Latest news with #A-List
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How Grindr's new 'Right Now' live feature enables even quicker hookups
Grindr has officially gone live. The app's newest feature, Right Now, is a scrollable feed where users can post photos and text for an hour at a time, letting nearby folks know exactly what they're looking for right now. Unlike the traditional grid view that sorts profiles by proximity, Right Now functions like a stripped-down, sexed-up version of Twitter. Posts disappear after an hour, but users can mark themselves as ready to host (yes, that kind of host) and make their intentions clear upfront. See on Instagram Grindr says the idea came from user demand. 'We built this intention-based feature based on feedback from our community,' said Chief Product Officer AJ Balance in a statement, 'so they can connect with like-minded people without wasting time on mismatched expectations.' The feature soft-launched in March, and thanks to overwhelming engagement, Grindr accelerated its global rollout. For now, users will receive a few free sessions per week, depending on their location, with the option to purchase additional sessions. Accessing the feed is simple: it's now embedded into the app via a new button on the main grid, the bottom nav bar, or the side drawer. Right Now is part of a larger Grindr overhaul that includes AI-powered tools like A-List (a chat summarizer) and Wingman (an AI flirting assistant). It's all part of the company's plan to revamp its image, recover from a rocky IPO, and cash in on immediacy. Call it 'the Global Gayborhood in Your Pocket™,' as Grindr's branding goes—but now it's also your local live feed for horny dispatches. Because when someone asks if you're up, Grindr wants to make sure you answer fast.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Grindr rolls out new in-app, live feed ‘Right Now' with disappearing posts
Gay dating app Grindr has introduced a new social media-like live feed feature called Right Now. The new feature is being rolled out to all users of the platform globally after conducting a pilot test in select markets. The Right Now feed is different from the traditional Grindr interface, which shows users a host of other users' profiles along with details such as how far away they are from the user's location. Instead, it resembles the feed on X (formerly Twitter) and shows users a stream of posts with text as well as photos, according to a report by The Verge. However, all user posts that appear in the Right Now feed disappear after an hour. The feed is currently accessible only in hour-long sessions that are free for users in certain locations, Grindr said, adding that users will soon be able to purchase more Right Not sessions as well. The Right Now feed has been designed to help people 'find exactly what they want, when they want it – without the guesswork,' according to AJ Balance, the chief product officer at Grindr. 'We built this intention-based feature based on feedback from our community so they can connect with like-minded people without wasting time on mismatched expectations,' Balance said. 'The response to our initial March launch was so strong we accelerated the global rollout ahead of schedule because it's clear people want this… well, right now,' Balance was quoted as saying. The expanded access to Right Now is part of Grindr's broader efforts to generate more revenue by rolling out new features and monetising them through in-app purchases. The company is facing financial woes with its stock price plummeting by 70 per cent since its initial public offering (IPO) in 2022. To turn things around, Grindr is betting big on AI. 'For all the new things that we build, I want them to be built as if we are an AI-native startup. If you're going to do marketing for this, great; start thinking with AI first and then go to people because that's how I think companies are going to be built moving forward and that's what we should be doing as a business as well,' Grindr's CEO George Arison was quoted as saying. He was speaking at the Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything conference last week Some of these AI features include A-List, which shows users summaries of chats in order to help them rekindle 'meaningful past connections' and pursue 'high-potential matches.' Grindr has also introduced an AI assistant named Wingman to help users draft chat responses as well as figure out dating spots and receive sex tips. The platform's AI features are reportedly powered by Anthropic's Claude Sonnet 3.7 model and Amazon Web Services' Bedrock models. While some of the features have a free trial, continued access to them requires users to sign up to the platform's monthly subscription plans.
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Automotive
- Sky News AU
King Charles III receives 'very expensive' ultra-luxury Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II from King of Bahrain, the same model favoured by A-List celebrities
What do King Charles and Kylie Jenner have in common? They're both the very happy owners of near-million-dollar Rolls-Royces. The 76-year-old monarch was gifted a Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II, worth a cool $895,000 plus on-road costs (according to The Australian Financial Review) by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa of Bahrain, just before his coronation on May 6, 2023. The flashy SUV, favoured by A-List celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and Mike Tyson, was revealed in a newly released record of official gifts published by Buckingham Palace. The Cullinan Series II, which runs on both petrol and biofuel, is now part of the royal fleet and is expected to be used for official duties, though it hasn't yet been spotted in public with any royals aboard. In an appearance on The Royal Report, Sky News contributor Louise Roberts described the gift as "very interesting". "It's a gigantic vehicle, very, very expensive as well," Roberts said, noting the model is "a favourite of the Kardashians". An official coronation gift list released by Buckingham Palace reveals the lavish SUV wasn't the only offering from the Bahraini King, who also gave Charles a decorative clock. Other gifts received by the King for his May 2023 coronation span the globe and range from deeply symbolic to historically significant. Amazonian Indigenous Leaders presented him with a feather crown, two beaded chest pieces, carved staffs, and a tobacco bowl and inhaler. From New Zealand, Kiingi Tuheitia sent a Greenstone Mere carved specially for the coronation. Australia contributed with a national gift towards the conservation of the critically endangered Western Ground Parrot. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden gave the King a leather folder containing correspondence between Queen Elizabeth II and President Eisenhower, along with a framed photo of Marine One landing at Windsor. And before his untimely death in April, Pope Francis presented King Charles with a relic believed to be a piece of the True Cross, which has been incorporated into the Cross of Wales. According to the Palace's gift policy, official gifts, defined as those received in the course of royal duties or from individuals not personally known to the royals, become part of the Royal Collection and are not considered private property. These items cannot be sold or traded but may be used or displayed publicly. By contrast, personal gifts are treated like any other private inheritance and are subject to regular tax rules.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The 6 truly weird showbiz moments we must discuss this week
Who would have thought a dashcam video could cause so much trouble? For the drama of the showbiz week got off to a racing start on Monday, thanks to Brooklyn Beckham, his wife Nicola Peltz and their ongoing feud with his ma and pa, Posh and Becks. It all started when the nepobabies posted a very 'pointed' video of themselves enjoying a loved-up motorbike ride through LA last weekend - and by the start of this week it was all anyone could talk about on social media. The video and its loved up soundtrack, was seen by many as a clear message from chef/photographer/filmmaker/influencer/nepobrat Brooklyn to his long-suffering mum and dad Victoria and David Beckham. That message was clear: Thanks for the lavish lifestyle, probable £125million inheritance and hooking me up for jobs with all your high-profile I'm Team Peltz. Brooklyn then went and ramped things up a gear by adding a super-soppy caption addressed to his wife, in which he cooed - **WARNING: SICK BAG REQUIRED** - 'I always choose you, baby." Insiders on one side of the Posh and Becks V Peltz alleged feud, claimed it was a veiled dig at his parents; insiders on the other, claimed it was a completely innocent declaration of love which Brooklyn just happened to share with his 16.3m followers on a day when his family fallout just happened to be making global headlines. Ahem. I'll say one thing for Brooklyn: His dad might be Goldenballs, but Brooklyn's clearly got balls of steel to go so public. Talking of child stars….Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout may not be household names yet….But they soon will be. Because these three lucky, lucky British kids have just won the Hollywood lottery. Yes, they've been selected from an open casting call of 30,000 children to be - wait for it - the new Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. That's right: one day, these three were going to school and doing the odd bit of acting at a weekend drama club and then - poof! just like magic - the three 9-11-year-olds had landed new roles in the upcoming big-budget HBO TV series and were on the Hogwarts Express straight to a life of fame, riches and A-List perks. Naturally, my first thought was….' Oh my gosh, am I seriously jealous of a bunch of nine-to-11-year-olds?' (Yes, Yes I am). And then, more importantly, what exactly does this mean for Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and co? They've been the faces of those iconic characters for 25 years and feature on untold billions of bits of merchandising. So how's it going to feel for them when a whole new generation of fans talks about the half-blood prince and doesn't picture Radcliffe at all? Their replacements weren't even born when the last Potter movie was released in 2011. And when the spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them hit screens in 2016, they were only toddlers at best. That's more of a mindboggler than a pint of polyjuice. All that brings me to two very disturbing realisations: There's a packet of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans at the back of my cupboard which is older than the new Harry; This guy (below) is no longer the only one feeling a bit old hat…. You can't mention JK Rowling without plunging headfirst into the Trans rights row. But the pro-trans rights lobby found itself a very unlikely ally this week: Mr Jeremy Clarkson. For in the latest episode of Clarkson's Farm, farmer Kaleb Cooper was seen explaining some interesting news to the former Top Gear host: Endgame, his prize bull, was gay and one of the piglets was possibly trans. Quite how Kaleb knew this, is about as clear as mud (that the piglet was playing in). But how lovely that someone so, um, ' Clarkson-like ' as Clarkson has such an inclusive farmyard. I mean, who would have thought? A gay bull, some trans pigs and a morbidly-obese donkey all under one roof? Oh, hang on, my mistake. Diddly Squat is home to a giant ass. But he doesn't live in the barn. Nadia Sawalha might have been a bit rash when she decided to livestream on Thursday. Because if there's one thing you probably shouldn't do when your show's about to implode….Is throw petrol on the fire (and blow yourself up along with it). But Loose Women star Nadia bravely/stupidly wasn't pulling any punches when she let rip about the savage ITV daytime cuts in a new social media video she posted this week. Speaking alongside her producer husband Mark Adderley, the former Mirror columnist started by tearfully blasting the 'hundreds' of 'brutal' redundancies. 'I cannot tell you how upsetting it was to see people walking around numb with shock and fear about what they are going to do,' she said. 'It's brutal.' Don't get me wrong, it's admirable Nadia's speaking out. But when Loose Women's about to turn into a bigger bloodbath than your average soap wedding, one wonders if it was the wisest thing to do. And yet, Nadia continued. And amazingly, she even decided to save HR the trouble of digging out her contract, to check her employment terms. 'We are all freelance,' she told fans. 'I could be let go tomorrow, in five years, you don't know because we're not employees.' I don't know what you're thinking Nadia, but with the way you're going, I figured I best send you this snazzy t-shirt (inset, above). Now you can have a target on your front….to match the one you've just put on your back. Someone's looking on top form! Yes, Gazza is making a comeback after embarking on a new fitness regime - and looks healthier than ever. The footie ace, 58, has a newfound enthusiasm for cycling, fishing, tennis, and - surprise, surprise - penning books. For the star has just announced he's going to be doing his first tell-all autobiography in 20 years, as he finally feels ready to show people the 'real' him. It's good news for the fans. But there's one person the former Lion's a little worried to think will be reading it: Mamma Gazza. 'There's laughs, tears, madness – and probably a few things I'll regret saying once me mam reads it,' he admitted. Never mind, Mrs Gascoigne - I'm sure whatever Paul has to share, it won't be the most embarrassing thing he's ever put you through. No, that ship sailed 35 years ago….Not with his famous tears on the pitch at Italia 90. But with our infamous tears over his pitch…on THAT 1990 single. 'Fog On The Tyne, is all mine, all mine,' he 'sang'. So my question is: if that was true, why didn't he just do us all a favour and keep it to himself? As family traditions go….I don't hate it. For Rob Lowe is no stranger to an Instagram 'thirst trap'* and it seems he's now got his lookalike son Johnny, 29, involved. The pair, who star together in Netflix's comedy Unstable, shared this snap of them showing off their abs in a post-workout snap this week. And despite being 61, I've got to say…. Rob's still looking hotter than St Elmo's Fire. The West Wing star captioned the shot: 'Lowe family tradition: self indulgent shirtless gym photos.' It seems not everyone is buying into the tradition though. Rob's other son Matthew, 32, made a very cheeky quip, saying: 'Why does it look like you photoshopped your head on [Johnny]'? Ouch. I'm guessing that's what you call a Lowe blow? Aww, just look at that happy face! And those puppy dog eyes! He's such a good, good boy, isn't he?... And - yes - the dog's cute too. (Sorry, couldn't resist). Yes, the lovely Ben Fogle is proving an all-round Mr Nice Guy again after signing up as the new patron of WECare. The charity is run by former Daily Mirror Animal Heroes winner Dr Janey Lowes, and has helped 25,000 Sri Lankan street dogs, be it through with neutering and vaccination programmes aor treating injuries. Presumably Ben's role as patron includes many official duties, but if cuddling the patients is one of them... these pups are some lucky sons of a you-know-wotsits.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's How Much Checked Bags Now Cost With Southwest Airlines — and Who's Exempt From Paying Fees
Southwest Airlines has been an industry disruptor since its formal incorporation in 1967. The low-cost carrier brought innovations such as open seating, free baggage and a famously sunny attitude to the airline industry, attracting legions of followers while helping them save money. Read Next: Learn More: But times have changed since Southwest's heyday, and one of the pillars of its business model — 'bags fly free' — has finally fallen by the wayside. Whether this will ultimately help or hurt the struggling airline remains to be seen. But from a traveler's perspective, here's what you'll need to know in terms of baggage fees and how you might still be able to avoid them. Beginning with flights on May 28 and later, Southwest Airlines will charge $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second. However, these fees are just for the general flying public. There are a handful of ways in which you can save money with the airline and avoid the new baggage fees. Here's how. Find Out: The A-List is Southwest's elite tier. You can become an A-List member by either flying 20 one-way qualifying flight segments or earning 35,000 tier-qualifying points. In addition to providing benefits like priority boarding, priority check-in and a 25% earning bonus, you can also fly your first bag free of charge. Your second checked bag will incur a $35 fee. If you're an A-List Preferred member, which requires 40 one-way qualifying flight segments or 70,000 tier-qualifying points in a single year, your second bag is free of charge as well. In either case, these prices apply to up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation. If you hold the Southwest Airlines Rapid Reward Credit Card, your first checked bag will fly free. However, you must include your Rapid Rewards account number at the time of booking. As with the A-List, up to eight additional passengers on your reservation will enjoy the same benefit. Your second checked bag, however, will cost $45. Another way to avoid the new baggage fees on Southwest Airlines is to fly on a Business Select fare. Unlike with the other two options, the airline's business fare comes with two free bags, not just one. However, as it is a specific fare type, it doesn't apply to any companions on the same reservation unless they also purchase the same Business Select fare. Active-duty military customers with a valid, current military ID can fly with two bags free of charge. The imposition of baggage fees at Southwest Airlines was an unwelcome shock to the airline's flyers. But the famously low-cost airline held out to the very end, as it was the last domestic airline to offer two free checked bags for all customers. Still, there are a number of ways the passengers can avail of free baggage, including by earning status on the airline or buying more expensive fares. Otherwise, you may very well end up paying $35 for your first checked bag and $45 for your second when you fly Southwest. More From GOBankingRates 4 Housing Markets That Have Plummeted in Value Over the Past 5 Years This article originally appeared on Here's How Much Checked Bags Now Cost With Southwest Airlines — and Who's Exempt From Paying Fees Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
