Technology

SAVE OVER $10: As of April 25, the Soundcore Sport X20 by Anker earbuds are on sale for $63.99 at Amazon. That's 20% off their list price of $79.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Sport X20 by Anker $63.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $16.00 Get Deal

A good pair of earbuds are essential for working out. Music can help pump you up to get what you need done. Or, if you're someone who loves to run or walk outside, they can keep you entertained while getting your steps in. If you've been on the hunt for a new pair to keep you company during your workouts, Amazon's here to save the day with a deal on the Soundcore Sport X20 by Anker earbuds.

These earbuds have received a 20% discount at the retailer, dropping their price from $79.99 to $63.99. There are a few different color options on sale as well, so you can choose between the black, green, and white earbuds to find the best pair that suits your personal style. These fitness-focused earbuds are worth the investment.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds to buy in 2025 from Bose, Sony, and more

What makes the Soundcore Sport X20 by Anker earbuds a great pick for active individuals is their design. They feature adjustable ear hooks that can fit around your ear to keep them in place. Your music will sound great as well thanks to Soundcore's BassUp technology and noise-canceling features that'll keep the sounds of the gym away from your ears.

On top of that, these earbuds offer an amazing battery life that can go up to 48 hours with the help of the charging case. Of course, this will vary when you're using noise-cancelation, but they'll still keep you going for multiple trips to the gym.

Amazon currently has these earbuds listed as a limited-time deal, so act fast to save on the Soundcore Sport X20 by Anker.

There are a couple of other earbud deals that have caught our eye recently. For another pair focused around fitness, it's worth having a look at this deal on the Beats Fit Pro at Amazon. Sony's WF-C700N earbuds are also on sale right now.

The best Windows laptops run an impressive gamut, from Qualcomm-powered workhorses that refuse to die to dual-display stunners and subtle gaming stations. (Some of them, dare we say, will tempt even the most devoted Apple Macbook disciples.) Users who need a new laptop for everyday productivity, creativity, or entertainment have no shortage of options. And that's for better or worse.

To help you pick out your next PC from the crowded Windows market, we've broken out our best laptops rundown into this separate guide to the best Windows machines of 2025. All of these laptops have been thoroughly hands-on tested by members of the Mashable team for performance, build quality, and battery life, and we stand by their value — or at least think they're worth hunting down on sale.

Our top picks

As of April 2025, Mashable's favorite Windows laptop is the 13-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, an elegant workhorse powered by the impressive Snapdragon X Elite processor. It's got high-end power, a premium design, interesting AI features, and an incredible battery life. It's actually the longest-lasting laptop we've ever reviewed: Even the latest M4 MacBooks can't keep up.

For almost as much Snapdragon oomph at a lower price point, opt for the HP Omnibook X 14, the best mid-range Windows laptop. It's not much to look at, but it's plenty power-efficient and equipped with a great keyboard. It also comes with the same AI tools as the Surface Laptop 7.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops for 2025, tested by our experts

Those on an even tighter budget should look into the Lenovo Yoga 7 14 (Gen 9): Solid performance, a good amount of ports, and a versatile 2-in-1 design have made it our new favorite cheap Windows laptop. It dethrones our previous pick, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, a pretty ultraportable with specs that are too dated for 2025 buyers.

If you're shopping for a convertible across all price points, the Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 (Gen 9) is our top 2-in-1 laptop overall, earning praise from our reviewer for its gorgeous 2.8K OLED touchscreen, its peppy (albeit piping-hot) CPU, and its clear Bowers & Wilkins soundbar. For a twist on the hybrid form factor, we also highly recommend the 2024 Asus Zenbook Duo, a beautiful dual-screener.

We've got additional picks for specialty users — the Alienware m16 R2 is the best gaming laptop we've tested thus far, and the Acer Swift X 14 is our go-to Windows laptop for photo and video editing.

Read on for Mashable's in-depth guide to the best Windows laptops of 2025. FYI: We've listed the pricing and specs of our testing units, which may not apply to each laptop's base model.

What's on deck

Our team has several Windows laptops in hand for testing, including two AI-ready gaming laptops:

• the latest Intel-powered Framework Laptop 13, an upgradable and repairable PC

• the new Asus ZenBook A14, the "world's lightest Copilot+ PC" (and the winner of Mashable's Best of CES award in the laptop category this year)

• the latest Asus VivoBook S 15, a Copilot+ PC that comes in just under $1,000

• the latest Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9), a mid-range Copilot+ PC with an OLED touchscreen

• the Acer Predator Helios 16, a 16-inch gaming laptop with a 240Hz display and an RTX 4080 GPU

• the MSI Stealth A16 AI+, another 16-inch gaming laptop with a 240Hz display and an RTX 4070 GPU

What we've tested lately (that didn't make the cut)

I just finished testing the Dell XPS 13 (9350), a 13-inch Lunar Lake Copilot+ PC with an anti-reflective tandem OLED touchscreen display. Above all, it's a gorgeous laptop: That display is one of the nicest I've ever seen, and its edge-to-edge design gives it a super premium, minimalist look. It also lasted more than 13 hours in our battery life test, which is great when you factor in that power-sucking display. 

However, the XPS 13 favors prettiness over practicality in certain ways that make it a pain to use. Namely, its zero-lattic keyboard felt cramped, its glass touchpad often misbehaved, and its port selection was dire. (There are just two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports — that's too much minimalism, IMO.)

Those might've been more forgivable if the XPS 13 didn't cost so much. My testing unit with a firmly mid-range Intel Core Ultra 256V CPU, 16GB of RAM, and only 512GB of storage goes for $1,849.99. You can knock that down to $1,199.99 if you go without the OLED display upgrade, which feels way more reasonable, but at the same time, that was the one thing I liked most about it. I rated it a 3.8/5 overall.

Earlier this year, I tested the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, a slick convertible with awesome build quality, an excellent 15-hour battery life, and a beautiful design that includes a 3K OLED touchscreen. It's a knockout, but its weird port placements and middling Geekbench 6 multi-core score kept it from earning a Mashable Choice Award. (I rated it a 4.4/5 overall — so close!)

To give more context to the latter point, my $1,899.99 testing unit had an Intel Core Ultra 258V processor with 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. (That's a brand-new upper mid-range CPU.) In our Geekbench 6 benchmark, it scored slightly worse than the 15-inch M2 Apple MacBook Air from 2023 and significantly worse than its predecessor, last year's HP Spectre x360 14, which had a mid-range Intel Core Series 1 CPU as tested. For nearly $2,000, I wanted way more oomph from the OmniBook.

I do think the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is a decent splurge for future-proofers, but it's not well-rounded enough to be one of our top picks. Stick with the Yoga 9i 14 if you're looking for the best hybrid laptop out there, or look into the Spectre x360 14 if you want to stay within the HP family — it offers better performance and audio quality for about the same price as the OmniBook model.

It's a tough time to be a gamer right now. You wait patiently for Nintendo Switch 2 preorders to go live, and then stock runs out in seconds. It all feels very familiar, because we've been here before. We've experienced the mess of next-gen console releases, so the "coming soon," "not available," and "out of stock" notifications are exactly what we expect to see.

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders went live on April 24, but in the blink of an eye, listings for the $449.99 console at Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and Walmart were gone. And bundles got the same treatment.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 vs Switch 1: All the differences I found while playing the new console

So where does that leave us now? It's important to not lose hope. Keep tabs on stock tracking websites and social media accounts for timely updates, and sign up for stock alerts from retailers so you're ready to go when new stock drops. And alternatively, you could always hit that refresh button at your go-to retailer. You might just get lucky.

We're keeping a close eye on stock from all the major retailers, and will update this page if the bleak situation changes.

Walmart — out of stock Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $449.99 at Walmart
Pre-order Here Target — out of stock Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $449.99 at Target
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NASA's school-bus-sized telescope won't quit.

In what's become a brilliant investment for scientists and taxpayers alike, the Hubble Space Telescope launched into space 35 years ago, and for decades has returned detailed insights into the universe. In recognition of Hubble's longevity, NASA and the European Space Agency have released several new images from the orbiting observatory, including a rich photo of the Rosette Nebula, a sprawling star-forming region of space.

It's a view into a rapidly evolving, extreme cosmic realm.

"The clouds are being eroded and shaped by the seething radiation from the cluster of larger stars in the center of the nebula (NGC 2440)," ESA wrote in a statement. "An embedded star seen at the tip of a dark cloud in the upper right portion of the image is launching jets of plasma that are crashing into the cold cloud around it."

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

The greater Rosette Nebula is 100 light-years across, but this view zooms into an area some 4 light-years wide (a light-year is nearly 6 trillion miles).

Silhouetted in the foreground are dark, dominant, V-shaped clouds of hydrogen gas. "It looks like thick smoke that has billowed out irregularly, thicker along the line from top left to bottom right, and looser on the piece that goes toward the top right," ESA explained. At the upper right tip of this shadowy feature is a conspicuous red glow, stoked by a star blasting hot gas into the cold dark cloud, which creates shockwaves.

Expansive clouds of illuminated background gas appear in vivid yellow and orange.

A portion of the Rosette Nebula recently viewed by the Hubble Space Telescope. Credit: NASA / ESA / STScI This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Some 2,500 stars are located in the greater Rosette Nebula, which is some 5,200 light-years away in our Milky Way galaxy. Nebulae are vital engines in the cosmos, as they host clouds of dust and gas that can amass together, collapse into hot protostars, and form stars — many of which will host their own planets.

Hubble has captured over 1.6 million detailed observations because it orbits 320 miles above Earth, so its observations are not distorted by our planet's thick atmosphere. It also packs a nearly 8-foot-wide mirror, allowing for a high resolution of distant objects like the Rosette Nebula. "Hubble can resolve objects 1,000 times better than the human eye," NASA explained. "That’s enough to see two fireflies separated by about 10 feet (3 meters) from roughly the distance between New York City and Tokyo (about 7,000 miles or 11,000 kilometers)."

Perhaps its most revolutionary image was taken three decades ago, over a period of 10 days, in 1995. The Hubble Deep Field revealed a cornucopia of galaxies, including those not previously possible to see.

The first time I watched Labyrinth, The NeverEnding Story, and E.T., I remember being struck not just by their fantastic scope but by the very craft that went into building these fantasies. Thanks to the use of animatronics, puppets, matte paintings, and more, these films spun stories that were at once otherworldly yet tactile. I didn't feel like I was just watching a movie — I felt like I could step through the screen and be part of the adventure.

SEE ALSO: Watch the incredible puppets from A24's 'The Legend of Ochi' in action

That feeling of childlike wonder returned while watching A24's The Legend of Ochi, the feature debut from writer/director Isaiah Saxon. The Legend of Ochi's gorgeous practical effects place it in the tradition of nostalgic genre films, even when its story doesn't always measure up.

What is The Legend of Ochi about? Helena Zengel in "The Legend of Ochi." Credit: A24

The Legend of Ochi transports viewers to the fictional island of Carpathia, where humans are at odds with native creatures known as the Ochi. With their wide eyes, massive ears, and blue-and-gold coloring, the Ochi are what you get if you mix The Mandalorian's Grogu with real-life golden snub-nosed monkeys — but don't be fooled by their cuteness! The Ochi can be ferocious, to the point that Carpathian villager Maxim (Willem Dafoe) has formed a mini militia of children to hunt the wild creatures.

Maxim's daughter Yuri (Helena Zengel) takes part in these hunts, yet she doesn't buy into Maxim's warrior philosophy. Nor does she connect with the other children, including Maxim's adopted son Petro (Finn Wolfhard). Instead, she rages at the world around her and yearns to see her mother Dasha (Emily Watson), who's moved deeper into the mountains and who views the Ochi not with fear but with curiosity.

SEE ALSO: 'The Legend of Ochi' trailer unveils the cutest movie monster of the year

Yuri is driven to leave her home when she discovers a lone baby Ochi. Armed with nothing but a backpack and some fake fangs to convince the Ochi she's one of its own kind, Helena sets off into the Carpathian wilds to reunite the Ochi with its family — and maybe rethink her own familial relationships along the way

As a story of an outcast meeting a formidable creature, The Legend of Ochi treads familiar ground. Plus, its tale of a fractured family learning to heal never fully coalesces, lacking meaty character development for Yuri and her family even as the performers commit wholly to this human tragedy. But where The Legend of Ochi struggles on the human front, it wholly succeeds on the Ochi front.

The Ochi are movie creatures for the ages. The baby Ochi in "The Legend of Ochi." Credit: A24

Created through a combination of animatronics, puppetry, and suited performers, the Ochi are a marvel of filmmaking. We spend most of the film with the baby Ochi, whose movements range from the adorable to the ferocious, all of them wholly believable. Its every breath and expression are so full of energy that it's sometimes all too easy to forget that this creature is a puppet brought to life by seven skilled puppeteers, as opposed to a real animal.

The Legend of Ochi's movie magic doesn't stop with its titular critters (although they deserve at least one more round of applause before I move on). The entire fog-wreathed island of Carpathia is beautifully wrought as well. Matte paintings, hand-crafted set pieces, and retro-feeling cinematography by Evan Prosofsky combine to create a setting that seems both hyperreal and plucked out of time. It's a land that's ripe for adventure, populated by unforgettable creatures.

Even if The Legend of Ochi's story falters and drags at points, the movie is an undeniable triumph of craft. It's also a welcome addition to the currently underserved genre of live-action family fantasy adventures. More than anything, I hope that young audiences have the same reaction to The Legend of Ochi as I did to films like Labyrinth: one of pure awe, and of appreciation for the practical magic of moviemaking.

The Legend of Ochi is now in theaters.

TL;DR: Get a MacBook Pro on sale for $619.99 (reg. $2,799).

The end of the school year is right around the corner. How are you going to help your favorite student celebrate? They might appreciate a gift they can use next semester, and a MacBook is just the thing. Don't worry, you don't have to pay high Apple prices. This MacBook Pro is actually on sale for only $619.99 (reg. $2,799). 

A MacBook Pro for your favorite student

This MacBook is built for serious multitasking with a 2.6GHz Intel Core i7 processor and 32GB of RAM. Whether your student is designing, editing, coding, or just juggling a dozen browser tabs at once, this laptop has more than enough speed to handle it.

The Retina display is large, vibrant, and sharp. It’s perfect for everything from group projects to movie marathons. The 512GB SSD provides plenty of fast storage space for apps, files, and media. The Magic Keyboard is comfortable to type on, and the Touch Bar gives quick access to helpful shortcuts depending on the task.

This model also features a six-speaker sound system that delivers surprisingly rich audio. The battery lasts up to 11 hours on a single charge, which means your student can get through a full day of classes or work without scrambling for a power outlet.

Because it’s refurbished and graded in near-mint condition, you get the high-end Apple experience without the brand-new price tag. It’s a great way to give a graduating student or college freshman something useful, powerful, and fun to use every day.

It's only $619.99 to get a MacBook Pro, but we don't have many left. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 16" (2019) 2.6GHz Core i7 Touch Bar 32GB RAM 512GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $619.99
$2,799 Save $2,179.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office 2021 at just $49.97 (reg. $219) and enjoy lifetime access to essential productivity tools.

• Lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 — pay once and access it forever

• Includes must-have apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Teams, and Publisher

• Compatible with Windows — ideal for professional and personal projects

• Streamline your workflow with trusted tools for creating documents, managing data, and organizing emails

• Instant download with a product key for quick and easy setup

• No recurring costs — a single payment secures access to essential Office apps

Say goodbye to subscriptions — don’t miss this deal and get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for $49.97. 

Sale ends April 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $49.97
$219.99 Save $170.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Keep a scanner at your fingertips forever with SwiftScan VIP, now just $41.99 (reg. $199) with code TAKE30. 

We may poke fun at the massive multitasking printers of yesteryear, but having a scanner really did come in handy. If you find yourself missing that addition in your family's old '00s computer room, let SwiftScan VIP fill the void. This versatile scanner app can preserve documents, images, and a lot of things your old desk scanner couldn't dream of.

A lifetime license is also only $41.99 (reg. $199). 

Scanning just got a whole lot easier

Scan anything right from your smartphone or iPad with a little help from SwiftScan. This genius app lets you create high-quality scans of anything from anywhere. It even enhances the scan quality, utilizing color filters, auto-optimization, and blur reduction. 

Save that receipt, record a whiteboard before it's erased, or safeguard a handwritten note with just one tap. SwiftScan can detect the edges of the page and can even scan multiple pages as a single document as needed. 

Once you have scanned the item, you can turn it into a PDF or JPG. From there, you can go old school and send it as a fax. Or if you'd prefer to stay in 2025, you can also send it via email or upload it to iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, or your own preferred cloud service. 

Aside from serving as your personal scanning machine, SwiftScan also helps you edit PDF files. If you need to work with a PDF — from signing to annotating or redacting — just scan it and then draw, highlight, or erase text as needed. 

Once you scan an item, SwiftScan saves and organizes your scans in folders. And the OCR technology makes them easily searchable later, so you can type in a keyword and find it long after scanning. 

Use code TAKE30 by April 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get a SwiftScan VIP Lifetime Subscription on sale for $41.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Maple Media SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription $41.99
$199.99 Save $158 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 30, you can score a 1min.AI lifetime subscription including 4 million monthly credits and 20 user seats on sale for $79.97 (reg. $540).

You’ve heard of subscription fatigue. Decision fatigue. Maybe even Zoom fatigue. Now, meet AI fatigue — the feeling of jumping between a dozen tools, models, and logins just to get basic work done. One platform is breaking the cycle by giving you lifetime access to every major AI model — from GPT-4o and Claude 3 Opus to Gemini Pro and Llama 3 — all in one place, with no monthly fees or context switching.

It's called 1min.AI, and it's on sale for a limited time. The most advanced plan is normally worth $540, but it's down to $79.97 through April 30.

Create text, images, code, and more

1min.AI makes it easy to handle a variety of tasks with a user-friendly setup, so you’re not wasting time hopping between different tools. It includes everything from AI-driven writing assistance to design and photo editing options, letting you switch between projects without the constant app shuffle.

Plus, 1min.AI gives you 4 million credits each month, plus the chance to earn up to 450,000 extra credits monthly just by visiting the web or mobile apps. This gives you plenty of space to test, create, and explore without worrying about extra fees.

While AI tools are incredibly helpful, they aren’t perfect, and 1min.AI is straightforward about that. You’ll get support with drafting, designing, and brainstorming, but human editing and oversight can bring your projects to the next level. 

Simplify your creative process and boost efficiency with 1min.AI’s Business Plan lifetime subscription — now $79.97 (reg. $540) with no coupon needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $79.97
$540 Save $460.03 Get Deal

Matt Damon better watch his back, because Jon Bernthal has such electric bro-y chemistry with Ben Affleck in The Accountant 2 that the Matt-and-Ben days may be firmly behind us.

Astonishingly, this sequel to Gavin O'Connor's hit 2016 action film is rip-roaringly funny, thanks to this unexpected comedy duo. Sure, Affleck and Bernthal are both reprising their respective roles as autistic accountant Christian Wolff and his mercenary brother Braxton. But the first film kept them apart for much of its runtime. In The Accountant 2 (pronounced The Accountant Squared, according to O'Connor), Christian and Braxton are thrust together in a chaotic buddy-cop mission that makes for comical clashing along with cheer-worthy fight scenes. 

Props to O'Connor. The heralded helmer behind such popular sports dramas as Warrior and Miracle has made one of the most entertaining comedies 2025 is likely to deliver.

The Accountant 2 offers a killer new enemy, a vengeance mission, and line dancing.  Credit: Warrick Page / Prime

True to the first film, The Accountant 2 presents a confounding puzzle for Christian to solve. Eight years after the events of the first film, his friend from the Treasury Department, Raymond King (J.K. Simmons) winds up dead after meeting with a stoic assassin (a cool-as-ice Daniella Pineda). To achieve justice, Ray's protege Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) reaches out to the accountant for help, but her by-the-book ways instantly clash with his neurodivergent reasoning. Matters only get more explosive when Christian calls on his powder keg brother Braxton to join their squad. 

While Pineda's mysterious assassin is on a mission of her own, the brothers bicker and battle, wringing excitement out of every fight scene and laughs out of every jibe. As established in The Accountant, Christian has a very regimented way of living in his trusty Airstream RV, relying on his ever-on-call assistant Justine (Alison Wright) for research or advice on how to dress for a speed-dating event. Where Christian is the brains, trying to outwit everything, including online dating algorithms, Braxton is brawn, fueled by impulse. But both are lonely. So The Accountant 2 — on top of all its espionage rigamarole — is about their reconnecting. 

Fans of superhero movies might most relish when the former Batman and Punisher stars barrel into a high-stakes climax with many lives on the line. But anyone could be charmed by the sequence at a Los Angeles honky-tonk bar, where Braxton urges Christian to flirt back with a cute cowgirl.

Props to Affleck, who told the SXSW audience at the film's world premiere that he practiced line dancing for months to get it right. It's not just the dance moves that his intensely focused anti-hero masters, it's the expression on his face of discovery and bubbling excitement that Christian can break out of his protective shell. And just when you think this sequence can't get anymore enthralling, a fight breaks out that leads to a freeze-frame of a brawl-ready Braxton, evoking not only '80s action nostalgia but also screams of laughter from the SXSW audience. 

Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal are hilarious in The Accountant sequel.  Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video

There are moments where The Accountant 2 feels unreal. I don't mean the movie's world feels false. I mean, it seems impossible that a studio sequel like this can exist.

On one hand, screenwriter Bill Dubuque smartly delivers on the expectations of a sequel to The Accountant, which he also penned. Essential is a fresh mystery for his unconventional sleuth to solve with a mix of brains and blood shed. Forgotten is the clumsy romance subplot with Anna Kendrick's law-abiding accountant, replaced by charmingly awkward bids to find a suitable romantic partner. Dubuque also leaned hard into the screen chemistry between Braxton and Christian, which only only became apparent in the first film's climax. And he did it with eccentric setups no one could have seen coming.

On paper, an action movie with Bernthal and Affleck should almost be guaranteed to be deeply serious, leaning into the brooding both mastered in their respective superhero projects. But we've been there, done that! What O'Connor and Dubuque tap into here is the comic brilliance of their famously intense leading men.

Affleck has gamely played a pompous clown in Matt Damon movies like The Last Duel, Air, and Good Will Hunting. But as Christian, he is solidly the straight man, vaguely bewildered by his brother's overwhelming emotions and flare for the dramatic. Yet Affleck weaves in self-satisfied smiles that give the audience a conspiratorial thrill as if we're all in on the same joke when Christian revels in his own cleverness. 

Less known for comedy, Bernthal has nonetheless becomes a fan favorite as the mercurial older brother in The Bear. As Braxton, he brings a kinetic little brother energy to his natural machismo, making a dynamic foil to Christian's reservedness. Their conflict is sparkily funny, whether they're bickering about being a dog person versus a cat person or the best course of action for an ambush.

Within that, O'Connor masterfully chisels a story of two brothers, long estranged, who teach each other how to open themselves up to a world that has frequently been a bully to them. Dubuque gives them a map of brotherly love and rivalry, providing challenges and treasure, like a daring rescue mission and a stray cat. But Affleck and Bernthal give it dimension with each shared glare, awkward back slap, and childish retort. 

That O'Connor delivered another terrifically tense thriller is no surprise. That he wove kidnapping, vengeance, action, and brotherly bonding into a wonderful feel-good movie is stunning. As was made clear at the SXSW premiere, where the audience roared with laughter and cheers throughout, The Accountant 2 is an undisputed crowdpleaser. You won't want to miss it. 

The Accountant 2 was reviewed out its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW film and television festival. The movie opens only in theaters on April 25.

Every way to watch 'Babygirl' at home: BEST NON-STREAMING OPTION Buy or rent 'Babygirl' on Prime Video $19.99 to buy, $5.99 to rent Get Deal BEST OVERALL Max (With Ads) annual subscription $99.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal BEST NO-ADS OPTION Max Ad-Free annual subscription $169.99/year (save 16%) Get Deal GET MAX FOR FREE Max (With Ads) for Cricket customers Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month unlimited plan (save $9.99/month) Get Deal GET MAX FOR FREE Max (With Ads) Free for DashPass annual plan subscribers (save $9.99 per month) Get Deal BEST FOR STUDENTS Max Student $4.99 per month for 12 months (save 50%) Get Deal BEST BUNDLE DEAL Disney+, Hulu, and Max $16.99 per month (with ads), $29.99 per month (no ads) (save up to 38%) Get Deal

2024 was the year sex returned to cinema. There was the neo-noir thriller Love Lies Bleeding, the mega-viral love-triangle drama Challengers, the sex-worker-centered Cinderella story and Oscar winner Anora, and finally — just hitting theaters with a week left in the year — Nicole Kidman and A24's Babygirl. And they might've saved one of the best for last. As Mashable Film Editor Kristy Puchko puts it, "Amid stiff competition, [Kidman] delivers one of the sexiest, most thrilling films of the year."

The Oscars may have snubbed the movie, written, directed, and produced by Halina Reijn, but Kidman's performance earned her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival. If you missed it in the theaters, Babygirl is now officially available to stream, purchase, or rent. Here's everything you need to know to watch it at home.

What is Babygirl about?

In Babygirl, Nicole Kidman stars as Romy, a powerful CEO trying to balance a demanding professional life with her personal life, which includes a loving husband (Antonio Banderas) and two teenage daughters (Vaughan Reilly and Esther McGregor). When cocky intern Samuel (Triangle of Sadness' Harris Dickinson) starts inappropriately flirting with her, she's both shocked and aroused. What follows is a lusty affair exploring dominance and submission that threatens to break her entire world apart.

Get a sneak peek at the erotic thriller in the official trailer:

Is Babygirl worth watching?

Interestingly, while critics have been loving Dutch writer/director Halina Reijn's latest flick, audiences are a bit more conflicted. Babygirl currently holds a 76 percent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but just a 48 percent audience rating. This could very well change now that the film is available to a wider audience, but the conflicting numbers are definitely curious.

Puchko raved about the erotic thriller in her review out of TIFF. She wrote, "Altogether, the cast makes Babygirl a stunner, landing silly moments as well as sexy ones. Emotionally naked, unapologetically provocative, and defiantly playful, Reijn's film joyfully explores the complicated ties that bind. Amid stiff competition, she delivers one of the sexiest, most thrilling films of the year."

Babygirl even made the top 10 in our list of the best movies of 2024. We expected it to be a contender this awards season but were surprised to see it snubbed in all Oscar categories.

Read our full review of Babygirl.

How to watch Babygirl at home Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in 'Babygirl' pool scene Credit: A24

Thankfully, A24 didn't tease us for long. Just a little over a month after the sexually charged thriller made its theatrical debut, it became available to watch at home via video-on-demand platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home (Vudu). You can either purchase the film for your digital collection or rent it for 30 days. Babygirl made its streaming debut on April 25 — scroll on to learn more.

You can purchase and rent the film at the following retailers:

• Prime Video — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

• Apple TV — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

• Fandango at Home (Vudu) — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

• Google Play — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

Note: Renting a film gives you 30 days to watch and just 48 hours to finish once you begin.

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Rent or buy 'Babygirl' at Prime Video $5.99 or $19.99 Get Deal Is Babygirl streaming?

Babygirl officially made its streaming debut on Max on April 25, 2025. Thanks to a multi-year output deal, A24's theatrical releases exclusively stream on Max before anywhere else. Thus, Kidman's erotic thriller joins other recent A24 hits like MaXXXine, Heretic, Queer, and eventually, The Brutalist.

Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but there are a few ways to save money on your plan. Check out the best Max streaming deals below.

The best Max streaming dealsBest for most people: Save 16% on Max with ads annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max (with ads) yearly subscription $99.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal

The cheapest Max subscription is $9.99 per month, but only if you don't mind a few ads here and there. You can sign up for a single month of service, watch Babygirl, and then cancel before you're charged for another. Or, you could stick around for the long haul and save some money on your subscription. An annual plan with ads will cost you $99.99 per year, which breaks down to just $8.33 per month. Of course, you'll have to pay upfront, but that'll keep 16% in your pocket as opposed to a monthly plan.

Best Max deal with no ads: Save 16% on a Max Ad-Free annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max (No Ads) annual subscription $169.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal

Similarly, you can save an extra 16% by committing to a yearly plan of the Max ad-free tiers. If ads are a total deal breaker for you, you have two tiers to choose from: Max Ad-Free and Max Ultimate Ad-Free. The basic ad-free tier costs either $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year (about $14.17 per month), while the Ultimate tier costs either $20.99 per month or $209.99 per year (about $17.50 per month).

Note: Both tiers offer an ad-free viewing experience, but the Ultimate tier comes with 4K Ultra HD video quality and Dolby Atmos immersive audio.

Best Max deal for Cricket customers: Free Max with ads for customers on the $60/month unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: Cricket / Max Max (with ads) Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month plan Get Deal

If you have a Cricket wireless plan, you may be able to access Max for free. Cricket customers on the $60 per month unlimited plan get a free Max with ads subscription. That's a $99.99 per year value for zero dollars. Just head over to the Max app, choose Cricket as your provider, then enter your Cricket credentials to log in. Boom — you're free to watch whatever you want, whenever you want — including Babygirl upon its release.

Check out the terms and conditions on Cricket's website to learn more. If you want to watch Babygirl for free, this is one of your only options.

Best Max deal for DoorDash users: Free Max with ads with DashPass annual plan Opens in a new window Credit: DoorDash / Max Max (with ads) Free with DashPass annual plan ($8/month) Get Deal

Another way to get Max for free in 2025 is through DoorDash's annual DashPass plan, which costs $96 per year ($8 per month). DashPass also gets you $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders. Eligible subscribers must activate their Max subscription in their DoorDash account. The deal only applies to the Max plan with ads, but you can also choose to upgrade for a discounted rate to eliminate them.

Best Max deal for students: Save 50% on Max with ads Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max Student $4.99 per month for 12 months Get Deal

College students can get an entire year of Max with ads for just $4.99 per month instead of $9.99. That's 50% in savings. You'll just have to verify your student status with UNiDAYS to retrieve the unique discount code that will drop the price.

Best bundle deal: Get Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 38% off Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu / Max Disney+, Hulu, and Max $16.99 per month (with ads), $29.99 per month (no ads) Get Deal

It won't be your cheapest option for watching Babygirl, but you can get a lot of bang for your buck if you opt for a streaming bundle deal — especially if you already subscribe to Hulu or Disney+. For only $16.99 per month (reg. $25.97), you can sign up for Max, Hulu, and Disney+ with ads or $29.99 per month (reg. $48.97) without ads. That's up to 38% in savings for access to three full streaming libraries.

SAVE OVER $100: As of April 26, the ASUS Vivobook S 14 is on sale for $689.99 at Amazon. That's a 13% savings on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS Vivobook S 14 $689.99 at Amazon
$789.99 Save $100 Get Deal

If a new laptop is on your wishlist, this latest Amazon deal on the ASUS Vivobook S 14 is one you'll not want to miss. Not only are you getting an impressive laptop, but this bundle includes a headset.

As of April 25, you can save $100 at the new, discounted price of $689.99. And that's not all, Amazon is offering an additional 5% off coupon for a limited time. Simply click the orange coupon box below the list price and see your extra discount applied at the checkout.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops under $500: Affordable options worth considering

The Vivobook S is a lightweight but powerful laptop, weighing under 3 pounds. It features a 14-inch OLED display with bright, vivid colors that stay visible even when outdoors or in bright light. It's powered by an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor with Intel Arc graphics, so expect speedy processing time for high-resolution streaming, gaming, and editing. It's really a perfect all-rounder laptop, whether its main use is for work or play.

With 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage, this laptop offers plenty of space for large files and apps. And running on Windows 11 Home, it’s designed for everyday use, whether you’re working, creating, or just browsing.

Head to Amazon now to secure this great price.

A Martian spacecraft spied a Martian rover rumbling through the red desert.

The new image captured by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter — which has orbited Mars since 2006 — shows the space agency's car-sized Curiosity rover traversing the terrain below as it scales the planet's 3.4-mile-high Mount Sharp.

"The image marks what may be the first time one of the agency’s Mars orbiters has captured the rover driving," NASA said in a statement.

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter hosts a powerful camera — called the High Resolution Imaging Experiment, or HIRISE — which can spot surface objects as small as a kitchen table from some 160 to 200 miles above the surface. Here, we see the Curiosity rover as a dark spot, trailed by the robot's tracks as its six metallic wheels crossed the desert. 

SEE ALSO: Aliens haven't contacted us. Scientists found a compelling reason why.

These tracks, spanning 1,050 feet (320 meters), were created over 11 separate drives. The orbiter spotted the tracks and rover on Feb. 28.

On Feb. 28, 2025, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured this view of the Curiosity rover exploring the Martian surface. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / University of Arizona This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The Curiosity rover has driven over 21 miles of uneven desert since it landed in 2012, and is now ascending Mount Sharp as it investigates Mars' climatic and geologic past. Curiosity's observations point to a Martian past, billions of years ago, that supported floods, lakes, rivers, and even rain. For example, the rover revealed ripple formations on the surface, which is telltale evidence of small waves breaking on lake shores long ago. Observations like this suggest that Mars once was warm, wet, and quite habitable before it gradually transformed into the extremely dry and frigid desert we see today. (Today, Mars is 1,000 times drier than the driest desert on Earth.)

Curiosity is currently headed to a new destination on Mount Sharp, a place home to expansive and compelling "boxworks" formations. From space, they look like spiderwebs. They are "believed to have formed when minerals carried by Mount Sharp's last pulses of water settled into fractures in surface rock and then hardened," NASA explained. "As portions of the rock eroded away, what remained were the minerals that had cemented themselves in the fractures, leaving the weblike boxwork."

As NASA's rovers find more and more evidence of past water on Mars, it's becoming clear that Mars was once a planet friendly to life, capable of hosting the temperate environs that could potentially host microbes.

Still today, however, there's no compelling proof that life ever existed on Mars. But there are quite a few Martian robots, both dead and alive.

SAVE $30: As of April 25, the Amazon Fire TV 32-inch 2-Series is on sale for $119.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV 32-inch 2-Series $119.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

An upgrade to a new, smart TV shouldn't have to mean spending hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of dollars, and with this latest Amazon deal, it doesn't. If you're after something simple, smart, and easy on the wallet, we've got good news: the 32-inch Amazon Fire TV 2-Series is on sale for less than $120.

As of April 25, you can buy this impressive model for $119.99, saving you 20%. This price is for the 32-inch model and for the TV only; to add on a four-year protection plan, you'll need to pay more.

SEE ALSO: I think Sony’s 77-inch A95L OLED is the ultimate PS5 TV, and it’s $1,000 off right now

Like most Amazon devices, this TV comes with Alexa voice control. Not only can you use this to control some of your other smart home devices (think speakers, robot vacuums, or light bulbs), but you can also use it to search through multiple streaming platforms at once, ask questions, and find out the answers to all your hard-hitting questions.

For entertainment, the TV runs on Amazon's Fire OS, so you'll have access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more. It also features two standard HDMI inputs and one ARC input, making it easy to connect gaming devices. It also supports Dolby Audio for even better sound quality.

Head to Amazon to grab this great deal.

SAVE $30: As of April 25, Bose QuietComfort earbuds are on sale for $149 at Amazon. This deal saves you 17% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $149 at Amazon
$179 Save $30 Get Deal

We're always on the hunt for deals on some of the best earbuds and headphones here at Mashable, and this latest Amazon discount on the Bose QuietComfort earbuds is one that really catch our eye. As of April 25, these earbuds are reduced by $30, down to $149. They come in three colors: black, chilled lilac, and white smoke.

These earbuds are an excellent choice, especially if you're looking for stellar noise cancellation. The noise cancellation is designed to block out any and all distractions, creating an immersive listening experience. These earbuds will block out the annoying chatter, so you don't need to turn up your music.

SEE ALSO: I tried Soundcore’s Space A40 earbuds and they shouldn't be this good for under $50

You'll also get up to 8.5 hours of listening time on the go, and with a quick 20-minute top-up charge, you get an extra two hours. Style-wise, like most, these earbuds come with multiple ear tips so they fit comfortably. Not to mention, a secure fit means they are better for sports such as running or gym workouts.

And one of our favorite features is the customizable tap controls. Choose whether you want these to adjust the volume, skip tracks, or pause your music. Do this in the Bose QCE app, where you'll also find more personalization options to tweak EQ settings and check battery life.

Grab this great earbud deal from Amazon.

Another year, another batch of enjoyably strange LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS stories.

Netflix has dropped its trailer for VOLUME 4 of Tim Miller's genre-spanning anthology, teasing tales about everything from Godzilla-sized babies to talking cats.

MrBeast, John Oliver, Amy Sedaris, Chris Parnell, Kevin Hart, John Boyega, Brett Goldstein, Rhys Darby, Niecy Nash-Betts and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are just some of the new cast additions.

LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS VOLUME 4 is streaming on Netflix from May 15.

SAVE $1,000: As of April 25, Sony’s 77-inch Bravia XR A95L OLED TV is available for $3,998 at Amazon. That’s $1,000 off its regular $4,999.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony 77-inch Bravia XR A95L OLED TV $3,998 at Amazon
$4,999.99 Save $1,001.99 Get Deal

I don’t exactly need a $4,000 TV, but Sony’s A95L makes a pretty compelling case for why I should pretend otherwise. This 77-inch QD-OLED display is sitting at $3,998 right now at Amazon, which is $1,000 off its list price. Yes, it’s still expensive. No, it’s not overkill if you’re trying to future-proof your entire living room.

In my opinion, Sony nailed it with this panel. The QD-OLED tech paired with XR Triluminos Max delivers a level of color saturation and contrast that makes most TVs look like they’ve got a screen protector made of fog. It’s powered by Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR, which is basically a way of saying the picture looks freakishly lifelike and way sharper than whatever your cable provider is serving you.

SEE ALSO: Sony's WH-CH720N headphones have dropped below $100 for a limited time

But let’s be honest — if you’re buying this TV, you’re probably also gaming on it. And this thing is built for that. With HDMI 2.1 features like 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM, it’s clearly designed with performance in mind. The real cherry on top is the PlayStation 5 optimization. Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode give you the best possible picture settings without having to dig through menus.

It’s also a smart TV, obviously. Google TV handles the UI, and voice control works through Google Assistant and Alexa. You also get 10 movie credits and a two-year subscription to BRAVIA CORE for streaming in actual high-bitrate 4K, which feels like a dig at every other service that throws around “HD” as a buzzword.

Specifications:

• Price: $3,998 $4,999.99

• Retailer: Amazon

• Display: 77-inch QD-OLED, 4K UHD

• Processor: Cognitive Processor XR

• HDR: Dolby Vision, XR Triluminos Max

• Refresh rate: 120Hz

• Gaming features: 4K/120, VRR, ALLM, Auto HDR Tone Mapping, Auto Genre Picture Mode

• Smart TV: Google TV with Google Assistant and Alexa support

• Streaming extras: BRAVIA CORE (10 movie credits, 24-month subscription)

• Connectivity: HDMI, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

The A95L doesn’t pretend to be a budget pick, and I’m glad it doesn’t. I think if you’re serious about gaming or just want to watch nature documentaries in a way that makes you feel like you’re about to be eaten by a tiger, this is the upgrade worth making.

Nintendo has quietly announced the price for a few of its upcoming upgrade packs, like Kirby and The Forgotten Land and Mario Party Jamboree, and they’re more expensive than fans could’ve imagined.

SAVE $35: As of April 25, Soundcore Space A40 wireless earbuds are available for $44.99 at Amazon. That’s 44% off their regular $79.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Space A40 Wireless Earbuds $44.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

I’ve tested more wireless earbuds than I care to admit, and I don’t usually expect much from anything under $50. But Soundcore’s Space A40 earbuds are the exception. They’re currently down to $44.99 at Amazon, a solid 44% off the usual $79.99. That’s not just a good deal — it’s the kind of price that makes you rethink what budget earbuds can do.

I think the biggest surprise is the noise cancellation. These things claim to reduce noise by up to 98%, and while I didn’t whip out a decibel meter, I will say they’re impressively quiet. The adaptive system adjusts automatically depending on where you are, and it works. I used them while walking near a busy road and didn’t need to crank the volume just to hear my music.

SEE ALSO: Live your Kawaii gamer dreams with this discounted Logitech POP ICON keyboard and mouse combo

Battery life is also no joke. With 10 hours per charge and up to 50 hours total with the case, they outlast some high-end models. And if you’re down to 10% and in a rush, a quick 10-minute charge gets you four hours of playtime. That’s the kind of stat I didn’t expect to care about until I was running late and didn’t have time to babysit a charging case.

In terms of sound quality, they’re clearly tuned with mass appeal in mind. The bass is warm, vocals sit nicely in the mix, and the treble doesn’t shred your ears. There’s even a Hi-Res Audio Wireless mode via LDAC if you’re the type who notices those things. I appreciate that they didn’t just phone it in on the audio front.

Specifications:

• Price: $44.99 $79.99

• Retailer: Amazon

• Form factor: In-ear wireless

• Noise cancelling: Adaptive active noise cancellation

• Battery life: 10 hours single, 50 hours total with case

• Sound quality: Dual-layer diaphragm drivers, LDAC Hi-Res mode

• Comfort: Lightweight, compact, ergonomic design

• Color: Black (also available in blue, green, purple, white)

• Charging: Wireless charging, 10-minute quick charge for 4 hours of playtime

Comfort-wise, they’re smaller than most ANC buds I’ve worn, and they actually stay put. I forgot I had them in a few times, which, for in-ear anything, is about as high a compliment as I can give.

If your budget’s tight or you just want a backup pair that doesn’t feel like a compromise, I think this deal makes a pretty strong case. They’re cheap, but they don’t act like it.

SAVE $50: As of April 25, Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are available for $199.99 at Amazon. That’s 20% off their regular $249.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50 Get Deal

I want earbuds that do more than just play music, and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro check that box with a Sharpie. They’re down to $199.99 at Amazon, a full 20% off the usual $249.99. For a product that only came out recently, that’s a price cut worth a second look.

In my opinion, this update finally makes Samsung’s earbuds feel premium. They’re redesigned for a more secure fit, which means I’m not constantly poking them back into place like some sad ear-Tamagotchi. The silver finish is understated and clean, and they come with a two-year warranty exclusive to Amazon. I don’t usually get excited about warranties, but I’ll make an exception when the product is this small and this easy to lose in a coat pocket.

SEE ALSO: Samsung's 4TB T5 EVO SSD is over $100 off and includes a free Sonic microSDXC

Sound-wise, the Buds 3 Pro lean heavily into AI. They use adaptive noise cancellation to filter out distractions when you want focus, then let in voices or ambient sounds when the context calls for it. There’s also an adaptive equalizer that tweaks your audio in real time based on fit. I didn’t expect to care about this feature, but it makes a noticeable difference. Everything sounds sharper and more balanced, like your music went through a finishing school.

The real party trick is translation. With Galaxy AI, you can hear live translations during phone calls or face-to-face conversations. It’s the kind of feature that sounds like a gimmick until it’s not. I wouldn’t rely on it to negotiate an international treaty, but for travel or quick exchanges, it’s surprisingly competent.

Specifications:

• Price: $199.99 $249.99

• Retailer: Amazon

• Form factor: True wireless in-ear

• Noise cancelling: Adaptive active noise cancellation with Galaxy AI

• Sound optimization: Adaptive equalizer with Galaxy AI

• Unique features: Real-time interpreter, intuitive touch controls

• Durability: Two-year limited Amazon-exclusive warranty

• Color: Silver (also available in white)

• Compatibility: Optimized for Samsung devices

I think if you already use a Samsung phone, this deal is almost too logical to ignore. The integration is seamless, the features are actually useful, and the price is finally in a range that feels fair. If your current earbuds are more “wireless-ish” than wireless, it’s probably time for an upgrade.