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The best MacBook deals in Amazons Big Spring Sale: The new M4 Airs are already $50 off

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 05:38
The best Macbook deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale at a glance: Best MacBook Air deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $949 (save $50) Get Deal Best MacBook Pro deal Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $2,199 (save $300) Get Deal

Amazon doesn't offer a ton of great discounts on a huge selection of laptops year-round, but shoppers can always count on it for MacBook deals. It's never difficult to find a current or recent-gen configuration on sale there at any given time, at prices that often give Best Buy a run for its money. (That's usually where you'll see the best laptop deals across all categories — Windows, Chromebooks, gaming laptops, etc.)

Amazon's MacBook deals tend to get especially good during its major sitewide sales, and with its second-ever Big Spring Sale now live from March 25 to 31, we're not surprised to see discounts of up to $400 popping up across the Air and Pro lines. That includes $50 price cuts for the brand-new 13- and 15-inch MacBook Airs, which launched just a few weeks ago on March 12.

SEE ALSO: 350+ of the best live deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, selected by Mashable's team of experts

Shoppers interested in a beefed-up MacBook Pro will be happy to hear that two 16-inch configurations have gotten $30 cheaper since the Big Spring Sale started Tuesday: The starting M4 Pro and M4 Max configurations have fallen to their lowest-ever prices of $2,199 and $3,099, respectively. If they're out of budget, hold tight in case lesser variants get the same treatment later in the week. (The cheapest 14-inch M4 model was chilling at its all-time low of $1,395 earlier this month; it's now $4 pricier. C'mon, Amazon!)

Whether you decide to buy now or hold off for a few days, bookmark this page: Mashable's Shopping team is keeping track of the best MacBook deals on Amazon all throughout the Big Spring Sale. You can check out our current picks below. Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best MacBook Air dealsBest MacBook Pro deals

Insignias 70-inch F50 Series 4K Smart TV is $350 in Amazons Spring Sale, and Im seriously considering it

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 05:35

SAVE $150: As of March 27, the Insignia 70-inch F50 Series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV is available for $349.99 during Amazon's Spring Sale. That's $150 off its regular price of $499.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: insignia Insignia 70-inch F50 Series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $349.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $150 Get Deal

A 70-inch 4K TV for under $350? Yes, please. Amazon's Spring Sale has slashed the price of the Insignia 70-inch F50 Series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV by $150, bringing it down to a tempting $349.99. For a screen this size with these features, that's a deal worth considering.​

This Insignia model boasts 4K Ultra HD resolution, delivering crisp and detailed visuals that make movies and shows come alive. The integration of Fire TV provides seamless access to a vast library of streaming content, ensuring you're never short of entertainment options. Plus, with the Alexa Voice Remote, navigating through apps and channels is as easy as speaking your command.​

SEE ALSO: The best Pokémon deals ahead of the 2025 Amazon Spring Sale

Gamers will appreciate the TV's low input lag, which ensures responsive gameplay — a crucial factor for fast-paced gaming sessions. It's worth noting that while the TV supports HDR content, its peak brightness may not make HDR highlights pop as much as on higher-end models. But for casual viewing and gaming, it delivers a solid performance.​

  • Price: $349.99 $499.99

  • Retailer: Amazon

  • Display: 70-inch LED, 4K UHD

  • Smart TV: Fire TV integration

  • Voice Control: Alexa Voice Remote

  • Audio: DTS Studio Sound

  • HDR Support: Yes (HDR10)

  • Refresh Rate: 60Hz

  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

  • Dimensions: 3.25"D x 61.66"W x 34.35"H

Audio-wise, the TV features DTS Studio Sound, providing a decent audio experience. While it may not replace a dedicated sound system, it offers clear and immersive sound for everyday viewing.​

A $150 discount on a 70-inch 4K Smart TV is not something you see every day. If you're looking to upgrade your home entertainment setup without breaking the bank, this deal is worth a serious look.

The best Apple deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale: MacBooks, iPads, and Apple Watches at record-low prices

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 05:32
The best Apple deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $949 (Save $50) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Pro $169.99 (Save $79.01) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) $549 (Save $50) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) $299 (Save $100) Get Deal

If you're looking for discounted Apple products, Amazon is a reliable place to grab them year-round.

However, during its Big Spring Sale, running from March 25 to 31, we're keeping our eyes peeled as even more deals go live. While the sale focuses primarily on "springtime favorites" like outdoor furniture and garden supplies, last year's inaugural BSS did bring some tech deals. Best of all, exempting a few exclusive offers, most deals are available to all customers, regardless of their Prime membership status.

SEE ALSO: 15+ robot vacuums on sale ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale

So far, we have spotted deals on new releases like the M3 iPad Air, 11-inch iPad, and M4 MacBook Airs. In addition to iPads, we also found a $400 markdown on the M3 13-inch MacBook Air and $170 price cut on the Beats Studio Pro. Again, while these deals aren't officially tied to the spring sale and can be found at other times of the year, these are still solid prices for any of these items.

We'll continue updating this post as the sale progresses, so check back if you're looking for the best Apple deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)🔥 $949 at Amazon
$999 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M4 MacBook Air.

Apple just dropped the M4 MacBook Air, and even at full price, we think it's a really good deal. In a divergence from last year's Air pricing, Apple started its 13-inch model at just $999 — with an M4 chip and the RAM upgrades Apple gave all its laptops last fall, this is the best value we've ever seen on an Apple laptop. Amazon slashed another $50 off the price, which, while admittedly not a jaw-dropping discount, helps make a great value even better. The biggest downside to this laptop is that it might be a little short on ports for some users, and then it tops out at a 60Hz refresh rate, but if you can work with that, the M4 Air is an excellent deal.

More MacBook and Mac dealsMacBook AirMacBook ProMacBest AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro $169.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $79.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the AirPods Pro.

For Apple users, the AirPods Pro are an excellent pair of noise-cancelling earbuds, with some of the best noise cancellation and sound quality in the game. As the USB-C Pros near their second year anniversary, we can't say they're without a doubt the best on the market — their battery life could be better, for instance — but their age works in their favor for this price drop down to $169.99, which certainly makes some of their flaws easier to look past. We have seen these earbuds drop to $154 during Black Friday season, but we haven't seen that deal return since, making $170 the next best deal to grab them at.

More AirPods dealsBest iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB)🔥 $549 at Amazon
$599 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

The M3 iPad Air just hit the market earlier this month, but you can already grab it for $50 off. At the time of writing, the previous generation Air costs even more on Amazon at $599 (though you can grab it on sale for $499 at Best Buy). Beyond the chip upgrade, this iPad features plenty of Apple Intelligence integration, from the Photos and Notes apps, to the Writing Tools feature that uses ChatGPT. Though we've yet to test this tablet hands-on for ourselves, the M2 Air is our favorite iPad for most people — we imagine the M3 Air will follow suit.

More iPad dealsiPadiPad AiriPad miniBest Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm)🔥 $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple Watch Series 10.

The Apple Watch Series 10 only came out this past fall, making this $100 off deal especially impressive. Along with its larger wide-angle OLED display, Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder found this smartwatch to be lighter than its predecessors, with an ultra-fast charge time. This watch generation introduced fitness features like a depth gauge, sleep apnea detection, and a Vitals app, but it's worth noting those features aren't exclusive to the Series 10. However, if your Series 6 has been on the fritz for a while, or you've never owned an Apple Watch, $299 is a solid price to grab Apple's latest smartwatch.

More Apple Watch dealsEven more Apple deals

350+ of the best live deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, picked by Mashables team of experts

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 05:31

UPDATE: Mar. 27, 2025, 5:00 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with the latest deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals at a glance: Best Kindle deal Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32GB) $224.99 (save $55) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $949 (save $50) Get Deal Best headphones/earbuds deal Beats Studio Pro $179.95 (save $170.04) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Roborock Qrevo Master $799.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best smart home deal TP-Link Tapo Smart Light Bulbs (2-pack) $14.98 (save $10.01) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler (40 ounces) $33.75 (save $11.25) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Coleman Montana Camping Tent (8-person) $143.58 (save $126.41) Get Deal Best book deal "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins $19.59 (save $8.49) Get Deal

Amazon is springing a bunch of seasonal deals on shoppers. The retail giant is hosting its second-ever Big Spring Sale from Tuesday, March 25, through Monday, March 31, ushering in discounts on "end-of-season winter items" and "springtime favorites" across more than 35 categories, per its press release. Each day of the weeklong sale features "themed daily drops" on top of new limited-time offers.

The Big Spring Sale is Amazon's first major savings event of the year — and unlike its flagship summer Prime Day sale, the deals aren't exclusive to Prime members. Most of them, anyway: Prime members get access to a handful of special offers, which are identified with a "Prime Spring Deal" badge.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Dates, deals, and much more

Need help sifting through the noise? Mashable's shopping experts are keeping track of the best deals available at Amazon throughout the Big Spring Sale. (Our sister site CNET has extensive coverage of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, too.) With eight years of experience covering Amazon's sales under our belts, we've developed a tried-and-true deal-hunting methodology to find hidden gems among the retailer's myriad listings. We cross-check prices with Amazon's competitors, track pricing trends, and vet products' value based on our hands-on testing, and we only recommend what's most worth buying. You can read more about our deals coverage here.

Below, we've got a running list of Amazon's best Big Spring Sale deals on smart home devices, Apple gadgets, robot vacuums, outdoor gear, kitchen appliances, books, and much more. Check back daily to see what else we find.

Best Kindle dealsBundlesBest Apple dealsAirPodsApple Watches

Apple Watch Series 10

Apple Watch SE deals

Apple Watch Ultra deals

iPads

iPad

iPad Air

iPad Pro

MacBooks

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

MacsApple accessoriesBest TV deals43-inch to 50-inch TVs55-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch and 77-inch TVs85-inch TVs and upBest laptop deals

For deals on MacBooks, scroll back up to the "Apple deals" section.

Windows laptops2-in-1 laptopsGaming laptopsBest tablet deals

For deals on iPads, scroll back up to the "Apple deals" section.

Amazon Fire tabletsAndroid tabletsBest headphone and earbud dealsHeadphonesBest earbuds dealsBest unlocked phone deals Samsung Galaxy phonesGoogle Pixel phonesMotorola phonesBest vacuum dealsRobot vacuumsRobot vacuum mop combosStick vacuumsBest home dealsAir purifiersBedding and mattressesRugs

  • Ruggable — save up to 21% on machine washable rugs

Echo smart home devicesHome security equipmentSmart bulbsSmart light switchesSmart plugsBest cleaning supplies dealsBest kitchen dealsAir fryers and countertop ovensBlenders and food processorsCoffee makersDrinkwareInstant Pots and multi-cookersRice cookersStand mixersBest fitness tracker dealsBest beauty tech dealsHair dryersHot toolsMulti-stylersSkincare techBest pet dealsAutomatic litter boxesAutomatic pet feedersBest outdoor dealsBest power tool dealsBest gaming dealsPlayStation gamesPlayStation hardware

Headsets

Accessories

Xbox gamesXbox hardware

Consoles

Controllers

Headsets

Nintendo Switch gamesNintendo Switch hardware

Controllers and accessories

Memory cards

Best Lego dealsBest book dealsFictionNon-fictionBest Pokémon dealsBest digital deals

  • Amazon Music Unlimited — get three months for free

  • Grubhub — save $5 on two $20+ food orders with $0 delivery fees with code HOOP5

  • Starz — add it to Prime Video for $1.99/month for three months (save $9/month)

Webb telescope captures weird auroras on Neptune for the first time

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 05:30

Even at Neptune's incredible distance from the sun, astronomers have long suspected it has auroras, though they had never seen them until now. 

The James Webb Space Telescope, a collaboration of NASA and its Canadian and European space agency counterparts, has finally captured clear images of these magnificent Neptunian light shows. 

"As a long-time Neptunophile, anticipation of these images was one of the key reasons I became a JWST Interdisciplinary Scientist," said Heidi Hammel, a Neptune expert, in a post on X. "Kudos to the team for realizing my dream!"

But Webb's observations didn't just provide new pretty pictures of the ice giant planet's greenish-blue splotches. It revealed how odd Neptune's auroras are compared to other planets', glowing over its midriff rather than its poles. The new research was published in Nature Astronomy.

SEE ALSO: Webb reveals that's no star over there. It's an entire freaking galaxy. With Hubble and the James Webb space telescopes' data combined, right, Neptune's auroras are revealed in greenish-blue splotches. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / Heidi Hammel / Henrik Melin / Leigh Fletcher / Stefanie Milam

Neptune, at some 3 billion miles from the sun, is a dark, blustery world, whipped by winds faster than the speed of sound. As the most distant planet in the solar system, it only receives a dim twilight's worth of sunshine at its high noon. It takes about 165 years for the ice giant to make one loop around our star, and it's not visible to the naked eye from Earth. 

For three decades, scientists have studied how Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus interact with space by looking at light emitted from charged molecules in their upper atmospheres. When the sun blasts out radiation, charged particles travel along a planet's invisible magnetic field lines. When these particles strike gases, they heat up and glow. The results are colorful light displays. 

On Earth, the colors differ depending on the type of atmospheric gas and its altitude. Oxygen glows red or blue, while nitrogen can create green, blue, or pink. The recent strong solar storm conditions — a byproduct of the sun being at solar maximum — are causing auroras around the North Pole to sprawl, allowing people who live farther south to see them. 

Similar to storm seasons on Earth, the sun experiences a weather pattern that repeats every 11 years. At the beginning and end of this cycle, the activity is at its calmest. But solar activity increases, climaxing in the middle of the cycle and causing the sun to roil with giant eruptions.

NASA's Voyager 2 mission, the only spacecraft to visit Neptune, was unable to get a clear picture of the planet's auroras in 1989. Credit: NASA illustration

NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft found hints of auroras on Neptune in 1989, but scientists couldn’t get a clear picture then. Using Webb’s near-infrared instrument in June 2023, they not only got the shots but also discovered the key molecule found in auroras of the other gas giants, called trihydrogen cation. That detection confirms the same processes are occurring on Neptune. 

Webb has filled in many gaps left by Voyager 2, the only spacecraft to visit the planet. In 2022, the telescope captured Neptune's ghostly rings and revealed a band of clouds around a known vortex at the planet's south pole for the first time.

But the Voyager 2 mission did discover the strange nature of Neptune's magnetic field, tilted at a steep angle. Unlike Earth’s steady magnetic field, Neptune’s shifts and twists. Because auroras occur where magnetic fields converge with a planet's atmosphere, Neptune's are far from its poles. 

"Neptune's aurora shines over latitudes comparable to South America on Earth," Hammel said. "This is because Neptune's magnetic field is seriously tilted from the planet's rotation axis (by 47 degrees!) and offset from the center of the planet (by half a planetary radius!)."

The James Webb Space Telescope is advancing astronomers' knowledge of Neptune, such as revealing the planet's ghostly rings in 2022. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI

Voyager 2 also took Neptune's upper atmosphere temperature. Webb scientists were surprised to learn that the planet has cooled over the past 34 years by hundreds of degrees. It's now about half as warm as it was in 1989. 

This extreme plunge may have something to do with why Neptune’s auroras have been so hard to detect. Scientists had assumed they would be as bright as those on some other planets, but the colder atmosphere likely made them fainter. The finding also suggests that Neptune's atmosphere changes more frequently than its seasons, which last about 40 years, and perhaps even the solar cycle. This means some other mysterious forces are at play that they'd like to get to the bottom of. 

Astronomers plan to use Webb to continue studying Neptune over a full solar cycle. They hope to figure out why Neptune's magnetic field is so tilted and what caused it.

Spacecraft films unprecedented view of sun shooting particles into space

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 05:00

Scientists are still unraveling the mysteries behind our torrid star.

The European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter — which makes a relatively close approach to the sun every six months — has captured an unparalleled view of the solar wind, a stream of charged particles the sun constantly streams into space. The solar wind has great implications for how solar storms impact Earth and our technologies, so researchers seek to understand how it forms and accelerates to speeds exceeding 1 million miles per hour.

"Watch particles whirl out from the Sun in giant, million-km twisters," ESA posted online.

SEE ALSO: NASA dropped a new report. It's a wake-up call.

The clip below, which zooms in on this stream of particles from an event in October 2022, was made possible by the spacecraft's coronagraph, called Metis. As you can see, a chronograph blocks the overpowering, luminous sun, allowing the Solar Orbiter to capture the whirling solar wind.

"Metis is currently the only instrument able to see the solar wind's twisting dance," the space agency explained. "No other imaging instrument can see — with a high-enough resolution in both space and time — the sun's inner corona where this dance takes place." The research has been published online in The Astrophysical Journal.

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The Solar Orbiter's close observations of the sun also seek to reveal what drives its 11-year-cycle of activity, and why its outer atmosphere, or corona, heats up to some 2 million degrees Fahrenheit, while its surface is dramatically "cooler" at 10,000 F.

Improving our understanding of the solar wind will help scientists better forecast when and where a potent coronal mass ejection (an eruption of a mass of super hot gas) or solar flare may hit Earth and threaten our power grids, satellites, and communications infrastructure. For example, when a CME erupts from the sun's surface, it must travel over 92 million miles to reach Earth. Along the way, this hot gas will "pile up" the solar wind ahead of it, impacting its arrival time at Earth.

Knowledge about these space dynamics is critical: A good space weather forecast would allow power utilities to temporarily shut off power to avoid conducting a power surge from a CME, and potentially blowing out power to millions.

Thankfully, when these events do inevitably impact Earth, our planet's atmosphere and magnetic field protect our bodies from such dangerous radiation.

Whats new to streaming this week? (March 28, 2025)

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 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, and animation, among others.

But if you're seeking something brand-new (or just 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 star-studded new movies, Oscar–nominated drama, wild tales of romance, unmatched true crime stories, or the funniest show Apple TV has yet to offer, we've got something just for you.

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

6. Holland

In the follow-up to her psychological thriller Fresh, director Mimi Cave offers a Nicole Kidman-fronted mystery set in a picture-perfect American town called Holland.

Kidman stars as a wife, mother, and home-ec teacher who has a sneaking suspicion something dark is lurking under the surface of her suburban utopia. Could it be that her husband (Matthew Macfadyen) is having an affair? To find the truth, she enlists her co-worker/crush (Gael García Bernal). But what they discover is far more disturbing than even this paranoid wife could imagine.

While Holland boasts a great cast and an intriguing premise, its mystery has been done to death before it even begins. In my review out of SXSW, I cheered the seeming metaphor for the movie, but found myself alarmingly bored despite its scandalous elements. I concluded, "Like a postcard, Holland is intriguing and pretty, but ultimately flat."

Starring:  Nicole Kidman, Gael García Bernal, Matthew Macfadyen, Jude Hill, and Rachel Sennott

How to watch: Holland premieres on Prime Video March 27.

5. Dark Side of the Ring, Season 6

Whether you're a wrestling fan who wants to know this form of ferocious entertainment inside and out, or a true crime fan looking for a fresh series to binge-watch, Dark Side of the Ring is for you.

SEE ALSO: 'Dark Side of the Ring' and 'The Iron Claw' make a slammin' doubleheader

Now entering its sixth season, this documentary series thoughtfully unfolds stories of wrestling tragedy, like the curse of the Von Erich clan, life-altering injuries, and truly shocking crimes. Interviewing the people who lived through these events — be they wrestlers, promoters, friends, or experts on the sport — Dark Side of the Ring offers a complex and intimate portrait that doesn't allow the roles of "face" and "heel" to be so easily assigned outside the ring.

We haven't seen what Season 6 has in store. But it if it's anything like the previous seasons, it's going to be a wild ride. — K.P.

How to watch: Dark Side of the Ring Season 6 premieres on Vice TV March 26.

4. Survival of the Thickest, Season 2

Forget Emily in Paris and embrace the romance and fashion of Survival of the Thickest Season 2!

Where Season 1 of Michelle Buteau's hilarious sitcom was set in the hubbub of New York City, its second season has emerging stylist Mavis Beaumont (played by Buteau) taking her plans for a plus-sized high fashion line to Rome. And naturally, her fiercely loyal and always funny friends will have her back, through sexual mishaps, cheeky protests, or whatever else living large throws her way! — K.P.

Starring:  Michelle Buteau, Tone Bell, Tasha Smith, Deon Cole, Marouane Zotti, and Dan Amboyer

How to watch: Survival of the Thickest is now streaming Netflix.

4. Queer

Celebrated filmmaker Luca Guadagnino has bestowed upon cinema an audacious array of tales of lust and love, gnarly and magnificent. There was the tender summer love story of Call Me by Your Name, the cannibal coming-of-age adventure Bones and All, and the high-tension love triangle of Challengers. Then came Queer, Guadagnino's daring adaptation of William S. Burroughs' semi-autobiographical novella.

SEE ALSO: How Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey filmed the ayahuasca scene in 'Queer'

Daniel Craig stars as a drug-fueled American ex-pat, cutting a reckless path through Mexico's bars and into its deepest wilderness. Along the way, he becomes intoxicated with a dashing young Navy man (Drew Starkey), sparking a relationship that's as confounding as it is white-hot. Less adored than Guadagnino's previous films, Queer nonetheless awed some critics. In my review for Mashable, I waded through my qualms with the film, ultimately declaring, "Queer is both visually lush, sexually explosive, and emotionally infuriating. It is not a journey that leaves our hearts full, but open and aching."* — K.P.

Starring: Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Jason Schwartzman, Henry Zaga, Omar Apollo, and Lesley Manville

How to watch: Queer premieres on Max March 28.

3. A Complete Unknown

James Mangold's eight-time Academy Award–nominated biopic about the enigmatic Bob Dylan is now streaming, so you can enjoy Timothée Chalamet's SAG Award–winning performance from the comfort of home. But turn up the volume to truly allow the '60s soundtrack of rebellion and heartache wash over you.

In my review for A Complete Unknown, I praised Chalamet's "irritating" performance, as well as how writer/director Mangold held space for other major figures in folk, like Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) and Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro). I wrote, "Each of these performances masterfully fleshes out these figures so they exist beyond their connection to Dylan. You can see how they tie together, how it hurts when he cuts that tie, but also that each is a tapestry even without him. This, above all else, makes A Complete Unknown remarkable, setting it apart from countless dramas about an abusive (and always male) creative genius whose bad behavior is effectively shrugged off as the cost of art." — K.P.

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, and Scoot McNairy

How to watch: A Complete Unknown is now streaming on Hulu.

2. Bring Them Down

You hear the phrase "Irish sheep-herding drama," and you might anticipate co-writer/helmer Chris Andrews' directorial debut to be restrained, even quaint. You'd be wrong.

In her review for Mashable, Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards called Bring Them Down a "brutal must-watch," spelling out how a riveting opening sequence sets up an expectation of abrupt and grim violence. Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbott star as rival farmers whose family feud sends them into a heinous downward spiral of rage and toxic masculinity. Belen writes, "Abbott and Keoghan have both carved out space for themselves as daring actors unafraid of stranger roles, so it's a pleasure to watch them square off in the intense pressure cooker of Bring Them Down." — K.P.

Starring: Barry Keoghan, Christopher Abbott, Nora-Jane Noone, Colm Meaney, Paul Ready, and Aaron Heffernan

How to watch: Bring Them Down debuts on MUBI March 28.

1. The Studio

Seth Rogen and a jaw-dropping cast of big stars give Hollywood the takedown it so richly deserves with the "must-watch satire" The Studio.

The battle of art versus commerce takes center stage as Rogen plays a newly minted studio exec who has to make an endless series of wild decisions. If you ever wonder how the blockbuster sausage gets made, the first episode of this stellar comedy series gives you a juicy and revolting taste.

The writing on this satirical series is so sharp that Rogen practically bleeds as he plays the fool across an array of comical conflicts. And he's bolstered by a supporting cast that is blisteringly funny, spitting barbs, allusions, and one-liners with a dizzying intensity.* — K.P.

Starring: Seth Rogen, Catherine O’Hara, Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, and Bryan Cranston

How to watch: The Studio debuts on Apple TV+ March 26.

* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list.

Learn to code and get the Microsoft software to do it with this $56 bundle

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: This Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle teaches you how to code and gives you the software to do it for just $55.97 (reg. $1,999). 

Still don't know how to code? It's time, and you can consider this well-rounded bundle to be your sign.

This Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle not only gives you the tools you need right from tech giant Microsoft but also offers an education in coding geared toward total beginners — all for $55.97. 

Teach yourself how to code for $56

Who doesn't love a one-stop shop? If you're finally ready to conquer coding, this bundle gives you the tools you'll need to make a career change. You can take the first step toward being a front-end or back-end developer, a data scientist, a DevOps engineer, or an app developer; the possibilities are nearly endless. 

First things first, you're going to need to learn how to code. The Premium Learn to Code Certification bundle of classes offers 15 online courses geared toward doing just that.

These courses are great for beginners and cover building websites with Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, C++, and more. If you're hoping to build an app, there are courses for that, too, and you have access to all of them for life so that you can go at your own pace. 

Once you've built a foundation in coding, it's time to boot up Microsoft Visual Studio Pro. This trusted platform helps you write, edit, and debug code with ease. Plus, you can work across multiple languages to put your new skills to the test.

With data storytelling on the rise, be at the forefront with your coding background and help from Microsoft Visual Studio Pro, which lets you build data-driven apps or dashboards to bring stories to life so you can thrive in this field. 

Start your coding journey today with the Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle, now only $55.97 (a $1,999 value). 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 + The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle $55.97
$1,999 Save $1,943.03 Get Deal

Relive your childhood with a retro gaming console on sale for just $90

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Relive your childhood by grabbing the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro for $89.97 (reg. $159) — it comes preloaded with 70,000+ classic games.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console $89.97
$159.99 Save $70.02 Get Deal

Have the winter blues got you down? You could try to entertain yourself by doomscrolling yet again on Instagram or TikTok. Or, you could relive some of your best childhood memories with this retro-inspired gaming console.

The Kinhank comes with over 70,000 classic games from the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s, letting you relive your childhood or college gaming days, and it even doubles as a streaming console. Grab it while it's available for $89.97 (reg. $159) with free shipping.

Rather than spend another night doomscrolling your social media feed, end your workday (or start the weekend) with classics like Super Mario, Street Fighter, and Pac-Man. All you need to do to set up the Kinhank is plug it into your TV, grab a controller, and dive right into the action. No extra installation or hardware is necessary.

Have a solo game night to decompress and relive your childhood by racing or completing puzzles. Or, invite your siblings or friends over to enjoy the console's multiplayer mode. It comes with two wireless controllers, letting you duke it out with your brother or best friend in Super Smash Bros. 

When you need a quick break from gaming, this retro gaming powerhouse lets you stream a movie or your favorite shows. Rewatch Severance season 2 or old cartoons in between gaming sessions.

Your new entertainment setup awaits. Indulge in some childhood nostalgia by yourself or with your favorite people by grabbing the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro for just $89.97 with free shipping while supplies are still available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Grab a refurbished MacBook Pro for under $450

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Tackle work, play, and everything in between with this refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD), now just $424.97 (reg. $1,499) through April 27 while supplies last. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $424.97
$1,499 Save $1,074.03 Get Deal

Want to save over $1,000 on a laptop? If you're in the market for a powerful and portable device to help you get through the workday and then unwind with some streaming or gaming, this MacBook Pro could be it. 

This feature-packed, 2019 refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) can be yours for only $424.97 (reg. $1,499) through April 27 (or until supplies run out). 

This affordable MacBook Pro doesn't skimp on features

Spring is here, warmer weather is just around the corner, and work motivation is at an all-time low. If you need some help summoning the drive to tackle your 9-to-5, let this MacBook Pro help. 

Even your work emails will look a little prettier on this 13.3-inch stunning Retina display that offers 2560-by-1600 resolution and True Tone technology to go a little easier on your eyes. 

You can improve your efficiency with help from the Touch Bar. It not only features an integrated Touch ID to make logging in faster and safer, but also offers shortcuts and customizable controls depending on the app you have open. 

The 2.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 Processor lets you multitask as you go — so go ahead and answer that text with 12 tabs open and your favorite playlist playing. 8GB of RAM keeps performance efficient, and 256GB of SSD storage lets you keep important data at your fingertips. 

Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports are available for connecting anything you need, whether it be your charger, data transfer tools, or external displays. And don't worry about hunting down an electrical outlet midday — this model offers an impressive 10-hour battery life to last all day. 

This model comes with a grade A refurbished rating, which means it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition with virtually no signs of use. 

Get your own Apple MacBook Pro for just $424.97 (reg. $1,499) while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

This AI platform combines ChatGPT, Meta AI, Gemini, and even Midjourney

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Get access to ChatGPT, Gemini, Meta AI, and more with a lifetime subscription to 1min.AI, now only $79.97 through 30 March at the Mashable Shop. 

Juggling a bunch of different AI tools for a single task is frustrating. It's also expensive if you have to pay for the premium subscriptions. 1min.AI changes that by giving you a single platform where all your favorite AI tools live. That includes popular models like ChatGPT-4.0 and Meta AI, along with tools that can generate images, edit videos, and more. And a lifetime subscription just went on sale for $79.97 (reg. $540). 

What's included?

The appeal of 1min.AI is that you get the same AI tools you're used to (plus a few extras) without needing to pay for them every month. That includes multiple versions of ChatGPT along with Gemini, Claude, Midjourney, and a lot more. 

These AI models let you do everything from drafting articles to fine-tuning visuals and handling complex document editing. 

Every month, you'll get a set amount of credits to use with the various AI tools, but don't worry, you get a lot. This subscription gives you 4,000,000 credits every month. That corresponds to over 100,000 words to generate, nearly 6,000 SEO keywords, over 1,000 images,  and even transcribing up to 14,833 minutes of audio. 

Plus, when you don't use all your credits, they roll over. And you can get 450,000 additional credits every month just for logging in. 

You don't have to pay every month for your productivity anymore.

Through March 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT, it's only $79.97 to get a lifetime subscription to 1min.AI's Advanced Business Plan. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1min.AI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $79.97 at the Mashable Shop
$540 Save $460.03 Get Deal

U.S. officials claim Signal chat contained no classified material, so The Atlantic releases more messages

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 04:35

Trump officials are scrambling to respond to the Signal group chat scandal, claiming that no classified information was actually shared in the group. In response, The Atlantic has published more of the messages, since apparently that's fine.

SEE ALSO: The Trump administration accidentally texted military plans to a journalist. The White House says it's fine.

On Monday, Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffery Goldberg reported that he had been accidentally added to a Signal group chat full of U.S. officials, who were using the encrypted messaging app to plan a military attack in Yemen. This made the reporter privy to sensitive information he claimed "could conceivably have been used to harm American military and intelligence personnel."

As such, one might expect that the U.S. government would like to keep such information under wraps. This is apparently not the case.

Speaking before the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, Director of National Intelligence and likely chat participant Tulsi Gabbard denied that the information shared in the Signal group chat was classified, though it was unclear how Gabbard came to this conclusion considering that she also refused to confirm that she was even in the chat. In his article, Goldberg asserted that a chat participant named "TG" appeared to be Gabbard.

"There was no classified material that was shared in that Signal chat," said Gabbard.

"If there was no classified material, share it with the Committee," Senator Mark Warner responded. "You can't have it both ways."

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director John Ratcliffe did admit to being in the Signal chat, however maintained that it was all perfectly by the book.

"One of the first things that happened when I was confirmed as CIA director was Signal was loaded onto my computer at the CIA, as it is for most CIA officers," Ratcliffe told the Committee. "It is permissible to use [Signal] to communicate and coordinate for work purposes, provided… that any decisions that are made are also recorded through formal channels."

Of course, coordinating an office meeting and planning a military bombing on a foreign nation are two entirely different beasts.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., references a copy of the Signal chat during the House Select Intelligence Committee hearing on Wednesday. Credit: Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Ratcliffe, President Donald Trump, and confirmed chat participants Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and national security advisor Michael Waltz also asserted that the Signal chat didn't include classified information.

The Atlantic apparently took them at their word, and on Wednesday morning published further messages sent in the Signal chat. This included a detailed, minute-by-minute operation plan detailing Saturday's bombing of Yemen, sent by Hegseth before the attack took place.

"There is a clear public interest in disclosing the sort of information that Trump advisers included in non-secure communications channels, especially because senior administration figures are attempting to downplay the significance of the messages that were shared," wrote Goldberg and fellow Atlantic reporter Shane Harris.

When the Committee questioned Gabbard about these newly released messages later on Wednesday, particularly in light of her previous testimony, she confirmed that she was in the Signal chat but now stated that she "did not recall the exact details of what was included there." Quoting from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Classification Guide, Rep. Jason Crow noted that "information providing indication or advance warning that the U.S. or its allies are preparing an attack" is classified as top secret.

Interestingly, Rep. Jim Himes also questioned Gabbard on her behaviour on X, asking whether she believed it was "responsible for [her] as head of the intelligence community and the principal presidential intelligence advisor to retweet posts from individuals affiliated with Russian state media." In response, Gabbard stated that she had done so from her personal account, and that she was exercising her First Amendment right to free speech.

Waltz blames technical issues for adding Goldberg to Signal chat Credit: Jaap Arriens / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Speaking to Fox News on Tuesday, Waltz admitted that the Signal incident is "embarrassing" and said he took "full responsibility" for the security breach, but claimed that the messages weren't classified information. He also continued to attack Goldberg's credibility, accusing him of regularly lying and claiming that he couldn't recall if he'd ever met the reporter. The National Security Council (NSC) and other U.S. officials have already confirmed that the Signal chat was authentic.

Waltz stated that an investigation was underway to find out how the security breach had happened, apparently assisted by the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) head and Trump's close advisor Elon Musk.

"I just talked to Elon on the way here, we've got the best technical minds looking at how this happened," Waltz said.

The former Fox News host further denied having added Goldberg's contact information to his phone at all, stating that how it got there would be part of the investigation. Waltz alleged that Goldberg's number had been saved in his phone under somebody else's name, though he declined to say who he thought he had added to the Signal chat.

"Well if you have somebody else's contact, and then it, and then somehow it gets sucked in," said Waltz, speculating as to how he came to have Goldberg's number.

Signal's support page states that the app's contact list will show Signal users who are in your phone's contact list, as well as those who you share a group with, have previously messaged, or have explicitly approved.

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for March 27, 2025

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 04:19

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, March 27, 2025:

AcrossSomething from pumping

  • The answer is Gas.

Journey's "___ Stop Believin'"

  • The answer is Dont.

ith 7-Across, it often falls to pieces

  • The answer is Jenga.

Bacterium that can prompt a food recall

  • The answer is Ecoli.

See 5-Across

  • The answer is Tower.

Down"Leave this instant!"

  • The answer is GoNow.

Perspective

  • The answer is Angle.

One of 354 to reach the crown inside the Statue of Liberty

  • The answer is Stair.

Art ___ (architectural style)

  • The answer is Deco.

Boeing 757 or Airbus A350

  • The answer is Stair.

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 White Lotus Season 3 soundtrack is a treasure trove of Thai music

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 04:08

There's rarely a moment in The White Lotus that isn't filled with music. Beyond composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer's iconic theme song and its seasonal variations (he worked with Brisbane-based Thai composer Peranya Visitchantaragoon for Season 3), Mike White's HBO series is never really silent, moving between its signature "something is afoot" percussive score and a treasure trove of needle drops.

Music supervisor Gabe Hilfer returns for Season 3, pivoting from the Italian finesse he brought to Season 2 to a bounty of Thai pop, disco, and rock songs ranging from the '60s to the present, music you may have grown up with or perhaps have never heard before.

SEE ALSO: 'The White Lotus' Season 3 review: Juicy drama, great performances, still underwhelming

"There's a ton of music in this show," Hilfer tells Mashable, describing music as "fundamentally built into the DNA of the show." 

"I was looking at episode 4 which has 12 songs and then probably another 20 minutes of score," he says. "It is just so much music, wall-to-wall, and to have that work seamlessly and cohesively in a way where it all feels like you're in Thailand. You're also definitely in The White Lotus and you're hitting the emotional beats of each of the characters and the different story arcs that we're going through."

Iconic Thai singer Lek Patravadi in "The White Lotus." Credit: Fabio Lovino / HBO Crate-digging for the sound of The White Lotus: Thailand edition

As soon as The White Lotus Season 3 was confirmed for Thailand, Hilfer says he immediately began the search for the show's catalogue of music. 

"I went through my Rolodex and was looking for anybody who I have ever licensed Thai music from or who has pitched me Thai music, and I reverse engineered it to see who would be a good resource to utilize in that regard," he says. "I also did some digging into some popular songs in Thailand, historically and currently. I had the very fortunate experience of working on a film about two years ago called The Creator, which took place in an amorphous, non-specific part of Southeast Asia. We did a little bit of the same crate-digging [Editor's note: the art of tracking down or discovering rare and obscure records through mostly secondhand sources] at that time for vintage, cool, interesting Thai music. So I had a couple resources from there and then I expanded the search outward."

The very first song we hear in Season 3 after the theme song is Thai rock group Carabao's iconic 1985 single "เมดอินไทยแลนด์ (Made in Thailand)" — which is now sitting at almost 30 million views on YouTube. According to Hilfer, The White Lotus editor John M. Valerio pitched the song for inclusion in the series after hearing it absolutely everywhere while filming the series in Thailand. 

"He had the pleasure and privilege of being in Thailand for shooting, and he was like, 'There's this one song. I hear it everywhere. I feel like it's big. Can we look into this one song 'Made in Thailand?'" says Hilfer. "After doing some digging and researching, 'Made in Thailand' was a huge hit song and is a cultural touchpoint for many people from Thailand. And so it all worked out well."

Everyone's Shazamming The White Lotus soundtrack

If you watch The White Lotus like I do (and many do), you spend half the episode holding your phone out and hitting "listen" on Shazam. "A lot of Shazamming going on," Hilfer agrees. "I would love to know what some of these Shazams are getting on these songs, because I feel like it's having a cultural impact." Such is the fame and popularity of The White Lotus that needle drops like Season 2, episode 6's "Ciao Ciao" moment saw subreddits ablaze around for the 2022 La Rappresentante di Lista song.

The soundtrack brims with Thai artists (and artists who draw from Thai influences) including Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, Sroeng Santi, Viparat Piengsuwan, Hongthong Dao-udon, Rewat "Ter" Buddhinan, Carabao, Charan Manophet, Nantida Kaewbuasai, Khruangbin, and more, with each song tailored to specific scenes.

If you haven't already found it, Hilfer has been working with HBO to update The White Lotus' official Spotify playlist, which you'll notice isn't exactly complete for a reason — the songs are often owned and distributed by independent local labels. "Unfortunately, a lot of the songs are not on Spotify because they're under the radar and with smaller Thai labels that haven't uploaded them. For the ones that are, we've been putting as many on Spotify as we can to help shine a light on this awesome music."

This zoom. Credit: Fabio Lovino / HBO

One song I madly Shazammed as the show played arrives in episode 4. Before the guests board Greg's yacht, there's an outrageous zoom shot on the Ratliffe family (Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Sam Nivola) strutting in slow motion down the dock, paired with the outstanding use of The Impossibles founder Rewat "Ter" Buddhinan's 1985 track "มันแปลกดีนะ".

"They had that shot and edited, and that was one that John Valerio and I really went back and forth a lot on," says Hilfer. We talked about and tried a bunch of different things here, until we landed on this. And this was clearly the winner." 

Achieving authenticity with Thai music in The White Lotus

Notably, Hilfer recognised the challenge of achieving authenticity and the right vibe within The White Lotus' soundtrack as someone who didn't specialise in Thai music.

"Similarly with Italian music, I would not consider myself an expert in those things before the project, but then the nature of the job is you immerse yourself in the culture and the music and figure out what resources you need. There's some phrase that's like, 'knowing what you don't know is half the battle,' so figuring out where I could plug the gaps in my knowledge of that region's music was important from the beginning."

During the course of Season 3, many Thai users of social media have praised the music choices, something deeply important to Hilfer. 

"We want to make it cool, for sure, and the resources that we've used, we've found really great stuff. But, I mean, I do not speak Thai and so I'm not always 100 percent sure what these songs are about. I just know that creatively they work, and they fit, and they embody the mood and the vibes that we're going for. So that's my priority within the framework of making them authentic and real. So when I hear that people from Thailand are also agreeing with me, that's like the biggest compliment I could get."

If you're not an expert in Thai music yourself (hello), some of the songs you might have recognised immediately are the covers in the show. In episode 1, Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) makes her first appearance at the pool to a gawking Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) to Sroeng Santi's "Kuen Kuen Lueng Lueng," an absolutely killer cover of Black Sabbath's 1970 classic "Iron Man."

Ignore the man in the pool, Chelsea. Credit: Fabio Lovino / HBO

"At the very beginning when we were putting together a big pool of music to choose from, we were thinking, should we do some covers?" says Hilfer. "John [M. Valerio] and I had a conversation and that one came up. There's another one in episode 1, it's a little less obvious, there's a Thai cover of 'Black Magic Woman.' We were like, let's lean into that, because to the Western audience the Thai songs are not particularly familiar so if we can do a couple very strategic touchpoints that the musicality and the songs are big enough where a Western, English-speaking or non-Thai speaking audience is familiar with the songs and the melodies but not necessarily with the covers it would be cool. It would be cool to bring it home and make people feel a connection to the music with a little bit more familiarity."

There's another cover in episode 4; as Greg's (Jon Gries) $18,800,000 Spacecat yacht cruises around the islands in the same episode, Molam and Luk Thung singer Hongthong Dao-udon's "ฮ่วยอะบานิบี" plays — it's a cover of Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta's "A-Ba-Ni-Bi," which was Israel's winning entry to Eurovision in 1978.

"That song was in one of the big batches of music that we had culled early on and we loved it," says Hilfer. "They edited to it and as we were getting into the clearances of it, the people who own it were like, 'Great news, we're happy to approve. But just so you know, this is a cover.' We were like, it is? Because I wasn't familiar with the source material."

The real music icons in The White Lotus Season 3

Not contained to the soundtrack, however, The White Lotus Season 3 is also brimming with real music stars including Blackpink's Lisa (credited on the show as Lalisa Manoban), who performs a gorgeous Ram Thai dance as Mook in episode 5.

Lek Patravadi's 1987 song gets two renditions in "The White Lotus." Credit: Courtesy of HBO

And one of the musical highlights of the season, iconic Thai singer Lek Patravadi (who also goes by Patravadi "Lek" Mejudhon) plays glamourous hotel owner Sritala. Through conversations with Patravadi in pre-production, Hilfer and The White Lotus team managed a pretty special plan with the artist, a performance of a song Patravadi performed on her own TV show in 1987, which appears in episode 2.

"She re-recorded that song for us in episode 2," says Hilfer. "We had her do a couple other songs, and she recorded them for us, but we didn't end up using them…They were great, her versions were incredible, but the way that that whole sequence got edited down, it lent itself to only having that one song in there."

But it's not the last time you'll hear the song this season. "I'm not really spoiling much, but later on that same song, we hear it at another point in the show from the original performance that she did on TV," Hilfer says.

The White Lotus score includes samples and repeated instrumentals

Throughout the series, Hilfer and his team also repeat small segments of songs they've found in their music sourcing as emotional markers. A sample of Imade Saputra's "A Thai Wedding" is used a few times in Season 3: in episode 2, when Rick (Walton Goggins) finally finds weed, and in episode 4, when Laurie (Carrie Coon), Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan) and Kate (Leslie Bibb) pile into the car for an adventure with Valentin (Arnas Fedaravičius). 

"We would never want to repeat ourselves with a lyrical song, but an instrumental song is different, because it's almost intentionally supposed to remind you of the emotion you felt when you last heard it in the show," says Hilfer.

Texas band Khruangbin, who draw significant influence from Thai pop, see their 2018 banger "Maria También" used twice in the show in episodes 1 and 2, almost functioning as an unofficial theme for the show's early chapters. It underlies the first moments we get a tour through the White Lotus and the Ratliff family's sprawling villa, and as we join the guests for breakfast in episode 2.

"Those are two different versions of that song too," says Hilfer. "In episode 1, it's from their Tiny Desk show on NPR, and on episode 2, it's the album version. Khruangbin obviously brings a lot of their influences from Thai music, although they are not a Thai band. We had messed with it, tried with it, and it felt great."

Hilfer describes The White Lotus as a show that treats music "like a character in the show, not a secondary afterthought." Notably, he praises The White Lotus creator White, explaining how involved the writer-director is with music selection for the series during the edit.

"The genius of Mike White is just unparalleled in the way that he is able to, every season, replicate the same level of tension and the same level of intrigue without repeating himself, and without it feeling like well treaded territory," he says.

"I've been doing this long enough to know how much of a privilege it is to work with somebody who knows what they want, has great taste, and has overseen something from its inception to its completion, and to just be a small part of that musically is honestly a real gift."

The White Lotus Season 3 is now streaming on Max with new episodes weekly at 9 p.m. ET Sundays on HBO.

Switch 2 release date, price and everything else we expect from Nintendo Direct

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 04:00

On Wednesday, April 2, Nintendo is going to blow the doors off the Nintendo Switch 2 console. But what does that mean, exactly?

Back in January, Nintendo already gave us a brief glimpse at the device and an even more brief glimpse at a new Mario Kart game running on it, but that was all we got. Well, that and a promise that we'd hear more on April 2 at 9 a.m. ET. After three agonizing months, that date is almost upon us. Let's talk about what to expect from the upcoming Nintendo Direct livestream.

SEE ALSO: 'Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition' review: A forgotten classic is back with a vengeance What to expect from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct livestream

You can watch the Nintendo Direct stream on Nintendo's YouTube channel when the time comes. Here's what we think will be included.

Switch 2 price and release date

The only thing that's a virtual certainty to be in this stream, aside from one game we'll get to a minute, is information about the Switch 2's launch. Nintendo will most definitely tell us when the console is coming out and how much it will cost.

It's hard to be more specific than that until we hear it from the horse's mouth, but we do have some information to work with right now. Insider Gaming reported this week that Nintendo is planning to launch the console in June with a smattering of first-party games right away, with more third-party titles to come in the months to follow.

As for price, a recent Bloomberg report indicated that the console will cost at least $400. This is one of the harder aspects of the Switch 2 to nail down prior to the Direct because of the shifting economic realities of the Trump administration's tariff policies. My bet, personally, is that the console is exactly $399.99, that's just an educated guess.

Switch 2 controllers, new console features

Right now, the main things we know about the Switch 2 hardware that distinguish it from the original Switch are that it's bigger and has more horsepower inside. The widespread expectation is that it will be roughly as powerful as a PlayStation 4 Pro or maybe even a Steam Deck, possibly with the ability to upscale games to 4K using DLSS technology.

Of course, there will probably be more to it than that. The January teaser video teased the ability to use a Joy-Con controller like you'd use a computer mouse, and recently filed patents from Nintendo back this up. It's not really clear what this will be used for yet, but that's what the Direct is for. I would also expect to see a look at the console-level operating system and maybe some glimpses of additional online features, if there are any. There's also a still-unexplained "C" button on the new Joy-Con controller, and it's anyone's guess what the heck that is used for.

Switch 2 launch games

If you've never seen a Nintendo Direct before, they tend to be ruthlessly efficient. When there isn't new hardware to show, they're usually just a series of game trailers with the occasional interstitial bit where a stately looking man in a suit talks to you for a minute or two. Given that this one is dedicated to new hardware, there will almost certainly be a little more "men in suits talking" than the average Direct, but I would still expect this stream to heavily focus on new games for the Switch 2.

Unfortunately, there's only one game we know for certain will be at this event, and that's an unnamed new Mario Kart title. This game was briefly shown during the Switch 2 teaser video in January, and the only thing you can really get from the few seconds of footage in that video is that there are now 24 racers in a race instead of 12. Anything beyond that is speculation. I would expect this to be a launch title for the system.

That's about all we have to work with right now, sadly. All I can do is guess as to what else will be shown during this Direct. There probably won't be a new The Legend of Zelda game because Tears of the Kingdom and Echoes of Wisdom just came out over the past two years, though I wouldn't rule out an enhanced port of an older Zelda title. Metroid Prime 4 is a distinct possibility, perhaps even as a launch title, given its long development history and the fact that we haven't seen it since Nintendo re-revealed it last summer.

Xenoblade series developer Monolith Soft could potentially give us a brief glimpse of its next project for Switch 2, as well. I would also expect to see the next proper 3D Mario game at some point in this Direct, and it wouldn't surprise me if that were a launch title, too. If not, it could still be out in time for this holiday season.

Other than those things, it's really hard to guess what Nintendo will show. There's always the possibility (however slight) that a dormant series like Star Fox or F-Zero gets revived, and it's possible we may hear about the next Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing games, but none of those are guaranteed to be in this Direct.

I wish I could just sleep until Wednesday morning.

U.S. security officials passwords found online, including people in Signal chat

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 03:50

U.S. security officials' private contact information and passwords have been found online within days of the Signal scandal. If I had a nickel for every time a breach of tech security involving the Trump administration was revealed this week, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

SEE ALSO: The Trump administration accidentally texted military plans to a journalist. The White House says it's fine.

German publication DER SPIEGEL reports that it has uncovered U.S. officials' private contact details exposed on the internet, specifically information belonging to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and national security advisor Michael Waltz.

All three officials were also reportedly part of the now infamous Yemen bombing Signal group chat revealed earlier this week, the latter two being central figures in the security incident. On Monday, Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffery Goldberg reported that he had mistakenly been added to a Signal group chat in which U.S. officials planned to bomb Yemen, becoming convinced of its authenticity when the described attack actually transpired.

DER SPIEGEL notes that it's unclear whether the Signal accounts used in the U.S. officials' group chat were linked to private phone numbers. However, its reporters did confirm that the private phone numbers it uncovered belonging to Gabbard and Waltz were linked to Signal accounts.

"It is thus conceivable that foreign agents were privy to the Signal chat group in which Gabbard, Waltz and Hegseth discussed a military strike," wrote DER SPIEGEL.

How did reporters find U.S. officials' passwords?

DER SPIEGEL's reporters found the information on Waltz and Hegseth by first submitting a request to a contact information service, receiving email addresses and phone numbers for both officials. They then used Hegseth's phone number to locate a linked WhatsApp account that had been recently deleted, and used Waltz's email address to find associated passwords from previous leaks. They further used this information to find Waltz's apparent Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, and Signal accounts.

While Gabbard's information was blocked in the contact information services DER SPIEGEL tries, its reporters were still able to find her email address on both Reddit and WikiLeaks. They were also able to locate a partial phone number from a previous leak, using it to find linked WhatsApp and Signal accounts.

"Most of these numbers and email addresses are apparently still in use, with some of them linked to profiles on social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn," DER SPIEGEL reported. "They were used to create Dropbox accounts and profiles in apps that track running data."

DER SPIEGEL stated that Waltz, Hegseth, and Gabbard did not respond to its request for comment. The National Security Council reportedly since stated that Waltz's relevant accounts and passwords were changed in 2019.

Considering the massive number, size, and frequency of cybersecurity breaches in general — as well as people's habitually terrible password habits — it isn't entirely surprising that U.S. officials' private accounts have been among those impacted in the past. Even so, it isn't entirely reassuring, particularly as these individuals are responsible for U.S. national defence.

The fallout from the Signal chat scandal is still ongoing, with the Trump administration now claiming that no classified information was actually shared in the group. This is despite Goldberg's report that messages included the name of an active CIA official, operational details about planned military attacks, and other information he claimed "could conceivably have been used to harm American military and intelligence personnel."

In response to U.S. officials' statements that none of these messages were classified, The Atlantic has since released further messages from the Signal group chat.

Want to learn piano? AI can teach you faster than private lessons

Mashable - Thu, 03/27/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Learn to play piano with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons, an AI-powered teacher, now offering lifetime subscriptions for £116.41 (reg. £232.84) at the Mashable Shop. 

Always wanted to learn piano? Nowadays, you don't need a teacher, and you certainly don't need to sit through boring classes. All it takes is a tablet, a keyboard, and your love of music.

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Yes, AI can teach you to play piano

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You don't need to know how to play to get started. All you need is a piano and a little time. These lessons can be taken at your leisure, so they fit into even the busiest of schedules. And it's compatible with any piano or keyboard so you don't need to buy a new instrument just to get started.

You'll have access to 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos with this Skoove subscription. And you won't just be learning passively — thanks to AI, Skoove can recognise the notes you play and provide real-time feedback as you go. 

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Lifelong access to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons is now just £116.41 (reg. £232.84). 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Premium Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription £116.41
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NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 27

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:00

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Thrown by a pitcher

  • Green: Where baseball teams play

  • Blue: Most championships in baseball

  • Purple: Share a first word

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Baseball pitches

  • Green: MLB stadium names

  • Blue: Teams with the most World Series titles

  • Purple: Batting _________

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #185 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

  • Baseball pitches - CHANGEUP, EEPHUS, SLIDER, SPLITTER

  • MLB stadium names - ANGEL, CHASE, TARGET, WRIGLEY

  • Teams with the most World Series titles - ATHLETICS, CARDINAS, RED SOX, YANKEES

  • Batting _________ - AVERAGE, CAGE, ORDER, PRACTICE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

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

NYT Strands hints, answers for March 27

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:00

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 27 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 27 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Playing the field

The words are baseball-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are singular versions of MLB team names in the same league.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is NationalLeague.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for March 27

  • Brewer

  • Pirate

  • Giant

  • Brave

  • Dodger

  • Marlin

  • NationalLeague

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 27, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:00

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for March 27 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Ingested

  • Green: And

  • Blue: Seen during a bank transaction

  • Purple: Suffix is the same

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Consumed

  • Green: Also

  • Blue: ATM options

  • Purple: ___play

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #648 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Consumed: ATE, HAD, PUT AWAY, TOOK IN

  • Also: AS WELL, BESIDES, TO BOOT, TOO

  • ATM options: BALANCE, DEPOSIT, TRANSFER, WITHDRAWAL

  • ___play: FORE, HORSE, SCREEN, WORD

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 27

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

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

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

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