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TL;DR: Watch Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin in the Bundesliga for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Bundesliga season continues with Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin.
Bayern will see this game as an opportunity to make up some lost ground. They haven't made quite the unstoppable start to the 2026/27 season that most fans expected, with two wins out of a possible three. They're currently fourth in the league, and star striker Harry Kane has only netted one goal in three games.
Union Berlin are still looking for their first win of the season. Can they score an upset win over the defending Bundesliga champions?
If you're interested in watching Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin in the Bundesliga from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin?Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin in the Bundesliga kicks off at 2.30 p.m. ET on Sept. 18. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.
How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin for freeBayern Munich vs. Union Berlin in the Bundesliga is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can live stream Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer
Watch Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus Premier League action) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the Bundesliga?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries, including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.
Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Curious about AdultFriendFinder but nervous about what kind of personal information you'll have to provide to a well-known hookup site with a history of data breaches? You're right to be cautious about your data, but we're here to reassure you that you can sign up to AFF with a minimal contribution of personal information.
Here's the info you'll need to provide to AdultFriendFinder to sign up for both a free and a paid account.
Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder Learn More Free accountsBecause free accounts are extremely limited in what they can do on the site, there are very few actual requirements for signing up. At a minimum, you will need to provide AFF with your email address, date of birth, and location, as well as your marital status and sexual orientation. Unlike many other dating sites, which also require a public-facing profile photo, AFF allows you to browse the site anonymously, without having a single photo uploaded to your profile.
If even this paltry amount of information puts you off, consider that you can use a burner email address and not give away sensitive info, though if you want to earn verified status on AFF in the future, you will need to correct the record to match your government-issued identification.
Paid accountsIf you decide you enjoy the AdultFriendFinder experience and want to give yourself more freedom on the site to explore and message people, you'll need a premium membership, which means providing even more (and more accurate!) personal information about yourself.
Aside from the credit card number, you'll also need to provide an accurate address, including your country, city, state, and ZIP code.
If even that data commitment makes you nervous, but you still want to explore the site as a premium member, you can actually bypass having to provide a credit card (and the physical address needed to verify it) if you use one of their alternative payment methods, like a mail-in check, digital gift card, or prepaid debit card.
Not all of these payment options are available in every country, but if you really prize anonymity and data security, the prepaid account option is the most secure.
If you've spent some time on AdultFriendFinder, you might be interested to know that there's a larger network of sites that share its architecture and design philosophy. These sites are part of the FriendFinder Network, which encompasses a wide variety of sites, from mainstream dating sites to religiously focused dating services and even live cam sites.
Here are three of the most popular AFF alternatives run by the FriendFinder Network:
ALTALT is one of the largest kinksters-only dating sites on the web, with a much greater BDSM influence than even AdultFriendFinder. The user interface and site aesthetics are clearly inspired by AFF, but there's a much greater emphasis on connecting individuals to couples or couples to individuals, and the user base is largely well-schooled in the basics of BDSM.
If you're looking for a dedicated dom or want to explore the intricacies of Shibari with someone in your area, ALT offers a large number of like-minded daters. Sign up with an open mind, and you're guaranteed to have a good time.
BigChurchIf you've spent any time on AFF, it may surprise you to learn that one of the other sites under the FriendFinder network umbrella is a Christian dating site, but apart from the aesthetics and user interface, BigChurch has almost nothing in common with its naughty sibling.
As with many other FriendFinder sites, signing up is totally free, and BigChurch has a strong community aspect, with a biblical bent nearly everywhere you look. The homepage serves up not only a Bible verse (Genesis 2:24: "A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh" — what else!) but also a search bar, so instead of finding partners by shared kinks, you can find someone who shares your passion for Ephesians.
Cams.comIf you're more of a visual learner and want your dating experience to match, Cams.com is a great alternative to the more common, text-based approach to online dating. As with AFF, free members are somewhat restricted in what they can do on the site, though you can browse webcam feeds. If you upgrade to a paid account, the fun really begins, with HD webcam feeds and the option to tip, private message, or live video chat with other users.
There's also a very robust search filter, so you can find models of all ages, genders (trans-inclusive!), and ethnicities. One big caveat, though: as with AFF, there are scammers on Cams.com, often using pre-recorded video feeds, so take a second to verify the person you're watching is real before you spend a token on them or send them a message.
SAVE $26: As of Sept. 18, the Paramount+ discount code p2mcs26prem is still live. Enter it at checkout to get two months of Paramount+ Premium for just $0.99 per month. That's $13 per month in savings.
Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium $0.99Not to brag, but I've now scored six months of ad-free Paramount+ Premium for around $6 total. Yes, that's less than a single month of other streaming services and yes, I'm going to let you in on my secret.
As of Sept. 18, the secret Paramount+ discount code I wrote about last month is still active. There's no telling how long, so I suggest using it to sign up ASAP. New and returning subscribers can secure two months of streaming on Paramount+ Premium for just $0.99 per month by entering the code p2mcs26prem at checkout. That's less than $2 for two full months. Typically $13.99 per month, you'll save $26 total.
Be sure to choose the monthly Premium ad-free plan. Then click on "Have a promo code?" on the checkout page and enter p2mcs26prem. The discount will then automatically apply, knocking the monthly cost down to $0.99.
Paramount+ has become an essential streaming service for sports fans — particularly UFC fans. It's the exclusive home of UFC's marquee events, as well as 30 Fight Nights, including the historic championship rematch between Van and Pantoja this weekend (Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. ET). It's also where NFL fans without cable can watch live local AFC games on Sundays.
It has a lot more than just sports, though. It's also the home of your local CBS Network live, the entirety of Showtime's catalog (Yellowjackets, Dexter, etc.), Paramount Pictures theatrical releases (Scream 7, Passenger, etc.), nostalgic Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and MTV shows, and of course, Paramount+ Originals like Criminal Minds: Evolution, Dutton Ranch, and Golden Axe.
Remember to cancel before the two-month promo period is up, or the price will jump back up to $13.99 per month. Pro tip: If the code is still live after your two months end, you can sign up for another two months at 99 cents a pop.
TL;DR: The new Apple iPhone 18 Pro is available for free with T-Mobile. To claim, switch and bring your number or trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Free Apple iPhone 18 Pro Get DealWe've been blessed by a number of major smartphone drops in recent months. We got a new Motorola Razr lineup, new Google Pixels, and foldable phones from Samsung. But all of that feels sort of insignificant now, because Apple has taken over the news cycle.
After months of speculation, rumors, and leaks, Apple finally announced new iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods, and more. If you're interested in investing in the latest iPhones, T-Mobile is the place to be.
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is available for free right now with T-Mobile. There are two ways to take advantage of this limited-time deal:
Switch and bring your existing phone number on an Experience Beyond plan
Trade in a qualifying phone (in any condition) on an Experience Beyond plan
The full savings are distributed as monthly credits over a 36-month payment plan. As long as you intend to stay locked into T-Mobile’s top data tier for three years, it's easily one of the best ways to score Apple's premier hardware without a major hit to your budget.
T-Mobile does require you to pay local sales tax on the phone's full retail value upfront, plus a standard $35 device connection fee per line at checkout. That's a minor inconvenience to score the latest iPhone without a huge upfront cost.
Score the iPhone 18 Pro for free from T-Mobile.
While there's still been plenty of world-hopping, Dark Matter Season 2 has added an element of psychological family drama to its sci-fi mix.
In short, the Dessens are struggling. And while the family of three have tried their best to settle into something resembling a normal life, episode 4 suggests that dream is still a long way off.
So, what happens, and why does Daniela (Jennifer Connelly) leave at the very end? We've unpacked it below.
SEE ALSO: The 41 best Apple TV shows, ranked What happens at the end of Dark Matter Season 2, episode 4?After sending Charlie (Oakes Fegley) off to college in a version of Chicago where technology is a long way behind that of "our" world, Jason (Joel Edgerton) and Daniela sit in their suddenly too-quiet apartment drinking tea. But it's not long before Daniela starts to share something that's troubling her.
"We're not the people we used to be," she says. "I guess it was crazy to think that we could be. I think you feel it too. It's... something's wrong with me."
Jason asks her what's going on, and Daniela alludes to the hallucinations she's been having ever since they came to this version of Chicago.
"It's like I'm being followed," she says. "And I keep thinking I see these versions of you. But... it's something else. I'm scared of things that I see in you. But I don't know what to do with what I've done."
When Jason asks what he can do, Daniela says there's nothing.
"I think I need to go away," she finishes.
The episode ends with her leaving — going where, exactly, we don't know — while reassuring Jason that they'll always be each other's person.
Why does Daniela leave?It seems pretty clear at this point that most of the characters who've used the Box to travel to other versions of reality are suffering varying degrees of psychological damage as a result. Amanda (Alice Braga) has already confessed to Ryan (Jimmi Simpson) that she's experiencing a form of PTSD from her time travelling between realities with Jason in Season 1. And given that she herself is a psychiatrist, it seems likely that her diagnosis is correct.
Daniela, meanwhile, has not just travelled between realities; back in Season 2, episode 1, she even had to kill another version of her husband, who'd tracked the family to the world they were living in and who may have posed a threat. If travelling between worlds can give you PTSD, what does killing someone who looks exactly like your husband — who essentially is your husband — do to your mental health?
Probably not great things, as is evidenced by Daniela's increasing paranoia in Season 2. It's also complicated by the fact that she lives with a constant reminder of the person she shot dead. All of which is to say, Daniela's decision to leave the Dessen household in order to try to get better actually makes quite a lot of sense.
Will she be gone for ever? Almost certainly not. What she says to Jason before she leaves makes that clear enough. But perhaps she'll go on her own journey for a few episodes in an attempt to seek help, and to heal from the many traumas she's suffered.
Dark Matter Season 2 is streaming on Apple TV, with new episodes dropping every Friday.
We're now at the First Quarter Moon, when roughly half of the lunar surface visible from Earth is illuminated. The Moon will continue to get more illuminated each night until we reach the Full Moon.
What is today’s Moon phase?As of Friday, Sept. 18, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the First Quarter phase, with 45% of its surface visible.
You should be able to spot Mare Crisium, Mare Serenitatis, and Mare Fecunditatis with the naked eye. If you have binoculars, they'll also help you see the Endymion Crater, Posidonius Crater, and the Mare Nectaris. Finally, if you have access to a telescope, you'll see the Apollo 11 and 17 landing spots, and the Rupes Altai.
When is the next Full Moon?The next Full Moon will take place on September 26.
What are Moon phases?The Moon doesn't look the same from night to night. As it travels around Earth, which takes about 29.5 days, we see different portions of its illuminated side. This is what creates the lunar phases, with the Moon gradually progressing from a thin crescent to a half Moon and then a Full Moon before the cycle starts over. According to NASA, the phase we see is determined by the Moon's position relative to both Earth and the Sun.
The eight phases are:
New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.
Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.
While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 18, 2026 Pillow meaningA cushion designed for aesthetics or resting.
Cruise meaningA leisurely trip taken via watercraft.
Upper meaningThe higher part of something.
Step meaningA part of a journey.
Flight meaningWhen a plane or jet travels from one place to another.
Stair meaningSteps used to ascend or descend.
Platter meaningA tray used for serving food.
Landing meaningAn area at the top or bottom of a flight of steps.
Round meaningA circular shape.
Stage meaningA place where performances are held.
Takeoff meaningWhen an aircraft leaves the ground.
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Medley meaningA combination of things, often related to music.
Brief meaningA short amount of time.
Boarding meaningTo enter a plane, train, or boat.
Sampler meaningSmall amounts of items for testing or variety.
Phase meaningA part of a process.
Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
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 yesterday's Connections.
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you like to travel.
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 Pips hints, answers for September 18, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Parts
Green: Refreshments
Blue: Travel-related
Purple: Same second word
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Here are today's Connections categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Segment of a process
Green: Assortments of food/drink
Blue: Parts of a flight
Purple: Same second word
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 #1195 is...
What is the answer to Connections todaySegment of a process: PHASE, ROUND, STAGE, STEP
Assortments of food/drink: FLIGHT, MEDLEY, PLATTER, SAMPLER
Parts of a flight: BOARDING, CRUISE, LANDING, TAKEOFF
__ case: BRIEF, PILLOW, STAIR, UPPER
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
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 yesterday's Connections.
Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're good at finding common ground.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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 MashableBy 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 preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 18, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Shake on itThe words are related to decisions.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe arrangements.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
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NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Let's Make a Deal.
NYT Strands word list for September 18Pact
Contract
Agreement
Let's Make a Deal
Covenant
Treaty
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
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 yesterday's Strands.
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're ready for cooler weather.
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 hints today: Clues, answers for September 18, 2026 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 Pips hints, answers for September 18, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Describing a weather condition.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?No letters appear twice.
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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.
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...
SNOWY
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.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
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 yesterday's Wordle.
TL;DR: Create children’s books in minutes with this IllustratorMagic Pro Plan lifetime subscription, on sale now for just $39.99 (reg. $499).
Opens in a new window Credit: IllustratorMagic lllustratorMagic Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription $39.99AI has opened up a whole new world of side hustles. Want to become a children’s book author? Thanks to AI, that’s now easier than ever — just supply the ideas and let IllustratorMagic handle the rest. This powerful tool turns your concepts into fully illustrated children’s books.
Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to the IllustratorMagic Pro Plan for only $39.99.
Have a great idea for a kids’ book but no idea where to start? IllustratorMagic makes the process a breeze, letting you create storybooks, comic books, or even coloring books in no time.
With IllustratorMagic, the power of AI turns your concept into a publish-ready output. It helps generate your story, the illustrations for every page, and even the layout. Once you’re done, you can export it in the size that works best for your project — for ebooks, self-publishing platforms, and more.
You don’t have to worry about your projects sounding like they were written by a robot filled with stock characters. You can create the characters from scratch, or base them on real-life children that you know to create a great personalized gift or custom publishing project. They will be consistent throughout the book, unlike many generic AI image tools that don’t recreate characters the same way.
You can use IllustratorMagic in any browser, so it works anywhere with an internet connection. When you receive your finished project, you also have full commercial rights, so you can use it wherever and however you would like.
Your lifetime subscription to the Pro Plan gives you access to create up to 20 books per month and up to 1,000 books total. It also includes all future updates as they roll out.
Snag this IllustratorMagic Pro Plan lifetime subscription, on sale now for just $39.99 (reg. $499).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Get Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more with no monthly fee, only $29.97.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $29.97Paying a monthly subscription for apps only really makes sense if you’re doing it for a short time. For apps like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint that you end up using indefinitely, buying them outright is a much smarter, way cheaper option over time. That’s why more people are canceling Microsoft 365 and moving back to Microsoft Office.
A lifetime license for Microsoft Office Pro is only $29.97 (reg. $219.99).
This version of Microsoft Office comes with
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Outlook
Teams (free version)
OneNote
Publisher
Access
We know what you’re thinking, but rest assured, this isn’t some stripped-down lite version either. It’s the real deal. Whether you’re writing reports, crunching numbers, building presentations, managing emails, or wrangling databases, the lifetime version of Microsoft Office has you covered.
It’s a one-time download for one Windows PC, so once it’s yours, it’s yours. The full pro-level toolkit, minus the stress of a subscription. Plus, with instant license delivery and free customer support, getting started is as painless as your new spreadsheet workflow.
No more “trial expired” pop-ups. No more surprise charges. Just the latest versions of Microsoft’s best apps, ready to support all of your work and personal needs.
You don’t need to pay a monthly fee to get basic apps anymore. It’s only $29.97 to get a Microsoft Office Lifetime License.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
In the weeks before the 2026 midterm elections, adult performers are reminding you that it's "Hot2Vote."
Hot2Vote is a $100,000 ad campaign, made by over 100 adult creators, urging Georgia voters to "check their status" (voter registration) following a purge of over 470,000 names from the state's voter rolls last year.
The campaign includes SFW videos by entertainers like Cherie DeVille and King Noire. Also included in the campaign are pinup-style PSA posters that will be displayed in Atlanta's nightclub districts, digital ads geofenced to Atlanta nightclubs, and digital and pre-roll ads on adult sites that are matched to Atlanta voters.
SEE ALSO: Lily Phillips, other OnlyFans creators spread the word about climate changePerformers will also distribute posters and QR codes linking to Hot2Vote's website on the ground in Atlanta so people can check their registration in real-time.
"Over the next few weeks, my team and I will be out hitting the clubs around Atlanta and connecting with our community to make sure everyone checks their voter registration status," said Hazel Grace, an Atlanta-based performer and owner of production company InMelanin, in a press release shared with Mashable.
These ads are designed to reach people who aren't engaged in traditional political ads, and are estimated to reach between 400,000 and 450,000 people (mostly men) in the metropolitan Atlanta area, according to the press release.
Hot2Vote is reminiscent of the 2024 Hands Off My Porn campaign, which sought to raise awareness about Project 2025 (the conservative blueprint for Donald Trump's second presidential campaign).
It comes at a time of other sex worker advocacy, as well. In the UK, the web series Headline Newds spreads the word about climate change with popular porn performers.
The Hot2Vote ad campaign runs through Oct. 4, a day before Georgia's voter registration deadline ahead of the November elections.
If VidCon has always meant a summer trip to Anaheim, it’s time to rethink your plans. The creator convention is leaving Southern California for the foreseeable future. Instead of its usual format, organizer LIONS (which runs the Cannes Lions advertising festival) is bringing it to Nashville next fall under a new name: VidCon x LIONS Creators.
It’ll be part of a larger marketing festival called Insight to Impact, launching in Denver in October 2026 before moving to Nashville in 2027. VidCon won’t be at the Denver debut, but it will appear at the annual Cannes Lions advertising festival in France in June 2027. LIONS also says in a release that the more recognizable fan-focused part of VidCon is planned for its Nashville apperance — not Cannes.
That leaves the biggest question for longtime attendees unanswered: what will the Nashville experience actually be like? LIONS says it will share details about the format and programming later this year.
It’s a significant move for an event with deep roots in Anaheim. Founded by YouTubers Hank and John Green in 2010, VidCon first came to the city in 2012. What began as a gathering of YouTube creators and their viewers grew into an event with separate passes and programming for fans, emerging creators, and industry professionals.
SEE ALSO: Why VidCon still matters in 2026The creator world grew with it. Today, creators build audiences across TikTok, Twitch, Instagram, and podcasts, often turning their work into careers and businesses. At VidCon 2026, Mashable spoke with Jessica McCabe about turning her experience with ADHD into a trusted resource, engineer-turned-comedy creator Alberta Tech about explaining technology online, and the creators behind Tubby Nugget about turning a doodle into a brand. Fans, meanwhile, came to see the people they knew from their screens. VidCon brought those groups together in one place.
That mix helps explain the partnership with LIONS Creators. Launched in 2023, the program takes place during the Cannes Lions advertising festival each June. This year’s program ran from June 22 to 26, with talks, workshops, and opportunities for creators to meet brand representatives, agencies, and platform leaders. Its focus on the business of being a creator is already a familiar part of VidCon.
VidCon and LIONS share a parent company, Informa, which acquired VidCon from Paramount in 2024. LIONS Creators will return to Cannes Lions in June 2027, and VidCon will have a presence there. The combined VidCon x LIONS Creators event will debut in Nashville later that fall.
After so many summers in Anaheim, VidCon regulars know when and where they’re headed next. What they’ll find when they get there is still taking shape.
A change of season has a way of making your closet, your haircut, and perhaps your entire personality feel due for an upgrade. Maybe you want a fresh look for the months ahead. Maybe you’re bored of doing your makeup the same way every morning. Or maybe we’ve all spent a little too much time looking at ourselves through our phone cameras.
That familiar urge to change something may help explain why people are uploading selfies to ChatGPT and asking how to "glow up."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.The results have prompted everything from "I want hair extensions now" to questions about whether the suggested changes are truly achievable — and why we’re asking a chatbot to tell us how to look better in the first place. (As one X user put it, the trend is "Dystopian as hell.") Naturally, I wanted to see what the fuss was about. So I snapped a selfie and uploaded it to ChatGPT.
I wanted to re-create the glow-up boards I’d seen people sharing on X. Here’s the prompt I arrived at to get this result after trying it myself (after a few rounds of trial and error).
Credit: Olivia Tauber/ChatGPTAfter attaching a clear selfie, paste:
Turn my selfie into a personalized glow-up guide and before-and-after image. Study my visible features and choose four to six realistic changes I could make with hair styling, makeup, or accessories. Tailor the suggestions to me rather than applying a generic beauty trend.
Create one landscape board with my original selfie on the left labeled "Before," a realistic preview on the right labeled "After," and a column titled "Your glow-up plan." In that column, explain exactly how to recreate each change, including what to ask for at a salon and how to apply any suggested makeup. Add four labeled close-up details along the bottom.
Keep my face, eye color, skin tone, age appearance, and natural skin texture recognizable. Do not reshape my features or make my hair unrealistically thick. Keep the lighting and angle similar on both sides, and make all text clear and readable.
So, did the prompt reveal the secret to a whole new me? Not quite. I deliberately uploaded a no-makeup selfie to see whether ChatGPT would suggest anything I hadn’t tried. Most of its plan (brushed-up brows, defined lashes, blush, and a lip color close to my natural one) was already my usual makeup routine. The hair layers gave me something to think about, but "wear lip gloss" wasn’t exactly the beauty breakthrough I’d been waiting for.
Online, though, plenty of people were impressed. One X user wrote that ChatGPT "actually gives great glow up advice," while another marveled at how a few small changes could make someone look so different — even if they couldn’t quite pinpoint what had changed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Others thought they could identify the changes — and that they went beyond styling. "It’s 90% fluff," one user wrote. Another argued that while hair can change, the image also appeared to alter eyebrow and jaw structure. Another said the AI "elongated your face" and added "some extra forehead." One commenter objected that these results can be "unachievable" because the images alter a face’s natural shadows and features. A few users online (interestingly, all male) felt they preferred their "before" pictures better.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.There was also the question of where all those selfies go. "go girls provide your biometric data to ai repositories," one commenter joked. That isn’t verified, but uploading your face does mean handing the image to OpenAI. According to its file-storage guidance, photos uploaded to ChatGPT can be saved in your Library, and deleting the chat won’t necessarily delete the photo; you may need to remove it from Library separately. OpenAI also says uploaded files may be used to improve its models if "Improve the model for everyone" is on. You can turn that setting off before submitting a selfie.
For some people, one image is only the beginning. In a Reddit post about building a six-month glow-up plan, a user described giving ChatGPT their skincare, hair, and body goals and asking for a step-by-step routine. In the comments, one person said they did something similar, entering an ingredient list for 30 products, then asking the chatbot to turn its picks into a shopping list and an instructional guide. Others use AI to consider color palettes, sort through a makeup collection, or put together outfits from clothes they already have. Creator Marina Gudov’s uploaded photos of herself and her makeup products so ChatGPT could assess the colors in a viral TikTok series.
SEE ALSO: ChatGPT '80s trend: Prompts to try it yourselfBut a request for a new makeup routine can turn into something more consequential. Some glow-up prompts ask ChatGPT to act like a dermatologist, assess skin concerns from a photo, or build a treatment schedule. Others invite it to suggest cosmetic procedures. One beauty creator told ChatGPT, "Tell me what to do, no matter how crazy. I’m open to anything." The resulting "summer glow-up" plan included microneedling, Botox, and filler, according to Dazed.
All these recommendations can sound authoritative even though a chatbot has not examined the person or taken a medical history. The American Academy of Dermatology cautions that chatbots can draw on inaccurate information and advises checking skin-care decisions with a dermatologist.
It’s hard to separate this trend from a culture that keeps finding new ways to tell us we could look better. Scroll through beauty TikTok and "getting ready" can look like a full overnight shift. In the morning shed, creators go to bed wearing combinations of hair wraps, face masks, under-eye patches, face tape, chin straps, and even tape over their mouths, then film themselves peeling everything off in the morning. Elsewhere on the feed are red-light masks and skin-care products made with ingredients such as beef tallow or salmon-derived DNA.
Men are in on the glow-up conversation, too, though some have a different word for it: looksmaxxing. It can mean a better haircut or skin-care routine, but its extremes include food restriction and "bone smashing" — hitting your face in the hope of reshaping it. Prominent influencer Clavicular has even claimed to use methamphetamine to stay lean.
There’s a reality check for the "after" images, by the way. Hair and makeup artists told Axios back in April that clients increasingly arrive with AI-generated inspiration photos. A stylist can work toward a color or add volume with extensions, but the picture might also have invented a hairline, impossible roots, or a face that looks different under the digital makeup.
Personally, I didn’t see a dramatic difference between my "before" selfie and the AI "after." The more useful part was asking what I could actually do. I can see myself using ChatGPT to sort through makeup I already own, suggest a routine for my skin type, or plan meals around my preferences and budget. But if you want my take, skip the makeover image and ask a specific question. Your eyebrows do not need a performance review. (Trust me.)
Earlier this summer, Apple increased prices on lots of existing products and followed up with higher prices for new iPhone models in September. It sounds like that trend might continue into next year and beyond.
According to a lengthy social post by Semiconductor Insider and reporting by Digitimes (via Apple Insider), Apple may have agreed to a deal to pay $2.00 per Gb of dynamic random access memory, or DRAM. That's the stuff that most modern electronics need to function properly, and demand for it from AI data centers is one of the main drivers of the "RAMageddon" price hikes we've all experienced in the past year or so. Apple had previously paid $1.50 per Gb of DRAM.
SEE ALSO: WatchOS 27 removes a feature from your Apple Watch This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.That means more price increases for Apple products, including iPhones, are possible in 2027 and beyond. The iPhone Duo, which launches at $1,999 later this year, could conceivably cost even more by this time next year.
That's not necessarily a guarantee that it will cost more: Apple might find creative ways to absorb the higher costs. But the possibility could put pressure on consumers to buy now, before already-expensive devices get even pricier. Something is going to have to give at some point.
Hunger Games fans, are you still buzzing over the latest Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping trailer? Craving even more information about the film before it hits theaters in November? Don't worry: We've got you covered.
SEE ALSO: 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' trailer teases a treat for book fansIn August, I attended a Sunrise on the Reaping filmmaker presentation in New York, where director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson screened the first 20 minutes of the movie, as well some key scenes. While we didn't see Sunrise on the Reaping in its entirety, what we did see certainly left me eager for more. From the introduction of young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) to the brutal beginning of the second Quarter Quell, here's what the footage entailed.
The opening to Sunrise on the Reaping is ripped straight from the book. Jesse Plemons, Joseph Zada, and Glenn Close in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping." Credit: Murray Close / LionsgateSunrise on the Reaping's first 20 minutes are as close to a one-to-one adaptation of Suzanne Collins' novel as you can get. Like in the novel, the film opens on Haymitch's birthday, which also happens to be the day of the reaping. Before the Capitol chooses the next tributes for the 50th Hunger Games, Haymitch goes about his day as usual in District 12. Unlike Woody Harrelson's hard-drinking, cynical take on the character in the original films, Zada's Haymitch is friendly, kind, and hopeful. Learning how he lost that innocence is the devastating key to Sunrise on the Reaping.
Haymitch meets his love interest Lenore Dove (Whitney Peak) just outside of District 12, where they have a heart-to-heart about the reaping. In his mind, the Capitol will always be in control, and the Hunger Games will always happen. Lenore has a different view, though, hoping for resistance and a future free from the Capitol's tyranny. Given that Collins opens Sunrise on the Reaping with a quote from Scottish philosopher David Hume about implicit submission, it's exciting to see that Sunrise on the Reaping is fully engaging with those themes.
SEE ALSO: Fall movie preview: All the 2026 films you need to know about(Speaking of Lenore, the film opens with a musical nod to Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven," the poem Lenore is named after. Given the role of the poem in the final section of the book, its presence here is a full-on gut punch to readers.)
The opening continues on to the reaping, hitting the same beats as both The Hunger Games and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. As Lawrence told press, "this story can be an entry point for new fans."
However, this reaping is unlike any we've seen in the prior films. A violent crackdown from Peacekeepers means the Capitol has to restage an entire chunk of the reaping. Here, both Capitol escort Drusilla Sickle (an uncanny, delightfully unhinged Glenn Close) and cameraman Plutarch Heavensbee (Jesse Plemons) take center stage, showing the machinations behind the Capitol's propaganda machine.
Sunrise on the Reaping introduces Caesar Flickerman behind the scenes. Kieran Culkin in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping." Credit: LionsgateSunrise on the Reaping's deep dive into the Capitol's propaganda continues in another scene that Lawrence and Jacobson showed: the introduction of a younger Caesar Flickerman (Kieran Culkin).
In the original films, viewers mostly saw him conducting live interviews in front of a Capitol audience, or offering commentary on the games themselves. Sunrise on the Reaping offers up a glimpse of him behind the scenes as he meets the tributes for the first time. He, like Plutarch, is obsessed with capturing the right shot for the Capitol (and his own personal image). As a result, he's rude, callous, and dismissive of the tributes. Typical Capitol behavior, right? Still, it's a new, even more unnerving side to Caesar.
Sunrise on the Reaping's Cornucopia bloodbath is brutal. Credit: LionsgateLawrence and Jacobson also showcased the beginning of the second Quarter Quell. The scene begins with bubbly stylist Effie Trinket (Elle Fanning) helping prepare Haymitch for the games, a hint at their long partnership to come. From there, the tributes ascend into the arena, where they're greeted with shocking beauty: Rolling green hills, stunning wildflowers, adorable bunnies, and butterflies flitting about. But this being the Hunger Games, you know that all that beauty and vibrant color conceals something much more deadly and sadistic.
The footage screened at the press event did not showcase these deadly twists yet. Instead, it focused on the bloodbath at the Cornucopia, in which Haymitch fights to escape the Careers in a brutal sequence. In terms of action and the scale of the arena, the scene feels akin to Catching Fire. Lawrence himself said that Sunrise on the Reaping is "similar structurally and tonally" to Catching Fire. That's a high bar to set, given that the book and the film are widely considered to be the best installments in the series. However, based on the exceptionally strong footage Lawrence and Jacobson screened, Sunrise on the Reaping may be able to meet — or even top — that standard.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping hits theaters on Nov. 20.
Apple's new AirPods 5 are an anomaly.
In a year where tech prices are rising across the board, the latest AirPods were announced at last week's Apple keynote event with a shocking feature: a lower price point than the previous generation.
So what's the catch? Well, therein lies the anomaly — there really isn't one. In fact, Apple added more features to the new earbuds, and again, they cost less than the AirPods 4. Below, you'll find the breakdown of exactly how the AirPods 5 reign superior.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 5 $124.99 at AmazonAs a note, Mashable's team is still working its way through testing the new earbuds, so an updated head-to-head comparison is in the pipeline. In the meantime, this is how the new AirPods 5 stack up against the previous generation in specs, features, and design. (And if you're curious about how this comparison is between the AirPods 5 and Pro 3, you can check out our full breakdown.)
AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 5: Price The AirPods 5 are here. How do they stack up? Credit: AppleBoth the AirPods 4 and AirPods 5 have two models: a budget and a more mid-tier option. The big change in the AirPods 5, however, is that both models have active noise cancellation. In the AirPods 4, the main reason to spring for the more expensive model is the ANC. Between the two budget models, Apple kept the prices flat, but for the AirPods 5, it slashed the price of the more expensive model by $30. The full price breakdown is as follows:
AirPods 4 — $129
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation — $179
AirPods 5 — $129
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case — $149
It is worth noting that the AirPods 4 without ANC frequently drop down to $99 (as they are at the time of writing). The AirPods 4 with ANC can often be found on sale for $149. However, it is worth noting that holiday sale season is kicking off next month with Amazon's annual October Prime Day (and the many competing sales), so while it's not a given that the newer earbuds go on sale, it's not an impossibility. Still, even if the discrepancy in the $99 sale price of the AirPods 4 and the $129 full price of the AirPods 5 holds, it's $30 more for the benefit of having ANC.
AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 5: SpecsThe spec breakdown for the four different pairs of AirPods is as follows:
AirPods 4Active noise cancellation: Yes
Battery: Five hours of listening time, 30 hours total with the case
Listening modes: Adaptive audio and transparency
Controls: Force sensor for playback and calls
Charging: USB-C charging case
Find My: Not available on this charging case
IP rating: IP54
Active noise cancellation: Yes
Battery: Four hours of listening time (five without ANC), 20 hours total with case (or 30 without ANC)
Listening modes: Adaptive audio and transparency
Controls: Force sensor for playback and calls
Charging: USB-C charging case, MagSafe, Qi compatible
Find My: Speaker included to work with Find My
IP rating: IP54
Active noise cancellation: Yes
Battery: Four hours of listening time (six without ANC), 20 hours total with case
Listening modes: Adaptive audio and transparency
Controls: Force sensor for playback and calls
Charging: USB-C charging case
Find My: Not available on this charging case
IP rating: IP57
Active noise cancellation: Yes
Battery: Five hours of listening time (seven without ANC), 22 hours total with case
Listening modes: Adaptive audio and transparency
Controls: Force sensor for playback, calls, and volume swipe controls
Charging: USB-C charging case, MagSafe, Qi compatible
Find My: Speaker included to work with Find My
IP rating: IP57
Side-by-side, it'll be hard to spot the differences between the two AirPods. The cases look the same, as does the (somewhat) open-ear design of the buds. The internals of the AirPods 5 have a new multiport acoustic architecture, but we'll get more into what differences that makes below.
With a slightly higher IP rating of IP57 to the 4's IP54, the AirPods 5 are also slightly more equipped for dust and water resistance.
AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 5: Noise cancellationAccording to Apple, both models of the AirPods 5 have one and a half times the noise cancellation power of the AirPods 4 with ANC. Naturally, both are far superior to the base AirPods 4, which offer no active noise cancellation.
The fruit company also claims that the Transparency mode sounds more natural on both newer models.
AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 5: Sound qualityIn Apple's announcement of the earbuds, they touted the multiport acoustic architecture, which was modeled after the internal sound system of the AirPods Pro 3.
SEE ALSO: The 10 best wireless earbuds we've ever testedIn practice, this helps Apple provide a better adaptive equalizer experience (which comes in handy, as there's no manually customizable equalizer as there is on most other earbuds. It also helps the earbuds produce richer, more detailed sound, as well as better ANC, which helps the audio take center stage.
AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 5: FeaturesBoth models of the AirPods 5 come with Live Translation, whereas the AirPods 4 with ANC is the only previous-gen model that could perform Live Translation.
Which is better: AirPods 4 or 5?Undeniably, the AirPods 5. Both models offer improvements in noise cancellation, sound quality, and overall user experience, all for the same or lower prices as the previous gen. It's rare that Apple comes out with a better product that's also a better value, so my advice is to take advantage of it while they have.
Where to buy the AirPods 4 and AirPods 5 Amazon Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30) Get Deal Best Buy Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation $149.99 (save $29.01) Get Deal Available September 18 Apple AirPods 5 $124.99 (save $4.01) Pre-Order Here Available September 18 Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case $149 Pre-Order Here
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