Technology

Jigsaw has a new streaming home this month. All 10 movies in the Saw franchise arrive on March 19, 2026, on Netflix. There are nine main installments in the Saw franchise and one spin-off, Spiral. However, all 10 exist in the same twisted universe and headline Netflix's new movies arriving this month.

If you think shells are limited to just Bash and Zsh, think again. True to the Linux philosophy, a shell is just another program that you can swap in and out; in some cases, with remarkable effects.

xTool has been a staple of the laser engraving industry for many years, but, until now, they’ve only focused on the hobby space. 2025 marked the year that xTool decided to step into the industrial space, starting with the xTool P3—and it’s their most powerful, yet easiest to use laser the company has ever released.

Donald Trump has announced that he's planning to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner for the first time as U.S. president, but rather than a comedian — who traditionally makes jokes about the sitting president — it'll be hosted by mentalist Oz Pearlman.

Jimmy Kimmel is unimpressed, but in the clip above he does suggest a possible solution.

"This feels like a cop-out to me, and I want to address the president directly on this," says Kimmel, turning to face a side camera. "Mr President, please: Let me host this dinner. I've never asked you for anything before. Can you imagine you, me, the commissioner of the FCC, all at a table together? Think of the ratings! I'll even throw in an award."

In fairness, people would definitely tune in.

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TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle is available for preorder for $43.13 at Amazon. That's about $35 cheaper than Walmart’s $78.95 listing ahead of its March 27 release.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle $43.13 at Amazon
  Shop Now

It’s a few weeks before Perfect Order releases, but Amazon has come in with a shocking bargain after finally adding the expansion’s Booster Bundles to its storefront. 

As of March 4, the Perfect Order Booster Bundle is available to preorder for $43.13 at Amazon — not only massively coming under the TCGplayer market price, but also deeply undercutting Walmart’s $78.95 price. That's a pretty wild gap for a sealed product this close to launch. And better yet, this comes with Amazon's pre-order price guarantee, so you know you're getting the very best price even if further discounts go live.

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Like those from past expansions, these Booster Bundles contain Perfect Order booster packs in one box, each with 10 Pokémon trading cards. With preorders on new Booster Bundles for new expansions usually going well above $60-70 at first, this is a genuinely low price that will surely sell out soon. 

Amazon is also selling Pokémon TCG: Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Boxes for as low as $116.85. You can also grab a Pokémon TCG: Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box for just over $105 at TCGplayer.

SAVE $330: As of March 4, the Acer Aspire 14 is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Aspire 14 $499.99 at Amazon
$829.99 Save $330   Get Deal

If you've been looking for an affordable laptop that still delivers strong performance, head to Amazon and take a look at the latest deal on the Acer Aspire 14. As of March 4, this model is down to $499.99 from $829.99 — a saving of over $300 on list price.

Despite the low price, this is a seriously impressive laptop. It's built with an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor (Series 2), so it can handle multitasking and creative work with ease, and no lagging. Plus, the 14-inch WUXGA display means everything you do will be displayed in sharp, vibrant quality.

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For work on the go, it more than performs thanks to its 22 hours of battery life. It's lightweight too, ideal for taking with you on travels or a commute.

Built-in AI tools will help make your daily tasks easier. Things like Copilot plus PC features and AcerSense make things quicker and smoother. These tools are easy to access too, just press the AcerSense key on the backlit keyboard to enjoy all the benefits.

Get this laptop deal at Amazon now.

Apple's latest budget iPhone is here, and you're faced with a classic dilemma: Do you splurge on the iPhone 17 (starting at $799), or is the more wallet-friendly iPhone 17e ($599) good enough?

Sure, they share some DNA — including the exact same A19 chip — but make no mistake: these two devices have key differences that could make or break your decision. We're talking price, design, display tech, battery life, and, of course, camera prowess.

SEE ALSO: How to preorder the iPhone 17e, Apple's new budget phone

At $599, the iPhone 17e is the budget-friendly model that delivers a surprising number of flagship features, while the iPhone 17 gets you some real upgrades — but are those upgrades actually worth $200?

Let's break it all down.

iPhone 17e vs iPhone 17: Price and specs The iPhone 17. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

At $799, the iPhone 17 comes with the following specs:

• A19 chip with 5-core GPU

• 256GB of storage

• 6.3-inch display with ProMotion (120Hz)

• Always-On display

• Dynamic Island

• Camera Control button

• Action button

• MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W

Meanwhile, the iPhone 17e packs nearly the same internals at $599. Here are the specs:

• A19 chip with 4-core GPU

• 256GB of storage

• 6.1-inch display (60Hz)

• Standard notch

• Action button

• MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W

iPhone 17e vs iPhone 17: Design

The most immediate difference between the iPhone 17e and iPhone 17 is the color selection — and it's significant. The iPhone 17 comes in five colors:

• Black

• White

• Mist Blue

• Sage

• Lavender

The 17e is limited to:

• Black

• White

• Soft Pink

If variety matters to you, the 17 has the clear edge.

Both phones share an aluminum design with Ceramic Shield 2 on the front, but the iPhone 17 weighs slightly more at 6.24 ounces versus the 17e's 5.96 ounces. The 17e is also a touch more compact overall (6.1 inches versus 6.3 inches), which some people will actually prefer.

The bigger design story, though, is what the 17e is missing: Dynamic Island. The iPhone 17e sticks with the traditional notch, while the iPhone 17 features Apple's pill-shaped interactive cutout that doubles as a live notification hub. If Dynamic Island has become something you rely on, that's a real trade-off.

iPhone 17e vs iPhone 17: Display The iPhone 17e lock screen and Dynamic Island. Credit: Apple The iPhone 17 cut-out design. Credit: Apple

When it comes to displays, the gap is more noticeable than it looks on paper. Both phones feature a Super Retina XDR OLED panel with 460 ppi and standard Apple perks like True Tone, Wide Color (P3), and Haptic Touch. But the similarities start to fade fast.

The iPhone 17 has a larger 6.3-inch screen with ProMotion adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz and an Always-On display — features the 17e simply doesn't have. The 17e runs at a standard 60Hz on its 6.1-inch panel.

Brightness is another gap. The 17e tops out at 800 nits typical and 1,200 nits HDR. The iPhone 17 cranks up to 1,000 nits typical, 1,600 nits HDR, and a blazing 3,000 nits outdoors. If you spend a lot of time in bright sunlight, that difference is very real.

If you're all about a smoother, brighter, more dynamic display, the iPhone 17 has a meaningful edge. Otherwise, the 17e's screen is still excellent by any standard.

iPhone 17e vs iPhone 17: Cameras

This is where things get interesting — and a little complicated. The iPhone 17e has a single lens on the back but uses Apple's 2-in-1 camera system, combining a 48MP wide-angle and a 12MP 2x Telephoto in one.

iPhone 17e:

• 48MP Fusion Main camera (26mm, f/1.6)

• 12MP 2x Telephoto

• Digital zoom up to 10x

• Night mode, Portrait mode, Photographic Styles

• 12MP TrueDepth front camera

iPhone 17:

• 48MP Fusion Main camera (26mm, f/1.6)

• 12MP optical-quality 2x Telephoto (52mm)

• 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13mm, 120° FOV)

• 4x optical zoom range

• Digital zoom up to 10x

• 48MP macro photography

• Spatial photos and Spatial video

• 18MP Center Stage front camera with autofocus

The iPhone 17's 48MP Ultra Wide lens is a meaningful upgrade — you get macro photography, spatial video recording, and a much wider field of view that the 17e simply can't match. The 17 also packs a next-gen 18MP front camera with Center Stage, compared to the 17e's 12MP TrueDepth. If photography is a priority, the iPhone 17 is the stronger pick.

That said, the 17e is no slouch. For most everyday shooting — portraits, landscapes, and social media — it delivers results that would have been considered flagship-quality not long ago.

iPhone 17e vs iPhone 17: Performance Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Here's a genuine surprise: the iPhone 17e and iPhone 17 are powered by the exact same A19 chip with a 6-core CPU and 16-core Neural Engine. The only difference is the GPU — the iPhone 17 has a 5-core GPU, while the 17e has a 4-core GPU.

In real-world use, you're unlikely to notice that gap unless you're doing heavy gaming or GPU-intensive tasks. Day-to-day performance — app launches, multitasking, Apple Intelligence features — will feel essentially identical on both devices.

The 17e also packs Apple's new C1X modem, which is reportedly twice as fast as the C1 found in its predecessor, the iPhone 16e. Both phones support 5G, though the iPhone 17 adds mmWave 5G support and Wi-Fi 7, while the 17e tops out at Wi-Fi 6.

iPhone 17e vs iPhone 17: Battery Life

Apple's battery test clocked the iPhone 17e at up to 26 hours of video playback. The iPhone 17, despite its larger size, comes in at up to 30 hours. So the 17 does have the edge here, but the 17e's 26 hours is genuinely impressive and likely more than enough for most users.

Fast charging also differs slightly. The iPhone 17 can hit 50 percent in 20 minutes with a 40W adapter, while the 17e reaches 50 percent in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter. Both are MagSafe-enabled — a first for the budget line — but the 17 supports faster MagSafe charging at 25W versus the 17e's 15W.

If you spend any time online — regardless of whether you've wanted to — you've encountered AI. Whether AI is an interest or a concern, it's hard to avoid it either way. For those choosing to be a little more analog and spend more time with their head in a book rather than online, you may think you can easily avoid AI, but we have some bad news. AI is coming for your books, too.

AI-written books are flooding the e-book and audiobook markets on both Libby and the Kindle Store. Luckily, AI-narrated audiobooks are easy to spot once you know what to look for. E-books, on the other hand, that's when things get a little tricky. If you want to keep AI out of your Kindle or e-reader library, here's how to spot AI-generated e-books and audiobooks in the Kindle Store and beyond.

How to identify AI-written books

Identifying AI-written books requires a bit of sleuthing since that information isn't disclosed. Kindle Direct Publishing, the platform on which indie and self-published authors directly upload their books to the Kindle Store, does require authors to disclose if their book has AI-generated or -assisted content; however, that disclosure is not shared publicly.

So what are you to do? Here's how we recommend identifying AI-written books.

Search the author's name Investigating the author, Devendra Singh on GoodReads shows an expansive but certainly unrealistic collection of titles. Credit: Screenshot / GoodReads

If you find a book online and have your suspicions around AI, the best thing you can do is search the author's name. An internet search should direct you to a website or publisher information, but if the search isn't turning up anything, then it's probably AI.

Some AI-authored content does appear somewhat legit, with a GoodReads page, but look carefully at the listings. If the author seems to have a random assortment of titles or more published work than realistically possible, that's another sign that it's AI and not a person penning them.

Look for typos in the title and description "We do promise" and "We are promise to you" are the obvious signs of AI-written content. Credit: Screenshot / Amazon

A common tactic of AI-generated books is to copy popular titles, so if you're looking at a title and it seems a little off, then there's probably a reason for that. AI-written content often gives itself away with awkward phrasing and typos. Read through the title and descriptions carefully for errors, as that often means it's AI-generated and didn't get a human edit.

Examine the cover for AI-generated images We ran one of Devendra Singh's book covers through AI or Not, and it's likely AI-generated. Credit: Screenshot / AI or Not

If you don't want AI anywhere in your book, then you should also check the cover. AI art is getting a little too good these days, and because of that, you might not recognize it immediately. We've tested several tools to detect AI art, and AI or Not has an 80 percent success rate.

How to spot AI-read audiobooksCheck the narrator AI-narrated audiobooks will have virtual voice, digital voice, or synthesized voice listed narrator. Credit: Screenshot / Amazon

Even if a book isn't written with AI, that doesn't mean the audiobook is safe. AI-narrated audiobooks are becoming all too common, with Libby users spotting books with a digital voice or synthesized voice listed as the narrator. Unlike with AI authorship, AI narration is openly disclosed and easy to spot.

In the age of on-demand everything, it’s no surprise that we can get "dates" (and I use that term loosely) hot to go with the tap of a button. Thanks to classic hookup apps like Tinder and newcomers like Pure, finding a sexy new friend can be just as easy as ordering a pizza. As for the quality, well, that’s about the same as your pizza — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you're located, and how hungry you are.

Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you to the promised land, aka the best hookup apps.

I’ve spent the past three years (yes, years) researching, downloading, and testing dozens of the top dating apps to find the best ones for all kinds of daters, including the one-night-stand crowd. From discrete sexting apps to dating sites for serious relationships, I've swiped through them all. I also consulted a panel of sex and relationship experts to make sure my picks are solid.

How to get the most out of hookup apps

My number one rule is to be brutally honest about what you’re looking for. You’re here for a good time — so own it. That means staying in your lane; don't go looking for a one-night stand on an app like eharmony.

"Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions," Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, tells Mashable. "They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment."

And here's a little insider secret I picked up from Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai: Timing is everything. He found that people messaging on Tinder's "free tonight" feature after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher chance of hooking up.

So, whether you're looking for a one-night stand, a regular FWB situation, or just a space to explore your sexuality, I've got you covered. Based on all my hands-on testing and expert consultations, I’ve broken down the best hookup app for every type of person and mood.

Recent updates to this guide

• Hinge: Hinge just keeps getting better, so I’ve bumped it up higher on my list as of October 2025. Its user base is growing, and my own recent tests on the app have been surprisingly positive.

• Sniffies (added September 2025): I've added Sniffies, the map-based app for queer men, because it's been gaining a lot of traction. (It got a little too spicy for Apple and was pulled from the App Store, so it's now technically a dating site.) Don't say I didn't warn you about the NSFW content.

• FetLife (added September 2025): FetLife is my new favorite "Honorable Mention." It's not your typical hookup app; it's more of a social network for the kink community (and, oddly enough, the best hookup app for gamers). Just remember: it's a community, so don't treat it like Tinder.

Why some popular hookup apps didn't make the cut

You might notice a few apps that pop up in ads or other lists are missing here. That’s intentional. I swipe through the good, the bad, and the downright sketchy so you don’t have to. For an app to make my list, it has to be effective, safe, and worth your time.

Here's a shortlist of apps that didn't make the cut this year:

• Wild: You’ve probably seen ads for this one. On paper, Wild sounds like the perfect casual dating app. In practice, the paywalls are aggressive, the distance filter doesn't work, and you have to pay for anything that's even remotely useful. Unless you're willing to spend serious cash upfront (and hope for the best), the experience feels limited compared to more open apps like Tinder.

• DOWN: This app (formerly "Bang With Friends") is known for its simple "Get Down" vs. "Get Date" feature. It sounds clever, but in reality, the experience is messy at best. Many users report feeling scammed by subscriptions that don't deliver matches, or finding that the few real people on there are... let's say "odd." It’s hard to recommend an app when the main user complaint is "Is anyone real?" Hard pass.

• Facebook Dating: Yes, Facebook has a dating section, and it’s surprisingly massive (and completely free, which is huge). While it's a decent option for casual dating, the vibe tends to be a bit more "friends of friends" and "relationship-focused" than the anonymous, no-strings energy you get from apps like Pure or Feeld. (For Mashable's Chance Townsend, signing up was "the most uneventful dating experience" of his life.) It's worth a shot if you're already on Facebook, but it didn't quite crack my top tier for hookups specifically.

Apps I've cut from the list

• Plenty of Fish (removed January 2025): POF went through a rebrand recently, and honestly, I'm not impressed. My latest tests showed they got rid of key features like free messaging for non-matches, and I kept running into the same old profiles. At the end of the day, it just doesn't offer anything special that other apps aren't already doing better, so it's off the list.

• Match (removed August 2025): I know some people say they've found casual hookups on Match, but that's not what it's for. Match is where you go to find a serious, long-term relationship, and I still recommend it for that. But for a hookup? You're just fishing in the wrong pond, so I've removed it from this guide to avoid any confusion.

SAVE $500: As of March 4, Amazon has the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone on sale for 30% off at $1,099, down from its list price of $1,599. 

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo $1,099 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $500   Get Deal

If you’ve been wanting to upgrade your aerial photography setup, this week might be a great chance to do so. Amazon has DJI’s Mini 5 Pro on sale for almost a third off its list price, which is a pretty good deal. The Mini 5 Pro is an excellent sidekick for outdoor adventurers, aerial photography hobbyists, and professionals who want a compact, portable device.

The drone is palm-sized when folded and fits easily into a pocket. This model comes replete with 42GB of internal storage, so you can film your adventure or venture entirely uninterrupted. Its portability and compactness do not compromise its ability to capture high-quality video, either. As previously mentioned, the drone records 4k footage with a 60fps (frames per second) frame rate. DJI claims this drone will render your content in crisp, clear, highly defined detail.

The drone also comes with the DJI RC 2 (the remote control) that has a large screen in the center to see what you’re filming in real time. 

Buy the TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR glasses Best Deal RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR Glasses $249 (save $50 at Amazon) Shop Now Buy direct RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR Glasses $249 (save $50 at RayNeo) Shop Now Limited-Edition RayNeo Air 4 Pro × Batman Limited Edition $269 (save $50 at Amazon) Shop Now

TCL has finally released its RayNeo Air 4 Pro smart glasses, alongside two limited-edition Batman-themed models. These AR glasses are the world's first smart glasses with an HDR display, and they're designed for watching movies and playing video games. While most smart glasses are priced at $500 or more, the new RayNeo AR glasses are priced at $299, which could shake up this emerging market.

On top of that, early buyers can also save $50 when they purchase the glasses from TCL or Amazon, bringing the price to $249 for a limited time.

When TCL showed off its RayNeo Air 4 Pro smart glasses at CES 2026, I was impressed, and I wrote at the time that competitors like Xreal should be worried. Despite the relatively affordable price tag, the glasses have super-bright OLED displays that support HDR10, something never seen before in smart glasses. TCL describes them as "head-mounted TVs," and that's what they feel like.

I've been testing the glasses over the past few weeks, and overall, I'm still impressed, despite their quirks. Like other AR glasses, you connect them to a compatible laptop, smartphone, or gaming device via the included USB-C cable.

SEE ALSO: Hands-on: The RayNeo Air 4 Pro smart glasses are like wearing an OLED TV on my face Introducing the RayNeo Air 4 Pro smart glasses Take a look under the hood. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

The RayNeo Air 4 Pro smart glasses launched today. The base version is priced at $299, but TCL also released two limited-edition, Batman versions of the glasses, the Limited Justice and Limited Chaos Editions. The Batman glasses come with additional accessories like a Batman cowl that attaches to the frames; they have an MSRP of $319, though they're also discounted at launch to $269.

The RayNeo Air 4 Pro smart glasses have an impressive list of specs. While they're priced like a pair of budget smart glasses, they have a premium display.

• Style: Augmented reality smart glasses

• Display: 0.6-inch micro-OLED display

• Screen size: 201 inches

• Brightness: Up to 1,200 nits

• Resolution: 1920x1080 (3840x1080 for 3D)

• Refresh rate: Up to 120 Hz

• Color accuracy: ΔE

• Sound: Bang & Olufsen surround sound (4 speakers)

Using a Vision 4000 processor and dual OLED displays, the Air 4 Pro glasses can create a virtual screen up to 201 inches in size. I wore them to watch Mad Max: Fury Road and The Hobbit (not to mention countless YouTube videos), and the display is gorgeous, though it has some problems, too. As I noted in my initial review, the display has a flickering problem and lacks the 3D features Xreal recently introduced.

SEE ALSO: These color-changing sunglasses are like something out of a sci-fi movie Are the RayNeo Air 4 Pro smart glasses worth it? These AR/XR glasses have a huge price advantage over their rivals. Credit: TCL

If you're an early adopter looking to try out AR glasses, it's hard to argue with the $299 price tag. For reference, Xreal recently launched a more affordable version of its glasses called the Xreal 1S, priced at $449.

There's no doubt that the RayNeo Air 4 Pro smart glasses have a better display. The Xreal 1S has a peak brightness of 700 nits, compared to 1,200 with the RayNeo. In addition, the micro-OLED displays on the Air 4 Pro are noticeably more vibrant, ideal for watching movies and gaming.

However, before you get too excited, Xreal glasses still have some big advantages. First off, Xreal can project much larger virtual screens. You can also control the screen distance and angle for optimum viewing, and set the display to anchor in a specific spot in your eyeline or move with your head. There's no anchor feature with the RayNeo glasses.

If you're looking for AR glasses that can be used as a productivity tool, giving you an extra screen while you work, then Xreal is by far the better choice. But for entertainment, the Air 4 Pros are going to be hard to beat, especially for the price. If money is no object, then check out the ROG Xreal R1 AR Gaming Glasses.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR/XR Glasses $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro × Batman Limited Edition $269 at Amazon
$319 Save $50   Get Deal

Gas streams gush into the Milky Way's center and pile up into thick clouds, but for some reason, those ingredients don't materialize into as many stars as astronomers would expect.

An international team has mapped nearly the entire 650 light-year span of the galaxy's core to try to figure out why. Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array in Chile, the researchers took the most detailed image of its kind — and the facility's largest mosaic picture to date. The effort, called the ALMA Central Molecular Zone Exploration Survey, traces the cold gas and dust that fuel star birth in space.

The survey targets the so-called Central Molecular Zone, which contains tens of millions of times the sun's mass in dense material, surrounding the supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*. The region runs warmer and far more chaotic than most of the Milky Way's disk. By standard estimates, that much dense gas should produce stars at a steady pace. Instead, the region forms them about 10 times slower than predicted.

That mismatch has puzzled astronomers for years. Getting answers would inform how researchers understand galaxies more broadly, and the heart of the Milky Way offers the only galactic center close enough for this type of intricate study.

"It's a place of extremes, invisible to our eyes, but now revealed in extraordinary detail," said Ashley Barnes, a European Southern Observatory astronomer who helped obtain the new data, in a statement.

SEE ALSO: NASA no longer plans to land on the moon in the next Artemis mission

The researchers' findings are laid out in five papers accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, with a sixth on the way. 

The new survey stands out because prior ones forced a tradeoff. Some covered wide areas but blurred the small structures that matter most. Others zoomed in on a handful of clouds but lost sight of how those clouds connect to the bigger picture.

But the ALMA survey, called ACES for short, accomplishes both in one fell swoop. It reveals structures small enough to pinpoint dense clumps that could host developing stars — while still spanning almost the entire star-forming gas supply in the core.

The team also measured more than 70 chemical fingerprints in the gas, such as silicon monoxide, methanol, and acetone. Each responds to different physical conditions, so by comparing them, researchers can assess density, temperature, and motion, and identify where shocks ripple through clouds or where young stars add energy.

Those measurements allow scientists to trace how gas flows inward, where it bunches up, and where it finally collapses into stars. Or, where it fails to.

"The [core] hosts some of the most massive stars known in our galaxy, many of which live fast and die young," said ACES leader Steve Longmore, an astrophysics professor at Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom, in a statement. 

Several ALMA antennas in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile point toward the central regions of the Milky Way above. Credit: ESO / B. Tafreshi

Some of those enormous stars end their lives in hypernovas, sometimes called super-supernovas, Longmore said, releasing more than 10 times the energy of a normal supernova. Those colossal star explosions usually collapse into black holes and are thought to produce long gamma-ray bursts, the universe's most powerful explosions. 

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The researchers paired the observations with computer simulations that follow gas as it streams along the galactic bar, forms clouds, and reacts to radiation and explosions. They turn those simulations into mockups and compare them directly with the survey data to test which scenarios best match what they actually see.

Armed with the full data, the team will now probe where star formation switches on and off along the gas stream, whether certain orbital points trigger collapse, and how gravity and other factors compete to control the rate of star birth.

"We believe the region shares many features with galaxies in the early universe," Longmore said, "where stars were forming in chaotic, extreme environments."

How to live stream 2026 F1 for free at a glance: Best Apple TV Deal Apple TV 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Apple One Deal Apple One 30-day free trial Shop Now

This season of F1 is going to be really interesting. Every season of F1 has a number of fascinating storylines to follow, but due to a major set of regulation changes, there's so much uncertainty right now. And uncertainty can lead to exciting racing.

Lando Norris secured an incredible title victory on the final day of last season. Now the pressure is on McLaren to defend that title against a long list of talented drivers and motivated teams. Expect the likes of George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen to challenge for race wins this season. Ferrari and Mercedes look like the teams to beat after testing, but we won't know for sure until real racing gets underway.

If you are interested in watching F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is F1?

Formula One (F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars. A season consists of a series of races (Grands Prix) that take place in multiple countries and continents on either purpose-built circuits or closed public roads.

Lando Norris is the defending champion. McLaren won the Constructors Championship in 2025.

When is F1 in 2026?

The 2026 F1 season is the 77th edition of the championship. This year's championship features 24 Grands Prix events held all over the world between March and December:

1. Australian Grand Prix — March 8

2. Chinese Grand Prix — March 15

3. Japanese Grand Prix — March 29

4. Bahrain Grand Prix — April 12

5. Saudi Arabian Grand Prix — April 19

6. Miami Grand Prix — May 3

7. Canadian Grand Prix — May 24

8. Monaco Grand Prix — June 7

9. Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix — June 14

10. Austrian Grand Prix — June 28

11. British Grand Prix — July 5

12. Belgian Grand Prix — July 19

13. Hungarian Grand Prix — July 26

14. Dutch Grand Prix — Aug. 23

15. Italian Grand Prix — Sept. 6

16. Spanish Grand Prix — Sept. 13

17. Azerbaijan Grand Prix — Sept. 26

18. Singapore Grand Prix — Oct. 11

19. United States Grand Prix — Oct. 25

20. Mexico City Grand Prix — Nov. 1

21. São Paulo Grand Prix — Nov. 8

22. Las Vegas Grand Prix — Nov. 21

23. Qatar Grand Prix — Nov. 29

24. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — Dec. 6

It's important to note that these dates are only for race days. The Chinese, Miami, Canadian, British, Dutch, and Singapore GPs will host a sprint race.

How to watch F1 for free

In the U.S., F1 is now exclusive to Apple TV. An Apple TV subscription costs $12.99 per month or $99 per year, but it's possible to gain access to Apple TV without spending anything.

Apple TV Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV Apple TV (7-day free trial) Apple TV comes with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. This is a sneaky trick, but you could sign up to watch the next F1 race and then cancel your subscription before you need to spend anything. This obviously isn't a long-term fix, but it does give you the opportunity to live stream select F1 race weekends for free. Shop Now Apple One Opens in a new window Credit: Apple One Apple One (30-day free trial) Apple One bundles Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple News Plus, and 50GB of iCloud Storage for $19.95 per month after a one-month free trial. Time it right and this trial could provide access to up to four race weekends for free. You do need to be a new or returning subscriber to each of the included services to get the free trial. Shop Now

It's worth noting that the best Apple TV free-trial offer comes with purchases of new Apple devices. New subscribers can get three months of Apple TV for free after purchasing any eligible Apple product, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, or Apple TVs. This special offer goes live for 90 days after the new device is activated — that's a good chunk of the season.

TL;DR: Pick up a refurbished MacBook Air (2017) for $199.97 with free shipping — a reliable, budget-friendly Mac for everyday tasks.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 2017 (Refurbished) $199.97
$999 Save $799.03   Get Deal

Sometimes you don’t need the latest model — you just need a dependable laptop that gets the job done. This refurbished Apple MacBook Air (2017) is on sale for $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping, making it an easy pick for a secondary device, travel companion, or home-base computer.

Powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 128GB of flash storage, it’s well-suited for everyday tasks like web browsing, email, streaming, document editing, and light productivity work. The 13.3-inch display (1440×900 resolution) offers crisp visuals, and Intel HD Graphics 6000 handles video playback smoothly.

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One of its strongest features is battery life — up to 12 hours of typical use. That’s helpful whether you’re working remotely, studying at a café, or watching content on the go. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity keep things flexible, letting you connect to hotspots, accessories, and wireless peripherals without hassle.

Because it’s listed with a Grade A/B refurbished rating, you may see light cosmetic wear, but performance is tested and verified. For buyers who want Apple hardware without committing to four figures, this is a practical middle ground.

If you need an extra laptop for travel, work overflow, or home use, this MacBook Air keeps things simple — and affordable.

Get this refurbished MacBook Air (2017) for $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping while stock is still available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Beware: This English thriller brings dark humor to a setup that is absolutely the stuff of trashy true crime shows. 

Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough star as a married couple who, at a distance, might seem to have a blissful life in rural England. On their remote estate, a strong metal gate keeps the mad modern world at bay. Their big home has room enough for a master bedroom with a towering canopy bed, space for their young and lovely son nicknamed "Sunshine," a guest room for a live-in maid, and a roomy basement, perfect for doing laundry and crafting special projects. However, what former cop Chris and his fragile wife Kathryn are working on in the basement is anything but charming. 

SEE ALSO: Stephen Graham gives emotional acceptance speech for best actor at 2025 Emmys

Helmed by Polish filmmaker Jan Komasa, Heel has plot points in common with Pedro Almodóvar's disturbing psychological thriller The Skin I Live In, with the comedic cheek of a midnight movie. The result is something gnarly, but not quite great.

Wait, what's Heel about? 

As teased in the film's first promo image (up top), Heel follows the rehabilitation efforts Chris and his family inflict on Tommy (Anson Boon), a 19-year-old hooligan who's been exposing his reckless exploits on social media with no apparent consequence. 

Before we meet Chris' cozy and unconventional family, Heel thrusts us into Tommy's chaotic lifestyle. Across a night of partying, the blonde party boy indulges in clubs, drugs, public sex, and violence with a devil-may-care attitude that's less exhilarating and more nauseating. As he limps home, wobbly from embracing damn near every vice, a car lurks behind him, and someone dashes out to grab him. 

From there, Heel leaps to another figure who'll fall into this family's realm. An immigrant from Macedonia, Rina (Monika Frajczyk) is considering taking a cleaning job at Chris' home, even though his questions for her include whether or not she has any "distinguishing marks."

A flash in her eyes acknowledges this red flag, but her willingness to brush over it suggests she's got little other choice. From the moment she arrives at Chris and Kathryn's home, she becomes the audience surrogate, guiding us through the house and its more curious aspects, like the boy chained up by his neck in the basement.

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Anson Boon is fascinating as the central bad boy. 

There's a trace of Trainspotting in Tommy, specifically his "choose life" attitude that embraces debauchery over civility. Though chained up like a bad dog, he won't make it easy on his captors. Where Rina could be an ally, he's quick to spook her, which sparks a stern talking to from Chris. 

Who Tommy is to Chris and Kathryn is not immediately made clear. Their mission, however, is to break the boy until he's "good." Their methods range from the horrific to the comical. Sometimes Tommy's training involves watching videos about good etiquette created by Chris and his Sunshine (Kit Rakusen). Other times, violent means like a stun gun are brought into play. Acting as if he's being electrocuted is just the edge of the physicality demanded by Boon's role. And he gives every moment a feral intensity.  

As the family grows to trust in Tommy's slow but steady progress, they begin to literally lengthen his leash. This means Boon is sometimes battling the bondage, and other times finding ways to make it work for him. There's an alertness to his eyes that reveals he's not yet broken, even when he's playing nice to appease his captors. Tommy is ferociously alive, and through this, he influences all in the house to embrace something wild in themselves, be it rediscovering their sex drive, their joy, or their curiosity of a world beyond the gates. 

Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough make an odd couple forged in hell. 

Graham is a fantastic bit of casting, as the English actor has played an array of tough guys in productions like Gangs of New York, This Is England, Public Enemies, and A Thousand Blows. More recently, however, he wowed critics and audiences by playing the heartbroken and volatile father in Netflix's harrowing crime mini-series Adolescence. Now, in Heel, Graham is doggedly gentle — until he's not. 

Chris certainly prefers the carrot to the stick when it comes to discipline. But the very casting of Graham warns the audience that wielding the stick is inevitable. This threat of violence is echoed in the trembling eyes of his son, whose cheerfulness can snap to terror like a light switch. What's happened in this house before Tommy's arrival may not be spoken, but through the interactions of father and son, it's clear enough. 

Yet Riseborough's role is even more unnerving. At the film's start, she has a boy in her basement and a young woman cleaning her family's mess while she stares out a window, silent and dressed like a Victorian ghost in long, silky white nightgowns. But as Tommy progresses, she blooms like belladonna, donning more modern attire, speaking up, and even delivering her own brand of parenting in soft but stinging tones. 

So, none of this sounds all that funny, right? Well, Heel's sense of humor is determinedly dark. Its laughs come mostly from where the absurdity of Chris' plan collides with Tommy's no-fucks-to-give attitude. On the whole, the film's more funny as in strange than funny as in humorous. 

This becomes a bit of an issue as Komasa approaches the film's wild resolution. The ending, while properly disturbing, feels frustratingly unearned, perhaps because the restrained approach to its visual style doesn't support such an outrageous outcome.

The wardrobe and look of the family and their house are tweaked slightly from standard to seem almost a caricature of a happy family. Chris' hair is meticulously combed, his shirt buttoned, jeans pressed, glasses unsmudged, even as he's just directing the delinquent in his basement. Kathryn's attire, meanwhile, gives a sense of Grey Gardens without the funky whiff of decay. Subtle visual clues hint that this family is freaky. But if Komasa had pushed their strangeness more in visuals, his twisted ending might have felt better suited, instead of a bit of a cheat. 

Still, if you're seeking funky and fucked-up entertainment, Heel should scratch that late-night movie itch. 

Heel opens in theaters and on demand on March 6.

UPDATE: Jan. 12, 2026, 3:48 p.m. "Heel" was reviewed out of its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. At the time, the film was called "Good Boy." This review has been republished with the updated title and release information.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free on Tele Rebelde, Tubi, or Venevision. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Spring Training is underway for the new MLB season. That's incredibly exciting news for baseball fans, but there's more: The 2026 World Baseball Classic is here to deliver weeks of top-quality international action from around the world.

Expect the USA and Japan to battle it out in the latter stages of this competition. USA lost in the 2023 final to Japan. That final will always be remembered for Japan's Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout in the ninth inning to seal the game. Can Ohtani lead Japan to glory once again? Or will USA bounce back to win its first title since 2017? You can follow all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the World Baseball Classic?

The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation. In 2026, the tourmant is organized into four pools of five teams. Teams will compete in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout rounds.

Japan are the defending champions.

When is the 2026 World Baseball Classic?

The 2026 World Baseball Classic will take place from March 5-17. Pool rounds will be played in Miami, Houston, San Juan, and Tokyo. The quarter finals will be split between Miami and Houston. The semi finals and the final will be played in Miami.

How to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is available to live stream for free on a number of platforms:

• Cuba — Tele Rebelde

• USA — Tubi (six games from the pool stage)

• Venezuela — Venevision

These streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can access for free with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock free streaming sites from anywhere in the world.

Access free World Baseball Classic live streams by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to 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 a location with access

4. Visit Tele Rebelde, Tubi, or Venevision

5. Live stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 World Baseball Classic before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for live sport?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free with ExpressVPN.

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: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, March 4, 2026:

AcrossAny mentee of Yoda

• The answer is Jedi.

Plow pullers

• The answer is Oxen.

Animal in the family Mephitidae, which comes from the Latin for "stink"

• The answer is Skunk.

Scotsman's wear

• The answer is Kilt.

Sections of a play

• The answer is Acts.

DownNikola ___, three-time N.B.A. M.V.P. (2021, 2022 and 2024)

• The answer is Jokic.

Jump for joy

• The answer is Exult.

Auto body issues

• The answer is Dents.

Tattoos, informally

• The answer is Ink.

Music similar to reggae

• The answer is Ska.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

SAVE $55: As of March 4, the Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones are on sale for $124.95 at Amazon. That's a 31% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: SHOKZ Shokz OpenRun Pro $124.95 at Amazon
$179.95 Save $55.00   Get Deal

Running is a wonderfully accessible sport. It doesn’t require an expensive membership or lots of pricey gear, all you need is a good pair of trainers and the will to get out the door. But one thing that makes running infinitely more enjoyable is music (or a good podcast). While this is a great motivational tool, if your headphones are blocking out other sounds around you, this can be dangerous. 

This is where Shokz OpenRun Pro comes in. These are bone-conducting headphones that transmit sound through your cheekbones directly to your inner ear, leaving your ears open to hear traffic, other runners, or your surroundings in general. And as of March, they’re on sale at Amazon for $55 less, down to $124.95. They’re available in a range of colors too, including beige, black, blue, and pink.

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These offer a lightweight, open-ear designed for comfort and a secure fit during any workout, specifically running (the clue is in the name). They feature a wraparound titanium frame that helps them to stay in place and deliver clear sound at the same time. 

The battery life is impressive too, promising to last up to 10 hours of listening. Plus, if you need to head out the door in a hurry, a quick 5-minute charge will give you 1.5 hours of use.

Get this headphones deal at Amazon now.

SAVE OVER $40: As of March 4, the Dreame L10s Ultra is on sale for $299.98 at Amazon. That's a 12% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame L10s Ultra $299.98 at Amazon
$339.99 Save $40.01   Get Deal

Smart home tech is constantly advancing. Whether it’s setting schedules for your lights or a TV that turns on when you enter the room, technology can actually produce products that make our lives easier. But none top the humble robot vacuum, a device that takes floor cleaning fully off our hands. And if you've been looking for a great model to take over such a task, check out this latest Amazon deal on the Dreame L10s Ultra.

As of March 4, this robot vacuum and mop combo is down to $299.98. According to camelcamelcamel, this is only $15 away from its best-ever price.

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With this robot vacuum, you'll really have little work to do. It has a DualBoost 2.0 auto-empty base that can hold up to 60 days of debris, so you don't even need to empty it often. On top of that, the dock refills the water tank and adds cleaning solution as needed.

It's powerful too, with a strong 5,300Pa suction that can handle both hard floors and carpets with ease, even lifting mop pads when needed. And no stain is a match for the dual rotary mops that spin with firm pressure to scrub floors effectively. The control is a breeze too. Everything can be managed through the app, from maps and setting no-go zones to scheduling a clean.

Ready to put your feet up and let the robot do the work? Get this limited-time vacuum deal from Amazon now.

With billions of users worldwide, Instagram is arguably the most popular photo sharing platform. With the ability to share posts, reels, and 24-hour stories, Instagram allows everyone and anyone to share snippets of their lives. The top accounts on the platform, primarily belonging to celebrities, show just how much we love to see the daily goings-on in lives different from our own.

Ever wondered who holds the top spot for the most followers? Here are the 10 most-followed people on Instagram, according to Social Blade.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 672 million followers

The most followed person on Instagram is none other than Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. At the time of writing, Ronaldo has amassed a whopping 667 million followers. Unsurprisingly, his posts mostly theme around football and his current team, Al Nassr. Ronaldo also holds the record for most liked Instagram comment when he wrote on Kylian Mbappé's Real Madrid announcement post "my turn (to watch)."

2. Lionel Messi – 511 million followers

Sticking with the footballer theme, the second most followed account belongs to Inter Miami CF player, Lionel Messi. His account also features mostly football content, sharing glimpses into life on and off the pitch. His most liked post is a series of photos celebrating Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup win.

3. Selena Gomez – 415 million followers

Actress, musician, and founder of cosmetics brand Rare Beauty, Selena Gomez is up next on the list. She shares career highlights, Rare Beauty promotions, and glimpses into her daily life, making her one of the most-followed celebrities on the platform.

4. Kylie – 391 million followers

The first of the Jenner-Kardashian clan to feature is Kylie. As of March 30, she has amassed an unbelievable 393 million followers. Her posts regularly give us an insight into her life, her Kylie Cosmetics empire, and family life with her two adorable children. Kylie previously held the record for the most liked photo on Instagram, a picture of her newborn daughter Stormi. However, she later lost this position to a photo of an egg (yes, an egg...).

5. Dwayne Johnson – 390 million followers

If you need motivation, The Rock's Instagram is your go-to. Dwayne Johnson’s Instagram followers are given a regular insight into his fitness routine, movie projects, and personal life. He shares workout clips with the sets and reps listed out for you to try at home, if you're feeling brave.

6. Ariana Grande – 371 million followers

The star of recent Wicked fame is number 6 on our list. An incredible singer and actress, Ariana Grande also holds Instagram-follower fame. Recent content has, of course, been heavily influenced by the recent release of Wicked, with the Oscar-nominated actress sharing behind-the-scenes images with co-star Cynthia Erivo.

7. Kim Kardashian – 353 million followers

Kim Kardashian's Instagram account is as aesthetic as her. It's full of glimpses of her Skims brand, family life and various other collaborations. Fashion is definitely a strong theme of her posts, and you can expect some serious glam envy.

8. Beyoncé – 307 million followers

Another musician to make the list is Beyoncé. Hot off a successful awards season for her latest album, Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé's Instagram account is the perfect insight for fans. Posts regularly include her latest Levi's partnership, her new fragrance release, and of course, awards season success.

9. Khloé Kardashian – 299 million followers

Number 9 on the most followed list is Khloé Kardashian. Another insight into the Kardashian-Jenner family, Khloe's posts are primarily wholesome family shots.

10. Justin Bieber - 292 million followers

Justin Bieber takes the 10th spot on the most followed people on Instagram. The musician recently surprised fans with the release of another album, entitled Swag II.