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A new name has joined in the efforts to buy TikTok and keep it running in the U.S.
According to Reuters, venture capitalist Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit, is joining businessman Frank McCourt in his bid to buy TikTok in the U.S.
"He has that broad portfolio of experience … of where social media was and, I think, a keen understanding of where it’s evolving," McCourt told Reuters.
In a post on his Instagram Stories, Ohanian screenshot the Reuters story and wrote "Ready to buy TikTok US and bring on chain 🗽"
SEE ALSO: Every potential TikTok buyer we know about"Where he can help mostly is validating but also socializing what we're doing," McCourt told Reuters. "On the one hand, this is a project which has very sophisticated technology at the core, and so you're dealing with a very specific audience when it comes to demonstrating the validity of that technology and in how it works, and why it's necessary."
McCourt is the founder of Project Liberty, which offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash for what the group calls "The People’s Bid for TikTok." Canadian investor and Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary is also in on the bid.
This comes at a time in which investors are fighting to get a piece of TikTok before the ban goes into effect. Of course, the Supreme Court decided to uphold then-president Joe Biden's TikTok ban in a unanimous decision. Since then, President Donald Trump extended the period of time before the law goes into effect. Now, the app is running and back on app stores — at least, until Trump's extension runs out on April 5. TikTok says it doesn't want to sell, but the most likely way to stop a U.S. ban is for another company to step up and buy it.
SAVE $51.99: As of March 3, you can get a 43-inch Roku smart TV for just $198 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount and $51.99 off the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku 43-inch Select Series 4K HDR TV $198.00 at AmazonIf you’re on the hunt for a budget TV that actually works, Amazon’s got a great deal going on Roku smart TVs.
Right now, you can get a 43-inch Roku Select Series 4K HDR smart TV for $198, down from $249.99. That’s a savings of 21%, making it a pretty sweet deal if you're looking to upgrade your home entertainment setup without spending a ton.
SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV dealsThis TV features 4K resolution, HDR10+ color technology for a life-like viewing experience, and all your favorite apps built right into the Roku platform. You’ll also be able to watch 400+ live TV channels, free movies and shows, and other streaming content. It also comes with a voice remote so you can search for shows, control smart home devices, and more by speaking directly into the remote.
GET $87 OFF: As of Mar. 3rd, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max Air Purifier is on sale for $262.99 for a savings of $87, or 25% off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Blueair Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max Air Purifier $262.99 at Best BuyWhat's circulating in your home? Sometimes opening the windows and letting in a fresh breeze isn't enough. In an age of forest fires, particulate pollution from traffic, and more clean air can be hard to come by. But not all bothersome irritants are from pollution, for many of us pet hair and dust do real damage. Thankfully great air purifiers like the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max eliminate these issues, improving our respiratory health.
Right now, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max Air Purifier is available for $87 off, get it for $262.99 and save 25%.
SEE ALSO: The best robot vacuums and mops of 2025 so far, tested hands-on at homeWith an attractive profile and quiet fans, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max is an unobtrusive air purifier that will fit right into your home. The 211i is designed for spaces up to 635 square feet.
The Blueair has a wrap-around prefilter that captures large particles like pet hair before these particles have a chance to clog up the delicate HEPA filter inside. Its HEPA filter capture microscopic particles down to 0.1 microns, including viruses and mold.
The Blueair does many things well, but it's not designed for VOCs and gas like the Winix 5500-2 is. Thankfully, the Winix is also currently on sale at Amazon for $155.19, saving you 38%.
As of now, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max Air Purifier is on sale for $262.99 at Best Buy, saving you 25%, or $87.
Invest in Blueair to sweeten the air in your apartment, lessen allergen loads, and scrub wildfire smoke from the air. It's the answer for improving respiratory health and ridding your space of particulate pollution.
SAVE UP TO 40%: REI has discounted bicycles including electric models by up to 40% from brands like Cannondale, REI, Salsa, and more.
Best bicycle deals at REI Best overall bicycle deal Co-op Cycles ADV 1.1 Bike $1,018.93 (save $680.07) Get Deal Best electric bicycle deal Cannondale Tesoro Neo X 3 $2,149.93 (save $1,150.07) Get Deal Best budget-friendly bicycle deal Pure Cycles Coaster Bike $299.93 (save $129.07) Get DealThere's nothing quite as joyous as riding a bicycle in the warm sun. With spring and summer just a few weeks away, now's a great time to give your bike a pre-season tune-up.
But if you don't have a bicycle you enjoy riding or if you're due for an upgrade, REI has major discounts ahead of the cycling season with some offering 40% off. Keep in mind many of these models are discontinued, which means they could sell out at any moment.
However, a discontinued bicycle still comes perfectly well equipped with everything you need for a great adventure. Make it a summer goal to ride your bike to work a few days a week, hit the local trails with friends on the weekend, or embark on a multi-day bikepacking expedition. However you like to hop on a bike, you'll want to check out these impressive deals at REI.
Keep in mind buying a bike at REI comes with some benefits like a year of free adjustments, in-store bike assembly, and access to bike experts in over 170 REI bike shops.
Best overall bicycle deal Opens in a new window Credit: REI Co-op Cycles ADV 1.1 Bike $1,018.93 at REIIf you're looking for an adventure-ready bicycle, the Co-op Cycles ADV 1.1 Bike is a great choice. With REI's cycling sale, the price is now a major 40% off which means the bike can be yours for $1,018.93, instead of the usual price of $1,699.
Coming in a huge range of sizes (S - XXL), the ADV 1.1 has 30 gears, a classic touring frame made of double-butted chromoly steel, and hydraulic disc brakes. Front and rear racks are included so all you'll need to do is pack up your paniers and head off.
Best electric bicycle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Cannondale Cannondale Tesoro Neo X 3 Electric Bike $2,149.93 at REIElectric bikes offer some of the most freedom when it comes to covering miles without getting tired legs. If that's appealing, check out the Cannondale Tesoro Neo X 3 Electric Bike. As a discontinued model, REI has knocked 34% off, brining the sale price down to just $2,149.93.
The Cannondale Tesoro Neo X 3 comes with class 3 e-bike certification which means it has pedal assist up to 28 miles per hour. The Bosch Performance Line Sport motor has a 500 Wh battery capacity which gives assistance for about 70 miles of riding.
You'll also get a micro-shift Marvo nine-speed shifting system and rideever hydraulic disc brakes. Full coverage fenders also mean this model is a great option for if your riding location is prone to rain or puddles.
Best budget-friendly bicycle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Pure Cycles Pure Cycles Coaster Bike $299.93 at REIIf you need new wheels without spending much, consider the Pure Cycles Coaster Bike. Since it's on sale for 30% off, this model is down to just $299.93 at REI in the Flatback Black or Sulcata Gold colorways.
This single-speed bike is made for chill post-dinner rides, heading to the library, or cruising the neighborhood. Instead of a traditional braking system, this model goes back to the old days of cycling, designed with a push back braking system. The unisex bike weighs about 26 pounds and is a great option for boardwalk rides this summer.
More bicycle deals at REI:Electra Cruiser 1 Step-Over Bike (24 inches) — $299.93 $400 (save $100.07)
Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 Mountain Bike — $478.93 $599 (save $120.07)
Salsa Blackthorn SLX Mountain Bike — $2,499.93 $3,599 (save $1,099.07)
Salsa Notch 160 CUES 10 Electric Mountain Bike — $3,998.93 $4,999 (save $1,000.07)
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is investigating TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur over how they handle children's personal data, the agency announced on Monday.
The probe comes amid rising concerns over how social media and video-sharing platforms collect and process data from younger users. The ICO says it will examine how TikTok uses the personal information of 13–17-year-olds to fuel its recommendation algorithms.
SEE ALSO: TikTok Creator Marketplace is shutting down and being replaced by AI-packed TikTok OneMeanwhile, Reddit and Imgur are under scrutiny for how their platforms "use UK children’s personal information and their use of age assurance measures."
"If social media and video sharing platforms want to benefit from operating in the UK they must comply with data protection law," said UK Information Commissioner John Edwards. "The responsibility to keep children safe online lies firmly at the door of the companies offering these services and my office is steadfast in its commitment to hold them to account."
TikTok, the ByteDance-owned video sharing platform, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years over its ties to the Chinese government. In 2023, the ICO fined TikTok over $16 million for allowing children under 13 to access the app in 2020. Additionally, TikTok is at risk of being banned in the U.S. if it fails to sell its American assets by April 2025 — a move first pushed during President Trump’s administration.
SAVE UP TO $1,000: During Samsung's spring sale, shop new deals every day. On Mar. 3, shop the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and save $1,000 with qualifying trade-in or $200 with no trade-in.
Shop best Samsung spring sale deals Best Samsung deal Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra $419.99 at Samsung (Save $1,000) Get Deal Best TV deal Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV $1,299 at Samsung (Save at $700) Get Deal Best tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra From $259.99 at Samsung (Save up to $800 with qualifying trade-in) Get Deal Best Gaming Monitor Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 4K Smart Gaming Monitor $599.99 at Samsung (Save $400) Get Deal Best monitor deal Samsung M80C 4K UHD Smart Monitor $449.99 at Samsung (Save $200) Get DealWe're just weeks away from the official start of spring. As the temperatures start to warm up, and green starts to return back to the earth, it's time for a refresh. If you're doing some spring cleaning, and realizing that you can't dust away your old tech's problems, it's time to upgrade.
Samsung's spring sale is coming at just the right time, offering major savings on smartphones, tablets, TVs, and appliances. Everyday, Samsung is dropping new deals from Mar. 3 to Mar. 9, including free bezels for Frame TVs and buy one, get one monitors.
Today, Mar. 3, get a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra phone for $1,000 off with a qualifying trade-in. But there are plenty of other great deals to find at the Samsung spring sale. Here are all the best Samsung deals to shop now.
Best Samsung spring sale deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB) $419.99 at SamsungIf you're in major need of a smartphone upgrade, you can get the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for just $419.99, saving you $1,000. During Samsung's spring sale, get up to $900 in an instant trade-in credit when purchasing the Samsung S25 Ultra. If you don't have a phone to trade-in, you can still get a $200 instant credit. The savings don't stop there, you'll receive a $100 instant Samsung Credit and double the storage on Samsung's dime.
That means you can get the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for as low as $419.99, saving up to $1,000 for 70% off.
This is a perfect time to purchase the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. While it's not a necessary upgrade if you already have a recent Samsung Galaxy model like the S24, it does deliver a major power boost powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Plus, it features a 24-hour battery life and a stellar camera that delivers crystal clear photos in 30x zoom.
If you're ready to trade-in, this is an exceptional deal. However, if you're not in the market for a smartphone, explore all the other great savings during the spring sale.
More Samsung spring sale dealsSamsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra — $259.99 $1,199.99 (save $940 with qualifying trade-in)
Samsung M80C 4K UHD Smart Monitor — $449.99 $649.99 (save $200)
Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 4K Smart Gaming Monitor — $599.99 $999.99 (save $400)
Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,299.99 $1,999.99 (save $700)
SAVE $15: As of March 3, you can get the Logitech Brio 101 webcam for just $24.99 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount and a $15 price cut. It's also the lowest price we've seen on this model.
Opens in a new window Credit: Logitech Logitech Brio 101 $24.99 at AmazonWorking from home has its perks, but it also means that every meeting is a virtual one, and having a reliable webcam is pretty much non-negotiable if you want to keep your job. Most laptops and desktops come with a built-in webcam, but if you’re taking client calls or discussing sensitive topics, you’re going to need something that’s a little more robust than a factory standard camera.
The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a mid-to-high-level camera — the Logitech Brio 101 webcam is on sale at Amazon for just $24.99 (down from $39.99), which is the lowest price we've seen for this model.
SEE ALSO: The best webcams in 2025The Logitech Brio 101 offers 1080p resolution, features an auto-light balance, and has a privacy slide cover to safeguard you from potential webcam hacking. It’s also made from recycled plastic, so you can feel good about your purchase from an environmental standpoint.
Another month of deals is here. February brought us plenty of epic discounts, and March is already starting off with a bang. We hand-selected a few deals at Amazon we think are particularly good to kick off the month — including top brands like Bose, Google, and Amazon itself.
Here are our picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on March 3. If none of these are your cup of tea, be sure to check back tomorrow for brand new selections.
Our top pick: Google Pixel 9 Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 9 (Unlocked, 128GB) $599.00 at AmazonThe Google Pixel 9 isn't a massive boost from the Pixel 8, but it does include some essential upgrades. It boasts Google's new Tensor G4 chip, which is nearly 20 percent faster, a completely refreshed AI experience, a new 48MP ultrawide camera lens, and a 35 percent brighter display. Plus, it now comes in pink. As of March 3, you can grab an unlocked Pixel 9 with 128GB for only $599 instead of the usual $799. That's 25% in savings and its lowest price on record.
Read our full review of the Google Pixel 9.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $39.99 at AmazonThe Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers the most bang for your buck of any streaming stick. It's the first (and only) Fire TV stick with Ambient Experience, which turns your TV into artwork like Samsung's The Frame. It packs over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality images to choose from. Plus, it features WiFi-6E support, Dolby Vision (plus HDR, HDR 10, HDR 10+, HLG), Dolby Atmos audio, the most storage of any Fire Stick (16GB), and the ability to play Xbox games without a console. It's regularly $59.99, but you can save 33% as of March 3 and grab it for just $39.99 instead.
Roku TV Wireless Soundbar Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Wireless Soundbar $99.99 at AmazonGot a Roku TV? Boost the sound by pairing it with the Roku Wireless Soundbar, which is on sale for 33% off. While it's not overly packed with fancy features, it can "drastically improve the sound your Roku TV can put out," as our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) put it. It requires zero cables and can seamlessly slip into any entertainment space. And it won't cost you a fortune. As of March 3, it's down to just $99.99 at Amazon.
Bose SoundLink Micro Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose SoundLink Micro $99.00 at Amazon"The Bose SoundLink Micro isn't exactly the cheapest Bluetooth speaker, but its portability, good sound, and durability almost justify the price tag," Mashable's reviewer writes. The SoundLink Micro is usually $119, but as of March 3, you can save 17% and pay just under $100. It's pretty tiny — micro, if you will — and can fit in the palm of your hand, making it a good pick for attaching to your bike or backpack. It's unfazed by water immersion and will pump out heavy bass no problem. We wish the battery life was better for the price, but overall, the SoundLink Micro still packs a pretty good punch.
Read our full review of the Bose SoundLink Micro.
Soundcore Life Q30 noise-cancelling headphones Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore Life Q30 noise-cancelling headphones $55.99 at AmazonThe Soundcore Life Q30 noise-cancelling headphones pack dual noise-detecting microphones to sense and filter out up to 95 percent of low-frequency ambient sound. Select from three different noise-cancelling modes to suit your situation and enjoy up to 40 hours of battery life on a full charge (or 60 without ANC). The hybrid design also allows you to connect them via AUX cable when you run out of wireless juice. They usually cost $79.99, but you can save 30% as of March 3 and pick up a pair for only $55.99.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
At the 2025 Oscars, no one had more fun than Colman Domingo, who took every opportunity to get up from his seat and dance. During a commercial break, he even took to the stage to encourage fellow attendees to join in on the fun, all while sipping champagne. Although the Best Actor nominee didn't leave the Dolby Theatre with an Academy Award in hand, he did have his husband, Raúl Domingo, by his side.
The couple turned heads on the red carpet, with Colman celebrating his nomination for Sing Sing. Their appearance sparked renewed interest in their love story — one they’ve shared publicly once before.
Tweet may have been deletedIn February 2024, during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Colman revealed that he and Raúl first met in 2005 through a Craigslist "missed connections" post. While visiting Northern California, Colman noticed a "beautiful" man outside a Walgreens in Berkeley but missed the chance to approach him. A few days later, while browsing Craigslist, he came across a post titled "Saw you outside of Walgreens — Berkeley," written by Raúl just hours earlier.
They met three days later, and Colman felt an immediate connection. "At 4 o'clock in the morning, I couldn’t sleep. I said, 'I think I love you, and you’re about to change my life.'" Nearly 20 years later, their love continues to thrive.
Despite their long-term relationship and shared production company, the couple keeps the rest of their private life under wraps. Colman explained to The Times, "We knew people would ask about my husband, so we thought, 'We'll give you one simple story. But only one.'"
GET $100 OFF: As of Mar. 3rd the iRobot Roomba Q011 Robot Vacuum is available for $149.99 for a savings of $100 off or 40% saved.
Opens in a new window Credit: Irobot iRobot Roomba Q011 Robot Vacuum $149.99 at AmazonSpread breadcrumbs on the floor and watch them disappear. The iRobot Roomba Q011 Robot Vacuum is a powerful robot vacuum that takes care of floor care on its own, without your supervision.
Currently, the iRobot Roomba Q011 Robot Vacuum is on sale at Amazon for $149.99. Get it now and save $100 or 40% off.
SEE ALSO: The roborock S8 Pro Ultra robot vacuum is on sale for $700 off. Yes, really.No best-of list of robot vacuums is complete without an iRobot Roomba on it. We gave the Roomba J7 a spot on our list of the best, but the Q011 is a good pick too. Budget priced, it's a smart robot vacuum that many homes can afford — especially given this deal.
With three levels of suction, the Q011 adjusts its cleaning power to adapt to carpets and hardwood floors. The vacuum cleans in tight rows, then returns to its charging station to top off its power reserve for the next pass.
With the app, you'll be able to pair your Roomba to an assistant like Alexa to give your robot vacuum voice commands. You can also set the app to begin cleaning when you leave the home. You'll be able to check in on what your iRobot has accomplished with a home cleaning map that shows where the robot has been.
As of Mar. 3rd, the iRobot Roomba Q011 Robot Vacuum is $149.99 at Amazon for a savings of $100 or 40% off.
Whether you live in an apartment or house, the iRobot patrol your home, eliminating dust, dander, and dirt.
Smartphone manufacturers are battling it out for camera supremacy, but the key to it may end up being modularity. Sure, most people won't want to shell out for modular camera attachments on their phones, but those who do might end up getting far better image quality. Realme is one of the two major smartphone manufacturers to show off a modular camera system that could inform ways to get better images on phones in the future.
The concept is called the Realme Ultra, showcased at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on Monday. It's essentially designed to take smartphone photography to the next level through a mounting system that lets you attach lenses to the back of the phone. Those lenses direct light to a one-inch CMOS sensor on the back of the phone.
SEE ALSO: I asked a pro photographer for the best iPhone camera settings — my pics are now better than yoursIndeed, the concept looks very cool. At Realme's MWC booth, the company showed the Realme Ultra's capabilities alongside an iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone was able to capture a great-looking photo, of course, but you just can't beat the depth of real optical lenses, which is what the Realme phone was able to capture with its detachable rear lens.
A side by side comparison. Credit: Christian de Looper / MashableThe phone still has its own cameras too; the device has two regular cameras that you can use for day-to-day photography.
Of course, the Realme Ultra concept does have a way to go before it could become a reality. As mentioned, there’s basically a one-inch CMOS that faces outward for the lens attachments. That can introduce some issues — like, what happens if you scratch the glass covering the sensor? Also, how big can the lens really be in the real world, when you’re attaching it to such a thin and light device?
Credit: Christian de Looper / MashableIt’s still a super cool concept though. It’s also not the only modular camera concept from MWC 2025. Xiaomi also showed off a modular camera attachment, however that one relies on a magnetic connection to transfer data from an attachment that includes both a sensor and a lens. Essentially, it’s a whole camera system that's powered by the phone, rather than a lens that makes use of a sensor built into the phone.
Both of these are neat ideas, but of course, neither of them are available in the real world just yet. It remains to be seen if either of them will make it to consumer release, but here's hoping.
Mashable's on the ground at MWC 2025 covering the best tech products that have Barcelona abuzz.
SAVE $40: As of March 3, you can get the Shark VACMOP Pro for just $59.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount and a $40 price cut.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark VACMOP Pro cordless hard floor vacuum mop $59.99 at AmazonIf you’re tired of mopping the old-fashioned way but aren’t ready to spend robot vacuum money, we found a deal on the Shark VACMOP Pro that’s worth a look.
As of March 3, you can get the Shark VACMOP Pro cordless hard floor vacuum mop (which includes four disposable VACMOP pads and a 12 oz. cleaning solution) for just $59.99 at Amazon. That’s a 40% discount off the sticker price, saving you a cool $40.
SEE ALSO: Best vacuum cleaners 2025, from cordless stick vacuums to robot vacuumsThe VACMOP Pro is a two-in-one device that vacuums and mops your floors in one pass. All you have to do is attach the included cleaning pad, fill the built-in water tank, and go. There’s no filter or maintenance needed beyond that. You don’t even have to wash the pad — just replace it with a fresh one when it gets dirty. (Thanks to no-touch disposal, you won’t have to touch it either.)
This is a cordless machine, so you’ll need to charge it between uses, but Shark claims the battery lasts up to 30 minutes on a single charge. That should be enough time to cover a few rooms in most homes. The LED headlights also make it easy to spot hidden dirt and debris, especially under furniture.
At this price, the VACMOP Pro is an affordable way to get the convenience of a cordless vacuum and mop in one device.
TL;DR: Learn 56 different languages for a one-time price of $39.99 with Qlango Language Learning (reg. $119).
Since there's an app for just about everything, it's only natural that dozens of language apps are currently around. But when you actually want to pick up a new language, it can be hard to navigate the best one to choose. With a whole 56 languages to pick from, Qlango stands out from the rest.
Qlango Language Learning gamifies mastering a new language and helps make learning fun. Right now you can score their lifetime subscription that includes all 56 languages for just $39.99 (reg. $119), but that won't last much longer. That means you can pick up new languages for the rest of your life for less than $1 a piece.
Learning a new language can be funWhether you're trying to maintain your Spanish or French, or you've been meaning to master Chinese or Icelandic, Qlango is available right in your pocket anytime you want to work on your skills.
Qlango reinvents the language learning process with an engaging question-and-answer method, allowing you to think and respond naturally in your soon-to-be new spoken language. Hints help you out as you play, so you keep learning even when you may be stumped.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/cKEJOFs2wIw
Their scientifically proven spaced repetition technique means you'll pick up words more effectively as you hear them at intervals that lead to long-term retention.
Qlango helps you master 6,679 essential words that you'll actually use in real conversations — so you don't need to worry about wasting time on impractical topics. And six different difficulty levels help you challenge and immerse yourself to keep you fluent.
Learn new languages for life with Qlango Language Learning, now $80 off the usual price at just $39.99.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Qlango Qlango Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $39.99GET UP TO $914.28 OFF: As of Mar. 3rd, NordVPN is on sale for up to 72% off, plus if you buy now you can get up to an extra year free, for a total savings up up to $914.28, depending on your plan preference.
Opens in a new window Credit: NordVPN NordVPN Save up to 72% off and get up to one year free Get DealA good VPN disguises your computer's IPN by bouncing web traffic off of a remote server, obfuscating who is searching for what. NordVPN isn't just a good VPN, it's the best premium VPN you can buy. If you're interested in privacy, right now is a VERY good time to get in.
Currently, NordVPN is offering huge discounts on all levels of its VPN services. The top-tier Prime service is 72% off with one free year, equaling $914.28 in total savings (pay $201.36). Complete and Plus plans offer 70% off, with six months free. The NordVPN Basic plan will cost only $81.36 but only gets you 70% off (still good). Each tier offers a few perks and the Plus plan works out to be about the same amount as the Basic plan when you factor in the free six months.
SEE ALSO: How to cancel NordVPN — and get a refundVPNs are built to conceal your ISP as you move about the web. However, modern VPNs like NordVPN do much more. Starting at the Plus level, NordVPN offers anti-malware protection, an ad and tracker blocker, data-breach monitoring, and a password service.
The Complete plan delivers everything that Plus does, as well as adding in 1TB of cloud storage. The Prime plan goes further, with Dark web monitoring designed to protect important data like your social security number, credit monitoring, and premium features like identity theft insurance, and cyber extortion insurance.
If you're looking for standard VPN features as well as some handy quality of life tidbits like ad-blockers, the Basic and Plus plans will do a great job. If you want beefier security, NordVPN's Prime plan could well be worth it.
As of Mar. 3rd, NordVPN is offering up to 72% off and up to one year free.
In the internet of today, there are many reasons to use a VPN. NordVPN is the best premium VPN we've tested and right now might just be the best time to hop on board.
SAVE $180: The Nebula Mars 3 Air projector with Google TV is on sale at Amazon for $419.99, down from the standard price of $599.99. That's a 30% savings that matches the lowest we've ever seen.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nebula by Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air projector with Google TV $419.99 at AmazonWe're less than a week away from shifting the clocks ahead. While we'll all lose out on an hour of sleep, the shift means we're in for a later sunset time, and that can only mean one thing — summer is coming. If you spend nights in the backyard with family, friends, and neighbors, check out this deal at Amazon.
As of March 3, the Nebula Mars 3 Air projector with Google TV is on sale for $419.99 at Amazon, down from the usual list price of $599.99. That's a 30% discount that ends up shaving $180 off the standard price. This sale price also matches the lowest we've ever spotted at Amazon.
With a highly portable design, the Nebula Mars 3 Air projector is a great addition to your entertainment set-up, both indoors and out. With 1080p resolution and 400 ANSI lumens of brightness, the projector has well-rounded specs, especially given the sale price.
SEE ALSO: Save $120 on the Nebula Capsule 3 GTV Projector at Amazon and skip a new TVWhen fully charged, the projector gets 2.5 hours of playtime if you're tuning into a movie or a show. When used as a speaker, expect to get about eight hours of listening time. Speaking of the speaker, the Nebula Mars 3 Air comes with dual 8W Dolby Audio, so your movies will come with immersive sound and your backyard tunes will be great.
This model also comes equipped with Google TV which means you won't need to use a Fire Stick or other streaming device since it comes built-in.
Come showtime, you can adjust the projector's screen size to get as large as 150 inches. That size means your backyard summer movies will be nothing short of epic. For added convenience, the Mars 3 Air comes with an AUX port, HDMI, USB-A, and DC.
If you're looking forward to summer movie nights in the backyard, now is a great time to snag the Nebula Mars 3 Air projector since it's back at its lowest price ever. Down to $419.99 at Amazon, the Mars 3 Air is a portable projector that brings on the party during summer outdoor movie nights or cozy winter cabin movie marathons.
Samsung has been teasing its super-thin Galaxy S25 Edge since CES in January, and now the company brought a bunch of actual devices to Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.
There was a catch, though: I wasn't allowed to touch them.
SEE ALSO: Hands-on: Xiaomi 15 Ultra has a monster, 200-megapixel periscope cameraInstead, all I could do is take photos of the array of Edges that Samsung brought and hung in a small display surrounded by strict guards. Strict enough to repeatedly tell me to back away from the phones, or else.
Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableAnyway, there you have it: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. We still don't have any specs, and we don't even know just how thin it is.
Frankly, even though I was able to see the device from a relatively small distance (eat it, security guard), I still can't tell you how thin this phone is. It surely isn't fat, but given its flat frame, it doesn't look nearly as thin as, say, Tecno's Spark Slim, which was also on display here in Barcelona.
What I can tell you is that there's a dual camera bump on the back, and it's a big one. It slightly undermines the phone's slimness, but it does, probably, mean that this phone will have some capable camera hardware.
With Samsung lugging this thing around now, I guess they have to launch it sometime. Sooner rather than later, hopefully.
Mashable's on the ground at MWC 2025 covering the best tech products that have Barcelona abuzz.
Robots and A-list actors collide in the final trailer for The Electric State, directed by the Russo Brothers.
SEE ALSO: 'The Electric State' trailer: Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt embark on a robotic road tripBased on the graphic novel by Simon Stålenhag, the film, which stars Stranger Things' Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, takes place during an alternate version of the '90s. In this retro-futuristic past, robots — some of them looking like cartoons or mascots — attempted a failed uprising against humanity. Now, the robots live in the Exclusion Zone in the American West.
Brown plays Michelle, a teenage orphan on the hunt for her long-lost brother Christopher. Her only clue? A sweet robot named Cosmo (voiced by Alan Tudyk), who seems to be controlled by Christopher from afar.
As Michelle and Cosmo journey to the Exclusion Zone, they'll cross paths with a smuggler named Keats (Pratt) and his robot sidekick Herman (voiced by Anthony Mackie). Can this ragtag group of underdogs save Christopher and unravel the sinister workings behind his disappearance?
Watch Brown and Pratt in action in the trailer above, and keep your eyes and ears peeled for the actors behind each robot. Colman Domingo and Giancarlo Esposito robots make an appearance in the trailer, but Woody Harrelson, Brian Cox, and Jenny Slate also lend their voices to The Electric State's mechanical ensemble. Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Stanley Tucci, and Woody Norman also star.
While Samsung and Apple are still (reportedly) preparing to launch their slimmest smartphones yet, the race has already begun.
Enter China's Tecno, which brought the world's thinnest smartphone (according to Tecno) to the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona: the Spark Slim.
Albeit just a concept device, it worked like any regular Android phone. Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableMeasuring just 5.75 millimeters (that's if you don't count the camera bump, of course), the Spark Slim feels like something you could use to cut tomatoes (in absence of knives and other cutting paraphernalia, of course). The display's curvy edges accentuate the look even more, making the phone near invisible when seen from the side.
The camera bump is thankfully minimal. Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableDespite being half as thin as a pencil, the Spark Slim actually packs some decent hardware, with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, and a 5,200mAh battery. It also has some circular LEDs accentuating the cameras, which seems like overkill, but hey, why not? On the bottom, there's a USB-C charging point, so you're not actually losing much because of the phone's extreme thinness.
Other specs are absent, which is no wonder given that the Tecno Spark Slim is a concept device at this point. I've spent just a small amount of time with it, but it seemed polished enough to me, so I wouldn't be surprised if it actually did hit the market at some point.
Mashable's on the ground at MWC 2025 covering the best tech products that have Barcelona abuzz.
HMD is leaning into tech versatility with a new pair of earbuds that double as a charging bank for your phone.
Announced on Monday at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, the HMD Amped Buds are relatively simple earbuds — but inside the battery case, they have a 1,600mAh battery that can wirelessly charge a compatible smartphone.
SEE ALSO: What to expect at MWC 2025 from Samsung, TCL, and moreAs well as other features you would expect from modern earbuds like active noise cancellation and EQ controls, the Amped Buds support the magnetic Qi2 wireless charging standard — which means that the earbuds can attach magnetically to your Qi2 compatible Android device, or any iPhone that supports MagSafe (so, not the iPhone 16e). Phones that don’t have the Qi2 or MagSafe magnets can still charge wirelessly using the earbuds, but they won’t attach to each other magnetically, so you'll have to hold them together or stack them on a table. And, there’s a USB port that you can use to charge devices with a wired connection.
These weren’t the only launches from HMD at MWC 2025. The company also took the wraps off of a few unique smartphone models, including the HMD Fusion X1, which is a budget device that's built specifically for teenagers. The device is built to give full control to parents, through deeper integration with the Xplora monitoring platform, which costs €4.99 per month. Xplora includes GPS tracking every 20 seconds, low battery alerts, and even remote device access.
Credit: HMDThe phone has a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 and expandable storage. Even better is the fact that it supports the HMD Fusion accessories, through six pins on the back of the phone. These include things like ring lights, batteries, and gaming controllers.
Perhaps cooler than the HMD Fusion X1 is the also-new HMD 2660 Flip, which is built for those who want a little less connectivity in their lives. The has a display, but it’s not a touch display, and it has an old-school 0.3-megapixel camera and FM radio. Basically, its tech is reminiscent of the kinds of phones you might have had 20 years ago (something HMD does a lot), but the fact is that these days some people want a bit of a digital detox every now and then.
Mashable's on the ground at MWC 2025 covering the best tech products that have Barcelona abuzz.
Sean Baker's five-time Academy Award-winning Anora is like Pretty Woman at the harried pace of Uncut Gems — until the ending.
The film's final moments are silent, which is a direct contrast to the chaotic journey Ani (Mikey Madison) has just been on. After a whirlwind marriage to a rich client and son of a Russian oligarch (Vanya, played by Mark Eydelshteyn), she's spent the runtime of the movie chasing her new husband all around New York City with the oligarch's employees, flying to Vegas to annul the marriage at the forced hand of Vanya's parents, before finding herself on the way home to her apartment in a henchman's beat-up car.
SEE ALSO: Top 5 digital security tips from sex workersParked outside of Ani's apartment, Igor (said henchman, played by Yura Borisov) gives Ani the ill-fated wedding ring the family forced her to give up. Ani climbs on top of him and they start to have sex in the front seat, but Ani refuses to let Igor kiss her. Instead, she breaks down crying. They say nothing during this exchange, and the film ends.
Sean Baker leaves Anora's ending up to interpretation. Yura Borisov as Igor Credit: NEONAnora's writer and director Sean Baker told Mashable that the way he wrote the ending left it up to the audience's interpretation — so much so that he didn't want to share his thoughts.
"I'm worried about giving my opinion on it in any way, shape, or form because then it's taking away from…what my intention of the ending was," Baker said in an interview with Mashable.
"We [Madison and I] felt that it was always going to be a disservice to Ani to discuss it publicly," he continued. Ani's mindset at the end of the film isn't spelled out. There's no music to manipulate the audience, no dialogue, no epilogue, and that's on purpose.
What Baker did share was how the ending came about. "I need to know I have a solid ending before writing a screenplay," he said of his process, and he knew early on that the protagonist and one of her captors were going to gravitate toward each other.
"Recently, we actually looked back at our first draft, and it is pretty much dead-on from what we have in the final film." The only difference? The last shot originally had small talk. Baker and the actors decided to scrap that in rehearsals.
"It just took away from the moment," Baker explained. "And then we realized, I think especially Mikey and I realized, that this was one of the first times that she's actually communicating with somebody else in the film and being heard. And we thought it would be much more interesting if that was a non-verbal communication, and so we cut all the dialogue out of that last shot."
Sex workers are mixed on Anora's ending. Credit: NEONSince Baker has spoken about consulting with sex workers when developing the script, we decided to reach out to some folks with real-life experience for their opinions on whether or not Anora rang true to them.
"I thought it was beautiful," said Kaytlin Bailey, host of The Oldest Profession Podcast and founder and executive director of non-profit media organization Old Pros, of the silence at the end of Anora. (Bailey, who's unaffiliated with the film, recently saw and enjoyed the movie.) "I love that he allows the viewer to fill in that space."
"She's talking, self-advocating — at times screaming — arguing the whole film, and they [Ani and Igor] don't need any of that," said Bailey, who's currently touring Whore's Eye View, a show about the history of sex work.
When Ani and Igor first meet, he is literally restraining her in the scene at the family's home. He is also the only man who realizes what she's capable of. But in the final scene, Igor can hold space for Ani for the first time, Bailey said.
"For him to hold still and allow her to come to him in this deeply, deeply vulnerable moment of exhausted need, it's almost like an extension of the space that you could tell throughout the film that he wanted to be holding for her," Bailey continued. Igor works for this "fucked-up family" and does fucked-up things for them — but in that moment he finally gets to be there for Ani.
Ani is only able to be so vulnerable in that moment because Igor is holding that space for her, said Bailey, who believes this final scene makes the whole film.
Writer and stripper Reese Piper (who has written for Mashable) thought differently of Anora. Ani's lack of backstory made it hard for Piper to believe how quickly and hard she fell for the fantasy of being married to Vanya. What also stopped Piper from suspending disbelief was Ani's lack of professional persona.
"She performs under her real name, and at no point do we see the mask she wears to make money," Piper told Mashable over email. "Some dancers perform as themselves, or a version of themselves, but it’s always our job to fake or find something attractive about clients that we may not have necessary feel without money. Ani goes over to his house for paid sex, but at what point does she stop working?"
Piper (who is also unaffiliated with the making of Anora) wasn't sure what Baker was trying to portray in the final scene. "Was [Ani], in an effort to hide from her pain, reaching for her sexualized self (maybe her mask) and then breaking down when Igor kept reaching for intimacy?"
If so, the ending fell flat for Piper. "We never saw her mask. We never saw stripping as something she used to hide," she said.
The film's ending for Ani is indeed internal, but the viewer isn't privy to her inner thoughts — and this landed for some, but not others. As Baker told Mashable, "It really comes down to the individual audience member to take away what they will from it."
How to watch: Anora is available on Prime Video for rent or purchase.
UPDATE: Mar. 3, 2025, 9:11 a.m. EST Originally published on November 11, 2024, tied to Anora's release, this article has been updated to reflect Anora's Oscar wins and its current digital viewing options.
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