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It is not the best time to be Drake.
The Canadian artist released a new album on Friday. So far it has not been well received. And that's putting it nicely.
And, in case the rock you live under doesn't have good WiFi, this came just days after Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show. Lamar devoted a good portion of that show — the most watched broadcast in the country, by far — to further annihilating Drake in the beef that Lamar already decisively won.
SEE ALSO: Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show is breaking the internetSo again: It is not the best time to be Drake, beyond, you know, the hundreds of millions of dollars in net worth.
The new album from Drake, in collaboration with PARTYNEXTDOOR, is titled $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. The album doesn't seem to dig too far into the beef with Lamar, referencing it mostly on the track "Gimme a Hug." Early reviews from critics have been pretty negative. And the album doesn't seem to be the internet's favorite — again, putting it kindly — at least thus far. The reactions on BlueSky, for instance, seem to range from indifference to loathing.
OMG THIS DRAKE ALBUM IS SO BAD
— Toure (@toure.bsky.social) February 14, 2025 at 12:53 AMkendrick’s halftime performance was so good that drake literally released an album today and absolutely no one gives a fuck about it
— Emmett Initiative (@emmett.bsky.social) February 14, 2025 at 11:18 PMSomeone said Drake made a Valentines Day album for men and they are not wrong. Those are his fans now...women, esp Black women, jumped off that bandwagon when he started taking shots at our faves.
— Britni Danielle (@britnidanielle.bsky.social) February 14, 2025 at 1:54 PM…for whatever reason i just do not care about this drake x pnd album. i feel like i already know exactly what it sounds like.
— Denver (@denver.bsky.social) February 14, 2025 at 12:54 AMI see NOBODY talking about Drake album like not a soul that shit must be trash
— Somebody Thick Ass Mama 💖 (@gawgeous.bsky.social) February 14, 2025 at 4:56 PMPlease stop making fun of Drake for making this R&B album with PARTYNEXTDOOR. Instead, encourage him to stick to singing.
— I'm Gary Suarez of CABBAGES (@imgarysuarez.bsky.social) February 14, 2025 at 7:17 PMDrake and PND put out a joint album?
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Of course, it's not like everyone is universally negative about the album. Drake fans, of course, have rushed to its defense, and reviews on TikTok, seemed to be more mixed.
Still, lots of posts online about the album being bad have gone viral.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedSo again, it's not the best time to be Drake.
With President Donald Trump back in the White House, all kinds of media and art will feel like it's commenting on him and his supporters. Some of it will be subtle; Bong Joon Ho's Mickey 17 is not.
The celebrated director of the scathing satire Parasite returns with a parable set in a future where Earth is a man-made global disaster. There, a failed politician, who has a penchant for pursing his lips when he makes proclamations, launches a spaceship, stocked with many of his devoted followers. They don red baseball caps embroidered with his motto and hope to create a "pure planet" in the stars.
It's blunt. And honestly, the similarities to America under Trump might hurt any hope for escapism. But notably, Mickey 17 isn't named for the narcissistic billionaire that is its villain. This heart-wrenching and inventive adventure is named for the average Joe who dumb-lucked himself onto a spaceship and into a massive change of fate.
Robert Pattinson brings Jackass appeal to Mickey 17. Robert Pattinson is a human printing in "Mickey 17." Credit: Warner Bros.The backdrop to Mickey 17 is one of global politics, economic inequality, and fearmongering as a recruiting tool. But the core of the story is a good-hearted doofus named Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson). Fleeing a merciless loan shark, Mickey takes any job he can to get off-planet, signing up to be an "expendable" without reading the fine print on his contract. What he's consented to is to become the space colony's one-man crash test dummy. He'll be killed over and over in the name of science, only to be printed out again, with all his memories (of life and death) intact.
Despite dying being a pretty common part of his routine, Mickey builds a life with the live-wire soldier Nasha (Blink Twice's Naomi Ackie). But after a mission gone weird, he returns to their bed to find not just his lover but another him. Mickey 18 (also played by Pattinson) was printed because the crew assumed Mickey 17 was dead. More bad news: "Multiples" have a bad reputation, which means their simultaneous existence could lead to them both being killed for good, with no more human printings.
Like Tom Cruise in Edge of Tomorrow (aka Live Die Repeat), Pattinson plays the clown in a daffy death montage, softening the blow of his repeated demise with a mix of physical comedy and a playful score of plinking piano and swooning strings. But where Cruise's army PR man was a cocky son-of-a-bitch, Pattinson's Mickey 17 is a real Jackass.
In an interview with Empire, Pattison said that he'd attempted to mimic Jackass star Steve-O and Johnny Knoxville in his dual roles of Mickeys 17 and 18, but Bong shot the idea down. Still, fans of the stunts-and-shenanigans franchise might well still hear Steve-O in Pattison's raspy but open-hearted tone. And it's a smart allusion, subtly calling Generation X and millennials to remember the lovable goofball who'd risk his own neck (or nutsack) to please others. It's not that Mickey thinks of himself as noble in his human guinea-pigging. He's just happy to be of use, having little thought he's good for much else. By contrast, Mickey 18 is abrasive and volatile, less inclined to bend a knee to the powers that be. To survive, they must either join forces or turn on each other. And their decisions causes an electrifying upheaval in their space colony.
Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette give Trump with a hint of Okja. Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette play Kenneth Marshall and his wife Ylfa in "Mickey 17." Credit: Warner Bros.The two critically acclaimed performers are smartly paired as the braggadocious Kenneth Marshall and his right-hand wife Ylfa. Where the spaceship's inhabitants eat rationed gray sludge and wear uniforms to match, these two relish their lofty status and obscene wealth, dressing in flashy suits bedecked with shiny rivets or dresses so snug and violently colored they're a visual ambush. Like he did in the sci-fi thriller Snowpiercer and the fantasy caper Okja, Bong draws a dramatic contrast between the haughty haves, who feel their desires are exactly what they are owed no matter the human cost, and the gruff but lovable have-nots, who are expected to endure on sludge and scraps.
Ruffalo embraces the buffoonery of this political performance, wearing distractingly white veneers as he mimics Trump's signature sneer and mercurial nature. Collette's Ylfa is less obviously tied to contemporary American politics. However, her fixation on luxuries — like ornate furnishings and exotic sauces — reflects the consumeristic colonialism that Bong openly condemns across his work. There's a willful lunacy in these heightened portrayals, where the caustic couple urges each other to grisly acts of violence in the name of their planetary conquest. And yet, for as far-flung in the future as Mickey 17 is set, it doesn't feel that far away.
Mickey 17 isn't a playbook of resistance but a parable of hope. Robert Pattinson and Naomi Ackie play lovers in "Mickey 17." Credit: Warner Bros.When cultures clash in Bong's movies, they often do so with dark humor and some juicy genre spectacle, a kind of candy-coating to make the medicine go down more easily. Mickey 17 himself is a sugary-sweet hero, whose softness is outright derided by more cynical members of the crew. Yet, this cavalcade of clashing crew mates — including Ackie, Steven Yeun, and Patsy Ferran — bring their own tasty charms through scenes involving kinky sex, party drugs, and animal noises. Then all this is folded into an alien world, where the natives are a compelling cross between pill bugs and elephants, soft and scurrying yet potentially powerful. Unexpectedly, they become a clever mirror of Mickey 17, underestimated but ultimately extraordinary. And in that is the lesson.
Mickey 17 is not hard or smart or even particularly special. He's an average dope who has been snookered by one bad deal after another. But in Mickey 17, he is the hero, thrown into an extraordinary circumstance that challenges him to adapt or die. But adapting doesn't demand becoming hard like 18. And in that Bong offers a ray of hope for those opposing a brutal authority.
The journey Mickey goes on is winding and wild, bucking the conventional flow of a sci-fi action movie, by being only gently sci-fi and barely action. Instead, Mickey 17 plays as a political comedy with cross-genre flare, ultimately urging the audience to see the similarities, and perhaps find our own inner Mickey 17.
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 MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, February 15, 2025:
AcrossGoverning body of world soccerThe answer is FIFA.
The answer is Music.
The answer is Gentle.
The answer is Selfies.
The answer is Inland.
The answer is Crock.
The answer is Kent.
The answer is Fun fact.
The answer is I stink.
The answer is Filed.
The answer is Aces.
The answer is Mellon.
The answer is Genre.
The answer is Sick.
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 GamesAre 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.
It's about to get easier to add AI-generated video into your short-form posts. YouTube announced that Shorts will integrate Veo 2 — Google DeepMind’s newest video mode — which will allow users to generate and add AI clips into their videos.
The new feature will be a part of Shorts' Dream Screen, which already lets users add AI-generated backgrounds to their posts.
Wrote Youtube in a blog post announcing the news: "Need a specific scene but don't have the right footage? Want to turn your imagination into reality and tell a unique story? Simply use a text prompt to generate a video clip that fits perfectly into your narrative, or create a whole new world of content. It’s that easy!"
SEE ALSO: YouTube turns 20 years old. Did you know it was originally a dating website?YouTube claimed in the blog post that Veo 2 better "understands real-world physics and human movement," which should result in more detailed and accurate results. Users should also be able to create AI video that fits a specific "style, lens, or cinematic effect."
The blog post includes a (pretty cheesy) example of how creators could use the tool — a video in which a guy's dog grows to monster size.
It is both neat and a bit worrying that AI video is so easy to create. YouTube noted that AI-generated creations would feature both SynthID watermarks and clear labels. Hopefully, that will ease confusion from viewers.
For the time being, the new AI feature has been launched for users in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Billionaire SpaceX founder Elon Musk has often exulted his dream of colonizing the Red Planet with 1 million people.
But before Musk gets his Martian city, he'll have practice with one right here on Earth — that is, if all goes according to his launch company's plans. In December, SpaceX submitted a petition to turn the coastal Texas village, where the Starship factory and space port operate, into an incorporated city. Like the rocket complex, it would be named Starbase.
The proposal reached a pivotal milestone this week. After reviewing the petition for satisfying state requirements, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. set a date for a local vote to decide whether Starbase gets municipal status. That election, to be held on May 3, appears to be a foregone conclusion. Nearly all of the voters living within the roughly 1.5 square-mile area are SpaceX employees and family members, living in company-owned houses. Out of 247 lots in the proposed city limits, only 10 are not owned by SpaceX, according to documents.
"Starbase, Texas, will soon be an official new city," Musk said on X, the social platform once called Twitter, which he also owns.
Surrounding residents are wary of what such a change could mean for them. Environmental activists are concerned about unchecked development, and people who live in nearby Brownsville, Texas, worry they'll lose public beach access. Furthermore, there's an air of mystery to the effort, with many wondering why the company feels the need to go this route.
SEE ALSO: Think this space station and moon photo is AI? Meet the photographer. Spectators arrive at SpaceX's Starbase for a Starship prototype launch in South Texas on Oct. 12, 2024. Credit: Sergio Flores / AFP / Getty ImagesIn a letter with the petition, Kathy Lueders, Starbase's general manager, said the company needs the area to have its own government in order to grow. SpaceX has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure and generated hundreds of millions in income and taxes for local businesses and government, she said.
Through contracts, the company already provides several community services, such as road management, utilities, school provisions, and medical care. Lueders insisted that municipal status won't interfere with the "extensive list of environmental mitigations" SpaceX already has in place.
"Incorporating Starbase will streamline the processes required to build the amenities necessary to make the area a world-class place to live, for the hundreds already calling it home, as well as for prospective workers eager to help build humanity's future in space," she wrote.
People gather to watch a SpaceX Starship flight test on Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. Credit: Jon Shapley / Houston Chronicle / Getty ImagesThe proposed city sits on the southern edge of Texas near the U.S.-Mexican border. In July 2024, Musk posted on X that he had reached "the final straw" in California and would be moving SpaceX's headquarters to the Texas rocket complex.
Some have speculated SpaceX could use the municipality to leverage more public money, such as state and federal grants. Or perhaps the company wants less red tape each time it needs to shut down roads, close Boca Chica Beach, and clear nearby boats from the water for a Starship launch test.
Regardless of outside residents' misgivings, their opinions are largely irrelevant. Only people living within the proposed city — not neighbors — can vote. As of Feb. 14, there were just 160 registered voters eligible to cast a ballot, the election administrator Remi Garza told Mashable.
Tweet may have been deletedThat's the reality Tino Villarreal Jr., an at-large city commissioner in Brownsville, has tried to emphasize to his constituents.
"This is going to happen," he told The Brownsville Herald. "The vote’s going to go through."
If Starbase becomes a city, it will be run by a mayor and two city commissioners. Included with the petition are three candidate applications for those positions, all seemingly unopposed. No, Musk would not be the mayor of Starbase, but a SpaceX security manager, Gunnar Milburn, is applying for the job.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk said in July 2024 he would move the company's headquarters from California to Starbase in South Texas. Credit: SpaceXElection administrator Garza said the upcoming vote will likely enhance participation in the general election. It's the first time officials have been able to provide a polling location in that part of the county.
"Better still is that it will serve not only the residents in the area, but all the voters who work in the area, too," he told Mashable. "We are hopeful we will be able to continue serving them in the years to come during future elections."
One thing is certain: It'll be a whole lot easier to start a city in Texas than about 70 million miles away. After all, the Rio Grande Valley does have breathable air.
Any time you shop for a new laptop, a lot of people are going to tell you the same thing: Get a MacBook.
We don't blame them. The best MacBooks are fantastic laptops, and while they don't afford you the freedom of customization that other brands offer, that's not something everyone will care about. Most of us just want a high-quality laptop that'll get us through work, school, and play with minimal fuss.
SEE ALSO: The best iPads for reading, working, and streamingAlthough MacBooks can get a bit pricey — with the latest M4 MacBook Pros reaching into truly frightening territory — they justify the price with Apple's signature design, user-friendly OS, and zippy M-series processors. Plus, you can often find MacBook Air and Pro models on sale (with the cheapest ones priced around $850 to $999).
After testing out Apple's entire lineup of laptops, we're here to help you narrow down the choices and take home the Apple machine of your dreams.
Your first big decision: MacBook Pro vs AirWith today's current lineup of MacBooks, you really only have two options: The MacBook Pro or the MacBook Air. So, which is right for you?
If you're a creative who regularly pushes your laptop to the limit with demanding video and photo editing applications, you'll want to aim for the Pro. The name of the game with the Pro line is processing power, and the latest iterations are the speediest and most performance-driven yet.
Testing the M1 MacBook Air after its 2020 release. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Testing the super-powered M3 MacBook Pro. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableIf convenience and portability are your top priorities, then the Air will be most suited to you. It's thin and light, and it even comes in a 13-inch option if you'll be lugging it around wherever you go. Plus, ever since the debut of Apple's M Series chips, the MacBook Air has become a pint-sized powerhouse. The most current model utilizes the M3 chip, so you won't be sacrificing all that much in terms of power.
Which generation MacBook is the best?This will come down to what you're willing to give up in performance, and in some cases, quality. But, whatever you do deem worthy of sacrificing, you'll be paid back in savings. For example, the 2022 model M2 MacBook Air won't come with the latest chip, but you'll still be scoring an impressive laptop that frequently goes on sale for just $849.99. That's compared to the $1,249 price tag of the most recent Air, and the $1,599 asking price of the latest Pro.
A photo from Mashable's test of the M1 MacBook Air. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Testing the M2 MacBook Air. Credit: Molly Flores / MashableSo, if you've got a lighter budget, don't fret — you can still get a MacBook at an affordable price. Older MacBooks are still very much worthy of your consideration, and they won't cost you nearly as much.
SEE ALSO: The best Windows laptops we tested in 2024: Our pick lasts longer than the M4 MacBook Pro What are the best MacBooks?After testing out the latest Apple laptops, we think there are five MacBooks worth buying in 2025. Check out our top picks below, their pros and cons, and who we think would like each model best.
DISNEY+ BUNDLES: Disney+ is offering bundle deals so you can stream the best of its library at a lower price.
The best Disney+ deals and bundles in February 2025: Best Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Basic Bundle Deal Disney Bundle Duo Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get DealWhether you're looking to jump into the latest superhero saga or journey to a galaxy far, far away, Disney+ is the streaming service for you. Home to Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and so much more, Disney+ offers a library that's chock-full of shows and films to keep both adults and kids entertained. If you've had this streaming service on your radar but are unsure which plan is the best fit for you, we've got you covered with a selection of Disney+ streaming deals.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardThere are quite a few bundle deals to check out with Disney+ right now, including the Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle. This is a great investment for those who already own the other two streaming services and are looking to cut down on costs. And with streaming prices on the rise (Disney+ even increased its prices just last year), now's a great time to jump on a bundle like that.
We've detailed all of the available bundle deals below, alongside basic information on Disney+ plans if you just want the House of Mouse's service on its own.
Best Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like itThe Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle is one of the best available at the moment. Starting at $16.99 per month, you can have three excellent streaming services right in the palm of your hand, which is a great offer to take advantage of given streaming service prices keep going up. The $16.99 per month option is for the With Ads plan, but if you'd prefer to watch your favorite content without ads, the No Ads plan comes to $29.99 per month. Compared to what you'd pay for each of these on their own, you're saving 43% with the ad-supported plan and 42% with the ad-free plan.
Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle (with ads) — $16.99 per month (save 43%)
Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle (no ads) — $29.99 per month (save 42%)
If the Disney+, Hulu, and Max mega bundle feels like a bit too much, there are smaller bundle deals to check out instead. One of the most affordable bundle options the service has is the Duo Basic bundle. This brings together Disney+ and Hulu (With Ads) for $10.99 per month. This is a great way to gain access to both of their libraries for only $1 more than what you'd pay for their ad-supported plans on their own.
Disney Bundle Duo Basic — $10.99 per month
If you'd rather spring for the ad-free version of that bundle, Duo Premium is what you need. This offers both Disney+ and Hulu without ads for $19.99 per month instead. Disney+ also has Trio bundles that throw in ESPN+. The Trio Basic plan, which has ads, runs for $16.99 per month, and the Trio Premium plan without ads costs $26.99 per month.
Disney Bundle Duo Premium — $19.99 per month
Disney Bundle Trio Basic — $16.99 per month
Disney Bundle Trio Premium — $26.99 per month
Disney+ offers two standard plans if you just want the service on its own. The Disney+ Basic ad-supported plan comes to $9.99 per month while the ad-free Disney+ Premium plan will set you back $15.99 per month or $159.99 per year if you'd rather pay annually.
Disney+ Basic (With Ads) — $9.99 per month
Disney+ Premium (No Ads) — $15.99 per month, $159.99 per year
Disney+ has also created an "extra member" plan for people using your account that live outside of your household as they crack down on password sharing. If you're looking to add another person onto your account, you're only allowed one extra profile and can choose from the following add-on plans:
Disney+ Basic — $6.99 per month
Disney+ Premium — $9.99 per month
Disney Bundle Duo Basic — $7.99 per month
Disney Bundle Duo Premium — $10.99 per month
Disney Bundle Trio Basic — $11.99 per month
Disney Bundle Trio Premium — $14.99 per month
There's a wealth of shows and films to check out on Disney+ after you sign up. If you want some help finding something to watch, check out our roundups of the 12 best TV shows for adults on Disney+ and the 20 best movies on Disney+ to start building out your watchlist.
A blood moon is coming.
The entirety of the lower 48 states, the greater Americas, and some regions beyond will witness — weather permitting — a total lunar eclipse the night of March 13 and into the early morning of March 14. This special cosmic event occurs when the moon, Earth, and sun are aligned. Long, red wavelengths of light pass through Earth's atmosphere and are projected onto the moon in majestic rusty or crimson colors.
The coming total lunar eclipse, now less than a month away, is the first to grace Earth since 2022.
"They are really dramatic to see," Bennett Maruca, an astronomer at the University of Delaware who has witnessed a number of total lunar eclipses and plans to watch the looming March event, told Mashable.
SEE ALSO: Solar eclipses were once extremely terrifying events, experts say A graphic showing how the moon's surface is reddened by the sun's red light wavelengths passing through Earth's atmosphere. Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio Reasons to see the total lunar eclipse- It's unique: Earth experiences a total lunar eclipse, on average, every 1.5 years. But it's a somewhat rare space phenomenon to view because you have to be on the side of Earth facing the moon when it happens. Also, weather can impede viewing — as it did for many during the 2024 total solar eclipse — so it's wise to attempt a viewing when you can.
- It's easy! You basically (again, weather permitting) just need to go outside. Unlike a total solar eclipse — wherein just a narrow band of Earth's surface witnesses the event — huge swathes of territory will be able to see the moon turn red. The event also lasts for hours, as the moon progressively reddens, so there's no rush. "It's not racing for three minutes of viewing," Maruca said, referencing the hurriedness one can experience trying to catch a total solar eclipse (which is still definitely worth it).
- You don't need any special equipment: "Best of all, unlike the precautions one takes to observe a total solar eclipse, it’s completely safe to watch a lunar eclipse unfold with the unaided eye," NASA explains. "Even so, binoculars or a powerful telescope definitely can enrich the experience."
"That's as unifying as it gets."- It's both a national and multinational event: "Here's an event that can potentially be viewed by hundreds of millions of people, simultaneously," marveled Maruca. "That's as unifying as it gets."
When to see the March 2025 total lunar eclipseThe NASA map below shows when the peak of totality occurs during the coming total lunar eclipse. At that point, the moon, Earth, and sun fall into alignment, allowing the long red wavelengths of sunlight to filter through Earth's atmosphere and then starkly illuminate the moon. (Meanwhile, blue light from the sun scatters in the atmosphere on Earth's dayside, turning those skies blue.)
Totality begins at 11:26 p.m. PDT on March 13, 2025 / 2:26 a.m. EDT on March 14 / 06:26 UTC, and lasts for 65 minutes. But the reddening progresses over hours. Technically, the eclipse starts (the "penumbral eclipse") with slight dimming on March 13 at 8:57 p.m. PDT / 11:57 p.m. EDT / 03:57 UTC. The greater event ends at 3:00 a.m. PDT / 6:00 a.m. EDT / 10:00 UTC.
The website Time and Date provides more detailed information about viewing regions. (And for those on the wrong side of the planet for this eclipse, another total lunar eclipse occurs on Sept. 7, 2025.)
A map showing how the Americas will have the opportunity to witness a total lunar eclipse on March 13-14, 2025. Credit: NASAFor many of us, the crimson show peaks at unusual hours. But astronomers encourage trying to make it outside.
"It's worth staying up late for," Maruca said. "Totality is amazing."
TL;DR: Get a second phone number with a Hushed lifetime subscription for $19.99 with code SAVE20 at checkout through February 23 (reg. $150).
Working long hours is exhausting enough without your boss blowing up your phone after you’ve clocked out. It’s like your workday never ends, and those ‘quick’ after-hours calls and texts just keep piling up. If you need a serious way to protect your time and you’re all out of PTO, try a second phone number.
We aren’t talking about a second phone (because we know how expensive that would be), but simply an app that gives you a new phone number to call and text on. You know, the number you’ll give your boss and coworkers. Unlike a number through your existing mobile carrier, this one through Hushed is only $19.99 with code SAVE20 at checkout through February 23 (reg. $150).
This will teach your boss some boundariesFirst step: Tell your boss that you had to change phone numbers. Next step: Your time off work is actually your time.
To set up your private work phone line, Hushed lets you choose the area code from hundreds of options across the United States and Canada. You can also set a custom voicemail, just like a real phone number.
Then, simply open the Hushed second phone number app whenever you need to make calls and send texts. If you ever don’t want to miss a call from your boss (like when there’s actually something important happening for a change), you can set up call forwarding.
No additional data plan is required since Hushed uses your phone’s existing plan or Wi-Fi for connectivity. Every year, you get a combination of 1,000 phone minutes or 6,000 SMS sends — hopefully, that’s more than enough for your after-hours work needs.
Block after-hours work calls with a Hushed lifetime subscription, now $19.99 with code SAVE20 at checkout (reg. $150). This coupon code expires February 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Affinity Click Hushed Private Phone Line: Lifetime Virtual Number Subscription $19.99It's tough to feel excited over yet another biopic, but if the eight Oscar nominations are any indication, A Complete Unknown is not to be missed. Not only does Timothée Chalamet embrace his inner Bob Dylan, but the film sees several others take on iconic personas as well. It also stars Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, and Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, a character based on Dylan's real-life former flame Suze Rotolo.
The film is still floating around in theaters, but as of Feb. 25, it will also be available to watch at home. Here's everything you need to know.
What is A Complete Unknown about?A Complete Unknown follows Bob Dylan's (Chalamet) rise to fame in the early '60s, charting his beginnings as a folk singer in the New York music scene. "But once Dylan hits his groove, the film launches forward several years to 1965, when he's an established megastar whose emerging interest in electric guitar threatens to outrage his fanbase at the Newport Folk Festival, and his early allies," writes Mashable's film editor, Kristy Puchko.
Check out the official trailer for a sneak peek:
Is A Complete Unknown worth watching?In a world that's burnt out on biopics, the reviews of A Complete Unknown have been surprisingly positive. Currently, on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an 80 percent critic rating and a 96 percent audience rating. Not to mention, it's nabbed eight different Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design, and Best Sound. James Mangold is also nominated for Best Director, Chalamet for Best Lead Actor, and Norton and Barbaro for their supporting roles.
"A Complete Unknown is a rare and wonderful musician biopic," Mashable's reviewer writes, crediting Chalamet's performance, the storytelling outside of the subject, and the character building most of all.
Read our full review of A Complete Unknown.
How to watch A Complete Unknown at home Credit: Searchlight PicturesWhile it's still in select theaters, A Complete Unknown is officially set to make its at-home debut on digital retailers like Prime Video and Apple TV on Feb. 25. That gives you a little less than a week to watch before the Oscars. You can purchase it for your digital collection for $29.99 or rent it for 30 days (though, once you start watching, you'll only have 48 hours to finish). If you'd rather stream the film, keep reading for more information.
Here are some of the platforms where you can purchase or rent the film online:
Prime Video — $29.99 to buy, $19.99 to rent
Apple TV+ — $29.99 to buy, $19.99 to rent
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — $29.99 to buy, $19.99 to rent
YouTube — $29.99 to buy, $19.99 to rent
Currently, there's no official streaming release date for A Complete Unknown. However, as a Searchlight Pictures film, we can assume it will eventually join other Searchlight Pictures films on Hulu — like Poor Things, A Real Pain, Nightbitch, and Kinds of Kindness. We'll update this article with the latest information once the streaming date is announced.
Hulu is surprisingly one of the most generous streamers for newbies, offering a free 30-day trial. Subscriptions then start at $9.99 per month. Don't want to pay full price? We've also rounded up a few different ways you can save on your subscription below.
The best Hulu streaming deals (to watch later)Best Hulu deal for most people: Hulu annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $99.99 per year (save 16%) Get DealThe best way to cut back on streaming costs is to sign up for an annual Hulu plan. Paying for a year upfront costs just $99.99 ($8.33 broken down monthly), while a $9.99 monthly plan would add up to $119.88 in a year. That means you'll save about 16% or just shy of $20 in the long run.
Best bundle deal: Get Hulu and Disney+ for 45% off Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Duo Basic bundle: Hulu and Disney+ with ads $10.99 per month (save 45%) Get DealOpting for a bundle plan gets you the most bang for your buck in the streaming era. The Disney Duo Basic bundle, which gets you both Disney+ and Hulu (with ads), is only $10.99 per month. That's just $1 more than paying for Hulu alone, or a savings of 45%. You can also throw Max into the mix for only $16.99 per month total. That's 44% in savings on all three services.
Best for students: Hulu Student Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student $1.99 per month (save 80%) Get DealCollege students can score a Hulu subscription for only $1.99 per month. That's 80% off the usual cost of a Hulu with ads plan. The only requirement is that you can verify your college email address via SheerID.
Best for T-Mobile users: Hulu (with ads) included for Go5G Next customers Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile / Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free for select T-Mobile customers Get DealThe only way to get Hulu for free in 2025, aside from the 30-day free trial, is to switch over your phone plan to T-Mobile's Go5G Next plan. Customers on this plan can enjoy Hulu with ads for free, as well as Netflix and Apple TV+. Already on the Go5G Next plan? Just head on over to the T-Mobile promo page and choose "redeem now" to claim the offer. You'll just have to enter your T-Mobile number and account details in order to sign up for Hulu. You can read more terms and details on the promo page as well.
Note: After your initial 12-month promotional period, you'll also have to take action in order to keep your subscription alive.
TL;DR: This week only, get a Microsoft Office lifetime license for Windows on sale for $59.97 (reg. $219.99).
Microsoft 365 might seem affordable month-to-month, but those subscription fees add up fast. Before you know it, you’re shelling out over $100 a year just to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint — tools you need but don’t want to keep renting. What if you could pay once and never worry about renewal again?
That’s what the lifetime version of Microsoft Office offers. No recurring fees and no renewals — just a one-time payment for lifelong access to your favorite apps. This week only, the Windows version is on sale for $59.97 (reg. $219.99).
What’s includedWhile Microsoft 365 and the lifetime download aren’t exactly the same, they’re close enough for users who simply want affordable access to Office apps. The subscription-based model includes cloud storage and mobile app access, but you're simply overpaying if you aren’t taking advantage of these features.
The Microsoft Office lifetime download includes:
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Outlook
Teams
OneNote
Publisher
Access
If you decide this version is right for you, you can get the apps set up on your PC right away. Immediately after purchase, you’ll receive an email with a download link and software license key to install the apps. Then, use them for the life of your computer.
Download Microsoft Office for Windows while it’s on sale for $59.97 (reg. $219.99). This price drop ends on February 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT, and no coupon is needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $59.97TL;DR: The KeySmart SmartCard is the thinnest Apple Find My-compatible tracker, designed to fit in your wallet, charge wirelessly — and it's just $29.97 (reg. $39.99) through March 31.
Losing your wallet is frustrating. Digging through couch cushions, retracing your steps, and panicking over lost cards is not how anyone wants to spend their time. That's why we are rejoicing over the KeySmart SmartCard. It's the thinnest Apple Find My-compatible tracker designed to seamlessly fit in your wallet or ID badge — unlike the bulky, oddly shaped AirTag.
At less than 2mm thick, the SmartCard slides into any wallet slot, providing powerful tracking without the extra bulk. And unlike the AirTag, which requires disposable battery replacements, the SmartCard is rechargeable with any Qi-enabled wireless charger and lasts up to five months per charge.
The SmartCard is built for real-world use. It's IPX8 waterproof, meaning it can survive up to an hour submerged in water. This makes it ideal for travelers, commuters, and anyone who needs a durable tracking solution. Plus, its built-in lanyard slot allows you to attach it to ID badges or security cards, so you never have to deal with lost office credentials again.
With Apple Find My integration, the SmartCard offers real-time location tracking, separation alerts, and Lost Mode, so you don't misplace your essentials.
You can play a sound to locate it nearby, get notified if you leave it behind, and even use Lost Mode to display contact details if someone finds it. No bulky keychains, no weird shapes — just ultra-slim, ultra-smart tracking.
Don’t wait until you misplace your wallet again. Get this smarter way to track your essentials while it's on sale.
For a limited time, grab the KeySmart SmartCard for just $29.97 with free shipping instead of $39.99, but only through March 31.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: KeySmart KeySmart® SmartCard - Thinnest Card Tracker & Works with Apple Find My $29.97TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Headway Premium for just $59.99 (reg. $299.95) through March 2 and transform spare moments into powerful learning experiences with bite-sized insights from the world’s best nonfiction.
We all want to learn, grow, and achieve more, but finding the time to read can feel impossible. That’s why Headway Premium is such a game changer. And at just $59.99 for lifetime access, it's a good time to check it out.
Headway Premium offers a smarter way to learn by delivering concise, engaging summaries of nonfiction bestsellers in just 15 minutes. This lifetime deal provides unlimited access to an ever-growing selection of summaries, allowing you to absorb key ideas, strategies, and insights without the time commitment of traditional reading.
You’ll have lifetime access to Headway’s extensive collection of over 1,500 expertly crafted summaries, with 30 to 50 new additions every month. Whether you want to sharpen your business acumen, enhance your leadership skills, improve your health, or develop better habits, there’s a summary waiting to guide you.
Unlike other learning platforms that require ongoing subscriptions, Headway Premium lets you pay once and learn forever. This single purchase will unlock unlimited access, so you can continue expanding your knowledge without worrying about monthly fees.
This app’s AI-powered personalization tailors recommendations to your goals and interests, helping you focus on the topics that matter most. And a gamified approach allows you to track progress, earn achievements, and build a sustainable learning habit.
Professionally narrated audio summaries provide an on-the-go learning option so you can absorb key insights while commuting, exercising, or multitasking. Even offline, Headway ensures that learning never stops.
Don't miss out on this steep savings.
Get a lifetime of Headway Premium for just $59.99 (reg. $299.95) through March 2.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Headway Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription $59.99TL;DR: Save 65% on a refurbished MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) M1 while supplies last — fewer than 50 remain in stock.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $514.99I went through two laptops in my four years of college. Yeah, yikes. I opted for cheaper models then, and, instead, I paid the price with sucky battery life. When the second one bit the dust, I knew I had to get something nicer. That’s when I finally sprung for a MacBook. But here’s something most people don’t know: they aren’t always expensive.
On a college budget, I did some research and discovered refurbished laptops. Usually gently owned and restored to like-new condition, you can save buckets of cash — and help the environment. I found a deal on the Mashable Shop for a refurbished Apple MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) at $514.99, 65% off its sticker price of $1,499.
Here’s how it’s held up over the past two yearsI’m the first to admit that I’m hard on the things I own (you read the opening line of this article, didn’t you?), but this Apple laptop has held up surprisingly well after two years of regular daily use.
Apple’s M1 chip does an amazing job of powering me through my writing days. I often have 20+ Chrome tabs open at once, a YouTube video playing in the background, and pricing spreadsheets open. With everything running, I get a solid six hours of battery life, but it lasts all day if I’m only working in Google Docs.
Another thing I love about the laptop is the fanless design. It’s silent and weighs under three pounds. I work remotely, so it's easy to bring along when I want to write in a coffee shop or outside.
Don’t miss out on this refurbished MacBook deal. Once they sell out, they’re gone for good.
Get this 13.3-inch MacBook Air M1 for $514.99 (reg. $1,499).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Use our code KOOFR at checkout and get a 1TB cloud storage lifetime subscription from Koofr for £103.14 (reg. £642.81) through 23 February.
Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) £103.14 at Mashable ShopHaving cloud storage shouldn’t make you feel like you’re Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, with subscription fees charging you over and over, for years or even decades. There’s a new way to protect your files that pays for itself — if you’re willing to spend a little more upfront.
Koofr is like any other major cloud storage platform, except they offer a lifetime cloud storage subscription. Instead of paying every month, you pay just once and never worry about fees again. Plus, through 23 February, this one-time fee is down to £103.14 (reg. £642.81) when you use code KOOFR at checkout.
Affordable, convenient, and secureKoofr has hundreds of 5-star reviews that speak for themselves. Users seem to love Koofr because it pays for itself after just one year. Similar storage plans from Google Drive cost £8 monthly, so after 13 months, you’ll have money back in your pocket with Koofr.
Here’s a whole list of things to love about Koofr:
Get 1TB of storage for life with no future fees
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Save on cloud storage with Koofr’s lifetime plan, now £103.14 with code KOOFR at checkout until 23 February at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 15 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: To reveal a secret
Green: Found on an Apple computer
Blue: Terms often abbreviated in music styles
Purple: Words that commonly come before "cake" in food names
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Divulge
Green: Words on a Mac Keyboard
Blue: Words Shortened in Rock Genres
Purple: ___Cake
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #615 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayDivulge: BLAB, DISH, SPILL, TELL
Words on a Mac Keyboard: COMMAND, CONTROL, OPTION, RETURN
Words Shortened in Rock Genres: ALTERNATIVE, EMOTIONAL, POPULAR, PROGRESSIVE
___Cake: CHEESE, CUP, PAN, SHORT
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 15Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: 8NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for February 15 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 15, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A bend in a road, or someone dishonest.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter O appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
CROOK.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 15Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 15 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 15 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Will you be my Valentine?These words are related to goal-oriented groups.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThe words are names.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is HockeyTeam.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for February 15Sharks
Jets
Devils
HockeyTeam
Avalanche
Lightning
Wild
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Block
Green: THPS
Blue: High-flying jams
Purple: Same second word
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Try to stop a basketball shot
Green: Skateboarding tricks
Blue: Two-time NBA Dunk Contest Winners
Purple: ___ Line
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #144 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayTry to stop a basketball shot - CHALLENGE, CLOSE OUT, CONTEST, DEFEND
Skateboarding tricks - KICKFLIP, MANUAL, MCTWIST, OLLIE
Two-time NBA Dunk Contest Winners - LAVINE, MCCLUNG, MINER, RICHARDSON
____ Line - 3-POINT, BLUE, GOAL, MENDOZA
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.