- Help
- Google+
A new era of Whoop is here. As of May 8, two new Whoop devices have been announced: the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG. Alongside the new devices come three new tiers of membership for more affordable options that offer deeper health insights.
Included in our guides to the best fitness trackers and best sleep trackers, Whoop is a screen-free wearable made for both professional athletes and the everyday person. Here's everything you need to know about the new Whoop 5.0 and MG.
What to expect from the Whoop 5.0 and MG With the new Whoop devices come new stylish bands. Credit: Whoop / Mashable CompositeAlready one of the most comfortable fitness trackers we've tested, the new Whoop devices will have a 7 percent smaller form with an over 14-day battery life to boot. The devices also come with a new Wireless PowerPack that unlocks a month of charging.
The new Whoop devices are getting a makeover, too. New, more sophisticated bands are coming that include colorful silicone, leather, and patterned knit bands.
The Whoop 5.0 and MG come with new insights that include blood pressure and medical-grade ECG monitors. Here's the full list of new features coming to the Whoop 5.0 and MG:
Healthspan with Whoop Age: Assesses your health age based on daily habits. Provides you with a Whoop Age and a Pace of Aging score and suggestions on how to slow aging.
Heart Screener with ECG: Whoop wearables now have an FDA-cleared ECG feature for readings anytime that can also be shared with a healthcare provider. It can detect signs of Atrial Fibrillation and Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications.
Blood pressure insights: Whoop is the latest wearable to include blood pressure monitoring, providing both systolic and diastolic readings.
Women's hormonal insights: Smart rings and fitness trackers are becoming rapidly popular for cycle tracking. The new Whoop devices help inform how your cycle affects your recovery, sleep, stress, and performance.
Sleep performance update: Whoop reconfigured its Sleep Score to deliver more accurate data.
Like the popular Oura Ring, Whoop devices also feature a membership fee to access the wearable's full range of features. Previously, Whoop's membership options started at $239 annually or $399 for a two-year membership. Now the brand has unveiled three new membership tiers:
Whoop One: Professional-grade fitness insights at Whoop's best price of $199 per year.
Whoop Peak: Advanced health, fitness, and longevity insights designed to help you perform at your peak for longer. Priced at $239 per year.
Whoop Life: The most powerful Whoop ever, delivering medical-grade health and performance insights. Priced at $359 per year.
Which membership tier you choose will determine which Whoop model you receive. The One and Peak tiers come with the Whoop 5.0, while the Life membership features the MG model.
All models are available for purchase at Whoop now.
Opens in a new window Credit: Whoop Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG Memberships start at $199 Shop NowIn 2023, Celine Song captivated audiences (and broke our hearts) with her Academy Award-nominated debut feature Past Lives. Now, the acclaimed writer and director looks to deliver another swoon-worthy love triangle with her second film, Materialists.
SEE ALSO: Summer Movie Preview: What's coming to theaters and streaming?Distributed by A24, Materialists stars three of the world's buzziest stars: Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal. Johnson plays Lucy, a matchmaker and "eternal bachelorette" who helps couples find their happily ever after, while figuring she has no shot at her own. That all changes when not one but two potential suitors crash into her life.
In one corner we have Harry (Pascal), an incredibly attractive, incredibly rich bachelor who looks to sweep Lucy off her feet. But could this perfect "unicorn" be too good to be true?
In the other corner we have John (Evans), Lucy's (also incredibly attractive) ex-boyfriend. He's a theater actor by night and a cater waiter by day, and he seems determined to make things right with Lucy in a second go at their relationship. However, based on an argument in the trailer above, it seems like the two initially broke up over money concerns — something Harry would never have to worry about.
So will Lucy choose Harry and his riches, or John and her past? Either way, we can't wait to witness another Celine Song love triangle.
On May 8, Ultrahuman, the smart ring maker, announced plans to fulfill all U.S. orders out of its Texas-based facility. The tech company, which makes the Ultrahuman Air ring, plans to expand its Plano, Texas, factory, which opened in November 2024.
The "UltraFactory" is a partnership with U.S.-based SVtronics and has plans to expand annual manufacturing capacity to 500,000, meeting U.S. demand. This is part of Ultrahuman's goal to have the factory fulfill all U.S. orders. In a press release, the company stated, "By producing rings domestically, the company is ensuring faster shipping, better service, and increased reliability for U.S. consumers."
The Ultra Factory plans to scale up production to meet and fulfill U.S. demand. Credit: UltrahumanIt's a well-timed move as tariffs disrupt the tech industry. Foreignly manufactured products like Framework laptops, Anker chargers, and Nvidia GPUs have all seen price hikes due to components and devices being made in China or other countries impacted by President Trump's tariffs. The smart rings manufactured at the Ultra Factory in Plano, Texas, will not face tariffs. But the motivation to expand the U.S. factory is not tariffs-based, according to the company.
A representative from Ultrahuman said that manufacturing in the U.S. allows the company to work more closely with the U.S. health and military sectors to craft hardware and not just software for its U.S. customer base.
The Ultrahuman ring is a popular alternative to the Oura Ring and is among the best smart rings we've tested at Mashable. It has a similar design and is equipped with many of the same features as the Oura Ring. While it's not without its faults, like a buggy app UX, it is a more affordable smart ring. All Ultrahuman Air rings cost $349, the same price as the cheapest Oura model. Ultrahuman rings also don't require a monthly membership to access their full range of features, like Oura's do.
Mohit Kumar, founder and CEO of Ultrahuman, said, "The UltraFactory in Plano, Texas, allows us to deliver products faster, enhance quality control, and further strengthen our commitment to American consumers to bring them cutting-edge health technology."
Let's talk about the genius behind Sinners.
On the surface, the hit movie from Ryan Coogler is about Preacher Boy resisting a vampire. But it's a film packed with history and lore. One where the closer you look, the deeper it gets. And there's a bigger story you might have missed.
The film follows Sammie Moore (Miles Caton), a musician fighting off Remmick (Jack O'Connell), a bloodsucking villain who is building a hive mind coven.
But if you listen closely to the opening monologue, Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) talks about a legend that exists in ancient Ireland, Choctaw land, and West Africa:
"There are legends of people born with the gift of making music so true it can pierce the veil between life and death. This gift can bring healing to their communities, but it also attracts evil."
That evil? Remmick. And that gift? Sammie's song, which literally conjures people from across time to dance at the juke joint.
Fans have speculated that Remmick might also be one of those mythic music makers, but as hypnotic as his Irish song and jig is, it doesn't pierce the veil like Sammie's tune.
However, the gold coins, the accent, and the fact that Remmick knows exactly what he's looking for suggests Remmick is from a culture that knows of the legend. He may not just be here to feed, but rather, trying to find a way back to his people, to his past.
And Sammie's voice might be his ticket.
And it goes even deeper. Early in the film, Remmick was hunted by a band of Choctaw men. So was Remmick targeting their version of Sammie, a fire keeper with that same dangerous gift?
All of this raises the real question: Could Ryan Coogler be setting up something much bigger?
A prequel about Remmick's origin? A sequel about those Choctaw vampire hunters? Basically, a whole trilogy hiding in plain sight. Coogler has said to Ebony he wrote it as a "finished thing."
But let's be real. Doors like this don't always close.
SAVE $80: As of May 8, Apple AirPods Pro 2 are on sale for $169 at Amazon. That's 32% off their list price of $249.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169 at AmazonWith summer very much creeping up on us, now is a great time to invest in some new earbuds. I'm a very big fan of the AirPods Pro 2, and the good news is that they're currently discounted at Amazon.
The AirPods Pro 2 are on sale for $169 right now at Amazon. This is a 32% discount from their list price of $249, and only $15.01 away from their lowest-ever price of $153.99. If you've had your eye on them, now is a great time to add them to your virtual shopping cart.
SEE ALSO: Save over $200 on the Apple M4 MacBook ProAlongside great sound quality, the AirPods Pro 2 really shine with their noise-canceling features. Whether it's for listening to music or staying focused on work, I frequently utilize Active Noise Cancellation to keep outside sounds from distracting me. And for those moments when I want to be more aware of my surroundings, Transparency mode is a great feature that filters in outside noises without dropping what I'm listening to. We've even ranked them on both our lists of the best earbuds and the best headphones.
Don't miss out on 32% off the AirPods Pro 2 right now at Amazon.
These aren't the only Apple deals worth exploring right now, either. You can also score some nice discounts on the Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Series 10 at Amazon.
SAVE $80: As of May 8, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen, GPS, 40mm) is on sale for $169 at Amazon. That's 32% off its list price of $249.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) $169 at AmazonApple has been offering some great discounts recently on a wide range of its tech, including Apple Watches. As of May 8, the budget-friendly Apple Watch SE has received a very nice 32% discount at Amazon. If you've had your eye on it for yourself or for Mother's Day, now is the time to grab it for less.
This discount has dropped the price of the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen, GPS, 40mm) from $249 to $169. This is only $20 away from its lowest-ever price of $149.
SEE ALSO: Oura Ring vs Apple Watch: I put the top two fitness trackers head-to-headIf you're looking for a smartwatch that covers the basics as far as health and fitness features, the Apple Watch SE is a great pick. Alongside heart rate and sleep tracking, it also offers Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS for safety and activity tracking for your workouts. On top of that, it pairs well with an Apple ecosystem, so you can send texts or take calls from your wrist.
If you've had the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen, GPS, 40mm) on your radar for some time, now is the time to pick it up and save some cash.
Another great Apple Watch deal that's worth checking out right now is on the Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm), which is back at its lowest price at Amazon. Or, if you want to go all-out with a fancy smartwatch, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is also discounted right now.
Lenovo is updating its most eye-popping gaming laptop for 2025, and the new iteration makes your gameplay literally pop.
The Chinese tech giant announced the new Lenovo Legion 9i (Gen 10) at Tech World Shanghai 2025, billing it as a powerful machine for both gamers and game developers. The big pull? Its 18-inch 4K display has an optional upgrade that will let the user view content in 2K 3D without wearing special glasses or hooking up a separate 3D-compatible monitor.
Credit: LenovoAccording to a press release, the Legion 9i's display uses "a combination of eye-tracking and lenticular lens array" to make visuals appear three-dimensional, as if they're emerging from the screen. Its Lenovo 3D Studio software suite will make it capable of displaying 2D and 3D content simultaneously, either side-by-side or stacked on top of one another, and bring support for 30 games plus "myriad other creation apps."
The 3D-enabled Legion 9i will also have a Dual Mode feature that lets it swap between a buttery 240Hz refresh rate at 4K and up to a borderline-overkill 440Hz refresh rate at FHD. The 2D-only model sticks with 240Hz at all resolutions.
SEE ALSO: The best gaming laptops of 2025Glasses-free 3D laptops aren't new, but this is Lenovo's first official entry to the category that consumers will actually be able to purchase. (The company brought a conceptual 3D ThinkBook to Mobile World Congress this past February.) It certainly won't be an accessible option for those interested in trying the tech, if its specs are any indication.
The Legion 9i will come with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and will be configurable with up to a monstrous Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card, 192GB of memory, and 8TB of storage (with four slots apiece for RAM and SSDs). That's a boatload of power, but Lenovo has done its best to ensure it runs cool and quiet: It has a vapor thermal system that puts dedicated fans right over its WiFi card, SSD, and RAM. This replaces the integrated liquid-cooling system in the original Legion 9i, a 16-incher from 2023, which worked quite well in practice.
Credit: LenovoAesthetically, the Legion 9i looks almost exactly like its predecessor. Its Carbon Black top cover is still made from strong layers of carbon fiber that have been forged together by hand, resulting in camo-like patterns that are different from laptop to laptop. And it still has some ports on the back of its chassis below the lid hinges, but most of them have been moved to its sides, including two Thunderbolt 5 ports. It'll measure in at 15.87 x 11.67 x 0.94 to 1.1 inches (depending on the display type) and start at around a chunky 7.72 pounds.
The original Legion 9i was one of the most powerful laptops Mashable has ever tested (having been only recently dethroned by the M4 Pro Apple MacBook Pro), and its $4,000+ price tag reflected as much. Lenovo hasn't yet revealed exactly how much the new model will cost when it arrives in the U.S. sometime this fall, but a number over the $5,000 mark wouldn't be shocking.
SAVE $20: As of May 8, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale for $39.99 at Amazon. That's 33% off its list price of $59.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $39.99 at AmazonHigh-quality streaming doesn't have to come with an expensive price tag. Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max sets you up to watch your favorite shows and films from various streaming services with support for 4K UHD resolution at a price that won't break the bank. What's even better is this streaming stick is currently on sale, so you can save a little extra while upgrading your streaming setup.
Right now, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale at Amazon for $39.99, 33% off its list price of $59.99. It's currently listed as a limited-time deal, so you'll want to act fast to pick it up at this price. With Mother's Day right around the corner, it's also a great gift idea.
SEE ALSO: My favorite Kindle's essentials bundle is $40 off right now at AmazonWith the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, streaming shows and movies will look crisp and clear on your TV with support for 4K UHD resolution. That's not all, though. It also supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos audio so you can turn your living room into an at-home movie theater. It even features the Fire TV Ambient Experience, which allows you to display art and photography on your TV, turning it into a picture frame when you're not watching something on it.
This deal may not stick around for long. Don't miss out on 33% off the Fire TV Stick 4K Max at Amazon.
There are a few more Amazon device deals available right now that are worth a look. There have been some great Kindle deals to consider, including on the Kindle Scribe and the Kindle Paperwhite essentials bundle.
A 3D-printed train station, assembled in just a few hours, could be one solution to Japan's worker shortages, driven in part by the country's population decline.
When you're watching the cinematic perfection that is Mamma Mia! or its glorious sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, it appears that everyone onscreen is having a better time than you or I could imagine.
But according to the sublime Christine Baranski, who plays the outstandingly glam Tanya "Does Your Mother Know" Chesham-Leigh in the films, the exuberant dancing required in both films was not everyone's glass of prosecco. Specifically, the three male leads.
"I don’t think he'll mind my saying this, but all three actors, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan [Skarsgård], they just hated having to do the dance stuff," Baranski told Stephen Colbert on The Late Show on Wednesday. "Pierce was game, he would skip down the hill multiple times doing 'Dancing Queen.' This was James Bond and he’s dancing, 'Yooou can daaance.' I think Colin Firth meant all of his moves ironically.
"But Stellan hated it. We finally went down the hill in 'Dancing Queen' and landed on the dock. It was the end of the number, and the camera would move around, and it would usually avoid Stellan. But then finally, Ol Parker, this wonderful, dear director, he said, 'OK, it's time for your close up. You have got to do the moves now.' And he let out with a string of expletives. It’s as though Ol had asked him to do Arabic poetry while jumping rope."
Walton Goggins is hosting SNL this weekend, but he wants to know what's going to happen in the Season 50 finale.
In the entertainingly silly skit above, he goes full White Lotus on cast member Marcello Hernández, asking him, "Who's gonna die?" before positing some increasingly violent and ridiculous theories about how it all might go down.
A Cold War-era spacecraft is heading home after a half-century adrift.
Back in the 1970s, the Soviet Union had its sights set on Venus, sometimes known as Earth's evil twin. A thick atmosphere traps heat in a runaway greenhouse effect, making it the hottest planet in the solar system, despite being farther than Mercury from the sun.
But the Venera mission, which launched from Kazakhstan on March 31, 1972, failed long before the Soviets could attempt to touch down on the hellscape. Something went wrong with an engine burn to put the vehicle on its Venutian trajectory, and the uncrewed spacecraft got stuck in space.
Some 53 years later, the lander is expected to finally make its descent, although not on its intended target. Researchers watching the capsule, dubbed Kosmos 482, believe it will fall back to Earth any day now. Exactly where and when are not clear, but the latest estimates suggest it could happen between May 9 and 11.
"The uncertainty will be fairly significant right up to reentry," according to NASA.
SEE ALSO: The most spectacular images of Venus ever captured NASA's Parker Solar Probe, which studies the sun, caught rare images of Venus' nightside during a brief encounter in February 2021. Credit: NASA / APL / NRLRight now the mid-century relic is zooming over our heads in an oval-shaped Earth orbit, getting a bit slower with each lap. As it flies, it dips into the upper layers of the atmosphere. That drag has pulled the capsule ever lower.
It seems gravity is winning this space race.
The chances of it hitting people is "infinitesimally small," said Marcin Pilinski, a research scientist at the University of Colorado who is monitoring the spacecraft. Most likely it will end its journey plunging into an ocean, given that two-thirds of the planet is covered in water.
Still, the object — about three feet wide and more than 1,000 pounds — poses "an unusual and noteworthy risk" compared to the typical assortment of satellite debris that rains down on Earth, according to the company Space Environment Technologies. There is a slight possibility it could re-enter over densely populated regions.
A rocket prepares to launch one of the Soviet Union's predecessor spacecraft to Venus, thought to be either the Venera 5 or 6 probes, in 1969. Credit: Sovfoto / Universal Images Group / Getty ImagesExperts also think there's a chance it could withstand its fiery descent somewhat intact. The Soviet space agency, now known as Roscosmos under Russia, built the spacecraft to meet the demands of Venus. The toxic world's climate is hot enough to melt lead, and the atmospheric pressure is 75 times that of Earth. That means Kosmos 482 is armored like a submarine.
Invisible forces around Earth — ripples and waves in the atmosphere, solar storms, and weather — make tracking this object's landing difficult. Sometimes the sun shoots out bursts of energy that can temporarily bloat Earth’s atmosphere, which can alter the speeds of orbiting objects flying through it.
Despite its rugged exterior, Kosmos 482's best case scenario is likely becoming the host for a deep-sea reef. No one is going to go look for it, Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist who tracks spacecraft and debris in Earth's orbit, told Mashable.
"If it falls in the ocean, the debris will sink and never be found," he said.
Though this capsule didn't make it to Venus, others did. One of them, Venera 8, launched just four days earlier and touched down on Venus on July 22, 1972. For 63 minutes, it beamed back data to Earth. Then it fried in the all-consuming heat.
The latest news from Google-land is all Gemini, Gemini, Gemini. And at Google I/O 2025, we expect more of the same.
A year after its last big event, Google is back with an even deeper dive into AI. So deep, in fact, that Android is being shuffled off into its own separate event.
A signal of something big? Maybe.
Ahead of I/O 2025, Google quietly dropped a developer preview of Gemini 2.5 Pro, its latest generative AI model. Translation: this year’s keynote isn’t just about flashy hardware or Android updates — it’s about code, algorithms, and the general direction of Google’s artificial intelligence goals.
Whether you're a developer, a die-hard Android fan, or just here for the spectacle, here’s what to expect from Google I/O 2025.
When is the Google I/O 2025 keynote?The big keynote for Google I/O is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10 a.m. PT. Here’s when it will be happening around the globe:
New York: 1 p.m.
Chicago: 12 p.m.
London: 6 p.m.
Honolulu: 7 a.m.
Dubai: 9 p.m.
Paris: 7 p.m.
Mumbai: 11:30 p.m.
With less than two weeks to go before I/O 2025, the curtain is already being pulled back on Android 16. The headline here is a fresh evolution of Google's design language, shifting from Material 3 to the more vibrant and customizable Material Design 3 Expressive. While the redesign was expected to debut at I/O, Google, true to form, self-leaked the details in a now-deleted blog post.
But Android isn’t waiting for its moment in the spotlight. Thanks to Google's all-in push on Gemini, Android is stepping out a week early with the Android Show: I/O edition, airing on May 13. Hosted by Android Ecosystem President Sameer Samat, the show will have “so many things to share,” according to Google.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.As for what Android 16 will bring, the beta has already given us a sneak peek. Features like Auracast support hint at smoother Bluetooth switching, while visual tweaks, quality-of-life upgrades, and the introduction of “summarized notifications” suggest a more streamlined, user-friendly experience across the board.
Leaks suggest a Q2 launch, sometime around June.
WearOSWear OS fans, this one's (almost) for you.
While the I/O 2025 stage may be dominated by AI and Android, Google hasn’t completely forgotten about your wrist. Wear OS 5.1 quietly dropped in March, delivering some relatively minor improvements like better step tracking and revamped media controls.
But if you’re hoping for Wear OS 6 to make a surprise cameo during the keynote, don’t. If anything, the announcement of OS 6 will probably come in July, just like OS 4 and 5 did.
Android XRFourth time’s the charm — at least, that’s what Google hopes.
After the quiet burial of Google Glass, the slow fade of Daydream, and the DIY novelty of Cardboard, Google is once again diving headfirst into immersive tech with Android XR. Built from the ground up with Gemini AI in mind, this new operating system is aimed squarely at powering the next wave of AR and VR wearables.
Things may be different now with Google's collaboration with Samsung on Project Moohan — a pair of XR glasses using Google’s OS. Details are sparse, and it’s unclear whether Moohan will make a cameo at I/O 2025, but you can bet Android XR will get some stage time. Expect Google to name names when it comes to new partners and paint a picture of an XR ecosystem that might have staying power.
AIGoogle is an AI company now, full stop. And I/O 2025 is shaping up to be less about what Google makes and more about how much smarter it can make everything.
At the center of it all is Gemini. With version 2.5 Pro already in developers’ hands, expect Google to go deep on performance gains, real-world integrations, and new ways Gemini is flexing across platforms. (As of this writing, Gemini 2.5 Pro tops AI leaderboards.)
Google is bringing AI to everything, so expect announcements on a bunch of AI-related features: cars, smartwatches, earbuds, even your toaster, probably. Context-aware assistants, predictive interfaces, and on-device models will dominate the demos. It's either thrilling or exhausting, depending on how many times you’ve heard the phrase "AI-first strategy."
We'll also probably get updates on Project Astra, Google's research prototype for a universal AI. Also on deck is a mobile version of NotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered research assistant.
In an age of truncated TV seasons or 10-hour-long movies that fail to understand the medium of television, Season 2 of Poker Face feels like a gift from the streaming gods.
Created by Rian Johnson and led by Natasha Lyonne, this charming mystery-of-the-week series takes its cues from old-school shows, primarily Columbo. Each episode is an exquisitely crafted mystery box that can stand on its own, with every episode following a similar pattern.
SEE ALSO: 'The Ghosts of Pensacola' from 'Poker Face' is a gloriously theatrical treatFirst, we witness a new murder, where both victims and killers are played by a roster of spectacular guest stars. Then, "human lie detector" Charlie Cale (Lyonne) enters the scene, using her unique ability to unpick the killer's deception and crack the case. It's a tried-and-true formula that carries over from week to week, but don't think for a second that Poker Face is formulaic. As the show heads into its second season, co-showrunners Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman keep finding new ways for Poker Face to play within the constraints it's set for itself, unlocking new delights in each new installment.
Poker Face Season 2 switches things up somewhat, with wonderful success. Cynthia Erivo and Natasha Lyonne in "Poker Face." Credit: PeacockPoker Face is, by nature, a show where everything is in flux. As Season 2 opens, Charlie is on the run from crime boss Beatrix Hasp (Rhea Perlman), introduced in the Season 1 finale. That means she follows the road wherever it takes her, from apple orchards to funeral homes.
Within this flux, many elements remain the same: Almost every location is remote and rural, and every location is populated by murderers. The "why" for the murders changes from episode to episode. Often, the killer has a nasty yet non-deadly plan up their sleeve to deal with their victim, only to turn to murdering when their victim appears to get the upper hand. In most episodes, it's their following cover-up that unveils the true extent of their malice and desperation.
Charlie's involvement also remains a constant, with Lyonne continuing to play this ragtag detective to gravel-voiced perfection. Just like in Season 1, every episode reveals about halfway through that Charlie has some kind of personal connection to the victim. More than that, she's often been around for the events of the first half of the episode, just out of sight. Trying to pick up on her presence in those opening scenes remains one of Poker Face's greatest joys, along with guessing which guest stars are marked for death and which ones will be doing the killing.
However, in Season 2, Charlie isn't always trying to get justice for a murder victim as she did in Season 1. Several installments actually see her trying to prove someone's innocence. Often, the parties she's trying to protect are unexpected: an alligator, a child, even a pitching machine! This motley assortment is proof of Poker Face's constant inventiveness. Even a switch to bigger city settings in the latter half of the season presents an exciting challenge. How do Charlie's roaming charms translate to an urban environment? For that matter, how would Charlie staying put in one place impact Poker Face's freewheeling versatility?
The answers are all, unsurprisingly, great, and Poker Face doesn't lose an ounce of variety as it roars through Season 2. That variety extends from its central mysteries to its guest stars. Poker Face knows how to play to all of its guests' strengths and then some. Melanie Lynskey shows up as an unfulfilled woman repressing a darker interior, reminiscent of her turn as Shauna in Yellowjackets. Richard Kind and John Mulaney geek out about Stephen Sondheim in what feels like a callback to the Documentary Now! spoof of the Original Cast Album: Company documentary. And Cynthia Erivo gets to prove just how much of a chameleon she is in not one, not two, but five roles.
These constant change-ups, even within a set formula, cement Poker Face as one of current TV's most fun, most varied shows. That's the power of well-crafted, truly episodic television.
TL;DR: Stay in touch while you’re abroad with the aloSIM Traveler’s Mobile Data Plan, now just $24.97 for $50 worth of credit.
Opens in a new window Credit: aloSIM aloSIM Traveler's Mobile Data Plan: Pay $24.97 for $50 Credit $24.97Have major travel plans this summer? If you want to avoid hefty roaming charges, the aloSIM Traveler’s Mobile Data Plan can help. It’s a convenient way to stay connected while you’re away, and right now it’s just $24.97 for $50 worth of credit.
Ditch roaming charges for good with this handy eSIMTraveling abroad isn’t cheap, but the aloSIM Traveler’s Mobile Data Plan makes at least one thing affordable. You can avoid expensive roaming charges and stay connected with this convenient downloadable SIM card that lets you join fast, local networks in over 170 countries.
The aloSIM works with both iOS and Android devices. You’ll have access to a reliable internet connection on a speedy 5G and LTE network. And you’ll also receive a free Hushed phone number with your data plan to make private voice calls.
This plan includes $50 worth of data for half the price, with a 12-month expiration date so you have a full year to use it. It’s available only to new customers and is easy to set up. After purchasing the voucher, select a data package and install the eSIM before you leave on your trip. Once you touch down, you can activate the package and start using the data.
The data packages are valid for the length of time stated at purchase. Though the data expires after that point, your lifetime eSIM never expires and can be transferred to new devices in the future. Need more data? It’s easy to add more as you go.
Stay connected affordably with the aloSIM Traveler’s Mobile Data Plan, now just $24.97 for $50 worth of credit.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Work on your golf swing ahead of your next tee time and with the Phigolf Home Golf Game Simulator Sensor, now just $89.97 (reg. $199.99) through June 1.
Opens in a new window Credit: Phigolf Phigolf Home Golf Game Simulator Sensor & Generic Swing Stick Set (Open Box) $89.97The weather is warming up, which means you may want to warm up your golf skills before hitting the green. Phigolf Home Golf Simulator lets you work on your swing from the comfort of home, no matter what the weather is outside. And right now it’s on sale for $89.97, plus free shipping, until June 1.
Bring the golf course to you with this at-home simulatorWant to impress at your first tee time of the year? Phigolf Home Golf Simulator is a Kickstarter-funded invention that lets you play virtual rounds of golf at home, helping you improve by providing feedback on swings, chips, drives, and putts.
Wondering how it works? Just attach Phigolf’s Smart Motion Sensor to your golf club or a swing trainer. After that, your swing data goes right to Phigolf’s companion app, where you can check out real-time trajectory projections as you play.
You’ll receive feedback as you go, learning more about your golf swing tempo, club path, face angle, head speed, and shot distance. And if you’re looking to really improve your game, Phigolf offers training programs that provide extra guidance.
Aside from elevating your golf game in your pajamas, Phigolf also lets you virtually play a round on world-famous golf courses. It’s packed with 38,000 different, realistic simulations of golf courses around the world, which have been measured using GPS mapping trusted by Bushnell, GolfNow, and Yamaha. You can feel like you’re really there, with no expensive plane ticket required.
You’ll get a 55% discount thanks to this Phigolf Home Golf Simulator being an open-box model. That means while it has been verified to be in new condition, it won’t arrive in a branded box, and you’ll secure a low price.
Get your own Phigolf Home Golf Game Simulator Sensor for only $89.97 (reg. $199.99) now through June 1.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Simplify spring cleaning with the iRobot Roomba j8+, on sale now for $249.99 (reg. $599).
Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba j8+ (8550) Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum (Open Box) $249.98Got a lengthy spring cleaning checklist? If you need to call in some backup, the iRobot Roomba j8+ is up for the task. This powerful, WiFi-connected robot vacuum tackles dirt and grime with minimal effort on your part, so you can focus on tasks that robots can’t do yet. Right now, it’s on sale for $249.99 (reg. $599).
Streamline your cleaning routine with this powerful robot vacuumWant to take vacuuming off your to-do list? Let the iRobot Roomba j8+ take over. This WiFi-connected vacuum is equipped with the advanced iRobot OS. From avoiding objects to cleaning at set times to learning your home’s exact layout with smart mapping technology, the iRobot Roomba j8+ offers a cleaning routine personalized to your space. If you want to make any changes, you can control it through the companion app.
You can sit back and relax while your iRobot Roomba j8+ cleans up your floors with its premium three-stage cleaning process. Its power-lifting suction tackles dirt, dust, and debris. And thanks to the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, which holds up to 60 days of dirt, you don’t have to empty it often.
A high-capacity battery allows the iRobot Roomba to run for up to two hours on a full charge, so you won’t need to worry about constant recharging.
This iRobot Roomba j8+ is available at a major discount thanks to its open-box status, which means it was likely excess inventory that has been verified to be in new condition and put in clean packaging.
Simplify your cleaning routine with the iRobot Roomba j8+, now just $249.99 (reg. $599).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Beef up your internet security with the Deeper Connect Mini Decentralized VPN and Firewall Hardware, now just $179.99 through June 1.
Opens in a new window Credit: Deeper Connect Deeper Connect Mini Decentralized VPN & Firewall Hardware $179.99Want to browse the web in peace? If you want to protect your online activities from hackers, trackers, and other types of surveillance, the Deeper Connect Mini Decentralized VPN and Firewall Hardware can help. And right now, you can secure your internet for just $179.99 for life, 21% off the usual price, through June 1.
Pay once and enjoy a lifetime of internet securityThe Deeper Connect Mini Decentralized VPN and Firewall Hardware is the world’s first and only decentralized VPN and firewall hardware. And while most VPNs require you to use servers and pay monthly subscription costs, with Deeper Connect Mini, you pay once and enjoy a lifetime of serverless protected web activity.
You might not think about them when it comes to internet safety, but the Deeper Connect Mini protects more than just your computers and smartphones — it also secures your Internet of Things (IoT) devices. A 7-layer, enterprise-grade firewall defends against unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and other threats.
Even though all this technology sounds high-level, setting up the Deeper Connect Mini is simple. There are no tech skills required; you plug it in, and your privacy stays under your control, right on your own devices.
Aside from shielding your family online, the Deeper Connect Mini also offers the added perk of ad blocking. Once up and running, you’ll enjoy the web without any advertisements. There are also parental control options for families, which prevent the kids from seeing unsafe content on their devices.
The Deeper Connect Mini not only eliminates monthly subscription fees, but it can also make you passive income while you use it. By sharing some of your unused internet bandwidth with a decentralized network, you can earn money while keeping your connection secure.
Secure your online activities for life with the Deeper Connect Mini Decentralized VPN and Firewall Hardware, now only $179.99 through June 1.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each one!
Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand-new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.
Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of this week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most watchable. Whether you're craving charming tales of first love, wise-ass murder mysteries, heartwarming comedies fit for Mother's Day, grim combat, or horror that's hilarious and bloody wild, we've got something just for you.
Here's what's new on streaming, from worst to best.
9. Love HurtsHot off Oscar wins, Everything Everywhere All At Once's Ke Huy Quan and West Side Story's Ariana DeBose teamed up for the action comedy Love Hurts. Based on their combined charisma, it should have been an absolute hoot. But it stunk.
SEE ALSO: 'Love Hurts' review: Proof the Oscar curse is thriving?Quan stars as a hitman who left his life of career-focused homicide behind for a job in real estate. That is, until a former colleague (DeBose) returns to his life, bringing with her loads of trouble and a slew of assassins, eager to take them both down. Also, it's Valentine's Day. As I wrote in my review of this overstuffed and undercooked offering, "Love Hurts delivers bursts of thrills and fun, it is overall a mind-numbing miss." — Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko
Starring: Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Mustafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Cam Gigandet, Marshawn Lynch, and Sean Astin
How to watch: Love Hurts debuts on Peacock on May 9.
8. The Devil's Plan: Death Room2023 saw Netflix go hard on South Korean reality competition shows, following the staggering success of fictional hit Squid Game. We got both sides of the coin, from Physical: 100, a grueling physical challenge show, to The Devil's Plan, an extremely difficult problem-solving game show run by a masked host in a compound. In the latter, intelligent contestants — including SEVENTEEN's Seungkwan, actors Lee Si-won and Ha Seok-jin, and YouTubers Kwaktube and ORBIT — formed alliances and made math problems look like a walk in the park. Now, a second season is here, subtitled Death Room, with another stacked cast including actors Justin H. Min (The Umbrella Academy) and Yoon So-hui, Super Junior's Kyuhyun, and singer Chuu. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
Starring: Justin H. Min, Yoon So-hui, Kyuhyun, Chuu, Lee Se-dol, Kang Ji-yeong, 7high, Jeong Hyun-gyu
How to watch: The first four episodes of The Devil’s Plan: Death Room are now streaming on Netflix, with new episodes dropping weekly.
7. WarfareAfter conjuring up a nightmarish vision of a possible future conflict with last year's Civil War, director Alex Garland's latest film, Warfare, takes viewers back to the frontlines of a very real, not-so-distant fight — the Iraq War, circa 2006. It's both a tribute to the bravery shown in the face of battle by a group of young Navy SEALs and a brutal slog that immerses audiences into the gritty reality of war, viscera and all. Co-written and co-directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, an Iraq War veteran, Warfare follows a group of Navy SEALs played by a compelling cast.
War is hell, and if you had any other such notions, Warfare should help set the record straight. But is that all there is? Maybe I missed some meaning behind the nerve-shattering brutality. Warfare might be so honest as to work as an anti-recruitment film, combatting the polished ads the armed forces like to run during sports broadcasts. While it's admirable Mendoza and Garland stitch together this agonizing portrait of the perils of war, its demands on young soldiers, and the merciless reality of combat, I was unsure how to feel about it. It doesn't deliver the rah-rah patriotic highs nor does it critique the Iraq War that led them to that day. After the film ends, there's behind-the-scenes footage of Mendoza and Garland with many of the veterans who survived the ordeal, revisiting their past in a recreated set hundreds of miles away from where they almost met their end. Maybe there can be healing in revisiting the not-too-distant past for these vets, but Warfare doesn't offer the same catharsis for civilian viewers.* — Monica Castillo, Contributing Writer
Starring: D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Joseph Quinn, Charles Melton, Noah Centineo, and Michael Gandolfini
How to watch: Warfare is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
6. NonnasCraving something heartwarming? Then you'll want a heaping helping of Nonnas.
Directed by Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), this comedy stars Vince Vaughn as an Italian American man whose love of his dearly departed grandmother inspires him to open a restaurant with her homemade recipes. Of course, he'll need some help. So he brings in the nonnas — "real-life Italian grandmothers!"
Big personalities collide in the kitchen, leading to sparks — and a fire! But this movie, hitting just in time for Mother's Day, seems sure to serve those feel-good vibes with plenty of heart and flavor. And for bonus smiles, know that is was inspired by a true story. — K.P.
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, Joe Manganiello, Linda Cardellini, and Susan Sarandon
How to watch: Nonnas debuts on Netflix on May 9.
5. A Nice Indian BoyWhen I saw A Nice Indian Boy at BFI London Film Festival, I cried every time Jonathan Groff cries in this film — reader, he cries a lot. Roshan Sethi's sweet and heartfelt romantic comedy stars Karan Soni as Naveen Gavaskar, an introverted doctor navigating his Indian family's traditional expectations about marriage. Naveen is not out to his parents, so when he falls hard for photographer Jay Kurundkar (Groff), a white man adopted and raised by Indian parents, there's a few things he faces talking to them about.
"An incisive expression of family and culture that neither apologizes nor over-explains itself, Roshan Sethi's A Nice Indian Boy is a riotous, moving queer romantic comedy with a wildly unique premise," writes Siddhant Adlakha in his review for Mashable. "While it resembles many modern third-culture stories — specifically, tales of disconnect between first-generation South Asians in the West and their immigrant parents — it widens its scope in surprising ways that reflect and refract both personal and cinematic identity." — S.C.
Starring: Karan Soni, Jonathan Groff, Sunita Mani, Zarna Garg, and Harish Patel
How to watch: A Nice Indian Boy is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
4. ForeverJudy Blume's coming-of-age classic Forever... gets a sweet adaptation in this Netflix series. Showrunner Mara Brock Akil (Girlfriends) has reimagined Blume's story of young love, this time setting it in 2018 Los Angeles, with Black teens Keisha (Lovie Simone) and Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.) as romantic leads. Together, the pair will go through all the "firsts" of first love, all while juggling the pressures of college applications, family expectations, and intimacy in the digital age.
SEE ALSO: 'Forever' review: Netflix series strays from Judy Blume classic, but that's a good thingMany of these new elements mean that Forever feels very different from Blume's original novel, but the core questions of first love and first sexual experiences remain. (For book fans, yes, Ralph is still very much in the picture.) As I wrote in my review, "Blume's novel is already a key lens through which young adults can unpack their own adolescent experiences. Thanks to some thoughtful adaptation choices, Brock Akil's series may be able to serve a similar purpose, as well as introduce Blume's work to a new generation." — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
Starring: Lovie Simone, Michael Cooper Jr., Xosha Roquemore, Marvin Lawrence Winans III, Wood Harris, Barry Shabaka Henley, Niles Fitch, Paigion Walker, and E’myri Crutchfield
How to watch: Forever is now streaming on Netflix.
3. Heart EyesYou might know Josh Ruben as the masterful improv comedian often seen on Dropout's variety of shows, including Game Changer. But he's also been building an impressive reputation as a horror filmmaker, delivering such funny yet frightening movies as Scare Me, Werewolves Within, and now Heart Eyes.
Ruben helms Heart Eyes, a Valentine's Day-themed slasher that follows two work rivals (Totally Killer's Olivia Holt and Scream VI's Mason Gooding) who begin to spark an attraction — just as a serial killer crashes their sort-of date. Set over the course of one very raucous holiday, Heart Eyes has a frantic pacing, festive vibes, and a fierce sense of humor, made all the more dazzling by Holt and Gooding's chemistry. But if you're looking for gore, Ruben's got you there, offering kills that are as bloody as they are bonkers. — K.P.
Starring: Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa, Yoson An, and Jordana Brewster
How to watch: Heart Eyes debuts on Netflix globally on May 8.
2. Poker Face, Season 2In the mood for some detective work? Then you're in luck, because Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne's mystery-of-the-week series Poker Face returns with a vengeance for Season 2, promising new murders and a stunning new array of guest stars. (Cynthia Erivo! John Mulaney! Steve Buscemi!)
SEE ALSO: 'Poker Face' Season 2 review: Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne's murder mystery is a gift for TV lovers everywhere"Human lie detector" Charlie Cale's (Lyonne) adventures remain as charming as ever, with every episode serving as a well-crafted puzzle box that can just as easily stand alone as it can be binge-watched. As I wrote in my review, "In an age of truncated TV seasons or 10-hour-long movies that fail to understand the medium of television, Season 2 of Poker Face feels like a gift from the streaming gods." — B.E.
Starring: Natasha Lyonne, John Mulaney, Ego Nwodim, Sam Richardson, Giancarlo Esposito, Katie Holmes, Gaby Hoffmann, Kumail Nanjiani, Sherry Cola, Kevin Corrigan, Ben Marshall, Kathrine Narducci, Cynthia Erivo, BJ Novak, and Margo Martindale
How to watch: The first three episodes of Poker Face Season 2 are now streaming on Peacock, with a new episode airing every Thursday.
1. The Ugly StepsisterIf you loved The Substance, don't overlook The Ugly Stepsister.
This gnarly body-horror movie reimagines Cinderella by focusing on the fairytale heroine's much-maligned stepsister Elvira (Lea Myren). Writer/director Emilie Blichfeldt delivers not only a deeply empathetic tale of a young girl grappling with a princely crush, sibling rivalry, and crippling societal pressures to conform to cruel beauty standards, but also the grisly scenes to back up its social critique.
SEE ALSO: 'The Ugly Stepsister' review: What if 'Wicked' and 'The Substance' had a grubby baby?In my rave review for Mashable out of Sundance, I cheered, "The Ugly Stepsister is a deranged and dizzying achievement, folding in a classic story with a bitingly modern satire and bold body horror. Blichfeldt weaves these elements together to make a film that feels both of this moment but aesthetically nostalgic... And yet, her journey, as gross and grim as it is, is threaded with a ribbon of exhilaration, rebellion, and even defiant joy. Simply put, The Ugly Stepsister is savagely brutal and yet strangely beautiful." — K.P.
Starring: Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Ane Dahl Torp, and Flo Fagerli
How to watch: The Ugly Stepsister debuts on Shudder on May 9.
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...
Boston's most important responders: Bostonians The people of Boston are to be congratulated for being...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
Digital Privacy: A Catch 22 Mobility, convenience, accessibility and real-...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...