Technologies

ExpressVPN Adds Siri, Widgets and Shortcuts to Its iOS App

ExpressVPN is trying to make it easier for iPhone and iPad owners to protect their privacy when online.

Virtual private network service ExpressVPN is making it easier for iPhone and iPad users to control their VPN connections with the latest update to its iOS app. The platform announced new features that will allow integration with Apple’s Siri voice commands, Home screen widgets and Shortcuts, allowing users to manage their VPN connections without opening the app.

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With the update, users can activate or deactivate ExpressVPN by speaking to Siri. Voice commands like «Hey Siri, turn on ExpressVPN» will automatically connect the device to the most recent server location, offering hands-free protection when hopping onto public Wi-Fi networks or managing sensitive online activity. This integration is designed to make online privacy easier for people who rely on the VPN throughout the day.

A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and masks your IP address, protecting your physical location. A VPN lets you keep your online activity private from your internet service provider or make apps and websites think you’re in a different state or country.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About VPNs and How They Work

In addition to voice controls, ExpressVPN now supports Home screen widgets. The widget displays the VPN’s current status and lets users connect or disconnect with one tap. For frequent travelers, remote workers or anyone who switches networks regularly, this provides a faster way to secure a connection without navigating through the app.

Read also: Apple Reportedly Planning AI-Enhanced Siri With Search Tool in 2026

The update also adds compatibility with Apple’s Shortcuts app, enabling users to create custom automation routines. For example, a user could set a shortcut to automatically connect to a preferred server location when opening a particular app or joining a specific Wi-Fi network. This kind of automation allows for tailored workflows and reduces the friction of manual VPN management, particularly for people who integrate multiple apps into their daily routines.

The update is available now on iPhone and iPad devices that support ExpressVPN.

Read more: Best VPN Service for 2025

CNET rates ExpressVPN as the best overall VPN service, noting that it’s «a veteran VPN provider that consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to privacy and transparency.» ExpressVPN is praised for being easy to use, but our review also notes that it is one of the most expensive VPN providers available.

Technologies

Check Your Bank Accounts, You Might Spot a Deposit From a Facebook Lawsuit

The payments average about $30, and will be paid by the method you chose when you filed a claim.

Read your email carefully this week: On Monday morning, I received an email from PayPal with the enticing subject line, «Your Facebook Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation Settlement Payment.» And no, it wasn’t a scam. I opened it to find my PayPal account had been sent $37.55 as my share of Facebook’s $725 million privacy settlement.

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I was glad I spotted the email, because the money would’ve sat there in PayPal until I made a PayPal purchase. Instead, I chose to transfer it to my bank, where it’s expected to show up by Thursday.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that if you neglected to file a claim by the 2023 deadline, you’re out of luck.

This all stems from what might be the largest privacy settlement in US history: Facebook’s parent company, Meta, is paying $725 million to settle claims involving the sharing of user data with third-party companies.

Back in 2018, Facebook was accused of improperly disclosing users’ personal information. Cambridge Analytica, a UK political consulting firm with ties to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, ended up with the data of as many as 87 million Facebook users. Meta denied any wrongdoing, saying in a 2023 statement that it agreed to the deal because «it’s in the best interest of our community and shareholders.»

A representative for Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Payment amounts differ

The official website for the lawsuit has more information about settlement payments. It notes that settlement payments are only being sent to class members with approved claims. Distribution of the payments will continue over the next 10 weeks. If your claim is approved, a notification will be sent to your email a few days before your payment is issued.

If you are unsure of the status of your claim form and would like to check, you can send an email to the Settlement Administrator at info@facebookuserprivacysettlement.com, but you must include your Claim ID.

Some recipients will be paid via direct deposit, Venmo, Zelle, a mailed check or a virtual prepaid MasterCard, based on the method they chose when they filed their claim. I certainly didn’t remember which method I chose back then, but the PayPal email jogged my memory.

Your settlement amount might be slightly different from mine. The website says authorized claimants receive one point for each month in which they had an active Facebook account during the class period. The number of points helps determine the amount you’re paid.

According to CBS News, the average payment amount is $29.43, and the maximum payout is $38.36.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Sept. 16, #358

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Sept. 16, No. 358

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition has a really odd green group — simple once you get it, of course. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Fore!

Green group hint: Name of a league.

Blue group hint: Subjective scoring.

Purple group hint: Drinking vessel.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Golf scoring terms.

Green group: WNBA.

Blue group: Sports that have judges.

Purple group: ____ cup.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is golf scoring terms. The four answers are birdie, bogey, eagle and par.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is WNBA. The four answers are Association, Basketball, National and Women’s.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is sports that have judges. The four answers are diving, figure skating, gymnastics and skateboarding.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____ cup. The four answers are America’s, Ryder, Stanley and World.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Tuesday, Sept. 16

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Sept. 16.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s Mini Crossword plays off some fun city names in various states. I knew two of them, but 8-Across stumped me until I completed the Down clues. Need help? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.