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Google invented new ways to alter movies with AI for The Sphere. Its sure to be controversial.

Mashable - 3 hours 58 min ago

This summer, The Sphere in Las Vegas is going to debut a new experience: The Wizard of Oz at Sphere. And it's doing so with the help of Google and AI.

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“The power of generative AI, combined with Google’s infrastructure and expertise, is helping us to achieve something extraordinary,” said Sphere Entertainment Executive Chairman and CEO Jim Dolan in a statement provided to Mashable. “We needed a partner who could push boundaries alongside our teams at Sphere Studios and Magnopus, and Google was the only company equipped to meet the challenge on the world’s highest resolution LED screen.”

Regardless of whether you've been to Vegas, you're likely familiar with The Sphere. It's constantly going viral with its 580,000 square feet of LED displays wrapped around the venue. The inside of the one-of-a-kind venue, which seats nearly 17,600 people, also features wrap-around LED screens with an eye-popping 16K resolution.

The Sphere has previously shown films made specifically for the venue. However, this year, it will show an existing movie for the first time, the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. As the Wall Street Journal reports, doing so isn't such a simple task; it's actually quite the process.

“Very, very, very big and very, very difficult,” the Wall Street Journal reported Google's director for AI foundation research Steven Hickson as saying. “There are scenes where the scarecrow’s nose is like 10 pixels.”

Why is that a problem? The Sphere's indoor display has more than 170 million pixels. 

To reformat The Wizard of Oz for the world's biggest screen, The Sphere brought in the Google Deepmind team to help create an all-new experience with AI.

Generative AI remains controversial among cinephiles

The obvious use of AI here is to upscale the picture, which Google did. AI upscaling enhances an image's resolution by not just resizing the image to make it larger, but also by filling in any missing details from the original image. This helps with the resolution issue. While AI upscaling is probably the least controversial use of artificial intelligence in art or filmmaking, it can also produce some disastrous results. Take, for example, this AI upscaling screenshot taken from an episode of I Love Lucy on Blu-Ray (click the image below to see what we mean).

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With Google's AI team working on this big project, alongside input from The Wizard of Oz rights-holder Warner Bros. Discovery, it's unlikely that we will see any AI upscaling issues like this. However, the Wall Street Journal report also includes a small before-and-after sample of Google's AI work on The Wizard of Oz for The Sphere, and minor glitches such as AI artifacts can be clearly seen.

However, the Sphere experience also takes things much further than video upscaling.

As the Journal reports, Google used generative AI models from its Gemini family, including Veo 2 and Imagen 3, to reimagine entire shots with extended backgrounds and to include characters missing from view. That means audiences will see beyond what the cameras originally caught in frame. Google's AI technology will generate these extensions based on what it believes could be there, taking into account the entirety of the full-length film.

Again, this goes beyond enhancing an image to show an artist's work on a larger screen. Filmmakers shoot and frame shots in specific ways for artistic purposes, and generative AI could compromise the original vision.

Earlier this month, a similar generative AI recreation went viral on social media for all the wrong reasons. A user on X uploaded a video of AI recreations of shots from filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky. For example, in one scene, generative AI recreated a still shot so that the camera moved 360 degrees around the actor. The post received over 4,000 likes.

However, another X user criticized the use of AI to recreate Tarkovsky's vision.

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"If the camera was supposed to move, then Tarkovsky would have had the camera move," said user The Kino Corner. 

The critique received more than 305,000 likes.

Generative AI is still a very controversial subject in the film industry and the art community as a whole. Mashable has previously reported on the backlash against the use of AI in movies like The Brutalist and Late Night with the Devil.

However, it does seem like The Wizard of Oz at Sphere is unlikely to cause too much controversy, as it's being created for a very specific event that can only be experienced at one venue in Las Vegas.

With that said, the success of The Wizard of Oz at Sphere could help mainstream the use of AI in filmmaking and lead to wider adoption in the industry. Expect there to be a lot of eyes on Oz at The Sphere, even if they aren't physically there to experience it. 

The Wizard of Oz at Sphere opens on August 28, 2025.

REAL ID deadline is weeks away. Heres what you need to know.

Mashable - 4 hours 43 min ago

After 17 years of delays, the Department of Homeland Security is set to finally require REAL IDs for Americans boarding domestic flights.

Starting on Wednesday, May 7, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights (and access military bases and certain federal facilities), according to DHS.

In other words, a standard driver's license or state ID without the REAL ID logo, typically on the top right of the license, will no longer be acceptable identification for Americans flying domestically.

Can I board a domestic flight without a REAL ID?

That remains to be seen. DHS and the Transportation Safety Administration, an agency of DHS, have suggested they may let some people without REAL IDs onto planes — after a significant wait.

A recent press release from DHS says "travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued credential or another acceptable form of ID can expect delays when they arrive at the TSA security checkpoint. The length of the delay will be determined by the number of other travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant credential, or another form of identification accepted by TSA for identity verification."

What other forms of ID will get me on a domestic flight?

If you can't get a REAL ID before May 7, bring any other acceptable identification for flying domestically, such as an active passport, passport card, or permanent resident card. The full list of the TSA's acceptable identification is here.

How do I get a REAL ID?

Every state has different rules on how you turn their state ID or driver's license a federally-compliant REAL ID. California, for example, asks travelers to fill out an online application, upload necessary documents (like passports and birth certificates for personal identification and utility bills to prove California residency), provide a social security number, then go to a Department of Motor Vehicles office — with the hard copies of the documents you uploaded — before the REAL ID is issued.

And yes, it's often kind of a pain.

What is the purpose of REAL IDs?

The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 as a recommendation of the 9/11 commission; the legislation was one of many security responses enacted after the terrorist attacks of 2001. The REAL ID Act established tighter security standards for state-issued identification, and prohibited the TSA from accepting ID that did not meet those standards.

"REAL ID is intended to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver licenses and identification cards while inhibiting the ability of terrorists and others to evade detection by using fraudulent identification," according to the TSA.

The first deadline for REAL ID compliance from travelers was originally 2008, but extensions were repeatedly announced. Finally, May 2025 appears to be REAL ID's actual arrival on the airport scene.

The Last of Us Complete lands on PlayStation 5, along with a Collectors Edition thats up for preorder

Mashable - 5 hours 6 min ago

TL;DR: On April 10, The Last of Us Complete hit the PlayStation 5, which includes PS5-enhanced versions of both games in the iconic series. You can buy the digital version starting today, or you can preorder the physical Collector's Edition, which will be released on July 10.

Shop 'The Last of Us Complete' 'The Last of Us Complete' for PlayStation 5 $99.99 at PlayStation Shop Now 'The Last of Us Complete' Collector's Edition $109.99 at PlayStation Pre-Order Here

The Last of Us Season 2 premieres on April 13, and what better way to get excited than a surprise release from the game's developer in The Last of Us Complete? It was only a matter of time before Naughty Dog dropped a PS5-enhanced bundle for both games in the series, and that's exactly what Complete is. From what we can tell, this bundle is the remake version of The Last of Us Part I packaged with The Last of Us Part II Remastered, so if you already own both, you can safely skip this one. If you're a TLOU newcomer, though, this is the best way to play both titles — snag the digital edition for $99.99.

Even if you own the games already, you may not want to skip the Last of Us Complete Collector's Edition that PlayStation also announced, which you can preorder now ahead of its July 10 release date. The physical Collector's Edition comes in a newly designed box with brand-new cover art, as well as a steelbook case for the disks. You'll also get a collection of lithographs from various artists featuring characters and moments from the games. It's not a lot of stuff for a Collector's Edition, but at only $10 more than the digital version, it's not a bad deal.

It may be hard to beat both games ahead of the new season's April 13 premiere date, but hey, why not try? Enjoy the journey, and we'll see you on the other side of Season 2.

ChatGPT now remembers even more about your past conversations

Mashable - 5 hours 11 min ago

OpenAI has expanded ChatGPT's existing ability to remember more information about you.

On Thursday, the AI company announced via X that "ChatGPT can now reference all of your past chats to provide more personalized responses." There was already a memory setting that, when toggled on, enabled ChatGPT to remember saved memories and reference them in conversations. But now ChatGPT can remember even more. "In addition to the saved memories that were there before, it can now reference your past chats to deliver responses that feel noticeably more relevant and useful," OpenAI explained in the X thread.

So, even if users haven't explicitly asked ChatGPT to remember information, it can now "reference past conversations automatically."

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman teased the announcement this morning, saying on X, "a few times a year [I] wake up early and can't fall back asleep because we are launching a new feature [I]'ve been so excited about for so long. [T]oday is one of those days!" This tease naturally had AI enthusiasts in a tizzy, anticipating big ChatGPT news about o3, o4-mini, or something equally significant. But no, Altman was just really excited about adding more memory to ChatGPT.

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In February, Google rolled out a feature for Gemini that can similarly recall and reference past conversations. And with Google hosting the Google Cloud Next cloud computing conference this week, a steady drip of Gemini AI news has been released.

If the idea of ChatGPT referencing even more personal information from past conversations is off-putting, OpenAI also announced two new chat settings to control this feature. Users can already turn off "Reference saved memories," which means disabling references to "key facts about, like, your name or preferences," according to an OpenAI spokesperson.

Turning off "Reference chat history" disables ChatGPT's ability to "draw context from past conversations to adapt to your tone, goals, interests, or other recurring topics," the spokesperson explained. The chat history data relating to this setting is not explicitly "stored or shown in settings the way saved memories are," the spokesperson added.

This means it won’t reference past conversations to personalize future chats, but your chats are still stored in your chat history. To go completely anonymous, there’s a Temporary Chat feature — a kind of incognito mode where conversations aren’t stored in chat history and don’t contribute to what ChatGPT remembers about you.

ChatGPT's improved memory is available to ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Pro users starting today, with availability for Team, Enterprise, and Edu subscriptions coming in a few weeks. The memory feature is not available in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

Nintendo Switch 2 tariff impacts: What we know so far

Mashable - 5 hours 14 min ago

Last week, Nintendo showed off the Switch 2. I even got to play it. However, that's where the good news ends.

Barely 48 hours after the big Nintendo Direct livestream, Nintendo put a pause on pre-orders in the United States due to President Donald Trump's wide-ranging tariffs, which were put in place just hours after the Direct. Canada eventually got the same treatment, too.

When the news first broke, Nintendo released a statement that read, "Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged."

We still don't know when pre-orders will go live in the U.S. and Canada, nor do we know if the announced $449.99 launch price will remain in place. As Nintendo fans try to make sense of it all, here's everything we know so far about the Nintendo Switch 2 tariff situation. We'll continue to update this guide as we learn more.

Keep checking Mashable for our latest tariff news and explainers, from higher laptop prices to reports of iPhone 16 panic buying.

SEE ALSO: Want to avoid tariff price hikes? Shop our giant list of 91 refurbished tech deals. Nintendo Switch 2 launch: Will it actually come out in June? This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Since Nintendo isn't currently taking pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the U.S. or Canada, Nintendo fans might be worried that the launch of the console itself is in jeopardy. According to Nintendo, that is definitely not the case. So far, Nintendo has been adamant that the Switch 2's listed launch date of June 5 is still a go, even if you can't lock down a purchase just yet.

To get around the delayed pre-order, American users on X shared screenshots and reports of their failed attempts to circumvent tariffs by ordering the Switch 2 from the Amazon UK store. "Amazon UK" even briefly trended on X.

Of course, the chaotic rollout of the tariffs still leaves a lot of unknowns. On Wednesday, April 9, Trump announced a 90-day pause on most reciprocal tariffs, with the exception of those against China, which now sit well above 100 percent. June 5 is within that 90-day window, and Bloomberg also reported on Wednesday that Nintendo is going to stock up on Switch 2 units produced in Vietnam (rather than China) for the U.S. market in particular. According to Bloomberg, Nintendo should be able to build a substantial stockpile from Vietnam in time for launch. (The tariffs on Vietnam are only 10 percent, as opposed to the 46 percent promised by Trump last week).

For now, it seems like Nintendo will make the June 5 launch date.

Nintendo Switch 2 launch: Will it actually cost $450? A Switch 2 that wasn't impacted by tariffs. Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

While Nintendo takes its time to "assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions," gamers are also wondering how much the new console will cost. The listed price of $450 already raised plenty of eyebrows before the tariffs were implemented. The Switch 2 is already $150 more expensive than the original Switch, which launched in 2017, though inflation has been a big problem in the years since. According to The Verge, the existing Switch 2 price did not factor in potential tariffs.

Still, we're optimistic the retail price will remain the same for the time being.

Michael Futter, co-founder of games industry consultancy F-Squared, told Mashable he expects the Switch 2 to maintain its $450 launch price in the U.S., given the 90-day pause. Bernstein analyst Robin Zhu said the same to Bloomberg, suggesting Nintendo could just eat the 10 percent tariff rate. However, research firm DFC Intelligence suggested in a note this week that the hardware price could rise to as high as $540 over the next two years.

"We are going to see prices rise on everything, including 'Made in the USA' goods that rely on raw materials produced overseas," Futter said in an email.

Nintendo Switch 2 launch: When can I pre-order one?

The final big question: When will Nintendo re-open pre-orders in the U.S. and Canada?

According to Futter, Nintendo isn't going to fast-track this part of the process.

"I think Nintendo is going to wait as long as it possibly can. The volatility around tariffs and other major global economic fluctuations has put anyone and everyone launching a new luxury product in a serious bind," Futter said. "Nintendo won't likely announce a new price or timing around pre-orders until it has a high level of confidence that things won't suddenly shift again."

This was supposed to be a season of major hype for Nintendo, as fans have been waiting on a new Switch console for years. Hopefully, Mario Kart World will actually be in our hands on June 5.

The Samsung Frame Pro is finally here: What to know about the most advanced art TV yet

Mashable - 6 hours 56 min ago

FROM $899.99: Shop Samsung's latest art TVs. Explore The Frame Pro Neo QLED TV starting at $2,199.99 or The Frame QLED TV from $899.99.

Shop Samsung's latest Frame TVs Samsung Samsung The Frame Pro Neo QLED 4K TV From $2,199.99 Shop Now Samsung Samsung The Frame QLED 4K TV From $899.99 Shop Now

Samsung is the innovator of art TVs. The Frame lineup combines the sleek aesthetics of a framed piece of art with the exceptional technology of Samsung's TVs. This year, Samsung debuted two new The Frame models, offering the most powerful processing yet to support AI features.

At CES 2025, we got a preview of Samsung's The Frame Pro and what takes it a step above the standard The Frame. But now that the 2025 models have arrived, here's everything to know about The Frame Pro and 2025 The Frame.

What to know about Samsung's The Frame Pro Neo QLED TV The Frame Pro features Samsung's Vision AI and Artful Color Validation from Pantone. Credit: Samsung

New tech releases usually mean one thing these days: AI. Samsung's The Frame Pro is no different, delivering Samsung's Vision AI to the art TV lineup. But that's just one of the many features of Samsung's new TV.

What sets The Frame Pro TV apart from the rest of The Frame collection are two major differences. The Frame Pro is a Neo QLED TV, aka a fancy way of saying its powered by mini LEDs. In her coverage of the Pro's CES launch, Mashable's Leah Stodart explained what "Neo QLED" actually means: "Samsung's term of endearment for mini LED, which offer more precise lighting due to their ability to be individually controlled, and the fact that there are more of them (compared to larger LED bulbs)." TL;DR: These tiny bulbs provide a wider array of colors for deeper blacks and more vibrant hues.

The Frame Pro takes its aesthetics to a new level with its exclusive compatibility with the Wireless One Connect Box. The box offers wireless transmission to your TV to truly keep wires and cords out of frame, maintaining the illusion that The Frame is just a beautiful work of art.

Designed with Pantone's Artful Color Validation, The Frame Pro brings accurate displays in both TV and art mode. Plus, the anti-reflection with matte display minimizes glare whether you're admiring a work of art from the MoMA or bingeing The White Lotus. The Frame Pro is powered by the NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor and features a 144Hz refresh rate.

The Frame Pro comes in 65-, 75-, and 85-inch models and starts at $2,199.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung The Frame Pro Neo QLED 4K TV $2,199.99 at Samsung
Starts at $2,199.99 Get Deal What to know about Samsung's 2025 The Frame QLED TV With The Frame Pro on the scene, the standard Frame TV is now the affordable entry among Samsung's art TVs. Credit: Samsung

While they might not have Neo QLEDs or wireless transmission, the standard The Frame models remain great. Like The Frame Pro, the new 2025 Frame TVs deliver Artful Color Validation by Pantone, anti-reflection with a matte display, a motion and brightness sensor, and Samsung's Vision AI, which allows for in-entertainment features like click-to-search or live translate.

Plus, at the heart of the new Frame TV is the NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor and 144Hz refresh rate, which can also be found in The Frame Pro.

Unfortunately, the 2025 model isn't compatible with the Wireless One Connect Box like the Pro. However, it does ship with the standard One Connect Box, which connects all your inputs with a single cable.

The 2025 Frame TV comes in 43-, 50-, 55-, and 65-inch models and starts at $899.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung The Frame QLED 4K TV $899.99 at Samsung
Starts at $899.99 Get Deal

Teens really love their iPhones, new survey shows

Mashable - 7 hours 27 min ago

If you have a teen in your life, this might not come as a shock. A new survey from the investment bank Piper Sandler Companies shows that teens really do prefer iPhones — at least, that's the device they're using.

The majority of teens — a whopping 88 percent — own an iPhone. This is backed by data from MIT's App Inventor, which showed that while Android systems are the most popular choice of smartphone globally, young people — particularly members of Gen Z and millennials — are more likely to be iPhone users.

What's more, a quarter of the teens surveyed by Piper Sandler Companies say they're planning to upgrade to an iPhone 17 when Apple launches its new lineup of mobile devices this fall. There are good reasons a teenager might want a new iPhone, beyond the perpetual drive to own the newest, hottest gadget. Rumors have it that the iPhone 17 will have a nicer camera, be thinner, have a 120Hz display, and come with Dynamic Island support.

SEE ALSO: Apple's iPhone 17 might come with a big selfie camera upgrade

According to analyst Jeff Pu, the new phone will also have a 24-megapixel front camera — a significant increase from the iPhone 16's 12-megapixel front camera.

Keep in mind, these are all rumors, but a good camera might be a pretty big deciding factor for the 87 percent and 79 percent of teens who, respectfully, use Instagram and TikTok at least monthly, according to the survey. Snapchat is the third most-used social media app among teens at 72 percent, and Netflix is the number one choice for daily video consumption.

Neutrinos Are Shrinking, and That’s a Good Thing for Physics

NYT Technology - 7 hours 32 min ago
A new estimate of the ghostly particle’s maximum possible mass brings physicists a tad closer to understanding the universe.

Nintendo Switch Game Console Release Is Whipsawed by Tariff Threats

NYT Technology - 7 hours 54 min ago
The company moved most of its manufacturing to Vietnam from China to avoid tariffs. But the unpredictability of President Trump’s plans have thrown Nintendo for a loop.

Google debuts more Gemini updates: New Workspace tools, Gemini 2.5 Flash, and agentic AI

Mashable - 8 hours 6 min ago

To no one's surprise, there have been a lot of AI-related announcements at the Google Cloud Next event. Even less surprising: Google's annual cloud computing conference has focused on new versions of its flagship Gemini model and advances in AI agents.

So, for those following the whiplash competition between AI heavy hitters like Google and OpenAI, let's unpack the latest Gemini updates.

SEE ALSO: Google reveals Reddit Answers is powered by Gemini AI

On Wednesday, Google announced Gemini 2.5 Flash, a "workhorse" that has been adapted from its most advanced Gemini 2.5 Pro model. Gemini 2.5 Flash has the same build as 2.5 Pro but has been optimized to be faster and cheaper to run. The model's speed and cost-efficiency are possible because of its ability to adjust or "budget" its processing power based on the desired task. This concept, known as "test-time compute," is the emerging technique that reportedly made DeepSeek's R1 model so cheap to train.

Gemini 2.5 Flash isn't available just yet, but it's coming soon to Vertex AI, AI Studio, and the standalone Gemini app. On a related note, Gemini 2.5 Pro is now available in public preview on Vertex AI and the Gemini app. This is the model that has recently topped the leaderboards in the Chatbot Arena.

Google is also bringing these models to Google Workspace for new productivity-related AI features. That includes the ability to create audio versions of Google Docs, automated data analysis in Google Sheets, and something called Google Workspace Flows, a way of automating manual workflows like managing customer service requests across Workspace apps.

Agentic AI, a more advanced form of AI that reasons across multiple steps, is the main driver of the new Google Workspace features. But it's a challenge for all models to access the requisite data to perform tasks. Yesterday, Google announced that it's adopting the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open-source standard developed by Anthropic that enables "secure, two-way connections between [developers'] data sources and AI-powered tools," as Anthropic explained.

"Developers can either expose their data through MCP servers or build AI applications (MCP clients) that connect to these servers," read a 2024 Anthropic announcement describing how it works. Now, according to Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, Google is adopting MCP for its Gemini models.

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This will effectively allow Gemini models to quickly access the data they need, producing more reliable responses. Notably, OpenAI has also adopted MCP.

And that was just the first day of Google Cloud Next. Day two will likely bring even more announcements, so stay tuned.

The Last of Us Season 1 Recap: Everything you need to remember before watching season 2

Mashable - 8 hours 20 min ago

What are Clickers, again? What happened in Salt Lake? Who are the Fireflies? Mashable Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards takes you through everything you need to know about 'The Last of Us' before the long-awaiting premiere of season 2.

The Last of Us Season 2 premieres April 13 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

Slash $1,800 off the 85-inch Samsung Frame TV and upgrade your living room

Mashable - 8 hours 27 min ago

SAVE $1,800: As of April 10, get the 85-inch Samsung Frame TV for $2,499.99, down from its usual price of $4,299.99. That's a discount of 45%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Frame 85-inch TV $2,499.99 at Samsung
$4,299.99 Save $1,800 Get Deal

There are tons of ways you can upgrade a home theater. Soundbars and speakers are one great idea to enhance the experience. But a bigger TV is the best option, especially if you have the means to make a theater-like room in your home. You can accomplish that with this deal on a chic TV from Samsung.

As of April 10, get the 85-inch Samsung Frame TV for $2,499.99, down from its usual price of $4,299.99. That's $1,800 off and a discount of 45%. There are other sizes available as well, so you can opt for different versions if you don't have enough room in your home for this one.

SEE ALSO: I think $648 for this 75-inch Sony Google TV is absurdly good — $650 off and made for PlayStation 5

This massive TV is known for its ability to be used as a "canvas" or "frame," as its name implies. You can choose from a wide variety of artwork from Samsung to display when the TV is not in use. Thanks to its matte finish that's meant to reduce reflections and glare, it really does look like a piece of framed artwork that you have on your wall, so it can pull double duty as a TV and decor.

You get a 4K QLED display with a Tizen UI and support for various apps and settings that you can customize to your liking. It also comes with a wall mount so you can put it up on the wall like a regular art canvas. There are other bezel options to match your decor as well, so it won't clash with what you choose.

Of note is the fact that the 2025 models of the Frame TV just debuted, which makes it a great time to jump on one of these older models while they're still in stock. They'll likely sell out quickly at these prices.

Keep cool with $40 off a Google Nest Learning Thermostat

Mashable - 9 hours 56 sec ago

SAVE $40: As of April 10, get the Google Nest Learning Thermostat for $239.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $279.99. That's a discount of 15%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Nest Learning Thermostat $239.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $40 Get Deal

If you're the type of person who dreads getting up to change your thermostat, you need a smart thermostat. They're the perfect solution for saving money on energy bills, and they don't require you to leave your seat when you get a little too cold or hot in your home. Now's a great time to take the plunge with this Amazon deal.

As of April 10, get the Google Nest Learning Thermostat for $239.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $279.99. That's a discount of $40, or 15%. Currently, this price applies to the Polished Obsidian and Polished Silver colorways. The Polished Silver option is a tiny bit more at $239.98.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: The Fitbit Google Ace LTE is down to its lowest price on record

This thermostat can learn the temperature and schedule that you like in your home, with automatic adjustments and alterations based on the way you use it. Not only can you make changes to the temperature and other options directly from your phone or with Alexa and other smart assistants, but it can automatically request to make them for you.

The Nest Temperature Sensor on board will manage the hot or cold spots in your home to help make the temperature more even throughout, and you can place the sensor in any room to help make it easier to detect these areas. It works with most 2V systems and doesn't require a C wire for installation.

With a larger display than its predecessor, a classy design, and plenty of different features to help you keep your home feeling comfortable, this smart thermostat is one you'll want to snag while you can at a discount. It's only going to get hotter as the months stretch out.

Attention pet owners: The Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum is over $80 off at Amazon

Mashable - 9 hours 4 min ago

SAVE $80.99: The Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum is on sale at Amazon for $179, down from the normal price of $259.99. That's a 31% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum $179 at Amazon
$259.99 Save $80.99 Get Deal

We can all agree that pets are some of the brightest aspects of life. If we made a scrapbook about our entire lives, at least half of the pages would be dedicated to pet photos. Like all of the best things, we can come up with a few negatives about pet ownership, including the never-ending supply of pet hair. If you're searching for an efficient and effective way of removing pet hair, check out this Shark vacuum deal at Amazon.

As of April 10, the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum is on sale at Amazon for $179, marked down from the normal price of $259.99. That's a 31% discount that takes $80.99 off the list price.

It's not always easy to clean up after pets, especially when it comes to stubborn pet hair. With an affinity for getting embedded into the new rug or suctioned to the upholstery on the couch, cleaning up pet hair is no one's favorite chore. Shark aims to ease our pain with the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum thanks to the suction power and the bristle brush roll.

Suitable for both hard floor and carpets, this Shark model can get about 40 minutes of runtime on a single charge. Since it weights about 7.5 pounds, it's great for maneuvering under the furniture or for vacuuming the stairs. The LED headlight is helpful for cleaning those dark corners and the wand is ideal for cleaning high spots like the light fixtures and curtains. Plus, it can convert into a handheld vacuum.

Shark uses some clever designs with this model including an XL dust bin which won't need to be emptied out as often. HEPA filtration is also great for collecting dust and debris without worrying about it flying back into the air. That's also a huge benefit during spring pollen season.

SEE ALSO: Too much pollen? Breathe easier with 15% off a Levoit Air Purifier.

Instead of using a lint roller on all the furniture, suction up pet hair with the Shark Pet Cordless Cordless Stick Vacuum. Since it's on sale at Amazon for $179, taking 31% off the normal price, now's a great time to upgrade.

How to watch the Masters 2025 live for free

Mashable - 9 hours 21 min ago
How to watch the 2025 Masters live: BEST OVERALL Masters App 100% free Get Deal BEST FREE TRIAL YouTube TV 21-day free trial, then $59.99/month for two months Get Deal BEST FOR CBS BROADCASTS Paramount+ with Showtime Free 7-day trial, then $12.99/month Get Deal BEST FOR ESPN BROADCASTS ESPN+ $11.99/month Get Deal

The 89th Masters Tournament tees off today, April 10, at Augusta National Golf Club. The biggest names in golf are gathering on the green to compete for the iconic green jacket, including last year's champ Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, John Rahm, and Xander Schauffele.

The year's first major championship is now underway — and fortunately, golf fans have plenty of ways to watch the action unfold live. And with 95 players in the field, the largest in a decade, there's sure to be plenty of highlights. And thanks to The Masters App — the best sports app in the world, bar none — you can watch every single swing. Unlike some sports broadcasts (we're looking at you, NFL), it's actually very easy to watch the Masters 2025 online for free.

SEE ALSO: Watch 'Happy Gilmore 2' trailer: Adam Sandler is back on the golf course

Here's everything you need to know to tune in live.

When is the Masters 2025 Tournament?

The first round of the tournament began around 7:25 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 10. Honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson — who have 11 Masters titles between them — teed off on Tea Olive, the first hole at Augusta National. The golf tournament will then run through Sunday, April 13. Check out the full Masters schedule in the FAQ below.

How to watch the Masters

If you have cable:

The Masters will air across two channels from Thursday through Sunday: ESPN and CBS. The first two rounds will air on ESPN beginning at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday and Friday, while the final two rounds will air on CBS beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. The Golf Channel will also air coverage of the tournament live each day.

If you don't have cable:

No cable? No problem. It's the age of streaming, after all. You'll be able to stream the first two rounds of the Masters on ESPN+ and the final two rounds on Paramount+ with Showtime, which includes access to your local CBS channel live. You can also follow your favorite golfers on the Masters app, or simply visit Masters.com to watch each round online for free. If you're watching on the go or on your computer, the Masters app and website are definitely your best bet.

Another option is to sign up for a live TV streaming service, such as YouTube TV or Fubo, which includes both CBS and ESPN in the channel lineup. Both services offer free trials to newbies.

Can I watch the Masters for free?

Yes! Each round of the Masters will stream live on Masters.com and on the Masters app for viewers in the United States. Of course, this limits you to using a mobile device or a computer (or screen mirroring the feed to your TV). But it's completely free, so it's easy to look past that. Honestly, we couldn't recommend it enough. As Mashable's associate culture editor Tim Marcin writes, it's pretty incredible that "a four-day golf tournament has created the best app in sports."

Opens in a new window Credit: Augusta National, Inc. Masters App 100% free Learn More

Another option to watch for free is to sign up for a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription, which gives newbies a free one-week trial. This will give you live access to your local CBS network for the final two rounds of the Masters. Unfortunately, ESPN+ does not offer a free trial for the first two rounds, but live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and Fubo offer access to ESPN and free trials to their services. We recommend Youtube TV for its free 21-day trial period and comprehensive coverage of the Masters and more.

Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV Free 21-day trial, then $59.99/month for two months Get Deal

Other free trial options:

Metas M3GAN chatbot is a nightmare for moviegoers

Mashable - 9 hours 30 min ago

Going to the movies these day is a crapshoot. People might scroll on their phones or record the screen the whole time. Audiences may lose their damn minds over "chicken jockey." And thanks to a new announcement from Meta and Blumhouse, the production company behind horror films like M3GAN and The Woman in the Yard, the moviegoing experience might be about to get a whole lot worse.

SEE ALSO: Why is everyone using their phones in movie theaters?

On April 9, Blumhouse revealed it would be re-releasing three of its biggest hits — Annabelle, Ma, and M3GAN — for its Halfway to Halloween festival, part of the company's 15-year anniversary celebration.

For the April 30 M3GAN re-release, Blumhouse teamed up with Meta for the first use of Meta's Movie Mate, a chatbot audiences can activate by messaging the M3GAN Instagram account. In turn, the chatbot will give audiences real-time trivia, behind-the-scenes facts, and exclusive content. The whole thing is intended to promote M3GAN 2.0 and elevate the so-called "second-screen experience," but really, it feels more like a free pass for people to use their phones in the movie theater.

Even without the irony of creating an AI chatbot tied to a movie about a killer AI doll, Movie Mate is a horrendous ploy that will ruin the theatrical experience, which is all about communally absorbing a movie to its fullest extent. And I don't care if the Movie Mate experience is limited to specific screenings — its existence encourages people who use it to believe this behavior is okay in other screenings. No one deserves to have a movie be ruined by the bright phone light of their seatmate looking up who's in the film. That's what the credits (and frantic post-movie googling) are for! Otherwise, the second-screen experience should just stay where it belongs: at home.

Sinners review: Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan deliver a vampire movie for the ages

Mashable - 9 hours 42 min ago

Fruitvale Station. Creed. Black Panther. Together, Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan have built a cinema collaboration transcending genre. They've leaped from heart-wrenching biographical drama to soul-warming sports drama to a politically daring superhero movie that is undoubtedly the best the MCU has produced. Now, they reunite for a vampire movie with Sinners, and not only make one of the greatest vampire horror movies ever made, but also easily one of the best movies of the year.

Written and directed by Coogler, Sinners re-imagines vampires, making them a uniquely American monster and, moreover, reflective of his experience as a Black artist operating in a society in which white men often have control over the financing of art. And though the film has a literal preacher, Sinners is not preachy. It's poignant, provocative, and profound. It's also scary, funny, and it will fuck you up.  I laughed. I gasped. I screamed, and I wept. Let's get into why.

Michael B. Jordan plays beguiling gangster twins in Sinners.  Michael B. Jordan plays twins Smoke and Stack in "Sinners." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Following Mickey 17 and Alto Knights, Sinners is curiously the third movie Warner Bros. has released in 2025 that features an A-list actor playing two roles. In Sinners, Michael B. Jordan plays both of the Smokestack Twins. Nicknamed Smoke and Stack, they were born and raised in Clarksdale, Mississippi, but made bank up in Chicago, where, according to the rumors, they worked for Al Capone. Seven years later, it's 1932, and the twins are back in town and fixing to found a juke joint "for us, by us," as Stack puts it.

Mostly set in one 24-hour period, Sinners follows Smoke, Stack, and their awestruck cousin Samuel (Miles Canton, terrific in his debut role), who dreams of playing the blues, as the twins prepare for opening night. That means buying a local mill to house their juke joint and building a crew to run the bar, fry the catfish, play music, and guard the door. Within the rollicking excitement of this first act, Coogler creates a vivid world of complicated relationships, love, loss, lust, and Hoodoo. Meanwhile, Jordan gives not just the performance of his career, but two of them. 

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

At first sight, the twins are easy to tell apart: Smoke wears blue and Stack favors red. But even without this sartorial visual cue, they are instantly distinctive because of Jordan's firm grasp on their differences. The planner, Smoke, is rigid, standing tall and firm, his tone crisp and serious, even when he's cajoling his former lover, Hoodoo conjurer Annie (a radiant Wunmi Mosaku), into helping him out one more time. Meanwhile, Stack's posture is suavely relaxed, his attitude devil-may-care. His red fedora suggests he's a romantic rogue, as does the snarling unplanned reunion with his ex, Mary (a ferocious Hailee Steinfeld), who may be married to a rich, white farmer, but won't be ignored.

With seamless compositing and visual effects, Coogler knits Jordan's two performances into a series of face-offs as the brothers disagree over little things — like whether to accept wooden nickels from cash-strapped clientele or what to do about some unexpected guests to their opening night. Every step along the way, Coogler and Jordan are elegant in building the Smokestack Twins' world, rich with friends, family, and charismatic characters, like a happily drunken harmonica player called Delta Slim (a sublime Delroy Lindo). Their world building is so enveloping that I began to wish Sinners were a series instead of a movie, just so I could spend more time with them before their community is ripped apart by supernatural fangs. 

Sinners vampire seeks not just blood, but souls and music.  Michael B. Jordan and Miles Canton embrace in "Sinners." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

By the time the vampire comes careening into Sinners, you might have forgotten it's a horror story at all. Sure, a bloody opening scene promises that preacher's son Samuel will come through a horrid event. But the world of Sinners is so grounded in the rigorous rationale of Smoke and Stack that an immortal bloodsucker nearly seems out of place. This is keenly scripted by Coogler, because we, like the twins, might build our lives with all we understand to ignore the threats we don't — doing so at our own peril. 

This is the twins' world, but it is Samuel's story. His gift of playing the blues, weaving compelling tales as he sings his heart out while playing his gorgeous guitar, is a magical power. In a solemn, soulful voiceover at the film's start, a narrator connects this sacred tradition across cultures, including Western Africa, explaining that such artists can heal their communities through song, but also that their talent attracts evil.

Indeed, a white vampire named Remmick (a hauntingly creepy Jack O'Connell), who begins his coven with a couple of Ku Klux Klan members, is drawn to the juke joint's opening night by Samuel's music. This creative cousin's song is so powerful that it transcends time, which Coogler displays in a heady musical number.

SEE ALSO: 25 of the best movies by Black creators to watch on Netflix now

As Samuel plays his guitar and sings, dancers and singers across Black culture appear in the juke joint. Alongside the revelers in their 1930s attire pops up a '70s funk guitarist with an afro, rocking out while an '80s breakdancer busts a move in a sharp sweatsuit. A DJ spins records and spits bars as fly girls twerk alongside West African tribespeople, bedecked in shells, beads, and ceremonial masks. It's a glorious celebration of Black culture, rallying under one roof. And the vampires want in or — as a vision overlays the wooden structure — to burn it all down.

Their attacks will be manipulative, using the language of "fellowship." But it's ultimately the promise of money that gives them an opening. Like many movie bloodsuckers who've come before, Coogler's vampires are averse to garlic and must be invited inside to enter a building. But beyond blood, Coogler's creatures are carnivorous of the very spirit of their victims, adding their memories to a hive mind controlled by their master Remmick. He taunts the twins that he can see the memories of all he eats, and that if he gets Samuel in his clutches, those songs will be his.

This spiritual cannibalization deepens the horror of Sinners. On a surface level, Coogler satisfies on vampire carnage. His monsters boast gnarly fangs, glowing red eyes, and an invincibility that means they can be shot, stabbed, and bleeding out yet still cackle and run away — or even dance.

In sequences of vampire ambush, Black Panther editor Michael P. Shawver builds tension by cutting from outside the mill, where the monsters lurk, to an inside moment of human revelry. The blow the monsters strike will not be shown. In denying us the view of the hit, we are robbed of the relief of its conclusion; instead, our anxiety worsens as we wonder what else is coming. The violence these stalking vampires do will be grisly, leaving gaping wounds in necks and jaws. Yet it is the threat of their cannibalizing Samuel's music — and thereby Black culture — for their insatiable conquest that is the most rattling. 

Sinners is a stupendous and scary movie. Michael B. Jordan readies for war in "Sinners." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

For those with no interest in subtext, Sinners can function as a solidly scary vampire movie in the vein of Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's From Dusk Till Dawn, which also featured brothers trapped overnight in a club by ravenous vampires. Coogler's riff on that idea is enriched by the period drama that is the first act, building intrigue with the Smokestack Twins' notorious reputation, the tension over Samuel's desire to chase the music despite his preacher father's warning that it's the devil's journey, and the women who want these men, despite the obstacles of reputation, racism, and husbands. Then, the heart-pumping music that plays within the film, sung by heroes and villains alike, brings a greater resonance to its drama and horror.

Moving deeper into the movie's meaning, it's easy to imagine that Coogler and Jordan are reflecting, through the lens of horror, their own experiences in Hollywood. Together, they've made five films, including Creed III, which Jordan directed; each one centered on Black heroes and Black culture. Like the twins and Samuel, they are building something for their community, by their community. And they are doing so in an industry in which Black characters have long been denied the spotlight by a studio system run predominantly by white men.

Take for example, Coogler and Jordan's Black Panther, the box office smash that finally put a Black hero in the lead, casting the late Chadwick Boseman, but only after 17 MCU films preceded it. For Sinners to focus on a blues musician reflects the historical cannibalization of Black culture within American art, particularly in music. The birth of rock n' roll is often credited to Elvis, but his inspirations were Little Richard, Fats Domino, and Big Mama Thornton. More recently, though Black artists pioneered the genres of hip hop and rap, a series of controversies — involving Macklemore and Kendrick Lamar, Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj — have centered on how white performers seem to have a critical advantage in this space, often getting Grammy notice over their Black peers or influences.

This reality plays into Remmick's hunger and the symbolism of the gold coins that he carries as a lure. Just let him in, and the gold is yours. But through Sinners, Coogler and Jordan warn the true cost of such a Faustian deal could be your creative soul. This rich white man views them not as artists, but as commodities to be acquired, not treasured.

In that, Sinners is more than a hell of a thrilling vampire movie. Like Black Panther, it expands beyond the expectations of its genre to become a magnificent film, emanating with spirit, power, and purpose. Smoothly blending vampire horror into a unique tale of regret, resilience, and redemption, Coogler and Jordan have made a cinematic marvel that is terrifying, satisfying, and unforgettable. 

Sinners opens in theaters and IMAX on April 18.

Want to avoid tariff price hikes? Shop our giant list of 91 refurbished tech deals.

Mashable - 9 hours 49 min ago
The best refurbished tech deals of April 2025: Best refurbished Amazon device deal Like-New Fire TV Stick $17.99 (save $17) Get Deal Best refurbished Apple device deal Refurbished Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,359 (save $240) Get Deal Best refurbished Dyson device deal Refurbished Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean Extra $399.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best refurbished Samsung device deal Geek Squad Certified Refurbished Samsung Galaxy S24+ (256GB) $699.99 (save $300) Get Deal Best refurbished gaming console deal Nintendo Switch (Refurbished) $259.99 (save $40) Get Deal

Buying refurbished is an excellent way to save on tech. That's true even when historic tariffs aren't threatening to raise prices on brand-new devices. (As an added bonus, you're also diverting still-usable products from a landfill.)

Refurbished devices are effectively immune from the recent price hikes triggered by President Donald Trump's tariffs on imported goods since they're already made and readily available. That could change if current-generation prices get so high that secondhand demand skyrockets, or if trade-in inventories dwindle as consumers hold onto their existing devices for longer. For now, there are still plenty of refurbished deals on tech gadgets, including popular laptops, smartphones, earbuds, smartwatches, gaming consoles, and vacuums.

SEE ALSO: Trump tariff news: iPhones getting snapped up, laptop sales disrupted – what we know

Read on for the Mashable Shopping team's running list of the best refurbished tech deals as of April 10. The U.S. tariff drama isn't ending anytime soon, so we plan on updating this guide every week.

How will President Trump’s tariffs affect you? Keep checking Mashable for our latest tariff news and explainers, from delayed Nintendo Switch 2 preorders to reports of iPhone 16 panic buying.

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Here we go again: Rumor points to foldable iPads and iPhones coming in 2026

Mashable - 9 hours 55 min ago

It's time for yet another foldable Apple device rumor.

This one comes courtesy of analyst Jeff Pu, who said in a new research note seen by 9to5Mac that Apple is planning on mass producing not one but two foldable devices in late 2026. Specifically, Apple will allegedly sell a 7.8-inch foldable iPhone and an 18.8-inch foldable iPad.

You'd be wise to take this prediction with a grain of salt, not because Pu's credibility is in question (it's not), but because we've heard this many times before. We were hearing all the way back in 2021 that Apple would launch a foldable iPhone in 2023, and that didn't happen. Interestingly, there's also a recent contradictory Bloomberg report from Mark Gurman, a prominent Apple prognosticator, saying the foldable iPad is coming in 2028.

SEE ALSO: Apple, Dell, and Microsoft among tech companies rushing product shipments ahead of tariff deadline, report says

There is a chance a foldable iPhone could launch in 2026, as Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that is when Apple could start selling its long-rumored foldable. Kuo also said that prices could be as high as $2,000, and he didn't say anything about a folding tablet. Gurman has also stated he expects a foldable iPhone to go on sale in 2026. So far, Pu is alone in predicting a 2026 launch for the foldable iPad. That doesn't necessarily mean he's wrong, of course, but it does mean that someone is wrong.

Samsung has had a lot of success with its recent foldable devices, and Google hopped back into the fray with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold last year. That makes Apple the biggest phone manufacturer in the U.S. without a foldable device in its portfolio. Maybe in 18 months it will have one, or two, or zero.

Get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Pro for just A$49

Mashable - 10 hours 4 min ago

TL;DR: Outfit your PC with a license for Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows for just A$49 (reg. A$374) through 27 April. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows AU$49
AU$374 Save AU$325 Get Deal

When something has serious staying power, you know it's good. And what's been around longer in the computer world than Microsoft Office? These go-to programs got us through school in the '90s and '00s, and they're still helping us tackle our 9-to-5s today. 

Rediscover the power of these beloved apps with this Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows license. It's just A$49, A$325 off the usual price, now through 27 April. 

These Microsoft Office apps have always been there for us

If you've been living without Microsoft Office staples, you're in luck. You can rekindle your love for these classics with this Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 license for less than $5 an app.

You'll get lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher and Access on your PC with this deal. It's an instant delivery and download, so right after purchase, you'll have your software license keys and download links to get started.

Wondering why you would want to go vintage with this 2019 version? Though it's not the newest, it's the most cost-effective. By owning your license, you avoid monthly subscription fees that Office 365 requires.

You can also easily work offline, a great option for those who spend a lot of time traveling. And there's no reliance on the cloud, offering better security and more control over your data.

Despite being an older version, all documents made with Office 19 are fully compatible with Office 365 and Office 2021. 

This Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 license is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019, so it's a great option if you haven't yet moved to Windows 11. 

Secure your own license for Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows for just A$49 now through 27 April. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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