Blogroll

Apple's Vision Pro is currently only sold in the U.S., but that might change soon.

According to MacRumors, the code in visionOS, the software platform for Apple's Vision Pro headset, indicates that Apple is about to add support for new languages on the Vision Pro's virtual keyboard.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro teardown: What's inside the $3,500 headset

In total, 12 new languages will be added: Chinese (Simplified), English (Australia), English (Canada), English (Japan), English (Singapore), English (Singapore), English (UK), French (Canada), French (France), German (Germany), Japanese, and Korean.

This in turn probably means that Apple plans to launch the Vision Pro in Australia, Canada, China, France, German, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the UK next, with Hong Kong and Taiwan being potential candidates as well. None of this is official, of course, and it doesn't mean that the Vision Pro is coming to all of these countries and regions at the same time, but it does provide some indication of Apple's plans for the headset.

Featured Video For You Apple Vision Pro Tech & Specs

Apple originally launched the Vision Pro in the U.S. in February, and at the time the company provided only very vague info on when it may launch elsewhere, saying the headset would be coming to additional countries later this year.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted in January that Apple would launch the Vision Pro internationally ahead of the company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) which will likely take place in June 2024.

UPDATE: Mar. 14, 2024, 12:48 p.m. EDT This article was updated to add a quote from Microsoft indicating how users can access the newly upgraded free Copilot tier.

GPT-4 Turbo now underpins ChatGPT rival Copilot, upgrading the Microsoft AI assistant from the less-developed GPT-4 model, according to Microsoft's CEO of Advertising and Web Services, Mikhail Parakhin.

The best part is that this upgrade is affecting the free tier, which means you needn't pay a penny to access the expanded capabilities.

GPT-4 Turbo is an updated variant of GPT-4. As Mashable's Cecily Mauran explained, it can process more text in a single prompt. Plus, it supports new vision, text-to-speech, and DALL-E features.

Curious about the three most significant upgrades coming to Microsoft Copilot? Stick around.

SEE ALSO: Windows 11 Copilot, ChatGPT's rival, is smarter now: 16 new commands 3 new features coming to "free" Copilot, thanks to GPT-4 Turbo

The issue with GPT-4 is that it has a knowledge base that cuts off at September 2021. Thankfully, GPT-4 Turbo's knowledge base is less outdated.

1. New knowledge cut-off date

GPT-4 Turbo updates Copilot's knowledge base cut-off date from September 2021 to April 2023. As such, you should be able to ask it for more information that was once restricted for free users.

2. Handles about 300 pages of text in a single prompt

GPT-4 only has a context window of 8K. However, GPT-4 Turbo has a context window of 128K. To put this into perspective, as Mauran explained, Microsoft Copilot's free tier can now process nearly 300 pages of text in a single prompt.

3. Less "lazy"

Last December, OpenAI acknowledged that GPT-4 Turbo suffered from "laziness." In other words, the model offered lethargic responses to users' prompts. As such, as we reported in January, OpenAI updated GPT-4 Turbo, announcing, "This model completes tasks like code generation more thoroughly than the previous preview model and is intended to reduce cases of 'laziness' where the model doesn’t complete a task."

You may be wondering, why is Microsoft suddenly being so charitable? As XDA Developers pointed out, rumor has it that Microsoft is releasing a new GPT-4.5 Turbo model, which may be reserved for the paid tier, restricting non-paying users to GPT-4 Turbo.

"For free users of Copilot in Creative mode, GPT-4 Turbo is now powering that experience. Copilot Pro users remain able to toggle GPT-4 Turbo on or off in Creative mode," a Microsoft spokesperson told Mashable.

TL;DR: As of March 14, you can get the PhiGolf World Tour Edition golf simulator on sale for just $149.99 (reg. $249) by snagging this open box deal — that's a savings of 39%.

If you find stepping onto the course exciting, taking a step back during the colder months might be frustrating. However, with technology being what it is, there are ways to train at home so you can stay on top of your game.

The PhiGolf golf simulator could be an excellent training tool for you to rely on when you can't get out on a course. Plus, it's compact and easy to use almost anywhere. Connect to the simulator app to play rounds at home or in the office, whether alone or against others online.

This World Tour Edition gives you access to virtual versions of over 38,000 real-life courses (including country clubs) that were meticulously mapped out with GPS and L1 Technologies. Not only does that open up new golfing opportunities for you, but it also gives you an advantage to practice on the courses you are scheduled to play in advance.

You also get a weighted training stick that's made to feel like you're swinging an actual golf club. This club also analyzes your swings with a nine-axis motion sensor, giving you real-time feedback via Bluetooth and the app. Users will get a 3D analysis of their swing, chip, drive, and putt.

It's labeled as "new, open box", which is typically considered extra inventory from store shelves. While it may come to you in different packaging, it's still considered a new product.

Funded successfully on Kickstarter, seasoned golfers and those just starting can find value in this tech-forward trainer with hours of entertainment and skill-building opportunities — no matter what it's like outside.

Get this new, open-box PhiGolf World Tour Edition golf simulator while it's on sale for just $149.99 (reg. $249) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: PhiGolf PhiGolf World Tour Edition golf simulator (open box) $149.99 at the Mashable Shop
$249.00 Save $99.01 Get Deal

Looking to buy a new smartphone, but want to go outside of the iPhone and Samsung box? Check out these deals on Motorola phones at Amazon, Best Buy, and Motorola.

Best Motorola smartphone deals Best folding Motorola smartphone deal Motorola Razr+ $699.99 at Amazon ($300) Get Deal Best Motorola smartphone with stylus deal Motorola Moto G Stylus $249.99 at Best Buy (Save $150) Get Deal Best Motorola Endless Edge display deal Motorola Edge+ $599.99 at Motorola (Save $200) Get Deal

Whether you're in dire need of a new phone or you just like looking at shiny new tech, a new smartphone is always a fun purchase to make. If you've already seen everything makers like Apple and Samsung have to submit to the market, it might be time to turn your eye to Motorola instead, especially given that it's the home of the Motorola Razr, the phone every cool person had in the 2000s.

Times have changed, but Motorola has managed to retain some of the cool it oozed back in the day when a Razr was the sharpest phone you could possibly keep in your pocket. It's given us the Razr+, for example, a modern take on the classic phone, and several other models to choose from, too.

If you're looking to put down some cash on a new phone right now, it's a great time to do so. There are multiple sales on Motorola phones at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Motorola's digital storefront as well. In fact, you can save up to $300 on your favorite model. Check out our picks — but act quickly, because these sales likely won't stick around very long.

Best folding Motorola smartphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Motorola Razr+ $699.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $300.00 Get Deal

The Motorola Razr+ is the modern take on the classic flip phone, reimagined for today's users. It has dual screens with a 3.6-inch external display and a 6.9-inch pOLED screen on the inside. The external display can be used to check for texts, notifications, and other updates, while you can scroll and operate your phone as normal with the internal screen. You can use Motorola's built-in Flex View to contort the phone into different positions and change your viewing angle. You can also pretend it's the 2000s again by snapping the phone closed when you have an argument. Either way, it's a very cool smartphone with a form factor that'll have all eyes on you. You can also opt for the Motorola Razr, which has a much smaller external display and is a bit more affordable. It's $200 off at Best Buy, making it just $499.99 down from $699.99.

Best Motorola smartphone with stylus deal Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Motorola Moto G Stylus $249.99 at Best Buy
$399.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal

The Motorola Moto G is an unassuming but attractive phone that comes paired with a stylus. It's no slouch, however, with a 6.6-inch 120Hz display and support for Dolby Atmos. Its 50MP camera is great for snapping photos, and its built-in stylus is excellent for taking notes, sketching, or using your phone without tiring out your poor swiping fingers. It also boasts a 5000mAh battery (holding a charge up to two days) that means you won't have to recharge halfway through your day, making this a good phone to keep on you if you're a heavy user. Alternatively, Amazon is offering the Motorola Moto G without the built-in stylus for 32% off at just $169.99.

Best Motorola Endless Edge display deal Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola Edge+ $599.99 at Motorola
$799.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal

The Motorola Edge+ is an attractive phone that features the brand's 6.7-inch Endless Edge display, which wraps around nearly 90 degrees on both sides of your phone for more viewing real estate. Its HDR10+ support means eye-popping colors and smooth scrolling thanks to the 90Hz refresh rate. It's also nice for photos thanks to its 108MP Quad Pixel camera sensor and Macro Vision for up close shots. Add on up to 40 hours of battery on a single charge and 12GB of DDR5 memory and you have a formidable phone that can hang with the best of them. Don't sleep on this phone, especially if you like the idea of having more room on your display to play with.

TL;DR: Through March 17, if you want to learn a new language on your own schedule, Babbel could help you do it, with short and sweet lessons for 14 different languages for only $149.97 for a lifetime subscription. 

Learning a new language isn't easy, and there's no way to skip to the end. Being able to choose when, where, and how you learn could make it a better time than powering through tough classes or paying for an expensive tutor. Babbel gives you that flexibility.

This language-learning app has thousands of hours of instruction for 14 different languages, and each lesson is short and sweet so you can do them whenever you want. Through March 17, you can get a lifetime subscription to Babbel on sale for just $149.97.

Lifetime access to lessons in 14 languages

A lifetime subscription to Babbel means having a lifetime to study French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Danish, Dutch, and more at your own pace. Each lesson is short and ranges from 10 to 15 minutes, so you could get through a few Swedish lessons on your lunch break or knock out a couple Portuguese practice sessions before bed. 

This isn't just rote memorization either. Babbel was developed by over 100 linguists, so it focuses on practicalities like real-life conversation topics and refining your pronunciation with speech-recognition technology. Your progress even syncs across devices. 

Study a world of language

Whether you're getting ready for an international vacation or just want to pick up a cool new skill, there's thousands of hours of language lessons to work through with Babbel, and a lifetime might be just enough time to do it. 

Until March 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get a lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning for $149.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $149.97 at the Mashable Shop
$599.00 Save $449.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through March 17, give your earbuds a refresh with the Apple AirPod deep cleaner (2-pack) for only $14.99 (reg.$29). 

If you’ve ever taken a second to look at your AirPods before tuning into your favorite podcast, you know very well what lies within the cracks. The Apple AirPod deep cleaner tool is a simple solution to getting rid of grime, earwax, and bacteria once and for all. This tool makes it so you don't have to sacrifice sound quality, hygiene, or functionality ever again. 

This simple AirPod cleaning tool is made of high-quality materials and comes with a durable case — and you can get two on sale for $14.99. It’s super easy to use, and won’t cause damage to the headphones or jack. It has a round metal nib, plush brush, and a special charging hole cleaning brush so you can get deep into the crevices. 

If you’re constantly on the move, you most likely never leave home without your Airpods. The deep cleaner pen is compact and lightweight and fits perfectly in small compartments, bags, and purses. It makes a great travel companion for anyone who’s on the go. This 2-pack comes in handy for when you need one for travel and one to keep at home. 

Make cleaning your earbuds part of your hygiene routine. The last thing you want is an excess of gunk built up in your headphones because you didn't take the time to clean them. This versatile tool is also great for cleaning other electronic devices such as tablets, cameras, phones, keyboards, etc. The deep cleaner pen gets down in those hard-to-reach places of your digital products so they can continue functioning properly. 

For a limited time, get a 2-pack of Apple AirPod deep cleaners for only $14.99 (reg.$29). 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tech Essential Apple AirPod Deep Cleaner (2-Pack) $14.99 at the Mashable Shop
$29.95 Save $14.96 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through March 17, get the Dreamscreens 4K TV art gallery for only $32.97 — that's 34% off.

You’ve heard of home offices, gyms, and movie theaters, but now there’s at-home art museums. Yeah, that’s a thing. And they’re actually a great way to explore art history and add ambiance to your space without costing a fortune, since this one comes in the form of a USB drive that connects to your TV. It’s called Dreamscreens and you can get yours here for the best price found online, $32.97 (reg. $49.99), until March 17.

No, not the drawings hung on your fridge — an actual art museum

Dreamscreens isn’t just a thumb drive, it’s an immersive art gallery containing over 500 famous paintings. You may recognize some, like Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night’ and Michelangelo’s ‘The Creation of Adam’, but there are hundreds more to discover in stunning 4K quality. You even have the option to display them one at a time or as a slideshow with music. 

Dreamscreens sets up in just a few minutes

Getting Dreamscreens set up is a piece of cake. First, you’ll have to choose between the two USB drives; yes, you receive two, because one has standard screen paintings that preserve their original dimensions, and the other has wide-screen images to fill your screen. 

Then, plug the thumb drive into your TV and find the correct input. That’s it. If your TV doesn’t have a designated USB port, you could still use Dreamscreens with a media player app or screen-mirroring functions. Dreamscreens can also work in digital frames so you can enjoy the art in your kitchen or office.

Your future home art gallery with Dreamscreens is on sale for $32.97 (reg. $49.99) until March 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT. No coupon is needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreamscreens Dreamscreens: Turn Your TV into a 4K Digital Art Gallery $32.97 at the Mashable Shop
$49.99 Save $17.02 Get Deal

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has responded to Wednesday's vote on the proposed U.S. TikTok ban, calling it "disappointing" and indicating that the company may take legal action. It seems as though TikTok isn't ready to disappear without a fight.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act on Wednesday, voting 352 to 65 in favour of the proposed legislation banning TikTok. The bill will now be voted on by the Senate, and if approved, then be sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.

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

TikTok users inundated Congress with calls prior to the vote, asking representatives not to pass the bill after an in-app popup informed them of the situation. Now CEO Chew has directly urged users to continue sharing their stories with their senators and "protect your constitutional rights."

"This legislation, if signed into law, will lead to a ban of TikTok in the United States," said Chew in a video uploaded to TikTok's official account and on Twitter/X. "Even the bill sponsors admit that that's their goal. This bill gives more power to a handful of other social media companies. It will also take billions of dollars out of the pockets of creators and small businesses. It will put more than 300,000 American jobs at risk and it will take away your TikTok."

Tweet may have been deleted

TikTok's CEO emphasised the good the app has done in promoting small American businesses, establishing content creators, and contributing to the U.S. economy. A study commissioned by TikTok found that the app contributed $24.2 billion to U.S. GDP in 2023, as well as supported 224,000 jobs. TikTok itself also has approximately 7,000 U.S. employees, many of whom are probably feeling a little nervous right now.

Of course, any research funded by the company it's studying must be considered with a few grains of salt. Even so, it's undeniable that numerous small U.S. businesses have received significant boosts thanks to TikTok. Content creators such as popular food reviewer Keith Lee have revitalised some struggling businesses, while going viral on TikTok has helped set others up for success.

Tweet may have been deleted

"This process was secret and the bill was jammed through for one reason: it's a ban," TikTok said in a statement after Wednesday's vote. "We are hopeful that the Senate will consider the facts, listen to their constituents, and realize the impact on the economy, 7 million small businesses, and the 170 million Americans who use our service."

Chew stated that TikTok would continue to fight for its survival in the U.S., "including exercising [its] legal rights." Fortunately, the platform already has some case law to rely on should it eventually file a lawsuit. A previous attempt to ban TikTok in Montana was blocked last December after a judge found it unconstitutional, ruling that the legislation blocked free speech and punished the company without a trial.

Why U.S. legislators claim the TikTok ban isn't a ban Credit: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

Though the legislation would not allow TikTok to continue operating in the U.S. as it has been, the bill does provide an out. TikTok could stay in America if its Chinese parent company ByteDance sold the platform to another corporation, specifically one that the U.S. government doesn't think is "controlled by a foreign adversary."

Chew didn't directly comment on this provision, however it would no doubt be a last resort — if it were even considered at all. 

ByteDance would take a significant hit if TikTok was no longer able to operate in the U.S., and the social media platform would fetch a hefty price if it were put on the market. However, it isn't completely inconceivable that ByteDance might choose to simply shut down TikTok's operations in the U.S. and focus on other countries, rather than set up a thriving rival and furnish it with trade secrets. Withdrawing instead of selling may be a drastic move, but then again so is a TikTok ban.

Few seem to believe ByteDance wouldn't sell if it came down to it, though. The vultures are already circling, with former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick having reportedly expressed interest in acquiring TikTok should the legislation pass. He even said as much directly to ByteDance co-founder Zhang Yiming.

On one hand, you don't want to miss out on a deal like this because you weren't quick enough. On the other hand, it feels a little like offering to buy someone's house while they're still trying to put out a raging kitchen fire.

Legislators who voted to ban TikTok are still on TikTok Tweet may have been deleted

As reported by Gizmodo, several politicians who voted for the TikTok ban actually have their own accounts, with North Carolina Congressman Jeff Jackson even posting a video less than 24 hours ago. In it, Jackson attempted to justify his apparently hypocritical vote by claiming that TikTok wouldn't really get banned if the bill became law, since ByteDance would just sell the social media platform to a company in a country the U.S. approves of.

"The bill that just passed the House was about telling TikTok they have to sell to another company," said Jackson. "It hasn't passed the Senate, and I don't know if it will. If it does, TikTok will be sold for billions of dollars and will continue to operate."

That seems like a rather big assumption, especially considering ByteDance has given absolutely no indication it would be prepared to sell. 

Also, saying that this bill isn't a ban because TikTok could just sell is a bit like saying you didn't technically murder someone — you just chased them with a knife until you'd cornered them on a cliff, and it was up to them whether to jump.

Unsurprisingly, the comments on Jackson's video have been scathing.

"We’re gonna remember that you voted yes on the Tik tok [sic] ban," popular TikToker Noah Glenn Carter wrote in one of the video's most liked comments. As of writing, it has received over 57 thousand likes.

A ban on Chinese apps Credit: Rafael Henrique / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images

Though the legislation specifically names TikTok and its parent company ByteDance, it would also impact other Chinese apps such as WeChat. U.S. lawmakers have expressed concern about the Chinese government potentially accessing American users' information through such apps, or manipulating algorithms to show content sympathetic to China. 

They have shown much less concern for U.S. authorities behaving in a similar manner, even where there have been proven cases of this occurring. There have not yet been any proven cases of TikTok providing U.S. users' information to China.

"Over the last few years, we have invested to keep your data safe and our platform free from outside manipulation," said Chew. "We have committed that we will continue to do so."

In response to such legislator's concerns, TikTok has invested $1.5 billion and 2,000 employees into walling off U.S. users' data, storing it in the U.S. with U.S. company Oracle. Unfortunately, as evidenced by this latest attempt to ban TikTok, Project Texas appears to have done little to assuage their fears.

UPDATE: Mar. 15, 2024, 10:29 a.m. AEDT Congressman Jeff Jackson's TikTok video is no longer available, however it remains up on both his Twitter/X and Facebook accounts. Jackson's TikTok account and other videos are also still available. Mashable has reached out to his campaign for comment.

NASA expects the SpaceX Starship to land astronauts on the moon, as soon as 2026.

The largest rocket ever built — standing 397 feet high (with its booster) and powered by a whopping 33 engines — still has a long road ahead before it's operational. But SpaceX is making progress. The commercial space company, known for revolutionizing rocketry by building reusable rockets that land back on Earth, has announced Starship's third test flight at 9:25 a.m. ET on March 14 — and you can watch it live.

The test is a high-altitude demonstration that, if all goes as planned, will see the spacecraft blast-off from its Boca Chica launchpad, separate from its rocket booster, coast in Earth's orbit, and reenter the atmosphere, ultimately falling into the Indian Ocean.

SEE ALSO: Why landing a spaceship on the moon is still so challenging

Amid the journey, SpaceX says it will test out a number of "ambitious challenges," including the transfer of 11 tons of fuel between tanks as the craft is coasting in space.

Tweet may have been deleted

Crucially, the space exploration company has tempered expectations for these launches, and rightfully so. Starship isn't nearly a finished vehicle. It's still in the demonstration phase. The first launch test in April 2023 saw Starship fly for around three minutes before SpaceX deliberately destroyed the wayward rocket. The second launch in November 2023 saw Starship explode at around eight minutes into flight after an engine problem triggered the craft's flight termination system.

The Elon Musk-owned company said that its Starship progress is in "rapid iterative development" as the company tests the craft and makes the necessary modifications. One day, SpaceX plans for Starship to be "a fully reusable launch system capable of carrying satellites, payloads, crew, and cargo to a variety of orbits and Earth, lunar, and Martian landing sites."

How to watch the SpaceX Starship launch

You can watch the third Starship test directly on the SpaceX website or on its X account page. The webcast will begin 30 minutes before liftoff.

Tweet may have been deleted

You'll be watching a major player in the future of spaceflight.

UPDATE: Mar. 14, 2024, 8:33 a.m. EDT The launch, originally scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET, has been delayed to approximately 9:25 a.m. ET as SpaceX monitors wind conditions.

Humility is a virtue in leadership—but being too humble can backfire. Here are three ways humility can undermine your leadership. You may be perceived as indecisive. Democratizing every decision-making process can be misconstrued as a reluctance to take a stand, or a lack of conviction in your strategic vision. Don’t defer to consensus all the […]

257257

There could not be a more mismatched pair of subjects than Shakespearean tragedy and rocket launchers fired at police choppers by men in silly hats. However, Grand Theft Hamlet explores this unique combination of past and present while revealing new and unexpected narrative layers at every turn. The animated documentary follows two actors’ ill-advised attempts to stage a full-length production of Hamlet in a video game world; the result is riotously funny and surprisingly moving.

The winner of this year’s SXSW Grand Jury Award in the Documentary Feature category — disclosure: This critic was one of the jurists — Grand Theft Hamlet also happens to be a COVID lockdown piece, one that captures the absurdity of isolation in a way few recent movies have. It’s as much a story about video games as it is about community and finding new avenues of emotional connection, and it runs the emotional gamut while exploring these ideas.

A unique synthesis of form, it creatively tackles the topic of artistic frustrations while reflecting on mortality in the silliest possible ways. It’s thoughtful and brash in equal measure, and by the end of its mere 89 minutes — brevity is the soul of wit, after all — the movie works despite all odds, proving to be a complete and utter blast.

What is Grand Theft Hamlet about?

The film begins as a run-of-the-mill "Let’s Play" — i.e., footage presented from within the game while other people play it — focusing on a pair of casual gamers passing the time by committing violent crimes and evading the police, as is encouraged in Grand Theft Auto. As much as watching other people play video games has become a streaming cottage industry, it may not seem like the most interesting way to make a feature film. However, Grand Theft Hamlet quickly dispels this notion. 

The concept behind the movie is ludicrous at its core, harkening back to the days of Red vs. Blue, the popular (and still ongoing) sci-fi web series that began in 2003 and is animated entirely in the world of first-person-shooter Halo. However, Grand Theft Hamlet’s appeal is hardly limited to the hardcore gaming crowd. Its initial footage serves to introduce non-gamers to the goofy hyper-violence of Grand Theft Auto, as a pair of lively, out-of-work English stage actors, Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen — fellows of infinite jest — stumble upon an amphitheater within the game (the “Vinewood Bowl,” modeled off the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles). Before long, inspiration strikes, and they decide to see what it would take to stage an entire production of Hamlet within this shared online metaverse.

What seems, at first, like a disposable YouTube sketch becomes quickly engaging, as the movie begins chronicling its subjects’ attempts to hold auditions and rehearsal within Grand Theft Auto Online (the MMORPG component of Grand Theft Auto V; emphasis on “RPG”). All the footage featured in the movie is captured within the game itself. Shot from a multitude of angles that swing around freely, untethered from physical space, the film is co-directed by Crane and his romantic partner, the filmmaker Pinny Grylls, who not only functions as observer and digital archivist, but enters the game as a character alongside Crane and Oosterveen. Eventually, she becomes one of the movie’s main subjects herself.  

After the leading duo puts out numerous calls on digital message boards, they finally find a handful of potential collaborators — whether other eager performers, novice gamers looking to keep busy during lockdown, or curious onlookers who don’t quite understand what they’re attempting, but go along with it anyway. The simple task of staging a performance and drawing viewers and participants proves hilariously difficult, given the nature of the game. As they gather fellow actors within this digital space, with each one performing soliloquies over headsets as their avatars repeat a series of limited gestures, in-world cops and other online players often disrupt Crane and Oosterveen’s peaceful gatherings. Grand Theft Auto is an inherently hedonistic world, and there’s nothing stopping some random third party from showing up, guns-a-blazing (or fists-a-swinging) just for the thrill of it. These frequent interruptions lead to resigned sighs from the accidental Rosencrantz and Guildenstern pairing each time they die and have to respawn in some inconvenient, far-flung location before making their way back to the digital stage.

It’s Theater Camp meets Punisher: War Zone, a bizarre, farcical blend of good-natured creativity and cartoonish hyper-violence that places a number of unique logistical roadblocks in the actors’ paths. 

Grand Theft Hamlet is a truly unique lockdown film.

Shot mostly in early 2021, as London was undergoing its third major COVID lockdown, Grand Theft Hamlet traces the evolution of its central concept from a product of boredom to a sincere and sprawling passion project. Over several months, the resultant attempts and misfires to stage this production take increasingly frustrating forms, not only thanks to the in-world logistics — how do you craft a peaceful community experience in a space dedicated to bullets and bombs? — but also due to real-world logistics.

Anyone with even minimal high school stage experience will likely recognize the complications therein, and the ways in which Crane and Oosterveen — disembodied voices emanating from the mouths of digital avatars — politely navigate each problem. From turning down prospective performers who show up to audition at the Vinewood Bowl to trying to convince people of their vision to balancing people’s real-world schedules when deciding on times and places to practice in-game, Grand Theft Hamlet ends up a shockingly accurate depiction of the many hurdles that arise in the amateur theatre world, albeit with the added drawback of mischievous interlopers crashing rehearsals just to shank the actors or blow them to smithereens. That part isn’t quite so familiar to the performers, and it keeps them on their toes, while also making the whole exercise feel like cabin fever-induced madness.

The further Crane and Oosterveen get into their staging, the more complicated it becomes. Soon, it becomes a traveling production within the world of the game, as curious audience members are asked to follow the actors between a multitude of dangerous locations, like atop a floating blimp, a creative ambition that’s sure to result in self-sabotage, as the actors’ avatars die mid-performance courtesy of side-splitting accidents. However, the more time they spend trying to spice up their version of Hamlet, the more the real world begins to creep in through the corners of the frame. 

Society wasn’t going to remain at a standstill forever, and their actors were bound to be pulled in different directions as soon as circumstances changed. However, a key element of the drama is also the relationship between the play’s two directors, and how their differing personal lives (Crane is a family man; Oosterveen is more of a loner) intersect with the movie’s premise. The pandemic and its ensuing lockdowns affected people in different ways, but what Grand Theft Hamlet manages to capture is how people emerged from the pandemic mindset at different times, and how this discrepancy may have strained relationships in the process.

The romantic relationship between Crane and Grylls is a key fixture of the movie too, and Grylls seemingly stages key conversations between them within the world of the game, even though they live in the same household. It’s hardly naturalistic, but it uses the same creative logic as modern reality television, where real tensions and interpersonal dynamics are heightened for an audience’s gaze. The key difference is that this bit of relationship drama also ends up at the mercy of the game’s mechanics, in piercingly funny ways that blur the lines between public and private moments.

However, these mechanics also provide a unique contrast to the subject matter at hand.

Grand Theft Hamlet is a surprisingly poignant reflection on death.

Between the movie’s pandemic premise and its subjects ruminating on one of Shakespeare’s heaviest texts, Grand Theft Hamlet echoes the idea of mortality in several quiet ways — the idea of what it means “to be, or not to be” — all while blaring explosions keep interrupting the actors’ attempts to rehearse.

There is perhaps no more surreal a space in which to reflect on dying than inside a video game where violence is so common and cartoonish that one becomes desensitized to death, since it’s a little more than a repetitive annoyance as bodies are flung in different directions. However, this casually brutal backdrop also forces the play’s macabre themes of vengeance and cosmic inevitability to the surface, via farcical depictions of deadly violence that — intentionally or otherwise — function as heightened re-enactments of the text.

If anything, the medium of Grand Theft Auto ends up the perfect spoonful of sugar for Shakespeare’s enduring, contemplative medicine. This constant unfurling of the play’s subtext turns the movie into an inadvertent act of arts criticism in the process, one where ostentatiously customized player avatars, with brightly colored hair and superhero outfits, function both as de facto philosophers and as deeply personal externalizations of the actors’ personas and neuroses.

One character in particular, a North African immigrant unfamiliar with the play, auditions with a Quran verse instead, while appearing in the form of a bright green alien. It’s as though he were both disguising himself and creating a cartoonish manifestation of the way he feels as a newcomer to English society, and it ends up being one of the film’s most touching reflections on the human experience.

The film maintains a razor-thin line between life and death, not only thanks to how easily the game’s digital avatars are turned into bloody pulp, but also because of the way these violent images are thrown headfirst into textual analysis and repetition each time the actors rehearse. The very act of performance — of channeling emotions and turning them into art — is one of the most vivid, human, and alive processes of which we’re capable. So, to be able to perform despite being robbed of traditional performance spaces is practically defiant, spitting in the face of a deadly plague in the most uproarious way. There’s nothing quite like Grand Theft Hamlet.

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 March 14'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:

From a time in the past until the time under consideration, typically the present.

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 S.

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 #999 is...

SINCE.

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 March 14'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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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: A good opening weekend for a movie

• Green: Volleyball slang

• Blue: Greek letters but not

• Purple: Words that end with -O

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: Box Office Victory

• Green: Volleyball Moves

• Blue: Homophones of Greek Letters

• Purple: ___-O

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 #277 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Box Office Victory: HIT, SMASH, SUCCESS, WINNER

• Volleyball Moves: BUMP, SERVE, SET, SPIKE

• Homophones of Greek Letters: MOO, NEW, PIE, ROW

• ___-O: DADDY, DAY, JACKIE, JELL

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.

X's big pivot to video will need to go on now without one of the three original shows it boasted about earlier this year.

Former CNN host Don Lemon announced via a post on the platform, formerly known as Twitter, that Elon Musk canceled his upcoming exclusive show on X – just hours after Musk sat down with Lemon for an interview being filmed for the very first episode.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Elon Musk has canceled the partnership I had with X, which they announced as part of their public commitment to amplifying more diverse voices on their platform," Lemon said in a lengthy statement on his X account. "He informed me of his decision hours after an interview I conducted with him on Friday."

SEE ALSO: OpenAI shares Elon Musk's emails, says he wanted 'full control' of the company

Lemon's previous post on X, published the day before, featuring a photo of Lemon sitting with Musk for the interview without any mention of the cancelation.

Tweet may have been deleted

According to journalist Kara Swisher, Musk texted Lemon's representatives shortly after the interview on Friday saying "Contract terminated." However, Semafor reports that there was actually no signed contract to terminate, meaning Lemon's deal with X was still being finalized.

Swisher says the deal between Lemon and X was worth millions of dollars and the company will still have to pay the former CNN host as part of the terms. It's currently unconfirmed that an interview that apparently irked Musk led directly to the X owner immediately severing ties with Lemon, let alone which specific question would have set him off. Swisher points out that one of the questions Lemon asked Musk concerned Musk's reported use of ketamine.

Tweet may have been deleted

In a reply on X after the news broke, Musk claimed that the reason he ended X's contract with Lemon was because the show was "CNN, but on social media," which Musk went on to say "doesn't work."

X also put out a statement of its own saying Lemon can still use the platform and upload the show, but that the company "reserves the right to make decisions about our business partnerships."

Tweet may have been deleted

Just yesterday, Musk's handpicked CEO Linda Yaccarino boasted about X becoming a "video first" platform. Lemon's show was supposed to be one of a trio of exclusive programs on X that the company announced earlier this year in a big promotional push at the annual CES tech conference. X announced the Don Lemon Show in a partnership that would see Lemon's program posted first, exclusively on Musk's platform. Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and sports radio personality Jim Rome also signed partnerships to create programming on X.

"We've been waiting for your return," CEO Yaccarino posted on X earlier this year during CES. "Welcome @donlemon!!"

While the initial announcement about Lemon and his X partnership was from January, CEO Yaccarino has been interacting with Lemon on X just earlier this month.

"Lots to celebrate," Yaccarino replied to a post by Lemon about a Client Council meeting where the former CNN host explained why "he chose X."  

"Epic year ahead!" Yaccarino continued saying to Lemon.

Less than two weeks later, Lemon's show would be canceled by Musk. 

According to Lemon, though, the show will continue to go ahead over on YouTube. The first interview, with Elon Musk, will be published on Monday, March 18.

By now, you've likely heard of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). These new EU regulations went into effect last week and forced Big Tech companies, known as "gatekeepers," to open up their core platforms to third parties in order to keep the tech space competitive.

Many companies, like Meta and Microsoft, are affected by these new laws. But, perhaps no company has been compelled to make such significant changes more than Apple. The iPhone maker had to broadly change long-standing policies for many of its core products like the App Store. Apple's DMA-inspired changes have also been widely criticized by peers in the tech industry.

Apple's "malicious compliance" has been in the spotlight over the past few weeks — and that may severely downplay how positive the DMA has been for iOS users in the EU. 

So, let's take a look at the top five changes Apple has been forced to make to iOS, thanks to the DMA. Some of these are sure to make those in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world envious that their country hasn't also passed a similar set of antitrust laws.

Third-party app stores

Apple no longer having a de facto monopoly on how apps are distributed on iOS is easily the biggest change to the company's mobile ecosystem. Thanks to the DMA, Apple has been forced to allow "alternative marketplaces" to distribute apps on the iPhone and iPad.

This means that developers can create apps that don't comply with the Apple App Store's content and development policies for the very first time. So, users can look forward to different types of apps that previously may have been prohibited from the App Store. 

In addition to "alternative marketplaces," developers can opt to create their own standalone app store experience that only distributes its own applications.

Developers also no longer have to take part in the App Store's revenue share model for transactions, such as in-app purchases, that entail giving a percentage of their sales to Apple. This means that developers can potentially pass the savings on to consumers.

Fortnite is coming back

Speaking of no longer having to share revenue with Apple, Fortnite, the massively popular online battle royale game, is coming back to iOS, thanks to the DMA. 

Gaming developer Epic Games announced it would be bringing Fortnite to iPhone once again as soon as Apple announced the "alternative marketplaces" option earlier this year.

Back in 2020, Apple booted Fortnite from the App Store after Epic Games attempted to skirt around the iPhone maker's revenue sharing rules. As this was against App Store policy, Apple removed Fortnite from its official marketplace, banning it from iOS as a whole.

But, with the DMA in place in the EU, Epic Games can take advantage of the alternative distribution methods to bring Fortnite back to the iPhone for users in that region. (Apple recently tried to block Epic Games from its developer program, which would have halted the company's plans to create an alternative marketplace and would have potentially stopped Fortnite's return to iOS. However, the DMA also forced Apple to reverse that decision.)

Download direct from developers

If Epic Games wanted to let iOS users download Fortnite directly from its website, it can do that now, too.

Apple's latest addition to its overhauled iOS policies in the EU has added a new distribution option for developers.

If an app creator wants to let users download their app directly from their website, they can. No App Store or third-party "alternative marketplace" required at all – just direct distribution without a middleman. 

(Although, we should note that developers who want to distribute via this method have to be approved by Apple after hitting certain requirements.)

Change default apps

Tired of Safari opening up instead of Google Chrome when clicking a link on your iPhone? Sick of Apple Maps always giving you directions by default? 

Well, if you're in the EU, you won't have to deal with those default Apple apps on iOS much longer. Thanks to the DMA, Apple has said it will roll out new settings options that will let users pick the default app they want to use for a web browser or a mapping application. This is a pretty big change. Previously, users were forced to use Apple's own applications, unless manually opening up a third-party app by choice.

In addition, Apple will also need to let EU users delete the Safari app entirely, an action not currently allowed on iOS.

Interoperability and data portability

Interoperability and data portability are technically two distinct changes, but they both mean the same thing for users: More ownership over your data and how it's used.

As part of its DMA compliance report, Apple said it will start accepting interoperability requests from developers, which will potentially allow more third-party apps to access iOS features. This can give developers access to APIs previously unavailable to them, which would let these third parties create new apps utilizing these features and its relevant data.

One recent example of this is Apple's FinanceKit API, which provides developers access to Apple Card, Apple Cash, and Savings with Apple user information for the first time. Some developers have already integrated this new feature into their product, which automatically imports users' purchases and transactions into their financial planning apps.

If these changes aren't enough to win over EU-based iPhone users, they should be looking forward to Apple's upcoming data portability plans, courtesy of the DMA. Apple says it's working on "more user-friendly solutions" for iPhone users who want to switch to Android or other mobile devices. Being able to easily transfer your data where you want it is a huge win for consumers.

Imagine getting a whiff of dewy freshness – à la fresh-cut grass — while trudging through the wilderness within your favorite triple-A game.

And then suddenly, without warning, an enemy hops out behind a tree. Pew, pew, pew! A gunfight ensues and you can smell the acrid aroma of smoke.

The team behind GameScent, an AI-based device that emanates scents that corresponds with the on-screen gameplay, gave Mashable a whiff – pun attended – of how the aroma-emitting gadget works in action.

SEE ALSO: PS5 Slim vs. PS5: What are the differences? GameScent matches smells with your gameplay

The GameScent team fired up Far Cry 6 on Xbox Series S. As they navigated the wilderness during the gameplay, the hexagon-like device emitted a mist — a scent that called "Forest."

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I didn't smell the aroma right away. However, after the aroma pervaded the spacious hotel room, I smelled a faint whiff of earthy, woodsy scent — as if I was sniffing a mossy, dewy growth on a tree.

Next, the Far Cry 6 protagonist stumbled upon an enemy, prompting him to arm himself and engage in a shoot out. A steam-like puff appeared, diffusing a smokey, metallic scent throughout the room.

At first, I wished that the smells were more potent. However, the demo was hosted inside an expansive room. Plus, the more I ponder it, the more I realize that a scent that's too strong could become nauseating after some time. In other words, the scent definitely hit my nose, but it was subtle. That being said, you could increase its potency by moving GameScent to a smaller, more contained room — or you could simply move it closer to you.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You may be wondering, "But is this safe? Do the scents consist of ingredients that are harmless?" The answer is yes. The scents are basically essential oils designed to match popular scents gamers would experience in gameplay — and they're FDA approved.

How does GameScent work?

GameScent, priced at $149.99 via Amazon, ships with the following five scents:

• gunfire

• explosion

• racing

• storm

• forest

According to its Amazon listing, GameScent is working on several new scents: ocean, zombie, blood, big city, and fresh-cut grass.

GameScent emitting a scent during gameplay. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Plus, it comes with an "air neutralizer" scent that, as the name suggests, clears the air by neutralizing scent molecules. This can be manually triggered by the user via the GameScent companion app. (You can also use the companion app to trigger any scent you want if you're craving a particular smell.)

As such, altogether, GameScent comes preloaded with six swappable cartridges.

GameScent's companion app Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

It's also worth noting that there's a minute-long cooling period between scents, ensuring that there aren't too many scents firing all at once.

But the question is, how does GameScent "know" which scents to trigger while playing your game? To put it succinctly, it uses an deep-learning AI tool that analyzes your game's audio and deduces which scents to trigger based on the sound it "hears." The GameScent team said that the device works with an accuracy of about 85%, give or take.

GameScent can work with almost any gaming console

GameScent ships with an adapter that has HDMI input and a 3.5mm analog input (for PCs), allowing it to have complete compatibility with almost all the gaming hardware on the market. This includes gaming laptops, Xbox Series X, PS5, and VR headsets.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I asked if GameScent works with the Apple Vision Pro, however, and for now, the answer is no, but that could change as the team gets better acquainted with the $3,500 headset.

The GameScent team said that this device, for the first time, allows gamers to experience all five senses while gaming. In addition to audio-visual stimuli from your monitor and gaming headset, you can experience haptic feedback from your controller (e.g., PS5 DualSense).

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

And finally, with GameScent, you can smell your way through your favorite games. On top of that, scent can activate your taste buds, which is why this device can hit all five senses for total, complete gaming immersion.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon

I plan to review the GameScent device myself to test how well the AI can map the audio to its scents for some of my favorite games, including Hitman 3 and Dishonored. Stay tuned!

There are movies that are bad stupid in that they make you feel dissatisfied and even furious because their pieces don't add up to a satisfying whole (ahem). Then there are good stupid movies, like Dumb and Dumber, Cabin Boy, The Big Lebowski, and now The Gutter, a sports comedy that's ostensibly about bowling but is actually about the glory of doing dumb stuff with friends.

Fittingly, this bonkers buddy comedy was made by two brothers, who upon the movie's SXSW premiere, declared they've been best friends since birth. Directed by Isaiah Lester and Yassir Lester (and written by the latter), The Gutter boasts a jaw-dropping cast that includes Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse's Shameik Moore, The Good Place's D'Arcy Carden, Happy Endings' Adam Pally, Living Single's Kim Fields, 227's Jackée Harry, The League's Paul Scheer, Mad About You's Paul Reiser, and Susan Sarandon. And every single member of this ensemble goes for the joke, no matter how dumb or potentially offensive. The Lester brothers don't lead them wrong, making for a sports comedy as striking as it is absolutely hysterical. 

What's The Gutter about? 

Moore stars as Walt, a young Black man who hates wearing shirts, loves yellow gold chains, and has been spectacularly fired from a string of dead-end jobs for some truly bone-headed reasons. ("Found tasting spoons inefficient.") Washing up at AlleyCatz, a bowling alley that is sketchy even by bowling alley standards, he is three-time loser looking for any job he can get. Lucky for him, this is a place for misfits. 

SEE ALSO: 'Y2K' review: Kyle Mooney combines 2000s nostalgia and robo-apocalypse 

Open-hearted owner Mozell (Harry) doesn't get a lot of actual bowlers, but regularly welcomes street preacher Brotha Candy (Killing It's Rell Battle), a washed up bowling pro/dedicated drunk called Skunk (Carden), and an unidentified critter that raids her kitchen while making an ungodly racket. But when a sickly health inspector (Adam Brody) puts the place under threat of being closed (by every government agency including the ATF), it's up to these losers to save the day, or at least the bowling alley through extensive renovations.

Turns out Walt is a natural at rolling strikes. So, as his self-proclaimed coach/newly minted bestie, Skunk guides him into the competitive bowling tournament tour, where big wins could raise the funds needed to keep AlleyCatz afloat. Walt quickly makes a name for himself not only through his victories but also his unusual form, wild costumes, and an outrageous "stage name." But Walt and Skunk, face serious competition when a living legend of pin-smashing comes out of retirement. Enter Susan Sarandon as the surly and salacious Linda "The Crusher" Curson, who chain-smokes in between sexually harassing her male assistant and brutally berating any rival on site.

Can a band of losers defeat The Crusher at her own game? 

Shameik Moore and D'Arcy Carden are a top-notch comedy team. 

From the moment Walt and Skunk inexplicably stumble onto a perfectly in-sync secret handshake, Moore and Carden are a dynamic duo. The awe-shucks energy he brought to Miles Morales is gone, replaced by a wild-eyed bombast, bolstered by physical comedy that is fearlessly goofy. Walt pitches himself full-bodied into ludicrous poses to throw the ball down the lane or trains by practicing his precarious balance on its slippery surface. But Moore might be at his funniest when he alternately mugs or shrieks lines of mock outrage. I marvel this movie got made because I can't imagine how anyone onscreen with Moore could keep a straight face to his unbridled comedic mayhem. And yet, Carden not only doesn't break, she proves his pitch-perfect partner. 

From the moment Walt and Skunk inexplicably stumble onto a perfectly in-sync secret handshake, Moore and Carden are a dynamic duo.

With an improvisational background, a sharply shaggy delivery, and a loose-limbed approach to the surly Skunk, Carden is laugh-out-loud funny. "I know what you're thinking," she says with a shrug, "Skunk's a man's name." Without missing a beat, Moore notes it's an animal's name. And when Carden fires back a perplexed, "What animal?!" I was lost to my laughter. This was the first act, and I was already laughing so loud I was missing lines of dialogue. The audience at the movie's World Premiere at SXSW was similarly in stitches, all the more impressive considering this bonkers comedy played at 11 a.m. on a Tuesday — not a late-night spot where audience goodwill might be better fueled by tacos and booze.

Together, Moore and Carden exude the "yes and" guidance of improv comedy, building on each other's energy and turning every wild swing of a punchline into a gut punch of a belly laugh. This dynamic reflects Walt and Skunk's, being two weirdos with big dumb dreams who can lean on each other when things get tough. Through wins and losses, they have each other. And as outlandish or outright stupid as this movie gets, The Gutter is undeniably heart-warming at its core. 

The Gutter makes inappropriate jokes its playground. 

While plenty of gags are more silly than shocking, the Lester brothers scored roars of laughter with riskier punchlines. Notably, they're not punching down. The joke is usually at the expense of the ignorant dope saying something profoundly outrageous, like when a Southern-fried bully describes therapy as "Jewish voodoo" or when Reiser as obnoxious sportcaster declares BLM stands for "Bowl Lives Matter," because he "said it first." 

There's a pleasure in the Lesters inviting us to laugh in the face of such ignorance. But they have a crisp awareness that who tells a joke impacts how it lands. For instance, Walt's chosen stage name includes the N-word, setting up an expectation about who can call him that and who better not. It's a recurring bit that is tweaked just enough to keep it from getting stale but also to keep the audience from relaxing into it. 

I can't remember the last time a comedy this stupid was so smart in its jokes. The Gutter is the kind of comedy that scares the hell out of distributors because it doesn't play it safe. Sure, not every joke lands and some do spark gasps alongside giggles. But the Lesters have strategically stuffed so many goofy gags and such cleverly cast comedic performers, that from the first frame to the last The Gutter is a winner. 

The Gutter was reviewed out of SXSW 2024. 

SAVE 20%: Use code SPRINGCLEAN to save 20% on select items at Fable Pets.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fable Pets Save 20% on select items at Fable Pets Use code SPRINGCLEAN Get Deal

Our pets provide a bright spot in a sometimes tough world. If you're lucky enough to be greeted by a wagging tail when you arrive home for the day, treat your dog to a special present thanks to today's sale at Fable Pets.

As of March 13, use code SPRINGCLEAN to save 20% on select items at Fable Pets. This sale applies to items like enrichment toys, leashes, and the Rest Set, which includes a crate and a dog bed. If you're in need of any of these items, the spring sale at Fable Pets can save you some solid cash.

SEE ALSO: Get the Bissell SpotClean Pet Pro for 27% off and make pet mess cleanup a breeze

Mashable deputy shopping editor Jae Thomas has tested and reviewed several Fable products with their pets. Their review of the Fable dog crate mentions it's a great option if you don't love the look of most traditional wire crates. "If you don't want a metal crate throwing off the vibes in your home, Fable's crate will blend right into your design style — and will keep your dog calm and cozy," writes Thomas. They also point out a major plus: the crate can also serve as a side table.

While the crate itself isn't eligible for the spring discount code, you can upgrade your doggo's entire sleeping experience by saving 20% on Fable's best-selling Rest Set which includes the crate and Fable's dog bed.

If you're more in the mood for adding a few toys to your dog's life, grab the Enrichment Set, which is a pack of two toys and one game. Thomas' review of Fable's dog toys mentions a few of the toys' pros include their thoughtful design and dishwasher-safe material.

If you're looking to surprise your dog with a new toy or updated bed, Fable's sale will save you and your pets 20% on some of the most aesthetically pleasing dog accessories out there.

With The Adventures of Dick Turpin roaming about, robbing carriages in the woods of Apple TV+, and now Renegade Nell coming to Disney+, it seems there's a little bit of momentum for 18th century English rogues and outlaws on TV.

In the latter action-adventure series, which dropped a trailer today, you'll meet the notorious Nell Jackson (Derry Girls' Louisa Harland), framed for murder and wanted by England. In her quest for freedom, she meets a magic spirit called Billy Blind (Ted Lasso's Nick Mohammed) and soon she's slapping bullets out of the way and fast on her way to infamy.

Frank Dillane, Alice Kremelberg, Ényì Okoronkwo, Jake Dunn, Bo Bragason, Florence Keen, Joely Richardson, Adrian Lester, Pip Torrens, and Craig Parkinson also star.

Renegade Nell is streaming March 29 on Disney+.

UP TO 38% OFF: As of March 13, you can get up to 38% off Sony headphones, soundbars, speakers, and more.

Our top picks: Best headphone deal Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-canceling headphones $248 at Amazon (save $101.99) Get Deal Best stereo receiver deal Sony STRDH190 2-ch home stereo receiver $148 at Amazon (save $51.99) Get Deal Best soundbar deal Sony HT-S400 soundbar $198 at Amazon (save $101.99) Get Deal

If there's one thing I love, it's the powerful and immersive sound from a high-end speaker. Whether it's my late-night Uber's Toyota Camry (surprisingly good audio) or my mom's old-school tower speaker system, there's just nothing quite like hearing Phil Collins or Supertramp blaring through a top-notch system. (It is, as the kids say, chef's kiss.)

SEE ALSO: The best speakers for top tech and amazing audio

But good sound doesn't always come cheap, which is exactly why we're spotlighting Amazon's latest limited-time sale on Sony soundbars, headphones, and more. With discounts of up to 38% off, there's something for everyone looking to upgrade their audio setup — including movie buffs, music lovers, and gamers.

Here are some of the top deals you can snag during this sale:

Best Sony headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-canceling headphones $248.00 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal Why we like it

The Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-canceling headphones have more than 55,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.6-star rating. That's a lot of positive feedback for a set of headphones, and it's not hard to see why. These high-end headphones feature noise cancellation with Dual Noise Sensor technology and offer sound quality that'd impress even the most discerning audiophiles.

With up to 30 hours of battery life and a quick, 10-minute charge for five hours of playback, they're perfect for long flights, commutes, or just lounging at home. Thanks to its wearing detection feature, you can take them off mid-song, and the music will automatically pause until you put them back on.

Best Sony stereo receiver deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Our pick: Sony STRDH190 2-ch home stereo receiver $148.00 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $51.99 Get Deal Why we like it

The Sony STRDH190 2-ch home stereo receiver is ideal for cranking up the volume and enjoying your favorite music over high-quality audio. It can connect to up to four speakers and has A/B switching, so you can play them all at once or switch between two sets of speakers.

It isn't voice-controlled or ultra-fancy, but it gets the job done and delivers excellent, affordable sound quality. (At $148, you can't beat the price.) It includes a remote and, at a little over five inches, can fit comfortably in most entertainment centers.

Best Sony soundbar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Our pick: Sony HT-S400 soundbar $198.00 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal Why we like it

The Sony HT-S400 soundbar features S-Force PRO front surround sound and Dolby Digital audio technology to make sure you can really feel what you're listening to, whether it's a movie or your favorite playlist. The wireless subwoofer delivers deep, powerful bass, giving your jam sesh an extra layer of sound.

It also has an OLED display window so you can see what's going on, and its wall-mountable design makes it easy to integrate into your home theater setup.

More deals from this sale:

• Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker — $123 $199.99 (save $76.99)

• Sony WH-CH720N noise-canceling headphones — $128 $149.99 (save $21.99)

• Sony LinkBuds S wireless noise-canceling earbuds — $148 $199.99 (save $51.99)

• Sony STRDH590 home theatre receiver — $248 $349.99 (save $101.99)

• Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones — $328 $399.99 (save $71.99)