Mashable

There's a lot of reasons you might want to switch your location on or off on your iPhone. Some geolocation-based apps, like Google Maps or ridesharing services, need location access to function (it's kind of the point). The iPhone camera connects location data with your photos and videos. Some social media apps that allow you to check in to places need to you to turn the location on. But perhaps you don't feel like handing your precise location data over to tech companies, or potentially, other people?

At best, location sharing can give third-party advertisers a pretty good idea of the places you frequent and at what times of day. At worst, location sharing can be manipulated and used in cases of domestic digital abuse.

SEE ALSO: Does your partner really need to know your location all the time?

"With your permission, Location Services allows apps and websites (including Maps, Camera, Weather and other apps) to use information from mobile data, Wi-Fi, Global Positioning System (GPS) networks and Bluetooth to determine your location," says Apple's website.

You can turn off Location Services and GPS for individual apps or entirely on your iPhone, but perhaps you don't know exactly how to do that. We're here to help.

How to turn off location on your iPhone Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• iPhone

Step 1: Go to Settings on your iPhone.

It's the icon that looks like a collection of cogs.

Step 2: Tap "Privacy & Security".

Credit: Shannon Connellan

Step 3: Select "Location Services".

It's right at the top.

Step 4: Toggle "Location Services" on or off.

Credit: Shannon Connellan

Step 5: Alternatively, you can scroll down to individual apps, tap them and allow or disallow location access.

You can pick between "Never", "Ask Next Time Or When I Share", and "While Using the App." Here, you will also have the option to toggle on or off "Precise Location" — if you turn this off but allow location access, the app will approximate your location.

What do the arrows mean in Location Services?

You might have spotted some arrows in Location Services sitting beside your apps. According to Apple, a grey apple means an app or feature has used your location in the last 24 hours, and a purple arrow means it has recently used your location.

What does the "Share Your Location" feature mean?

You can also "Share Your Location" from Location Services on iPhone with people in your contacts; this also shares your location to any connected HomePods and the Find My app and CheckIn feature. You can also toggle it off if you want to — and you should really think about whether you want to or not.

When most people use their debit or credit cards, they take it for granted, as if these are rights simply afforded to everyone in America. But not everyone gets to use lines of credit, send money on financial apps, or even have money deposited into a bank account. Many sex workers are barred from having bank accounts, or have had their bank accounts canceled out of nowhere. Financial apps like PayPal are no different. Credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard have policies that impede sex workers abilities to make money in the first place. 

People in the sex industry often have a very difficult time getting business loans, home loans, or lines of credit because they are deemed "high risk." Frequently, when financial institutions are confronted about these policies — what they mean, how they categorize someone as "high risk," and how such information is obtained — they keep this information close to the vest. Discrimination in the financial sector means people who have engaged in the sex industry are at constant risk of being "found out" and having massive financial fall out because of this. 

SEE ALSO: Is WhatsApp banning sex worker accounts?

No adult can build wealth without access to a bank account, at the very least. Historically marginalized populations in America, like sex workers who are Black and Indigenous, are even more disproportionately impacted by such policies due to the lack of historical opportunities to build generational wealth. In order to have a safer, more just society, we must fight financial discrimination against sex workers.

Stop discrimination to stop sex trafficking

When people tell me they want to stop sex trafficking, I usually tell them to stop excluding sex workers — and sex trafficking survivors — from mainstream society; i.e. housing, employment, and financial wealth. For anyone who cares about stamping out human trafficking, I would say then you must allow sex workers and sex trafficking survivors a place in "normal" society. Putting us on the margins of society financially puts us on the margins, period. Limiting our options for financial autonomy and independence creates dependence on others. And at the margins is where those with evil intent wait to exploit and abuse. 

When I asked if they think current financial policies put them in jeopardy, sex industry professional Lyrik Allure told me, "It further fuels the fires for more discrimination from the outside world. They [banks and others] deem us 'high risk' and claim 'suspicious activity' as a reason not to release our funds, close accounts and make our lives beyond difficult." 

Sex workers are no different than anyone else. They have rent to pay, children to feed, and bills just like everyone does. And as Allure pointed out to me, sex work is work just like any other job.

Many banks and financial institutions classify people who do sex industry work as "high risk," thereby requiring them to pay higher fees, interest rates, and seizing funds without warning or much of an appeal process. Financial apps like PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App have been notorious in sex working communities for seizing accounts and barring individuals from the platforms, often while taking any money that a person might still have in their accounts without giving them the opportunity to have it returned. Those who try to appeal to get their money back are met with a round robin of frustrating dead-ends and emails and phone numbers that do nothing to help. If someone is lucky enough to get an answer, the response is typically: "You were categorized as high risk." No further explanation or assistance offered. Some people have reported to me they were simply hung up on. 

Sex workers are no different than anyone else. They have rent to pay, children to feed, and bills just like everyone does.

Sex industry professional Gabrielle Monroe told Mashable she had a prepaid credit card from a local bank that was purchased by Capital One in 2013. Capital One allegedly canceled Monroe's prepaid credit card and sent her a check for one dollar. When she was finally able to speak to Capital One, Monroe says they told her on the phone, "You were flagged as high risk." Monroe states she never received the $1,000 that Capital One owed her. 

That same year, Monroe also claims Bank of America canceled her prepaid credit card and closed her account for being "high risk." They did send her the money a few weeks later...by check...which she couldn't cash since they had canceled her account. Neither Capital One nor Bank of America responded to Mashable's request for comment. 

Sixty-three percent of people in the adult industry have had their bank accounts closed or financial apps like PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App closed, according to research done by the Free Speech Coalition (FSC), a lobby group for the adult industry. Venmo and PayPal didn't respond to Mashable's request for comment, while Cash App declined to comment. Fifty percent have had a loan denied as a direct result of their work; 88 percent of those who have applied for business loans, and 85 percent of those who applied for insurance have had a bank account closed or denied due to adult work. FSC reports that most people in the sex industry prefer not to even bother applying for loans or insurance, for fear the background investigations could lead to a bank account shutdown.

Visa declined to comment on this story and PayPal did not respond to our request for comment. Mastercard told Mashable that, before it introduced its adult content policy, it shared its plans with "industry experts who are certified in preventing child exploitation." Mastercard also disclosed that they found these "certified experts" through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, but would not comment on whether these "experts" had any lived experience in the sex industry, either as sex trafficking survivors or sex workers, beyond simply holding a certification. 

Financially punished for legal work

It's important to note that financial discrimination is happening to sex workers who take part in legal and illegal aspects of the industries alike. When we talk about financial discrimination against sex workers, this includes people who do legal work like exotic dancing, adult film, web camming, OnlyFans, and so forth. The issue with these monies that these financial institutions appear to be having is a moral one, not a legal one. 

One financial institution we requested comment from told us they did not wish to comment publicly, but to provide background they wanted to let me know that they work hard to only process legal transactions. This statement is problematic because it shows ignorance of the fact that there are plenty of people engaged in legal sex work who are experiencing this discriminatory treatment, and they have no legal leg to stand on for discriminating against them. Could it really be as ridiculous as these systems not understanding, or caring to understand, the difference — according to the law — between working on OnlyFans and engaging in full service sex work (otherwise known as "prostitution")? Are these places simply painting all monies from all forms of sex work as liabilities? Are they just labeling everyone in the sex industry as "high risk"?

Having access to financial autonomy is a human right, and as the ACLU declares in a statement, financial discrimination of sex workers is a civil liberties issue. We cannot talk about sex trafficking and what makes people vulnerable to sex trafficking without acknowledging that financial autonomy and access to financial resources are one of the key things keeping people in the sex industry safe from being exploited. 

Monroe goes on to tell Mashable about the impact of being shunned from financial institutions and not having access to them, particularly for her in 2013, "At the time, the only access to money I had was through an abusive sugar daddy. If I could have checked into a hotel I could have worked to make money without needing his financial support, or the abuse that came with it."

Having access to financial autonomy is a human right.

As the Free Speech Coalition states in one of their reports on financial discrimination and sex work, "Financial discrimination does not happen in a vacuum, but instead is part of a system of risks faced by those working in the adult industry. Loss of banking or poor credit can impact access to other essentials." If you can't get a bank account, it makes it hard to save or obtain credit, get a loan, buy a house, and get out of poverty. 

Financial discrimination is only one part of a huge interconnecting puzzle of discrimination which also includes housing discrimination and mainstream employment discrimination. Like all forms of discrimination, these are systemic and intersectional. And we cannot end one without ending the others. In fact, over 50 percent of people in the adult industry have reported experiencing housing discrimination, according to FSC's research. Almost 60 percent of people in the adult industry have experienced employment discrimination outside of adult work as well. People are more afraid of what they don't know than anything.

Financial stability cannot be obtained without financial access, and it's just that simple. Most people might say, "So what if a hooker or a porn star can't get credit, why should I care?" And to that I would say, because one of the hottest issues that Americans claim to care about right now is sex trafficking. 

Ending the scourge of sex trafficking is a red herring by which many politicians use as an excuse to roll back all sorts of basic human rights for sex workers as well as the general public. Think about the bills that would instate increased social media restrictions like KOSA and EARN IT, and the potential TikTok ban. 

The precursor to all of this recent internet regulation? The 2018 bill SESTA (Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act) which rolled back Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 in the name of protecting sex trafficking victims. SESTA and its sister bill FOSTA has still not done what it promised for victims —aside from increasing internet regulation and limiting freedom for everyone. 

Sex workers and sex trafficking survivors are the test cases for revoking your human rights. Being flagged and having accounts shut down randomly, without warning or opportunity for appeal, is apparently now happening to non-sex workers too. So make no mistake when you see it happening to sex workers, you are next. 

SEE ALSO: Sex workers are cloning themselves with AI to make sexy chatbots Fighting financial discrimination together

Here is an opportunity to actually keep people in the sex industry from being exploited and going from sex workers to sex trafficking survivors. Here is an opportunity to prevent sex trafficking.

Sex workers have been fighting these policies and these companies for years, but as is the case with most marginalized communities, the likelihood is far more that these systems will listen to the dominant mainstream culture. So you have more power and influence than you might think. What you can do is sign this petition to Mastercard, whose adult content policies make it hard for people in the industry to make money, thus making exploitation far more likely. Financial agency and autonomy is a human right that should be feasible and accessible for everyone, including people who do all kinds of sex work. 

Everyone from the UN Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls, to the ACLU, to Amnesty International — all human rights based organizations — have come out in direct support of the decriminalization of sex work as a means to end violence, exploitation, and discrimination against people in the sex industry. Taking steps for change, whether they be community lead mass efforts such as demonstrations and grassroots activism or individual efforts like educating your great aunt Mildred about decrim, or even this article — it is all taking a stand against financial discrimination. Whether large or small, none of these acts are meaningless and all make an impact for the better. 

Because when a bank scans escort ads for faces in order to close people's bank accounts and cut them off from their own money, is this the kind of due process we want to live in? In a world where financial institutions get to act like judge, jury, and executioner all by themselves? Where having a bank account is a privilege and not a right, or where economic autonomy is granted by the one percent instead of expected by the ninety-nine? I get that banks and financial institutions are companies first who are watching their bottom-line, because that's what companies do in American capitalism first and foremost. But isn't that exactly the problem? Aauthor and MIT professor Noam Chomsky might call this a fine example of "profit over people." And sex workers deserve better. Frankly, we all deserve better. 

Birds chirping in the forest, waves crashing in the ocean, and the sound of thunderstorms are some of nature's beloved symphonies. These sounds are inseparable from the human experience not only as they have proven to be beneficial for our mental health and wellbeing, but also because they're believed to have played an instrumental role in the evolution of human-made music.

Drawing from this idea, Sounds Right, an initiative led by the Museum for the United Nations, has collaborated with Spotify to recognise Nature as an artist in its own right, letting it earn royalties that will be used for its own conservation. The project launched in the lead up to Earth Day and currently offers three types of playlists.

SEE ALSO: Spotify will let you use AI to create personalized playlists

The first one, "Feat. NATURE", is a playlist featuring renowned artists from across the globe. Listeners can hear beloved tracks from their favorite musicians remixed with captivating nature sounds. In David Bowie’s "Get Real," for example, renowned composer Brian Eno, who co-wrote the song with Bowie over three decades ago, mixes the tracks with animal howls. 

"The animals are invading the song – it's like it has sprung leaks everywhere and these animals are coming in through every window and crack between the doors. They're sort of threatening — suddenly Nature has crept into the art," Eno said in a press statement. To him, this project is a simple act of ensuring that the original source of inspiration remains intact.

"Throughout my life I’ve wondered — how can I return something to the places I’ve taken ideas from? Music started out as the sounds of the natural world, and Sounds Right creates a system to give back to nature, helping to preserve the planet so that it can continue to inspire us for years to come."

The second type of playlists are ambient nature symphonies where listeners can enjoy the soothing sounds of nature, such as "Tropical Rain Sounds" or a playlist called "Seascape Symphony". There’s also something for the podcast lovers; playlists like "Food For Thought," "Money Talks," and "Cut Food Waste" feature podcasts episodes dedicated to climate solutions.

So, where's all that revenue going? 60 percent of royalties from ambient tracks on Nature’s Spotify profile, as well as least 50 percent of revenues from Feat. NATURE tracks to be donated to biodiversity conservation and restoration projects. On top of that, Sounds Right also welcomes individual donations on its GoFundMe page.

The funds will be collected by the U.S. and UK-registered charity EarthPercent, while their distribution will be decided by representatives of Indigenous Peoples, scientists, conservation experts, and environmental activists who are part of the Sounds Right Expert Advisory Panel. The Panel has announced that it will prioritise projects with a strong focus on biodiversity and endemism, while an initial analysis has identified Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands, the Atlantic Forest, and the Philippines as some Key Biodiversity Areas it will be looking to support.

There has long been a discourse on whether streaming is harmful for the environment or not. However, by giving Nature credit (and notably, revenue) for its symphonies and sounds, Sounds Right offers a way to turn music streaming into meaningful climate action. The project adds to the growing argument that to successfully restore our relationship with Nature, we should perhaps, give it legal and creative rights.

Daniel Radcliffe is the latest to join a long line of esteemed rescue dog helpers on The Late Show, from Aubrey Plaza and Jason Momoa to Billy Eichner and Oscar Isaac.

In the clip above he puts his acting skills to good use, telling charming lies about the various dogs on offer in order to improve their chances of finding a new home.

The cutest of all? Probably "Harry Pupper". "He is a powerful wizard," says Radcliffe. "I'm sorry, I read that wrong. He is a powerful wizzer. You're going to want to put a pad down."

All the dogs in the clip are available to adopt from North Shore Animal League.

From Apple rumors to Conan O'Brien reaching 'Hot Ones' GOAT status, host Josh Burstein takes us on a comedic journey through the week's top stories.

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We're only three days into Trump's trial, but there's already been plenty of drama — from Trump being shown memes of himself during jury selection to the former president's random feud with Jimmy Kimmel on his off day.

Stephen Colbert was quick to jump to Kimmel's defence on Wednesday, just like he was quick to take a few more jabs at the president on Thursday while wrapping up the trial's third day.

"It's just day three of the hush money trial here in New York, New York, the city that never sleeps — unless you're Donald Trump in a courtroom," Colbert says in the clip above, before mocking Trump's Truth Social post moaning that he isn't allowed unlimited jury strikes.

"Yes, strikes," says Colbert. "Famously unlimited. That's why umpires yell, 'Strike three! You're at the start of a beautiful journey.'"

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 19 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 19

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, April 19, 2024:

Across"Get outta here!"

• The answer is scram.

Japanese poem with 17 syllables

• The answer is haiku.

Who "has left the building," in a famous concert announcement

• The answer is Elvis.

Smartphone notification

• The answer is alert.

"Don't go!"

• The answer is stay.

Down___ butter (lotion ingredient)

The answer is shea.

Referees' decisions

• The answer is calls.

Completely captivate

• The answer is rivet.

Award-winning filmmaker Kurosawa

• The answer is Akira.

Like a basement that needs to be aired out

• The answer is musty.

A disorienting COVID comedy with plenty on its mind, Stress Positions announces the arrival of filmmaker Theda Hammel as a bold new voice to watch. This is her feature debut both in front of and behind the camera — the director/writer/composer/editor also co-stars alongside comedian John Early — and the result is an intimate New York farce of epic proportions.

Set during the pandemic lockdown in 2020, it follows a group of jaded, white, queer older millennials (and one young Moroccan zoomer) and channels America’s post-9/11 zeitgeist into an uproarious search for authenticity. With repetitive, rapid-fire dialogue reminiscent of screwball comedies, it hammers home its central ideas early on, and with reckless abandon. This leaves a surprising amount of room in its mere 95 minutes for quiet contemplations on identity in the form of old home videos.

It's as reflective as it is self-reflexive, a fun work of autofiction that, while not strictly autobiographical, captures what it feels like to live during (and be defined by) fraught moments in modern American history. Its edges are often frayed, and they become increasingly so as the film goes on — it is, after all, a first-time feature, and bears all the manic hallmarks of novice filmmaking. But its roughness is part of its zany charm.

What is Stress Positions about? Credit: Courtesy of NEON.

Co-written by Hammel and actor Faheem Ali, Stress Positions follows Terry Goon (Early), a high-strung white gay man looking after his soon-to-be ex-husband's Brooklyn brownstone in 2020, during the initial days of self-quarantine. As a gas-mask-donning Terry participates in early COVID rituals — from sanitizing food and money to banging pots and pans for aid workers — he also looks after his Moroccan nephew Bahlul (Qaher Harhash), a 19-year-old model with a broken leg.

Despite Terry's numerous reminders of "He's my nephew, and he's very badly injured!" (in a forceful, Billy Eichner-esque cadence), salacious news of the alleged boytoy in his basement travels via whisper network. The rumor, at one point, travels through his college friend Karla (Hammel) — a transgender physiotherapist — and her author girlfriend Vanessa (Amy Zimmer), a lesbian couple working through trust issues in their Greenpoint apartment. Thanks to numerous bizarre circumstances, from Terry suffering an unfortunate cooking injury to Karla's fate becoming entwined with a young Afghan American GrubHub driver (Ali), the two friends end up reuniting and catching up over several evenings.

The plot may be sparse, but it's filled with a litany of strange supporting characters — like Terry's upstairs neighbor, the elusive, elderly, seemingly conspiratorial Coco (Rebecca F. Wright) — who add a certain idiosyncrasy to the movie's contours. The real story of Stress Positions, however, is born through its numerous interactions, which arrive with a bustling, distinctly New York energy mixed with COVID-era paranoia.

Nearly every character is flippant with their words, and their dialogue is usually imbued with political subtext, even in the most mundane interactions. For instance, when Karla makes a stray comment about Bahlul being from the Middle East, Bahlul reminds her Morocco isn't part of the region. This simple interaction leads to absurd confusion and insecurity amongst the movie's white characters that reverberates through the narrative as they try to recalibrate their understanding of both Bahlul and the world around them.

Stress Positions is about post-9/11 America. Credit: Courtesy of NEON.

The film takes its name from CIA torture methods used during the "war on terror," though given Karla's job as a physiotherapist, it takes on a sly (if silly) double meaning about contortion and stress relief. This sort of tension, between personal details and the world’s wider political backdrop, make for some of the film’s most knee-slapping comedic moments.

During the story, she and Terry encounter numerous Muslim workers and proceed to stumble through their interactions with them, like the well-meaning but oafish characters on The Office. They have liberal politics, but like their understanding of the Middle East and North Africa — which are as much geographical areas as they are constructs in the Western consciousness — the characters' own political identities are in flux.

Karla, for instance, has a fleeting interest in men despite identifying as a lesbian, and she insists she's Middle Eastern-adjacent because of her Greek heritage. But what soon becomes clear, in her evening chats with Terry and Bahlul, is just how much modern incarnations of whiteness and Americanness are formed in relation to (and in some ways, in opposition to) a nebulous, villainized Middle Eastern-ness. No character ever puts this idea into words, but the movie is whip-smart in the way it frames idiotic dialogue, and the way it interrogates each politically charged faux pas through lingering, awkward silences.

While voiceover from Karla introduces the story, the narrations soon shift in POV, allowing Bahlul to recount his upbringing with his white mother (Terry's sister), who converted to Islam, and who now exists in snippets of forgotten home videos. Through these segments of recollection, the film slows down and zeroes its focus on the shifting context of Bahlul's ethnic, religious, and sexual identity. The question of his queerness is broached but never fully answered, a lingering tension that draws comical bewilderment from Karla and Terry. As older millennials who came of age in the 2000s and 2010s — when their respective trans and gay identities found mainstream acceptance — they're far more accustomed to definitive labels, and seem intimidated by the fluidity of the forthcoming generation.

For Bahlul, the most reserved of the film's leading trio, the question of who he is in an American context is as political as it is personal. His quiet crisis of identity is subtly exacerbated when the Fourth of July approaches, and star-spangled banners become common decorations. However, neither this nor any of the movie's other loaded, reflective subplots would amount to much were Stress Positions not so deftly crafted too.

Stress Positions is a lightning-in-a-bottle comedy. Credit: Courtesy of NEON.

Across numerous scenes, characters in Stress Positions question whether Vanessa's book, based on Karla's life, is an authentic reflection of her story or simply borrows it for convenience. This recurring thread invites similar questions about the movie too, but while Vanessa's novel is referred to as disposable, Hammel's work behind the camera is a shot in the arm for the modern New York comedy. It captures feelings of millennial listlessness similar to the Max series Search Party (not the least because they have Early in common). But the film also contrasts this sense of time unfolding infinitely during the pandemic with a wild-eyed, frenetic approach.

The movie's slapstick sensibility — buoyed by hilariously committed work from Early, who pratfalls his way through entire scenes just to answer the doorbell — fills the frame with an effervescent energy. But outside of its immediate context as a joke, each bit of on-screen momentum feels entirely (and intentionally) useless, given the characters' quarantine confines. They could bounce off the walls, and it would have little to no effect on the outside world, until and unless one of the other cast members enters their private bubble.

This not only reflects the restlessness that took hold in early lockdown, but the gloomy, nihilistic outlook of an American generation defined by wars, recession, and ultimately, a pandemic. Every subplot in the movie's peripheral vision, whether Karla's relationship woes or Terry's impending divorce, feels both inevitable and depressingly self-fulfilling, as though the very notion of hope were something surreal or absurd. The film, in this way, verges on a strange kind of magical realism in its moments of self-affirmation (like the act of Bahlul admiring his own body, presented in dreamlike fashion) — moments made all the more perplexing by Hammel's intriguing, percussion-heavy score.

In Stress Positions, up is down, left is right, and who someone is (or purports to be) is ever-shifting, changing with each new bit of social or political context unwittingly introduced into a conversation. It's about the connections between people who, despite believing otherwise, are disconnected from one another and from the world at large, and about how tensions they don't even recognize exacerbate each ridiculous situation. It's a smart movie about dumb people, and a wildly good time.

Stress Positions opens in theaters April 19.

SAVE UP TO 75%: Over three dozen digital games for the Nintendo Switch are discounted as part of Nintendo's Indie Sale, which runs through April 23.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Indie Sale Save up to 75% on select Switch titles Shop Now

Nintendo has followed up its April 17 Indie World Showcase with a sale on a slew of beloved indie titles for the Switch.

Live now through April 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT, the aptly named Indie Sale slashes the prices of select digital games across the My Nintendo Store (online) and the Nintendo eShop (on Switch consoles). The event's lineup includes a little something for every kind of gamer, from the massively popular mythological roguelike Hades (now available on iOS) to the cult classic 2D adventurer Hollow Knight, the hysterical viral rhythm game Trombone Champ, and cozy favorites like Bugsnax, Unpacking, Spiritfarer, and Stardew Valley.

Nintendo advertises the sale as having discounts of "up to 50%" off, but we found even bigger markdowns peppered in there; shoppers can save anywhere from 15 to 75%. Read on for a rundown of the best deals from the Indie Sale, followed by a complete list of every single featured game.

Mashable's top picks from the Nintendo Indie Sale Opens in a new window Credit: Supergiant Games 'Hades' $12.49 at My Nintendo Store
$24.99 Save $12.50 Get Deal Why we like it:

"As a roguelike action game, with its randomized room layouts, enemies, and power-up drops, forcing players to restart from the very beginning every time they die, [Hades is] challenging," wrote former Mashable reporter Kellen Beck. "But while many of these kinds of games are frustrating, the story woven into this journey of Zagreus, the son of Hades, as he tries to escape the underworld is intoxicating." It was our 2020 game of the year, and it's getting a sequel in the near future — Steam players can sign up for a technical test — making now a great time to jump in. Plus, this appears to be its lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: ConcernedApe 'Stardew Valley' $9.99 at My Nintendo Store
$14.99 Save $5.00 Get Deal Why we like it:

You're definitely familiar with ConcernedApe's addictive farming sim if you're into cozy games. What you might not know is that it just got a massive PC update containing "a laundry list of new content," wrote Mashable's Amanda Yeo, including "pets in hats, big chests, and the opportunity to crit a baby." (You can also drink mayonnaise — now that's what I call gaming!) The Nintendo Switch version of the game hasn't gotten the patch just yet, but it shouldn't be too much longer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Massive Monster / Devolver Digital 'Cult of the Lamb' $14.99 at My Nintendo Store
$24.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it:

"Cult of the Lamb is an adorably macabre, eldritch-themed combination of roguelike and base building games," said Yeo. It got its own free content expansion in early 2024 called "Sins of the Flesh," which added a new weapon, new achievements, new traits, new buildings, and [checks patch notes] six new types of poop, among other improvements.

A complete list of deals from the Nintendo Indie Sale

• Among Us — $3.25 $5 (save $1.75)

• Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling — $14.99 $24.99 (save $10)

• Bugsnax — $7.49 $24.99 (save $17.50)

• Cavern of Dreams — $10.39 $12.99 (save $2.60)

• Celeste — $9.99 $19.99 (save $10)

• Chicory: A Colorful Tale — $9.99 $19.99 (save $10)

• Cocoon — $17.49 $24.99 (save $7.50)

• Cult of the Lamb — $14.99 $24.99 (save $10)

• Cuphead — $13.99 $19.99 (save $6)

• Cuphead & The Delicious Last Course — $19.43 $26.99 (save $7.56)

• Dicey Dungeons — $5.09 $14.99 (save $9.90)

• Disco Elysium - The Final Cut — $11.99 $39.99 (save $28)

• Eastward — $14.99 $24.99 (save $10)

• Eastward - Between Two Worlds Bundle — $18.06 $27.79 (save $9.73)

• Gang Beasts — $11.99 $29.99 (save $18)

• Hades — $12.49 $24.99 (save $12.50)

• Have A Nice Death — $16.66 $24.99 (save $8.33)

• Hollow Knight — $7.50 $15 (save $7.50)

• Katana Zero — $8.99 $14.99 (save $6)

• Mineko's Night Market — $15.99 $19.99 (save $4)

• moon — $13.29 $18.99 (save $5.70)

• Neon White — $14.99 $24.99 (save $10)

• OneShot: World Machine Edition — $10.49 $14.99 (save $4.50)

• Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition — $7.99 $19.99 (save $12)

• Ori and the Will of the Wisps — $11.99 $29.99 (save $18)

• Outer Wilds — $17.49 $24.99 (save $7.50)

• Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition — $26.49 $37.99 (save $11.50)

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TL;DR: As of April 15, save 50% on this robot vacuum and mop with a new open-box model. It pairs to an app and works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. 

The worst part about spring cleaning? Being the one doing the cleaning. While it can be fun to do those annual wardrobe or pantry purges, it’s not quite as fun to do routine vacuuming and mopping around the house.

If you could use a hand, check out this ZCWA robot vacuum and mop combo. Normally retailing for $199.99, it’s only $99.99 for a new open-box model — that’s 50% in savings.

The future of cleaning is here — and it’s automated

The best part about the ZCWA robot? You don’t even have to be home when it’s cleaning. Use the Tuya Smart app to create a schedule, change the cleaning mode, or control the direction, and the robot does all of the back-breaking work for you. Just make sure the dustbin is empty and the water tank is full before you leave.

Another cool feature? The robot is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can start and stop it with voice commands. It might sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but it could soon be your reality. 

Since we’re on a roll, we’ll keep the features coming. An impressive 2,500mAh battery means it works for up to 100 minutes on a single charge, covering a 1,290 square-foot home, a 2.87-inch design means it easily fits under furniture, and obstacle avoidance means it won’t get itself trapped in the nooks of your house.

A vacuum that’ll sweep you off your feet

Usually, an open-box model just means it's extra inventory from store shelves or customer returns that have been shipped back to warehouses. After being inspected and verified to still be in new condition, they’re sold at a steep discount. Your robot vacuum includes all original accessories and comes with a 90-day warranty.

Spring cleaning has never been so easy with this ZCWA robot vacuum and mop combo at $99.99 (reg. $199.99) for a new open-box model.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: ZCWA ZCWA 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop Combo with WiFi/App/Alexa - Black (New - Open Box) $99.99 at the Mashable SHop
$199.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 21, this $100 Restaurant Gift Card is only $80, and you can use it at eateries like Planet Hollywood, Bertucci's, and Brio.

If you're eating on a budget, dining out might not always be affordable. Thankfully there are deals available to help you save. If you're looking for a way to still enjoy a meal out, check out a $100 Restaurant Gift Card for only $80. 

Dine out on a budget

This restaurant eGift card is a chance to enjoy a meal at many well-known restaurants. If you're feeling a little Italian, you could use your card at Buca di Beppo, Bertucci's, or Brio Italian Grille, among others. Craving fish? There's always Seaside on the Piere. Or if you want a little comfort food, see what's up for grabs at Cafe Hollywood. You've got options ranging from sit-down dining to fast food, and you can use your card in all 50 states. 

Here's how it works:

1. First, you'll get your eGift Card voucher right here. 

2. Then check your email for your gift card. 

3. Find a participating local restaurant to see what's on the menu. 

4. Use your card for tasty treats, refreshing bevs, generous tips, or even restaurant products depending on what each restaurant has available. 

Stress a little less over the bill

Craving something tasty? Plan your next night out with a little help. 

For a limited time, you can get a $100 Restaurant Gift Card for just $80. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Earl Enterprises $100 Restaurant Gift Card for $80: Planet Hollywood, Bertucci's, and More $80.00 at the Mashable Shop
$100.00 Save $20.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 21, save $35 on this 4K video system and speaker bar for conference rooms and virtual meetings.

Remember the days when virtual meetings were supposed to make our work days easier? Now, stepping foot into a real conference room seems like a treat compared to setting up webcams and microphones, but something that might make life a little easier for remote team meetings is this Poly Studio 4K video system speaker bar.

It replaces your existing webcam with a wider field of view, your microphone with clearer audio, and tangles of cables with simple, streamlined setup, all for $449.99 (reg. $484.99).

The ultimate picture and sound quality upgrade

The Poly Studio video system is ideal for use in a conference room with a large group of people who are joining a virtual meeting, though you could absolutely use it with just a few people or yourself. Its 4K clarity and 120-degree field of view are designed to capture more detail and individuals than your typical laptop webcam. The camera also has 5x digital zoom when people have individual speaking points or questions.

On the audio side, the video system has a 6-microphone array that picks up clear sound, while NoiseBlockAI and Acoustic Fence technologies help filter out any excess noise or chatter in the room. As for listening, you and your team can enjoy powerful stereo speaker output.

Less hassle, more collaboration and productivity 

Setup is rather simple, all things considered. The Poly Studio video system needs power, but then you just need to connect a USB cable to your PC or Mac and launch your video conferencing platform — there’s no need to install any additional software.

Make every meeting a sound success with the Poly Studio 4K video system speaker bar at $449.99 (reg. $484.99). 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Poly Poly Studio 4K Video System Speaker Bar $449.99 at the Mashable Shop
$484.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 21, experience quality audio for less with this plug-and-play JLAB Talk Pro USB Microphone for just $47.99 (reg. $149).

Subpar audio quality can really make or break the message you're trying to get across. Whether you're a vlogger or podcaster, create voiceovers, or stream your video game sessions, a modern microphone to help elevate the sound you're working with can be a game changer. This easy-to-use microphone from JLAB is currently on sale for just $47.99 (reg. $149) and can help you sound more professional, no matter what you use it for.

Engineered with high-resolution 192kHz, 24-bit resolution, it allows for sound that's clear and true to life.  This USB microphone has three condensers and four directional pattern modes to suit your needs. The cardioid, omnidirectional, stereo, and bidirectional modes make this a versatile microphone that's suitable for many endeavors. 

Made to be a professional-level mic, it features quality sound and gain control, which can come in handy in the event of distortions, sensitivity, or a lack of sound. It also offers 3.5mm AUX input for zero-latency real-time listening. And the quick-mute option can be useful if using this mic at home.

The USB design includes a ten-foot cord and makes for an easy setup. It's also conveniently compatible with both Mac (10.10 and higher) and Windows (7,8,10).

If you need an auditory upgrade or know someone who would get some use and enjoyment out of a pro-quality mic, this is a good time to buy. It's currently on sale at a 67% savings for a limited time.

Pick up this plug-and-play JLAB Talk Pro USB Microphone, on sale for just $47.99 (reg. $149).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: JLAB JLAB Talk Pro USB Microphone $47.99 at the Mashable Shop
$149.00 Save $101.01 Get Deal

At the first look at Abigail, horror fans had plenty of reason to salivate in bloodthirsty anticipation. Directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, part of the filmmaking team known as Radio Silence, are responsible for infusing the genre with plenty of fresh blood over the past few years, thanks to 2019's Ready or Not and the reinvigorated Scream franchise. Then you've got a slew of modern horror notables attached, like Lisa Frankenstein's Kathryn Newton, Scream and Scream VI's Melissa Barrera, as well as Dan Stevens, who went from being dreamy cousin Matthew on Downton Abbey to king of the creeps in flicks like The Guest, Apostle, and the upcoming Cuckoo.

This information is enough to have horror lovers seated before the trailer even reveals the hook: ballerina vampire. Tween vampire ballerina!

Drawing from a long history of vampire cinema, Abigail unveils a fresh tale of predator and prey, and it's pretty damn fun. Alisha Weir, the 14-year-old Irish actress who recently headlined Matilda: The Musical, stars as the eponymous Abigail. Sure, at first glance, she looks like a sweet little girl who loves the color pink, glittery sneakers, and Swan Lake. But when a band of kidnappers snatch her up and cart her away to a strange mansion, they soon discover they bit off way more than they can chew. 

Abigail plays like a sister film to Ready or Not.  Credit: Universal Pictures

After making solid genre inroads over the years, Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin broke out with the horror-comedy Ready or Not, which stars Samara Weaving as a new bride who's thrust into a deadly game of hide-and-seek within her wicked new in-laws' mansion. Abigail, which was written by Stephen Shields (The Hole in the Ground) and Guy Busick (who also co-wrote Ready or Not, Scream, and Scream VI) employs a similar framework to solid effect.

Here's another charismatic yet morally gray (to outright blackhearted) ensemble, trapped in a mansion filled with extravagant signs of old money and a deadly supernatural threat hanging over their heads like a guillotine blade. There'll even be a white gown covered in blood by the third act! This time, however, the tables are turned. It's not a viciously greedy family ganging up on one unsuspecting 12-year-old girl. It's a motley crew of crooks who are up against a mythic monster in a tutu — though you still may be rooting for the one in white.

Dan Stevens vs. Alisha Weir is why weirdos go to the movies.  Credit: Universal Pictures

As was the case in Ready or Not, the characters in this blood-soaked dark comedy range from quirky to absolutely bonkers. Their heinous "babysitting" job begins with surly Lambert (Giancarlo Esposito) laying out the rules of engagement, and giving this crew of strangers code names inspired by the Rat Pack, so they can keep their personal biz to themselves. But waiting for ransom to come in is boring, and getting-to-know-you games reveal delicious details. Even without them, this cast sinks their teeth into the wickedly fun tone. 

An all-business former Marine called Rickles (Will Catlett) delivers snarled one-liners with ruthless efficiency. Stoned getaway driver Dean (the late Angus Cloud) is a bumbling fool, whose dopiness scores some laughs before a brutal offscreen end. With a spattering of purposefully tacky tattoos and a Hot Topic punk aesthetic, Sammy (Newton) is almost jarringly plucky in the face of doom, whereas muscle-bound enforcer Peter (Kevin Durand) has winsome himbo vibes. Playing pack mother, Joey (Barrera) gets less opportunity for punchlines, more often offering comforting guidance when she's not alluding to her tearful backstory. To her, Frank (Stevens) is a sharp and welcome contrast. 

Credit: Universal Pictures

Where everyone else is happy to hang out as they wait for a ransom, Frank is always on the prowl for an angle. His caustic Queens accent spits disdain as his crooked smile implies a threat. Since leaving Downton Abbey, Stevens has enjoyed the freedom to steadily forge himself as a maestro of movie mayhem. It's a pleasure to watch him be a total bastard as it gives a vicarious thrill, but it also has audiences anticipating that this cad's comeuppance will be wildly gruesome to behold!

When it comes time to face Abigail in all her fangs-out glory, everyone has their chance to dance with her (sometimes literally). A charged glee runs through scenes in which a petite girl ambushes grown, armed, and even beefy adults. But it's Stevens who is her pitch-perfect partner. With that glint in his eye, his intensity matches Weir's, who shifts nimbly from a pose of terrified tween to rampaging beast to monologuing super(natural)villain.

Leaping from vulnerable to vicious with alarming ease, Weir delivers a performance that ranks with the likes of Linda Blair in The Exorcist, Isabelle Fuhrman in Orphan, and Patty McCormack in The Bad Seed. From the moment Weir bears her fangs, her Abigail is iconic, and an angel-faced Death. By the time she's changed costumes for a glammed-up rampage, she's reached M3GAN levels of modern horror glory. Every second she is on-screen is sensational.

Abigail reveals Radio Silence's limitations.  Credit: Universal Pictures

Abigail offers a generous spray of guts-strewn spectacle, including some bloody pyrotechnics reminiscent of Ready or Not's grand finale. Appreciators of gore or pitch-black comedy are sure to cackle in appreciation, but Abigail is at its very best when the practical effects play into the actors' performances.

Weir leaping onto the necks of her towering captors is surprising fun. However, when she leads one of them in a demented dance number, there's a deeply twisted thrill that gets better with every turn. Yet the setting of her dance partner's performance makes this big moment feel squashed, the spontaneity contained. Another pivotal moment in the climax feels cluttered in its staging. Its coverage is coherent but cinematically unremarkable, not living up the flare of its undead inspiration. While such sequences are no doubt exciting in their outrageousness, they lack the grandeur that should indicate some growth since Ready or Not. Instead, Abigail feels at times like a step back, veering into the overindulgent and unfocused, including a finale that — while full of blood and battle — feels undeniably bloated.

Part of the problem perhaps is that Abigail is not the movie that marketing promises, in an unexpected way. Is it about a ballerina vampire? Absolutely. However, in the film that revelation is a twist that isn't revealed for the first 30 minutes or so — well into its one hour, 49-minute runtime. While the prolonged first act allows the filmmakers to develop the atmosphere and introduce their chaotic human characters, it also demands a lot of patience from an audience that know what the plot will be. Curiously, this movie is cut assuming those in the theater haven't seen the film's trailer or even its poster, so the movie drags as we wait for the silly humans to catch up. Actually, much like the American Godzilla movies, this monster movie spends too much time on its human dramas — specifically that of its heroine. 

Barrera's Joey feels like an echo of Scream V's Sam, who loathes violence but must embrace it to survive — yet another steely mother figure who's haunted by her past yet determined to protect a child from her dangerous present. While Abigail gives Barrera more to play than haunted, her performance is still achingly flat. The screenplay gives Joey a cliched backstory meant to easily win audience sympathy, but making a character morally good doesn't make them compelling. As more and more scenes circle back to Joey's life outside the house, the focus on Abigail, vampires, and fun is lost. 

However, despite the sentimental detours, stodgy staging, and indulgent pacing, Abigail is a blast. It's exactly the kind of gonzo, gory, goofy crowdpleaser you'd hope for considering its very well-promoted premise. Still, I wish it moved as fast and ferociously as its terrorizing tiny dancer.

Abigail opens in theaters nationwide April 19.

There are movies so chaotic in their influences that — by right — they shouldn't work. And yet, somehow, by combining wildly disparate elements with DIY spectacle, they are simply magic. This month has seen two such marvels, the first being Vera Drew's ultra-personal superhero parody The People's Joker, which unfurls a touching trans coming-of-age tale against a backdrop of Batman villains. The second is the gleefully absurd slasher spoof from directors Lindsey Haun and Nick Roth, called Hanky Panky.

No matter how deeply you've dived into horror comedies, I can assure you that you've never seen anything quite like this. And that's because Haun and Roth collide references from everything from The Shining and Deliverance to Little Shop of Horrors, Men in Black, Doctor Sleep, and Clue — because why not? And we're not talking the brand of parody of 2000s "Not Another" infamy, where everything from teen movies to epic movies got lumped together in a studio-glossy yet sloppy narrative. Hanky Panky is so far from color-by-numbers that it's the comedy equivalent of a Jackson Pollack.

What is Hanky Panky about? Credit: Happy Canyon Club

This sensational stoner comedy begins — as much horror does — on a remote snowy mountain, where a cozy wooden cabin sits. As Sam (Jacob DeMonte-Finn), dressed in a suit and a concerned expression, approaches, a sound-alike of The Shining's score plays. So when Sam starts conversing with his unconventional best friend — a talking handkerchief called Woody (voiced by Toby Bryan) — there's a sharp and silly contrast in tone. All you need to know about Woody at this point is he's devoted to Sam, pushing the sad sack to make bold choices in life and love, and he loves messes. Like sexually. Woody loves to get wet and dirty, literally.

Anyhow, this means Woody is urging Sam to flirt with warm and spacey Diane (Ashley Holliday Tavares), who gleefully believes in the powers of expanding one's mind through psychedelics. But the rest of this mountaintop crew is less friendly. Snarling Carla (Christina Laskay) is hoping a group environment will give her a break from her dunderheaded husband, Cliff (Anthony Rutowicz). Blathering on is Dr. Crane (co-director Roth), a pretentious PhD-holding bartender ("At a wine bar! He doesn't even know how to mix drinks!") whose bombshell wife, Lilith (Azure Parsons giving Madeline Kahn as Mrs. White in Clue), is notoriously two-faced (literally!). Their hosts are the conspicuously incestuous sister-brother team of Rebecca (Haun in a campy femme-fatale role) and her hillbilly brother, Norm (Bryan again). And for good measure, a suspiciously plucky neighbor (Clare Grant) keeps popping by with baked goods — that are clearly store-bought.

So what's going on in this bizarre getaway? Well, that's for sheepish Sam to find out. And, heads up, it involves a talking top hat, voiced by Seth Green.

Hanky Panky is divinely stupid. Credit: Happy Canyon Club

From the cold open, in which a random man flees an unseen threat only to be cut down in blood-splattered snow, Hanky Panky shows it knows how these stories go. Amid the outlandish details of talking fashion accessories, there's the steady pacing of a slasher. There's a threat, and the first one to be keen to it is the last one anybody will believe. Slowly, characters begin disappearing or dying off, and it's up to an innocent to save the day by growing braver and bolder. But Roth and Haun fill this familiar framework with fresh fun through an absolute avalanche of silliness.

On one level, there are the brazen sex jokes of Woody, who begs to touch a "wet mouth" and audibly orgasms when he's used to clean up a gross mess. But there's a weirdly sweet side to his bond with Sam. Once chastised for his incivility, the horny hanky pleads to be held, chirping, "Uppies! Uppies!" like a repentant toddler.

Elsewhere, this excellent ensemble happily chews the scenery, leaning into every opportunity to be too much, whether reacting to clumsy puppetry (where the strings are clearly visible), gloppy blood that looks like Icee syrup, or otherworldly revelations. Hilarity explodes in heated arguments over women's fashion, shocked reactions that lean into the operatic, and a prolonged slap fight that circles from Clue-like fun to a bit tiresome and back around to stupid funny. And then there are comically awkward moments of social cues misread that scorch with cringe comedy. One particular standout comes when a panicked Sam details his suspicions to an annoyed Carla, who gestures to the novel in her hand and replies, "I'm trying to read. So...."

Everyone involved knows exactly what kind of movie this is and embraces it, making for a welcoming atmosphere that urges audiences to join in the fun. And the intersection of absurdity and commitment is reminiscent of Aunty Donna, the Australian comedy troupe whose Netflix series is easily one of the funniest things streaming has ever seen.

Hanky Panky comes together in chaos. Credit: Happy Canyon Club

The kooky characters who collide in the cabin are archetypes plucked from a wide range of genres, including the determined detective and tearful bombshells of film noir, the smug intellectual of Frasier, the nagging wife and dopey husband of sitcoms, and beyond. Even bits of science fiction make their way into Hanky Panky. Incredibly, instead of this film seeming like Roth, Haun, and company are chucking everything at the wall to see what sticks, the film feels less forced and more free.

As is the case with The People's Joker, Hanky Panky feels passionate about its allusions and yet irreverent toward them, making for a romp that is spontaneous even in its familiar bits. Proudly a B-movie, this gleefully silly slasher plays like the best stoner comedies, offering a world where paranoia is justified and getting high is downright heroic. But in the end, you don't need to smoke up to enjoy Hanky Panky — though it couldn't hurt.

Hanky Panky is available on Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu, and Apple TV on April 19.

UPDATE: Apr. 19, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EDT Roborock, Ecovacs, Eufy, and Samsung debuted new mopping robot vacuums at CES 2024. We're in the process of getting our hands on them for testing and will update our top picks accordingly.

The best self-emptying robot vacuums have one huge perk past the obvious act of vacuuming the floor for you. (Hint: It's in the name.)

When you outsource vacuuming to a robot, your floors get cleaned way more often. The only downside of this extra attention? More debris off the floor means a dust bin that fills up faster, and emptying a vacuum's dust bin by hand is arguably the worst part of the chore.

SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum

Enter self-emptying robot vacuums. These vacs do your vacuuming and emptying for you for a few weeks at a time, storing the debris the robot vacuum collects on each trip in a larger compartment that's located in the charging dock.

Are self-emptying robot vacuums worth it?

Not having to lift a finger when it comes to floor maintenance is well worth it for anyone who just doesn’t have the time — or the interest — in wrestling an upright vacuum out of the closet every few days. The next question is whether you want the true set-it-and-forget solution that only automatic emptying can provide, and if you're willing to pay more for it.

Automatic emptying quickly proves its worth in households where the layer of pet fur would otherwise have you dumping the vacuum's tiny dust bin after just a few rooms. The best self-emptying robot vacuums let you off the hook for months at a time. And when it actually is time to empty the bigger dust bin, most self-empty docks trap dust inside a disposable bag, meaning you won't have to see or touch the nasty stuff at all.

SEE ALSO: How to choose a robot vacuum in 2024: Consider these 5 features before buying

For people with allergies, auto-emptying also spares you from inhaling the inevitable puff of dust that emerges when dumping a dust bin into the trash.

Speaking of avoiding the grosser parts of the job, if you want a robot vacuum that mops, many self-emptying docks also take it upon themselves to deal with dirty mopping pads after the job is done. CES 2024 ushered in a new wave of flagship robot vacuums that self-wash and self-dry the soggy mopping pads in the same dock where debris is held.

While self emptying could add anywhere from $100 to $500 to a robot vac's overall price tag, automated mopping pad washing and drying is the automation that really kicks the price up over the $1,000 mark. Remember that both of these are optional in most cases, so if you're on a tight budget or tight on space, you can forgo the fancy dust bin and save significantly.

We've been testing the latest and greatest self-emptying robot vacuums released in 2024 against our old favorites from 2023 and 2022. Here are the best self-emptiers to consider for your home:

Here we go again. It's been just four months since Zack Snyder dropped Rebel Moon: Part One - Child of Fire on Netflix. The project — originally pitched as a Star Wars movie — failed to thrill critics or audiences. (It currently holds a 21 percent rating from the former and 57 percent from the latter on Rotten Tomatoes.) But Netflix bet big on Snyder, who has long had DCEU fans in a tizzy over his dark visions of grim heroics and perfume-ad glamorous protagonists. By the time the first Rebel Moon movie was getting slammed online, the sequel had already been made. So, Rebel Moon: Part Two - The Scargiver arrives, too soon for the failure of the last film to be forgotten.

But here's the surprise: This sequel — which really feels more like the second act of a Snyder cut that could use a generous edit — is better than what came before. Or at the very least, it's less doggedly dour, giving its talented supporting cast, which includes Djimon Hounsou, Bae Doona, and Elise Duffy, the chance to flex.

SEE ALSO: The best sci-fi movies on Netflix to escape reality How does Rebel Moon: Part Two connect to Part One?  Credit: Netflix

Rebel Moon: Part Two - The Scargiver picks up immediately at the clumsy end of the last movie. Steely heroine Kora (a stiff Sofia Boutella) returns to her village with her lackluster love interest Gunnar (Michiel Huisman) and a band of outcasted warriors at her side, willing to help her adopted community fight back an evil empire. Meanwhile, the vicious Admiral Atticus Nobel (Ed Skrein in Deadpool smirk mode), who nearly died in their last battle has healed up, and is coming for round two. 

Bizarrely, the character development that critics begged for in Part One is wedged into Part Two ahead of this climactic confrontation. With five days until the villainous space forces will descend on the humble farming planet of Veldt, Kora and her crew not only have to prepare for battle — they have to harvest the crops! It's a bit comical to see Snyder's love for slo-mo action applied to Hounsou wielding a scythe or Doona tossing grain. But undeniably, it is a pretty sight, in part because their characters clearly relish this moment of peace and communal harmony. Later scenes involving a village celebration bring further warmth to the film — that is until these warriors party foul by trauma dumping their tragic backstories in silent gold-tinted flashbacks.

The placement of these revelations is confounding, coming a full movie too late. But each performer understands the two-part assignment of them. In physical performance, their actions carry a slight theatricality, capturing the severity of these events on their psyches. In voiceover, one by one, they speak with regret, grief, and growling determination, detailing their motivations. Even as the CGI that swirls around them feels more suited to the slight hokiness of Doctor Who than a Hollywood blockbuster, these earnest deliveries ground their heartbreak.

It's a good sequence, but feels outrageously out of place. Imagine if George Lucas Took three hours before explaining who Princess Leia is? 

Sofia Boutella can't shoulder Snyder's stodgy space opera.  Credit: Netflix

As inexplicably as Rebel Moon as a whole is structured, its second part is stronger for its richer inclusion of the other warriors. Korra, with her background as an orphan refugee turned heel for the evil empire turned rebel, is an arc we've seen in Star Wars with Finn and recently in Fallout with Maximus. But Snyder and his fellow screenwriters Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad bring nothing new to this archetype. And Boutella's performance is so steely that she's out-emoted by a robot. 

Credit: Netflix

Voiced by Academy Award-winner Anthony Hopkins, Jimmy the battle droid is still woefully underused. Aside from once more intoning the opening exposition dump (instead of the iconic Star Wars crawl), he spends most of this movie stealthily looking on — while wearing antlers — as the organic characters scurry about in preparation for war. When he finally touches down in the action, it is thrilling — but also easy to want more.

Elsewhere, others carry emotional weight where Boutella's stiffness fails to. Doona, playing a lone swordsmaster finally embraced by a community, offers a heart-warming arc alongside committed fight sequences. As an intimidating war hero, Honsou, who was astonishingly underused in the last film, gets a chance to give a rousing speech, ooze pathos, shed tears, and even raucuously cheer. And when it comes to slo-mo kicking dudes in the chest, no one does it better. Elise Duffy, who places the face-painted rebel Milius, brings a grounded earnestness, while Skrein huffs and puffs, relishing the role of wolf. (Sadly, MVP of the first film, Charlie Hunnam's douchebag space pirate, is long gone.)

This is not the space epic you are looking for.  Credit: Netflix

While The Scargiver finally brings character and fun into the mix, it still falls short in terms of a satisfying action epic. It's a too little and too late, I'm afraid. Whether this is a Star Wars movie or simply inspired by George Lucas's world-changing epic franchise, it's impossible not to compare them. And Snyder doesn't have what it takes to compete. 

Some of it is a matter of scale. While Rebel Moon boasts an array of sets, special effects (including Snyder's flat-bladed version of lightsabers), crowd scenes and scads of costumes, these movies feel stingily budgeted when it comes to stunt scenes. For instance, a much-anticipated sequence of betrayal is finally revealed, and its ruthless regicide shot chiefly in frustrating close-up, robbing us of the grandeur of this horrid moment. Other fight scenes are similar confined, bleeding away the awe that might be had over bombastic, big spectacles. Thankfully, in Doona's sword battle, wide shots give us an encompassing view of her sweeping fight choreography. But within these moves, there's nothing show stopping. 

The big climax — it seems — is where the bulk of the budget is employed. Here, laser guns spray bright red flames. Smoke blooms from plummeting spaceships. A long-awaited warrior finally has his super cool spotlight moment, while others nobly risk annihilation for the cause. Good and evil clashes on land and in the skies, with fire, fury, and laser sabers. This finale is where you can most clearly feel Snyder's passion for his own galaxy far far away.

Still, walking so dedicatedly in the shadow of Star Wars, Rebel Moon cannot shine.

Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire is now streaming on Netflix.

Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver is now streaming on Netflix.

Tesla's Model 3 Performance "Ludicrous" variant seems to really be around the corner.

The company apparently leaked numerous details about the upcoming model on its own website. Though not visible in normal browsing, the specs and feature list is accessible in the site's source code, as discovered by the sleuths over at Tesla Motors Club (via Electrek).

The Model 3 Performance (or "Ludicrous", another rumored name based on earlier leaks) is an upcoming, performance-oriented variant of the Tesla Model 3. We've seen what it looks like thanks to an apparent private presentation held in Malibu, but now we have close-to-official word on some of its specs.

SEE ALSO: Tesla cars are getting a massive software update. Here's everything we know.

We've dug through the source of the UK version of Tesla's site and seen the details with our own eyes. The feature list is as follows:

• Exclusive to Model 3 Performance, the redesigned front and rear fascias, rear diffuser and carbon fibre spoiler give a unique look, and work together to optimise high-speed stability

• All-New Adaptive Suspension

• All-new adaptive damping powered by in-house software gives you enhanced body control, without sacrificing daily usability or comfort.

• The latest generation driving mode integrates adaptive suspension controls with a performance-optimised powertrain to deliver more response and fun behind the wheel

• Track Mode V3 features all-new calibration for the powertrain and adaptive suspension to give you more authority behind the wheel, you can customise handling balance, stability controls and regenerative braking to set the car up how you like it.

• All-new seat design with enhanced side and cushion bolsters hold you in place, while ventilation keeps you cool.

• Bespoke chassis and suspension hardware is tuned to provide intuitive, razor-sharp response to driver inputs.

• Forged Performance wheels, Lightweight, staggered wheels provide sharper turn-in response, improved predictability, increased traction out of corners and optimised aerodynamics.

• Enhanced pedal feel and improved heat management ensure consistent braking at all speeds and across a wider temperature range.

• The lightweight carbon fibre décor and refined weave pattern is unique to Model 3 Performance.

While it's hard to discern the actual specs of the car, this tidbit can also be found in the code:

• All-new high-performance drive units deliver more than combined 500 horsepower and 0-60mph in {ACCELERATION} seconds. Welcome to the most powerful Model 3 ever.

Notably, the word "Ludicrous" is mentioned once in the code, but the car is referred to as Model 3 Performance throughout, indicating that the name will remain unchanged (the original Model 3 Performance was discontinued after Tesla launched the updated, "Highland" version of Model 3 in 2023).

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this leak is that it's actually on Tesla's webpage and can still be found by searching through the source, indicating that the launch of Tesla Model 3 Performance (or Ludicrous) is imminent.

The trailer for culinary thriller What You Wish For doesn't explicitly show Nick Stahl chopping up and cooking people, and indeed he might not be. It doesn't appear entirely off the table, though.

What You Wish For follows Ryan (Stahl), a chef who flees to Latin America after being buried in gambling debts. Fortunately, friend and fellow chef Jack (Brian Groh) generously welcomes Ryan into his luxurious home, giving him a peek at an extravagant lifestyle maintained by cooking for elite clients.

Ryan quickly grows envious of his host's good fortune. So when the unexpected opportunity to adopt Jack's identity arises, Ryan seizes the chance to take his friend's seemingly easy life for himself. However, he soon finds out that this comfortable lifestyle comes at a grim price.

Exactly what that price is isn't made entirely clear by What You Wish For's trailer. But judging from the vague threats and blood splatter, Ryan's culinary skills are definitely a matter of life or death.

What You Wish For will be released in theatres and digitally on May 31.

TL;DR: Stream select fixtures from the NBA for free on Ran.de. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NBA is a unique spectacle. In no other sport can you watch incredibly tall athletes be made to look tiny by aliens who could probably touch the sun if they stood on tip toes. And almost all of these shockingly tall athletes display a skillset that mere mortals can't even fathom.

The NBA could make a legitimate argument that it hosts the very best athletes in the world. Sure, the NFL might disagree. And rugby definitely attracts some special specimens. But the NBA has a bunch of seven footers dunking on each other. That's tough to beat.

If you are interested in watching the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the NBA?

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America made up of 30 teams (29 from the United States and one from Canada). The reigning league champions are the Denver Nuggets.

When is the NBA?

The NBA regular season takes place from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The league's playoff tournament runs into June, culminating with the NBA Finals championship series.

How to watch the NBA for free

Free-to-air channel ProSieben airs select NBA games, with free live streaming available on Ran.de. Fans can watch two NBA games every weekend during the regular season, with many playoff and finals fixtures also available to watch for free.

Ran.de is geo-restricted to Germany, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Germany, meaning you can access this streaming service from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Germany

4. Connect to Ran.de

5. Watch the NBA for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select NBA games before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on Ran.de, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Germany

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.