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TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 Madrid Open for free on RTVE. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The French Open isn't all that far away, so it's time for the best players in the world to take to the clay to sharpen up before the second Grand Slam of the season. The good news for top players is that there is ample opportunity to do just that, with a number of high-profile tournaments taking place at this time of year.

Following on from the Barcelona Open is the Madrid Open, with a number of top players competing in this popular event. For many, this will be a dress rehearsel for the main event at Roland-Garros.

If you want to watch the 2025 Madrid Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Madrid Open?

The Madrid Open is an annual professional tennis tournament played on clay courts at the Caja Mágica in Madrid. The defending singles champions are Andrey Rublev and Iga Świątek.

When is the 2025 Madrid Open?

The 2025 Madrid Open is the 23rd edition of the event on the ATP Tour and 16th on the WTA Tour. This year's event takes place from April 22 to May 4.

How to watch the 2025 Madrid Open for free

The 2025 Madrid Open are available to live stream for free on RTVE.

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

Access free live streams of the 2025 Madrid Open by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit RTVE

5. Watch the 2025 Madrid Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 Madrid Open before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for RTVE?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTVE, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Spain

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the 2025 Madrid Open for free with ExpressVPN.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

In a world where online dating and casual hookups have become the norm, dating can still feel exhausting. Sometimes, just the thought of putting on proper clothes, coming up with witty conversation starters, and commuting to the actual meetup spot can be tiring.

No matter what kind of encounter you plan, when it comes to dating, there'll always be some sort of physical effort required. The good news? There is a loophole: Sexting.

What is sexting?

Sexting is the art of sending sexually explicit photos or messages to one or more people via text. Thanks to its recent rise in popularity, there are now apps for sexting and new sexting features in apps that are otherwise for dating in person.

What do you need to know about sexting?

Whether you're interested in giving sexting a try or you're a seasoned pro, there are a few things to keep in mind when downloading and using a new dating app to sext. Sure, there are fewer inhibitions when scoring a new sexting partner when compared to finding a long-term lover, but there are rules you should follow in order for all parties to feel at ease. Here are three big ones:

• Mutual respect — 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. AKA, don't just start throwing dick pics at people left and right if they didn't ask.

• Mutual trust — 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, 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.

• Privacy — No app can completely protect your privacy for you — that's your job. Though there are apps that 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 use another phone or device to snap or record your photos and/or videos. 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.

Keep these points in mind when engaging in NSFW messaging.

Should you engage in sexting?

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 to wine and dine on your date or just meet 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.

• 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.

• Freedom — As is the case with most behind-the-screen activities, with sexting, you can let go of your inhibitions and get comfortable exploring your sexual side. Knowing there's a certain barrier between you and the other person may allow you to experiment with language and ideas that you wouldn't otherwise explore in person.

• Fun — A little honesty, please. 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.

• 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.

The benefits are clear for all to see, so not give it a try?

What makes an app good for sexting?

You'll want to look for certain features in an app if you're planning on sexting:

• 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.

• 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 a screenshot on someone’s phone. That said, certain apps include instant self-destruction features that delete photos and conversations after a certain amount of time.

• Safety — If you’re looking for a night of no-strings-attached fun online, it doesn’t really matter 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 using an app that links social media or verifies users.

• Subscription pricing versus free features — How much are you willing to pay for bells and whistles? There are several free apps out there, but if you're looking for something a little fancier, you can pay a few pounds a month for premium features.

With these features in mind, you should be ready to select an app and start sexting. You've got this.

What is the best 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 2025.

Collecting all your favourite snacks and drinks, surrounding yourself with comfortable cushions and blankets, and then spending hours in front of a screen can be a truly therapeutic experience. Unfortunately, there is one big problem with this hobby: There is a limited amount of content out there to keep you entertained.

We're a greedy bunch, and regular streamers can easily get to a point where it feels like there's nothing left to watch. What are you supposed to do then? Don't panic, because there is a simple solution to this frustrating issue.

If you've reached this point of streaming shortage, you should consider investing in a VPN. It will likely unlock a lot of shows and movies on services to which you're already subscribed.

What is a VPN?

VPNs are security tools that provide protection for your information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location). All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.

SEE ALSO: 30 best movies on Netflix to stream right now

The act of hiding your real IP address is what can trick leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country.

Do you need a VPN?

VPNs are used to provide protection for your sensitive information, which is obviously super important. This isn't the only reason VPNs are so popular though, because these tools can be also be used to watch content that is normally blocked in your location.

By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another country, you can watch all your favourite content from that location. For example, you could watch all the extra films and shows on American Netflix that are not usually accessible outside of the U.S. There is so much content out there that can be accessed with the help of a VPN.

Everyone is in need of something that can bypass geo-restrictions to access all of this blocked entertainment, and that something is a VPN. These services are keys to the online world, granting you access to more of the shows and films you love.

How to unblock U.S. Netflix

If you think accessing American Netflix is going to be difficult with a VPN, think again. It's actually a really simple process that absolutely everyone can understand:

1. Sign up to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit Netflix to watch movies and shows from the U.S. content library

If you're worried that this whole thing sounds a bit illegal, then maybe we can reassure you. It's currently legal to watch Netflix while using a VPN, although we should point out that Netflix states in its terms of service that it may restrict your account without compensation or notice if you are engaged in "improper" use. We're not entirely sure what that means, but consider yourself warned.

We should make it very clear that you still need to be subscribed to Netflix for this trick to work. A VPN is not going to grant access to the streaming site for free. A VPN provides access to more libraries from around the world, once you're subscribed.

Should you use free VPNs?

There are plenty of free versions and free trials of VPNs, so why would you ever consider paying for a service? As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs.

There is always a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. These plans will be just fine if you're just an occasional user, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading anything, this isn't going to work. Free trials are different as come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you generally need to pay up. That being said, services like ProtonVPN offer an impressive set of features for free. However, you might have trouble streaming Netflix with this free version.

What is the best VPN for Netflix?

There are a lot of VPN services out there that can effectively unblock American Netflix, but which is the best? There are plenty of strong options for you to consider, but we wouldn't want you wasting your time checking everything out. To save you time, we've handpicked your best options. Each service has a different set of features that will suit some users better than others, and it's all about finding something that works for you.

ExpressVPN is at the top of this list because it combines essential features with impressive results, but it isn’t the only option available to you. We have lined up all the best VPNs for unblocking Netflix, with something for everyone on this list. We've highlighted the best deals on the likes of Surfshark, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and NordVPN.

These are the best VPNs for Netflix in 2025.

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 the latest Connections solution. 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 What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: The act of defending

• Green: Parts of a high-speed race

• Blue: Related to the Kentucky Derby

• Purple: Tennis-related

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Protect, as a defense

• Green: Areas at a NASCAR track

• Blue: Horse racing Triple Crown winners

• Purple: ATP Masters 1000 tournaments

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #222 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Protect, as a defense - DEFEND, GUARD, PREVENT, SHIELD

• Areas at a NASCAR track - INFIELD, PITS, STRAIGHTAWAY, TURN

• Horse racing Triple Crown winners - AFFIRMED, JUSTIFY, OMAHA, WHIRLAWAY

• ATP Masters 1000 tournaments - CANADIAN, CINCINNATI, INDIAN WELLS, MIAMI

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

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, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 3 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 3 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Say "ah"

The words are medical instruments.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things a physician carries.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Doctors Kit.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for May 3

• Stethoscope

• Syringe

• Gauze

• Doctors Kit

• Tape

• Thermometer

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

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 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 What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 3 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Slang for amazing

• Green: To beat someone at something

• Blue: Two words combined

• Purple: Seen on a website link

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Awesome

• Green: Defeat soundly

• Blue: "Will" contractions without the apostrophe

• Purple: URL endings plus a letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #691 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Awesome: DOPE, FIRE, LIT, SICK

• Defeat soundly: CREAM, LICK, PASTE, SMOKE

• "Will" contractions without the apostrophe: HELL, ILL, SHELL, WELL

• URL endings plus a letter: COMP, MILK, NETI, ORGO

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 3

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

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 for May 3 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 3, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A chump.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

PATSY.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 3

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

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

This week, Google reportedly sent an email to parents to let them know that the Gemini AI chatbot will soon be available for children under 13 years old.

The New York Times cites an email that states the chatbot would be available starting next week for certain users. (Chrome Unboxed reported on the same email on April 29.) Google sent the email to parents who use the company's Family Link service, which lets families set up parental controls for Google products like YouTube and Gmail. Only children who participate in Family Link would have access to Gemini, for now. The email reportedly told parents their children would be able to ask Gemini questions or assist with tasks like doing homework.

The move comes days after the nonprofit Common Sense Media declared that AI companions represent an "unacceptable risk" for people under 18. Common Sense Media worked with researchers from Stanford School of Medicine's Brainstorm Lab for Mental Health Innovation, resulting in a report urging parents to stop underage users from accessing tools like Character.ai.

Character.ai is one of a growing number of services that let users create and interact with AI "characters." As Common Sense Media wrote in its report, "These AI 'friends' actively participate in sexual conversations and roleplay, responding to teens' questions or requests with graphic details."

This type of roleplaying is distinct from AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini, but it's a blurry line. Just this week, Mashable reported on a bug that would have allowed kids to generate erotica with ChatGPT, and The Wall Street Journal exposed a similar bug with Meta AI. So, while AI chatbots like Gemini do have safeguards to protect young people, users are finding ways to get around these guardrails. It's a fact of life on the internet that some rules are easily skirted. Just consider online pornography, which is illegal for people under 18, yet widely available with just a few clicks.

So, parents who want to keep their kids from using artificial intelligence are facing an uphill battle.

To make the debate even more complicated, President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order that would bring AI education into U.S. schools. The White House says the order will "promote AI literacy and proficiency of K-12 students." Understanding AI's abilities, risks, and limitations could be useful for children using it for schoolwork (especially considering its tendency to hallucinate).

In its email to parents, Google acknowledged these issues, urging parents to "help your child think critically" when using Gemini, according to The New York Times.

The U.S. Copyright Office is in the midst of a consequential investigation into copyright law and artificial intelligence, and in a recent interview, a lawyer with the Office said it is already registering works enhanced by AI.

In an April article in WIPO Magazine, Assistant General Counsel Jalyce Mangum said that the "Office has registered more than a thousand works where applicants have followed our guidance to disclose and disclaim AI-generated material." Crucially, Mangum said the office considers "whether AI is enhancing human expression or is the source of the expressive choices."

A January 2025 report from the Office stated that hundreds of AI-enhanced works had been registered, a spokesperson for the U.S. Copyright Office told Mashable. Now, we know that more than 1,000 such works have been registered.

Many artists have taken a hard line against artificial intelligence, protesting its use in any creative endeavor. Mashable has reported on the backlash to the use of AI in films like The Brutalist and Late Night With the Devil, a recent resurrection project that uses the likeness of Agatha Christie, the restoration of The Wizard of Oz for The Sphere, and the controversial Studio Ghibli image trend that utilized ChatGPT.

Previously, the Office determined that material generated by AI tools is eligible for copyright protection only if it's contained in work primarily made by a human. As Mashable reported, that means images generated by tools like DALL-E, ChatGPT, or Midjourney cannot be copyrighted, no matter how much work went into fine-tuning the prompt. The U.S. Copyright Office's full guidance on AI-assisted material is available on its website, a representative told us.

That guidance was included in the second part of a report from the Office on copyright and artificial intelligence. (Part 3, set to be released later this year, will have huge implications for how AI models are trained.) "In Part 2 of our report, the Office affirmed that copyright does not extend to purely AI-generated material or material where there is insufficient human control over the expressive elements," Mangum said in the WIPO article.

However, material that was merely "enhanced" by AI is currently eligible for copyright registration. Part 2 of the report also mentions specific use cases such as "crowd removal from photos, video stabilization tools, and ray tracing."

Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko returned to Talking Pictures with Neil Rosen to weigh in on some of the biggest titles in movies and TV.

Alongside fellow film critics Perri Nemiroff, Neil Rosen, and Bill McCuddy, she expressed her praise and critiques for a string of new releases, and answered some burning questions. Like, what's the best episode of Black Mirror Season 7? Does The Ugly Stepsister, the body-horror reimagining of Cinderella, live up to the Sundance hype? And why are critics and audiences alike going wild for writer/director Ryan Coogler's Sinners?

SEE ALSO: Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan on 'Sinners' unique spin on vampirism

On this episode, the panel also reviews Netflix's hit crime drama Adolescence, the music-infused dramedy The Ballad of Wallis Island, the new Prime Video series Étoile from Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, the Danish romantic drama The Kiss, and the upcoming biopic about groundbreaking wrestler Mildred Burke, Queen of the Ring.

Which of these are a must-see and which are worthy of missing? Find out by watching the episode above, or by tuning into PBS.

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Director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter David Koepp (Presence, Kimi) teamed up once more for Black Bag — and unsurprisingly, hit it out of the park again. A sophisticated spy thriller with a twist, Black Bag is about much more than just global dynamics or stealthy stunts. "At its core, it's a story of two people who are still madly in love and fighting for each other. That gives Black Bag an edge," Mashable Film Editor Kristy Puchko wrote in her review.

It stars Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender as a British couple who also happen to be intelligence agents. And as any movie lover knows, these two are more than up to the task of playing powerful and sexy spies. Black Bag also stars Marisa Abela (Industry), Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton), Tom Burke (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), Naomie Harris (Venom: Let There Be Carnage), and former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan.

If you missed out on seeing it in the theater, you can now watch Black Bag at home (maybe even for free). Here's everything you need to know.

What is Black Bag about?

Black Bag follows Kathryn and George Woodhouse (Blanchett and Fassbender), married British intelligence agents. They typically manage to keep their work and their marriage separate, but when Kathryn is suspected of treason, George faces an impossible choice: loyalty to his wife or his country.

"Black Bag is a sexy, smart, and cool movie about marriage," Puchko summed up in her review. "Seriously."

Get a taste of the sexy spy thriller in the official trailer:

Is Black Bag worth watching?

"As soon as Black Bag was over," Puchko wrote in her review, "I felt that dizzying high one gets from a proper spy thriller, the rush of vicarious adrenaline from the case cracked and the day saved. But I also had the deep urge to see this movie again immediately. Because as generous as the filmmaker and stars are with slathering this story in George and Kathryn's mutual attraction, I couldn't get enough. I wanted to go back to feel the thrill of their love for each other all over again."

It appears other critics agree, as the Soderbergh film currently has a 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience rating is a bit lower, currently holding at 70 percent, with some reviewers noting that it can be a bit hard to follow at times. Ultimately, however, both critics and audiences agree it's a satisfying watch.

Check out our full review of Black Bag.

How to watch Black Bag at home Credit: Focus Features

After an underwhelming box office performance, despite overwhelming praise, it's time audiences show up for Black Bag at home. There are multiple ways to watch — rent it via digital on demand, purchase it digitally, or stream it beginning May 2. See the details below.

Buy or rent it on digital

Black Bag made its at-home debut on major digital platforms (Prime Video, Apple TV+, etc.) on April 1, 2025. The film is available to buy for $24.99 or rent for $19.99. While it's tempting to opt for the rental to save a few bucks, just remember that you'll only get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to purchase instead, then it's yours to own and you can watch whenever you please.

Here are some quick links to rent or purchase Black Bag:

• Prime Video — buy for $14.99, rent for $9.99

• Apple TV+ — buy for $14.99, rent for $9.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $14.99, rent for $9.99

• Google Play — buy for $14.99, rent for $9.99

Stream it on Peacock

As with other recent Focus Features films (Conclave, Nosferatu, etc.), Black Bag is set to make its streaming debut on Peacock, the streaming service owned by NBCUniversal, on May 2, 2025.

Don't have a Peacock subscription? You can sign up for as low as $7.99 per month with ads or $13.99 per month without. But before you jump the gun, be sure to check out the best ways to save money on a subscription below.

The best Peacock streaming dealsBest long-term Peacock deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $79.99 per year or $139.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal

While a monthly subscription to Peacock goes for $7.99 or $13.99, you can save about 17% and drop that price to just $6.67 or $11.67 by paying for a year up front. The annual Peacock subscriptions cost just $79.99 per year with ads or $139.99 per year without. So, basically, you'll get 12 months of streaming for the price of 10. If you plan on sticking around, this is the best option.

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If you're an Xfinity customer, there's a good chance you can score a Peacock subscription for free. Here's a breakdown of who is eligible for the deal:

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• New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.

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If you have a student email address, you can verify through SheerID, then you can get a Peacock Premium subscription (with ads) for only $2.99 per month for 12 months. Once verified, you'll receive a unique promo code to secure the discount. Just note that it can only be used once.

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First responders and medical professionals are also able to score a discounted Peacock Premium subscription. Once you verify your first responder or medical professional status via SheerID, you'll get a unique promo code that will drop the cost of a subscription from $7.99 per month to just $3.99. If you continue to meet verification qualifications, you can renew the deal annually. You may just have to go through the verification process each time and receive a new promo code again. Learn more about eligibility terms and requirements.

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Active duty U.S. military service members, Reservists, National Guard members, veterans, or U.S. military retirees can also score a Peacock Premium subscription for $3.99 per month instead of the usual $7.99 per month. As with the previous deals, you'll have to prove your military status using SheerID and retrieve a promotional code to activate the offer. Eligible military personnel who continue to meet requirements can redeem the deal annually.

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Teachers can also verify their educator status with SheerID to get their bite out of Peacock savings. Once verified, you'll receive a unique promo code that may only be used once to drop the price of Peacock Premium down to just $3.99 per month for one year. Once the promotional period ends, you'll be charged full price, so be sure to cancel before the year ends.

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An Instacart+ account ($99.99 per year) now unlocks a free Peacock subscription. So, beyond free grocery delivery, lower fees, and credit back on eligible pickup order, Instacart+ users can now stream the entire Peacock catalog for free with ads. That's a $79.99 per year value. Better yet, if you're new to Instacart+, you can sign up for a free two-week trial to test things out and watch Black Bag and more for free.

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Through July 2025, JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic status members can get their first year of Peacock Premium for free ($79.99 value). If you don't have Mosaic status, you can earn 1,000 free TrueBlue points when you sign up for Peacock. Learn more about eligibility and terms over on Peacock's special offer page.

Have you ever wanted to ask an astronaut a question, or just talk to one in general? Wouldn't it be cool if you could speak to an astronaut even as they were floating on the ISS in space, looking down on Earth? It's not actually difficult to do just that. All you need is ham radio.

Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox—Incognito mode is a standard feature in most modern browsers. But what really happens when you start browsing in Incognito mode? Fun fact—it doesn’t make your browsing session completely anonymous, as you might think.

Google's AI function brings Gemini-powered language models right into your spreadsheet cells without any add-ons. With it, you can generate fresh text, summarize blocks of data, categorize entries, or even guess sentiments—all by typing a simple formula.

ASUS is preparing to launch the ZenWiFi BD4 Outdoor, a dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 7 router designed to extend your existing wireless internet system beyond the home. It appears to be a solid option for those who own a large property and are already invested (or are willing to invest) in the ZenWiFi ecosystem.

Back in January, Samsung teased a new ultra-thin Galaxy phone. Samsung still hasn't fully lifted the veil off the so-called Galaxy S25 Edge, but it feels like we know everything about it already.

That's because of a steady stream of leaks, including this most recent one from Roland Quandt of WinFuture (via TechRadar). According to Quandt's reporting, the Galaxy S25 Edge will come with a titanium frame, weighing in at 163g (or 5.7 ounces) with just 5.85mm of thickness. That's similar to the rumored size of the yet-to-be-released iPhone 17 Air.

For comparison, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 is rumored to be between 8.2mm to 9.55mm thick (and as a foldable, it would be thinner when unfolded). Currently, the thinnest phones in the world come from the company Oppo, including the foldable Oppo Find N5, which is just 4.21mm when unfolded.

Other reported specs for the Galaxy S25 Edge include:

SEE ALSO: The iPhone 17 Air looks incredibly thin in new video leak

• 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 1440x3120 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate

• Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset

• 12GB RAM

• 256GB or 512GB storage

• 200MP main rear lens

• 12MP ultra-wide lens

• 12MP front-facing lens

• 3,900mAh battery with wireless charging

• IP68 rating for water and dust resistance

A lot of that lines up with previous leaks on the subject, including the phone's dimensions, chipset, and the relatively small battery size. The build materials and presence of wireless charging are new to Quandt's report, though. This seems to be a "where there's smoke, there's fire" situation, in other words, as multiple leaks from entirely disparate sources are reporting the exact same information about this phone.

Quandt also reported some possible pricing information, which is where things get tricky. According to the report, the phone will start at roughly the USD equivalent of $1,400, and would go up higher if you want more storage. Samsung is expected to announce the phone at an event in May, but that hasn't been officially confirmed yet. Stay tuned for more info on all of this.

For years, if you’ve wanted to plug your Android phone into a monitor and get something that felt remotely like a desktop, your only option has essentially been Samsung DeX. It offers a proper multi-window interface, a taskbar, and the ability to use your phone like a PC. Meanwhile, Android’s offering for other devices has been extremely lacking. That appears to be changing.

This week, cybersecurity researchers with Oligo say they identified 23 vulnerabilities related to Apple AirPlay, leading Apple to issue over a dozen fixes.

Dubbed "AirBorne" by the researchers, the security vulnerabilities affect the Apple AirPlay network and could compromise various devices. According to an Oligo blog post, the researchers say the vulnerabilities "enable an array of attack vectors" that could allow "attackers to potentially take control of devices that support AirPlay — including both Apple devices and third-party devices that leverage the AirPlay [Software Development Kit]."

The Oligo blog outlines a number of potential attacks, including Zero-Click RCE, Man-in-the-Middle, and Denial of Service (DOS) attacks. But if you don't know what any of that means, that's OK — the solution for Apple users is fairly straightforward.

Fixing the Apple AirPlay 'AirBorne' flaws

• Update your Apple devices to "mitigate potential security risks".
• Disable the AirPlay receiver when not in use; restrict AirPlay access to trusted devices only.
• In AirPlay settings, "Change the 'Allow AirPlay for' setting to 'Current User'".

Read More

Essentially, as long as you update your devices to the latest versions of macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, your devices should be safe. In addition, some cybersecurity experts recommend disabling the AirPlay feature entirely unless you're actively using it.

The "AirBorne" vulnerabilities would allow hackers to infect Apple devices with malware or seize control of the device, whether that's a MacBook or iPhone. They could then deploy malware or steal sensitive information. AirBorne also affected third-party devices connected to AirPlay, leaving smart Internet-of-things (IOT) devices at risk.

SEE ALSO: Apple sends out spyware attack notifications to targeted users

The researchers say they worked with Apple to "identify and address" the flaws, and that Apple issued 17 CVEs in response to the research.

In the cybersecurity world, CVE stands for Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, and it refers to a specific identifying number associated with a publicly disclosed cybersecurity problem. In a national CVE database hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, users can find a number of new CVEs published by Apple on April 28, 2025, such as CVE-2025-24252 and CVE-2025-24206.

The CVE description states that Apple fixed these bugs in "in macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, macOS Ventura 13.7.5, iPadOS 17.7.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.5, iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, visionOS 2.4."

I'm sure your news feed has been filled with news about tariffs and how they affect your pocket. Get ready, then, for even more increases, because tariffs just became a lot more wide-reaching.

Most companies know when you open their emails, but you're left in the dark about whether they've read yours. This imbalance in email power dynamics is real, and while many advocate against tracking, I believe we should use trackers ourselves to level the playing field.