories deals

• AirPods (2nd gen) — $109.99 $129.99 (save $20)

• AirPods (3rd gen) — $169.98 $179 (save $9.02)

• AirPods Pro at Walmart — $189.99 $249 (save $59.01)

• AirPods Max— $479 $549 (save $70)

• Powerbeats Pro Totally Wireless Earphones — $199.95 $249.95 (save $50)

• Beats Solo Pro Matte Collection — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

• Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones — $208.82 $349.99 (save $141.17)

• Apple TV 4K 32GB — $169.99 $179 (save $9.01)

• Apple Pencil (first gen) — $84.99 $99 (save $14.01)

• Apple Pencil 2 — $114.99 $129 (save $14.01)

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• 8 monitors to take your MacBook Pro to the next level

• MacBooks aren't the only great laptops — and this list proves it

• Best headphones for iPhone owners: Think outside the (AirPods) box

Save $150: The end of CES often means great discounts on TVs, including this 55-inch Hisense 4K TV, which is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon as of Jan. 11.

A lot of eye-catching new TVs were revealed at CES 2022. And while you might not buy a 98-inch monstrosity anytime soon, CES often means great deals on previous models that are more budget-friendly — and that actually fit in your living room.

One prime example is the Hisense 55-inch H9G Quantum Series 4K TV, which is on sale for just $499.99 at Amazon. That's a savings of $150 and the lowest price we've seen on this model to date.

The Hisense H9G has a display with advanced Quantum Dot technology to showcase over a billion colors. That allows for bright and accurate 4K images. It also offers a high contrast range, Dolby Vision HDR, and 132 local dimming zones for up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness. This means it's a great option if you prefer to watch movies and shows in dark rooms while still seeing every detail.

Gamers will appreciate this TV's super-low input lag and fast response times. It makes streaming easy, too, with hands-free voice controls compatible with Alexa devices or with the built-in Google Assistant. That includes commands to turn it on or off, change channels, and search for your favorite shows.

Credit: Hisense

Hisense 55-inch H9G Quantum Series 4K ULED TV

$499.99 at Amazon (save $150)

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• The best TVs for gaming to get you to next-level play

• From Netflix to HBO Max to Disney+: The best streaming sites for movies

• Your TV needs a soundbar. Here are our faves.

Between never-ending seasonal allergies, an ongoing pandemic, and weather that always seems to be either too hot or too cold, going out for a run or heading the gym isn't the most appealing thing to do every day. Home treadmills are a godsend for this exact reason. They're a sweet, sweet solution for the days when it's too gross, hot, or swampy to run outside, or the days when you don't feel like brawling over a machine at the gym.

The pandemic brought a whole new meaning to shared exercise equipment and shared workout spaces. In Normal Times, existing in the sweat cloud of strangers was merely gross — but in Coronavirus Times, it could actually be dangerous. With gyms at limited capacities and certain machines blocked off to keep the distance, a quick cardio workout stopped being quick.

If your New Year's resolution for 2022 involves getting more steps in, training for a marathon, or just getting more active without having to leave the house, we've rounded up the best treadmills on the market now. Read on for the guidance you need to make an informed home gym purchase.

What to look for when buying a treadmill

(For nitty-gritty shopping guidance on ideal treadmill motor and incline, scroll all the way down.)

Space will constrain a lot. A treadmill's listing should offer weight capacity and dimensions — take the latter into consideration for your own body as well as the amount of actual space that it takes up on the floor. Shoppers looking for a small-space treadmill have foldable options to cut down the footprint in storage. Some fold like a "V" and some can fold completely flat to roll under a bed.

Another household-related thing to keep in mind is who's using it. Is it for solo use, for you and your partner, or a whole family, maybe? Gym Source recommends shopping for the most extreme situation — i.e. buying the treadmill that accommodates the person with the widest build. Belt size and belt length come into play here: Belts should be between 18 to 22 inches wide, and opting for the larger end makes sense for beginners who can't keep the center line or have gait issues. Belts should hit at least 48 inches long, though anyone over six feet tall should bump that to 54 inches for running.

Materials matter. High-end treadmills are expensive because they're built to last. Granted, a steel frame is the standard for most, regardless of price — it's under the hood where things get questionable. $400 treadmills might trade in metal gears for plastic ones that wear down easily or struggle to power the incline. Faulty wiring or tech that fails to adjust the resistance in each step can lead to a less-than-productive run. These factors are less of an issue if the treadmill will only be used for walking or very sporadic workouts.

How important is shock absorption in a treadmill?

Home treadmills of the past were often associated with a cacophony of a rattling frame, thumping belt, and the general clamor of a machine that's about to fall apart, but modern treadmills have seriously evolved. While new treadmill models are generally built with sturdier materials and design than those of old, shock absorption is also abundant now. Shock absorption is huge for downing the noise of your treadmill and reducing the impact and strain on your joints, but models with heavy duty shock absorbing systems might require more frequent maintenance. On the other hand, smaller treadmills without shock absorption, a restrictive weight limit, and feebler low-end running decks can't contain motion as well and are bound to rock or squeak.

Shock absorption is achieved with a few different tactics. Some use marshmallow-y rubber grommets under the surface to buffer footfall without interfering with push-off. Bowflex has engineered its own five-cell Comfort Tech deck cushioning system while NordicTrack and Proform spring you into the next step with cushions that foster energy return. Better cushioning also works to take some of the burden off your knees and joints. (NordicTrack's force dampeners can even be turned off depending on how hard or soft you prefer your surface.)

Treadmill mats are also a popular impact-absorbing accessory, utilizing rubber's bouncy properties to soften the blow underneath a wobbly machine.

Does a treadmill warranty matter?

In short, yes. According to NordicTrack, treadmills usually require the most maintenance over their lifetimes in comparison to other home gym machines. That means that a good warranty is a must. Because of how expensive treadmills are nowadays, you'll want to protect your purchase by choosing one with a solid warranty. The best treadmill warranties usually cover the frame for 10 to 15 years, parts for one to five years, and labor for one to two years. At the bare minimum, pick a model with a warranty that covers everything for at least a year, so if you have any issues, you won't run into even more financial costs.

What's a good treadmill motor?

A motor with at least 1.5 continuous-duty horsepower (CHP) will be needed to keep up with relatively regular use, but most nice models will hit between 2.5 to 3.5 CHP. (The user's weight will also help determine how powerful of a motor is necessary.) Motor energy can be measured in a few different ways, but continuous duty is the spec that matters most for treadmills. Continuous duty horsepower represents how much power is maintained throughout the workout (compared to say, peak horsepower, which represents the very max that the treadmill can hit but probably not maintain).

A powerful motor won't determine speed as in how fast the belt can move, but the best motor for you will be dependent on how fast you're trying to go: Walkers will be fine with 2.0 CHP, while 2.5 or 3.0 CHP would be better for jogging and running, respectively. High-intensity, large-bodied people might go with 3.5 CHP just to be safe.

What about a good incline?

Walking uphill sucks universally. Compared to toppling downhill with the force of gravity on your side, an incline forces you to lift your body weight against gravity, recruiting help from calf muscles, hamstrings, and glutes. If you're looking to do more than get those steps in for the day — like build leg muscle and burn extra calories — look for a treadmill that can rise to a 15% incline rather than the traditional 10% to 12% max. Incline training machines dedicated to an angled workout also exist and can reach a 40% incline. A 2% to 5% decline is a nice bonus, too.

Live and pre-programmed workouts might be *the* deciding factor

Barring the select few who can deal with bird chirps as their marathon soundtrack, people who *like* running will probably even admit that it's an activity best done with distraction. Music suffices for many, but indoors especially, having an on-screen workout to focus on often helps to push through the pain. Pre-programmed workouts can be as simple as automatic speeding up or slowing down of the belt in waves to meet targets like calorie-burning or distance training.

But for the Pelotons and NordicTracks of the world, the screens are getting bigger and the control panels are getting smaller. This is where you'll access on-screen outdoor runs with gorgeous views or streams of live training from instructors who know how to pump people up. (Like a ClassPass session but without the paranoia of visible sweat stains.) Users can choose a workout by skill level and time. Subscriptions like iFit offer categories past traditional jogging: Choose a run that incorporates weights or take a break from high-intensity and be guided through an on-screen yoga session instead.

Most models have some sort of platform to hold a phone or a tablet if you want more stimulating entertainment, and none of this matters much if there's a TV in the room. Access to streaming services on media-based treadmills is still somewhat rare (without doing the next best thing to jailbreaking and voiding your warranty), but some newer Bowflex models do play nicely with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more.

Here are the best treadmills for home use in 2022:

I remember the first time I went to conversion therapy. If I'm honest, I thought it was quite nice really. 

The woman at the reception of the church hosting the therapy had me sign in on the visitor's sheet. Then, I went upstairs to meet a guy who would be able to "help me," or so I was told. We had a cup of coffee and talked for almost an hour, and I thought he was a kind, helpful person. Sure, some of the things he said made me cry and I'd told him things that I'd never told another human being, but that was part of it all, right? It was 2011, I was in my final year of university, 21 years old, desperately unhappy and quite obviously not straight. My life was spiraling, and over the following months it would only get worse. But I was doing all the things I was told would help me — the light had to be at the end of the tunnel soon.

The thing is, I wasn't told it was conversion therapy. It wasn't until about six or seven years later I had a lightbulb moment that the sessions I had with some unlicensed 'counsellor' on a sofa in a church with the sole stated intention of suppressing my sexuality did, in fact, fall under the definition of conversion therapy. It was only after I realised this that I began to retrace what happened that year and the depths to which my mental health declined, and was finally able piece things together.

If you grew up in an environment where queerness in any form was not only discouraged but labelled as morally wrong and perverse, attending a place that claims it can change what you're feeling might seem like the logical, if not the only, choice you have. You don’t have to grow up in a fundamentalist religious cult to feel this way, but it certainly helps. When the pastor in my church — who (quite worryingly now I think about it) often liked to talk to me about my "homosexual struggles" — presented the idea that I go along to this meeting with a guy from another nearby church, everything seemed to be above board. "I'd really like you to push past [your sexuality] and change," he said to me. This felt like the most natural way to think and talk at the time: At last, there was an easier way of dealing with my sexuality than being miserable about it all the time!

Conversion therapy is based on two ideas. One: that any sexuality or gender expression that deviates from heterosexual or cisgender is wrong (or at least undesirable) and two: that a person's sexuality or gender expression can be changed or suppressed. Both of these ideas are unsubstantiated, if not simply factually incorrect and harmful. The first is simply a bigoted position — labelling sections of humanity as "undesirable" purely because of difference — and the second is not backed up by science. In fact, it's actively discredited by science.

According to Stonewall and the UK National LGBT Survey in 2018, seven percent of LGBTQ people have been offered or undergone conversion therapy, with the number almost doubling for trans and asexual people. In the U.S., UCLA School of Law Williams Institute released a study in 2018 estimating that 698,000 adults had received conversion therapy, with 350,000 of these people having undergone conversion therapy while they were under 18. This is a staggering amount of people given that in the UK and the U.S., all major counselling and psychotherapy bodies, as well as the National Health Service, have concluded that conversion therapy is dangerous and have condemned it, with the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims going as far as to brand it torture, and the U.N. Human Rights Council's report recommending a global ban on conversion therapy.

"But who would willingly send themselves off to conversion therapy?" is the question my friends often can't get their head around, and to be honest, it's a solid point. The little that we do hear about conversion therapy involves incredibly aggressive, distressing situations ranging from physical abuse to electroshock therapy. While these versions of conversion therapy do still take place, according to a Human Rights Council report, the more common variety of conversion therapy in Europe and the U.S. will be led by a faith-based institution, meaning a sort of talking therapy that will involve prayer and religious advice. However when looking globally, it is medical and mental health providers who are the main practitioners of conversion therapy in almost half of the cases, and state authorities can also be involved. These treatments can range from homeopathic treatments to medication or hormone therapies, as well as the previously mentioned more violent and cruel abuse. People can feel so coerced by their families, their doctors, and even the authorities where they live to change who they are that some people pay large sums of money to be subjected to these "therapies". 

In the UK, it is still legal for LGBTQ people to be subjected to conversion therapy, but the government is currently running a consultation on legislation to ban it. Stonewall has stated that the proposed ban must have zero exceptions — it must include religious settings and it should be inclusive of trans people. With the fact that governments such as Brazil, Germany, and 24 U.S. states now have legislation outlawing or are currently in the process of drafting the laws to ban conversion therapy, it seems to those on the outside that attending it must contain an element at least of coercion. 

The therapy itself was, now I look back on it, both laughable and deeply disturbing. I don't know if you’re familiar with the method often employed by con artists, psychics, and mentalist illusionists known as "cold reading," but it is essentially fishing for information while seeming to only ask innocent questions. This man could see that I was a sensitive, ticking emotional time bomb and so he slowly and calmly primed me before pushing all my buttons at once. "When did you first see your mother cry?" he asked me, quite casually in the middle of the first session. Until that point, I'd never spoken of that memory to another person, and something like this is obviously going to be an emotional touchpoint for anyone, especially if the memory was from a young age — I was four. "How did that make you feel?" he continued. As I sobbed to a man I'd only met minutes ago, he calmly explained that this level of emotion was because I was naturally empathetic and compassionate — both excellent qualities, he reassured me — but that my "deviance" in sexuality was because I interpreted these emotions as sexual attraction. I believed him.

The 'therapy,' though it leaves a bad taste in my mouth to even call it that, continued in this way over a few sessions. What I remember of it are these statements that what I was feeling was not necessarily bad, I was only misinterpreting it, directing my feelings in the wrong direction. What I needed to do, I was told, was to remember that only sexual attraction to women was natural and that I should distrust other attractions and learn to tune them out in my head. My mental health predictably took a nosedive. I went from being simply miserable at my situation as a queer man trying to work out if my sexuality could fit with my faith, to truly despising my lot in life. I hated that I had to deal with these feelings, and I raged at myself. These emotions quickly manifested themselves as vivid and shocking suicidal dreams, and I began to contemplate harming myself. At this point, I hit the panic button and reached out to someone I trusted.

I remember the pale shock on his face as I calmly detailed how low I felt — to me all of this was normal. I couldn't be ill, I was getting help! Thankfully, he told me in no uncertain terms that I had choices. Even though he was himself a leader in a Christian group I was involved with, he explained I could choose which way I wanted to go, even if it meant abandoning my faith. His frank honesty, his insistence that the current path I was on was troubling and clearly not the right one, and his genuine care for me, allowed me the space to come to my own conclusions. He made sure I was in contact with friends who would care for me primarily as a human being and not a soul to be 'saved' and altered. He offered resources and community support groups led by other Christians who were LGBTQ, but only if I wanted to attend and in my own time. It was his support and this knowledge that I had choices that allowed me to step back and say no, I didn't want to spend my life struggling to find ways to marry my faith and sexuality. While many LGBTQ people do live wonderful, fulfilling lives of faith, this was not for me. So I left my faith, setting me on the path I'm still on today. I began to learn to love myself, and to work towards choosing to be happy. Without a doubt, this man saved my life.

How could all of this come from some benign-looking meetings with a random guy? Since sexuality cannot be altered, nor is it a choice, how did this quackery have even the slightest effect? Conversion therapy is, at its core, simply emotional manipulation. "Change because God wants you to" or "because your family wants you to" or "because your life will be better." There are so-called 'success' stories from various conversion groups where 'ex-homosexuals' talk about how they have overcome themselves and now live heterosexual lives. Absent from most of these spurious testimonials, however, is the idea that they are 'cured' of their queerness. Most will talk about how they now simply repress themselves — though perhaps not in such terms. Suppressing your own personality, your life, the parts of yourself that make up who you are, is the bedrock of conversion therapy. It's no wonder that this has clear and dangerous effects on a person's mental health. So much so that, when previously interviewed about my time in conversion therapy, I was unable to accurately answer how many times I had attended, or give more detailed reasons of what it was that set off the alarm bells in my head. My memory of those days is, mercifully, full of gaps, and I have no recollection of month-long stretches in 2011. After speaking with a therapist, I was told that memory loss is a common symptom of stress and anxiety or a response to trauma. Not only this, I was told, but attending sessions of conversion therapy, or any other incorrectly directed therapy, can not only lead to trauma around the event but also a lasting distrust and fear of mental health services that can impact decisions around a person's health for years to come. 

Stonewall has a very clear and simple line on conversion therapy: "No one should be told their identity is something that can be cured." As someone who went through it and almost didn’t make it out the other side, I can only echo this. 

What I can say for my own part though, is that my life after conversion therapy with all the normal ups and downs, struggles and triumphs that life brings, has been the best I could ever want it to be. I left my faith behind, struck out on my own, and I got to become the person I am today — to discover who it was that I was suppressing. While I began the journey alone, I am not now by any means. My friends, my partners, and the people I meet on my queer journey have become, as we so often hear about, my chosen family and support network.

Realising that I was allowed to enjoy the personality, the sexuality, and the humanity inside me was the greatest revelation of my life. To anyone who has thought about or is thinking about conversion therapy, I say this: Never subject yourself to something that, by its very nature, seeks to remove part of yourself that is good. I did, and not only did it not work, it simply wasn't worth it. Only by learning to accept and express myself did life truly open up to me — and I can’t thank the people around me enough who put me on this path.

If you want to talk to someone, the TrevorLifeline provides free, confidential counselling for LGBTQ people. To reach a counsellor, call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678. If you're in the UK, here is a list of LGBTQ mental health helplines. Here is a list of international resources.

Picture this: You found the love of your life on Tinder. Amazing, right? At least, until he cons you out of thousands of dollars.

What sounds like a nightmare is actually a true story, and it's the focus of Netflix's upcoming documentary film, The Tinder Swindler. The titular Tinder Swindler has conned women across the world, and he is a fugitive from justice in several countries. Now, three of his victims are trying to get revenge.

Will they win out against the man they fell for? Or will they uncover darker secrets along the way? We'll find out when this true-crime documentary film from the producers of The Imposter and Don’t F**k with Cats’ debuts next month on Netflix.

The Tinder Swindler hits Netflix Feb. 2.

SAVE $150: If you've been looking for a pair of noise-canceling headphones for travel or your morning commute, the JBL Tour One Wireless Headphones are a solid choice. As of Jan. 11, they're on sale for half off at Amazon, which means you'll pay $149.95 (original price: $299.95).

Whether you want a good noise-canceling pair of headphones for air travel or just for playing "Emotions" by Mariah Carey over and over again at work, the JBL Tour One Wireless Headphones are a great pick. They're also on sale for 50% off at Amazon.

These wireless Bluetooth headphones support frequencies up to 40hHz, have a battery life of up to 50 hours (25 hours in noise-canceling mode), and are compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.

The noise-canceling experience is also customizable. JBL's True Adaptive noise cancellation will process external noise and filter it out for an immersive listening experience without distractions, but you can allow ambient noises to filter through if you wish.

Credit: JBL

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The U.S. Treasury issued the first coin in its new, special collection honoring notable American women, rolling out a new quarter featuring famed poet Maya Angelou on Monday. It's the first time a Black woman has appeared on the coin in its centuries-long history.

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The American Women Quarters Program is a four-year initiative that will issue several coins featuring prominent women in American history, spanning the areas of "suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts" and with attention to "ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse backgrounds," according to the program's website. 

A few of the coins will be released in 2022 with the rest following through 2025, the U.S. Mint announced. The program, aided by the Smithsonian Institution’s American Women’s History Initiative, National Women’s History Museum, and the Congressional Bipartisan Women’s Caucus, selected the honorees from a list of submissions collected from the public last year. The 2022 coins include depictions of astronaut Sally Ride, first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation Wilma Mankiller, suffrage leader Nina Otero-Warren, and Chinese American film actress Anna May Wong. 

Angelou's coin depicts her with arms outstretched and a large bird and rising sun behind her. It's intended to honor her as an artist, poet, and activist. “Each time we redesign our currency, we have the chance to say something about our country — what we value, and how we’ve progressed as a society,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen wrote in a statement about the new coin. 

While the program is a small bit of positive news for women, especially women of color, under the Biden administration, some online made it clear that this government announcement is quite literally cents to the dollar. The new coin is mainly a symbolic gesture — more than 200 years after the 25 cent coin came into use, women, especially Black women, still face daily discrimination and structural barriers, like pay gaps. 

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Tweet may have been deleted

Others pointed out they were also still waiting on a proposed change to the current $20 bill, featuring the image of abolitionist Harriet Tubman, which was reintroduced under the Biden administration last year. 

The move to scrub the country's racist forefathers from its currency, and replace them with images of women of color, is a complex decision — perhaps needed, but the smallest of tasks in a long list of required institutional change. 

Being a woman on the internet is hard. At times scary and exhausting, too.

From Twitter reply guys to other forms of online harassment to straight-up cyberstalking, letting women exist in peace seems to be a hard concept to grasp. When it comes to dating apps specifically, unfortunately, some people assume that merely having a profile is an invitation to send creepy comments, so the chance of women enduring such unsettling experiences feels doubled. The onslaught of men grasping at straws for attention with messages saying "think they saw you somewhere" or requesting nudes in their opening line is an online dating specialty. Queer women on dating apps face all of these same challenges, plus an extra shop of horrors run by fetishization, ignorant cis straight people, and the feeling of not being queer enough.

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

Though it may have a bad rep, the OG swiping app Tinder can truly be a great place to meet genuine people who are open to getting serious, find a reliable friend with benefits, or get a good old-fashioned confidence boost from a mutual right swipe. But if you're frustrated with horny jerks disguising themselves as relationship seekers or actual relationship seekers who can't handle it when you say you're just looking for a hookup, opting for a dating site more finely tuned to what you're looking for means you'll spend less time dealing with people who aren't looking for the same thing.

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

Dating apps are trying to make things safer IRL

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

Match Group is making strides toward a safer dating experience: Tinder was the first to unveil new features coming out of its partnership with Noonlight, a safety app that tracks the location of users and notifies authorities if there are concerns. Before heading out on a date, Tinder users can log info about where they're going and who they're meeting, as well as hit a panic button to alert authorities if there's an emergency. (Match Group plans to roll out the same features for its other apps, like Hinge and OkCupid, later.) In March 2021, Tinder announced plans to let users run a background check on their matches.

How the pandemic has changed dating for the better

COVID changed online dating dynamics forever. "Double vaxxed up" being a genuine turn-on is the obvious addition to 2021 dating checklists, but there's something about dating discourse that we think could positively affect communication between strangers in the long run.

Waiting to meet each other and getting to know a match through FaceTime is kind of the norm now — and people don't really want that to change, even once the pandemic has fully subsided. For the women who'd prefer to gather crumbs of someone's vibe before meeting in person, online dating's shift to video dating in 2020 could prove comforting. It goes without saying that you're never required to meet up with a match in person immediately, but it'd be nice not to be pestered about it.

The communication skills gained through hashing out COVID-related issues aren't for nothing, either. People have gotten comfortable with bringing up personal boundaries and bonding over universal anxieties with someone they met on a dating app — both of which could benefit women online. Tinder thinks the honesty will carry over when things are back to normal, and hopefully the assholes will continue to weed themselves out.

What are the best dating sites for women?

Here are the best dating sites and apps for single women looking for a date, a movie buddy, a friend with benefits, or a romantic commitment.