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I'm in love with the mysterious monsters in Arcadian. The film itself is not really about these creepy critters. It's about a family struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world on their remote farm. In a sci-fi setting, director Ben Brewer crafts a compelling human drama about fathers and sons, siblings, first love, and growing up.

However, the moment this horror-thriller gives its audience a prolonged look at one single limb of its nighttime terrors, I was head over heels. In a world of xenomorphs, Cloverfield monsters, werewolves, and gremlins, I've never seen anything quite like this before. These things are so mesmerizing that they might actually upstage the movie's legendary headliner: the one, the only, the incredible Nicolas Cage. Don't get me wrong; he still makes a meal out of every single line he's given. He is, after all, Nicolas Cage.

SEE ALSO: Nicolas Cage and sons hide from nocturnal monsters in 'Arcadian' trailer What's Arcadian about?  Jaeden Martell and Maxwell Jenkins plays brothers in Benjamin Brewer's "Arcadian." Credit: RLJE Films and Shudder

Cage stars as a protective father who lives in an isolated farmhouse with his two 15-year-old sons, Thomas (Lost in Space's Maxwell Jenkins) and Joseph (Y2K’s Jaeden Martell). In the way of brothers, the boys couldn't be more different. Thomas is athletic, outgoing, and impulsive, willing to take risks or break rules to get what he wants — which is chiefly quality time with Charlotte (Saltburn's Sadie Soverall), a clever girl the next farm over. Joseph is an introvert who studies old chess games, fiddles with inventions in the garage, and sheepishly follows his father's every instruction, especially when it comes to their nightly lockdown. 

Arcadian swiftly displays their routine, shuttering every window, bolting every door, leaving not a single crack uncovered. For at night, the creatures come. The family won't give them a name. They won't tell stories of how they came to be, though cheeky Charlotte and lovestruck Thomas play a game called "crappy apocalypse," in which they speculate wildly about how the world came to end. (Clearly, this is a conversation post-apocalyptic parents dread even more than a sex talk.) But the details of what happened that led them here don't matter, because the how has no bearing on the now. 

Instead, Arcadian carefully establishes the precious balance struck to survive, and then the harrowing results when it is upset. A brash decision leads to a dangerous accident that blows apart the nightly routine. Father and sons face new challenges as these monsters strike in horrid ways. And all the while, Brewer tantalizes and terrifies us with his epic creations. 

Nicolas Cage leads a terrific cast.  Nicolas Cage and Maxwell Jenkins star in Benjamin Brewer's "Arcadian." Credit: RLJE Films and Shudder

While the movie offers Cage the kind of role he could do in his sleep by now — the end-of-the-world hero dad — the American icon brings a grit and gravitas that swiftly establishes the tone of the film.

Martell, who came off underwhelmingly flat in Y2K, vibrates with anxiety and frustration here, his boy genius aching for a chance to prove himself. As Thomas, Jenkins plays the heartthrob, his impulsiveness fueling the movie's romance but also its catastrophes. Thankfully, the script from Michael Nilon gives the love interest more to do than be pretty in the post-apocalypse. Scenes between Charlotte and Thomas not only build a solid story of first love but also the familiar beats of teen rebellion. The scratchy conflict between becoming a grown-up in front of parents who will always see you as a child gives the thriller emotional texture. Without the monsters, Arcadian could have been a lean indie drama that dabbles in sci-fi, like Never Let Me Go, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, Prospect, or The Endless. But with the monsters, this movie fucking rules. 

The monsters of Arcadian are its most dazzling stars.  Sadie Soverall is no damsel in Benjamin Brewer's "Arcadian." Credit: RLJE Films and Shudder

To describe the creatures of Acadian might spoil the fun. Because they look so unusual, they seem to borrow inspiration from just about everything, from Nope to Attack the Block to Arachnophobia to nightmares we just haven't had yet.

It's not just how they look — a snarl of coarse hair, lanky limbs, sharp claws, and gleaming teeth. It's how Brewer presents them in teasing glances. First, a hand hidden in a shadow; which part is the thing itself and which part is just darkness is impossible to determine. The shadows also help Brewer stretch the film's visual effects budget, by hiding CGI seams. But these slight scenes never feel like a cheat because of clever staging. In one scene, a human sleeps in the foreground, while in the back there's the out-of-focus form of the monster, its invasion made all the more atrocious by the sound of it, a slurping, slinking sound that will explode into sharp bangs as its jaws slam like a chattering bear trap. The shadows and sound create a dizzying effect, jolting us back into childhood, cringing under the covers from a mysterious bump in the night.  

But the very best monster scene isn’t even one of rampage. Instead, it’s one that shows how sly these mysterious beasts are. It begins with a single latch left unlocked. And what unfurls through a peephole is so sick and so scary that I fear it'll pop up in my bad dreams for years to come, an echo of the outrageous possibilities of doom. It's not so much about what is shown, but how. Brewer has remarkable restraint when it comes to slowly building up to a big reveal of those creepy critters. A wide shot patiently held gives viewers plenty to watch and the time to really wriggle in awful anticipation.

And yet, what comes after is far more spectacular. Like Steven Spielberg did with Jaws, once Brewer has his audience hooked on the high of truly frightening monsters, he throws physics out the window and embraces fire and violence. What these things manage to do in their onslaught is so wild and surprising that I was shrieking in the theater. Out of fear? Out of surprise? Out of excitement? All of it. I'd come for Nic Cage, but I was in awe of these monsters that made me feel like a kid again, discovering the joy of creature features with their furry frights. 

Now, some might bemoan that Arcadian takes its time getting to the monsters. But this isn't a shitty B-movie where the beasts are the only good reason to give it a watch. Brewer delicately builds this claustrophobic community not only to set the stage for his scene-stealing creatures, but also to establish how — even at the end of the world — being a teenager sucks in the same old ways. Parents just don't understand. Your home can feel like a cage. The world beyond is terrifying and unknowable, but that doesn't mean you're not ready to take it on.

It's the monsters that bring the big, delicious, funky thrills of Arcadian, sparking screams and gasps and cheers. But it's Cage and his onscreen kids who give the movie stakes and the emotional center that is required for a great monster movie, be it Jaws or Alien. 

Simply put, Arcadian is a rollicking thrill ride, fueled by creature-feature thrills. But what makes this good movie pretty damn great is the human story at its heart, which is compelling on its own. 

Arcadian opens exclusively in theaters April 12.

UPDATE: Mar. 28, 2024, 12:24 p.m. EDT Arcadian was reviewed out of SXSW 2024.

Watching Sasquatch Sunset is an intoxicating experience, in part because it is so strange — while disgusting and heartfelt — that it feels at times more like a hallucination than a film that could actually exist. If nothing else, it's the sweetest movie ever made that features shit-flinging. 

Buzzed about out of its Sundance premiere, Sasquatch Sunset centers on a family of nomadic cryptids, who hunt, gather, sleep, hoot, and fight amid a towering wilderness. In some respects, the film's co-directors, brothers David and Nathan Zellner, conceptualized Sasquatch Sunset like a nature documentary, with wide angles taking in the vast forests around the eponymous critters. Quiet close-ups invite human audiences to seek meaning in the furrowed brow of the bigfoot family, who communicate in growls, grunts, and howls. Yet there is no voiceover narrator to add context, or ease us in understanding the weird ways of these beasts. And David Attenborough would blush at the animalistic nature the Zellners portray, which includes spraying urine, flinging feces, onscreen mating, full-frontal Sasquatch genitals, and a most ingenious use for afterbirth. (Nope. Not that one.)

There's certainly a self-aware humor to these boldly gross-out moments. But the Zellners have something more serious stirring at the film's core. 

Sasquatch Sunset is shouldered by Riley Keough.  Riley Keough stars as a bigfoot in "Sasquatch Sunset." Credit: Bleeker Street

Between 2014's whimsical drama Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter and the 2018 offbeat Western dramedy Damsel, the Zellner Brothers have built a reputation for making films that shift radically yet poetically in tone. Their narratives are bizarre, bittersweet, and beautiful. With Sasquatch Sunset, they continue on this path, colliding a sincere family drama with scatological humor and star power flocked in fur. 

Riley Keough, the American actress who's played free-spirited beauties in Logan Lucky, Under the Silver Lake, Zola, and Daisy and the Six, is truly unrecognizable here, covered head to toe in prosthetics and fur transforming her into a mother Sasquatch. Joining her — and likewise mythically made over — are co-director Nathan Zellner, who plays an aggressive alpha male; Jesse Eisenberg, as a sensitive beta male; and Christophe Zajac-Denek as a Sasquatch cub. 

At first, it can be a challenge to make out who is who, as the family resemblance is strong in hair color and down-turned expression. But before long, the human eyes peering beneath the pronounced prosthetic brows become distinctive enough. Zellner defines his brute with a hulking physicality and surly glare. Zajac-Denek bounces about with a guileless lightness, a babe in the woods. Eisenberg putters about the forest so gently, it's easy to imagine his Sasquatch fitting in amid a famer's market. Actually, at times, his performance feels so humanly neurotic that it can break the suspension of disbelief, turning the carefully rendered full-body make-up into a mascot costume being capered in. But Keough, who also produced the film, becomes its emotional center. When she stomps her big, funky foot, you can feel the literal and metaphorical weight of it.

As unpredictable turns of fate hit her family, this Sasquatch responds with rage, agony, panic, and, yes, occasionally poop flinging. And while the male Sasquatches are made for visual punchlines involving their macho hubris, floppy phalluses, or ineptitude to survive on their own, Keough's mother carries the weight of carrying on — and carrying a pregnancy over the course of a year-long journey. It is her mournful eyes that scream in exhaustion as she breastfeeds, scares off would-be predators, or stares out into the wilderness that communicates most powerfully what Sasquatch Sunset is all about. 

Deforestation is the silent villain of Sasquatch Sunset.  Three Sasquatches stand on a hillside. Credit: Bleeker Street

Early on, it's clear this clan of cryptids is on a quest to find more of their kind. They have a ritual of cries that call out to the miles of mountain and woods around them, begging for a reply. As they journey, seeking other Sasquatch, signs of human harm on their land pop up: A spray-painted X on a soon-to-be felled tree here; a camping tent stuffed with snacks there. With each, an unspoken threat is made, one that the audience — but not the unsuspecting Sasquatch — understands. And so a tension grows, even as we might chuckle over the youngest critter giddily gobbling up candy buttons with abandon. Humans can mean nothing good for these untamed creatures. 

The Zellners weave this advocacy for environmentalism amid goofy gags about sex, bodily functions, and violence. Yet their meaning is as impossible to ignore as the world-weary expression on the female Sasquatch's face as she faces another day.

In this blend of the strange and sentimental, the ardent and the asinine, Sasquatch Sunset feels radical and ridiculous. If you squint you can easily imagine a remake with goofier grunting and perhaps the likes of Will Ferrell or Kevin Hart in suits that don't disguise their famous features. The restraint the Zellners show is part of what makes Sasquatch Sunset so extraordinary. It is unabashedly a gross-out comedy, urging audiences to laugh over the goopy muck of sex, death, and childbirth. Yet just underneath this sticky surface, there's an ardent sadness, warning of the ravages mankind brings with our conquering and carelessness. Which is not to say some vignettes don't fall a bit flat. Even at an hour and 29 minutes, the film can feel mundane and meandering at times. 

Overall, however, Sasquatch Sunset is a daringly ambitious and fascinatingly audacious family drama that's sure to cause giggles, gasps, and gagging.

Sasquatch Sunset opens in select theaters April 12, expanding nationwide on April 19. 

UPDATE: Apr. 11, 2024, 2:45 p.m. EDT "Sasquatch Sunset" was originally reviewed out of SXSW 2024 and has been updated to reflect theatrical options.

Are you in the market for some industrial, pharmaceutical, or food grade glycine? Then look no further than Donghua Jinlong, TikTok's favourite glycine supplier.

A TikTok meme has users extolling the virtues of glycine – an amino acid that builds protein – from Chinese chemical manufacturer Donghua Jinlong after the company's advertising videos went unexpectedly viral. Numerous creators are spreading the good word about Donghua Jinlong's products, affirming that it's the only commercial glycine manufacturer for them. 

SEE ALSO: 'Who's that wonderful girl?' Behind the viral TikTok trend inspired by a Canadian puppet show

Most TikTok users will never need to purchase glycine, much less do so on an industrial scale. That hasn't stopped them from enthusiastically standing by the Shijiazhuang-based company, with satirical discourse praising Donghua Jinlong's glycine and defending it from naysayers cropping up all over TikTok. 

Some have even taken to disparaging the company's competitors, confidently declaring that no other industrial glycine manufacturer could possibly match Donghua Jinlong's high standards. After all, Donghua Jinlong has "over 40 years of research and manufacturing experience", "a whopping 31 patents under their belt," and is "tirelessly striving for a better life for humanity."

How did the Donghua Jinlong TikTok meme begin?

The Donghua Jinlong glycine meme was unwittingly sparked by the company's own TikTok account @donghuajinlong, which uploaded its first video in early December last year. 

Set to an instrumental soundtrack that could easily score The Sims 4's building mode, the 37-second video featured sweeping overhead shots of industrial buildings below the text, "How strong is made in China? Since 1979 Glycine comes from here." The clip ended with the rather optimistic request for viewers to "follow for more," the creator apparently believing that there's a significant demand for drone shots of Chinese factories on TikTok. 

Yet the TikTok algorithm works in mysterious ways, and Donghua Jinlong did indeed find an eager audience — though perhaps not one it was expecting. The glycine manufacturer's videos were pushed out to users' For You pages, instigating interest in the company and its unconventionally straightforward TikTok advertising.

Tweet may have been deleted

All of Donghua Jinlong's videos follow a similar format to the first, with many including a voiceover detailing the merits of its ISO22000, ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001, BRC, FAMI-QS, kosher, halal, and REACH certified glycine. Donghua Jinlong's most popular TikTok was uploaded in late March, and has over 661,000 views and 70,000 likes at time of writing. 

"Unlock Donghua Jinlong's food grade glycine in 2024," says the computer-generated voiceover. "Suitable as a flavour enhancer, sweetener, and nutritional supplement."

SEE ALSO: TikTok's latest trend asks users to unleash their inner stadium hot dog vendor. It rules.

The appeal of TikTok's Donghua Jinlong's glycine meme largely lies in its absurdity. TikTok is a popular platform among younger people, rife with fun dance trends, "get ready with me" story times, and social commentary. It is also filled with influencers promoting the next Amazon must-have, showing off Shien hauls, or otherwise enticing viewers to drop cash on the latest trending item that they promise will improve your life.

Donghua Jinlong's earnest videos advertising a product most have never heard of to a demographic that has no use for it provided an unusual break from TikTok's typical content. These humorously unexpected advertisements inspired users to respond with a similar enthusiasm and conviction, creating their own videos passionately sharing the benefits of sourcing glycine from Donghua Jinlong.

Tweet may have been deleted

Donghua Jinlong has not responded to Mashable's request for comment. However, it looks as though the company can't quite comprehend its newfound viral fame. While several TikTok commenters have requested Donghua Jinlong-branded apparel, the glycine manufacturer has typically reacted with polite confusion — alongside enthusiasm at any praise for its glycine.

"Sorry, it hasn't been mentioned yet," the account replied to a query about T-shirts. "It seems like you don't understand me yet."

What is glycine, and what is it used for?

Glycine is the smallest and structurally simplest amino acid — organic molecules that are essential building blocks for proteins. As a solid, it takes the form of a crystalline white powder that tastes sweet and dissolves in water.

Small amounts of glycine are naturally found in some high-protein foods, including meat, dairy, and legumes, as well as naturally in the human body. The chemical acts as a neurotransmitter, and is particularly prominent in the brainstem and spinal cord.

Though glycine is considered a nonessential amino acid, the anti-inflammatory substance still plays an important role in our biological processes. A minor shortage of glycine won't adversely impact your health, but an acute deficiency may have a negative impact on your immune response, growth, and metabolism of nutrients. Glycine supplements are used to treat various metabolic disorders, inflammatory diseases, obesity, cancers, and diabetes, as well as enhance sleep and support neurological function. 

On the other hand, an excessive buildup of glycine can cause severe neurological problems, including cognitive impairment, intellectual disabilities, and seizures. Humans generally only require two grams of glycine from their food per day, so taking unnecessary, unprescribed glycine supplements can have a significant adverse impact. 

In short, please don't go ingesting glycine just for the memes, food grade or not.

SEE ALSO: Proposed U.S. TikTok ban could impact all Chinese apps

If against all odds you actually are in need of commercial quantities of glycine, the type you order will depend on what you'll be using it for. Glycine has a multitude of uses in various industries, including food production, pesticide manufacturing, and even electronics. It also comes in different grades according to its purpose. 

Donghua Jinlong supplies four different types of glycine. Food grade glycine can act as a sweetener, flavour enhancer, and preservative. Industrial grade glycine is more suitable for water treatment, increasing the uptake of dye in fabric, and other unedible uses. Pharmaceutical standard glycine is used to create drugs and cosmetics. Finally, feed additive glycine is added to animal fodder to supplement their nutrition.

Tweet may have been deleted

Many TikTok users have made comments suggesting that they frequently consume Donghua Jinlong's food grade glycine, some even eating it straight from a bowl. Fortunately, it's safe to assume that this is a joke, just like the Tide Pod Challenge and NyQuil chicken memes before it. Unfortunately, the joke is also in a prime position to sail over the heads of U.S. politicians. The U.S. is currently attempting to completely ban TikTok, claiming that the video sharing app exerts a harmful Chinese influence over America's youth.

"We are dangerously close to this trend being played in front of Congress as evidence that the U.S. population has been brainwashed by China, so keep that one in mind please," TikTok creator @janedoe0018 noted. "Anyways, when are you guys buying your glycine? Because I'm thinking now before the prices [rise]."

It can feel intimidating to return to an in-office routine after working remotely for an extended period of time. But there are steps you can take to make the transition back to the office a smooth one. Redesign your routine. This means rethinking every component of your schedule. If this feels overwhelming, don’t fret. Start by […]

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TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to a Tykr Premium Plan is on sale for £75.88 with the code ENJOY20.

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Tykr Stock Screener helps you confidently manage your investments on your own, serving as your very own stock screening and education platform. And you can currently score a Pro Plan lifetime subscription for just £75.88 with the code ENJOY20.

If you're ready to wade into the stock market, let Tykr Stock Screener help you get acquainted with the ins and outs of investing. The whole process can become less daunting and more fun with this handy app for your smartphone or tablet. Tykr aims to make things less complicated, thanks to easy-to-understand summaries for over 30,000 U.S. and International stocks.

With the Tykr app, just get it loaded and you'll be able to make more informed decisions on stocks in as little as 30 seconds. It lays it all out in an easy-to-understand manner — either on sale, a potential buy, overpriced, or a potential sell. It's all determined by a rigorous algorithm that the app created behind the scenes that makes things super simple — the higher the score, the safer Tykr thinks the investment. So while using Tykr, you can potentially make wise decisions while learning skills like when it may be advantageous to buy and sell. 

Take some of the guesswork out of investing with a Pro Plan lifetime subscription to Tykr Stock Screener, now only £75.88 with the code ENJOY20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tykr Tykr Stock Screener Pro Plan (Lifetime Subscription) £75.88 with the code ENJOY20 Get Deal

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for April 12's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Unpleasant complaining.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter W.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #1028 is...

WHINY.

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

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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 April 12's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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.

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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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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 categories

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

• Yellow: Keeping things spotless

• Green: Affixes that make a word sound bigger

• Blue: Get bigger

• Purple: Items for a playground game

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: Orderly

• Green: Augemtative Prefixes

• Blue: Become Larger

• Purple: Items in Classic Kids' Games

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 Connections #306 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Orderly: CLEAN, NEAT, TIDY, TRIM

• Augmentative Prefixes: HYPER, SUPER, UBER, ULTRA

• Become Larger: BALLOON, MUSHROOM, SNOWBALL, SWELL

• Items in Classic Kids' Games: DOMINO, JACK, MARBLE, STICK

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

In June 1994, when the late OJ Simpson was charged with murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her lover Ron Goldman, the World Wide Web was in its infancy. Still, with hindsight, it's easy to realize that modern internet culture was all around us. 

Not literally, of course. The Netscape browser would not be released for another six months. If you wanted to tie up your phone line, fire up your 56K modem and "surf the internet" (a then-obscure phrase coined by a librarian), you could use the buggy Mosaic browser. But you had to know your sites and services: a couple of nerds had just started a directory called Yahoo, but would not add a "search" feature until 1995, after the OJ trial had begun. 

SEE ALSO: Learn about the O.J. Simpson trial from CNN's ancient '90s website

The internet grew up fast that year. It did so in part by offering places for OJ obsessives to congregate. "Scores of O.J.-related data bases [sic], interactive discussion forums and electronic mail lists have opened in cyberspace since last June," the New York Times noted in February 1995, in a story that now seems too quaint to be real. The defunct service provider Prodigy "already has 20,000 O.J.-related messages in its data base," while over on "America on-Line," the "Court TV forum is abuzz with armchair analysts."

In "the first trial of the digital century," the Times' Peter Lewis enthused, "anyone with access to a personal computer, a modem and a telephone line can be a [defense attorney] Robert Shapiro, a [prosecutor] Marcia Clark, a [judge] Lance Ito, or a Geraldo". You could almost hear pearls being clutched up and down Park Avenue.    

Some of our extremely online future was already lurking in those forums. GIFs: check. ("One area on the web, as it is called, allows visitors to view, over and over, a video clip of Mr. Simpson pleading not guilty at his arraignment," Lewis wrote) Casual conspiracy theorists: check. (Ito switched his Toshiba laptop for an IBM Thinkpad; was he surfing the internet during the trial?) Randos suddenly becoming experts: check. ("We are as up to date as the lawyers are," boasted a Canadian OJ website owner of his 10,000 users. "It makes for intelligent discussions.") 

But here's the thing: next to the wall-to-wall cable TV coverage and the screaming front pages, those online discussions often did seem intelligent. (For a sense of the media attitude at the time, compare this very sober website from a reporter at the time to the shocking CNN page for the trial, which splashed the blood of the crime scene all over its front page.) All of the craziness we associate with a frenzied, social media-driven news event was already present in 1994 and 1995, albeit in altered form. 

The Bronco chase, where OJ fled arrest, threatening to shoot himself while a fleet of cops followed at a distance for 75 miles? That was the 20th century version of a must-watch livestream. The barely-changing image had an estimated 95 million viewers, more than that year's Super Bowl, and ten times the current record for a livestream. If it happened now, the Bronco chase would break the internet — or at least come a lot closer than the daughter of OJ's friend Robert Kardashian ever did. (The OJ trial arguably ushered in the Kardashians, and the reality-show culture that arrived in their wake.) 

These days, social media users with drones would likely track down the Bronco faster than news helicopters, which took an hour to find him. Still, if anything, the Bronco chase was more interactive than a livestream: Knowing the car was tuned to his radio station, a sports announcer connected Simpson with a former coach who persuaded OJ to put the gun down.

OJ Simpson running his own livestream as a fundraiser in 2000. Credit: AFP via Getty Images

There were memes during the trial, certainly, even if we didn't call them that. Star witness Kato Kaelin, a Z-list actor who lived in OJ's guest house, was a one-man meme machine. "Ooops, lawsuit" became one of the most widely-used phrases of 1995 after Kaelin uttered it. He'd accidentally poked a juror with a pointer he was using to point out areas of the Simpson estate on a board.

The fact that Kaelin's mind went there seemed to encapsulate the madness swirling all around the courthouse. There were lawsuits and threats of lawsuits in every direction. Anyone even tangentially close to the case wanted their 15 minutes of fame as much as any modern influencer. The scrutiny on this cast of characters was unbearable for any one of them, and image was everything even long after the trial (hence Marcia Clark's makeover, which she continued to makeover). 

The entire trial turned on something that was then, and remains, a very popular meme. "If the glove don't fit, you must acquit": star defense attorney Johnnie Cochran's rhyme was as reductive as a political tweet (and as cynical: the glove found at the scene didn't fit OJ's hand because dried blood had shrunk it, and the defendant wasn't exactly trying hard to pull it on over a rubber glove). In 2024 the rhyme is an image macro, spread far and wide on TikTok and Instagram. 

Comedy has changed, at least. What is really weird to remember at this distance is the way comedians and late-night talk shows felt they had license to produce content that would look tasteless at best, and racist or misogynistic at worst, on YouTube today. Tonight Show host Jay Leno regularly featured a troupe of dancers that looked like Judge Ito and one that looked like Marcia Clarke, even changing her haircut. That was it, that was the bit. 

But in general, the conversations America was having around the case — about domestic violence and murderous men, about racism in the LAPD, about celebrities buying their own tier of justice — are the same conversations we're having now, 30 years later. They were happening at street level, on the letters page, and on cable news, rather than on social media. The more you dig into this quintessential 1990s case, the less nostalgic that era becomes. 

Meta is testing new tools and features to protect young people from unwanted nudity and sextortion scams, including Nudity Protection in DMs, a feature that automatically blurs nude images.

Part of this crackdown is because Meta says it's seeing a trend of financial sextortion, in which someone gets nude photos from another person and says they'll post them online unless the victim sends money or gift cards.

"It is a really horrific crime that preys on making people feel alone and ashamed," Antigone Davis, Meta’s director of global safety, told CNN. "It’s been well-documented that the crime is growing, and this is one of the reasons that we want to get out ahead and make sure people are aware of what we’re doing as we continually evolve our tools."

SEE ALSO: Teens who talk about their mental health on this app may be taking a big risk

Nudity Protection in DMs will be the default for people under 18 years old and will be encouraged for all users. When users who have the protection turned on attempt to send a photo containing nudity, they will be reminded that they need to be cautious and they can unsend it at any time. If a user tries to forward a nude image, they'll be encouraged to reconsider and be "responsible and respectful." And, finally, when a user receives an image containing nudity, it will be blurred automatically, and they will be encouraged not to feel pressured to respond in kind. People will also be directed to safety tips when sending or receiving nude images. 

"This feature is designed not only to protect people from seeing unwanted nudity in their DMs but also to protect them from scammers who may send nude images to trick people into sending their own images in return," Meta said in a blog post.

Meta can see if an image contains nudity due to on-device machine learning, which includes end-to-end encryption protection. So, unless someone chooses to report an image in a DM, Meta says it won't have access to it.

Meta is also adding to its work to stop sextortion on its app by developing technology to identify accounts engaging in sextortion as a precautionary step. If an account is flagged as a potential sextortion account, messages sent by that account will go straight to a recipient's hidden request folder. And there won't be a "Message" button on a teen's profile if an account is flagged as a potential sextortion account, even if they're already connected to the teen. In addition, if someone is interacting with an account that has been removed for sextortion, they'll see a pop-up message directing them to more resources. Finally, when teens report relevant issues, they'll be directed to local child safety helplines.

"This industry cooperation is critical because predators don’t limit themselves to just one platform – and the same is true of sextortion scammers," Meta said. "These criminals target victims across the different apps they use, often moving their conversations from one app to another. That’s why we’ve started to share more sextortion-specific signals to Lantern, to build on this important cooperation and try to stop sextortion scams not just on individual platforms, but across the whole internet."

David Krumholtz introduces us to the layered lovable curmudgeon that is Lousy Carter. Lousy Carter is now streaming.

Almost half of the countries in the world got a strange notification from Apple on Wednesday.

At noon Pacific time on Wednesday, iPhone users in 92 countries got a notification warning them that they may have been targeted by "mercenary spyware attacks," per TechCrunch. Apple didn't disclose exactly which countries got the warnings, though personally, as a U.S. resident with an iPhone, I didn't see anything.

SEE ALSO: How to clear cache on iPhone: Free up space on your iOS device What did the message say?

Wondering what was sent to iPhone users from the Cupertino-based tech giant? Here it is:

"Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID," the notification said, per TechCrunch. "This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do. Although it’s never possible to achieve absolute certainty when detecting such attacks, Apple has high confidence in this warning — please take it seriously."

One such country that TechCrunch said received the notification was India. Some Indian journalists and politicians also reportedly received the same warning last year, after which it was discovered by Amnesty International that Pegasus spyware from the Israeli NSO Group was found on their devices.

So, in other words, someone might be spying on important people who own iPhones at a time when some countries are gearing up for elections. Yikes!

Apple's recent iOS 17.4.1 update made a change to the iPhone that has thrust the company into the middle of a debate it likely wants no part of.

This week, pro-Israel social media users started to notice that the iPhone keyboard would recommend the Palestinian flag emoji when the word "Jerusalem" was typed out.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Dear @Apple @AppleSupport @tim_cook I’ve just upgraded my software to version iOS 17.4.1, and now, when I type the capital of Israel 🇮🇱, Jerusalem, I’m offered the Palestinian flag emoji. 🇵🇸," posted British TV host Rachel Riley on X. "This didn’t occur on my phone immediately before this update."

Riley referred to the emoji recommendation as a "form of antisemitism."

SEE ALSO: Here's every new emoji we got in 2023

The status of the city of Jerusalem has long been a matter of contention. Aside from Israel itself, only a handful of countries recognize Jerusalem as the country's capital (including the U.S. after a 2017 move by President Trump). However, the United Nations as well as the broad international community view Jerusalem as effectively two cities, with East Jerusalem — including the entire Old City — seen as part of the West Bank or Occupied Palestine.

Apple says the emoji will be fixed

Apple is apparently aware of the issue. The iPhone-maker said in a statement provided to Apple news outlet iMore that the emoji recommendation was unintentional, and that it's planning to roll out a fix in an upcoming update.

According to one social media user who tested out the emoji issue, the emoji recommendation bug wasn't showing for every iPhone user. It was dependent on the users' iPhone keyboard settings. X user @DaniRFlynn said they changed the keyboard options in their iPhone settings and found that the Palestinian flag emoji was only being recommended when a user typed "Jerusalem" on the English UK, English Singapore and English South Africa keyboards.

This isn't the first time that Apple has caused controversy pertaining to global affairs. When it comes to emoji issues specifically, Apple removed the Taiwan flag emoji in 2019 from its iOS keyboard for users in Hong Kong and Macau. 

In 2019, Apple Maps began designating Crimea as part of Russia. The company was criticized for the move. In 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Apple Maps changed Crimea back to being part of Ukraine for users outside of Russia.

It's not just Apple either. Last October, Palestinian Instagram users found that their social media bios were being inaccurately translated by the platform and referring to them with the phrase "Palestinian terrorist." Meta apologized for the issue at the time and issued a fix.

O.J. Simpson, perhaps the most infamous celebrity of his time, died of cancer on Wednesday. He was 76 years old.

Those raised on the internet may not have a full awareness of Simpson and the murder trial that captivated the world in the mid-1990s. Simpson was accused of the 1994 killing of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and friend Ron Goldman. To those watching at home, the trial felt like the biggest event in the world, full stop. Simpson was eventually acquitted, though most people didn't believe he was innocent, and was later found liable in a civil trial.

It is impossible to explain how central the trial and case were to the culture at the time. I was barely alive but had at least heard of it. The 1995 trial came at a time when the internet was in its infancy. Just take a look CNN's archival page on the trial — from that time — which surprisingly still exists. It is wildly basic; it looks like some mix of a DVD menu and an AOL homepage. However, it still functions as an online database for information on the trial and its key figures.

A look at the early internet. Credit: CNN

It makes sense CNN would have a landing page for the trial. In the mid-90s, it was the source for news in the U.S. and the network would've had so much coverage around Simpson, a former professional football player.

Most of the images still load, even. Credit: CNN

Still, it's kind of amazing that the links to old articles on sections about the verdict, the murder itself, and the trial all still work. You can pull up entire court transcripts, evidence photos, and small bios on all the people involved. It is an amazing piece of the internet's history. It's a bit surreal to look back at what the internet looked like some two decades ago. This event was so huge — darkly viral, in the parlance of our times — that it inspired the creation of this wildly durable site, even if it does appear ancient in 2024.

The site, though for a much different topic, is reminiscent of the original Space Jam website. That 1996 site has famously lived on for years.

The internet has obviously come a long way since that O.J. Simpson site first went live on CNN.com. But, even after his death, you can still use the archive to learn all about the murder trial, even if it looks janky and old.

SAVE $30: The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are just $139.99 at Target for Target Circle members, down from the normal price of $169.99. That's an 18% discount, but you'll want to grab these today because the deal expires tonight at 11:59 PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) $139.99 at Target
$169.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

If you've always wanted a pair of Apple AirPods but haven't felt like dishing out the premium price, this deal at Target Circle Week may prove delightful.

For April 11 only, score the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) for just $139.99 at Target, down from the normal price of $169.99. That's an 18% discount or a savings of $30. You'll need to be a Target Circle member to grab this sale price, and it's free to join. The deal expires at 11:59 PT tonight.

The AirPods (3rd Gen) excel when it comes to sound quality, battery life, and sleek design. Using Apple's Personalized Spatial Audio, the earbuds aim to provide sound all around you for a more immersive experience.

Of course, the AirPods can switch between playing your favorite tunes to taking that important work call. Apple added in a layer of acoustic mesh to help minimize wind noise while on calls, so the person on the other line can hear you clearly even in windy conditions.

This deal on the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) includes the lightening charging case which can give you up to 30 hours of listening time. Plus, placing your AirPods near your iPhone or iPad will connect the devices with just one tap, so you'll be able to take a call or listen to music from your phone or tablet.

If you've been interested in owning a pair of Apple AirPods, today's sale price at Target could be the sign that now's a great time to join the AirPods club. But be sure to hurry since this deal expires tonight at 11:59 PT.

Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (64GB, WiFi) with free $100 Amazon gift card $329.99 at Amazon Get Deal BEST HOME DEAL Shark NeverChange whole home air purifier $269.99 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal BEST LAPTOP DEAL Samsung 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Pro (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,449.99 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal BEST STREAMING DEVICE DEAL Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max streaming device $34.99 at Amazon (save $25 with on-page coupon code ADD24) Get Deal

You've made it past the halfway point in the week. Why not reward yourself with a little treat? Amazon has some pretty great deals going on for no good reason, including first-time discounts on brand-new Samsung devices.

We've sorted through the chaos of Amazon listings and handpicked some of the most impressive discounts for you to shop. Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day for April 11. And don't forget to check out our picks from April 9 and April 10 as well — many of those deals are still active.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Amazon deal of the day: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (64GB, WiFi) $329.99 at Amazon
Free $100 Amazon gift card with purchase Get Deal

When you snag the brand-new Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, which was just released at the end of March as an Amazon-exclusive upgraded tablet, you'll get a free $100 gift card with your purchase. The new iteration of the S6 Lite has the same basic design, S-Pen, screen, and RAM as the previous version, but now comes with a new Exynos processor and Android 14 out of the box. The previous iteration is one of our top picks for a tablet for kids and we can only expect that the updated processing power will be an added perk. The 64GB version goes for $329.99, while the 128GB goes for $399.99. These prices are infinitely more justifiable when you add a free $100 gift card on top.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Pro $1,449.99 at Amazon
$1,749.99 Save $300.00 Get Deal

Another new Samsung gadget released at the end of February, the Samsung 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Pro, just got its first real discount. The 16-inch base model has 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a battery life of up to 21 hours per charge and typically goes for $1,749.99. However, as of April 11, you can slash off $300 and pick it up for $1,449.99 — the same price as the 14-inch base model. That means you get two extra inches of screen real estate and double the storage for the same price. The Galaxy Book4 Pro is a traditional clamshell-style laptop with all the bells and whistles, including an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU with Intel Arc Graphics, a 3K AMOLED touchscreen, AKG Quad speakers, a new Knox security chip.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark NeverChange whole home air purifier $269.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal

Arguably the most annoying thing about air purifiers is that you constantly have to change the filter in order to get the best airflow. The Shark NeverChange purifier, however, offers a welcome change. With NeverChange filtration, you can enjoy steady air-cleaning power for up to five years before needing a new filter replacement. Its anti-allergen HEPA filter captures 99.98 percent of particles large and small in spaces up to 1,400 square feet. Plus, its Clean Sense IQ tracks and adjusts your air quality to maintain clean, fresh air. It's usually $329.99, but as of April 11, it's on sale for only $269.99 — that's 18% in savings and matches its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max streaming device $34.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $25.00 with on-page coupon code ADD24 Get Deal

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max does all of the things the regular Fire TV Stick does, but better. The 2023 iteration of the device features WiFi 6E support, Dolby Vision (plus HDR, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG), Dolby Atmos audio, and 16GB of storage (the most of any other Fire Stick). It's also the first streaming stick with Fire TV Ambient Experience, which allows you to turn your TV into artwork with over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality images. It's usually $59.99, but with the coupon code ADD24, you can knock the price down to just $34.99 — that's a new all-time low price as of April 11. Note that only some customers may qualify for this coupon code deal; otherwise, the sale price is $39.99, which is still a good deal!

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

Listening to “I Fall Apart” by Post Malone on Sony’s new ULT Wear headphones made me feel like I was back in college, hotboxing a car with the music turned up to the point that the bass was shaking the car. And I mean that as the highest compliment.

Sony announced a new line of headphones and speakers on April 11 as a follow-up to its Extra Bass and XE-Series lines. For haters of Sony’s typical nomenclature (me), you’ll be pleased to learn that this line has names that would not double as a strong password suggestion. The ULT Power Sound series includes ULT Wear (over-ear headphones), ULT Field 1 (a portable speaker), ULT Field 7 (a large portable speaker), and ULT Tower 10 (a large tower speaker). This review focuses on the ULT Wear headphones, which I was able to test ahead of their launch.

SEE ALSO: The best headphones for 2024 (and why they made our list) Sony ULT Wear headphones price

The Sony ULT Wear headphones retail for $199.99. I’d be hard-pressed to find a better pair of over-ear, noise-cancelling headphones for that price. When I first heard the MSRP, I was shook.

For context, the WH-XB910N Extra Bass model retails for $249.99. And Sony's flagship WH-1000XM5 headphones retail for $399.99 — a whole $200 more. Granted, the ULT headphones are not part of the 1000X Series. However, they are seriously impressive and the price is unbeatable for what you get. 

What does ULT mean?

When a Sony rep reached out to tell me that new products were dropping, I assumed it would be the next iteration of the 1000X Series, presumably the WH-1000XM6 headphones. When I arrived at the product briefing, I learned that Sony was introducing the ULT line. 

SEE ALSO: Hands-on with Sony's new ULT Field 1 speaker

The ULT name comes from the series’ purpose as “the ultimate step into the evolution of Sony’s audio products.” Basically, ULT equals ultimate — easy enough, right? The line is meant to make the listener feel as if they were in the front row at a concert through dynamic sound pressure and deep bass.

Sony’s ULT line is really for the bass lovers out there.

According to a Sony web survey of general headphones users, 41 percent said strong bass is the most preferred sound, compared to other options such as instruments, vocal, good balance, and clear sound.

The ULT Wear headphones have two bass settings you can access by pressing the ULT button on the left ear cup. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Each product in the lineup has an ULT button on its design, with up to two levels of ULT power. Users can listen to the speaker or headphones with regular sound (aka without pushing the ULT button) or on the ULT power one and ULT power two settings, with each punching up the bass.

One annoying issue that isn’t a dealbreaker but is noticeable: When you hit the ULT button, the headphones play a little sound and your music volume dips before punching into the next bass setting. Obviously, it’s helpful to confirm that you just switched ULT settings, but it is a minor disruption in the listening experience.

Design, connectivity, and controls

Sony’s ULT Wear headphones come in three colors: black, off-white, and forest gray. Personally, I’m most excited about forest gray, a green-gray color that I haven’t really seen in other headphones. Each color also features accents with dichroic effects in the Sony logo and ULT button, which is a sort of metallic rainbowy effect that shifts depending on the light and angle you look at it.

The dichroic effect in action. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The headphones have a similar design to the previous WH-XB910N model. They’re slightly bulkier than the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones and truthfully not as sleek looking. Unlike the XM5s, the ULTs do fold down for easier transportation and come with a nice carrying case.

Sony ULT Wear headphones (left) compared to Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones (right). Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The ear cups are upgraded with more space than the previous model. As for comfort, I found the ear cushions to be nice and soft without squeezing my head, even when I wore my glasses. The headband did create a pressure point right on the top of my head that began to feel uncomfortable after a couple hours of wearing the headphones, but they felt pretty lightweight and cushiony overall.

The ear cup controls are the same as other Sony headphones. I find Sony’s tap and swipe controls to be intuitive and convenient — I love being able to turn the volume up or down without grabbing my phone. When you take the headphones off and on, your music will automatically pause and resume. These settings are also customizable in the Sony headphones app.

Pairing Sony’s ULT Wear headphones to my iPhone legitimately took five seconds. When I turned them on for the first time, they were in pairing mode and already appeared in my phone’s Bluetooth settings. To connect them to my MacBook Pro, I just held down the power/Bluetooth button until the headphones went into pairing mode. Within the Sony app, I toggled on the setting that allows me to connect the headphones to two devices simultaneously. It took me a couple of tries to get them to pair with my phone and laptop at the same time, but once they did, I was able to switch between audio from each device with no lags.

The headphones fold up nicely for transportation. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Sound quality fit for the big leagues

The Sony ULT Wear headphones are equipped with a 40-millimeter driver that’s designed for deeper bass reproduction. They also have spatial audio with head tracking for 360-degree sound. In testing these headphones, the bass and surround sound were two of the most noticeable and impressive features.

I did a sound test comparison with the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sony ULT Wear headphones because I know the XM5s have amazing sound quality. I put on “I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves and switched between the headphones and settings. It’s not a super bass-heavy song, so it felt like an even playing field. Both headphones sounded crisp and clear, but the ULT Wear’s sound was fuller and felt more like surround sound. And even on the standard setting, the bass sounded richer on the ULTs. 

Pressing the ULT button punches up your listening experience. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

I was genuinely shocked. I adore my Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, and it’s wild that Sony came out with a new pair that (to me) sound better for a much lower price tag. True audiophiles who are picky about sound will probably still prefer the XM5s, but to the average person, I’d say the ULT Wears are the winners — especially for those who prioritize bass and fullness in their audio.

I mentioned at the start of this review that listening to these headphones made me feel like I was in a car bumping the bass. You can actually feel the bass vibrating these headphones against your head. However, that doesn’t mean that the sound is blown out. It’s just the right amount of bass to feel the beat of the music without feeling overwhelmed by it.

I found myself listening to songs and thinking Ooh, this sounds amazing on these — I definitely need to talk about this song in the review. But, there were too many songs to individually call out, so instead I made a playlist of songs that sound incredible on these headphones. So go ahead and bookmark my Spotify playlist for when you buy yourself the Sony ULT Wear headphones.

Like other Sony headphones, the ULT Wears have a customizable equalizer in the app. I did not mess with the settings on the pair I tested, but during my demo with Sony, I got to experience custom EQs set by Sony Audio Ambassador Landen Purifoy. If you’re into DJing or mixing music, you can definitely create great sound settings with these headphones.

Microphone quality

Microphone quality is a feature that I don’t think I’ll ever love on Sony headphones. I called my mom while wearing these and she said the audio didn’t sound bad per se, but I did sound like I was far away, as if I were talking on speakerphone rather than into a headset. That’s certainly not a dealbreaker, but also not a perk. On the flip side, the call sounded perfectly fine in the headphones — I could hear my mom just as well as if I were talking directly on my phone or through my AirPods Pro.

Sony nails noise-cancelling

Sony ULT Wear headphones are equipped with a V1 chip and dual noise-cancelling microphones, plus wind noise reduction on the ear cups.

Sony ULT Power vs. the sounds of New York City. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

To illustrate the power of the noise cancellation, let me share an embarrassing story. I was sitting at my desk working, wearing these headphones, and singing along to “Too Sweet” by Hozier (my current hyperfixation song). In my mind, I knew I was singing out loud, but the headphones prevented me from really hearing myself, so I thought I was singing at a normal volume. Reader, I was not. My boyfriend came home and said, “I walked in the building and heard someone singing and thought who the hell is that? And then it kept getting louder as I got closer to the apartment. Then I realized it was you.”

Mind you, I live on the fifth floor. If I’m loud enough to be heard singing from floors away, yet I can’t even hear myself, I’m impressed by that noise cancellation.

During my demo with the Sony team, a rep also had me listen to Tiësto’s “The Business” on the while he switched between regular sound, ULT 1, and ULT 2. He had to hold up his fingers to tell me which setting he switched to because I couldn’t hear a word he said even with the headphones at half volume.

Though I haven’t had the chance to travel with these headphones yet, I have to imagine they’re great for flying. The noise cancellation paired with the ULT bass power creates a personal music bubble that outside noise would really have to fight to break through.

Sony ULT Wear headphones battery life

According to Sony, the ULT Wear headphones should last up to 30 hours with Active Noise Cancellation on and up to 50 hours with ANC off. A 10-minute charge gives you five hours of playback with ANC and a three-minute charge provides 1.5 hours with ANC.

When I received the headphones, I charged them to 100 percent. In my two-ish weeks of testing and using them throughout the day like I would any other pair of headphones, the battery has dropped to 84 percent. Once I’m able to do a full battery test and run it all the way down to zero, I will update this review with exactly how many hours I get out of them.

Are the Sony ULT Wear headphones worth it?

We try not to make sweeping claims in our reviews at Mashable, but these honestly might be my favorite pair of headphones I’ve tried — especially when you consider the price. The booming sound makes other (decidedly good) headphones sound flat, and the option to punch the bass up two levels is something I didn’t even know I needed in a pair of headphones.

The design is not as sleek as other headphones I’ve worn or seen, but that’s a fair tradeoff for amazing sound and a more affordable price.

If you already have the Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass headphones, it might not be worth it to upgrade. And if bass isn’t what you want to hear from your headphones, certainly opt for a different pair. But for most people, the Sony ULT Wear headphones are a strong, powerful piece of audio equipment well worth the price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Wear headphones $199.99 at Sony
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There’s cause for celebration: Sony just announced a new line of products with names that don’t sound like strong password options suggested by your iPhone. The Sony ULT Power Sound series is all about bass (sorry for the accidental Meghan Trainor reference). The line consists of three speakers and a pair of headphones that are new variations of Sony’s Extra Bass and XE-Series lines.

The speakers are called ULT Field 1 (a small portable speaker), ULT Field 7 (a large portable speaker), and ULT Tower 10 (a large tower speaker), while the headphones are named ULT Wear. This review focuses on the ULT Field 1 portable speaker.

SEE ALSO: How to connect your iPhone to a speaker Sony ULT Field 1 speaker price

The Sony ULT Field 1 speaker retails for $129.99, which is the same as its predecessor, the SRS-XE200. The price is on the lower end for speakers from brands we trust and recommend at Mashable.

For comparison’s sake, the JBL Charge 5, which is our current top pick among the best portable Bluetooth speakers, retails for $179.95.

My test speaker was black, but the ULT Field 1 also comes in off-white, forest gray, and orange. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable What does ULT mean?

Sony calls the new series “the ultimate step into the evolution" of its audio products. Basically, ULT means ultimate — get it? The new products should make the listener feel like they’re in the front row at a concert through dynamic sound pressure and deep bass.

Sony’s ULT line was designed for the bass lovers. According to a Sony web survey of headphones users, 41 percent said strong bass is their most preferred feature, compared to other options such as instruments, vocals, balance, and clear audio.

Each product in the lineup has an ULT button on its design, with up to two levels of ULT bass-pumping power. Users can listen to the speaker or headphones with regular sound (aka without pushing the ULT button) or on the ULT power one and ULT power two settings. 

However, the ULT Field 1 speaker only has one ULT setting. The idea is that the smallest speaker in the lineup is for more casual listening and the larger ULT Field 7 and Tower 10 are for punching up the bass and filling a large space with booming sound. Even so, the one ULT setting still packs plenty of bass for a speaker of this size. 

The Sony ULT Field 1 speaker has one extra bass setting. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

One slightly annoying thing: When you hit the ULT button, the speaker plays a little sound and the music volume dips before switching bass settings. Obviously, it’s helpful to confirm that you just switched ULT settings, but it is a disruption to the listening experience. The ULT button also lights up to indicate when the setting is on.

Design, connectivity, and controls

Connecting the Sony ULT Field 1 to my phone was as simple as Bluetooth connections go. I powered on the speaker and it automatically went into pairing mode and showed up in my phone’s Bluetooth settings.

Color-wise, Sony is giving options for people who like neutrals and people who are more into bold colors. The Sony ULT Field 1 comes in black, off-white, forest gray, and orange. The bright orange and gray-green forest gray are my personal favorites.

The speaker has a standard rectangular body that veers from the look of the XE200’s design. It can stand vertically or horizontally and features an adjustable bungee strap, though it's not the easiest to adjust. It’s a pretty simple design with power, Bluetooth, play/pause/call, volume down, volume up, and ULT buttons.

The ULT Field 1 speaker works laid on its side or standing upright. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Sony keeps it simple with the on-speaker controls. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

There’s an adjustable equalizer in the app, but not much else customization compared to the ULT Wear headphones — and I don’t think there needs to be. The speaker is also IP67-rated waterproof, dustproof, and rustproof as well as shockproof.

Sound quality you'd expect from Sony

Something I found really cool about this speaker is that you can see it vibrating with the bass even with the ULT setting off. And regardless of volume or bass setting, it never sounded blown out or fuzzy.

I only briefly set this speaker to max volume, and let me tell you, this thing gets loud. I can’t imagine ever playing music at full volume in my apartment. This speaker would be amazing for beach days or barbecues, though. Or house parties if you don’t share any walls with neighbors. And because it’s waterproof, I can see this being my new go-to outdoor speaker.

Take the speaker wherever with its adjustable strap. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

I attended a briefing for the Sony ULT Power Sound series and a rep demoed a sound comparison between the ULT Field 1 and its predecessor, the SRS-XE200. He played music and switched back and forth between the two speakers — the newer one first on the standard setting, then with ULT 1 engaged. The ULT speaker had noticeably bigger sound, even on that non-ULT setting.

I’ve got a bone to pick with Sony for making every other speaker or pair of headphones sound flat to me now.

While testing the ULT Wear headphones, I found a handful of songs that sounded exceptional on the headset. The speaker can’t replicate the same enclosed surround sound the headphones provide, but these songs from Spotify still sound punchy and full coming through the speaker.

Sony ULT Field 1 battery life

According to Sony, you should get up to 12 hours of playtime from the ULT Filed 1’s battery. It’s not as great as some competitors’ battery life, but still plenty for all-day listening.

I charged the speaker to 100 percent when I received it, and after about two weeks of normal use, the battery is at 80 percent. I haven’t had the chance to conduct a full battery test and run it down to zero, but once I do, I’ll update this review with the exact amount of time I get out of the ULT Field 1’s battery.

The sony ULT Field 1 speaker packs a punch indoors and outdoors. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Is the Sony ULT Field 1 speaker worth it?

If you read my review of the Sony ULT Wear headphones, you’ll see that I was blown away. The ULT Field 1 speaker is impressive, there’s no denying that — but it didn’t blow my mind like the headphones.

The speaker does have great sound quality and the ULT 1 setting provides that extra oomph you don’t get from other portable speakers. But if you already have a portable speaker you love, I’m not going to tell you that you need to ditch it and buy this one.

That said, if bass is important to your listening experience or you're in the market for a new Bluetooth speaker, then I’d definitely recommend the Sony ULT Field 1. Especially since it’s relatively budget-friendly at $129.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 1 speaker $129.99 at Amazon
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Since the escalation of the ongoing war on Gaza and in the age of Elon Musk's X/Twitter takeover, anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate speech and the perpetrators of such content are finding growth on the platform, according to a new report.

Released Thursday by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), the study found that such accounts have garnered a sharp rise in followers since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and the subsequent war on Gaza.

The CCDH, a nonprofit aiming to curb the spread of hate speech and disinformation online, examined 10 prominent hate speech accounts that proliferate anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim rhetoric, along with conspiracy theories. Following Oct. 7, the accounts gained 4 million new followers collectively; this increase is four-fold compared to the four months prior.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk and X lose lawsuit against anti-hate nonprofit

These accounts belong to the following users: Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis, Jackson Hinkle, Radio Genoa, Ryan Dawson, Censored Men, Jake Shields, Dr. Eli David, Keith Woods, Way of the World, and Sam Parker.

Amongst these accounts is that of Hinkle, an American conservative influencer and political commentator who has seemingly taken a pro-Palestine stance on X but consistently disseminates anti-semitic conspiracy theories and disinformation about the war on Gaza. According to the CCDH, Hinkle gained 2,036,957 followers after Oct. 7, equating to a growth rate of 8.3x as compared to his follower growth in the previous four months. He has also received payments through X via ad revenue sharing and subscriptions, notes the report.

The other nine accounts examined are or have been members of X Premium, the platform's paid subscription tier that gives users prioritized ranking in the algorithm. The study also outlined that X has placed advertisements from prominent companies next to posts from these accounts, serving ads for major companies like Oreo, the NBA, Musk's own Starlink and X itself next to "hateful posts".

Critical reposts of hate can also help amplify it. We analyzed 2 high-reach hate posts & found that the act of criticizing them on X increased their reach by 28% & 16%.

With the algorithm feeding on controversial content, we should think twice before engaging with hateful posts. pic.twitter.com/zf7icrI6Yy

— Center for Countering Digital Hate (@CCDHate) April 11, 2024

"If you use X, it’s highly likely you've seen Jackson Hinkle or another of these hateful accounts on your timeline in recent months, even if you don't follow them or endorse their despicable views of Jews and Muslims," said Imran Ahmed, CCDH founder and CEO, in a statement.

"It’s not a coincidence – it’s the result of deliberate policies enacted by Elon Musk."

The study does, in fact, characterize the changed landscape of X since Musk's takeover in 2022. Hate speech has been noted to grow exponentially on the platform, targeting marginalized people and seldom being removed. In November 2023, the CCDH found that anti-semitic and Islamophobic posts on X were on the rise, and reports of such posts resulted in little action. As Mashable's Matt Binder reported then:

CCDH researchers collected 200 posts containing bigotry against Muslims or Jews. For example, some of these posts contain antisemitic or Islamophobic imagery, Holocaust denialism, Nazi glorification, or dehumanization of Palestinians. CCDH then reported these posts to X and gave the company a week to respond. The company removed only four posts; 196 of these posts, or 98 percent, remain on the platform.

The CCDH said in the findings of the report that "hate actors" are able to "exploit conditions on X", such as little content moderation and the ability to pay for Premium to boost reach. Musk's supposed emphasis on "free speech" has resulted in a barrage of mishaps for the platform, reinstating banned far-right, white nationalist accounts and those previously expunged from Twitter for child exploitation pictures; the CEO has ironically clamped down on those critical of him and his policies.

"The public and advertisers need to know more about the symbiotic, profitable relationship between X and hate-peddling 'influencers,'" said Ahmed. "Lawmakers must act to enforce greater transparency and accountability from platforms and to allow these companies to be held responsible for harming the civil rights and safety of Jews, Muslims and other minority communities."

GET A $100 AMAZON GIFT CARD: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (64GB) costs $329.99 at Amazon and comes with a free $100 Amazon gift card.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung / Amazon Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (64GB)+ $100 Amazon gift gard $329.99 at Amazon
$429.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

These days, your tablet should act as a mini laptop, offering plenty of functionality and features that allow you to take care of everyday tasks. If your current tablet isn't up for the job, today's deal on a 2024 Samsung tablet could be perfect. And as a bonus, you'll get a hefty Amazon gift card for free.

As of April 11, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (64GB) costs $329.99 at Amazon, and it comes with a free $100 Amazon gift card with your order.

Measuring 10.4 inches, the 2024 version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite comes with a few noteworthy features that'll make your tablet incredibly functional. For starters, the battery life is designed to support streaming for up to 14 hours which means you're likely to get a few days of use before it'll need to recharge. It also comes with an included S Pen, so you can sketch, draw, mark up documents, and more from your tablet.

SEE ALSO: Laptop vs. tablet: Which device works best for you?

This model comes with 64GB of storage, but the tablet has a microSD slot that'll support extra storage of up to 1TB. While it can pack in storage space, its design is slim and lightweight, making it ideal for portability to the co-working space or taking it along on a work trip.

Thanks to today's deal, you'll be getting all of this from the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, plus your purchase comes with a $100 Amazon gift card for free. Think of it as a gift to yourself of a new tablet, plus something special from Amazon in the future.

What if you could access every different infinite version of the life you could have led?

That's the mind-boggling premise at the heart of Dark Matter, a new sci-fi series from Apple TV+ based on the novel by Blake Crouch.

The trailer follows scientist Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), whose life is turned upside down when he's kidnapped by another version of himself and wakes up in a parallel universe. Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, Dayo Okeniyi and Oakes Fegley also star.

How to watch: The first two episodes of Dark Matter are streaming on Apple TV+ on May 8, with new episodes releasing weekly.