- Help
- Google+
TL;DR: Through March 30, get a PDF Expert Premium Plan lifetime subscription for Mac on sale for $97.99 (reg. $139.99).
Opens in a new window Credit: Readdle Limited PDF Expert Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (Mac) $97.99Adobe subscriptions are like gym memberships. You pay for them every month, but unless you use them every single day, they’re kind of a waste of money. A far more affordable alternative is a lifetime PDF editor that doesn’t charge subscription fees.
PDF Expert is a great option for Mac users, with a 4.6-star rating on the App Store. After you pay once for this license, you’re able to use it on your current Mac and all future devices. Save $42 on lifetime access through March 30.
Check out its featuresEdit PDFs effortlessly: Fix typos, add images, and insert links directly into your documents — no more retyping or reformatting.
Annotate like a pro: Highlight important information, add comments, and use custom stamps for efficient reviews and collaboration.
Organize your documents: Merge, split, rearrange, and rotate PDF pages to create neat files.
Convert PDFs to and from various formats: Seamlessly convert PDFs to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.
Fill out and sign forms instantly: Complete interactive forms, add electronic signatures, and redact sensitive information in a few clicks.
Make scanned documents searchable: Use OCR to recognize text in scanned PDFs, allowing you to search, highlight, and copy content.
This Adobe Acrobat alternative is only on sale for $97.99 until March 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT (reg. $139.99). No coupon is needed to get this price.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional is just $14.97 for new users (reg. $249.99). It’s your visual sidekick for diagramming, data storytelling, org charts, and more — without the subscription baggage.
We’ve all sat through presentations that felt more like brain fog generators than business meetings. Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional was created to help with that — and allow you room to let your nerd flag fly. It's a diagramming powerhouse that turns complex data into visual clarity. Thanks to this limited-time offer, new users can get a lifetime license for just $14.97.
What makes Visio such a standout? It helps you tell your data’s story — without boring your team to tears. Flowcharts, org charts, network maps, floor plans, you name it. Visio lets you build it.
Need to diagram a new org structure? Boom. Automate it straight from Excel or Microsoft Entra ID. Planning a new office layout? You’ll find scalable templates with the precision of an architect and none of the stress. Visio also helps make your entire workflow feel less like a jigsaw puzzle and more like a TED Talk.
This version of Visio is loaded with pro-level features, including advanced collaboration tools, standards-compliant diagram validation, and support for BPMN 2.0, UML 2.5, and IEEE diagrams. And for the data-driven among us, Visio can help you fully embrace data storytelling — a rapidly growing trend in business intelligence.
Gartner even predicts that 75 percent of all data will be consumed through storytelling by the end of this year. Visio makes it easier to link live data, craft compelling visuals, and present info that sticks.
Best of all, this is a one-time purchase. No recurring subscriptions, no sneaky auto-renewals — just powerful diagramming software that’s yours to keep.
Whether you're a project manager, engineer, or spreadsheet sorcerer, this well-loved MS software brings your big ideas to life fast.
Don't miss getting a lifetime of MS Visio Pro 2021 while it's just $14.97 (reg. $249.99).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional: Lifetime License for Windows $14.97TL;DR: Get two drones equipped with 4k cameras for the price of one with this Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle PRO 4K and Blade K Drone bundle, on sale for $99.97 through March 30.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Dragon Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle PRO 4K with Blade K Drone Bundle $99.97Hoping to spend more time in the great outdoors this spring? Drone photography sounds like an expensive hobby, but it's never been more affordable thanks to this Ninja Dragon bundle.
Right now, you can bring home two 4K smart drones for less than the price of one, as The Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle PRO 4K and Blade K Drone are currently on sale for just $99.97 (reg. $299) through March 30.
See the world from a bird's eye viewIf you're looking for a new hobby that works with the warmer weather, look no further than taking your drone out for a spin. The Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle PRO 4K and Blade K Drone are both great for beginners and pro photographers alike, and each offers high-resolution 4K cameras.
First up is the Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle Pro, which offers an HD ESC (electronic stabilization control) three-camera system. This lets you shoot crystal-clear images and take smooth videos from both vertical and horizontal angles.
Enjoy 360-degree filming while the four-way obstacle avoidance feature lets even first-time drone pilots fly safely. An optical flow hovering feature provides stability and accurate positioning as you find places you'd like to take pictures.
The Ninja Dragon Blade K includes a 4K front and bottom camera so that photos can be taken at any angle during flight. It also includes four-way anti-collision, so your flights are smooth and safe, as well as an optical flow sensor and intuitive controls that let you hover and get a great shot.
A one-key return function makes this model great for kids and beginners, letting the drone come back after a flight with just the push of a button.
Both of these drones include headless mode, so flight direction is controlled by the remote. Each drone is also equipped with foldable arms, making it easy to bring along on any adventure.
Start your drone photography hobby with the Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle PRO 4K and Blade K Drone bundle, now just $99.99 (reg. $299) through March 30.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Rediscover and protect precious memories with this Kodak Slide N Scan Film and Slide Scanner, now just $164.97 (reg. $224.99) through March 30.
Whether you've never given up on film or are strictly digital and found some old negatives in the attic, the Kodak Slide N Scan bridges the gap between old and new media. This handy device lets you safeguard precious old memories, and right now, it's just $164.97 until March 30.
Bring the past into the future with this film scannerClassic never goes out of style, so we hope you saved all those film negatives. The Kodak Slide N Scan is ready to bring them into 2025.
This state-of-the-art device scans color and black and white negatives and standard slides and helps you make digital copies. You can bring memories back to life before your eyes, dropping them right in the digital age for safe keeping.
You can also enhance film images as you go with Kodak Slide N Scan. It lets you make color adjustments, rotate them, and even boost the resolution from 14 to 22 megapixels to make the digital version clear and more detailed.
The Slide N Scan is straightforward to use — even if you prefer film because you hate dealing with technology. The quick-feeding tray technology makes slides and film negatives easy to load, and you can see what you're scanning thanks to the large 5-inch LCD screen.
Want to make an event out of it? You can connect the scanner to your television, PC, or Mac and enjoy a slideshow experience as you scan. After you're done, you'll have successfully transferred your film memories to digital copies for extra peace of mind.
Discover old gems in the attic and clear up some storage space with this user-friendly digitizing device. It's compatible with 35mm, 110, 126, and Monochrome film and slide types.
Bring home a Kodak Slide N Scan for just $164.97, 26% off the usual price now through March 30.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Slide N Scan Film & Slide Scanner $164.97Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Teams in the US capital
Green: Moves on skates
Blue: Coaches past the round of 32
Purple: Retired soccer team names
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: DC sports teams
Green: Figure skating jumps
Blue: Men's basketball coaches in Sweet 16
Purple: Former MLS team names
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #184 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayDC Sports teams - CAPITALS, MYSTICS, NATIONALS, WIZARDS
Figure skating jumps - AXEL, LOOP, LUTZ, SALCHOW
Men's basketball coaches in the Sweet 16 - OATS, PAINTER, PEARL, POPE
Former MLS team names - BURN, FUSION, METROSTARS, MUTINY
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
The Daily Show's Ronny Chieng has weighed in on Trump administration's now infamous Signal group chat, in which U.S. officials planned to bomb Yemen without realising that national security advisor Michael Waltz had inadvertently added The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg to the conversation.
"Is anyone else kind of upset that we're conducting war by emoji now?" quipped Chieng, noting that Waltz reacted the air strikes with a string of emojis.
SEE ALSO: The Trump administration accidentally texted military plans to a journalist. The White House says it's fine.Skewering Republicans' reactions to the Signal scandal, Chieng pointed out their paradoxical responses of calling the breach a mistake, deriding Goldberg's journalistic integrity, and saying that the leaked chat actually proved the officials' competence.
"So this reporter who is dishonest and sucks is also correct," said Chieng. "You can't use 'it was a mistake' and 'it was fake news.' You gotta pick one."
Chieng also jokingly expressed empathy for the U.S. officials, "who are just trying their best to kill other humans."
"I guarantee that if anyone in this audience had their group chats leaked, it would ruin every single one of your lives," quipped Chieng. "I personally have chats that are actually more sensitive than a missile attack on the Houthis, OK? If you told me that my group chats leaked, and then told me it was just my missile attack one, I'd be like, 'oh my god, thank god, thank god."
U.S. officials' Signal chat debacle has provided bountiful fodder for late show hosts, and Stephen Colbert is feasting. Though Republicans have attempted to spin the embarrassing security breach as somehow demonstrating the Trump administration's competence, Colbert noted that the war planning Signal chat may have violated the Espionage Act.
SEE ALSO: The Trump administration accidentally texted military plans to a journalist. The White House says it's fine."The only reason we know that they were doing any of this is because they accidentally included a journalist!" said the Late Show host. "What else are these 'merit-based hires posting on? What're they doing? Where else? For all we know for just $4.99 a month you might see the launch codes on Only Fans."
Colbert also addressed Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth's attempt to discredit said journalist. When asked by reporters about the incident, Hegseth called The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg "deceitful" and accused him of "[peddling] in garbage."
"Then why. Was he. On the war planning. Group chat," said Colbert, growing increasingly more agitated. "Why. Was he in. The chat! 'This guy's an idiot and everyone hates him.' You're the guys who put him in the chat! You did! 'He's a moron'? Okay then! Don't put him! In the secret chat! If he's a bad guy! Why's he in the chat?!"
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintA green Italian sauce.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerPESTO
Hurdle Word 2 hintA type of drum.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 26, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerBONGO
Hurdle Word 3 hintUsed to cut grass.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 26 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 26, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answerMOWER
Hurdle Word 4 hintA small group of trees.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 26 Hurdle Word 4 answerCOPSE
Final Hurdle hintUsed to make folk music.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerBANJO
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
TL;DR: Through 30 March, grab a lifetime of cloud storage from Koofr on sale for £92.86 (reg. £626.93) with discount code KOOFR.
Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) £92.86So many cloud storage services come with a monthly fee. It may feel cheap at first, but how many of those files are only there temporarily? With every month you pay for cloud storage, the value starts to fade. The cheaper overall alternative is to get cloud storage that lasts for life without needing to pay more than a one-time fee. Take a look at Koofr's offer for a 1TB lifetime cloud storage subscription for £92.86 (reg. £626.93) with code KOOFR.
Koofr takes your privacy seriously with top-notch encryption for your files, both when they're being transferred and while they're stored. They also don’t track your activity, so you can rest easy knowing your data is secure and private.
What really stands out about Koofr is how flexible and user-friendly Koofr is. Whether you're on your smartphone, desktop, or using WebDAV, you can easily access and manage your files from anywhere. The interface is straightforward, so even if you're new to cloud storage, you’ll find it easy to use.
Plus, if you’re already using other cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon, or OneDrive, Koofr integrates smoothly, letting you handle everything from one place.
And for keeping your digital space in order, Koofr has some neat features. The Duplicate Finder helps you eliminate unnecessary duplicates, while advanced renaming options let you customise file links. This way, you can keep your files organised and your digital space clutter-free.
Keep your files safe and sound with a Koofr 1TB Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for £92.86 (reg. £626.93) with promo code KOOFR through 30 March at the Mashable Shop.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Mashable readers can get lifetime access to Headway Premium for just £37.14 (reg. £232.16) through 30 March using the discount code LEVELUP20. Headway transforms spare moments into powerful learning experiences with insights from the world’s best nonfiction.
We all want to learn, grow, and achieve more, but finding the time to read can feel impossible. That’s why Headway Premium is such a game-changer. And at just £37.14 (reg. £232.16) for lifetime access, it's a good time to check it out.
Headway Premium offers a smarter way to learn by delivering concise, engaging summaries of nonfiction bestsellers in just 15 minutes. This lifetime deal provides unlimited access to an ever-growing selection of summaries, allowing you to absorb key ideas, strategies, and insights without the time commitment of traditional reading.
You’ll have lifetime access to Headway’s extensive collection of over 1,500 expertly crafted summaries, with 30 to 50 new additions every month. Whether you want to sharpen your business acumen, enhance your leadership skills, improve your health, or develop better habits, there’s a summary waiting to guide you.
Unlike other learning platforms that require ongoing subscriptions, Headway Premium lets you pay once and learn forever. This single purchase will unlock unlimited access, so you can continue expanding your knowledge without worrying about monthly fees.
This app’s AI-powered personalisation tailors recommendations to your goals and interests, helping you focus on the topics that matter most. And a gamified approach allows you to track progress, earn achievements, and build a sustainable learning habit.
Professionally narrated audio summaries provide an on-the-go learning option so you can absorb key insights while commuting, exercising, or multitasking. Even offline, Headway ensures that learning never stops.
Don't miss out on this steep savings.
Get a lifetime of Headway Premium for just £37.14 (reg. £232.16) when you use the discount code LEVELUP20 through 30 March at the Mashable Shop.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Headway Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription £37.14If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 25 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: In the circle of lifeThe words are animal-related.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words are animals featured in a Disney movie.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is LionKing.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for March 26Zebra
Meerkat
Hyena
LionKing
Warthog
Hornbill
Elephant
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for March 26 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Needed for a dinner party
Green: Grew
Blue: File locations
Purple: Added measurements
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Parts of a table setting
Green: Increased, with "up"
Blue: Kinds of digital storage
Purple: Units of volume plus letter
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #648 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayParts of a table setting: FORK, GLASS, NAPKIN, PLATE
Increased, with "up": FLEW, ROSE, SHOT, THRUST
Kinds of digital storage: CARD, CLOUD, DISK, DRIVE
Units of volume plus letter: BOUNCE, GALLEON, PINOT, QUARTZ
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 26Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for March 26 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for March 26, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:The bend of the arm.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no reoccurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter E.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
ELBOW.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 26Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
Napster was only around for roughly three years before it shut down in 2002. The company faced multiple lawsuits from major record labels and bands like Metallica, as Napster's users freely shared music and other files online. Yet, despite its short life, the peer-to-peer file-sharing platform changed the music industry forever, altering how consumers acquired music and ushering in what eventually would become modern-day music streaming.
Now, 25 years after its launch, Napster was just acquired for a whopping $207 million by a 3D tech company called Infinite Reality. And the company says it has big plans for the Napster brand.
"With this acquisition, we're expanding and reimagining Napster, empowering artists with new audience monetization and engagement capabilities, underpinned by iR’s immersive technology, AI-powered tools, and audience network," Infinite Reality said in a statement.
SEE ALSO: The early internet kept showing us the future, and we rolled our eyes every timeIn a press release, Infinite Reality laid out some of its plans for Napster, including 3D virtual spaces where "fans can enjoy virtual concerts, social listening parties, and other immersive and community-based experiences." Infinite Reality also plans to let artists sell physical and virtual merchandise and event tickets through the platform. Additionally, the company wants to provide brand sponsorship opportunities for artists.
While most internet users know the infamous peer-to-peer version of Napster, the brand has been chugging along for the past decade as a legal, paid music streaming service. Ironically enough, of all the music streaming services, Napster reportedly pays artists the most per play.
According to Infinite Reality, current Napster CEO Jon Vlassopulos will continue with his role as CEO of the company.
“By acquiring Napster, we’re paving a path to a brighter future for artists, fans, and the music industry at large,” said Infinite Reality cofounder and CEO John Acunto. "I firmly believe that the artist-fan relationship is evolving, with fans craving hyper-personalized, intimate access to their favorite artists, while artists are searching for innovative ways to deepen connections with fans and access new streams of revenue. We’re creating the ultimate music platform where artists can thrive in the next wave of digital disruption.”
Major video game franchises like Fortnite have held virtual in-game concerts with great success over the past few years. Other platforms like Turntable.fm, which went viral in 2011 before shuttering in 2013, failed in their attempts to create communities out of digital music streaming. It'll be interesting to see how Infinite Reality approaches the concept, especially as Mark Zuckerberg's Meta backtracks on their own "metaverse" concept.
SAVE $800: As of March 25, the Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum is on sale for $799.99 at Amazon's Big Spring Sale. That's a full 50% off of its original $1,599.99, and its lowest price ever at Amazon.
Roborock Qrevo Master $799.99 at AmazonAmazon never disappoints with robot vacuum deals at its big sales, and the Big Spring Sale is timed perfectly between the Black Friday and Prime Day seasons. A ton of options hit 30% off or more, but as someone who tests robot vacuums for a living, narrowing down my top one or two recommendations for someone is easy. I simply scan the list for my ultimate favorite robot vacuums that I've tested at home.
Lo and behold, the Roborock Qrevo Master (my favorite from all of 2024) is 50% off for the spring sale. Originally retailing at a steep $1,599.99, the Qrevo Master is down to $799.99 — a whole $100 less than its Cyber Monday price a few months ago. Is it still on the premium end of the price scale? Yes. Does it do more than pretty much any other robot vacuum going for $800? Hell yes.
Though the Qrevo Master has been dethroned as the most powerful Roborock I've tested by the new Saros 10R from CES, it's still one of the most solid cleaners you'll find. Its 10,000 Pa of suction is speaking to pet owners keeping up with kibble, kitty litter, or shedding from more than one pet on multiple floor types. I was most psyched about its mopping capabilities, however. The dual spinning mopping design has become my own personal gold standard over a singular flat pad.
This is corner detailing that most Roombas just can't achieve. Credit: Leah Stodart / MashableOne of those spinning pads operates on a hinge that can flex the pad out from under the circular vac to mop along edges or in corners. The visual satisfaction is one thing, but the relief of the mystery sticky stuff along my kitchen counter baseboards being taken care of is priceless.
Other premium features packed into the Qrevo Master include self-washing and drying mopping pads, small obstacle avoidance, and a livestream pet camera on the botvac itself.
For the longest time, I didn't understand the air fryer thing. If I have a perfectly good oven, why do I need another appliance taking up unnecessary counter space? But things changed when the Our Place Wonder Oven entered my life. While I originally received it as a gift, I would buy it 10 times over with my own money.
I don't love the idea of a single-use appliance, especially as an apartment dweller. If something is going to take up precious counter space, it better earn its keeps. The Wonder Oven truly does, as it can toast, reheat, bake, broil, and air fry. It comes with three different trays — an air fryer basket, baking tray, and toasting rack — to help get your cooking jobs done. And not to mention, it's far cuter than your average air fryer. I love the retro-inspired design, and while I wish it had digital controls, the knobs work well.
I've found the Wonder Oven to be key to getting the crispiest bites. Yes, I use it to air fry chicken nuggets to crispy perfection, like any respectable adult, but it does more nuanced jobs, too. On the left of the Wonder Oven is a compartment to add a splash of water so you can use steam to elevate your bakes. I particularly like this feature when it comes to reheating a stale baguette, which magically tastes fresh from the bakery after a trip in the Wonder Oven.
Not to mention, it's the best way to warm up leftover pizza. When set to the reheat setting, leftover slices have crisp crusts and freshly melted cheese.
With Amazon's Big Spring Sale, I was thrilled to see the Our Place Wonder Oven marked down to $145. That saves 17% off its standard $175. While I'd tell you to buy it at full price, I urge you to buy it when it's $30 off. Plus, with summer coming, it's the perfect way to avoid turning on your oven once the heat rolls in.
Character.AI, a leading chatbot platform facing lawsuits related to youth safety issues, introduced a new supervision tool designed to give parents a peek into how their children are using the product.
The "parental insights" feature is meant for caregivers whose children are younger than 18. The tool is accessible via the child's account preferences. From there, the user must add the adult's email address and then invite them to receive a weekly activity report compiled by Character.AI.
SEE ALSO: American Psychological Association sounds alarm over certain AI chatbotsThe report includes daily average time spent on the platform, on both mobile and the web; a list of top characters that the teen engages with frequently; and the time spent with each character. The report doesn't include a transcript of the user's chat with their companions.
If the teen decides to revoke their parents' access to this data, they can do so through their account but that request must be confirmed by the adult.
Character.AI described the feature as a "first step" toward providing parents with information about their child's activity on the platform. In recent months, the company has implemented a number of new safety efforts, including a separate model for teens, as well as disclosures that characters are not real people.
The changes come in the wake of two lawsuits against Character.AI, alleging that the product uniquely harmed children who engaged with it.
In October, bereaved mother Megan Garcia filed a lawsuit after her son, Sewell Setzer III, died by suicide following intense communications with a character on the platform. In December, two mothers in Texas filed another lawsuit against Character.AI alleging that the company knowingly exposed their children to harmful and sexualized content.
The company said in its announcement about the parental insights feature that it would keep refining the tool: "We will continue to listen to teens, their parents, and leading teen safety organizations as we evolve our parental insights tool to most effectively meet our community’s needs."
A24's upcoming The Legend of Ochi promises a return to handcrafted fantasy adventure films, and the studio has released a first-look featurette to prove it.
The first look opens with a behind-the-scenes shot of the film's hero, Yuri (Helena Zengel), riding a shopping cart down a grocery store aisle. On her back is a small golden-furred creature like something out of Gremlins. This is one of the Ochi, a mystical being from Yuri's home island of Carpathia. It's also a remarkable puppet.
SEE ALSO: 'The Legend of Ochi' trailer unveils the cutest movie monster of the year"As we were shooting, you could see all five puppeteers standing around in plain clothes, and if you looked at the puppet, you were like, 'That's a real living thing,'" writer-director Isaiah Saxon says in the first look.
The featurette shows more examples of the puppets — and even an Ochi exoskeleton! — in action, as well as a deeper look at the fantastical journey Yuri must undertake to reunite her Ochi friend with its mother.
"There is a slow dial that gets turned up towards fantasy and magic over the course of the film," Saxon says. "Growing up, I felt that the deepest mysteries were found in nature, and I hope to share that same feeling that anything is possible."
The Legend of Ochi also stars Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, and Finn Wolfhard.