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Musica is not your typical musical film. Rudy Mancuso and Camily Mendes reveals how his film 'Musica' breaks with convention and why he considers it an "anti-musical musical." Musica premieres on Prime Video April 4th.

The First Omen has the grand misfortune of coming out hot on the heels of Immaculate, a nun-centered horror movie that bears more than a glancing resemblance to this prequel to 1976's The Omen.

Both plots revolve around a young and beautiful American novitiate, new to an Italian convent, facing stern Catholic authority and penetrating forces of evil. Stylistically; however, they are quite different. Immaculate relishes in the sexy star power of Sydney Sweeney in its delve into nunsploitation, but shows a modern squeamishness when it comes to onscreen violence. The First Omen is a pastiche in 1970s style and pacing, but pulls no punches when it comes to gore.

If you're after a movie about a tormented nun that really goes for the gusto, The First Omen should be your pick.

What is The First Omen about? Bill Nighy as Lawrence. Credit: Moris Puccio / 20th Century Studios

Set in 1969 Rome, The First Omen begins with Margaret (Servant's Nell Tiger Free), a doe-eyed young woman from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, who grew up as a ward of the Catholic church. Invited by Cardinal Lawrence (Bill Nighy) to join a convent, where the sisters care for orphaned girls and unwed mothers, Margaret is eager to contribute and to take her vows. But shortly after her arrival, this fish out of water begins to suspect something is off in the religious sanctum, and it seems to revolve around a problem child named Carlita Scianna (Nicole Sorace). 

SEE ALSO: 10 terrifying religious horror movies you can stream right now

Where the other children have bright smiles, rosy cheeks, and flowers in their hair, Carlita carries bags under her dark eyes and a perpetually grim expression. She draws troubling images and is uncomfortably close to a creepy nun (a requisite of this subgenre), whose high-pitched giggle is like nails on a chalkboard.

While a fellow novitiate (a beguiling Maria Caballero) cajoles Margaret to focus on the positive and embrace her youth and body before signing herself over to the church for good, the harried heroine is plagued by dark visions of vicious nuns and a horrid clawed hand reaching out for her. Are these hallucinations of an overactive imagination? Or is Margaret getting omens of something terrible to come? 

How does The First Omen tie to The Omen (1976)? Ralph Ineson as Father Brennan in "The First Omen." Credit: Moris Puccio / 20th Century Studios

There are some connective characters in common with the original, including Father Brennan. The priest played by the late Patrick Troughton in the 1976 version is portrayed by Game of Thrones' Ralph Ineson. Here, Brennan is an ally of Margaret's who is researching rumors about a conspiracy to bring about the antiChrist. Other cryptic connections and callbacks will be made, including a grisly death that evokes the chilling catchphrase, "It's all for you!" 

How else this prequel sets up its predecessor can likely be guessed by The First Omen's very existence. The point of this film is not too much the destination but the journey. To the credit of director and co-writer Arkasha Stevenson (Brand New Cherry Flavor), she imbues the film with atmospheric dread that feels true to the original. The score courses with choral singing distorted to turn the human voices into nightmarish squalls. The color scheme is fit for shadows, allowing creeping nuns to emerge as mighty and terrifyingly as Michael Myers in a suburban closet. 

Featured Video For You Sydney Sweeney on finding a church that would let them film 'Immaculate'

At times, the scares are predictable, but in a smartly intentional way. Stevenson knows a horror savvy audiences will be hip to the beats of such tricks, and uses that to her advantage. For instance, as a character fearfully retreats to cross a street — we might rightly predict he'll be hit by a car. This expectation pulls us to the edge of our seats in anxious anticipation. But when we're proven right, Stevenson doesn't let us off the hook with a jump scare and a quick demise — as was often the case in The Omen.

She lingers on the aftermath, the injury, the blood, the physical agony and emotional anguish, not allowing us the relief a jump scare often offers. However, the close-ups of such garish graphic violence can offer diminishing returns. Sometimes the prolonged exposure to such intense imagery is affecting, as if we are stuck in a nightmare from which we can’t look away. But other times Stevenson's generosity in displaying such graphic violence sours to silly, as some practical effects look better in glimpses than long gazes. (See the editing of Jaws for a classic example.) 

Nell Tiger Free gives her all in The First Omen.  Nell Tiger Free as Margaret and María Caballero as Luz. Credit: Moris Puccio / 20th Century Studios

While this perturbing prequel delivers on graphic violence in a way Immaculate willfully avoids, it falls prey to the same pitfall of characterization.

Make no mistake, Free is devoted in her performance. Playing a heroine who is put through the ringer, emotionally, physically, and psychologically, — hell, even ideologically — Free is pushed to express herself not only through bulging eyes, panicked screams, and full-body shivers, but also physical contortions that could veer into goofy in a lesser actor's hands. However, her efforts are undermined by the screenplay, penned by Stevenson, Tim Smith, and Keith Thomas. 

Chockful of twists, turns, and Omen lore (new and old), the film has so many hoops to jump through in its runtime that what is shortchanged is establishing Margaret. Like Immaculate, the nun heroine is introduced upon her arrival to Italy, fresh-faced and eager to serve Jesus. Sure, a tragic backstory is plopped down in dialogue to give her some context. But Margaret is clumsily defined as sweet and innocent, and not much else.

These traits make her a suitably angelic archetype for the horror story that will follow, which delves into how religious authority dehumanizes women, reducing them to Madonna, whore, or vessel. But the lack of depth in the protagonist's personality deadens the impact of her pain. Margaret feels more like a caricature than a person, and so, while the metaphor works, the emotional follow through does not.

Is The First Omen scary?  Nell Tiger Free as Margaret and Nicole Sorace as Carlita. Credit: Moris Puccio / 20th Century Studios

Moderately.

Admittedly, growing up Catholic I am a particularly hard critic on horror movies around Christian ideology. Any given Sunday a priest might say something on the pulpit more horrifying than the things I’ve seen in dozens of these movies. Still, I respect this Stevenson's dedication to striving for the tone and the original. Too often in reboots and prequels and whatever the Scream franchise has devolved into, the aim to achieve the tone of the original feels like winking set dressing intended as fan service. Here, the mood brings us back to 1976 and the unique terror of Richard Donner's classic film, but without feeling hollow in its admiration.

By mimicking the pacing of the original, Stevenson neatly folds in the classic and the contemporary, bringing in a post-torture porn era thirst for blood that leads to some genuinely alarming on screen violence. While overall the film left me a bit underwhelmed, Stevenson's depiction of demons is undeniably nightmare fuel and will assure The First Omen a place of honor in the maternity horror canon for one snatching shot in particular. However, Stevenson's lust for carnage leads to indulgence, and being thin on character development makes the film's emotional terror more frail than fraught. 

In the end,The First Omen offers generous splashes of gore, jump scared, and dread. So if you're seeing something more spooky than scary, or more haunting than horrifying, this religious thriller will scratch that itch with a long, putrid claw.

The First Omen opens in theaters April 5. 

Oura, the company behind the sleek wearable health ring all over wellness circles and the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, debuted its new Oura Labs beta testing site for members last month. It's an incubator for experimental health features like its recently announced, illness-spotting Symptom Radar.

The radar, which detects biometric levels like temperature, resting heart rate, and respiratory rate, is specifically not advertised as an illness detection tool, but rather a tool to "help you understand your body's signals," the company explained in a March post.

"Symptom Radar assesses your biometric data each morning to detect signs of respiratory symptoms, and will prompt you to activate Rest Mode when there is a low or moderate risk detected, or when there’s a significant elevation in body temperature," explains Oura. According to the company, such data can help in early detection of common respiratory illnesses, like the flu or common cold.

As the Verge reports, Oura and other wearable health companies previously explored illness detection as the demand for COVID-19 early detection grew. Most companies shelved the venture, or pivoted specific illness detection efforts toward general symptom management, like the new radar.

SEE ALSO: Tracking your stress may be more stressful than you imagined

The company's 2022 Gen3 ring debuted with an expansion of its originally limited health features, including menstrual cycle prediction, blood oxygen measuring, and even new stress tracking (although the benefits of such metrics are murky at best). Many of these were still in testing periods, however, and are now joined by the Oura Labs family of upcoming additions.

Wearables are quickly expanding across the health tech market, with brands like Samsung debuting their own versions of small, sleep-tracking health devices. Last month, Google announced a new research endeavor with Fitbit, known as Fitbit Labs, to develop a new AI health model that can analyze health data and offer recommendations to users. Meanwhile, the FDA is keeping a watchful eye on wellness trackers making dubious, data-collecting claims.

How to use Oura Labs and Symptom Radar

Oura Labs is currently available to active Gen3 members on iOS. The first group of members were invited to test Labs in March. The testing environment can be found in the under the drop down menu in the top left corner of the app. New and available features will be added periodically, and users can opt out of testing at any time.

Credit: Oura

The best deals on Amazon as of April 4 include a TherGun Pro massager, plus more of our top picks below:

Amazon deals of the day: OUR TOP PICK TheraGun Pro $299 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal BEST FITNESS DEAL Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1805 magnetic indoor cycling bike $503.99 at Amazon (save $95.99 with on-page coupon) Get Deal BEST HOME DEAL Google Nest Cam 2-pack (2nd Gen, indoor/outdoor) $259.99 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal BEST HEALTH DEAL Waterpik Cordless Advanced water flosser $69.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal

You never know what sort of deals Amazon will dish out on any given day. It doesn't need to be a big promotional event or a shopping holiday to save big bucks, and the deals below are living proof. We've sorted through the noise and handpicked a few of the best Amazon deals you can shop on April 4, with health and fitness products particularly coming in hot.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. And don't forget to check out our top picks from April 2 and April 3, as many of those discounts are still going strong.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Theragun Amazon deal of the day: TheraGun Pro (4th gen) $299.00 at Amazon
$499.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal

TheraGun is essentially the Apple of massage guns, with a product line that stands out in a crowded market and meets multiple price ranges. The fourth-gen TheraGun Pro is Mashable's top pick for a massage gun due to its intense percussions (it packs 60 pounds of force into each 16mm punch), five speed options, six attachments, and adjustable angles. It's a bit pricey at $499, but you can save $200 at Amazon as of April 4 and snag it for only $299. It's also sitting at the same discounted price at the TheraGun website, but potentially without free two-day shipping.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sunny Health & Fitness Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1805 magnetic indoor cycling bike $503.99 at Amazon
$599.98 Save $95.99 with on-page coupon Get Deal

Looking to kick off the spring season with a new workout routine? The Sunny Health and Fitness SF-B1805 magnetic bike is on sale for just over $500 as of April 4 — that's a 16% discount from its usual $600 and just $8 away from its lowest price in six months. For those keeping track, that's also about $940 cheaper than a Peloton bike. The Sunny Health and Fitness bike is more simplistic than a Peloton, sure, but it still offers smooth resistance, adjustable tension, and a fully customizable setup. While there's no screen onboard, there's a device holder that allows you to easily slip a tablet or phone in and follow along to your favorite workout videos. You can even add a cadence sensor (sold separately) to turn it into a smart bike if you want extra features.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Nest Cam 2-pack (2nd Gen, indoor/outdoor) $259.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

One of our top picks for a home security camera, the Google Nest Cam is a slick, waterproof camera that can be placed inside or outside to catch 24/7 live HD video with 6x digital zoom. A two-pack of these babies is on sale for just $259.99 at Amazon as of April 4 — that's just $20 away from its lowest price ever, which it hit during Black Friday season last year. The Google Nest Cam allows you to share your stream with anyone using a public or password-protected link and will show you recordings from the past three hours for free. You can add a Nest Aware plan for an extra fee and enjoy intelligent alerts, continuous video recording, clip sharing, emergency alerts, and more.

Opens in a new window Credit: Waterpik Waterpik Cordless Advanced water flosser $69.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

Improve your oral hygiene with a Waterpik Cordless Advanced water flosser, a handheld, dentist-recommended flosser that's ideal for home and travel. It has a rechargeable battery, a seven-ounce reservoir, three pressure settings, a travel bag, a tip case, and four included tips. It's also waterproof so it can be used in the shower (which prevents messes all over your sink). It's on sale at Amazon for just $69.99 as of April 4 — that's just $10 away from its Black Friday pricing.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

Samsung Galaxy users are on Reddit and the Samsung Community forum posting complaints about their devices' unresponsiveness.

The AI-filled One UI 6.1 update, which debuted with the new Galaxy S24 series in January, was released to older to March 28, according to SamMobile.

Unfortunately, for some, the rollout hasn't been smooth, particularly for Samsung Galaxy S23 series users.

SEE ALSO: Galaxy AI: Any Android, iOS phone can try it now. Here’s how. What's going on with the Samsung Galaxy S23 series?

One UI 6.1, as we reported in late February, expanded its Galaxy AI features to older models, including the Galaxy S23 series, S23 FE, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5 and Tab S9 series. This means that they're getting new AI features Samsung boasted about during Galaxy Unpacked 2024, including Circle to Search and Generative Edit.

However, as TechRadar pointed out, the rollout apparently hasn't been seamless, with Samsung Galaxy S23 series users reporting unresponsive displays after the One UI 6.1 update.

"After installing version 6.1 (14) on my phone the touch screen is no longer responding to a finger touch but works with the S Pen, how do I fix this?" anyirongo posted on Samsung's Community forum

Among 41 replies, many chimed in to say they're experiencing the same issue.

"After hitting the 6.1 update, I'm stuck with the same problem: the touch screen is totally unresponsive. It's downright disheartening. Can't believe a brand would drop an update this messed up," cyberplanete said.

"Has anyone found a fix for this yet? So frustrating!!!!" said halllpppp.

Reddit has its complaints, too: u/RetroXStyles1 said, in part, "Since updating my screen is totally unresponsive to finger touch and only works when I use the S Pen. I've restarted my phone multiple times with no luck in fixing this problem."

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review Is there a fix after downloading the One UI 6.1 update?

One Redditor claims they were able to resolve the issue by rolling back their device to the previous 6.0 update. That, however, is a bit extreme. Others have said that restarting their device rectifies the problem, particularly after waiting for their apps to be fully optimized after the One UI 6.1 update.

As such, if you're experiencing this problem, wait a few days after the One UI 6.1 update and trigger a restart. If the issue persists, Samsung will have no choice but to address the problem with a patch in the near future.

It's difficult to say whether this is a widespread issue, but the complaints are certainly beginning to pile up online. We reached out to Samsung for comment; we'll update this article if we get a response.

The red-band trailer for Indian action film Kill is here, and it has certainly earned its rating. If you're squeamish about eye injuries, maybe give this one a skip.

Kill follows army commando Amrit (Lakshya), who boards a New Delhi-bound train to save his sweetheart Tulika (Tanya Maniktala) from being forced into an arranged marriage. Unfortunately, his journey soon becomes derailed when a ruthless gang led by Fani (Raghav Juyal) begins terrorising passengers. In response, Amrit embarks on an exceedingly bloody rampage to protect his fellow commuters — and probably work off a bit of his frustration.

Purely judging from the trailer, Kill looks like if Old Boy met Die Hard and Train to Busan — only with exceedingly graphic, gory knife fights instead of zombies for the latter.

Kill arrives in theatres on July 4.

Mashable entertainment editor Kristy Puchko speaks with Ripley star Andrew Scott to discuss what it was like to play Tom Ripley and the challenges of bringing Patricia Highsmith's novels to the screen.

Ripley is now streaming on Netflix.

Zola's new AI wedding planner tool proves generative AI doesn't need to be ethically complicated to be good.

On Thursday, the wedding site released "Split the Decisions," a custom GPT to help couples divvy up wedding planning tasks. Both halves fill out a brief questionnaire about their excitement level, preferences, strengths and weaknesses, and so on.

First, Zola's bot asks the couple some questions to gauge their strengths and preferences. Credit: Zola

Then, Split the Decisions bot creates a personalized task list of responsibilities for each person.

Then it provides a detailed list of tasks for each person to take on based on their responses. Credit: Zola

Zola, which started as an online wedding registry and has grown to offer wedding planning, website building, advice, and more, created Split the Decisions to address two major findings from a recent survey. The first was that almost 70 percent of the 7,000 couples surveyed "didn’t feel prepared for the sheer number of decisions" in wedding planning. The second had to do with the lopsided division of labor. The survey found that the number one societal expectation those surveyed wanted to change was the antiquated assumption that one partner will take on the majority of wedding planning.

"So that really led us to, how can we as a brand and accompany support couples on this journey, and ensure that they are able to start the wedding planning process on equal footing versus with this pressure or expectation that one person is going to do all the work," said spokesperson Allison Cullman.

The tool's tone and voice was trained to have Zola's brand in mind, which is conversational and inclusive, but candid. For example, if one partner was giving apathetic responses to the questionnaire, the bot would almost "act as a mediator and say, 'You might not care about the details, but having the wedding be balanced is really important,'" said Cullman.

And while Split the Decisions is a wedding expert, its knowledge doesn't come from personal data scraped from Zola or elsewhere. (OpenAI's GPT is trained from mass corpora of internet data, but Zola hasn't trained the GPT with additional personal data). Instead, the bot is built from OpenAI's customizable GPTs and trained with planning duties, links, and assignment logic developed by the Zola team. Because it's a custom GPT, Split the Decisions requires a ChatGPT Plus subscription, which is $20 a month.

Plus, all of the articles and resources that Split the Decisions links in its responses are from Zola, so there's no potential for plagiarizing or copyright violations by appropriating or inaccurately attributing content from other sources. That's all to say, Zola seems to have launched a useful generative AI tool without any privacy trade-offs or controversial data practices. And that's an intriguing proposal.

Split the Decisions is available on OpenAI's GPT Store and in the expert advice section of Zola's website.

If you're one for rapid-paced, action-packed thrillers, Patricia Highsmith's classic 1955 novel The Talented Mr Ripley is already not for you. But if you're one for slow-burn, sinister, underhandedly amorous thrillers, pour yourself the driest of martinis and settle into the latest adaptation of it, Ripley.

A meticulously captured suspense tale with a cold, classy, and understated performance from Andrew Scott, Netflix's Ripley distills its long-revered source material into eight elegantly tailored acts. Brimming with afternoon aperitifs, foreboding and omniscient seascapes, and a series-long obsession with the artist Caravaggio, series creator Steven Zaillian lets his interpretation of Highsmith's novel drip slowly into those gloriously cobbled, 1960s Italian streets.

SEE ALSO: 'Ripley' vs. 'The Talented Mr. Ripley': The tiny change that makes a big impact

Highsmith's tale of obsession and manipulation, imitation and identity theft, class divide and repressed sexuality, in which a young man of little means from New York shrewdly and violently manoeuvres his way into the upper echelons of society, finds an opulent new rendering in Zaillian's Ripley. And for obvious reasons, you will probably think of Saltburn every few episodes, despite the downplays.

Ripley savours Highsmith's novel like an ice cold martini Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley. Credit: Philippe Antonello / Netflix

Based on the first of Highsmith's Ripley novels, the series sticks to its source material with sophisticated ferocity, entirely shot in black and white (but for one teeny, tiny moment). For those who haven't encountered definitive unreliable narrator Tom Ripley before, the story follows the eponymous con artist (Scott), who finds himself mistakenly recruited by a shipping magnate to convince his dilettante son Dickie Greenleaf (Johnny Flynn) to come home to New York from the impeccable Amalfi Coast — good luck with that. More interested in gallivanting around Italy with his girlfriend Marge Sherwood (Dakota Fanning), Dickie's probability of coming home is about as high as his probability of becoming the artist he believes he is. But as Tom ingratiates himself into la dolce vita with Dickie and Marge, slowly but surely, his deceptive tendencies become dangerously obsessive.

The series isn't the first time the author's devious protagonist has manipulated his way on screen, from René Clément's 1960 film Purple Noon to Anthony Minghella's 1999 film The Talented Mr Ripley, and Liliana Cavani's John Malkovich-starring Ripley's Game, one of which accounts for a truly wondrous cameo in Ripley I won't entirely spoil here. But with an infatuation over the minutiae of the novel and by allowing his leading man the time to simmer, Zaillian crafts a superb adaptation of his own.

Dakota Fanning, Johnny Flynn, and Andrew Scott as Marge, Dickie, and Tom. Credit: Philippe Antonello / Netflix

Like its source material and anti-hero, Zaillian's series fixates on the smaller details, attempting to replicate those of Highsmith's novel and claim them for its own: Tom's grimy New York apartment, Tom's suitcase packing technique, Tom's bathing suit and his wearing shoes on the beach, the descriptions of Dickie’s villa with its original Picassos (plural) and design elements that are a "pleasant mixture of Italian antique and American bohemian." Zaillian spends as much attention on the story's all-important refrigerator as Highsmith does, what it represents to the characters and how often they drop freshly cracked ice cubes into their many, many drinks.

As in Highsmith's novel, the great drama occurs early in the narrative, leaving the rest of the story to Ripley's quest to keep the ruse up, and Zaillian streamlines much of this, most notably eliminating most supporting characters and some European travel, bolstering its intimate theatre feeling. 

Like a multi-act play, Ripley takes its damn time. While the pace might not be everyone's glass of Amaro, it feels akin to Highsmith's own respect for relishing in detail. From Schindler’s List to The Irishman and The Night Of, Zaillian specialises in the long game. And for Ripley, he treats the major moments of Highsmith's novel like theatrical puzzles, fixating on every element and importantly exploring the practicality of each encounter and scheme, with Tom bringing that Catch Me If You Can energy to each forged signature.  

Andrew Scott exquisitely reinvents Tom Ripley amid an understated cast  Better check those headlines, Tom. Credit: Philippe Antonello / Netflix

If you're not here for the sweeping Italian vistas, and you're not here as a Highsmith fan, you're probably here because of All of Us Strangers star and Fleabag's "Hot Priest" Andrew Scott. Taking on one of fiction's most subtly calculating and chameleonic protagonists, Scott exquisitely reinvents Tom Ripley with his signature versatility, burying a tempest beneath Italian tailoring.

Highsmith's Ripley has sharper edges than Matt Damon's preppier, dare I say it more sympathetic rendition, in Minghella's film, whereas Scott brings those hard, sociopathic lines right back. Highsmith describes Tom as deeply “bored” with a penchant for being “maniacally polite”, two traits which Scott elevates into social weapons. Tom’s amused incredulity over the success of his actions is heavily detailed in the novels, constantly encapsulated in minute smirks from Scott. Time and time again, he can't believe he got away with it.

Featured Video For You Andrew Scott on crafting the iconic 'Ripley' in Netflix's new mystery series

Highsmith's Ripley is openly disdainful, often exclaiming in disgust amid his inner monologues. It's a tough job, conveying Ripley's dramatic, venomous thoughts with mere glares and considerations, something the author calls “a crazy emotion of hate, of affection, of impatience and frustration” within him. Scott is tasked with the tricky job of a character who regularly talks to himself, practicing or imagining lines for future encounters — his one-man run of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya in the West End couldn't have hurt for Ripley prep. Scott's pure skill is on full show, slowly revealing cracks in Tom’s crafted, regimented facade as the walls start closing in. His Ripley is a perfect storm of concealed derision and approval-seeking, his softly spoken tones shapeshifting from friendship to threat in a heartbeat. Tom slowly, gleefully tries on Dickie's life like a suit, actively mocking him as he does so, and tolerating his friends only so far.

Many viewers will no doubt have Minghella's film in the back of their minds when watching Ripley. The 1999 critical smash makes a glamorous, flirty "it" couple of Gwyneth Paltrow's affable, credulous Marge and Jude Law's feverish hedonist Dickie, whereas Zaillian's series finds a gentle companionship between Fanning and Flynn's renditions, two beautiful, bored creatives from privilege who've never been told their art sucks. 

The only similarity you'll see to Paltrow and Law's characters is this shot. Credit: Philippe Antonello / Netflix

Flynn opts for an unruffled insouciance as Dickie, a glaring contrast to Law's boisterous magnetism. With a genuine Picasso in his house, Dickie crafts garbage paintings in his chandelier-topped studio, feigning modesty at Tom's forced compliments. However, Flynn's stealth-wealth nonchalance and frankness around sexuality truly works alongside Scott's fiercely repressed politeness, keeping Dickie constantly out of reach for Tom romantically and socially. The pair constantly try each other out, with the knife's edge friendship and the illusion of camaraderie ready to crumble in a pinch. A marked contrast to Paltrow's overwhelmingly amiable Marge, Fanning's interpretation appears always ill at ease with Tom, tolerating him instead of extending any enthusiasm. She aligns more neatly with Highsmith’s Marge, who feigns but a modicum of friendliness, with little time for this casual interloper. 

Eliot Sumner makes an aristocratic sleuth of Freddie Miles. Credit: Philippe Antonello / Netflix

If Philip Seymour Hoffman's impeccable performance as Dickie's obnoxiously wealthy and tactless pal Freddie Miles in Minghella's film feels untouchable, Ripley leaves it be. Instead, the series finds a fresh interpretation through musician Eliot Sumner, who imbues Freddie with a foreboding elegance, an unfortunately razor sharp memory, and an overestimation of their own power and influence — honestly, I could watch Sumner's Freddie swanning through Tom's things and lightly insulting him all day.

Joining halfway through the series, the impeccable Maurizio Lombardi dominates as Inspector Pietro Ravini, who becomes a meticulous and scrupulous thorn in Tom's side. A master of internalised scrutiny, Lombardi matches Scott in multiple rounds of viciously polite interrogations, both looking deeply amused in the other's attempts to manipulate.

Maurizio Lombardi. That's it. Credit: Philippe Antonello / Netflix

Zaillian places absolute faith in this streamlined cast as the show becomes a series of interrogations over wine and cigarettes, between Tom and Marge, Tom and Freddie, Tom and Ravini, each trying to outplay the other. But often, their performances are upstaged by another character: Italy itself.

Ripley becomes a disquieting love letter to Italy I absolutely wrote my review from here. Credit: Philippe Antonello / Netflix

If you weren't thinking of travelling to Italy anytime soon, Ripley acts as one of the most effective and messed up marketing campaigns. As well as bringing the viewer step-by-step through Tom's plots, Ripley romanticizes long Italian afternoons sipping coffee in laneways, languishing in Venetian palazzos and sipping Champagne in train carriages, with Tom wandering about Dickie's Atrani villa with just the sound of an afternoon storm, running his diabolical schemes from various Roman piazzas beside outrageously beautiful church facades.

Instead of Highsmith's fictional town of Mongibello, rendered in Minghella's film as a bustling, glamorous Amalfi playground for the beautiful and tanned, Zaillian sends Tom Ripley into the beautiful but largely unpopulated (and real) town of Atrani. In Ripley, it feels constantly like the off-season. There's often not a soul around beyond Dickie's housekeeper Ermelinda (Francesca Romana Bergamo) and a few others, making Tom, Dickie, and Marge's world feel both intimate and deeply uncomfortable.

Same table, every time. Credit: Philippe Antonello / Netflix

Hollywood veteran and director of photography Robert Elswit deploys gorgeous wide shots with gargantuan depths of field, showing every last detail of David Gropman's production design in high contrast, among sumptuous mid-shots of Scott simply reading the paper with a martini overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. And there's a welcome array of close-ups of crisp white shirts, Dickie’s prized possessions, and countless glasses of booze, many of which are tantalising clues that either foreshadow someone's fate or point to something that would give Tom's whole game away: a passport, a photograph, a pair of shoes, a suitcase sitting just out of sight. Every scene is elegantly lit, making a meal of the patterned marble walls, stone facades, and parquet floors.

Amid Jeff Russo's haunting score, Ripley's sound design packs a sharp foley punch, a masterpiece of Florentine leather shoes tapping on Roman cobblestone streets, descending echoing marble staircases, and cautiously sauntering across timber boards. With the director’s black and white palette, it’s here the series finds a Hitchcockian association, one that the great suspense director himself brought to his own Highsmith adaption, 1951's Strangers on a Train.

The centred perspective! The clean lines! The Andrew Scott! Credit: Philippe Antonello / Netflix

Plus, Zaillian places great importance on the works of 16th century painter Caravaggio, not only using the artist's repertoire to expand upon his characters' tastes, but to draw comparisons with the inner workings of his protagonist. It's also no coincidence Caravaggio was a master of chiaroscuro, as Zaillian wields strong contrasts in light and dark throughout the series.

It's this meticulous detail that makes Ripley a deeply satisfying series, at once magnificent and subdued, with performances and production meant for slowly savouring. Like its namesake, Ripley absorbs the elements of Highsmith's lauded novel, streamlines them, and makes its own identity. And it'll have you booking a ticket to Rome immediately.

Ripley is now streaming on Netflix.

If there's anything that undoubtedly unites everyone, it's that we all had terrible sex education in school. Yet, some members of parliament in the United Kingdom are under the impression kids are learning too much. 

In March 2024, Conservative member of parliament Andrea Jenkyns said during a parliamentary discussion that she supported a complete ban on sex education in schools. "As a mother of a primary school age child myself, I do not want him or other children to learn about sex full stop, whether that's straight or gay," she said. "I also don't want to see children at primary school being taught about changing gender – we need to be protecting the innocence of children and their childhood, especially at primary school age." 

SEE ALSO: What teachers and parents wish they could tell kids about porn

On social media, Jenkyns' comments have resulted in a mixture of support, opposition, and general concern, with some agreeing with her that sex education is a danger to innocence, and others believing the opposite. Her comments have not occurred in a vacuum. Rather, it's a small part of a widespread moral panic towards sex education that's been brewing in the political arena for the last few years, and the ongoing "trans debate" in the British media is intrinsically linked, often used as the key reasoning to ban sex education in the first place. 

Many members of the government have shared worries for what's being taught in sex education, expressing that there's too much LGBTQ+ content and sexual content, though there's little evidence pointing to a real issue. 

As concern continues to grow for the sex education's future, Mashable analysed the key comments about sex education from the political arena over the last year and spoke to experts to understand the current state of sex education, which improvements really need to be made, and why a lot of the concern over these lessons is misplaced. 

What's inappropriate about sex education?

Concern over what is being taught in sex education has been expressed by politicians and parents alike. It's hard to pinpoint exactly when and why this all started, but it's important to consider the backdrop on which these conversations are happening. 

In 2018, the bill FOSTA-SESTA was passed in the United States, which was designed to help stop trafficking but regrettably doesn't distinguish consensual sex work from trafficking which causes problems for all sexual content on the internet.. And because the bill focuses on the internet, it has impacted users across the world. Though this bill is designed to stop trafficking on the internet, it affects those who are consenting to sex work too, and that loops in just about everyone who talks about sex on the internet. That includes, of course, online sex education.The result: sex information of all kinds is regularly flagged by social media algorithms as sexual solicitation, and sex education online is getting harder to find. 

What's more, "Don't Say Gay" bills have been passed in multiple states in America from Florida to Louisiana which mirror Section 28, prohibiting LGBTQ+ people from expressing themselves fully, and being able to access the education they need in schools. 

It's possible these moves are influencing conversations in the UK. Here, concerns about sex education are less focused on trafficking, though, and instead appear to boil down to a few sensationalised myths: 

• Children are encouraged to be transgender in their sex education classes.

• Children are being sexualised by sex education.

• Learning about sex causes children to lose their innocence.  

Most of these myths were reinforced in Jenkyn's speech, but she's not the only politician to take a stand against sex education in some way. One of the most prominent voices in this debate is member of parliament Miriam Cates. Back in March 2023, she claimed during a parliamentary debate that, during RSE classes, British schools were teaching "graphic lessons on oral sex", lessons in "how to choke your partner safely" and that there are "72 genders". 

Cates then claimed those classes were "age inappropriate, sexualising and undermining of parents" and called for a review of RSE materials in secondary schools, which prime minister Rishi Sunak committed to delivering by the end of 2023. 

The politician didn't provide any direct sources for these claims, and in response, James Bowen, director of policy for the NAHT, the organisation for school administrators, stated they "have found [no proof that] suggests students [are] being exposed to materials that are inappropriate for their age is a widespread issue – if it were, we would anticipate that it would have been addressed on a case-by-case basis." 

Notably, the report also doesn't detail any specific sources for the claim that "safe choking" is being taught in schools. Rather, it includes content from Cliterally the Best, a blog and popular sex positive Instagram account, which isn't currently being used as education content as part of the British RSE curriculum. 

Andrew Hampton, education expert and author of Working with Boys, Creating Cultures of Mutual Respect in Schools believes that, sadly, some of this moral panic could stem from typical classroom strategies for teaching sex education more openly and non-judgmentally, and that this well-meaning practice is being misinterpreted by some politicians. For instance, Cates alleges that children are being taught how to safely choke each other. But Hampton thinks it’s more likely that children are asking about choking unprompted, especially as the sex act becomes more popular in porn and in bedrooms, and that teachers are simply doing their jobs by explaining what it means.

He tells Mashable: "A common strategy in teaching sex education in schools is to have kids shout out words they've heard relating to sex or anything they want to know more about, and then the teacher will write those words on the board and offer further explanation." 

Hampton explains that because there's been a recent rise documented in choking in pornography, on TikTok, and in popular media, it's likely children are asking about it in their sex education classrooms. "So a teacher might explain it, and explain the risks too, if a child asks about it. But it won't be that choking is actually part of the lessons," he says.

SEE ALSO: KinkTok is rife with misinformation. Here's why that's dangerous.

But, doubling down on this supposed need to change up RSE, the Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan said last October that she had written to schools in England ordering them to make the materials used in children's sex education available to be seen by parents. She warned headteachers there can be "no ifs, no buts, no more excuses" about it. 

The report Sunak organised is not yet complete (or, at least, not available to the public), so there is still no evidence available to suggest any of these accusations are true, while evidence of a moral panic piles up. So, where is this idea that kids are learning too much coming from? Are they learning too much?

Sex education is still falling short 

The short answer is no. It's an odd sentiment to suggest kids could be learning too much beyond their years as relationships and sex education (RSE) as a mandatory subject in schools has only been part of UK legislation as recently as September 2020. 

It's especially inaccurate to suggest children could be learning too much about queer topics, as Cates and Jenkyns seem to believe, since it only became legal for teachers to share advice and learnings for homosexual students in 2003, thanks to Section 28.

Sex education is really only just getting started The same year that sex education became mandatory in the United Kingdom, 58 percent of young people reported not learning enough about certain subjects they found to be important, such as information about pornography, and a survey from 2023 proved students want more their sex education at school to include more 'open discussions' and more information about 'real life sexual scenarios.' 

As for the allegations that sex ed leans too far towards LGBTQ+ topics, a  Terrence Higgins Trust survey of young people aged between 16 and 24 further found that one in seven had not received any sex and relationships education (SRE) during their time at secondary school, with almost two thirds given lessons a maximum of only once a year.

SEE ALSO: Top 5 NSFW sites to learn what porn didn't teach you

Data from Safe Lives also says LGBTQ+ students feel significantly less comfortable, less confident about where to go for support about relationship or sexual abuse; and a notably smaller proportion have a strong understanding of toxic and healthy relationships. The majority of LGBTQ+ students (61 percent) disagree that LGBT+ relationships are being threaded throughout RSE, even though it's legally required. 

Despite all the evidence that sex education is paramount and needs development, not reduction, Sunak announced Conservative Party's press conference in October that they would work to allow parents to oversee their children's sex education at school, and be able to pull them out of those lessons if they saw fit. While that might seem fair enough to some people, there are myriad reasons why giving parents this kind of control over their children's sexual knowledge is a very bad idea. 

Why parents shouldn't veto their children's sex ed 

Allowing parents to control their children's sex education comes up a lot in the sex education debate, but it comes with a lot of dangers. 

Research from Planned Parenthood found that over 20 percent of parents are not talking to their children about sex at home, and the ones that do speak about it are likely to skip important conversations like consent. So, if children are to be pulled out of school sex education, they're unlikely to get it anywhere else. 

Missing out on RSE has a significant effect on sexual development. Anabelle Knight, certified sex educator at sex toy company Lovehoney, tells Mashable that a lack of sex education in school has a direct consequence of poor sexual behaviour and understanding in adults, particularly in groups that are underrepresented in the teachings. 

She's right — Harvard Medical School found that comprehensive RSE helps to prevent sexual violence, for instance, while another study from the Council of Europe found it generally forms safer and more inclusive communities for children. If that wasn't enough, one study from The Journal of Adolescent Health examined sex education and its effects on children as they develop into adults for an entire three decades, and linked thorough sex education to a better understanding and appreciation of "sexual diversity, dating and intimate partner violence prevention, development of healthy relationships, prevention of child sex abuse and improved social/emotional learning". The study also notes that for the best chances of these social developments occurring, children need to start learning RSE in elementary school (primary school in the UK) and those lessons need to be LGBTQ+ inclusive. 

For example, she explains the LGBTQ+ community has to look elsewhere for the sex information they should have learned in school. "One of the most common – and easily accessible – places to learn about sex is in pornography, which portrays an unrealistic, often male-centric view of sex and intimacy." In short, not being offered sex education in school has drastic consequences on our relationships, including that with ourselves, in later life." 

Knight explains that consent is one of the most important things that people of any age can learn, and arguably the younger the better. "Not only is it important for children to learn that they have autonomy over their own bodies, but also that they must respect others' boundaries," she explains. 

SEE ALSO: Is Instagram shadowbanning LGBTQ and sex ed accounts?

"Teaching children about consent and sexual relationships before they experience them means that they are much better prepared for when they do. In order for anyone to make an informed decision they must first be… informed," she adds.   

Some parents also don't have their children's best interests in mind. Some parents will prioritise their political beliefs over the safety of their children. Some parents are homophobic, and wouldn't be okay with their children being queer of any kind, and may block their children from sex education to stop them from learning about it due to their own ulterior motives. 

It's a difficult reality to reckon with, but some parents also abuse their children. 37 percent of children who undergo child sex abuse experience this from a family member, or a family friend according to the Office of National Statistics.

With all this in mind, Knight says it's vital for children to learn about sex from a professional, regulated, and safe source. Parents are clearly not the right option for this. 

While panic over sex education contents increases, journalist Sophia Smith Galer found in a VICE report that the UK government has only spent half of the £6 million it promised in 2019 to spend on compulsory sex education in schools. This is demonstrative of a lacking sex education, not an overbearing one. Perhaps, instead of focusing on rumours without evidence, we should instead consider the glaring improvements left to be made, what the science says about supporting young people's safe sexual development, and the misplacement of funds in this space. 

A Shining-style mountain setting is the spooky backdrop for Cuckoo, Tilman Singer's horror about a family relocating to the remote German Alps.

The trailer follows despondent teenager Gretchen (Hunter Schafer), who takes a job working reception at a nearby lodge — only to one day be chased home on her bike by a very creepy figure with glowing eyes.

"Whatever the film's more overt horrors, whether its chilling atmosphere or its attempts at amusing moral and visceral obscenities, they're all bound by Schafer's increasing physical and emotional despondency," wrote Mashable's Siddhant Adlakha in his review. "She doesn't just save the movie. She is the movie, making it all the more remarkable to watch." Dan Stevens and Jessica Henwick and Gemma Chan also star.

How to watch: Cuckoo is in theatres from May 3.

Daily Show host Desi Lydic has form on calling out Fox News hypocrisy, and on Wednesday she turned her attention to channel's recent outrage over Easter happening to fall on Trans Visibility Day.

After rightly pointing out that Trans Visibility Day — which celebrates trans and non-binary people and raises awareness of the discrimination they face and the restriction of their human rights — occurs on March 31 every year whereas Easter weekend changes annually, Lydic made it clear that the main goal here was simply to stir up outrage.

"For what it's worth, there's a false premise at the heart of this entire controversy, which is that there's even a conflict between trans people and Christianity to begin with," says Lydic. "There isn't. In fact the bible doesn't say anything about trans people. It does, however, say to love thy neighbour, and to not judge other people."

Gaming is all about small margins. Whether you are looking to invest in a new gaming mouse, keyboard, or monitor, the objective is the same: improve your overall experience and gain a competitive edge over your opponents. No matter how small the variables, your'e in it to win it.

The same goes for SSDs. They're little, but these devices can have a significant impact on your gaming system. It's almost certainly time for an upgrade.

But it you don't know your SSDs from your RPGs, it's not always easy to choose the right model for you. That's where we come in. We've picked a selection of the best SSDs and put together some helpful information.

What is an SSD?

Solid-state drives (SSDs) are all-electronic, non-volatile random access storage drives. SSDs are used as the internal storage in smartphones, tablets, and laptops, and are increasingly often found instead of hard drives in desktop computers. This is because they work faster, meaning a device's operating system will boot up faster, programs will load quicker, and files can be saved almost instantly.

Do you need an SSD for gaming?

The short answer is "no, not necessarily". If you are already equipped with decent CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage, you should have no issue with your gaming system. However, if you are really looking to squeeze everything you can out of your experience, you could benefit from investing in a gaming-friendly SSD.

Adding an SSD will result in faster game load times, improved game boot times, and smoother general gameplay. And who doesn't want that?

Do you need an SSD for a PS5?

In this case, we say "yes". Especially if you're serious about PS5 gaming. The PS5 comes equipped with just 667GB of usable internal storage. Not only will that fill up in no time, but we're just really just scratching the surface of PS5 gaming. That means a whole lot of games, campaigns, and data that you'll ultimately need extra storage to enjoy.

How does an SSD work?

Unlike a hard disc drive, an SSD is made up of two key components — a controller and flash memory chips. The SSD reads and writes data to these flash memory chips. If that all sounds confusing, here's a quick guide to some of the jargon you'll find when researching SSDs:

• Endurance — This refers to the maximum data that can be written onto an SSD, generally measured by DWPD (drive writes per day).

• Flash memory — A type of non-volatile data storage. It essentially means that it retains data even when the power source is switched off.

• Heatsink — A heatsink transfers heat from your SSD. A heatsink may be built into your SSD, or can be bought separately.

• IOPS — AKA input/output operations per second. Essentially the maximum number read/writes that an SSD can perform per second.

• Read/write speeds — This is how fast the SSD takes to open a file on your device (i.e. read) and how fast it saves data on the SSD (writes). This is measured in MB/s (megabits per second).

We know that's a lot to take in, but we promise it's not that complicated. Keep these points in mind when considering the options out there.

What is the best SSD for gaming?

You have plenty of options when it comes to SSDs. There are a lot of recognised brands that produce high-quality devices that can significantly improve your gaming experience. To help you find the best option for your system, we have lined up a selection of the best SSDs for gaming.

These are the best gaming SSDs in 2024.

Some users on X are finding themselves to be blue-checked once again. They never asked for it.

Elon Musk's app is handing out verified checkmarks to users who have more than 2,500 "verified subscriber followers", providing such users with free Premium memberships. Those with over 5,000 verified subscriber followers will receive Premium Plus. Musk announced the move on X last week.

Tweet may have been deleted

No one can forget that Musk's takeover of Twitter, now X, involved a heavy rebrand of the blue tick. Musk vowed to remove the app's legacy verification program – which he referred to as a "lords & peasants system" – and replaced this with a series of questionable moves, including the CEO personally paying for some celebrities to retain their legacy blue ticks. For others, acquiring the now meaningless blue tick meant paying at least $8 per month.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk confirms X accounts with certain subscriber levels will get Premium bonuses

But now, users are automatically verified once again and most of them aren't happy about it.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Users may have the option to hide their blue ticks, another facet of X's ill-advised verification program. Looks like most of the new subscribers would rather opt for that, than to have people think they paid to be blue-checked on Musk's app.

TL;DR: Through April 7, save an additional 20% on this WiFi and micro SD mini camera with code SECURE20 and get it for $48.79.

The TOKK™ CAM C2+ could be used as a home security cam, personal body camera, or even a way to keep an eye on your pets while you’re away, since it supports micro SD and WiFi recording. Normally $89.99, you can get it for $48.79 with code SECURE20 until April 7.

Enter: A new world of personal security and peace of mind

Think of the TOKK™ CAM C2+ as your second pair of eyes. With a clip that attaches to the camera’s magnetic back, you can easily install it anywhere you want to monitor — maybe your front porch, your parked vehicle, or your dog's crate. Connect it to your home’s 2.4GHz WiFi or insert a micro SD card and the camera will record in 1280x720p resolution with high-quality audio and night vision. 

If you choose WiFi connectivity, you can view recorded footage within the iCookyCam iOS or Android mobile app. This also allows you to set up push notifications if the camera detects motion, like if your package carrier arrives or if your pup wakes up from their nap.

Another key feature of the TOKK™ CAM C2+ is its pocket-sized design. Measuring 1.5 by 1.5 inches and weighing just 19 grams, it truly goes wherever you need it to and won’t weigh you down if you want to use it as a personal body cam. It’s also USB-rechargeable, requiring zero expensive batteries or annoying cords for operation.

Keep an eye out with this TOKK™ CAM C2+ day and night-vision camera for $48.79 (reg. $89.99) with code SECURE20 at checkout until April 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Browse other security-related deals as part of this limited-time coupon sale.

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TL;DR: Through April 7, save an extra 20% on this ethical hacking online boot camp bundle with code SECURE20, making it under $4 per course.

As you can probably imagine, online privacy goes far beyond dreaming up a creative password and declining cookies — as crazy as that last part sounds in the real world. There’s actually an entire field dedicated to cybersecurity, and it’s one that you could work in without a degree if you have the right experience and certification.

This ethical hacking online boot camp bundle can help you get those credentials from home, and it’s 20% off right now when you use code SECURE20 at checkout: $35.99 (reg. $143). Try out this coupon on other security-related deals on our site through April 7.

Crack the code to cybersecurity: Self-paced online learning

Though some job titles or companies might prefer or require a college degree, you could build a standout resume with coveted skills and certifications that help you land a position like penetration tester, ethical hacker, or vulnerability analyst with these courses. 

They start at the bare basics and work up to hands-on projects:

• Hacking with Python: Learn to write security programs that automate tasks or develop tools for penetration testing. These courses also help you code other non-security-related projects.

• Network analysis with Wireshark: Understand network traffic and detect malicious activities.

• Web application security: Think like a hacker and use that perspective to secure your programs against threats like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and session hijacking.

• Infrastructure penetration testing: Test and explore vulnerabilities in Windows and Linux systems, including finding open ports, exploiting systems, and using tools like Metasploit. 

And that’s just scratching the surface. After completing most or all of the lessons, you’ll find two specialized courses that help you prepare for the CompTIA PenTest+ certification exam. This helps prove your newfound expertise to prospective employers so you can potentially land a role in this lucrative industry. 

Become an ethical hacker with this online boot camp bundle for $35.99 when you use code SECURE20 at checkout (reg. $143) until April 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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TL;DR: Through April 7, see the world and keep your memories with these HD Digital Camera Binoculars for just $121.99 (reg. $199).

Is there a more universal experience than rejoicing at the start of spring? Probably. However, it is such a delight to welcome the first buds on trees and the beginning of longer days and more sunlight. Many of us use that excitement to spend more time outside to soak up some vitamin D and fresh air.

If you enjoy walks, hikes, or bike rides in nature, these modern binoculars could have your name on them. Observe the birds and other wildlife on your springtime adventures with these binoculars, which offer 12X magnification in high resolution. You'll even be able to record what you see and snap photos to share with friends and family.

It also offers a range of over half a mile, which can be helpful if you're a hunter or bird watcher, as well as an anti-reflective coating, which is designed to prevent water damage and enhance light transmission, providing super clear images even in difficult lighting situations. It's also thoughtfully small and portable.

With precise focus adjustment, a waterproof design, and a two-inch LCD screen to watch it all on, these camera binoculars are a worthwhile investment if you are an outdoor or nature lover. They could also come in handy for sporting events or concerts, both big and small when you need a closer view.

Elevate your spring activities and beyond with HD Digital Camera Binoculars while it's on sale for just $121.99 (reg. $199) for a limited time — a 52% savings.

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TL;DR: Through April 7, score the Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad 10th-Gen for just $99.99 (open-box). (Reg. $249.)

While navigating an iPad on the touchscreen can be convenient, it can also be a challenge when it comes to typing lengthy documents, filling out forms, or sending emails. This open-box 2022 Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad offers a more comfortable typing experience so you can get more done in a fraction of the time.

The built-in, click-anywhere trackpad supports multi‑touch gestures and the cursor in iPadOS. Designed to manage ​​precise task handling, you’ll be able to complete any assignment as you would on any standard keyboard. The 14-key function row allows the user to access easy shortcuts, saving time in the long run.

The Apple Magic Keyboard Folio comes in a chic white color and has a two-piece design with front and back protection for extra durability. The adjustable stand has flexible viewing angles for customizing comfortability preferences and deflecting glares.

This detachable keyboard is designed to be great for anyone who’s on the go or needs a reliable setup when working remotely. Simply prop it up and start fleshing out a report or watching your favorite movie — just as you would on a laptop or PC.

Open-box items are often excess inventory from store shelves or items that have been returned from retail stores back to the warehouse. Products may have had customer contact or been repackaged, but rest assured they go through a verification process that verifies they’re still in new condition and put in fresh packaging.

Get this 2022 open-box 10th-generation Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad for only $99.99 (reg. $249).

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The fastest spacecraft in our solar system has captured wild footage inside the sun's atmosphere.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe — a craft flying much closer to the sun than any previous mission — witnessed massive "vortex-like structures" in our star's outer atmosphere, called the corona. You can see the unprecedented view below, taken by the probe's WISPR camera (short for Wide-field Imager for Parker Solar Probe) and recently posted online.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

Researchers suspect that the phenomena was caused by a coronal mass ejection (CME) — when the sun ejects a mass of super hot gas (plasma) into space — interacting with the solar wind. The sun's solar wind is constant, as our medium-sized star emits a steady stream of charged particles.

The new research associated with the footage, published in The Astrophysical Journal, concluded that this find in uncharted realms of the sun has created new opportunities to better understand and predict CMEs, outbursts that can severely harm communications and electrical grids on Earth. Technically, these rare vortices are called "Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities," or KHI.

"The direct imaging of extraordinary ephemeral phenomena like KHI with WISPR/PSP is a discovery that opens a new window to better understand CME propagation and their interaction with the ambient solar wind," Evangelos Paouris, a space weather researcher and member of the WISPR team at George Mason University, said in a statement.

CMEs "can endanger satellites, disrupt communications and navigation technologies, and even knock out power grids on Earth," NASA explains. Infamously, a potent CME in 1989 knocked out power to millions in Québec, Canada. The CME hit Earth's magnetic field on March 12 of that year, and then, wrote NASA astronomer Sten Odenwald, "Just after 2:44 a.m. on March 13, the currents found a weakness in the electrical power grid of Québec. In less than two minutes, the entire Québec power grid lost power. During the 12-hour blackout that followed, millions of people suddenly found themselves in dark office buildings and underground pedestrian tunnels, and in stalled elevators."

An artist's conception of NASA's Parker Solar Probe passing through the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona. Credit: NASA

The space agency's Parker Solar Probe will continue its speeding dives into the sun's corona. To withstand the heat, it's fortified with a 4.5-inch-thick carbon heat shield that's pointed at the sun. The shield itself heats up to some 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, but just a couple of feet behind the shield, the environs are surprisingly mild.

Later this year, the spacecraft will reach a whopping 430,000 miles per hour.

Sexting (dirty talk, swapping nudes, sending explicit audio messages...the list goes on, depending on your personal preference and comfort level) is one way to take your dating life to new heights.

Whether you're single and ravenous for some sexy screen time with a stranger, in a long-distance relationship that's keeping the passion alive through digital intimacy, or interested in amping up your solo sex toy sessions with steamy instructions from an AI companion, mastering the act (art?) of sexting leads to a more fulfilling physical and emotional experience.

And, no, we're not talking about flirting with your crush on Facebook Messenger or sliding into someone's DMs on Instagram. We're talking about good old-fashioned dirty talk with a modern twist (think: video chat, sexy snaps, and erotic audio messages, with self-destructing features for added privacy). We made a lot of accounts to test the best sexting apps, and we've gathered our favorites below. You'll recognize some of them from our guide to the best dating apps, and for more adult fun, check out our review of the best hookup apps.

Once viewed as taboo, sexting is a mainstream way to communicate your desires

According to a 2023 survey of U.S. adults by the market research platform Statista, 77 percent of participants said they've sent at least one sext — that's up from 45 percent in 2019 and just 14 percent about 10 years ago.

SEE ALSO: The cherry emoji and 14 other emoji you can use to sext

And we're pretty sure those numbers will rise as tech advances and societal norms evolve to become more accepting and inclusive of sexual expression.

Sexting isn't just a saucy way to get off; it's a great tool for building trust and intimacy and sharing or exploring your wants and fantasies in a consensual and safe manner. It can also help you and your partner feel more connected and maintain a strong sexual bond (so the next time you get together, it may be even hotter). This is especially true in long-distance relationships or during periods of physical separation.

How to start sexting

For some, just the thought of sending an explicit message or racy photo can be intimidating. (And that's OK!) There are so many apps and resources out there to help even the most novice sexters feel empowered and confident.

Not sure where to start? Based on our research and hands-on testing, we've narrowed down the best sexting apps of 2024 to the following top contenders: