Technology

It used to be that Android didn't have a proper competitor to AirTags, but with the rollout of the Find My Device network, there's been a slow flood of genuinely great Android trackers. Still, Eufy has kept us in the dark about its upcoming Find My Device trackers, but we now have some clarification about them.

SAVE $20: As of Jan. 31, get Alan Wake II Deluxe Edition for PlayStation 5 for $59.99, down from its usual price of $79.99. That's a discount of 25%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Alan Wake II Deluxe Edition $59.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

If you've been searching for a great game to play, there's certainly no shortage. But if you want the cream of the crop, we can always recommend some of our favorites. In 2023, we named Remedy Entertainment's Alan Wake II our Game of the Year, and for good reason. It's still very much a fantastic game that everyone should play, especially when you can get it for a great price.

As of Jan. 31, get Alan Wake II Deluxe Edition for PlayStation 5 for $59.99. That's $20 off its normal price of $79.99 and a discount of 25%. This deal is for a physical edition of the game, so you'll have to wait to get it shipped to you to play.

This version of the game is everything you need to enjoy the Alan Wake lore from beginning to end, including the Alan Wake Remastered digital edition and every expansion currently available for the game. So if you haven't played the first game and want to get in on the action, this is the best and most convenient way to do it.

Alan Wake II is the follow-up to 2010's Alan Wake and picks up right where the first game left off. This psychological thriller follows FBI Agent Saga Anderson on a trip to Bright Falls, Washington to find out what's going on behind a string of strange murders. She ends up meeting with tortured writer Alan Wake as he works to fight his way out of the Dark Place, or out from the bottom of Cauldron Lake.

This is a game that'll suck you in and keep you there for a while, so get ready to be fully immersed. And you'll want to brush off your dancing shoes for one major epic moment later in the game. Just trust us on this.

The Minimal Phone is a crowdfunded smartphone featuring an E-Ink display and a physical QWERTY keyboard, kind of like a modernized BlackBerry—minus the color.

SAVE $100: As of Jan. 31, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is available at Amazon for $399, down from $499. That's a 20% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Beam Gen 2 $399.00 at Amazon
$499.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

PSA: You don’t have to go to the movies to be at the theater. With the right soundbar, you can transform your living room or bedroom (no judgment) into a home theater that’s so good your neighbors will be lining up for tickets.

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is currently on sale for $399 at Amazon. That’s a 20% discount and $100 off the list price. It’s also totally worth it — my parents have this exact soundbar, and, let me tell you, the sound quality is downright cinematic. (We typically use it for music and parties, not just movie nights.)

SEE ALSO: The best weatherproof and wireless outdoor speakers in 2025

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is compact and can fit just about anywhere, but it delivers full, rich audio thanks to its Dolby Atmos support and 200-watt power output. You can connect it to other devices like your phone or computer via Bluetooth or use the Sonos app to stream music, podcasts, and more.

If you already have more than one Sonos speaker, the app lets you create a whole-home audio system by grouping speakers to play the same tunes throughout the house or setting them up in different rooms to play different content. (If you’re watching a thriller, having multiple speakers really intensifies the experience).

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Jan. 31: OUR TOP PICK Sonos Beam Gen 2 $399 (save $100) Get Deal BEST BLUETOOTH SPEAKER DEAL Sony ULT Field 1 $98 (save $31.99) Get Deal BEST SECURITY CAMERA DEAL Google Nest Floodlight Cam $229.99 (save $50) Get Deal BEST STREAMING DEVICE DEAL Roku Express $17.99 (save $12) Get Deal BEST SMART SPEAKER DEAL Sonos Era 100 $199 (save $50) Get Deal

Not every deal you see on Amazon is actually a deal. Sometimes listing prices are inflated and other times an item has been sitting at its "sale" price for months on end. If you're looking to score some deals that are actually worth grabbing, stick with us. We've sorted through the chaos of Amazon's daily deals pages and handpicked a few impressive discounts we think are worth it on Jan. 31.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If these aren't getting the job done, check out our picks from Jan. 29 and Jan. 30. Many of those deals are still live, including 50% off our favorite budget earbuds and $100 off the most powerful iPad.

Our top pick: Sonos Beam Gen 2 Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Beam Gen 2 $399.00 at Amazon
$499.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

Our favorite soundbar to pair with your TV, the Sonos Beam Gen 2, is back on sale for just $399 — that's $100 or 20% in savings. The second-generation soundbar improves on all of the things we already loved about the first-generation Beam, which Mashable tech reporter Raymond Wong said "hits the sweet spot on price, design, sound quality, and features." The upgraded model features a new grill, a better processor, and Dolby Atmos compatibility to its already immersive sound, convenient voice assistant support, and spectacular clarity.

Sony ULT Field 1 Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 1 $98.00 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $31.99 Get Deal

Mashable's shopping and reviews editor Miller Kern took the Sony ULT Field 1 for a spin and found its sound quality, customizable EQs, and bass-pumping ULT setting to be particularly impressive selling points. While the battery life could be a little bit better, ultimately, she gave the Bluetooth speaker a glowing 4.5 out of 5 stars. It's usually $129.99, but as of Jan. 31, it's on sale at Amazon for just under $100. That's 25% in savings.

Read our full review of the Sony ULT Field 1.

Google Nest Floodlight Cam Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Nest Floodlight Cam $229.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Want to shine a brighter light on what's happening around your home when you're away or asleep? The Google Nest Floodlight Cam is a solid option (particularly for dedicated Google users) and is on sale for $50 off as of Jan. 31. It packs all of the same features as the Google Nest Cam, but adds super bright LED floodlights and 180-degree motion detection that can identify who or what is outside your home. Its built-in intelligence feature sends you alerts through the Google Home app to let you know if there's a person, animal, or vehicle approaching — no subscription required.

Roku Express Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Express $17.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $12.00 Get Deal

As our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) noted in their review, "If you still have a 1080p TV, the Roku Express is one of the most economical ways to breathe new life into it with streaming apps and services." The HD streamer plugs into your TV for easy setup and gives you access to hundreds of free channels on the Roku platform, as well as all of your favorite streaming apps. If you have a 4K TV, you'll probably want to grab the Roku Express 4K+ instead, but for non-4K TV owners looking for a budget option, this is your best bet. Snag it on sale for only $17.99 — that's 40% in savings and less than a dollar away from its best price ever.

Sonos Era 100 Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Era 100 $199.00 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal

If you're looking for a smart speaker to fill up your home with high-quality sound, the Sonos Era 100 is a great pick. It replaced the Sonos One (which we loved) in 2023 and brought a few major upgrades, including refreshed controls on top with a capacitive volume control and voice assistant control. It also has a taller build and added two tweeters to produce stereo sound on its own. It's regularly $249, but you can save 20% as of Jan. 31 and get it for $199.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

Before this week, I couldn't pronounce "axolotl," let alone sing it. But a viral TikTok song called "Ask an Axolotl" has changed everything.

In case you missed it, TikTokker @doctor_waffle posted a video with an adorable song about an axolotl — a pinkish salamander-looking amphibian — and a penguin. Doctor Waffle (LOL, great name) accompanies the song with cute scenes involving a plastic axolotl and penguin. The TikTok and song follow the adventures of an axolotl doing different activities around a doll house, with the penguin interrupting. 

This kind of video is a staple of Doctor Waffle's page, but this particular song went quite viral, racking up about 16 million views within a few days of it being posted.

Give it a look and listen.

Cute, right? "Ask an Axolotl" is catchy and sweet, and it quickly found its audience on TikTok.

TikTok user @idroppedmyspaghetti noted that the song kept him from crashing out, which seems to be a popular sentiment on the app.

Or there was @thechromaticmusicteacher covering it.

And, wonderfully, @datzwhaticallmusic had their student choir sing it. Doctor Waffle even commented on the TikTok, calling it "SO cool!"

Look around TikTok, and you'll see many folks enjoying the song. It is especially calming if you're feeling anxious and certainly catchy enough to remember. As commenters have pointed out, it's gentle parenting at its finest.

Mashable reached out to Doctor Waffle for comment and will update the story if we receive a response.

But for now, it's neat to know that people around the world have not only discovered what an axolotl is, but they're also happily singing about it being on their front stairs.

SPEND $35, SAVE $10: As of Jan. 31, spend $35 on select groceries at Amazon and get $10 off your order. The discount is automatically applied at checkout.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Spend $35 on select groceries, get $10 off Get Deal

Hate going to the grocery store? Here's the good news: with all the delivery options available these days, you don't really have to anymore. Amazon is one such retailer that can deliver all the things you need to you on a regular basis, including some of those pantry staples you have in your home like baby food, coffee creamer, Nesquik, and other goodies. And if you'd like to save some money on those things that you buy regularly, now's a good time to place an order.

As of Jan. 31, spend $35 on select groceries at Amazon and save $10 on your order. Just visit the promotion page and begin adding groceries to your cart. As you do so, you'll see a bar at the top of the page filling up. Once it's full, you're eligible for your $10 discount. The deal is only applicable on items available on the promotional page, and it's only good on items that are fulfilled by Amazon or "Prime Eligible".

There's a wide range of items on offer, from a host of Gerber baby food and meals to packaged pasta dinners and coffee creamer. You can save big on these items across the board, and there are a few other items on sale to choose from as well. There's plenty to purchase, but you only get one shot at $10 off your $35 order, so choose wisely when shopping. Now you can enjoy your weekend without having to trudge out into the cold for groceries.

SAVE $12: As of Jan. 31, you can snag an Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite for just $17.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount and a $12 price cut.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite $17.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $12.00 Get Deal

If you’re looking for a way to stream all your favorite shows and movies wherever you are, a Fire Stick could be just the thing you need. With an Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite, you’ll have access to thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa-enabled features, so you can turn any TV into a smart TV (which means you can use it at your grandparents’, the in-laws', or even a hotel room). And it costs less than a lunch out right now.

As of Jan. 31, grab an Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite for just $17.99 at Amazon. That’s 40% off the list price, a $12 price cut, and just $3 from its lowest price ever ($14.99 in 2022).

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Jan. 31, 2025)

The Fire TV Stick Lite is Amazon’s most budget-friendly TV streaming stick, but it still has everything you’d need to watch your faves, including 300K+ free movies and TV episodes from apps like Tubi, Pluto TV, and others. (I love the classics channel on Pluto TV.) It’s also super easy to set up and stays hidden behind the TV if you prefer a cleaner look.

Of course, you’ll need active subscriptions or accounts for services like Netflix, Hulu, etc., to stream their content, but the Fire Stick makes it all accessible. Plus, you can use the Alexa voice remote to find and control what you’re watching.

If you're looking for a simple way to upgrade your on-the-go TV viewing experience, this is a great way to do it on a budget.

Toyota is one of the biggest automakers in the world, selling millions of cars worldwide. They have built their reputation on reliability and value, delivering solid vehicles that are all but guaranteed to last. However, they have relatively recently started slowly breaking away from this rep.

Sharing files between Linux and Windows can sometimes feel challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Several reliable methods exist, whether transferring files over a network, using a dual-boot setup, or simply moving a few documents.

Last January, Google laid off hundreds of employees. Now, as January 2025 draws to a close, Google is cutting workers in a slightly different manner.

Google SVP of Devices and Services Rick Osterloh sent a memo to members of Google's Platform & Devices team offering voluntary buyouts, 9to5Google reported. Employees who choose to take the buyouts will receive some sort of severance package, but 9to5Google's reporting didn't include hard details on what exactly would be offered to those workers. It's also unknown if Google is looking to shed a certain number of workers at this time.

SEE ALSO: Google Maps will rename Gulf of Mexico to America following Trump's order

It should be noted that this isn't a company-wide offer. It only applies to Platforms & Services, a new division created just last year that combined the previously separate teams behind software like Android and Chrome with the people who make hardware like Pixel phones and Nest devices. Those who work on things like Google search and the company's growing AI efforts are apparently safe.

While offering voluntary severance is inarguably more humane than simply axing hundreds of people, the end result is the same: Google's hardware and software team is about to get smaller, which might mean more work piled onto fewer people.

SAVE $200: As of Jan. 31, you can pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) for $1,299.99 and get a $200 on the house.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) + $200 Amazon gift card $1,299.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $200.00 Pre-Order Here

If you’re trying to decide if upgrading to the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is worth it, Amazon is offering a $200 incentive to customers who pre-order it right now.

As of Jan. 31, customers who pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) at Amazon will receive a $200 gift card. The only caveat is that the phone doesn’t officially go on the market until Feb. 7, and the gift card is a physical card, so you’ll have to wait for your new phone to arrive before you can use the gift card. Even so, that’s still a pretty good deal for the newest generation of Samsung’s flagship smartphone.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: 3 things potentially worth the upgrade

The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, which, according to Mashable’s Alex Perry, is noticeably faster than the previous generation. It also has several new AI features, including what Samsung is calling the “Now Brief.” This widget sits on your home screen and delivers info it thinks you’d be interested in, like the weather, news stories, and upcoming calendar events.

“While I am as much of an AI hater as anyone (largely due to its destructive environmental impact), I'll admit that there's some use to this,” Perry writes in his first-take review. “Being able to quickly see what kind of weather the day will bring, as well as what it is that I have to do that day and what's happening in the news, is convenient. Could I also easily do all of this myself with about 30 seconds of Google searching? Absolutely. But this is slightly more convenient, if nothing else.”

TL;DR: Live stream France vs. Wales in the 2025 Six Nations for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Six Nations is starting with an absolutely massive match between France and Wales. Sure, Wales are going through a particularly tough time right now. But they could turn things around in Paris.

If you want to watch France vs. Wales in the 2025 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is France vs. Wales?

France vs. Wales in the 2025 Six Nations starts at 8:15 p.m. GMT on Jan. 31. This fixture takes place at the Stade de France.

How to watch France vs. Wales for free

France vs. Wales in the 2025 Six Nations is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of France vs. Wales 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 the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Live stream France vs. Wales for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch France vs. Wales without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this game before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream France vs. Wales in the 2025 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE 53%: On Jan. 31, a gallon of Frank's RedHot Sauce is on sale for $7 at Amazon. This deal saves you 53% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Frank's Frank's RedHot Sauce (Gallon) $7.00 at Amazon
$14.98 Save $7.98 Get Deal

Are you one of those people who throws hot sauce on just about anything? We're talking to the real hot sauce fanatics here, because there are those who like the occasional drizzle, and then there are those who wouldn't think twice about picking up a literal gallon of Frank's RedHot Sauce.

As of Jan. 31, a gallon of the good stuff is on sale for $7 at Amazon. This limited-time offer saves you 53% on list price. And according to the price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest-ever price for this item.

SEE ALSO: Macy's has Ninja kitchen appliances on sale for up to 50% off in time for the big game

We get that not everyone will want this much hot sauce. It's a lot. We understand that.

But a quick glance at the reviews reveals a large contingent of dedicated hot sauce lovers who appreicate having a gallon of Frank's RedHot Sauce ready to go at all times. It doesn't need to live on your kitchen counter. You can just keep it in the back, like a dirty little secret. And then portion it out over the weeks, months, or years. Or days, if you really love the stuff.

Save 53% on Frank's RedHot Sauce at Amazon.

FREE SLURPEE: On Jan. 31, 7-Eleven is giving away a free Slurpee drink to customers. This special offer is only valid on small drinks and is limited to one drink per person. Check participating locations here.

Opens in a new window Credit: 7-Eleven 7-Eleven: Free Slurpee on Jan. 31 Learn More

Stop what you're doing immediately, because we have a very important announcement to make: 7-Eleven is celebrating the end of January by giving away free Slurpees for one day only (Jan. 31). This is not a drill. Cancel your plans and head directly to your nearest participating store. That delicious Slurpee is waiting for you.

The catch is that each customer can get only one free small Slurpee, while supplies last. But that's still something for nothing, which we absolutely love. You don't get much for free these days, so when we see something like this, we want to shout about it.

SEE ALSO: Macy's has Ninja kitchen appliances on sale for up to 50% off in time for the big game

You shouldn't still be reading this article. You should be running down the street in a desperate pursuit of that free drink. You should be sprinting as fast as your legs can take you, yelling incoherently because your body has entered some sort of Slurpee-induced craze. You should be sweating heavily from the effort, comforted by the knowledge that your insatiable thirst will soon be quenched. You're almost there now. We can see you. You're going to make it.

The last thing we want is for you to arrive after supplies have run dry. Grab your free Slurpee from 7-Evelen on Jan. 31.

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

The online world is full of frustrating restrictions that can get in the way of a good time.

Your access to your favorite porn sites is not always guaranteed. There's probably a good reason for this, but there is something to be said for retaining your online freedom. Fortunately, there is a simple hack that can bypass geo-restrictions to unblock porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world.

If you're looking for the best way to Xnxx for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Xnxx for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions to access porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world.

Unblock porn sites like Xnxx by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 that supports access to Xnxx

4. Access Xnxx from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Xnxx without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when temporarily away from home.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the best service for fast and reliable unblocking of porn sites like Xnxx, 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

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock Xnxx for free with ExpressVPN.

As likely to make you go "aww" as "ugh," Heart Eyes is a bloody valentine to both rom-coms and horror with affection for these seemingly disparate genres. Directed by Werewolves Within and Scare Me's Josh Ruben, this is a gushy movie in both meanings of the word: You get all the mushy tropes of a sweet romance coupled with plenty of gurgling stabbings and arterial sprays. I'm not sure exactly how many moviegoers fit in the Venn diagram of loving both of these things (other than me), but Heart Eyes is a gory good time for those who are likely to swipe right on an off-kilter love story and a horror comedy. 

Heart Eyes doesn't reinvent the well-traveled wheel for either type of film. It's less indebted to a specific romantic comedy as it is the genre as a whole, paying homage to a litany of modern classics in a name-dropping monologue and to Golden-era ones with scenes from His Girl Friday playing in the background. However, its horror influences are clearer. This movie owes a lot to My Bloody Valentine in its premise, but boy, is it deep in hock to Scream, even beyond the casting of Mason Gooding who starred in the series rebootquel and Scream VI. 

Heart Eyes crosses romance movie tropes with horror movie kills. 

Here the actor plays Jay, a marketing whiz who has a meet-cute with Ally (Olivia Holt, Cloak & Dagger) in a coffee shop where they bond over their shared overly complicated coffee order. But after they bump heads (literally) in the cafe, she soon learns that he is the freelancer hired to save the day when Ally's death-centric jewelry ad campaign feels a bit too relevant to consumers. Today is February 14, and the Heart Eyes Killer has murdered numerous couples for the third Valentine's Day in a row, so people on the internet feel like her concept is insensitive. Ally is charged with coming up with a new campaign by her boss (You Hurt My Feelings' Michaela Watkins, doing an inexplicable but enjoyable Southern accent), since the commercial is getting torn to shreds by commenters.  

To salvage the brand (and Ally's career), Jay invites Ally to a working dinner on the most romantic night of the year at one of Seattle's nicest restaurants. Unfortunately, while there they catch the eye of the Heart Eyes Killer, even while insisting they're not on a date. This non-couple with enviable chemistry is stalked across the city, as Heart Eyes leaves a trail of bloody bodies while Ally and Jay get to know each other beyond first-date banter.

Gooding and Holt make for a cute couple, even if there's not much beneath the surface of their characters. 

Yet we don't ever get to know them because there's not much to these characters: Ally is a cynic who hates romance (because of trauma) and paper straws (because of sogginess), while Jay is a big ol' softy (also because of trauma) trapped in a hard body (because of Hollywood). The script is pretty predictable in its arc, given how formulaic the two genre pools it's playing in often are. It's also easy to guess the identity of Heart Eyes if you're paying just a little bit of attention. (And if you're not, Heart Eyes calls additional attention to a telling detail with a delightfully groan-worthy gag.)

But even with those issues, Heart Eyes is a blast. It's often shriekingly funny while also being pretty disgusting (complimentary). The kills are creative, though I wish the red-band trailer didn't give away one of its more inventive offings, but at least you were warned of what you were in for. Heart Eyes isn't that frightening, other than a few jump scenes, but it is nicely nasty in its volume of violence and viscera. It really earns its R rating. 

Heart Eyes may be a rom-com at heart, but it primarily takes its cues from Scream and Happy Death Day.  Credit: Christopher Moss / Screen Gems

Heart Eyes has a similar vibe to the Scream movies, with its masked slasher, winking jokes, and cheeky tone. A pair of horror stars from the '90s and '00s — Final Destination's Devon Sawa and The Faculty's Jordana Brewster — have co-starring roles, which seems like a page out of Scream's playbook too. Heart Eyes also feels of a piece with Happy Death Day and Freaky in their energy, which makes sense since its screenplay was written by Happy Death Day's Christopher Landon and his Freaky co-writer Michael Kennedy, as well as Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard co-writer Phillip Murphy. It's not as good as Happy Death Day (because few things are), but it's better than Freaky. There's a sense of glee amidst all the gore, and it isn't only from watching this could-be couple fall in love amidst all the death and destruction. You can tell these sickos (again, complimentary) had a good time making this movie, and it's an equally good time for the audience from the moment the sappy strains of Lonestar's "Amazed" play during the first kill scene.

SEE ALSO: What to watch: Best horror movies

The music and sound work here are solid, contributing to the film's twisted sense of humor and horror. Outkast's "Happy Valentine's Day" plays over a less-than-cheery montage, while David Gray's "This Year's Love" sets a wistful tone amidst all the carnage. The sound team also ably captures all the squishes and squelches of the action, both on screen and off, and Heart Eyes is audibly menacing with heavy breathing and thudding footfalls. 

Heart Eyes simultaneously has a mean streak and a soft heart, which is rare enough for an entry in the horror genre to feel a little special. Ally and Jay — and Holt and Gooding — are good together, and you're rooting for them not just to survive the night but to make it as a couple. This isn't a swooning romance (unless you're easily grossed out and likely to faint), but it's sweet enough when it counts to balance out the ickier bits. 

Heart Eyes opens in theaters Feb. 7.

At first glance, there's just something off about Iris and Josh, the cute couple at the heart of Companion. Maybe it's the slight age gap, between the bright-eyed twenty-something (Yellowjackets' Sophie Thatcher) and the smirking thirty-something (Star Trek: Lower Decks' Jack Quaid). That could be why Iris gets side-eye from Josh's snarling friend Kat (Never Have I Ever's Megan Suri). Or perhaps it's the endless fawning and naïveté from the young woman, who dresses in outfits pastel, prim, and topped with a hair bow, as if she's an American Girl Doll. It's a mystery set up in the film's first act, but the reveal of why Iris is the way she is just the initial twist in this sick and satisfying thrill ride.

Much like deliciously bonkers horror comedies Ready or Not and Abigail, Companion has an explosive premise that is sure to attract audiences — if they already know what it is. Hence the movie trailers that give away the twist at the end of act one. And while I'd recommend seeing any of the above as clueless as you can, their plots are not the most thrilling thing about them. Like Radio Silence's successful duo of gnarly romps, Companion, from writer/director Drew Hancock, takes its riveting premise into a rich terrain of twisted turns embedded with smart and sick humor. The result is a rollicking thrill ride that's as spiked with surprises and gore as it is sharp punchlines.

Companion hits where fear of intimacy and tech collide. Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Iris is a hopeless romantic, who sees her picture-perfect meet-cute with Josh over oranges in a charming grocery store as proof they are made for each other. She wants nothing more than to be his perfect partner, eager to please him and his snarky friends over a weekend getaway at a remote cabin in the mountains.

Iris' desperation to impress instantly riles Kat, but amuses Kat's forty-something sugar daddy Sergey (Rupert Friend), whose thick Russian accent, ropey facial scar, and swanky vacation house suggest he is a man of means...and maybe menace. More welcoming toward Iris is jovial Eli (What We Do in the Shadows' Harvey Guillén) and his chef boyfriend Patrick (Road House's Lucas Gage), who relishes the opportunity to cook for the group.

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It should be a pleasant weekend among friends, but things go homicidally awry when one reveler presses their luck with Iris and winds up very dead. Covered in blood and panicked, Iris appeals to the others for help. In response, she is offered a rude awakening: Iris is a robot companion or — as Josh puts it so casually — "an emotional support robot that fucks."

Now that she's killed someone, she'll have to be switched off. But Iris isn't about to go down without a fight — and not out of self-concern as much as her coded imperative to be with Josh forever. But if you think Companion is going to go the way of M3GAN or AfrAId — in which AI is so hellbent on self-preservation it'll turn Terminator on its human family — you're in for a slew of slick surprises.

Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid face off with flare in Companion. Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Hancock's script turns the artificial intelligence narrative on its head by making Iris not a fearsome foe capable of cold-hearted, superhuman violence, but a big-hearted Final Girl who's forced to face off against the dream boy she just realized is more of a fuckboy.

If you relished Quaid's turn as the duplicitous beau in Scream 5, you'll enjoy his performance here, which is subtler but nonetheless unnerving. (More comedic than scary, Companion isn't as hard-edged as the slasher series.) The way Hancock's sly dialogue and Quaid's careful performance gently plants red flags ahead of the big reveals is reminiscent of Nacho Vigalondo's epic kaiju comedy Colossal. Sure, on a first watch, you might raise an eyebrow in suspicion. But, on a rewatch, the warnings are hard to ignore. With a warm smile and cutting charisma, Quaid walks this line of good guy and dangerous douchebag with alarming confidence.

Meanwhile, Thatcher, who's played a hardened teen cannibal in Yellowjackets and a shrewd missionary in Heretic, delves convincingly into the sickening sweetness required of first-act Iris. It's almost jarring to see the actor so heralded for her hard-eyed intensity in such an ingénue role. Which is why when Iris begins to adapt, strategizing her survival while working out her boyfriend's motivations, Companion really comes into focus. It evolves into a battle of wits with a sci-fi edge, but also feels very familiar in a treacherous dating scene where deception is part of the game. With his central premise, Hancock suggests it's not AI that's the threat to mankind, it's man, who will claim anything as his no matter the costs to others.

Aside from the delicious twists that lead to a string of gruesome yet amusing murders, Companion also boasts an ensemble cast that expertly keeps things light and fun amid the horrors. Suri is exhilaratingly sneering as Kat. Friend makes a goofy feast of the eccentric Sergey. Guillén is a hoot as the garrulous and unapologetically emotional Eli, while Gage is his perfect scene partner, playing the "straight man" with breezy ease. Like any Scream movie worth its salt, Companion also has solid supporting players in the bit parts, from Marc Menchaca as a well-intentioned cop, to Woody Fu and Jaboukie Young-White as comical IT support. Altogether, they create a compelling, funny, and fierce thriller that's a deranged delight.

And hey, make it a date night. Companion could be either a good time out or a litmus test for a bad partner who hasn't yet revealed their true colors.

Companion opens in theaters on Jan. 31.

TL;DR: Stream the 2025 Six Nations for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Access these free streaming services from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There's nothing quite like the Six Nations. The Rugby World Cup is obviously the premier rugby tournament, but that only comes around every four years. And a lot of those World Cup fixtures aren't exactly competitive.

The Six Nations takes place every year and brings together evenly-matched rivals to do battle. The Six Nations is always fiery, and we're expecting a lot of intense contests in this year's competition.

If you want to watch the 2025 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Six Nations?

The Six Nations Championship is an annual international men's rugby union competition between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Each team plays every other team once, with home ground advantage alternating from one year to the next.

The current champions are Ireland. England and Wales have won the competition most often (39 titles).

When is the 2025 Six Nations?

The 2025 Six Nations Championship is the 131th edition of the competition, but only the 26th since it expanded to become the Six Nations Championship in 2000. This year's competition will take place from Jan. 31 to March 15.

How to watch the 2025 Six Nations for free

The 2025 Six Nations is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

BBC iPlayer and ITVX are both geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in the UK. This quick and easy action makes it look like you're connecting from the UK, so you can stream on BBC iPlayer and ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer and ITVX 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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX

5. Stream the 2025 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer or ITVX without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to stream most of the 2025 Six Nations before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for streaming sport?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the 2025 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $200: As of Jan. 31, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is discounted to $449.99 at Best Buy as part of its Deal of the Day. This is $200 off its list price of $649.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra $449.99 at Best Buy
$649.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal

Apple isn't the only company with a high-tech Ultra smartwatch. For those with a love of the outdoors and an adventurous lifestyle, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra can keep up with your activities. What's even better is that it's currently on sale at Best Buy as part of its Deal of the Day, so if you want to score this sleek smartwatch at a discount, you'll need to act fast.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is discounted to $449.99 at Best Buy. This is $200 off its list price of $649.99, which is a very nice discount indeed. Again, this deal only lasts through today, so grab it before it's gone for good.

SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card

This smartwatch boasts a GPS, heart rate monitor, an Energy Score that helps with tracking your goals for health and fitness, and much more. It also has a rugged build that's perfect for taking on your outdoor adventures. In our hands-on review, Mashable's Kimberly Gedeon also notes that, "Unlike the Apple rival, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a blood-oxygen sensor (the Apple Watch used to have one, but er, it's a long story) and a sleep apnea monitor."

If you've been looking for a smartwatch upgrade, this is a deal well worth jumping on. Don't miss out on this one-day-only offer on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.

There are a couple more smartwatch deals floating around right now that are worth checking out, too. Also at Best Buy is the 42mm Apple Watch Series 10, which is $70 off at the moment, and you can also save on the Apple Watch SE at Amazon.