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Best Buy has slashed an incredible $1,700 off this 77-inch Samsung S84D OLED TV

Mashable - 1 hour 39 min ago

SAVE $1,700: As of Feb. 7, the 77-inch Samsung S84D 4K OLED Smart TV is on sale for $1,599.99 at Best Buy. That's down $1,700 from its retail price of $3,299.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 77-Inch Class S84D Series 4K OLED TV $1,599.99 at Best Buy
$3,299.99 Save $1,700.00 Get Deal

Best Buy has been offering some incredible TV deals over the last few weeks. If you've been looking to upgrade to a bigger TV for your home, they've had plenty on offer from 100-inch models to 65-inch models. If you want something between those, this 77-inch Samsung S84D 4K OLED Smart TV is definitely worth a look as it's marked down by a whopping $1,700.

This has dropped its price from $3,299.99 to $1,599.99, which is an excellent deal for such a huge TV. Not only that, it also comes with one month free of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. If you're a gamer, this is a great way to test out the Game Pass library on a brand new, high-quality screen.

SEE ALSO: Get ready for The Big Game with these great deals on Roku devices

Alongside a massive 77-inch screen size, this TV boasts 4K resolution and an OLED display that brings colors to life in vibrant detail with incredible contrast. It also comes with Dolby Atmos built in that provides a nice treat for your ears with any shows and films you watch to really immerse you in the action.

On top of that, the Samsung S84D is also a smart TV. So if you're subscribed to quite a few streaming services, you can have them all ready to access in one convenient place.

If you've been looking to upgrade your TV, now's the time to do it with this excellent deal on the 77-inch Samsung S84D 4K OLED Smart TV at Best Buy.

As mentioned earlier, there are quite a few more TV deals worth exploring right now. Also at Best Buy, you can score a sweet deal on the Samsung 98-inch Q80C QLED 4K UHD Smart TV, if you want another big option to look at. The Samsung 85-inch DU7200 Series Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV is also on sale there right now, and it even comes with a bonus Samsung 40-inch TV.

How to watch Suns vs. Jazz online

Mashable - 1 hour 55 min ago

TL;DR: Live stream Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Utah Jazz head to Footprint Center to face the Phoenix Suns in a Western Conference matchup. The Jazz are 12-37, which puts the team in 14th place. The Suns are 25-25, which puts the team 10th place.

The Jazz have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off a loss to the Indiana Pacers. The Suns have lost four of their last five games, and are coming off three consecutive losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder and back-to-back losses to the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Jazz and the Suns have faced off three times already this season. The Suns have come out on top in each one of those matchups.

When is Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns?

Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Feb. 7. This game takes place at Footprint Center in Phoenix.

How to watch Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Jazz vs. Suns basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Jazz vs. Suns from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

  4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

The best cheap laptops for 2025: 6 models under $1,000 that we tested and approved

Mashable - 1 hour 56 min ago

When it comes to shopping for the best cheap laptops, you can do a lot with $1,000. (Heck, even $500 cuts some mustard nowadays.) But you'll probably have to make some compromises along the way to stay below that price point.

That doesn't mean you have to settle for a total clunker that doesn't tick any of the boxes on your must-have specs list. It just means you have to shop a little smarter than someone with unlimited funds.

That's where we come in. The Mashable team is constantly reviewing new laptops with different operating systems and use cases, and we recommend several affordable machines that meet most, if not all of our performance, battery life, and build quality standards.

Our top picks

As of February 2025, we believe the best cheap MacBook is the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air powered by the previous-generation M2 chip. It's speedy enough for most people, lasts all day, has an excellent keyboard, and starts at $999 (though it's often on sale for well under $900). What's more, it recently got a welcome bump to 16GB of base RAM.

Among Windows PCs, the Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (Gen 9) is currently the best laptop under $1,000 that we've tried. It has a peppy processor and a good battery life, it doubles as a tablet, and it starts at $899.99.

If you're really into Microsoft machines, look into the Surface Laptop Go 3. The company's current cheapest offering is a super portable notebook with a chic look and a clicky keyboard — though I'd encourage shoppers to find it on sale, given its older CPU. It otherwise starts at $799.99.

SEE ALSO: Best MacBooks 2025: Which model would we buy?

The best cheap Chromebook is the $499 HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, with its big, vibrant display and competent everyday performance. It also supports some useful AI features and multimedia editing apps.

Cheap gaming laptops don't get much better than the Acer Nitro V 15, which combines a cool design with cool Triple-A performance for $999 as tested. (The base model is only $749.) We also recommend the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE as an even cheaper "cheap gaming laptop" pick: It streams high-end titles well, comes with a really nice 120Hz display, and retails for only $649.

Other cheap laptops on our radar

We'll soon review the all-new Asus ZenBook A14, the "world's lightest Copilot+ PC," which features an OLED display, a neutral-toned chassis made out of a durable material called "Ceraluminum," and an advertised battery life of up to 32 hours. We briefly tried it in Asus' private showroom at CES 2025, and it left us extremely impressed. It starts at $899.99.

We also have the latest Framework Laptop 13 in hand for testing. While it comes in just over our "budget" threshold of $1,000 when purchased prebuilt (the DIY Edition starts at $899), the fact that it's upgradable and repairable makes it seem like a solid long-term value. We were big fans of an older version.

Read on for Mashable's in-depth guide to the best cheap laptops of 2025. FYI: We've listed the pricing and specs of our testing units, which may not apply to each laptop's base model.

How to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons online

Mashable - 1 hour 56 min ago

TL;DR: Live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Philadelphia 76ers head to Little Caesars Arena to face the Detroit Pistons in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Sixers are 20-30, which puts the team in 11th place. The Pistons are 25-26, which puts the tram in seventh place.

The Sixers have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off a loss to the Miami Heat. The Pistons have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks.

When is Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons?

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 7. This game takes place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

This game will air on ESPN.

How to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Sixers vs. Pistons basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Sixers vs. Pistons from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

  4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Heat vs. Nets online

Mashable - 1 hour 56 min ago

TL;DR: Live stream Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Miami Heat head to Barclays Center to face the Brooklyn Nets in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Heat are 25-24, which puts the team sixth place. The Nets are 17-34, which puts the team in 12th place.

The Heat have won three of their last five games, and are coming off a win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Nets have also won three of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Washington Wizards.

The Heat and the Nets have faced off twice this season, the Heat came out on top in both matchups.

When is Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets?

Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 7. This game takes place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

How to watch Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Heat vs. Nets basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Heat vs. Nets from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

  4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

Wheres my IRS refund: How to check on yours online

Mashable - 1 hour 57 min ago

The deadline to file your 2024 taxes is still a few months away, but that doesn't mean you should wait — and there's a plethora of options to get your taxes sent off quick, and free.

SEE ALSO: Tax season is here: All the details on IRS Free File

And if you anticipate getting a hefty refund back, it may behoove you to get that process started now so you can keep an eye on that check or direct deposit before it gets to you.

Can I track my tax refund?

Yes, individuals who file both online and in-person can use the IRS' website to track the status of their tax refund. Refund status is available 24 hours after you e-file a current-year return, 3 or 4 days after you e-file a prior-year return, or 4 weeks after you file a paper return, the IRS explains.

The webpage is updated once a day, overnight, so check daily if you're concerned. The IRS also operates the IRS2Go app, where you can check the status of your return, amend your filing, and track your refund.

Total Time
  • 5 min
What You Need
  • Computer or IRS2Go app
  • Social Security or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN)
  • Filing status
  • The exact refund amount on your return

Step 1: Go to the IRS Refund Status page.

Visit the Where's My Refund? website.

Step 2: Fill out the required information and submit the form.

You will need your (or your partner's) Social Security Number or ITIN and exact refund amount, which can be found on your return.

Step 3: Evaluate the status of your refund.

The page will show one of three statuses:Return Received. The IRS is still processing your return and hasn't sent out your refund yet.Refund Approved. The IRS has approved your refund and are preparing to issue it. The page should display a date — this is when it is expected to be sent out.Refund Sent. The IRS has your refund to your bank for disbursement or sent to you in the mail. According to the IRS, it may take 5 days for it to show in your bank account or several weeks for a refund in the mail.

The refund status page may also prompt you to contact the IRS directly if there is an issue with your return or refund. Learn how to speak to a human at the IRS if you're stuck in the automated messages loop.

Astronomers found a monstrous jet powering through the early universe

Mashable - 1 hour 57 min ago

Scientists have found a quasar spewing a gigantic radio jet in space at a time in the early universe when such objects are nearly impossible to find. 

Quasars, a portmanteau for "quasi-stellar objects," are blindingly bright galaxy cores. Through powerful telescopes, these distant objects can look like stars, but they're the resulting light from feasting supermassive black holes

The jet, sprawling at least 200,000 light-years, double the span of the Milky Way, emerges from the J1601+3102 quasar, born less than 1.2 billion years after the Big Bang. Though a billion years later may not seem like the early days, that period occurred when the universe was only nine percent of its current age of 13.8 billion — making it a mere toddler.

"It’s only because this object is so extreme that we can observe it from Earth, even though it’s really far away," said Anniek Gloudemans, a research fellow at the federally funded NOIRLab, in a statement.

SEE ALSO: Scientists found a colossal black hole near the dawn of time The J1601+3102 quasar's radio jet was first discovered by the Low Frequency Array Telescope. Credit: LOFAR / DECaLS / DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys / LBNL / DOE / CTIO / NOIRLab / NSF / AURA

Finding this radio jet, first discovered by the European Low Frequency Array Telescope, is an enormous achievement. Follow-up observations ensued in near-infrared light with the Gemini North Telescope and in visible light with Hobby Eberly Telescope. A research team has characterized the object in a new paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters

These jets become elusive the farther back in time astronomers try to look because of the so-called cosmic microwave background. The ancient radiation, the earliest fossil of light from 380,000 years after the Big Bang, tends to swamp out more subtle signals.

Although quasars are technically difficult to find in the early universe, the nearest quasars to Earth are still several hundred million light-years away. That quasars aren't found closer to home is a clue they are ancient relics. Scientists continue to hunt for them because they provide insight into the evolution of galaxies and the universe as a whole. 

Black holes in general are some of the most inscrutable things in space. Astronomers believe these invisible giants skulk at the center of virtually all galaxies. Falling into one is an automatic death sentence. Any cosmic stuff that wanders too close reaches a point of no return. 

But scientists have observed something weird at the edge of black holes' accretion disks, the rings of rapidly spinning material around the holes, like the swirl of water around a bathtub drain: A tiny amount of the material can suddenly get rerouted. When this happens, high-energy particles get flung outward as a pair of jets, blasting in opposite directions, though astronomers haven't quite figured out how they work. It's also still a mystery when exactly in cosmic history the universe started making them. 

Despite this jet's length, it's a pipsqueak compared to others scientists have discovered in later eras. Porphyrion, observed 6.3 billion years after the Big Bang, has a 23 million light-year-long jet. The J1601+3102 quasar is also of modest size, just 450 million times more massive than the sun. Quasars are sometimes known to tip scales at billions of times heavier than the sun. 

"Interestingly, the quasar powering this massive radio jet does not have an extreme black hole mass compared to other quasars," Gloudemans said. "This seems to indicate that you don’t necessarily need an exceptionally massive black hole or accretion rate to generate such powerful jets in the early universe."

The new TikTok ban deadline looms: When it hits and what has to happen

Mashable - 1 hour 57 min ago

Out of the frying pan, into the fryer. TikTok might've skirted the previous Jan. 19 deadline, but a potential ban still looms under President Donald Trump's administration.

Upon taking office, Trump directed the Department of Justice to delay enforcing the TikTok ban for 75 days, which created a new April 5 deadline. That may seem like a lot of time to find a sale or resolution with ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, but deadlines have a habit of sneaking up.

We've got the details on what's happened since Trump's inauguration and what to expect in the coming weeks and months.

SEE ALSO: As TikTok faces a ban, creators brace for an uncertain future What needs to happen

Basically, the same thing needs to happen as the last deadline. TikTok needs to sell its U.S. business or find some other resolution that satisfies Congress and the Trump administration. That makes the ultimate end goal a bit fungible, but it seems negotiations are underway.

Multiple groups and entities, including the U.S. government, have been reportedly lining up to purchase TikTok. Trump is reportedly interested in starting a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, which could, in turn, purchase TikTok.

"We're going to be doing something perhaps with TikTok, perhaps not," Trump said this week. "If we make the right deal, we'll do it, otherwise we won't. But I have the right to do that. And we might put that in the sovereign wealth fund, whatever we make, or if we do a partnership with very wealthy people. A lot of options. But we could put that as an example in the fund."

Plenty of companies and groups have also been connected to a potential sale. In the last 10 days or so, that list includes Oracle, Microsoft, and various rich celebrities.

ByteDance has seemed quite resistant to selling, but that may be changing as the April 5 deadline looms. ByteDance board member Bill Ford said at an Axios event late last month that he expects a sale to happen.

“It's in everybody's interest," Ford said.

That may be the case, but the clock is once again ticking.

Bring Them Down review: Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbotts sheep herding thriller is a brutal must-watch

Mashable - 1 hour 57 min ago

Right from its opening moments, sheep herding drama Bring Them Down hurls its audience into a waking nightmare.

A car careens down a winding road in western Ireland. Inside, a woman in the passenger seat (Susan Lynch) tells her driving son Michael (Christopher Abbott, Wolf Man, Sanctuary) that she is leaving his father. His reaction? To speed up to a dangerous degree. Writer-director Christopher Andrews never shows us Michael in this opening, only his mother and his girlfriend Caroline's (Nora-Jane Noone) increasing panic at his recklessness. We're locked in with them, hurtling through a frightening situation beyond our control. Andrews escalates that terror to a fever pitch before the inevitable happens: Michael crashes the car, killing his mother and permanently scarring Caroline's face.

SEE ALSO: 'The Monkey' review: Osgood Perkins' take on Stephen King is a hell of a good time

The crash is just the beginning of Bring Them Down's violent tragedy, an explosive start to a directorial debut that simmers with panic and dread. As Andrews brings that tension to a boil, he crafts a vicious saga of feuding families, toxic masculinity, and the poor, innocent sheep caught in the middle of it all.

What is Bring Them Down about? Christopher Abbott and Colm Meaney in "Bring Them Down." Credit: Patrick Redmond / MUBI

Bring Them Down picks up several years after the opening car crash. Michael is now the sole caretaker for his ailing, belligerent father Ray (Colm Meaney), and he's also taken over the family's centuries-old sheep herding business. He and Ray share their mountain with another sheep herding family, made up of patriarch Gary (Paul Ready), Caroline, and their son Jack (Barry Keoghan, Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisherin). Slight animosity already bubbles between Gary and Ray, but when Jack steals two of Michael's rams and claims they've died, he blows the families' dispute wide open. Taunts give way to violence, which gives way to a brutal quest for vengeance on Michael's end.

SEE ALSO: 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' review: Jennifer Lopez dazzles, but is that enough?

With Michael's goal in mind, Bring Them Down could just be a straightforward vengeance story. But Andrews opts for a Rashomon-style perspective switch that offers up both Michael and Jack's points of view on the transpiring events. That tactic, complete with Abbott and Keoghan's performances, makes Bring Them Down a tense two-header.

Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan go head-to-head in Bring Them Down. Christopher Abbott, Barry Keoghan, and Nora Jane-Noone in "Bringe Them Down." Credit: Nick Cooke / MUBI

Abbott and Keoghan have both carved out space for themselves as daring actors unafraid of stranger roles, so it's a pleasure to watch them square off in the intense pressure cooker of Bring Them Down.

Abbott's Michael is a quiet loner, but the opening car crash sequence proves that his quietude hides a seething, reckless rage. Caroline's scar remains physical proof of this, an omnipresent reminder that, while we might feel sympathy for Michael for his sheep troubles, he still has much to atone for. There's the sense that him caring for his father — the very man his mother was trying to escape — is part of that, especially since Ray berates Michael at every turn.

As Jack, Keoghan's role is twofold. From Michael's perspective, Jack is a slippery antagonist hellbent on wrecking his life. Once we see Jack's point of view, we realize he's a desperate screw-up working at the whims of others, like his father Gary or his cousin Lee (Aaron Heffernan, Brassic). Jack doesn't understand the consequences of what he's done until it's too late. Through his eyes, Michael becomes a quietly menacing force, recalibrating our perception of the man we spent the first half of the film with. Both Abbott and Keoghan work wonders with the perspective switches, finding new facets of two very complicated men who may be more alike than they'd know.

SEE ALSO: 'Peter Hujar's Day' review: Ira Sachs gently brings 1970s New York to life through a dramatic experiment

After all, Jack's desire to please and help Gary calls to mind Michael's reaction to his mother wanting to leave Ray: He would do anything, no matter how awful, to appease his father. That cycle of sons doing the unthinkable for their fathers is the heart of Bring Them Down's examination of toxic masculinity. Michael has already been warped by his relationship with Ray, whose horrible treatment of his son likely stems from his own father, and his father before him. Jack, several years younger than Michael, may not be too far behind.

History continues to repeat itself elsewhere with Caroline. Like Michael's mother, Caroline is planning on leaving her husband, but she keeps getting drawn into Gary and Jack's rivalry with Ray and Michael. She's an innocent caught up in this storm, and she's not the only one.

The sheep scenes in Bring Them Down are not for the faint of heart. Christopher Abbott in "Bring Them Down." Credit: Patrick Redmond/MUBI

Michael's mother and Caroline aren't the only casualties of Bring Them Down's men. Michael's sheep herd suffers greatly, in a grotesque animal mutilation scene that may already be one of the year's most upsetting sequences. Remember when Jenny the donkey died as a result of a bitter feud in The Banshees of Inisherin? The fate of Bring Them Down's sheep makes that look like a fairy tale.

Aside from the occasional shot of bloody flesh and wool, Andrews lets much of the sheep mutilation play out through sound. Hannah Peel's thumping, percussion-heavy score is pure sonic dread, while Gert Janssen's sound design is a stomach-churning combination of squelching and sheep bleating. (Don't worry: According to Bring Them Down's press notes, Andrews made the distressed sheep noises himself, which were then edited.)

The entire sequence, like the opening car crash, feels like a grounded nightmare from which there is no escape. Neither Michael nor Jack can outrun the sheep's pain either, culminating in a darkly funny climax that blurs the lines between human and animal. There's no forgetting the horrors they've wrought or their near-pitiable final confrontation, just as there's no forgetting Bring Them Down.

Bring Them Down hits theaters Feb. 7.

Tap, type, and save big on a refurbished Lenovo touchscreen laptop for only $80

Mashable - 1 hour 57 min ago

TL;DR: A Lenovo 300E Touchscreen Chromebook (Intel Celeron CPU, 4GB RAM, 32GB SSD) delivers solid performance without costing you an arm and a leg — get it refurbished for just $79.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Refurbished Lenovo 300E Touchscreen Chromebook (Intel Celeron CPU, 4GB RAM, 32GB SSD) $79.99
$284.99 Save $205.00 Get Deal

Get a refurbished Lenovo 300E Touchscreen Chromebook (Intel Celeron CPU, 4GB RAM, 32GB SSD) for just $79.99.

What you can expect from your Chromebook:
  • Reliable performance for work and school with an Intel N3450 Quad-Core processor and 4GB RAM

  • Touchscreen functionality lets you tap, scroll, and interact with ease on an 11.6-inch HD display

  • Chrome OS offers access to Google apps like Docs, Sheets, and Drive for seamless productivity

  • 32GB of storage keeps your important files, apps, and downloads within reach

  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity make it easy to stay connected on the go

  • Grade-B refurbished: May have light scuffs or scratches but delivers great performance at a fraction of the cost

  • Backed by a 30-day parts and labor warranty for added peace of mind

Why overspend? Score this refurbished 2018 Lenovo 300E touchscreen Chromebook on sale for $79.99 (reg. $284) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Dodge Microsoft 365’s price hike with a lifetime version for Mac for just $85

Mashable - 1 hour 57 min ago

TL;DR: Save $135 on a Microsoft Office lifetime license for Mac while codes last — less than 50 are left in stock.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $84.97
$219.99 Save $135.02 Get Deal

Have you heard the news? Microsoft just raised the price of their 365 subscription for the first time in over a decade, meaning you’ll pay an extra $36 yearly just to get Office apps on your Mac. Those who are fed up with the price hike are getting the lifetime version instead.

Get a lifetime subscription to Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac on sale for $84.97 before codes sell out (reg. $219.99). No coupon is needed to get this price.

Microsoft 365 vs. Office lifetime license
  • Instead of paying monthly or yearly as you would with Microsoft 365, you can pay once, download the app suite to your Mac, and use the apps as long as you need.

  • This version includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote.

  • Immediately after purchase, you’ll get an email with a download link and software activation key to set up the apps on your Mac.

  • Although you won’t have mobile app access or cloud storage included like with Microsoft 365, you never have to worry about outages and can always work offline.

Get Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac on sale for $84.97 (reg. $219.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Get a VPN for life for just $30 and take control of your digital life

Mashable - 1 hour 57 min ago

TL;DR: This week only, get a FastestVPN Pro lifetime subscription on sale for $29.97 (reg. $600).

Opens in a new window Credit: FastestVPN FastestVPN Pro: Lifetime Subscription (15 Devices) $29.97
$600.00 Save $570.03 Get Deal

A virtual private network (VPN) allows you to bypass geoblocking and take control of your digital identity — and there's a great deal to get one for life today.

One VPN that won’t ask you for regular fees is FastestVPN Pro — get a lifetime subscription for just $29.97 for a limited time (reg. $600). FastestVPN PRO is an excellent choice for streaming because it offers 10Gbps speeds to prevent buffering and a built-in ad blocker.

You can set up separate servers for different streaming services as you get more comfortable with the VPN, and browse the web without annoying ads or restrictions.

Get this VPN for life for $29.97 this week only (reg. $600). No coupon is needed to get this price.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Get a powerful ChatGPT alternative for just $64.99 for all your writing, editing, and design needs

Mashable - 1 hour 57 min ago

TL;DR: You can get an AI Magicx lifetime subscription for $64.99 with coupon code MAGIC35 at checkout this week only (reg. $972).

Opens in a new window Credit: AI Magicx AI Magicx: Lifetime Subscription (Rune Plan) $99.99
$972.00 Save $872.01 with coupon code MAGIC35 Get Deal

You’re probably here because you love ChatGPT, but you’re wondering if it’s really the best AI tool out there. After rewording prompts, hitting usage limits, and still not getting the exact results you were hoping for, you wonder — should you upgrade your subscription or cancel if you’re already paying and not getting what you want?

A ChatGPT alternative that may give you better results and save you tons of cash is AI Magicx. There’s no need to reword prompts with ready-made templates. And subscription fees? They don’t exist with a lifetime subscription for $64.99 with coupon code MAGIC35 at checkout (reg. $972).

AI Magicx vs. ChatGPT

This isn’t a competition, but AI Magicx would be the winner if it were. Even those who pay for the premium version of ChatGPT hit usage limits (and you’d be surprised how fast they come about), but AI Magicx lets you generate unlimited AI words. As for images and logos, you’ll get 500 each month.

Generating content with AI Magicx is easy. Let’s say you want to generate an AI logo:

  1. Open the AI Logo tool.

  2. Enter a detailed description.

  3. Select a logo style, like modern, abstract, or corporate.

  4. Choose a color palette, background color, and canvas size.

  5. Hit ‘Generate.’

You’ll also find ready-made templates for creating AI articles, stories, code, social media captions, emails, and so much more. Whatever you need, there’s a good chance AI Magicx can help.

Use code MAGIC35 at checkout to get lifetime access to this all-in-one AI tool for $64.99 (reg. $962) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

We Live in Time review: Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield in the biggest cinema disappointment of the year

Mashable - 1 hour 57 min ago

On paper, We Live in Time seems thoughtfully formulated to be the perfect tearjerker for today. John Crowley, the celebrated helmer of the stunning Saoirse Ronan romance Brooklyn, teams with heralded actors/internet darlings Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield in a weepy romance of wooing and tragic loss. And yet, while peppered with sex scenes and adoring close-ups, this is not a hot or even sweaty embrace of lust and love, but a soggy handshake of a film that underwhelms despite its star power.  

It’s shocking how We Live in Time had the pieces that should’ve been the stuff of Oscar acclaim and audience adoration. But despite bringing together two of the hottest young actors currently working, Crowley’s movie is astonishingly middling, set apart from forgettable fare only by a time-skipping device that feels inexplicable at best and frustrating at worst. 

We Live in Time's plotting gimmick does not work. 

We Live in Time begins with a couple already so well established that they have a cozy morning routine. Ambitious chef Almut (Pugh) goes on a long picturesque run through a lovely forest, foraging ingredients along the way to use in her next culinary experiment. She returns home to a gorgeous cottage and gets to work in her pretty kitchen, while her loving husband Tobias (Garfield) is still sleeping comfortably in their bed.

No sooner is their bliss established over a breakfast in bed than the movie leaps back to before they met, when he was just a sad sack on the brink of divorce with his first wife. There’s thrilling chemistry following a literal car crash of a meet-cute, with Pugh’s signature charm sparking against Garfield’s unflappable wholesomeness. Other moments, like their much memed ride on a merry-go-round, are winsome. But they are tossed into this film with little regard to pacing or theme or any kind of apparent logic.

SEE ALSO: Horrible 'We Live in Time' horse becomes instant meme

Featured Video For You

Despite the flashes back and forward, their story is straightforward, the stuff of weepy beach reads. They fall in love while she is building her first restaurant, and he is dealing with the end of his first marriage. They nearly break up realizing they have different expectations around children. But they will overcome these issues, as they will her first battle with cancer and its brutal chemo treatments. The main plot of the film takes place once they’ve had their daughter and are faced with the recurrence of the cancer, more aggressive than before. The question becomes, will Almut endure another round of body-wilting chemo that may not even save her life? Or will she reject treatment to make the most of the time she has left?

The second cancer battle alone could have made an interesting movie. But because this screenplay aims to loop back-and-forth to show the breadth of their entire relationship,We Live in Time feels more like postcards of a relationship than a portrait that is fleshed out or remotely captivating. There’s so little sense of cohesion from sequence to sequence, it’s hard to get emotionally invested in these characters, even if you’re someone who has been a fan of the actors, as I am.  

Florence Pugh shines. Andrew Garfield is stranded. 

This is the kind of role that seems perfect for Florence Pugh, as it is a woman who is dealing with conflicting emotions that demand she smile and frown with equal passion. Almut loves her husband and her child, but also wants to be more than just “someone’s dying mum.” So when an opportunity to compete in a high-level cooking competition arises, she can’t bring herself to turn it down, even if it means pushing her body to its limits and spending less time at home. 

Again, this could’ve made a compelling story on its own. But We Live in Time aims to create some sort of balance by also following Tobias, who has much less to do. Where Almut is established as having desires outside of her marriage, her husband exists solely to mope when she disappoints him. He’s just Ken, an accessory to hang on her like an anchor. Which is wild because Tobias’s arguments in the film — for honesty in their marriage and for attempting a new round of chemo — are valid, yet undermined by a plotting that treats him as a clingy obstacle to Almut’s professional dreams. 

While Garfield delivers a soulful performance with big watery eyes, the scattered structure of the film gives him little to build on. Tobias is so thinly realized that the audience is left to fill in the gaps, perhaps with prior appreciation for Garfield or a general affection for Nicholas Sparks–style romances where the besotted lovers are doomed to be separated by death. In either case, the film on its own is frustratingly fractured. 

Crowley fails to elevate a lackluster script. 

To be clear, We Live in Time is not the worst movie of the year. That’d be the repulsive and abysmal relaunch of The Crow. It’s not the biggest bomb of the year, which looks to be Eli Roth’s messy adaptation of Borderlands. It’s not even a movie arguably enhanced by some sort of scandal, like Pugh’s Don’t Worry Darling or 2024’s other recent weepy It Ends With Us. In fact, We Live in Time will likely be bolstered by the incredible chemistry its stars are sharing on red carpets and cheeky promotional interviews. But on its own, this movie is far less than the sum of its parts. 

The cancer story could have been enough to sustain it. Perhaps with flashbacks to bolster our understanding not only of this couples' love but also the hardships they’ve traversed before. It could have been a delicately balanced story from both perspectives, exploring how sometimes even the choice of life or death is achingly complicated. But Crowley’s execution of Nick Payne’s woe-infested scribblings of a screenplay manages neither. The time jumps feel like artless novelty, attempting to distract from how threadbare this story actually is — particularly Almut’s first round of cancer, which makes up three short scenes.

While Pugh and Garfield give their all to Almut and Tobias, the chaotic smattering of scenes provides no build in emotional tension. In fact, jumping from the couple already together to not having met undercuts scenes of nervous flirtation with inevitability. It’s like for everything that might work in this film, there’s something else that works against it. Sequences like their first conversation in a hospital hallway and a birth sequence wildly alive with energy offer moments of hope that Crowley and company will cut their way through the messy plot device of time-skipping to hook into something unshakably profound. 

But in the end, We Live in Time is profoundly mediocre, lacking the verve, sexiness, and raw human emotion we’ve come to expect from Pugh and Garfield. 

We Live in Time is now streaming on Max.

UPDATE: Feb. 6, 2025, 2:41 p.m. EST "We Live in Time" was reviewed out of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. This article, originally published on Sept. 16, has been updated to include viewing options.

Piece By Piece review: Pharrell Williams finds his happy place in Legoland biopic

Mashable - 1 hour 57 min ago

2024 is proving a sensational year for the revival of the music biopic. Sure, it started off weak with the bog-standard One Love and the infuriating Back to Black. But summer brought the brazen rebellion of Kneecap, which played like an early Guy Ritchie crime romp. And the Toronto International Film Festival brought the wowing double act of Better Man, which reimagines British pop star Robbie Williams as a literal dancing monkey, and Piece By Piece, in which American rapper/songwriter/producer/fashion designer Pharrell Williams spins his life story into a Lego movie. 

Even when the stories hit familiar beats of a rags-to-riches arc, both of these remarkable reinventions make their material stand out through style. But where Better Man embraces a warts-and-all approach, Pharrell Williams — with the collaboration of heralded documentarian Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom, Won't You Be My Neighbor?) delivers an inspirational animated biopic for all ages. 

SEE ALSO: 42 movies you'll want to see this fall

Glossing over the low points of Williams' journey earned the film mixed reviews out of its debut at Telluride Film Festival. But the more I mulled over what this movie does offer, the more I was won over by its playful, glossy approach. 

Piece By Piece turns America's biggest hip-hop stars into minifigs.  Pharrell Williams and Gwen Stefani in "Piece By Piece." Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features

To find the arc of Williams' story, Neville interviewed the multi-hyphenate star, his wife Helen Lasichanh, and a dazzling array of collaborators and colleagues, including Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, The Neptunes' Chad Hugo, Gwen Stefani, and many more. In an interview with Mashable, Williams revealed many of these interviewees had no idea their contribution would be filtered through a Lego lens, and only discovered they'd been transformed into minifigs when the first trailer hit. 

Neville's visual translation of these interviews includes amusing flourishes, like turning Snoop Dog into a Lego Doberman, and making metaphors about bakeries literal, with Lego Pharrell selling sweet treats the way he sold hit beats. In one instance, the idea of blowing one's mind with a sick bit of music is illustrated by having a smiling minifig’s head pop right off its base in amazement. These choices bring a playfulness into the film that not only is sure to delight fans of The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman Movie, but also reflects the tone of Williams' hits, like "Happy" and "Get Lucky." 

More than this however, by turning himself into a plaything, Piece By Piece gives Williams a creative distance to reflect on his own life as if it is one of his many media projects. Through warm narration, he opens up about his childhood in the Atlantis Apartments in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The colorful blocks not only reconstruct his humble home but also a more fantastical version of Atlantis, where an Afro-wearing baby Pharrell swims about with a giant goldfish as Poseidon looks on. This charming spectacle showcases Pharrell's imagination manifesting big, surreal scenarios, which becomes a recurring theme — down to dreaming up a Lego music biopic. 

Piece By Piece is a Little Engine That Could tale that kids will relish. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features

After this whimsical dip into brick-made oceans, Williams admits he was considered an oddball by others, confessing, "It broke my spirit." But weird kids out there (or the weird adults they became) might find solace as little Pharrell finds his crew, each of whom also revels in making music. From there, Piece By Piece becomes a story of succeeding by staying true to yourself and putting in the work to build your dream, brick by brick. Along the way, Neville laces various hits that Pharrell has contributed to, from "Hot in Herre" and "Shake Ya Ass" to "Hollaback Girl" and "Blurred Lines." (Parents, don't fret. Some of the racier lyrics have been delicately plucked out.) 

While it's initially fun to indulge in the nostalgia as Neville recreates iconic music videos with minifigs, this device begins to get old as the story of his rise makes for a lot of name- and track-dropping. Pardon the pun, but things get a bit one-note. Then when it comes to a low point — a necessity for any biopic or story for that matter — Williams pulls back. 

Piece By Piece can't commit to its big swing.  Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features

Rosy memories of childhood troubles is one thing, but sharing why his career took a dip is a Lego bridge too far. Instead of probing questions, Neville paves a path with platitudes about how his subject's greatest weakness is he has too many ideas. Colleagues speak vaguely about some business missteps or shameless yes-men who gave Williams bad advice, and these unnamed negative influences are imagined as a trio of gray-skinned ghouls wearing smiles and business suits. 

Here the film suffers. Even with the mask of the minifig, Williams can't let his audience into the dark moments. (On the other hand, this is where Better Man positively thrives.) Swiftly, Williams has reconnected with his pure inspiration, and the third act becomes a rousing celebration of song, dance, and Lego bits humorous and heartfelt. But this fumbled beat undercuts the movie's message. Being true to yourself isn't a one-time battle; it's ongoing. But with a community — like the minifig friends and family in Piece By Piece — one might get their block knocked off and still rebuild. 

Even with help from an on-screen avatar, can Williams not admit the ugly truths of his own story? Or did he and Neville fear self-doubt in anything but the briefest mention might bring down the joy of their movie? To that, I'd point to the other Lego movies, where the Lego universe and Lego Gotham are brought to the brink of utter destruction without us losing faith in their minifig heroes. Heck, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part even made the dark side of its happy hero the minifig villain! 

This wobble aside, Piece By Piece is a winsome reinvention of the music biopic. Animation is enthusiastically employed to bring the audience into the experience of being Pharrell Williams. The colorful blocks not only allow the construction of musical beats to become a physical act rather than an abstract idea, but also give a Ratatouille-like understanding of how this art form affects its hero. His synesthesia is showcased in waves of color as the beat bounces. 

While this colorful concept means Piece By Piece can be a hit with kids, it's easy to wish the movie dared to delve a bit more into the problems of being a grown-up. But all in all, Piece By Piece is a delight that could well have audiences dancing in the aisles. 

Piece By Piece is now streaming on Peacock.

UPDATE: Feb. 6, 2025, 4:24 p.m. EST "Piece By Piece" was reviewed out of its International Premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. This review was originally published on Sept. 12, 2024, and has been updated to reflect viewing options.

Stop texting, start sexting: The best apps for NSFW chats

Mashable - 1 hour 57 min ago

Sexting (aka dirty talk, swapping nudes, sending explicit audio messages...the list goes on) is an entirely new kind of intimacy. It's a way to connect with folks on a deeper level, even if you're not physically together. And hey, who doesn't love a little teasing and digital foreplay before a long-awaited meeting?

The motivations for sexting are as varied as the act itself. Whether you're single and ravenous for some sexy screen time with a stranger, hoping to find a regular sexting buddy, in a long-distance relationship and keeping the passion alive through virtual sex, or want to amp up your solo sex toy sessions with steamy instructions from an AI companion, mastering the act (art?) of sexting leads to a more fulfilling physical and emotional experience.

Now, we're not talking about flirting with your crush on Facebook Messenger or sliding into someone's DMs on Instagram uninvited (cringe!). We're talking about good old-fashioned dirty talk with a modern twist. Think video chat, sexy snaps, and disappearing messages to keep your private information safe. We made a lot of accounts to test the best sexting apps, and we've gathered our favorites below. (You might even recognize some from our guides to the best dating apps and hookup apps.)

Once viewed as taboo, sexting is becoming a mainstream way to communicate your desires Credit: Zain Bin Awais / Mashable

A 2023 survey found that 77 percent of U.S. adults have sent at least one sext. Other research surveys have found even higher rates of sexting. Millennials are leading the charge, but they're definitely not alone in sending those naughty messages and nudes. As messaging apps get more advanced and our society gets more sex-positive, sexting has entered the mainstream in a big way.

SEE ALSO: The cherry emoji and 14 other emoji you can use to sext

Sexting isn't just a saucy way to get off; it's a great tool for building trust and intimacy. It's a chance to share your fantasies and explore your desires in a safe and consensual way. Plus, it can help you and your partner feel more connected, especially in long-distance relationships. (Think of it as foreplay for the next time you do get together IRL.)

Getting started with sexting apps

For some, just the thought of sending an explicit message or racy photo can be intimidating. (And that's OK!) Fortunately, there are so many apps and resources out there to help the most novice sexters feel empowered and confident. If you need some inspiration or tips, Mashable's Beginner's Guide To Sexting is a good place to start. Just remember: Sexting is supposed to be consensual, fun, and sexy.

To help you find the right app for your sexting style, we've narrowed down the best options in 2024. Based on our research and hands-on testing (yes, we really used them all), these are the top contenders for the best sexting apps of 2025:

The Samsung 98-inch 4K TV is over $500 off, and it’s a home theater dream

Mashable - 2 hours 10 min ago

SAVE $550: As of Feb. 7, the Samsung 98-inch DU9000 4K Smart TV is on sale for $1,947.99 at Amazon (regularly $2,497.99). That is $550 off a massive 4K QLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, AI-powered upscaling, and deep contrast for cinema-quality visuals.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 98-inch DU9000 TV $1,947.99 at Amazon
$2,497.99 Save $550.00 Shop Now

When size matters, this 98-inch Samsung delivers in every way without the brand tax thanks to Amazon. After a theater-style setup in your living room or the ultimate screen for gaming on a grand scale, the DU9000 Series is built to impress.

This QLED panel is backed by Samsung’s Supersize Picture Enhancer and Mega Contrast, ensuring vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent clarity. Motion Xcelerator 120Hz keeps everything smooth and fluid, making it a fantastic choice for sports, movies, and high-FPS gaming.

SEE ALSO: Beats Studio Buds+ are $50 off at Amazon — upgrade your earbuds for less

Samsung’s Tizen OS gives you built-in Alexa and access to all your favorite streaming apps, from Netflix and Disney+ to YouTube and Twitch. With three HDMI ports, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, you can easily connect your game consoles, sound systems, and streaming devices for a seamless entertainment experience.

For audio, the DU9000 features Object Tracking Sound Lite, so audio follows the action on screen. If you want even bigger sound, pair it with a Samsung Q-Series soundbar and use Q-Symphony for an immersive home theater experience.

At $550 off on Amazon, this 98-inch 4K monster is an absolute steal for anyone looking to go big without breaking the bank. Deals on supersized TVs this good do not last, so if you have the space, now is the time to upgrade.

Samsung OLED TV is over $700 off — and you won’t find a better deal on a 55-inch OLED

Mashable - 2 hours 13 min ago

SAVE $770: As of Feb. 7, the Samsung 55-inch S85D 4K OLED Smart TV is on sale for $927.99 at Amazon (regularly $1,697.99). That’s 45% off a premium OLED TV with Dolby Atmos, AI-powered 4K upscaling, and a silky smooth 120Hz refresh rate.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung S85D 4K OLED Smart TV $927.99 at Amazon
$1,697.99 Save $770.00 Shop Now

If you have been waiting for the right time to upgrade to OLED, thanks to Amazon, this is it. The Samsung S85D delivers deep blacks, vibrant colors, and crisp contrast, making every scene more immersive.

Its NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor boosts HD content to near 4K clarity, so your favorite shows and movies will look sharper and more detailed. This TV is also built for next-level audio. With Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound Lite, the sound moves with the action, creating a cinematic experience in your living room. Add a Samsung soundbar for even richer audio.

SEE ALSO: The Anker 735 GaN charger is down to under $20 — grab it before it’s gone

Gamers will love Motion Xcelerator 120Hz, eliminating screen tearing and keeping fast-paced gameplay smooth and responsive. The low input lag and quick response time make it a great choice for competitive gaming.

Since this is a Samsung Smart TV, you get built-in Alexa and Tizen OS for easy access to Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and more. The intuitive interface makes it easy to switch between apps and control your smart home with just your voice.

At $770 off on Amazon, this deal is an easy choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home entertainment setup without overspending. OLED TV deals this good do not last long, so grab it before the price jumps back up.

I never lose my keys anymore thanks to this Tile Mate tracker — now on sale for 39% off

Mashable - 2 hours 17 min ago

SAVE $11: As of Feb. 7, the Tile Mate is on sale for $16.95 at Amazon (regularly $27.99). That’s 39% off a must-have gadget that ensures you never lose your keys, bags, or even your phone again.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tile Mate Tile Mate (2024) $16.95 at Amazon
$27.99 Save $11.04 Shop Now

If you spend more time searching for lost keys than actually using them, the Tile Mate (2024) will be your new best friend thanks to this latest Amazon deal. Attach this compact Bluetooth tracker to anything you frequently misplace (keys, backpacks, wallets) and let the free Tile app do the rest. Just tap a button in the app, and the Tile will ring loudly, making it easy to find (even if it’s buried under a couch cushion).

But the real lifesaver? If you misplace your phone, double press the Tile Mate, and your phone will ring even if it’s on silent. No more tearing apart the house in a panic.

SEE ALSO: The Anker 735 GaN charger is down to under $20 — grab it before it’s gone

If your item is gone (like left in an Uber), the Tile app shows its last known location on a map. Thanks to the Tile network, other users can help anonymously locate your lost item. Unlike Apple’s AirTag, the Tile Mate works with iPhones and Android devices, making it a versatile choice for any household.

This 2024 version also syncs with Life360, meaning you can track your family and your stuff in one app, perfect for parents who want to monitor their kids’ backpacks or luggage while traveling.

With a 350-foot Bluetooth range, water resistance (IP68-rated), and a battery that lasts up to three years, this little tracker is built to last. It even has a discreet SOS feature that can alert loved ones if you’re in an unsafe situation, a small but thoughtful addition.

If you’re tired of losing your essentials, now’s the time to grab the Tile Mate (2024) for just $16.95. At nearly 40% off on Amazon right now, it’s an affordable way to stay organized and stress-free.

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for February 7, 2025

Mashable - 2 hours 17 min ago

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, February 7, 2025:

Across"Be quiet!"
  • The answer is Shush.

Knight's weapon
  • The answer is Lance.

Senior figure
  • The answer is Elder.

"In any ___ ..."
  • The answer is Event.

"Emilia ___" (2024 film with the most Oscar nominations)
  • The answer is Perez.

DownWhat newborns do for much of the day
  • The answer is Sleep.

Cut in two
  • The answer is Halve.

What "U" stands for in "O/U"
  • The answer is Under.

Acting class assignment
  • The answer is Scene.

Standard unit of frequency
  • The answer is Hertz.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

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