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Make your old car smart with this wireless car display for just $120

Mashable - Sat, 03/16/2024 - 11:00

TL;DR: As of March 16, get this 9-inch Wireless Car Display for $119.99 — you'll save 33%.

Is accessing your apps, music, and messages challenging while driving? If you happen to have an older car or a vehicle without a wireless hub, there are options to make access easy. This 9-inch Wireless Car Display is made to be an easy install, and it's on sale for $119.99 (reg. $179) for a limited time.

You don't need to go car shopping just yet. Immerse yourself in clear visuals with the 1024x600 FHD 9" display, providing ample screen real estate for viewing maps, multimedia, and more. Whether navigating through busy city streets or enjoying your favorite music and podcasts, the larger-than-a-phone display offers easy visibility at a glance. It's also a touchscreen, making it simpler and quicker to use on the road.

Enjoy seamless integration with your smartphone's OS, whether you're an Apple or Android user. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, you can easily access your favorite apps, make calls, send messages, and navigate using familiar interfaces. It also has phone mirroring capabilities.

You'll be able to use Bluetooth to transmit audio to your car stereo speakers for playback. There's also the option to use FM wireless transmission audio and AUX output audio.

Don't miss out on a modern driving experience with your digital world safely at your fingertips.

Don't miss out on the 9-inch Wireless Car Display featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility while it's on sale for $119.99 (reg. $179) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart 9" Wireless Car Display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Compatibility & Phone Mirroring $119.99 at the Mashable Shop
$179.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 'Mean Girls' musical makeover at home

Mashable - Sat, 03/16/2024 - 11:00
The best deals for watching 'Mean Girls' (2024) online: Best Paramount+ deal Paramount+ Essential annual subscription Free 7-day trial, then $59.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal Best MGM+ deal MGM+ annual subscription Free 7-day trial, then $58.99/year (save 30%) Get Deal Best third-party streaming deal Free Paramount+ with Walmart+ membership free 30-day trial, then $98/year Get Deal Best ad-free Paramount+ deal Paramount+ with Showtime annual subscription Free 7-day trial, then $119.99/year (save 17%) Get Deal Best streaming deal for students Paramount+ for students $4.50/month (save 25%) Get Deal Best non-streaming option Buy 'Mean Girls' on Prime Video $19.99 Get Deal

It's been — gulp —20 years since Mean Girls, a movie masterpiece, made its theatrical debut. Now the plastics are back for a new generation to enjoy. And this time around, they sing!

The new Mean Girls hit theaters back in January and is officially available to watch at home less than two months later. Coincidentally (or not), the film's streaming debut is only a month before the official 20-year anniversary of the original. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch the Mean Girls musical adaptation, which stars Renée Rapp, Angourie Rice, Auli'i Cravalho, Jaquel Spivey, Bebe Wood, and Avantika, at home.

Is the new Mean Girls a remake?

Not exactly. The new film is more of an adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical than a direct remake of the 2004 film. Both the 2004 and 2024 films are from comedian Tina Fey and follow the same plot. However, the new adaptation gets a modern-day makeover, bringing social media and the Gen Z experience into the mix. Of course, there's also the fact that it's a musical — in case you missed those beyond-subtle hints in the promotional materials.

With a 70% critics score and a 62% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the new musical adaptation falls just shy of the original's reception (which currently sits at 84% and 66%, respectively). That's not to say the film isn't worth watching, though — it still surpassed $100 million at the global box office and even produced the new crossover hit "Not My Fault" featuring Rapp and Megan Thee Stallion.

Read our full review of Mean Girls.

Is Mean Girls streaming?

Paramount theatrical releases typically head straight to Paramount+ after they run in cinemas, and Mean Girls is no different. The musical film quietly started streaming on Paramount+ on March 5, 2024. Conveniently, the original Mean Girls is also streaming on Paramount+, so you can watch and compare the films with a single subscription. The film is also streaming on the lesser-known MGM+ service for those looking for an alternative way to stream.

Is there a Paramount+ free trial?

Paramount+ offers new users a seven-day free trial of either their Essential tier or their with Showtime tier. You'll have to enter your credit card information in order to sign up for the free trial, which means you'll be charged as soon as it ends. If you want to avoid charges, be sure to cancel before the trial is over.

The best Paramount+ streaming deals

If you want to stream Mean Girls, you'll need a Paramount+ subscription. There are a few different subscription options to choose from, including monthly or annual, ad-supported or ad-free, student, and third-party deals. We've broken down all the details below to help you choose the best option.

Most affordable: Get a Paramount+ Essential monthly subscription for just $5.99 Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Essential Free 7-day trial, then $5.99/month Get Deal

If you're looking to spend the least amount of money possible to watch Mean Girls, you can sign up for Paramount+ Essential for only $5.99 per month. If you're new to the streamer, you'll also get a seven-day free trial (as mentioned above). After you watch, just be sure to cancel your subscription if you want to avoid charges. You'll have to endure some ads during the movie, but just think of them as built-in snack and bathroom breaks.

Best long-term deal: Save 17% on a Paramount+ Essential annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Essential annual subscription $59.99/year (save 17%) Watch Now

You can save 17% if you opt for an annual plan rather than a monthly plan. Sure, you'll have to pay more up front, but it pays off in the long run. An annual Paramount+ Essential plan will run you $59.99 per year, which breaks down to only $5 per month as opposed to $5.99 per month. For those looking to watch more than just Mean Girls, this is your best bet.

Best deal for no ads: Save 17% on a Paramount+ with Showtime annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ with Showtime Paramount+ with Showtime Free 7-day trial, then $11.99/month or $119.99/year Watch Now

If ads are a deal breaker for you, you'll have to sign up for Paramount+ with Showtime — its ad-free tier. The Paramount+ with Showtime tier will cost you either $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year, which breaks down to only $10 per month. Beyond the regular Paramount+ catalog, this tier also unlocks access to Showtime originals and movies (like Yellowjackets and The Curse), live TV with CBS, and college football. So, although you'll have to pay more for the ad-less experience, you'll also get a whole lot more content to make up for the price difference.

Best deal for students: Save 25% on Paramount+ Essential Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Essential for students $4.50/month (save 25%) Watch Now

Students who have a verifiable college student status via SheerID can score a Paramount+ Essential monthly subscription for just $4.50 per month. That's 25% off the usual monthly cost. Once you've been verified, your student discount is valid for four years, even if you graduate prior to the four-year period. After four years, you'll be charged the standard rate for an Essential monthly subscription.

Best third-party deal: Get Paramount+ for free with a Walmart+ membership Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart / Paramount Walmart+ membership Free 30-day trial, then $98/year Watch Now

While it may not be the simplest way to watch Mean Girls, a Walmart+ membership gives you free access to Paramount+ and plenty of other sweet benefits. Better yet, it offers a free 30-day trial, so you can enjoy an entire month of streaming without paying a cent. Just be sure to cancel before your trial ends if you want to avoid charges. If you want to keep your Walmart+ membership going, it'll cost you either $12.95 per month or $98 per year ($8.17/month).

Is there an MGM+ free trial?

MGM+ offers a seven-day free trial for newcomers as well. So, if you don't qualify for the Paramount+ free trial, then try the MGM+ trial instead. It may be your best bet to catch the new Mean Girls for free.

The best MGM+ streaming dealsMost affordable deal: Get an MGM+ monthly subscription for $6.99 per month Opens in a new window Credit: MGM+ MGM+ monthly subscription Free 7-day trial, then $6.99/month Watch Now

After your seven-day free trial, the most affordable option would be to simply subscribe to MGM+ for a month and cancel. It'll cost you $6.99 for the month and allow you to watch Mean Girls and plenty of other films and TV shows. Just be sure to cancel before the month is up to avoid further charges beyond that first month.

Best long-term deal: Save 30% on an MGM+ annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: MGM+ MGM+ annual subscription $58.99/year Watch Now

You can save 30% on an MGM+ annual subscription, which means you'll pay $58.99 up front for the year instead of $83.88. If you're a movie buff, this is a pretty awesome way to access new content each month without paying an arm and a leg. The yearly fee breaks down to less than five bucks per month, which makes it the cheapest streaming service on the market. Other than Mean Girls, MGM+ is currently home to American Fiction, TMNT Mutant Mayhem, Bottoms, Top Gun: Maverick, and more.

Other ways to watch Mean Girls

Want to watch Mean Girls but don't feel like signing up for another streaming service (there are just too many of them)? The good news is you can purchase the film on demand from digital retailers such as Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Fandango at Home. The bad news is that it's a bit pricey. The film will also be available to rent come March 19, which allows you 30 days to watch it and just 48 hours to finish it after you start.

Here are the quick links to snag the film on digital:

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best dating apps for introverts, wallflowers, and mindful daters

Mashable - Sat, 03/16/2024 - 11:00

Almost anything goes nowadays, but somehow, dating apps still get a bad rap as a last resort for the desperate. For introverts, though? Dating apps offer a lifeline — a convenient and low-pressure way to meet new people without the overwhelming social interactions that can come with traditional dating.

Can you imagine approaching a stranger at a bar, small-talking your way through awkward silence, or entering a social situation of literally any kind? Yeah, hard pass.

Online dating gives us introverts the chance to find love and companionship without ever having to leave our couch (bless). Sure, there will come a time when we'll need to get up and brave the outside world, but for now, can we celebrate that we can find potential partners while binge-watching Netflix? Who needs small talk when you have shared interests, witty messages, and algorithms?

SEE ALSO: Hinge wants to help you stay off your damn phone on a date Do dating sites for introverts even exist?

If making small talk or spending time in crowded social settings is your idea of hell, there are dating sites out there designed to help you find a potential partner sans the overwhelming social anxiety.

That said, not all dating apps are equally introvert-friendly. Tinder, for example, is a go-to for casual hookups and one-night stands, which probably isn't the best option for someone with shy tendencies and a preference for deeper connections. If dating apps were places, Tinder would be the crowded bar full of bros.

SEE ALSO: How to delete your Tinder account

The good news is that Tinder isn't the be-all and end-all when it comes to online dating. Other dating platforms, like eharmony, Match, and Hinge put an emphasis on compatibility and meaningful connections, so you can meet fellow introverts who are looking for something more substantial.

What are the best dating sites for introverts?

To help you find your person (the one who will understand and appreciate you for who you truly are), we've rounded up 13 of the best dating sites for introverts just like you. There are a few picks in here for hooking up, too, because why not? Just because you're introverted doesn't mean you can't have a little fun.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 is on sale for under £40

Mashable - Sat, 03/16/2024 - 07:00

TL;DR: Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for Windows is on sale for £35.17, saving you 90% on list price.

For those in the development game, a supportive place to streamline your workflow can always be of use. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for Windows is an integrated development environment packed with features and tools to help you develop websites, web apps, mobile apps, and more.

Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, Visual Studio offers a place for developers to write code and collaborate. This software was made to do things like use .NET and MAUI to create cross-platform apps.

It offers robust code editing features and productivity tools to help you easily write, debug, and refactor code. From IntelliSense for intelligent code completion to code navigation and refactoring capabilities, Visual Studio allows for a seamless coding experience that can enhance your productivity and efficiency.

Save time and resources by getting ahead of the game with advanced debugging and testing tools to help you identify and fix issues in your code quickly. With features like live code debugging, performance profiling, and unit testing, you can ensure the reliability of your applications before deployment.

CodeLens gives you insight into your code, which allows you to see super important info like changes and tests. This tool will enable you to make informed decisions about your code as you move forward.

You also get the ability to collaborate in real-time, so you can speed up your team's fixes, share codes, and track progress while keeping everyone on the same page.

With extensions and add-ons available from the Visual Studio Marketplace, you can enhance your development environment with additional features, tools, and integrations that align with your objectives.

Get Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for Windows while it's on sale for £35.17.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for Windows £35.17 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 16

Mashable - Sat, 03/16/2024 - 04:00

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 16'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:

Something poisonous.

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 T.

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 #1001 is...

TOXIN.

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 16

Mashable - Sat, 03/16/2024 - 03:00

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 16'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: Diminish

  • Green: Sections on a plane

  • Blue: Process for a job interview

  • Purple: Types of TV episodes

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: Get Smaller

  • Green: Airline Classes

  • Blue: Examine, As An Applicant

  • Purple: Notable TV Episodes

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 #279 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Get Smaller: CONTRACT, LESSEN, REDUCE, SHRINK

  • Airline Classes: BUSINESS, COACH, FIRST, PREMIUM

  • Examine, As An Applicant: CHECK, REVIEW, SCREEN, VET

  • Notable TV Episodes: FINALE, PILOT, PREMIERE,SPECIAL

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

FCC has finally redefined which internet speeds are 'broadband'

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 23:21

Do you remember Ajit Pai? The former FCC Chairman handpicked by then-president Donald Trump? You know, the one who was infamous for drinking out of a giant Reese's coffee mug and…oh yeah, killing net neutrality?

In 2021, when he was on the way out of the agency, Pai declared that a paltry 25 megabits per second (mbps) minimum speed requirement for broadband in the U.S. was more than enough for Americans.

Now, just 3 years, one new U.S. President, and a new Chairman of the FCC later…the FCC is finally redefining what speeds classify as "broadband."

SEE ALSO: The FCC has decided: Those realistic AI robocalls are illegal.

According to the FCC in a statement released on Thursday, the broadband speed benchmark has now quadrupled from 25mbps to 100mbps. As The Verge pointed out, that new benchmark is what current FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wanted to set as the standard nine years ago in 2015.

"This fix is overdue," Rosenworcel said in a statement. "It aligns us with pandemic legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the work of our colleagues at other agencies. It also helps us better identify the extent to which low-income neighborhoods and rural communities are underserved."

That's a major part as to why it's so important that the FCC updated what's defined as broadband. The FCC report helps determine how the U.S. is doing when it comes to internet access. If parts of the country aren't adequately hitting these FCC benchmarks, they can potentially get funding from the government to help better connect the people living in those areas. As the FCC notes, as of 2024, 24 million Americans are without "fixed terrestrial broadband service." This includes 28 percent of rural America.

And President Joe Biden's FCC Commissioner isn't stopping at 100mbps either.

"Because doing big things is in our DNA, we also adopt a long-term goal of 1 Gigabit down and 500 Megabits up," she continued in her statement. "Our goal is to connect everyone, everywhere to high-speed broadband."

Obviously, there is still lots of work to be done when it comes to decent internet accessibility in the U.S. (Two Republican FCC Commissioners dissented in the vote to change this broadband benchmark.) But after the damage caused by the FCC under the last administration, it seems like things are finally headed in the right direction.

Categories: IT General, Technology

'The American Society of Magical Negroes' review: A satirical near-miss

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 23:00

The feature directorial debut of comedy writer Kobi Libii, The American Society of Magical Negroes has a fiery premise, but tepid execution leaves its satire feeling lukewarm. However, thanks to an impeccable lead performance from Justice Smith, Libii's more straightforward dramatic material still manages to strike a chord.

The film's title echoes a well-worn American media trope — though the term was first coined by filmmaker Spike Lee in 2001, as the "magical, mystical negro" —  which the movie literalizes in tongue-in-cheek fashion. There's a secret, Hogwarts-esque society of Black cinematic archetypes, and their purpose is to assist white self-actualization. It's a riotous concept at first, one Libii uses to delve into the psyche of Black protagonist Aren (Smith), as well as into thorny corners of contemporary American politics.

SEE ALSO: 'The American Society of Magical Negroes' backlash explained

The film's attention, however, ends up scattered. The further it gets into its 105 minutes, the more it focuses on romantic and workplace issues. These themes are initially bolstered by Libii's deconstructive satire, but they end up superseding it, becoming the dominant focus in the process. Before long, the interpersonal drama progresses beyond the need for the movie's comedic premise in the first place, and while it often stands on its own as a rom-com, the satire gradually loses its edge.  

What is The American Society of Magical Negroes about? Credit: Focus Features

Aren, a meek, soft-spoken Black artist traversing white spaces in LA — like art galleries —  has trouble standing up for himself, and for the conceptual sculptures he makes from yarn. His timid behavior at a gallery event catches the attention of elderly bartender Roger (David Alan Grier), who follows him home and gets him out of a sticky situation with a magical snap of his fingers and some nifty teleportation.

Roger, it turns out, hopes to recruit Aren to a secret society, whose headquarters he reveals behind the false wall of a barbershop. With its lush, carpeted interiors, and hallways boasting historical portraits, the American Society of Magical Negroes trains young Black initiates to learn the ropes of white appeasement. Their credo stems from the idea that white self-satisfaction ensures Black safety in America, an idea the film dramatizes on Aren's first assignment.

Roger introduces Aren to a white police officer undergoing a midlife crisis. Pep talks from Aren keep the officer happy and calm, while the alternative — displayed in the form of a magic meter that appears on screen and measures the cop's bruised ego — is the potential for violent outbursts at some point in the future, as Roger explains. 

Credit: Focus Features

The film never depicts the immediate fallout of these dangers — an understandable route to take if a Black filmmaker wants to avoid depicting violence against Black bodies on screen — leaving only Roger's tenuous descriptions of possible domino effects that might lead to violent outcomes. While the threat of police violence against Black characters hovers over several initial scenes, the line connecting the Society's mission to preventing these results in the long term is more of a suggestion from Roger. It's a hypothetical, as though the film were holding a mirror to the kind of respectability politics that positions quiet acceptance as an alternative to revolution, or to even ruffling any feathers. 

Through archival clips shown to Aren, projected through magical clouds of smoke, the movie portrays several Hollywood "magical negro" stock types. These examples emerge from across the decades, echoing the likes of the upbeat Uncle Remus (James Baskett) from Song of the South, for whom Jim Crow laws are no match for sagely advice, to Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman) in Driving Miss Daisy, who reforms racism with a smile. Some more recent examples, like John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) in Tom Hanks-starrer The Green Mile, even have literal magical powers which they use to heal white characters despite their own suffering, which is ripe for parody in a film like this one. American Society lampoons The Green Mile's imagery numerous times through scenes of Black men healing their white counterparts' sexual anxieties by grabbing their genitals, the way Coffey relieves Hanks' prison warden of his bladder infection. It's amusing as a reference, and absurdly funny as an instructional image for Aren to follow. 

After an energetic montage — during which Libii's camera circles Aren as he grows more comfortable and acclimates to the program — the young recruit is given his first long-term assignment: protecting and supporting haughty white tech executive Jason (Drew Tarver, The Other Two). However, after Aren infiltrates Jason's company and hops aboard as a designer, his objectives becomes complicated once his desires and duties clash: He begins flirting with his mixed-race, white-passing coworker Lizzie (An-Li Bogan), who also happens to be object of Jason's affections.

The movie's workplace romance nudges its magical satire off-screen. Credit: Focus Features

Alluring chemistry between romantic leads is a good problem to have. Smith and Bogan buoy even the movie's less exciting, less interestingly staged scenes with their cutesy, awkward longing as Lizzie and Aren tiptoe carefully around the boundaries between coworker and friend (and eventually, something more). Add to this the fact that Tarver plays a truly detestable antagonist — a sniveling, easily wounded manipulator who constantly needs his insecurities soothed — and you have the perfect cocktail.

Once Aren begins to juggle his crush on Lizzie with his duty to support Jason, the film primarily becomes about a familiar (and in many ways, realistic) clash between Aren's work and personal life. Roger keeps adding new mechanics to this tale, but ideas like the whole Magical Society will lose its powers if Aren fails in his duties or acts too selfishly fails to track as a coherent metaphor for the group's appeasement and assimilation themes.

All the while, Grier still imbues Roger with intriguing pathos as an old-timer who's seen too many Black people felled by white America (and has himself given up too much in service of saving them) to let Aren sabotage the Society. However, he finds moving familiarity in Aren's romantic dilemma, and inadvertently makes the romance plot feel more urgent than anything going on behind the barbershop walls. Perhaps spending more time with the actual Society, exploring its mechanics, depicting its magical elements, and laying out the consequences of Aren's failure might've made this part of the movie matter a little more. But luckily, Smith has evolved so much as a performer in recent years — going to from the broad strokes of Detective Pikachu to one of this year’s buzziest festival titles, I Saw the TV Glow —  that he practically warps the film around his screen presence, especially in its final act.

Justice Smith delivers a commanding performance. Credit: Focus Features

The American Society of Magical Negroes falters in too many places to be a biting satire classic, but its one unimpeachable strength is its lead performance. As Aren, Smith rides a delicate line between projecting a cartoonish awkwardness for the back row, and imbuing his hesitant body language with a deep insecurity.

Early in the film, Roger mentions one of the reasons he recruited Aren was the timid way he traversed white spaces, which Aren assures him he's been doing his whole life as a Black man with a white parent, and a white family. Though we never meet Aren's family or see him interact with them, Smith folds this element of Aren's backstory into his performance in minute ways, subtly code-switching and becoming more comfortable with his physicality the closer he grows to Lizzie. Unfortunately, Aren's lack of interaction with Black characters outside of the Society limits Smith's ability to fully explore Aren's shifting comfort in his own skin.

However, after enduring the suffocating workplace mechanics of the tech company — a structure within which Aren has to capitulate to and appease white characters, regardless of his mission — he's pushed to his emotional limit. This leads to an outburst that clunkily verbalizes the movie's subtext with all the nuance of an off-the-cuff Twitter thread. Smith is so dialed into Aren's anger and isolation that he reaches deep down into his gut and retrieves a raw emotional anguish, taking what could've been a scene of empty preaching and making it genuinely rousing.

The movie's funniest, most impactful, and most incisive scenes about the experience of Blackness in America not only unfold far outside the Society's walls, but outside its fictional confines too. The American Society of Magical Negroes has an ingenious backdrop, but in failing to explore or expand on it, the film sheds the need for its satirical setup in the first place — a sure disappointment to those who, upon the trailer’s release, expressed dismay that a Black fantasy film would rather center white appeasement, rather than a more complete and nuanced set of Black experiences. By the end, the movie's introspective workplace rom-com works just fine without its magical premise, which feels like a letdown too.

The American Society of Magical Negroes is now in theaters.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Texas says goodbye to Pornhub — and hello to the top 10 VPNs

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 22:16

Pornhub, you can take away Texans' porn, but what you won't do is take away their determination to get their NSFW content — come hell or high water.

As we reported on Friday, Pornhub went dark in Texas. Why? The state has new age verification laws. As such, anyone who has a Texas IP is blocked from accessing the adult website.

"[W]e have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Texas," Pornhub said in a notice. "In doing so, we are complying with the law, as we always do, but hope that governments around the world will implement laws that actually protect the safety and security of our users."

Unsurprisingly, this skyrocketed searches for the best VPNs. According to a SlashGear report sent to Mashable, searches for "Texas VPN" jumped by 1,750 percent in the past day. It also spotted a 1,600 percent increase for the phrase "How to access Pornhub."

Curious about which VPNs people are looking at as Pornhub becomes out of reach? Here's what SlashGear found:

SEE ALSO: Unblock Pornhub for free with this simple hack Top 10 VPNs, according to Google Search trends

Proton VPN is, by far, the most popular VPNs appearing on search with an increase of 4,750 percent. Check out the full list:

1. Proton VPN - 4,750 percent2. Open GX Mobile VPN - 300 percent3. VPN hub - 300 percent4. Tunnelbear - 130 percent5. NordVPN - 100 percent6. Mullvad VPN - 100 percent7. Windscribe - 80 percent8. Browsec VPN - 80 percent9. Firefox VPN - 70 percent10. Opera VPN - 50 percent

Interestingly, we happened to review Proton VPN. And according to Mashable's Haley Henschel, who's at the helm of our best VPNs buying guide, Proton VPN offers a free plan. But of course, the Plus tier is recommended for full access to its network, P2P support, up to 10 simultaneous connections, Tor access, and more.

If you have no interest in VPNs, we recommend checking out our Pornhub alternatives guide.

Opens in a new window Credit: Proton VPN Proton VPN Plus (2 years) Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Google is training an AI to play video games — why this could be problematic

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 20:25

UPDATE: Mar. 15, 2024, 12:59 p.m. EDT This piece was updated to include additional information provided to Mashable by Google DeepMind.

Computer-controlled video game characters aren't anything new. Non-playable characters or NPCs are longtime staples of gaming. 

However, Google's AI research lab, DeepMind, has announced work on something distinct and new in computer-controlled gameplay: SIMA, which stands for Scalable Instructable Multiworld Agent.

Tweet may have been deleted

Unlike NPCs, Google DeepMind's AI-controlled gaming companion isn't programmed into a specific game to act a certain way or respond to certain human-provided actions. SIMA is, as DeepMind describes it, a "generalist AI agent for 3D virtual environments." 

SIMA is not an NPC

SIMA plays along with gamers, acting as a human player, by following verbal commands. As Google explains, "SIMA isn't trained to win a game." It's primed to work alongside the human player and perform actions based on natural language prompts.

This element is crucial to what makes SIMA unique. Again, SIMA isn't an NPC, designed specifically to a certain title, which is meant to provide a challenge to the player. SIMA acts as a fellow gamer trying to accomplish whatever the human player is telling it to do.

"SIMA needs only the images provided by the 3D environment and natural-language instructions given by the user," Google says. "With mouse and keyboard outputs, it is evaluated across 600 skills, spanning areas like navigation and object interaction - such as 'turn left' or 'chop down tree.'"

According to Google DeepMind, SIMA was trained and tested on nine different video game titles of varying gaming genres, including No Man’s Sky, Goat Simulator 3, Teardown, and Wobbly Life. The training does not require use of any sort of access to the games' source code or APIs. Google DeepMind says it focused on open-play games over narrative ones to facilitate SIMA's training in more general gaming skills.

There are some positives, and some very obvious negatives, with SIMA. An AI gaming companion could be nice when an individual wants to play a multiplayer game or an offline two-player story-mode without another human around to pick a controller.

But, the ideas driving SIMA's research could obviously be used in bad faith, too. Gamers could use SIMA for an unfair advantage in online gameplay. Games where players have to perform monotonous tasks for resources or complete quests to gain XP could obviously be manipulated by a human just telling an AI companion to do all of that work for them.

Google DeepMind reached out to Mashable to share that it has those same concerns regarding unintended uses of SIMA, as many on the team are gamers or former game developers themselves.

DeepMind reiterated that SIMA is a research project and video games are the sandbox that the team is using to test the AI agent's abilities. DeepMind currently has no plans to make SIMA widely available and says it will make sure it does not contribute to the bot problem in gaming.

As Google shared, its video gaming playing AI agent is not being prepped for public use at this time. For now, it's still in the midst of learning to play new video games.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Black Mirror season 7 is coming — 5 things the internet is saying about its return

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 19:52

Black Mirror season 7 is coming back, Netflix announced on X. "Six new stories, but one looks a little familiar. Black Mirror returns 2025," the post said.

Most are excited for its return. However, there's no shortage of criticism, with many X users expressing disappointment with Black Mirror season 6. Still, fans still have hope that it will have its moment of redemption.

SEE ALSO: We told you. Netflix is using your photos in a 'Black Mirror' ad campaign. 1. Make 'Black Mirror' great again

Across sites like The Wrap, Collider and Dexerto, Black Mirror seasons 5 and 6 are consistently ranked low, but season 2 and 3 praised as the series' best batch of episodes.

According to Ranker, season 3 is rated as Black Mirror's best. Season 5 and 6 were rated as the worst with the former being a total stinker, according to over 60 Ranker voters.

The sentiment that Black Mirror's recent seasons are flops are mirrored, pun unintended, on X, too.

"And it better be BETTER than the last season bc that was trash," said @ShadBoogie.

"Still trying? Last few seasons were nowhere near the Black Mirror we liked Maybe because reality is closer to black mirror than the actual show now," @Khan_Mani_ said.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Hoping this is actually like the first seasons which were more of a 'near future technological dystopian' not whatever the newest season was," @mduart3 said.

"Last season was not good, hope this one is better," @zheer_official said.

"It's been crap for a while now, time to turn it in," @RonaldZellman said.

"Season 6 was weak. Please bring back old storytelling style for the new season. A lotta episodes in S6 didn't even fit the narrative of the show," said @IamABjabbar.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro video is giving us 'Black Mirror' vibes 2. Let's revisit 'U.S.S Callister'

In its X announcement post, Netflix said that one of the six new episodes will "look a little familiar," hinting to fans that Black Mirror season 7 will give a nod to a previous episode.

Scrolling through the replies, it appears that fans have caught on that Black Mirror will likely revisit "U.S.S Callister," the first episode of season 4. "U.S.S Callister" is a Star Trek parody with a VR twist that features socially awkward programmer Robert Daly as the spaceship captain. Aboard the ship are digital clones of Daly's colleagues, allowing him to play out fantasies of power and control that he doesn't have in real life.

A hawk-eyed X user spotted the U.S.S. Callister symbol in the Black Mirror season 7 trailer Netflix dropped on X.

Tweet may have been deleted

Fans seem to be excited about a possible return to the twisted, mind-warping spaceship:

"One of these new stories is a sequel to USS Callister, I presume? Alright, you've piqued my interest even more," @NabeeRuffin said

USS Callister? That’s an interesting one to revisit," said @KendrickFlinn.

"USS Callister sequel? I've been waiting so long," said @louneetoon.

SEE ALSO: 20 of the most WTF quotes from Season 6 of 'Black Mirror.' You'll cry — and laugh. 3. Only six episodes?

Although Black Mirror fans are relieved to see that the show is returning, many are disappointed that they're only getting six episodes.

"2025? We need more episodes if we have to wait this long!!" said @KiraaWells.

"That's a long long time nd just six episodes?!?!?" said @drewrossaneis.

"Ok but why JUST 6??" @DValentinaXo asked Netflix.

3. You told us too early, Netflix

Some Black Mirror fans are scratching their heads about why Netflix decided to tell them about its release a year ahead of the drop. "Omg I’ll be 10,0000 years old by then," an X user with the moniker The Opinion Minion said.

Many others chimed in, agreeing that Black Mirror appears to be too far away for an announcement.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Ok why are you telling us this? It’s legit March 2024 ok?" said @Squashbossqueen.

"2025? Girl that’s at least 9 months away. BFFR" said @dragqueenjp.

"That’s cruel to tease us then we have to wait a year," said CineMoveTV.

"There will be 3 price hikes before this comes out," @bradmyersotrl joked.

"2025?!? Why do these things take YEARS to make????" @dustviiixi asked.

And @ambre_ely conveyed their frustrations in three words: "2025 too far."


5. We're already living in 'Black Mirror'

With controversial technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and spatial computing (e.g., Apple Vision Pro) making a splash this year, some X users fear that they're already living a Black Mirror-esque life as we speak.

Tweet may have been deleted

"dnt think we need this show anymore we are living in it now," said @tixmaurie.

"What's the point?" @k_biizy asked. "We've been living through the longest episode of Black Mirror."

"We’ve been living it for the last 14 years. It never went away," said @jogginjogee.

"Black Mirror is already happening. Follow #AI on twitter," @sanketdongre369 warned.

"I think we're already there," @TaraRBear said.

With Black Mirror being known to be a reflection of what our society could be if technological advancements go unchecked, I expect the next batch of episodes to touch upon themes like AI, virtual reality, augmented reality, robotics, and more.

Stay tuned for Mashable's coverage of Black Mirror once it drops next year.

Categories: IT General, Technology

BeReal has 10 months left before it runs out of money

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 19:25

BeReal is in a real bind.

According to Business Insider, employees were told at a February all-hands meeting that the app had about ten months of runway left before running out of money. While BeReal has maintained a relatively low head count of 60 employees, its server costs are significant. Now, leadership is scrambling to make the app appealing to investors.

SEE ALSO: BeReal unveils its latest attempt to Be Relevant again

BeReal's unique, in-the-moment photo-sharing feature transformed it into a cultural phenomenon at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Heralded as the "anti-Instagram," the company reached a valuation of $600 million in 2022 after securing $90 million in funding that same year. But the app's growth has since slowed, even after an attempt to diversify its appeal by adding new features in 2023.

According to internal metrics shared with Business Insider, BeReal currently has 40 million monthly active users and 25 million daily active users, up from 20 million in 2022. But sources said that jump is unimpressive in the eyes of investors and that the company was struggling to drum up interest in funding. Leadership also told employees that "We're talking to some of the biggest tech companies in the world" about a potential acquisition. But if a solution doesn't present itself soon, BeReal may be doomed — like the photos on the app — to disappear.

Categories: IT General, Technology

What is Instagram Spins?

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 19:02

A new feature just might be headed for your Instagram feeds.

If you know anything about new features on Instagram, you might guess that by "new," we mean "it already exists on another platform, but now it will also exist on Instagram." But this is actually a new feature. If you can believe it, it doesn't exist in its current functionality on TikTok — or anywhere else — already.

SEE ALSO: Say 'bye' to Mark Zuckerberg: How to delete your Instagram account. Tweet may have been deleted What is Instagram Spins?

First spotted by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi and later confirmed by TechCrunch, "Spins" will allow users to swap out the text or audio in Instagram Reels.

Instagram told TechCrunch that Spins is currently just an internal prototype — no one in the public is testing it out just yet. Instagram did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Mashable.

How does Instagram Spins work?

If a creator posts a trending template on Reels, other creators can take that template and swap out the text or audio. For example, if one creator posts a video of someone making a glass of green juice with the text "self care," another person could toggle on Spins and reshare that video with the text swapped out to say "happy St. Patty's day." The original creator would still get credit for their original Reel.

If this gets released, it just might be one of the first Reels features that users didn't already have access to on TikTok — but we have no idea when, or if, the feature will ever see the light of day. What a world.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Say 'bye' to Mark Zuckerberg: How to delete your Instagram account.

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 18:47

It's easy to say "goodbye" to Facebook.

Most of your friends left long ago and you're already trying to avoid your conspiracy theory-posting great aunt like the plague. However, Facebook is just one part of Mark Zuckerberg's social networking giant, Meta. And you very likely use one of its other popular, more media-centric platforms.

That's right, I'm talking about Instagram.

SEE ALSO: Can the government regulate what you say on Facebook?

Meta's photo and video sharing social network, Instagram, can be just as toxic as its sister site Facebook. All those big problems Facebook has, well, Instagram's got them too: Disinformation, fake followers, foreign influence campaigns, NFTs, scams, surveillance, just to name a few of their shared issues. And I didn't even touch on Instagram's problem of feeding you photo after photo of privileged travel influencers living lavishly in exotic locales while you're typing away in a dull office.

If you already got rid of Facebook for those reasons, maybe it's time to say "goodbye" to the rest of Meta as well.

How to delete Instagram

First things first: If you’re looking for a delete button somewhere in the menus on your Instagram mobile app (you know, the thing most people use to surf and post on Instagram), you can stop. You cannot delete your Instagram account via the mobile app.

You can only delete your account by logging into Instagram from your desktop or mobile browser.

1. Download your Instagram data first

But before we get to deleting your account, you may want to download your data to your own personal computer hard drive first.

To do that, log in to your account via the web browser and click “Settings” (the gears icon) on your profile page. Click the “Privacy & Security” option on the pop-up menu, then click on “Request Download” under Data Download.

Be sure to download your Instagram data before deleting all your memories. Credit: screenshot / instagram

Type in your email address and hit the “next” button. Instagram will email you a downloadable file with all your data within 48 hours.

Got your data? Good. Now, to delete your account.

2. Delete your Instagram account

Log in to Instagram and click this link to go to the Instagram account deletion page. Are you deleting your account because of data concerns? Privacy issues? Let Instagram know via the options in the drop-down menu.

Why are you deleting Instagram? Well, they want to know. Credit: screenshot / instagram

After that, you’ll be presented with a password input. Just type out your Instagram password and click “permanently delete my account.”

Remember! Your account, along with all your photos and data, will be deleted from the platform for good. You will not be able to register a new account with that same username, so make sure you really want to delete your account before hitting that button.

And ... that’s it. You have now freed yourself from yet another Mark Zuckerberg-run social media platform.

This story was originally published in December 2020 and last updated in March 2024.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Score the Fitbit Ace 3 for kids for less than $40 at Amazon

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 18:19

SAVE 49%: Today, Mar. 15, the Fitbit Ace 3 is on sale for just $39.95 at Amazon. This limited-time deal sheds $30.05 off the activity tracker's regular list price of $70.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Ace 3 $39.95 at Amazon
$79.00 Save $39.05 Get Deal

The benefits of having a wearable fitness tracker aren't reserved for adults only. With the Fitbit Ace 3, kids can enjoy forming healthy habits, too, with the help of a watch that's durable enough for all of their adventures.

As of today, Mar. 15, the Fitbit Ace 3 is on sale at Amazon for just $39.95, taking $30.05 (or 49% off) the regular list price of $79. This limited-time deal establishes a brand-new record-low price for the Fitbit Ace 3. This sale comes just in time for the rush of spring activities, so we recommend grabbing it while you can.

SEE ALSO: The best fitness trackers for your kids

Not only is the Fitbit Ace 3 a wearable fitness tracker and watch, but its features work with kids to help incentivize and build healthy habits. For example, the watch's display grows more intricate as your child moves more through the day, and kids can earn virtual badges when they reach their goals. With bedtime reminders, the Fitbit Ace 3 also helps kids establish healthy bedtime routines and sleep habits. We also appreciate that parents can manage their child's Fitbit Ace 3 from their own watch, too.

Help your child spring into new, healthy habits when you score the Fitbit Ace 3 today at Amazon for its new lowest price.

Categories: IT General, Technology

A ton of Marshall speakers are on sale at Amazon right now

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 18:18

UP TO 45% OFF: As of March 15, you can get up to 45% off Marshall speakers at Amazon.

Our top picks: Best deal overall Marshall Stanmore II Wireless Bluetooth Speaker $274.49 at Amazon (save $75.50) Get Deal Best portable speaker deal Marshall Emberton II Portable Bluetooth Speaker $128.99 at Amazon (save $41 ) Get Deal Best budget pick Marshall Willen Portable Bluetooth Speaker $87.20 at Amazon (save $32.79) Get Deal

If you're looking for a way to amp up (pun intended) your audio experience, Marshall is the brand to go for. Sure, Sony and Bose are solid choices, but if you appreciate a rich, dynamic sound and a vintage aesthetic, Marshall is definitely worth checking out.

Marshall amps are legendary. Founded in the 1960s, they quickly became the go-to choice for guitarists and musicians seeking that iconic "Marshall sound." Hendrix, Page, Clapton, and countless others have all relied on Marshall amplifiers to bring their music to life.

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

And right now, you can get all that power in your hands for a fraction of the price at Amazon. From portable speakers to standalone home audio systems, there are a ton of affordable options to choose from.

Here are our favorite deals from the sale:

Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Our pick: Marshall Stanmore II Wireless Bluetooth Speaker $274.49 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $75.50 Get Deal Why we like it

The Marshall Stanmore II Wireless Bluetooth Speaker is built to fill any room with powerful, immersive sound. It can connect wirelessly to your phone (or any other Bluetooth device) at a range of up to 30 feet, giving you the freedom to move around without losing sound quality.

You can use the Marshall app or the analog controls on the speaker to fine-tune your audio settings and customize the sound to fit your mood. And with multi-host functionality, you can switch between devices seamlessly, making it perfect for parties or shared spaces.

Best portable speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Our pick: Marshall Emberton II Portable Bluetooth Speaker $128.99 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $41.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Marshall Emberton II Portable Bluetooth Speaker is tiny but mighty. It can provide up to 30 hours of playtime on a single charge, and it's durable, with an IP67 dust- and water-resistance rating. Plus, it only takes three hours to fully recharge.

With the Marshall app, you can easily adjust the EQ settings and keep your system current with over-the-air updates to ensure you always have the latest features and improvements.

Best budget pick Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Our pick: Marshall Willen Portable Bluetooth Speaker $87.20 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $32.79 Get Deal Why we like it

Our budget pick is on the smaller side but still packs a punch. The Marshall Willen Portable Bluetooth Speaker is about the size of a small clutch bag, making it super portable and great for on-the-go listening.

Thanks to its built-in microphone, you can also take calls directly from the speaker. (Or reject them from the front-mounted control panel if you're not in the mood.)

It can play for up to 15 hours on a single charge and comes with a little strap to carry it around wherever you go. It also features Stack Mode so you can connect multiple Marshall speakers for an even bigger sound.

More deals worth looking into:
Categories: IT General, Technology

Feel the noise with Sonos soundbars, speakers, and subwoofers at all-time low prices

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 17:59

When it comes to rigging your home with top-notch speakers, Sonos is one of the most trustworthy brands to turn to. However, these powerful speakers come with price tags to match. That's why we're excited about today's limited-time Sonos deals on soundbars, speakers, and subwoofers at Amazon.

Today's best Sonos speakers deals as of Mar. 15: Best soundbar deal Sonos Sound Ray $223.20 (save $55.80) Get Deal Best portable speaker deal Sonos Move 2 $359.20 (save $69.80) Get Deal Best subwoofer deal Sonos Sub Mini $343.20 (save $86.80) Get Deal

As of March 15, select Sonos products are on sale for up to 20% off. The sale includes soundbars, portable Bluetooth speakers, and subwoofers, from the Sonos Sound Ray to the Sonos Move 2. Each of the products included in today's list is at its all-time low price. These products don't often see significant price drops like the deals today, so now is a great time to snatch them up and upgrade your audio system.

Best soundbar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Our pick: Sonos Sound Ray $223.30 at Amazon
$279.00 Save $55.70 Get Deal Why we like it

The Sonos Sound Ray is compact by design, but there's nothing small about the soundstage it creates. It produces powerful sound that turns time spent streaming your favorite shows, movies, or music into immersive sensory experiences. We also appreciate how easy it is to set up this soundbar: all you need are the two included cables and the Sonos app on your phone to walk you through the process.

Best portable speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Our pick: Sonos Move 2 $359.20 at Amazon
$429.00 Save $69.80 Get Deal Why we like it

No matter where you bring the Move 2, this portable Bluetooth speaker adapts to the setting to fill your surroundings with sound. With high-fidelity stereo, deep bass, and a precision-tuned woofer, this small speaker packs the charge of what it feels like to experience your favorite music firsthand. We also love that it has the battery power to match: One charge lasts for 24 hours, so you'll never have to worry about this speaker letting you down if you're entertaining or hosting a party.

Best subwoofer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Our pick: Sonos Sub Mini $343.20 at Amazon
$429.00 Save $85.80 Get Deal Why we like it

For true audiophiles, Sonos can be appealing because of the way the brand lets you mix and match its speakers. If you're someone who values designing your own home audio system to fit your unique listening preferences, then the Sonos Sub Mini is a component you'll want to consider. It has two force-canceling woofers that create deep low-end sound with no annoying buzz. Plus, advanced processing features work to further enhance the acoustics. Thanks to 5 GHz WiFi, it can also keep up with your Sonos soundbar and TV.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Grab an M1 MacBook Air direct from Walmart for just $699 for the first time ever

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 17:50

SAVE $300: As of March 15, the 13-inch MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale for $699 at Walmart. That's $300 off competitors' prices at $999 and a discount of 34%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart 13-inch MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $699.99 at Walmart
$999.99 Save $300.00 Get Deal

If you're in the market for a new laptop, a MacBook is a great option, especially when you can get it for a much lower price than usual. Now, you can snag one at an unexpected retailer for a great discount.

As of March 15, Walmart is selling a brand new M1 MacBook Air wih 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. This is the first time Walmart has offered a Mac directly from the retailer, and it's going for $300 off what you can buy it for at Best Buy. You can get this pricing right now at Walmart's online storefront, and the pricing will be rolling out to select Walmart stores soon as well.

This model may be from 2020, but it still packs a punch. It's a slim but powerful machine that comes in three colors: Gold, Space Gray, and Silver, all of which are discounted at Walmart. It's thin and lightweight at just 2.8 lbs, and its 13.3-inch Liquid Retina screen looks crisp with defined images and eye-popping color.

The M1 processor makes this a great purchase along with its 8GB of RAM because it can handle a variety of tasks from graphic editing to word processing and everything else that you might need for work or play. Plus, it's super quiet and boasts up to 18 hours of battery life, meaning it'll last you most of the day if you need it to.

If you're ready to buy a MacBook but don't want to splurge on the latest and greatest models, you can't go wrong with the M1 MacBook Air at this price. And now that Walmart is selling it directly, you can head out to the store instead of buying online if you prefer, too – meaning in the coming weeks you can buy online and pick up in-store to make things even easier.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Meet Devin: The first AI software engineer

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 17:31

Developed by Cognition Labs, Devin is an AI software engineer that can train other AI. Devin can run into an unexpected error and re-run code with a debugging print statement. Devin has its own command line, code editor and browser and can write complete apps on its own. During a demo, Devin was even able to complete real jobs posted on Upwork.

Categories: IT General, Technology

1000th Wordle has people sharing their scores online. Can you beat it?

Mashable - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 17:24

Remember when Wordle first took the world by storm? Well, just a few years later and there have been 1,000 puzzles already.

Friday marked the 1,000th edition of Wordle, which is now owned and ran by the New York Times. While perhaps Wordle is past it's viral peak — folks are super into the NYT's Connections these days — the 1,000th puzzle had folks talking and sharing online. It was trending on X Friday morning.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 15 1,000th Wordle has the internet talking Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

There must be someone, somewhere who had done all 1,000 after all. That would be quite impressive. And, if you happen to live in New York, there are actually lots of businesses giving away free stuff related to past answers.

If you're struggling with the 1,000th puzzle on March 15 — we've got you covered. Mashable has tips, hints, and the answer if you want to check it out.

I won't spoil it here, but rest assured: while it's not the hardest Wordle ever, it's also not the easiest. Here's to the 1,000th daily puzzle and, hopefully, 1,000 more.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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