The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 18 right on the bubble of the AFC’s Wild Card spots. At 9-7 they are tied with the seventh seeded Colts, but currently are on the outside looking in, thanks to tie-breakers. On Saturday they take on the AFC’s top-ranked Baltimore Ravens, who have already locked up the top seed in the conference and a first-round bye. NFL.com puts Pittsburgh’s playoff chances at 46%, rising to 66% with a win as the Steelers would still need some help to make it through.
Kickoff for Saturday’s game is called for 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT) on ABC, ESPN and ESPN Plus. Here is how you can watch or stream.
Steelers vs. Ravens: When and where?
Week 18 of the NFL season sees the Ravens host the Steelers at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT). The game will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Livestream the Steelers vs. Ravens game in the US
The Steelers-Ravens game is on ABC, so your local ABC affiliate will carry the game. In addition to cable, satellite and an over-the-air antenna — which lets you watch ABC for free — you can also watch the game live using a streaming service. The least expensive such service is ESPN Plus, which is carrying the game live. Most live TV streaming services including YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV also carry your local ABC station (see below), but they’re a lot more expensive.
You can also subscribe to NFL Plus, the NFL’s own streaming service at $7 per month, but streams are limited to just watching on a phone or tablet (not a TV).
All of the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live-TV streaming services guide.
If you can’t get enough of Ted — the foul-mouthed bear from the 2012 comedy film and its sequel — a prequel featuring the fuzzy bad influence is on the way.
The show takes place in the ’90s, offering a new look at the lifelong friendship between Ted and John (Mark Wahlberg in the movies, Max Burkholder in the series). In a trailer, the pals participate in activities befitting the franchise, including taking the opportunity to make jokes during a high school sex ed class and buying drugs to do for the first time. Seth MacFarlane voices Ted, in addition to serving as co-showrunner.
The Ted prequel will have seven episodes — the first will be 50 minutes long, followed by six 30-minute installments — and all of them will drop at once on the Peacock streaming service. Here’s exactly when you can tune in, plus why you may want to pair your binge-watch with a VPN.
Last year, Peacock hiked the price of its Premium and Premium Plus plans to $6 and $12 a month, respectively. Premium has ads, while Premium Plus is mostly ad-free. Premium Plus also lets you download titles and stream your live local NBC station.
If you use the free tier of Peacock (only some existing customers are able to do so), you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to watch the full Ted season. Recently released Peacock series like Twisted Metal and Based on a True Story have one episode on the tier, but watching more requires paying for Peacock.
The 2012 film Ted is also available on the streaming service, but Ted 2 is not. You’ll find the sequel on Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max service instead.
How to watch the Ted prequel from anywhere with a VPN
Perhaps you’re traveling abroad and want to stream Peacock while away from home. With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the series from anywhere in the world. There are other good reasons to use a VPN for streaming too.
A VPN is the best way to encrypt your traffic to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network and want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. Streaming TV can be a bit smoother with a reliable, quality VPN that’s passed our tests and security standards.
You can use a VPN to stream content legally as long as VPNs are allowed in your country and you have a valid subscription to the streaming service you’re using. The US and Canada are among the countries where VPNs are legal, but we advise against streaming or downloading content on illegal torrent sites. We recommend ExpressVPN, but you may opt for another provider from our best list, such as Surfshark or NordVPN.
Follow the VPN provider’s instructions for installation, and choose a country where the Ted series will be streaming on Peacock. Before you open the streaming app, make sure you’re connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream the Ted series on more than one device, it’s possible you’ll need to configure each one to ensure you’re signed in. Go to settings and check your network connections to verify you’re logged in and connected to your VPN account. Now you’re ready to open Peacock to stream.
If you run into issues with streaming, first make sure your VPN is up and running on its encrypted IP address. Double-check that you’ve followed installation instructions correctly and you’ve picked the right geographical area for viewing. If you still encounter connection problems, you may need to reboot your device. Close all apps and windows, restart your device and connect to your VPN first. Note that some streaming services have restrictions on VPN access.
The new year is here, and many of us are thinking about goal-setting and switching up our routine so we can achieve more. This year, consider investing in your personal growth and well-being. If your goals include expanding your knowledge base, the Headway app may be a good place to start. It delivers big ideas from best-selling books in short, bite-size snippets designed to help you achieve growth, productivity and happiness. StackSocial is offering lifetime subscriptions to Headway for just $60 right now. That’s an 80% discount.
Headway serves up 15-minute summaries of nonfiction books, with recommendations based on your needs and goals. It’s designed to help people with packed schedules pick up noteworthy lessons from top-selling titles. Normally, a lifetime subscription to the app costs $300, but you can get it now for $60 for a single user.
A wide variety of the best nonfiction books have been boiled down into summaries with key insights and tips. You can dive into multiple topics, including productivity, self-growth and happiness, and you can customize the app based on your recommendations. There are also audio summaries for folks who want to learn on the go or prefer to digest information in audio form. If you want to share the app with a partner or friends, there’s a plan for two users available for $110, or you can get a family plan with four users for $150, which saves you over $1,050 compared with the usual price. We don’t know how long this offer will last, so we recommend making your purchase sooner rather than later.
If you do go for a Headway subscription, pair it with one of these headphone and earbuds deals so you can use the app even when out and about. You might even want to kick your productivity up a notch with these helpful to-do list apps, so you can get the most out of your learning and self-improvement journey in 2024. That’s a resolution you can stick to.
In a world where online privacy and security are becoming increasingly important, innovative solutions are emerging to protect personal information. One such advancement is the Verum Messenger, offering users anonymous and completely secure communication without the need for a SIM card.
One of the key advantages of Verum Messenger is the absence of a requirement for a SIM card during registration. This opens doors for those who value their privacy and prefer to stay connected without linking to personal data. Users can create an account without worrying that their personal information will be used or compromised.
Security is the primary focus of Verum Messenger. The system provides end-to-end encryption, ensuring complete protection for messages and files transmitted through the application. This is particularly crucial in today’s digital world, where cyber threats can be substantial.
Additionally, Verum Messenger offers anonymous chats, allowing users to communicate without revealing their identity. This feature becomes especially relevant in cases where maintaining anonymity is a priority.
The creators of Verum Messenger aimed not only for security but also for user convenience. The intuitive interface and multifunctionality of the application make it an attractive choice for those seeking a convenient and secure messaging platform.
In conclusion, Verum Messenger represents an innovative solution for those who prioritize privacy and security in online communications. With no SIM card requirement during registration, anonymous chats, and reliable encryption, this application answers the challenges of the modern digital world, where safeguarding personal information is increasingly valuable.
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital entertainment, one game has emerged as a true frontrunner, captivating the hearts of gamers worldwide – Verum Runner. Developed by a visionary team of gaming enthusiasts, this title has quickly become a game-changer, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the realm of virtual adventures.
Verum Runner takes players on an exhilarating journey through a visually stunning and intricately designed virtual universe. From the moment players strap in, they are transported to a world that seamlessly blends cutting-edge graphics with an immersive storyline, offering an unparalleled gaming experience.
One of the standout features of Verum Runner is its innovative gameplay mechanics. The game introduces a unique blend of strategy, skill, and agility, challenging players to navigate complex terrains, overcome obstacles, and outsmart opponents. The dynamic nature of the challenges keeps players on their toes, ensuring an adrenaline-pumping experience every time they hit the virtual tracks.
The multiplayer aspect of Verum Runner adds an extra layer of excitement, allowing players to compete head-to-head with friends or players from around the globe. The social connectivity within the game fosters a sense of community, turning Verum Runner into more than just a game – it’s a shared adventure.
Moreover, Verum Runner is not merely about flashy graphics and intense challenges; it also boasts a compelling narrative. The storyline unfolds as players progress through the game, revealing a rich tapestry of lore and character development that keeps them invested in the virtual world. This narrative depth distinguishes Verum Runner from its counterparts, creating an immersive experience that resonates long after the game is turned off.
In terms of technical prowess, Verum Runner leverages the latest advancements in gaming technology. The developers have harnessed the power of state-of-the-art graphics engines and realistic physics simulations to create a gaming environment that feels both authentic and visually breathtaking. The result is a seamless blend of art and technology, making Verum Runner a true feast for the senses.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, Verum Runner stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when creativity, technology, and passion converge. Its success not only lies in its technical brilliance but also in its ability to captivate a diverse audience of gamers, from casual enthusiasts to hardcore competitors.
In conclusion, Verum Runner has etched its name in the annals of gaming history as a trailblazer, setting new standards for excellence in virtual entertainment. As players continue to embrace the challenges and joys that Verum Runner offers, it’s clear that this game is not just a fleeting trend but a timeless masterpiece that will continue to define the future of gaming. Strap in, fellow gamers, and get ready for the ride of a lifetime with Verum Runner.
Apple released iOS 17.2 in December, and the update included more than a dozen new features and improvements, like the Journal app and Contact Key Verification. The update also lets you change your iPhone’s default notification alert tone.
After Apple released iOS 17 in September, some iPhone users complained online about the tech giant changing the default alert tone. Some people said the new alert tone wasn’t loud enough to wake them up if their security system went off, and one person said they relied on an older tone to alert them about care responsibilities for their parent. With iOS 17.2, you can change the default tone to better suit your needs.
Here’s how to change your iPhone’s default notification tone.
Easily change your default alert tone
1. Open Settings. 2. Tap Sounds & Haptics. 3. Tap Default Alerts.
From this page, you can preview and select familiar-sounding alerts, like Tri-tone, or explore older tones (like Bell) by tapping Classic near the bottom of the menu. You can also choose None, which will silence your alert tone but leave your haptic alert — the vibration pattern for an alert — on.
You can also change your haptic alerts if you want.
How to change your haptic alert tone
1. Open Settings. 2. Tap Sounds & Haptics. 3. Tap Default Alerts. 4. Tap Haptics.
From this menu, you can choose vibration patterns like Accent, which is a short, single vibration, or SOS, which vibrates SOS in Morse code. If you choose Synchronized, your haptics and alert tone will work in tandem.
There’s also an option to create a custom vibration pattern. Tap Create New Vibration in the Haptics menu, and you’ll be taken to a screen that reads, “Tap to create a vibration pattern.” You can tap quickly on your screen to make a short vibration pattern or press and hold to make a longer, single vibration. When you’re finished, tap Save, then name your pattern and it automatically gets selected as your default alert haptic.
For more on iOS 17, here’s what could be included in iOS 17.3 and our iOS 17 cheat sheet.
If you haven’t had a chance to catch Mash Burnedead masquerading as a talented student of the magical arts, now’s the time — Mashle: Magic and Muscles returns this month, and it’s the Harry Potter spoof you didn’t know you needed.
Season 2 takes viewers back to Easton Magic Academy for the Divine Visionary Candidate Exam arc, which means it’s the survival of the fittest. Not every student will make it into the elite group of Visionaries, but how far will Mash’s brute strength and lack of magical prowess get him? He’ll search for talismans, face creatures that are immune to magic, and engage in classmate battles. Things could actually fall in his favor — or not.
Here’s when and where to stream Mashle: Magic and Muscles, season 2, and why a VPN could be a useful tool for you.
Read more: Best Anime Streaming Services of 2024
When to watch Mashle: Magic and Muscle
Watch season 2 when it premieres on Crunchyroll on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 9:30 a.m. PT (12:30 p.m. ET) for premium subscribers. New episodes will stream weekly, each Saturday. Dubbed versions of the show will arrive at a later time, but you can also watch all of season 1 on Crunchyroll. Anime fans who want take in all new releases will also be able to stream the new title, Solo Leveling, at the same day and time.
Read more: Best Streaming Services of 2024
How to watch Mashle season 2 from anywhere with a VPN
Perhaps you’re traveling abroad and want to stream Crunchyroll while away from home. With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the anime series from anywhere in the world. There are other good reasons to use a VPN for streaming, too.
A VPN is the best way to encrypt your traffic to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you’re traveling, find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. Streaming TV can be a bit smoother with a reliable, quality VPN that’s passed our tests and security standards.
You can use a VPN to stream content legally as long as VPNs are legal in your country and you have a valid subscription to the streaming service you’re using. The US and Canada are among the countries where VPNs are legal, but we advise against streaming or downloading content on illegal torrent sites. We recommend ExpressVPN, but you may opt for another provider from our best list, such as Surfshark or NordVPN.
Follow the VPN provider’s instructions for installation, and choose a country where Mashle: Magic and Muscles is streaming on Crunchyroll. Before you open the streaming app, make sure you’re connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream the show on more than one device, it’s possible you’ll need to configure each one to ensure you’re signed in. Go to settings and check your network connections to verify you’re logged in and connected to your VPN account. Now you’re ready to open Crunchyroll to stream.
If you run into issues with streaming, first make sure your VPN is up and running on its encrypted IP address. Double-check that you’ve followed installation instructions correctly and you’ve picked the right geographical area for viewing. If you still encounter connection problems, you may need to reboot your device. Close all apps and windows, restart your device and connect to your VPN first. Note that some streaming services have restrictions on VPN access.
Go ahead: Resolve to be healthy in 2024 and get your financial house in order. But 2024 may also be the year you decide to take control of the personal data you share across the internet.
Your online personal data is scattered all over the web. Every time you sign up for a new social media platform or purchase something online, you give those companies bits and pieces of your personal data.
These pieces of your data are then collected by both companies and data brokers — which then sell it to other companies that can use your info to sell ads targeted at you. If you’ve given out your online data liberally, you’re paying for it now with ads that track you across the internet.
The fix to this can be somewhat complicated and confusing. Consumer Reports, however, has an app called Permission Slip that reaches out to companies on your behalf and orders them to stop selling your information.
Read on to find out exactly how to use Permission Slip to reassert some control over your online data. Plus, here are our picks for the best VPNs to protect your privacy online and the best password managers to keep your login information secure.
What is Permission Slip?
To help you claw back a bit of your personal data, some states have passed legislation that allows you to exercise some control over what happens to it. Depending on the state, you can prohibit data brokers from selling your data or delete your online data outright. But the process of controlling your data on websites can be confusing, and it’s often unclear whether you’ve opted in or out of selling your personal data. And due to the nature of how your data is shopped around, it could be nearly impossible to locate all of your online data and protect it.
This is where services like Consumer Reports’ Permission Slip come in. Permission Slip does the legwork of collecting the places that might have your data, including more than 100 companies that use your personal information. All you have to do is submit your request for your info to either be deleted outright or simply not sold any more.
How do I use Permission Slip?
To get started using Permission Slip, sign up for the service with your email address. I decided to sign up with the email address that I frequently use when signing up for rewards programs or making accounts online — that way I would be addressing most of the places that could be selling my data.
After signing up, you’ll be presented with options of popular companies and data brokers that could have your information. If you think that company might have your data, and you want to do something about it, select Learn More & Take Action. If you don’t think this company has your data and you would like to no longer see it as an option, select Hide and it won’t clog up your suggestions.
Once you’ve selected Learn More & Take Action, you will be taken to a screen that shows you what sort of data the company usually collects, and what your options are. Depending on the company and the state that you live in, you could have the option to prohibit companies from selling your data or to delete your account outright. It’s important to note that if you’re deleting your account and you have a rewards program with that company, you will lose those rewards upon deletion.
When you’ve decided whether you want to delete your account with a specific company or simply prohibit it from selling your data, Permission Slip will ask you a couple of questions that can help companies and data brokers correctly identify you and properly take care of your information.
After you input your personal info the first time, the process for continuing to remove your data is pretty simple. You will just scroll through Permission Slip’s suggestions, select companies that might have your info and then delete your account or prohibit the company from using your data.
It’s important to note that while Permission Slip is submitting the request on your behalf, you still might have to confirm the request directly with the company. It also might take a bit of time to have your request processed and your information deleted, so patience will be your friend during this process.
For more, here’s the best tax software for 2024 and here’s when Tax Day is this year.
Max subscribers won’t have to shell out an extra $10 to watch live March Madness games on the B/R Sports tier, as Warner Bros. Discovery is delaying charging customers for the add-on option. On Friday, the media giant shared that it’s working on some technical upgrades in the app, so fans can continue to enjoy live sports for free into the spring.
Max introduced live sports programming through its newly-added Bleacher Report (B/R) Sports this past October, granting viewers access to MLB, US Soccer, NHL, NBA and more. During its rollout, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that the streaming service’s add-on would be available to all subscribers at no extra cost through Feb. 29. After that date, the price would be $10 per month, which is in addition to the service’s monthly subscription rate of $10, $16 or $20 — depending on the plan.
“The B/R Sports Add-On will continue to be made available to Max subscribers on us for a few more months as we finalize some tech integrations that will ensure a more seamless customer experience with our platform partners,” an email statement from Max said.
Sports fans can stream live broadcasts from TNT, TBS and TruTV, as well as original programming, TV shows, on-demand content and documentaries. With NCAA, NBA and NHL season games running into April, viewers have one more way to catch the latest match-ups without cable. Max has slowly begun embracing the live-streaming model to stand out in the space, offering B/R Sports and live news via CNN Max’s 24/7 feed.
To hear more about how to watch sports as a cord-cutter, check out our NBA streaming guide, NHL games and coverage on live TV streaming services.
Welcome to a new year, when some of you may be setting goals tied to your streaming TV budget. Fortunately, there’s just a small selection of new and interesting releases coming out in January, so you don’t have to spread your attention — or dollars — all over the streaming space this month if you don’t want to. But big standouts include Griselda, Lift, Good Grief, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Marvel’s Echo.
You might be thinking about canceling a streaming service because of cost and the content that’s currently available. I’d like to offer one strategy during a time of tight budgets: Churn like ice cream. Also known as rotating, it’s a move that can save cash while letting you keep up with the titles you want to watch. You may want to avoid this method, however, if you recently signed up for a new streaming deal that allows you to pay a fraction of the platform’s regular monthly price.
Otherwise: Churn, baby, churn. Subscribe, cancel, roll with a different service, then resubscribe, keeping your favorites in a rotation. Rotating streaming services can be a money-saver when Netflix, Disney Plus, Max and others aren’t streaming anything you want to watch at a given time. Just remember to shut off autorenewal for your monthly subscriptions. This method may not fly if you’re sharing your streaming accounts, but if you can work out an arrangement with your crew, go for it.
Here are my suggestions for which streamers to keep or cancel in January, based on new series and movies hitting each service (I didn’t consider live TV streaming services). Your tastes may be different, but if nothing else, I urge you to at least consider the concept of rotating for savings. It’s easier than you might think.
Read more: Best Streaming Services of 2024
January streaming service rotation
Keep
Cancel
Disney Plus
X
Netflix
X
Max
X
Peacock
X
Starz
X
Paramount Plus
X
Apple TV Plus
X
X
Prime Video
X
Hulu
X
These services are probably worth it in January
Disney Plus: Marvel’s newest show, Echo, is set to arrive with its complete first season on Jan. 9. The series will also stream on Hulu until April. Percy Jackson streams throughout the month until its finale on Jan. 31. And younger viewers will want to watch 10 new episodes of Bluey on Jan. 12. If you’re only streaming for Echo, you can opt for either Hulu or Disney Plus, rather than pay for both, and then cancel after you watch the whole season.
Netflix: Dan Levy’s Good Grief hits the platform this month, as do Griselda and the second part of Gyeongseong Creature. The platform’s You Are What You Eat documentary, which follows twins, is taking off too. Here’s a peek at what else drops on Netflix in January:
Fool Me Once (Jan. 1)
Society of the Snow (Jan. 4)
The Brothers Sun (Jan. 4)
Good Grief (Jan. 5)
Gyeongseong Creature Part 2 (Jan. 5)
Sonic Prime, season 3 (Jan. 11)
Boy Swallows Universe (Jan. 11)
Lift (Jan. 12)
Maboroshi (Jan. 15)
Love on the Spectrum, season 2 (Jan. 19)
Griselda (Jan. 25)
Masters of the Universe: Revolution (Jan. 25)
Starz: Keep streaming Raising Kanan, season 3 (no new episode on Jan. 5, however). If you’re a fan of Hightown, look out for its final season to debut on Jan. 26. If you’re not a fan of either show, cancel.
Prime Video: If you’re a Prime member, you probably get this service at no additional cost. Just remember that ads will begin on Jan. 29, unless you pay an additional $3 per month to stream without them. This month, you can stream football, Foe (Jan. 5), Role Play (Jan. 12), Zorro, season 1 (Jan. 19) and Expats, season 1 (Jan. 26).
Apple TV Plus: Killers of the Flower Moon lands on Jan. 12, so a $10 subscription may be worth it if you really want to see the movie. Other new releases include Masters of the Air (Jan. 26) and Criminal Record (Jan. 10).
Hulu: Fans can keep streaming Fargo, enjoy Fox or ABC network shows, and check out a few new arrivals:
Ishura — anime (Jan. 3)
The Golden Bachelor Wedding (Jan. 5)
Grimsburg (Jan. 8)
Echo (Jan. 9)
Self Reliance (Jan. 12)
75th Emmy Awards (Jan. 16)
Death and Other Details (Jan. 16)
The Bachelor, season 28 (Jan. 23)
Max: The biggest reason to keep Max this month is for True Detective: Night Country, which is set to debut Jan. 14. You can also watch Rick and Morty, season 7 (Jan. 22) or the new Nikki Giovanni documentary (Jan. 8).
Skip these services for now
Peacock: This one isn’t a must-have if you aren’t into NFL games, network shows, the new Ted series or other live sports. Take a break from Peacock unless you snagged that $2 special this past Black Friday.
Paramount Plus: Football fans may want to keep this service, but if not, cancel unless you’re interested in the Golden Globes (Jan. 7), June (Jan. 16) or Sexy Beast (Jan. 25).
Save money on streaming by waiting it out
Waiting until most or all of the episodes of a series land on a platform is a wise strategy, if you don’t get FOMO. That way, rather than pay for a service for several months to cover the six- to 10-week run of a show, you can catch up on everything by subscribing for one month. Then repeat the cycle.
Look at True Detective’s new season. There are six episodes in Night Country, which will air weekly into February. Why pay for two months of Max when you can wait to watch it in full anytime in February? Some of you may want to drop Apple TV Plus after watching Killers of the Flower Moon, or choose to binge Masters of the Air in March when its season wraps. The same strategy works for Hulu’s Ishura, which streams into March.
Think about how much you’re paying per month for each streaming service you have, and do the math. Netflix is $7 to $23 (plus extra member fees), and Paramount Plus starts at $6. Apple TV Plus is $10. Disney Plus is anywhere from $2 to $25 depending on bundles. Max costs $10 to $20. Hulu starts at $8, and Starz runs $10. Peacock has a base rate of $6 a month. Should you decide to rotate, set yourself a calendar reminder to alert you when it’s time to resubscribe or cancel. See you in February for another streaming look-ahead.
