'The Power' - Everything you need to know

Toni Collette, John Leguizamo, Naomi Alderman and the cast of The Power give us all the backstory we need before diving in to the new series, streaming on Prime Video March 31st.

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Google Bard is about to get supercharged

Google's newly-released chatbot, Bard, lacks pizazz, to say the least. The company's CEO, Sundar Pichai, addressed these concerns on the New York Times' Hard Fork podcast Thursday. While acknowledging that Bard has its weaknesses, Pichai claimed that an injection of raw power was imminent.

In Mashable's own tests of Bard, the chatbot's answers could indeed be a letdown — bland and terse when what we were specifically asking for was something spicy and creative. However, in some areas we appreciated its no-nonsense explanations, and we even noticed the potential for something great in its direct-but-counterintuitive answers to tough questions.

Pichai explained on Hard Fork, "We knew when we were putting Bard out we wanted to be careful. It’s the beginning of a journey for us. […] Since this was the first time we were putting out, we wanted to see what type of queries we would get. We obviously positioned it carefully."

And in fairness, the word "Bard" in the logo on the Bard homepage is followed immediately by the word "experiment." The blog post announcing Bard called it, "an early experiment that lets you collaborate with generative AI." Yet, the public didn't dial its expectations to exactly the level Pichai intended, he explained.

"We tried to prime users to its creative collaborative queries," he said, "but people do a variety of things. I think it was slightly maybe lost. […] So in some ways, we put out one of our smaller models out there, what’s powering Bard. And we were careful."

Pichai likened Bard to a "souped-up Civic" in a race against hotter sports cars. That's an odd appeal to Google's humility that may not win your sympathies if you consider that Google has been accused by the Justice Department of monopolistic business practices, and that its parent company Alphabet is one of Fortune Magazine's top 10 most powerful companies in the world.

In any case, here's the good news for all Bard fans out there: Pichai says the chatbot is about to get upgraded to a new model soon, like, really really soon. "We clearly have more capable models. Pretty soon, maybe as this goes live, we will be upgrading Bard to some of our more capable PaLM models, so which will bring more capabilities, be it in reasoning, coding. It can answer math questions better. So you will see progress over the course of next week."

Naturally, Pichai hedged a bit, explaining that safety and user experience are of paramount concern. "We are all in very, very early stages. We will have even more capable models to plug in over time. But I don’t want it to be just who’s there first, but getting it right is very important to us." Translation: Don't expect the upgrade to burst onto the metaphorical court and dunk on the current metaphorical Lebron James of large language models: GPT-4.

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Google's attempts to keep expectations low in this area are probably wise, given the recent accusations that the company is training its models on outputs from ChatGPT — which Google denies. Training a large language model on outputs from someone else's large language model is a little like photocopying a map and calling yourself a cartographer — not a good look.

Pichai also hinted at a not-too-distant future where powerful, personalized models exist for every user. "In some ways, [a personalized model] is what we envisioned when we were building Google Assistant. But we have the technology to actually do those things now." So keeping in mind that Bard is owned by the company that owns or develops the products billions of people use to organize their lives, it's probably not wise count out Google as an eventual heavy-hitter in the chatbot world.

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Save hundreds on Breville toaster ovens, espresso machines, and more

Amazon has some seriously amazing deals on Breville kitchen appliances, including the oh-so-coveted espresso machine and five-star toaster ovens. Here are some of the best discounts we found:

• BEST BREVILLE TOASTER OVEN DEAL: The Breville Smart Oven Pro toaster oven reduces cooking time by up to 30% — $223.95 $349.95 (save $126)

• BEST BREVILLE ESPRESSO MACHINE DEAL: The Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker has a removable 40.6-ounce water tank and removable drip tray for easy cleanup — $177.30 $249.99 (save $72.69)

• BEST BREVILLE AIR FRYER DEAL: The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro can roast, broil, and dehydrate in addition to air frying — $319.95 $499.95 (save $180)

Not to be dramatic, but being an adult is ridiculously expensive. And, being an adult with taste, well, that's a whole new level of unaffordability, broken dreams, and for some, seemingly innocent credit card swipes that have grown into an insurmountable amount of debt. Fortunately, window shopping (AKA voraciously scrolling through Williams Sonoma and Le Creuset sales before bed) takes a bit of the edge off. It offers a tiny glimmer of hope for those of us who are broke but bougie at heart.

That's why we're excited to share that Amazon has slashed prices on Breville kitchen appliances. Save hundreds on Breville toaster ovens, espresso machines, and more, and feel your fantasy without breaking the bank.

Best Breville toaster oven deal

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Credit: Breville

Our pick: Breville Smart Oven Pro toaster oven (opens in a new tab)

$223.95 at Amazon (save $126)

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Why we like it

The Breville Smart Oven Pro toaster oven reduces cooking time by up to 30% when using the convection setting, features a spacious 6-slice capacity, and includes 10 pre-set cooking functions for everything from baking to roasting to broiling. It also has an LCD display that shows the time, temperature settings, and cooking status, making it easy to keep track of your cooking progress. Plus, its brushed stainless steel finish makes for a sleek and stylish addition to any kitchen countertop. You can snag this high-end toaster for a limited time for $223.95. That's a whopping 36% discount off its original price of $349.95.

Best Breville espresso machine deal

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Credit: Breville

Our pick: Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker (opens in a new tab)

$177.30 at Amazon (save $72.69)

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Why we like it

The Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker is a work of art. This stainless-steel machine can make cafe-quality drinks at home and features a 15-bar Italian pump, dual-wall filter system, and froth enhancer for creamy cappuccinos and lattes. This espresso machine has a removable 40.6-ounce water tank, a removable drip tray (for easy cleanup), a frothing jug, and a measuring spoon. For $177.30, this deal is a steal.

Best Breville air fryer deal

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Credit: Breville

Our pick: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (opens in a new tab)

$319.95 at Amazon (save $180)

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Why we like it

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a versatile kitchen appliance that can roast, broil, and dehydrate in addition to air frying. (It has 13 cooking functions in total.) This powerful air fryer can handle up to nine slices of bread or a 14-pound turkey. And, with a two-speed convection fan, you can be sure your food will cook evenly and come out deliciously crispy every time.

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Nonprofit files FTC complaint against OpenAI's GPT-4

On Thursday, the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP), an advocacy nonprofit, filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) targeting OpenAI. The complaint argues that the company's latest large language model, GPT-4, which can be used to power ChatGPT, is in violation of FTC rules against deception and unfairness. This comes on the heels of an open letter signed by major figures in AI, including Elon Musk, which called for a six-month pause on the training of systems more powerful than GPT-4.

The complaint asks the Commission "to initiate an investigation into OpenAI and find that the commercial release of GPT-4 violates Section 5 of the FTC Act." This section, the complaint explains, provides guidance about AI and outlines the "emerging norms for the governance of AI that the United States government has formally endorsed."

What's so scary about GPT-4, according to this complaint? It is allegedly "biased, deceptive, and a risk to privacy and public safety," The complaint also says that GPT-4 makes unproven claims and is not sufficiently tested.

The CAIDP also points out — using quotes from past reports written by OpenAI itself — that OpenAI knows about the potential to bring about, or worsen, "disinformation and influence operations," and that the company has expressed concerns about "proliferation of conventional and unconventional weapons" thanks in part to AI. OpenAI has also, the complaint notes, warned the public that AI systems could "reinforce entire ideologies, worldviews, truths and untruths, and to cement them or lock them in, foreclosing future contestation, reflection, and improvement."

The complaint also rips into OpenAI for apparently not conducting safety checks aimed at protecting children during GPT-4's testing period. And it quotes Ursula Pachl, Deputy Director of the European Consumer Organization (BEUC) who said, "public authorities must reassert control over [AI algorithms] if a company doesn't take remedial action."

By quoting Pachl, the CAIDP is clearly invoking — if not directly calling for — major government moves aimed at regulating AI. European regulators are already weighing a much more heavy-handed, and rules-based approach to this technology. And this comes as companies are looking to make money in the generative AI space. Microsoft Bing's GPT-4-powered chatbot, for instance, is now generating ad revenue. Such companies are no doubt eagerly awaiting the FTC's response.

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Serve up quick and healthy meals with a Ninja Foodi air fry oven for $130 off

SAVE $130: As of March 30, the Ninja Foodi Dual Heat air fry oven is on sale for $159.99, down from $289.99, at Best Buy. That's a savings of $130.

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Credit: Ninja

Ninja Foodi Dual Heat Air Fry Oven (opens in a new tab)

$159.99 at Best Buy (save $130)

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Hankering for a home-cooked meal, but don't want to bust out all those kitchen gadgets to whip one up? Air fryers and convection toaster ovens are excellent options for delicious food in a flash, and there's a great deal on an 11-in-one kitchen gadget today.

As of March 30, Best Buy has the Ninja Foodi Dual Heat air fry oven on sale for just $159.99. That's $130 off its regular price of $289.99.

This Ninja Foodi model boasts a whopping 11 functions: air fry, rapid bake, frozen pizza, fresh pizza, sear crisp, air roast, griddle, bake, broil, bagel, and toast. That just about covers whatever you might need to cook up, even if it does double up on a couple of functions (yes, frozen and fresh pizza are pretty similar).

You can fit a variety of foods inside, from fries to veggies to meats, and feed hungry folks in a reasonable amount of time with this oven. Plus, it won't heat up the entire kitchen, a bonus for the hot summer months ahead. It'll need plenty of counter real estate, but it can likely take over the duties of some of your other cooking mainstays if space is at a premium.

Ready to add this bad boy to your kitchen lineup? Grab one fast, because the sale is only valid for today.

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Almost every cordless Dyson vacuum is on sale — save up to $170

UPDATE: Mar. 29, 2023, 3:15 p.m. EDT This post has been updated to reflect the current availability and sale pricing of Dyson vacuums, air-purifying fans, and hair tools. Shop our top picks below:

Our top picks this week:

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Best cordless vacuum deal

Dyson V12 Detect Slim (opens in a new tab) — $519.99 $649.99 (save $130)

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Best upright vacuum deal

Dyson Ball Multi Floor Origin (opens in a new tab) — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

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Best hair tool deal

Dyson Corrale (opens in a new tab) — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)

The automated convenience of a robot vacuum is undeniably sweet, but for some, a Roomba just can't compare to the rush or attention to detail of manual vacuuming. That's where Dyson comes in. Shop this week's deals on Dyson vacuums below. For help comparing models, check out our guide to Dyson's current stick, ball, canister, and handheld vacs.

Our top pick

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Credit: Dyson

Our pick: Dyson V12 Detect Slim (opens in a new tab)

$519.99 at Walmart (save $130)

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Why we like it

Dyson's best bang for your buck, the V12 Detect Slim, is seeing a wickedly-good silent deal at Walmart: Though the $519.99 listed doesn't have the usual strikethrough or "new" sale price, peeping Dyson's website shows that the vac's actual MSRP is $649.99 — and that Walmart is beating Dyson's own sale price by $30. The lightweight Mashable Choice winner comes with two cleaning heads, one being the iconic laser head that points out microscopic dust the naked eye won't catch.

More cordless Dyson deals

• Dyson V7 Advanced — $229.99 $399.99 (save $170)

• Dyson V8 Fluffy — $249.99 $424.89 (save $174.99)

• Dyson V8 Absolute — $349.99 $499.99 (save $150)

• Dyson V10 Animal — $449.99 $549.99 (save $100)

• Dyson V11 Torque Drive — $531.49 $699.99 (save $168.50)

• Dyson V15 Detect Absolute — $699.99 $799.99 (save $100)

• Dyson Outsize+ — $849.99 $949.99 (save $100)

Upright Dyson deals

• Dyson Ball Multi Floor Origin — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

• Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean — $407.99 $599.99 (save $192)

Dyson fan deals

• Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact TP7A — $379.99 $549.99 (save $170)

• Dyson Pure Hot + Cool HP01 — $399.99 $519.99 (save $120)

• Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Autoreact — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)

Dyson hair tool deals

• Dyson Corrale (first generation) — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)

• Dyson Airwrap (first generation, refurbished) — $429.99 $499.99 (save $70)

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The Series 8 is still $70 off, plus more of the best Apple Watch deals this week

UPDATE: Mar. 29, 2023, 1:30 p.m. EDT We've updated this post to reflect the most recent pricing and availability on Apple Watches.

• BEST OVERALL DEAL: The Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm, GPS) is the best upgrade choice if you also want standard fitness features — $329 $399 at Amazon and Walmart (save $70)

• BEST LUXE DEAL: The Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS + cellular) with graphite stainless steel case comes with an extra fancy case and band — $429 $650 at Walmart (save $220)

• BEST BUDGET PICK: The Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) is the watch to get if you're looking for a basic experience that doesn't break the bank — $239.99 $249 at Amazon (save $9.01)

It's been over seven years since the first generation Apple Watch began to grace people's wrists. In that time, the Apple wearable has evolved in size and power, and naturally, because it's Apple, price. If you're into the idea of having a fitness tracker, an extension of your phone, and all the world's conveniences (or, at least a few more than you're used to) wrapped around your wrist, but aren't into shelling out the max amount of cash, you've come to the right place. Every week, we'll keep a watch out (too much?) and update this post with the best Apple Watch deals from across the internet.

Apple Watch Series 8 deals

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Credit: Apple

Our pick: Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm, GPS) (opens in a new tab)

$329 at Amazon (save $70)

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Why we like it

The Series 8 discounts have been fluctuating these past few weeks, but with $70 off at Amazon and Walmart, now is the time to buy. While it's not an essential upgrade for everyone, for those who like their health trackers and are on the last legs of an older watch, or investing in one for the first time, the Series 8 is a great pick, especially at this price.

More Apple Watch Series 8 deals

• Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm, GPS) — $329 $399 at Amazon (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 8 (45mm, GPS) — $359 $429 at Amazon (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 8 (45mm, GPS + cellular) — $459 $529 at Amazon (save $70)

Apple Watch Series 7 deals

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Credit: Apple

Our pick: Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS + cellular) (opens in a new tab)

$299.99 at Target (save $69.01)

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Why we like it

$300 for a watch that nearly resembles the Series 8 isn't a bad deal. You'll get your pick of colorways (which are more extensive than that of the newer gen), the same 18 hours of battery life as the Series 8, and the same CPU (aka you won't notice a processing speed difference). The only reason we wouldn't jump on this deal is if you're not looking for a blood oxygen sensor or ECG monitoring, in which case you can get the experience you're looking for in the second-gen SE for about $60 less.

More Apple Watch Series 7 deals

• Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm, GPS) — $329.99 $399 at Target (save $69.01)

• Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS + cellular) with graphite stainless steel case — $429 $650 at Walmart (save $220)

Apple Watch SE deals

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Credit: Apple

Our pick: Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) (opens in a new tab)

$239.99 at Amazon (save $9.01)

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Why we like it

Unless you're into the blood oxygen and ECG sensors, we're betting you won't really notice the difference between the second-gen SE and the Series 8 (or the Series 7, tbh). The watch comes equipped with the same S8 chip, the same 18-hour battery life, and the same basic tracking features (steps, irregular heart rate notifications, etc) that got most people on the smartwatch train in the first place. Although $9 off isn't bad, it's not uncommon to see this watch drop to $30 off, so if you're able to wait, we recommend being patient until a bigger price cut comes along.

More Apple Watch SE deals

Second generation

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) — $269.99 $279 at Amazon (save $9.01)

First generation

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) — $199 $249 at Walmart (save $50)

Apple Watch Ultra deals

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Credit: Apple

Apple Watch Ultra (49mm, GPS + cellular) (opens in a new tab)

$779.99 at Amazon (save $19.01)

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Why we like it

We wouldn't recommend this watch for everyone, but if you're looking for a watch for the hardcore outdoor adventurer in your life, the Ultra is it. Its hefty price tag reflects an array of top-of-the-line features, including the largest watch face Apple's ever made, built-in cellular, 36 hours of battery life, a titanium case, 100m water resistance, and a host of advanced fitness metrics. We know that $19 off is far from the best markdown we've seen for this watch, but it still beats paying full price.

Spotify is coming for your perfectly curated playlists with Niche Mixes

Finally, there is a custom "Meme Mix" on Spotify.

Today (March 28), the streaming giant launched "Niche Mixes," its latest attempt to recommend more music to users. Every day Spotify will now serve you five to 10 playlists organized by wacky themes like "Angry Whistling" and "Egg Punk." What does "Egg Punk" mean? I have no idea.

To access these Niche Mixes, click on "Search," tap "Made for you," and scroll down to "Your Niche Mixes." My Niche Mixes include "Aggressive Heavy," which features a combination of artists I've never listened to (Slayer, Slipknot, and Poppy), and "Dark Moody," which appears to be more in line with my typical listening habits.

Niche Mixes come after Spotify unveiled a new video-forward home screen that features snippets of songs, audiobooks, and podcasts and an AI DJ that also distributes algorithmically generated recommendations to users. It's part of Spotify's effort to double-down on being the go-to destination to discover new content.

You can also search for custom Niche Mixes based on the "activity, vibe, or aesthetic that describes the moment you're in" by adding mix to a search term. Some Niche Mixes that came up from various searches include "Goblincore Mix," "Murder Ballad," and "Extreme Pirate."

However, the new mixes detract from some of the fun of the platform. I would hate to see users relying on Spotify's Niche Mixes instead of creating their own hyper-specific playlists. Previously, you might search a particular mood and be greeted by dozens user-generated playlists. User-generated playlists are at the center of modern music consumption and sharing. As a fellow user, they remind me that every silly little feeling I have someone else has had, too — and they've already chosen the perfect Taylor Swift song for it.

Personally, I would rather my abstract Spotify searches yield a playlist created by a 16-year-old girl than an algorithm.

Zoom announces AI features that act as your personal assistant

Zoom is jumping on the AI bandwagon with new features that help you stay on top of meetings.

On Monday, the video conferencing company announced additions to its AI-powered tool Zoom IQ. The new features leverage OpenAI's Large Language Model, or LLM, to summarize meetings, generate recaps, and draft chat and email responses. On the heels of announcements from Microsoft, Google, and Slack, Zoom is the latest major productivity tool to get the AI treatment.

Companies that offer services for businesses are going hard on AI, especially now that OpenAI has launched an API. Microsoft recently announced a similar tool for all of its Office apps called Copilot. Google added AI features for Gmail and Google Docs, and Salesforce launched the ChatGPT app for Slack. LLMs are able to quickly digest and analyze large amounts of information. So, the recent widespread availability of this technology is a game-changer for people who feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. With these kinds of AI integrations, it's like everyone gets their own personal assistant.

Compose chat responses with Zoom IQ. Credit: Zoom

Zoom IQ already uses AI to give users meeting information through chapters, highlights from recordings, and action items. But it is taking it a step further by integrating OpenAI's powerful generative AI model. If you're late to a meeting, Zoom IQ can summarize in real time what you've missed and ask questions for you. Using text prompts, it can generate brainstorms using Zoom's whiteboard tool. Zoom IQ can also generate meeting recaps and action items and post in Team Chat, Zoom's version of Slack, or summarize threads within Team Chat in case you step away from your computer and come back to a flurry of messages. If your Zoom account is integrated with your email and calendar, it can pull relevant information into a meeting agenda or compose an email draft.

The company says it will begin rolling out new Zoom IQ chat compose and Zoom IQ email compose in April to "select customers by invitation." The new Zoom IQ meeting summary features will be "available more broadly."

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Add the Lomi composter to your kitchen appliance lineup for less than $370

Save $130: As of March 28, the Lomi kitchen composter bundle is on sale for $368.91 at Pela, making it over 25% cheaper than the full-priced version of the tier below it, the $499 Lomi Basic.

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Credit: Pela

Lomi countertop composter (opens in a new tab)

$368.91 at Pela (save $130)

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Composting needs to be easy and accessible for it to catch on. The Lomi composter by Pela is one of the best current examples of how that could happen — a countertop composter that's as easy to load as the dishwasher.

The only thing barring Lomi's full accessibility is its $499 price tag. But a current sale at Pela offers a $130 cushion, bringing the Lomi down to $368.91. This makes the Lomi Bundle, which includes the first shipment of your two-year supply of carbon filter refills and LomiPod refills, more than $130 cheaper than the $499 Lomi Basic, which doesn't include those extras.

Even without eyeballing the statistics, you can probably imagine how much food your household wastes. (The smell of the trash can after a depressing fridge clean-out is a good indicator.) It's estimated that the average household wastes about a third of the food it accumulates each year. Nearly all of that waste is sent to the landfill, producing mass amounts of methane.

Lomi makes the personal climate action of composting way easier than the old-fashioned way of tending to a huge bin in the yard or hoarding scraps in the freezer to take to a local drop-off spot. Way more things can be put into Lomi than the average compost pile: the expected fruit and vegetable scraps, bread, meat scraps, and even pizza crust, plus paper products like napkins and any compostable packaging that, say, skincare products may come in.

A button on the front of Lomi decides the drying speed and type of dirt it'll produce during that session, which varies depending on the batch. (Grow Mode, for instance, can only run with a mix of fruits and veggies and produces compost that can be put in your garden or houseplant soil.) Either way, Lomi condenses that full bucket of "trash" into a handful or two of dirt in just a few hours. Pela claims that 100 Lomi cycles equate to 220 pounds of food waste diverted from landfills and 18 pounds of methane emissions avoided.

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Apple's iOS 17 may include some crowd-pleasing features

Apple wasn't planning to release major updates with iOS 17, the next operating system for the iPhone, expected later this year. But according to a new report, the plan has changed.

Per Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, iOS 17 is expected "to check off several of users’ most requested features." Following the release of iOS 16 — which came with flashy updates like editing or undo sending messages, a new lock screen with live updates, and batch photo editing — iOS 17 was initially intended to fine tune existing features and fix bugs, avoiding a replay of iOS's messy release.

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But now, that strategy has changed, Gurman continued. Apple is reportedly including several "nice to have" features that will meet popular demand. Of course, the features included in iOS 17 (codenamed "Dawn") remain to be seen. But Apple fans aren't shy about what they want to see.

Frequently requested features include volume control for alarms and FaceTime, the ability to set multiple timers, and sideloading apps outside of the App Store. Since Apple recently released a Voice Isolation for regular calls, we might expect further updates and new features related to call quality. And ChatGPT's popularity as an AI assistant has everyone is wondering whether Siri will get a much-needed update.

iOS 17 is expected to be announced at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June (WWDC). Until then, keep manifesting your iOS 17 wishlist.

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Best VPN for staying anonymous and secure on the web

Have you ever gotten the sneaking feeling that someone's creeping over your virtual shoulder while you browse the web? Don't freak out, but your gut is right: Your internet service provider (ISP) is tracking your every click to compile anonymous browsing logs they can potentially sell to advertising companies, or even cough up to government agencies in the interest of censorship. (And yes, that includes the clicks that brought you to this article.)

Connected to a free public WiFi network? You're basically inviting hackers to join in on the fun.

Your browser's Incognito/private mode only gets you so far, unfortunately — it'll clear your history, searches, cookies, and login deets, preventing other users of the same device from seeing what you've been up to, but it won't hide and secure your connection from your ISP and other prying eyes.

For actual internet anonymity, you can reclaim your privacy by getting yourself a virtual private network, or VPN.

What is a VPN?

A VPN is a service that creates an encrypted connection between your device and a private, remote server, which hides and secures your traffic. If browsing the web like normal is like taking a naked Jeep out on the highway (where anyone can see who you are, where you're going, and what you've got in the backseat), using a VPN is like driving an armored, tinted Humvee through a secret underground tunnel.

The technology's origin story isn't well-documented, but it's believed to have emerged at Microsoft in the mid-1990s. Initially used exclusively by businesses, subscription-based VPN services for the general public starting gaining popularity about a decade ago "after a flood of security breaches," per the cybersecurity and antivirus giant Kapersky.

What are the benefits of using a VPN?

There are a number of reasons why you might want to use a VPN, the main one being simply to stay anonymous online. The process of routing your traffic through a VPN masks your internet protocol (IP) address — the specific number that's assigned to your device when it's connected to a local network — which can otherwise reveal a surprising amount of personal information. (That includes your approximate whereabouts and the name of your ISP.) If someone decides to look up your device's IP address, they'll see your VPN server's location, not yours.

Along those same lines, using a VPN will allow you to access websites and services that may be blocked in certain places (like Netflix in China or YouTube at your school); you can choose a server in a region where your desired content is available to skirt geo-restrictions and firewalls.

Using a VPN is especially important if you regularly connect to public WiFi networks, even those that are password-protected. It's not difficult for nefarious parties to crack WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) encryption — the security protocol most coffee shops, airports, hotels, and subway stations use to protect their hotspots — and exploit any network vulnerabilities vulnerabilities for so-called man-in-the-middle attacks. One of the more popular methods is known as WiFi eavesdropping, or an "evil twin" attack, where hackers set up fake WiFi access points and trick users into connecting to them.

But even the WFH crew can get some good use out of a VPN: Aside from the obvious privacy factor when it comes to confidential company information, a VPN can establish a remote connection with your office's server so you've got access to internal networks and resources from home.

It's important to note that while some VPN plans come with malware and ad blockers, those are just bonuses. The VPN itself will disguise and conceal your traffic, but it can't shield you or your device from other online threats. (We recommend picking up some separate antivirus software for that kind of protection, even if you're on a Mac.)

Hold up — are VPNs legal?

Aside from the few countries that have restricted or outright banned them (including Belarus, China, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Oman, Russia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and the United Arab Emirates), VPNs are perfectly legal in most of the world. But keep in mind that illegal activities like torrenting copyrighted material, buying prohibited goods, and hacking are still illegal even with a VPN. Let's not get too brazen, here.

Along those same lines, using a VPN to unblock streaming services like Netflix from a country where it's not available isn't technically against the law, but it is a violation of the company's terms of use — i.e., you may get slapped with a warning or error message if caught.

What should I look for in a VPN?

Choosing a VPN can be tricky. There are a lot of providers out there, so you should definitely do your homework before signing up for a plan. Here are some criteria we recommend considering:

Trustworthiness. Above all, you want an experienced provider with a stellar track record and a clear-cut privacy policy that guarantees your data won't be logged or collected. (Bonus points if that policy's been verified by a third party audit.) One Google search can actually tell you a lot — a good VPN won't have made headlines for security bungles or customer data leaks.

Jurisdiction. The physical location of a VPN provider matters big time. Look for VPNs based in the British Virgin Islands, Panama, Switzerland, Romania, and other privacy-friendly countries that don't fall under the jurisdiction of the "eyes" intelligence-sharing alliances: There's the original Five Eyes, a Cold War-era coalition between the U.S., the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand; the Nine Eyes, an extension of the pact that includes Denmark, France, Norway, and the Netherlands; and the Fourteen Eyes, which added Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Spain to the mix. Any VPN provider operating from one of those countries can technically be forced by authorities to collect and fork over user data, so it's best to avoid them entirely. (That also underscores the importance of picking a no-logs VPN.)

Network size and diversity. The more servers (and server locations) you have to choose from, the less likely you'll have to share your IP address with a bunch of other users. That's great for two reasons — you've got more bandwidth to spare, and you're less likely to get detected by a streaming service that blocks VPNs. (IP addresses with heavy traffic loads are big red flags to Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and the like.)

Customer support. Realistically, you're bound to run into connection issues at some point no matter which VPN you choose, so having easy access to a responsible, reliable support team is on the "must-have" side of things.

A VPN gets extra points in our book if it comes with any of the following security features and tools:

• AES 256-bit encryption. Encryption is the process of scrambling data up into unreadable "ciphertext" that can only be decoded by authorized parties with access to a secret key or password. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit encryption is a super strong, military-grade encryption protocol that's effectively uncrackable.

• A kill switch. In the event your VPN connection drops or gets disrupted, a kill switch will immediately disconnect your computer/phone/tablet from the internet and block all traffic, keeping your real IP address under wraps until the connection is restored.

• Split tunneling. A split tunneling tool lets you pick and choose what traffic gets sent over your VPN; the rest gets routed over your local network to conserve bandwidth and prevent bottlenecks.

• Multihop connections. Some providers will give you the option to connect to a multihop (or double) VPN, which encrypts your data twice by routing your traffic through two servers instead of just one for extra security.

• Dedicated IPs. A dedicated IP is an IP address that's assigned to a single user (as opposed to one that's shared among multiple people). Providers usually charge a premium to add one to your VPN subscription, but it's worthwhile for better download speeds and avoiding the watchful eyes of streaming services that block VPNs.

Pro tip: Don't pick a VPN based exclusively on its performance in speed tests.

"For one thing, your internet experience will almost certainly be faster without a VPN," write the experts over at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, ZiffDavis). "For another, speeds depend so much on which server you use, where you are, what your network environment is like, and so on. You might find that the service that's as fast as lightning today is barely chugging along tomorrow." Factors like trust, server distribution, price, and ease of use are far more important.

That said, if you're super concerned about download speeds, upload speeds, and latency for activities like gaming and streaming, pick a VPN with a split tunneling tool (to prioritize those high-bandwidth activities) and a large server network (to decrease the likelihood that you share a server with someone else).

Should I pay for a VPN?

We recommend avoiding most VPNs that are entirely free to use; their terms and conditions are usually total crap, or they come bundled with spyware, or the companies behind them might sell the data they're logging from your usage. (To bring up that driving analogy once more, using a free VPN is like going through a tunnel riddled with holes and hidden cameras.) True privacy on the internet comes at a cost — usually around $2 to $12 a month, depending on the length of the subscription and the number of features included.

On the plus side, many providers offer week- or month-long trial periods so you can take their VPNs for a test drive before committing to a paid plan. Keep an eye out for sales, too, especially around the holidays. We've also rounded our favorite VPNs under $4 a month.

Without any further ado, here are the best VPNs of 2022 based our research and reviews. (Note: All pricing was accurate at the time of publication.)

Finally, there's a girlfriend simulator that can also file your taxes

This tax season, fall for MSCHF's dating sim, not tax scams.

On Monday, MSCHF launched a free anime dating game for doing your taxes. From the cheeky creator behind the Big Red Boots, Tax Heaven 3000 is a real, working game that enlists a dating sim named Iris to help you prepare your federal income taxes. "Hi there! Iris here," she says on the taxheaven3000.com website. "It’s always been a dream of mine to meet that special someone…and file their tax return. Join me and we’ll search for deductions while searching for love!"

Iris wants to find that special someone and file their tax return. Credit: MSCHF

Predatory tax filing services are the latest target of MSCHF, an art collective known for creating viral products that offer provocative commentary on late-stage capitalism, fandom, and hype-driven consumer culture. The company has generated media attention for its "Satan Shoes," custom Nike Air Max sneakers made in collaboration with Lil Nas X that contained a drop of blood, "Eat the Rich Popsicles," and "Ketchup or Makeup," packets that either contained ketchup or lip gloss. Now, MSCHF is calling out companies like TurboTax and H&R Block for taking advantage of confused taxpayers.

If you made less than $73,000, it is free to file your taxes in the U.S. But a ProPublica investigation revealed how tax-filing company TurboTax deliberately confuses and misleads customers into paying for their services. TurboTax also lobbies heavily to keep these using these deceptive tactics. As we enter the dreaded tax season, Tax Heaven 3000 is here to remind you that filing your taxes can be free...and sexy.

You can actually prepare your tax filing within the game. Credit: MSCHF

"TurboTax, per its own internal documents, is built on the 'Fear Uncertainty and Doubt' that ordinary people have about their taxes," says the website. "Against this we pit free software instead built on parasocial desire for intimacy and benign horniness! If TurboTax is Dark UI, TH3K is Pink UI, the nightcore of tax software."

Tax Heaven 3000 was leaked on Steam last week and subsequently taken down from the popular gaming platform. But Daniel Greenberg, co-founder of MSCHF, said it is now available via itch.io. You can also buy a collector's edition of the game on the Tax Heaven 3000 website for $90. The purchase includes a physical collector's box with a CD of the game, an instruction manual, an IRS mailing envelope, and an Iris body pillow (otherwise known as a dakimakura).

Snuggling up to Iris seems like a better investment of your money than paying for service that is technically free. At least she won't break your heart like the IRS.

Avoid Expensive Airfare: 3 Simple Tricks for Cheaper Plane Tickets - CNET

Save $15 on Tile trackers and never worry about lost luggage again

SAVE $15: As of March 27, you can save $15 on Tile's Performance Pack (2022). This pack includes one Tile Slim and one Tile Pro, so you can travel in confidence.

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Credit: Tile

Our pick: Tile Performance Pack (2022) (opens in a new tab)

$49.99 at Best Buy (save $15)

Get Deal (opens in a new tab)

We've all heard (or experienced) the horror stories about disappearing luggage while traveling by plane. But a tracker in your bag can help alleviate anxiety about missing bags, and even help track your bag down if the worst does come to pass. If you've yet to purchase a luggage tracker, now's a great time to do so.

Tile's Performance Pack is currently on sale at Best Buy for $49.99, down from $64.99, and comes with one Tile Slim and one Tile Pro Bluetooth tracker. These handy gadgets can track anything from keys to wallets, but they're especially useful for keeping tabs on your luggage while traveling.

The Tile Slim is a thin, credit card-sized tracker designed to easily slip into your wallet, luggage tag, or passport holder — it's discreet and functional. The Tile Pro, on the other hand, is a more robust tracker that can attach to your backpack, suitcase, or any other travel gear. Each tracker connects to the Tile app on your phone via Bluetooth, allowing you to keep tabs on your luggage no matter where it goes.

There's no price tag on peace of mind, so grab this deal for all your spring travel adventures while it lasts.

How to watch the Masters 2023 livestream online for free

SAVE 49%: ExpressVPN can access the Masters for free. A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £85.52 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off. Subscribers also get a money-back guarantee that can be used to stream for free.

Golf fans are a seriously dedicated bunch, so the wait for the first major championship of 2023 will have been tough to handle.

We know you've suffered greatly, so we're pleased to announce that the wait is almost over. The Augusta National just around the corner, and you can follow every shot on a range of streaming services. The only thing that could get in your way is travel and those dreaded geo-restrictions. If you're faced with this unnerving prospect, you should consider subscribing to a streaming-friendly VPN.

When is the Masters 2023?

The Masters begins in the Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, with the final round on April 9.

ESPN and CBS are hosting coverage of the tournament for viewers in the U.S. Full coverage will begin at 1 p.m. EST on the first few days of the competition, with more coverage scheduled across the weekend. Fans in the UK can enjoy exclusive live coverage on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event, with full coverage starting from 8 p.m. GMT on April 6-7, 7.30 p.m. GMT on April 8, and 6.30 p.m. GMT on April 9. BBC2 is also showing highlights later in the day.

That's fairly straightforward, but those aren't your only options.

Can you livestream the Masters for free?

ESPN and CBS are exclusively available for the American audience, and Sky Sports is only available in the UK. But that's not all, because most streaming services don't exactly come cheap. This is tough for those not subscribed, so plenty of golf fans will be looking for alternative ways to watch.

Fortunately, you can watch this year's tournament for free on a range of global services:

• 9Now (all rounds) — free in Australia

• CBS (third and fourth round) — free in the U.S.

• BBC iPlayer (only highlights) — free in the UK

The only way to access these global streaming platforms from abroad is with a VPN. That might sound scary, but it's actually a really simple process. With a streaming-friendly service, you can easily watch every round of the Masters on 9Now for free in just a few steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN

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 Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the Masters for free on 9Now

Most of the best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees. By using these guarantees, you can watch Masters livestreams for free.

What is the best VPN for the Masters?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking leading streaming sites like 9Now, CBS, and BBC iPlayer. Subscribers get strong connection speeds, powerful levels of encryption, a built-in password manager, and fast servers in 94 countries. Subscribers also get apps for every platform and can connect up to five devices simultaneously.

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £85.52 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This discounted plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can sign up to access the Masters and then recover your investment with the money-back guarantee. This is sneaky, but it works.

Watch the Masters 2023 for free with ExpressVPN.

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) (opens in a new tab)

£85.52 only at ExpressVPN

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Wordle today: Here's the answer, hints for March 27

Yikes, it's Monday again. Hopefully, a brand new Wordle can brighten your day. If you're struggling, don't worry — we're here with our daily hints and tips to help you figure out the solution.

If you prefer to just be told the answer, you can scroll to the end of this article for March 27's Wordle solution to be revealed. But if you'd rather work through it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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 have even sprung 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.

Not the day you're after? Here's the Wordle answer for March 25.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that brings joy to your heart. But if what brings you joy is strategy, 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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

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.

Why are there two different Wordle answers some days?

Though usually Wordle will only accept one correct solution per day, occasionally it will rebel against the norm and deem two different answers acceptable. This is due to changes the New York Times made to Wordle after it acquired the puzzle game.

The Times has since added its own updated word list, so this should happen even less frequently than before. To avoid any confusion, it's a good idea to refresh your browser before getting stuck into a new puzzle.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Highly prized fertilizer harvested from above.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

Not today!

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

What's the answer to Wordle today?

We're finally about to reveal the answer to today's Wordle, so get your guesses in now!

Are you ready?

The solution to Wordle #646 is...

GUANO.

Don't feel discouraged if you didn't get it this time. The beauty of Wordle is that there's always a new one to try the next day, and we'll be here again with more helpful clues and hints.