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TL;DR: Through March 10, get a lifetime subscription to the Mashvisor Professional Plan for $159.99 when you use code ENJOY20.

Side hustles look different for everyone, but real estate is a classic that could slowly become your main source of income if you work smart. Still, that takes a ton of research, and the market may be pretty competitive, but there are tools available to help you invest like a pro, even if you're new to the area. 

Mashvisor is a real estate market analysis platform that could help you keep track of recent data about real estate opportunities around you. It takes a lot of work hunting down reliable leads in a new market, but Mashvisor simplifies the whole process. Time to make hosting an Airbnb as easy as staying in one, and all it takes is getting a lifetime subscription to Mashvisor for $159.99 when you use coupon code ENJOY20 through March 10.

Find out where to invest

Mashvisor is a simple app that could make a huge difference in how you approach real estate. It aggregates data from sources like MLS, Zillow, Rentometer, Airbnb.com, and the Census Bureau. Then, it uses AI and machine-learning algorithms to analyze the data to generate insights and real estate investment opportunity scores. The designers claim it covers 95% of U.S. markets, so you could be able to identify solid opportunities practically anywhere.

Then, once you've invested, Mashvisor even helps you manage the properties you have. It gives you an Airbnb calendar to calculate a property's income potential. You can look out for foreclosures and even export data to Excel to make it easier to analyze, and it's all done from one platform. 

Real estate research made easy

Get informed about the real estate opportunities around you with an app that makes research easy. 

Until March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get a lifetime subscription to a Mashvisor Professional Plan on sale for $159.99 with code ENJOY20. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashvisor Mashvisor: Lifetime Subscription (Professional Plan) $199.99
$3,599.64 Save $3,399.65 with code ENJOY20 Get Deal

SXSW has arrived! And along with an enthralling conference bursting with music, comedy, tech, VR, and entertaining activations, South by Southwest is one of America's most thrilling film festivals. 

This year's headliners include such hotly anticipated movies as the Jake Gyllenhaal-fronted Road House remake, Dev Patel's action-packed directorial debut Monkey Man, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt's rom-comedy-action romp The Fall Guy, and Alex Garland's tense USA-set thriller Civil War. Plus, there are Sundance favorites like the audacious band biopic Kneecap and the Zellner Brothers' curious bigfoot drama, Sasquatch Sunset. But if you only focus on the flashiest titles, you're sure to overlook the hidden gems.

We've probed deep into SXSW's schedule to find the movies that Mashable readers won't want to miss. Be it a biopic from a popular Youtube star, a horror movie so intimate it feels like a gawking Reddit thread, or a true crime doc that shows you the secret cruelty of eBay, these movies are sure to intrigue.

Here are 10 SXSW movies you'll want to know about ahead of the fest:

Birdeater Friends gather for an eerie buck's night in "Birdeater." Credit: Fons PR

If you're addicted to AITA Reddit, you'll relish this thriller out of Australia. The feature debut of co-directors Jack Clark and Jim Weir, Birdeater begins with an engaged couple so inseparable that Irene (Shabana Azeez) is even invited to Louie's (Mackenzie Fearnley) buck's night (that'd be a bachelor party in America). Gathered together in the outback are some of his friends and one of hers for a night that should be about eating, drinking, and being merry. However, as booze and hard drugs roll out, uncomfortable secrets are revealed that call into question not just their relationship, but just about everything binding this band of friends and lovers together. 

Birdeater debuts at SXSW March 9. 

SEE ALSO: 'Birdeater' teaser promises a truly horrifying bachelor weekend Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion A teen girl poses with a Brandy Melville sign in the titular store. Credit: HBO

What do you really know about Brandy Melville? The controversial clothing line was adored for its cute California girl aesthetic, but criticized for its "one size fits all" tags that scoffed at size inclusivity. The company's on-brand fat-shaming is just the tip of the iceberg of ick revealed in Eva Orner's jolting documentary. Not only does she unearth the shady CEO who hid behind a fleet of teen wannabe influencers, but also, she speaks to the former Brandy Melville employees who faced body-shaming, exploitation, racism, misogyny, and even assault under his (ongoing) reign. A scorching indictment of fast fashion and its hidden cost on the bodies and well-beings of women, this doc is a must-see before you click that next clothing ad on Instagram.

Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion debuts at SXSW March 11. 

Desert Road Kristine Froseth stars in "Desert Road." Credit: Nico Navia / SXSW

Seeking a mind-bending thriller that's off the beaten path? Let writer/director Shannon Triplett be your guide with Desert Road. This freaky film stars Kristine Froseth as a sharp young woman who is nobody's fool. Traveling alone down a long, remote highway, she's on the lookout for pit stops and scam artists eager to fleece her. But nothing can prepare her for what happens after a minor car accident. Sure, she can change her tire and call a tow truck. But the real problem becomes how she can escape this place, where every road leads her back to her crashed car. Think Groundhog Day with a twist as unique as it is enthralling, and you've got a sense of where Desert Road will lead you.

Desert Road debuts at SXSW March 10. 

Grand Theft Hamlet Credit: SXSW

To be or not to be? is the question of William Shakespeare's forlorn Dane in Hamlet. But in January of 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic caused lockdowns across the UK, two out-of-work actors grappled with this dense play while playing Grand Theft Auto. How does that work? This comical documentary set entirely in the notoriously mayhem-laced video game reveals exactly that. Through online gaming, strangers not only got into virtual showdowns, but also rehearsed, grappled with the text, and repeatedly got killed off by other gamers or NPC cops who only came for gunfire. Yet amid the chaotic setting, a community of theater kids and lonely souls just might find something beyond loot and cheap thrills.

Grand Theft Hamlet debuts at SXSW March 10. 

Música Rudy Mancuso and Camila Mendes star in "Música." Credit: Prime Video

Fans of YouTuber/puppeteer/musician Rudy Mancuso will be stoked to see his musical rom-com, which is based on aspects of his own life. Mancuso directed and co-wrote and stars, playing himself as a teenager on the verge of graduation. But as his ambitious blonde girlfriend plans their future together, Rudy is drawn to the beguiling fish market clerk Isabella (who is played by Mancuso's real-life girlfriend, Camila Mendes). As if a love triangle and growing pains weren't enough to deal with, Rudy is also plagued by synesthesia, a perceptual phenomenon that — in his case — transforms ambient noise into music that can be magical or mad distracting! Infusing his story with songs, dance, and (of course) puppets, Mancuso delivers a semi-autobiographical romp that should play well to his online fanbase. Will it win him a new wave of followers? 

Música debuts at SXSW March 13, before coming to Prime Video on April 4. 

Oddity Credit: SXSW

Seeking something uniquely creepy? Then you'll want to watch Damian McCarthy's freaky follow-up to the superbly spooky Caveat. Once more, this inventive horror maker has centered his story on an eerie house in a remote location. Once more, a cryptic plaything will play a major role. This time, instead of a sickly bunny toy, it's a full-sized man, carved out of wood, his mouth open in a silent scream. If that's not enough to entice you to come out for this Midnighter, how about a dash of plot? A blind medium (Carolyn Bracken) seeks to understand what really happened the night her sister died. Along the way, there will be bumps in the night, ghoulish violence, and twists that'll make your stomach flip.

Oddity makes its world premiere at SXSW March 8.

Sew Torn Credit: Macdonald Entertainment Partners & Orisono GmbH

If you like your crime stories cozy, you'll want to check out Sew Torn. Written and directed by Freddy Macdonald, this comedic thriller combines whimsy and grit as a mobile seamstress (a beguiling Eve Connolly) crosses paths with a pair of bumbling drug dealers (Thomas Douglas and Calum Worthy). Can a perfect crime be all stitched up with some wit and thread? Well, just when it seems this story's come to its end, McDonald tugs us back to the start to offer another path. Think Run Lola Run with Pushing Daisies vibes. Each version is rich with detail, character, and grisly possibilities, making Sew Torn a spectacular thrill.

Sew Torn makes its world premiere at SXSW March 8.

Things Will Be Different  Credit: Exile PR

If you like your sci-fi slight and sly, you'll relish director Michael Felker's unusual family drama. Things Will Be Different begins with a bank-robbing brother and sister duo, Joseph and Sidney (Adam David Thompson and Riley Dandy), who are planning to flee not only the scene of the crime but their current timeline altogether. A mysterious safe house on a remote farm transports them and their bags of cash to the past, where they can lie low as their former present ticks by. But their plan for a two-week getaway is stalled when their way out is blocked and a masked stranger shows up shooting. Marooned on this farm in the past, the siblings will learn whether family bonds will keep them together or tear them apart. 

Things Will Be Different debuts at SXSW March 11. 

Whatever it Takes Credit: SXSW / Thorsten Thielow

True crime collides with toxic internet culture in this outrageous documentary that's sure to shock you. Sure, you know communities online can curdle, and journalists on the web can be harassed by nameless trolls. But this story centers on a mild-mannered middle-aged couple who cover e-commerce and found themselves horrifically harassed, stalked, and threatened by a mysterious online group. Vicious tweets soon escalated to a van stalking them around their hometown and a barrage of cryptic packages that included props from horror movies, and an ominous funeral wreath. The Fourth Estate director Jenny Carchman not only unfurls the tale of trauma these two endured, but also the outrageous corporate culture that lies behind the screen names who plagued these journalists. It's a story that's surprising not only in its twisted turns but also in its unexpected allusions to movies like Training Day, Full Metal Jacket, and Meet the Parents. Spoilers: You'll never look at eBay the same way again. 

Whatever it Takes debuts at SXSW March 9.

The World According to Allee Willis Credit: SXSW

You might not know the name of Allee Willis, but chances are good she had a musical impact on your life. Ever got down to "September" or "Boogie Wonderland?" Did you love The Color Purple Musical? Do you know the Friends' theme by heart? Then you've had a brush with the incredible creativity of the American singer-songwriter, who not only penned a barrage of hits but also inspired countless artists and colleagues. Documentarian Alexis Spraic sits down with a slew of them, including Paul Reubens, Julie Brown, Paul Feig, Michael Patrick King, and Cyndi Lauper, to explore the weird and wonderful world of Allee Willis. Enlightening, engaging, and entertaining, this bio-doc offers food for thought and plenty of fun.

The World According to Allee Willis makes its world premiere at SXSW March 11.

Those who navigate the waters of laptop shopping long enough will eventually encounter a subspecies of web-based PCs called Chromebooks, which beckon budget buyers with a siren song of affordability, security, and user-friendliness. They come with some notable quirks that can cap their value for certain types of users, and are generally reserved for those who care more about practicality than premium features. That said, a fall 2023 update has somewhat leveled the playing field between them and other budget machines.

SEE ALSO: The best cheap laptops for 2024, tested and reviewed

If you're not sure which will serve you better, read on for a primer on the key differences between Chromebooks and regular laptops.

What is a Chromebook?

Chromebooks are lean, lightweight, and low-cost laptops that run on ChromeOS, Google's cloud-based operating system. The tech giant rolled out an initial crop of Chromebooks in 2010 as part of a school pilot program, and the first consumer-facing models made by Acer and Samsung hit shelves a year later. Additional manufacturers entered the fray soon after, including ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Google itself. (Google now no longer makes its own own Chromebooks, called "Pixelbooks," having discontinued the line in 2022.)

By the mid-2010s, the Chromebook market expanded to include more sizes and convertible/hybrid models with touchscreens that doubled as tablets. Nowadays, you'll also encounter a handful of Chromebook variants specifically designed for business and cloud-based gaming.

There are several factors that separate Chromebooks from standard laptops (mostly concerning software), but their relationship is best summarized by that age-old "square and rectangle" phenomenon: All Chromebooks are laptops, but not all laptops are Chromebooks.

Chromebook vs. laptop: Operating system Above all, ChromeOS keeps things simple. Credit: Screenshot: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Chromebooks are powered by ChromeOS, whereas regular laptops run on Windows or macOS. Their interface is effectively just the Chrome web browser plus some preloaded Google productivity apps like Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. (The nice thing about this is that it makes setting up a Chromebook as easy as signing into a Google account.) They're designed to be used while connected to the internet, though they do have some offline functionality if you enable certain settings before disconnecting.

Chromebook vs. laptop: Apps

Chromebooks aren't capable of running native Windows and Mac apps like regular laptops, but they do support Android apps — including the Microsoft Office suite — which you can download from the web and through the Google Play Store. These apps are meant for mobile devices, i.e. smartphones and tablets, so they look and work differently from any desktop counterparts, which may take some getting used to. You can also add extensions to the Chrome browser via the Chrome Web Store.

Chromebook vs. laptop: Security

Chromebooks have several layers of built-in protection against malware and viruses, including automatic software updates every four weeks. All models released in 2021 or later get 10 years of these updates. Meanwhile, Windows laptops and Apple MacBooks require separate antivirus software. (Yes, even MacBooks.)

Chromebook vs. laptop: Specs

Most Chromebooks are designed for simple everyday tasks rather than demanding workloads and multitasking, so they offer pared-down specs compared to regular laptops: a minimal amount of RAM, either 4GB or 8GB, and an entry-level to mid-range processor. (Intel Core i3/i5, Celeron, and Pentium; AMD Ryzen C-Series; MediaTek Kompanio; and Qualcomm Snapdragon chips are all common.) The average Chromebook also forgoes a dedicated graphics card, including those few newer models geared toward cloud gaming.

Space-wise, most Chromebooks come equipped with 32GB to 256GB of onboard storage, which is slower eMMC flash storage on the low end (that stands for "embedded multimedia card") and zippier UFS ("universal flash storage") or an SSD ("solid-state drive") on the upper end. That's a fraction of other laptops' storage capacities, which generally start at 256GB, but it's not necessarily a knock against Chromebooks since they stash most of their data in the cloud — you don't need as much local storage.

Chromebook vs. laptop: Design and build quality A 14-inch Lenovo ThinkBook 14p Gen 3 (left) and the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch (right) seem comparatively sleek at a glance, but the latter's exterior shell is made of smooth plastic instead of metal. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Chromebooks have always prioritized durability over aesthetics, and while they've gotten much more polished over the years, they still tend to look and feel cheaper than other laptops (because they usually are). The typical visual indicators of a Chromebook are thick bezels and a plastic chassis. On the plus side, they often skew lighter than other laptops because of their plastic builds and lack of heavy-duty hardware.

Chromebook vs. laptop: Price

Chromebooks' minimalism has its drawbacks for certain tasks, but it does make them reliable, easy to use, and, above all, cheap. The most basic Chromebooks start at $200 to $300 — or even less, if you find them on sale — while a perfectly capable mid-range model will run you $400 to $600. (Look for the "Chromebook Plus" branding; more on that shortly.) Scooting your budget up to $700 will get you the nicest specs, like 256GB of SSD storage and a touchscreen display. For comparison's sake, budget Windows laptops typically cost $500 to $700, while the cheapest MacBook starts at $1,000, assuming you pay full price.

Chromebooks that cost upwards of $800 to $1,000 do exist, but mainly for enterprise purposes. (And if that's the kind of budget you're working with, you're better off deferring to a regular laptop — you'll get more functionality and features for your buck that way.)

What about Chromebooks Plus?

Chromebook Plus is a new category of Chromebooks that Google introduced in October 2023, and it's been a game-changer for the genre. For starters, all Chromebooks with the "Plus" label are guaranteed to meet certain upgraded hardware and performance requirements, making it easier to pinpoint models that aren't total clunkers. These requirements include:

• At least a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series processor

• At least 8GB of memory

• At least 128GB of storage

• A 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction

• An IPS display with a resolution of at least 1080p (Full HD)

On the software side, Chromebook Plus models come with new features that greatly amplify their usability online and offline, including built-in Google apps, a File Sync feature that automatically downloads drive files, and exclusive AI tools like custom generated wallpapers and blurred video call backgrounds.

Perhaps most notably, Chromebook Plus has also added support for multimedia editing apps like Google Photos Magic Eraser, Adobe Photoshop on the web, Adobe Express, and LumaFusion. (Google really wants you to try them: Anyone who purchases a Chromebook Plus gets free three-month trials of those two Adobe product and a LumaFusion discount.) These apps aren't as robust as software like the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, but a Chromebook capable of running this kind of stuff was unthinkable a decade ago.

Chromebook Plus is available as a software update for about two dozen recent-year Chromebooks and as eight new devices made by Acer, ASUS, Lenovo, and HP. It's worth mentioning that the latter start at just $399.99, which is a ridiculously good value.

Final thoughts: Should you get a Chromebook or a laptop?

Chromebooks have historically been cheap and overly simplistic compared to other laptops by design, making direct comparisons a bit unfair, but the Chromebook Plus update has dramatically elevated them to a position where they can earnestly compete with cheaper Windows machines.

A regular Windows laptop or MacBook will of course still be the "best" option for most people, especially if the money thing is irrelevant, as they don't make you go all-in on ChromeOS or restrict you to made-for-mobile apps. But for some budget-conscious users, those limitations can be assets — namely, those with uncomplicated workloads who want an equally uncomplicated device. This would primarily cover kids and students, but it could potentially include some working professionals with chill email jobs, too, so long as your work revolves around the Google ecosystem and doesn't require any fancy specialty software. Along similar lines, creatives and gamers would be wiser to think of Chromebooks as fallback plans or last resorts for extremely casual use.

Outside of the classroom or office, a Chromebook can also excel as a travel companion for on-the-go work and entertainment, provided you (again) keep things basic: It's lightweight enough to toss in a backpack, and it probably won't take serious damage if it gets bumped around. You might not even care if it gets dinged up if it only cost you a few hundred bucks.

Ultimately, the answer to the "Chromebook vs. laptop" debate will boil down to a combination of three factors: your budget, your individual use case(s), and the kind of software you're trying to run on a daily basis. The freer functionality that comes with a regular laptop can be a necessity for some but glut for others. Sometimes you just need an ol' reliable.

Once you've made up your mind, be sure to check out Mashable's guides to the best laptops and the best cheap laptops for some hands-on tested buying recommendations.

The Asus Zenbook Duo is as badass as it looks. Stacking one display on top of another, you can juggle several apps simultaneously. Plus, you needn’t smudge the screens with your grubby fingers – the Zenbook Duo ships with a detachable keyboard.

As someone who often works out of coffee shops, I decided to take the Zenbook Duo for a spin inside two Starbucks' in Manhattan. Yes, there were a lot of stares, but after patrons got over the initial shock of seeing a towering technological wonder, they carried on with their day.

Granted, this is New York City. It’s going to take a hell of a lot more than a dual-display laptop to rattle city slickers. Still, it was a relief that I wasn’t sticking out like a sore thumb I initially feared.

But the question is, beyond its wacky dual-display design, how does it handle my typical, day-to-day workflow? Let’s dive into my experience with the Asus Zenbook Duo.

Asus Zenbook Duo price

My jaw dropped when Asus told me the Zenbook Duo’s price tag. Laptops that deliver that eye-catching, app-juggling experience, like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold and the HP Spectre Fold, can be quite pricey (the latter will set you back a cool $5,000).

The Zenbook Duo, on the other hand, starts at $1,499. That’s it – $1,500 for a dual-display experience that rocks your world. The Zenbook Duo can be purchased via Amazon, and it comes with the following specs (which matches the internals inside my review unit):

• Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU

• Intel Arc graphics

• 16GB of RAM

• 1TB of SSD storage

• Dual, 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel, OLED displays

You can upgrade this configuration to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 2880 x 1800-pixel OLED display. With all other specs remaining the same, the Zenbook Duo will set you back $1,808 via CDW.

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Asus Zenbook Duo
Get Deal What I like about the Asus Zenbook Duo

When I first laid eyes on the Asus Zenbook Duo, it terrified me. Although I’ve reviewed my fair share of dual-display laptops, the Zenbook Duo looks like double trouble with its intimidating design.

I mean, come on. Look at it.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Dual-stacked screens aren’t a familiar design, and as such, I was afraid that there would be some sort of learning curve to using it. However, to my surprise, I quickly found my flow while using the Zenbook Duo.

Dual displays yielded faster workflow

The Asus Zenbook Duo has two 14-inch displays – both feature 120Hz, 1,900 x 1,200-pixel resolution OLED screens.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

After working with the Zenbook Duo, single-screen laptops are now cancelled. I’ll miss AirDrop and macOS’ seamlessness, but I will gladly give up my M2 MacBook Air for Asus’ dual-screen beauty.

My typical workflow consists of juggling Slack, Gmail, Google Docs, and other apps simultaneously. On my single-screen MacBook, that just means awkwardly bouncing between several windows and switching between Chrome tabs.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

On the Zenbook Duo, on the other hand, I was zipping through my tasks like Roadrunner. Meep, meep! On the top screen, I placed Slack on the left and Gmail on the right. On the bottom screen, Google Docs took up the entire panel, giving me ample room to see what I’m typing while keeping an eye on my inbox and work messages.

The app-juggling combinations are endless. For example, at one point, I fired up the webcam on the top screen while taking notes on the second panel. After work, I launched Netflix on the top screen to watch Love Is Blind while scrolling through Twitter to read the hilarious commentary on the show.

The keyboard is unmatched

The Zenbook Duo ships with a Bluetooth keyboard that you can place on top of the second screen – it will magnetically attach, thanks to the embedded pogo pins. With this posture, you can use the Zenbook Duo in a traditional manner – the ol’ faithful clamshell design.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, you can also detach the keyboard from the Zenbook Duo completely, allowing you to use both screens while using the touchpad to navigate between the two.

Speaking of the keyboard, it’s worth noting that the fact that it even has a trackpad is quite revolutionary. In my experience, laptops that deliver a multi-screen experience with a detachable keyboard typically don’t have trackpads. Consequently, yes, you can type just fine, but to scroll and make selections, you must jab your fingers on the screen, smudging it with your unsightly prints.

The detachable keyboard – equipped with a full trackpad – lets me navigate both 14-inch displays without touching a single panel.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

As a cherry on top, the detachable keyboard isn’t mushy like I expected to be. It’s almost as good, if not better, than the keyboard on my M2 MacBook Air.

The second screen doubles as a keyboard, too

When Asus told me that the second screen doubles as a virtual keyboard, I scoffed. “There’s no way that’s comfortable, right?”

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Like magic, I summoned the virtual keyboard on the second screen by tapping it with three fingers. I started typing on it and I said, “Wait a minute – this is surprisingly good.” There isn’t any haptic feedback, but there is audio-visual feedback. The keys you press are illuminated in blue and you can hear a “click” noise for every letter and symbol you hit.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

I still prefer the physical keyboard; I want smudge-free screens thank you very much. Still, it’s a nice-to-have if I don’t have the detachable keyboard within reach.

It can transform into many different modes

The Zenbook Duo has a kickstand on the back of the lid, allowing you to prop up the laptop’s dual-display screens in landscape mode. 

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You can also use the kickstand to transform the Zenbook Duo into book mode, too. 

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

If you want a gigantic tablet, you can retract the kickstand and lay the Zenbook Duo flat for massive screen real estate.

Surprising variety of ports

Laptops that facilitate app juggling in a dual-display or foldable fashion are often scant on ports – but not the Zenbook Duo.

It’s packed with HDMI 2.1, USB Type-A, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a headset jack.

What's 'eh' about the Asus Zenbook Duo?

The Asus Zenbook Duo is a dual-display wonder, but this wacky design is bound to come with some trade-offs.

Bulky design — kind of

Considering what the Zenbook Duo brings to the table — a multi-screen experience — I'd be mad to expect Asus to deliver a thin-and-light laptop. In fact, I'd argue that the Zenbook Duo is much lighter than expected.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

If you want to carry the Zenbook Duo alongside the keyboard, you'll be adding about 3.7 pounds to your travel bag. However, if you leave the keyboard behind, the Zenbook Duo only weighs 2.98 pounds.

In other words, you can enjoy a three-pound laptop during your commutes and travels if you don't mind leaving the physical keyboard behind. However, if you want to bring it with you, you'll have to accept that the Zenbook Duo won't be a lightweight companion.

Fingerprint-attracting chassis

It's also worth noting that the Zenbook Duo's "Inkwell Gray" chassis attracts fingerprints, so keep a microfiber towel handy.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
What I dislike about the Asus Zenbook Duo

Asus is arguably the most innovative laptop manufacturer. They’re known for experimenting with wacky dual-display designs, 3D gaming laptops (sans the 3D glasses), and more. 

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The Zenbook Duo isn’t new in Asus’ portfolio. In fact, it’s a successor to a laptop that also had a dual display, but the top display was full screen and the second one only took up about a third of the deck. With this new-gen Zenbook Duo, Asus said, “Let’s go big or go home!” and unleashed a laptop with two full-screen displays.

However, taking such bold risks often comes with some flubs and flaws.

Speakers are too quiet

While using the Asus Zenbook Duo in Starbucks, I fired up a Google Meet chat to touch base with Ziff Davis’ Kenneth Butler about his social media strategy.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Unfortunately, my Sony XM4 headphones were being uncooperative, so I decided to rely on the Zenbook Duo’s speakers instead. Sadly, although the Starbucks was far from loud and played music at a library-quiet level, I struggled to hear Butler.

If you’re often in loud environments, and you find yourself without headphones, you will likely find that the Zenbook Duo is too damn quiet.

Awkward lay-flat mode

It’s exciting seeing a website splashed across two 14-inch displays. For example, I enjoy using the lay-flat mode for long-form articles on the internet because I can read lengthy, verbose content with minimal scrolling.

Asus calls this posture "sharing mode." Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, it’s hard to ignore the screen disruption between both panels in the middle (the second panel settles slightly higher than the top one).

Asus Zenbook Duo webcam

With Asus investing most of its resources on creating this dual-display masterpiece, I’m not surprised that the webcam seems to be an afterthought.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The 1080p webcam on the Zenbook Duo doesn’t look that great. My complexion is inaccurate with a gray, ghostly cast and colors appear to be muted. But to be fair, many laptop webcams are total potatoes – and the Zenbook Duo joins the ranks.

Asus Zenbook Duo Geekbench score

The Asus Zenbook Duo has a multi-core score of 10,344 on Geekbench 6, which tests for CPU performance. For comparison, this is on par M2 MacBook Air's performance, which has a multi-core score of 10,146.

Asus Zenbook Duo battery life

For a laptop with two glaring displays, the Zenbook Duo's battery life is impressive. We ran PCMark 10 on it; it lasted 8 hours and 52 minutes on a charge.

Is the Asus Zenbook Duo worth it?

The Asus Zenbook Duo is definitely worth it. It's priced at less than $2,000, delivering a rich, multi-screen experience in a market filled with boring single-screen laptops for twice the price.

I've said it once and I'll say it again: single-display laptops are now cancelled. After working with the Zenbook Duo, I'm spoiled. How can I work on my MacBook Air, my daily driver, without missing the masterful app-juggling capabilities of the Zenbook Duo?

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Asus Zenbook Duo
Get Deal

You know when you're watching a Guy Ritchie thriller. There's a style and some core tropes that the writer/director employs time and again, often to great effect: the messy mish-mash of larger-than-life characters; the combination of crime and black comedy; the scowly presence of Vinnie Jones.

In the case of Ritchie's best-known works like Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, these elements combine to make something truly memorable and entertaining. In the case of The Gentlemen — an eight-episode Netflix series spun off from Ritchie's movie of the same name — they don't quite add up. It's the same ingredients, but a different meal. The taste falls a bit flat.

SEE ALSO: The 20 best TV shows of 2023 What's The Gentlemen about?

On returning to his sprawling rural manor to see his dying father, Eddie Halstead (Theo James) learns a disconcerting fact. His dad's actually in business with criminals, and is hosting a rather large underground weed farm on his land. When Eddie's promoted to the title of duke and sole inheritor after his father's death (much to the rage of his older brother Freddy (Daniel Ings)), he's faced with a difficult choice: work alongside crime boss Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario) or try to make a clean break.

To complicate things, a mysterious billionaire (Giancarlo Esposito) is pushing to buy the Halstead's land, Glass' imprisoned father Bobby (Ray Winstone) wants Eddie to more work closely with his daughter, and Freddy has a large debt with a Liverpudlian drug empire led by a bearded preacher known as The Gospel (Pearce Quigley).

Cue some very Guy Ritchie-style surprise deaths and a chaotic chain of events that throws Eddie further and further into the deep end.

Giancarlo Esposito plays billionaire Stanley Johnstone. Credit: Netflix The Gentlemen could have been two episodes shorter.

Sounds like a fun plot, doesn't it? The thing is — for the first two episodes at least — it is. Cool-headed army captain-turned-duke Eddie (played with a grim stiff-upper-lip assertiveness by The White Lotus star James) is fun to watch as he struggles to come to terms with the criminal underworld, while his brother (an amusingly twitchy and wide-eyed Ings) excels at becoming more and more of a liability. There's an entertaining inevitability to things going wrong, and a quickly ratcheting tension when they do.

But then as quickly as the action starts, it all just sort of...tails out. The pace and energy evaporates. After a strong opening, episodes three, four and five feel like filler, individual chapters that add little to the main story and make the series feel more like an anthology than a linear narrative. There are also some character choices that don't really make sense at this point — why would Eddie, who clearly wants to separate his family from the criminality they've been embroiled in, so readily agree to steal a car for the Glasses in episode 3, for instance? An explanation is offered, but it seems more like an excuse to add some side quests to the main story.

Fortunately the show does pull things back further down the line. But I was still left with the feeling that the series could have been cut down to six episodes instead of eight. By the time the core thread has been picked up again the momentum is largely gone.

A father-daughter crime team. Credit: Netflix Is The Gentlemen worth watching?

Don't get me wrong, there's a lot to like too. Fans of Ritchie will be familiar with the amusingly choppy style, and the over-the-top characters are fleshed out with strong performances across the board. The script is often amusing, often tense. It's fun to watch the UK's upper classes colliding with its criminal underbelly.

But The Gentlemen started off as a movie, and maybe that's where it should have stayed. Spinning the concept of weed farms below country mansions into a longer-form story sounds promising, but the material ends up feeling stretched. There's not enough story to pack out eight episodes, and what we're left with is a plot that starts to feel increasingly silly (and not in a good way) before fizzling out at the end.

Like many of its suave and suited characters, The Gentlemen is ultimately style over substance.

How to watch: The Gentlemen is streaming on Netflix from March 7.

A struggling late night show host desperate for ratings takes a horrible risk in Late Night with the Devil, a '70s found footage style horror about a talk show going from funny to scary quicker than you can say "we'll be right back".

Starring David Dastmalchian as troubled host Jack Delroy, the Cairnes brothers' movie revolves around a Halloween special in which the interview subject is the (possibly possessed) survivor of a Satanic cult.

"Paying tribute to '70s horror, Late Night with the Devil is steeped in the era's aesthetic and its emerging moral anxiety, as well as the methodical pacing that draws us in, grabs on tight, and won't let go until that final ghoulish moment," wrote Mashable's Kristy Puchko in her review. "Tune in and hang on. Dastmalchian and his demon are coming for you." 

How to watch: Late Night with the Devil premieres in theatres March 22, before streaming on Shudder.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 7 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 7

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, March 7, 2024:

Across2 or 3, typically, in mini-golf

• The answer is par.

Like a cake made without eggs, milk and butter

• The answer is vegan.

Nintendo character in purple overalls

• The answer is Wario.

Candle option

• The answer is scent.

What every barking dog is actually saying, in a classic "The Far Side" cartoon

• The answer is hey.

DownNintendo character in a pink dress

• The answer is Peach.

"Right on"

• The answer is agree.

Bad forecast for beach week

• The answer is rainy.

Some German cars, for short

• The answer is not.

"___ to mention ..."

• The answer is VWs.

Rooster Teeth is shutting down, just one year after the production company celebrated its 20th anniversary with a rebrand. Owner Warner Bros. Discovery is now exploring exactly what Rooster Teeth's death will look like, including selling off some of its divisions and IP.

Rooster Teeth's General Manager Jordan Levin announced the production studio's closure at a company meeting on Wednesday, as well as in a memo shared with press and staff.

"[I]t’s with a heavy heart I announce that Rooster Teeth is shutting down due to challenges facing digital media resulting from fundamental shifts in consumer behavior and monetization across platforms, advertising, and patronage," Levin wrote.

"Rooster Teeth’s closure isn’t merely an end; it reflects broader business dynamics. Monetization shifts, platform algorithms, advertising challenges, and the ebb and flow of patronage — all these converging factors have led to many closures in the industry."

SEE ALSO: How Rooster Teeth went from raising money on IndieGogo to releasing a movie on YouTube Red Tweet may have been deleted

Not all of Rooster Teeth's productions will immediately come to a halt. The Roost Podcast Network will continue to operate, though Warner Bros. Discovery is searching for a buyer to take the "growing asset" off its hands. The 19th and final season of Red vs. Blue is still planned for release later this year, with the series' conclusion having been announced last July. We also might see at least a few more episodes of animated series Camp Camp, considering its fifth season only just began last Friday.

However, the fate of the vast majority of Rooster Teeth's content is currently unclear, including YouTube channels The Slow Mo Guys and Funhaus.

"While we learn about updates on programming day by day, we will share our plans for shows, franchises, partnerships, and merch soon and share those updates with teams internally and with the community on RoosterTeeth.com," said Levin.

The company will host a livestream on its website to discuss the closure on Thursday.

Tweet may have been deleted Rooster Teeth's death isn't a surprise to fans

Rooster Teeth's demise may be unpleasant news to longtime fans, but it isn't a complete shock to most. Fans have long expressed concerns that it appeared to be on a decline — so much so that one of the r/roosterteeth subreddit's official rules is "Do not come here to complain about how 'RT is dead.'" Said rule has been temporarily suspended in light of Wednesday's news.

The company seemed to be on a high in the early to mid 2010s. Expanding its workforce, Rooster Teeth launched the popular Achievement Hunter YouTube channel, crowdfunded $2.4 million to create a feature film, and brought its annual convention to Australia and the UK. The company was sold to Fullscreen in 2014 (though it's now owned by Warner Bros. Discovery through subsequent acquisitions of its parent).

Sadly, the good times weren't to last. By 2019, Rooster Teeth made the first significant staff cut in its history, laying off 13 percent of its 419 employees. That same year, Rooster Teeth was hit by the first of several significant controversies, including accusations from former employees of racism, homophobia, crunch culture, and a generally toxic workplace.

Combined with unpopular subscription service price hikes, the departure or reduced roles of established Rooster Teeth personalities, and the dissolution of beloved divisions such as Achievement Hunter, many fans felt that the company's golden days were well and truly behind it.

Current and former employees have taken to social media to farewell the company, which helped build them as content creators.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted A former internet innovator

Founded in 2003 by Burnie Burns, Matt Hullum, Geoff Ramsey, Jason Saldaña, Gus Sorola, and Joel Heyman, Rooster Teeth originally rose to prominence due to its Halo machinima web series Red vs. Blue. The series was considered highly innovative for its time, and helped to popularise the animation technique.

The company eventually became known for gaming videos such as reviews, guides, and Let's Plays, before branching out into less game-oriented content. This included podcasts, live-action productions, and animated series such as RWBY and gen:LOCK. Rooster Teeth also tried its hand at developing its own games such as Vicious Cycle, though these failed to achieve the same popularity as the company's gaming videos. 

Unfortunately, such ambitious growth is only sustainable for so long — and the past year has already been awful for tech and games companies.

Tweet may have been deleted

Rooster Teeth is just the latest fresh corpse on the growing pile of mass layoffs and company closures currently gutting the games industry. Last week both PlayStation and Electronic Arts announced that they would lay off hundreds of employees, as well as close select subsidiary studios. A running tally by Kotaku calculates that this year over 8,000 games industry workers had already been laid off by the end of February.

A note on Rooster Teeth's official Twitter/X account states that it is no longer an active account, its last posts having been made in December last year. As of writing, its bio still reads: "20 years of fun and games, and we're just getting started."

Microstresses are small stresses from routine interactions—they’re often so brief we barely even register them. Individually, they might seem manageable, but cumulatively they take an enormous toll. How can you combat them? Start small. Commit to tackling one small, easy-to-address microstress a week for the first two weeks to build confidence, a different mindset, and […]

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TL;DR: A wide range of online AI and ChatGPT courses are available to take for free on Udemy.

AI can be a scary thing, but the best way of overcoming this fear is to better understand the technology. In fact, learning about artificial intelligence could help you to boost your business, kickstart a new career, develop marketable skills, and much more.

And there's some good news for anyone interested in learning about AI: Udemy is offering a wide range of online courses on AI and ChatGPT for free. We've checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of standout courses to get you started.

These are the best online AI and ChatGPT courses you can take for free this month:

• AI Art Generation Guide: Create AI Images For Free

• AI for Everyone

• AI-Powered Chatbot: Build Your Own with No Code

• AI-Powered SEO Mastery: How to Rank with AI SEO Tools

• Artificial Intelligence for Accountants

• Artificial Intelligence for Humans: AI Explained

• Artificial Intelligence: Preparing Your Career for AI

• Basics of ChatGPT and Generative AI for Software Engineers

• Become an AI Accelerated Engineer Using ChatGPT

• Become an AI-Powered Engineer: ChatGPT, Github Copilot

• Business Analyst: Digital Director for AI and Data Science

• ChatGPT 101: The Complete Beginner's Guide and Masterclass

• ChatGPT in 30 Minutes: NEW Prompt Engineering and AI Skills

• ChatGPT, Midjourney, Firefly, Bard, DALL-E, AI Crash Course

• ChatGPT Prompt Engineering for Beginners

• ChatGPT SEO Mastery: How to Rank with AI SEO Content

• Create Faceless YouTube Videos Using Free AI Tools Only

• Google Gemini AI with Python API

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

• Kickstart Artificial Intelligence

• Learn Basics About AI

• Master Gemini AI

• Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals: Get Started with AI

• Midjourney and ChatGPT: Unleash AI for Unique Image Generation

• Midjourney Guide: How to Generate AI Art in Seconds

• Prompt Engineering+: Master Speaking To AI

• SEO Fundamentals: Post AI and ChatGPT World

• Unleash your Creativity with Stable Diffusion AI

These free online courses do not offer certificates of completion or direct instructor messaging, but you still get unrestricted access to all the video content. That means you can learn at a pace that suits you.

Find the best free AI and ChatGPT courses on Udemy.

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TL;DR: Find a wide range of free online courses from Harvard University on edX.

When something is offered for free, we're always looking out for the catch. Are we going to need to sign up for something? Will we need to pay full price after the promotional period? Or is the whole thing just a scam?

We're suspicious of anything that's "free," and you should be too. But every now and then there is a genuine opportunity to take an online course without spending anything. And even better, these online courses are delivered by famous educational institutions like Harvard University.

You can take free online courses from Harvard University on topics like Python, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. All of these high-quality courses can be found on edX.

We have checked out everything on offer from edX and lined up the best free online courses from Harvard University this month:

• Ancient Masterpieces of World Literature

• Applications of TinyML

• Building Personal Resilience: Managing Anxiety and Mental Health

• CS50's Computer Science for Business Professionals

• CS50's Computer Science for Lawyers

• CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python

• CS50's Introduction to Computer Science

• CS50's Introduction to Cybersecurity

• CS50's Introduction to Game Development

• CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python

• CS50's Introduction to Programming with R

• CS50's Introduction to Programming with Scratch

• CS50's Understanding Technology

• CS50's Web Programming with Python and JavaScript

• Data Science: Capstone

• Data Science: Inference and Modelling

• Data Science: Machine Learning

• Data Science: Productivity Tools

• Data Science: R Basics

• Data Science: Visualization

• Deploying TinyML

• Energy and Thermodynamics

• Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies

• Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles

• Fat Chance: Probability from the Ground Up

• Fundamentals of Neuroscience Part 1

• Fundamentals of TinyML

• High-Dimensional Data Analysis

• Humanitarian Response to Conflict and Disaster

• Introduction to Data Science with Python

• Introduction to Digital Humanities

• Justice

• Leadership: Creating Public Value

• Leaders of Learning

• Machine Learning and AI with Python

• Managing Happiness

• Masterpieces of World Literature

• MLOps for Scaling TinyML

• Modern Masterpieces of World Literature

• Remote Work Revolution for Everyone

• Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking

• Shakespeare's Life and Work

• Statistics and R

• Super-Earths and Life

• The Health Effects of Climate Change

• The Path to Happiness: What Chinese Philosophy Teaches us about the Good Life

• Using Python for Research

These free online courses do not come with a verified certificate of completion, but that's the only catch. You can still enroll and start learning at your own pace.

Find the best free online courses from Harvard University with edX.

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TL;DR: A one-year subscription to the ESET NOD32 Antivirus 2024 Edition is on sale for £19.72, saving you 37% on list price.

It's the start of a new year, which means it may be a good time to up your online security measures, starting with this top-notch antivirus software from ESET. For a limited time, one year of ESET NOD32 Antivirus 2024 Edition is discounted to £19.72 for one Windows PC or Mac.

Antivirus protection is like having a police officer patrol the streets of your computer, blocking malicious software that may compromise your digital info, like data theft, system damage, and other privacy concerns. With ESET, you’re armored with layers of protection against viruses, ransomware, rootkits, worms, and spyware. ESET also guards you and your information from phishing attempts that seek your usernames, passwords, or banking details.  

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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 7'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:

A copy.

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 C.

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 #992 is...

CLONE.

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 7'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: Ration

• Green: Dump

• Blue: The butt of things

• Purple: Dreams

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: Shared

• Green: Rid of Contents

• Blue: Associated with "Stub"

• Purple: ___Dream

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 #270 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Shared: COLLECTIVE, COMMON, JOINT, MUTUAL

• Rid of Contents: CLEAR, DRAIN, EMPTY, FLUSH

• Associated with "Stub": CIGARETTE, PENCIL, TICKET, TOE

• ___Dream: AMERICAN, FEVER, LUCID, PIPE

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.

If Fortnite fans were hoping that Apple and Epic Games were repairing their relationship after the latter announced that the popular battle royale game was headed back to iPhone in the EU – well, we have some bad news.

According to Epic Games, Apple just completely terminated its developer account. As a result, Epic Games will no longer be able to launch its Epic Games Store in the EU. And, this means that Fortnite's return to the iPhone may potentially be canceled as well.

"We recently announced that Apple approved our Epic Games Sweden AB developer account," reads Epic Games' statement published on Wednesday. "We intended to use that account to bring the Epic Games Store and Fortnite to iOS devices in Europe thanks to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). To our surprise, Apple has terminated that account and now we cannot develop the Epic Games Store for iOS."

Tweet may have been deleted

"This is a serious violation of the DMA and shows Apple has no intention of allowing true competition on iOS devices," the statement from Epic Games continues.

Here's what's going on between Apple and Epic Games

This month, new EU regulations called the Digital Markets Act (DMA) officially go into effect in the EU. These rules require that Big Tech companies, like Apple, open up its core platforms to competition from third parties.

SEE ALSO: Google loses lawsuit to ‘Fortnite’ developer Epic Games

The biggest change this has required of Apple is that the company has to allow "alternative marketplaces" access to distribute apps on users' iOS devices, in direct competition with its official App Store. This change allows developers who want to avoid Apple's App Store rules the ability to still distribute apps to users on the iPhone.

Because of Apple's new DMA-required rules, Epic Games decided to create its own alternative app marketplace for iPhone and distribute its Fortnite app there, making them game available for EU players on iOS for the first time in years.

However, Apple's new App Store policies were also heavily criticized by Meta, Microsoft, Spotify, and Epic Games itself. While these alternative marketplaces were a move in the right direction, Apple created a system where it still profited off of developers distributing their apps through these App Store competitors. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney described Apple's DM-inspired rules as "malicious compliance."

Epic Games provided an email from Apple where the iPhone-maker cited several statements made by Sweeney which were highly critical of the company. Apple cites these statements along with Epic Games' past history with Apple as the reason its terminating the Fortnite developer's account.

Tweet may have been deleted

"This is the post Apple cited when banning the Epic Games Store from competing with the iOS App Store under Europe's new DMA law," said Sweeney in a post on X "Criticism of Apple = untrustworthiness, in Apple leadership's bleak vision of their future relationship with app developers."

Sweeney included the X thread cited by Apple in its notification to the company where the Epic Games CEO called out Apple for its monopoly of certain products and services. Apple also cited Sweeney's now infamous description of Apple's "malicious compliance" when dealing with regulations.

Apple vs. Epic Games saga continues

The feud between Apple and Epic Games has been going on for years now. Back in 2020, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store after Epic Games rolled out a way for Fortnite gamers to purchase in-game currency known as V-Bucks at a discount by bypassing Apple's App Store's in-app purchases.

Since Epic Games tried to avoid paying Apple its 30 percent cut from in-app purchases over three years ago, Fortnite has been unavailable on iOS devices.

Epic Games and Apple have been embroiled in legal battles ever since.

When the DMA was passed in the EU, Epic Games was one of the first major developers to jump at the opportunity to take advantage of the new regulations Apple would be forced to abide by. Epic Games quickly applied for a developer account and was approved by Apple. Epic Games then announced that Fortnite would be returning to the EU on iPhone as a result of these developments.

Now that Apple has terminated Epic Games' developer account, all of the video game developers' plans are indefinitely paused at the very least.

What's next for Fortnite on iPhone?

Epic Games has made it clear that its not giving up on iPhone users.

"This is a serious violation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act," Epic Games said in a statement regarding Apple's termination of its developer account. "We will continue to fight to get back on iOS!"

Epic Games will make its case to the European Commission, which can fine Apple and force it to rethink its decisions if the company is found to be in violation of the DMA.

Leveraging the power of the European Commission can actually work because EU regulators hold significant sway over Apple. Meta and Microsoft have already reportedly been lobbying the EU in response to Apple's App Store changes. And, Apple was recently fined in the EU after a formal complaint was made to EU regulators by Spotify.

Apple recently came out swinging against Spotify, in an uncharacteristic public statement attacking the music streaming service for "paying nothing" to Apple yet wanting "more" as a result of Spotify's antitrust complaint.

But, even though Spotify has potentially cost Apple billions of dollars, it didn't go as far as terminating Spotify's developer account, as happened with Epic Games. Apple cites Epic Games' public criticism as one of the factors in ending the two companies' developer relationship. Yet, Spotify has been publicly critical too.

What makes Epic Games so different from Spotify? According to the Wall Street Journal, an Apple spokesperson said a past legal decision gave the iPhone maker the right to make this move if it violated Apple's rules. "In light of Epic’s past and ongoing behavior, Apple chose to exercise that right," they said. It's worth noting, however, that Spotify is not currently planning to compete with the App Store with an alternative marketplace of its own like Epic Games is.

The ball is now in the EU regulators' court.

Update your iPhone if you haven't already because iOS 17.4 is now out. The latest iOS update was released on Tuesday and with it comes new emojis as well as other tweaks and updates to the iPhone.

Most of the updates with iOS 17.4, however, are EU related as Apple makes changes pertaining to new regulation called the Digital Markets Act. But, perhaps one of the biggest changes that comes with iOS 17.4 is a new addition:

Apple has added a brand new API called FinanceKit.

What does FinanceKit mean for iPhone users?

FinanceKit allows third-party app developers to safely access and interact with users' Apple Card, Apple Cash, and Savings with Apple account information.

This integration enables users' preferred iPhone budgeting apps to pull transactions and balances from user accounts directly into these applications. Budgeting and money management apps Copilot, Monarch, and YNAB are the first three to deploy FinanceKit-powered features that pull this information automatically into a users profile.

Tweet may have been deleted

"The most requested credit card integration is now live on Copilot Money," Copilot posted on X. "Starting today, Copilot can keep track of your Apple Card, Apple Cash, and Savings accounts."

Tweet may have been deleted

"Big update!" Monarch also posted to X. "In direct collaboration with Apple, Monarch is one of the first to offer full Apple Card, Apple Cash, and Savings support with iOS 17.4. We heard your requests. Now you can sync your wallet directly for seamless budgeting!"

The Apple card, along with Apple Cash and the Savings account, have experienced fairly impressive growth over the years. The Apple Card currently has 12 million cardholders, which enables customers to finance Apple-related purchases and earn cashback.

The new integrations made possible by FinanceKit help users manage their finances without manually inputting the transaction.

Pairing your Apple Watch with your iPhone is a straightforward process that unlocks features designed to enhance your day-to-day activities.

Whether you're setting up a brand-new Apple Watch or connecting a previously used one, the steps below will guide you through the process, ensuring a seamless integration between your devices.

SEE ALSO: How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership How to pair Apple Watch with iPhone

Step 1: Open the Apple Watch App on Your iPhone

First, before you start pairing, make sure your phone has the latest iOS update and that the Health app is enabled if you use iCloud to back up your device.

If you're setting up your Watch for the first time, tap on "Start Pairing." The app will then open the camera, prompting you to align your Apple Watch in the viewfinder to initiate the pairing process.

Step 2: Set Up as New or Restore from Backup

After your Watch is recognized, you can set it up as a new device or restore it from a backup. Choose the option that best fits your needs. If you're setting up a brand-new Watch, selecting "Set Up as New Apple Watch" is the way to go.

Those migrating from an older Watch can choose to restore from a backup to transfer settings and content seamlessly.

Step 3: Log in to Your Apple ID and Set Up Features

Follow the on-screen instructions to log in with your Apple ID. This step is crucial for enabling features like iCloud, iMessage, and Find My. You'll also have the opportunity to set up Siri, Apple Pay, and other services during this phase.

Step 4: Customize and Sync

Finally, you can customize settings like passcodes, screen orientation, and which apps to install. Once you've adjusted these settings to your liking, your iPhone will begin syncing with your Watch. This process may take a few minutes, but once completed, your Apple Watch will be ready to use, fully paired with your iPhone.

Thinking about canceling your Amazon Prime membership? We can't say we blame you: There are plenty of good reasons to stop giving the retail giant your money, whether you're trying to save on subscription fees or align your spending more closely with your values.

Of course, some shoppers use Amazon's 30-day free trial to gain access to Prime Day sales. Those folks will also need to cancel their membership before it's up for renewal to avoid the hefty price tag of a paid plan. Amazon's Prime cancellation process can be convoluted, so here's a step-by-step guide on how to bid Bezos goodbye.

SEE ALSO: These are the best products of the year How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership in the Amazon app

The process for canceling your Prime subscription via the Amazon app is the same on both iOS and Android.

Total Time

• 2 min

What You Need

• Smartphone
• Amazon app

Step 1: Open the app and tap the middle button at the bottom (it should look like a person).

Credit: Screenshot via the Amazon app.

Step 2: Tap "Your Account."

Credit: Screenshot via Amazon app.

Step 3: Scroll down through the list of options to "Manage Prime Membership."

Credit: Screenshot via Amazon app.

Step 4: Hit "Manage membership" at the top of the page.

Credit: Screenshot via the Amazon app.

Step 5: Hit "Manage Membership (Update, cancel and more)"

Credit: Screenshot via the Amazon app.

Step 6: Click "End membership"

Credit: Screenshot via the Amazon app.

Step 7: Scroll to "Continue to cancel."

Credit: Screenshot via the Amazon app.

Step 8: Confirm your cancellation by clicking the yellow button that says "End on [date]."

Your membership will officially end once your current billing cycle is over.

Credit: Screenshot via the Amazon app. How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership on desktop Total Time

• 2 min

What You Need

• Laptop or PC
• Internet access

Step 1: Log in to your Amazon account on your browser. Hover over "Accounts & Lists" in the upper right hand corner. In the menu of options, click "Prime Membership."

Pull up your personal Prime membership page with a collection of plan benefits and options.

Credit: Screenshot via Amazon

Step 2: Click "Manage Membership" in the top right-hand corner. Click "End Membership."

Credit: Screenshot via Amazon

Step 3: Review how many days are left in your current Prime billing cycle. Click the yellow button on the lower-right side of the page that says "Continue to cancel."

Credit: Screenshot via Amazon

Step 4: Scroll down to "Continue to cancel."

Credit: Screenshot via Amazon

SAVE $46.45: As of March 6, the Bissell SpotClean Pet Pro portable carpet cleaner is $128.64 at Amazon. That's a discount of 27%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bissell SpotClean Pet Pro $128.64
$175.09 Save $46.45 Get Deal

We love our pets, but they can make some serious messes. Whether they're tracking dirt across the carpet with muddy paws or knocking over food (hopefully not wine!) right into the floor, they're not exactly what we'd call clean. But being a pet parent means being prepared for the worst when it comes to cleanup, so of course we're all prepared with the tools needed to clean up ground-in dirt and other debris in carpet and upholstery. But if you're thinking your current carpet cleaner isn't cutting it anymore, it might be time for an affordable upgrade.

As of March 6, you can get the Bissell SpotClean Pet Pro portable carpet cleaner for just $128.64 at Amazon. That's $46.45 off its normal price of $175.09 and a 27% discount.

SEE ALSO: Our top 5 robot vacuums for carpet are powerful and detail-oriented

This is a powerful cleaner you can use beyond the carpet. Use it throughout your home to clean stairs, upholstery, and even your car's interior – because grimy paw prints can be lurking anywhere. At just over 13 pounds, this is an easily maneuverable unit that uses suction and power scrubbing to get you the best deep clean possible.

It comes with a stain trapper tool for more difficult messes, a 3-inch tough stain tool, and two trial-size Pet Pro Oxy Urine Eliminator carpet cleaning solution bottles so you can start tackling those stains and other carpet blemishes as soon as you get this unit home. For this sale price, this is a sound investment that all pet owners can use, especially if you deal with cleanup more often than you'd like to admit. Our pets' messes may be frustrating, but once we clean up and snuggle them we forget all about the inconvenience, right?