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TL;DR: Through April 21, save 18% on a pair of Nintendo Switch controllers with RGB lights and turbo buttons. Now $34.99 compared to $79.99+ for name-brand models.
Nintendo Switch gamers face an epidemic much stronger than being unable to stop playing the latest title releases — it’s the phenomenon called ‘Joy-Con drift’ where the joysticks on controllers become so worn that they start to move on their own and cause gamers to mess up in their games. If you’re experiencing that, it might be time for a new set of Nintendo Switch controllers.
While a name-brand pair could cost you upwards of $79.99, this one is only $34.99 right now (reg. $42.99). They even have RGB lights and turbo burst buttons.
Switch controllers with more features for less cashJust like the name-brand Joy-Cons, this set has 360º joysticks and dual-shock response for immersive gaming, whether you’re playing the new Princess Peach™: Showtime! or a classic game of Overcooked. They also have a 600mAh battery capacity that provides up to 30 hours of continuous gaming, taking just three to four hours to fully charge.
However, unlike other Joy-Cons, these have vibrant RGB lighting down each side. Choose from monochromatic or colorful modes and enjoy dancing lights as you battle, race, or cook with friends in your favorite games. Of course, if they ever get too distracting, you can also turn them off.
Another unique feature you won’t find on Nintendo’s controllers is the turbo burst buttons. This third-party function is typically used by gamers for automatic, rapid button presses to enhance gameplay in certain scenarios — ever heard of mashing?
Your new pair of Nintendo Switch controllers also come with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. Level up your gameplay with the flick of a switch — literally.
In the game of controllers, these reign supreme with RGB lights, added buttons, and being just $34.99 (reg. $42.99).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch with RGB Lights $30.99 at the Mashable ShopTL;DR: Through April 21, save on lifelong access to this home workout and meal planner iOS app, on sale for $34.97.
The Verv app is a holistic way to work toward your goals, with a blend of physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and mindfulness guidance, helping you focus on goals like healthy eating or stress relief. Typically, this iOS app is $360 for lifetime access, but it’s currently on sale for $34.97 through April 21.
Enjoy healthy habitsThe Verv app has plenty of home workouts to explore. In addition, you’ll also find options for running, walking, interval training, yoga, meditation, and guided dance tutorials. Add categories you like, get personalized recommendations, and browse weekly plans or take single sessions.
You also have the option to sync the Verv app with Apple Health to automatically export your workout data. This is helpful for those who like to track their workouts or calories.
But physical activity isn’t the only factor in achieving your health and fitness goals — and the Verv app’s holistic approach knows that well. That’s why you’ll also discover tons of recipes and meal plan collections to integrate with your training, including those for keto, vegan, and vegetarian diets.
The Verv app also prioritizes sleep and mindfulness in your fitness journey. Browse music and sounds crafted to help you unwind, de-stress, and sleep. Some of the above meditation and yoga courses could also provide some stress relief or improved sleep quality.
Get lifetime access to Verv Premium on sale for $34.97 (reg. $360) until April 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, no coupon is needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Verv Verv Premium Home Workout Planner: Lifetime Subscription $34.97 at the Mashable ShopTL;DR: Through April 21, if you want to prep a computer for work or school, get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for only $59.97.
If you're shopping for a computer, you've probably seen the listings for refurbished devices. Those prices can go pretty low for some solid computers, but if you get one, you might also want to update it with a new operating system and the apps you're going to use every day.
Whether you're getting a computer for school, work, or just to use at home, Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office could be welcome additions to any machine, and you only have to pay for them once. Your new-to-you computer might just feel new with a full suite of productivity apps and a shiny new interface and security toolset, and it's only $59.97 until April 21.
Update your refurbished computerMicrosoft Office Pro 2021 is different from Microsoft 365. This version comes with many of the same apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. However, these are slightly older versions and can only be installed on one computer one time. The tradeoff is that you aren't paying for them every month, and you can use them as long as you have the computer they're installed on.
Windows 11 Pro isn't compatible with every computer, so if you're using a refurbished computer, double-check before purchasing. Once it's installed, you might notice some exciting changes that are immediately apparent. Changes like rounded window edges and snap layouts range from pleasant to downright convenient, and that's not even touching on all the security upgrades.
If you're installing on a school or work computer, tools like bitlocker encryption, wake and lock, and support for biometrics login could be welcome changes. If this is a home computer, then check out what the DirectX 12 Ultimate does for gaming compatibility.
Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office for lifeDon't miss your chance to give your computer a serious productivity overhaul.
Until April 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, take advantage of this sale on a Microsoft Office 2021 lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro for $59.97.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $59.97 at the Mashable ShopTL;DR: Through April 21, save $100 on this shortwave radio that receives every type of wavelength for weather-related emergencies, and entertainment — $149.99 (reg. $249.99).
Whether you live in an area recently affected by unexpected earthquakes, coastal flooding, wildfires, severe thunderstorms, or anything in between, you already know that the only thing predictable about the weather is its unpredictability. Staying prepared for emergencies is key, and we don’t just mean having a charged phone and food stashed in your basement.
If the power, internet, and cell phone towers all go out in severe weather conditions, it’s crucial to have a way to get weather and news updates. The Eton Elite Executive radio operates on batteries and picks up all types of wavelengths for emergencies and entertainment for $149.99 (reg. $249.99).
A modern twist on a timeless communication toolTune into AM broadcasts, and FM stations with RDS and get information like song titles, and LW and SW for long-distance and international transmissions. The radio even picks up VHF aircraft band wavelengths, meaning you can tune into air traffic control communications. When you’re stuck in a weather emergency, these access points could be crucial for getting important updates, or simply staying entertained.
The radio features precise automatic or manual digital tuning, so you can easily find the station you’re looking for or browse what’s available in your area. You can also save 700 stations, set alarms or sleep timers, and electronically adjust the volume, treble, and bass sound effects.
Of course, the Eton Elite Executive radio isn’t only for emergencies. You could bring it to the beach or camping to listen to your favorite stations or tunes. Your purchase comes with a leather carrying case to protect the radio wherever you bring it.
Prepare for the unexpected with the Eton Elite Executive radio for $149.99 (reg. $249.99).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Eton Eton Elite Executive AM/FM/Aircraft Band/SSB/Shortwave Radio with RDS & Custom Leather Carry Cover $149.99 at the Mashable ShopIf you've already blown through your Netflix and Hulu libraries, maybe it’s time to give Paramount+ a spin. Since Paramount has been making movies since 1916, its catalog of films is deep. Seriously. Imagine John Wayne Westerns on the same streamer as Sonic the Hedgehog! It's madness, and we love it. And now that Showtime's formidable library has been added to the catalog? Fuhgeddaboudit!
For all movie lovers, whether you prefer silly comedies or touching character studies, here are our favorite movies from Paramount's prodigious vault to watch now on Paramount+.
1. Top Gun: Maverick Credit: Paramount Pictures / Paramount+Top Gun: Maverick could have flopped like so many of its fellow nostalgia-fueled reboots. But instead, it soars. Tom Cruise and company have done the impossible and made a sequel that honors what worked best about the original film while still telling a fresh story that never feels like a retread. It’s pure movie magic!
More than 30 years after graduating from the Top Gun Navy fighter pilot training program, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is called back to help prepare its newest recruits for a particularly dangerous mission. The catch? One of the recruits is the son of Pete’s late best friend and former fellow recruit, Goose. Only Maverick can push these young pilots to take the risks necessary for success, but is he willing to ask Goose’s son to put his life at risk?
Exciting, surprisingly touching, and guaranteed to have you looking up how much a pilot’s license costs, Top Gun: Maverick is peak entertainment.
How to watch: Top Gun: Maverick is now streaming on Paramount+.
2. The Talented Mr. RipleyThe Talented Mr. Ripley walked so Saltburn could run. This iconic psychological thriller features a young Matt Damon as Tom Ripley, a poor New Yorker who finds himself in the entourage of the rich and impossibly charismatic Dickie as he lounges and carouses his way across 1950s Europe. But is it luck that brought Tom into Dickie’s orbit, or something more sinister?
Jude Law is at his Jude-est Law-iest as Dickie, exuding the effortless grace of a young, handsome aristocrat who can’t help but charm everyone meets. Gwyneth Paltrow glows as Dickie’s girlfriend, Marge, and Philip Seymour Hoffman is pitch-perfect as another of Dickie’s rich friends, who mistrusts Tom from the get-go. Based on the Patricia Highsmith novel and directed by Anthony Minghella, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a suspenseful, captivating classic.
How to watch: The Talented Mr. Ripley is now streaming on Paramount+.
3. Clueless Credit: Paramount / Kobal / ShutterstockClueless, first of all, is iconic. Nearly 30 years have passed, but it’s still a cultural touchstone for today’s teens. Perhaps its staying power comes from its plot, directly lifted from the literal founder of the romantic comedy, Jane Austen. Like Austen’s Emma Woodhouse, Clueless’s Cher (Alicia Silverstone) acts as a matchmaker to everyone around her but can’t seem to get her own love life in order. The story alone does not fully capture the movie’s charm. Clueless is both hilarious and sweet, features unforgettable costumes, and most importantly, is filled to the brim with memorable, quotable lines. Cinema has never heard a more cutting insult than “You’re a virgin who can’t drive.”
How to watch: Clueless is streaming on Paramount+.
4. Past LivesSince its Sundance debut in January, writer/director Celine Song's debut feature has been buzzed about as one of the best of the year. When the film finally hit theaters in June, those outside of the Park City festival bubble got to weigh in. And this romantic movie lives up to the hype!
Greta Lee, who also appeared in such buzzy 2023 gems as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Problemista, stars as Nora, a Korean-American playwright who reconnects with her childhood sweetheart from Seoul (Teo Yoo) over a couple of heady days in New York City. Long walks and long talks scratch at the scab of what could have been, as the two share an exciting chemistry. But life is complicated — specifically, Nora is already married to the rumpled but charming Arthur (John Magaro). So, will these long-lost lovers reignite their would-be romance? Or will they have to wait for another life?* — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor
How to watch: Past Lives is now streaming on Paramount+.
5. Everything Everywhere All at Once Credit: A24 / Moviestore / ShutterstockWant a movie with a little bit of everything? Then you can't beat the 2023 Oscar winner for Best Picture. Academy Award–winner Michelle Yeoh stars as a disgruntled Laundromat owner who's at her wit's end between her obligations as a boss, wife, mother, and daughter. And just as she's braced to deal with a tax auditor with a surly attitude (Academy Award–winner Jamie Lee Curtis), a dashing version of her husband (Academy Award–winner Ke Huy Quan) bursts onto the scene from a parallel universe to loop her into a quest to save all existence. Packed with absolutely bonkers action, outrageous jokes, dizzying style, and performances as silly as they are deeply poignant, The Daniels' Everything Everywhere All at Once is the kind of movie that'll have you laughing, crying, gasping, and maybe even reconsidering your life up to now.* — K.P.
How to watch: Everything Everywhere All at Once is now streaming on Paramount+.
6. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost ArkA fun family adventure that still hits some 40 years later, the original Indiana Jones films have been copied many times, but never surpassed. And the first of the bunch, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, is simply legendary. Harrison Ford is swashbuckling and swoon-worthy as the adventuresome archaeology professor who spends his free time tracking down lost, ancient treasures around the globe — a task that is never as straightforward as it seems.
How to watch: Indiana Jones is now streaming on Paramount+.
7. Carol Credit: Wilson Webb / Killer / The Weinstein Company / Kobal / ShutterstockBased on Patricia Highsmith's novel The Price of Salt (republished as Carol in 1990), Todd Haynes's Carol stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as two forbidden lovers in 1950s New York. Therese (Mara) is an aspiring photographer working at a department store one Christmas when she meets Carol (Blanchett), who is shopping for a present for her daughter. The sparks fly immediately, but their blossoming love has a few roadblocks, such as Carol's impending divorce from her crappy husband, Harge (Kyle Chandler, no!), not to mention that era's attitude towards homosexuality.
If you're in the mood for queer yearning, a tense slow-burn, and one of the best sapphic love stories ever, Carol is the perfect watch. You will feel all the feelings.* — Yasmeen Hamadeh, Freelance Contributor
How to watch: Carol is now streaming on Paramount+.
8. Galaxy QuestTim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, and Daryl Mitchell are the fictional crew of a cult TV sci-fi series, Galaxy Quest. Years after the show’s been off the air, they float from convention to convention, signing autographs and wishing their careers had gone in a different direction. Until one day, they’re kidnapped by aliens who saw their TV broadcast from across the galaxy and thought it was real! Uh oh! Now the aliens hope Tim Allen and crew can defend their planet against an invading force, while the hapless band of actors just hopes they can keep up the ruse long enough to find a way home. Galaxy Quest is a deeply silly movie that packs a sneaky emotional punch. An absolute winner, through and through.
How to watch: Galaxy Quest is now streaming on Paramount+.
9. Bodies Bodies Bodies Credit: A24 / Moviestore / ShutterstockLike your comedy with a side of murder? Directed by Halina Reijn, this A24 thriller boasts a playful premise and a bevy of hot stars. Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha'la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace, and Pete Davidson play a motley crew of friends who plan for a wild weekend in a remote mansion. But when a childish game of pretend murder leads to real bloodshed, these friends turn suspicious of each other faster than you can say party foul. Cleverly constructed, wickedly funny, and weirdly hot, Bodies Bodies Bodies is a demented delight.* — K.P.
How to watch: Bodies Bodies Bodies is now streaming on Paramount+.
10. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among ThievesDungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is the definition of a crowd-pleaser. Thrilling action sequences, ridiculous side characters, beloved actors playing gleefully against type, plenty of Easter eggs for the hardcore DnD fans — this is one adventure you don’t want to miss.
Chris Pine is Edgin Darvis, a bard and peacekeeper who turned to a life of thievery to support his daughter following the death of his wife — and was thrown in jail for it. After escaping with his friend Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), Edgin will stop at nothing to reunite with his daughter.
How to watch: Dungeons and Dragons is now streaming on Paramount+.
11. She’s All That Credit: Claudette Barius / Miramax / Kobal / ShutterstockA romantic comedy hall-of-famer, 1999’s She’s All That gives us one of the most iconic and absurd examples of nerdy-girl-isn’t-hot-until-you-take-her-glasses-off movie magic. Freddie Prinze Jr. is lovably smug as the high school top dawg who bets his bros he can turn any girl into the prom queen in six weeks, even social outcast Laney Boggs. That’s right, it’s a 1990s Pygmalion/My Fair Lady — and you already know how it ends!
This is a teen comedy that retains some of its edge; the teens were still allowed to be mean to each other in the ‘90s. Rachael Leigh Cook became a household name as the artsy high school misfit who was obviously cute long before she got contacts. Matthew Lillard, Paul Walker, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Kieran Culkin, Anna Paquin, Gabrielle Union, and more help cement She’s All That in the hallowed halls of rom-com history, and its soundtrack is a full-fledged nostalgia bomb. It’s time for a rewatch.*
How to watch: She’s All That is now streaming on Paramount+.
12. Hit the RoadAt first, when we see this Iranian family on a road trip, it seems as though we’re settling in for a carefree vacation. But as time goes on, we realize there is more to this story, and the family is on a high-stakes journey to sneak their adult son out of the country.
Warm, thrilling, and completely fresh, Hit the Road is a stirring look at a family doing their best in an impossible situation. Writer/director Panah Panahi weaves from humor to tragedy and back again with sophistication and grace, incorporating silence as a meaningful player in his storytelling. Panahi knows the power of secrets and censorship all too well, as he is the son of acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who himself was silenced by his government and banned from creating more films.
How to watch: Hit the Road is now streaming on Paramount+.
13. The Lost City Credit: Kimberley French / Paramount PicturesDoes it ever feel like nothing will fix your problems but a Sanda Bullock romantic comedy? Enter 2022’s The Lost City. Is it a perfect movie? No. Is it a ridiculously fun adventure chock-full of charismatic actors and one iconic sequin jumpsuit? Heck yes, it is!
Bullock is Loretta Sage, a reclusive romance novelist who has given up on love in her own life after the death of her husband. Channing Tatum is simply perfect as the himbo cover model for her books who is secretly in love with her. When an unhinged billionaire kidnaps Loretta because her latest book recalls similar details to a lost treasure he’s hunting, Tatum takes it upon himself, and his zero useful skills, to rescue her.
How to watch: The Lost City is now streaming on Paramount+.
14. The Big ShortFor those of us who are aware that the housing market crashed in 2007 but have no clue how or why it happened, there is hope in the form of The Big Short. Somehow, Adam McKay turned a devastating crisis that bankrupted millions of innocent Americans into a gripping, informative, and funny movie! Wee!
The film follows multiple disparate investors, hedge fund managers, and financial players as they each, on their own, begin to uncover the faulty foundation holding up the U.S. housing market: a lot of mortgage loans were simply backed by bullsh*t. And with the help of a star-studded cast — including Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, John Magaro. and more — alongside clever visuals and accessible explanations, The Big Short is mandatory viewing for anyone wanting to understand more about the ruthless power of the Big Banks. But, like, in a fun way.
How to watch: The Big Short is now streaming on Paramount+.
15. Aftersun Credit: A24 / Moviestore / ShutterstockDo we ever truly know our loved ones? Writer/director Charlotte Wells explores the desire to understand our family members in a stunning debut feature, Aftersun. Paul Mescal is captivating and enigmatic as Calum, a young father taking his 11-year-old daughter Sophie on a vacation to celebrate his birthday. As the film unfolds, and Sophie records their trip on a camcorder (this is the late ‘90s, afterall!), we see flashes of adult Sophie rewatching the footage, yearning to know more deeply the man hidden inside her dad. Aftersun is an astounding, empathetic character study that will stay with you for days.
How to watch: Aftersun is now streaming on Paramount+.
16. Marcel the Shell with Shoes OnJenny Slate and her ex-husband Dean Fleischer Camp created the viral Marcel the Shell character while they were still together. Post-divorce, they worked alongside each other to bring the sweet little shell to the big screen with this very A24 movie. And while it probably was not fun to work as exes, we are grateful they took one for the team, because Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is a whimsical, heartwarming, mockumentary adventure that will make you laugh, cry, and want to talk in a teeny, tiny little voice.
How to watch: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is now streaming on Paramount+.
17. A Quiet Place Credit: Jonny Cournoyer / Paramount / Kobal / ShutterstockJohn Krasinski went from actor to celebrated director with this spine-tingling 2018 hit. Starring opposite his real-life wife Emily Blunt, The Office star plays a farmer dedicated to protecting his family from killer creatures that hunt by sound. This clever premise means the movie’s characters can't scream, because such a sound would definitely be their last. That means your own sounds of terror are weaponized while watching, crashing into the silent soundscape that’s suffocating in tension.
Ruthlessly paced and keenly realized, A Quiet Place is a superbly scary thrill ride. But what makes it top-tier are the poignant performances by Krasinski, Blunt, and their onscreen children, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe. Together, they make a family-frightening feature that's perfect for a quiet night at home. And if you dare to double-feature, the spooky sequel, A Quiet Place: Part II, is also available. — Kristy Puchko, Deputy Entertainment Editor *
How to watch: A Quiet Place is now streaming on Paramount+.
18. Saving Private RyanIn 1944, after surviving the harrowing D-Day battle at Omaha beach, Captain John Miller and his team are tasked with taking a message across France to one Private James Ryan. Ryan’s three brothers have been killed in action, and the U.S. government, looking for a positive PR story, wants to bring Ryan home alive to his mother. Miller and his team resent this mission. Is all this effort worth saving one life?
Steven Spielberg’s moving masterpiece is a sobering rumination on the harsh reality of war. Deaths are senseless and shocking. The opening D-Day sequence has been heralded as one of the most accurate film depictions of the chaos, the confusion, the brutality of a battle. Against this backdrop of violence and impermanence, the characters struggle to hold on to their humanity — but perhaps a mission of goodwill will help them remember. Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, and more round out the cast of this unforgettable film.
How to watch: Saving Private Ryan is now streaming on Paramount+.
19. To Catch a Thief Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty ImagesAn Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece, To Catch a Thief is a half-suspense, half-romance whodunnit against a sparkling Mediterranean backdrop. Cary Grant is smooth as ever as John Robie, a reformed jewel thief now living a quiet life in the French Riviera. But when a string of new robberies puts him under suspicion, he’ll have to find the real culprit before he takes the blame.
Grace Kelly is literally glowing in this film, playing one of the rich tourists whose belongings were stolen, and her sumptuous Edith Head costumes are truly iconic. To Catch a Thief is one of those gorgeous classics where no one has a job and everyone speaks in witty double entendres. It’s a mischievous, flirtatious movie that makes you want to put on an enormous hat and move to Monaco — which is what Grace Kelly did: It was during the production of Thief that she met her future husband, the Prince of Monaco!
How to watch: To Catch a Thief is now streaming on Paramount+.
20. TitanicKate Winslet is Rose, a young, upper-class Brit aboard the RMS Titanic who soon finds herself in a whirlwind romance with the handsome, charming, and penniless Jack — Leonardo DiCaprio’s star-making role. Their class difference isn’t the only obstacle their love faces, as Rose’s wealthy fiancé Cal (Billy Zane) is also on the ship, and the ship is about to run into an enormous iceberg and become the world’s most famous maritime catastrophe.
James Cameron’s Titanic is an epic in every sense of the word. The love story is melodramatic and all-encompassing, made even more urgent by the impending doom we know is waiting for the lovers. When the action hits, it is visceral, harrowing, and breathtaking: an incomprehensible disaster seen through the eyes of its human victims. There’s also a whole bit about Rose in the present as an old woman and the team trying to find the ship’s wreckage — but no one really remembers that part.*
How to watch: Titanic is now streaming on Paramount+.
21. Arrival Credit: ShutterstockThis isn’t your run-of-the-mill alien flick. Arrival is a moody, complex science fiction drama where 12 extraterrestrial ships land across the globe… and wait. Countries scramble to make contact, to decipher meaning from the aliens’ presence. Enter Amy Adams as Louise Banks, a linguist assigned to study the alien’s language from their USA parking spot in Montana. The closer she comes to understanding the visitors’ intentions, the more her perception of the world around her begins to change. Arrival is scenic and existential, pairing high-concept philosophical questions with sweeping shots of the Montana plains. It’s suspenseful, provocative, and atmospheric — a winning combination for science fiction. And it goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway, Amy Adams is (as always!) at the top of her game here.
How to watch: Arrival is now streaming on Paramount+.
22. Minority ReportAll the best science-fiction flicks are based on Philip K. Dick stories. First Blade Runner, then Total Recall, and in 2002, the mind-warping thriller Minority Report. The year is 2054, and America has won the war on crime by instituting the “Precrime” program, which utilizes future-telling technology to arrest people before they actually commit their foretold crime. Precrime Officer John Anderton (Tom Cruise) strongly believes in the power of his department, until his name appears on the arrest list for an upcoming murder. Directed by Steven Spielberg, Minority Report is a complex science fiction story, a gripping action movie, and a suspenseful mystery film all-in-one.
How to watch: Minority Report is now streaming on Paramount+.
23. Mean Girls Credit: CBS via Getty ImagesThere’s a reason why, over 15 years later, we’re still joking “You can’t sit with us!!!” when our friends meet us late for dinner. Mean Girls set the standard for teen comedies in the early 2000s. The Tina Fey-penned flick was a box office behemoth when it debuted in 2004, and it shows no signs of fading out of relevance any time soon. Lindsay Lohan is Cady Heron, a formerly home-schooled teenager with no clue how to navigate the strict and punishing social hierarchy of North Shore High School. Her new friends, themselves social misfits, push her to infiltrate the popular crowd so they can ultimately take down the Queen Bee, a flawless Rachel McAdams.
Mean Girls is hilarious, endlessly quotable, and a piercingly accurate take on the stakes of popularity in 2000s American high schools. Luckily, since “On Wednesdays, we wear pink” and “She doesn't even go here!” have firmly taken root in our collective cultural consciousness, we can keep enjoying this gem for decades to come.
How to watch: Mean Girls is now streaming on Paramount+.
24. School of RockBefore Mike White became the White Lotus king, he wrote Jack Black his most perfect role in School of Rock. Black plays an unsuccessful musician (who was kicked out of his band for rocking too hard!) hellbent on winning a local battle of the bands. In need of cash, he swipes his roommate’s substitute teaching gig at a fancy prep school and plans to ditch as soon as he gets a paycheck. But when he discovers these kids are fantastic little musicians, another plan takes shape. Can he and a group of middle schoolers win the battle of the bands?
Insane, silly, and good clean fun, School of Rock is a winner for the whole family with some truly unforgettable tunes!
How to watch: School of Rock is now streaming on Paramount+.
*Asterisks indicate the writeup is adapted from another Mashable article.
Paramount+ 7-Day Free Trial at Paramount+UPDATE: Apr. 15, 2024, 3:27 p.m. EDT This article was updated to include the latest streaming options.
Last October, X/Twitter started charging a $1 annual fee to new accounts before they could post on the platform, but only in New Zealand and the Philippines. The change was a part of a new program called Not a Bot, with the goal to bolster X's efforts to "reduce spam, manipulation of our platform and bot activity."
Now, it appears that this program is expanding to all markets.
Tweet may have been deletedThe changes was noted by XUpdatesRadar, an automated account which detects text string changes on X's website and apps. The new text, detected Monday, states that "New accounts are required to pay a small annual fee before you're able to post, like, bookmark, and reply. This is to reduce spam and to create a better experience for everyone. You can still follow accounts and browse X for free."
X owner Elon Musk seemingly confirmed the news in a tweet.
"Unfortunately, a small fee for new user write access is the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots. Current AI (and troll farms) can pass “are you a bot” with ease," he wrote.
Tweet may have been deleted"The onslaught of fake accounts also uses up the available namespace, so many good handles are taken as a result," he added in a subsequent tweet.
It's unclear how big the fee will be, but in the New Zealand and the Philippines test it was set to $1, which amounted to $1.43 NZD in New Zealand and 42.51 PHP in the Philippines. There's also no info on when the new scheme will come into effect.
SEE ALSO: Elon Musk might charge everyone for Twitter/X nextElon Musk vowed to rid Twitter/X of spambots even before he acquired the platform in 2022. One of the measures he implemented was to start charging for the blue checkmark "verified" status, though that did little – both anecdotally and according to research – to solve the issue.
TikTok is a unique social media network known for inspiring creativity (and memes) to a global community of over one billion users, including more than 8.5 million Australians. TikTok serves as a platform for forging connections, offering entertainment, fostering business growth, and enabling creative exploration with people from around the globe. TikTok's appeal also extends beyond everyday users, having also become the preferred platform for over 350,000 businesses seeking to discover their audience and leverage it for real-world success.
If you haven’t made an account by now, it's likely a few people in your life have had their eyes glued to the app at some point in the past few years. With those eyeballs comes opportunity. According to TikTok’s surveys, 81% of users list “discovering new products and brands” as a reason to log in to the platform. And one in two Gen Z TikTok users say they're likely to buy something while using TikTok.
Growing from what was once considered a fringe video, TikTok has managed to build a strong platform to facilitate e-commerce, and an effective advertising model that provides businesses with an easy path to sell their products and services on the platform. These days, businesses need a solid social media strategy to cut through the noise and stand out in a crowded marketplace, especially when reaching Gen Z. TikTok provides some easy tools to allow you to not only make creative ads on a budget, but also use trending topics and sounds to boost the visibility of your business and stay relevant.
If you’re still holding off on promoting your business on TikTok, you could be missing out on a well of untapped potential sales. If you are completely new to TikTok, or even an avid user who hasn’t looked into the business side of the app, we’ve put together this guide on everything you need to know.
What is TikTok?TikTok is a video-sharing social media platform that allows users to create, discover and share visually powerful content with millions of people across the globe. TikTok specialises in short-form, 60-second video content, and is renowned for its simple and highly personalised content delivery feed. The TikTok audience is hyper-engaged, while maintaining a diverse mix across its +1 billion userbase, and 8.5 million people in Australia.
What is TikTok for Business?TikTok for Business is a centralised platform for advertisers on TikTok. It aims to create a straightforward portal to guide businesses through the whole process of creating ads, finding the right audience, setting budgets, and analysing campaign data. If your goal is to reach new or dormant customers, grow sales, or just showcase what your business is all about, TikTok can make it happen.
Creating a TikTok Business Account is completely free, and the custom tools and features that are provided with a TikTok for Business account are custom made for small and growing businesses. In the brave new world of TikTok advertising, small businesses and sole operators aren’t overshadowed by larger corporations with massive marketing budgets. As long as your advertising is creative, resonant, and well-targeted, you could see your own business become the bigger fish in the pond.
TikTok for Business key featuresCreative ad formats and automation tools – Get creative and distinguish your business from others, while saving time by having the hard work done for you.
Targeting tools – Enhance your reach or hone in on particular customer profiles or demographics. Even create your own customer segments to personalise your ads as much as possible.
Royalty-free music – Capture your audience’s attention with trending tunes and create a viral buzz around your brand.
Video scheduler – Strategise, manage and time your posts for highest impact.
Ad performance tracking and custom report creation – Keep your finger on the pulse and stay agile.
A TikTok Business account provides you with access to a wide range of ad solutions through your Ads Manager. There are a number of popular ad formats available on the platform, some of these include:
In-Feed Ads – These appear the same as any other video on the audience’s feed. There is also an included button with a call to action that can lead to an external landing page.
TopView Ads – TopView ads first appear as full page ad, and then transition to a standard TikTok video, this guarantees the advertiser at least a few seconds of attention from the audience.
Spark Ads – These are similar to in-feed ads, but allows advertisers to turn existing videos into ads, and drives traffic to the brand’s TikTok profile.
Brand Takeover Ads – A brand takeover is the most ambitious and expensive of the available ad formats. These display a full page ad for five seconds as soon as users open the app.
Advertising on TikTok is priced dynamically, with vastly different prices depending on the format of your advertisement, the time of day you want your ad to run, and how many people you want to see it. Typically speaking however, TikTok ads cost around AU$10-$50 per thousand views.
How do TikTok ads perform?TikTok ads perform incredibly well for the investment. TikTok provides your business with legitimate cut through to a highly engaged market – 70% of TikTok users say they have found new products and brands on the platform (and that’s users as a whole, not those intentionally looking to shop). Some e-commerce business users rely on TikTok alone for their advertising, not feeling the need to go elsewhere.
Getting started with TikTok for BusinessIt’s easy to get started, simply create an account on the TikTok for Business website using an email address or phone number, determine your business goals, audience and budget, and then get creating! Your account will be verified within 24 hours, and you’ll then have access to dedicated support and tutorials to help you along the way.
TikTok For Business provides a robust set of tools to help businesses promote their products and services on the TikTok platform. With creative ideas and usage of the platform’s analytics tools, any business can make a real impression on TikTok.
TL;DR: Watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Rajasthan Royals in the IPL for free on JioCinema. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The IPL is delivering the goods once again, and we've got all the information you need to tune into key matches. We're well into the season as the Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals prepare to go head-to-head in the 31st round of the season.
If you want to watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Rajasthan Royals for free from anywhere in the world, look no further, we have all the info you need.
When is Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Rajasthan Royals?Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Rajasthan Royals starts at 3 p.m. BST on April 16. The match takes place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India.
How to watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Rajasthan Royals for freeJioCinema is offering free live streams of every IPL cricket match this season in 4K resolution on its app.
JioCinema is geo-restricted to India, but anyone can unblock this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access JioCinema from anywhere in the world.
Unblock JioCinema to stream the IPL 2024 by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in India
Visit JioCinema (you will need an Indian phone number to subscribe)
Watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Rajasthan Royals for free from anywhere in the world
Most of the best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch IPL live streams without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select IPL fixtures for free.
If you want permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for JioCinema?ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking JioCinema, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including India
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 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 generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream the IPL for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Stream Barcelona vs. PSG in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Barcelona secured an impressive win over PSG in the first leg of their quarter-final matchup, but the job is not done yet. Any team with Kylian Mbappé is dangerous, so PSG will still believe they can turn things around in Barcelona.
If you want to watch Barcelona vs. PSG for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Barcelona vs. PSG?Barcelona vs. PSG kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on April 16. This fixture takes place at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, Spain.
How to watch Barcelona vs. PSG for freeBarcelona vs. PSG is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.
RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, 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 Ireland. This process makes it look like you're connecting from Ireland, so you can access RTÉ Player from anywhere in the world.
Unblock RTÉ Player by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit RTÉ Player
Stream Barcelona vs. PSG for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs are not free, but leading services do tend to offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can gain access to RTÉ Player without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it gives you time to stream Barcelona vs. PSG before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on free platforms like RTÉ Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 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 generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Watch Barcelona vs. PSG for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to the AI Resume Builder is on sale for £27.83, saving you 93% on list price.
You may be the most qualified candidate for a job with a CV that proves it, but that might not guarantee you’ll get the job. It may not even get you an interview if the company is using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to scan incoming CVs.
If you want to create an ATS-friendly CV that still shows off your talents, you could learn all the quirks of the software, or you could use a CV builder that already knows how it’s done. AI Resume Builder gives you intuitive controls to create application materials that may stand out to ATS software, and you can get a lifetime subscription for the best price online, just £27.83.
AI Resume Builder is an intuitive tool to get the attention of ATS software, and it’s also just a useful tool for putting together a CV. The drag-and-drop layouts let you rearrange blocks of your CV in seconds instead of manually copying, pasting, and re-formatting.
Fine-tune with controls for color editing and spacing, and you can even add your social media links for LinkedIn, GitHub, Twitter, Portfolio, Behance, and more. Don’t miss a misplaced comma. AI Résumé Builder supports Grammarly integration so you can check your work before submitting it.
Take advantage of an advanced AI that might just save you time during the whole application process. This CV builder has a built-in AI engine that auto-completes data for you and fills in what it already knows.
This offer is only available to new users. Once activated, you can access your AI Resume Builder on up to 999 devices. The Basic plan lets you create up to 10 CVs a month with 50 monthly downloads. You also get tips that could help you refine your CV.
For a limited time, get a lifetime subscription to the AI Resume Builder on sale for £27.83, the best price online.
Opens in a new window Credit: Pexels AI Resume Builder (Lifetime Subscription) £27.83 at the Mashable Shop Get DealTL;DR: Stream the 2024 Giro d’Italia for free on SBS on Demand, RTBF, or RaiPlay. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
It really doesn't get much tougher than cycling. We'll be honest and say that we don't fully understand the appeal of setting out in the morning to punish yourself over long climbs through potentially miserable conditions, but this sort of thing clearly works for a lot of people, because we see plenty of enthusiasts out there on the roads every day.
What we can see the appeal of is watching the very best cyclists in the world going wheel to wheel in one of the most prestigious cycling events on the calendar. We're talking about the Giro d'Italia, and we've got all the information you need to follow along from the comfort of your home.
What is the Giro d’Italia?The Giro d'Italia is an annual multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in Italy. The Giro d'Italia is one of cycling's most prestigious three-week-long Grand Tours, and is the world's second most important stage race after the Tour de France.
When is the 2024 Giro d’Italia?The 2024 Giro d'Italia is the 107th edition of the famous race. This year's event takes place from May 4 to May 26.
How to watch the 2024 Giro d’Italia for freeIt's possible to watch the 2024 Giro d'Italia live and for free on these streaming platforms:
Australia — SBS on Demand
Belgium — RTBF
Italy — RaiPlay
These free streaming services are geo-restricted to their country of origin, meaning you'll be blocked if you attempt to connect from anywhere else in the world. That is unless you're using a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free streaming platforms from any location.
Stream the 2024 Giro d'Italia for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia, Belgium, or Italy
Visit SBS on Demand, RTBF, or RaiPlay
Watch the 2024 Giro d’Italia for free from anywhere in the world
Most of the best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these guarantees, you can watch Giro d’Italia live streams without committing with your cash. This is a sneaky trick, but it works.
What is the best VPN for Giro d’Italia?There are a lot of streaming-friendly VPNs out there for you to consider, but ExpressVPN is probably the best service for live streaming top sporting events. ExpressVPN is a great choice for streaming the Giro d’Italia, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Austria, Belgium, and Italy
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This heavily discounted plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can sign up to watch 2024 Giro d’Italia and then recover your investment with the money-back guarantee.
Live stream the 2024 Giro d’Italia for free with ExpressVPN.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for April 16's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Part of someone's leg; slang for stabbing someone.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no letters that appear twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to Wordle #1032 is...
SHANK.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for April 16's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Greatly surprised
Green: Things a journalist write
Blue: Smooth with no angles
Purple: Layout of a theater
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Flabbergast
Green: Bit of Journalism
Blue: On The Same Plane
Purple: Theater Sections
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to Connections #310 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayFlabbergast: FLOOR, ROCK, SHOCK, SURPRISE
Bit of Journalism: ARTICLE, FEATURE, REPORT, STORY
On The Same Plane: EVEN, FLAT, FLUSH, LEVEL
Theater Sections: BALCONY, BOX, ORCHESTRA, STAGE
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.
If you're a gamer with a design bug, IKEA thinks you'll love it's new collection of "gaming furniture," due in stores in September 2024.
The furniture giant says that its 20-piece Brännboll collection "challenges traditional gaming design" and should more peacefully co-exist in aesthetic harmony within your home than, say, a Secretlab gaming chair.
SEE ALSO: The best gaming monitor for upgrading your visualsBut the collection seems more like a brilliant marketing ploy than a genuine attempt to meet gamers where they are. Much of Brännboll looks like regular old IKEA furniture, accessorized with an Asus ROG Ally console or a Meta Quest 2 VR headset. The gaming market is currently estimated to be worth about $282 billion in the US alone and IKEA's only previous foray into the industry was a small line of black and red gaming furniture in 2021.
A tall standing cabinet harbors a hidden fold-down tabletop with storage for a PC and monitor. Credit: IKEA A rolling castor stores gaming tech and accessories. Credit: IKEASome pieces do actually make sense for gamers, like a tall standing cabinet that opens to reveal a fold-down tabletop with storage for a PC and monitor (also a handy piece for folks working at home). A second item, a green desk chair, resembles the design of the kind of traditional gaming chairs IKEA claims to be moving away from. A third piece, the "easy chair," is described as providing a new "dynamic component of the virtual gaming experience" by "engag[ing] the gamer physically, swinging from side to side in harmony with their movement."
SEE ALSO: The best gaming headset for every platformThe core of Brännboll is the easy chair and several low-to-the-ground seats, including an inflatable donut-shaped concoction that is so light it can be hung from a hook on the wall. A mouse pad, rug, and throw and storage solutions like a wall-mounted cabinet, wheeled castor, and a multifunctional basket round out the collection.
With its plan to return samples from Mars in jeopardy, NASA is now making a desperate plea for outside help to save the costly and complex mission.
NASA administrator Bill Nelson and the agency's head of science, Nikki Fox, announced Monday they will seek suggestions from the greater space industry with a formal request for ideas. The agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which has been overseeing the mission from California, has already laid off about 530 employees — about 8 percent of its workforce — and 40 contractors in the face of budget constraints.
NASA will solicit new concept proposals for the mission that could reduce spending and hasten the timeline. The agency is also asking other NASA campuses to weigh in. By the fall, they hope to have some new ideas to consider.
When asked what happens if there aren't any practical solutions, administrator Bill Nelson quipped, "Better than not to try."
"I suspect if folks at NASA and our contractors and our centers and JPL put their minds to it, these are folks who can figure out rather difficult things," he said during a call with reporters.
SEE ALSO: The surprising reason a Mars rover just started dropping samples The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which has been overseeing the mission from California, has already laid off about 530 employees — about 8 percent of its workforce — and 40 contractors in the face of budget constraints. Credit: NASA / JPL-CaltechMars Sample Return, a complex mission to bring rocks and dirt back from the Red Planet, has been at a crossroads since last year. The mission's swelling costs have led to layoffs and warnings of cancellation from Congress.
Independent reviews have found that the mission would likely cost upward of $11 billion to achieve by the 2030s — or would require delays that would set back the return to at least 2040. That spending projection is more than 50 percent higher than a range recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
But the nonpartisan Planetary Society has said the program is too important for NASA to scrap.
"Do the science, do it now, and do it with balance," wrote Casey Dreier, the group's senior space policy adviser.
Tweet may have been deletedNASA's Perseverance rover, a car-size lab on six wheels, has been collecting samples from the Jezero crater since 2021 with the hope they can be returned to Earth for scientific scrutiny.
Over the course of its exploration, Perseverance has been drilling into rocks and filling pairs of sample tubes so that each has a backup supply. The plan has been for the rover to eventually deliver the samples to a robotic lander equipped with a rocket to bring them back for study.
"Better than not to try." Plan B for recovering the Mars backup samples has been to use drones to take them to a lander. Credit: NASA illustrationIf Perseverance couldn't make the transfers, Plan B would involve recovering the duplicate tubes from the ground where the rover is intentionally dropping them. In that scenario, drones similar to the recently deceased Ingenuity helicopter would pick them up and fly them to a lander.
Once the 30-or-so sample tubes had left Mars on the rocket, another spacecraft orbiting the Red Planet would bring them some 140 million miles back to Earth, according to the original plan. (With both planets constantly moving, their exact distance is always changing.)
The plan has been for the rover to deliver the samples to a robotic lander equipped with a rocket at a later time to bring them back to study. Credit: NASA / JPL-CaltechNASA sent Perseverance to the crater because it's a place where planetary scientists think microscopic organisms — a.k.a. life — might have potentially existed long ago. The region is thought to be a dried delta, where water once emptied from a river into a lake. The remaining rocks may contain relics or clues about ancient life forms, if there ever were any.
The mission, a partnership with the European Space Agency, would not only include the first attempt to bring back dust and dirt from another full-fledged planet but also the first launch from the surface of another planet. Recovering the samples would fulfill one of the highest priorities of the scientific community for the next decade.
"This is not just a grab-a-rock mission," Fox said. "These are very carefully, scientifically curated, and selected samples [from] a very diverse set of locations."
By now, you've likely heard that Apple is making big moves in the AI space in order to compete with competitors like Microsoft and Google. Its upcoming M4 chipset for its Macs and MacBooks is being built for AI. And, when it comes to mobile devices, the soon-to-be-released iOS 18 is going to have a heavy focus on AI, bringing new AI-powered capabilities to your iPhone.
According to Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman, Apple is looking to continue its privacy-focused ethos with its AI products, too — at least, where it can.
"As the world awaits Apple's big AI unveiling on June 10, it looks like the initial wave of features will work entirely on device," Gurman writes in his paid Power On newsletter (first highlighted by MacRumors). "That means there's no cloud processing component to the company's large language model, the software that powers the new capabilities."
SEE ALSO: iOS 18 rumors: Everything we know about the next big iPhone update What does this mean?Basically, Apple looks to be continuing its commitment to user privacy by making sure your data stays "on device." Most AI platforms do require that your data be sent to their cloud computer servers because generative AI models are usually extremely resource intensive. If Apple stays the course though, the company won't do that. Instead, it'll use the iPhone's processing power to handle its AI features, meaning your data never leaves your iPhone.
One problem here is that even newer iPhone models may struggle to handle some particularly intensive AI features. Some AI features may not be available on older iPhone models at all.
However, there does seem to be a catch here. Apple can only really fully commit to its user privacy standards for the products that it builds. Given that Apple is relatively behind in the AI race compared to its competitors, the company is looking to work with third-party companies in order to roll out its AI products sooner rather than later.
According to Gurman, Apple has discussed AI partnerships with OpenAI, Google, and even the China-based Baidu. iPhone owners utilizing iOS features powered by the cloud computing infrastructure of those companies will find that their data is being sent off of their device.
Apple is reportedly creating its own cloud infrastructure to handle AI work, but according to these reports, it doesn't seem like it will be ready in time for the big iOS 18 announcement. And that's where these third parties will likely come in.
Again, all of this information is subject to change, but Gurman's reporting is credible. Nothing will be set in stone, of course, until Apple makes these announcements and that will probably be at this year's WWDC in June.
Curious about how to reset an iPad? You've come to the right place.
Whether you want to start completely anew with factory settings, or you plan on reselling your Apple tablet, knowing how to reset your iPad is imperative. Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to reset your entry-level iPad, iPad Air, or iPad Pro.
SEE ALSO: I used the iPad Air for a week for work — can it replace your laptop? How to reset iPadTo reset your iPad, check out the following short guide:
Go to Settings.
Tap on General.
Tap on Reset.
Tap on Erase All Content and Settings.
If prompted, enter your passcode.
Note: If you're concerned about losing valuable information, we highly suggesting backing up your iPad data to your iCloud account.
Be sure to check out our step-by-step guide on how to reset iPhone, too.
A good pair of headphones can dramatically enhance your day-to-day activities. A busy commuter train can become a quiet place to enjoy your favorite podcast, while your favorite video games can become immersive, audio-rich worlds. No matter what you use your headphones for, Sony has likely designed a pair that fits your exact needs.
Today's best Sony headphones deals as of April 15: Best noise-canceling earbuds deal Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Earbuds $229.95 at Amazon (save $70.04) Get Deal Best over-ear noise-canceling headphones deal Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Headphones $128 at Amazon (save $21.99) Get Deal Best wireless gaming headphones deal Sony INZONE H5 Wireless Gaming Headset $128 at Amazon (save $21.99) Get Deal Best wired gaming headphones deal Sony-INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headset $78 at Amazon (save $21.99) Get DealAs of today, April 15, Sony earbuds, headphones, and gaming headsets are on sale at Amazon for up to 26% off. This limited-time offer brings you discounted prices on Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Earbuds, Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Headphones, and more. All of the picks on this list have hit their lowest prices to date.
Best noise-canceling earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Earbuds $229.95 at AmazonToday's sale brings Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Earbuds down to their all-new lowest-ever price according to Amazon price tracker site camelcamelcamel. With high-res audio, noise-canceling technology, and built-in AI noise-reduction for taking calls, these earbuds are built to support you through work and play alike. We also love the sleek, aesthetically pleasing design of these headphones — and the fact that they're water-resistant. With an 8-hour battery life, these earbuds will get you through the workday. And if you're ever caught on low battery, just three minutes of charging gets you back up to an hour of playing time.
Best over-ear noise-canceling earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Our pick: Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Headphones $128.00 at AmazonAudiophiles will take to Sony WH-CH720N Noise Cancelling Headphones for their immersive, high-quality, and well-balanced sound that brings your favorite music to life. With a 35-hour battery life, these headphones are a great choice for music fiends who always have a playlist ready to soundtrack their lives. We also appreciate that these headphones have an Adjustable Ambient Sound mode and Adaptive Sound control features that automatically adjust your listening experience to the environment you're in, so you can stay alert and connected when you need to be. On sale for $128, these headphones are back at their lowest price.
Best wireless gaming headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony INZONE H5 Wireless Gaming Headset $128.00 at AmazonWhen it comes to choosing the right gaming headphones, you need a headset that's comfortable to wear and has a battery life that can keep up with you. That's why we're fans of the Sony INZONE H5 Wireless Gaming Headset. The headset is lightweight and light pressure, so you can stay comfortable even as you're clocking in several hours. With an impressive 28-hour battery life and 360-degree spatial sound, these headphones are a great way to level up your gaming setup. Today, they've hit their all-new lowest price at $128.
Best wired gaming headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Our pick: Sony-INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headset $78.00 at AmazonWhile wireless headphones offer you a greater range of motion, many prefer wired headphones for the way that they support higher bandwidth and experience less interference. If that sounds like you, you'll want to explore the Sony-INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headset, on sale for its lowest price of $78. It boasts many of the same special features as the Sony INZONE H5 Wireless Gaming Headset but with the added benefits of being a wired headset.
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