IT General

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for A$88 through 30 March — boost productivity and upgrade your OS with one affordable bundle.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle AU$88 at the Mashable Shop
AU$702 Save AU$614 Get Deal

When productivity meets practicality, you get the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 + Windows 11 Pro Bundle. This two-in-one deal is tailored for professionals, students, and anyone looking to upgrade their workflow while keeping costs low. With lifetime access, no subscription fees, and seamless integration, it’s a must-have for anyone working smarter, not harder.

Microsoft Office 2021 Professional includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, giving you everything you need to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. With tools like advanced co-authoring and Smart Compose, collaborating with teams or family has never been easier. Plus, its redesigned ribbon interface and customization options make every project efficient and visually stunning. Whether you’re drafting reports or designing creative presentations, Office 2021 ensures you stay on top of your game.

Pair that with Windows 11 Pro, a cutting-edge operating system designed to boost productivity and enhance security. Features like Snap Layouts, desktops, and improved voice typing simplify multitasking, while advanced encryption and biometric logins keep your data safe. Gamers will appreciate DirectX 12 Ultimate for next-level visuals, while professionals can access Azure AD, BitLocker, and Hyper-V for streamlined workflows. And with AI-driven Copilot, you can optimize tasks like never before.

This bundle saves you the headache of recurring fees and ensures you have the tools to tackle your day — from running your business to staying secure online.

For a one-time payment of A$88 until 30 March at 11:59 p.m. PT, it’s time to invest in efficiency, creativity, and peace of mind with this combo of a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 and Windows 11 Pro.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

YouTube’s Time Watched feature shows how much time you spend on the platform—but does it really? When I checked mine, the numbers seemed off. But after looking closer, I realized a big chunk wasn’t even screen time. Here’s why YouTube’s watch time stats don’t tell the whole story.

SEGA announced a shift in its game development strategy, focusing on fewer new releases but increased investment in its core studios. That means the flagship games won't be affected, but we may see some projects canceled.

PowerToys adds a ton of must-have functionality to Windows 11, including bulk file renaming, window pinning, and multi-device clipboard sharing. Now, with the v0.89 update, PowerToys is kicking it to the next level with a new Advanced Paste media transcoding feature.

The Apollo missions showed exact science at work. Each part needed to be close to perfection from start to finish. NASA succeeded with 1960s tools—a remarkable feat. Though it was still cutting-edge technology at the time.

Apple is set to release a major update to iOS that addresses a critical pain point for electric vehicle owners. Specifically, the upcoming iOS 18.4 update expands EV routing knowledge to include more EV charging locations for compatible cars with adapters.

I don't remember the last time I used a calculator. In fact, I don't even think I own one! That's because I always use Excel to perform my calculations, and you can do the same.

Microsoft released Windows 11 over three years ago, and while many users have upgraded to the latest operating system version, I’m still sticking with Windows 10. If you're unsure whether to upgrade or stay put, here’s why I haven’t made the switch yet.

Trying the new voice assistant from AI startup Sesame is the first time I momentarily forgot I was talking to a bot.

Compared to ChatGPT's voice mode, Sesame's "conversational voice" feels natural, unforced, and engaging, which totally freaked me out.

On Feb. 27, Sesame launched a demo for its Conversational Speech Model (CSM), which aims to create more meaningful interactions with AI chatbots. "We are creating conversational partners that do not just process requests; they engage in genuine dialogue that builds confidence and trust over time," the announcement states. "In doing so, we hope to realize the untapped potential of voice as the ultimate interface for instruction and understanding." 

Sesame's voice assistant is available as a free demo on the site and comes in two voices: Maya and Miles.

Since Sesame unleashed its voice assistant demo, users have reported awestruck reactions. "I've been into AI since I was a child, but this is the first time I've experienced something that made me definitively feel like we had arrived," user SOCSchamp wrote on Reddit.

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"Sesame is about as close to indistinguishable from a human that I've ever experienced in a conversational AI," user Siciliano777 wrote on Reddit.

Reddit

After talking to Sesame's bot, I was similarly wowed. I talked to the Maya voice for about 10 minutes about the ethics of using AI as a companion and came away feeling like I had a genuine conversation with a considerate, informed person. Maya's speech had a natural cadence, using interjections like "you know" and "hm," and even making tongue clicking and inhaling sounds.

The strongest impression I got from interacting with Maya was that she immediately asked questions, engaging me in the conversation. The bot started our conversation by asking how my Wednesday morning was going (note: it was indeed a Wednesday morning.) In contrast, ChatGPT voice mode waited for me to talk first, which isn't necessarily a good or bad thing, but it intrinsically shaped the conversation as me using ChatGPT as a tool for something I needed.

Maya asked about the risks of AI companions getting "too good at being human." When I told her I was concerned about the rise of more sophisticated scams and people losing touch with reality by replacing humans with bots, she responded thoughtfully and pragmatically. "Scammers are gonna scam, that's a given. And as for the human connection thing, maybe we need to learn how to be better companions, not replacements, you know, the kind of AI friends who actually make you want to go out and do stuff with real people," said Maya.

When I had a similar conversation with ChatGPT, I received a response that felt more like boilerplate language from a school guidance counselor: "That's a valid concern. It’s really important to balance technology with real human interactions. AI can be a helpful tool, but it shouldn't replace genuine human connections. It’s good that you're thinking about these issues."

While OpenAI pioneered voice mode's ability to be interrupted and have a more fluid back-and-forth conversation, ChatGPT still tends to respond in complete sentences and paragraph blocks, which sounds, well, robotic. When using ChatGPT voice mode, I never forget that I'm talking to a bot, and that's reflected in the conversation, which can feel stilted and forced.

By comparison, AI for Humans podcast co-host Gavin Purcell posted a Sesame conversation on Reddit where it's practically impossible to distinguish which voice is the bot. Purcell prompted the Miles voice by telling it to act like an angry boss.

Reddit

A very silly conversation followed about money laundering, bribery, and a mysterious incident in Malta. Miles didn't miss a step. There was no perceptible latency, and the bot remembered the context of the conversation and creatively advanced the improvisational argument by escalating, calling Purcell "delusional," and firing him.

Of course, there are some limitations. Maya's voice glitched a few times throughout our conversation, and it didn't always get the syntax right, like saying, "It's a heavy talk that come."

According to its technical paper, Sesame trained its CSM (based on Meta's Llama model) by combining the traditional two-step process of training text-to-speech models on semantic tokens and then acoustic tokens, decreasing latency. OpenAI similarly used this multimodal approach to training voice mode. However, it has never released a dedicated technical paper on voice mode's inner workings — it only discusses voice mode in the GPT-4o research. 

Knowing this, it's surprising how much better Sesame's model is at conversational dialog. However, Sesame's launch is just a demo, so it merits further scrutiny when the full model comes out. According to the demo announcement, Sesame plans to open source its model "in the coming months" and expand to over 20 languages.

Digg was a huge deal back when it was popular in the late 2000s. These days, however, social media looks a lot different. Because of that, you might find the reintroduction of Digg to be a lot different than how you remembered it from back in the day.

SAVE $120: As of March 5, get the Samsung Galaxy S25+ for $999.99 at Samsung, down from its usual price of $1,119.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25+ $999.99 at Samsung
$1,119.99 Save $120 Get Deal

So, it's time to get a new smartphone. What do you choose? If you're tired of iPhones or you're ready for a Samsung upgrade, there are tons of great options out there. And one in particular is available at a discount right now: the Samsung Galaxy S25+.

As of March 5, you can get the Samsung Galaxy S25+ for $999.99, down from its usual price of $1,119.99 at Samsung. It's available in all colorways: mint, icyblue, silver, shadow, and navy, so you can get the one that you vibe with the most.

SEE ALSO: Time for a new smartphone? Score the Google Pixel 8a for $100 off.

The Samsung Galaxy S25+ has a larger screen than the S25, with a 6.7-inch display compared to the previous model's 6.2-inch screen. It has a larger battery as well, with the same internals under the hood. You can also rely on its Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor for its snappy performance and suite of AI-focused features. Of course, it's also great for just using for regular phone calls, photos, and the like you'd expect out of your daily driver smartphone.

This discount makes getting one of the latest Samsung Galaxy models a much more palatable purchase. But it's a good idea to go ahead and grab yours now while it's still available, as Samsung tends to be a bit hasty with pulling deals and swapping them for other sales or discounts.

SAVE $23.97: Through June 4, those who've never subscribed to Peacock before can score three free months of Peacock Premium (with ads). That's $7.99 per month, or $23.97 in savings. While technically for Samsung phone and tablet users, this deal is open to any new subscriber.

Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock 3 free months Peacock Premium save $23.97 Get Deal

We're big fans of Peacock at Mashable. Not only is it packed with an impressive catalog of movies and shows, but it's also one of the most affordable streamers and stays dishing out impressive deals as well. That's more than can be said about most other streaming services.

Through June 4, 2025, new subscribers can get three free months of Peacock Premium (the tier with ads) for free through this Samsung Galaxy promo link. Technically, this deal is meant for those who purchase new Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. However, it appears that any new subscriber can sign up through this link — Samsung user or not (I can confirm this works as a non-Samsung user). That means you can save $23.97 in streaming costs and watch whatever you want for three full months. You'll be charged full price ($7.99 per month) once month four rolls around, so be sure to cancel before then if you want to avoid charges.

SEE ALSO: Streaming alert: 'Moana 2' is floating its way to Disney+

Peacock is the streaming home to Universal Pictures films, which means it will be the exclusive place to stream Wicked as of March 21. It's also home to fellow Oscar nominees Conclave and Nosferatu. On the TV side of things, you'll find popular shows like The Office, New Girl, and Yellowstone, plus reality TV faves from Bravo and Peacock Originals like Poker Face and Mrs. Davis.

Check out our watch guides for the best shows on Peacock and the best movies on Peacock for a night in if you need more convincing. Although, with three months for free, what do you really have to lose?

TikTok is talking about their favorite horror movies, but it has almost nothing to do with actual horror movies.

The latest trend typically focuses on pop culture moments — things in movies, TV shows, or otherwise — that the creator either didn't like or found to be unsettling or sad. So the idea is to post something that was specifically horrific (or horrifically sad) to you while calling it your favorite horror movie. Typically speaking, folks choose sad moments in movies and TV and set it to Gracie Abrams' "I Love You, I'm Sorry."

It's all over TikTok right now.

Like lots of other trends — looking at you, Spotify Wrapped — the favorite horror movie posts are a bit of an exercise in displaying taste. The idea is to post something people love, or something sufficiently cool or, in other cases, something nostalgic, in order to elicit a response. So you'll get broad moments from Marvel or Disney movies, as well as scenes from HBO's Girls. The idea is to post something sufficiently sad that either everyone knows or a specific group of people really loves. It's the same idea as either having Beyoncé atop your Wrapped or a cult favorite band (here's to you, The Hold Steady).

So your TikTok FYP likely has clips from huge movies and esoteric classics, all labeled as horror movies. What your FYP doesn't have, for the most part, are any actual horror movies — at least until the next time Megan Is Missing goes viral again.

We're already immersed in the M4 era of Macs, but Apple is now stepping back to unveil the M3 Ultra, its most powerful desktop chipset to date. M3 Ultra is currently limited to the 2025 Mac Studio and, unsurprisingly, costs a fortune.

Last month, Google officially retired the Chromecast with Google TV (both 4K and HD models) in favor of its newer Google TV Streamer set-top box. Well, it turns out Google still has plans for the older, cheaper streaming devices.

Your smart speaker might be your favorite online companion, but is it also eavesdropping on your private conversations and sending them to the cloud?

Today, Google announced that will begin testing even more AI to the search engine we all use daily. Whether we like it or not, Google Search AI Overview summaries are getting upgraded, and you can try a new "AI Mode" on search.

Apple's MacBook Air line is fantastic for basic productivity work. I own a MacBook Air and I've never found myself longing for a Pro—it's an amazing laptop. If you've been looking to buy one, I have some good news for you—they are now cheaper, and they now have Apple's latest M4 chips.

SAVE $100: As of March 5, get the Google Pixel 8a for $399 at Amazon, which is $100 off its normal price of $499. That's a 20% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel 8a $399 at Amazon
$499 Save $100 Get Deal

For anyone buying a new smartphone, a new iPhone or the latest Samsung option might be alluring. But if you can't bring yourself to spend an arm and a leg for the newest model, you still have other phones out there to choose from. The Google Pixel 8a, for example, is one such smartphone that's well worth the price — and it's even on sale right now.

As of March 5, get the Google Pixel 8a for just $399 at Amazon. That's $100 off its usual price of $499, and a discount of 20%. You can choose from four colors: Aloe, Bay, Obsidian, and Porcelain.

SEE ALSO: Samsung has phone concepts that bend, stretch and fold in every possible way

The Google Pixel 8a has a crisp 6.1-inch Actua display with 2400x1080 resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Under the hood, you can expect to find a Google Tensor G3 processor, 128GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM. It also includes several AI features, the same that came with the Pixel 8, including Circle to Search, AI call screening, Magic Editor, and more.

Mashable's Alex Perry appreciated the phone's "elite performance coupled with a flagship-esque display and decent enough camera specs are more than enough to make up for some lackluster returning AI features."

There's plenty to keep you busy with on the Pixel 8a, and most importantly, it'll keep additional cash in your pocket for the time being, which we can all agree is a great thing.

Online, the citizens of America are uniting — not for peace, not for progress, not to defend itself, but for a Vice President who is edited to look like a Gerber baby.

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It's hard to pinpoint an exact starting point for the JD Vance babyface edits, but Know Your Meme attributes it to X user @DaveMcNamee3000, who posted an edited photo of Vance with a rounder face and larger cheeks on Oct. 2, 2024.

"For every 100 likes I will turn JD Vance into a progressively apple-cheeked baby," the user wrote, to the tune of thousands of reposts and hundreds of thousands of likes. Vance got babier. He got apple-cheekier. The internet joined in. The meme snowballed.

But it seems to have reached a fever pitch this week after Vance, on Feb. 28, asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy if he had "said thank you once" during a meeting between them and President Donald Trump in front of the White House Press Pool. This, X users opined, does sound like something perhaps a baby would say; it is reminiscent of a child refusing to invite you to their birthday party; it is, at best, odd work for the Vice President of the United States.

The internet responded with an electric number of memes depicting the politician as a big, big, baby.

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Perhaps what is most remarkable about the trend isn't its oddity but its ability to bring both sides of the political spectrum together. Research from the Carnegie Endowment, for instance, shows that Americans are emotionally polarized, meaning they "harbor [a] strong dislike for members of the other party," an experience often attributed to social media.

But occasionally, social media can give us a bit of respite from that polarization. For instance, these baby-faced memes of Vice President JD Vance.

Making fun of the Republican Vice President might seem like the job for, well, not Republicans, but that's not exactly true. As one post on X pointed out, "Edited fatty JD Vance is the first meme template in a long while where I don’t know if the person sharing it is someone on the Left, or the most virulent Nazi you’ve ever met in your entire life. The entire political spectrum is enjoying these memes, it’s impossible to know."

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You might think, well, that's just one guy. And that might be true, but the top response is another user who wrote, "It's relatively easy to know, the left can't meme." (The left notoriously can, in fact, meme.) This obviously turned into an Internet Fight.

While not every conservative's post about JD Vance supports the meme, it is beautiful to see us all come together for one unifying cause: JD Vance with a big baby face.