Feed aggregator

Have you ever swiped through your Instagram Reels feed and thought, "Wow, the only thing that will make this better is if someone else could also watch what I am watching and know that this is what The Algorithm thinks of me?"

Well, I have good news for you. Instagram is live testing a new feature called "Blend," which creates a private feed of recommended Reels for you and a friend. Think of it like the combined algorithm that creates your Spotify Blend playlists but for Instagram Reels instead.

The feature has been in development for some time and was spotted by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi back in March 2024. At the time, Meta told TechCrunch that it wasn't being tested externally just yet — until now, it seems.

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Mashable, but some users have reported seeing the feature on their apps. One user, @uw.3 on Threads, posted screenshots on Threads showing a pop-up encouraging users to invite their friends on DMs to blend, Social Media Today spotted. The pop-up shows three main notes: see each other's suggested reels, new reels based on the chat, and invite only.

SEE ALSO: I'm quitting Instagram. You should too. View on Threads

"See who each reel is suggested for based on each person's activity on Instagram, including the reels they watch and interact with," describes "See each other's suggested reels."

"When you join a blend, reels you send to the chat will inform and update the blend for everyone," describes "new reels based on the chat."

"Each blend is unique to the people who join. You can leave a blend at any time," reads "invite only."

This feature seems like a smart business decision for Instagram: It could keep people logged on and scrolling longer and put their dedication to Reels up front, no matter how terrible an experience Reels Blends sounds to me personally. However, perhaps the most incredible thing about this potential new feature is that it doesn't copy TikTok.

An ambitious start-up embodies new optimism that artificial intelligence can turbocharge scientific discovery.

The president’s attack on the key tenet of the Biden administration’s industrial policy has set off concerns that he may claw back its funding.

A new bill filed in the North Carolina House of Representatives aims to ban children under 14 from social media and age-verify some sites — but not like other age-verification laws.

HB 301, called the Social Media Protections for Minors Act, was introduced last Wednesday and passed its first reading, according to North Carolina station WFMY News 2. It'll now go to a committee for further review.

SEE ALSO: Do age-verification laws work? Not according to this study.

Similar to Australia's social media ban for children under 16, this bill would prohibit anyone under 14 from creating an account on social platforms that meet certain criteria (like having 10 percent daily active users under 16 and "addictive" features like infinite scrolling). Children aged 14 to 15 would need parents' permission to make an account, though it doesn't detail how this consent would be handled.

Additionally, HB 301 calls for "anonymous" or standard age verification when viewing a site with a substantial portion (over a third) of content deemed "harmful to minors." The phrase "harmful to minors" harkens back to a Supreme Court case, Ginsberg v. New York, which concluded that content that isn't obscene (thus protected by the First Amendment) can still be "harmful to minors."

Typically, in age-verification laws, this means explicit content. This part is in line with other such laws, which require some form of age verification (such as a digital ID or facial scan) in order to visit porn sites.

Unlike other age-verification laws that have passed in the U.S. — including North Carolina's own age-verification law — this one requires these site visitors to be 16 years or older, not 18, though. In North Carolina, the age of consent is 16.

In January, the Supreme Court heard about age-verification laws in the case Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, and their ruling will likely come out this summer. Findings from a recent study on age verification laws suggest that these laws don't work at their proposed aim to keep minors away from explicit websites. This is because they can access websites that don't comply with the laws, or work around them with a VPN.

Well, we endured and survived, baby girl.

The Last of Us ended its first season almost two years ago in March 2023, leaving us nothing less than emotional husks, nothing more than hungry for more deep character-based trauma in Season 2. But after that cold hard finale, I'm sure you've got as many questions as we have.

Unless you've played the game's sequel, that is. 

SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' salutes Ellie's favourite thing: comics

For those who haven't experienced Naughty Dog's lauded sequel The Last of Us Part II, the future is uncertain for Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal). The series, like the game, ended with Joel's polarising decision to save Ellie, sacrificing a potential cure for the Cordyceps infection and executing the entire Fireflies' medical team, including their leader, Marlene (Merle Dandridge). And now? Ellie and Joel have made it back to Jackson, where the future is uncertain.

If you're dying to know what's in store for Season 2, we're about to get spoilery with first-hand game knowledge, trailer hints, and first looks to consider some of the major plot points and characters you can expect director Craig Mazin and creator Neil Druckmann to get stuck into. We won't ruin the ending, but we will set you up with some monumental moments to uh...look forward to?

If you haven't played the The Last of Us Part II, however, you might want to turn back and consider our burning questions article instead, which is free of game (though not show) spoilers.

For everyone else, let's delve into the biggest storyline moments we can expect to see in Season 2 — including the one that HBO had better expect a riot over.

The Last of Us Season 2 means terrifying new Infected Don't breathe. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

While The Last of Us Part II didn't completely reinvent the wheel when it comes to new Infected, there's a few additions we can't wait to see. The latest HBO trailer indicates airborne Cordyceps spores will be added as a hurdle for our protagonists, something Season 1 eliminated for on-screen practicality/Pedro Pascal visibility.

One of the most terrifying new types of Infected will be the Stalkers, who are briefly shown in the trailer scurrying about in the darkness. These stealthy trackers peep out from their hiding places and use echolocation like Clickers. But they have the ability to see who they're charging at — and boy, do they charge. Honestly, I hate them so much.

We're also keen to see if there's the possibility of a Rat King this season, the game's horrific amalgamation of Infected in one hulking mass — think The Witcher.

SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2 tailer: Hidden details you may have missed We're going back to Jackson Four years later... Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

It's time to head back to Jackson, Wyoming, folks. The fortified settlement where Joel and Ellie finally find his brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and wife Maria (Rutina Wesley) is first seen in The Last of Us Season 1, episode 6. And it's where Season 2 will likely begin.

Jackson is a key location in the second game. We don't actually visit the town in the first game at all; we just see it in the distance. But Jackson is where Season 1 of the show ends, as Joel and Ellie have a confrontation on a ridge above the town after everything that went down in Salt Lake City. And Joel lies.

It's likely Season 2 will pick up where The Last of Us Part II does, four years later. As the trailer shows, Tommy and Maria now have a young son, who doesn't exist in the game. Joel and Ellie are living in their own places in Jackson, with a major strain on their relationship. By now, Ellie is 19 and doing Infected patrols with her horse Shimmer, who made a sweet cameo in Season 1, episode 6 as a foal. And she's about to fall head over heels.

The Last of Us Season 2 will introduce Ellie's next big love Dina + Ellie 4eva 💘 Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

Ellie's tragically short romance with her best friend Riley (Storm Reid) was her first love, but certainly not her last. And in Season 1, an Easter egg had gamers abuzz, with the fleeting appearance of a character integral to Ellie's life in The Last of Us Part II.

In episode 6, when Joel and Ellie are in the Jackson food hall, there's a moment when Ellie's manners fail her and she throws a barb at a staring girl. Fans of the game surmised that this was Dina, Ellie's future love interest — and in HBO's podcast for the show, neither Mazin or Druckmann confirmed nor denied it.

Played by Madame Web's Isabela Merced in Season 2, Dina is a complex, kickass character who will play a hugely important role. In The Last of Us Part II, the game begins with one of the franchise's best scenes: a Jackson barn dance where Dina and Ellie share their first kiss. Their relationship grows with every patrol, every tragedy, every secret they share together — including Dina's major reveal. In the game, Dina's deep love for Ellie means she joins her quest for revenge: "You go, I go. End of story."

Jesse has a significant part to play. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

Another Season 2 newbie will be Ellie's best friend Jesse, Dina's ex-boyfriend from Jackson, who is played by Beef's Young Mazino. Jesse tracks Ellie and Dina on their travels in order to help them on their quest to find the people responsible for the most shocking moment of the series.

Yep, it's gonna hurt.

The Last of Us Season 2 will do it: Joel's death Noooooooooooooooooooooooo. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

For fans of the game, we know what's coming in Season 2. And we also know this will break fans of the show, as it did us while playing The Last of Us Part II.

I'm talking about Joel's death. It's one of the most unexpected, traumatising events I've ever encountered in a video game — the brutal murder of a protagonist you've spent literally hundreds of hours playing, understanding, and becoming attached to. You've survived so much with Joel, as has Ellie, and Naughty Dog made us watch as her beloved father figure is killed in front of her — the game mechanics literally pin Ellie (that's you) to the ground in this scene.

It will be worse than this moment in Season 1. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

Yes, Joel's death allowed Naughty Dog to differentiate the games and introduce new character dynamics, namely moving Ellie into young adulthood. But I have a feeling this episode will be one of the most talked about, most hands-in-the-air, Red Wedding-level, how-could-they-do-this-to-us episode of Season 2. Considering the skyrocketing fame and internet worship of Pedro Pascal, this devastating moment in the narrative will be all over your feed. Prepare for several solid weeks of grieving online.

Joel's brutal death at the hands of new character Abby Anderson (more on her below) will likely be in an early episode of Season 2, rattling viewers to the core. But don't despair entirely, Pascal fans. The Last of Us Part II features many flashback scenes with the pair, including an all-important, dinosaur-related memory, scenes in involving Joel's guitar, and a major reveal about why exactly there's tension between Joel and Ellie at the beginning of the sequel. Season 2 won't be completely Pascal-free, even after his character's death.

SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' episode 8: Why Joel's final line is so important Bella Ramsey will have room to shine in Season 2 It's only going to get harder, Ellie. Credit: HBO

Season 2 is all about Ellie. Our protagonist's grief and rage in The Last of Us Part II will give Ramsey the challenge they deserve to take an already incredible performance even further. Pascal and Ramsey have built the same level of chemistry and bond voice actors Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson's Joel and Ellie did in the games, and it's going to break hearts to see Bellie and Pedge destroyed like this. But Ramsey will also have plenty of action scenes ahead of them too, as Ellie's fight scenes really level up this season.

The Last of Us Season 2 will focus on a shellshocked Ellie wanting only vengeance, tracking Joel's killers to their base in Seattle. Tommy goes after them himself, thinking Ellie will just sit tight in Jackson, but of course that doesn't happen. So, the events of The Last of Us Season 2 will mirror those of the first season — we're always looking for Tommy in TLOU it seems. But with the addition of Tommy and Maria's son as seen in the trailer, Tommy's decision takes on a very different light.

Oh no. They have a son... Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

So, Season 2 is another road trip, and will focus on Ellie's journey from from Wyoming to Washington. As Ellie gets more and more brutal in her hunting tactics, fuelled by grief and rage, Ramsey will have one hell of a journey on their hands. That scene from episode 8 in which Joel gets real cold and torture-y with the map trick? It rubbed off, people.

Season 2 is also all about Abby There's always another perspective. Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

The Last of Us Season 2 will introduce the game character of Abby Anderson, Joel's aforementioned killer. Kaitlyn Dever (Booksmart, Apple Cider Vinegar, Unbelievable) takes on the polarising role, who will fuel one of the most upsetting moments in the story — but remember, she is a character. And she's a character you actually play as for half the game in The Last of Us Part II, and all the uncomfortable attachment that goes with it.

The word "villain" is subjective as always for humans in this franchise, depending on your perspective. (Except David. David is a villain.) Abby's journey in Season 2 will cause viewers to reconsider what makes someone a monster in this post-apocalyptic hell. As devastating as her actions are, Abby's character expands the world of The Last of Us beyond Ellie's experience. There'll be plenty of world-building to look forward to with where Abby calls home: the WLF.

Season 2 introduces two new factions: WLF and the Seraphites WTF is the WLF? Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

Ultimately, saving Abby's life from Infected beyond the safety of the Jackson settlement will be Joel's undoing, as she's part of a Seattle militia group known as the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), aka the Wolves. Led by Isaac Dixon (brilliant casting with American Fiction's Jeffrey Wright), the Wolves are comprised of former Fireflies and recruits, and their base in Seattle is sure to be impressive set design. There's a whole cast of new characters here with their own connections and backstories, with actors Danny Ramirez, Tati Gabrielle, Ariela Barer, and Spencer Lord joining Dever.

In Season 2, we'll also meet the faction behind strange symbols and preachy graffiti, the Seraphites, also referred to as the Scars — you'll know them by their self-inflicted facial scarring. They're a cult-like group and direct rivals to the Wolves for control of Seattle. In the trailer, you'll spy them with their bows, arrows, and tendency to hang people in the forest. And within this faction, we'll meet two beloved characters, siblings Lev and Yara, who will have a major impact on Abby's life.

It's not clear whether the Rattlers, another horrific faction in The Last of Us Part II, will feature this season. Hope not? Hope so? I can't tell what I want.

Will we hear Pedro Pascal sing Pearl Jam in episode 1? *tunes guitar* Credit: Liane Hentscher / HBO

At the very beginning of The Last of Us Part II, Joel gifts Ellie a guitar and the promise of lessons, but not before he plays a little something on it. He picks Pearl Jam's "Future Days," a somber ballad that begins with the fitting lyric "If I ever were to lose you / I'd surely lose myself." This begs the question: Will we hear Pedro Pascal himself sing a little Pearl Jam in Season 2, episode 1?

The Last of Us Season 1 is now streaming on Max. Season 2 premieres on HBO and Max in 2025.

X appeared to have crashed on Monday. Elon Musk's website wouldn't load for users in the early hours of Monday, either on desktop or mobile.

Down Detector showed a sharp spike in user-reported issues with X starting around 9:30 a.m. ET on Monday. (Full disclosure: Down Detector is owned by Ziff Davis, the same parent company as Mashable.)

I tried to load X on my computer and through the mobile app on my phone, but neither would update or bring in new posts. Folks on other sites, like Bluesky, also posted about the site being down.

And on the morning of NFL Free Agency... X is down.

— Andrew Siciliano (@andrewsiciliano.bsky.social) March 10, 2025 at 6:02 AM

Is Twitter/X down? I'm panicking, lol.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 10, 2025 at 6:06 AM

This story is developing and will be updated...

The Last of Us Season 2 trailer has dropped, and you know what that means, don't you? It's time to take all the burning questions we had at the end of Season 2 and add a few new ones in.

In the two-minute clip above we're reintroduced to Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) after a tumultuous ending to the first season, as they head back to the camp in Jackson, Wyoming where Joel's brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) is based.

SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 2 release date teased with haunting new clip

But the shadow of what Joel did to rescue Ellie hangs over the trailer, as do more monsters and shady-looking groups. We've broken down all the hidden details you may have missed below.

Ellie hiding from something on all fours Credit: YouTube/Max

The trailer opens with Ellie silently creeping through a dark building. It's brief, but in the background we see something scuttling past at the far end of the room. An animal? A Clicker? Or some new kind of Infected creature to be worried about? Gulp.

A creature emitting spores Credit: YouTube/Max

Speaking of creatures, there's a shot of Ellie standing over a poor Cordyceps-covered soul that almost looks more tree than human. The worrying part? We can clearly see the thing exhaling what appear to be spores into the air.

The one mercy of the fungus in Season 1 is that it isn't airborne. Could that be about to change?

Two new factions Credit: YouTube/Max

There are at least two new groups we haven't seen before in the Season 2 trailer. The first is a military outfit that is definitely not FEDRA — these guys have a wolf logo and the letters "WLF" on their tanks and helmets. The second group has more of a cult vibe — hooded robes, old-style weapons, a logo that looks like an eye, the whole shebang.

The trailer makes it seem like both of these groups are threats, as they're shown in a montage just before we hear Ellie (Bella Ramsey) saying "monsters" (and given that we see the hooded group getting ready to murder someone in the woods, this definitely tracks).

Ellie walking away from Joel Credit: YouTube/Max

One of our burning questions after Season 1 was whether or not Ellie would find out that Joel basically butchered an entire hospital worth of Fireflies in order to save her life — remember, Ellie is immune to the Cordyceps infection, and could have been the key to a vaccine. The trailer seems to hint that the answer to this question is a big "yes", with a shot of her yelling "You swore" before another shot of Joel looking upset while she walks away from him in the background. The "you swore" line is a throwback to the finale of Season 1, where Ellie asks Joel to promise her that "everything you said to me about the Fireflies is true" — Joel told Ellie raiders attacked the hospital and he barely got her out of there alive. Looks like that lie will come back to haunt him.

The Last of Us Season 2 is streaming on Max from April 13.

SAVE $39: As of March 10, the Garmin Forerunner 55 smartwatch is on sale at Best Buy for $160.99. That's 19% off its list price of $199.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 55 $160.99 at Best Buy
$199.99 Save $39 Get Deal

With so many options out there to choose from, finding the right fitness tracker to suit your preferred workout routine is important. If you're a runner, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is a top pick to keep up with your active routines. We even consider it the best fitness tracker for running in our overall roundup of the best fitness trackers, so you know it's a worthy purchase.

Best Buy has knocked $39 off the price of the Garmin Forerunner 55, dropping its price from $199.99 to $160.99. This is a great price for such a sleek smartwatch that works with both new and experienced runners alike. It boasts a variety of running-focused features to get you started on the right foot, too.

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch for every wrist

Some of the Garmin Forerunner 55's features include a heart rate monitor, built-in GPS so you can keep track of where you run, stress tracking, the ability to track your energy levels, and much more. It even offers suggestions for daily workouts based on your history with running and fitness level so you can find the routine that best suits you. In our roundup of the best fitness trackers, we called it a "dedicated runner’s watch that has everything you need for smashing those personal best targets."

We also note that, "We hasten to call it a beginner’s watch, though it is perfect for new starters. It’s also packed with so many features, it’s sure to suit runners of most levels. Indeed, unless you’re a super serious runner with very specific goals, this smartwatch is a winner."

Don't miss out on $39 off the Garmin Forerunner 55 at Best Buy.

Looking for even more fitness tracker or smartwatch deals? The Apple Watch Series 10 is enjoying a very nice discount right now at Amazon and you can also save on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra right now at Best Buy.

SAVE $80: As of March 10, the 2nd Gen Apple Watch SE (GPS, 40mm) is on sale at Best Buy for $169. That's 32% off its list price of $249.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE $169 at Best Buy
$249 Save $80 Get Deal

If you've been eyeing up an Apple smartwatch to help you keep up with your daily activities, but don't want to splash out on one of the fancy Ultra models, the 2nd Gen Apple Watch SE is the option to go with. Not only does this smartwatch cover all of your health and fitness basics, but it also comes with an affordable price tag. And that price has dropped even further today at Best Buy.

The 2nd Gen Apple Watch SE (GPS, 40mm) has had an $80 discount at Best Buy, dropping its price from $249 to $169. This is a great deal for such a high-quality smartwatch that fits in perfectly within the Apple ecosystem. As a bonus, purchasing the 2nd Gen Apple Watch SE also comes with four months of Apple Fitness+ for free if you're a new subscriber — which is a perfect way to kick off your fitness journey with the smartwatch — and up to three months of Apple Music for free if you're a new or returning subscriber to listen to your favorite tunes on Apple's service.

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch for every wrist

The 2nd Gen Apple Watch SE comes with all of the basics to keep you moving and updated on your health and fitness goals. Some of its features include a heart rate monitor that notifies you if you have an irregular heart rhythm, Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, advanced metrics for a greater insight into your workouts, and 50m water resistance. All of this on top of the fact that you can take calls and send texts right from your wrist.

If you're an Apple user who has been looking to make the jump into owning a smartwatch, look no further than Best Buy to score $80 off the 2nd Gen Apple Watch SE (GPS, 40mm).

This isn't the only Apple deal that's been floating around recently, either. Both the standard and noise-canceling models of the AirPods 4 have had great discounts at Amazon and you can also save on an Apple MacBook Air right now at the retailer.

If you tried to log in to Instagram on Monday, you might have had a little trouble.

Users are reporting errors with logging into the Meta-owned social media platform, with many unable to access their accounts.

SEE ALSO: How to translate a message in Instagram DMs

According to DownDetector (owned by Mashable's parent company, Ziff Davis), users in the UK were experiencing the outages. Instagram users in the U.S did not report similar issues at the time of writing. However, the outage follows a similar situation across Meta platforms in late February.

Credit: DownDetector

Folks took to other social platforms including X (formerly Twitter) to ask the same question.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Mashable has reached out to Instagram for further information. This story is developing...

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: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, March 10, 2025:

AcrossLike billionaires and chocolate cake

• The answer is Rich.

Actress Fanning of "A Complete Unknown"

• The answer is Elle.

Stay above water

• The answer is Float.

"Hamilton" character who sings "The Room Where It Happens"

• The answer is Burr.

Swirl of water

• The answer is Eddy.

Down"Hey ___, check your voicemail, you've missed a few calls!" (heckle)

• The answer is Ref.

"Wow, would you look at that!"

• The answer is IllBe.

Stratocumulus, e.g.

• The answer is Cloud.

Got wind of

• The answer is Heard.

Not phone it in

• The answer is Try.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

SAVE $300: As of March 10, the 2024 Apple MacBook Air (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is on sale at Amazon for $999. That's 23% off its list price of $1,299.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 2024 MacBook Air (512GB) $999 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $300 Get Deal

Apple's MacBooks are pricy laptops, which is why it's always an exciting treat when you can find one on sale. Thankfully, Amazon has dropped a stellar deal on the M3 2024 Apple MacBook Air with a 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM that's worth checking out if you've been looking for an upgrade. It's currently at its lowest price yet, so there's no better time than now to jump on this exciting deal.

This MacBook is currently down to $999, 23% off its usual list price of $1,299. That saves you $300 overall, which is a great price drop. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, it has never hit this low of a price before, making now a great time to take advantage of its discount before it disappears.

SEE ALSO: Here's what you need to know about preordering the new M4 Apple MacBook Air

Boasting the M3 chip, this laptop is a speedy and efficient portable machine that won't slow you down no matter if you're using it for work or play. It's made all the better with a large 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display that makes what's on your screen really pop, and up to 18 hours of battery life to keep you going for longer between charges. And living up to its name, it's lightweight, too. If you need to take it with you, it's wonderfully portable.

• Price: $999 $1,299

• Retailer: Amazon

• Processor: Apple M3 Chip

• CPU: 8-core CPU

• GPU: 10-core GPU

• Memory: 16GB Unified Memory

• Storage: 512GB SSD

• Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina

• Battery Life: Up to 18 hours

• Ports: 2x Thunderbolt, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm headphone jack

• OS: macOS Sequoia

We also consider this the top pick in our roundup of the best MacBooks to buy in 2025, stating "It's undoubtedly the best version of the compact laptop to date. You'll get that thin and light frame, plus plenty of extra power to tackle all of your most demanding tasks."

Don't miss out on the M3 2024 MacBook Air with a 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

If you're looking for even more Apple deals, there are a few more worth checking out right now. Also at Amazon, the 10th-Gen iPad is currently enjoying a nice discount and the Apple Watch Series 10 has had a $100 price drop as well.

The characters in The White Lotus Season 3 are bad enough when sober, so we can't imagine what heavy drinking will do to them.

In the teaser for episode 5 it looks like that's exactly what will be happening next week though, with various characters — the Ratliff family boys (Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sam Nivola), Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), plus the three friends (Michelle Monaghan, Leslie Bibb, and Carrie Coon) — all glimpsed partying at night.

Elsewhere there's also a shot of Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) lamenting his stolen gun, and Timothy Ratliff (Jason Isaacs) staring at the same gun with his trademark moody contemplation. This is only going to end badly.

The White Lotus is streaming now on Max, with new episodes dropping weekly at 9 p.m. ET Sundays on HBO.

Travelling usually means compromising. Limited luggage space and the need to prioritise practicality often relegates matters of style to an afterthought, if they're thought of at all. This can result in you finally arriving at your picturesque holiday destination only to feel like the most disorganised, dishevelled person on the face of the Earth.

You aren't the only one who's been left haggard by travelling, and hotel staff have likely seen it all before. Even so, a few thoughtful upgrades to your travel kit can help you feel more glamorous than gremlin. Incorporating a little luxury may also help you reframe your travel identity for yourself, transforming from a harried airport sprinter to a poised and put-together globetrotter. After all, it's hard to feel your best when you aren't looking your best.

Here are five essentials to help you travel in style.

SEE ALSO: 7 overlooked and underrated essential travel gadgets 1. DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Credit: DJI

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is the type of gadget that might sound excessive when you first hear about it. After all, do you really need a standalone video camera if you already have a smartphone in your pocket? The answer is yes, you very much do. In fact, once you try DJI's fantastic pocket-sized gimbal camera, there's a good chance you'll never want to record videos with your phone ever again. 

At just 5.5 inches long, the Osmo Pocket 3 is a great camera to slip in your bag when you're on the go. It's phenomenally simple to operate, turning on with a satisfying twist of its two-inch rotating display screen, while its facial tracking feature follows your subject for smooth, well-framed, professional-looking shots. Capable of filming 4K footage in landscape and 3K footage in TikTok-friendly portrait, this camera is much less unwieldy than recording on your phone, and turns out better results. In fact, the only reasons any vlogger or content creator wouldn't covet an Osmo Pocket 3 are either because they already have one, or because they haven't heard about it.

While you can just pick up the Osmo Pocket 3 by itself, it's well worth upgrading to the Creator Combo pack if you can afford it. This pack adds a few accessories such as a battery handle, mini tripod stand, and most significantly a DJI Mic 2 transmitter. It's ridiculously easy to connect the Mic 2 to your Pocket 3 — literally just turn it on — and it provides noticeably clearer audio than the Osmo Pocket 3's on-device mic. Just remember to set a bit of cash aside for a good microSD card as well, as the Pocket 3 doesn't have any internal storage.

You should also remember to treat your Osmo Pocket 3 with care, particularly its delicate gimbal. The camera does come with a hard carry case, but unfortunately doesn't fit in the Creator Combo's soft carrying bag, and the easy access design still leaves the Osmo Pocket 3 open to potential damage. Though considering the device's compact size and how fun it is to use, this is probably one you'll keep close by in your carry on anyway.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo $669 at Amazon
Shop Now 2. MAISON de SABRÉ Weekender bag Credit: MAISON de SABRÉ

MAISON de SABRÉ's Weekender Bag is the type of bag you travel with if you have your life together and don't mind if everyone knows it. Made of gorgeously supple full-grain leather, this beautiful 23-litre luggage option is both fashionable and functional, firmly establishing you as prime airport crush material.

The Weekender has six internal side pockets to help keep your belongings organised, including a padded sleeve for your laptop and a zipped option on the opposite side. It also has two external sleeve pockets, one of which can be zipped open at the bottom to turn into a luggage passthrough. Though even if you opt not to use the passthrough, The Weekender's structured base allows it to sit neatly on top of your suitcase without you having to worry about it sliding off. The bag also features shoulder carry handles, and comes with a detachable crossbody strap for an alternate carry option.

Featured Video For You One day you might be able to travel by water, land, and sky all in one vehicle – Future Blink

Weighing 1.45 kilograms (3.19 pounds), the Weekender is slightly heavier than MAISON de SABRÉ's 1.42-kilogram Duffle Bag, which also has a larger 35-litre capacity. However, this is because the Weekender is designed to be used more frequently, so has increased reinforcement. Considering how attractive this bag is, you'll probably be searching for any excuse to use it. Though on the other hand, the Weekender is also so pretty that subjecting it to the cruel rigours of travel almost feels like sacrilege regardless of whether it can take it.

Opens in a new window Credit: MAISON de SABRÉ MAISON de SABRÉ Weekender Bag $469
Shop Now 3. Sonos Ace headphones Credit: Sonos

A good pair of headphones is imperative to a good travel experience. Unless you're on a road trip and it's your turn to drive, there's a good chance you'll spend a significant amount of time watching the scenery go by during the travel part of travelling. A decent soundtrack can make these hours feel restorative rather than mundane.

Sonos' Ace headphones are the speaker company's highly anticipated first foray into wearables. With decades of audio experience behind its development, the Sonos Ace offers exceptional sound quality, long battery life, notable comfort, and a well-balanced transparency mode in a sleek, minimalist design. This includes removable magnetic ear cups, so you can swap them out if they get damaged rather than ditching the whole device. The headphones come with a handy carry case as well, so you don't have to worry about them getting tossed around in your bag. 

The Sonos Ace operates via Bluetooth, so that's something to keep in mind if you were hoping to be able to connect via WiFi. However, if you just want to listen to your Spotify playlist on your phone, these headphones should have you covered. Like other Bluetooth headphones, the Sonos Ace can also be used to listen to your plane's in-flight entertainment if you pair it with Twelve South's AirFly wireless adapter. They're a particularly good option if you already have a Sonos sound system at home as well, as you can pair it with the Ace to easily swap audio from your speakers to the headphones and vice versa.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ace headphones $409 at Amazon
$449 Save $40 Shop Now 4. Solbari ultra wide cotton linen hat UPF50+ and Traveller broad brim sun hat UPF50+ Credit: Solbari

Hats are severely underrated travel items. Many people have never had a good quality hat, getting by with miscellaneous branded caps that offer mediocre coverage at best. Considering that a bad sunburn can completely derail a trip, it's an area that travellers would do well to consider more seriously.

Solbari is an Australian brand focused on sun protection — and if anyone knows about sun protection, it's Australians. The country is notorious for its powerfully damaging sun which is seven to 10 percent stronger than in the U.S., resulting in sun safety being baked into its national consciousness as a constant concern for all Australians.

Solbari's ultra wide cotton linen hat UPF50+ is a fashionable yet functional addition to your travel kit. Made of a breathable linen and cotton blend that feels luxurious to handle, this lightweight hat's wide five-inch brim extends even further to six inches at the back, offering fantastic protection against the sun while also looking stylish. The hat even has a small slot at the back for you to pull your ponytail through, so it isn't uncomfortably pressed against the back of your skull.

While Solbari doesn't offer linen in its men's styles, its popular Traveller broad brim sun hat UPF50+ includes four vents to help keep you cool. With a brim measuring three inches at the front and 3.5 at the back, the hat is made of thin, lightweight nylon that's both water- and stain-resistant, features which are always beneficial in travelling gear.

Both of these Solbari hats are UPF50+ rated, and have adjustable chin straps and drawstrings at the back to keep them safely on your head (though the former is removable if that's the look you prefer). The cotton linen hat does fold up more easily than the Traveller which has a stiffer rim, but the latter still packs flat for easy transport. You can always simply loop the chin strap around your luggage handle as well.

Opens in a new window Credit: Solbari Solbari Ultra Wide Cotton Linen Hat UPF50+ $79 at Amazon
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Solbari Solbari Traveller Broad Brim Sun Hat UPF50+ $48.30 at Amazon
Shop Now 5. Insta360 Flow Pro Credit: Insta360

While DJI's Osmo Pocket 3 is a great camera, it definitely isn't in everyone's budget. As the famous saying goes, the best camera is the one that's with you — and more often than not, that's the one on your phone. This doesn't mean you couldn't use an extra gadget to upgrade your photography, though.

The Insta360 Flow Pro is a gimbal, tripod, and selfie stick all in one, helping you perfectly frame your holiday videos. In addition to compensating for shaky hands, the Flow Pro can use AI to track subjects, allowing you to film yourself in steady, cinematic panning shots even when travelling alone. The buttons on its handle also enable you to control your camera, whether you want to change your phone's orientation, switch between the front and back cameras, start and stop tracking and recording, or even zoom in.

Though the Flow Pro is considerably more chunky than the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, it boasts 360-degree tracking. An upgrade from the Insta360 Flow, the Flow Pro further adds one-tap NFC pairing for quick and easy setup, and a light to indicate when tracking is active. This severely souped-up selfie stick even has native tracking within the iPhone camera (though you should definitely update your iPhone to at least iOS 18 to ensure this works properly).

While Insta360 Flow Pro does have extra compatibility with iPhones, Android users can still benefit from this gadget as well. Green bubble adherents won't be able to use one-tap pairing or tracking in their phone's native camera, but will otherwise be able to enjoy the Insta360 Flow Pro's full functionality via the Insta360 app. You'll probably want to use the Insta360 app even if you do have an iPhone anyway, as it offers a smoother experience, improved tracking, and access to features such as 3x3 panoramic photos.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insta360 Insta360 Flow Pro $189.99 at Amazon
Shop Now

UPDATE: Mar. 10, 2025, 4:08 p.m. AEDT This article was originally published September 2024, and has since been updated in March 2025.

SAVE $30: As of March 10, Apple AirPods 4 (with Active Noise Cancellation) are on sale for $148.99 at Amazon, down from $179. That’s a 17% discount on Apple’s latest earbuds.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 (ANC) $148.99 at Amazon
$179 Save $30.01 Get Deal

Apple’s new AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are already on sale at Amazon for $148.99, and considering how rarely Apple products get discounted, this is one to take seriously. These aren’t just a small upgrade over the last model either. Apple actually redesigned them for better comfort, sound, and battery life. If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to swap out your old AirPods, here it is.

Let’s start with what makes these different. The Active Noise Cancellation means you can actually drown out background noise instead of cranking the volume to dangerous levels. But Apple didn’t stop there. They added Adaptive Audio, which automatically blends ANC and Transparency Mode to adjust for your surroundings. There’s also Conversation Awareness, which lowers your music when you start talking to someone, so you don’t have to awkwardly rip out an earbud mid-sentence.

SEE ALSO: I've just scored Apple’s 10th-Gen iPad for under $260 at Amazon. That’s its lowest price in 30 days.

The design has been refreshed too. The shorter stem and contoured fit make them more comfortable for all-day wear. Apple also packs in the H2 chip, which boosts sound quality, improves call clarity, and makes pairing with Apple devices as effortless as ever. Speaking of calls, Voice Isolation ensures that whoever you're talking to can actually hear you, even if you’re calling from a noisy environment.

• Price: $148.99 $179

• Retailer: Amazon

• Chip: H2 headphone chip

• Noise Control: Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode

• Audio Features: Personalized Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ, Custom high-excursion Apple driver

• Microphones: Dual beamforming mics, Inward-facing mic, Speech-detecting accelerometer

• Battery Life: Up to 4 hours per charge with ANC, 5 hours without, 30 hours total with case

• Charging Case: USB-C, Wireless charging (Apple Watch charger, Qi-certified)

• Resistance Rating: IP54 dust, sweat, and water-resistant

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, effortless pairing with Apple devices

• Controls: Force sensor for music and calls, “Hey Siri” voice activation

Battery life is solid, with up to five hours of listening time per charge, or four hours if ANC is on. The charging case gives you 30 hours total, and yes, it supports wireless charging. You can power it up with a USB-C cable, an Apple Watch charger, or any Qi-certified wireless charger. Apple also made the case dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP54 rated), so it’s a little more durable than previous models.

Finding brand-new AirPods with ANC for under $150 is rare, and while this isn’t the steepest discount ever, it’s still a great price for Apple’s latest earbuds. If you were waiting for a deal, this is a good one. Amazon doesn’t keep Apple products on sale for long, so grab them before the price jumps back up.

SAVE $29: As of March 10, Apple AirPods 4 (USB-C, non-ANC) are on sale for $99.99 at Amazon, down from $129. That’s a 22% discount on Apple’s latest earbuds.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 (USB-C, non-ANC) $99.99 at Amazon
$129 Save $29.01 Get Deal

Apple’s newest AirPods just dropped to $99.99 at Amazon, and I can already hear my wallet sighing in defeat. If you’ve been using the same pair of earbuds for the past few years and they're starting to sound like a popcorn kettle, it's time to upgrade. These are the latest AirPods, freshly redesigned for better comfort and sound, and Amazon is already shaving $29 off the price. That doesn’t happen often with new Apple gear.

Fourth-gen AirPods aren’t just a rehash either. Apple made some real changes starting with the design. They’ve got a shorter stem and a new contour that’s supposed to be more stable and comfortable for all-day wear. No more constantly readjusting them every five seconds. The H2 chip inside means improved sound, faster pairing, and that classic Apple magic where they just work.

SEE ALSO: I've just scored Apple’s 10th-Gen iPad for under $260 at Amazon. That’s its lowest price in 30 days.

One of the best upgrades is Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, which makes your music and movies feel like they’re happening around you instead of just blasting into your ears. It’s not quite AirPods Pro-level immersive, but it’s a step up from previous models. If you take a lot of calls, the Voice Isolation feature helps cut out background noise, so you won’t sound like you’re calling from inside a wind tunnel. Battery life is solid, with up to five hours of listening time per charge and 30 hours total with the charging case.

• Price: $99.99 $129

• Retailer: Amazon

• Chip: H2 headphone chip

• Audio Features: Personalized Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ, Custom high-excursion Apple driver

• Microphones: Dual beamforming mics, Inward-facing mic, Speech-detecting accelerometer

• Battery Life: Up to 5 hours per charge, 30 hours total with case

• Charging Case: USB-C, 10% smaller than previous model

• Resistance Rating: IP54 dust, sweat, and water-resistant

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, effortless pairing with Apple devices

• Controls: Force sensor for music and calls, “Hey Siri” voice activation

Speaking of the case, it has been redesigned too. It’s 10% smaller and finally comes with USB-C charging, so if you’ve already switched over to the new MacBooks or iPads, you won’t need to carry an extra cable just for your earbuds. They’re also IP54-rated for dust, sweat, and water resistance, which means they can handle workouts and get caught in the rain without a problem.

If you want Active Noise Cancellation, you’ll have to shell out more for the higher-end model, but if you’re just looking for reliable, easy-to-use AirPods that sound great and fit better, these are a steal at this price. AirPods don’t go on sale often, and when they do, they don’t stay there for long. $99 for a brand-new pair? That’s about as good as it gets. Might want to grab them before Amazon remembers they don’t have to discount Apple products this much.

SAVE $300: As of March 10, the 2024 MacBook Air (13-inch, M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale for $799 at Amazon. That’s an 18% discount, including a $99 coupon at checkout.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2024 MacBook Air (13-inch, M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $300 Get Deal

Amazon just did something wild. The brand-new 2024 MacBook Air with the M3 chip is down to $799, and I’m trying really hard to come up with a reason not to buy it. Spoiler: I can’t. Apple isn’t exactly known for giving out discounts on a fresh(ish) release, so seeing this price drop feels like some kind of glitch. Normally, you'd be looking at $1,099, but Amazon has it marked down by $200. Then there’s an extra $99 coupon at checkout, bringing the total discount to $300.

The M3 chip is a real step up, making this the fastest and most efficient MacBook Air yet. Apple has been hyping up its future AI-powered features, and the M3 chip is built to handle them. You’re also getting 16GB of memory, which is kind of a big deal since it means this thing won’t start lagging the second you open a few too many Chrome tabs. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is the same stunning screen Apple is known for, with support for a billion colors and True Tone to keep everything looking crisp. Battery life is also ridiculous. Apple claims up to 18 hours, which means you could realistically forget your charger at home and still get through a full day of work, doomscrolling, or streaming.

SEE ALSO: I've just scored Apple’s 10th-Gen iPad for under $260 at Amazon. That’s its lowest price in 30 days.

One of the best things about the MacBook Air is how portable it is. This model is under half an inch thin and weighs just 2.7 pounds, so throwing it in your bag is a no-brainer. The fanless design means it stays completely silent, even if you’re running multiple apps or watching way too many YouTube videos. It’s also got a 10-core GPU, which means it's a decent platform for creative work or casual gaming. If you’ve ever hopped on a video call and cringed at how grainy you looked, the 1080p FaceTime HD camera fixes that problem. The audio setup isn’t bad either, with a four-speaker system and Spatial Audio for immersive sound.

• Price: $799 $1,099

• Retailer: Amazon

• Processor: Apple M3 chip (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU)

• Memory: 16GB Unified Memory

• Storage: 256GB SSD

• Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina (500 nits, True Tone)

• Battery Life: Up to 18 hours

• Ports: 2x Thunderbolt, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm headphone jack

• OS: macOS Sequoia

Connectivity is solid thanks to two Thunderbolt ports, a MagSafe charging port, WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. It even has a headphone jack, which feels like a small miracle in 2025. The seamless integration with other Apple devices makes it even more tempting. You can start an email on your iPhone and finish it on your Mac, copy something on your laptop and paste it on your iPad, or answer text messages from your screen. Apple knows how to keep you locked into its ecosystem, and honestly, it works.

Finding a MacBook Air at this price is rare, and finding a brand-new model for under $800 is almost unheard of. The last time Apple dropped a new MacBook Air, you had to wait months for a meaningful discount. This deal probably won’t stick around for long, so if you’ve been thinking about upgrading now’s the time to make a move. The extra $99 coupon at checkout is easy to miss, so double-check that it’s applied before you hit the buy button.

TL;DR: Mashable readers can save $219 on a Rosetta Stone lifetime subscription while codes last, but fewer than 100 codes are available at this price.

In three months, I’ll be in Japan, and I’d really like to avoid the whole ‘stereotypical tourist’ vibe. I’ve always heard that Rosetta Stone is one of the best language-learning apps, but I’m not sure if it can actually help me learn some Japanese in time for my trip. There’s only one way to find out — I’m putting it to the test.

Mashable has a deal right now where you can get lifetime access for only $179.99 (reg. $399). Not only is this cheaper than buying it through Rosetta Stone’s website, but it’s a far better value than paying month-to-month when I plan on learning other languages for future trips.

Learning Japanese with Rosetta Stone

I just opened Rosetta Stone for the first time, and it’s already throwing me straight into Japanese lessons — no word lists, no grammar drills, just matching pictures with new words and their pronunciation. It feels like how kids naturally pick up language, which is way less intimidating than I imagined. 

I always thought learning Japanese would be overwhelming (especially with the character system), but within minutes, I’m already trying to pronounce words and simple phrases out loud. The speech-recognition tool listens and gives instant feedback, which is super helpful, considering I don’t want to embarrass myself during my trip.

A few weeks in

Right now, I’m working through greetings and everyday phrases — stuff I’ll actually use when I land in Tokyo. If I keep this up, maybe I won’t have to rely on Google Translate the whole trip.

I’m also excited to try learning some of the other 24 languages included in Rosetta Stone. I plan to travel the world in my lifetime, so knowing I have access to Spanish, French, German, and more language lessons at my fingertips is perfect.

Learn languages for travel with Rosetta Stone, now $179.99 for lifetime access (reg. $399).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Rosetta Stone Rosetta Stone: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $179.99
$399 Save $219.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: This week only, Mac users can save $42 on a PDF Expert Premium Plan lifetime subscription.

There’s nothing wrong with Adobe Acrobat…until you realize you’re paying for it constantly when you really only edit a couple of PDFs each month. If you want a program you can own with a one-time payment, check out this Adobe Acrobat alternative. The features are nearly identical, except it’s $97.99 for life (reg. $139.99) — even if you upgrade your Mac.

More about PDF Expert

• Edit PDFs with ease: Fix typos, add images, and adjust formatting directly within your PDFs.

• Annotate and review efficiently: Highlight key points, add comments, and use custom stamps for streamlined collaboration.

• Convert between formats: Seamlessly convert PDFs to and from various file types, including Word, Excel, and images.

• Fill and sign forms: Complete interactive forms, add electronic signatures, and redact sensitive information with ease.

• Make scans searchable: Use OCR to convert scanned documents into editable and searchable PDFs.

Get a PDF editor with no monthly fees for your Mac, now $97.99 this week only (reg. $139.99). No coupon is needed to get this price.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Readdle Limited PDF Expert Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (Mac) $97.99
$139.99 Save $42.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: While supplies last, you can get this lightweight 20,000mAh power bank for $67.99 with free shipping (reg. $69.99) — fewer than 50 are available.

Is that a power bank in your bag, or a brick? You try to pack light when heading out for the day or a week-long trip, but that high-capacity power bank really weighs things down. The problem is it wasn’t built for travel like this one that fits in the palm of your hand.

The INIU Leopard power bank packs in 20,000mAh capacity, yet it’s only four inches long and weighs the same as a box of Kraft mac and cheese. It easily fits into pockets for everyday use or travel bags — and it’s TSA-compliant. Order yours here for $67.99 with free shipping before inventory runs out (reg. $69.99).

Other features

Before you ditch your bulky dinosaur of a power bank, you probably want to know what else makes this one so unique. Here’s what else we love about it:

• Charge three devices at once with one USB-A and two USB-C ports

• The power bank supports 65W fast charging, even for laptops 

• When the device needs to be recharged, it only takes two hours

Your purchase also includes a USB-C cable so you can power your devices right out of the box. For added peace of mind, you also get a three-year warranty from the brand.

Get one of these travel-friendly power banks for $67.99 with free shipping ASAP (reg. $69.99) — we have fewer than 50 available at this price.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: INIU INIU Leopard Power 65W USB-C 20k mAh Power Bank with LED Display $67.99
$69.99 Save $2 Get Deal