Blogroll

Apple disables iPhones stolen in Los Angeles looting

Mashable - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 15:53

Stealing iPhones from a physical Apple Store is a crime that literally doesn't pay, thanks to Apple's anti-theft technology.

Looters who reportedly lifted the smartphones from the Apple Tower Theatre store in downtown Los Angeles were greeted with a blaring alarm and a message warning them to return the devices to their rightful owners, according to independent reporter Brendan Gutenschwager, who posted a video of the devices on June 10.

"Please return to Apple Tower Theatre. This device has been disabled and is being tracked. Local authorities will be alerted," the message on the iPhone display reads in Gutenschwager's video. In the clip, the devices are lying on the sidewalk before they're picked up by a police officer.

SEE ALSO: Samsung issues urgent warning to activate Galaxy anti-theft features

The iPhones were reportedly lifted from the Apple Tower Theatre store on June 10, a few days into citywide protests against federal immigration enforcement raids. In some places, looting and violence have erupted during protests, with people targeting stores including Apple, as well as Adidas and Shoe Palace, and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass imposing a partial curfew on the city. During the protests last week, the Los Angeles Police Department made multiple arrests for looting.

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The demo iPhones in Apple Store locations worldwide are equipped with special security software which locks the phone when carried out of the store, tracks its location, and notifies the authorities.

Categories: IT General, Technology

OnePlus Just Fixed Our Biggest Complaints With the Watch 3

How-To Geek - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 15:49

OnePlus is a fan favorite when it comes to smartphones, and its watches are quickly gaining the same attention. The OnePlus Watch 3 came out earlier this year with plenty to offer, but the company has just fixed our two biggest complaints by releasing a newer, smaller variant.

Categories: IT General, Technology

All The iOS 26 iPhone Features You're Not Getting This Fall

How-To Geek - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 15:00

iOS 26 is scheduled to drop this fall. Aside from the Liquid Glass design overhaul, the software fixes many pain points that have been annoying iPhone owners for many years now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Heres why youre about to see more ads on WhatsApp

Mashable - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 15:00

If you noticed something new on WhatsApp today, you're not alone — the app just added some new features on its Updates tab, including channel subscriptions, promoted channels, and ads in status.

SEE ALSO: WhatsApp is getting usernames so you can finally stop sharing your phone number

"Today we’re introducing some new features for our Updates tab, which is home to both Channels and Status," Meta, the company that owns WhatsApp, said in a blog post. "We’ve worked over the last two years to make this tab the place for you to discover something new on WhatsApp, and it’s now used by 1.5 billion people a day. We’re encouraged by the enthusiasm and also want to help admins, organizations, and businesses grow on WhatsApp."

Now, users can pay a monthly subscription fee to receive exclusive updates from specific channels. Channels can promote themselves to pop up on users' screens in an effort to help users "discover new channels" and, mostly, to help admins "increase their Channel's visibility." Finally, if a business is promoting its service in Status, users will be able to chat with them about their product or service.

Meta said this shouldn't disrupt the casual WhatsApp user who only uses the app to chat because the features will only appear on the Updates tab. The company also assured users that they have "built these features in the most private way possible." Everything is still end-to-end encrypted, and you can update your ad preferences in your Accounts Center.

Categories: IT General, Technology

10 Great Shows to Binge On Paramount+

How-To Geek - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 14:30

Paramount+ is on fire this summer with its bevy of content, new and old. Even though their categorization is helpful in finding something to watch, the endless choices presented are often enough to overwhelm even the most seasoned viewer. I’m here to help with that.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Humongous UGREEN Charger Supports a Whopping 500W

How-To Geek - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 14:00

We've seen tons of chargers with different power outputs. 45W, 60W, 75W, and even 100W. Sometimes even more. You've probably never seen a 500W charger before, but now UGREEN has released one that you can buy starting today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

12 Complex Games That Reward Clever Players

How-To Geek - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 14:00

There's a real sense of accomplishment from mastering a game with complex mechanics. What may seem daunting at first can be a lot of fun once you understand which strings you need to pull.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Jamaica vs. Guatemala online for free

Mashable - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 13:31

TL;DR: Live stream Jamaica vs. Guatemala in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The first round of 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup fixtures includes some really interesting matchups, like Jamaica vs. Guatemala. Fans will be keen to see how Jamaica progress in Group C of this tournament. They'll be going up against Panama for top spot, if things play out how we expect.

If you want to watch Jamaica vs. Guatemala in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Jamaica vs. Guatemala?

Jamaica vs. Guatemala in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on June 16. This fixture takes place at Dignity Health Sports Park.

How to watch Jamaica vs. Guatemala for free

Jamaica vs. Guatemala in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

These free live stream is not available all around the world, but fans in excluded territories can still watch this game for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Concacaf Gold Cup from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit YouTube

  5. Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Jamaica vs. Guatemala (plus the rest of the tournament) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services 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 YouTube?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including Italy

  • 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. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Panama vs. Guadeloupe online for free

Mashable - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 13:28

TL;DR: Live stream Panama vs. Guadeloupe in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The first round of 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup fixtures includes some really interesting matchups, like Panama vs. Guadeloupe. Panama could be a dark horse in this tournament, and they'll be looking to start strongly in this opening game.

If you want to watch Panama vs. Guadeloupe in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Panama vs. Guadeloupe?

Panama vs. Guadeloupe in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on June 16. This fixture takes place at Dignity Health Sports Park.

How to watch Panama vs. Guadeloupe for free

Panama vs. Guadeloupe in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

These free live stream is not available all around the world, but fans in excluded territories can still watch this game for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Concacaf Gold Cup from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit YouTube

  5. Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Panama vs. Guadeloupe (plus the rest of the tournament) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services 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 YouTube?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including Italy

  • 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. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wearing an Apple Watch on Your Ankle Is a Thing Now, Does It Make Sense?

How-To Geek - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 13:00

Spotted someone at the grocery store strapping an Apple Watch around their ankle? No, your eyes weren’t playing tricks on you. What began as a quirky fitness workaround has quietly snowballed into a bit of a trend, with folks starting to question the whole “wrist-only” rule for smartwatches.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Does your Mac mini refuse to power on? Apple might fix it.

Mashable - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:55

Apple has launched a Mac mini Service Program to fix some Mac mini units that refuse to power on.

"Apple has determined that a very small percentage of Mac mini (2023) devices with the M2 chip may no longer power on. Affected devices were manufactured between June 16, 2024 to November 23, 2024," the company wrote on a support page published Friday.

Owners of Mac minis which exhibit the issue are encouraged to enter the serial number of their device into a form on Apple's website to see whether their Mac mini is eligible for a fix. If so, Apple, or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, will remedy the issue free of charge.

SEE ALSO: Apple's truly smart Siri is coming next spring, report claims

Apple highlighted that no other Mac minis are a part of this program, meaning that if you have an older or newer mini with a similar issue, you probably won't get a free fix.

Also, Apple says that this program covers eligible Mac mini units for three years after the first retail sale of the unit.

The company did not elaborate on what's causing the problem with affected Mac minis.

New Mac minis with an M2 chip are no longer available for purchase at Apple. The company now sells Mac minis with either an M4 or an M4 Pro chip.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get the best Garmin deal: Save $50 on the Garmin Lily 2

Mashable - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:37

SAVE $50: As of June 16, the Garmin Lily 2 smartwatch is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's 20% off its list price of $249.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Lily 2 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50 Get Deal

If you've been on the lookout for a smartwatch that still has some nice style to show off, the Garmin Lily 2 is worth checking out. Even more so right now, as it's currently discounted at Amazon to a price that's very close to its lowest-ever according to price tracker camelcamelcamel.

The Garmin Lily 2 is on sale for $199.99 right now at Amazon, 20% off its list price of $249.99. This is only a few dollars away from its lowest-ever price of $194.13, so now is as good a time as any to pick it up. It's worth mentioning that it's currently marked as a limited-time deal, so it may not stay at this price for much longer.

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch for every wrist

While its stylish design is a big bonus, the Garmin Lily 2 has plenty of features that round it out to make it a great smartwatch, too. Some of these features include a sleep score, Body Battery energy monitoring, hydration tracking, all-day stress tracking, and heart rate tracking, but those just scratch the surface of what this watch has going on. It even boasts up to five days of battery life, so you don't need to worry as often about recharging.

As mentioned before, this is a limited-time deal. If the Garmin Lily 2 has caught your eye, now is the time to pick it up at this excellent discounted price.

There are a couple more smartwatch and fitness tracker deals that are worth checking out alongside this one, too. At Amazon, you can also still save on the Garmin vívoactive 5 and Fitbit Charge 6.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 16, 2025

Mashable - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:18

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 June 15 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 June 16, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Minor.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter T appears twice.

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...

PETTY.

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 June 16

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for June 16

Mashable - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:18

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 June 16 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 16 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Key notes

The words are music-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are parts of a musical piece.

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 Piano Pieces

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for June 16
  • Etude

  • Prelude

  • Sonata

  • Piano Pieces

  • Suite

  • Minuet

  • Nocturne

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 16, 2025

Mashable - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:18

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 June 156 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: Deadpan

  • Green: Used for window fixtures

  • Blue: Given with a cocktail

  • Purple: Means of transport

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: Expressionless

  • Green: Drapery hanging items

  • Blue: What a drink is served with

  • Purple: Starting with methods of transportation

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 #736 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Expressionless: BLANK, FLAT, INANIMATE, WOODEN

  • Drapery hanging items: BRACKET, CURTAIN, HOOK, ROD

  • What a drink is served with: COASTER, GARNISH, GLASS, STRAW

  • Starting with methods of transportation: BUSBOY, CARBON, SHIPSHAPE, TRAINEE

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 June 16

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 16, 2025

Mashable - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:18

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: Scoreless

  • Green: Midwest college towns

  • Blue: Golf

  • Purple: Major names behind the plate

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: Slang for Zero

  • Green: Big Ten Cities

  • Blue: Sites of This Year's Men's Golf Majors

  • Purple: MLB Catchers

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 #266 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today
  • Slang for Zero - BAGEL, DONUT, GOOSE EGG, NIL

  • Big Ten Cities - COLLEGE PARK, COLUMBUS, EAST LANSING, MADISON

  • Sites of This Year's Men's Golf Majors - AUGUSTA, OAKMONT, QUAIL HOLLOW, ROYAL PORTRUSH

  • MLB Catchers - PEREZ, RALEIGH, REALMUTO, RUTSCHMAN

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

WiZ HDMI Sync Box With TV Backlight Review: A Great Ambient Light Option for Your TV

How-To Geek - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:00

With this HDMI sync box with TV backlight from WiZ, you can improve any TV experience with synchronized ambient lighting that changes according to both audio and visual input in real-time. It's great for gaming and movies, but it has its own share of minor annoyances.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Ancient moon volcanoes made tiny glass beads. Heres what they mean.

Mashable - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:00

Tiny glass beads brought back by NASA's Apollo 17 astronauts are helping scientists uncover new clues about how the moon erupted billions of years ago. 

No one expected these glittering bits among the gray lunar dust back then. The beads, smaller than grains of sand, formed when ancient lunar volcanoes spewed molten rock. That rock quickly cooled and hardened into smooth glass in the cold vacuum of space.

Now, using modern tools that weren't available a half-century ago following the mission, researchers have zoomed in closer than ever before to look at what’s stuck on the outside of those glass beads. They found a kind of mineral powder — so fine you need microscopes to see it — formed as the beads flew through giant gas clouds during the fiery eruptions.

These surface coatings reveal how the environment around the moon’s volcanoes changed over time, according to a new study published in the journal Icarus. Instead of just confirming that lunar eruptions happened, the Brown University-led research provides insight into how they played out, layer by layer, crystal by crystal. The findings suggest the moon had a much more dynamic history of volcanoes, with evolving gas chemistry, temperature, and pressure changes, than previously known.

"It’s like reading the journal of an ancient lunar volcanologist," said Ryan Ogliore, a Washington University in St. Louis professor, in a statement.

SEE ALSO: What does a meteorite taste like? Someone found out and bottled it. This is a microscopic view of lunar glass beads, smaller than grains of sand. Credit: Katharine Robinson and G. Jeffrey Taylor / Nature Geoscience 2014

The shimmery beads blasted out of the moon's interior when the moon was still young, about 3.3 to 3.6 billion years ago. 

As lava shot into the airless sky, it quickly cooled into smooth droplets of glass. Some came out shiny orange; others formed in glossy black. Because of their origins, the beads have colors, shapes, and chemical compositions unlike anything found on Earth. But the very existence of the beads is evidence that the moon had explosive eruptions — akin to the fire fountains seen in Hawaii today, Ogliore said.

"The beads are tiny, pristine capsules of the lunar interior," he added.

Unlike some older lunar samples, these delicate beads were protected from reacting with Earth's air to avoid contamination. The researchers particularly focused on black glass beads collected from a part of the moon called the Taurus-Littrow Valley, a site on the southeastern edge of the Sea of Serenity, formed after a large object smashed into the moon eons ago. 

Lava spews out of a lunar volcano, forming glass beads that encounter different conditions based on their trajectories through the volcanic gas cloud. Credit: T.A. Williams et al. / Icarus 2025 diagram

The most common mineral found in the coatings was sphalerite, containing zinc, sulfur, and iron. The bottom of the micro-buildup was richer in iron, meaning it likely formed earlier when things were hotter and denser. The upper parts formed later, as things cooled down.

The scientists found that the black beads had a lot more of these zinc-and-sulfur minerals on them compared to orange beads analyzed in earlier samples taken from the same area. That difference hints that the gas clouds were thicker or hotter at the time when the black beads formed.

To probe the samples, the team used a high-energy ion beam to break apart tiny bits of the material, allowing scientists to measure their chemical makeup. They also used other advanced techniques, such as atom probe tomography and electron microscopy.

"We’ve had these samples for 50 years, but we now have the technology to fully understand them," Ogliore said. "Many of these instruments would have been unimaginable when the beads were first collected."

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to Train Your Dragon recreates the iconic Toothless boop

Mashable - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 11:26

Arguably the most famous scene from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise is the boop. You know the boop. It's the moment when Viking teen Hiccup and adorable Night Fury Toothless make a genuine connection for the first time, with the dragon's nose pressing into Hiccup's hand.

More than 15 years after the release of Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders' adaptation of Cressida Cowell's novels, DeBlois has revisited How to Train Your Dragon as a live-action movie, recreating shot-for-shot the famous boop scene.

Mashable UK Editor Shannon Connellan sat down with DeBlois and How to Train Your Dragon stars Mason Thames and Nico Parker to get an idea of how the film remade the moment.

"We wanted to recreate as faithfully as we could that scene through live-action on a stage with our cove set, but almost shot-for-shot that exact moment — and also later the test-drive scene when they're flying over the clouds," DeBlois told Mashable.

"We wanted those to be really faithful as a tribute to the fans. The way that we achieved it really was relying very heavily upon our team of puppeteers, namely Tom Wilton, who was operating our Toothless. We had a foam head for Toothless, and we had a body and a tail. His puppeteering partner, Sarah, had worked out the footsteps in the sand and the path between all of the drawn lines, and how that was going to work, and it just became this dance."

SEE ALSO: 'How to Train Your Dragon' review: Does the live action version soar?

Thames, who has a background in ballet, trained hard for the scene, in which the director had composer John Powell's score playing on set.

"You know, it probably looks just like I'm stepping over some stuff, but going into it, we had about a week and a half of training and practicing that, getting every step on each note for the song — because we had the song playing," Thames said. "It was a dance, and I think ballet really helped with getting that down."

"When we started playing John Powell's music on top of it, the whole stage just got really quiet, and it transformed," DeBlois added. "It felt like a moment of real wonder in the midst of all of this chaos of filmmaking, where people felt like they were making something special."

How to Train Your Dragon hits cinemas in the UK June 9 and in the U.S. June 13.

Categories: IT General, Technology

What to expect from VidCon 2025

Mashable - Mon, 06/16/2025 - 11:00

Content creation can be a solitary job. Even though it’s centered around community, much of that interaction happens online. In 2009, brothers John and Hank Green, the creators behind the popular Vlogbrothers YouTube channel, set out to change that.

"A couple of months ago, [my brother] John and I decided that we were really interested in the possibility of getting a real-life online video conference happening, in order to get all of the best online video creators together in one place," Hank Green said at the time, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Online video is a really huge deal now — we have people on YouTube that have a bigger audience than Oprah or Anderson Cooper."

And with that, the first VidCon was born.

What Is VidCon?

Launched in 2010, VidCon became the first major convention for online video creators and their fans. It brought together influencers, industry professionals, and audiences for panels, performances, meet-and-greets, and behind-the-scenes conversations about the future of digital media.

Now, 15 years later, VidCon is still going strong — a reflection of how online content creation has evolved from a niche interest into a global industry.

When is VidCon 2025?

This year's VidCon will take place June 19-21 in Anaheim, California. And Mashable will be on the ground at the Anaheim Convention Center, talking to your favorite creators and covering all the latest trends.

What are the three tracks at VidCon?

This year, there are three tracks at VidCon: Community, Creator, and Industry.

The community track is for fans and mostly consists of meet-and-greets, Q&As, and creator panels. It's the least expensive track, with single-day tickets starting at $96 and multi-day tickets starting at $175.

The creator track is, well, for creators. You get access to the community track offerings, along with workshops, panels, lounges, mentorship panels, and more. It's the second most expensive track, with multi-day tickets starting at $268.

Finally, the most expensive track is the industry track. It's billed for "creator economy leaders" and includes so, so many networking opportunities. Multi-day tickets for this track start at $1,130.

Which creators will be at VidCon?

At VidCon, you'll see featured creators, Hall of Fame inductees, and creators who simply bought a ticket to attend. As it coincides with YouTube's 20th anniversary, expect to see some legendary names on the creator lineup.

This is the inaugural VidCon Hall of Fame, and the creators being honored include Rhett & Link, Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla, Tyler Oakley, Grace Helbig, Joey Graceffa, Rosanna Pansino, and Hank Green.

Here is a very long list of the nearly 200 featured creators at this year's convention:

  • Aaron Parnas

  • Ana Saia

  • Anthony Hamilton Jr

  • Anthony Padilla

  • Aphmau

  • Arianna Hailey

  • Asher Lara

  • Ashley Alexander

  • Ashley Ippolito

  • Astro Alexandra

  • Audity

  • Austin Sprinz

  • Azerrz

  • B Mo the Prince

  • Bailey Sarian

  • Blair Imani

  • Briel Adams-Wheatley

  • BrodyAnimates

  • Bryce Xavier

  • Cam Wilder

  • CaptainPuffy

  • Carter Kench

  • Cash

  • cassiesbooktok

  • Caylus

  • CG5

  • Chad Chad

  • CheapPickle

  • Chubbyemu

  • CircleToonsHD

  • Connor Tomlinson

  • cuptoast

  • DanCookedIt

  • DangMattSmith

  • Daniel Thrasher

  • Dollar Tree Dinners

  • Dr. Sandra Lee (aka Dr. Pimple Popper)

  • Dream

  • Dtay Known

  • Eddie Zepeda

  • Eleanor Neale

  • Ella Caroline

  • elliot

  • Enola Bedard

  • Ericka Bozeman

  • Ethobot

  • Evan and Katelyn

  • Fannita

  • Fernanda Cortes

  • FunkyFrogBait

  • Georgie (soupytime)

  • Gianna Marie (Gwizzle)

  • Grace Helbig

  • HaileeandKendra

  • Haminations

  • Hank Green

  • Hannahxxrose

  • Hew Moran

  • Horchata Soto

  • Howieazy

  • Hudson Matter

  • Ian Hecox

  • IBella

  • illymation

  • Imani Barbarin

  • IMHO: The Podcast

  • Infamous Swoosh

  • Insane Shayne

  • Jack Manifold

  • jacknjellify

  • Jason Bravura

  • Jason Linton

  • Jeenie Weenie

  • Jeffrey Bui

  • JellyBean

  • Jenny Hoyos

  • Jenny Solares

  • Jesser

  • Jessica Kaylee

  • Jesus Nalgas

  • Jezelle Catherine

  • jmancurly

  • Joey Graceffa

  • Jonny Morales

  • Jools Lebron

  • Jordan Matter

  • Josie Kay

  • Justin Flom

  • Kalen Allen

  • Karen Mendoza

  • Kat Buno

  • Katie Ann

  • Kelly Wakasa

  • Kelsi Davies

  • Kenzie Yolles

  • Kevin Langue

  • Kevin T. Norman

  • KHARRII

  • Khian KB

  • Kiera Bridget

  • KikizCosmeticz

  • KreekCraft

  • KREW

  • Kristopher London

  • Lamarr Wilson

  • Lana Rae

  • Landen Purifoy

  • LaurDIY

  • Leah Ashe

  • Leo González

  • Like Nastya

  • Lisi Shops

  • Lonnie IIV

  • Lyanna Kea

  • MacDoesIt

  • Madison Marilla

  • Mattie Westbrouck

  • MeganPlays

  • Megha Rethin

  • Merrick Hanna

  • Mia Dio

  • Mikey Angelo

  • Molly Burke

  • Mythical Kitchen

  • Naomi Hearts

  • Nathan Kessel

  • NichLmao

  • Nick Pro

  • Nick Wilkins

  • Nico

  • Nicole Laeno

  • Nicole Rafiee

  • Nihachu

  • Peet Montzingo

  • Purplecliffe

  • QCP

  • Ranboo

  • Rebecca Parham (Let Me Explain Studios)

  • rekrap2

  • Rhett & Link

  • Rosanna Pansino

  • Rubasworld

  • Sa Nguyen

  • Salish Matter

  • Samantha Eve

  • Sambucha

  • SauceyAustin

  • Savanah Moss

  • SeanDoesMagic

  • Skip the Tutorial

  • skyyjade

  • Slimecicle

  • SMOSH

  • Sneegsnag

  • Socksfor1

  • Sofi Manassyan

  • Sofie Dossi

  • SoupTimmy

  • Spizee

  • Steven He

  • Sweet Impact

  • Sydney Morgan

  • Tannerwiththe_tism

  • TechJoyce

  • Tubbo

  • Tubby Nugget

  • Tyler Oakley

  • Tyler Vitelli

  • V Spehar (@Underthedesknews)

  • Valentine Brothers

  • Valerie Lepelch

  • Vivziepop

  • VMT

  • Wallibear

  • Watcher

  • Wheezy

  • Zay Dante

  • Zhong

  • Zoetube

  • zoeunlimited

What kind of panels are at VidCon?

There are a ton of panels to get excited about, but, depending on which track you're on, you can see everything from the "YouTube Keynote: Celebrating 20 Years on YouTube" to "Mapping the Modern Creator Economy: Trends, Tensions, and What Comes Next." Check out the full schedule for yourself on the VidCon website.

Can I watch any of the VidCon panels if I'm not there?

You can follow VidCon's social media accounts on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and X to keep up to date on everything happening during the convention.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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