Technology news

Image: The Verge An Ohio man named Larry Dean Harmon will serve three years in prison and forfeit more than $400 million worth of cryptocurrency and other assets, the Department of Justice announced on Friday. Harmon was indicted in 2020 on money laundering conspiracy charges related to Helix, a darkweb cryptocurrency “mixer” service he ran.
Also known as crypto “tumbling,” services like Helix are designed to hide cryptocurrency transactions — often for illegal drug

On its surface, Conclave's target audience might be retired folks catching a weekday matinee. Its cast boasts an array of all-star actors over 60: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini. And it follows the process of electing a new Pope. But the papal thriller has drawn an unlikely online fandom due to its modern mess and drama. It's inspired jokes, memes, and even fan edits. A fan captured the unlikely appeal of the movie by describing it as "just Mean Girls for pop

Illustration by Kristen Radtke / The Verge; Getty Images Elon Musk’s X may have tweaked its algorithm to boost his account, along with those of other conservative-leaning users, starting around the time he announced his support of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. That’s according to a new study published by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), which found that Musk’s posts in particular were suddenly much more popular.
The study’s authors — QUT

Illustration by Kristen Radtke / The Verge; Getty Images Elon Musk’s X may have tweaked its algorithm to boost his account, along with those of other conservative-leaning users, starting around the time he announced his support of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. That’s according to a new study published by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), which found that Musk’s posts in particular were suddenly much more popular.
The study’s authors — QUT

Image: Samar Haddad / The Verge Ge Wang doesn’t use computers to make music the way most people use computers make music. He uses computers to make... computer music. Wang works at Stanford, as an associate professor in the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics. He also conducts the school’s famed Laptop Orchestra, was a co-founder of the music app maker Smule, and created a programming language called Chuck that turns code into sound. He understands how computers, musi

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections &mdas

Image: Square Enix We’re in a pretty good moment for sprawling, complex role-playing games. New releases like Metaphor: ReFantazio and Dragon Age Absolution, along with older titles like Elden Ring (including this year’s expansion), Cyberpunk 2077, and Baldur’s Gate 3 have sucked millions of people into their expansive worlds. They can be all-consuming experiences, offering players all kinds of freedom to explore their worlds and characters. But honestly? Sometimes I don’

HBO's Dune: Prophecy offers us a look at what the world of Dune was like 10,000 years before the rise of Paul Atreides. Naturally, that time jump means we get to meet a whole new cast of characters — a process that can be daunting given Dune: Prophecy's intricate sci-fi lore.SEE ALSO:'Dune: Prophecy' review: The Bene Gesserit shine in this sci-fi showstopper
But don't worry! We've assembled a handy-dandy character guide to help you navigate the ins and outs of Dune: Prophecy, from the Sist

The 10 minutes it takes to manually vacuum a 700-square-foot apartment probably isn't enough to send someone over the edge as far as chores are concerned. While the time-saving factor may be a moot point here, it doesn't completely diminish the appeal of using a robot vacuum in a crowded home. SEE ALSO:As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum
It's actually totally plausible that spaces with less square footage get dirty faster because virtually every spot

TL;DR: This voice-to-text recorder uses AI to transcribe and summarize meetings and lectures. Grab one while it's 32% off and enjoy free shipping while supplies last.Taking notes in a fast-paced meeting or class lecture is tough — and annoying. You try your hardest to stay engaged, but you’re stuck writing everything down or furiously typing, hoping nothing important slips by. In the end, all you have is an unhelpful partial transcript of the conversation.Instead, this AI audio recor

UPDATE: Nov. 17, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EST This story has been updated to remove Zoosk as a recommendation, and to give more context on features from Match, Tinder, Grindr, and more.
A lot of guys have a love-hate relationship with the apps, but what's the alternative?Sure, even the best dating apps for men can be a pain, yet meeting someone organically, or "in the wild," can feel nearly impossible. Between work, hobbies, and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, who has the time to act

In the realm of cybersecurity, "best VPN" and "paid VPN" are effectively synonyms. Yes, free VPNs (aka virtual private networks) do exist, but most of them are extremely sketchy. That means your data could be logged, sold, or leaked — or even downloading an app intentionally bundled with malware. They need to keep the lights on somehow. So, here's my general rule of thumb: Paid, premium VPN services are always the safest and most reliable. But there's a small loophole for cash-strapped use

TL;DR: Sprinkle in some nostalgia with your tech gift this season with a 20,000mAh power bank with a transparent retro-tech case — get it on sale for $34.99 (reg. $49.99). Opens in a new windowCredit: HyperGearTransparent Retro Power Bank 20,000mAh Fast-Charge 20W USB-C$34.99 at the Mashable Shop $49.99 Save $15.00Get DealFor anyone who loves a bit of nostalgia mixed with modern convenience, the Transparent Retro 20,000mAh Power Bank is a holiday dream come true. This unique powe

Just like the continuous stream of new Kindles and Fire TV devices, Amazon has an ever-growing list of Echo devices — Echo Dot, Echo Show, Echo Auto, and now the Echo Spot alarm clock. Many of these devices also have multiple generations, and it's a lot to keep straight. So, we're here to help pull you out of that Echo chamber and find the best Echo devices for your smart home.Keep in mind, you don't need to buy these devices at full price. They're guaranteed to go on sale during events li

Nearly any robot vacuum can sufficiently clear tile or hardwood floors of the hair and crumbs blowing across them like tumbleweeds. But for a robot vacuum to work on carpet, more suction power and concentrated airflow are required to uproot the debris embedded in those fibers.Do robot vacuums work on carpet?Yes, several robot vacuum cleaners do a pretty phenomenal job on carpets and rugs. In fact, the best robot vacuum brands such as iRobot, Roborock, Eufy, and Shark have been mastering the art

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac with lifetime offline access for just $39.99 (reg. $229) through Nov. 21.G Suite has been a go-to for Mac users who want free and easy access to productivity apps, but they’re largely limited when working in dead zones or dealing with sketchy Wi-Fi. A Microsoft Office download covers all the essentials without the hassle of a constant internet connection. For a one-time purchase of $39.99, you can get lifelong device access to six productivity

UPDATE: Nov. 17, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EST This article has been updated to include the streaming release and VOD pricing details of 'Alien: Romulus.'The best streaming deals to watch the 'Alien' franchise:BEST FOR NEWBIESHulu with ads trialFree for 30 days, then $9.99 per month(save $9.99)Get DealBEST FOR MOST PEOPLEHulu with ads annual subscription$99.99 per year(save 16%)Get DealBEST BUNDLE DEALHulu and Disney+ (with ads)$10.99 per month(save 45%)Get DealBEST FOR STUDENTSHulu Student$1.99 per mont

TL;DR: For a limited time, score 1minAI’s lifetime subscription for $99.99 and get access to an all-in-one AI toolkit.Opens in a new windowCredit: 1minAI 1minAI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription$99.99 $540.00 Save $440.01Get DealManaging multiple subscriptions for all your creative and professional needs? That’s more juggling than anyone needs — and it’s pricey, too. Get a lifetime subscription to 1minAI on sale for $99.99 — it's a single platform packed

TL;DR: Get the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro for $99.99 (reg. $159.99) and give the gift of thousands of classic games, free shipping included.Need a gift that’s equal parts nostalgia and all-around fun? The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro might be just the ticket, on sale for 37% off at $99.99. This isn’t your typical gaming console — it’s a time machine packed with over 70,000 pre-loaded games from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s, making it the perfect way to re

TL;DR: Live stream Minnesota Vikings vs. Tennessee Titans with NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.NFL Week 11 action continues with a matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Tennessee Titans. The Vikings sit behind only the Lions in the NFC North with a 7-2 record. The Titans, on the other hand, are 2-7 and only outpacing the Jaguars in the AFC South.Minnesota has won back-to-back games against both the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Indianapolis Colts. The Titans have won only one of their las

TL;DR: Live stream Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers with NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.NFL Week 11 action continues with an NFC West showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners are hoping to push past the Arizona Cardinals to top the division, while the Seahawks are in last place. The Seahawks have lost four of their last five games, including a close loss in overtime to the Los Angeles Rams last week. The 49ers have won back-to-back games and three of

TL;DR: Live stream Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers with NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.NFL Week 11 action continues with an AFC North showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The two division rivals are battling it out for first place with seven wins apiece. The key difference is that the Ravens have three losses on their record, where the Steelers only have two.Both teams have won four of their last five games, but the Steelers are riding the momentum of four

TL;DR: Live stream Los Angeles Rams vs. New England Patriots with NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.NFL Week 11 action continues with a matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots. Both teams are mid-tier in the NFL standings, with the Rams at 4-5 and the Patriots at 3-7. The Rams have won three of their last five games, but lost last week, 23-15, against the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots have lost three of their last five games, but won last week, 19-3, against the Chicago Be

TL;DR: Live stream Las Vegas Raiders vs. Miami Dolphins with NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.NFL Week 11 action continues with an AFC showdown between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Miami Dolphins. Both teams are struggling to string together wins, with the Raiders at 2-7 and the Dolphins at 3-6.The Raiders have lost their last five games. The Dolphins beat the Los Angeles Rams last week, but have lost three of their last five. The odds are currently favoring the Dolphins. When is Raiders vs. Dol

TL;DR: Live stream Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears with NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.NFL Week 11 action continues with an NFC North showdown between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. Both are rounding out the bottom of the NFC North, where the Packers are 6-3 and the Bears are 4-5. The Packers have won four of their last five, but lost their game against division-rival Detroit Lions. The Bears are not faring as well, having lost their last three games. When is Packers vs. Bears

TL;DR: Live stream Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions with NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.NFL Week 11 action continues with a matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Detroit Lions. These two are almost on opposite ends of the NFL standings, with the Jaguars falling at 2-8, while the Lions are one of the top teams at 8-1.Jacksonville has lost three straight games and four of their last five. Meanwhile, the Lions have won seven games straight.When is Jaguars vs. Lions?The Jacksonvill

TL;DR: Live stream Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos with NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.NFL Week 11 action continues with a matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Denver Broncos. The Falcons are leading the NFC South at 6-4, while the Broncos are struggling in the AFC West at 5-5. The Falcons have won three of their last five games, but lost last week to the New Orleans Saints. On the other hand, the Broncos have lost back-to-back games and three of their last five. When is Falcons vs. B

TL;DR: Live stream Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets with NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.NFL Week 11 action continues with a matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Jets. The Colts are 4-6, while the Jets are 3-7.Indianapolis is coming off three straight losses, but won two of their last five games. The Jets have lost four of their last five games, including last week's game against the Arizona Cardinals. When is Colts vs. Jets?The Indianapolis Colts vs. the New York Jets tak

TL;DR: Live stream Cleveland Browns vs. New Orleans Saints with NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.NFL Week 11 action continues with a matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the New Orleans Saints. Both teams are struggling, with the Browns at 2-7 and the Saints at 3-7Both teams have also lost four of their last five games. The biggest difference is that the Browns are coming off a loss against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Saints are coming off a win over the Atlanta Falcons. When is Browns v

TL;DR: Get Windows 11 Pro for only £14.24 (reg. £251.10) and enjoy a secure, stable OS that supports a wide range of hardware and software.Opens in a new windowCredit: SmartTrainingLabMicrosoft Windows 11 Pro£14.24 at the Mashable Shop £251.10 Save £236.86Get DealLooking for a tried-and-true operating system with solid compatibility, excellent performance, and premium security features — all without breaking the bank? Windows 11 Pro was made to deliver a seaml

TL;DR: Live stream Wales vs. Australia in the Autumn Nations Series for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The Autumn Nations Series has already delivered some really big games. In the last round of fixtures, most of the attention was focused on Ireland vs. New Zealand. This time around, a lot of fans will be closely watching Wales vs. Australia.Australia are fresh from beating England, and will be favorites in this clash with a st

TL;DR: Live stream Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA for free on Ran.de. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The Phoenix Suns have looked really strong this NBA season. The question will be whether they can sustain this form throughout the season. The Minnesota Timberwolves have been inconsistent so far, but you would expect them to come good eventually. Maybe the Minnesota Timberwolves will get things right when they host the Suns this

TL;DR: Live stream Italy vs. France in the UEFA Nations League for free on RaiPlay. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The UEFA Nations League isn't the most exciting competition, but it does bring together some of the biggest and best international sides in the world. It doesn't have the drama or tension of the World Cup or European Championships, but seeing Italy take on France is something all fans can appreciate.If you want to watch Italy vs. France in

TL;DR: Live stream England vs. Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The UEFA Nations League might not be for everyone, but you do get some really interesting matchups between rivals. One of the biggest games from the next round of fixtures is England vs. Republic of Ireland. England will be expected to win at home, but the Republic of Ireland won't go down without a fight. England won the last

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, w

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans. Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for