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UPDATE: Nov. 5, 2021 1 p.m. EDT A collection of Samsung QLED TVs are a part of Amazon’s early Black Friday deals.

We’ve gathered the best deals on 4K TVs ahead of Black Friday. These are the top ones to consider as of Nov. 5:

• Samsung 65-inch Neo QLED QN800 8K TV — $2,499.99 $3,499.99 (save $1,000)

• LG 65-inch C1 Series OLED 4K TV — $1,796.99 $2,499.99 (save $603)

• Sony 75-inch X80J 4K UHD TV — $1,049 $1,399.99 (save $350)

Large 4K TVs no longer have to cost an exorbitant amount of money. Rather, these high-quality TVs featuring punchy colors, decipherable shadows, and smooth transitions are actually affordable for regular consumers. And to make them even more budget-friendly, we’ve gathered up the best deals on 4K and QLED TVs from top brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and more.

Samsung TV deals

Why we love it

You know when you’re in the movie theater and the audio sounds like it’s coming from the direction of the action on screen? The Samsung Neo QLED TV does that, too. On top of Object Tracking Sound, the QN800 has 8K resolution and super thin bezels to seal in that immersive theater feel.

More Samsung TVs on sale

• Samsung 50-inch The Frame QLED TV — $877 $1,299.99 (save $422.99)

• Samsung 55-inch Q60A Series QLED TV — $697.99 $849.99 (save $152)

• Samsung 55-inch Neo QLED QN85A Series smart TV — $1,097.99 $1,599.99 (save $502)

• Samsung 55-inch Neo QLED QN90A Series 4K TV — $1,397 $1,799.99 (save $420.99)

• Samsung 65-inch QLED Q70A Series 4K TV — $997.99 $1,399.99 (save $402)

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED TV — $1,497.99 $1,999.99 (save $502)

• Samsung 85-inch Class 8000 Series Tizen 4K TV — $1,499.99 $1,999.99 (save $500)

• Samsung 85-inch QLED Q70A Series 4K TV — $1,999.99 $2,799.99 (save $800)

LG TV deals

Why we love it

The LG C1’s OLED display has more than 8 million pixels to bring you deep blacks and vibrant colors. Its 4K AI processor adjusts with the content to ensure everything you watch looks the best it can. Its zippy refresh rate keeps heavy-graphics gaming on point, too.

More LG TVs on sale

• LG 48-inch A1 Series OLED 4K TV — $896.99 $1,199.99 (save $303)

• LG 48-inch C1 Series OLED 4K TV — $1,096.99 $1,599.99 (save $503)

• LG 55-inch NanoCell 80 4K TV — $676.99 $799.99 (save $123)

• LG 55-inch A1 Series 4K OLED TV — $1,096.99 $1,299.99 (save $203)

• LG 65-inch NanoCell 80 Series 4K TV — $796.99 $1,099.99 (save $303)

• LG 65-inch Evo Gallery Design G1 Series OLED 4K TV — $2,396.99 $2,799.99 (save $403)

• LG 75-inch NanoCell 80 4K TV — $1,046.99 $1,499.99 (save $453)

• LG 75-inch NanoCell 90 Series 4K TV — $1,696.99 $2,096.99 (save $400)

Sony TV deals

Why we love it

Sony’s X80J series is an affordable-yet-capable line of 4K panel TVs introduced in early 2021. The TVs continue to see little discounts here and there since their launch in the spring, but $1,049 is a record-low price for this 65-inch model. For just over $1,000, you pin down customized upscaling with Sony’s new X1 processor.

More Sony TVs on sale

• Sony 55-inch X80J 4K UHD TV — $649.99 $799.99 (save $150)

• Sony 65-inch X80J 4K UHD TV — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250)

• Sony 65-inch X90J Bravia XR 4K TV — $1,198 $1,499.99 (save $301.99)

Other TV deals from TCL, Vizio, more

Why we love it

It’s a mid-size QLED TV for under $500. Need we say more? TCL’s 5 Series still utilizes quantum dots, which build a layer between LEDs and the screen to make hues pop and deepen contrast. If you’ve never dabbled with HDR before, this brightness is game-changing — even if it’s not the pop provided by a high-end Samsung QLED.

More TVs from TCL, Vizio, and more on sale

• TCL 40-inch 1080p Smart TV — $229.99 $349.99 (save $120)

• Insignia 43-inch 4K Fire TV — $269.99 $319.99 (save $50)

• TCL 43-inch Class 4-Series 4K TV — $279 $349.99 (save $70.99)

• TCL 55-inch Class 4-Series 4K TV — $358 $445 (save $91)

• Hisense 55-inch ULED U7G QLED TV — $674 $849.99 (save $175)

• Insignia 55-inch F30 Series 4K Fire TV (2021 edition) — $369.99 $549.99 (save $180)

• Vizio 55-inch M-series 4K UHD TV — $529.99 $749.99 (save $220)

• Hisense 65-inch U6G Series QLED TV — $699.99 $849.99 (save $150)

Explore related content:

• The best Black Friday deals for 2021, all in one place

• The best 4K TVs: For gamers, Netflix binge-watchers, and everyone else

• Your TV needs a soundbar. Here are our faves.

Noodles the pug, the beloved, elderly TikTok dog that decides how our collective day will turn out based on whether or not he can stand up in the morning, decided Friday is a bones day. Meaning, according to his owner, it’s time to “get shit done” and treat yourself to whatever you want most.

Simultaneously, thousands of youth protesters took to the streets of Glasgow, as the UN’s COP26 global climate summit continued. The activists waved scathing, clever rebukes of their political representatives’ inability to get said shit done alongside the beloved pup’s TikTok meme — an inescapable reminder to all of the protesters’ single goal on the bones day to-do list: Save the Earth.

The protest was led by youth climate organization Fridays for Future, which has been encouraging students from all over the world to skip school for climate justice since 2018. While students left school around the globe on Friday, an estimated 25,000 people took over the streets of Glasgow in the effort to pressure leaders at the 26th annual climate meetings to take their commitments to the Earth more seriously. It was, in short, anything but a “no bones” day, when Noodles cannot stand and his owner encourages self care in the form of staying home and temporarily avoiding responsibilities.

The world’s digitally-connected young activists have only gotten more creative as their protests continue, incorporating topical humor alongside simple statements of discontent. “We should not have to be here,” signs say, and, “If YOU were smarter, we’d still be in school.” It’s a unique show of youth activism and the power of pop culture references, as well as a demonstration of the fact that the people inheriting our climate crisis are for the most part not inside the COP26 buildings.

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A large group of indigenous youth led part of Friday’s march, holding signs that read, “There is no climate justice without Indigenous peoples” and “Climate justice without racial justice is the new colonialism.” Some carried messages for Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who recently criticized indigenous youth activist txai suruí for speaking out about Brasil’s treatment of Indigenous people and their lands at a COP26 event earlier this week. Indigenous activists from around the world have called out the United Nations for doing the bare minimum to include small, indigenous communities at the conference, while those in attendance are demanding an end to extractive industries on their community land around the world.

The huge crowd convened at George Square in the center of Glasgow for a series of speeches by activists and other climate coalitions. Other attendees included Fridays for Future founder Greta Thunberg and Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate, who both addressed the crowd and asked leaders to take the group seriously. “We’ve seen activists from the most affected areas being erased from pictures, from conversations, and removed from rooms,” Nakate said. “But how will we have climate justice if people from the most affected areas are not being listened to?”

The conference continues for another week, during which representatives of the world’s nations will make further commitments to stop environmental degradation and climate change, including a pledge to end the use of coal and halt further deforestation. Young activists, for their part, remain critical of the politicians’ promises, awaiting actual progress.

They’re fighting for their future now with years of protest under their belts and a particular sense of urgency. With or without the fortuitous declaration from Noodles the pug this morning, it’s clear Friday’s crowd would have been just as present and boisterous, undeterred by intransigent world leaders and no bones days alike.

A protester dressed up as a dinosaur begs world leaders to stop “choosing extinction” for the planet.
Credit: christopher furlong/ Getty Images

A Fridays For Future leader rallies up the crowd as they head to George Square.
Credit: jeff j mitchell/ Getty Images

Numerous signs are held aloft by youth activists, including references to Finding Nemo and Nelly’s “Hot In Here”.
Credit: jeff j mitchell/ Getty Images

A person dressed as a sad-looking polar bear stands behind the crowd.
Credit: peter summers/ Getty Images

Hungry seagulls eye fellow protesters as the “chips” fall on climate policy.
Credit: christopher furlong/ Getty Images

A protester calls out the future climate fears held by many young activists, while the “This is fine.” dog watches from behind.
Credit: jeff j mitchell/ Getty Images

Two protesters hold signs as they march to George Square.
Credit: danny lawson/ PA Images via Getty Images

The world of sex toys for men has more options than ever before. From sex toys for trans men to sex toys designed specifically to satisfy your geekier side, the wide range of options available means there’s truly something for everyone.

While it may seem sometimes like male sex toys are getting left out of the current sextech revolution, that’s far from true. Real sex positivity applies to everyone, which is why we’re excited about sex educators and smart companies that are working to buck the stigmas associated with male masturbation and backdoor experimentation.

SEE ALSO: Best sex toys for couples looking to switch things up between the sheets

Thinking about experimenting with anal play? Looking for a new masturbation sleeve? Ready to size up from plugs to prostate massagers? You’re in luck. We scoured the web to find the best male-oriented sex toys for every need — all built to heighten sexual pleasure — and great whether you’re looking to go solo or pair up with a partner.

Note: For the purpose of this article, we are looking primarily at toys that are intended for use by people who are assigned male at birth, which means they are recommended with the same enthusiasm for anyone with a penis/prostate regardless of gender identity. We’ve also included a couple of products specifically geared towards transgender men.

BEST DEALS ON DNA TEST KITS (updated Nov. 5, 2021):

• FamilyTreeDNA — $59 $79 (save $20)

• Embark Dog DNA Test — $99 $129 (save $30)

• AncestryDNA Genetic Ethnicity Test — $59 $99 (save $40)

• 23andMe — $99 $199 (save $100)

Some 30 million people had taken an at-home DNA test as of early 2020. That number could be as high as 100 million in the following 24-month period if the MIT Technology Review’s predictions are right.

Success stories like finding a birth parent or discovering that you’re related to a president would make anyone consider adding a DNA test to their bucket list.

Though DNA kits have become increasingly popular gift items year after year, direct-to-consumer DNA testing is still a pretty new concept — one that people may not fully understand. Is it accurate? Is it safe? Apprehension about DNA test kits is sure to make some people hesitate — and that sucks, because finding out the who, what, and where that made you into the person you are is way too awesome to pass up.

Here’s what you need to know.

How does DNA testing work?

You know the drill: Request a kit, swipe the inside of your cheek with the provided cotton swab, send it back, and get your results in a few weeks. What type of results (or the level of detail in those results) depends on the type of testing your kit provides:

Autosomal testing is the most basic and most popular means of genetic testing, commonly known as the family finder. Autosomal DNA tests look at 22 pairs of chromosomes not involved in determining a person’s sex. It is used for cousin and distant relative matching as well as mixture percentages, or your ethnic mix (as shown in the percent pie charts from commercials), plus common genetic traits, like heritable diseases and hair type.

While autosomal testing shows who your relatives are, remember that this is a mix of both sides and doesn’t necessarily identify which side of the family they came from.

mtDNA testing uses mitochondrial DNA to trace your mother’s lineage. These are the DNA strands passed down from mother to child. There’s very little chance that these could be altered, so your direct maternal line can be traced back quite far.

Y-DNA testing focuses on the Y chromosome and traces your father’s lineage. These are the DNA strands passed down from father to son in the paternal line. It’s important to note that only males can use a Y-DNA test directly — but women can usually connect their DNA profile with a father, brother, or other male relative to get these results.

mtDNA and Y-DNA tests can trace back anywhere from 20-100 generations, while autosomal tests max out at five to eight previous generations.

Health screenings and trait analysis are the next iteration of DNA tests, jumping from just a few options (23andMe was the only reliable one for a while) to more popular kits offering some sort of look into genetic health risks and medical issues. These use your genetic markers to pinpoint potential illnesses or diseases you may be at risk of inheriting, as well as how your risks compare to other people of your age, race, and gender. Traits like hair and eye color, earlobe type, cilantro aversion, or male hair loss may also be a part of the test, providing insight into the physical and sensory genes that make you unique or genes that you’re likely to pass to your children.

It’s important to remember that while all of this data can be fun, in now way should it take the place of regular doctor visits and the kind of reliable testing that happens in a medical testing.

DNA testing pools get more robust by the year

If you tried an at-home DNA kit a few years ago and weren’t satisfied with the vague results, you may get better answers the second time around.

DNA companies are continuously expanding their pools so they have more data to compare: In 2019 alone, 23andMe added 1,000 new regions and 30 new Ancestry Detail reports. AncestryDNA updated its ethnicity estimates with new regions in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and South Asia and a reference panel of over 40,000 samples.

These expansions lead to more granular reporting, like more precise differentiation between geographic neighbor areas that may have previously been lumped together.

Despite the growth, most at-home DNA tests are still widely euro-centric. The shortcomings when it comes to reference populations for people of color, results of polygenic risk score tests for non-European people, and employment diversity are slowly being addressed by companies like 23andMe, but there’s still no super reliable kit dedicated to typically non-white populations. (The AfricanAncestry kit is an option, but receives mixed reviews. More on that below.)

Which DNA test is the most accurate?

It’s hard to say which DNA test is the most accurate. Different DNA companies have different strengths and weaknesses, and discrepancies between results don’t automatically mean one test is skimping. One company may have a massive reference pool from hundreds of thousands of different regions — giving you a better chance of getting a well-rounded report of all possible ancestors — but that broadness could gloss over nitty-gritty details. A competing company may hone in on a specific region and be able to provide a wealth of detail about that region, but customers would need to have a previous inkling about their ancestry to choose such a specific test in the first place.

Do at-home DNA tests protect your privacy?

Some people can get freaked out by the idea of a profit-driven company having access to one of the most sensitive pieces of data that could exist about a person. It’s a valid concern — DNA companies potentially making money off of your personal information doesn’t sound great.

It’s crucial to remember that genetics data gathered by mail-in testing kits isn’t classified as official medical health data, which means it isn’t protected by HIPAA regulations. A company’s privacy protocol — what info it collects or keeps, how much control you have, and how to delete data — could be ambiguous (not necessarily ill-intentioned, but we digress), so tear that privacy policy apart before moving forward with a test. Many permissions operate via opt-in consent, so your returned cotton swab will be taken as a hard “Yes, this is fine.”

However, in 2018, Ancestry, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and others pledged to obtain separate “express consent” before sharing your info with outsiders. 23andMe is open about its partnership with pharmaceutical mogul GlaxoSmithKline to streamline drug development and Ancestry was previously working with Google Calico to study human longevity. In most research studies, any identifying information like names or addresses are stripped.

Pet DNA tests: How to become even more obsessed with your fur baby

No, buying a DNA test for your pet is not extra. As our loyal companions, they deserve a better answer than “IDK, just a mix” when someone asks what breed they are.

SEE ALSO: Best dog DNA tests: How to learn more about your pup and build a stronger bond

Just like humans use DNA tests to piece together their family tree, get an ethnicity breakdown, or learn about medical predispositions, pet DNA tests offer information about your pet’s family history, breed mix, and risk of health issues. They’re an especially handy tool for parents of rescued fur babies and super-mixed mutts. (Just remember that these tests are not a replacement for vet visits, but could flag an issue to bring up to a vet.) Like the human cheek swab process, an at-home pet DNA test is as easy as swabbing the inside of their cheek — if you can get them to cooperate, that is.

Which DNA test is best?

What — or who — are you looking for? The best DNA kit all depends on how you want to anatomize your lineage. Here are the best DNA test kits for every curious mind:

Well, well, well, it’s Friday again.

Halloween is gone, bring on so much turkey and stuffing that I won’t be able to move after I eat it. Anyways, yes, we are into November and the first week of the month has already passed.

To celebrate the end of the week, we’ve collected the funniest tweets of the past seven days. Why? Because you deserve a laugh, dear reader.

Anyway, here they are, the 11 best tweets of the week.

1. Do not send this meme to me. Do NOT. I will cry. I will just straight up cry.

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2. This is the truth about November and we all must acknowledge about it. Halloween food content is trash, but Thanksgiving content is magical.

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3. Weird Al with an absolutely killer tweet.

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4. I ask for so, so little, to be honest, like why can’t I have it?

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5. Obligatory dril tweet

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6. And another dril tweet

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7. I could fit like six or seven in this sucker, no sweat. It would be no trouble for me at all.

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8. Dang, what the hell? How is this possible? Wow.

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9. The thing is, it’s a classic for a reason.

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10. This is technically two tweets but both are good, so here they are.

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11. And finally, this

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As of Nov. 5, Amazon has a few Fire TVs on sale ahead of Black Friday. Make the most of so-bad-it’s-good holiday movie season and pick one up before Nov. 29.

• Amazon Fire TV 4-Series, 55-inch — $379.99 $519.99 (save $140)

• Amazon Fire TV 4-Series, 50-inch — $329.99 $469.99 (save $140)

• Amazon Fire TV Omni Series, 55-inch — $409.99 $559.99 (save $150)

• Amazon Fire TV Omni Series, 50-inch — $359.99 $509.99 (save $150)

Amazon has a few new Fire TVs on sale as an early Black Friday deal. Save $140 on 50-inch and 55-inch versions of the Fire TV Omni series, or save $150 on the Fire TV 4-Series in the same sizes.

Both TVs are 4K UHD TVs with Dolby Digital Plus, though only the Omni series has built-in voice control and DolbyVision. (If you want voice control with the 4-Series, use the Fire TV Alexa voice remote, which is included.)

These are solid TVs at solid prices as we head into peak Black Friday season. If you’re in the market, pick one up — supply chain issues aren’t getting any better, and we don’t want you to miss out on binge-watching holiday films until one of your family members changes the channel.

Explore related content:

• The best Black Friday deals for 2021, all in one place

• The best 4K TVs for streaming, gaming, and more

• The 10 best shows to binge-watch on Netflix

BEST DEALS ON BLENDERS (updated Nov. 5, 2021):

• Oster Blender — $69.99 $74.99 (save $5)

• Ninja BL610 Blender — $89.00 $99.99 (save $10.99)

• Magic Bullet— $29.88 $39.88 (save $10)

• NutriBullet Pro Plus Blender — $99.99 $119.99 (save $20)

• Vitamix Explorian Blender — $269.95 $408.88 ($138.93)

Today’s lesson in Cooking as a Grown-Ass adult: Blenders are used for more than frozen margs in summer and collecting dust in winter.

Hot soup without a stove, coffee without a coffee maker, and whipped cream without a hand mixer are just a few of the tasks these multitasking appliances can tackle. Similar to the way the mystical Instant Pot replaces a sauté pan or slow cooker, blenders can expand your meal possibilities tenfold without the clutter of multiple machines.

Why buy a new blender?

In short: Healthy habits made easier.

Sticking with smart eating habits ain’t easy, especially when making a tofu and quinoa casserole with a kale salad on the side takes so much longer than ordering Uber Eats. Blenders simplify meeting that nutrient goal by squeezing them into a 30-second meal replacement. With thousands of recipes online, you’re bound to find a balanced combo of greens and fruits that — surprise — you actually look forward to drinking. Smoothies are also an easy wake to imbibe CBD oil.

If you’re in the habit of buying those drinks from a chain smoothie or juice bar, a blender could save you some serious pocket change. Say you’re buying a green juice from Pressed Juicery every day (skipping the weekends) — at $6.50 each, you’re spending around $33 per week and $130 per month. Even a $500 blender would end up paying for itself in a few months.

Plus, being completely in charge of the contents lets you closely monitor portion size, avoid dietary restrictions like dairy or gluten, and track macronutrients to stay on track with diet goals. Smoothies always seem like a healthy option, but running on fruits or veggies alone isn’t the move. Drinks that are truly healthy are ones that have a balance of vegetables, fruit, protein, and fat, and dietitians suggest adding things like nut butter, chia, flax, or sesame to help fill you up so you’re not going back for a second breakfast later.

What separates a Vitamix from a $30 personal blender?

The Vitamix Professional Series 750 is our top choice for the best blender — but how do more basic options compare?

Nailing the perfect consistency isn’t just pressing a button and walking away. Making something other than smoothies requires a blender with more than two blending speeds to separate thick butters from thin liquids. Built-in programs made for specific recipes also help to hone in on texture and prevent chunks where there shouldn’t be chunks.

Most machines can handle fruits, ice, and leafy greens, but you’ll probably want a motor over 500 watts to power through tough ingredients like nuts, whip creamy dips, and create frozen desserts. (Some listings mention peak horsepower, which is essentially the initial torque that gets the blades moving. That max power only hits for a short spurt when the blender is turned on, and wattage is a better measurement of the strength the blender keeps over the duration of blending.)

Blenders are definitely one of the pricier appliances you’ll buy in your adult life, but the top-tier ones are durable and should last at least 10 years.

So, what are the best blenders to buy for 2020?

We’re so glad you asked. Keep reading to discover our picks for the best blenders you can buy right now. (And if you’re in the market for a Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Prime Day deal, make sure to keep your eye on these models.) Remember to hit the grey arrow to expand each card and read our in-depth take on each of the listed products. We’re off to make a smoothie.

Best personal blenders 2020

Looking for more personal blender options? We’ve outlined all our top picks here but we’ll give you a sneak peek if you keep reading below:

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have been confirmed as the leads in Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of Wicked, the hit Broadway musical adapted from a novel retelling from the Witches’ perspective the story of The Wizard of Oz, the 1939 film based on L Frank Baum’s 1900 book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. (And people say Hollywood has no new ideas any more.)

Grande will play Galinda, aka Glinda the Good Witch, the role originated by Kristin Chenoweth on Broadway; Erivo will take on Elphaba, the green-skinned future Wicked Witch of the West, and thus also the musical’s iconic Act One finale number, “Defying Gravity”.

The co-stars shared the news in matching Instagram posts, showing what looked to be a very sweet and teary FaceTime call with Chu.

Grande has long been favoured for a role in the film, with the musical’s composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz telling Gay Times that she was in the running and he was a “massive fan”. Grande also joined the 15th anniversary celebrations, performing live in the anniversary special and adding her take on Elphaba’s number “The Wizard and I” to the special edition cast album.

Idina Menzel, who played Elphaba in the original run, joked (we think?) to Variety in 2019 that she should be digitally de-aged to continue the role in the film: “I mean I love you, Ariana, but I still am relevant here.”

(The story begins while the witches are college-aged — so while Erivo at 34 is stunning and certainly younger than Menzel’s 50, a little Irishman-style CGI wizardry may still be called for to avoid a Dear Evan Hansen situation.)

Director Jon M. Chu brought us the triumphant film adaptation of In The Heights, so his Broadway-to-Hollywood credentials are solid.

Erivo, meanwhile, is just an O short of an EGOT, missing out from her two nominations in 2019 for Harriet. Perhaps the power of “Defying Gravity” could be enough for the British-born star to finally win over the Academy.

Most fitness trackers keep a fair number of the same stats: things like steps taken, distance traveled, and, of course, calories burned. But how accurate is the calorie counter on a Fitbit?

The quick answer: Definitely not 100 percent accurate. The slightly longer answer: It’s not perfect, but no calorie counter is and Fitbit is likely as good as any.

A 2017 study found the Fitbit Surge had a median error of 27 percent when counting calories burned. At face value, that seems like a lot of error. But it was actually one of the best-performing trackers among the devices tested at the time, which included the Apple Watch, Basis Peak, Fitbit Surge, Microsoft Band, Mio Alpha 2, PulseOn, and Samsung Gear S2.

SEE ALSO: Best fitness trackers for monitoring heart rate

Now, to be clear, that study was five years ago and one assumes wearable technology has improved in the interim. A study in 2019, however, found that trackers were still off. Aberystwyth University researchers found a Fitbit Charge 2 overestimated calorie burn from a walk by 53.5 percent. However, at a jogging pace, the Fitbit was very accurate, under-predicting energy use by just 4.3 percent.

Given all the errors, the best way to process a calorie count from a Fitbit is to not treat it as gospel. Give it a good chance at being right. Make sure your height, weight, gender, and age data are correct, because those contribute to your calorie output. Fitbit’s calorie data is useful when comparing your own figures and activity levels to past days — even if it’s not perfectly accurate, it will always be wrong the same way. That’s how I use my Fitbit Inspire 2, and I really enjoy it.

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“Activity trackers definitely have a role to play in improving health,” said Dr. Rhys Thatcher, a researcher at Aberystwyth, in a press release about the study cited earlier. “We all like to see ourselves progress; you have to interpret the data coming out of them with care — they are not direct measurements. However, they can be useful to compare what you’re doing today with what you did yesterday, what you’re doing this week compared to last week, so you can see progression.”

SEE ALSO: Best fitness trackers

Stanford University recently developed a wearable that it claims is far better at calculating calorie burn. The pitch? It goes on your leg, instead of relying on wrist and heart rate data. Legs are, obviously, much more involved in how much we move than our wrists. But it also has two sensors, a hip pack, wires, and straps that go around your legs, which might be great for athletes but not for regular consumers.

So until wearables are totally revamped, understand your Fitbit is not perfect at counting calories, but it can give you a good baseline.

Sexting, as Bo Burnham taught us, isn’t sex — it’s the next best thing.

I personally wouldn’t go that far, but sexting can be pretty fun and downright hot if done right. The rub is that the act can also be an awkward minefield. Thoughts may cross your mind, like: Is now a good time to sext? What do I even say?

To answer these questions, we asked the sexperts. As it turns out, sexting (like sex itself) is an opportunity for you to liberate yourself, explore what you want in bed, and get to know your partner better.

The joy of sext

Sexting can benefit both you and your budding relationship (or hookup, or however you define it).

By sharing your desires and boundaries together, you’re forging a deeper connection. Texting feels lower stakes than talking in person, especially if your relationship is new. Thus, it’s a great option if you’re shy about sex and have difficulty vocalizing what you want, said Casey Tanner, a certified sex therapist and sex expert for toy brand LELO.

Make no mistake, though: Sexting is legitimate communication, even if it’s through screens.

Sending saucy messages back and forth can even be a kind of foreplay. It can build suspense and anticipation for when you see each other in-person next, even if that won’t be anytime soon.

Consent first, as always

Before anything else, get consent — both about sexting in general and for individual sessions.

Ask yourself if you trust your partner enough to sext, advised Edwina Caito, a head writer at sex/sex toy blog BedBible. Decide if you’re comfortable with the activity in the first place.

If yes, Tanner offered more questions to self-reflect: Is your style more flirty, raunchy, or suggestive? Are you OK sending nudes, and if so, what body parts do you want to photograph?

Have conversations about these boundaries before your first roll around in the digital hay. Set ground rules, said Caito, whether they be time-related — such as, don’t send nudes before 6 p.m. when someone may be at work — or about what kind of media and messages you will and won’t send.

You can even set a boundary for which messaging services you prefer to use to sext. Apps like Snapchat and Signal have features like disappearing chats, and the former sends a notification when the other person screenshots your messages. Alternatively, turn on Instagram’s vanish mode for the same features.

As sexuality educator Jamie J. LeClaire wrote for sex wellness shop Unbound’s blog, set an expectation for language used in sexts, too. If you’re uncomfortable with some words — say ones that describe genitalia — tell your partner, and encourage them to share any words they dislike in turn.

Furthermore, consent at one time doesn’t extend to every time. Always make sure it’s OK to send through a naughty text or photo before doing it. A tip from Unbound is having a go-to emoji that serves as a way to ask, “Is now a good time for you to receive some smut?”

And never, ever share messages or other media that a partner sent to you (unless they ask you to, that is).

Sexting is a lower-stakes way to express your desires to your partner.
Credit: bob al-greene / mashable

Where should I begin?

Tanner said to keep your messages pithy if you’re just starting out. “Keeping messages on the shorter side gives you a little more leeway to ease into something new,” she said. “You also give yourself more space to reflect in between texts about what feels good and where your boundaries are.”

Your first message can be coy while sparking your partner’s interest and making them think (about you, or an experience you both had in the past).

A couple examples Caito gave to get things rolling, are:

• “I’m lying in bed and can’t stop thinking about you.”

• “I can’t stop thinking about what we did the other night.”

Another option is to ask your partner questions, like:

• “What would you do if you were here right now?”

• “What was your favorite part about the other night?”

These texts are suggestive enough to gauge how your partner feels at the moment and get the conversation going. Feel free to be more direct if that’s your style, though. You can let your partner know that, say, you’ve just gotten out of the shower and haven’t put anything on yet. There’s also the classic, “What are you wearing?”

Getting hot and heavy in iMessage

Now that you’re engaging in textual coitus, where do you go from here?

Be as explicit as you want to be. You don’t need to even refer to actual body parts if you don’t want to, euphemistically or not. “I’m so wet” has the same impact as literally describing the state of your crotch, for instance.

Caroline Spiegel, founder of audio porn site Quinn, suggests contextualizing your sexy messages by telling your partner how you feel about them, what you want to do with them, and what you believe are their hottest features.

You can ask your partner to share fantasies, but don’t feel pressure to reveal everything about your sexuality in one go, said Tanner. Texting your partner that they’ll “just have to wait and see” can be just as tantalizing as revealing your desires.

To that end, you don’t need to talk about activities you don’t want to do. Instead, guide the conversation back to what gets you going, said Caito.

Compliment your partner, said Spiegel, to show you’re really paying attention to them. Some examples she said are:

• “I love the way you look at me when you…”

• “I can’t stop thinking about that time when you said…”

Another tip of Spiegel’s is to use your partner’s actual name as opposed to a pet name. “You might be surprised how hot it is to be called by your real name in a spicy context,” she said.

Time to get creative

Texts are great, but you can also incorporate different mediums to produce a multimedia sexting experience.

With iMessage and WhatsApp, for instance, you can send sexy voice notes. “I hear all the time from women how they wish their boyfriends or significant others would send audio notes or videos instead of dick pics,” said Spiegel.

See Also: Best sex toys for couples looking to switch things up between the sheets

Hearing your partner’s voice can be encouraging (“such a hot photo”). Cursing can also go a long way.

You can send photos and videos as well, or even take it to FaceTime if texting just isn’t enough. And, of course, GIFs and emoji are easy options if words just can’t express what you want to get across.

Caito also suggested an app-controlled sex toy your partner can handle if you’re long-distance…but it’s a toss-up on whether they’ll work. As Mashable’s Jess Joho found, Bluetooth sex toys may have more connectivity problems than they’re worth.

As with physical sex, it may take time to get in a sexting groove with a partner, and that’s OK. The more you communicate your desires, whether vocal or over text, the easier it’ll get.

Sexting can be a place to explore fantasies and get creative, said Tanner — all from the comfort of your fingertips.

Want more?

• How to safely store your nudes

• A beginner’s guide to sexting as enthusiastic consent

• How to hide photos on an iPhone

• 9 horny emoji to upgrade your sexting game (and 1 to avoid)

• Is Tinder Platinum worth it? I tried it for 3 months to find out.