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SAVE $400: As of April 3, shop the iRobot Roomba j9+ for just $499. That saves you $400 off of its $899 price tag for 44% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba j9+ $499 at Amazon
$899 Save $400 Get Deal

Roombas, despite being a brand name, may as well be synonymous with robot vacuums. It's for good reason, iRobot's Roombas offer some of the most powerful suction on the market with exceptional object avoidance. The problem? Like any high-end robot vacuum, they're pricey. That's why we're always looking out for deals on Roombas.

As of April 3, the iRobot Roomba j9+ is down to $499. That saves $400 off its standard $899. That provides 44% off and brings the robot vacuum down to its lowest price ever. But what does this good deal get you?

The iRobot Roomba j9+ comes with a self-emptying station, where the robot vacuum will dock to recharge and unload all the debris it sucks up. It does a great job of object avoidance, able to navigate around furniture and small objects like pet waste. When we tested the j9+ combo robot vacuum, we were impressed by the suction but did note that it could do a better job at edge and corner cleaning.

That being said, you can't the j9+'s value when it's on sale. Grab it now for $499, and score its lowest price ever.

SAVE $130.99: The Shark PowerDetect cordless stick vacuum is on sale at Amazon for $299, down from the standard price of $429.99. That's a 30% discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark PowerDetect cordless stick vacuum $299 at Amazon
$429.99 Save $130.99 Get Deal

There simply aren't enough hours in the day to get everything on the to-do list completed. Weekends are also a crunch because we should be out enjoying friends, activities, and taking little trips for mental health. Vacuuming often gets pushed to the bottom of the list. If you're looking for a quick and perhaps even enjoyable way to tackle this recurring chore, check out today's deal at Amazon.

As of April 3, the Shark PowerDetect cordless stick vacuum is on sale for $299 at Amazon, marked down from the list price of $429.99. That works out to a 30% discount, taking $130.99 off the normal price. It also matches the lowest price we've ever spotted at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Spring cleaning starter kit: 10 products to cover all your bases

Aside from setting off a robot vacuum to clean the floors for you, using a cordless stick vacuum is one of the easiest ways to get the job done. The Shark PowerDetect cordless model can get up to 70 minutes of cleaning time on a single charge, which eliminates one of the major complaints of using a cordless model. The long runtime means you'll be able to get the whole house cleaned without needing to pause for a recharge.

With powerful suction, this model is also a great option for pet owners who need to clean up stubborn pet hair that loves to cover furniture and rugs. Shark's DuoClean Detect nozzle uses two brushrolls to help ensure all hair gets removed.

Another huge advantage to the Shark PowerDetect cordless model is the uniquely bendable wand. Shark's MultiFlex technology means you'll be able to reach under the table or the couch without having to get on floor-level. It's also perfect for compact storage since it can fold over to take up less space in the closet.

You can also detach the wand and use this model as a handheld vacuum, which is perfect for easily vacuuming stairs or taking it out to the driveway to clean the car. The Shark PowerDetect cordless model comes with a pet multi-tool and an eight-inch duster crevice tool.

If your least favorite household task is vacuuming, consider the lightweight and versatile Shark PowerDetect cordless stick vacuum. Since it eliminates some annoyances by using a long-lasting battery and a folding wand, vacuuming might just become an enjoyable chore. Shop today's sale at Amazon to get the vacuum for just $299 instead of the normal price of $429.99.

Scientists at Northwestern University unveiled what may be the world's tiniest pacemaker, with new research published in Nature on Wednesday.

Smaller than a grain of rice, the soft device fits in a syringe, so that it can be inserted non-invasively. When no longer needed, the tiny pacemaker dissolves, so that there's no need for a removal surgery.

According to professor Igor Efimov, a co-lead in the study, about one percent of children worldwide are born with congenital heart defects. And though they only need a pacemaker for about a week after a surgery, after which the heart begins to self-repair, those seven days, Efimov said in a press release, are absolutely crucial.

The chip companies in Taiwan, the center of the global supply chain, are expected to face pressure from Washington to invest more in the U.S.

One of the primary reactions to the big Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on Wednesday was that it's going to be too expensive for a lot of people to adopt right away.

I totally get that. A $450 starting price point for a Nintendo console, let alone the follow-up to a system that launched at $300 eight years ago, is a fairly shocking thing to see. You can blame it on tariffs (and you might be right to do so), but that doesn't stop the Switch 2 from being expensive.

SEE ALSO: Switch 2 Nintendo Direct: Everything announced

That said...I still really want one. That's because I got to spend several hours playing Switch 2 games on Wednesday at a press demonstration, and behind all the price discourse and hardware gimmicks is a device that feels like a huge step up from its predecessor in almost every way. Here are three reasons why I still think the Switch 2 is a must-buy, even if you have to wait a while to get one.

3 reasons the Nintendo Switch 2 is a must-buy

Again, I know. It's a lot of money. Just bear with me.

1. The bump in horsepower is real on Switch 2

One big reason why people have been clamoring for a Switch 2 for so long is that the original Switch just does not cut it anymore, performance-wise. Even first-party games, which should theoretically run well on the Switch, have struggled in the recent past. That's not a good sign.

I'll wait on the experts to tell us exactly how powerful Switch 2 is compared to the competition, but based on my hands-on time, this is a substantially more powerful machine. It starts with ports of old games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which Nintendo had running at the event in the "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" format. Even at a glance, seeing that game run at a gorgeously high resolution and incredibly crisp frame rate was a genuine "oh, this thing is for real" moment for me. Yes, that's an eight-year-old game originally designed for the Wii U, but the point is that even the original Switch had trouble running it at times. The Switch 2 makes it look like no sweat at all.

The new 'Mario Kart' is awesome. Credit: Nintendo

But newer Switch 2-exclusive games are even more impressive. Mario Kart World is beautiful to look at, full of personality and pizazz, with a massive open world that is totally seamless. Donkey Kong: Bananza has a super expressive new design for everyone's favorite swaggy ape, and almost the entire game world can be dynamically destroyed by the player at any time. These are things the original Switch simply could not do, not at high resolutions or with smooth frame rates, anyway.

2. Switch 2's new display alone will make handheld play far better

The non-OLED Switch's display was a paltry 6.2-inches with a 720p resolution. Sure, it was acceptable in 2017 and for a few years after, but now, it's a little grimy to look at. Some games, such as Xenoblade Chronicles 2, couldn't even reach 720p in handheld mode, rendering them blurry and almost unplayable in that format. Combine that with malevolent stick drift, and the promise of a Nintendo console you could take on the go was neutered just a bit.

The new Joy-Con controllers feel a lot better. Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

It remains to be seen if Nintendo has fixed the stick drift problem, but the aforementioned horsepower boost combines nicely with a new 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. What's more is that some games, like Metroid Prime 4, actually appeared to run at a steady 120 frames per second in my time playing them. The new display also supports HDR, as an added bonus.

Between all of that and new Joy-Con controllers that feel a lot better in adult-sized hands, I might actually pull the Switch 2 out of its dock every now and then. We'll, uh, just have to see about battery life.

3. Switch 2 might actually be good at the internet? Maybe?

OK, I'll admit, this part is a stretch, given Nintendo's history with all things internet-related. Trying to play Nintendo games online with friends has been a boondoggle for nearly 20 years. It got marginally better in the Switch era, but the total lack of social features on the Switch was a glaring fault of that console for eight years.

The new "C" button on the right Joy-Con opens up new live chat option GameChat, which basically seems like Discord but from Nintendo. You can chat with friends who are all playing different games and even share your screen...in a way that looks incredibly choppy. I'm glad Nintendo is being honest about that in marketing materials, at least. If nothing else, Nintendo is trying. Maybe this time the effort will actually be worth it.

Most importantly, the Switch 2 dock comes with a built-in ethernet port. You gotta wire up, folks. It's just better for everyone involved.

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders will start on April 9.

Nintendo showed off the Switch 2 today. The internet has a lot of thoughts about it, good and bad. Allow me to weigh in.

After the Nintendo Direct livestream ended on Wednesday morning, I got to spend several hours getting quality hands-on time with the Switch 2 and many of the games that were shown in the Direct. For now, I want to focus on the hardware and its new features rather than the software. After nearly five hours of hands-on time, I came away very impressed with the Switch 2, but also concerned about a couple of key factors. Let's dig in.

On the surface, Switch 2 seems like a fairly iterative upgrade. That's not really the case.

It's a much more premium-feeling device This is a much more adult-feeling handheld console than Switch was. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

The first Switch was a godsend in terms of industrial design compared to the Wii U. However, over time, things like the Steam Deck started to make it feel a little bit like a toy. Personally, the Joy-Cons were always too small for me to use comfortably, rendering it a TV-and-Pro-Controller-only machine in my household. Admittedly, it proved to be a fantastic device for children, but I am not a child, at least not physically.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 preorders will start on April 9: Everything you need to know ahead of time

From the first second I got to hold a Switch 2 unit, I instantly liked it way more. The 7.9-inch 1080p display (which supports HDR and 120Hz!) is substantially nicer than the 6.2-inch 720p display on the predecessor console. In accordance with a bigger screen, the Joy-Cons have also added some more beef. I still would rather use the new Pro Controller (which feels great, but is functionally very similar to the last one), but I played several games using Joy-Cons and didn't have any comfort-related problems doing so.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 specs unveiled: Bigger screen, better performance, and more

Nintendo crucially maintained the same level of thinness from Switch 1 to Switch 2, so it's in that sweet spot of "just heavy enough to feel premium and just light enough to feel comfortable." I'd also like to shout out the magnetic Joy-Con attachment mechanism, which instantly shut down any skepticism I may have had about its reliability the second I tried it. It smartly requires you to pull a little release trigger on the back to detach Joy-Cons from the unit, so it seems nearly impossible to do unintentionally. Miraculously, though, inserting the Joy-Cons magnetically works like magic. Nintendo absolutely nailed this aspect of the device.

Featured Video For You Nintendo Switch 2: Hands On Switch 2 has more horsepower and it shows

It's no surprise that Switch 2 is more powerful than its predecessor, as that console was underpowered when it launched eight entire years ago. Nintendo didn't provide us with detailed tech specs at the event, so precise comparisons to other hardware will have to wait. However, I can confirm that Switch 2 is noticeably more powerful than the original Switch.

SEE ALSO: Switch 2 Nintendo Direct: Everything announced

Doing a cross-country race across Mario Kart World's gorgeous open-world without even a hint of loading between tracks is awesome. Seeing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom run at a buttery smooth 60 frames per second is very convincing right away in-person. The Switch 2 can run Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077 at levels that seemed at least acceptable from the brief glimpses I saw of them at the show. It's definitely not a handheld PS5, but Nintendo forcing what is functionally a tablet to run (some) games at 4K resolution or 120 frames per second (Metroid Prime 4 looks unbelievable that way) is a real sight to behold.

You can use a Joy-Con as a mouse The new Joy-Cons are very nice. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Nintendo confirmed during the Direct something that we all basically knew already: The Joy-Cons have a mode where they double as computer mice. I don't know if you can literally use one on a PC (not until someone hacks that together about five minutes after launch, anyway) but the primary experience I had with them was very PC-like. My main exposure to the Joy-Con mouse support was in a brief demo of Metroid Prime 4, where it...basically played like a PC first-person shooter.

The mouse controls are very responsive and feel right. I do think the Joy-Cons are a little weird to hold with one side facing down on a flat surface, as that definitely caused some accidental button presses at inopportune moments. I'm also not sold on this becoming a regular feature in games after the launch window, or even something I personally want to do, primarily because I don't usually keep a flat surface within arm's reach while I play games. But I can confirm that it works precisely as intended, and as an added bonus, you can just lift up the Joy-Con and resume playing Prime 4 with dual-analog stick controls seamlessly without even pausing the game.

Nintendo is going all in on social features

The one major thing I didn't get to try at all due to the nature of the event itself was GameChat, a new voice chat feature activated by the new "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Allegedly, you can host Discord-like chats for small groups of friends, complete with very choppy looking game streaming and even webcam support via a separately sold accessory.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy's offer on Nintendo Switch games is great, but here's why you should wait to shop

To be honest, it was pretty silly seeing Nintendo spend like 10 minutes on the concept of voice chat in the Direct, something other consoles have had for literally 20 years. But late is better than never. The only part I'm not really sold on is that Nintendo really seems to want you to use an open mic on the console itself instead of a headset. The company alleges that it can cancel out unwanted background noise, but I didn't get to test that. We'll see. At the very least, Nintendo is acknowledging that people like playing video games with their friends online, something the company has not always done well, or at all.

The battery life is apparently worse vs Switch OLED

Here is the start of the bad news. More horsepower and a better display means more drain on battery, which was confirmed by Nintendo, via Kotaku. It has an approximate battery life of 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on what you're playing on it. Compare that to the Switch OLED, which can range from 4.5 to 9 hours, and it's not looking so hot for the new console. Again, this is something that was impossible to test at the event, so we'll need to find out for sure when the console is actually out. But don't expect amazing battery life from Switch 2.

It's a much larger drain on your wallet

This is the worst news about Switch 2: It costs $450 to start. There's also a $500 model bundled with Mario Kart World, which actually looks like the more enticing deal because Nintendo has gone wild with game prices this time around. Mario Kart World is a shocking $80 on its own and Donkey Kong: Bananza is $70. There's also a little minigame collection meant to be a tech demo for the console that is, for reasons I cannot fathom, a paid download. Combine all of that with the fact that upgraded "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" versions of old games will come with a price tag for the upgrade, and it feels like Nintendo is nickel-and-diming us a little bit.

I'll grant the company a little bit of grace because of the Trump administration's chaotic tariff policy, but customers who feel the weight of a $500 console purchase justifiably won't give Nintendo the same benefit of the doubt. Regardless of all the upgrades Switch 2 brings, it's $150 more expensive than Switch 1 was at launch. It's not ideal.

SAVE $50: As of April 3, the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $179, 22% off their list price of $229.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 $179 at Amazon
$229 Save $50 Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale may be officially over and done with now, but there are still some great deals leftover at the retailer. If you're worried you missed out on some of the best earbud deals, we're here to help. We've found a great discount on the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 that's worth taking advantage of while it's still live. At the moment these earbuds are still back at their lowest-ever price, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, so there's no better time than now to pick them up.

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are currently available for $179, which is 22% off their list price of $229. This discounted price marks a return to their lowest-ever price, and considering they're listed as a limited time deal as well right now, there's no better time to pick them up if you've had your eye on them. All of the available colors are on sale as well, so you can choose between hazel, peony, porcelain, and wintergreen.

SEE ALSO: Beats Solo 4 headphones are still at their Amazon Spring Sale

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a fairly new release that came out last year. They offer a comfortable fit with a twist-to-adjust stabilizer that can help them stay in your ears when doing activities like working out. And you'll be able to enjoy the high-quality sound coming from them even more thanks to Active Noise Cancellation, which keeps you completely immersed in what you're listening to without the outside world getting in the way.

This is a deal worth taking advantage of while it's still available. Don't miss out on 22% off the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 at Amazon.

Alongside these earbuds, there are quite a few more deals still available at Amazon after the Big Spring Sale. We've found 200+ of the best deals still live after Amazon's Big Spring Sale that are worth checking out before the discounts are gone for good.

With The White Lotus Season 3 finale right around the corner, it's time to make some predictions.

Who's going to live, and who'll die? Will Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) bring Greg (Jon Gries) to justice? Will the Ratliff family lose everything? Will Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) finally prove himself to be an adequate security guard?

Using clues from the trailer, interviews, and good old-fashioned guesswork, we've made some finale predictions below.

SEE ALSO: 4 clues from 'The White Lotus' Season 3 finale trailer you may have missed 1. Jim Hollinger returns to the hotel with some news for Rick

We know from the trailer that Jim Hollinger (Scott Glenn) returns to the hotel in the finale. If he wanted Rick (Walton Goggins) dead he wouldn't show up himself, so it stands to reason that he has another purpose for being there. Could it be to break the news to Rick that he's actually his father?

2. The Russians carry out the shooting

Did Laurie (Carrie Coon) steal that jewellery she glimpsed in the apartment of Biković (Julian Kostov) in episode 7? Could Greg have hired the Russians to kill Belinda if she refuses his offer of hush money? Either of these scenarios could bring Biković and Vlad (Yuri Kolokolnikov) — who we now know carried out the robbery in episode 2 — back to The White Lotus in the finale. Out of all the characters in the show, they seem like the likeliest perpetrators of the shooting that was teased in the very first episode.

3. Gaitok saves the day

Gaitok is as close to useless as a security guard can get, but damn it if his heart isn't in the right place. With his newfound skills at the shooting range, plus that shot of him running purposefully in the trailer, we think Gaitok might finally complete his hero arc and be the one to bring the perpetrators down.

Credit: Stefano Delia/HBO 4. Rick dies protecting Chelsea

Unlike Gaitok, Rick's arc feels more like that of the doomed protagonist in a neo film noir. Wouldn't it be tragically fitting if, after all the drama with Jim Hollinger, he ends up dying in a completely unrelated incident? Maybe Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) — who is still waiting on the third bad thing to happen after the robbery and the snake bite — will get caught up in the shooting, and Rick will die trying to save her?

5. Timothy Ratliff dies...and then his legal issues disappear

There would be no more ironic end for Timothy Ratliff (Jason Isaacs) than if he finally dies in the finale — either by his own hand or by getting caught up in the shooting — only for it to turn out that his legal issues were nothing to worry about after all.

6. Saxon and Chelsea get together

Chelsea is clearly attracted to men that are emotionally damaged, and in episode 7 there seemed to be a brief spark between her and Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger). If Rick dies in the finale, maybe she'll take solace in a new person with baggage?

Credit: Fabio Lovino/HBO 7. Lochlan stays at the monastery by himself

Following that terrible full moon party, Lochlan (Sam Nivola) seems determined to distance himself from his family. In episode 7 he tells his sister Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) that he wants to stay in the monastery with her, but she seems less than convinced by the idea. Maybe the finale will see Piper giving in to the life of luxury she's used to back home, and Lochlan staying in Thailand by himself, trying to suppress his "dark side"?

8. Greg/Gary gets away with it

In a recent interview, Jon Gries – who plays Gary/Greg — made a comment that seemed to imply his character could be back in future seasons. It would be too satisfying for Greg to meet a horrible end in Season 3, so it seems likely that he'll continue to evade justice for the Season 2 death of Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge). Does this mean he'll find a way to silence Belinda and her son Zion (Nicholas Duvernay)? One way or another, it seems likely — but if we had to guess we'd say they'll take the money in the end.

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

SAVE $10: As of April 3, the JBL Go 4 portable speaker is on sale at Amazon for $39.95. Normally it's listed for $49.95, so you're saving 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Go 4 $39.95 at Amazon
$49.95 Save $10 Get Deal

If you've been looking to pick up a portable speaker with the springtime weather coming in, there are still quite a few deals available after Amazon's Big Spring Sale. One of our favorite Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Go 4, is still discounted right now after the sale event. For a limited time, you can pick it up for 20% off its usual price. No better time than now to grab a portable speaker for your adventures this year.

This 20% discount has dropped the price of the JBL Go 4 from $49.95 to $39.95. This is very close to its lowest-ever price of $38, so now is as good a time as any to pick it up if it's caught your eye. All of the available colors are on sale as well, so you can have your pick of the black speaker, black and orange, blue, pink, purple, red, sand, squad, and white. That's not all, either. Your purchase also comes with a free 90 day trial of an Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plan. This monthly trial is only available to new Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers, though.

SEE ALSO: Beats Solo 4 headphones are still at their Amazon Spring Sale

This compact little speaker is perfect for taking on the go, complete with a waterproof and dustproof design that can handle most outdoor environments you set it up to play in. No matter if you're on a camping trip or heading to the beach, the JBL Go 4 can keep the tunes going. It also boasts up to seven hours of playtime so you don't have to worry about the battery all that often.

We consider it the best speaker under $50 in our roundup of the best Bluetooth speakers, saying, "Though it may be tiny, it's definitely mighty when it comes to how loud it can get: you probably won't feel the need to use the highest volume unless you're outdoors and in a noisy area."

This portable speaker deal is worth jumping on while it's still available. Don't miss out on 20% off the JBL Go 4 at Amazon.

Looking for more great deals leftover after Amazon's Big Spring Sale? Check out our roundup of 200+ of the best deals still live after Amazon's Big Spring Sale to see a few more of our favorite offers that are still available.

When cryptocurrency investor Chun Wang footed the cost of a SpaceX flight over the North and South Poles, he thought he'd be able to see signs of explorers and research activities below. 

But from 260 miles above in space, he saw no trace of humanity — just desolation: a seemingly endless view of pure white ice. 

Wang and three other crewmates are the first people to fly over Earth's poles in space. With him in a small Dragon capsule are Jannicke Mikkelsen, Rabea Rogge, and Eric Philips. The private mission launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on a Falcon 9 rocket March 31. It's the same spaceship that took Polaris Dawn, the first mission to achieve a civilian spacewalk, last year.

"I think 60 or 70 percent of the time I randomly look out the window, I see white," Wang said in a video he shared on X, the social platform owned by SpaceX founder Elon Musk. 

And that doesn't seem to disappoint the passengers on their automated ride around the planet. 

"That's so epic, because it's another kind of desert," said Rogge, "so it just goes on and on and on, all the white. So beautiful." 

SEE ALSO: SpaceX is so close to turning its rocket headquarters into an actual city SpaceX's Fram2 civilian crew flies over Antarctica in a polar orbit. Credit: Chun Wang / Fram2

Despite the lack of buildings and development in their views, indirect human impact can be seen in other ways out their cupola window, such as evidence of climate change on the ice caps. The Fram2 journey, named after a 19th-century ship that took explorers to the polar regions, is expected to last three to five days. 

Wang filmed a region of Antarctica he said he had visited on the ground in 2013. The peninsula is full of volcanoes, he said. 

At their altitude, Dragon zooms from the North Pole to the South Pole in just over 46 minutes and makes an entire circle in about 1.5 hours. That's 30 times faster than the One More Orbit mission in 2019, according to SpaceX, which set a Guinness World Record when it circumnavigated Earth in a Gulfstream G650ER jet. Mikkelsen, one of the Fram2 crew members, was on that flight. 

The Fram2 crew gets strapped into their Dragon capsule. From left: Eric Philips, Rabea Rogge, Jannicke Mikkelsen, and Chun Wang. Credit: SpaceX

The International Space Station orbits the planet at about the same altitude, though it travels from west to east. Because of this, the poles are essentially invisible to the astronauts onboard the space lab. Apollo astronauts got a glimpse of them from space, but only from extremely far away. Prior to this private mission, the highest north latitude spaceflight was achieved by the Soviet Vostok 6 mission at 65 degrees. 

Though these are the first people to make this journey, low-Earth polar orbits are commonly used for weather-tracking satellites and spying.

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In a mission update, Wang posted on X that the first few hours of weightlessness were uncomfortable, with all of the crew members experiencing nausea from motion sickness.

The Fram2 crew is expected to conduct nearly two dozen experiments and observe green and pale purple light emissions similar to auroras on their flight. Credit: Fram2

"Even a small sip of water could upset your stomach and trigger vomiting," he wrote. 

By Wednesday morning, those sensations had mostly dissipated, he said.

The Fram2 crew will conduct nearly two dozen experiments during their flight. The four are also expected to observe green and pale purple light emissions similar to auroras.

TL;DR: Save up to $2,000 a trip with a one-year subscription to Dollar Flight Club's premium plan, now $9.99 (reg. $69).

Opens in a new window Credit: Dollar Flight Club Dollar Flight Club Premium Plan: 1-Year Subscription $9.99
$69 Save $59.01 Get Deal

Looking for some budget-friendly spring break plans? How about a more affordable summer getaway? Dollar Flight Club can help you find cheaper airfare both domestically and internationally. And just in time for travel season, you can score a one-year subscription for just $9.99 to the Dollar Flight Club Premium Plan. 

Save up to 90% on airfare

Make your travel budget go further with some help from Dollar Flight Club. Over two million people are already taking advantage of their amazing deals, with incredible finds like $161 roundtrip tickets to Hawaii or $286 roundtrip fare to France. 

Getting started couldn't be easier. Just add your home airports and dream destinations after purchase, then sit back and wait for the economy flight deals to roll right into your inbox. 

A Premium Plan gives you access to deals from up to four different departure airports. Choose domestic or international locations, then get ready to receive deals and mistake fares. Once you see something you like, all you have to do is book the flight and start packing. 

You'll get access to both domestic and international flight deals, and you don't have to spend a second trying to hunt down a cheap flight. Dollar Flight Club does all the work for you. This deal is available for new users only, so get ready to fall in love with this service. 

Save big on flights with a one-year subscription to Dollar Flight Club Premium Plan for $9.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (3.1GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) on sale for $329.97.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch Touchbar (2017) 3.1GHz i5 8GB RAM 512GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $329.97
$1,499 Save $1,169.03 Get Deal

The only real downside of a MacBook is the price. Once you leap that hurdle, they're great computers you can use for work, school, marathoning your favorite shows, and practically everything in between. They also can really last, which is pretty important if you've seen computer prices lately. Even older MacBook models are still a solid investment, especially if you're looking for a good computer for lightweight daily tasks. 

If you want to get an Apple computer minus the Apple price, check out refurbished devices like this one. This MacBook Pro is in near-mint condition, but it has still been marked down from $1,499 to $329.97, but there are only a few of them left. 

Under the hood

This MacBook has a 3.1GHz Intel Core i5 processor and Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz, so it can handle everyday tasks, multitasking, and even some heavier workloads without slowing down. The 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD mean you’ll have enough memory and storage to keep things running smoothly, whether you're working on documents, streaming your favorite shows, or organizing photos.

Retina displays always look good, and this one doesn't disappoint. It has a resolution of 2560x1600 and a brightness of 500 nits, so it looks clear and vibrant for creative work.

One of the benefits of buying a slightly older MacBook is they still have all their ports. This one has four USB-C ports for charging, extra displays, and fast file transfers. And don’t forget about the Touch Bar, which adds a cool level of interactivity with customizable controls, along with the security of Touch ID for fast login and Apple Pay.

April 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the deadline to get a MacBook Pro on sale for $329.97, but we might run out before then. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Block ads and prevent contact with malware on family devices with a $15.97 AdGuard lifetime subscription.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97 at Mashable Shop
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Set the scene: It's dinner time, and the kids are working on homework. You want to scroll through a recipe blog on your phone to whip something up. One kid needs your laptop to do some science class research.

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• Prevent malware and phishing sites

• Restrict access to inappropriate or adult content for kids' devices

You can use AdGuard on up to nine devices. It works across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. On each device, you can access clutter-free websites and prevent accidental encounters with malware.

Your kids are growing up, and you can't look over their shoulders every second. But you can still protect them from digital threats — from the annoying to the malicious — when you use AdGuard across all your family devices. Get lifetime access to this privacy-protecting ad blocker for $15.97 (reg. $169.99) with code FAMPLAN.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each one!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others.

SEE ALSO: The 21 best TV shows by Black creators on Netflix

But if you're seeking something brand-new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of this week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most watchable. Whether you're looking for a marmalade-infused trip to Peru, Keke Palmer and SZA's buddy comedy, the video game adaptation we've been waiting for, or a millennium bug-inspired horror, we've got something just for you.

Here's what's new on streaming, from worst to best.

9. Opus

Want something funky and fun? Check out A24's Opus. The directorial debut of Mark Anthony Green stars The Bear's Ayo Edebiri as a young entertainment journalist hungry for her big breakthrough. So when a reclusive rock star (John Malkovich) returns to the spotlight with a new record — and what seems to be an actual cult surrounding him — she's eager to get the scoop. However, between sycophantic fans, stalking cult members, and her celebrity-obsessed boss (Murray Bartlett), this reporter discovers the truth could lead to something far more sinister than even she could have predicted.

SEE ALSO: How 'Opus' explores the intersection of fandom and fervor

A wild tale with a star-stuffed cast, Opus set high expectations at its Sundance debut in January. However, critics have been mixed on the movie itself, noting Green bites off more than he can chew. In his review for Mashable, Siddhant Adlakha lamented, "The little that works ends up shackled by lousy, scattershot filmmaking that saps the movie of all tension, insight, and fun." —Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, Amber Midthunder, Young Mazino, Stephanie Suganami, and Tatanka Means

How to watch: Opus is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

8. Pulse

Netflix aims for its own Grey's Anatomy with Pulse, a medical drama brimming with relationship drama and gnarly injuries. The series transports us to Miami's Maguire Medical Center as it braces for a hurricane. But a storm is brewing inside Maguire as well. Chief Resident Dr. Xander Phillips (Colin Woodell) has been suspended following a report by one of his colleagues, Dr. Danny Simms (Willa Fitzgerald). Turns out, the two had been harboring a secret relationship — but how did it start, and what led to the report?

Pulse teases out the answers to these questions amidst a sea of hurricane injuries and bloody operations, hoping to examine the power dynamics of workplace relationships while also delivering medical thrills. The result is compulsively watchable, but when compared to 2025's other big new medical drama, Max's spectacular The Pitt, Pulse just can't quite measure up. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Willa Fitzgerald, Colin Woodell, Jessie T. Usher, Justina Machado, Jack Bannon, Daniela Nieves, Chelsea Muirhead, and Jessy Yates

How to watch: Pulse is now streaming on Netflix.

7. Devil May Cry

If you've spent hours pulverising demons in Hideki Kamiya's beloved Capcom game series Devil May Cry, you're going to want to make sure you have a Netflix login this week. Studio Mir, the South Korean animation studio behind The Legend of Korra and The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep, have teamed up with Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix showrunner Adi Shankar and Yasuke writer Alex Larsen for the long-awaited TV adaptation.

Johnny Yong Bosch (who voices the character Nero in the DMC games) voices the iconic demon-hunting protagonist Dante, whose path of vengeance is a brutal and bloody one — especially now the gates of Hell are open. If you've seen Studio Mir's work with the Netflix Witcher anime series, you know this show will also be brutal and bloody. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Johnny Yong Bosch, Scout Taylor-Compton, Hoon Lee, Kevin Conroy, and Chris Coppola

How to watch: Devil May Cry debuts on Netflix April 3.

6. The Bondsman

If you crave something creepy, kooky, and country, you'll relish Blumhouse's The Bondsman. Kevin Bacon returns to horror with this new streaming series that sees him play Hub Halloran, a bounty hunter tasked with chasing down demons who've escaped from hell. The star of such bone-chilling film as Tremors, The Hollow Man, MaXXXine, and Stir of Echoes brings a snarling gravitas to the role, as Hub is forced into violent face-offs with bad mortal men and malevolent beasts while also seeking to reconnect with his country singer wife and grown son. Thankfully, his loving (and relentless) mother (Beth Grant) has got his back, come hell or high water. But work/life balance is even harder when your life has already ended, and every day you roam the earth is only because the Devil has work for you to do. 

Can Hub save his marriage? His family? His soul? Season 1 of The Bondsman offers eight episodes full of character-driven drama, dark humor, and gory slaughter. We'd expect nothing less from Blumhouse. — K.P.

Starring:  Kevin Bacon, Jennifer Nettles, Beth Grant, Damon Herriman, Maxwell Jenkins, and Jolene Purdy

How to watch: The Bondsman is now on Prime Video.

5. ​​Y2K

If you love '90s nostalgia and wacky horror/comedies, you'll treasure Y2K. Saturday Night Live's Kyle Mooney makes his directorial debut with this goofy movie, which imagines that when the clocks clicked over into the year 2000, mankind's greatest fears were realized. Specifically, all our coolest tech — from Tamagotchis to CD players — would gain artificial intelligence and go on a murderous rampage. 

This AI ambush pitches high school wallflower Eli (Jaeden Martell) and his outgoing goofball bestie Danny (Julian Dennison) into a battle for their lives. And all their classmates at a New Year's Eve house party become their anxiety-ridden allies as the war between man and machine gets very ridiculous. To Mooney's credit, he heaps plenty of delicious, era-appropriate details into Y2K, which will give children of the '90s palpable flashbacks. But the comedy itself gets wobbly as the funniest characters get killed off. In my review out of its SXSW premiere in 2024, I determined, "Y2K is a good time, but falls short of greatness." — K.P.

Starring: Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, Julian Dennison, Kyle Mooney, Alicia Silverstone, The Kid LAROI, Lachlan Watson, Daniel Zolghadri, Mason Gooding, Lauren Balone, Eduardo Franco, and Fred Durst

How to watch: Y2K premieres on Max April 4.

4. Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer

It began with one missing girl, and the mother who wouldn't give up searching for her. When Shannan Gilbert vanished in Long Island after a strange night littered with calls to 911, her mother Mari Gilbert pressed the police for answers. What they found — when they finally searched — was not Shannan's body but the skeleton remains of four other women. This suggested a serial killer was operating out of Long Island, targeting sex workers and banking on the apathy of the police to get away with murder. The story grew into national news, spreading horror and heartbreak as more victims were unearthed.

Filmmaker Liz Garbus previously explored the story of the Gilbert family in the Netflix narrative drama Lost Girls. Now, the accomplished documentarian returns to her roots with this three-part doc, tying together the story of loss that LISK (the Long Island Serial Killer) brought onto his victims and their families. Garbus thoughtfully unfolds the case, relying on interviews with journalists and loved ones of those lost, to better understand how this serial killer went undetected for so long. In doing so, she not only captures a true crime tragedy but also the female community that showed determination, resilience, and love as they sought justice for their lost girls. This is a hard watch, but humane, thought-provoking, and among the better true crime docs Netflix has put out. — K.P.

How to watch: Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer is streaming on Netflix.

3. One of Them Days

Keke Palmer and SZA leading a buddy comedy — what more do you need? Directed by Lawrence Lamont, produced by Issa Rae, and written by Syreeta Singleton, One of Them Days is a wild, frantic ride for protagonists Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA in her film debut). They're best friends and roommates suddenly faced with a massive late rent payment when Alyssa's boyfriend takes the funds and hits the road. Creative entrepreneurship emerges! Hijinks ensue!

"One of Them Days is a refreshing take on a well-worn comedy premise," Monica Castillo writes in her review for Mashable. "With a résumé largely featuring music videos and, most recently, Rap Sh!t, Lamont has a cool directing style that results in scenes that are vibrant and sleek, full of high-octane needle drops to match... Palmer and SZA bring the heart and soul to a unique buddy comedy that feels fresh and timely." — S.C.

Starring: Keke Palmer, SZA, Katt Williams, Lil Rel Howery, Janelle James, Vanessa Bell Calloway, DomiNque Perry, Maude Apatow, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Joshua Neal, Gabrielle Dennis, Patrick Cage, and Amin Joseph

How to watch: One of Them Days is now streaming on Netflix.

2. Paddington in Peru

Raise your marmalade sandwiches! The world's most beloved bumbler in a duffle coat is back on our screens. Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) returns with the third in the film franchise, this time journeying to his home country of Peru with the Brown family. They're on a quest to find Paddington's Aunt Lucy, who was last seen at the Home for Retired Bears, run by the Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman).

"Rather than trying to recapture lightning in a bottle with a third adventure set in London, Paddington in Peru returns the eponymous bear to his roots in the Amazon jungle," Mashable entertainment editor Kristy Puchko writes in her review. "This setting opens up thrilling new possibilities, as the Brown family becomes the fish out of water while Paddington meets new friends and foes, played by such cinema luminaries as Academy Award–nominee Antonio Banderas and Academy Award–winner Olivia Colman. Together with much of the original cast, this sequel delivers fresh fun and a valuable reminder of the power of Paddington." — S.C.

Starring: Ben Whishaw, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, and Carla Tous

How to watch: Paddington in Peru is now available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

1. Dying For Sex

Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate star in the hilarious yet heartbreaking Dying for Sex, a miniseries based on Nikki Boyer and Molly Kochan's podcast of the same name. Williams plays a fictionalized version of Molly, who, after learning she has Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, leaves her husband (Jay Duplass) and sets out on a quest for sexual fulfillment.

Given its subject matter, Dying for Sex is refreshingly frank about sex, treating Molly's journey through a world of vibrators, kinks, and sex parties without any judgment. It also doesn't pull any punches with her cancer diagnosis, especially how it impacts her intimacy with partners. But the glue holding Dying for Sex together is the relationship between Molly and her best friend-turned-caregiver Nikki (Slate). Their bond makes for a shattering love story, and it's all thanks to Williams and Slate's chemistry. As I wrote in my review, "As a duo, they oscillate between gallows humor and genuine heartbreak at a moment's notice, a dichotomy that feels so natural you can't believe you've only been watching their takes on Molly and Nikki for a few episodes. You also can't believe that their friendship will one day come to an end, but Dying for Sex faces that inevitability head on, as honest about death as it is about sex." — B.E. 

Starring: Michelle Williams, Jenny Slate, Rob Delaney, Jay Duplass, Kelvin Yu, Sissy Spacek, David Rasche, and Esco Jouléy

How to watch: Dying For Sex premieres April 4 on Hulu.

* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list.

SAVE $170: As of April 3, Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Outdoor Watch is available for $229.99 at Amazon. That's $170 off its regular price of $399.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Outdoor Watch $229.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $170 Get Deal

Finding a rugged GPS watch that doesn't need constant recharging is like discovering a unicorn. But here we are: Amazon has slashed $170 off the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar, bringing it down to a tempting $229.99. For a watch that can potentially outlast your adventures, this deal is hard to ignore.

The Instinct 2 Solar boasts solar charging capabilities, offering unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode with sufficient sunlight exposure. Its robust design meets military standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance, ensuring it can withstand the harshest conditions. Whether you're hiking, biking, or swimming, this watch has you covered with built-in sports apps and health monitoring features.

SEE ALSO: Apple announces WWDC 2025 dates

Navigating unfamiliar terrains becomes a breeze with multi-GNSS support, including GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. The TracBack routing feature ensures you can retrace your steps without getting lost. Plus, smart notifications keep you connected, and compatibility with the Connect IQ store allows for further customization.

• Price: $229.99 $399.99

• Retailer: Amazon

• Display Size: 1.27 inches

• Battery Life: Unlimited in smartwatch mode with sufficient solar exposure

• Water Resistance: Rated to 100 meters

• Navigation: Multi-GNSS support (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo)

• Sensors: 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter

• Health Monitoring: Heart rate, sleep tracking, Pulse Ox

• Smart Features: Notifications, Connect IQ compatibility

• Durability: Meets military standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance

At $229.99, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar offers a compelling blend of durability, functionality, and virtually limitless battery life. If you're an outdoor enthusiast seeking a reliable companion, this deal is worth serious consideration.

SAVE $200: As of April 3, Toshiba 65-inch M550 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV is available for $379.99 at Best Buy. That's $200 off its regular price of $579.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba Toshiba 65-inch M550 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $379.99 at Best Buy
$579.99 Save $200 Get Deal

Finding a 65-inch QLED TV with premium features for under $400 feels like uncovering a hidden gem. Best Buy has slashed $200 off the Toshiba M550 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV, bringing it down to an enticing $379.99. At this price, it's hard not to consider upgrading your home entertainment setup.

The M550 Series boasts Toshiba's Quantum Dot Technology, delivering over a billion shades of color for vivid, lifelike images. Full Array Local Dimming enhances contrast by controlling individual zones of the backlight, ensuring deeper blacks and brighter whites. The REGZA Engine ZR upscales content to near-4K resolution, providing a crisp and immersive viewing experience

SEE ALSO: Apple announces WWDC 2025 dates

For audiophiles, the REGZA Power Audio Pro system, complemented by the BAZOOKA Bass Woofer, offers deep, resonant bass and clear vocals. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support further elevate the cinematic experience, making your living room feel like a personal theater.

Gamers will appreciate the TV's Auto Low Latency Mode, which reduces input lag for smoother gameplay. While it supports a 120Hz refresh rate, it's worth noting that variable refresh rate (VRR) is limited to 60Hz.

• Price: $379.99 $579.99

• Retailer: Best Buy

• Screen Size: 65 inches

• Display Technology: QLED

• Resolution: 4K UHD

• Refresh Rate: 120Hz (VRR up to 60Hz)

• HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+

• Audio: REGZA Power Audio Pro with BAZOOKA Bass Woofer, Dolby Atmos

• Smart Platform: Fire TV with hands-free Alexa

• Gaming Features: Auto Low Latency Mode

• HDMI Ports: Multiple, with limited refresh rate support

The integration of Fire TV provides a user-friendly interface with access to a vast library of streaming apps. Hands-free Alexa support allows for voice control, making navigation and content discovery effortless.

At $379.99, the Toshiba 65-inch M550 Series offers a compelling mix of size, picture quality, and smart features. If you're in the market for a feature-rich large-screen TV without breaking the bank, this deal is worth serious consideration.

BEATS THE COMPETITION: As of April 3, PNY 1.5TB PRO Elite Prime microSD card is available for $109.99 at Amazon. No discount needed when you're getting up to 200MB/s read and 150MB/s write speeds with A2 app performance.

Opens in a new window Credit: PNY PNY 1.5TB PRO Elite Prime microSD card $0 at Amazon
$110 Save $110 Used like new deals for $100.99 Get Deal

I’ve tested plenty of microSD cards in my ROG Ally X and Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, but PNY 1.5TB PRO Elite Prime is the only one that felt close to internal storage — even without any fancy accessories. I skipped the PNY reader and slotted the card straight into both devices, and it held up impressively well.

On the Ally X, I loaded up a mix of indie and AAA games stored directly on the card. App launch times were tight, multitasking didn’t lag, and moving between game files didn’t feel sluggish. It’s A2-rated, which means it's designed for running apps directly off the card, not just storing media. And that actually matters when you're using a handheld PC where every second shaved off counts.

SEE ALSO: Apple announces WWDC 2025 dates

Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra saw similar results. I use it for a mix of editing, gaming, and file management, and the card handled all of it with minimal fuss. Transfer speeds while moving files internally hovered around 185MB/s for reads and just under 150MB/s for writes—not quite the theoretical max, but solid without the USB 3.1 reader.

• Price: $109.99

• Retailer: Amazon

• Storage: 1.5TB microSDXC

• Speed Class: Class 10, U3, V30

• App Performance: A2

• Read Speed (in-device): ~185MB/s

• Write Speed (in-device): ~145–150MB/s

• Adapter Included: Yes

• Enhanced Performance (with USB reader): Up to 200MB/s read

• Warranty: Lifetime limited

That said, if you're planning to transfer massive game installs or want the fastest possible read/write performance for heavy-duty gaming, using PNY’s Performance Prime reader (Currently 15% off at $10.99) will push speeds closer to the full 200MB/s. But for most day-to-day use directly inside the device, I never felt like I was missing out.

If you need a ton of expandable storage that doesn’t hold back your apps or games, this card gets the job done without extra gear.

The teaser trailer for Five Nights at Freddy's 2 has arrived, and it looks like the worst job ever has followed security guard Mike (Josh Hutcherson) home. These nightmarish animatronics just refuse to give him a break.

A sequel to Blumhouse's 2023 horror based on the popular video game series, not much has been revealed about Five Nights at Freddy's 2's plot. However, we do know that Mike, his sister Abby (Piper Rubio), Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail), and William Afton (Matthew Lillard) will all be back, as will director Emma Tammi and producers Jason Blum and Scott Cawthon. 

Also returning, of course, are the unsettling denizens of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza.

Five Nights at Freddy's 2 is set to arrive in theatres on Dec. 5.

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 Thursday, April 3, 2025:

AcrossHit the ___ (go to bed)

• The answer is Sack.

Misleading name for a sub/shish kebab restaurant?

• The answer is Sushi.

Misleading name for a taco/pasta restaurant?

• The answer is Tapas.

Certain sports bets

• The answer is Overs.

Cooped (up)

• The answer is Pent.

DownAlmost too sophisticated and charming

• The answer is Suave.

Upscale Colorado skiing destination

• The answer is Aspen.

Word after bar or pie

• The answer is Chart.

Smooch

• The answer is Kiss.

Word on an eight-sided traffic sign

• The answer is Stop.

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.

News broke on Wednesday that 12-foot skeleton supplier Home Depot would begin charging customers for parking, inciting ire amongst some U.S. DIY enthusiasts. Fortunately, astute customers were quick to remember that this unwelcome report had arrived on a significant date: April 1. 

Home Depot itself has since confirmed that this reported paid parking plan was nothing more than an April Fools' Day prank by an unaffiliated hardware publication.

SEE ALSO: Live, laugh, LifeEyes™️: How the 12-foot Home Depot skeleton became a perennial hit

"[T]his is an April Fools' post from a tool review website," Home Depot wrote on X, responding to someone criticising the ostensible change. "We do not charge for parking."

Specifically, the rumour originated from an article published by Pro Tool Reviews on April 1. Using the byline "PTR Editorial Staff," Pro Tool Reviews claimed that Home Depot would begin charging up to $5 for a full day of parking from next month. The publication called this apparent change an "unconventional response to rising inflation," and even made up a fake Home Depot spokesperson, economist, customers, and angry social media users to "quote."

As such, there was little in Pro Tool Reviews' article to tip off the casual reader that something was amiss. The main giveaway was a link at the bottom, which stated that it led to the "original" Home Depot press release. In actuality, it led to a Pro Tool Reviews page declaring, "APRIL FOOLS! GOTCHA!" Pro Tool Reviews also has its article tagged "april fool's [sic]" a time of writing. 

Still, the clarification is easy to miss, leading many people to take Pro Tool Reviews' report at face value. Some even directed angry posts to Home Depot's social media accounts, threatening to take their business elsewhere due to the reported parking changes. Home Depot has directly replied to multiple disgruntled commenters to clarify the situation, though it seems not everyone has gotten the message. One must imagine that their social media manager is more than slightly exasperated at this point.

To be fair, this particular nugget of April Fool’s disinformation isn’t completely outside the realm of plausibility. Paid parking lots are far from uncommon, and with the economy going the way it is, it wouldn't be surprising to see businesses scrounging around for new revenue streams.

Some people noted that they first encountered Pro Tool Reviews' prank article via their Google News feed, which led them to believe that it was true. However, the mere fact that something is "on Google" is not an indicator of its accuracy, regardless of whether you found it via search or News.

According to Google, articles featured in your News feed are automatically chosen by an algorithm that is personalised to each user, with articles ranked according to factors such as relevance, authoritativeness, and the individual's interests. No humans are involved in the selection process. As such, this system appears ill-equipped to deal with otherwise trustworthy sources pulling pranks.

This Home Depot parking prank is a good reminder that you should always be vigilant on the internet, and double check information before reacting (and especially before lashing out). This is true at all times, but it's even more so on April 1, a day on which everyone has apparently decided it’s OK to lie without fear of reprisal from God or Santa.

Check sources, check your gut, and never browse with your brain turned off. Slowing down and taking a few seconds to look a little deeper can save you a lot of upset and embarrassment. And if all of that sounds like too much work, then maybe it’s time to take a break from the screens. Go outside, have a picnic, smell a flower. You'll probably be happier for it. Don't worry, the collapse of society will still be here when you get back.