Blogroll

FKA twigs delivered a powerful testimony before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property on Tuesday, discussing the threat of artificial intelligence when it comes to the livelihoods of artists like herself.

Alongside Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl, twigs – whose real name is Tahliah Debrett Barnett – testified about better regulating AI and deepfakes, but also revealed that she's developing her own deepfake and can see the benefits in leveraging the technology.

"My art is the canvas on which I paint my identity and the sustaining foundation of my livelihood. It is the essence of my being. Yet this is under threat. AI cannot replicate the depth of my life journey, yet those who control it hold the power to mimic the likeness of my art, to replicate it and falsely claim my identity and intellectual property," the singer-songwriter read from her written testimony.

The subcommittee is currently discussing the "Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act" – or "NO FAKES Act" – a bipartisan bill asking for stronger legal protection around AI for recording artists, particularly when it comes to non-consensual deepfakes that use the voice and visual likeness of an individual. The legislation would hold anyone producing a "unauthorized digital replica" liable.

View this post on Instagram

"This prospect threatens to rewrite and unravel the fabric of my very existence. We must enact regulation now to safeguard our authenticity and protect against misappropriation of our inalienable rights," twigs continued in her statement.

She then revealed that she has been developing her own deepfake for a year: one that is "trained" in her personality and can also use her "exact tone of voice to speak many languages." She says she plans to use "AI twigs" to extend and handle her social media interactions while she focuses on her art. She pointed out that the likes of deepfakes and AI technology can be "highly valuable tools both artistically and commercially when under the control of the artist."

SEE ALSO: 'AI poses enormous threats': Billie Eilish, J Balvin and more sign open letter denouncing AI in music.

The artist told the committee on Capitol Hill that "careers and livelihoods are in jeopardy, and so potentially are the wider image-related rights of others in society."

"Our creativity is the product of this lived experience overlaid with years of dedication to qualification, training, hard work and, dare I say it, significant financial investment and sacrifice," twigs said. "That the very essence of our being at its most human level can be violated by the unscrupulous use of AI to create a digital facsimile that purports to be us, and our work, is inherently wrong."

AI continues to be a subject of note for actors and artists, with many calling for stringent regulation and guardrails to better protect those in the industries. The music industry continues to spur conversations about the looming threat of AI, with more than 200 artists just recently signing an open letter denouncing the use of AI in music.

Online privacy is in short supply, but that doesn't make it any less important. Your data is seriously valuable stuff, and you should be doing everything you can to protect it when navigating the online world. And if you watch porn, you should be even more vigilant.

We're going to take a wild guess that you'd prefer to be protected from the prying eyes of advertisers, your internet service provider (ISP), and your roommates when you're visiting porn sites. If that is indeed the case, you should consider investing in a VPN. These cybersecurity services also provide everything you need to unblock porn sites, circumvent geo-restrictions, and stream adult content anonymously.

What is a VPN?

VPNs provide powerful protection for your data and identity when you're online. VPNs offer this online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location), making all of your activity untraceable and secure. Incognito mode could never.

SEE ALSO: AdultFriendFinder is a borderline-porn hookup site that's stuck in the past

This concept can be difficult to grasp, so it can be helpful to think of VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware. It's all about anonymity and cybersecurity, and that's particularly important if you're watching porn.

Do you need a VPN for porn?

There are two key reasons to consider a VPN for porn: anonymity and access.

The first reason is perhaps the most important. If you're concerned about your ISP, housemates, landlord, or someone totally random accessing your data, you could probably benefit from using a VPN. Any sort of activity on an unsecured WiFi network leaves your private information and browsing habits exposed to the world, unless you're using a VPN. Even porn sites can track your activity if you're unprotected. Pornhub tracks IP addresses for example, which means it has the potential to collect information about your site usage. But with a VPN, your IP address will always remain hidden.

Remaining private and anonymous is the key argument for using a VPN for porn, but there's another point to consider concerning access to your favorite sites. If you're in a location that has a firewall up to block access to porn sites, you'll need to use a VPN to bypass these restrictions. VPNs hide your real IP address and connect you to a server in another location, meaning you can bypass firewalls to stream on your favorite sites from anywhere in the world.

What features should you consider when selecting a VPN?

There are a number of things to consider before selecting a VPN for porn. We have highlighted a selection of the most important VPN features to help you make a decision:

• Connection speed — VPNs generally produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything significant. Make sure you opt for a VPN that doesn't negatively impact your connection speed to the point that you can't stream porn without disruption.

• Encryption — There are different levels of encryption, and while it's important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best services will all offer powerful protection for your data. This is obviously vital when navigating porn sites because you need to know that your data is secure.

• Number of connections — Leading VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account, while others limit you to just a single device. Prioritize services that offer multiple simultaneous connections so you can stay secure on all your devices at the same time. You might stream pornography on a number of devices, so it's best to secure everything with the same account.

• Privacy policy — This is something that some users might take for granted, but you need to pay special attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of a VPN. These practices should be clearly laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren't, you should not subscribe. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. Your favorite VPN should not store these details under any circumstances, as that would negate the whole anonymity thing.

• Server network — The top VPNs provide access to literally thousands of geographically diverse servers. This is useful because you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming porn.

You also need to consider things like price and subscription plans, but these features are a good place to start with your selection process. Once you've picked a favorite option, you can consider the wide range of subscription plans on offer from leading services. There should be something that suits everyone.

Should you use free VPNs?

The big question when it comes to watching porn securely is whether you need to pay for a VPN. The bad news is that, just as with most things in life, you get what you pay for with these cybersecurity services.

There are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, and free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. The catch is that free versions usually come with limited data usage, meaning you can't really do any streaming or downloading. Free trials come with everything you get in a paid plan, but they obviously don't last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

Considering all of this, the best option for unblocking porn sites and streaming anonymously is with a paid subscription to a VPN. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you will need to cough up the cash.

What is the best VPN for porn?

Based on our in-depth tests of the top VPN services, we're here to recommend the best VPNs for porn in 2024.

Online privacy is in short supply, but that doesn't make it any less important. Your data is seriously valuable stuff, and you should be doing everything you can to protect it when navigating the online world. And if you watch porn, you should be even more vigilant.

We're going to take a wild guess that you'd prefer to be protected from the prying eyes of advertisers, your internet service provider (ISP), and your roommates when you're visiting porn sites. If that is indeed the case, you should consider investing in a VPN. These cybersecurity services provide everything you need to unblock porn sites and stream anonymously.

What is a VPN?

VPNs provide powerful protection for your data and identity when you're online. VPNs offer this online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location), making all of your activity untraceable and secure.

SEE ALSO: AdultFriendFinder is basically a porn hookup site that needs a refresh

This concept can be difficult to grasp, so it can be helpful to think of VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware. It's all about anonymity and cybersecurity, and that's particularly important if you're watching porn.

Do you need a VPN for porn?

There are two key reasons to consider a VPN for porn: anonymity and access.

The first reason is perhaps the most important. If you're concerned about your ISP, housemates, landlord, or someone totally random accessing your data, you could probably benefit from using a VPN. Any sort of activity on an unsecured WiFi network leaves your private information and browsing habits exposed to the world, unless you're using a VPN. Even porn sites can track your activity if you're unprotected. Pornhub tracks IP addresses for example, which means it has the potential to collect information about your site usage. But with a VPN, your IP address will always remain hidden.

Remaining private and anonymous is the key argument for using a VPN for porn, but there's another point to consider concerning access to your favourite sites. If you're in a location that has a firewall up to block access to porn sites, you'll need to use a VPN to bypass these restrictions. VPNs hide your real IP address and connect you to a server in another location, meaning you can bypass firewalls to stream on your favourite sites from anywhere in the world.

What features should you consider when selecting a VPN?

There are a number of things you should consider before selecting a VPN for porn. We have highlighted a selection of the most important VPN features to help you make a decision:

• Connection speed — VPNs generally produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything significant. Make sure you opt for a VPN that doesn't negatively impact your connection speed to the point that you can'tstream porn without disruption.

• Encryption — There are different levels of encryption, and whilst it's important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best services will all offer powerful protection for your data. This is obviously vital when navigating porn sites because you need to know that your data is secure.

• Number of connections — Leading VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account, whilst others limit you to just a single device. Prioritise services that offer multiple simultaneous connections so you can stay secure on all your devices at the same time. You might stream porn on a number of devices, so it's best to secure everything with the same account.

• Privacy policy — This is something that some users might take for granted, but you need to pay special attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of a VPN. These practices should be clearly laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren't, you should not subscribe. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. Your favourite VPN should not store these details under any circumstances, as that would make the whole anonymity thing redundant.

• Server network — The best VPNs provide access to literally thousands of geographically diverse servers. This is useful because you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming porn.

You also need to consider things like price and subscription plans, but these features are a good place to start with your selection process. Once you've picked a favourite option, you can consider the wide range of subscription plans on offer from leading services. There should be something that suits everyone.

Should you use free VPNs?

The big question when it comes to watching porn securely is whether you need to pay for a VPN. The bad news is that, just as with most things in life, you get what you pay for with these cybersecurity services.

There are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, and free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. The catch is that free versions usually come with limited data usage, meaning you can't really do any streaming or downloading. Free trials come with everything you get in a paid plan, but they obviously don't last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

Considering all of this, the best option for unblocking porn sites and streaming anonymously is with a paid subscription to a VPN. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you will need to cough up the cash.

What is the best VPN for porn?

There are a lot of services out there offering similar packages, making it difficult to find the best VPN for you. We have tried to make your life a little bit easier by tracking down everything on offer and lining up a selection of the very best VPNs for porn. We have tried to find something for everyone and every budget, and you can find popular services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost VPN in this list.

These are the best VPNs for porn in 2024.

"The Fall Guy": How the creators picked Taylor Swift’s "All Too Well" for Ryan Gosling to cry to.

Last year Google added emoji reacts to Google Meet, and it seems as though the company will be continuing the trend in 2024.

Next in line for an emoji-based reaction update? Google Phone. Only this time, we're getting them in audio form.

SEE ALSO: Google Meet now lets you discreetly switch from desktop to phone. Here's how.

Yep, per 9to5Google, the company has started rolling out "audio emoji" to Google Phone app users. Six emoji are available so far via the overflow menu: Clapping, Laughing, Party, Crying, Drum and, of course, the Poop emoji. The latter – you guessed it – plays a fart sound to all call participants. The Crying emoji gives a trombone noise, while the Drum gives the classic post-joke ba-dum ts.

Google hasn't yet announced the feature officially, but screenshots have already started doing the rounds on social media. According to reports there's a cooldown between each use of an audio emoji, so you can't just sit there hammering out incessant fart sounds.

Google's annual developer conference, Google I/O, is taking place in a couple of weeks, so we may get more information then.

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 May 1 SEE ALSO: 'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for May 1

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, May 1, 2024:

AcrossSo-so, in modern slang

• The answer is mid.

Section of a window

• The answer is pane.

Ambiguous R.S.V.P.

• The answer is maybe.

"You're ___ and you didn't even know it!"

• The answer is apoet.

10 are needed for a first down

• The answer is yards.

DownCity hall V.I.P.

The answer is mayor.

Under the covers

• The answer is inbed.

Specifics, informally

• The answer is deets.

___ Johns (pizza chain)

• The answer is May.

It starts today, and it starts 1-Down and 5-Across

• The answer is papa.

Stephen Colbert has spoken about the student protests, and the police reaction, on "The Late Show".

In the words of an angry Gordon Ramsay, "It's raw!" The Rabbit R1 is like a severely undercooked slab of meat, still oozing blood on the plate, and the chef says, "No, I didn't cook it, but just fantasize about its potential for deliciousness while chewing it; come on, eat it!"

I bit into the Rabbit R1 — and it tastes like rushed innovation, disillusionment, and impetuousness.

The Rabbit R1 needs work. Credit: Mashable

On one hand, the Rabbit R1, billed as a pocket AI companion, has something here. From its impressive Vision features that rival ChatGPT Vision (i.e., GPT-4V) to the accurate Spanish-to-English translation, the Rabbit R1 gets it right.

However, these praise-worthy features are overshadowed by buggy performance, frustrating Spotify playback, hair-pulling experiences with a mid AI assistant, and other bothersome quirks.

So should indulge in the Rabbit R1? It depends on how you like your tech: rare or well cooked?

SEE ALSO: Rabbit R1 launch party was a foot-aching 1 hour and 12 minutes, but these 9 features are sick Rabbit R1: price and specs

The Rabbit R1 costs $199 and includes the following specs:

• MediaTek MT6765 processor

• 4GB of RAM

• 128GB of storage

• 2.88-inch touchscreen

• 8MP camera

Jesse Lyu, Rabbit's CEO, boasts that no subscription is required. However, there are a few things you should consider.

• The Rabbit R1 can connect to Wi-Fi, but the problem is, it has trouble connecting to public places that require a login page.

• The Rabbit R1 has a SIM card tray that supports 4G LTE, so you can snag a data-only plan for an always-connected experience.

• You can also connect the Rabbit R1 to your phone's hotspot.

In other words, technically, there isn't a subscription, but if you want to use it while you're on the go, you'll still have to shackle yourself to a monthly fee.

(It's worth noting that the Meta RayBan Smart Glasses boasts similar features as the Rabbit R1 — and doesn't require a fee whatsoever.)

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses $299.00 at Amazon
Get Deal Rabbit R1: What I like about it

The Rabbit R1 has its strengths, which mainly come from Vision (a feature that uses the camera to identify objects).

Recommends recipes based on food it 'sees'

I have plenty of ingredients stocked in the kitchen, but I often get stumped on what to cook.

Tweet may have been deleted

In these moments, I open the UberEats app and drop $30 on a Sweetgreen salad. Ugh!

via GIPHY

With the Rabbit R1, however, I can point it to a group of ingredients and it will suggest some awesome recipe ideas that inspire me to get cooking.

Remarkable descriptions about objects, people

When I framed the viewfinder on Mashable's Senior Social Media Editor Lily Kartiganer, it perfectly described her from head to toe, from her striped vest and professional outfit to her brown hair and youthful appearance.

Credit: Mashable

It even pointed out things in the background, including computers and office chairs.

Be careful with using the Rabbit R1 with others, though. When I pointed the Rabbit R1 at my dad, it started off by saying, "I see an elderly man," which set my father off. (Don't tell my dad I said this, but the Rabbit R1 wasn't wrong.)

It's good with objects, too, as you can see in the video below.

Tweet may have been deleted Impressive menu translation

The most impressive Rabbit R1 feature, in my opinion, is the fact that it can translate a Spanish menu into English. As someone who travels often, this is a game changer.

Credit: Mashable

I pointed the Rabbit R1 to a Spanish menu, and to my surprise, it translated it in English with ease. My only gripe is that you need to request the R1 to complete this task in a specific way or it will not follow your command (more on that in the "What I don't like" section).

Summarizes text like 'CliffNotes'

Sometimes, I get too lazy to read an article in its entirety. This is where the Rabbit R1 swoops in to save the day.

Credit: Mashable

I can point it at a screen with a lengthy, verbose text — and it will give me the gist of the story. I've also done the same with emails, Discord conversations, and WhatsApp messages.

Featured Video For You Rabbit R1 hands-on review Nostalgic design

Millennials like myself get giddy over the Rabbit R1's design, despite its blindingly orange chassis, because it's reminiscent of every 90s pocket toy.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

With a bunny icon constantly bobbing up and down the screen, I can't help but remember by old Tamagotchi.

Although the Rabbit R1 looks plasticky, it's a sturdy, solid device. I treated the Rabbit R1 quite carelessly throughout my testing (e.g., haphazardly throwing it into my bag), but I don't see a single scratch — not even on the display. This hardware is definitely durable. (And as a bonus, the chassis doesn't attract fingerprints.)

Rabbit R1: What's 'eh' about it

While some Rabbit R1 testers despise the scroll wheel and turn their nose up at needing to shake the device to access the Settings menu, I don't mind it.

Bizarre functions make it fun — kind of

At first, I didn't love the scroll wheel either.

Credit: Mashable

It's the only way to hop from one Settings option to another. Plus, I found that the scroll wheel lacked sensitivity. In other words, you need to deploy a lot of "scroll rolls" to navigate the UI. However, there is something very fidgety about the scroll wheel I enjoy — it brings me back to a time when toys were more tactile.

I even dig that I need to shake the Rabbit R1 to access the Settings menu.

However, it does bother me that, if I'm on the very last Settings menu option (and I want to get back to the top), I need to scroll for dear life. Still, it's all a part of this device's charm.

A touchscreen that's not really touchscreen

Interestingly, the Rabbit R1 is touchscreen, but you can't actually touch the screen to make selections. Let me explain.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

You can turn the Rabbit R1 to the right to access the virtual keyboard, allowing you to make demands to the AI without using your voice. However, this is the only time you can utilize the touchscreen. This is by design, though. Lyu wants users to be reliant on the Rabbit R1's scroll wheel.

Hit-or-miss response times

The Rabbit R1 is typically pretty quick, answering my queries in less than two seconds. However, the response times with the Vision feature can be slower. At times, the Rabbit R1 appears to finish a complete thought, making me to think that it's done speaking.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

But after an awkward five-second pause, the Rabbit R1 would continue speaking. In these cases, it'd be helpful if the Rabbit team added a three-dot animation to inform users that the Rabbit R1 is still thinking or putting together a response.

On the plus side, it's definitely faster than the Humane Ai pin.

It's also worth noting that AI conversations, save for interactions with the Vision feature, do not get saved anywhere at any time.

OK conversational translation

I tested the Rabbit R1 with Spanish-to-English and French-to-English sessions with colleagues. It was accurate with its translations, but the problem is that you need to constantly use the push-to-talk side button so that the AI can "hear."

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Consequently, I found myself sometimes missing the first half of the other person's speech because I pushed the side button too late. I would have preferred if Rabbit R1 could be vocally invoked in the same way we use Google Assistant and Siri, but Lyu says that the upside of a push-to-talk button is that you don't have an AI that's "always listening."

Doubles as a sound recorder

You can also record audio with the "Start a recording session" command. Once you're done, it automatically sends your clip to the Rabbit Hole, a companion webpage you can access via any browser.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You can find "notes" in the Rabbit Hole, too — little reminders you've told Rabbit R1 to store, allowing you to access them later.

However, I can't find myself to get excited about these features. They're not particularly noteworthy.

Rabbit R1: What I dislike about it

One of the biggest selling points of Rabbit R1 is tha, in addition to the LLM that underpins it (with Perplexity at the helm), it features something unique that ChatGPT and its ilk do not have: a large action model (LAM).

What is a LAM, you ask? Without getting too nerdy, it means that the Rabbit R1 is capable of stepping in and doing things for you on your behalf. With this orange device, this manifests in the form of Uber and DoorDash. The Rabbit R1 can supposedly hail a rideshare and order food for you, but in my experience, it falls short.

DoorDash and Uber errors

Rabbit R1 lets you connect your DoorDash and Uber accounts via the Rabbit Hole, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to order food nor hop into an Uber with the AI pocket companion.

Tweet may have been deleted

I was greeted with errors, preventing me from fully testing the Rabbit R1's LAM capabilities.

(Rabbit R1 also lets you connect a paid Midjourney account for generating AI images, but I haven't tested this out yet.)

Spotify playback is buggy

I linked a paid Spotify account to the Rabbit R1 and its performance has been inconsistent — sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. For example, one day, I can ask it to play Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" without issue, but other times, I wouldn't hear any audio at all.

Tweet may have been deleted

For some odd reason, although Taylor Swift is arguably one of the most popular artists of our time, it doesn't obey my command when I say, "Play Taylor Swift's 'Fortnight,'" even when I say it in several different ways.

The spreadsheet feature needs work

One of the most impressive features Lyu showcased at the Rabbit R1 launch party is the handwritten-chart-to-digital-spreadsheet perk.

I tested it for myself, writing a chart on a Post-it note before using the Vision feature to get Rabbit R1 to email me a digitalized format of my handwritten table.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, er, as you can see below, it didn't do a very good job.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

But hey, maybe I'm too blame. My handwriting does look like chickenscratch.

Fails to understand certain prompts

This is where ChatGPT excels over Rabbit R1. With ChatGPT Voice, for example, you can have a natural, free-flowing conversation in which the AI understands what you're saying, no matter how you're saying it (for the most part).

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Rabbit R1, on the other hand, needs you to say things in a certain way before it can execute your task. For example, you cannot say, "Play a game with me" because it will try to play a song, but "Let's play a game" works.

You cannot say, "Record me as I speak" because it will not understand your request. Instead, you must use the words "Start a recording session."

As such, it would be nice if the Rabbit R1 shipped with a list of specific prompts that launch certain tasks. Otherwise, you'll be doing a lot of guessing and checking before finding the correct prompt.

Alarm doesn't work

Lyu boasted that the Rabbit R1 can set an alarm, but the truth is, it can't.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

In response to, "Set an alarm at 5:00 p.m.," it said, "I cannot set alarms." Chances are high, though, that this will be addressed in a future update. But the question is, why wasn't this working when it hit the market?

No timer

It'd be useful for the Rabbit R1 to set timers, but that doesn't seem to be available on the device either. (This is another feature that will be reportedly rectified in a future update.)

It can't call nor text on your behalf

Keep in mind that the Rabbit R1 does not connect to your phone.

Consequently, it's not designed to text nor call for you ... yet. A Rabbit rep told me that while this feature is unavailable now, this is something they are working on (and there's no timeline on when this feature may arrive).

Not attachable

The Rabbit R1 is designed to live in your pocket, but what if your outfit doesn't have one? I wish the Rabbit R1 had some sort of design feature, like a clip or a lanyard loop, that allowed you to hook it to your bag.

Jesse Lyu shows off merch concepts at Rabbit R1 pick-up party. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

However, there are third-party cases out there that can help solve this minor issue. Plus, Lyu claimed that merch tailor-made for the Rabbit R1 is on the way.

Rabbit R1: Performance

Performance-wise, the fastest aspects of the Rabbit R1 include the translation feature, search queries, the handwritten-table-to-spreadsheet feature (it emailed me a chart in seconds), and most conversational interactions with the AI.

However, the Vision feature is slower than the other features, but not by much. Spotify, on the other hand, is nearly unusable at times. The DoorDash and Uber UI takes too long to appear (about 40 seconds, give or take).

Rabbit R1: Battery life

After the Rabbit team rolled out an update on Tuesday, April 30, I've seen significant improvement to the Rabbit R1's battery life, particularly while its idle. Previously, the Rabbit R1's battery life would drain pretty quickly, even with an inactive screen.

Now, the Rabbit R1 delivers about one day and several hours with heavy use, including lots of Spotify and Vision utilization. With light use (e.g., a couple of search queries and AI conversations), you could get away with two days.

Is the Rabbit R1 worth it?

Unless you're a tech fanboy who doesn't mind half-baked products with "potential," no, the Rabbit R1 isn't worth it.

There's an old adage that implores us to not date based on potential. Instead, you look at your partner's characteristics as they are now and then make a decision whether they're the best person for you.

In the same way, I can only judge Rabbit R1 based on what it's offering to me now: dysfunctional apps, poor Spotify experience, and decent Vision features.

Even based on its top-notch Vision features, I hesitate to recommend the Rabbit R1 because we have the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses that can match its Vision capabilities — and capture photo/video and play Spotify without driving me up a wall.

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses $299.00 at Amazon
Get Deal

Whether you’re rocking the latest iPhone or Android, one big question popping up is “Do I need a VPN for my phone?” Phones are our everyday companions, helping us communicate with friends and family, look information in a split second, and get lost down a rabbit hole of social media posts.

With Apple stopping over $2 billion in fraudulent transactions on the App Store and built-in security like Samsung Knox for Galaxy smartphones, surely our phones are safe and sound, right?

Not exactly.

From bugs allowing hackers to take over smartphones remotely to the ease of stealing private information over public Wi-Fi networks, people are becoming more aware of safety while using smartphones. 

That’s where the best VPNs can offer a helping hand, but is it worth using? Let’s go through the benefits and drawbacks of using a VPN on your phone. 

Do you need a VPN on your phone?

While it isn’t essential, it is highly recommended. A VPN’s main purpose is to protect your privacy online, stopping advertisers, threat actors, and internet service providers (ISPs) from tracking, collecting, and selling your data. Many use their phones to browse, shop, and scroll through social media, and this information can be used against you if used maliciously.

A VPN can mask your location and make you a complete nobody (in a good way). Even better, the best VPNs come with advanced security tools made for smartphones, which can keep trackers, ads, and malicious threats a bay. 

Like on any device, it’s worth investing in a VPN service to use on your phone. You’ll find many services have apps tailor-made for phones, too, making them easy to use. 

Benefits of using a VPN on your phone

Here are a few ways a VPN can improve the way you use your phone:

• Complete anonymity: A VPN encrypts your data and hides your real IP address. It makes it extremely difficult for anyone to snoop on your browsing activities – and that’s an important factor for those who use their phone as their go-to source for daily activities. 

• Safety in public: We’ve all used free public Wi-Fi to cut down on our data usage, but threat actors can take advantage of unsuspecting users on these networks. Personal data is up for grabs, but if that data is encrypted via a VPN, then all a hacker will see is complete gibberish. 

• Streaming without limits: Constantly on the move while binging your way through the latest TV show obsession? Smartphones have become an excellent way to stream content, especially when traveling. Well, VPNs can deliver even more content, as they can get past geo-restrictions on streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, so you can catch the latest in the U.S., the U.K., Japan, and virtually anywhere around the globe. 
  

Drawbacks of using a VPN on your phone 

Be aware that VPNs on phones also come with a few disadvantages:

• Sluggish speeds: Since a VPN connects to a server in another location, your smartphone’s internet speeds can take a dip. Depending on the VPN service you use, especially free VPNs, this can lead to long load times and constant buffering when streaming. If you’re using one of the major VPN platforms, like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, and connect to a server location that’s close to you, these slower speeds are barely noticeable. 

• Drains battery: As with most apps, a VPN can deplete your smartphone’s battery. While these VPN apps aren’t highly demanding, having a VPN switched on throughout the day can take a slight toll on battery life. 

Not foolproof

VPNs are a great way to enhance your phone’s privacy and security online, but they don’t offer risk-free protection. Online scams, malicious apps, and dodgy websites are still a problem, so it’s worth staying on your toes, even if you have a VPN connection.

With modern-day whodunnit shows like Only Murders in the Building and A Murder at the End of the World embracing the mystery-solving power of technology, sometimes it's nice to see a show go back to basics. And when I say "go back," I mean "travel back in time to Tudor England," which is where Hulu's Shardlake takes place.

SEE ALSO: Summer TV Preview: Every show you must see

Based on the novels by C.J. Sansom, Shardlake is a (literally) old-school whodunnit. There's nary a phone or a mention of DNA samples in sight, but there is still hardboiled case-cracking — with plenty of atmosphere and historical intrigue to boot. And while its conspiracies and perils can sometimes run overlong, the show truly excels when it embraces the unconventional pair of detectives at its center: Matthew Shardlake (Arthur Hughes) and Jack Barak (Anthony Boyle).

What is Shardlake about? Sean Bean in "Shardlake." Credit: Adrienn Szabo / Disney+

Shardlake embroils us in the religious reforms taking place in England in 1536. King Henry VIII has rejected the Roman Catholic Church and wishes to shutter the monasteries who continue to resist him. So when his emissary Robin Singleton turns up beheaded at the monastery of Saint Donatus, there can only be one explanation: An act of treason against the king.

Still, the law must carry out a thorough investigation of Singleton's death, complete with evidence against any murderers, before the crown can shut Saint Donatus down for good. Enter barrister Matthew Shardlake, Thomas Cromwell's (Sean Bean) detective of choice. Clever, and with a nose for the truth, Shardlake is ready to confront the supposedly corrupt monks of Saint Donatus. But once he arrives at the monastery (and once more bodies start piling up), he'll uncover a mystery-within-a-mystery — one that may just shake the foundations of his faith in crown and country.

SEE ALSO: 'Big Mood' review: A brilliant dramedy that captures friendship and mental health in all its messiness

As Shardlake gets to sleuthing, the series offers some wonderfully moody visuals. Saint Donatus becomes a foreboding maze of religious iconography, its surrounding marshes as perilous as the potential murderer lurking within its walls. Religion, too, remains a driving factor throughout, as Shardlake observes the different ways in which the monks engage with their faith and weather the disdain of members of the Church of England. But it's Shardlake's contentious relationship with Cromwell's rogue of a henchman Jack Barak that really makes Shardlake tick.

Arthur Hughes and Anthony Boyle make Shardlake a surprising buddy comedy. Arthur Hughes and Jack Barak in "Shardlake." Credit: Adrienn Szabo / Disney+

From the moment Barak walks onto the scene, it's clear Shardlake wants nothing to do with him. Barak is everything he's not: a conventionally attractive womanizer who's always wearing the most distracting codpieces. Shardlake, meanwhile, has a physical disability that is mocked, making him an outsider in Tudor society.

The two also butt heads on how to solve Singleton's murder. Barak views all papists as degenerates and would love to tear Saint Donatus down as soon as possible, but Shardlake follows the letter of the law. If he were to find out the monks were not responsible for Singleton's death, he would not twist the truth.

Thanks to Hughes' cool-headed, analytical performance and Boyle's hot-headed turn, Shardlake and Barak become the unlikeliest of collaborators — and the most fun. It's delightful to watch them poke fun at each other, or to get excited about a break in the case. Other aspects of their relationship fare less well, such as an underwritten love triangle with monastery maid Alice (Ruby Ashbourne Serkis), or most segments when they're separated. But that just speaks to the power of their dynamic.

At four episodes long, Shardlake never really drags — but it's certainly a more dynamic, more propulsive whodunnit when Shardlake and Barak share the screen.

Shardlake is now streaming on Hulu.

Challengers is on everyone's minds, and for good reason.

Luca Guadagnino's riveting tennis drama about the relationship between tennis players Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), and Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor) is already one of 2024's best films. It's sensual, it's heartbreaking, and it'll pump you full of so much adrenaline, you'll leave the movie theater feeling like the Energizer Bunny.

SEE ALSO: 'Challengers' review: You're not ready for Zendaya's horny love-triangle drama

It's also chock-full of moments that'll get people talking, whether they want to nerd out over a cool craft choice or plot beat, or only want to ask, "What just happened?" To celebrate these moments, we've rounded up a list of the 18 biggest, most shocking, most WTF moments from Challengers — and you can bet those sexy churros are on it.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' score — and that damn phone alarm.

Challengers kicks off with a techno-flavored bang. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' score pulses into earshot over images of Tashi, Art, and Patrick preparing for the final match of the Phil's Tire Town challenger tournament in New Rochelle. Its thumping synths and volleying vocals turn the tennis court into a sweaty, desire-filled nightclub. But just as the score really gets going — and just as you really get grooving in your theater seat — Challengers cuts it off with Art's phone alarm. Rude!

These beginning moments aren't the first time Challengers cuts its own score short. The entire film is built on stops and starts: Music swells, then vanishes, mimicking the pattern of play of a tennis match. But only this opening sequence jump scares us with the blaring of a default phone alarm, taking us from dancing to breaking out in a cold sweat in a matter of milliseconds. Honestly, that's a pretty good description of the Challengers viewing experience overall.

Zendaya's onscreen daughter wants to watch Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

This moment isn't that WTF in comparison to some of the other craziness Challengers gets up to, but you're telling me you're going to make a Spider-Man reference in a movie starring Zendaya — MJ herself! — and expect me not to get distracted? That would be like dropping a Paul Atreides joke in the middle of Bones and All. Clearly, nowhere is safe from the multiverse.

"I love you." "I know." Mike Faist and Zendaya in "Challengers." Credit: Niko Tavernise / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures

After a humiliating defeat, Art wallows in his losing streak. He reaches out to Tashi for some kind of comfort, but she's more focused on dragging him out of his tennis spiral. The two are on very different wavelengths, resulting in a quietly brutal exchange.

"I love you," Art tells Tashi. She responds with a matter-of-fact, "I know." Han Solo and Leia these two are not.

SEE ALSO: The internet can't get enough of 'Challengers' and, honestly, same Art and Patrick watch Tashi play tennis for the first time.

Let's flash back to 2006. Art and Patrick have just won the boys' doubles championship at the Junior U.S. Open — but more importantly, they're now watching Tashi slaughter her opponent in the women's singles final. The pair might be in the middle of a crowd, but as they watch her play, the world narrows to the three of them: Art and Patrick, in awe of her skill (and her beauty), and Tashi, killing it on the court. It's intimate, it's sexy, and it's surprisingly funny, as Art and Patrick get so into the game that they sync up, from leaning back in the bleachers to whipping their heads back and forth in time with the ball. They're the "one brain cell" meme, personified.

"I'd let her fuck me with a racket."

Patrick drops the above line at an Adidas afterparty celebrating Tashi, and while no tennis racket sex actually happens in the rest of the film, his raunchy turn of phrase certainly paints a picture. Good luck getting that out of your head.

The hotel room scene. Mike Faist, Zendaya, and Josh O'Connor in "Challengers." Credit: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures

Ever since the the first Challengers trailer dropped, people have been clamoring for Tashi, Art, and Patrick's hotel room hookup. And boy, does it deliver.

The whole scene is full of WTF-ery, from Patrick recounting the time he taught Art to masturbate — don't worry, they were in separate beds! — to him smacking Art's erection after Tashi leaves. But of course, the centerpiece of the scene, and the product of all its exquisite sexual tension, is the trio's three-way kiss, which Tashi quickly engineers into a two-way kiss between Patrick and Art. With Tashi's knowing smile, Art and Patrick's roiling desire, and the killer use of Blood Orange's "Uncle ACE," how can you not be captivated?

Art and Patrick come up with the racket signal.

After Art loses out on Tashi's number when Patrick beats him in the Junior U.S. Open singles final, he begs to know every detail of Patrick and Tashi's date. Well, really one detail in particular: Did the two sleep together?

Patrick promised Tashi he wouldn't kiss and tell, but that promise didn't account for tennis-based signals! He abandons his trademark flashy serve and adopts Art's technique instead, placing the ball right in the notch of the racket, to tell him that he and Tashi did, in fact, have sex. The subterfuge is WTF-worthy enough, but what takes it over the line is Art's face after Patrick's serve: He smiles, then drops the facade into something colder and far more jealous.

SEE ALSO: 'Challengers' love triangle is 'Twilight' for people not afraid to see boys kiss Patrick's Tinder date.

In an attempt to find a place to sleep before the challenger tournament starts, Patrick turns to Tinder. He meets up with Helen (Hailey Gates) at a hotel bar, but as soon as he sees that Tashi is staying there, he abandons the date to speak to his ex. He almost leaves the hotel entirely after the conversation, only to realize that he still needs a place to sleep. I don't know what's worse: Patrick kissing Helen out of nowhere in a desperate attempt to save the situation, or her kissing him back. Helen, have some self-esteem!

"Your mom looks good." "I know she does, Patrick."

Consider this violently whispered exchange between Patrick and Tashi to be their hornier, more Oedipal equivalent of Tashi and Art's "I love you," "I know."

Art tries to snake Tashi and Patrick. Mike Faist and Zendaya in "Challengers." Credit: Niko Tavernise / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures

As Zendaya has said time and time again on the Challengers press tour, Art is a snake! And as he and Tashi begin to practice together at Stanford, we see that snakiness in full effect. Art suggests to Tashi that Patrick isn't in love with her — who says she wants that? she counters — and later tells Patrick that he doesn't think Tashi is serious about them. It's hardly subtle manipulation, and both Tashi and Patrick know exactly what Art is up to. For Tashi, it's infuriating, but for Patrick, it's exhilarating, as jealousy and desire intertwine.

Sexy, sexy churros. Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor in "Challengers." Credit: Niko Tavernise / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures

Art's snakiness and Patrick's exhilaration combine over a snack of sexually-charged churros in the Stanford cafeteria. These cinnamon sugar treats are far from the only phallic food in Challengers — hot dogs, bananas, and suggestively-sipped Coke bottles all make appearances. But nowhere else do we see Patrick and Art chomping down on each other's food, or wiping sugar off of each other's cheeks. And who could forget Patrick pulling Art's stool closer to his with his foot?

Here, their repressed desires for each other simmer just under the surface, the closest they've gotten since the hotel room. Once again, Guadagnino strikes the perfect balance of sexy and funny — one that will leave you craving fried dough.

Tashi's knee injury.

After a harsh argument with Patrick (aided in no small part by Art's snakiness) disrupts her pre-game stretches, Tashi takes the court at Stanford. For a moment, it's as if we're back at the Junior U.S. Open: She's totally in the zone, attacking the ball in time to Reznor and Ross' banger "Yeah x10." Then Tashi slips, her knee pops, and she falls on the court in total agony.

If you'd seen any Challengers trailer, you knew this was coming. Yet in every screening I went to, audiences gasped and winced at this moment in particular. Perhaps it's the visceral close-up on the knee that does the trick, or the loud crunch that breaks us out of our dance music trance. Or maybe it's the tragedy of the injury that really gets us. In just one second, Tashi loses out on a lifetime of doing what she loves. Even if you disagree with her actions in the present, how can you not feel for her?

SEE ALSO: Why Zendaya says you gotta see 'Challengers' twice  "You'd have a better shot with a gun in your mouth."

Tashi utters this scorcher right after slapping Patrick halfway across New Rochelle, and while it is certainly one way to respond to someone asking for your coaching help, I wouldn't say it's the most constructive.

The sauna scene.

It's been years since they last spoke, but Art and Patrick finally collide in the most unexpected of places: a sauna. However, there's no sense of reconciliation here, nor any of the playfulness we saw in their younger scenes. Instead, Art brushes Patrick aside, telling him time and time again he doesn't matter.

"I'm just stopping by," he tells Patrick when Patrick points out how humiliating it is he's playing in a challenger tournament. "This is where you live." Harsh.

Tashi and Patrick's Atlanta affair. Josh O'Connor and Zendaya in "Challengers." Credit: Niko Tavernise / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures

Turns out, Tashi and Patrick didn't have an entirely clean break. Years before New Rochelle, and not long after Tashi and Art's engagement, the two had a one-night stand at the Atlanta Open. (They start making out mere seconds after discussing Art's dead grandma, mind you!)

Making matters worse is the fact that Art briefly sees the two talking, only to notice after a brief chat with a fan that they've disappeared. Tashi tells Patrick that Art doesn't know about Atlanta, so he clearly never brought it up — but how did it impact their relationship? Or his game?

Tashi asks Patrick to throw the match. Josh O'Connor and Zendaya in "Challengers." Credit: Niko Tavernise / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures

Tashi and Patrick have one more tryst, the night before the Phil's Tire Town final, and that whole encounter is full of WTF moments. Tashi makes Patrick pose as her Uber driver, he calls her a MILF, Tashi spits in his face, they make out in a windstorm in front of Tashi and Art's Aston Martin ad...

But perhaps the most WTF moment of all is when Tashi asks Patrick to lose to Art the next day. This is Tashi "I want to see some good fucking tennis" Duncan we're talking about here, the fiercely competitive woman who puts the sanctity of the game above everyone. No matter how much she needs Art to win the challenger — which would put him on track to perform better at the U.S. Open — this isn't something anyone would ever expect of her. Patrick tells her this, saying it's worse than the cheating. It's unforgivable.

Patrick gives Art the signal.

We all knew this moment was coming, but that doesn't make it any less delicious. Patrick switches up his serve during what would have been match point for Art, using their adolescent code to signal that he and Tashi slept together.

Art's reaction — a loud, penalty-inducing "fuck off" — is to be expected, but what really makes this scene is the build-up. Patrick's hesitation, the repeated slo-mo, the starting and stopping of the score... If you thought the tension in the hotel room sequence was exquisite, then this whole scene is damn near heavenly.

That ending.

Patrick's signal is what Art needs to find his competitive edge again, and their tie-break gets off to a rapturous start. They're playing their longest rally yet, they're trading volleys, and they're grinning like best friends again. They're having fun, and everyone around them knows it: Tashi finally looks impressed by the tennis on display, Reznor and Ross throw some strings into the score, and Guadagnino kicks it into high gear. The audience is the ball! Now we're the players! Now we're the court! Now Art is leaping over the net, about to smash the winning point down on Patrick! Instead, he falls into Patrick's arms and the two embrace, while an ecstatic Tashi lets out a primal, "Come on!"

Who won? Who cares! Art and Patrick finally played some of that "good fucking tennis" Tashi always wanted from them. It went beyond individualistic play and became a relationship, where Art and Patrick connected and went somewhere special together. Remember what Tashi said about her best rally with her Juniors opponent Anna Mueller? "It was like we were in love."

Come on, indeed.

Challengers is now in theaters.

TL;DR: Through May 5, a lifetime license to VSDC Video Editor Pro is on sale for $24.97 (reg. $49).

Video editing is as much of an art as it is a skill. Many need to edit videos for work, whether they're a vlogger, marketing manager, or small business owner getting their name out there. Others just enjoy the process and the end result. If you're looking to elevate or begin your video editing skills, this lifetime license to VSDC Video Editor Pro is on sale for $24.97 (reg. $49) through May 5.

What sets the VSDC Video Editor Pro apart is its versatility and speed. It's a hardware-accelerated, non-linear system that can handle imports from any camera or device without sacrificing quality. Plus, it boasts double export speed (even for HD files) and the ability to edit multiple files at the same time.

This editing suite lets you cut, trim, merge, and reorder video segments with precision. You have access to visual effects and filters to make your edits uniquely your own. It also uses sub-pixel resolution to more precisely process image and video transformation. You can even implement voiceovers, a mask tool, and other creative options.

If you'd like to create a real studio look for your videos, the multiple color chroma key tool helps you remove green backgrounds and overlay videos like in sci-fi movies. VSDC also includes the ability to adjust parameter settings and create curved motion paths for objects and animation.

Don’t let overly complex software or high prices keep you from bringing your creative ideas to life. Get this affordable option with many bells and whistles at an affordable price while you can.

Through May 5, a lifetime license to VSDC Video Editor Pro is on sale for $24.97 (reg. $49).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Flash-Integro VSDC Video Editor Pro: Lifetime License $24.97 at the Mashable Shop
$49.99 Save $25.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through May 5, stop wasting time fussing over passwords, because a lifetime subscription to Sticky Password Premium is just $24.97 (reg. $199).

Most of us have multiple passwords guarding our devices and accounts. That number rises when you have them for both work and home. It can be frustrating — and a waste of time — when you forget your password. A clever solution comes in the form of Sticky Password Premium, and a lifetime subscription is on sale for just $24.97 (reg. $199) through May 5. 

The winner of PCMag's Editors' Choice Award, this tool simplifies the password game, allowing you to utilize secure passwords without the need to remember them. (PCMag is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis.) In an effort to protect your identity and information, it creates encrypted, strong passwords for all of your accounts — all managed by one primary password.

This password management system is compatible with Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. You can even safely and securely share your chosen passwords with others, which is helpful for family members and your team at work.

This offer also gets you one year of dark web monitoring via ARC. This monitors your info for data breaches and helps to stop potential misuse of your credentials online.

Sticky Password Premium Plan gets you unlimited encrypted passwords and data storage. It also allows for auto-login to recognized sites and form-filling. It also comes with a secure digital wallet and notes, as well as the option to store your password library on the cloud or locally. 

This lifetime access includes all major and minor updates. It also supports multiple languages.

Enjoy quick logins, seamless web forms, and peace of mind with the help of this platform.

You can get a lifetime subscription to Sticky Password Premium for just $24.97 (reg. $199) until May 5 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sticky Password Sticky Password Premium: Lifetime Subscription $24.97 at the Mashable Shop
$199.00 Save $174.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through May 5, this ChatGPT and Automation course bundle is on sale for $29.99.

Artificial intelligence and automation have taken the world by storm. While they might be controversial subjects, it can be beneficial to understand them and use them to our advantage. This ChatGPT and Automation course bundle is on sale for $29.99 and can help you add AI and automation to your skillset to stay in step with the changing times.

These twelve online learning courses are brought to you by industry pros at Eduonix Learning Solutions, which has been creating high-quality tech training for over ten years. These courses cover twenty-five hours of learning content to give you a better understanding of AI and automation. One of the benefits of learning from home is that you can learn whenever it fits your schedule and from the comfort of your own space.

The ChatGPT and Automation E-Degree covers a wide range of topics essential to understanding and leveraging AI and automation tech. Learn practical applications of technologies like ChatGPT and more than 20 other AI tools that can support you in marketing, coding, and business. 

Since efficiency is universally admired across industries, learning to streamline your business processes through automation could be a key skill learned from this course bundle. You'll even learn how to customize ChatGPT for optimization for different fields.

Communication is also a key part of most professional positions. These courses help you amp up your communication skills by helping you conquer the art of conversations with ChatGPT. You'll even gain knowledge of how to turn raw data into easier-to-understand, visually compelling narratives.

These courses only offer a certificate of completion, not an actual degree. However, exploring these topics allows you to bring AI and automation experience and knowledge to your professional journey. 

For a limited time, get this ChatGPT and Automation course bundle on sale for just $29.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eduonix Learning Solutions ChatGPT & Automation E-Degree $29.99 at the Mashable Shop
$790.00 Save $760.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through May 5, pick up this 6-in-1 laptop stand hub for just $94.97 (reg. $129).

In today's modern workspace, efficiency and organization are big parts of the success equation. With so many of us working from home, it's easy for organization to fall by the wayside, especially if you're working in a tight space. This 6-in-1 CASA HUB Stand Pro Laptop Stand Hub might be able to help with that. It's on sale for just $94.97 (reg. $129) through May 5.

The design allows for a little extra desktop space, as it allows for an extended work area. Made from durable aluminum, the base rotates 360 degrees horizontally and offers adjustable angles and heights for the best, ergonomic view of your laptop's screen.

It fits laptops up to 17 inches and is a solid option for those who utilize multiple screens at work. And if you're worried about putting your expensive machine up on top of the stand, it might ease your mind to know it has an anti-slip grip via silicone rubber pads to help keep it safe. 

The laptop stand includes a hub with a USB-C host port, a USB-C PD port, an HDMI port, two USB-A ports, and one RJ45 (ethernet). The port hub is also detachable. Another thoughtful feature is the right-angle cable that allows for less pull and better connection.

This stand hub offers an optimized workspace, as well as a more comfortable and functional work experience.

You can get the 6-in-1 CASA HUB Stand Pro USB-C Laptop Stand Hub for just $94.97 (reg. $129) when you order by May 5 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Adam Elements 6-in-1 CASA HUB Stand Pro USB-C Laptop Stand Hub $94.97 at the Mashable Shop
$129.00 Save $34.03 Get Deal

We're going to need a bigger antenna.

For the first time, NASA's Deep Space Network — which communicates with the agency's legendary Voyager 1 spacecraft — pointed all six of the large antenna dishes at its Madrid Deep Space Communication Complex at the interstellar craft. Combining antennas together, aka "arraying," allows NASA to create a bigger overall antenna and pick up ever-fainter signals from Voyager 1, a craft over 15 billion miles away — and counting. Already, engineers need a five-antenna array to gather unprecedented data from a Voyager instrument.

"As Voyager gets further away, six antennas will be needed," the space agency explained in a statement.

SEE ALSO: NASA's Voyager is in hostile territory. It's 'dodging bullets.'

Voyager 1 and 2, launched in 1977, have left the sun's influence and are the only human-built craft to enter interstellar space. So the data they're returning is invaluable.

"The science data that the Voyagers are returning gets more valuable the farther away from the Sun they go, so we are definitely interested in keeping as many science instruments operating as long as possible," Linda Spilker, Voyager’s project scientist, said last year

"As Voyager gets further away, six antennas will be needed."

The instrument that requires six antennas, the Plasma Wave System (PWS) instrument, detects the interstellar gas the craft are passing through.

The Deep Space Network's Madrid Deep Space Communication Complex, with all six antennas arrayed together. Credit: MDSCC / INTA / Francisco "Paco" Moreno Tweet may have been deleted

NASA's Deep Space Network, or DSN, has three disparate locations spaced around Earth, allowing different missions to connect with the network (it currently supports over 40 space endeavors). They're located in Barstow, California, near Madrid, Spain, and near Canberra, Australia. "Madrid is the only deep space communication complex currently with six operational antennas (the other two complexes have four apiece)," the agency explained. "Each complex consists of one 70-meter (230-foot) antenna and several 34-meter (112-foot) antennas."

The Voyager craft, nearing a half-century of operation, may potentially return unprecedented science data through the mid-2030s, when they exhaust their finite nuclear fuel supply. Yet out in interstellar space, another threat looms, too: harmful radiation called galactic cosmic rays. These high speed particles, many of which are created by dramatic star explosions called supernovae, can trip Voyagers' memory, or permanently damage aging computers (which may have recently occurred). It's dangerous in the realm between the stars, billions of miles away.

"We are dodging bullets out there," Alan Cummings, a cosmic-ray physicist at Caltech — the research university that manages NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory — recently told Mashable.

How to watch 'The Iron Claw' at a glance: BEST MAX DEAL FOR MOST PEOPLE Max With Ads annual subscription $99.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal BEST MAX DEAL WITH NO ADS Max Ad-Free annual subscription $149.99 per year (save 22%) Get Deal BEST FOR CRICKET CUSTOMERS Max (With Ads) Free for Cricket customers on the $60 per month unlimited plan (save $9.99 per month) Get Deal BEST NON-STREAMING OPTION Rent or buy 'The Iron Claw' $3.74 or $17.74 (reg. $5.99 or $19.99) (save $2.25 as a Prime member) Get Deal

You might not think of pro wrestling as "gorgeous" or "evocative," and yet that's exactly how Mashable's reviewer described The Iron Claw. With a star-studded ensemble cast featuring Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White, the A24 drama tackles the real-life story of the Von Erich's wrestling dynasty. A commercial and critical success, earning $35 million at the U.S. box office and plenty of glowing reviews, The Iron Claw is finally coming to streaming. (If you can't wait, it's available now through video-on-demand platforms.)

Here's everything you need to know about how to watch The Iron Claw at home.

What is The Iron Claw about?

Directed by Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene), The Iron Claw tells the tragic story of one of pro wrestling's most famous families, the Von Erichs. It follows four brothers — Kevin (Efron), Kerry (Allen White), David (Harris Dickinson), and Mike (Stanley Simons) — who fight for their family legacy while suffering under the training of their ruthless father Fritz (Holt McCallany). As tragedy after tragedy befalls them, people begin to think the family is cursed.

"Most wrestling fans know the details of this family saga, but others might be shocked by the accumulation of misery, pushing the limits of how much one family can endure," Siddhant Adlakha writes in his review for Mashable.

Read our full review of The Iron Claw.

Here's a glimpse at the film's official trailer:

Is The Iron Claw worth watching?

As mentioned above, The Iron Claw was largely a success, boasting glowing reviews and solid box office numbers. In fact, it's one of only six A24 films to reach the $35 million domestic earnings milestone. At Rotten Tomatoes, it's sitting at an 89 percent critic rating and 94 percent audience rating — neither of which is an easy feat.

While our reviewer ultimately thought it pulled its punches a bit and could've hit even harder, he also dubbed it a career-best performance for Efron. Whether you're a fan of Efron, of pro wrestling, or A24 dramas, it's certainly one you won't want to miss.

SEE ALSO: How to watch your favorite A24 films, from 'The Zone of Interest' to 'Talk to Me' Can I watch The Iron Claw at home?

For those wanting to watch the tear-jerking wrestling drama at home, The Iron Claw is available to rent or buy on digital on-demand platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV. It will also make its streaming debut in May (more on that below).

Here are some of the platforms where you can rent or purchase the film:

• Prime Video — $5.99 to rent or $19.99 to buy ($3.74 and $17.74 for Prime members)

• Apple TV — $5.99 to rent or $19.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home — $5.99 to rent or $19.99 to buy

• YouTube — $5.99 to rent or $19.99 to buy

• Google Play — starting at $4.99 to rent or $19.99 to buy

When is The Iron Claw streaming?

After opening in theaters on Dec. 22, 2023, The Iron Claw is set to make its streaming debut on Max on May 10, 2024.

Before you sign up for a Max subscription, it's worth double checking that you don't already have access to the streamer through a prior subscription, a third party, or a cable, internet, or wireless provider. If you do still need to sign up for access, check out the streaming deals below.

The best Max streaming dealsBest Max deal for most people: Save up to 20% on an annual plan Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max annual subscriptions Save up to 22% on Max Watch Now

Rather than paying a monthly fee, you can opt for a Max annual plan and save up to 22%. Max With Ads typically runs you $9.99 per month, which ends up adding up to $119.88 for the year. If you go with the annual plan instead, you'll pay just $99.99 — about 17% in savings. The Ad-Free annual plan goes for $149.99 per year, which saves you 22% compared to the regular price of $191.88 (the biggest savings of all three plans), and the Ultimate plan goes for $199.99 per year (reg. $239.88), which saves you 17%. It may be more to pay up front, but in the long run, it'll keep more money in your wallet.

Best Max deal for Cricket customers: Free Max with Ads for customers on the $60/month unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: Cricket / Max Max With Ads Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month plan Watch Now

If you're looking for a way to get Max for free, listen up. Those on the Cricket Wireless $60 per month unlimited plan get access to Max With Ads with their account (as long as it remains in good standing). Head on over to the Max app or navigate to Max on a browser, then sign in using Cricket as your provider. Once you enter your credentials, you'll unlock full access to Max With Ads (typically a $99.99 per year value) for free. If you're a Cricket customer, but on a different plan, you can upgrade or switch over to secure the deal at any time. Head over to the Cricket website for the terms and conditions.

What are the different Max subscription tiers?

Similar to the old HBO Max streaming service, Max offers three unique subscription tiers: With Ads, Ad-Free, and Ultimate Ad-Free. Here's a brief breakdown of the different tiers and what they include.

Max With Ads

• Two concurrent streams

• 1080p resolution

• 5.1 surround sound quality

• Light ads

• No offline downloads

Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max With Ads $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year Watch Now

Max Ad-Free

• Two concurrent streams

• 1080p resolution

• 5.1 surround sound quality

• No ads

• 30 offline downloads

Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max Ad-Free $15.99 per month or $149.99 per year Watch Now

Max Ultimate Ad-Free

• Four concurrent streams

• Up to 4K resolution

• Dolby Atmos sound quality

• No ads

• 100 offline downloads

Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max Ultimate Ad-Free $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year Watch Now

TL;DR: Watch Chennai Super Kings vs. Punjab Kings in the IPL for free on JioCinema. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2024 season of the IPL is exciting cricket fans once again, and we've got all the information you need to tune into your favorite teams. The next fixture will see the Chennai Super Kings face off against the Punjab Kings in the 49th match of the season.

If you want to watch Chennai Super Kings vs. Punjab Kings for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading. We know a handy hack to help you stream all the games you want.

When is Chennai Super Kings vs. Punjab Kings?

Chennai Super Kings vs. Punjab Kings starts at 3 p.m. BST on May 1. This game will take place at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India.

How to watch Chennai Super Kings vs. Punjab Kings for free

JioCinema is offering free live streams of every IPL cricket match this season in 4K resolution on its app. So how do you access it?

JioCinema is technically geo-restricted to India, but don't let this put you off. Anyone can unblock this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools work by hiding your real IP address (digital location) and connecting you to a secure server in India. So you can access JioCinema from anywhere in the world and catch all the IPL you can handle.

Unblock JioCinema to stream the IPL 2024 by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in India

4. Visit JioCinema (you will need an Indian phone number to subscribe)

5. Watch Chennai Super Kings vs. Punjab Kings for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) Learn More

Most of the best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch IPL live streams without parting with any of your hard-earned cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the biggest IPL fixtures for free.

What is the best VPN for JioCinema?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking JioCinema, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including India

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream the IPL for free with ExpressVPN.

You only meant to watch a video of an influencer sharing a funny story, but a puzzling collection of comments sent you down a news rabbit hole — one where you incidentally learned about the starving children of Northern Gaza. The comments on an Usher dance video unexpectedly got you fired up to decry the systemic bombing of a Palestinian refugee camp. Influencer clips about pregnancy soon necessitate follow-ups in which those same posters speak out about the harsh reality of pregnant women in Gaza.

That's the version of TikTok that online activists, specifically those associating with a movement known as Operation Watermelon, are trying to create with the help of the platform's algorithm-based blue comments.

TikTok was seemingly not built with activism in mind, despite its present invocation as the digital voice of the revolution. Following its Musical.ly origins, ByteDance re-envisioned the app as a trendsetter and money-maker — a renaissance app for users of all ages (entertainment behemoth, trend curator, and new age Google). In its efforts, TikTok's algorithm has become a character of its own. As both the app's Big Evil but also the purveyor of taste, even celebrities and politicians have made their issues with the algorithm known.

SEE ALSO: Apple workers urge leadership to 'end their silence' on Palestine

But as TikTok adds more and more customizable features intended to keep users glued to the app, those same users are becoming more savvy about the algorithm's tactics — including how to co-opt them for their own means. 

Turning TikTok comments into SEO hubs 

It all started out innocuously. Timed with the initial launch of suggested searches, and quietly introduced in 2022, TikTok rolled out blue, clickable highlights to specific keywords or phrases within user comments. These keyword suggestions take the user to a page of related videos that match the highlighted search term. A variety of blue comments may also trigger a more general suggested search term at the top of a comment section. As its expanded, the feature has been advertised as an enhancement of the app's search capabilities and an extension of the company's efforts to be Gen Z's go-to search engine.

Simply, suggested searches are just a new type of algorithmic recommendation. In a comment to Business Insider, a TikTok spokesperson explained the searches are not human-influenced, and that they're sorted by user relevance and engagement. "To make recommendations, the company uses artificial intelligence to identify conversations around a video, such as by scanning user comments or looking at what other people type into the search bar after watching a video. The search results reflect what users are saying about the TikTok video," the publication reported. 

The feature was, of course, quickly noticed by TikTok advertising strategists and creator tips accounts. 

One, known as @jera.bean or "Jera Bean TikTok Expert", spotted comment searchability for celebrity names and quickly theorized it would start applying to more phrases and keywords — she was proved right soon after. Another TikTok strategist, @LikeLaurenTaylor ("Lauren Taylor, TikTok Growth"), drew follower attention to TikTok's video-specific search bar and "hyperlinks" as the new foundation for TikTok SEO strategies, claiming it could increase discoverability for brands. 

A June 2022 blog from Sprout Social called TikTok's comment sections the "best part of the app" or the "playground for internet lore, themed threads, and belly laugh-evoking jokes." According to the blog, the most important goal for a brand (or influencer) is to build "comment-generated reach," and that is done by feeding into what the algorithm likes: highly engaged comment sections with tons of likes per comment. To gain the top-liked comment is to hit TikTok gold. 

But the blue comment algorithm — which started with seemingly random assignments of blue links — evolved, and users soon found that they could influence what shows up as a suggested search through the strategic use of certain phrases or keywords in comments. It didn't take long for users to transform this into an attention-grabbing exploit, turning suggested searches into cogs in the app's rumor mill. Months after launch, users began gaming the system to get their least liked creators trending, using blue comments to suggest the account was the center of an unnamed controversy. As awareness of the feature and its quirks grew, creators used it to enhance viewer curiosity, posting videos replying to their previous posts with captions like "Why did TikTok make that the suggested search?!" in order to draw attention back to their original post. 

Even now you'll still see users attempting to pull attention to their comments by "stealing" the blue search term. "Did I get the blue comment?" users will ask, an evolution of the "first comment" or "first like" game. And, much like "First!" comments, they're often successful, populating the suggested search and claiming prime real estate at the top of the comment section. But even if they're unsuccessful, the question itself — and the obsession with blue comment baiting — is enough to garner the likes and replies needed to redirect the spotlight anyway. 

Credit: TikTok screengrab / @ElijahNelsonn

The automatic suggested searches have also been criticized, and treated as a microcosm for TikTok's broader media literacy problem. Users flocked to the site last year to call out the algorithm's problematic lack of moderation for blue comments, allowing for the spread of tabloid-like drama and misinformation. Celebrities like Ariana Grande and Bebe Rexha have been the target of blue search suggestions focused on the size of their bodies, while famous TikTok couples fall victim to breakup rumors. LGBTQ influencers and creators of color have had to navigate an entirely new form of targeted hate. 

Users can report suggested searches for potential removal — and the platform occasionally turns off the feature entirely for certain videos — but the apparent hands-off approach leaves most search curation in the hands of users themselves, for better or for worse. 

Blue comments as the new protest sigil 

With its ingrained connection to virality, engagement, and branding, suggested comment searches are now part of the bedrock of platform usability. Users attempt to research the brand name of a popular designer handbag, where to snag a trending food item, or find out more about a creator's political stances, for example, via blue comments. And if the blue comments don't lead them to the information they seek, many appear eager to abandon the mission. 

On a video of a woman sharing her rare health conditions, users try to find out more using blue comments. Credit: TikTok screengrab / @Warrenit4Love  A video sharing the history of iPhones shows people in the comments trying to search specific models and accessories. Credit: TikTok screengrab / @isheep_pro

But over the last few months, blue comments have also become a large part of a social justice organizing strategy. They're a deceptively simple way to use an influencer's already established platform, and their priority within the app's algorithm, to get around shadowbans, raise awareness, and, hopefully, push the creator into speaking out about issues. As one of the internet's preferred hubs for pro-Palestinian sentiment gathering, it's now being used to call attention to mass violence and humanitarian crises in Gaza. 

The strategy, stated by TikTok's participants, is simple: 

1. Target an influencer that has stayed silent on the crisis.

2. Flood the comment section in order to create a wave of blue, linked comments that will also change the suggested search bar to a Gaza-related term.

3. Increase engagement on the video and use the now-viral video to educate the influencer's followers via comments.

The most common way this is accomplished is by nestling the calls for attention inside normal looking comments or eye-grabbing sentiments. During coverage of the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show, comments like "Bisan and Motaz would absolutely crush this!!!" and "Usher should've had Motaz or Bisan as guest performer" attempted to draw eyes back to the accounts of Palestinian citizen journalists Bisan Owda and Motaz Azaiza." Others flooded videos with "All eyes on Rafah." The repeated comments led to multiple suggested searches of "Bisan and Motaz NFL" across videos. Blue comments have since been removed from the videos. 

Credit: TikTok screengrab / @NFL Credit: TikTok screengrab / @NFL

These comments aren't just a trend, but an official TikTok movement organically coined "Operation Watermelon," a riff on names of grassroots pro-Palestinian movements like Operation Olive Branch (not to be confused with the Turkish military operation of the same name). Operation Olive Branch's purpose is to amplify the voices of Palestinian creators, activists, and families on the ground, led by a network of grassroots volunteers trying to connect families with aid. Operation Watermelon, meanwhile, is less officially organized, with a few creators continuously swapping leadership. 

The original organizer is user @Angie__Mariie, who asked her followers to flood comments with watermelon emojis and called the effort "Operation Flip the Rhythm." Angie has since left the app, passing along Operation Watermelon's reins to user @TooMeanToBean, known for videos on revolutionary organizing and political activism. Targets appear to happen organically, with comments from just a few users snowballing into entire comment section takeovers. 

SEE ALSO: The watermelon emoji indicates solidarity with Palestine

Ahead of the primetime broadcast of the Academy Awards ceremony, @TooMeanToBean and Operation Watermelon organizers flooded the comment sections of the official Oscars, Entertainment Tonight, and Vogue profiles with mentions of Yazan al-Kafarna, a 10-year-old Palestinian boy who died from malnourishment during the ongoing famine in North Gaza. "First! Yazan Kafarnah deserved better ❤" wrote one user. 

Credit: TikTok screengrab / @EntertainmentTonight Credit: TikTok screengrab / @Oscars

Efforts like these do sometimes have a direct impact on popular influencers. Following Operation Watermelon comments flooding her profile, popular labor and delivery nurse Jen Hamilton posted a video ruminating on her own ignorance about lost Palestinian lives. 

"Yesterday I started getting comments about things I had never heard before," Hamilton said to camera in a Jan. 22 post. "Things like 'Did you know that women in Gaza are having C-Sections without anesthesia? Did you know that the miscarriage rate has gone up 300 percent?' These are all things that I care deeply about, and no. I did not know that. I did not know why there were watermelons in my comment section. Today was the very first day, moment, time, that I intentionally looked at what is happening."

Other efforts have spammed comment sections of major accounts like Alix Earle, MrBeast, Dixie D'Amelio, and Hank Green — a group with a cumulative 161 million followers. In March, popular TikTok creator Elyse Meyers officially departed the platform following an announcement that she was taking time to focus on the health of one of her children. Users, however, felt it was in response to her being a recent target of Operation Watermelon, following months of her own followers attempting to get the creator to speak out for the cause. 

While Hamilton's video was celebrated by many as a victory for the cause, it would be a stretch to call an event like Meyers' departure a resounding success — especially with Meyers' loyal fan base calling the blue comments and subsequent stitches directed at Meyers a form of online harassment. Some organizers in Palestinian liberation spaces questioned how targets were decided, or wondered why commenters didn't also direct attention to political targets, like the recently created TikTok account for President Joe Biden. Others view Operation Watermelon as the "schoolyard bullies" of TikTok, asking why the cause doesn't just share "thoughts and prayers" for those affected. 

SEE ALSO: Is the White House being hypocritical about TikTok?

In a recent case, Operation Watermelon targeted lifestyle influencer Abbie Herbert, a creator with more than 15 million followers. In the call to action, organizers asked users to flood her comments with mentions of al-Kafarna once again, which effectively got the attention of the popular creator. But follow-up posts accused Herbert of deleting Operation Watermelon comments and silencing the calls to action. A clarification was posted by @TooMeantoBean shortly after, alleging that TikTok was actually removing the comments for "bullying and harassment." TikTok's automatic cyberbullying warning has appeared on other videos filled with Operation Watermelon comments, as well. 

The blue comment strategy is clearly churning up the TikTok waters, which is something disruptive political organizing aims to do. And Operation Watermelon's problems, while thorny, reflect the deeper problems facing digital organizing at large. How can organizers and supporters create centralized, thoughtful movements in inherently impersonal spaces? How can they do so effectively and with nuance, without facilitating trolls or wider backlash? 

TikTok organizers deal with an additional digital question: Should you hedge your movement's bets on an algorithm that arguably works against you by keeping users glued to screens and out of the streets?

As TikTok continues evolving, so too do creators, brands, and, now, social movements who use the platform to make a living, garner attention, and attempt to make tangible change. Blue comments may be a timely symbol for failed digital organizing — or they may be just the beginning.

Best earbuds for 2024 Best earbuds for sound Sony WF-1000XM5 $299.99 at Amazon Shop Now Best noise-cancelling earbuds Bose QuietComfort Ultra $299 at Amazon Shop Now Best for Apple users Apple AirPods Pro (USB-C) $249 at Amazon Shop Now Best wired earbuds Marshall Mode $59.99 at Amazon Shop Now Best budget earbuds Anker Soundcore P20i $24.99 at Amazon Get Deal

They let you listen to your music wherever you go, from flights to walks to the corner store — it's no wonder earbuds are a modern day necessity.

If you're in the market for a new pair of earbuds, we have good news: You have a lot of options. The bad news: You have a lot of options, and it can get overwhelming fast. Prices on earbuds range anywhere from under $10 to in the thousands (if you're going professional-grade), but even in the narrower range most consumers occupy, you can easily spend up to $300.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops you can buy in 2024 for work, school, and gaming

Whether you're simply looking for earbuds to get you through the work day or earbuds that you can live in 24/7, we've checked out the most popular options to determine which earbuds are actually the best. And if nothing on this list stands out too much, you can always expand your search to headphones as well.

Are wired or wireless earbuds better?

Though most earbuds are now wireless, this ultimately comes down to preference. If you have a tighter budget or don't want to worry about the battery running low all the time, wired earbuds are a great option. With that said, it is significantly harder to find wired earbuds with active noise cancellation (we're working on tracking down and testing a few pairs like this). So, if ANC is a priority for you, you'll be better off with a pair of wireless earbuds.

To help you decide, we put a range of wired and wireless earbuds to the test to determine which are worth your money — check out our top five picks below.

Best earbuds for sound: Sony WF-1000XM5 Opens in a new window Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds $299.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Who it's for:

People who enjoy great active noise cancellation and even better sound quality will appreciate the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds — the full package.

Why we picked this:

Even if you're not a full-blown audiophile, we're betting you'd be impressed by just how good these earbuds sound. Though they're great when you plug and play, the highly customizable equalizer allows these earbuds to really shine. If you're not quite sure what you enjoy when it comes to EQ, no problem.

The companion app has a "find your equalizer" feature that lets you play a song and select between six EQ settings to find the one that sounds best to your ears. Once you do, you get more options to select, with that choice marking the "custom" EQ you like best. To make sure you're satisfied, the app then lets you easily compare the new and original settings side by side. That's just one of several sound features built into the app that allow you to customize your experience, far surpassing every other pair of earbuds on this list.

Wear-wise, the ear tips on these buds forego the usual silicone for a foamier alternative that's more reminiscent of the material you might expect from earplugs. We found this material to wear comfortably and snugly, staying in place in your ear better than AirPods typically do. On a further design note, these are also a great option for folks who don't like the stemmed look made popular by AirPods.

Finally, the ANC. You're paying high-end prices for these earbuds, and they do deliver on high-end ANC. If noise cancelling is your biggest concern, you might want to go for the Bose earbuds instead, but these still do an excellent job (plus, their multipoint pairing actually works, unlike Bose's). We will say that with ANC on, we did tend to get closer to seven hours of listening time before running out of juice, instead of the eight Sony claims.

Battery life: 7-8 hours per charge (24 hours with case) | Ear tip sizes: XS, S, M, L

Best noise-cancelling earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Opens in a new window Credit: Jae Thomas / Mashable Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds
Shop Now

Check out our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds.

Who it's for:

For those who value noise cancellation above all else, the $299 Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are worth the investment, offering the best ANC experience we've had with a pair of earbuds.

Why we picked this:

Over-ear headphones are the typical pick for those who want the best noise cancelling, but in recent years high-end earbuds have started to prove themselves worthy competitors. Bose is already known for offering some of the best ANC, so it's no shock that these earbuds, which were released just this past fall, showcase what the brand is best at.

Mashable contributor Timothy Beck Werth said that these earbuds offer the best ANC of any he's tested, a lineup that includes products from Apple, Beats, and Jabra. In fact, he writes, "Bose's noise cancelation is so good that I often use these earbuds when I'm not even listening to music." Customizable stability bands help create a tight but comfortable seal that helps unwanted sound stay out (and sets these earbuds apart from other ANC buds on the market).

Though we appreciate the QC Ultra's noise-cancelling first and foremost, we also enjoyed Bose's foray into spatial audio with the Immersive Audio feature that can be toggled on and adjusted via the companion app. It's good, not great, and definitely not the top reason to get these earbuds, but still a pretty nice feature — and certainly welcome at this price point.

Speaking of the price point, we were shocked that at $299, these earbuds don't offer functional multipoint pairing. While you can technically connect more than one device at a time, you do have to manually change your device with the app, instead of switching back and forth simply by changing your audio output, like you can with the Sony WF-1000XM5 or AirPods Pro. While we do think Bose needs to update this feature ASAP, the ANC, combined with the comfort for long-term wear and sound quality, still earned these earbuds a spot on our list.

Battery life: 6 hours per charge (24 hours with case) | Ear tip sizes: S, M, L | Stability band sizes: S, M, L

Best for Apple users: Apple AirPods Pro (USB-C) Opens in a new window Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable Apple AirPods Pro (USB-C) at Amazon
Shop Now

Check out our full review for the USB-C AirPods Pro.

Who it's for:

Apple device owners will appreciate how easily these earbuds pair with multiple devices and their impressive active noise cancellation.

Why we picked this:

The AirPods Pro are incredibly popular for several reasons. They produce a sound that's rich and well-balanced, they have excellent noise-cancellation (that falls just behind the Bose QC Ultras), and they work seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem.

What exactly does that mean? Whereas earbuds like the aforementioned Ultras might struggle to pair, and then swap between, an iPhone and an iPad quickly, the AirPods Pro were built to do exactly that. And as you'd expect from an Apple product, they do have some nice features built around convenience. In addition to great ANC and sound, Apple hones your listening experience with three modes: Conversational Awareness, which automatically lowers the volume of your music when you're talking to someone and raises it when you're done; Adaptive Audio, which functions as an ultra-smart transparency mode; and Personalized Volume, which automatically adjusts the volume based on your environment.

Outside of those listening modes, you also get lossless audio support with the Apple Vision Pro (in case you happen to own the $3,500 headset). With the new USB-C port, you can also charge the case by connecting it to any iPhone 15 device, though we don't consider that the most useful feature out there. If you're not a fan of touch controls, you're also likely to appreciate that the touch commands only require you to press the stem of the earbuds. Our biggest gripe with these earbuds? Even though they sound great, they don't offer customizable EQ like Bose and Sony.

Battery life: 6 hours per charge (30 hours with case) | Ear tip sizes: XS, S, M, L

SEE ALSO: Apple to launch a new, 'mid-tier' version of AirPods, report claims Best wired earbuds: Marshall Mode Opens in a new window Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Marshall Mode earbuds at Amazon
Shop Now Who it's for:

Whether you're looking to save some cash, prefer the better signal that wired headphones can offer, or simply hate charging earbuds, these Marshall Mode earbuds are sure to satisfy.

Why we picked this:

We know it's 2024 and everyone has Bluetooth everything, but some people genuinely prefer wired headphones. For those people, we recommend the Marshall Mode headphones.

As you would expect from wired headphones, these earbuds aren't too terribly expensive at $59.99 (though you can often find them on sale in the $39 to $49 range. Despite their affordability, they produce clean, well-rounded audio comparable to earbuds in the $100-plus price range. The wire itself is lightweight but durable and not at all tangle prone, making these earbuds plenty comfortable to wear for long stretches of time. We do wish it was detachable, and therefore replaceable, but that's not a dealbreaker, especially at this price point.

The mic works well for calls, and it's separate from the remote button that allows you to answer and hang up calls, as well as play and pause your music. There isn't too much more to say about these earbuds beyond this: They do what you expect them to do.

Battery life: N/A | Ear tip sizes: S, M, L, XL

Best budget earbuds: Anker Soundcore P20i Opens in a new window Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds at Amazon
Shop Now Who it's for:

If you don't want to be too precious about your earbuds (there's nothing wrong with being accident prone) the Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds will be the kindest to your wallet, while still delivering an all-around decent listening experience. If ANC is essential for you though, you'll want to pass on these buds.

Why we picked this:

We'll be honest: We weren't expecting much from a pair of earbuds that cost $25. However, we were shocked to find that these earbuds not only had an impressive array of features, but in some cases also had better features than earbuds that cost hundreds of dollars more.

First, let's start with the sound. Admittedly, we weren't too blown away by how they sounded at first. However, once we played around with the equalizer presets on the companion app, we found the Treble Boost produced the kind of well-rounded sound we expect from pricier earbuds. The app also allowed you to set up to three touch controls on each earbud, which actually worked decently well once we played around with them (the touch controls have just the right level of sensitivity). However, the most exciting feature on the app was the "find device" tab. Unlike Apple AirPods, which only play a sound from the case when you're trying to find your earbuds, the Soundcore earbuds each play a loud tone when you activate this feature, making it easier to locate a single bud.

The P20i buds also best AirPods in battery life. Per charge, we were able to get about nine and half to ten hours of battery life. The case overall holds 30 hours of charge total. Admittedly, these earbuds don't have ANC, so that helps, but we were still impressed. (For comparison, the most recent AirPods Pro and standard AirPods without ANC offer six hours per charge).

Obviously, a budget pair of earbuds will have some more noticeable drawbacks. For the P20i, that would be the lack of multipoint pairing. Not only can you not pair more than one device at a time, but we also found that we often had to manually unpair the earbuds from one device before pairing with another. The lack of pairing capability also meant that to use the companion app, you have to be connected to your phone.

Battery life: 9.5 to 10 hours per charge (30 hours with case) | Ear tip sizes: S, M, L

How we tested the best earbuds

Each pair of earbuds selected for this guide was hands-on tested by a Mashable staffer or contributor. Along with earbuds tested specifically for this article, we also combed through our existing reviews to pick the best of the best earbuds for 2024. When testing earbuds, we consider criteria such as:

• Battery life: For the Anker Soundcore P20i and Sony WF-1000XM5, we tested their battery life by letting the earbuds run interrupted with music at 50% volume until they died. For the remaining earbuds, the Bose QC Ultras and Apple AirPods Pro, we referred to the battery tests conducted when we first reviewed them.

• Sound quality: We tested out these earbuds with a variety of songs, from live performances, to bass-heavy electronic music, R&B, rock, and folksy guitar songs. We evaluated how they sounded out of the box, along with any EQ presets or custom controls.

• Comfort: Though this category can be subjective, we made sure each of our selections at least had several different ear tip sizes and were comfortable to wear for stretches of three hours or more.

• Microphone quality: Realistically, you'll make calls when using your earbuds, which is why we put each of these earbuds through a call test, making sure the person on the other end of the phone could hear us clearly and consistently.

• Special features: Especially for pricier earbuds, we took into consideration what they offered beyond a solid listening experience. In Sony's case, that was an incredibly customizable and user-friendly experience with the equalizer. For the Soundcore earbuds, that was the "find device" capability (considering the buds' price range) and general app compatibility. Basically, any feature that made the earbuds stand out, and also performed consistently well, earned it points in this category.

• Price: Earbuds can easily run into the hundreds of dollars, and we wanted to make sure if you're paying that much, it's worth it. We took into consideration how the earbuds performed in each of the above categories to make sure they justified their price.

As of April 2024, we're in the process of testing more budget-friendly ANC earbuds. We'll also be testing more sports earbuds to add a recommendation for workouts.