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GET $150 OFF: Jan. 7th, order the Moto G Stylus 5G from Amazon for $249.99 and save 38%, or $150.
Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G $249.99 at AmazonA stylus expands on what a touchscreen can be, so why wouldn't you want one on your smart phone? The Moto G Stylus 5G has a stylus built right in — but that's not all, it also features a pOLED screen and 50MP camera. Sweet deal.
Take advantage of this Amazon deal to get this smart phone for $249.99, 38% off, saving $150. We think it's rather loaded for that deal price.
SEE ALSO: CES 2025 highlights: What we've seen so farThe Moto G Stylus 5G has impressive specs for its price. The phone comes with 256GB of storage, as well as quick charging and a full day of battery life.
It's loaded with a 50 megapixel camera that has optical image stabilization built in.
Right now, get the Moto G Stylus 5G for $249.99 at Amazon and get $150 off the phone.
Whether you're a digital artist always scribbling on the go, a consummate note taker, or someone who likes to bring a stylus to their mobile subway games, this phone is a great buy. Unlocked, it will adapt to whatever plan you favor.
RESERVE THE NEW SAMSUNG GALAXY AND GET $50 CREDIT AND EXTRA FREEBIES: As of Jan. 7, reserve the new Samsung Galaxy device release to get a $50 credit, access up to $1,250 of trade-in value, and enter a sweepstakes with a value of up to $5,000.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Preorder Deal Pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy to get a $50 credit, up to $1,250 of trade-in savings, and more. Pre-Order HereSamsung just confirmed the 2025 Unpacked date (Jan. 22), and they're putting money on the line to make sure the new generation of Galaxy S25 devices gets all the attention it deserves. Samsung wants to be the first to put a real AI companion in your pocket. Right now, they're hyping up their next generation of releases. If you're hyped too, then don't miss this deal.
We're still speculating about what the new devices will look like and what they'll cost. This info will be unveiled at the Unpacked event in two weeks. But today's deal from Samsung allows you to reserve the newest Samsung Galaxy device. If you do so, then in two weeks you can pre-order the device and get a $50 credit.
When you pre-order, you'll also be able to enter a sweepstakes with a value up to $5,000. Additionally, when you trade in an old device (qualifying; nothing damaged, etc.) you can get up to $1,250 off the purchase price.
SEE ALSO: Samsung at CES 2025: You can't escape the smart houseThis deal has a few caveats: To take advantage of the $50 credit, you'll want to reserve the new Galaxy device now. When it releases, you'll then need to pre-order the device and pay for it. The $50 credit must then be used immediately on a separate item (we recommend planning your purchase in advance). The credit cannot be applied to a preorder.
The deal page cites up to $1,250 of savings. It's important to notice the "up to" language here, because this is the value you'll get when you trade in an old device. That value could vary drastically.
Finally, Samsung is hyping the new release with a $5,000 sweepstakes. Purchase the new device to qualify for the sweepstakes. The prize is only open to "legal US residents" over the age of 18.
Samsung has been hyping AI for a year now — as is seemingly every tech company. We had notes on the 2024 Unpacked event, but the Galaxy S24 had a few AI features we liked, like circling images to search them on Google and translations offline. We're hoping that this year's AI and foldable offerings raise the bar still higher.
In a video posted to his Facebook page on Tuesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the platform is getting rid of its fact-checkers.
"It's time to get back to our roots around free expression," Zuckerberg wrote in the video's caption. "We're replacing fact-checkers with Community Notes, simplifying our policies and focusing on reducing mistakes. Looking forward to this next chapter."
The company is also undoing changes that reduced the amount of political content in user feeds.
"Fact-checkers have been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they’ve created," Zuckerberg said. "What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it’s gone too far."
SEE ALSO: Content moderation in Trump's America is a political minefieldHe acknowledged the "tradeoff" of encouraging political posts while eliminating all fact-checkers. It's a fight against censorship, but online, as Berin Szóka, President of TechFreedom, told Mashable last month, "Censorship is just content moderation that someone doesn't like."
Many experts have noted the shift in how we speak about content moderation. As Free Press Senior Counsel and Director of Digital Justice and Civil Rights Nora Benavidez said in a press release posted after Zuckerberg's announcement, "Content moderation has never been a tool to repress free speech; it is a principle that the platforms themselves developed to promote dialogue and protect truth for users."
"While Zuckerberg characterized the platform giant’s new approach as a defence of free speech, its real intentions are twofold: Ditch the technology company’s responsibility to protect its many users and align the company more closely with an incoming president who’s a known enemy of accountability," Benavidez said in the press release.
The Real Facebook Oversight Board, an outside group named after Meta's Oversight Board, released a press release stating that this is a "retreat from any sane and safe approach to content moderation."
"All who are concerned about a slide into techno authoritarianism should be deeply alarmed by this action, as Meta further degrades the integrity of its platforms," Ben Wyskida of the Real Facebook Oversight Board wrote. "Just days ahead of the inauguration, Meta - like Twitter - is retooling to allow the Trump administration's propaganda and obfuscations to flow unchecked."
Wyskida and many others have compared Zuckerberg's move to Elon Musk's, who did the same at Twitter, now X, when he took over that platform. In return, misinformation flourished. The fear that this could happen on Meta's platforms, too — where misinformation has fueled conspiracy theories, wars, acts of violence, and radicalization across the world — is far from unfounded.
SAVE $70: The 27-inch Samsung Essential S3 curved monitor is on sale at Amazon for just $109.99, down from the normal price of $179.99. That's a 39% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Essential S3 curved monitor (27-inch) $109.99 at AmazonIf you're lucky enough to still be working from home or you spend the weekends gaming, you know the marvels of using a high-quality monitor. Whether you use it as a primary screen or a secondary monitor in conjunction with a laptop, a computer monitor is no time to skimp on features and function. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, you'll get high quality at a budget-friendly price.
As of Jan. 7, the 27-inch Samsung Essential S3 curved monitor is on sale at Amazon for just $109.99, down from the regular price of $179.99. That's a 39% discount that'll save you $70. It's also a fantastic deal considering the smaller, 24-inch model is selling for $145.69 at Amazon.
Focusing on smooth performance, the Samsung Essential S3 monitor is a great option if you've been considering a curved monitor. Not only does this give you a more focused approach to work, it provides a more immersive feel when gaming or using the monitor as your TV screen.
The 100Hz refresh rate is certainly speedy for work tasks, but it also works well for most gamers. Serious gamers, however, tend to prefer a refresh rate that gets into the 200s. But one advantage with this monitor is Samsung's inclusion of Game Mode which adjusts any game to fill the monitor's screen.
You get nice versatility with the Samsung Essential S3 monitor which has both an HDMI connection port and a D-sub option. There's also a headphone jack, if desired.
Samsung considered eye health with the Essential S3 monitor by including tech that reduces the amount of screen flicker and the level of blue light emitted.
For those looking to upgrade a home workspace or enhance the gaming experience, consider saving 39% on the 27-inch Samsung Essential S3 curved monitor. Not only does the curved shape make for a more immersive experience, the added features like eye health consideration and refresh rate make this monitor a great option at a budget-friendly price.
All of the major shopping holidays may have come and gone, but that doesn't mean the deals have disappeared. Amazon's daily deals page always has some hidden gems that are worth snagging — even if you have to sort through the noise to find them. Fortunately, we've done the hard part for you and picked out a few standout deals from top brands like Samsung and Fire TV on Jan. 7.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. Don't see anything you like? Check out our picks from yesterday, Jan. 6. Many of those deals are still live, including the first big discount on the brand new Kindle Scribe.
Our top pick: Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus $189.99 at AmazonAmazon's foray into soundbars has made upgrading your home theater experience a breeze. The newest addition to the lineup, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus has a built-in subwoofer (unlike the basic Fire TV Soundbar) and offers Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume support. It also packs three full-range speakers, three tweeters, and two woofers to pump out sound in every direction. It's essentially an all-in-one sound system for truly immersive audio. If you already own a Fire TV or a Fire TV Stick, you can even use the same remote to control the soundbar. As of Jan. 7, it's down to a new record low of $189.99. That's 24% in savings.
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds FE $59.99 at AmazonEven as a lifelong Apple user, Mashable Reporter RJ Andersen recommends the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE. "The sound quality is unmatched for earbuds at this price range," she states in her review. Beyond just the fantastic sound quality, she was also impressed by the comfortable and customizable fit, solid battery life, incredible noise cancellation, and ultra low price. Regularly just $99.99, you can snag a pair of the Galaxy Buds FE for only $59.99 as of Jan. 7. That's 40% off and just $2 shy of their best price ever.
Check out our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE.
Anker Zolo Power Bank Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Zolo 30W Power Bank $15.59 at AmazonIf your phone regularly suffers from low battery syndrome, a power bank is a must. The Anker Zolo is a solid companion I can vouch for. It has a built-in USB-C cable to juice up newer phones or built-in USB-C and USB-A ports for other devices. Thanks to 30W two-way fast-charging, it won't take a million years to bring your devices back to life. Plus, thanks to its 10,000mAh battery capacity, you should be able to get a few full charges out of it before having to recharge the power bank itself. It's on sale for just $15.59 at Amazon as of Jan. 7, which is 40% off its usual price and matches its all-time low.
Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor $49.99 at AmazonIf you're zeroing in on health and wellness in 2025, don't forget about the air quality in your home. The Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor can detect particulate matter and give you real-time stats about your indoor air quality, so you know when it's time to open up the windows or run the air purifier. Using your phone, you can view the indoor temperature, humidity levels, carbon monoxide levels, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particular matter. Or, if you have an Echo device, it can connect to give you detailed readings regularly. Usually $69.99, it's on sale at Amazon for just $49.99 as of Jan. 7. That's 29% off and just $5 shy of its best price ever.
Samsung Viewfinity S6 monitor Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung ViewFinity S6 34-inch monitor $329.99 at AmazonWhether you want to enhance your work or gaming space in 2025, this deal on the Samsung ViewFinity S6 monitor can help you do so on a budget. Usually $539.99, it's down to just $329.99 as of Jan. 7. That's nearly 40% off and its lowest price on record. The ultra-wide 34-inch display with HDR10 not only looks vibrant and detailed, but also curves around you for an immersive cinematic viewing experience. Its 100Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync allow for smooth, lag-free gaming, while the built-in speakers and eye care features let you stream your favorite shows after work.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
SAVE $60: As of Jan. 7, get the Razer Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller for $39.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 60%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Razer Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller $39.99 at AmazonIt's 2025. Gaming isn't just about sitting in front of your TV or computer. You can take your favorite titles with you just about everywhere you go, thanks to cloud gaming and high-quality mobile titles. Your phone is the easiest gateway into getting your game on while out and about. And one of the best and easiest ways to improve your mobile gaming prospects is by getting a Razer Kishi V2 controller, which attaches to your phone and gives you tactile buttons to play with.
As of Jan. 7, you can get the Razer Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller for $39.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $99.99. That's a $60 discount and 60% off and you can choose between both the Android and iPhone versions of the controller, so that way everyone can get in on the fun.
Attach this controller to your phone to add analog triggers, a D-pad, programmable buttons, and a comfortable grip so you can settle in and get your game on. That way you can press buttons instead of tap them on your screen and kick back as if you're playing on a gaming handheld instead of your brick of a smartphone. Trust us, it's much more comfortable.
Compatible with over 1,000 mobile games and available for use with a variety of cloud gaming services, you can use this USB-C enabled device to turn on-the-go time into gaming time. And for this price, you really can't pass it up if you need something physical to press to enjoy your favorite titles.
Dell rebranded all of its PCs at CES 2025, and while it might ultimately be more simple to understand in the long run, everyone seemed to immediately notice some similarities to Apple's approach.
Rather than going by nonsense names like "XPS" and "Inspiron," every Dell machine will now be separated into three categories: Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max. This is, of course, very similar to Apple's approach to naming its devices. Per Bloomberg (via 9to5mac), people in the audience at Dell's CES press conference noted it verbally.
SEE ALSO: Loona is the cutest robot of CES 2025, and it's not even close“I am wondering why you guys didn’t choose something original, because you essentially have Apple’s branding here,” someone in the audience reportedly said.
That reaction was echoed online:
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedA Dell spokesperson explained the company's position to Mashable:
“Our new simplified portfolio focuses on our company brand and uses descriptive industry words for categories and tiers. These descriptive words are industry words. For example, Pro was an industry term long before Apple started using it. Pro has been used by Microsoft with Windows, AMD with Ryzen, Intel with vPro. When we use Pro, it will consistently mean professional-grade productivity. That consistency isn’t always there from our competitors, where Pro can mean different things on different products. We will make this clear throughout the customer purchasing/researching experience.”
Dell isn't wrong that Apple didn't invent the word "Pro," nor is it wrong that the new approach is simpler than the old one. However, it should be noted that within those three categories are more sub-categories (Base, Plus, and Premium) that can really get confusing. For example, you can have a Dell Premium, Dell Pro Base, or Dell Pro Max Plus, and it's not necessarily intuitive to figure out which of those is going to be the best one for you by name alone.
Perhaps within a few years we'll all get used to it. But for now, Dell is going to be the butt of some jokes, whether it likes it or not.
Mashable is on the ground live at CES 2025! We’re covering all the wildest and most important developments this week, so please keep checking back in with us. Want to submit a product you represent for our teams’ consideration as we identify the Best of CES? Here’s more info on how to do it.
At CES 2025, our Tech Reporter Matt Binder spoke to NBA all-star and Chamelo ambassador about the brand's new series of color-changing smart glasses.
SAVE 20%: The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $319, down from the typical price of $399. That's a savings of $80 and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bowers & Wilkins Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 wireless earbuds $319.00 at AmazonThe world of noise-cancelling earbuds is crowded. You have thousands of options to choose from if you like earbuds and want to tune out any noise that's happening around you. Instead of grabbing a sub-par pair that might be disappointing, go with a brand that's well known for exceptional sound quality. Of course, this usually comes with a steep(er) price tag, but thanks to today's deal at Amazon, you're in for a nice discount.
As of Jan. 7, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 wireless earbuds are on sale for $319 at Amazon, down from the usual price of $399. That's a 20% discount that'll save you $80. This is also the first price drop we've spotted on the Pi8 earbuds at Amazon.
Bowers & Wilkins, well known for making hi-fi speakers, aims to impress with their wireless earbuds. The flagship Pi8 in-ear Bluetooth earphones are the latest, upgraded option from the previous Pi7. Comparatively, Bowers & Wilkins mentions the Pi8 perform better in terms of battery life and sound quality, with the addition of Carbon Cone drive units, which reduces distortion and aims to capture more nuanced sound.
While using premium materials, Bowers & Wilkins also focused on a comfortable fit for all-day wear with the Pi8 earbuds. Each pair comes with four ear tip sizes so you can find the best fit.
In 2021, Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder reviewed the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7, the Pi8s predecessor and left feeling impressed, overall. "I've had a few days with the Pi7, and they're the best sounding earbuds I've tried, with a decent sound stage, and deep, convincing bass," he wrote.
Schroeder also mentioned the noise cancellation ability so was impressive, it was almost too good. "The noise cancellation works almost too good —when it was on, and the music was playing, I was unable to hear anything from the outside world," explains Schroeder. "This has a downside: I couldn't hear my daughter speaking even when I turned on the ambient pass-through feature, which uses the microphones on the earbuds to deliver outside sounds."
This means the Pi8 are likely great for those who are looking for top-of-the-line, super efficient noise-cancellation.
If you're a fan of the impressive Bowers & Wilkins speakers or are interested in a premium pair of earbuds, the specs on the Pi8 earbuds are seriously worth considering. Since this is the first price drop we've ever seen on these earbuds, today's deal at Amazon means this is a great time to scoop up the pair while saving $80.
TL;DR: Announced at CES 2025, you can pre-order the TCL QM6K QD Mini LED QLED 4K TV for $999.99 at TCL.
Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL QM6K QD Mini LED QLED 4K TV $999.99 at TCLIf you're looking to outfit your living room or any other area of your home with the latest and greatest when it comes to TVs, TCL has a crispy new option you won't want to miss out on: the TCL QM6K QD Mini LED QLED 4K TV.
As of Jan. 7, you can pre-order the TCL QM6K QD Mini LED QLED 4K TV for $999.99 at TCL now. The official release date hasn't been announced yet, but when you lock yours in now, it will ship in 4-6 weeks after it becomes available. Plus, TCL is sweetening the deal by throwing in a $599 value TCL q75H Soundbar in with your purchase. Immersive sound along with a fantastic TV? Sign us up.
SEE ALSO: CES highlight: Govee Mini Panel Lights are $35 off — jazz up any room in your homeAnnounced at CES 2025, this 65-inch TV offers fantastic visuals with LD500 precise dimming, a 144Hz refresh rate, a powerful AIPQ Processor PRO, and gorgeous colors all for less than $1,000. Its QD-Mini LED combine the benefits of both QLED and OLED, so you get an even more pixel-perfect picture with great contrast and higher peak brightness, too. Whether you're planning on gaming or watching movies and TV, it's got you covered.
GET $1000 OFF: Jan. 7th, the Samsung HW-Q990D Q-Series Soundbar and Rear Speakers combo is 50% off, get it for $997.99 and save $1000.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung HW-Q990D Q-Series Soundbar and Rear Speakers $997.99 at Woot!This is the sound system that owners of Q-Series Sony TVs dream about, and you know what, for $1000 off — dream actualized. This combo includes the 11.1.4ch soundbar, two back speakers, and a subwoofer.
While it's still pricy, at 50% off, this deal offers impeccable value. Get the Samsung HW-Q990D Q-Series Soundbar and Rear Speakers for $997.99 and save $1000.
SEE ALSO: Save $1,700 on a massive 77-inch Samsung S84D 4K OLED TVQ-Symphony is one of the big selling points here. When you pair this system with a Q-Symphony TV from Samsung, the system will coordinate all speakers to work together to create a multidimensional soundscape. That's a pretty impressive community of speakers.
The Samsung soundbar itself has 16 speakers within it, including 11 front facing speakers, 1 woofer, and 4 Dolby Atmos capable up-firing speakers. When you pair that with the included rear speakers, and woofer — and potentially connect a Q-Symphony TV — you could be hitting well over twenty speakers.
With so many speakers, the system needs to map where sounds are coming from. Thankfully, Samsung has this handled. In Game Mode Pro, the system automatically builds a 3D sonic world. Feel rivals creeping around corners by the sound of their footsteps.
Right now, the Samsung HW-Q990D Q-Series Soundbar and Rear Speakers is on sale for $997.99, for a savings of 50%, or $1000.
The system offers a few more high-end perks and will even sculpt the sound to help you hear dialogue.
SAVE $35: A 10-piece set of Govee Mini Panel Lights is on sale at Amazon for $64.99 with the on-page coupon, down from the list price of $99.99. That's a 35% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee Mini Panel Lights (10-piece) $64.99 at AmazonIt's one of the most exciting weeks for those who love new tech, as the annual CES brings on tons of announcements on tech we can look forward to this year. It's not all about the latest electric vehicles and transparent TVs, though. Some CES announcements involve really fun items you can already buy to make your home just that much more enjoyable.
As of Jan. 7, the CES-announced Govee Mini Panel Lights are on sale at Amazon for $64.99 with the on-page Govee coupon, down from the list price of $99.99 for the 10-piece option. That's a savings of $35.
SEE ALSO: CES 2025 highlights: What we've seen so farWhile the lights came on the market in November, Govee used the CES platform to officially announce the Govee Mini Panel Lights. These smart cube lights attach to your wall with an adhesive sticker, allowing you to create any shape or pattern imaginable. With a push-type connection method, you'll be able to configure (and re-configure) the lights into different shapes and patterns.
Through the Govee app, control the RGBIC lights into color patterns or choose from the over 50 scenes and music synchronization modes. The finger sketch option makes it super simple to adjust the lights' colors and lighting patterns in just a few seconds. These options make the lights perfect for a living room, bedroom, gaming room, or a kids' bedroom.
The Govee Mini Panel Lights come in a 10-piece option with a power adapter. Each adapter is capable of controlling 70 mini lights, so you'll be able to add to your collection if desired.
It's an exciting day to find a CES product already available for the public to purchase, let alone at a discounted price. That makes this 35% discount on the Govee Mini Panel Lights pretty exciting, and certainly a sign to jump on this sale price before the coupon disappears.
Valentine's Day gets ultra-violent in Heart Eyes, an upcoming slasher film from director Josh Ruben (Werewolves Within) and the producers of Scream.
SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know aboutHeart Eyes stars Olivia Holt (Totally Killer) and Mason Gooding (Scream) as a couple whose Valentine's Day plans are interrupted by the notorious Heart Eyes Killer. The killer resurfaces every Feb. 14 to kill unsuspecting lovebirds, all while rocking a spooky mask with heart-shaped eyeholes and some gnarly heart-tipped arrows. Fittingly, the trailer describes the Heart Eyes Killer as "Cupid, with a kink."
With this love-hating murderer on the loose, no couple is safe. But could Holt and Gooding have what it takes to bring the Heart Eyes Killer to justice?
Saturday Night Live has long been a staple of the US comedy scene, launching multiple A-list careers. But what goes on behind the scenes?
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night is a four-part documentary featuring interviews with Larry David, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, and more, talking about everything from the audition process and certain famous sketches to whether or not writers on the show get enough credit.
The highlight from the trailer? Poehler nervously sitting down to watch her own audition tape.
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night is streaming on Peacock from Jan 16.
Three years is an absurd amount of time to wait for a new season of TV. That’s triply true when the TV show in question is Severance, a series whose near-flawless first season left us on the steepest and sharpest of cliffhangers.
SEE ALSO: 12 burning questions we have after the 'Severance' Season 2 trailerFor three years, we’ve waited to find out what will happen after the Innies’ daring excursion to the outside world. What will Mark (Adam Scott) do now that he knows his Outie’s supposedly late wife Gemma (Dichen Lachman) is actually alive and trapped in Lumon? How will Helly (Britt Lower) react to being an Eagan? And what fresh hell will Lumon rain down upon Mark, Helly, Irving (John Turturro), and Dylan (Zach Cherry) as punishment for their escape?
But as the years crawled by, and as my excitement for Season 2 mingled with the worry of being let down, another question crept in: Could Severance, after such an outstanding first season, really pull off magic again?
Now, we finally have our answer. And it is an absolute, unequivocal, and most enthusiastic "yes."
Somehow, Severance manages to top itself in its second outing, expanding further on its unique sci-fi premise and always, always keeping us on our toes. Expect the unexpected this season — starting with Lumon's response to the Macrodata Refinement workers' rebellion.
SEE ALSO: 2025 TV preview: All the TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them Severance Season 2 picks up right where Season 1 left off. Tramell Tillman in "Severance." Credit: AppleTV+Because Innies perceive time differently, Mark blinks back to the Severed Floor mere seconds after he tells his Outie's sister Devon (Jen Tullock) that Gemma is alive. Once there, you might think that Lumon would crack down on him and the other MDR Innies for their escape. Yet Mark soon finds that couldn't be farther from the truth.
As he learns from an ever-smiley Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman), the Innies' stories of their treatment resonated in the outside world, leading Lumon to reflect upon its shameful practices and implement "severance reform." Now, Mark, Helly, Irving, and Dylan can work without threat of abuse. Praise Kier!
Of course, Lumon doesn't have the best track record with telling the truth, so it's best to take their claims of reform with a grain of salt. (After all, this is the same company that's been keeping Mark's not-actually-dead wife in its basement for some reason!) Yet Milchick spends much of the Season 2 premiere trying to convince Mark and co. otherwise. There are new perks to win for completing work goals, new snacks in the vending machines, and an actual break room devoid of psychological torture. In just one of many new, clever production design details, motivational posters even celebrate the Innies and their achievements, including a "hang in there" poster depicting Dylan hanging onto the Overtime Contingency switches from the Season 1 finale.
SEE ALSO: 'Severance' Season 2 trailer shows what happened after that gnarly Season 1 cliffhangerStill, these are all just superficial changes, ones meant to make the Innies feel like they've accomplished something without actually giving them the one thing they desperately want: agency over their own lives. They have no clue about what's really going on in the outside world following their escape. They just have to trust whatever information Lumon sees fit to share with them.
To hammer this home, Severance cleverly splits its first two episodes between the Innie and Outie worlds, with episode 1 focusing on the Innies, and episode 2 focusing on the Outies. It's a reminder of the biggest obstacle facing the Innies: the communication barrier between them and their Outie halves. Severance Season 2 relishes in the dramatic irony this barrier creates. For example, both Innie and Outie Mark are trying to understand how Gemma is still alive and what Lumon is doing to her, yet they don't have a way of sharing their joint goals or knowledge with one another. The result is deliciously infuriating, made all the more so by Severance Season 2's expansive world building.
Severance Season 2 goes bigger — and weirder — with great results. Britt Lower, Adam Scott, John Turturro, and Zach Cherry in "Severance." Credit: AppleTV+From the cult-like fervor surrounding Kier Eagan to everything about the waffle party, there's no denying that Severance Season 1 was willing to get weird. Season 2 keeps that tradition going strong, leaning into Lumon's uncanniness. Sometimes, that uncanniness manifests itself in small details, like the image of a boxy TV sitting atop a snowy cliff. Elsewhere, it inspires whole set pieces, like a room on the Severed Floor full of rolling hills where goats can graze. (Looks like the kids from Season 1 are all grown up!) Every episode offers new chances for production designer Jeremy Hindle, costume designer Sarah Edwards, and directors of photography Jessica Lee Gagné, Suzie Lavelle, and David Lanzenberg to bring new textures and depth to the office hellscape that is Lumon.
That's only the beginning of Severance's growth this season, as creator and showrunner Dan Erickson widens the scope of the series. Not only do we get a bigger sense of Lumon's impact on the wider world, we also get a deeper look at Lumon's inner workings.
SEE ALSO: 20 burning 'Severance' questions we have after that finaleSo much of Severance Season 2 concerns how Lumon responds to the crisis brought on by the Innies' escape. Helena Eagan is at the center of this, forced to come up with creative solutions to bring the Innies to heel. We also get more face time with eerie board liaison Natalie (Sydney Cole Alexander) and a new arrival in the menacing enforcer Mr. Drummond (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Somebody Somewhere). As they contemplate the Innies' fates in sterile board rooms far above the Severed Floor, it's impossible to forget how little power the Innies actually have. New severance perks may soothe things for now, but they're just a band-aid concocted by a company that refuses to suffer any consequences for its evil. (Lumon may be fictional, but it's moments like this that make it feel all too real.)
Elsewhere, Mr. Milchick does his best to fit into a challenging new role and further define himself by Lumon's principles, while Ms. Cobel (Patricia Arquette) struggles to find out who she is without Lumon. Their stories of how much Lumon has affected their adulthood contrast nicely with new arrival Miss Huang (Sarah Bock), Milchick's teenaged assistant. Already a master of empty managerial tone, Miss Huang brings an even more disquieting air to the Severed Floor, all while raising questions about why in the world a child would be at Lumon.
Then, of course, there are our beloved MDR employees. Mark and Helly embark on a journey to save Gemma from the unknown horrors of Lumon, yet Dylan and Irving are further removed from their objective. Irving is still grieving the loss of Innie Burt (Christopher Walken), now coupled with the knowledge that Outie Burt is married. Dylan, meanwhile, hopes that clues about his Outie's family will keep him sustained as he continues working. These stories overlap with their Outies' lives, which we get to see in some detail for the first time. Unfortunately, Dylan and Irving's arcs occasionally get lost amid the wider search for Gemma, giving us less time with the MDR quartet dynamic we grew to love in Season 1. But there are still things to love here, like how these plots continue to flesh out Severance's world, and how Turturro and Cherry get to introduce us to Irving and Dylan's Outies in more depth.
All of these storylines are a lot to handle, yet Severance juggles them almost effortlessly. It even takes full episodes to experiment with something new, like a Lumon-sanctioned field trip to the outside world for the Innies. These elements are proof that Severance is still raring to evolve, bringing its unique blend of sci-fi drama and black workplace comedy to new heights. With that comes further questions about the ethics of severance (spoiler: there are none), existential crises about the horrors of being stuck in an endless loop of work, and enough suspense to make you want a soothing wellness session with Ms. Casey.
Severance pulls all of this off while still managing to answer some of our most burning questions from Season 1. That it does so while keeping a firm, grounded focus on its characters' desire for connection is a remarkable feat in a season full of them. The show may throw everything from surreal workplace dance parties to precious baby goats at us, but at the end of the day, we're watching a man trying to reunite with his wife. We're watching Irving pining for Burt, and Dylan seeking crumbs of information about the family he may never know. We're watching workers fight to be recognized as humans instead of free labor. It's personal, it's universal, and it's absolutely astounding. Yes, three years was a long time to wait for Severance Season 2, but I'll gladly wait three more for a Season 3 that will leave me this shaken and satisfied. (I just hope I won't have to!)
Severance Season 2 premieres Jan. 17 on Apple TV+, with a new episode every week.
With all eyes on Nvidia's new graphics cards (and for good reason - these things are pretty powerful), the company released something that may end up being even bigger news: A personal AI supercomputer called Project Digits (we'll just call it Digits from now on because that's way cooler).
Digits is a tiny, Mac mini-like personal computer that should fit on pretty much every desk. You connect it to a keyboard and a monitor, plug it into power, and you're good to go.
But what's inside makes it pretty special. Digits is powered by Nvidia's new GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip, which delivers up to 1 petaflop of AI performance, and Nvidia teamed up with MediaTek to make the chip more energy-efficient, meaning that running it requires the kind of power you get from a standard power outlet.
SEE ALSO: CES 2025 highlights: What we've seen so farThe GB10 is paired with 128GB of RAM and up to 4TB of NVMe storage. All of this will enable developers to run up to 200-billion-parameter large language models (LLMs). Using Nvidia ConnectX tech, they'll also be able to to pair two Digits computers to run up to 405-billion-parameter models.
Most of this stuff probably makes little sense to folks who aren't in the AI app development business. But for example, ChatGPT 3.5 had 175 billion parameters (ChatGPT 4 is much larger but we don't know the exact numbers), while Meta's most powerful LLM, Llama 3, has 405 billion parameters). This means you can run a very, very powerful LLM at home instead of relying on cloud infrastructure.
"Placing an AI supercomputer on the desks of every data scientist, AI researcher and student empowers them to engage and shape the age of AI," Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia, said in a written statement.
Developers who use Digits will be able to access Nvidia's library of AI software including development kits, orchestration tools, frameworks and models available in the Nvidia NGC catalog and on the Nviia Developer portal. They'll also have access to the Nvidia NeMo framework, and Nvidia RAPIDS libraries.
SEE ALSO: Apple defended its oddly placed M4 Mac mini power button — here's my take as a new ownerThe biggest news here, perhaps, is the price. Digits will be available in May, starting at $3,000. This sort of money should make it available to a large number of smaller companies and researchers, who will use it to create and test AI apps.
If this still sounds too expensive, you can try Nvidia's Jetson. It's a $249 AI home computer that launched last December, and it can handle up to 8 billion parameters.
Mashable is on the ground live at CES 2025! We’re covering all the wildest and most important developments this week, so please keep checking back in with us. Want to submit a product you represent for our teams’ consideration as we identify the Best of CES? Here’s more info on how to do it.
TL;DR: Live stream Miami Heat vs. Golden State Warriors in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Miami Heat head to the Chase Center to face the Golden State Warriors in a non-conference matchup. The Heat are 17-16, which puts them in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The Warriors are 18-17, which puts them in eighth place in the Western Conference.
The Heat have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back losses to the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers. The Warriors have won three of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Sacramento Kings.
When is Miami Heat vs. Golden State Warriors?Miami Heat vs. Golden State Warriors in the NBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Jan. 7. This game takes place at Chase Center in San Francisco.
How to watch Miami Heat vs. Golden State WarriorsYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Heat vs. Warriors basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Heat vs. Warriors from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Miami Heat vs. Golden State Warriors for free 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 U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch Miami Heat vs. Golden State Warriors from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Miami Heat vs. Golden State Warriors before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
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 $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Miami Heat vs. Golden State Warriors in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
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