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Whats new to streaming this week? (Feb. 14, 2025)

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 05:00

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each one!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, animation, and more.

But if you're seeking something brand spanking new (or new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too. Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of this week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most watchable. Whether you're looking for a moving documentary, the return of Bridget Jones, cannibal teen drama, or some of the best movies of 2024, we've got something just for you.

Here's what's new on streaming, from worst to best.

11. SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)

Questlove went from beloved musician to Academy Award–winning filmmaker with his critically heralded documentary Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), which explored the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Now, for his follow-up, he's plunged into the life and legacy of the iconic funk band Sly and the Family Stone.

Out of the film's premiere at Sundance 2025, critics cheered Questlove's vision as a director and the engaging energy of the doc. Not only does SLY LIVES! step audiences through the tumultuous effects fame had on frontman Sly Stone, but also, this propulsive movie boasts an array of big names, who reflect on his legacy with awe and empathy. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Jerry Martini, Larry Graham Jr., Greg Errico, Vernon Reid, Q-Tip, D'Angelo, Clive Davis, Chaka Khan, André 3000, and George Clinton

How to watch: SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

10. Waitress: The Musical

Bring a bit of Broadway home with Waitress: The Musical. Based on Adrienne Shelly's hit 2007 rom-com of the same name, this theatrical production centers on a waitress named Jenna Hunterson, who by day serves up unique pies — like the "I Hate My Husband Pie" or the "Pregnant, Miserable, Self-Pitying Loser Pie" — and by night wrestles with her failing marriage and impending pregnancy. Things get even more complicated when she falls for her dashing gynecologist.

Singer/songwriter/star of Girls 5eva Sara Bareilles not only wrote the music and lyrics for the Tony–nominated Waitress: The Musical, but also headlines this recorded performance as Jenna. She's joined onstage (and screen) by an array of stars playing a charmingly folksy array of friends, many of which have love plotlines of their own. Salty and sweet, this could be a perfect treat for Valentine's Day. — K.P.

Starring: Sara Bareilles, Charity Angél Dawson, Caitlin Houlahan, Drew Gehling, Dakin Matthews, Eric Anderson, Joe Tippett, and Christopher Fitzgerald

How to watch: Waitress: The Musical comes to Max on Feb. 14.

9. The Gorge

Anya Taylor-Joy (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) and Miles Teller (Spiderhead) join forces in The Gorge, a sci-fi romance from The Black Phone director Scott Derrickson. 

The two play highly trained operatives stationed on opposite sides of a mysterious gorge. Their mission? To keep any of the terrifying creatures within from coming out. Despite being forbidden from making contact with each other, Levi (Teller) and Drasa (Taylor-Joy) strike up a long-distance friendship that quickly becomes something more.

While The Gorge's romance is fairly cheesy — and often at odds with its characters' hardened backgrounds — its action and mystery elements are undeniably fun. Without spoiling any of the film's juicy secrets, let's just say that the gorge itself (and the creepy crawlies within) are the real stars of the film.— Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Sigourney Weaver

How to watch: The Gorge premieres on Apple TV+ on Feb. 14.

8. Yellowjackets, Season 3

I hope you're hungry for more teen cannibalism, because Yellowjackets Season 3 is on the way. And this time, Hilary Swank is along for the ride.

SEE ALSO: In Memoriam: Who is dead on 'Yellowjackets'?

Unluckily for her, Swank joins the Yellowjackets in a time of crisis, in both the past and present. Season 2 ended with the young Yellowjackets losing their cabin, and with the present-day Yellowjackets experiencing a heart-wrenching death. How will each group respond to these tragedies? My money's on cannibalism and crime — and I can't wait to see where the wilderness takes us next.*B.E.

Starring: Melanie Lynskey, Tawny Cypress, Ella Purnell, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Thatcher, Samantha Hanratty, Steven Krueger, Warren Kole, Christina Ricci, Courtney Eaton, Liv Hewson, Kevin Alves, Simone Kessell, Lauren Ambrose, and Sarah Desjardins

How to watch: Yellowjackets Season 3 premieres Feb. 14 on Paramount+ with the Showtime plan.

7. The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep

For those missing the Continent ahead of The Witcher Season 4, there's a new anime film on Netflix that's quite the crossover between the games and the Netflix series. Directed by The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf's Kang Hei Chul and animated by South Korean animation studio Studio MIR, The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep heralds the return of a familiar voice. Geralt of Rivia is voiced by Doug Cockle, who voiced the titular witcher in the games and inspired Henry Cavill's performance. For fans of the TV show, Anya Chalotra and Joey Batey, who played sorceress Yennefer and bard Jaskier, also lend their voices.

Based on a story from Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher novels, Sirens of the Deep sees Geralt and Jaskier caught on the brink of war between humans and merpeople in the seaside kingdom of Bremervoord. In my review, I wrote, "Cockle's performance combined with Studio MIR's spectacular animated fight scenes make Sirens of the Deep a worthy watch for The Witcher fans. If you can survive the awkwardness of the romance scenes, can run with The Little Mermaid parallels, and have long yearned for a Joey Batey bard banger moment, you'll have a decent time." — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Doug Cockle, Anya Chalotra, Joey Batey, Christina Wren, Emily Carey, Camrus Johnson, Mallory Jansen, and Simon Templemen

How to watch: The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep is now streaming on Netflix.

6. Cobra Kai, Season 6, part 3

Cobrai Kai returns for its final season, and we're not ready to say goodbye!

Serving as a sequel to the original Karate Kid films, this Netflix series reunited Ralph Macchio and William Zabka in their opposing roles as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence. But Cobra Kai offered Johnny's perspective on martial arts and much more as he's positioned as an underdog reopening the titular karate dojo. Over six seasons, the series has thrilled fans for its big heart, rich character development, and of course, thrilling fight scenes. So how will it end? It's time to find out. — K.P.

SEE ALSO: 'Cobra Kai' creators tease Season 6, Part 2 and its most polarizing characters

Starring: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Maridueña, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, Peyton List, Jacob Bertrand, Gianni DeCenzo, Dallas Dupree Young, Vanessa Rubio, Martin Kove, and Thomas Ian Griffith

How to watch: Cobra Kai, Season 6, part 3 debuts on Netflix on Feb. 13.

5. Omni Loop

Ayo Edebiri fans rejoice. You don't need to wait for The Bear's return or the release of Opus to get more good times with your girl. Omni Loop pairs the award-winning comedy actress with the esteemed Mary-Louise Parker for a time-travel trip that boasts an enchanting edge of dark humor.

Parker stars as quantum physicist Zoya Lowe, whose been diagnosed with a peculiar fatal affliction: She's got a black hole growing in her chest.

It'll kill her in one week. Well, it would if she quit taking a mysterious pill that keeps pitching her back in time. Living her last week over and over, Zoya seems doomed to repeat eternally or die — until she comes across Paula Campos (Edebiri), a brilliant research student that might be able to help her cure her Groundhog Day nightmare. In a mind-bending quest to "solve time travel," the pair grows close, and finds a new lease on life in the face of death. Dark stuff! But trust us, well worth the watching. — K.P.

Starring: Mary-Louise Parker, Ayo Edebiri, Carlos Jacott, Harris Yulin, Hannah Pearl Utt, Chris Witaske, and Steven Maier

How to watch: Omni Loop is now streaming on Hulu.

4. The White Lotus, Season 3

Mike White's social satire The White Lotus heads to Thailand for its third outing, bringing its usual staples of class commentary, meme-worthy drama, and an A-list cast along with it. This time around, the guests include Leslie Bibb (Juror #2), Carrie Coon (His Three Daughters), and Michelle Monaghan (MaXXXine) as three longtime friends on a girls' trip; Parker Posey (Beau Is Afraid) and Jason Isaacs (Baldur's Gate 3) as the matriarch and patriarch of a wealthy family about to lose everything; and Walton Goggins (Fallout) and Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education) as a traveling couple. Plus, Natasha Rothwell (How to Die Alone) is back as Season 1's spa manager Belinda. Does she know what happened to Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) at the end of Season 2?

Season 3 of The White Lotus focuses on wellness and spirituality, contrasting those concepts with the unhealthy coping mechanisms people may turn to in order to feel "well." Unfortunately, the results are mixed, with too many characters jockeying for limited narrative space to the point that some stories barely get the chance to breathe. As I wrote in my review, "the disparity between which group of guests gets the most airtime is much higher, making for a more disjointed season... The result is at once overstuffed and underdeveloped, albeit with a slim glimmer of hope that the finale can pull all these disparate threads together in spectacular fashion." — B.E.

Starring: Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Lalisa Manobal, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Tayme Thapthimthong, and Aimee Lou Wood

How to watch: White Lotus Season 3 debuts Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. EST/PST on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.

3. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant all return for the fourth installment of the funny and romantic film series based on Helen Fielding's novels. But in case you've not been keeping up with your reading, brace yourself. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is set after the tragic death of Bridget's beloved Mr. Darcy.

As I recounted in my review for Mashable, her latest romp has her coping with grief while falling into another love triangle. It's a lot to process! Thus, I concluded, "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is the best sequel of the batch. It's joyful, seeded with Easter eggs, and radiant with Zellweger back in full effect, but it's also a tearjerker that might well knock the wind out of you."

Starring: Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leo Woodall, Isla Fisher, Josette Simon, and Nico Parker

How to watch: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is now streaming on Peacock.

2. Better Man

Robbie Williams brings a wild makeover to the musical biopic with Better Man. The English pop star plays narrator to his rags-to-riches story, while a collaboration between actor Jonno Davies and Wētā FX transforms the famous bad boy into a fun-loving chimpanzee.

The concept sounds like a bonkers gimmick, but writer/director Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) utilizes this ape to explore not just what happened in Williams' life but also how he felt — like a dancing chimp. The metaphor doesn't get old; over the course of rousing musical numbers that chart William's rise to fame, fall from grace, and finding himself, it opens Better Man up to embrace the surreal and sensational. By rejecting the stodgy standards of a respectful biopic, this movie comes alive.

SEE ALSO: Better Man: Robbie Williams and Michael Gracey ditched accuracy to find truth

As I raved in Mashable's review out of TIFF, "Rich in vibrant emotion, body-rocking musical numbers, daring performances, and a scorching tenderness, Better Man more than rocks. It rules."*— K.P.

Starring: Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Kate Mulvany, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, and Jake Simmance

How to watch: Better Man is now available for purchase on digital.

1. Flow

One of the best movies of 2024 — and a two-time Oscar-nominee Flow is a dialogue-free ride through a flooded fantasy world that may leave you feeling as soaked (and stressed) as its unlikely heroes.

Director Gints Zilbalodis puts us in the paws of a little black cat struggling to survive after a watery disaster sweeps it from its home. Stranded on a sailboat with a motley group of animals — including a capybara, a lemur, a secretarybird, and a golden retriever — the cat must learn to cooperate with its crew mates if it's going to adapt to this strange new world.

SEE ALSO: 'The Wild Robot' and 'Flow' are quietly revolutionary climate change movies

Flow eschews any hallmarks of how American animation portrays animals, instead going for realistic animal sounds and movements. The result is instantly engrossing. We are initially alienated from the animals' inner thoughts and motivations, yet Zilbalodis renders them clear through hyper-specific characterization and interactions. The animation (all completed in open-source 3D software Blender) is striking too, mixing detailed textures and graphics to create a film that is beautiful yet somewhat unfamiliar. There's no way you can look away from this sweet, layered tale of teamwork and the climate crisis, or the precious feline at its heart.* — B.E.

How to watch: Flow comes to Max on Feb. 14.

They met on Tumblr, and their relationship outlasted their accounts

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 05:00

Before Tumblr lost its way through multiple sales, banning explicit content and losing droves of users, the microblogging site was the place to be online. Like any good social media platform, it brought people together, including couples.

"It felt like an easier way to connect with someone than just messaging 'hey' to someone on [a dating] app," said Sara, a former Tumblr user who met her partner Kevin on the platform.

SEE ALSO: How one tweet led me to meet my partner From the Tumblr dash to IRL

Sara and Kevin started using Tumblr around 2010, considered its heyday. This was before Tumblr's initial sale to Yahoo, which would lead to changes like a turn towards monetization (including ads).

"The way I used Tumblr back then, it was…the most private-public version of myself," Sara told Mashable, explaining she used the platform like an open journal. Facebook and Instagram were more curated; Tumblr was where she would blog about bad days and everything in between — like GIF sets from TV shows.

Kevin initially used Tumblr as a space to write but eventually used it for personal posts, selfies, and reblogging gif sets.

"We would do the perfunctory 'liking' each other's posts, and eventually we got to reblogging each other's selfies."

Sara and Kevin, who spoke to me on a Zoom call, had mutual friends on the platform and eventually followed each other a few years later, in 2015. Neither of their blogs was dedicated to one fandom or social issue — "I had no real rhyme or reason to it," said Kevin — but both of them tended to follow blogs that liked similar music or TV shows, and they eventually found each other's.

"We would do the perfunctory 'liking' each other's posts," said Sara, "and eventually we got to reblogging each other's selfies."

"The ultimate endorsement on Tumblr — besides having similar beliefs — was getting that coveted selfie reblog," said Kevin, "with something in the tags like, 'cutie,' or whatever." Sneaking compliments in the Tumblr tags was a little social cue to express your crush.

"I remember you did that once," Kevin said to Sara. "That was pretty cool."

Featured Video For You How Tinder and other dating apps use algorithms to find your match — Horny on Main

In late 2015, Tumblr introduced a chat function for users to message each other. When Kevin underwent knee surgery and wrote about it on Tumblr, Sara reached out. They soon discovered that they both lived in New Jersey, and by the next summer, they decided to take their relationship offline. After dates (that they didn't acknowledge were dates at first) like going to a retro arcade and a Beyoncé concert, they made it official.

"This is funny, the way I said it that night…you definitely remember. You still give me crap for it," Kevin said to Sara.

"'We'll give it the old college try,'" Sara recalled with a smile.

Why Tumblr over dating apps

Before he and Sara got together, Kevin was on dating apps, and it was a lot different than Tumblr because it felt like you had to put a more polished version of yourself forward. You also didn't know who you were talking to, which was true of Tumblr as well, but you can "reference things that they've talked about," he said. "If you guys are comfortable with that on Tumblr, reference in real life, bring it up. Talk to them about it."

Sara said it was easier to get a read on someone on Tumblr than you would on a dating app profile. It was also easier to vet someone if you had mutual friends. And on Tumblr, talking about politics and social issues was the norm, so you could more easily gauge political alignment. 

"Obviously, you can say whatever on the internet, but in a very simplistic way, it was like an easier way to vet who they are as a person, as opposed to finding out on the third date that you're completely diametrically opposed because that wasn't something you listed on your dating profile," she said.

...it was easier to get a read on someone on Tumblr than you would on a dating app profile.

Tumblr also felt like a more authentic platform. When he was on Tumblr, Kevin expressed his feelings more often than he did on other social platforms. "If you saw that, you were kind of used to me," he said.

One of the reasons their relationship has sustained so long is because they got to know each other in a much more casual and slow manner, Sara said. They had a base of friendship that was established without the pretense of romance.

Now they live together — but that's not the biggest indicator of commitment. 

"The most important thing is not just that we live together, but we have a cat together," said Kevin, "and that is the signifier of a serious relationship." (The cat's name is Macaroni.)

A relationship lasting longer than their Tumblr accounts

Neither Sara nor Kevin are on Tumblr anymore. Between issues like increased ads and friends leaving the platform, they stopped using it years ago.

Despite this, "I have a very deep nostalgia for Tumblr because at its peak for me is when I was in college," Sara said, when she was starting to form who she would be as an adult. Tumblr is where she was exposed to different subcultures.

From what Sara hears from single friends, the modern, app-based dating scene is pretty rough. "It makes me really appreciate how we met very organically and got to build this long-term relationship with one another," she said.

Sara is also grateful to Kevin, both because he's been part of her support system during a turbulent time professionally, and because they share internet humor and language.

"It's very nice to have that level of connectedness to someone that thinks stringing together a bunch of words seems sensical in some type of way," said Sara.

"It's very nice to have someone who feels like home," said Kevin, and (evoking a classic Tumblr meme) "also understands what 'they crave that mineral' means."

Kiss Google Drive goodbye — this alternative charges no monthly fees

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Save $67 on a FolderFort 250GB lifetime cloud storage subscription while codes last.

Opens in a new window Credit: FolderFort FolderFort 250GB Cloud Storage Plan Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$107.64 Save $67.65 Get Deal

Thinking of ways to cut costs this year? Look at your subscription services first. Those "small" fees for streaming, meal delivery services, and cloud storage add up fast when you look at the total yearly cost. While you might not be willing to give up on your favorite TV shows or Chipotle treats, we can help you save on digital space.

A lifetime cloud storage plan would free you from the shackles of subscription fees for life. FolderFort offers a 250GB plan for a one-time $39.99 payment (reg. $107). While you won’t find a better price anywhere else, we have a limited number of codes to sell — so get yours before they’re gone.

More about FolderFort

While you probably haven’t heard FolderFort’s name, that’s no excuse not to try it. After all, this 250GB cloud storage plan pays for itself in as little as four months. Those $10 monthly savings add up beyond that, whether you want to put it toward groceries or just a carton of eggs.

You’ll love how simple FolderFort is to use. Open the web app on any device’s browser to upload files, and they’ll be secure with world-leading encryption.

This 250GB plan is enough to store about 60,000 photos, 250 hours of video, or six million documents, depending on their size. And, if your storage needs expand in the future, FolderFort will make it easy and affordable to upgrade.

Get affordable cloud storage with FolderFort: 250GB for $39.99 (reg. $107).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Get Microsoft Project for Windows for $20 and make work less of a nightmare

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Microsoft Project for Windows (lifetime license) is on sale for $20 through Feb. 23 (reg. $249.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Project 2021 Professional: Lifetime License for Windows $19.97
$249.99 Save $230.02 Get Deal

Feeling buried under project deadlines and shifting priorities? You’re not alone — in fact, many professionals feel overwhelmed with the work they have these days. Sometimes, finding a task management tool can help ease your stress by laying everything out visually.

Microsoft Project for Windows (lifetime license) is on sale for $20 through Feb. 23 (reg. $249.99).

Here’s how Microsoft Project could help lighten your mental load:
  • Organize chaotic projects: Bring order to complex projects by breaking them down into manageable tasks and subtasks.

  • Visualize your workload: See all your tasks, deadlines, and dependencies at a glance with Gantt charts and other visual tools.

  • Prioritize effectively: Identify time-sensitive tasks and allocate resources strategically.

  • Track progress effortlessly: Monitor real-time project timelines, budgets, and resource utilization.

  • Collaborate seamlessly: Share project plans and updates with team members to keep everyone on the same page.

Get this project management tool at a steal. Project is only $20 until Feb. 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT (reg. $249.99) with no coupon needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Get an 8-in-1 universal fast-charger for just $21

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: The 8-in-1 GoCable features fast 100W charging, universal compatibility, and built-in tools like a bottle opener, package cutter, and keychain clip for just $20.99 (reg. $44.99) through Feb. 23.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mutant Design Lab GoCable: The Ultimate 8-in-1 EDC Charger $20.99
$44.99 Save $24.00 Get Deal

Have you ever found yourself scrambling for the right charging cable while your phone clings to its last one percent? Or, worse, realizing you forgot to pack the right adapter while traveling? GoCable can help end that struggle.

This 8-in-1 everyday carry charger isn’t just a fast, universal charging solution — it also features some useful everyday tools in one compact design. Whether you’re commuting, traveling, or just trying to keep your tech organized, GoCable is the one gadget you’ll always want on hand.

For a limited time, this portable charger is on sale for just $20.99 (reg. $44.99).

With 100W ultra-fast charging, GoCable isn’t just another flimsy travel cord. It powers up everything — phones, tablets, laptops, Bluetooth earbuds, drones, and more. Apple or Android? Doesn’t matter. This cable has universal compatibility, so you’ll never be caught without the right connector again.

Instead of carrying a mess of tangled cables in your bag, GoCable features a magnetic wrap system that keeps things neat and easy to store. And with an LED power display, you can see your charging status in real time — no more guessing if your device is actually powering up.

And guess what? GoCable doesn’t stop at charging. It’s also packed with handy extras that make life easier.

Need to open a package? The built-in safe-proof cutter has you covered. Grabbing drinks with friends? The bottle opener is always within reach. Traveling light? The carabiner clip lets you attach it to your bag or belt loop, so you never leave it behind.

And when you’re not using it? It snaps together compactly so it doesn’t get lost at the bottom of your bag. 

Don't miss getting the GoCable 8-in-1 Everyday Carry Charger while it's just $20.99 (reg. $44.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Think you’re the next Beyoncé? Use AI to turn your idea into a hit song.

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Generate AI music with 87% off a Supermusic AI lifetime subscription for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Supermusic Supermusic AI: Lifetime Subscription $39.97
$319.00 Save $279.03 Get Deal

Post-Grammys energy got you thinking you might have star potential? Maybe you have an idea for a hit song or the lyrics sitting in your notes app, but no clue how to bring them to life. Another AI innovation now means you don’t need a studio — or even a guitar — to start making music.

You’ve heard of AI image and article generators, but now, check out an AI music generator. It’s like ChatGPT, except when you enter your prompt, you get a complete song with a melody and vocals. You can get a lifetime subscription to Supermusic AI for only $39.97 (reg. $319) and generate 100 songs every month.

Create serious or silly songs

We on the StackCommerce deals team have had a little too much fun creating songs with AI. Supermusic makes it addicting, whether you want to create a silly theme song about your pet cat or turn lyrics you wrote into an actual song.

Here’s how simple it is to create a song:

  1. Enter your song idea, or paste your lyrics if you have them.

  2. Select a music style, like pop, rock, or country.

  3. Hit ‘generate’ and listen to your AI song.

We think you’ll be surprised at how well the songs turn out, and even with how realistic the vocals sound. Listen to one of the songs we generated:

After you generate a song, Supermusic makes it easy to share on social media so you can laugh with friends or grow your pop star dream. You can also explore other creator’s songs on the app, like an AI version of Spotify.

Create songs from a prompt with a Supermusic AI lifetime subscription, now $39.97 (reg. $319) for a limited time. No coupon is needed to get this price drop.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for February 13, 2025

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 04:53

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, February 13, 2025:

Across"___ the gap!" (advice for solving this puzzle)
  • The answer is Min.

Love, in French
  • The answer is Amour.

African mammal with armorlike skin
  • The answer is Rhino.

Major tech company founded in San Fran, as its name suggests
  • The answer is Cisco.

"Watch your ___!" (advice for solving this puzzle)
  • The answer is Ste.

DownPainter Chagall and podcaster Maron
  • The answer is Marcs.

Dramatic cry during a paintball game
  • The answer is Imhit.

Distraction while working at the library, maybe
  • The answer is Noise.

Sag
  • The answer is Droop.

Tar Heels' school, for short
  • The answer is UNC.

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

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

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

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

The best Hulu deals and bundles in February 2025

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 04:48

HULU BUNDLES: Hulu is offering a range of bundle deals so you can stream from its library without breaking the bank.

The best Hulu 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 Add-On Deal Disney Bundle Duo Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal Best Student Deal Hulu Student Deal Hulu (with ads) for $1.99 per month Get Deal

There's a wide range excellent shows and films to watch on Hulu. From Poor Things to the thrilling (and Golden Globe-winning) Shōgun, it's a library that's full of options to keep you entertained for hours.

In celebration of Valentine's Day, we've even gathered up the 24 best romantic comedies streaming on Hulu that are worth a watch this month. If any of these have caught your eye and have you itching to sign up for Hulu, we're here to help. Outside of the standard ad-supported and ad free plans, there are quite a few bundle deals available with Hulu that are worth exploring if you're looking to save some cash.

SEE ALSO: The best Presidents' Day streaming deals: Peacock, Starz, and more

With streaming prices on the rise (Hulu even recently increased its prices just last year), there's no better time than now to find a way to save on streaming services like this one. Below you can find details on Hulu's best bundles at the moment — alongside information on both its ad-supported and ad free plan, if you just want the basics — offering you a way to save on the service without going overboard on spending.

You'll even get additional streaming services thrown in at a lower cost, and what's better than that?

Best Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

Released last July, this is one of the best Hulu bundles available at the moment. Starting at $16.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for the three of them separately. It's an incredible deal to take advantage of, especially if you've already got Disney+ and Max subscriptions. There are two plans to choose from with this bundle, and they are:

Best Disney+ Add-On Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney Bundle Duo Basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $10.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't want to splash out on the full Hulu, Disney+, and Max bundle, the next best thing is the Duo Basic bundle. This comes with just Disney+ alongside Hulu, giving you access to each of their ad-supported streaming platforms for as low as $10.99 per month. If you're already subscribed to Disney+ or have been hoping to jump into its library, this is well worth investing in.

This isn't the only Disney+ plan available with Hulu, though. For those looking to jump into an ad-free tier for the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, there's the Duo Premium (no ads) plan that'll cost you $19.99 per month instead. And if you're a sports fan and want to throw in ESPN+, there are also Disney Bundle Trio Basic and Trio Premium plans, which run for $16.99 per month and $26.99 per month, respectively.

Best Student Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student Deal Hulu (with ads) for $1.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're a student enrolled at a university, you can score a Hulu (with ads) plan for even lower than the above bundles. Hulu's Student Deal gives eligible college students the ability to buy a Hulu (with ads) plan for just $1.99 per month. Hulu notes that the deal lasts "so long as student enrollment status remains verified," then it goes back up to the standard monthly price.

Hulu's monthly plans

If you're just looking to jump straight into Hulu's library without any fancy bundles, there are a couple of subscription options to consider. The ad-supported tier comes in at $9.99 per month, but you'll get your first month free, which is a great way to test the waters and see if it's the right fit for you. If you want to go ad free, that'll cost you $18.99 per month. Unfortunately, this plan does not offer a free trial like its ad-supported sibling.

If you really want to go big on a streaming investment, there's the Hulu + Live TV plan. This costs a whopping $82.99 per month for its ad-supported plan, but comes with plenty to keep you busy. Hulu + Live TV (with ads) gets you access to 95+ channels, unlimited DVR, Disney+ (with ads), ESPN+ (with ads), and Hulu (with ads). If you want to go even bigger with the ad-free plan — which offers Hulu (No Ads), Disney+ (no ads), and ESPN+ (with ads) alongside Live TV — it'll cost you $95.99 per month. The ad-supported plan also offers a free trial, but for just three days instead.

Wondering what to watch once you get set up with a Hulu plan or bundle? We're here to help with that as well. Have a look at our roundups of the 30 best comedies on Hulu, the 25 best sci-fi movies on Hulu, and the 26 best horror movies on Hulu to start building your watchlist. And if you're in the mood to binge-watch a show, check out our breakdown of the 25 best shows on Hulu.

The best Presidents Day streaming deals: Peacock, Starz, and more

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 04:45
The best Presidents' Day streaming deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL Peacock Premium $29.99 for one year with code WINTERSAVINGS (save $50) Get Deal BEST LIVE TV STREAMING DEAL YouTube TV free 10-day trial, then $69.99/month for 6 months (save $78) Get Deal ANOTHER STREAMING DEAL Starz $5 per month for 3 months (save $17.97) Get Deal ANOTHER STREAMING DEAL Sling TV anniversary deal $10 off your first month, plus free AMC+ for 1 year and free Max for 1 month Get Deal

While Black Friday is undoubtedly the best time of the year to score epic streaming deals, it's not the only time. With Presidents' Day around the corner, we're keeping our eyes on our favorite streamers to round up any deals that pop up. Fortunately, a few have already surfaced.

Sure, these deals aren't technically labeled Presidents' Day streaming deals, but they're around for a limited time around the holiday, so why not call them what they are? The prices aren't quite as good as Black Friday season, but a deal is a deal. If you're looking to sign up for a new streamer this winter, snag these subscriptions before they disappear.

If any more streaming deals surface, we'll be sure to update this with the latest additions. For now, here are all the best Presidents' Day streaming deals live.

Best Presidents' Day streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premiuim $29.99 for one year with code WINTERSAVINGS (save 63%) Get Deal

Through Feb. 18, new and returning subscribers can sign up for an entire year of Peacock Premium (the tier with ads) for only $29.99 instead of $79.99 with the code WINTERSAVINGS. That's 63% in savings and undeniably the best streaming deal we've seen since Black Friday. Peacock is, in my humble opinion, the most slept-on streaming service around. Not only is it home to modern classic TV shows like New Girl, The Office, and Parks and Recreation, but also Peacock Originals that are definitely worth watching — including Poker Face, Based on a True Story, Love Island USA, and We Are Lady Parts. And because it's owned by NBC Universal, it's also where you'll find theatrical releases like Conclave, The Wild Robot, and Twisters. At just $30 for the whole year — only about $2.50 per month — it's practically a no-brainer.

More Presidents' Day streaming deals
  • YouTube TV — free 10-day trial, then $69.99 per month for 6 months ($82.99 per month thereafter)

  • Starz — $5 per month month for 3 months ($10.99 per month thereafter)

  • Sling TV 10-year anniversary deal — $10 off first month, free AMC+ for 1 year, and free Max for 1 month

Evergreen streaming deals

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro with AI and ANC are on sale for under $135

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 04:43

SAVE $65: As of Feb. 13, Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are on sale for $134.99 at Woot, down from $199.99. That is a 33% discount on a pair of AI-powered noise-canceling earbuds with real-time translation, 360 Audio, high-resolution sound, and IPX7 water resistance.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro $134.99 at Woot
$199.99 Save $65.00 Get Deal

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer next-level sound quality, noise cancellation, and AI-powered features. At $134.99, they are an absolute steal. Suppose you are in the market for high-end wireless earbuds without spending over $200. In that case, this deal is worth grabbing before it disappears.

These earbuds are designed for serious audio lovers. SSC HiFi and UHQ audio codecs deliver 24-bit/96KHz high-resolution sound. Add 360 Audio with Direct Multi-Channel, and you get a fully immersive, spatial audio experience that works best with Samsung Galaxy devices.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad mini 7 review: Beefed up and ready for AI

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is also a major highlight. Samsung has improved its noise-blocking capabilities, meaning you can drown out distractions at work, on commutes, or during workouts. AI-powered sound optimization automatically adjusts to your surroundings for the best listening experience.

The AI features go beyond just audio. The real-time translation tool is perfect for frequent travelers, letting you hear translated conversations on the fly when connected to a Galaxy device. You also get AI-enhanced call clarity, with Super Wideband microphones and noise reduction tech that filters out background noise for crystal-clear communication.

Battery life is solid. With ANC on, you can playback for up to 8 hours, and with the charging case for up to 18 hours. Fast charging support means a quick top-up can keep the music going when you are low on battery.

Durability is also a win here. The IPX7 water resistance rating makes them perfect for intense workouts, outdoor adventures, or getting caught in the rain.

For $134.99, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro deliver premium ANC, AI-powered features, and high-resolution sound at a serious discount.

Sennheiser CX wireless earbuds are just $39.99 at Woot — a massive 69% off

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 04:38

SAVE OVER $80: As of Feb. 13, Sennheiser CX True Wireless earbuds are on sale for $39.99 at Woot, down from $129.95. That is 69% off a pair of premium Bluetooth earbuds with passive noise cancellation, 27-hour battery life, touch controls, and deep bass tuning.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sennheiser Sennheiser CX True Wireless Earbuds $39.99 at Woot
$129.95 Save $89.96 Get Deal

After top-tier sound without blowing your budget? Sennheiser CX true wireless earbuds are an absolute steal at just $39.99. That is a massive 69% off their original $129.95 price, making this one of the best budget-friendly wireless earbuds deals we have seen in a while.

Sennheiser has been a household name in high-end audio for decades, and the CX True Wireless earbuds deliver signature German-engineered sound quality. With 7mm TrueResponse dynamic drivers, these earbuds provide clear, balanced audio with punchy bass, crisp highs, and a natural midrange. Whether you are listening to music, taking calls, or watching videos, they offer superior clarity and depth.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad mini 7 review: Beefed up and ready for AI

Battery life is another big win. You get up to nine hours of continuous playback on a single charge, with an extra 18 hours from the charging case, bringing the total to 27 hours of listening time. That means you can go for days without needing to recharge.

One of the standout features is the passive noise cancellation. While these do not have active noise cancellation (ANC), their secure in-ear fit blocks out a surprising amount of background noise, making them great for commuting, working out, or just tuning out distractions. The four sizes of ear adapters included ensure a snug and comfortable fit, no matter your ear shape.

For those who love to customize their sound, Sennheiser offers a dedicated Smart Control app that lets you adjust EQ settings and activate the Bass Boost mode for extra low-end punch. Touch controls on each earbud make it easy to play, pause, skip tracks, and take calls without reaching for your phone.

The IPX4 splash resistance rating means these earbuds can handle sweat, rain, and light splashes, making them a solid choice for workouts and outdoor use.

For $39.99, the Sennheiser CX true wireless earbuds deliver premium sound, solid battery life, and great features at an unbeatable price.

Save 41% on Beats Studio Buds+ for a limited time

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 04:31

SAVE $209: As of Feb. 13, Beats Studio Buds+ wireless earbuds are on sale for $99.99 at Woot, down from $169.95. That is 41% off a pair of premium true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, transparency mode, spatial audio, and 36-hour battery life.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds+ $99.99 at Woot
$169.95 Save $69.96 Get Deal

Need a solid pair of high-quality wireless earbuds that don't vaporize your wallet? This deal on Beats Studio Buds+ is an easy win. Usually $169.95, Woot has them for just $99.99, which is a massive 41% discount. This is an absolute steal for a set of true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and long battery life.

Thanks to their custom acoustic platform, the Beats Studio Buds+ delivers powerful, balanced audio with deep bass and crisp highs. Whether you are listening to music, taking calls, or watching movies, they offer rich, immersive sound with the clarity you would expect from Beats.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad mini 7 review: Beefed up and ready for AI

Noise cancellation is another standout feature. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) blocks unwanted background noise, making them perfect for commuting, working out, or enjoying peace and quiet. If you need to stay aware of your surroundings, Transparency Mode lets in outside sound with a quick tap, so you can hear what is going on without taking out your earbuds.

Battery life is also top-tier. The Beats Studio Buds+ offers up to 36 hours of total playtime, with nine hours on a single charge and an additional 27 hours from the case. That means you can go all day without worrying about recharging. If you are in a rush, a quick five-minute charge gives you up to one hour of playback.

These earbuds are also great for calls, thanks to their larger voice-targeting microphones that filter out background noise for clear, high-quality audio on phone and video calls. The secure, comfortable fit is another plus, with four sizes of silicone tips included to ensure a snug, noise-isolating seal.

At $99.99, the Beats Studio Buds+ offers premium sound, elite noise cancellation, and great battery life for under $100. Woot deals sell out fast, so do not wait too long if you want a pair.

The best laptops for 2025, tested by experts

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 04:30

Choosing the best laptop is a largely subjective decision that comes down to your primary use cases, your preferred operating system, and your budget. In other words, there's no such thing as a universally best laptop.

This is an annoying fact of life for both laptop shoppers and those of us doling out "best laptop" recommendations, since we can't make custom judgment calls for everyone in need of a new machine. (I would love to, but I've got a thing after this.) However, I can confidently point you in the right direction of some standouts that I and other members of the Mashable team have vetted and approved.

Our top picks

As of February 2025, Mashable's top laptop overall is the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, a sophisticated Copilot+ PC with incredible performance, an unrivaled battery life of nearly 23 hours, and some fun AI features, if you're into that sort of thing. Note that Microsoft recently announced an Intel version of it that may appeal to users wary of Windows on ARM for app compatibility reasons, but it's a business-oriented model with a significant markup.

For card-carrying members of Team Apple, we think the best MacBook for most people is the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air, a sleek, peppy notebook with a scrumptious keyboard and closed-lid support for two external displays. We also recommend the 16-inch, M4 Pro-powered MacBook Pro as the best laptop for photo and video editing — it's stupid fast, beautifully made, long-lasting, and configurable with a stunning nano-texture display.

The best laptops we've tried further include several hybrid devices. Our 2-in-1 frontrunner is the Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 (Gen 9), a solid performer with a gorgeous 2.8K OLED display, a rotating soundbar, and a superb webcam. Creative professionals may be better served by the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2, a sturdy convertible with a unique pull-forward design that can turn it into an easel, while heavy multitaskers should look into the 2024 Asus Zenbook Duo. It features two OLED displays, performs well for its price point, and includes accessories like a stylus and a detachable keyboard.

For those on a budget, the Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (Gen 9) is our newly crowned "best cheap laptop" under $1,000: It's a 2-in-1 Copilot+ PC with ample power for everyday tasks, a good amount of ports, and a starting price of $899.99. It replaces our previous pick, the $799.99 Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, which has a premium, ultra-portable design and an excellent keyboard but dated internals and a lousy 720p webcam. (It's still a passable option for brand loyalists with tight purse strings, but don't buy it unless it's on sale.)

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

If you're trying to spend less than $500, look into the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch: With a large, colorful display, cool everyday performance, and some useful AI features, it's the best Chromebook we've tried.

Finally, we think the Alienware m16 R2 leads the pack among the best gaming laptops we've used. It's a super snappy mid-ranger that's capable of being toned down for everyday use when you're done playing Cyberpunk 2077.

After spending countless hours reviewing laptops across popular brands, we've decided to recommend these models because they're well-made, powerful enough for their respective use cases, and priced fairly. At the very least, we think they can be useful archetypes within different categories of computers. Don't start from square one if you don't have to, you know?

What's on deck

We're currently trying the Dell XPS 13, a Lunar Lake PC with a tandem OLED display. (It'll be the last of its kind: Dell is phasing out the XPS name.) We'll also soon review the latest Framework Laptop 13, a popular modular and repairable laptop with a Mashable Choice Award-winning predecessor. I'll update this story once our testing is complete.

Further down the pipeline is the Asus ZenBook A14, an all-new MacBook Air competitor with a durable "Ceraluminum" chassis and a ridiculous rated battery life of up to 32 hours per charge. I briefly checked it out at CES 2025, and it took home our Best of CES laptop category award. Suffice it to say, I can't wait to put it through the paces of our full testing process.

What we've tested lately (that didn't make the cut)

I recently tried the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, a 2-in-1 Lunar Lake laptop priced at $1,899.99 as tested (with an Intel Core Ultra 258V processor, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage). It's an absolutely stunning machine with a colorful 3K OLED touchscreen display, a satisfying keyboard, a velvety touchpad, and a dark aluminum chassis that gives it a moody and elegant look. It also lasted an impressive 15 hours in our battery life test. That said, it has some baffling port placements, mediocre bottom-firing speakers, an oversaturated webcam, and disappointing performance benchmark results.

In a Geekbench 6 multi-core test, my OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 scored slightly lower than the M2-powered MacBook Air from 2023, our current favorite budget MacBook, and significantly lower than its own predecessor. That would be last year's HP Spectre x360 14, which had a mid-range Core Ultra Series 1 processor as tested. I expected way more from a machine with Intel's freshest upper mid-range CPU.

Ultimately, I rated the OmniBook Flip 14 a 4.2/5 — respectable, but not quite a Mashable Choice Award winner. It's a flashy premium hybrid for splurgers who want a future-proofed laptop they won't work very hard, but the zippier Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 feels like a better value for most people at $1,449.99 as tested.

If you're choosing between the two HP models, I'm also inclined to recommend the Spectre x360 14 over the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14. It offers more power and better top-firing speakers for a comparable price.

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

Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones are to down to just under $170

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 04:25

SAVE $209: As of Feb. 13, Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones are on sale for $169.99 at Woot, down from $379.95. That is a 55% discount on high-fidelity Bluetooth headphones with adaptive noise cancellation, 60-hour battery life, and customizable sound.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sennheiser Sennheiser Momentum 4 $169.99 at Woot
$379.95 Save $209.96 Get Deal

If you are in the market for premium wireless headphones, today’s deal on the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is one you should not ignore. These headphones typically go for $379.95, but Woot has them for just $169.99 (55% off). That is insane value for a pair of headphones that compete with the likes of Sony and Bose when it comes to sound quality and noise cancellation.

The Momentum 4 delivers exceptional audio thanks to 42mm drivers and aptX Adaptive support. It gives you rich, detailed sound with deep bass and crisp highs. If you are picky about your audio, the Sennheiser Smart Control app lets you tweak the EQ, presets, and sound modes to get everything right.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad mini 7 review: Beefed up and ready for AI

Noise cancellation is also a standout feature. Adaptive ANC automatically adjusts to your environment, blocking distractions so you can focus on your music, podcasts, or calls. But if you still want to hear what is going on around you, the Adjustable Transparency Mode lets in ambient sound without needing to take off your headphones.

Battery life is where these really flex. You get up to 60 hours of playback on a single charge, which absolutely smokes most competitors. Forgot to charge them? No worries — a 10-minute charge gives you six hours of listening time.

For calls, the four beamforming microphones ensure your voice comes through loud and clear. They also automatically suppress wind noise, so your calls sound great even in noisy environments.

Comfort is another win. The lightweight design, padded headband, and deeply cushioned ear cups make these headphones comfortable to wear all day. They also fold up for easy storage, making them great for travel.

At $169.99, the Momentum 4 offers premium audio, elite noise cancellation, and unmatched battery life for a fraction of the price of similar models. Woot deals tend to sell out fast, so if you want a pair, grab them before they are gone.

Waste.gov put behind password after sending WordPress demo website live

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 04:04

The U.S. government recently registered DEI.gov and Waste.gov as new federal websites, with Reuters reporting that neither page was responsive as of last Wednesday. Now Waste.gov has been hidden behind a password after apparently going live — with a default WordPress template.

404 Media reports that Waste.gov temporarily displayed an example web page provided by WordPress, using the design template Twenty Twenty-Four and featuring a fictional architectural firm called Études. While the page included the domain name and the tagline "tracking government waste," the rest of Waste.gov focused on Études' fake architectural services. DEI.gov redirected to Waste.gov.

SEE ALSO: Metadata on U.S. government memos reveals authors linked to Project 2025 The Waste.gov website on Feb. 11, 2025, as archived by The Wayback Machine. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable

This is a pretty sloppy look for President Donald Trump's new administration, which has also been taking down public health websites hosting information used by doctors to treat patients. That isn't even to mention shutting down the U.S. humanitarian aid agency and its website, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention website, and numerous federal webpages on LGBTQ issues. Waste.gov was quickly locked away behind a password after 404 Media's report.

Judging from the domain names, it's reasonable to assume that Waste.gov and DEI.gov are intended to concern Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency ("DOGE") as well as Trump's ongoing efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs (DEI). Musk and Trump have continually alleged that the U.S. government is wasting funds, with DOGE aiming to drastically cut federal spending and employees.

Unfortunately, both Trump and Musk have poor histories when it comes to correctly assessing what constitutes waste. An analysis found that Trump's elimination of over 100 environmental protection regulations during his first term contributed to 22,000 American deaths in 2019 alone. Meanwhile, Musk infamously cut almost 90 percent of Twitter's staff after acquiring it 2022, with the company's value subsequently tanking while advertisers deserted the platform.

Despite this, Trump and Musk appear to believe that the U.S. government can be run to an acceptable standard with a fraction of its current employees, significant reliance on AI, and with $2 trillion subtracted from its budget (the federal budget prior to their cuts was $6.8 trillion). On Tuesday, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to execute "large-scale" job cuts and work with Musk's DOGE to limit hiring.

So far, the Trump administration's drastic cuts have primarily caused chaos and concern. DOGE swiftly gained access to the federal government's digital networks and databases ostensibly to search for "waste," locking U.S. government officials out of key systems and sparking numerous lawsuits. Waste.gov's hapless publication of a default WordPress demo website is just another indication that Trump and Musk's hasty gutting of the U.S. government is a messy process that will probably only get messier.

How to Train Your Dragon live-action trailer shows Hiccup and Toothless in flight

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 02:56

The official trailer for the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon has arrived, and it looks as though writer and director Dean DeBlois is bring back some very familiar elements in hopes of recreating what made the animated films so beloved.

How to Train Your Dragon follows Hiccup (Mason Thames), the awkward son of Viking chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising the role he voiced in the animated films). Already struggling to fit in with the dragon-fighting Vikings, Hiccup's life grows even more complicated when he unexpectedly befriends a dangerous Night Fury he names Toothless.

Judging from the trailer, several shots in the live-action film look practically identical to its animated predecessor, particularly Hiccup and Toothless' famous first meeting. We'll just have to wait and see what if any changes have been made to distinguish How to Train Your Dragon's live-action adaptation from the phenomenally popular animated film.

How to Train Your Dragon flies into theatres June 13.

Why Im celebrating female friendship this Valentines Day

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 02:00

I can count on one hand the number of times I've been in love. Those occasions have brought great joy, and even greater heartbreak. But the one form of love that's been a constant in my life is platonic love. This Valentine's Day I'll be celebrating the constancy of that particular love.

SEE ALSO: 10 free dating apps worth trying in 2025

I won't be lamenting my lack of a boyfriend this Valentine's Day, I'll be celebrating the women in my life who've laughed with me (and at me); who've listened to my rants without judgement; and who've given me words of support and encouragement when things were really shit. Female friendship has been more meaningful than all of my toe-dips in romantic love.

One moment in particular stands out. Shortly before Valentine's Day three years ago, I found out that a man I'd recently been involved with — and for whom I still had feelings — not only had a new girlfriend; they were also expecting a child. I felt numb when I heard the news and immediately texted my friend Michelle to tell her what I'd heard. She told me to meet her at the gym first thing the following morning so we could talk.

Between sobs as I stomped on the treadmill, she listened to me and assured me that this was a perfectly acceptable response. Over the next week, she made sure I ate lunch, she smiled at me from across the desk as I blinked back tears while attempting to work and — when Valentine's Day rolled around — she quietly left a card and present on my desk. Without Michelle, I don't think I would have bounced back so quickly and thanks to her pep talks, I had the courage to meet up with that ex and get the rest of my belongings back. And, armed with my retrieved possessions, I marched the hell away from that guy who'd never really been that nice to me anyway.

Another friend who I owe a debt of gratitude this Valentine's Day is Elisha. Since becoming friends just over a year ago, she and I have laughed until our cheekbones hurt, but we've also been there for each other during the sadder times. Together we've shared in the loss of family members, friends, lovers. We have seasoned the streets of multiple cities with our tears.

It's not always easy to find someone who'll listen to you drone on for hours on end about something that's really bugging you. But, when something has deeply upset you, it's hard to change the record, even if you're acutely aware that you're stuck on repeat. I'll never forget the moment I apologised to Elisha for talking about the same issue again and again. Sitting across the table from me, Elisha started to cry and said: "Rachel, if you can't talk to me about this stuff, then who can you talk to? Please don't be sorry." For that, I'll always be hugely grateful.

SEE ALSO: How to move on after a situationship ends

Girlfriends aren't just there for the challenging times though. They're there to empower us, to make us laugh, and to remind us of the good in the world. I'm grateful to my female friends overseas — Shannon, Vicky and Haley — who, despite the distance, are just as close to me as my UK-based friends. At the drop of a hat, they are there on FaceTime, Skype and iMessage to talk about the exciting things that we've seen and done. And, every once in a while, one of us crosses the Atlantic Ocean to embark on another adventure together. These are the moments that enrich my existence.

This Valentine's Day I'll be sharing a romantic dinner for two with someone very special indeed: Lizzie, my dear friend and housemate who I've known for 10 years. She and I spend night after night filling our home with laughter, even after the toughest of days and I'll be toasting to that decade of laughter on Feb. 14.

My female friends empower me through the support they give me and vice versa. They've not only made tough times more bearable, they've also taught me things about myself, about relationships and about life, in general. That's why I'm putting mates before dates this Valentine's Day.

This article was first published in 2017 and republished in 2025.

Inject AI directly into your PC with Windows 11 Pro, now only £14.44

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Mashable readers can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for only £14.44 (reg. £159.93) through 23 February — that’s a 90% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Windows 11 Pro £14.44 at the Mashable Shop
£159.93 Save £145.49 Get Deal

If you thought AI would only be a fad, take a look at Microsoft. Thanks to Windows, countless computers are now equipped with Microsoft Copilot, their latest AI technology. But something even cooler? You don’t have to get a new device to get Copilot — just upgrade to Windows 11.

And, if you’re going for it, go all the way and get the Pro version with the most features, like remote desktop access and hard drive encryption. We have a deal on Windows 11 Pro keys for only £14.44 (reg. £159.93), and each one-time purchase upgrades two compatible PCs.

AI in Windows 11

We realize you can use AI chatbots, so what makes Windows Copilot special? For one, Copilot is built using a custom version of GPT-4, so it’s like getting the premium version of ChatGPT for free.

There are also many perks of having Copilot built into your PC:

  • Ask it to change system settings instead of finding them yourself

  • Summarise web pages without having to ‘copy and paste’

  • Have it set reminders, schedule meetings, or draft emails

Pro-specific features

Already have Windows 11 Home, but curious about what Pro delivers? Remote desktop access becomes super handy in a pinch, as does BitLocker device encryption in case of device loss or theft. You’ll also get Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox for other professional testing and tasks.

Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for £14.44 (reg. £159.93) until 23 February at 11:59 p.m. PT at the Mashable Shop.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Domino’s is releasing a pepperoni perfume for Valentine’s Day. Heres how to get yours for free.

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 00:00

ENTER TO WIN: From Feb. 10-17, you can enter the draw to win a bottle of the Domino's pepperoni-inspired perfume.

Opens in a new window Credit: Domino's Domino's: Win Free Pepperoni-Inspired Perfume Learn More

Valentine's Day just got a whole lot spicier thanks to Domino's.

The popular pizza chain has gone ahead and done what the world has been asking for by launching a pepperoni-inspired perfume. This meaty scent is designed to make you irresistible with notes of pepper and spice, with a warm, woody base. And the pyramid-shaped bottle decorated to look like pizza slices is a really classy touch.

SEE ALSO: How to survive Valentine's Day when you're heartbroken

You can't actually purchase Eau de Passion right now, but all is not lost. Anyone who wants to try it can fill out a form from Feb. 10-17 for a chance to win a bottle. The catch is that it's only available in the UK and Ireland, but that situation could change once everyone sees the impact of this scent. Seriously, who wouldn't be all over someone who stinks of Domino’s Pepperoni Passion.

Make the most of this Valentine's Day and enter the draw to win a bottle of the Domino's pepperoni-inspired perfume.

How to watch 2025 LIV Golf online for free

Mashable - Thu, 02/13/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream 2025 LIV Golf for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

LIV Golf has caused a lot of controversy since its first event back in 2022, but things seem to have settled down now. And at the end of the day, don't we all just want to watch more high-quality competitions between the best players in the world?

We're not picking a side in this. We love the PGA Tour and LIV Golf equally. We're just pleased to see more golf on the calendar. And better yet, it's possible to watch these events without spending anything.

If you want to watch 2025 LIV Golf for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is LIV Golf?

LIV Golf is a Saudi-backed professional men's golf tour. The tour features team and individual competitions, with 14 events per season (each consisting of three rounds and no cuts).

When is LIV Golf in 2025?

2025 LIV Golf features 14 events held all over the world between February and August:

  • LIV Golf Riyadh — Feb. 8

  • LIV Golf Adelaide — Feb. 16

  • LIV Golf Hong Kong — March 9

  • LIV Golf Singapore — March 16

  • LIV Golf Miami — April 6

  • LIV Golf Mexico City — April 27

  • LIV Golf Korea — May 4

  • LIV Golf Washington, D.C. — June 8

  • LIV Golf Dallas — June 29

  • LIV Golf Andalucía — July 13

  • LIV Golf UK — July 27

  • LIV Golf Chicago — Aug. 10

  • LIV Golf Indianapolis — Aug. 17

  • LIV Team Championship Michigan — Aug. 24

The good news is that it's possible to live stream every event for free in the 2025 season.

How to watch 2025 LIV Golf for free

2025 LIV Golf is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock free live streams of 2025 LIV Golf from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ITVX from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Live stream 2025 LIV Golf for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch 2025 LIV Golf without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select events before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream 2025 LIV Golf for free with ExpressVPN.

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