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GET UP TP 34% OFF: As of April 3, you can get up to 34% off LG TVs, projectors, and soundbars at Amazon.

Our top picks: Best TV deal LG C3 Series 55-inch TV $1,296.99 at Amazon (save $503 ) Get Deal Best soundbar deal LG S65Q soundbar $196.99 at Amazon (save $100 ) Get Deal Best projector deal LG CineBeam 4K projector $1,229.96 at Amazon (save $270.03) Get Deal

Remember a long time ago (like, the early aughts) when only celebrities and people on MTV Cribs had huge, fancy flat-screen TVs? Today, flat-screen TVs are the norm, and you don't have to be 50 Cent to afford one.

SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV deals

Not only are they more affordable now, but there are many ways to transform any living room into a full home theater experience. There are upgrades to fit every home theater vision and budget, and Amazon's sale on LG entertainment tech is worth checking out today.

Get LG soundbars, projectors, and TVs up to 34% off at Amazon as of April 3. Here are our top picks:

Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG Our pick: LG C3 Series 55-inch TV $1,296.99 at Amazon
$1,799.99 Save $503.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The LG C3 Series 55-inch TV offers crisp picture quality with its 4K Ultra HD resolution and OLED EVO display. Its AI-assisted deep learning capabilities analyze what's on and automatically adjust the picture and sound settings for the best viewing experience. (Thanks to its 0.1 ms response time and 120 Hz refresh rate, it's also great for gaming.)

It has more than 300 free LG channels and built-in streaming apps for easy access to popular content. You can organize your faves with Quick Cards, and the webOS platform allows for seamless navigation and app integration.

Plus, whenever the TV's not in use, you can use it to display photos or artwork.

Best soundbar deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG Our pick: LG S65Q soundbar $196.99 at Amazon
$296.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The LG S65Q soundbar has Bluetooth connectivity and 3.1-channel audio with 420W power output, delivering immersive sound quality for movies, music, and games.

It includes a remote and wireless subwoofer for enhanced bass and a more dynamic audio experience.

Best projector deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG Our pick: LG CineBeam 4K projector $1,229.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $270.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The LG CineBeam 4K projector has a max screen size of 140 inches, so you can watch your favorite movies and shows on a big, cinematic display. The ceiling-mountable design allows for a flexible installation process (it's also out of the way), and the HU70LA delivers a 4K UHD resolution with 8.3 million pixels (four times the resolution of Full HD) for sharp, detailed visuals. This projector's quality and details mean it won't look or feel like you're watching on a projector screen.

This little gadget is also Alexa- and Google Assistant-compatible, making it easy to control your home theater setup with voice commands.

Spotify did something really cool last fall: it started offering Premium subscribers 15 hours of audiobook listening per month with access to more than 150,000 reads. Now they might be doing something less cool: hiking up the price for Premium subscribers who want to listen to those audiobooks.

The music streaming service cost a monthly subscription of $9.99 for 12 years before hiking it up to $10.99 in July 2023. According to a report from Bloomberg, Spotify is eyeing another increase of anywhere from $1 and $2 in the UK, Australia, Pakistan, and two other markets by the end of April and an increase in the U.S. "later this year." Spotify did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Mashable.

SEE ALSO: How to use Spotify Audiobooks

Part of the price increase could be to cover the cost of adding audiobooks on Spotify — an addition that many of people, myself included, seem to love. There's already a limit to how many hours of audiobooks you can listen to on Spotify without paying extra money, which is, admittedly, pretty annoying. An average audiobook is between eight and 12 hours long, and Spotify includes a 15-hour listening period per month. That means if you want to listen to more than one book, or one exceptionally long book, you'll have to pay for the top-off or wait until the next month. I have personally paid for the top-off twice. I don't like it — most users don't — but I will probably do it again.

But if you're not an audiobook listener, you'll allegedly be able to use Spotify's new "basic" plan, which stays at the current $10.99 Premium rate and doesn't include audiobooks, according to Bloomberg. We're still waiting on news and details about Spotify's “Supremium” plan.

Ever since the launch of iPhone 14, Apple has supported satellite text messaging for emergency situations. It sounds like the competition will get an even better version of that soon.

In a teardown of a new beta version of Android 15, 9to5Google found some text strings that give us an idea of how satellite messaging might work. The feature was first uncovered in beta builds last month, but now we have more information about what to expect from it. The text strings include:

• "You can message with anyone, including emergency services"

• "To send and receive, stay outside with a clear view of the sky"

• "Satellite messaging may take longer and can’t include photos & videos"

SEE ALSO: Google is funding AI tools for nonprofits, including the World Bank How Android satellite texting may beat iPhone

The latter two text strings in that list are predictable enough — and more or less reflect what the satellite texting experience is like on iPhone. The first one, however, is a bit of a doozy. On iPhone, you can only message emergency services via satellite. On Android, you might be able to text anyone, if this feature rolls out in this state.

Google has yet to officially announce satellite texting for Android, but it might not be long now. Google I/O, the company's annual software-focused conference, is right around the corner in May.

Camping season is about to begin, which means it's time to asses your gear and upgrade anything that needs a replacement. As of April 3, select Coleman camping gear is up to 24% off at Amazon. Here are some of our top picks.

Best deals on Coleman camping gear today Best camping chair deal Coleman Quad portable camping chair (red) $34.19 at Amazon (save $10.80) Get Deal Best propane coffee maker deal Coleman QuickPot propane coffee maker $119.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Best cooler deal Coleman 316 Series insulated portable cooler (62-quart, twilight) $69.99 at Amazon (save $15) Get Deal

Ahh, the great outdoors. As the weather warms and we get closer to summer, it's time to get those camping reservations finalized. After that, the task shifts to checking out the camping gear that got put away in a hurry last September. Does the tent's zipper still function? Is the cooler leaking? Did that camping chair really break last August or was that a dream? These are all important questions to ask before heading to your campsite.

You can upgrade necessary camping equipment with select Coleman products on sale for up to 24% off at Amazon as of April 3. Here are a few of our favorite camping deals to shop.

Best camping chair deal Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Our pick: Coleman Quad portable camping chair (red) $34.19 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $10.80 Get Deal Why we like it

Great for sitting around the campsite, the kids' soccer game, or tailgating in the fall, the Coleman quad portable camping chair is ideal for comfort on the go. Thanks to today's sale price you can score the red Coleman chair for just $34.19, marked down from the standard price of $44.99 for a 24% discount. The chair weighs about eight pounds and can accommodate people who weigh up to 325 pounds. There's a built-in insulated pouch to keep up to four canned beverages cool and another mesh pouch for safe-keeping items like a cell phone or the car keys.

Best Coleman deal for the coffee lover Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Our pick: Coleman QuickPot propane coffee maker $119.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Camping outdoors comes with some incredible perks, but the experience can be a bit jarring for those who have a morning routine that includes a Nespresso machine. If your camping experience needs a coffee upgrade, the Coleman QuickPot propane coffee maker could be a welcome addition. Coffee lovers can brew 10 cups in 18 minutes with the propane-fueled coffee maker that uses 4,500 BTUs of power. You get fresh coffee with your morning views and the removable filter basket is dishwasher safe once you get home.

Best cooler deal Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Our pick: Coleman 316 Series insulated portable cooler (62-quart, twilight) $69.99 at Amazon
$84.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Any good camping adventure needs a reliable cooler to keep drinks and food properly chilled. The Coleman 316 Series insulated portable cooler can keep ice for up to five days with storage capacity for over 100 aluminum cans or 50 cans with 26 pounds of ice. With a collapsible handle and two durable wheels, you can take the cooler from the car to the campsite with no trouble. The cooler's lid includes four built-in cupholders, so you're also getting a side table (or a surface for card games) out of the deal. If you prefer to use the cooler as a seat, go ahead; it's designed to support up to 250 pounds.

More Coleman deals at Amazon today:

• Stearns Kids Classic Life Vest (30 - 50 pounds, red) — $19.99 $25.99 (save $6)

• Coleman multi-purpose 190L LED lantern — $35.99 $44.99 (save $9)

• Coleman Sundome camping tent (4-person, spruce green) — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• Coleman Triton+ two-burner propane camping stove — $89.99 $109.99 (save $20)

TL;DR: Tickets to see Immaculate are only $6.66 at select AMC, Regal, Marcus, and Harkins theaters on Wednesday, April 3.

Quick links: AMC Theaters 'Immaculate' tickets $6.66 on April 3 Find Showtimes Regal Cinemas 'Immaculate' tickets $6.66 on April 3 Find Showtimes Marcus Theaters 'Immaculate' tickets $6.66 on April 3 Find Showtimes Harkins Theaters 'Immaculate' tickets $6.66 on April 3 Find Showtimes

Paying an ungodly amount of money to see a new movie in theaters? Not today, Satan. (Sorry.)

On Wednesday, April 3, tickets to the Sydney Sweeney-led and produced nunsploitation film Immaculate are only $6.66 apiece at select AMC, Regal, Marcus, and Harkins theaters. The offer applies across all showtimes — matinee and evening included, in case you're interested in dedicating an extended lunch break to some edgy religious horror. (The movie has a tight 89-minute runtime.)

SEE ALSO: 'Immaculate' review: Nunsploitation meets post-Roe v. Wade era

Immaculate finds the Euphoria star in the habit of an American — and crucially, chaste — novitiate who finds out she's pregnant shortly after arriving at an eerie Italian convent to take her vows. With other nuns and priests convinced that the child she's carrying is the Second Coming of Christ, things start getting predictably weird.

After seeing it at SXSW 2024 last month, Mashable film editor Kristy Puchko deemed Immaculate "solid B-movie entertainment" that "[brandished] sex, violence, and gore with a heady mix of irreverence and star power." Still, she wished it went even harder with its scares and message of bodily autonomy: "[As] Immaculate delivers its final brutal blow, I wish I was more shocked or awed instead of just nodding along," she wrote.

Read Mashable's full review of Immaculate.

Apple released iOS 17.5 beta 1 for developers on Tuesday, allowing them to test some new features in the build.

As 9to5Mac pointed out, there aren't many major changes with iOS 17.5 beta 1, but there are some tweaks that, in part, appease the new Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules implemented by the EU.

SEE ALSO: iOS 18: Everything we know about the next big iPhone update 3 new features in iOS 17.5 beta 1

If you have a developer account, you can explore the new features for yourself — navigate to Settings > General > Software Updates > Beta Updates to download iOS 17.5 beta 1. As mentioned at the outset, don't expect any jaw-dropping updates — the new feature set is relatively minor.

1. Anti-stalking utility

9to5Mac claims that it spotted some code in iOS 17.5 beta 1 that reveals a new system that addresses the dark side of tracking gadgets. (This is no surprise since Apple, alongside Google, announced that they're working on a new industry standard to find a solution for stalking.)

A new string added to the Find My app says the following:

“This item isn’t certified on the Apple Find My network. You can disable this item and stop it from sharing its location with the owner. To do this, follow the instructions provided on a website by the manufacturer of this item."

In other words, the Find My app will start recognizing tracking gadgets that aren't Apple-certified. Plus, users will have the option to disable them, too.

2. New MDM perk

For users who are mobile device managers (MDMs), which typically involve some sort of business organization that remotely manages and control their employees' Apple devices, beta versions can now be enforced during automated device enrollment, according to Aaron Perris on X.

Tweet may have been deleted 3. Web distribution

In March, Apple announced that, in compliance with the EU's DMA rules, developers will have the option to distribute their apps from a website (as opposed to the Apple App Store).

With iOS 17.5 beta 1, Apple is putting this plan into action, enabling support for web installation in the new update.

However, keep in mind that Apple isn't allowing iOS to be the Wild, Wild West here. The Cupertino-based tech giant will still require developers to meet certain guidelines to protect the operating system's integrity. Plus, as Apple stated in its announcement, apps can "only be installed from a website domain that the developer has registered in App Store Connect."

And finally, in addition to three new features, iOS 17.5 beta 1 has a few minor design changes:

• Apple Books - The "reading goal" icon has been redesigned

• Settings app - "Passkeys Access for Web Browsers" has a new icon

• Apple Podcasts - The widget has a new dynamic design, changing to align with the artwork of the show you're listening to

Wondering when the official release of iOS 17.5 will roll out to the greater public? We're expecting it to drop some time in May before iOS 18 is revealed in WWDC 2024.

Instagram is rewarding select creators for posting, offering a "spring bonus" for engagement on their posts.

First reported by Business Insider, the monetization program is invite-only, offering some creators revenue for content that isn't brand-sponsored or falling under the umbrella of a collaboration.

SEE ALSO: Most creators making six figures have less than 1 million followers, new study finds

An Instagram spokesperson confirmed the test to Mashable, saying it applies to certain creators posting reels, carousels, and single image posts.

"Instagram is testing a spring bonus, which rewards creators for sharing their reels, carousels, and single image posts," the spokesperson said. The bonus is currently only applicable to those in South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, but Instagram said they hope to bring the program "to more creators in the future."

The program comes after Instagram notoriously shut down its Reels Play Bonus, which previously rewarded creators for hitting certain view benchmarks on their videos. Creators belonging to the defunct program would make between $500 and $1,000 per month — the loss of which angered many users. Back then, Instagram said it would continue to work on monetization options for creators: referring to the Reels Play Bonus, a spokesperson told the Verge, "We will look into ways to run the program in a more targeted form, for example in potential new markets."

Now it seems the app is playing around with cash incentives once again, which could be good news for creators if the bonus happens to become more widespread.

GET A FREE PAIR OF EARBUDS: As of April 3, you can get a free pair of Liberty 4 NC earbuds when you purchase the XREAL Air 2 Pro smart glasses.

Opens in a new window Credit: XREAL XREAL Air 2 Pro at XREAL
Shop Now

If you've ever wished you could carry a big-screen TV wherever you go, the XREAL Air 2 Pro is as close as you'll get. These smart glasses transform the space in front of you into a virtual theatre so you can do chores while enjoying your favorite TV shows or movies.

SEE ALSO: The XREAL Air 2 smart glasses are a huge improvement from the original model

And, if you order a pair right now, you'll get the bonus of a free pair of Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds to take your viewing experience to the next level. All you have to do is purchase your Air 2 Pro online. Once your order ships, you'll receive a redemption code for your free Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds (which retail at $99) via email within 72 hours.

That's a pretty good deal if you ask us. Not only do the XREAL Air 2 Pro give you a theatre-like experience, but they're comfortable, too. With three nose pads and the option to get prescription lenses, these smart glasses are designed for maximum comfort and customization.

SEE ALSO: XREAL (formerly Nreal) Air AR glasses are so cool but need some serious work

Of course, there's some fine print:

• This deal is available now through April 23, so you'd better jump on it while you can.

• The earbuds cannot be returned for a refund.

• Returning the Air 2 Pro glasses requires returning the earbuds as well. If you try to return the glasses without the earbuds it'll result in a $99 deduction from your refund to cover the earbuds' value.

A total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada on April 8, the likes of which won't return to the continent until 2044.

This special astronomical phenomenon happens when the moon lines up between the sun and Earth in space, completely blocking the face of the sun for a brief period and exposing the sun's corona. It can confuse wildlife and gobsmack even the most informed audience.

"It gives you that sense of place, that sense of belonging, and also smallness in the universe, and how did we get so lucky to be on this place where things just happened to align this way?" said Kelly Korreck, NASA program manager for the eclipse.

Over the past few months, Mashable has diligently reported everything you need to know about this stellar event. Here's a round-up of our guides and coverage.

SEE ALSO: That iconic Trump meme may save eyes this solar eclipse Tweet may have been deleted How often total solar eclipses happen

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes between the sun and Earth. During that brief period when the sun is entirely hidden behind the moon — up to 4.5 minutes this time — the sky will darken to twilight.

When the sun is concealed, called "totality," people have the rare chance to observe the sun's corona around the edges of the moon. The corona, the outer layer of the sun's atmosphere, is normally washed out by the much brighter solar surface.

SEE ALSO: That iconic Trump meme may save eyes this solar eclipse

As Mashable has reported, this special alignment happens on our planet about every year or two. But with over 70 percent of Earth's surface covered by oceans, viewing such an event on land is not as common. Even more unusual is living in a place where the eclipse comes to you: On average, a total solar eclipse returns to the same location about every 375 years.

The phenomenon has transfixed civilizations throughout history, and ancient peoples have associated eclipses with superstitions and dread. But most people today understand total solar eclipses as harmless natural events. Astronomers often describe their eclipse experiences as full of introspection, ecstasy, and wonder. 

A map shows where the moon's shadow will cross over the United States, known as the path of totality, during the April 2024 solar eclipse. Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio Solar eclipse path calculators show which locations will experience totality

The moon will cast its shadow over the continent starting on Mexico's western coast at 11:07 a.m. PT, sweeping from Texas to Maine, entering Canada through Ontario, and exiting from Newfoundland at 5:16 p.m. NDT. Major U.S. cities in this path will include Dallas, Indianapolis, and Cleveland. Over 31 million people live within this corridor.

If you're not sure whether you'll be in the right place at the right time, Mashable has compiled eclipse calculators that can help. Everywhere else in the U.S. mainland, from coast to coast, will get a partial eclipse, meaning some portion of the sun will be exposed during the peak.

The places with the best odds for clear skies are out West. Statistically, Texas and Arkansas look the most promising, though the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has put together a cloudiness map that shows the likelihood of visibility based on climate records. 

Experts warn spectators not to look in the direction of the sun unless it is completely concealed by the moon. Credit: NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP via Getty Images Solar eclipse glasses will help people safely view the eclipse. How to get yours.

Never stare at the sun, unless you're wearing protective solar filters or the sun is completely concealed behind the moon. Otherwise, even looking briefly at the sun's rim could cause visual impairment. 

Eye doctors and scientists say the sun can literally cook a person's eyes, causing solar retinopathy. All internet memes and kidding aside, scars caused by solar burns can be permanent and result in legal blindness, depending on the severity of the injury. Several little glances can be as harmful as a long stare. 

If you're unsure where to get glasses or need help determining if a pair complies with international safety standards, see Mashable's guide to solar eclipse eyewear.

The 'diamond ring' effect is on display close to the peak moment of a total solar eclipse over Casper, Wyoming, on August 21, 2017. Credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images How the 2024 solar eclipse will differ from the last one 

The total solar eclipse on April 8 will last longer, could appear darker, and the corona should look even more like a spiky crown than it did in 2017. Also, many times more people live in the path of totality, where it will be safe to remove protective eclipse glasses for the minutes when the sun is completely blocked.

Corona means "crown" in Latin. And because of where the sun is in its 11-year solar cycle, eclipse watchers are more likely to see a corona surrounded by pointy peaks, much like the name evokes.

SEE ALSO: How the 2024 solar eclipse will be different from the last

Eclipse chasers are also excited about the chance to see wispy pink tendrils and bubbles or blobs in the corona. 

Comet 12/P Pons-Brooks, aka the 'devil comet,'  will have its closest approach to the sun just two weeks after the eclipse on April 21. Credit: Dan Bartlett What to look for during the eclipse

The main attraction is the sun's corona, a gossamer white glow that will appear when the moon blocks the sun. No two coronas during totality look alike, each taking on different shapes and features due to solar activity.

But there are other delights to look forward to in the sky. Planets Jupiter and Venus will pop against the darkened palette, outshining Sirius, the brightest star.  

SEE ALSO: A comet could photobomb the solar eclipse. Here's where to look.

Comet 12/P Pons-Brooks, aka the 'devil comet,'  will have its closest approach to the sun just two weeks after the eclipse on April 21. The timing of the visit means the giant space snowball could be visible in the temporary twilight that comes with a blocked sun. The key will be whether the comet will undergo a sudden flare-up called an outburst a day or so before.

What an eclipse looks like from space

A paucity of humans have seen the effect of a total solar eclipse in space. From the vantage point of the International Space Station, a laboratory orbiting about 250 miles above Earth, astronauts have seen the moon's shadow, like an enormous storm bearing down on their home planet. 

Some other worlds experience solar eclipses, though not all planets have moons that appear large enough from the planet's surface to completely blot out the sun. And not all moons are as appropriately sized and shaped for the job. That point was underscored when NASA's Mars rover Perseverance recently took a video of the Martian moon Phobos partially eclipsing the sun. From the perspective of the Red Planet, the 40-second event looked a bit like a flyby potato. 

GET A $100 BEST BUY GIFT CARD: Pre-order the Samsung Music Frame smart speaker for $399.99 at Best Buy and receive a $100 digital gift card to Best Buy with your purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Music Frame smart speaker $399.99 at Best Buy
Get a free $100 Best Buy digital gift card with purchase Get Deal

Brand-new home tech from Samsung combines three of our favorite things: music, photos of our loved ones, and smart technology that makes life a little bit easier. Thanks to today's deal at Best Buy, you can snag Samsung's latest and save big on a future Best Buy purchase.

As of April 3, all preorders of the Samsung Music Frame smart speaker come with a free $100 Best Buy digital gift card. The Samsung Music Frame costs $399.99 and is set for release on April 12. You'll receive the e-gift card via email once your order is fulfilled or picked up in-store.

SEE ALSO: Samsung reveals its new 2024 flagship TVs and Music Frame speaker

In March, Samsung announced its latest round of innovations, including the Music Frame smart speaker. Instead of your living room speaker looking like, well, a speaker, the Samsung Music Frame is a customizable frame that looks similar to one you'd hang on your wall to display a family photo. The frame holds a 10-by-8-inch photo or piece of art and comes with a wall mount kit so you can hang it up or stand it on a side table.

The speaker has Dolby Atmos Music and Sound which enhances audio quality from the three-way speaker. You can stream your favorites to the Music Frame through Bluetooth or a WiFi connection.

If you've never liked the look of a traditional speaker sitting in your living room, the Samsung Music Frame smart speaker solves the issue. Pre-order the Music Frame from Best Buy and score a free $100 digital gift card with your purchase to save on a future purchase at Best Buy.

Neil Gaiman, the fantasy mastermind behind book-to-television marvels like The Sandman, Good Omens, and Coraline, is lending his beloved literature to Netflix's latest.

Dead Boy Detectives, an upcoming eight-episode show, is inspired by Gaiman and comic writer Matt Wagner's series for DC Comics. The series belongs to The Sandman universe, which was adapted by Netflix a few years ago. In the latest rendition, two best friends evade the afterlife by remaining on Earth and investigating paranormal crimes. Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri), born decades apart, use their ghostly powers to take on demons, witches, and other spooky foes.

Dead Boy Detectives premieres on Netflix on April 25.

I learned that my iPhone 15 Pro Max and the upcoming 2024 total solar eclipse do not mix. I stumbled upon BGR's article, which warned sky gazers about using their phones to take pictures of the imminent cosmic event.

If you're like me, you may be wondering "Why?" After all, who wouldn't want to snap a photo of such an awe-inspiring celestial occurrence?

As it turns out, taking a photo of the 2024 solar eclipse could damage your iPhone's camera hardware.

SEE ALSO: How the 2024 solar eclipse will be different from the last Why you shouldn't take a photo of the 2024 solar eclipse with your phone

In the same way that you shouldn't use a telescope or binoculars to gaze at the sun (you could melt your eyeballs off), you shouldn't use your phone's shooter — or any other poorly equipped camera — to take a photo of the solar eclipse.

BGR says that no smartphone is designed to handle the intense solar rays the sun emanates. "Using your camera or phone could cause the heat from the rays to become so concentrated that it could melt the lens inside," the tech outlet warned.

There is a workaround in that you can purchase filters for your phone and camera.

NEEWER 67mm Clip On Filters Kit for Phone & Camera Credit: Amazon

But I spoke with Mashable's science editor Mark Kaufman, and he strongly recommends simply enjoying the event with approved solar glasses, as opposed to trying to capture the celestial spectacle with camera filters (unless you're an astrophotographer, of course). After all, you have the best optics tool on your face: your peepers.

SEE ALSO: You should buy eclipse glasses right NOW. Here's how to find legit ones.

It must be emphasized that it's imperative that your eyes are protected. NASA recommends getting "ISO 12312-2" grade solar eclipse glasses that filter harmful light. The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has a list of green-lighted sellers, including Rainbow Symphony, which sells these solar eclipse glasses.

The historic 2024 total solar eclipse is set to make its trajectory from Texas to Maine on April 8. Mashable's Elisha Sauers, our space reporter, suggested some useful 2024 solar eclipse calculators to help you determine whether you're in its path.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon NEEWER 67mm Clip On Filters Kit for Phone & Camera Get Deal

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Rainbow Symphony Solar Eclipse Glasses Get Deal

TL;DR: ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking free porn sites. This high-speed VPN can reliably bypass content restrictions to unblock sites like Pornhub, XVideos, and Xnxx.

There is a time and place for visiting your favorite porn sites. There are a lot of locations around the world that block access to sites like Pornhub and xHamster, and that's probably for the best. However, there is something to be said for retaining your online freedom (when the time is right).

We're not suggesting that you bypass online restrictions to access porn sites in inappropriate moments, but sometimes you'll want to watch your favorite sites in a totally appropriate time and place, but you won't be able to do that because a block is in place. In this situation, you should consider using a VPN.

If you're looking for the best way to unblock sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.

How to unblock Xnxx for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This simple process means you can bypass geo-restrictions to access porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world.

The process is actually really straightforward. Unblock Xnxx by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Xnxx

4. Watch Xnxx videos from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for accessing porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Xnxx and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when traveling or away from home.

What is the best VPN for porn?

There are multiple VPNs that can reliably unblock porn sites, including popular options like Private Internet Access and NordVPN. These are strong choices, but ExpressVPN remains the top pick when it comes to unblocking porn sites like Xnxx.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for porn, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

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

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. You can use the money-back guarantee to unblock Xnxx without fully committing with your cash.

Unblock Xnxx for free with ExpressVPN.

Since seeing his first solar eclipse at age 12, Ralph Chou has tried to relive that profound experience over and over, chasing the moon's shadow around the world.

It's what inspired him to become a professional astronomer, then an optometrist with a special research interest in how to protect human eyes while viewing the sun. Chou, who has retired from teaching at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, is considered one of the foremost experts on solar eclipse glasses and filters.

On April 8, he will travel to West Texas near the Rio Grande River for what will be his 30th encounter with the eclipsed sun.

"If I had banked all the money I spent on airfares and hotels and all the other stuff for traipsing after eclipses for the last 60 years, I would be a very wealthy man," he told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: How the 2024 solar eclipse will be different from the last Tweet may have been deleted

For the uninitiated, all the hype surrounding the 2024 eclipse might seem peculiar: Why the fuss for a few minutes when the moon blocks the sun in space? This unusual phenomenon has transfixed civilizations throughout history. Ancient peoples have associated eclipses with superstitions. Some cultures continue to regard a total solar eclipse as a spiritual event.

Though many astronomers are excited about the potential research that could come from experiments planned during the upcoming eclipse, witnessing it will be much more personal. It's a chance to contemplate life's mysteries, they say, the majesty of our planet and its star, and our place in the universe. Ask a heliophysicist for a description of totality, and you might think she's scatting poetry.

"It sounded cheesy, even though I study the sun and love the sun. The first time people were explaining this to me, I was like, 'Yeah, sure, right,'" Kelly Korreck, NASA's eclipse program manager, told Mashable. "But having gone through it, it really is a full-body experience."

"Having gone through it, it really is a full-body experience." Credit: ROBYN BECK / AFP via Getty Images

Here's how she explains it:

At the peak of the eclipse, there is basically what looks like twilight all around the horizon — but darkness. Animals come to roost, or try to kind of wind down for the day, and then come back awake. You hear crickets during midday. If you were closer to a farm, you'd hear a rooster crow.

After this is done, there's wind, the light gets a little eerie because it's just coming in at different angles. Tree leaves show the crescent moons of the eclipse as it's going, so they are pinhole projectors.

"The light gets a little eerie because it's just coming in at different angles." Credit: Alan Dyer / VW Pics / UIG via Getty Images

There's just something magical about seeing what's behind the sun — seeing some stars, seeing this beautiful corona around it. It gives you that sense of place, that sense of belonging, and also smallness in the universe.

That moment is when she had the epiphany other eclipse spectators have likely envisaged for millennia.

"How did we get so lucky to be in this place, where things just happened to align this way?" she said.

"Tree leaves show the crescent moons of the eclipse as it's going, so they are pinhole projectors." Credit: Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post via Getty Images

Michael Zeiler, an eclipse cartographer, has seen 11 total and four annular solar eclipses in his days. He and his wife founded the GreatAmericanEclipse.com, a resource for solar eclipses around the world, to share their passion for the phenomenon. No one has to be a scientist to appreciate a 360-degree sunset, he told Mashable, or the spiky glow of the corona, the sun's outermost atmosphere.

"But what adds a punch to that is the disc of the moon, which appears to be the blackest black you've ever seen." Credit: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

And when you do finally see it, it'll be seared into your memory forever.

What is shocking are two things that you see at once: The first thing is the beauty of the sun's corona. You've never seen that before.

But what adds a punch to that is the disk of the moon, which appears to be the blackest black you've ever seen. It's like a hole in the sky. And I think that black hole superimposed against the corona is what evokes a lot of emotion, including a lot of foreboding.

If you go into the experience with some understanding, that fear will be tempered by — or overwhelmed by — the ecstasy of things, of something so beautiful.

"If you go into the experience with some understanding, that fear will be tempered by or overwhelmed by the ecstasy of things, of something so beautiful." Credit: ABDUL QODIR / AFP via Getty Images "It sounded cheesy, even though I study the sun and love the sun. The first time people were explaining this to me, I was like, 'Yeah, sure, right.'"

Though a total solar eclipse isn't particularly rare, Zeiler defines it as an unforgettable "peak life experience" that may become a new obsession.

"Once you’ve seen one, you’ll want to see another," he said.

"Once you’ve seen one, you’ll want to see another." Credit: Natalie Behring / Getty Images

Even after all this time, Chou still gets emotional.

When that last bit of sunlight is snuffed out by the edge of the moon, and you see the corona for the first time for that eclipse, that is one of those absolute moments of wonder. You realize that this is something that the universe has provided for us, and there is nothing that we, as humans, can do to stop it, make it start over, or anything else. This is just the universe going on, no matter what.

It tells you a little bit about your place in the universe, which is not very much. You can be a cock of the walk, proverbially, and yet there is nothing you can do that will influence how this event is going to go on.

"You realize that this is something that the universe has provided for us, and there is nothing that we, as humans, can do to stop it." Credit: Dimitrios Manis / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images

There's a lot to ponder in what will amount to as much as 4.5 minutes of totality for the millions of people in the path of the moon's shadow, which starts on Mexico's Pacific coast, arcs from Texas to Maine, enters Canada through Ontario, and exits on the Atlantic Coast from Newfoundland. Major U.S. cities in the corridor include Dallas, Indianapolis, and Cleveland.

Special protective solar filters attached to cameras and other devices can allow viewers to capture the event in pictures and videos without damaging their vision, but Korreck gives the bold advice of putting the phone down.

You're going to be gobsmacked by what you see, hear, and feel.

"Really just kind of drink it in," she said, "instead of feeling like you have to take a picture right now."

This story originally published on Feb. 17, 2024 and has been updated.

Nearly 400 Apple workers have signed an open letter asking for Apple executives to "end their silence" on Palestinian suffering amid the war on Gaza. The group also alleged that employees who have expressed solidarity with Palestine have been "actioned against" or "wrongfully terminated."

The letter, addressed to CEO Tim Cook and members of Apple leadership, was published by a group called Apples 4 Ceasefire, which includes hundreds of Apple employees, past and present. They stated that Cook had addressed "the loss of innocent Israeli lives" following the Oct. 7 attacks, but that Apple leadership has failed to acknowledge the violence against Palestinians in the days and months following. The daily death rate of Palestinian civilians in Gaza is higher than any other major conflict in the twenty-first century, with over 33,000 known casualties including 13,000 children.

Apples 4 Ceasefire began their movement last week on social media and with the publication of the letter. The signatories range from retail workers to technical experts to operations specialists, working at Apple branches and offices globally: current and former employees from America, Scotland, Spain, Canada, and the UK have signed.

SEE ALSO: Israel reportedly using facial recognition and Google Photos to conduct mass surveillance in Gaza

In the letter, the group criticised Apple for "the lack of care and understanding this company has given the Palestinian community, not only abroad suffering in Gaza, but also towards our own team members and anyone who supports them within our stores and offices."

The group also claimed that Apple employees had been disciplined for showing solidarity with Palestine through accessories. "In fact, anyone who has dared to express support of the Palestinian people in the form of kaffiyehs, pins, bracelets, or clothing, has been actioned against under the guise of 'breaking business conduct,' and creating a 'harmful environment,'" the letter reads.

One of the participating campaigners, journalist Tariq Ra'ouf, spoke to Mashable, saying, "For too long, the world has ignored the suffering of the Palestinian people. By having its doors open in Israel and remaining silent on today’s attacks on Palestinian civilians, Apple has contributed to a systemic erasure that is now becoming a clear case of ethnic cleansing and racist violence."

"If Apple wants to truly stand by its credo and make the world a better place," Ra'ouf continued, "they need to lead the world like they have time and time again."

Mashable has reached out to Apple for comment.

Tweet may have been deleted

In a podcast with media group Palestine in America published last week, Apples 4 Ceasefire detailed discrimination allegedly faced by a Chicago-based Apple employee for wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian headdress. The employee, Madly Laaibah Espinoza, reportedly asked an Apple Store team leader prior to wearing her keffiyeh, and was told she could do so as long as it didn't cover any Apple logo. The group says Espinoza was later fired.

The campaigners behind Apples 4 Ceasefire are planning a protest in Chicago this Saturday.

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Major tech companies, including Apple, have faced similar criticism for their messaging — or lack thereof — since the escalation of the war in the Middle East, leading to employees speaking out publicly.

Back in November, Apple reportedly suspended internal Slack channels for Jewish and Muslim employees, following messages pertaining to Israel and the war on Gaza. Microsoft was also reported to have shut down a discussion about the war after an employee posted that the company "is oblivious to the overwhelming and disproportionate suffering of the Palestinian people". Google has faced internal conflict about the company's ties to Israel, with over 600 workers signing an open letter against Google's sponsorship of an annual conference promoting the Israeli tech industry in New York. A Google Cloud engineer was fired after staging a pro-Palestine protest during said event, speaking against Project Nimbus: a contentious contract between Google, Amazon, and the Israeli government and military which provides Israel with cloud computing services. Google employees have long said the project will heighten "systematic discrimination" against Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Big Tech companies have been condemned by consumers for reportedly suppressing information during the war on Gaza. Meta was accused, in numerous instances, of shadowbanning pro-Palestine posts on Instagram and censoring such content across its platforms.

This isn't the first time Apple employees have called for the company to publicly support Palestinians. In 2021, workers belonging to the Apple employee group, Apple Muslim Association, circulated an open letter also addressed to Tim Cook, asking the company to recognize that "millions of Palestinian people currently suffer under an illegal occupation." The plea came after Israel escalated an attack on Gaza in May of that year, bombing the Strip and killing hundreds.

In their open letter, three years later, Apples 4 Ceasefire asked for Apple leadership to "end their silence" on the war and "make it clear that Palestinian lives matter."

"Year after year, we are voted one of the world’s most admired companies. We lead industries, create life-changing technologies, and have moved the world forward in more ways than one," write the campaigners. "It is time for Apple to take center stage and redefine expectations of how the world views the Palestinian struggle for self-determination, and stand firm in our belief of racial equity and justice."

Are you the proud owner of a Meta Quest? You'll have to re-verify your age if you want to use it.

On Tuesday, Meta announced that it's mandatory for Quest 2 and Quest 3 users to confirm their age by re-entering their birthday. In a blog post, Meta said that such an audit of user ages on its VR headsets "helps both us and developers provide the right experience, settings, and protections for teens and preteens."

"We’re doing this to help ensure everyone using Meta Quest has access to age-appropriate tools, content and protections," reads the post.

SEE ALSO: Are Meta's new teen safety features too little, too late?

Quest users will receive a prompt to log into their Meta account and enter their birthdate — something that the company says must be done within the next 30 days or your account will be temporarily blocked. Meta said there's a possibility users may enter the wrong birthdate, but if you do, you can verify your age with an ID or credit card.

Once entered, Meta will suggest the right type of account the user should have based on their age: Adults (18+), Teens (13-17), or Preteens (10-12). Each of these account types has different settings, tiered by age in terms of restrictions and defaults.

Adult accounts have the least restrictions, of course. They can choose public or private profiles, and active status is visible to followers unless you switch it off.

Teen accounts have their profile set to private by default, and activity and status are hidden by default (teens can decide to share these as well as approve follower requests). Teen accounts also come with the parental supervision controls Meta launched in 2022. Of these, Mashable's Chase DiBenedetto writes, "In the virtual reality world of Meta Quest, a realm of almost frighteningly varied possibilities, tools like these are an even more pressing concern. But the user-oriented tools still have their limits in a space where even adults can't escape harassment, and beg us to ask how companies can address the damage already done."

And Preteen accounts, which have the most restrictions, are also known as parent-managed accounts. Parents are given control over account set-up, can determine profile and activity settings, which are automatically set to private, and can determine which apps a user can download or access.

Coming under consistent fire for not adequately keeping young people safe on its platforms, Meta has needed to make moves to make its virtual spaces safer for teens and preteens — there's now a whole Parent Guide for Quest, which accompanies Meta's Family Center launched in 2022. In fact, the company reportedly really, really wants kids to use its platforms. However, Meta's recently launched teen safety features feel slightly too little, too late.

Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter represents a lot of things for Black culture. Not only is the new album from the 32-time Grammy winner a love letter to country music's rich Black roots, it's also a reclamation of a genre that was only thought to be for a certain group of people.

SEE ALSO: Social media reacts to Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter'

Country music owes much of its sound and history to Black musicians of the past like Linda Martell, Lil Hardin Armstong, Jimmie Rodger, and Charley Pride. Thus, just like she did with Renaissance in highlighting the Black history of dance and house music, Beyonce is using her album to spotlight a new generation of Black country artists.

In case you aren't familiar, we've got the rundown on the same of the names featured across Cowboy Carter, along with some tracks of theirs that are worth checking out.

Tanner Adell

Featured along with three other artists on this list on the track "BLACKBIIRD," Adell is a Gen-Z country artist that BET has called the "New Queen of Glam Country."

Alongside her country roots, Adell's style is a distinctive blend of glam country, hip-hop, and even K-pop. Since moving to Nashville in 2021 to pursue her music career, the 27-year-old has a massive following on social media with close to 690,000 followers on TikTok and another 575,000 on Instagram. Having grown up in the Mormon church and spending time in Sweden on a mission trip, Adell has created an unusual path to potential country music stardom.

Put this on your radar

• "Love You a Little Bit"

• "Buckle Bunny"

• "FU-150"

• "Trailer Park Barbie"

Regardless of where she came from, Adell's journey is more than just tunes: it's about challenging stereotypes and making room for Black women in country music. Adell's style may raise some eyebrows among traditionalists, but she's paving the way for a more inclusive, diverse country music world.

Willie Jones

A country singer from Shreveport, Louisiana, Jones got his start as a contestant on the US version of X-Factor in 2012. Now, almost 12 years later, he's dueting with Beyoncé on the track "JUST FOR FUN." The song itself is admittedly not fun. It's about acceptance and learning to live with pain — it's hauntingly dark, with Jones' voice fittingly exceptionally well with Beyonce's.

Put this on your radar

• "American Dream"

• "Down by the Riverside"

• "Back Porch"

• "Slow Cooking"

Just like Adell, Jones is adept at blending genres — a blend of crunchy rock country mixed with trap. While a bit lesser than known than some on this list, Jones is making his way through country music, having released his debut album Something to Dance To just last year.

Tiera Kennedy

Another featured artist on "BLACKBIIRD," Kennedy is an Alabama-raised country musician who grew up around R&B and local bluegrass sounds. After moving to Nashville, Kennedy was invited by her mentor Shaina Twain to perform on Real Country, a music competition show for up-and-coming country artists.

Put this on your radar

• "Jesus, My Mama, My Therapist"

• "Alabama Nights"

• "Miles"

• "Gentleman"

Despite not winning that competition, Kennedy quickly found her own voice with hits like "Found It In You" and "Jesus, My Mama, My Therapist," which perfectly blends pop country with bluegrass twang. Kennedy is currently the host of The Tiera Show on Apple Music Country — and is even signed by the same label where Taylor Swift got her start.

Reyna Roberts

Roberts is another country music starlet who appeared in "BLACKBIIRD," who describes herself as the "Princess of Outlaw Country." Her 2020 single "Stompin' Grounds" is an absolute bop that fits perfectly in the genre of "country rock that plays before an MNF game." Her music is more than that though, with songs like "One Way Street" and "We Said I Do" combining slick 90's R&B production with Roberts' powerful and versatile voice.

Put this on your radar

• "Stompin' Grounds"

• "Louisiana"

• "Hell and Back"

• "Miranda"

Like Jones, Roberts is less well-known than others in the group of artists featured on Cowboy Carter. She's slowly making a name for herself, and hopefully, with 2023's release of her debut album Bad Girl Bible Vol. 1, she's ever closer to breaking out to the mainstream.

Brittney Spencer

Spencer is the last of the rising Black women of country featured on "BLACKBIIRD." Spencer describes herself as a "plus-size Black girl from Baltimore City, in Nashville doing country music." And while she acknowledges that it sounds "weird as hell," she's gotten high praise from the likes of Maren Morris and Amanda Shires for her beautiful vocal performances.

Put this on your radar

• "My Stupid Life"

• "Sober & Skinny"

• "cowboy take me away"

• "I Got Time"

Spencer just released her debut album My Stupid Life in January this year to rave reviews. Rolling Stone called the album "one of the most convincing country statements in a while." Suffice it to say, it's time to get on the Brittney Spencer hype train right now.

Shaboozey

Finally to round off the list is Shaboozey, who is featured on two songs on Cowboy Carter: "SPAGHETTII" and "SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN."

A Virginia native with Nigerian roots, Boozey has made waves as a genre-defying country artist who blends elements from hip-hop, Afrobeats, jazz, Americana, rock, country, and Western music. His unique sound reflects a wide range of influences, including Fela, Bob Dylan, Lead Belly, and Johnny Cash.

Put this on your radar

• "Let it Burn"

• "Tall Boy"

• "Annabelle"

• "Vegas"

Off that back of his features with Beyoncé, Boozey has announced his new album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, will be out May 31. 

What does your perfect gaming set-up look like? We’re picturing a really comfortable chair, plenty of snacks, and maybe some atmospheric lighting. Plus, your console and controller of choice. But what about a quality gaming headset? It's all too often forgotten about, but a good headset can be a literal game-changer.

The right gaming headset will give you a level of immersion that just isn't possible without incredible feedback. It will pull you deeper into the world you're exploring on the screen, making your game an all-round reality.

The good news is that there are absolutely loads of gaming headsets out there. The bad news is that it can be difficult to find the right headset for you when there's so much on offer. This is where we can help you out.

Do you need a gaming headset?

By blocking out background noise and producing accurate, detailed, and powerful sound that places you in the centre of the action, headsets are your perfect gaming partner. Gaming is all about immersion, after all.

Another reason to consider a headset is that these devices can be the difference between success and failure. Being able to pick up on subtle sounds is absolutely vital at crunch time. We realise that not everyone is that fussed about blocking out the world and dominating opponents, but there are some seriously competitive gamers out there who will be looking to find every possible edge.

What are the most important gaming headset features?

Yes, there are a lot of gaming headsets out there. So to make your life that little bit easier, we've researched all the ldetails and lined up the most important things to consider:

• Comfort — Nothing ruins a gaming session like an uncomfortable headset, and it simply doesn't matter if an uncomfortable headset produces absolutely incredible sound with an accurate microphone and a stylish design. If it's not comfortable, it's not worth considering.

• Durability — The majority of gaming headsets are made from plastic, but this can result is a flimsy and cheap feel. If you can’t find something with a durable metal or wire frame, you should at least try and pick a headset that has a good range of movement.

• Isolation — Some games use very slight directional audio cues, so a headset's seal heavily impacts the sound quality. It's important to consider how the foam of the headphone pad will mould to the shape of your head. If the seal isn't effective, find something that fits better. Some gaming headsets may take isolation even further with noise cancellation.

• Microphone — When selecting a gaming headset, you should consider whether it comes with a built-in mic. If not, you'll need to purchase a microphone to attach to your headphones. If it does come with a built-in mic (and it should), it's worth checking for noise-cancelling properties, a convenient mute function, and a boom. All of this combines to improve voice clarity, minimise outside distractions, and ensure your privacy.

• Spatial Sound — Getting the edge over the competition really comes down to spatial audio aka virtual surround sound. This feature provides accurate omnidirectional hearing, giving you a heads up when enemies are close by. The best gaming headsets are able to map sounds to virtual 3D locations where calibrated speakers can precisely position the sounds. If someone is sneaking up on you from the left, you’ll hear the sound from that direction.

• Style — There are many more important things to consider when it comes to your gaming headset, but style is essential to many gamers. It's always better to prioritise sound and build quality, but there is no reason why you can't have both things with a stylish design.

How much does a gaming headset cost?

You can get a decent set for under £100. In fact, there are some very affordable options on this list. But you can also pay much more if you want serious quality and advanced tech. If you’re dedicated gamer, it’s worth spending anywhere up to £300-plus.

What is the best gaming headset?

That all depends on your price range and gaming requirements. To help, we have tracked down a selection of the very best headsets to suit every gamer and every budget, with something for your PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. We've checked out specs, features, and reviews to give you a clear idea of what headset is best suited to you and your needs.

These are the best gaming headsets in 2024.

Truth Social, Trump's social media platform that Daily Show host Desi Lydic describes as "a website whose business model is 'What if Twitter was just Nazis?'", took a serious hit on Tuesday after the stock crashed 20 percent — taking $1 billion of its owner's net worth along with it.

"Yeah Trump, you lost a billion dollars yesterday!" says Lydic in the monologue above. "Now you're only worth $6 million you broke bitch."

Lydic goes on to take some more shots at both the platform itself and its owner, ultimately concluding that Trump is just trying to be in every section of the newspaper at once.

"Finance, politics, style, city crime — it's only a matter of time until he drops a theatre review," says Lydic, before putting on her best Trump voice: "'Just saw Wicked, total witch hunt.'"

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a game about feeling like the coolest guy on the planet after winning a 20-minute fight against an asshole dragon. Conversely, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a game about stumbling around like an idiot as a cyclops pummels you into oblivion because you didn’t adequately prepare before going out at night.

It’s also a game about throwing your friends off of cliffs, trying to work around questionable AI, and relentless inventory management. But most of all, it’s a story of redemption for a cult classic that finally, finally found a way to hit it big with a mainstream audience without compromising on its hilarious, friction-filled ideals.

If you’re willing to get down and dirty with Dragon’s Dogma 2 — and accept the game on its own terms — you’ll find one of the most satisfying, spirited open-world experiences in years.

What I like about Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 may not be the best game of 2024, but it’s hard to imagine another game being more committed to the bit. From its emphasis on exploration (with a challenging travel system adding depth to gameplay) to dynamic and unpredictable encounters, Dragon Dogma 2 is a refreshing departure from conventional open-world mechanics.

Running back and forth has never been so fun Like a rhinestone catboy. Credit: Capcom/Steam

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess at least a few people reading this aren’t really familiar with Dragon’s Dogma’s game. Let me fix that.

Put simply, it’s open-world action RPG that zigs where a lot of other games in the genre zag. The narrative premise is thin (you are a very special boy or girl out to prove that they are the true monarch of the kingdom), none of your party members are real characters per se, and the simple act of getting around is kind of a chore — on purpose.

That last part is important. You can only warp around using consumable items that are expensive in shops early on and otherwise very rarely doled out as quest rewards or in chests. A cheap oxcart system offers a quasi-fast travel option between major hubs. However, there's a considerable risk of your journey being disrupted by an ogre, resulting in the destruction of your cart, leaving you stranded in the wilderness after dark.

The functional outcome of these design choices is that you’ll spend a lot of time running between towns, often traversing paths you’ve explored before. In another game, this would be tedious backtracking. Here, it’s part of Dragon’s Dogma’s thesis statement. No two trips are ever exactly the same. Sometimes, it’s smooth sailing, but other times, a chimera will ruin your day. There’s also an abundance of side paths leading to bespoke dungeons or other areas filled with treacherous enemies and worthwhile loot.

All of these ideas and systems work together to produce an experience that feels decidedly refreshing in this age of frictionless, sanded-down open-world games. You’ll never climb a tower to unveil icons on a map in Dragon’s Dogma. The map does a good job of communicating where you can go, but it’ll never tell you what you’ll find there. That’s for you to discover.

The funny thing is, the first game was exactly the same way. All that’s changed here is that everything is a little bit better. Tutorials are more straightforward and readily available. It only takes a couple of hours before you feel powerful, as opposed to the 8 to 10 hours with the original game. This, in many ways, feels like a reimagining of the first game more than a sequel, as Capcom has had an extra dozen years, and presumably a much larger budget, to fine-tune the experience.

Taking down big monsters rocks Everyone remembers their first time slaying a griffin. Credit: Capcom/Steam

And fine-tune it, Capcom has. Combat in Dragon’s Dogma 2 is, in a word, thrilling. Whether cutting your way through weak goblin doofuses or fighting one of several big boss monsters that require you to physically climb on them to strike weak points Shadow of the Colossus-style, this is a game about patience and focus. Each of the game’s several playable classes uses unique weapons and has distinct abilities, and fitting into your role is tantamount to success.

Thieves, for example, are at their best when being maximum annoying. They can dart around the battlefield using a dash move that no other class has and inflict huge damage without taking hits. Mystic Spearhands, on the other hand, are all about carefully using magic to stun enemies and support teammates before moving in for the kill when an opportunity arises. And finally, as an archer, your job is simple: stay the hell out of the way.

Point being, you can’t just button mash your way to success here. Doing so will get you punished severely, whether it’s by strong enemy attacks or just dumb physics luck. Dragon’s Dogma 2 distinguishes itself from its contemporaries by adopting a realistic bodily physics system, so characters will stumble around and get knocked down when a boss strikes the ground nearby. Sometimes you’ll get picked up and thrown off a cliff, and all you can do is laugh.

Once you get a grasp on Dragon’s Dogma’s combat, all of that feels natural, even when it doesn’t work in your favor. There’s a good deal of randomness here that elevates things, too. Sometimes, you’ll engage in simple combat in a flat, open area. Other times, a boss monster will want to scrap while you’re on a precarious cliff. One time, I was midway through killing a cyclops when a griffin descended upon us, turning it into a stressful fight against two mean monsters. 

Learn to accept failure

While it’s very easy to feel awesome in Dragon’s Dogma 2, I want to emphasize that failure is built into the game’s design ethos. You will stumble and fall, failing to complete quests on time (yes, some quests have time limits) or failing to find them at all. It won’t always be your fault, either. That’s just life, man.

It’s this aspect of Dragon’s Dogma 2 that ultimately won me over more than anything else. You really have to give yourself over to the idea that your adventure won’t go perfectly. I failed quests and ruined relationships with certain characters by accident. I wasted fast travel items and burned through all of my curatives — only to run away from the fight I was trying to win, run out of money, and accidentally sell important quest items trying to get that money back. 

Failure as a built-in feature of game design is part of what drew people to Baldur’s Gate 3 last year, and Dragon’s Dogma 2 gave me what that game gave its millions of fans. It just does it without putting an on-screen 20-sider. 

Pawn Stars Archery can be crucial. Credit: Capcom/Steam

I’d be remiss not to take a moment to talk about Pawns, the stars of the show in Dragon’s Dogma. Your adventuring party is made up of your custom protagonist, as well as a second-created character who can be any class you choose. That’s your main Pawn, and the other two slots in your party are made up of other player’s main Pawns that you can pluck out of the online ether.

Pawns are just funny, man. They love chatting about rumors they’ve heard and other parties they’ve been in. If you fall off a high surface, sometimes they’ll catch you and save you from dying. You can also throw your main Pawn off a cliff as many times as you want without really suffering any consequences for it, if you so choose.

The only downside to all of this is that Dragon’s Dogma is so focused on letting the player tell their own stories that it doesn’t really bother to tell much of one by itself. People who like traditional RPGs might bemoan the fact that Pawns aren’t authored characters with deep backstories and satisfying narrative arcs. 

That said, you learn to love them all the same. Especially when you find out another player made a sorcerer modeled after Shrek and you can put him in your party. 

What’s ‘eh’ about Dragon’s Dogma 2

While Dragon’s Dogma 2 introduced an unexpected microtransactions store, it doesn't feel like the game's design was anchored around it. The scarcity of in-game items isn't artificially engineered to push purchases; rather, it's a design choice consistent with the franchise's history.

Yes, there are microtransactions

Shockingly, the previously unannounced microtransactions store was a surprise even to many people who got the game early for review. You can use it to buy helpful, game-changing items like fast travel crystals. It sucks, plain and simple.

However…this is kind of an own-goal on Capcom’s part. There is absolutely zero reason to believe that the developers made these items artificially scarce in-game to encourage you to buy them with real money. The items are rare because that’s how the game works. It’s how Dragon’s Dogma worked 12 years ago, too. 

In other words, you can safely ignore the microtransactions store. I don’t want to absolve Capcom here because even knowing that it exists does change the player’s relationship with the game to some extent. But functionally, this stuff doesn’t affect the game at all, and frankly anyone who spends money on fast travel crystals is a sucker.

What I dislike about Dragon’s Dogma 2

The unpredictability of Dragon’s Dogma 2's gameplay, while intriguing, sometimes leads to frustrating moments where the game's mechanics seem to fail rather than challenge.

Flying too close to the sun

The player only has so much control over what happens in Dragon’s Dogma 2, which is by and large a good thing. However, a game with this many variables in play at any given moment is eventually going to buckle under that weight and produce friction that isn’t especially fun.

I’m really talking specifically about a time I was escorting a character from one place to another for a quest and they just ... jumped off a cliff and died in the middle of a fight. Of course, I failed the quest and couldn’t try it again. It was frustrating because it was clearly the game breaking instead of an intentional choice by the developers.

That’s the kind of thing that can happen at any time, and it’s impressive that it doesn’t happen more, but that doesn’t mean it’s enjoyable. Again, though, failure is part of life. All you can do is move on to the next quest.

Is Dragon's Dogma 2 worth it?

I’m fully aware that not everyone is going to vibe with Dragon’s Dogma 2. You simply cannot play this game expecting it to be like Skyrim. You will experience moments of frustration as you realize you have to run all the way back to a place because you can’t fast travel there. Much of it might feel like wasted time, even.

But I promise that it’s not. You just have to let Dragon’s Dogma 2 drag you down into the mud with it. Everything that feels tedious or annoying is there for a reason, and once you see the bigger picture, you’ll learn to appreciate those things. Not every game needs to be like Dragon’s Dogma 2, but I’m happy as hell that at least one game is like this.