Technology news

Meta has shut down its AI character accounts after backlash, NBC News and others have reported.While Meta launched these characters in 2023, along with AI personas with celebrity avatars, many online (re)discovered them this week following a recent Financial Times interview with Meta's VP of product for generative AI, Connor Hayes. Hayes mentioned AI characters on Instagram and Facebook, saying, "We expect these AIs to actually, over time, exist on our platforms, kind of in the same way that acc

The AirFly SE might not be the only way to enjoy in-flight entertainment with your own headphones, but it’s one of the most reliable. | Image: Twelve South The Twelve South AirFly SE is one of those gadgets that can make long flights go by just a little faster, allowing you to eschew the shoddy pair of complimentary earbuds you get with most airlines in favor of your own set of Bluetooth cans. And right now, it’s on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $29.99 ($5 off), which is a new all-

Waymo, the ride-hailing app that operates driverless cars and is owned by Google parent company Alphabet, stopped a man from driving off in one of its electric Jaguars on Thursday, CBS News and others reported.LAPD responded to a report of an attempted auto theft shortly after midnight on Thursday morning, according to the Los Angeles Times, where they found a man sitting in the driver's seat of a Waymo vehicle. The man, who may have been under the influence, had reportedly entered through the p

Arlo’s cloud storage subscriptions get another price hike. | Image: Arlo Arlo has once again increased the monthly subscription pricing for its smart home cameras’ Arlo Secure cloud storage plan. The company now charges $9.99 per month (up from $7.99) to store a single camera’s recordings and $19.99 a month (up from $17.99) for unlimited cameras. And instead of calling the cheaper plan Arlo Secure, both are now named Secure Plus.
At $9.99 per month, the cheapest Secure plan is

Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge It’s time for the biggest tech show of the year. CES 2025 officially kicks off next week, with most of the industry’s biggest names gathering in Las Vegas to announce new products and demonstrate some of the most exciting tech they have coming throughout the year.
CES is traditionally a show about TVs, laptops, and smart home tech. But it’s increasingly become a big show for cars, wearables and health tech, and a whole lot more. This year, expec

The United States Environmental Protection Agency building is seen on August 21st, 2024, in Washington, DC. | Photo by Tierney L. Cross / Getty Images An alliance of grassroots environmental groups could lose $60 million in federal funding after calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) was named one of the Environmental Protection Agency’s “grantmakers” more than a year ago, putting it in charge of distributing subgrants for locally led environmental

TL;DR: Live stream Opelka vs. Lehecka in the 2025 Brisbane International final for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The Brisbane International is really all about top players building momentum and sharpening up before the Australian Open, but at the final stage, remaining players will be desperate to get their hands on the trophy. We're expecting some fantastic tennis from this battle between Opelka and Lehecka.If you want to watch Opel

TL;DR: Live stream Sabalenka vs. Kudermetova in the 2025 Brisbane International final for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The eyes of the tennis world are about to focus on the Australian Open, but first, the Brisbane International is reaching its dramatic conclusion. Sabalenka and Kudermetova meet in the final of the competition. Both players are looking really sharp as they build momentum before the first Grand Slam of the season.If

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

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.SEE ALSO:Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO:NYT Connections today: Hints and answers

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 is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve

There's not even a hint of a looming eruption at Yellowstone.But you might wonder why, considering its violent past: Yellowstone has hosted "supereruptions" — the most explosive type of volcanic blast that would be regionally devastating, and blanket a large swathe of the U.S. in ash. These blasts were much larger than any in recorded history. (The last eruption, though not "super," happened some 70,000 years ago and poured lava over the present-day national park.)New research reveals why

After calls with foreign leaders, rap sessions with lawmakers, and long classified briefings with advisers, President Jimmy Carter would often escape to the roof of the White House. There his son Jeffrey had set up a tracking telescope, Carter said in his book, A Full Life. Feeling the weight of the world, he would gaze at the stars and contemplate his place among them. "I recall one winter night going to the White House roof to study the Orion nebulae, but we could barely see the star

TL;DR: Want to learn a new language? You can get a lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone for just $179.99 and study 25.Opens in a new windowCredit: Andrea Piacquadio via PexelsRosetta Stone: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages)$179.99 $399.00 Save $219.01Get DealEver wanted to pick up a new language? Why not take convenient classes at home whenever you have time?Rosetta Stone is an industry leader in language-learning software, and these aren't boring classes. You can learn up to 25 languages

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to this guitar lessons training bundle for $14.97 and learn guitar online.Create your perfect soundtrack for the new year with these guitar lessons you can take right from home. With courses designed to get you strumming, soloing, and composing, you’ll be ready to impress everyone at your next gathering.This comprehensive bundle covers everything from beginner basics to advanced guitar techniques, including songwriting, fingerstyle, jazz, blues, and more —

When the annual Consumer Electronics Show, better known as CES, begins on Jan. 7 in Las Vegas, attendees will likely notice a "a highly visible law enforcement presence" at the dayslong event, which is organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).In a statement shared with Mashable, John T. Kelley, vice president and show director of CTA, acknowledged security concerns following the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas on New Year's Day. "In r

For centuries, stargazers have watched a new star light up in the sky. Just days later, it vanishes.Today we call the star system responsible T Coronae Borealis, "T CrB" for short, or the "Blaze Star." It fires up around every 80 years, and NASA noted that astronomers expected to see the star appear around the summer of 2024. It's now 2025. What gives?This repeating event — occurring 3,000 light-years from Earth — is triggered by two interacting, orbiting stars. An Earth-sized star c

TL;DR: Through January 12, you can get a Microsoft Office lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro on sale for $45.97 (reg. $428).What’s on your 2025 to-do list? Whether it’s earning a promotion, graduating college, or just making it through another year, you’re going to want to see this deal that’ll help you get there. For a limited time, you can get lifelong access to Office apps and Windows 11 Pro for $45.97 (reg. $428). Microsoft Office lifetime licenseLike it or not,

TL;DR: Replace Microsoft 365 with a lifetime of Microsoft Office for Mac for only $39.99. Sale ends January 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT.Not everything has to be a subscription. Sure, you might need Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for work or school, but Microsoft 365 isn't the only way to get them. It's definitely not the cheapest way in the long term. If you want to ditch the subscription, there's a sale going for a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac, an

TL;DR: This refurbished HP EliteDesk mini desktop with a keyboard and mouse is on sale for $279.97 (reg. $379.99) through January 12.Still working on a tiny laptop screen? Maybe it’s time to upgrade to a desktop setup that offers better speed, power, and ergonomics for the new year and beyond. This deal means you won’t even have to go over budget:The HP EliteDesk is powered by an Intel i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a fast 256GB SSD, handling demanding applications and multitasking&n

We love a year ending in five, don't we, folks? If nothing else, it makes it easier to calculate which great films are celebrating their 10th or 15th (or 40th or 50th) anniversaries, making them ripe for rewatching, and for reconsidering their legacies.Whether gradually or all at once, these films — from superhero movies to kitsch musicals to coming-of-age films — had a lasting impact on global cinema and American culture that can still be felt today. Time has been kind to them, and

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

TL;DR: Get both Microsoft Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for only £44.25 (reg. £352.61) in this new year deal — lifetime licenses, no subscriptions.Opens in a new windowCredit: MicrosoftThe Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle£44.25 at the Mashable Shop £352.61 Save £308.36Get DealFew things in life are more frustrating than trying to finish an important project on outdated software. If that soun

TL;DR: Live stream Utah Jazz vs. Miami Heat in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.The Utah Jazz head to Kaseya Center to face the Miami Heat in a non-conference matchup. The Heat are 17-15, which puts them in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The Jazz are 7-25, which puts them in 14th place in the Western Conference.The Jazz are having a rough season, and have lost five consecutive games. The Heat have won three of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Indiana Pa

TL;DR: Live stream Sabalenka vs. Andreeva in the 2025 Brisbane International for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The Brisbane International has provided the perfect opportunity for top players to build some momentum before the Australian Open. Sabalenka and Andreeva will have their sights set on winning the first Grand Slam of the season, but first they meet in the semi final of the Brisbane International.If you want to watch Sabalenka

TL;DR: Live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Indiana Pacers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.The Phoenix Suns head to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to face the Indiana Pacers in a non-conference matchup. The Suns are 15-17, which puts them in 11th place in the Western Conference. The Pacers are 17-18, which puts them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The Suns have lost four of their last five games, and are coming off three consecutive losses to the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warrior

TL;DR: Live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.The Philadelphia 76ers head to the Barclays Center to face the Brooklyn Nets in an Eastern Conference matchup. The 76ers are 13-19, which puts them in 12th place. The Nets are 13-21, which puts them directly behind the Sixers in 12th place. The 76ers have won four of their last five games, but are coming off back-to-back losses to the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. The Nets have l

TL;DR: Live stream Opelka vs. Mpetshi Perricard in the 2025 Brisbane International for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The Australian Open is fast approaching, so the best players in the world will be looking to sharpen up before the first Grand Slam of the season. The Brisbane International has provided the perfect opportunity for top players to build some momentum, and at the semi-final stage, Opelka and Mpetshi Perricard are looking

TL;DR: Live stream New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.The New York Knicks head to United Center to face the Chicago Bulls in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Knicks are 24-11, which puts them in third place in the east. The Bulls are 15-19, which puts them in tenth place.The Knicks are having quite the season, but just snapped a nine-game win streak with a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Bulls have lost three of their last five games and ar

TL;DR: Live stream Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.The Memphis Grizzlies head to Chase Center to face the Golden State Warriors in a Western Conference matchup. The Grizzlies are 23-12, which puts them in second place in the west. The Warriors are 16-16, which puts them in ninth place.The Grizzlies have won three of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Sacramento Kings. The Warriors have lost three of their last five

TL;DR: Live stream Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens on YouTube TV or Sling TV.The final week of NFL regular season action is upon us. The Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens will face off at M&T Bank Stadium in Maryland in the first of a pair of Saturday matchups. The Browns are 3-13 overall, which is earning them the last spot in the AFC North. The Ravens are 11-5, and have clinched a playoff berth as the No. 3-seed in the AFC. The Browns have lost five consecutive games, they're las

TL;DR: Live stream Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers on YouTube TV or Sling TV.The final week of NFL regular season is upon us. The Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers will face off at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh in the second of a pair of Saturday matchups. The Bengals are 8-8 and on the bubble in the AFC playoff hunt. The Steelers are 10-6 and have clinched a playoff berth. The Bengals snagged a win in overtime against the Denver Broncos last week, making for a dramatic push

TL;DR: Live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.The Atlanta Hawks head to Intuit Dome to face the Los Angeles Clippers in a non-conference matchup. The Hawks are 18-17, which puts them in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The Clippers are 19-15, which puts them in seventh place in the Western Conference. The Hawks have won three of their last five games, but are coming off back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nu

TL;DR: Live stream Lehecka vs. Dimitrov in the 2025 Brisbane International for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The Australian Open is the main focus of the best tennis players in the world, but the Brisbane International is an important opportunity to build momentum and confidence before the first Grand Slam. And now we're at the semi-final stage of the competition, so all remaining players are clearly finding some form.If you want to