The could-have-been ‘Scream 5’ ending that keeps me up at night

Stu Macher should’ve come back as the new Ghostface. That’s the hill I’m willing to die on following Scream (2022), the disappointingly Stu-less but still fun “re-quel” from Ready or Not co-directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. 

I know what you’re thinking: “But Stu Macher is dead! Sidney Prescott dropped a TV on his head at the end of Scream (1996), and he died.” To that I say: If Billy Loomis can return as a guiding ghost-dad, then there’s a lot that’s fair game in modern-day Woodsboro — and the reprisal of iconic co-conspirator Stu was well within reach.

How could Stu have survived his brush with home-entertainment head trauma? Well, in the final faceoff between Sidney (Neve Campbell) and the two original Ghostfaces, Billy (Skeet Ulrich) succumbs to a rash of chest wounds before being shot point-blank. The death of his best bud, however, is never confirmed. 


It was just a TV? Right? You’d think he’d SURVIVE.

Yes, Stu (Matthew Lillard) suffers from a gnarly stabbing in addition to the aforementioned television blow, complete with electrocution. But as the fiercely funny actor who played him once tweeted, “It was just a TV? Right? You’d think he’d SURVIVE.”

Horror heavyweight and franchise creator Wes Craven reportedly had plans to take advantage of that possibility in Scream 3 (2000), but a tortured production kept the story from happening. Lillard revealed that behind-the-scenes tidbit via The Bob Bendick Podcast in 2010 (h/t Screen Rant): “The idea was that from jail, [Stu] was masterminding this attack against Sidney [and Woodsboro].”

Billy Loomis and Stu Macher in 'Scream' (1996).


Credit: Paramount Pictures

But three weeks before filming was set to start, the Columbine High School shootings urged Scream 3‘s makers to switch directions. Instead of returning to Woodsboro High School, the first Scream film not written by Kevin Williamson would focus on the in-universe horror franchise Stab and a murder spree in Hollywood.

“They changed everything,” Lillard recalled for the podcast. “Took the script, threw it to the side, bought me out, and I never did the third one.” 


Bringing Stu back to mentor a couple of crazed superfans is the sort of full-circle moment ‘Scream 5’ needed to really stick the landing.

Knowing this early-stages Stu sequel got shelved, I was primed to see it finally play out in Scream 5. And for roughly 90% of the movie, I thought I was right. Because even if you’re not watching to confirm your own Stu-centric suspicions, the character’s involvement makes sense. For starters, the dude perfectly captures the toxic fandom Scream 5‘s screenwriters James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick send up in the final act. 

As it stands, newcomers Amber Freeman (Mikey Madison) and Richie Kirsch (Jack Quaid) explain their motives for carrying out the Scream 5 slayings as an attempt to revitalize the Stab movie franchise. By framing Billy Loomis’ daughter Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) as the new killer and luring the “original” victims back to Woodsboro, the pair argue that they’re helping bring the upcoming Stab 9 “back to its roots.” They just love these movies, and want to offer their writers fresh yet loyal “source material.”

Mikey Madison and Jack Quaid in 'Scream' (2021).


Credit: Paramount Pictures

It’s a clever enough conceit that decently capitalizes on the forces that drove Stu and Billy to kill in the first film (Scream 3 retconning notwithstanding). Recall that in the original’s big reveal scene, Stu frames his and Billy’s ascension into slasher villainy as an exercise in pop culture education: “Watch a few movies, take a few notes…It was fun!” Like Amber and Richie, Stu is a horror movie nerd. That this famed serial killer would still be heavily invested in the Stab franchise —  a zeitgeisty memorialization of his heinous crimes — checks out. 

SEE ALSO:

31 essential, history-making horror movies to stream right now

What’s more, bringing Stu back to mentor a couple of crazed superfans is the sort of full-circle moment Scream 5 needed to really stick the landing. Depending on your taste for ghosts in the Scream universe, phantom Billy sort of gets us there with the whole “Never fuck with a serial killer’s daughter” moment from Sam. But it’s muddled by the fact that Billy isn’t a “good” guy. His protecting a daughter he may not have even known existed borders on illogical.

Stu, on the other hand, has only a tenuous connection to Scream 5 through his nephew Vince Schneider (Kyle Gallner). So, he could have easily been repositioned as the movie’s biggest bad. Seriously, just imagine it. Stu emerging from behind a third Ghostface mask — revealing not only that he’d survived his fight with Sid back in 1996, but that the same reign of terror he’d begun in the very first film was still continuing? The movie’s body count would skyrocket; we’d all be dead!

Matthew Lilliard in 'Scream' (1996)


Credit: Paramount Pictures

By reducing Stu to a footnote, Scream 5 fails to honor the deadly duo that kicked off this smartly scary story we all love so much. Still, I’m holding out hope the powers that be will greenlight Scream 6 and give Stu his shot at revenge. Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) may not be writing the Scream 5-based book set to ignite another generation of Woodsboro suspects, but someone should.

Plus, if you go by Randy’s rules, we’re owed a second Stu sighting. The killer always comes back for one last scare — and Stu never got his.

Scream (1996) is now streaming on Peacock; Scream (2022) is in theaters.

The best VR games and apps that make working out fun

Every January we all seem to make (then inevitably break) the same New Year’s resolution. So in 2022, maybe it’s time to rethink what getting in shape looks like altogether.

Fitness isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when it comes to virtual reality, either. But a certain magic happens when you combine the unexpected bedfellows of exercise and VR: Suddenly, working out stops being a chore and can instead be a call to adventure.

So if you’re like us and need to trick yourself into exercising by entering a whole other reality, we’ve got you covered. There’s a huge variety of VR fitness games and apps, so it’s just about finding the right virtual adventure that gets your heart pumping.

The best part of VR fitness is finding joy in moving your body at your pace rather than doing more strict and rigorous goal-oriented workouts many lose interest in. The gains are achieved through fun rather than pure punishment.

But if you’re looking for really intense challenges, note that you should raise the difficulty setting to the hardest level you can manage in rhythm games like Beat Saber. The ratings we’ve listed from the Virtual Reality Institute of Health and Exercise often measure the games’ real-world exercise equivalent on the most challenging setting (unless its difficulty surpasses the testers’ skill level, as with more strategic titles like Ninja Legends and Until You Fall). The institute also recommends turning on “no fail” or “endless” mode options when available to lessen downtime regardless of your skill level. While not required, we also recommend having a cordless VR headset like the Oculus Quest for a freer range of motion.

SEE ALSO:

The best virtual reality porn games, and how to play adult VR

All of the games and apps below will definitely make you break a sweat regardless, though. So strap in, grab your water bottle—and make sure it’s at a safe distance from your arm span.

Where to buy sex toys online (yes, even including Target)

Whether you’re looking for your very first vibrator or have lost count of how many sex toys you have in your collection, the internet can be a pretty great place to find your next toy.

Of course, the insane amount of options that make finding that just-right sex toy possible can also make the process more overwhelming than you’d wish, especially for a product that’s supposed to deliver big on pleasure.

SEE ALSO:

Best sex toys for women: Take pleasure into your own hands

So where does one begin? The first step is to make sure you’re going to retailers that make quality products. Sex toys get a lot less fun when they’re not made out of materials that are okay to go on or in your genitals. To best guarantee this, we highly recommend shopping directly from trusted names in the sex toy business or from the manufacturers themselves, both of which you’ll find on this list.

And while a dose of healthy skepticism at any suspiciously low prices is always good (again we cannot express enough how important quality is for your safety), that doesn’t mean that you’ll have to break the bank to boost the thrills in your bedroom.

So go forth, and take your first digital steps into your next sex toy journey with these 15 online shops. If you need any more guidance making your selections, we have a handy (no pun intended, I swear) guide, along with a few recommendations below for each shop.

1. Lovehoney

If it’s sex toys you’re looking for, the XBIZ Award winner for “International Pleasure Products Company of the Year” is a good place to start. Lovehoney can sell you toys, sure, but you can also find a podcast on their site that answers customer questions and delivers expert advice, sex tips, and even little-known facts about sex! Lovehoney is clearly committed to sexual health and wellness, making their online shopping experience easy and comfortable.

Some current best sellers include the Magic Wand Plus Extra-Powerful Plug-In Vibrator, a Womanizer x We-Vibe limited edition set, and the Njoy Pure Wand.

stainless steel njoy pure wand

Credit: Njoy

hitachi magic wand

Credit: Magic Wand

2. Babeland

Don’t be fooled by the name, this one’s not just for the babes out there. Before you’ve really narrowed down your search, Babeland is a great first stop for seeing a finely curated inventory of sex toys, from top brands like Womanizer, Satisfyer, and Njoy. So whether you’re looking for that all-time classic Hitachi wand, a new Tenga Spinner masturbation sleeve (aka one of our favorite budget toys for penises), or just starting to browse, this site has got you covered, without giving you so many options that your search becomes overwhelming.

In addition to providing an impressive stock of vibrators, suction toys, dildos, couples toys, BDSM supplies, and most other popular sex toys that are out on the market, Babeland also hosts free online education events so you have the supplies and the know-how to really explore your sexuality.

tenga spinner

We give Tenga a ten(ga) for providing unique sensations.
Credit: Tenga

3. PinkCherry

Like Lovehoney, PinkCherry promotes a sex-positive atmosphere with blog posts about sexual wellness and satisfaction, like “Vibrators For Men: Pleasure on the Rise” and “How to Clean a Dildo for Safe Personal Pleasure.” Oh, and they also sell sex toys. Go figure!

PinkCherry offers a wide assortment of adult pleasure items and sexual wellness tools for various tastes and comfort levels. You’ll find all the usual stuff like vibrators and lubricants, along with bondage tools and attire and autostrokers. You can also find current deals on site products like the Satisfyer Pro 2 and the Bodywand Midnight Massager.

4. Adam & Eve

Some of you may be Adam & Eve regulars and some of you only know them because you stayed up too late watching TV and saw an ad. Either way, chances are high you can find the sex toy you’re looking for from the adult toy store that turned 50 this year. They do say sex only gets better with age.

Some best sellers include Eve’s Rechargeable Thrusting Rabbit and the Big O Multi-Stage Vibrating Penis Ring.

The site also includes sections for gay (AdamMale) and lesbian (Eve’s Toys) shoppers.

teal rabbit vibrator

Eve’s thrusting rabbit allows you to sit back and relax.
Credit: Adam and Eve

5. Eve’s Toys

The Adam & Eve sub-site with toys and other pleasure products designed for lesbians offers vibrators, kink toys, strap-ons and many more. The Double Delight Strap-On is a current best seller and allows the wearer to “feel it thrust into you while you do some thrusting of your own!”

purple double sided strap-on

Double down on delight with this strap-on.
Credit: Pipedream

6. AdamMale

The other sub-site of Adam & Eve, with toys and other adult products geared toward gay men, has dildos, masturbators, cock rings, anal douches… the whole nine inche – yards. Yards.

Right, back to cocks and stuff. More specifically, Adam’s True Feel Cock, a best seller listed at $44.95 that’s currently on sale for $22.48. The Satisfyer Men Beads are also flying off the virtual shelves and into bedrooms.

7. Unbound

Looking for an aesthetically pleasing sex toy brand that’s affordable and actually delivers? Yes, it’s real, and it’s Unbound. This women-run brands boasts a solid selection from toys, from a compact vibe we’re personally big fans of, as well as other finds like their best-selling suction toy, flexible vibrator, and beginner-friendly butt plug.

a hand in a blue sky holding the unbound pep

Credit: Unbound

suction toy in a blue sky

Credit: Unbound

8. Lelo

Say you’re feeling pretty happy with your base collection of sex toys and are now on the hunt for something a little more luxury — look no further than Lelo. The brand sells sex toys with an extra something, like a rabbit vibrator that replicates the “come hither” motion inside of you (and actually works) and a clit suction stimulator that proves to be a bit of a tease, in the best way possible. As it is a higher-end brand, be prepared to shell out a bit more — many of their best sellers are $150 and up.

9. Dame

For a manufacturer that sits between Unbound and Lelo in terms of price range but brings some innovative and impressive products to the table, you’ll definitely want to check out Dame. From a hands-free vibrator to an intercourse game-changer, Dame has made plenty of products worth raving about, and oh, have we raved. Dame’s sex toys feel good, look good, and if for whatever reason you don’t find them to be absolutely satifsying, you can return them within 60 days for store credit, which is (unfortunately) not too common for most sex toy retailers.

plum dame pom

Credit: Dame

jade dame fin

Credit: Dame

10. Sunset Novelties

Sunset Novelties stores may only be located in the Southeastern U.S., but that doesn’t mean they can’t ship to you. So if you’re in the market for a new vibrator, butt plug, sex enhancer, or even a stripper pole(!!!), you don’t have to be a Southerner to get your hands on one. Maybe even pair that new pole with an exotic dancer ensemble in whatever style you’re looking for.

stripper poll product photo

New year, new fitness resolutions, amiright?
Credit: sunset novelties

11. Wet For Her

Wet For Her is an adult toy store that was founded in Paris, France, in 2009, designed for lesbians and the queer community. “Owner and CEO Alice Derock was disappointed to discover that the sex toy industry was limited when it came to non-phallic sex toys for the lesbian and queer community… It was this that inspired Alice to create products specifically for lesbians and queer women,” their site reads. Eight different styles of dildos, harnesses, finger extenders, the best-selling scissoring vibrator, and of course, much more. Not to be forgotten is a line of “gender-affirming trans-masculine products,” like binders, packers, and a Trans Masc Pump.

purple scissoring vibrator

“RockHer” with that mini scissoring vibrator.
Credit: wet for her

12. The Kink Store

It’s exactly what it sounds like. The Kink Store is a destination for sex toys, attire, and equipment for those looking to explore their sexual kinks. You’ll find toys for chastity, BDSM, electro-sex, impact play, and a number of other kinks. The electro-sex-handy TAZapper, which delivers “a non-penetrating static spark of electricity,” is a staff favorite and best seller. It also kind of looks like a sexual lightsaber, which we think is pretty neat.

red and black TAZapper

According to its description, the TAZapper is “perfect for intimidation!”
Credit: TAZapper

13. BoyZshop

This one’s for da boyz. BoyZshop’s collection of gay sex toys and products spans multiple tastes and experience levels. You’ll find penetrative toys and non-penetrative toys. Kink gear. Sex machines. Lube. Prep products like enemas. Whether you’re just looking for a standard dildo or if you’re exploring urethral play, BoyZshop offers options for both … and a heck of a lot in between.

14. Target

Yes, Target sells everything, including sex toys. So next time you’re out to grab some game day snacks and paper plates, go ahead and pick up a plusOne Rechargeable Dual Vibrating Massager or the Lelo Sona 2 Cruise while you’re at it. This is what a “Target run” looks like in 2021, and we’re not upset about it.

black and gold lelo sona cruise 2

Get all of your essentials at Target — including luxury sex toys like the Lelo Sona Cruise 2.
Credit: Lelo

15. Amazon

You buy everything else from Amazon, so why not sex toys? You can find just about any toy you’re looking for, from a variety of pleasure product brands from Lynx to Shibari. Plus, that Prime shipping means you won’t have to wait long to try out your new finds. The main drawback from purchasing from third-party stores like Amazon is that you do run a higher risk of buying toys that aren’t authentic or made from the right materials, so before clicking add to cart, make sure you’re doing your research before hitting “Add to Cart.”

Best sellers range from vibrators to lube to lingerie. More specifically, you’ll find favorites like the Fleshlight Quickshot Vantage and plusOne bullet vibrator.

Related Video: The best sex toys to buy during quarantine

Looking for love on campus? Here are the best dating apps for college students.

We love a good party as much as anyone. But the logistics of trying to get to know someone in a packed basement over blaring trap music while someone does body shots in the corner are a bit challenging. It’s not exactly the ideal environment for romance. (Although maybe you’re not looking for romance? Party on, friend.)

Dating apps are the saving grace of college students everywhere. Whether you’re serious about finding someone or just looking for a quick hookup, you may not need to look further than the right app. After all, everyone’s doing it.

At this point there are dating apps for every niche you can think of; whether you’re into gaming, geek culture, getting high, or focusing on your career, there are people seeking the same things you are. As a college student, you have specific needs and probably don’t want to wade through all the older people trying to get married ASAP. You need dating apps that are specifically suited for other college-aged people.

Online dating 101

It probably seems obvious, but the first rule of online dating is to just be yourself. It’s all too easy to pretend to be someone you’re not online, but that kind of catfishing game won’t result in a true connection. By being yourself and presenting who you are accurately and honestly, you open yourself up to the possibility of a great relationship with someone who likes you just the way you are. And isn’t that the whole point of dating?

Don’t be afraid to make the first move. Forget all those outdated rules that say a man is supposed to make the first move or that a woman can’t pay on the first date. Instead, focus on finding an equal partner who helps support your goals, wants to see you succeed, and has dreams of their own.

Get a bit more creative with your messaging than the standard “Hey.” If you’re looking to connect with someone on campus, then open up the conversation with a question about them and a little bit about yourself. Messaging someone is more discussion group than lecture hall — it’s about passing the conversation back and forth. 

Once you decide to meet up — which is the entire point, after all — stay open. We often come up with an idea for how someone will be after meeting them online, and it’s rare that our expectations sync up with reality. Allow yourself to really get to know this person for who they are rather than who you thought they would be before you make up your mind.

That said, it’s crucial that you’re honest. If you really don’t feel a connection, then do the right thing and tell them. A good line to use is something like, “I’ve really enjoyed meeting you but I think there are probably better people out there for both of us.” Not only will they appreciate your candor, but it will alleviate that post-date awkwardness of wondering where you stand. Ghosting sucks for everyone. Just be upfront and save the both of you a lot of discomfort and uncertainty.

On the other hand, what if you really do like them after finally meeting in person? Then what? Set up your next date while you’re still hanging out. That old rule about waiting three days to call? It’s dead. RIP outdated dating “rules.” Make plans to do something low-key, and for the first few dates make sure the plans are to meet in a public place. (A retro arcade or the student union could be a good, low-stakes meeting place. Bowling is always a good choice, too.) The benefits of making a date to do an activity cannot be overstated. It provides you with ample conversation starters and gives you the opportunity to get a little competitive and joke around. Some playful teasing goes a long way. And remember: It’s all about having fun.

SEE ALSO:

Best dating sites for introverts, wallflowers, and anyone hesitant to try online dating

So what are the best dating apps for college students?

Our best picks for college students are the following: We like OkCupid for its inclusivity, ease of use, and fun algorithms. Tinder also gets our stamp of approval, as the swipe-happy, low-touch app makes finding people nearby a breeze. Friendsy deserves a shoutout as well for how it keeps the dating pool limited to other college students.

Read on to discover which other dating apps for college students made the cut. We’ve narrowed down the list to the 10 best online dating apps for whatever kind of college experience you want — here they are:

The best online dating sites for geeks, nerds, sci-fi buffs, and more

Mashable’s readers (and writers) are known for being OBSESSIVE about the things we love. You may say we kind of geek out about things. Okay, fine, we *are* geeks. Whatever. Geeks are awesome.

But sometimes, awesome can use a bit of assistance in the dating department. Not because there aren’t enough geeks out there — how do you think Avengers: Endgame became the highest-grossing film of all time? (Thanks to geeks, that’s how.) Dating as a geek requires combing through normies and too much dating through the same group of locals. For women, it can involve a lot of creepy guys who want their manic pixie dream girl. For men, it can involve a lot of simply trying to not be that guy. If you’re in the majority of geeks who are a little bit introverted, dating can be hella intimidating.

News flash: Loving sci-fi and being *in love* are not mutually exclusive.

SEE ALSO: Which dating app should you use? This guide can help you figure it out.

We compared the internet’s top full-on dating sites, trendy swiping apps, and geek-specific sites to find the ones where geeks can express themselves and find that twin flame. Hidden in millions and millions of users, you could find that person who you can chat with for hours about how bad the Game of Thrones ending was or someone who dreams of the perfect couples cosplay. Maybe you’re a geek in the streets and a freak in the sheets — there are plenty of apps where geeks can just find a hookup, too.

What should I consider when choosing a dating site?

What are you interested in finding?: Are you looking for like-minded friends, casual hookups, or do you want to find a serious relationship? Whatever it is that you’re looking for — there’s a site for it, but settling on your expectations is key.

Site popularity: Niche dating sites are great for narrowing down your potential matches — but if there are barely any users, trying to find quality matches can become tedious. Look for a happy medium between your personal interests and site popularity to ensure you have plenty of options.

Security: Dating apps and websites are great — but like everything else online, you have to be careful. If you want to avoid potential catfishing or other scams, look for features like social media integration, photo verification, and the ability to block any unsavory members.

Budget: Do you want to stick to free websites and apps or do you have the budget (and interest) to pay for some extra bells and whistles? You can absolutely get away with opting for free services but a couple of dollars per month to speed up the process might be worth considering.

So what are the best dating sites for geeks?

Our top picks include OkCupid, which prides itself on being extremely gender-inclusive and a space safe for everyone, and match, which has a tried-and-true algorithm and a huge user base. Geek-specific dating sites that aren’t totally outdated and crappy are few and far between, but we were impressed by Gamer Dating.

Read on to discover what else made it into our list, and be sure to hit the gray arrow in the bottom of each card to expand the text and read all of what we had to say. Happy dating, nerds.

The best dating apps for lesbians and gay women

Online dating as a lesbian, for the most part, still involves having your space invaded by straight people.

The heteronormative weirdness got so alienating that lesbians began turning to TikTok as a means of meeting other single lesbians — turns out, it’s a damn good matchmaker.

But it’s unrealistic to expect a social media app to work like a dating app for everyone. (It’s hard for some of us to comprehend, but not everyone spends every free minute on TikTok.) Lesbians who have exhausted their local romantic options are still going to want to see who else is out there.

For much of current history, some people have acted as though lesbians didn’t exist outside of porn and Ellen DeGeneres, while jokes swirled about how girls only turned to dating women if they had a bad experience with a man. (Yikes.)

Even in 2021, these tone-deaf assumptions still find a way to rain on the lesbian online dating experience. If it’s not a man appearing in your feed when you specifically marked that you’re searching for women, it’s matching with a woman just to be hit with the classic “My boyfriend and I are looking for a threesome.”

SEE ALSO:

How to navigate dating apps when you’re bisexual

There’s one big problem: The apps targeted toward the straights are still where most of the queer users are, too. Though women-only apps like HER are gaining traction fast, they can still be a bit of a ghost town… or a scammer’s paradise. You just have to decide whether you’d rather deal with the quirks of Tinder and have more options to swipe through, or be fine with coming across the same profile three times as long as it’s not a man.

A note on what didn’t make the list

A decent number of dating sites and apps specifically for lesbians do exist, but most are plagued with the same issues: Either their sole purpose is to sexualize lesbians and aren’t really meant for genuine connection at all, or their lax security protocols make it way too easy for ill-intentioned men to sign up pretending to be women. (Creeps are drawn to porn-y names like Pink Flirt.) If you’re wondering why we left most of those so-called female-only apps out, that’s why.

It’s the beginning of the end for YouTube Originals

YouTube is reducing its original programming division following the departure of Global Head of Originals Susanne Daniels.

Launched in 2016, YouTube Originals began life as a subscription service streaming ad-free series and films. However, faced with an already-crowded video-on-demand field, the Google-owned video platform soon changed tack.

In 2019, YouTube all but wiped its $12-per-month Premium slate clean, offering up several projects to other outlets; Cobra Kai landed on Netflix, On Becoming a God In Central Florida was acquired by Showtime, and Step Up aired on Starz. Instead, the company pivoted to original—free—unscripted content like music, celebrity and creator-focused originals, and educational programming.

Even those are ending soon, though, according to YouTube’s Robert Kyncl. In a Tuesday tweet, the chief business officer announced the end of YouTube Originals and its “award-winning” slate—save for a handful of in-progress programs. “YTO played an integral role in growing the YouTube creator economy,” he wrote, adding that more than $30 billion has been paid to creators, artists, and media companies over the last three years.

“However, with rapid growth comes new opportunities and now our investments can make a greater impact on even more creators when applied towards other initiatives,” Kyncl explained. Daniels’ exit also contributed to the decision to reduce YT Originals.

“What an exciting and tremendous experience I’ve had working to create meaningful programming for global users of all ages and backgrounds,” Daniels said in a statement published by Variety. “I’m so proud that our YTO content could contribute to the ongoing growth and success of this remarkable platform, and I look forward to new adventures ahead.”

YouTube plans to honor its commitment to already-contracted shows in progress, but, moving forward, will only pursue programs that are part of its Black Voices and YouTube Kids funds.

BeReal is what ‘casual Instagram’ wants to be

BeReal takes casual posting to the next level. 

Founded in 2020 by French entrepreneur Alexis Barreyat, BeReal was made in response to the current social media landscape. It’s not like Instagram, where users can curate their feeds and edit their images. BeReal doesn’t allow you to curate. There are no filters. It simply gives users a random two-minute window each day to post one photo. When you post, the app uses both your front and rear-facing camera, giving your friends a full picture of what you’re doing in the moment — not unlike the now-defunct Frontback app. With BeReal, there is no way to lie about where you are or what you’re doing. You can’t project a picture-perfect image.

Screenshot of the BeReal notification you get once a day.

Once you receive the notification, you only have two minutes to post a photo on the app.
Credit: Screenshot: BeReal

“BeReal won’t make you famous,” reads the description of BeReal in the App Store, “if you want to become an influencer you can stay on TikTok and Instagram.”

Instagram’s shift towards monetization and the accompanying changes to its algorithm have left its users wanting a feed filled with photos of their friends, rather than one riddled with ads, paid influencer content, and recommended posts. To combat inauthenticity on the app, there’s been a move to “make Instagram casual” by posting photo dumps, or slice-of-life pics. But posting casually doesn’t solve the problem either. Some say “casual Instagram” is an even greater performance. Is anything really candid on Instagram? Rather than posing for a cute photo at a party, you have to pretend like you’re not posing for one at all to make your entire life fit a “vibe” or an aesthetic. 

SEE ALSO:

Instagram is in its flop era

This is where BeReal comes in. 

I only have a handful of close friends on the app, and they’re all people who might follow my finsta or my close friends story on Instagram. A scroll through my BeReal feed today shows me sitting at my laptop at work, three other friends in front of their laptops, another thrift shopping, and a former classmate drinking coconut water. The appeal of BeReal is in its immediacy. When you get the alert on your phone, you only have two minutes to capture an image, and you never know when it will drop. 

One of my BeReal posts.

An example of one of my posts on BeReal, featuring some freshly baked bread.
Credit: Elena Cavender

When BeReal occurs out of work hours, my feed is only slightly more interesting. You might instead catch me on my evening walk or reading The Custom of the Country. The appeal of the BeReal feed isn’t the content — it’s that you like your friends and care about what they’re doing. 

SEE ALSO:

How to use BeReal, an app asking you to stop curating your social media

“It’s cute to see what your friends are up to,” Juliette Decugis, a 21-year-old UC Berkeley student from Paris, tells Mashable. According to Decugis, the app is “huge in France,” where it launched. She started using it in July, and like me, only shares her content with close friends. “I don’t add people I’m not close with,” Decugis says. 

Isabel, a 22-year-old analyst in Boston, agrees. “I like BeReal because there’s no need to add acquaintances or friends of friends. I only add the people I am fully comfortable with sharing random, unfiltered moments with. Because it’s such a small community there’s always a ton of good banter on the daily posts,” she explains. 

And investors are listening.  By June 2021, the social media app had raised $30 million in Series A funding. From March to July the app grew from 10,000 to over 400,000 daily users. In November. The Hoya, Georgetown’s student newspaper, reported “BeReal is the newest social media craze to take hold of Georgetown.” 

While BeReal is still in its infancy (as of July 2021, its numbers don’t compare to its rivals), everyone I spoke to who uses the app loves it. “I only have four or five hometown friends on there,” Kelly Young, a 22 year-old senior at Drexel University, tells Mashable. “[They] all live far away from me. BeReal is a really fun way for us to keep in touch, and it’s the most realistic insight into what our lives are like now.” 

If you miss the notification, you are allowed to post late, but you are unable to see your friends’ images until you post your own. By doing so, the app avoids the issue of lurking as well. You are forced to post content in order to see content. Additionally, the app has a more involved version of liking. You cannot just double tap to like a photo, in order to respond to a friends’ content, you must take a reaction selfie or comment. 

The posting-once-a-day model also means you only have to check the app once per day, and there’s no anxiety over missing content because everyone you follow is only posting once a day, too. Therefore, it isn’t a time suck the way that Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok currently are. 

Not only does BeReal build upon the photo sharing feed of Instagram, but it also incorporates the ephemeral nature of Snapchat by resetting your feed daily. Like Snapchat, the app holds your previous posts in “Memories” that only you have access to.


[It’s] a really fun way for us to keep in touch, and it’s the most realistic insight into what our lives are like now.

The app does pose some privacy concerns. It automatically posts your location with your photo unless you disable the feature in your settings, and it has its own version of Snapmaps. By having you post every day, the app can accumulate data that paints a picture of your habits, not unlike its competitors. The app promises not to sell your data to third parties, but it’s raised some concerns among its user base. 

“It’s strange because it shares your exact location, like your coordinates,” Alisha Pandya, a 21-year-old UC Berkeley student, tells Mashable. “It’s not just your city or general location, but it’s your house on the map. So the app is kind of suspect.” 

But it hasn’t stopped college students from downloading it. BeReal is already a hit in France, where it currently ranks in the top 10 of most-downloaded social networking apps in the App Store; in the U.S., it’s steadily rising through the ranks of the top 100. Last week, it was the 80th most-downloaded social networking app, and now it’s ranked 61st. It’s gained traction through savvy marketing and word of mouth, enlisting TikTok and college ambassadors to help popularize the app. 

Perhaps the appeal of an entirely new social media platform is that it hasn’t been overrun with nosy friends of friends, old coworkers, and celebrities. Your feed still feels intimate, and in today’s social media landscape that seems radical. Because as soon as you start seeing unfiltered selfies from people you barely know, an app loses all of its charm and potential.

Build-A-Bear wants to help you get laid

We knew those Build-A-Bear people had to be freaks.

The mall and children’s birthday party mainstay has launched a new product line with a description that frankly just sounds kind of dirty. “HeartBox” is a series of gift boxes that contain tchotchkes and, duh, a bear, that aren’t meant for Build-A-Bear’s usual customers — which, please God, are usually kids. Instead, Build-A-Bear describes the line as an “adult gifting brand.”

Sorry, it can’t just be us. “Adult gifting” makes it sound like Build-A-Bear is launching a weird line of bear-themed sex products, right? RIGHT? We know, we know, it’s probably only differentiating that these boxes are for “adults” because, again, those usual customers are (HOPEFULLY) children. 

But c’mon, they gotta know what “adult entertainment” means! When you’re in the business of making bears (and not, ya know, bears), it’s on you to watch the innuendo, Build-A-Bear.

HeartBoxes are launching with four different themed boxes. And indeed, one of them is the “Romantic at Heart” box, with marketing copy that invites you to “Set the Mood.” Hello Build-A-Bear! Maybe all that wink adult gifting wink wasn’t in our heads. The box comes with “well-coordinated items such as gummy bears, tumblers, and candles.” Throw a plush bear in there and hot damn do you have the makings of a night to remember.

Build-A-Bear actually already has a bunch of bears meant for adults that live on a portion of the company’s website called The Bear Cave. You have to acknowledge that you’re 18 or older to enter the site, which really got me excited that I was maybe gonna see some like, bears with dicks. 

A pop-up on Build-A-Bear's website requires visitors to confirm they are over the age of 18.

The fact that this bear cave has a digital red velvet curtain? Promising.
Credit: Screenshot: Build-A-Bear

Alas, the Bear Cave seems to be where collectible-level bears live, which is why they’re for grown ups, duh. But don’t worry! There are also sassy bears seemingly made for exhausted moms (there are sloths wearing t-shirts that say “nap queen”), or for partners in the dog house/bear cave who want to deliver the message of “I’m Sorry” on the t-shirt of a toy. Other bears in the Bear Cave are, in fact, ready to have a good-ass time, though. Some come bearing bottles of bubbly and wine, and one of them is just… Satan. Am I into bears now??

Two toys on the Build-A-Bear website: A lion carrying a bottle of champagne, and a bear carrying a bottle of wine.

Bears: They’re here to party.
Credit: Screenshot: Build-A-Bear

Two toys on the Build-A-Bear website: A bunny carrying a bottle of wine, and a bear dressed up as Satan.

Mr. Bear, have I been bad?
Credit: Build-A-Bear

If one thing is clear, it’s that these bears fuck. And maybe, with their help, you can too.

Opera’s new ‘crypto browser’ makes wasting money on NFTs surprisingly easy

Opera just installed guard rails on the NFT on-ramp.

The company behind the little-used Chromium-based browser released the beta version of its “crypto browser” Wednesday, and the all-in-one web browser, cryptocurrency wallet, and portal to fiat-to-ethereum exchange makes buying, selling, and holding non-fungible tokens surprisingly easy. In its announcement, Opera (likely correctly) implies that the current state of web3 affairs is too complicated for the average consumer, and that the crypto browser is Opera’s answer to that perceived problem.

“Too few of the web browsing experiences offered today have been built with the intention of putting Web3 centerstage and making blockchain technologies understandable and easy to use,” reads the blog post written by Susie Batt, Opera’s crypto ecosystem lead. “Our belief is that the world of blockchain needs a fully dedicated browsing experience.”

Enter the Crypto Browser Project, a one-stop shop for people who’ve heard the term “web3” somewhere and want to invest their hard-earned cash in the Next Big Thing, but are a little unsure as to how to do so, exactly.

And credit where credit is due: Opera’s crypto browser delivers a fairly intuitive experience. It takes minutes to download the browser, set up a non-custodial wallet (meaning no third party controls it), and buy ethereum via Ramp using only a Visa or Mastercard credit card. Thus equipped, one can stroll on over to NFT marketplaces like OpenSea or Rarible and start shopping.

Screenshot of the Opera crypto browser.

Get those JPEGs.
Credit: Screenshot: Opera

What’s more, Opera seems to have taken into account common — and costly — points of failure when designing its crypto browser. For example, because the browser already contains a native wallet, users don’t need to add potentially malware-ridden extensions to their normal web browser in order to interact with dApps.

The browser also comes with a “secure clipboard that allows you to safely copy and paste.” Which, perhaps, sounds like silly overkill — until one realizes that secretly altering cryptocurrency wallet addresses (which are long strings of numbers and letters) by manipulating the clipboard is a common way criminals steal victims’ cryptocurrency.

“The Wide World of Web3 is now at your fingertips,” writes Opera’s Batt in a promise the Crypto Browser Project appears to deliver on.

Whether or not that’s a good thing for all the people soon to be diving into web3 and NFTs remains to be seen.