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TL;DR: Streamline your PDF conversion and editing process when you get this SwifDoo PDF Pro license for $29.97.
Editing PDFs with images and multiple text types within them can be a professional nightmare. Not only do you lose formatting, but now you spend twice as much work time fixing the PDF as you would have just editing it. Take your time back and keep your formatting with SwifDoo PDF, a program offering all-in-one editing, conversions, and translation of files, now just $29.97 for a perpetual license (reg. $129).
Advanced PDF editing featuresProfessional files should be clean and high-quality. Edit and create PDFs precisely the way you need them with SwifDoo. It includes tools to make PDFs from images, files, scans, CAD, and HEIC documents. Edit them as you go or annotate them with notes for a later review. Enhance images or change their size from scanned images for the best presentation.
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End multi-step file-sharing processes that are inconvenient for teammates and clients. The PDF editor helps make your files shareable by compressing the file size or converting to various formats, including Word DOC/DOCX, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG, HEIC, EPUB, and CAD. Print directly from the program to make double-sided documents or booklets.
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Process PDFs efficiently with SwifDoo at your fingertips when you get this deal on a perpetual license for just $29.97.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: SwifDoo SwifDoo PDF Pro: Perpetual Lifetime License for Windows $29.97TL;DR: Charge your iPhone on the go with a Speedy Mag wireless charger on sale for $34.97 through April 27.
Opens in a new window Credit: VistaShops Speedy Mag 5,000mAh Wireless Charger for iPhone $34.97After a few years, even an iPhone battery starts to decay. The days of only charging once a day might be long gone, but that doesn't have to mean you stay glued to an outlet. iPhone users have long had the option to get portable power banks directly from Apple, but have you seen how much the MagGo Power Bank costs?
The Speedy Mag works just like Anker's MagGo at a fraction of the price, and it actually just got cheaper. During this limited-time sale, you can get one of these wireless iPhone chargers on sale for $34.97 (reg. $119).
A 5,000mAh battery that goes anywhereThe Speedy Mag Wireless iPhone Charger is compact and convenient. It has a built-in magnet that securely attaches to your iPhone to keep a stable charge while you're on the go. The Speedy Mag has a 5,000mAh battery capacity, meaning it can fully recharge some iPhones 1.5 times before it needs to be plugged in.
This portable charger is compatible with iPhone 12 and newer models, along with any Qi-compatible devices. It even has a spot for wired connections if your phone isn't compatible with wireless charging.
Don't worry about lugging around a bulky charger. This thing is sleek and slim, so you can still use your phone while it's charging.
April 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the cutoff to get a Speedy Mag Wireless Charger on sale for $34.97
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Swap your big, pricey phone for the mini $89.97 NanoPhone when you're headed out to sporting events or days at the beach for an affordable, practical backup phone.
Opens in a new window Credit: NanoPhone NanoPhone $89.97There are just some places your expensive daily driver phone doesn't belong, like dropped in mud while mountain biking or buried under your kids' sandcastle during a beach day.
Swap your SIM into the NanoPhone and stay connected to all the apps you need in this better-than-a-burner backup phone, now just $89.97 (reg. $199.99).
Connection without having to be carefulCarrying a $1,000 piece of tech in your pocket changes how you act. You may not be ready to stick your feet in the surf or follow a friend up a rough trail. But if you swap it out for the NanoPhone, which is small enough to tuck away safely — just the size of a credit card — you'll be ready to get out there.
And you can stay connected while you do it. Unlike burner flip phones that offer the most basic call and text options, the NanoPhone has typical smartphone capabilities. The NanoPhone runs Android 10, so you can access WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and any other supported favorite apps.
Don't change your activities; change your phone. The NanoPhone is affordable enough to replace if it gets damaged, but you don't have to worry about it thanks to its durable build and included case and screen protector. Keep the 2000mAh battery charged up with a USB-C interface for hours of fun and connection.
Pop in one or two SIMs so you're reachable by your work number. You're connected as long as you're in the range of 4G or WiFi. Navigate with GPS support. Text, watch video tutorials, snap photos with back and front cameras, and make emergency calls — the NanoPhone functions just like your everyday phone without the size (or price tag).
Do better than a burner phone when you get the $89.97 NanoPhone with this price drop.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
The shift from in-office work to hybrid and even full-time work from home has been great for a lot of folks; it allows for greater flexibility, a better work-life balance, and healthier habits. It also gives job seekers greater choice when applying for jobs that would otherwise require a cross-country or cross-state move.
Of course, this major shift comes with some downsides as well. The art of working from home doesn’t jive with all types of workers. Some folks prefer being in an office setting in order to keep themselves accountable for getting their work done efficiently (see: no mid-afternoon naps). Others like the communal aspect of being around colleagues rather than relying on Slack to get their socialization throughout the workday.
It’s no secret that having a designated workspace that's clean and organized will make sitting down and getting to work a whole lot easier than, say, rolling out of bed, grabbing your laptop, and swan-diving right back into bed to get to work (we’ve been there!). But these days, there are also a ton of products and programs designed to make actually sitting down at a desk and getting into the zone that much easier.
That being said, working from home also gives you the ability to multitask and get things done for yourself and your family during your workday. Whether you’re hoping to get fit from home or you want to take advantage of your lunch hour to catch up on laundry, if you play your cards right, it’s pretty feasible to get a lot of shit done. That gives you more time to enjoy yourself once you do close down your laptop for the day.
“While working from home may seem like you'd get easily distracted, I find that working from home is a great way to block your day so that you can be even more motivated to get everything accomplished,” explained Olivia Dreizen Howell, co-founder and CEO of Fresh Starts Registry, certified life coach, and clinical hypnotherapist. “For example, I spend every morning doing a 15-minute timed sprint to write out the day's to-do list while listening to fast and uplifting music, and then will get up to walk around, throw laundry in, bring dishes to the sink, clean up the bathroom for 5 minutes, and then sit back down and transition to classical music or subliminal audios while I begin work!”
What are the best WFH products?If you’re ready to boost your productivity and get the most out of working from home, we’ve got you covered. The following essentials were tested and reviewed by us, and they've proven to be some of the best WFH gear for upgrading your home office. Whether you want to use your office hours to get in shape or just do some dishes while on a conference call, the following gear will help you perfect the WFH grind.
An incisive expression of family and culture that neither apologizes nor over-explains itself, Roshan Sethi's A Nice Indian Boy is a riotous, moving queer romantic comedy with a wildly unique premise. While it resembles many modern third-culture stories — specifically, tales of disconnect between first-generation South Asians in the West and their immigrant parents — it widens its scope in surprising ways that reflect and refract both personal and cinematic identity.
SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know aboutTaking inspiration from a romantic Bollywood classic, the film follows a gay Indian American doctor whose parents are nominally accepting, but who want him to find "a nice Indian boy." Long story short: He does! The immediate wrinkle, however, is that this nice Indian boy is none other than Jonathan Groff — yes, Hamilton's original King George — playing a white man raised by Indian parents.
On one hand, A Nice Indian Boy is the tale of a typical Indian American family, with typical Indian American problems — a generational disconnect, gendered double standards, and a culture of awkward silence around sexuality — but on the other hand, its evolution into grand romantic saga is anything but typical. It's also a story of cross-cultural adoption that dovetails into not only a hilariously awkward meet-the-parents comedy, but also a film about freeing oneself from emotional and generational baggage, in a way that yields tears of joy and laughter.
What is A Nice Indian Boy about? Credit: Blue Harbor EntertainmentDr. Naveen Gavaskar (Deadpool's Karan Soni) is the kind of realistic queer protagonist seldom seen in Hollywood: an introverted gay man who'd rather be at home than at the club — or in the case of the movie's opening scene, at his sister's colorful wedding reception. As the guests dance to thumping tunes, and the camera tilts and spins to capture them, Naveen sits still, fending off over-enthusiastic family members whose words of marital encouragement sound more like a dire warning: "You're next!"
What Naveen's nosy aunties and uncles don't know, and what his parents begrudgingly accept, is that his wedding won't quite look like a Hindi movie, since he happens to be into guys.
Six years go by — notably, the amount of time between Sethi coming out and the film's premiere — and Naveen's life away from his parents is somewhat content, even though it involves lonely nights of leaving exes and crushes some uncomfortably awkward voice messages. He has absolutely no game, despite the efforts of his outgoing gay colleague Paul (Peter S. Kim) to bring him out of his shell. But the gods eventually smile on him when he comes across an attractive white photographer, Jay Kurundkar (Groff), at his local mandir (or temple) while praying to a statue of Ganesh, the elephant-headed Hindu god of wisdom and good luck.
Two things immediately stand out about Jay: his tranquil charm, and his authentic pronunciation of "Ganesh" — with an extended "e" as in "lace," rather than the protracted "e" of words like "less," to which most Westerners default. Naveen is immediately flustered by Jay's confident stares, but agrees to accompany him on a date to his favorite movie, which, to the good doctor's surprise, turns out to be Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (or DDLJ), the iconic 1995 Bollywood romance about two star-crossed Indian Londoners, whose musical centerpiece features superstar Shah Rukh Khan serenading actress Kajol in a field of yellow mustard flowers.
SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'The Romantics': A nostalgic and impassioned tribute to Hindi cinemaBut instead of being bowled over by this gesture, Naveen finds himself unable to fully embrace the film or Jay's off-key crooning of its famous track, "Tujhe Dekha To" (yes, Groff sings it himself, with barely a syllable out of place). Sincerity and vulnerability remain obstacles to Naveen, even after he and Jay start dating. This proves mildly problematic when meeting each other's friends, but it's downright disastrous when the question of Jay meeting Naveen's parents arises, given how little he's told them about his white, freelance photographer boyfriend who vapes and waxes poetic about Hindi cinema.
The results are as side-splitting as they are disheartening, because the one lesson A Nice Indian Boy takes from DDLJ is that Indian romantic films are family dramas too. However, what initially seems hopeless ends up an exciting challenge, because Jay has also internalized this lesson. And, like Shah Rukh Khan's brash Raj Malhotra, he'll stop at nothing to win over the parents of the person he loves.
A Nice Indian Boy is also a family drama. Credit: Blue Harbor EntertainmentThe film, written by Eric Randall, is based on the play by Madhuri Shekar, and it has the structure of a five-act play, with each section broken up by significant time jumps. This ends up serving a dual purpose. On one hand, this shifts the typical feel-good rom-com climax to the middle of the story, away from its usual place in most three-act Hollywood screenplays, where it serves as a resolution. In the process, A Nice Indian Boy allows for the realities of long-term romance and wedding planning to creep in through the corners of the frame, beyond the broad declarations of love.
On the other hand, it also allows each member of Naveen's family to have their own dedicated section of the movie, during which they become a primary character. Like Naveen, his sister Arundhathi (Sunita Mani) harbors a grudge against their parents for the choices she did and didn't have while growing up, including in matters of love, and she sees their increased leeway with Naveen as a matter of grave injustice. Meanwhile, their outspoken mother Megha (Zarna Garg) tries to smooth things over with both children, but since she's just as hot-headed as her daughter, it's easier said than done. In terms of temperament, Naveen takes after his father Archit (Harish Patel), though his silent acceptance of Naveen's sexuality — while avoiding eye contact at all cost — hurts more than outright disapproval. Like his son, Archit has a problem with expressing himself honestly.
However, Megha and Archit's genuine attempts to bridge the gap between themselves and Naveen also leads to some uproarious overcompensation, between the topics they bring up in Jay's presence without any filter whatsoever, to their sincere attempts to educate themselves by binging raunchy reality shows on OutTV and bringing them up in conversation. It's incredibly funny and incredibly sweet, but none of these superficial gestures — no matter how well-meaning — are a substitute for the real emotional work the Gavaskar family needs.
The film doesn't let Naveen off the hook either, whether it comes to his avoidance of intimacy or the walls he keeps up between him and his family members. Those walls only start to come down after some rigorous and difficult dramatic moments, which Sethi directs with incredible command.
A Nice Indian Boy is brilliantly directed. Credit: Blue Harbor EntertainmentThe film's premise resembles a number of third-culture films and shows featuring South Asians in the West, like The Big Sick, Ms. Marvel, and Blinded by the Light. These stories of artistically driven first-gen kids and their immigrant parents who "just don't understand" have settled into a rote rhythm in recent years. A fellow SXSW selection, the lukewarm The Queen of My Dreams, is a key example: a similarly Bollywood-inspired tale of a queer Pakistani Canadian who nominally reconciles with her conservative mother. It's rarely a good sign when you can map out the beats of a story based on its cultural premise, but A Nice Indian Boy finds numerous visual and thematic ways to buck that trend.
SEE ALSO: Bollywood's dad, Anupam Kher, on the unique warmth of 'The Big Sick'It stands out, first and foremost, through its bustling visual energy, which not only captures the chaos and excitement constantly unfolding around Naveen — at weddings, family meetings, or parties hosted by Jay's outgoing friends — but also serves to magnify his glum stillness as the camera pushes in and pulls out prominently during both comedy beats and charged emotional moments. The film's comedy and drama stem from the same place: the tension of expectations, whether it involves Naveen wrestling with his prescribed role as an Indian man in the West; the implications of his queerness, according to his parents; or how Jay will fit into the Gavaskars' family dynamic.
What Jay yearns for, as a perpetual outsider who found love in an Indian household once before, is just as vital to the movie as Naveen's search for emotional authenticity. And when the film begins drawing more overtly from Bollywood iconography, it weaves together its grandiose romance from both their perspectives. To Jay, Hindi cinema is the ultimate expression of love and acceptance. To Naveen, it's a cheesy façade. The truth, it turns out, may lie somewhere in between, with Sethi presenting the story's key turning points as stylistic handshakes between formal grandeur and naturalistic, self-aware comedy, without compromising either character’s point of view. The movie's sweeping declarations are as bold and unapologetic as they are goofy and silly, so they end up running the emotional gamut.
Rarely has a rom-com been this simultaneously hysterical and touching, though despite its boisterous tone, its biggest strength may very well be its silent moments. The father-son pairing of Naveen and Archit tend to find solace in silence, and that isn't likely to change anytime soon. So, in order to draw them out of their comfort zones, A Nice Indian Boy becomes a film about gestures both big and small. Its most heartrending moments arrive in the form of these two men — separated by generational disconnect, but bound by common cultural expectations — adapting to other people's modes of expression in the small ways they're able to. Over the course of the film, they learn to speak other people's love languages, leading to rousing, overwhelming moments (some of them in delightful musical form).
In a just world, A Nice Indian Boy would find instant distribution and be hailed alongside Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding as a realistic family portrait whose jagged edges aren't just riveting, but revelatory. It's as sweet and funny as they come, and the kind of crowd-pleaser destined to leave your heart feeling full.
A Nice Indian Boy is now in theaters.
UPDATE: Apr. 2, 2025, 1:00 p.m. EDT A Nice Indian Boy was reviewed out of its World Premiere at SXSW 2024 on March 23, 2024. It has been updated for its theatrical run.
What if all the hysteria about Y2K was valid? In 1999, as the clocks ticked down to the new millennium, there was a global fear that a computer coding shortcut could result in widespread tech issues, disrupting life as we know. That didn't happen, but Saturday Night Live alum Kyle Mooney's directorial debut Y2K asks the question: What if it did though?
Studded with young stars like It's Jaeden Martell, Hunt for the Wilderpeople's Julian Dennison, West Side Story's Rachel Zegler, and Stranger Things' Eduardo Franco, sci-fi comedy Y2K's core story is about what a nightmare it is to be a teen with a crush. But is boatloads of nostalgia, goofy gore, and massive amounts of dopey jokes enough to make this comedy come together?
Y2K is Terminator, but stupid.Written by Evan Winter, Y2K centers on two high school besties, who are way outside the cool kid clique. But one New Year's Eve, goofball Danny (Dennison) convinces wallflower Eli (Martell) that now is the time to get noticed by crashing a house party. While Eli's fumbling to get the attention of beautiful hacker Laura (Zegler), Danny is karaokeing raucously to Sisqó's "Thong Song" and getting the attention he's long craved. But as the clock strikes midnight, computers rebel as AI goes evil, going on a comedic killing spree in which everything from ceiling fans and microwaves to Tamagotchis can be a weapon. The midnight slaughter sequence is as outrageous as it is hilarious.
Featured Video For You Why you're wrong about Y2K, 20 years laterThe sci-fi logic of the film is basically non-existent, though Zegler's Laura is saddled with a series of hacker exposition dumps that half-heartedly set up some rules. But Y2K refuses to take science-fiction seriously. The premise is an excuse to goof on 2000s culture and chuck some teen archetypes into silly shenanigans. So Eli reluctantly leads a motley band of survivors out of this house of horrors and into a plan to save not just their high school but the whole world.
Y2K is radiant in '00s nostalgia.Much like PEN15, Y2K plunges audiences back into a time where AIM away messages were pretentious poetry, dial-up squawked, T-shirts were worn inexplicably oversized, and burning CDs was a meaningful tool of self-expression. The opening sequence is littered with such nostalgic '00s details, which aptly set the era and earned much laughter and cheers from the SXSW audience at the film's world premiere. Props to Mooney for crafting such a crowd-pleasing beginning, but upon reflection, there's few actual jokes there. It's all about the joy of recognition, which could mean this comedy won't play for Gen Z at all, despite their recent Y2K revival.
SEE ALSO: The ultimate Y2K gift guide for millennials and teens alikeOther references play a bigger role in the plot, like Danny learning Tae-Bo via Billy Blanks' once unavoidable workout videos and a musician cameo that — while funny and surprising — wears out its welcome by beating the same joke into the ground. Actually, that's a bit of a recurring problem. Mooney doesn't have a great sense of when enough is enough so several bits drag, making the movie feel a bit meandering even at one hour and thirty-three minutes. But the bigger issue is Y2K hangs itself on its least interesting character.
Julian Dennison outshines Jaeden Martell.Winter's script is woefully lazy in developing Martell's Eli as a character. Established as shy and vaguely nerdy (he likes computer games and modifying action figures), Eli is identifiable as the lovestruck nerd archetype. However, he's not weird enough to be interesting in this world where electronics are suddenly transforming into gnarly killing machines. Likewise his crush Laura is regarded as extraordinary because she's pretty, popular, and into computers while being a girl. There's admittedly a self-awareness in other characters pointing out this supposed dissonance, but Y2K doesn't go any deeper into Laura's personality. So the jokes at her expense are more a lampshade of the issue rather than challenging it.
Where the teen comedy aspect comes alive is in Danny as the charismatic wild card bestie, Franco as a rock-rap-loving bully, and Lachlan Watson as a surly alt chick. But sadly, the script sidelines them for way too much of the movie. While Zegler has undeniable screen presence, Martell offers a blank stare for much of the movie that just squashes its emotional pull. The frantic action and spurts of bright-red blood helps revive the movie's chaotic energy, but you might wish that Dennison had been given more to do here. The New Zealand actor is a dynamo, and it’s a shame to see him shunted to the side in a quirky bestie role.
As a first watch, Y2K is a lot of fun. Its teen cast overall has terrific energy, and a supporting cast that includes Alicia Silverstone, Tim Heidecker, and Mooney — as a burnout video store clerk — brings welcomed microdoses of weirdness. The celebration of all things '00s is undeniably charming, even if used superficially. Jokes come fast and frantic, so even if some don't land, there's plenty of laughs to be had. But on reflection, the movie suffers under its lack of emotional depth. This is a solid stoner comedy, gleefully dumb and unapologetically wacky. But as a teen comedy, Y2K lacks the emotional awareness of classics like Clueless, the original Mean Girls, or Superbad.
In short, Y2K is a good time, but falls short of greatness.
UPDATE: Apr. 2, 2025, 4:11 p.m. EDT Y2K was reviewed out of the world premiere at SXSW. This review was first published on March 11, 2024, and has been updated for its streaming release.
Michael Shannon's directorial debut Eric LaRue isn't a ghost story, but it feels like one.
Eric (Nation Sage Henrikson) is absent from much of the film, yet his presence haunts every scene. It haunts his mother Janice (Judy Greer) as she folds his clothes to give away. It haunts his father Ron (Alexander Skarsgård) as he reminisces on past father-son vacations. But they know — and we know — that Eric isn't dead. He's in prison for the murder of three of his classmates.
SEE ALSO: Office of Gun Violence Prevention website goes dark under TrumpEric's act of violence is not the focus of Eric LaRue. Instead, Shannon and screenwriter Brett Neveu (who also wrote the play on which the film is based) examine the aftermath of Eric's crime, especially his parents' differing attempts to process what their son has done. What follows is an aching exploration of grief and religion, all anchored by a stunning performance from the always-great, often-underused Greer.
Eric LaRue presents two very different ways to process grief via religion. Credit: Photo courtesy of Magnolia PicturesIn the time since Eric shot three of his classmates, his parents have taken different paths when it comes to healing. Janice has isolated herself, but her discussions with her Presbyterian pastor Calhan (Paul Sparks) have convinced her to take some steps forward, like returning to work. Ron's approach also involves religion, albeit at a different church. He goes to Redeemer, where he is anointed by pastor Verne (Tracy Letts) and attends prayer groups with his beautiful, bubbly coworker Lisa Graff (Alison Pill).
Ron's time at Redeemer has made him optimistic, seemingly joyful, even. He tells Janice that prayer can heal any trial, and encourages Janice to let Jesus take her burdens from her forever. Janice doesn't want to let go, caught up in her own complicated feelings. Even though he isn't dead, the son she knew is gone. Is she allowed to mourn in her own way, even in the face of what he's done? Or is she to blame for his actions?
Her journey towards far-off closure begins with Calhan's suggestion that he facilitate a meeting between her and the mothers of the dead boys. Calhan means well, attempting to get Janice to talk over card games and supermarket banter. However, he's not remotely equipped to handle the emotion once these grieving women come face to face.
Calhan's meeting is a source of tension between Janice and Ron, who wants Janice to attend a similar meeting presided over by Verne. Where Calhan is soft, Verne is more of a hard-line preacher. In a menacing scene, he uses scripture to tell Ron to control Janice. From there, the conflict between the two parents only grows — a change Shannon often showcases effectively by framing Janice and Ron in different rooms in the same shot.
Judy Greer leads a tremendous cast with her own outstanding performance. Credit: Photo courtesy of Magnolia PicturesGreer has always been a talented actor, often taking on comedic roles or side characters. With Eric LaRue, it is so satisfying to watch her take on such a demanding lead. As Janice, she is at her most raw and most devastating, especially in scenes when she meets with the mothers of the dead students. Later, when she visits Eric and tries to drag some impossible answer out of him, she heads into darker territory with devastating naturalness.
Skarsgård and Pill also turn in great work, with Skarsgård getting some uneasy laughs from Ron's penchants for offering neck massages and Pill transforming Lisa's religious fervor into something almost terrifying. Their scenes together simmer with uncomfortable chemistry, as well as their joint obsession over their experience with Redeemer. Filling out Eric LaRue's cast of religious characters are Letts and Sparks as two sides of the same coin: one chilling but assuring, the other supportive yet out of his depth.
The play Eric LaRue was originally staged in 2002, but in the years since, its portrayal of a town in the wake of a school shooting has gained even more relevance. So too have its links between the reaction to the shooting and religion, which calls to mind the oft-repeated refrain of "thoughts and prayers" that follows every act of gun violence.
Shannon and Neveu don't focus on the larger political implications of Eric's crime, nor do they necessarily answer the tough questions Eric LaRue lays out. What they do do, however, is create a painful, intimate, and thought-provoking portrait of a deeply hurting couple. And in assembling such a stellar cast led by the remarkable Greer, they've embodied that portrait onscreen to the fullest.
Eric LaRue opens in theaters April 4.
UPDATE: Apr. 2, 2025, 3:40 p.m. Eric LaRue was reviewed out of its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. This review was first published on June 14, 2023, and it has been updated in anticipation of its theatrical release.
SAVE $400: As of April 4, HP Victus 15.6-inch Full HD gaming laptop is on sale for $449.99 at Best Buy. That’s a $400 discount off its regular $849.99 price.
Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Victus 15.6-inch Full HD gaming laptop $449.99 at Best BuyFor a machine with gaming in its DNA, the HP Victus 15 is weirdly humble. No flashing lights, no over-the-top branding, just clean silver lines and surprisingly solid specs. Right now, it’s only $449.99 at Best Buy, which is wild considering it’s usually $849.99. That’s a full $400 off, and I think it’s one of the best entry-level gaming laptop deals I’ve seen this season.
This thing runs on an AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS chip, paired with Radeon RX 6550M graphics. I wouldn’t throw it into a 4K ray-tracing battle, but for smooth 1080p gameplay, it’s more than capable. Throw in 8GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512GB SSD, and you’ve got a machine that boots fast, multitasks smoothly, and handles your Steam backlog without begging for mercy.
SEE ALSO: Apple announces WWDC 2025 datesAnd the screen? It’s 144Hz Full HD with AMD FreeSync Premium. Translation: smoother gameplay, no screen tearing, and a way better experience than most laptops at this price point deserve to offer. I also appreciate that HP includes a backlit keyboard and a wide-vision HD camera, so you're not stuck looking like a pixelated ghost during late-night Discord calls.
Price: $449.99 $849.99
Retailer: Best Buy
Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080), 144Hz, anti-glare IPS
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6550M, 4GB GDDR6
Memory: 8GB DDR5
Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Battery Features: HP Fast Charge (50% in ~30 mins)
Wireless: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3
Ports/Extras: Backlit keyboard, wide-angle HD camera, Game Pass trial
It charges to 50% in about 30 minutes, has Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and a touchpad that isn’t the size of a postage stamp. I could nitpick the 8GB RAM (which you’ll want to upgrade eventually), but honestly? For under $500, the Victus 15 is punching above its class.
If you’ve been waiting for a gaming laptop that doesn’t require a payment plan, I think this is your green light.
SAVE $30.10: As of April 4, CMF Watch Pro Smartwatch is available for $38.90 at Amazon. That’s 44% off its usual $69.00 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Cmf / Nothing CMF Watch Pro Smartwatch $38.90 at AmazonSometimes a deal drops that makes me do a double take, then open three tabs just to make sure I’m not hallucinating. This is one of those. CMF Watch Pro is currently just $38.90 on Amazon, which is absurd when you factor in what this little wrist computer actually does.
I mean, 1.96 inches of AMOLED display is already way more screen than most budget watches dare to offer. It’s crisp, it’s bright, and it doesn’t look like you’re wearing a plastic calculator from the '90s. I like that. It’s also IP68 waterproof, which means you don’t have to baby it when it rains or during sweaty workouts. If your lifestyle includes walking fast enough to break a sweat, congrats — this one’s built for you.
SEE ALSO: Apple announces WWDC 2025 datesLet’s talk about the health tracking. I don’t expect perfection from a sub-$40 smartwatch, but this one checks heart rate, sleep stages, blood oxygen, and even tries to read your stress levels. I can't vouch for its emotional intelligence, but it does keep tabs on your pulse when your boss sends that “quick follow-up” email.
Price: $38.90 $69.00
Retailer: Amazon
Display: 1.96-inch AMOLED
Operating System: Wear OS
Connectivity: Bluetooth
Special Features: Bluetooth calling with AI noise reduction, multi-system GPS, heart rate and sleep tracking
Water Resistance: IP68
Color Options: Ash Grey (featured), Black Grey, Silver
Compatible Devices: iOS and Android
There’s also built-in GPS that doesn’t require tethering to your phone, so your runs and hikes aren’t tied to your pocket. Bluetooth calling is onboard, and it even comes with AI noise reduction, which is basically code for “you won’t sound like you’re calling from a wind tunnel.”
This isn’t an Apple Watch killer. Let’s not get wild. But for less than 40 bucks, I’d argue it’s punching far above its price bracket. I think it’s a no-brainer for anyone who wants the smartwatch basics without the price tag that usually comes with them.
SAVE $185: As of April 4, Samsung 990 PRO 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSD is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That’s a 40% discount, shaving $185 off its $464.99 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 990 PRO 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSD $279.99 at AmazonA 4TB SSD that moves files at lightning speed and doesn’t cost half your paycheck? Yeah, I want that. Samsung 990 PRO SSD is the kind of upgrade I’d actually recommend to my friends — and not just the ones who know what NVMe means. Amazon’s current price drop brings it down to $279.99, a 40% discount that saves you $185. For a premium PCIe Gen4 drive, that’s kind of wild.
I think the biggest appeal here is that it does everything fast. Load times? Gone. File transfers? Blink and you’ll miss them. It maxes out read speeds at 7,450 MB/s and write speeds at 6,900 MB/s, which is essentially "hold my beer" territory for most other drives. It’s also 55% better at random performance than the 980 PRO, and it manages to sip power like it’s being judged in a conservation contest.
SEE ALSO: Apple announces WWDC 2025 datesI’m not saying you need 4TB of space for gaming, editing, or hoarding 4K drone footage — but if you’ve ever had to delete a game to install another, then yes, you probably do. Plus, it's compatible with laptops, desktops, and even PS5s if you're doing a bit of console customizing.
Price: $279.99 $464.99
Retailer: Amazon
Digital Storage Capacity: 4TB
Interface: PCIe 4.0 NVMe
Sequential Read Speed: Up to 7,450 MB/s
Sequential Write Speed: Up to 6,900 MB/s
Form Factor: M.2 2280
Encryption: AES 256-bit
Special Features: V-NAND Flash Technology, Power Efficiency Boost
Compatible Devices: Laptops, PCs, Macs, and PS5 (with adapter)
The no-heatsink version on sale is perfect for clean builds or systems that already manage heat well. If you’re worried about thermals, the version with a heatsink is also on sale for a little more.
This is one of those “treat yourself” upgrades that actually makes sense. I think it’s a deal that delivers speed, space, and sanity in equal measure. And at this price? It's a power move, plain and simple.
DC Studios has released a sneak peek of Superman, in which the historical personification of truth, justice, and the American way plummets to the ground, beat up, bloody, and wheezing for help. It feels apt.
Superman stars David Corenswet as the titular Man of Steel, who's feeling markedly less steel-like than usual in this new clip (which we saw hints of in a previous trailer). Fortunately, his canine companion Krypto is just a whistle away, and willing to literally drag Supes to safety — though not before getting a few enthusiastic hits in himself. It seems that no matter which planet they come from, there's little you can do to stop an excited dog from joyfully jumping on their owner.
Directed by James Gunn, the film will also feature Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.
Superman arrives in theatres July 11.
TL;DR: Outfit your PC with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for just £38.50 (reg. £169.48) through 27 April.
There's a reason the Microsoft Office apps have had such amazing staying power — they really work. The same tools you used as a kid growing up in the '90s on that bulky desktop are still helping you tackle work tasks on your laptop at the office.
If you've been without the fleet of helpful apps, you've probably already run into numerous scenarios where you needed them. Give your PC the gift of these eight go-to's with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for just £38.50 — that's 77% off the usual £169.48.
Fall in love with the Microsoft Office apps all over againMicrosoft Office Professional includes favourites like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Newer apps like Access, Teams, OneNote, and Publisher round out this deal.
Don't be deceived by the year 2021 in its name; this older Microsoft Office Professional version still has all the tools you need — and at a lower price. It offers a more budget-friendly way to enjoy these apps, offering them at a low one-time price instead of Microsoft 365's monthly subscription costs. And a 2021 version offers three more apps than the most recent 2024 license.
Microsoft Office Professional 2021 also offers familiar interfaces. There are no AI integrations like in later versions, so there's no extra tech knowledge required. And once you install the apps, you can easily work offline from anywhere, making this a great option for travelers.
Make sure your computer's operating system is updated to Windows 10 or 11 prior to purchase. Once you buy, you'll receive an instant delivery and download, so you can get started working with these apps right away.
Let this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows make life a little easier, now for just £5 an app. Head to the Mashable Shop and pay just £38.50 (reg. £169.48) for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License £38.50 at the Mashable ShopConnections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Underperforming
Green: Still have a shot at women's championship
Blue: Teams that have had the same player
Purple: Words with an ending related to Serena Williams' sport
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Not meeting expectations
Green: Teams in the Women's Final Four
Blue: Teams Kawhi Leonard has played for
Purple: Ends in a piece of tennis equipment
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 #193 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayNot meeting expectations - BUST, DISAPPOINTMENT, DUD, FAILURE
Teams in the women's Final Four - BRUINS, GAMECOCKS, HUSKIES, LONGHORNS
Teams Kawhi Leonard has played for - AZTECS, CLIPPERS, RAPTORS, SPURS
Ends in a piece of tennis equipment - BRACKET, EYEBALL, HORSESHOES, INTERNET
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.
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 April 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Step on it!The words are meant for walking.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words are something you would take steps on, typically inside.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Flooring.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 4Hardwood
Linoleum
Terrazzo
Laminate
Concrete
Flooring
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 4 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: The surplus
Green: Road trip
Blue: Where you'd watch the Yankees, Red Sox, etc.
Purple: Minus "E"
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: What's leftover
Green: Car trip
Blue: Baseball venues
Purple: Companies with "E" removed
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 #663 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayWhat's leftover: BALANCE, DIFFERENCE, REMAINDER, REST
Car trip: CRUISE, DRIVE, RIDE, SPIN
Baseball venues: DIAMOND, FIELD, PARK, STADIUM
Companies with "E" removed: BAY, HARMONY, INK, TRADE
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 April 4Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for April 4 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 April 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Part of plankton.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter L appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter K.
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...
KRILL.
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 April 4Reporting 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 like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintDisgusting.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerGRODY
Hurdle Word 2 hintA clear bodily fluid.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerSWEAT
Hurdle Word 3 hintOrdinary.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answerUSUAL
Hurdle Word 4 hintUsed to walk a dog.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 4 Hurdle Word 4 answerLEASH
Final Hurdle hintA fragrance.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerSCENT
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Did Nintendo bump up the price of its upcoming Switch 2 due to Trump's tariffs? It seems like that could be the case.
The entire stock market has been thrown into turmoil following President Donald Trump's implementation of across-the-board "reciprocal" tariffs on April 2. Trump waited until after the markets closed on Wednesday so the full force of his tariffs announcement wasn't felt until the following day.
Tech stocks like Apple, Amazon, and Nvidia have been hit especially hard by Trump's tariffs. On Wednesday, for example, Apple stock fell 9.2 percent. Other tech stocks, such as Microsoft, were down between 2 percent and 9 percent.
While a "baseline" 10 percent minimum tariff has been put on goods coming in from any country, Trump has implemented a much larger tariff on the U.S.'s biggest trade partners like China and Taiwan. Many tech companies, such as Apple, manufacture their products in those countries thus those companies will be forced to pay a much higher tariff and, in turn, likely pass on those additional costs to customers.
SEE ALSO: The internet reacts to Trump’s tariffs with dark humor: 'girl the tariffs'Trump imposed a 32 percent tariff on goods from Taiwan, for example. As for China, Trump hit them with a 34 percent tariff. However, China's reciprocal tariff is in addition to an existing 20 percent tariff on goods from the country.
So, what does that mean for consumers? Your favorite tech products are about to get more expensive. In fact, there was already speculation among analysts following Nintendo's Switch 2 announcement yesterday that the gaming company had priced the new console at $450 with Trump's incoming tariffs in mind.
Trump claims he implemented the tariffs to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. Trump even specifically mentioned Apple in his speech.
“Apple is going to spend $500 billion, they never spent money like that here,” Trump said. “They’re going to build their plants here.”
However, Apple isn't going to start building its consumer-facing products like the iPhone here in the U.S. Its investment is in building servers in the U.S. And even that is years away, as companies like Apple still need to set up their manufacturing plants and factories in the U.S.
So, in the near future, it's very likely that you'll be paying more for — a lot more — for your favorite new tech. And tech stocks — and the stock market as a whole — will likely continue to suffer as a result of consumers having less spending money.
Liam Neeson takes the reins from Leslie Nielsen in 2025's The Naked Gun reboot, and the teaser trailer promises that the Taken star is here for an outrageously good time.
The film, directed by Akiva Schaffer (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and produced by Seth MacFarlane, stars Neeson as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., who's following in his father's footsteps and leading Police Squad.
The Naked Gun's teaser trailer opens with a bank robbery. Dastardly criminals hold the bank hostage while law enforcement waits outside. Yet somehow, a small schoolgirl manages to slip past the barricades and make it into the crime scene.
As it turns out, the schoolgirl is no schoolgirl at all. She rips off her face mask (and grows several feet) in order to transform into Frank, who proceeds to wreak havoc in the bank. In yet another plot twist, Frank's lollipop is no run-of-the-mill sucker either: It's a weapon, perfect for stabbing and stunning! Neeson makes lollipop law enforcement look easy, even in a too-small schoolgirl uniform.
The rest of the teaser features a gag where all the current Police Squad members pay tribute to their fathers, from Nielsen's Lt. Drebin to George Kennedy's Capt. Hocken. Check out the full trailer above, and stay tuned until the end for a fourth-wall break about OJ Simpson's role as Det. Nordberg.
The Naked Gun also stars Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, and Danny Huston.