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Samsung reveals its new 2024 flagship TVs and Music Frame speaker

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 18:52

On March 22, Samsung hosted an Unbox & Discover event in New York City, where the manufacturer revealed four new flagship TVs and a Frame smart speaker. All of the new products are available for pre-order now at the Samsung website, and Samsung is offering some attractive incentives to encourage customers to place pre-orders.

The new products include a new Frame art TV and accompanying Music Frame smart speaker, as well as new QLED and OLED models. Thanks to a speedy new processor, the AI-powered smart TVs will be able to upscale older content and deliver improved picture quality, according to Samsung.

The new products include:

The new TV models range in size from 43 inches all the way up to a massive 98-inch version of the 4K QN90D Neo QLED TV, with a nosebleed-inducing price tag of $14,999.99. For mere mortals, Samsung will also offer slightly more affordable versions of these TVs, the Neo QLED 4K QN85D, the Neo QLED 8K QN900D, and the OLED 4K S90D.

Mashable previewed the new TVs at the launch event, where Samsung also debuted a cheesy 90s sitcom parody starring former Saturday Night Live cast members Molly Shannon and Tim Meadows. We've got all the details, plus a look inside the event.

Samsung shows off its new 8K Neo QLED TV. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable We didn't mess with the saturation on these photos one bit. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable New Frame TV and speaker coming soon

Samsung's ultra-thin Frame art TV has proven to be extremely popular, and Samsung releases a new iteration every year. For the 2024 The Frame TV, Samsung worked with Pantone to validate the color fidelity of the display, ensuring that video and artworks render accurately in all light conditions. The Frame TV (2024) will also come with an art preview feature, letting users who don't subscribe to Samsung's art collection preview new works each month. None of these features are game-changing, and we'd class them under iterative improvements.

Samsung previews the newest product in the Frame lineup. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Close-up with the new picture frame-like Music Frame. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

However, Samsung did reveal a new product in the Frame lineup — the new Music Frame smart speaker. The Music Frame looks like a square picture frame, and can thus blend in with your home decor. The Music Frame can stand up, be mounted on the wall, or move around as needed.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 2024 The Frame Art TV Starting at $999.99 Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Music Frame at Samsung
Shop Now Samsung introduces new chip for smarter TVs with AI upscaling

At the Unbox & Discover event, Samsung leaders were keen to showcase the TV's AI upscaling. The new Samsung 2024 TVs are powered by a new chip, the NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor processor. Samsung promises that this chip delivers double the performance (and eight times as many neural networks) as its predecessor. The new chip will allow the AI TVs to automatically upscale grainy or low-quality video from years gone by. That might sound like sacrilege to lovers of lo-fi retro content, or an exciting new way to experience beloved content from the 90s and beyond—pick your poison.

Samsung leaders made the announcement with an assist from former SNL cast members Shannon and Meadows, who starred in a spoof video meant to highlight the new AI upscaling. To demonstrate this effect, Meadows and Shannon appeared in a 90s sitcom parody titled, "Best in the House."

The parody started with the lo-fi video quality you'd expect from a 90s sitcom, before switching to the "upscaled" version. (Presumably, the video was shot with modern cameras, so it's unclear why upscaling would be necessary.) Beyond upscaling, the new chip will also allow improved picture quality, clarity, and contrast. For instance, the AI TVs will be able to isolate fast-moving objects to make them more visible to the users. This would be ideal for sports content, as a blurry soccer ball or football flying across the screen could become easier to see.

The 90s sitcom parody at the Samsung Unbox & Discover event. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Shannon and Meadows at the event. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Pre-order the new TVs and get a free 65-inch TV

To promote the launch of the new Samsung TVs, the company announced a new promotion: Customers who pre-order one of the new TVs will receive a free 65-inch TV. Specifically, when you pre-order a new 2024 Samsung TV, you'll receive a free 65-inch UHD Samsung TV (total value of $529.99). Likewise, users who pre-order the new Frame smart speaker will receive a $50 credit to use at Samsung's online store.

Mashable was able to check out the new TVs at the Unbox & Discover event, and pre-orders are live at the Samsung website. Samsung didn't announce an official release date, but we expect the TVs to start arriving by the end of March.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung OLED S95D TV Starting at $2,599.99 Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Neo QLED 8K QN900D Starting at $4,999.99 Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Neo QLED 4K QN90D  Starting at $1,499.99 Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

Instagram just limited the political content you see. You can change that.

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 18:44

It looks like Meta is distancing itself — and users — from political content even more.

It's easy to see why. Social media sites have been rife with misinformation and disinformation during past elections. It seems Meta's response to these egregious mistakes is to make political content rarer on its platforms. Users have noticed that Instagram and Threads are quite literally putting limits on political content. On many users' accounts, including my own, the settings were automatically set to "limit" users from seeing "political content." 

View this post on Instagram

To toggle this on or off Instagram and Threads, navigate to your settings in the Instagram app and scroll down to "content preferences." There, you'll see a few options for controlling the kinds of content you want to see on your account. If you click "political content," you'll be brought to a page that reads: "Political content is likely to mention governments, elections, or social topics that affect a group of people and society at large." You have two options. The first is "don't limit," which means "you might see more political or social topics in your suggested content." The second is "limit," which means "you might see less political or social topics in your suggested content. Whatever you choose will also be applied to your Threads account.

SEE ALSO: Why you'll see even less political content on Instagram and Threads

As Instagram describes, this decision affects all of the suggested posts in Explore, Reels, Feed Recommendations, and Suggested Users. "It does not affect the content from accounts you follow," Instagram says. 

"This announcement expands on years of work on how we approach and treat political content based on what people have told us they wanted," Dani Lever, a Meta spokesperson, told Mashable. "And now, people are going to be able to control whether they would like to have these types of posts recommended to them."

This change doesn't come as a surprise. Last month, Instagram and Threads told us they'd be doing something like this. The company said in a blog post that it would no longer "proactively recommend political content from accounts you don’t follow."

"These recommendations updates apply to public accounts and in places where we recommend content such as Explore, Reels, In-Feed Recommendations and Suggested Users – it doesn’t change how we show people content from accounts they choose to follow," the social media giant wrote in a blog post. "If political content – potentially related to things like laws, elections, or social topics – is posted by an account that is not eligible to be recommended, that account’s content can still reach their followers in Feed and Stories."

Instagram Head Adam Mosseri said that the platform's "goal is to preserve the ability for people to choose to interact with political content while respecting each person’s appetite for it." The changes began rolling out slowly, and while they're active for many users already, they might not be active for all users just yet.

Update: This piece has been updated to reflect a comment from Meta.

Categories: IT General, Technology

'The Penguin' trailer: Colin Farrell waxes poetic about gangster life

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 18:35

Max has released its first trailer for The Penguin, the next chapter in director Matt Reeves' Batman saga. By the looks of it, the show is basically all about how Oz "the Penguin" Cobb (an unrecognizable Colin Farrell) wants a parade to celebrate him.

Yes, there's more to the trailer than that, including several moody shots of Gotham in flames. But for the most part, this trailer is a slow burn of Oz recalling a famed gangster from his childhood: Rex Calabrese. He was such a big deal in Oz's neighborhood that when he died — still holding a cigar, mind you — they threw a parade in his honor. As Oz tries to rise up in the ranks of Gotham's criminal underworld, it's clear he wants the same kind of gestures to remember him by.

The Penguin premieres on Max this fall.

Categories: IT General, Technology

SpaceX’s Successful Launch, Devin's AI Teaching AI and other top stories

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 18:31

From SpaceX making in-space fuel transfers to Devin's AI achievements, host Josh Burstein takes us on a comedic journey through the week's top stories.

Check out this related articles:

Starbucks is shutting down its NFT rewards program
Midjourney bans prompts with Joe Biden and Donald Trump, heeding election misinformation concerns
Meet Devin: The first AI software engineer
SpaceX's Starship just had amazing firsts for spaceflight
'Madame Web' review: Is it at least better than 'Morbius?'

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon Prime members can save $30 on Kindle Paperwhite e-readers

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 18:25

SAVE $30: On the third day of the Amazon Big Spring Sale, Prime members can get the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition for $159.99, a 16% discount from its usual price tag.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) $159.99 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

During the Amazon Spring Sale 2024 shopping event, Prime members can score the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) for $159.95, a $30 discount from the full price of $189.99. Even better, this edition comes without any of those annoying lock screen ads, which inevitably end up showing you advertisements for trashy romance novels you’ll never read (and we say this with all due respect to trashy romance novels).

The Mashable Shopping team has reviewed every Kindle e-reader, and this exact model was our choice for the best Kindle overall. The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition got our stamp of approval for offering the “best balance of features at a reasonable price,” and we loved its automatically adjusting display. So if you're a reader with a Prime membership, then jump on this members-only deal.

There’s a lot for bibliophiles to love about Amazon’s e-reader. The 6.8-inch glare-free display. Adjustable warm light that’s easy on the eyes. A pool-friendly IPX8 waterproof rating. A generous 32GB of storage space. Best of all, it’s the only Kindle to offer wireless charging, which is a nice touch.

Still on the fence? Check out our full Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition review for more details. Otherwise, head directly to Amazon and save $30 on this “near perfect” e-reader. And if you're looking for a new book to add to your reading list, may we suggest reading Dune?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon's Big Spring Sale features a bunch of random deals on laptops — including $95 off a new M3 MacBook Air

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 18:11

UPDATE: Mar. 22, 2024, 11:20 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with new Big Spring Deals on laptops, plus current pricing and availability.

Best Big Spring Sale laptop deals at a glance: Best Apple MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 15.3-inch (M3) $1,204 at Amazon (save $95) Get Deal Best budget laptop deal Acer Aspire 3 $256.99 at Amazon (save $73) Get Deal Best 2-in-1 laptop deal HP Envy x360 15-ew1199nr $869.99 at Amazon (save $250) Get Deal Best gaming laptop deal ASUS TUF Gaming A17 $1,199.99 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal

Amazon isn't usually a great place to buy a laptop. Many of the models listed there come from sketchy third-party sellers, and competing retailers like Best Buy maintain much bigger selections with better deals. However, the retail giant conveniently tends to get its act together for major shopping events.

SEE ALSO: All the greatest deals from day three of Amazon's Big Spring Sale

That's certainly the case with the Big Spring Sale, a new seasonal shopping event Amazon is putting on from March 20 to 25, which includes a number of above-average discounts on laptops. (Plus, we know they're all legit because they're shipped and sold by Amazon itself.) It's still not a huge selection, but it at least covers popular brands like Apple, Samsung, HP, Microsoft, Acer, and ASUS — including the former's all-new M3 MacBook Air variant.

We've rounded up a list of the best Spring Sale 2024 laptop deals below, and we'll continue to update it throughout the event. (New deals are being added daily.)

Best Apple MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15.3-inch (M3) $1,205.00 at Amazon
$1,299.00 Save $94.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's review of the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M3).

The latest 15-inch MacBook Air builds upon its predecessor's excellent design with a faster M3 processor, plus added support for WiFi 6E and two external displays. "[It] may seem like a simple refresh, but as someone who owns the M2 MacBook Air, I’d definitely trade it in for the new-generation model," wrote Mashable tech editor Kim Gedeon. It's our new favorite MacBook for most people — and at $95 off, this is its biggest discount since it launched earlier this month.

More MacBook dealsBest budget laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Aspire 3 $256.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $73.00 Get Deal Why we like it

After going on sale for $299.99 earlier in the Big Spring Sale, the Acer Aspire 3 is now even cheaper (at $73 off), putting it just $7 away from last November's record low. You don't really have a right to complain about mediocre specs at this entry-level price point, but this guy's hardware is above-average compared to most other sub-$300 laptops: There's an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor from late 2022, a healthy 8GB of memory for light multitasking, 128GB of SSD storage, and a 15.6-inch HD display. It's a fine pick for basic tasks like sending emails and watching YouTube.

Best 2-in-1 laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Envy x360 15-ew1199nr $869.99 at Amazon
$1,119.99 Save $250.00 Get Deal Why we like it

A competent convertible device for everyday productivity, this 15.6-inch HP Envy x360 packs a 13th-generation Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and a hefty 1TB of storage. Amazon has it on sale for $869.99 as part of a "limited-time deal" during the Big Spring Sale — note the "percentage claimed" bar below its price — which puts it only $15 away from its lowest price of all time.

More 2-in-1 laptop dealsBest gaming laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS TUF Gaming A17 $1,199.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $300.00 Get Deal Why we like it

We wouldn't call it a budget pick, but this is an extremely reasonable price for a slick and durable gaming laptop with nice specs, including an efficient AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics, 1TB of storage, and a massive (17.3-inch) 144Hz display. At $1,199.99, it's currently $100 cheaper on Amazon compared to the ASUS website. It's also just $2 away from its record low there.

More gaming laptop dealsEven more laptop deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsoft adds spellcheck and autocorrect to Notepad on Windows 11

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 18:11

Microsoft is adding spellcheck and autocorrect to its Notepad app on Windows 11, and it only took 40 years.

On Thursday, the Microsoft blog announced this as a preview release for testers, also known as Windows Insiders. Notepad, the notes-writing app has been around since 1983, but hasn't received a lot of attention in recent years thanks to the release of more advanced PC text editors like Notepad2 and Notepad++.

SEE ALSO: Everything announced at the 2024 Microsoft Surface event

But it's better late than never for Notepad, which is finally getting some meaningful upgrades as of late. That includes a character count, and AI-powered explanations via Copilot. Per the announcement, Notepad will now highlight misspelled words and offer suggested corrections when you click or tap on the word. Notepad's autocorrect feature will automatically correct commonly misspelled words.

Spellcheck and autocorrect will be enabled as the default setting for most files, but default off for coding-related files. They can be toggled on or off in the Notepad settings page.

In addition to an overdue upgrade to Notepad, Microsoft had some new hardware to share on Thursday. The tech giant announced the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, which come with a built-in Copilot key on the keyboard as well as other Copilot AI software features.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Acer Aspire 3 laptop just got even cheaper for Amazon's spring sale — snag it for only $257

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 18:04

UPDATE: Mar. 22, 2024, 11:40 a.m. EDT The Acer Aspire 3 (AMD Ryzen 3 7320U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) is now on sale for just $256.99 during the Amazon Big Spring Sale. That's $73 off its sticker price, $43 better than its initial Big Spring discount earlier this week, and only $7 away from its all-time low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Aspire 3 $256.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $73.00 Get Deal

Amazon has a big-name laptop on sale for well under $300 during its inaugural Big Spring savings event — and it's not a dinky little Chromebook.

After falling to $299.99 earlier this week, a variant of last year's Acer Aspire 3 is now marked down to only $256.99 as of March 22. For context, that's $73 off its suggested retail price of $329.99 and only $7 away from its record low from last November. (Meanwhile, it's still full price on the Acer website.)

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here: Shop Apple devices, robot vacuums, unlocked phones, more

Amazon's Spring Sale 2024 is scheduled to run through March 25, and this latest pricing on the Aspire 3 is by far the best budget laptop deal we've spotted so far during the event.

This particular configuration of the Aspire 3 packs an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor from late 2022, 8GB of memory, and 128GB of SSD storage. While those specs aren't much to write home about, they're much better than the hardware we usually encounter at the sub-$300 price point: 4GB of RAM and slower eMMC storage are much more common. (Those eight gigs of RAM are especially noteworthy.) When you factor in its 15.6-inch 1080p display, you've got a solid pick for basic multitasking and YouTube-watching.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch NC State vs. Oakland livestreams without cable

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 17:59
Wondering how to watch the college basketball tournament? Here are your best options: Most channels Sling TV Blue Plan $15 for the first month, then $40/month (save $25) Get Deal Most affordable Max With Ads $9.99/month Get Deal

The NC State and Oakland University men’s basketball teams are scheduled to meet in a tournament game at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Saturday, March 23. The game is scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m. ET. 

No. 14-seeded Oakland University enters the contest 24-11 overall. Most recently, Oakland defeated No. 3 seed Kentucky 80-76 on Thursday in the opening round of the tournament. Jack Gohlke led Oakland with 32 points.  

No. 11 seed NC State comes into the matchup 23-14 overall. On Thursday, NC State beat Texas Tech 80-67 in the tournament’s first round. Ben Middlebrooks paced NC State with 21 points and four rebounds in the win.

SEE ALSO: How to download the 2024 March Madness basketball bracket

Greg Kampe is the Oakland University men’s basketball head coach. Kevin Keatts is the NC State men’s basketball head coach. 

NC State vs. Oakland basketball game time, network

The NC State vs. Oakland University men’s basketball game is scheduled to be broadcast on TBS and TruTV at 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 23. The TBS/TruTV broadcasters for the game are scheduled to be Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Steve Lappas (analyst), and Evan Washburn (reporter).

Whatever team wins advances to play on Friday, March 29 in Dallas. 

Cable and satellite TV are no longer necessary for enjoying live sports. Consider live streaming options to watch Saturday’s game via services like Sling TV and Max.

Best streaming services for the Oakland vs. NCSU basketball game

Watching college basketball requires a streaming service if you don’t have cable or satellite TV. For the Oakland University vs. NC State men’s basketball game on Saturday, here are your top streaming options.  

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Blue Plan $15.00
$40.00 Save $25.00 Get Deal

If you want to watch the NC State vs. Oakland University game on TBS via Sling TV, you’ll need either the Orange Plan or the Blue Plan. Both the Orange and Blue plans start at $15 for the first month and then increase to $40 per month subsequently, and they both also come with 50 hours of free DVR storage. 

TBS is one of 26 channels included on both the Orange and Blue plans. There are six channels exclusive to the Orange Plan, including ESPN and ESPN2. There are 14 channels exclusive to the Blue Plan, and those include FS1, NFL Network, and TruTV. Another difference between the Orange and Blue plans is that you can only stream on one device with the Orange Plan, and the Blue Plan allows streaming on three devices at once.

In higher-priced plans, Sling TV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, TNT, and TruTV. 

Most affordable: Max Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max With Ads
Watch Now

Max is broadcasting men’s college basketball this March. With a trio of options to choose from, Max is adding to each tier for free the B/R Sports Add-On. Part of the B/R Sports Add-On is live streaming sports from TBS, TNT and TruTV.

The cheapest package is Max With Ads, which is $9.99 per month. It allows streaming on two devices. You can save 42% by paying for one year upfront at $69.99. 

The second package is Max Ad-Free, and that is $15.99 per month. If you’re mainly getting Max for sports, there isn’t much difference between Max With Ads and Max Ad-Free since sports will still include ads. If you pay one year upfront, you save 45% on Max Ad-Free at $104.99. 

Max Ultimate Ad-Free is the third package, and it is $19.99 per month. It also upgrades to allow streaming on four devices at once. Plus, it has 4K Ultra HD capability. The one-year price for Max Ultimate Ad-Free is $139.99. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

Snag a Coway Airmega Air Purifier for 31% off during the Amazon Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 17:59

SAVE $70.48: As of March 22, get the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH air purifier for just $159.51, which is $70.48 off its normal price of $229.99. That's a discount of 31%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Coway Airmega AP-1512HH air purifier $159.51 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $70.48 Get Deal

Spring has sprung, and if you have allergies, you can definitely feel it. That means a sniffle here, a runny nose there, and clogged sinuses. Combine that with pet dander and regular dust and debris in your home and you've got a recipe for respiratory disaster. Don't sit back and suffer — head on over to Amazon's Big Spring Sale and grab an affordable air purifier so you can breathe a little easier.

As of March 22, get the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH air purifier for $159.51 at Amazon. That's $70.48 off its normal price of $229.99 and a discount of 31%.

SEE ALSO: All the greatest deals from day three of Amazon's Big Spring Sale

This user-friendly air purifier is small, compact, and — dare we say it — quite attractive in that classic iPod Shuffle kind of way. It can clean areas up to 361 square feet in under 13 minutes and areas up to 874 square feet in 30 minutes. It uses a HEPA filter to reduce 99.999% of 0.01-micron particles (read: super tiny) and works to stop pollen and other allergens in their tracks.

You can see how clean the purifier has assessed an area to be with its color-coded LED system, and if it isn't clean enough for your taste, you can swap between three different speeds to give the unit a bit more oomph if needed.

If you need a cleaner space or just want to alleviate a few potential allergen symptoms, this is a chic, affordable, and effective option for an air purifier.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Iowa State vs. Washington State livestreams without cable

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 17:56
Wondering how to watch the college basketball tournament? Here are your best options: Most channels Sling TV Blue Plan $15 for the first month, then $40/month (save $25) Get Deal Most affordable Max With Ads $9.99/month Get Deal

The Iowa State and Washington State Cougars men’s basketball teams are scheduled to meet at the CHI Health Center Arena in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday, March 23. The game is scheduled to start at 5:10 p.m. CT/3:10 p.m. PT. 

No. 2 seed Iowa State enters the matchup 27-7 overall. Most recently, Iowa State defeated South Dakota State 82-65 on Thursday in the tournament’s opening round. Milan Momcilovic led Iowa State with 19 points and five rebounds. 

No. 7-seeded Washington State comes into the matchup 24-9 overall. On Thursday, the WSU Cougars beat Drake 66-61 in the first round of the tournament. Washington State got 20 points and 11 rebounds from Isaac Jones in the win.

SEE ALSO: How to download the 2024 March Madness basketball bracket

T.J. Otzelberger is the Iowa State men’s basketball head coach. Kyle Smith is the WSU Cougars men’s basketball head coach. 

Washington State vs. Iowa State basketball game time, network

The Washington State Cougars vs. Iowa State men’s basketball game is scheduled to be broadcast on TNT at 5:10 p.m. CT/3:10 p.m. PT on Saturday, March 23. TNT broadcasters for the game are scheduled to be Tom McCarthy (play-by-play), Deb Antonelli (analyst), Avery Johnson (analyst), and AJ Ross (reporter). 

The winner advances to play on Thursday, March 28 in Boston. 

If you don’t have cable or satellite TV, online live-streaming platforms like Sling TV and Max offer fans flexibility and accessibility that aligns with modern sports viewership.

Best streaming services for the ISU vs. WSU basketball game 

If you have cut the cord, don’t fear because Saturday's clash between the Iowa State and WSU Cougars men’s basketball teams is streaming. There are several streaming platforms ready to give you access to the game. Here are your top options. 

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Blue Plan $15.00
$40.00 Save $25.00 Get Deal

If you want to watch just the Washington State Cougars vs. Iowa State game on TNT via Sling TV, you’ll need either the Orange Plan or the Blue Plan. Both the Orange and Blue plans start at $15 for the first month and then increase to $40 per month subsequently, and they both also come with 50 hours of free DVR storage. 

TNT is one of 26 channels included on both the Orange and Blue plans. There are six channels exclusive to the Orange Plan, including ESPN and ESPN2. There are 14 channels exclusive to the Blue Plan, and those include FS1, NFL Network, and TruTV. Another difference between the Orange and Blue plans is that you can only stream on one device with the Orange Plan, and the Blue Plan allows streaming on three devices at once.

In higher-priced plans, Sling TV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, TBS, and TruTV. 

Most affordable: Max Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max With Ads
Watch Now

Max is broadcasting men’s college basketball this March. With a trio of options to choose from, Max is adding to each tier for free the B/R Sports Add-On. Part of the B/R Sports Add-On is live streaming sports from TBS, TNT and TruTV.

The cheapest package is Max With Ads, which is $9.99 per month. It allows streaming on two devices. You can save 42% by paying for one year upfront at $69.99. 

The second package is Max Ad-Free, and that is $15.99 per month. If you’re mainly getting Max for sports, there isn’t much difference between Max With Ads and Max Ad-Free since sports will still include ads. If you pay one year upfront, you save 45% on Max Ad-Free at $104.99. 

Max Ultimate Ad-Free is the third package, and it is $19.99 per month. It also upgrades to allow streaming on four devices at once. Plus, it has 4K Ultra HD capability. The one-year price for Max Ultimate Ad-Free is $139.99. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Gonzaga vs. Kansas basketball without cable

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 17:53
Wondering how to watch the college basketball tournament? Here are your best options: Most affordable Paramount+ with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $11.99/month Get Deal Most channels FuboTV Pro plan 7-day free trial, then $59.99 for the first month (Save $20) Get Deal

The Gonzaga and Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball teams are scheduled to meet in a tournament game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 23. The game is scheduled to start at 2:15 p.m. CT/12:15 p.m. PT. 

No. 5 seed Gonzaga enters the contest 26-7 overall. Most recently, Gonzaga defeated McNeese State 86-65 on Thursday in the tournament’s opening round. Graham Ike led Gonzaga with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the victory.  

No. 4 seed Kansas comes into the matchup 23-10 overall. On Thursday, Kansas inexplicably beat Samford 93-89 in the first round of the tournament. Hunter Dickinson led the KU Jayhawks with 19 points and 20 rebounds. 

SEE ALSO: How to download the 2024 March Madness basketball bracket

Mark Few is the Gonzaga men’s basketball head coach. Bill Self is the Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball head coach. 

KU vs. Gonzaga basketball game time, network

The Kansas Jayhawks vs. Gonzaga men’s basketball game is scheduled to be broadcast on CBS at 2:15 p.m. CT/12:15 p.m. PT on Saturday, March 23. CBS broadcasters for the game are scheduled to be Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Brendan Haywood (analyst), and Dana Jacobson (reporter). 

Whatever team wins this game then advances to play on Friday, March 29 in Detroit. 

If you don’t have cable or satellite TV, online live-streaming platforms such as Paramount+ and FuboTV offer alternatives for enjoying the game.

Best streaming services for the Gonzaga vs. Kansas basketball game 

Several streaming services offer ways to watch the Gonzaga vs. KU Jayhawks men’s basketball game. Each one is ready to bring the court to your couch. Here are your options.

Most affordable: Paramount+ Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $11.99/month Get Deal

If you want to watch the Kansas Jayhawks vs. Gonzaga men’s basketball game on CBS, Paramount+ offers a solution.  

New subscribers to Paramount+ get a seven-day free trial. Then for the Paramount+ plan that includes live streaming CBS, you need the Paramount+ with Showtime tier, which is $11.99/month. If you choose the annual plan, it is $119.99 for a year, saving about $1.99/month. 

For students, Paramount+ will give you a 25% discount.

Most channels: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan $59.99
$79.99 Save $20.00 7-day free trial, then $59.99 for first month Get Deal

With FuboTV, new subscribers can enjoy a seven-day free trial and more than 250 live TV channels, along with the ability to simultaneously stream on 10 devices. College sports fans who want access to CBS for matchups such as the KU Jayhawks vs. Gonzaga men’s basketball game will want the FuboTV Pro tier, which is $59.99 for the first month and then has a rate of $79.99 per month.

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, and SEC Network. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Arizona vs. Dayton basketball livestreams without cable

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 17:52
Wondering how to watch the college basketball tournament? Here are your best options: Most affordable Paramount+ with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $11.99/month Get Deal Most channels FuboTV Pro plan 7-day free trial, then $59.99 for the first month (Save $20) Get Deal

The Arizona Wildcats and Dayton Flyers men’s basketball teams are scheduled to meet in a tournament game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 23. The game is scheduled to start at 12:45 p.m. ET/10:45 a.m. MT. 

No. 2 seed Arizona enters the matchup 26-8 overall. Most recently, U of A defeated Long Beach State 85-65 on Thursday in the first round of the tournament. Kylan Boswell paced the Arizona Wildcats with 20 points and eight assists vs. Long Beach State.  

No. 7 seed Dayton enters the matchup 25-7 overall. On Thursday, the Dayton Flyers beat Nevada 63-60 during the tournament’s opening round. The leading scorer for the Dayton Flyers was DaRon Holmes II with 18 points and also nine rebounds.

SEE ALSO: How to download the 2024 March Madness basketball bracket

Tommy Lloyd is the Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball head coach. Anthony Grant is the Dayton Flyers men’s basketball head coach. 

UD vs. Arizona basketball game time, network

The Dayton Flyers vs. Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball game is scheduled to be broadcast on CBS at 12:45 p.m. ET/10:45 a.m. MT on Saturday, March 23. CBS broadcasters for the game are scheduled to be Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Brendan Haywood (analyst), and Dana Jacobson (reporter). 

Whatever team wins advances to play on Thursday, March 28 in Los Angeles.  

If you don’t have cable or satellite TV, online live-streaming platforms such as Paramount+ and FuboTV offer alternatives for enjoying the game.

Best streaming services for the Arizona vs. Dayton basketball game 

As the Arizona Wildcats take on the Dayton Flyers men’s basketball team, you don’t need to worry if you don’t have cable. Explore the best options to catch every moment of this electrifying showdown via streaming.

Most affordable: Paramount+ Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $11.99/month Get Deal

If you want to watch the Arizona Wildcats vs. UD Flyers men’s basketball game on CBS, Paramount+ offers a solution. 

New subscribers to Paramount+ get a seven-day free trial. Then for the Paramount+ plan that includes live streaming CBS, you need the Paramount+ with Showtime tier, which is $11.99/month. If you choose the annual plan, it is $119.99 for a year, saving about $1.99/month. 

For students, Paramount+ will give you a 25% discount.

Most channels: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan $59.99
$79.99 Save $20.00 7-day free trial, then $59.99 for first month Get Deal

With FuboTV, new subscribers can enjoy a seven-day free trial and more than 250 live TV channels, along with the ability to simultaneously stream on 10 devices. College sports fans who want access to CBS for matchups such as the U of A Wildcats vs. Dayton Flyers men’s basketball game will want the FuboTV Pro tier, which is $59.99 for the first month and then has a rate of $79.99 per month.

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, and SEC Network. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Michigan State vs. UNC basketball without cable

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 17:51
Wondering how to watch the college basketball tournament? Here are your best options: Most affordable Paramount+ with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $11.99/month Get Deal Most channels FuboTV Pro plan 7-day free trial, then $59.99 for the first month (Save $20) Get Deal

The Michigan State and North Carolina men’s basketball teams are scheduled to meet in a tournament game at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, March 23. The game is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. ET. 

No. 9 seed Michigan State enters the matchup 20-14 overall. Most recently, Michigan State beat Mississippi State 69-51 in the first round of the tournament. Tyson Walker led MSU with 19 points, three rebounds and two assists.  

No. 1 seed North Carolina comes into the matchup 28-7 overall. On Thursday, North Carolina beat Wagner 90-62 in the opening round of the tournament. RJ Davis scored 22 points and Armando Bacot added 20 points and 15 rebounds to the UNC Tar Heels win.

SEE ALSO: How to download the 2024 March Madness basketball bracket

Tom Izzo is the Michigan State men’s basketball head coach. Hubert Davis is the UNC Tar Heels men’s basketball head coach. 

UNC vs. MSU basketball game time, network

The UNC Tar Heels vs. Michigan State men’s basketball game is scheduled to be broadcast on CBS at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 23. CBS broadcasters are scheduled to be Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Jim Jackson (analyst), and Allie LaForce (reporter). 

Whatever team wins this game advances to play on Thursday, March 28 in Los Angeles. 

Cable and satellite TV are no longer necessary for enjoying live sports. Consider live streaming options to watch Saturday’s game via services like Paramount+ and FuboTV.

Best streaming services for the Michigan State vs. UNC basketball game

Watching college basketball requires a streaming service if you don’t have cable or satellite TV. For the MSU vs. North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball game on Saturday, here are your top streaming options.

Most affordable: Paramount+ Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $11.99/month Get Deal

If you want to watch just CBS or just the UNC Tar Heels vs. Michigan State men’s basketball game, Paramount+ offers a solution.   

New subscribers to Paramount+ get a seven-day free trial. Then for the Paramount+ plan that includes live streaming CBS, you need the Paramount+ with Showtime tier, which is $11.99/month. If you choose the annual plan, it is $119.99 for a year, saving about $1.99/month. 

For students, Paramount+ will give you a 25% discount.

Most channels: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan $59.99
$79.99 Save $20.00 7-day free trial, then $59.99 for first month Get Deal

With FuboTV, new subscribers can enjoy a seven-day free trial and more than 250 live TV channels, along with the ability to simultaneously stream on 10 devices. College sports fans who want access to CBS for matchups such as the North Carolina vs. Michigan State men’s basketball game will want the FuboTV Pro tier, which is $59.99 for the first month and then has a rate of $79.99 per month.

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, and SEC Network. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Florida vs. Colorado basketball live without cable

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 17:50
Wondering how to watch the college basketball tournament? Here are your best options: Most channels Sling TV Blue Plan $15 for the first month, then $40/month (save $25) Get Deal Most affordable Max With Ads $9.99/month Get Deal

The Florida Gators and Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball teams are scheduled to meet in a tournament game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday, March 22. The game is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. MT. 

No. 7 seed Florida enters the matchup 24-11 overall. Most recently, Auburn defeated Florida 86-67 on Sunday in the SEC Tournament. Walter Clayton Jr. leads the UF Gators in scoring this season with 17.1 points per game. 

No. 10-seeded Colorado comes into the contest 25-10 overall. On Wednesday, the CU Buffs beat Boise State 60-53 in the tournament. Tristan da Silva led Colorado with 20 points and three rebounds to go with KJ Simpson’s 19 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

SEE ALSO: How to download the 2024 March Madness basketball bracket

Todd Golden is the Florida Gators men’s basketball head coach. Tad Boyle is the Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball head coach.  

Florida vs. CU Buffs basketball game time, network

The Florida Gators vs. Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball game is scheduled to be broadcast on TBS at 4:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. MT on Friday, March 22. TBS broadcasters for the game are scheduled to be Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Dan Bonner (analyst), Stan Van Gundy (analyst), and Andy Katz (reporter). 

Whatever team wins this game advances to face No. 2 seed Marquette or No. 15 seed Western Kentucky on Sunday, March 24 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.  

If you don’t have cable or satellite TV, online live-streaming platforms such as Sling TV and Max offer alternatives for enjoying the game.

Best streaming services for the Colorado vs. UF Gators basketball game 

So you’re eager to witness the Colorado Buffaloes vs. Florida Gators men’s basketball game. Here are your best streaming options.  

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Blue Plan $15.00
$40.00 Save $25.00 Get Deal

If you want to watch the Florida Gators vs. CU Buffs game on TBS via Sling TV, you’ll need either the Orange Plan or the Blue Plan. Both the Orange and Blue plans start at $15 for the first month and then increase to $40 per month subsequently, and they both also come with 50 hours of free DVR storage.

TBS is one of 26 channels included on both the Orange and Blue plans. There are six channels exclusive to the Orange Plan, including ESPN and ESPN2. There are 14 channels exclusive to the Blue Plan, and those include FS1, NFL Network, and TruTV. Another difference between the Orange and Blue plans is that you can only stream on one device with the Orange Plan, and the Blue Plan allows streaming on three devices at once.

In higher-priced plans, Sling TV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, TNT, and TruTV. 

Most affordable: Max Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max With Ads
Watch Now

This March, Max is making its grand entrance into men’s college basketball streaming. With three distinct streaming tiers, Max adds the B/R Sports Add-On to each package for free. 

The cheapest package is Max With Ads, which is $9.99 per month. It allows streaming on two devices. You can save 42% by paying for one year upfront at $69.99.

The second package is Max Ad-Free, and that is $15.99 per month. If you’re mainly getting Max for sports, there isn’t much difference between Max With Ads and Max Ad-Free since sports will still include ads. If you pay one year upfront, you save 45% on Max Ad-Free at $104.99. 

Max Ultimate Ad-Free is the third package, and it is $19.99 per month. It also upgrades to allow streaming on four devices at once. Plus, it has 4K Ultra HD capability. The one-year price for Max Ultimate Ad-Free is $139.99. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

Every pair of AirPods is discounted during Amazon's semi-Prime-Day Sale

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 17:45

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is in full swing, and while it hasn't been the best event for Apple deals in general, it's still not bad — especially when it comes to AirPods. As of the time of this writing, all the latest AirPods iterations are discounted during the Amazon spring sale, including the AirPods Max and AirPods Pro. Take a look below to see all the offers we could find, and keep checking back, as Amazon has promised to keep dropping new deals through March 25.

SEE ALSO: The best tablet deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Apple, Samsung, and more

Not keen on picking up a pair of AirPods, but still in need of some new headphones? We've gathered up a list of the best headphones deals, too.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) $189.00 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The 2nd generation AirPods Pro are the best pair of AirPods out there. They sound great, fit comfortably in your ears (most ears, at least), and are resistant to dust, sweat, and water. Unfortunately, this $60 discount isn't anything we haven't seen before, and these earbuds frequently hit this price at Amazon. However, we've never seen them priced lower, so this really is the best price you'll find on the new AirPods Pro. Our review praised these buds for their impressive active noise cancellation, surround-sound spatial audio, and adaptive audio.

More AirPods deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The 45+ best headphone and speaker deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Day three

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 17:32

UPDATE: Mar. 22, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EDT Amazon's Big Spring Sale has begun, and we've updated this post with the latest deals and pricing.

Best deals on headphones and speakers Best noise-cancelling headphone deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones $379 at Best Buy (Save $50) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple USB-C AirPods Pro $189 at Amazon (Save $60) Get Deal Best wireless earbuds deals Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation $54.99 at Amazon (Save $65) Get Deal Best Bluetooth speaker deal JBL Clip 4 $59.99 at Best Buy (Save $20) Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here, and the retailer has dropped even more deals on headphones and speakers than we saw in the run-up.

If you're feeling like you missed when Amazon added yet another sale to its roster, you didn't — 2024 marks the first time they'll be running a sale this time of year. Though it won't quite be another Prime Day in access or in scope (non-Prime members can participate and we don't expect to see as many deals as the other shopping holidays), there are still deals worth checking out — including ones on headphones and speakers.

SEE ALSO: The best headphones for 2024 (and why they made our list)

The sale is on for five days from March 20 to 25, and already, we've seen the AirPods Pro go back down to their all-time low price, the Bose QuietComfort line get nice price cuts, and Sony headphones get discounts of up to $100. More budget-friendly brands like JBL and Anker Soundcore are also on sale, giving you plenty of options no matter your price point.

In typical Amazon sale fashion, we've also seen other retailers like Best Buy offering competitive pricing. We'll be rounding up all the best deals on this list, so be sure to check back throughout the sale. For now, check out all the best headphone deals below, along with our top picks so far.

Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones $379.00 at Best Buy
$429.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are our favorite headphones for travel and some of the best headphones on the market overall. Why? They're beyond comfortable, have top-of-the-line active noise cancellation, and have excellent (immersive) audio. The fact that they're some of the best is reflected in these headphones' price, so we recommend taking advantage of sales to score them for slightly cheaper. If you're looking for a pair that's still premium but just a little easier on your wallet, we'd go for the Sony WH-1000XM4s.

More noise-cancelling headphones dealsBest AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple USB-C AirPods Pro $189.00 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

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

The USB-C AirPods Pro came onto the scene last year, offering a much-needed upgrade with its charging port, while keeping the features we loved on the Lightning Pros. With these earbuds, you get maximum portability, great functionality with Apple devices, and some of the best ANC you can find on a pair of earbuds. At $189, these buds have returned to their lowest price ever, making now a great time to buy.

More AirPods dealsBest wireless earbud deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation $54.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $65.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation.

We're not going to lie, it can be a little tricky to find more-than-decent ANC on a pair of budget earbuds. At their full price of $119.99, the Echo Buds already offer a fairly enticing price point for that criteria, but at $54.99, that's nearly unbeatable. Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry wrote in his Echo Buds review, "Considering how much cheaper these are than other big-name ANC-enabled earbuds, it's pretty incredible that the ANC works as well as it does." You shouldn't expect Bose-standard noise cancellation, the touch panels can be a little too sensitive, and the battery life is just okay, but these are fair trade-offs for the money you're saving.

More wireless earbud dealsBest Bluetooth speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Clip 4 $59.99 at Best Buy
$79.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

With spring comes warmer weather, and more chances to get outdoors for a nice hike or a trip to the beach. For a speaker that's got you covered for both, we recommend the JBL Clip 4. Its IP67 water- and dust-proof rating means it's safe from the elements, while the built-in carabiner that lets you attach it to your bag keeps it safe from your forgetful mind. Despite being so compact and portable, it still boasts decently robust sound that only starts to muddy at its higher volumes.

More Bluetooth speaker deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Score an Anker MagGo charging station for 25% off during Amazon's Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 16:51

25% OFF: As of March 22, you can get an Anker MagGo charging station for just $82.49. That's $27.50 off the listing price or a 25% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station $82.49 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $27.50 Get Deal

The Amazon Big Spring Sale is still ongoing (it's like a spring version of Prime Day!) With a wide range of discounted products, now's the perfect time to save on laptops, cell phones, and even fitness equipment. And if you're tired of constantly losing battery on your devices and searching for an outlet, you might want to take advantage of this deal on the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station.

SEE ALSO: All the greatest deals from day three of Amazon's Big Spring Sale

As of March 22, you can score 25% off the Anker MagGo charging station. That's a $27 discount on a high-quality charging solution that can charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at once.

This charger packs a 15W punch, so you can snag a quick charge even when rushing out the door. (It's two times faster than a 7.5W charger and can power up an Apple Watch Series 9 to 47% in just 30 minutes.) Plus, it's about the size of a deck of cards and folds into a convenient stand, so you can scroll or stream while you wait. The only downside is that this charging station is only compatible with Apple devices, so Android users should sit this one out.

Grab the Anker MagGo charging station for 25% today, and check out the other best phone accessories deals from the Amazon Spring Sale 2024.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get the Meta Quest 2 for its lowest price yet during the Amazon Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 16:32

SAVE $50.99: As of March 22, the Meta Quest 2 (128 GB) is just $199 at Amazon as part of the Amazon Big Spring Sale. That's a discount of 20% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Meta Quest 2 (128 GB) $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Thinking about finally grabbing a VR headset? Now's a great time to go ahead and take the plunge. With the Amazon Big Spring Sale going on, there are tons of great deals on tech and every other item you can think of. Today, the Meta Quest 2 happens to be one of the things you can buy for less during this seasonal mini-Prime Day sale – and it's available at a price you won't want to miss.

As of March 22, get the Meta Quest 2 for just $199.99 at Amazon. That's $50.99 off its regular price of $249.99 and a discount of 20%. It's the lowest price we've seen the headset drop to yet, which means now might be the best time to jump on board the VR train.

SEE ALSO: All the greatest deals from day three of Amazon's Big Spring Sale

We named the Meta Quest 2 our favorite VR headset after careful hands-on testing. It's also the best headset for the value, as it's so much more affordable than its competitors. This all-in-one headset is massively convenient, as there are no cords or cables to set up (and trip over), no lengthy installation, and no uncomfortable hardware. You can just take 10 minutes (or hours, who are we to judge?) to jump into virtual reality and leave the real world behind for a bit.

The headset itself is a bit top-heavy but comfortable for long periods of wear. It has built-in speakers so you don't need a pair of headphones, but you can use your own Bluetooth pair if you want to. The headset itself is comfortable and loud enough without them though, and mostly unobtrusive to others in the same area.

You can create your own customizable avatar in VR and then set up a variety of different virtual home bases before launching into other games and apps with your Meta account. You've got a wide variety of games like Beat Saber and Half-Life: Alyx to choose from, all exciting realms that bring you deep into VR. There's no denying this is your best bet for VR right now, and you can jump in for less than the price of a new standard video game console while supplies last.

Categories: IT General, Technology

'3 Body Problem': Fairy tales might be a big clue in the Netflix series

Mashable - Fri, 03/22/2024 - 16:28

If you've been watching Netflix's adaptation of 3 Body Problem, you might be scanning for clues as closely as we are. Among the physics lessons and surveillance threats of the series, there are smaller clues as to the bigger burning questions we have.

And that includes several characters' obsession with something rather unlikely: fairy tales. It's something that keeps coming up in David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo's adaptation of Liu Cixin's books, and caught our eye as something distinctly non-scientific lurking in a series that's all about facts and reason, and brimming with books from Rachel Carson's Silent Spring to K.H. Erickson's Game Theory: A Simple Introduction to Michael Bodin's Fermi's Paradox: Cosmology and Life.

SEE ALSO: '3 Body Problem': What do the aliens actually look like?

The first time we see a book of fairy tales in 3 Body Problem is in episode 3, when we join oil magnate and Earth-Trisolaris Organization (ETO) co-founder Mike Evans (Jonathan Pryce) as he reads from a book of fairy tales to the technologically advanced alien race known as the San-Ti, communicating through an old-school speaker. The story he's narrating in this scene is Hansel and Gretel, the tale of the two lost and complacent kids who rudely decide to eat a witch's house, and they discuss the nature of fear, on an individual and collective level. The aliens are perplexed by humanity, claiming they have "ceased to be afraid" as a species.

In episode 4, Evans and the San-Ti move onto Little Red Riding Hood, the tale of a confident youngster who skips merrily through the woods to her grandmother's house, meets a dodgy wolf, then comes face to face with said wolf posing as her grandmother after eating her whole. It's a tale of stranger danger at its core, with some interpretations seeing it as a coming-of-age tale. But the San-Ti have a different interpretation: it's a story about deception. And being newcomers to the concept of a story and symbolism itself, a tale of events that never happened in reality, the San-Ti describe Evans' delivery of such a fabrication as "a lie about a liar."

Mike Evans, why'd you have to pick "Little Red Riding Hood"? Credit: Netflix

Why exactly Evans decided fairy tales was the best possible entry to understanding humanity remains to be seen, but suffice to say, it backfires. After decades of communication with Evans thanks to Dr Ye Wenjie's (Rosalind Chao) initial transmission in the '60s, it's this children's story that turns the San-Ti against humanity, that convinces an entire alien race that people are a bunch of liars to be feared. "We cannot coexist with liars," the San-Ti declare. "We are afraid of you." Fucking great job, Evans. It's like the equivalent of Milla Jovovich's Leeloo in The Fifth Element, when she learns what a brutal piece of crap humanity has been over the years in about 15 seconds.

But Evans' nightly alien bedtime stories aren't the only time we see fairy tales in 3 Body Problem. In episode 4, Following Jack's (John Bradley) murder by ETO follower Tatiana (Marlo Kelly), "Oxford Five" member Will Downing (Alex Sharp) pulls out a book called Fairy Tales for Young and Old, gifted by his friend Jin Cheng (Jess Hong) in 2015 when they were at Oxford University together. In the front, you can see Jin's message to Will: "May our stories be happier than these." And right beside this, Jin has hand-drawn both the wolf and the titular woods-traverser from Little Red Riding Hood. This cannot be a coincidence.

Will is reading the book in his seaside rental in episode 6 and he brings it with him to hospital in episode 7, showing Jin he has it stashed, and reminding her she gave it to him "four days after his birthday" (eep). The fairy tale Will has the book open to is Sleeping Beauty, a fitting reference to the state of limbo Will's brain will soon be in, floating through space. "Who would this Project Staircase turn me into? Some kind of a Sleeping Beauty character?" he asks her.

In one more fairy tale reference, Will also names his fish Pushkin after the 19th century Russian fairy tale The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish, about a man who catches a golden fish that grants wishes if freed.

What is the connection between Will's fairy tales and Evans' decision to read such tales to the San-Ti? Is there a connection or is this a red herring? We're going to have to wait for the next few seasons of 3 Body Problem to really know if these fairy tale threads will be woven into anything golden, but the showrunners' insistence of including these references seems more than deliberate.

How to watch: 3 Body Problem is now streaming on Netflix.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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