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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
Updated: 1 hour 32 min ago

Rule34dle is a game that mashes up Wordle and smutty cartoon art

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 20:37

If you've been on the internet long enough, you know Rule 34: If it exists, there's porn of it.

That may sound crude, especially in the time of age-verification laws requiring users' personal data to visit NSFW sites (and sometimes SFW sites, too), but Rule 34 was coined by a British teen in 2003, according to a 2016 Washington Post article. The early 2000s were a wildly different time on the internet. Pre-Instagram, pre-TikTok, pre-age verification. But porn? Porn always existed online.

SEE ALSO: All the states Pornhub is blocked in now

While the web has changed a lot over the past 20 years since "Rule 34" was defined, it still rings true — especially when you look at Rule34dle, a mashup of the infamous rule and everyone's favorite word game, Wordle.

Like Wordle, Rule34dle is a game, but distinctly different. When you go on the site, you'll be paired with two fictional franchise characters (like Pokémon) and told how many pornographic posts exist of the one on the left. The number of smutty posts for the character on the right is hidden. You must guess which of the two has more explicit art out there online.

If you're right, you'll then be paired with the character with the higher smut count and a new character — and you'll build your streak from there.

There are also several variations to play the game, including franchise characters, removing AI results, and "hard mode," which makes you choose between three characters, and with all explicit post numbers hidden.

Rule34dle, created by Reddit user u/DandelionGaming based on an idea from u/PensAndEndorsement on Reddit, according to the website, also features a daily challenge. Each day, you can play 10 comparison rounds with different characters in each round. You'll have to guess blindly — the number of porny art posts for both characters will be hidden. The daily challenge is the same for everyone, and even if you get one wrong, you can still play through all 10 rounds.

And good news for fan fiction fans: There's also an alpha version of AO3dle out there, where you can guess which of two characters has more erotica works written about them on the fan fiction website Archive of Our Own (also known as AO3). AO3dle features both a unique pairing and a daily challenge, like Rule34dle does.

As Kotaku pointed out, streamers are playing Rule34dle with their friends, and with hilarious results, on TikTok.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Running Man review: Edgar Wright and Glen Powell deliver a wild but weak remake

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 20:35

Why make The Running Man a comedy? Stephen King's novel was a furious political thrill ride about a man out of options, forced to fight for his life (and family) against a corrupt government, exploitative media, and cruel capitalist system that turned impoverished people into prey for a ravenous TV show that makes their murders entertainment. Yet when Edgar Wright, who's previously blended horror and comedy with Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End, read this book, he apparently thought what was missing from The Running Man was slapstick and an endless supply of jokes, peppered by peculiar product placement. 

That's not to say a dystopian movie can't be a successful comedy. Look to Zombieland, Sorry to Bother You, The Lobster, or Tank Girl (but not Electric State). Yet the very premise of The Running Man novel, from which this movie pulls heavily, is so dark and furious that casting a hunky movie star, Glen Powell, to play silly and sexy while also being politically challenging is absurd. (Perhaps this is why the Schwarzenegger adaptation veered far from the book's plot for a more audacious, even cartoony, vision of dramatic dystopia.) The critiques Wright's film half-heartedly makes can't land, as the comedy constantly undercuts the viciousness of this particular dystopia. The result is a flashy film that wants to have it both ways in terms of violence and complacency. 

The Running Man is truer to King's book than the Schwarzenegger version.  Katy O'Brian, Glen Powell, and Martin Herlihy play runners in "The Running Man." Credit: Paramount Pictures

Exuding an athletic but not hyper-muscular brand of masculinity, Glen Powell is a more grounded "running man," a stark contrast to the 1987 action movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. That adaptation took only a sliver of King's novel to spin an outrageous tale well suited to the pumped-up masculinity of its larger-than-life action star, who played a wrongfully convicted hero-cop surrounded by aggro, beefy, and eccentric hunters with names like Fireball, Dynamo, and Buzzsaw. 

In Wright's more faithful adaptation, Powell is more of an everyman. Far from some almost superhuman figure, his Ben Richards is a blue-collar worker who has been fired from one job after another for standing up for his fellow workers. Blacklisted for his "commie" sympathies (Ben is pro-union), he turns to The Network to provide for his wife, Sheila (Jayme Lawson), and their sick baby, Cathy. 

Run by Dan Killian (Josh Brolin mimicking Dennis Quaid's chin-forward mugging in The Substance), The Network is a game show channel that flings the desperate into an array of vicious games that promise embarrassment, injury, and death in exchange for cash prizes. Richards is hoping for a less deadly show (like Speed the Wheel), but is cast in The Running Man. To get back to his family, he'll need to play by Killian's twisted rules, surviving 30 days being tracked by paid "goons" (who've taken the place of police) and a celebrity hunter named Evan McCone (a masked Lee Pace). Making things even harder, fans of the show can report on his location and get paid for tips leading to his on-camera execution. 

Fans of the book might well appreciate that Wright, who co-wrote The Running Man with his Scott Pilgrim vs. the World collaborator Michael Bacall, stays pretty close to King's plot points for much of the runtime. However, where Wright turns to comedy, he veers hard from King's tone and thereby intentions, caving to audiences' basest impulses for bloody, mindless cinematic spectacle. 

SEE ALSO: Bryan Lee O'Malley on 'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off' twist fans didn't see coming The Running Man pulls its punches through slapstick.  Glen Powell, left, and Michael Cera star in "The Running Man." Credit: Paramount Pictures

Let's start with the violence. There's plenty of it, from gunshot wounds to booby traps and explosions. Yet Wright is careful about who will get hurt onscreen. Nameless "runners" from the titular TV show will be served up as comedic canon fodder in a goofy montage to explain the show's premise and inescapability. A barrage of goons will be fed into the violence spectacle grinder. But when it comes to characters the audience might be invested in — be they heroes to love or villains to loathe — Wright holds back, with few exceptions. 

Pivotal plot points involving major character deaths don't hit hard because Wright either cuts away from the killing blow or cops out on the carnage that such a violent end could have (especially in a movie where life is cheap and gore is cheered). When it comes to good guy deaths, this sheepishness for onscreen violence might be explained as not wanting to sour the fun of this action-comedy by making us actually think about the real horrors of such violence. But why go easy on the movie's big bads? Why pull those punches? 

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In place of the kind of violence that would make The Running Man's R-rating feel truly fitting, Wright delivers a tamer provocation: cursing. There are a lot of four-letter words, which is perhaps supposed to play as funny, or macho, or defiant. But Richards and others repeatedly calling those oppressive authority figures "shit eaters" just feels juvenile (especially when he's literally just eaten shit in a sewer escape). 

The Running Man is afraid to confront American politics directly.  Colman Domingo plays a TV presenter with plenty of style in "The Running Man." Credit: Paramount Pictures

Most frustrating, however, is that Wright and Bacall use comedy to undercut any political earnestness or even dramatic tension in the film. For instance, Ben is running for his life from the hunters, but nudity is used to amuse. Powell not only strips down to a towel, then his birthday suit, but also pops into his messy escape a dangerous stunt deflated by a cheap joke. To quote Ben, "Why?!" Later in the film, an oddball ally, played by Scott Pilgrim's leading man Michael Cera, delivers a passionate speech about police corruption only to immediately make a joke by cavalierly plugging a real-world energy drink brand. Why let the critique land when we can instead comfort a mainstream audience with a kooky visual gag?

Of course, there is a way to make a political statement while working in brand sponsorships. Consider how Josie and the Pussycats made such branding a villain within the plot of its film even as it bandied about a plethora of brand names, or how Fight Club only featured brand names during intense scenes of violence or terrorism. Wright's nowhere near so daring, making soft punchlines of each product placement without a critique behind their appearance. Plus, it's hard to take the political monologue about poverty Richards screams at a rich, white girl (Emilia Jones) he's taken captive all that seriously when he's flashing $20,000 veneers. As I said with The Lost Bus, Hollywood leading men cannot play impoverished everymen with clearly costly smiles. Look at Leonardo DiCaprio in Killers of the Flower Moon. He gets it!

Yet the wildest choice Wright makes is how he carefully frames this dystopia of crippling economic inequality as a place devoid of race politics. Set in a world in which both Schwarzenegger's political career and President Barack Obama are referenced, The Running Man carefully sets up a critique of economic inequality while dodging how systemic racial inequality ties in. These choices in screenwriting and casting could be an editorial unto themselves, but require a lot of spoilers. Essentially, Wright seems to dodge issues of race so as not to risk making his audience uncomfortable as they watch slaughter for fun. He presents an American dystopia where people are lining up to be hunted for spectacle so they can get a taste of what it means to even briefly have wealth, and yet they've overcome racism?

Perhaps it's naive to expect a studio-made movie with a reported $100 million budget to have anything all that challenging to say about American society. Maybe it's best we leave that to foreign filmmakers who've given us such hilarious, thrilling, and thought-provoking films as Triangle of Sadness, Parasite, and Mickey 17. (Oh, wait. That last one was an American-studio produced movie — from this year even!) 

Still, The Running Man isn't all infuriating. 

The best part of The Running Man is the character actors.  Daniel Ezra, left, and Angelo Giorgio Gray play brothers in "The Running Man." Credit: Paramount Pictures

Props to Brolin, who, as he has in Weapons and the Avengers movies, sinks his teeth into playing a real ruthless bastard. Pace, though criminally masked for much of the film, still exudes a titillating intensity through sheer physicality as the ruthless lead hunter. Colman Domingo is enthralling as the merciless host of The Running Man, delivering killer fashion sense and a Caesar Flickerman-level of showmanship for government propaganda. William H. Macy brings a suitable Mystery Men-like weariness as a caring black-market dealer. Sandra Dickinson channels IT as a deranged fan of The Running Man TV show. Michael Cera brings a grounded sincerity as a zine-making rebel before leaning into Wright's indulgences for a Home Alone-like zaniness. Angelo Giorgio Gray and Daniel Ezra bring heart as a pair of brothers short-changed by a problematic script. And Katy O'Brian, who keeps proving a highlight in a barrage of big movies that don't know what to do with her — see Twisters, Christy, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, all movies in which O'Brian has brief but sensational appearances — is terrific fun. 

In The Running Man, she's another runner, one who is committed to queer debauchery, not hiding from the cameras but being out, loud, and defiant at strip clubs and casinos. This woman is a dynamo with explosive screen presence. For more of her, check out Love Lies Bleeding and Queens of the Dead. And join me in manifesting a big-budget movie that understands she should be the damn lead. 

Katy O'Brian stars in "The Running Man." Credit: Paramount Pictures

Anyhow, The Running Man is a bizarre movie. Through a collection of wild game shows and a Keeping Up with the Kardashians parody called The Americanos, Wright offers a critique of how reality TV might mollify the masses by turning class conflict into easy-to-digest entertainment. But then he offers a fictionalized form of this same popcorn-munching fuel by undermining The Running Man's inherent politics by feeding into audience's bloodlust and avoiding such taboo topics as race. 

Perhaps Wright was less interested in adapting King's novel than having his own run at the concept that made the Schwarzenegger version such a wild ride. Maybe this English filmmaker never intended to say anything all that profound about American society. But playing so close to King's concept while embracing the cliches of American action movies creates a dissonance that's not just unsatisfying, it's infuriating. In the end, The Running Man is a sloppy collage of violence, action, and cheap jokes that is far more style than substance. 

The Running Man opens in theaters on Nov. 14.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NASA has a broken giant antenna that could upend its 2026 plans

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 20:17

Equipment failures in NASA's Deep Space Network have disrupted spacecraft communications and stalled near-Earth asteroid studies for nearly two months.

As the federal government remains shut down, engineers are racing to restore the space agency's historic 230-foot-wide radio dish near Barstow, Calif. The massive dish, about the size of a Boeing 747 jet, broke down on Sept. 16. 

Known since 1966 as the Mars Antenna for receiving the first signals from a spacecraft closely observing the Red Planet, the giant dish over-rotated during operations, straining cables and pipes at its center. Damaged hoses from the fire suppression system also caused flooding, though the water damage was quickly abated, according to NASA in a statement to Mashable.

NASA has established a formal mishap investigation board to examine what led to the antenna’s damage. 

"The antenna remains offline as the board members, engineers, and technicians evaluate the structure and make recommendations and repairs," said Ian O'Neill, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory spokesperson. "There is no danger to the public." 

Due to the shutdown, NASA employees could not respond to questions for weeks. But as a Senate vote signaled progress toward reopening the government, the agency began providing limited information to Mashable's inquiry. 

SEE ALSO: NASA astronaut class appears to be first without Black recruits in 40 years

The repair timeline remains unclear, leaving open the question of how the outage may affect preparations for Artemis II, a 10-day crewed mission that will orbit the moon as early as next year. Its predecessor, Artemis I, needed more than 900 hours of Deep Space Network support in 2022 and briefly lost contact during flight, underscoring the system’s fragility.

Founded in 1963, NASA’s Deep Space Network is the world’s largest and most powerful system for communicating with spacecraft. It commands and monitors more than 40 missions, with more on the way. The network’s three antenna complexes — in California, Spain, and Australia — work around the clock so that at least one site can always reach spacecraft as Earth turns.

Upon the network's 50th anniversary in 2013, Al Bhanji, who used to manage it, explained how crucial the system had been for practically everything NASA had undertaken in space. 

"Without the DSN, we would never have been able to undertake voyages to Mercury and Venus, visit asteroids and comets," Bhanji said then. "We'd never have seen the stunning images of robots on Mars, or close-up views of the majestic rings of Saturn."

It's no secret in the aerospace community that the network is overburdened. The NASA inspector general, who acts as the federal watchdog over the agency, has pressed for upgrades to the aging infrastructure. Over the past 30 years, data flowing through it has increased sharply, exceeding what the system was built to handle by 40 percent. Under NASA's Deep Space Network Aperture Enhancement Program, the agency is adding six dishes, including a new 112-foot-wide antenna in California slated to go online in 2026. 

The damaged Mars Antenna is the largest dish at the Goldstone Complex in California, capable of tracking spacecraft traveling tens of billions of miles from Earth. It was expanded to its current size in 1988 to support the Voyager 2 mission, which has since exited the solar system, along with Voyager 1

As the world's most sensitive planetary radar, the dish is also used to "ping" near-Earth asteroids. This allows scientists to determine an asteroid's position and speed, giving them the ability to estimate a rock's trajectory, crucial for tracking asteroids that could potentially slam into Earth. Researchers can also use the radar to "image" the objects. Though most asteroids are studied with optical telescopes, radar images can provide information about the physical properties of the rocks, like their shapes and sizes.

Under NASA's Deep Space Network Aperture Enhancement Program, the agency is adding six dishes, including a new 112-foot-wide antenna in California slated to go online in 2026.  Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech

After the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico collapsed in 2020, the NASA dish ramped up its radio astronomy to fill the void. Since then, the Mars Antenna has detected over 200 near-Earth asteroids. At the end of last year, more than half had been classified as "potentially hazardous." 

It's uncertain how long the antenna will remain out of service, but all of its scheduled asteroid observations have been canceled at least through the end of this year. 

"NASA will provide information on the board’s findings and next steps to the antenna’s service after the federal government reopens," a spokesperson said. 

Though failures in the network of this kind are rare, the legendary antenna in the Mojave desert has survived setbacks in the past. In 2014, a welder accidentally dropped a handrail while conducting maintenance, for example, puncturing a hole in the dish. In 1992, a magnitude-7.4 earthquake also damaged the antenna, requiring repairs.

Categories: IT General, Technology

15+ Veterans Day 2025 freebies for veterans and active military

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 20:07

While free food certainly can't compare to the sacrifices veterans and active duty military members have made for Americans, it's just a tiny way to say thank you for your service. In honor of Veterans Day 2025 on Tuesday, Nov. 11, many restaurants are offering U.S. vets and military personnel free meals, coffee, and more.

We've rounded up a select few deals you can find at chain restaurants near you today, but be sure to check out military.com for even more specials. For most deals, you'll need to show either a military ID, VA benefits photo ID card, Veterans ID Card, or other proof of service.

Veterans Day 2025 freebiesApplebee's

Veterans and active duty military can enjoy a free entree from the Applebee's Veterans Day menu on Nov. 11.

Arby's

Show your military ID and get a free Classic Roast Beef Sandwich on Nov. 11.

California Pizza Kitchen

Enjoy a free entree and beverage from a special prix fixe menu by showing your military ID while dining in on Nov. 11 at participating California Pizza Kitchen locations.

Veterans and active duty military can also get a buy one, get one bounce back card for a future visit — valid on pizza, pasta, or salad from Nov. 12 through 25.

Chili’s

All veterans and active military personnel can enjoy a free entree from a special menu at Chili's while dining in at any location on Nov. 11.

Chipotle

Got a valid military ID? You can enjoy a second entree free at Chipotle with the purchase of another between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. local time on Nov. 11.

Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel is saluting veterans and active military with free Sunrise Pancake specials when dining in at nearly all locations.

Dave & Buster’s

Get a free entree (up to $20) and a $10 Power Card for gameplay on Nov. 11 by showing a valid military ID at Dave & Buster's.

Fazoli’s

When you present a valid military ID or wear a military uniform when dining in at Fazoli's, you can get a free Spaghetti with Marinara or Meat Sauce with the code VET25.

Firehouse Subs

On Nov. 11, Firehouse Subs is running a buy one, get one free offer on subs for military personnel and veterans with a valid ID. The offer is only valid in stores.

IHOP

Show proof of military service when dining in at participating IHOP locations on Nov. 11 and enjoy a free Red, White and Blueberry Pancake Combo.

In-N-Out Burger

Craving In-N-Out? Veterans, active military, Reserves, and National Guard members can enjoy a free meal with a valid ID on Nov. 11.

Krispy Kreme

Get a free donut and small coffee at Krispy Kreme with a valid military ID at Krispy Kreme on Nov. 11. This offer is only valid in stores.

Red Lobster

Dine in at Red Lobster on Nov. 11 and show proof of service to get a free Shrimp & Chips entree.

Red Robin

Red Robin is giving all veterans and active military personnel free Red's Big Tavern Burgers with a choice of Bottomless sides at participating locations on Nov. 11. Just show a valid military ID to claim yours.

Shake Shack

Active and retired military personnel can enjoy free Big Shacks — the restaurant's newest menu item — at Shake Shack on Nov. 11 with a valid military ID while supplies last.

Sheetz

All veterans and active duty military personnel can enjoy a free half turkey sub and a regular size fountain drink at any Sheetz location with proof of service. Sheetz will also provide free car washes to vets and active military on Nov. 11.

Starbucks

Veterans, active military, and military spouses can enjoy free tall coffees at Starbucks on Nov. 11.

Texas Roadhouse

Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. local time, Texas Roadhouse is giving veterans and active military members free meal vouchers with military ID of any sort to be redeemed through May 2026.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google issues security alert about malicious VPNs stealing user data

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 19:09

The holidays are almost upon us, and Google is giving us some security advice as a gift.

In a wide-ranging fraud and scam advisory blog post on its website, Google warned users of a number things, including malicious VPNs. According to Google, there are bad-faith actors disguising their software as legitimate VPNs for users who feel they might need such a thing. Anyone who downloads one of these might be subject to data theft (or worse). Google did not name any specific examples of VPNs you shouldn't mess with, however.

SEE ALSO: Google warns about major online scam threats for November. See the list.

While it was light on specifics, Google did offer some advice that should help keep you safe.

"Only download VPN apps from official sources, and check for apps with the VPN badge in Google Play. Be skeptical of free offers and avoid sideloading unknown apps," Google wrote. "Users should look carefully at the app's requested permissions — a VPN should not need access to things like your contacts or private messages. Always pay attention to browser download warnings and keep your antivirus software enabled."

In other words, don't sideload strange apps onto your Android device if you don't know where it's coming from. If you're getting something from the Play Store, there should be a verification badge letting you know it's OK to use. Follow this advice and you should have an easier time avoiding serious problems this holiday season.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 9 best early Black Friday MacBook deals to shop before the main event

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 19:03
Best early Black Friday MacBook deals at a glance Best overall MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749.99 (save $249.01) Get Deal Best MacBook Pro deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,779 (save $220) Get Deal Best MacBook M5 deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,538 (save $61) Get Deal Best budget MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $599 (save $50) Get Deal

You might still be enjoying leftover Halloween candy, but the calendar days are rolling by and Black Friday is hot on out heels. While most major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy have the official kick-off date set for Nov. 20, plenty of deals are already on offer that are well worth adding to your cart. Shop great Lego sets, today's best tech, portable power stations, and tons more.

SEE ALSO: The 20+ best early Black Friday deals: We found record prices on Apple, headphones, robot vacuums, and more

Apple itself doesn't usually celebrate Black Friday, aside from sometimes tossing in a free gift card, but other major retailers sure do. We have great deals on iPad, Apple Watches, and MacBooks ahead the official Black Friday sales. Shopping early means you'll have one less thing to think about and you're likely to avoid any potential shipping delays that can come along with everyone shopping all at once.

If you could use a MacBook upgraded, check out these early Black Friday sales.

Best overall MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749.99 at Amazon
$999 Save $249.01   Get Deal Why we like it

In Mashable's analysis of the best MacBooks, the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air earns the top spot as the best option for students. It's lightweight and thin which makes for ultimate portability. Noting it's sale price of $749.99, Mashable's resident laptop expert Haley Henschel wrote, "I seriously doubt it'll get any cheaper on Black Friday proper. That's a bargain."

More early Black Friday MacBook deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $699 at Best Buy
$799 Save $100   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $949.99 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $249.01   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,339 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $260   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $2,199 at Amazon
$2,499 Save $300   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4 Max, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,823.71 at Amazon
$3,119 Save $295.29   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Krispy Kreme is handing out free doughnuts and coffee on Veterans Day 2025 — how it works

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 18:34

TL;DR: On Veterans Day (Nov. 11), Krispy Kreme is offering free doughnuts and coffee to veterans and active duty military members.

Opens in a new window Credit: Krispy Kreme Krispy Kreme Veterans Day 2025   Learn More

Krispy Kreme is one of a number of retailers offering Veterans Day freebies to those who’ve served in the military.

On Nov. 11, active duty military members and veterans can grab a free doughnut at participating Krispy Kreme stores nationwide. And better yet, this special giveaway includes a free cup of coffee. So stop what you're doing and head immediately to your nearest Krispy Kreme. These sort of free giveaways don't come around too often, so make the most of them when they do.

SEE ALSO: Starbucks Red Cup Day nears: When, how to get your free cup

The other great thing about this Veterans Day giveaway is that you don't need to purchase anything to qualify. A lot of these "free" events require some sort of qualifying purchase, which takes some of the shine off the whole thing. That's not the case here. Leave your cash at home.

Mark Veterans Day with free coffee and doughnuts at Krispy Kreme.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Starbucks is giving away free coffee on Veterans Day 2025 — how it works

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 18:19

TL;DR: Veterans, military service members, and military spouses can enjoy a free Starbucks coffee on Veterans Day 2025 (Nov. 11).

Opens in a new window Credit: Starbucks Starbucks Veterans Day 2025   Learn More

Starbucks are honoring veterans, military service members, and military spouses with a tall (12 fl oz) hot or iced brewed coffee on Veterans Day. This special offer is valid at participating stores on Nov. 11. You can find your nearest participating store here.

Before you set off in search of your free drink, it's worth noting that cold brew, nitro, and customizations are excluded from this promotion. You're also limited to one drink per customer. This isn't a never-ending supply of caffeine, folks.

SEE ALSO: Starbucks Red Cup Day nears: When, how to get your free cup

This isn't the first time that Starbucks has supported the military community. Since 2013, Starbucks has worked alongside more than 40,000 veterans and military spouses in its cafés. Starbucks also supports the Wounded Warrior Project and the USO by donating $200,000 divided evenly between both organizations.

What better way to celebrate Veterans Day? Score your free tall hot or iced brewed coffee at Starbucks.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google warns about major online scam threats for November. See the list.

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 18:08

Google is warning users to stay alert this month as scammers step up operations across job sites, app stores and shopping platforms.

In a Nov. 6 advisory, Google’s Trust and Safety team said it’s tracking a rise in sophisticated scams — many powered by AI — that target job seekers, small businesses and holiday shoppers. Here’s what to watch for:

Fake job postings

Fraudsters impersonate real employers and demand upfront "training" or "processing" fees. Some scams use fake interviews to steal banking or ID info. Google advises applying only through verified company websites.

Review extortion

Businesses are being "review-bombed" with fake one-star reviews, followed by ransom demands to stop the attacks. Google is introducing tools that enable merchants to report these cases directly.

AI impersonation scams

Scammers are using hype around AI to push fake "free" versions of tools or apps that actually install malware or steal credentials. The best advice is to only download from official app stores or domains.

Malicious VPN apps

Scam VPNs disguised as trusted brands are spreading on social media and third-party sites. They often request excessive permissions or deliver spyware.

Fraud recovery scams

Scammers pose as investigators or government agencies, promising to recover stolen funds for an upfront fee. Legitimate entities never charge to start a case.

Holiday shopping scams

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday approaching, fake storefronts and phishing texts are on the rise. Avoid "too good to be true" deals and unexpected delivery notices.

Categories: IT General, Technology

We found more Advent calendars on sale at Amazon: Shop Mini Brands, Funko Pop!, "Bluey"

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 17:34

Advent calendars are one of the most coveted gifts of the season. The catch is that they're one of the only gifts that has to be given at the beginning of December to follow proper daily opening rules, which cuts several weeks off of your possible shopping time. Naturally, everyone's scrambling — so when Amazon drops some limited-inventory Advent calendar deals ahead of Black Friday, you'd be wise to jump on them.

SEE ALSO: Best gifts under $50 that are great for absolutely everyone

As of Nov. 11, we've found a really fun variety of Advent calendars (outside of the classic Lego sets that always sell out). Themes include Mini Brands, Bluey, Hello Kitty, and several Disney Funko Pop! options. Some are flash deals with limited inventory, so if you see one still in stock and on sale, grab it.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mini Brands Mini Brands Kawaii Advent calendar $24.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $10.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Mini Brands Mini Brands Books Advent calendar $24.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $10.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: MEGA Mega Pokémon holiday calendar building toys set $21.49 at Amazon
$24.97 Save $3.48   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: National Geographic National Geographic Gemstone Advent calendar $20.49 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $9.50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Funko Funko Pop! Bitty Countdown Calendar: Marvel Comics $29.49 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $5.50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Funko Funko Pop! Bitty Countdown Calendar: Disney Princess $29.49
$34.99 Save $5.50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Funko Funko Pop! Bitty Countdown Calendar: Stitch Holiday $29.49 at Amazon
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Categories: IT General, Technology

WatchOS 26.2 beta: How sleep scores are changing

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 17:32

It's about to get a little bit more difficult to ace your sleep score on the Apple Watch.

According to 9 to 5 Mac, watchOS 26.2 is updating its sleep score to be more accurate. Currently, your sleep score is based off of three categories: duration (worth 50 points), bedtime (worth 30 points), and interruptions (worth 20 points). Then, you're given one of five scores: very low (0-29), low (30-49), OK (50-69), high (70-89), or excellent (90-100). That "excellent" score will soon be no more.

SEE ALSO: I tested the top fitness trackers for running a marathon (by running the NYC marathon)

Apple is changing the new sleep scores by eliminating the score "excellent" and replacing that with "very high." It is also easier to get a very low score and more difficult to get that very high score. According to 9 to 5 Mac, very low will now be 0-40 points, low will be 41-60 points, OK will be 61-80 points, high will be 81-95 points, and very high will be 96 to 100 points.

In general, I've found that the Apple Watch overestimates my quality of sleep, so I see this change as a good thing. For example, last night I slept for seven hours and 16 minutes and went to bed around 10:30, which earned me a 47/50 for duration, a 30/30 on bedtime, and a 16/20 on interruptions (I have a chatty cat). In total, that was a 93 — an "Excellent." In comparison, my WHOOP MG 4.0 gave me an 87 percent sleep performance score, based on sleep duration vs. need, consistency, efficiency, and stress.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google details Gemini Home full launch timeline amid rollout confusion

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 17:20

Google’s Gemini for Home voice assistant is officially two weeks into its rollout, and early reactions from users suggest it’s already changing how people talk to their smart homes.

A Nov. 11 update on the Google Nest Community blog said the Gemini for Home team has been collecting feedback "across support channels, social media, in-app feedback, and the community itself." The post claims users have praised the Gemini upgrade for making Google Home "actually useful beyond asking for today’s weather" and called it a "massive improvement" over the old Google Assistant.

The biggest question, however, remains: when will everyone get it? Google said the Gemini for Home rollout is still limited to U.S. users but will expand to other regions starting in early 2026. The company advised users to make sure their home address is current in the Google Home app.

Google also clarified confusion for people managing multiple homes. Gemini for Home is enabled at the Home level, not per account — meaning an upgrade in one household doesn’t automatically apply to others linked to the same user.

The post noted updates to the FAQ page addressing early-access questions, including troubleshooting, and how to submit feedback directly by saying, "Hey Google, send feedback."

Google said its teams are investigating reported issues and iterating quickly. Future progress updates will be posted on the company’s "Things to Know" blog.

"Your feedback is critical to helping us improve," the post said. "Please keep it coming."

Categories: IT General, Technology

iOS 26.2 beta: The biggest new features

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 16:53

Apple has a new iOS beta out now for your perusal.

Specifically, the beta for iOS 26.2 is out now for iPhone users. As the second update to iOS 26, it doesn't seem like it's going to be especially transformative or revolutionary. But, the fine folks at places like 9to5Mac have dug into iOS 26.2 and come back with information about the biggest new features you can expect when the update drops in the near-ish future.

SEE ALSO: iOS 26.2, macOS 26.2, and iPadOS 26.2 betas are here: How to download iOS 26.2 beta: The biggest new features

Here's what you can expect from iOS 26.2.

Changes to Apple Podcasts

As I said, iOS 26.2 isn't a huge update. Many of the changes are minor updates to apps and whatnot, starting with Apple Podcasts.

Specifically, podcasts will now have AI-generated chapters with timestamps. Podcast creators are free to make their own chapters that will override the AI-generated ones, but if they don't feel like doing that, you'll at least have something to use as a guide for when to avoid spoiler discussions about a movie you haven't seen yet. There's also a new "Podcast Mentions" feature that will link to other podcasts that are mentioned in the one you're listening to.

Sleep Score adjustments

Interestingly, Apple decided to refine the Apple Watch Sleep Score system. Here are the new score classifications, with the previous ones in parenthesis:

  • Very Low: 0-40 (was 0-29 before)

  • Low: 41-60 (was 30-49 before)

  • OK: 61-80 (was 50-69 before)

  • High: 81-95 (was 70-89 before)

  • Excellent: 96-100 (was 90-100 before)

In other words, it's a little less forgiving than it used to be.

Apple News redesign

Apple also made some UI changes to the Apple News app. For instance, the "Today" screen now has easy-access buttons for food, puzzles, politics, and sports, so you don't have to seek those out yourself. There's also a new "Following" tab that will surface stories you've saved and things you've favorited.

Liquid Glass lock screen customization

Lastly, Apple is continuing its quest to make people like Liquid Glass more.

After introducing an ability to tint the Liquid Glass UI in iOS 26.1, the new iOS 26.2 beta gives you even more control over it. There's now a slider that lets you adjust the opacity of the clock on your lock screen. This isn't a huge change, but it should be welcome for people who really, really don't like Liquid Glass.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How much does Paramount+ cost per month?

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 16:50

On Nov. 10, Paramount Skydance announced that Paramount+ would be increasing its prices, effective Jan. 15, 2026. The company will also be getting rid of free trials for new users.

So how much will Paramount+ cost next year, compared to what it already costs? And with multiple tiers to choose from, what exactly will be you getting for your money?

SEE ALSO: How much does Netflix cost per month?

You've come to the right place. Below, we've laid out how much Paramount+ costs per month, as well as what each tier will get you, and how these prices stack up against other streaming services.

How much does Paramount+'s ad-supported tier cost?

Currently, Paramount+ has two tiers: one that comes with ads, and one that doesn't. The ad tier is called Paramount+ Essential, and it now costs $7.99 per month, or $59.99 per year. That means that if you choose to go with the annual plan, you're paying closer to $5 per month, saving almost $36 per year.

Starting Jan. 15, 2026, the monthly price of Paramount+ Essential will go up by $1, making it $8.99 per month. Its new annual price comes out to $89.99 per year. Opting for the annual plan will save you $17.89 per year.

With Paramount+ Essential, you get access to over 40,000 episodes and movies, along with select Showtime series. You can also stream on three devices at once, watch NFL games on CBS, and catch the UEFA Champions League.

SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert doubles down on Trump/Epstein coverage, takes a shot at Paramount How much does Paramount+'s ad-free tier cost?

Right now, Paramount+ Premium costs $12.99 per month, or $119.99 per year. That means that if you go with the annual plan, you'll be paying closer to $10 per month, saving almost $36 per year.

However, after the price hikes, Paramount+ Premium will cost $13.99 per month, or $139.99 per year. Paying the annual price will save you $27.89 per year.

Paramount+ Premium gives you everything in the Paramount+ Essential tier, without ads (apart from during live TV). You gain access to all of Showtime, as well as the ability to stream CBS live. You're also able to watch titles in 4K, UHD, Dolby Vision, or HDR10, depending on your internet capabilities, as well as download movies and TV shows.

How do Paramount+'s prices stack up against other streaming services?

With all these costs in mind, how do Paramount+'s prices compare to those of other major streaming services? Let's break it down.

At $7.99 per month, Paramount+'s ad-supported tier is the cheapest of the streaming services, along with Peacock and Netflix, whose ad-supported tiers cost the same amount per month. A Prime Video subscription by itself without an Amazon Prime membership costs $8.99 per month, while HBO Max's ad-supported tier costs $10.99 per month. Both Hulu and Disney+'s ad-supported tiers' prices cost $11.99 per month, making them the most expensive of the major streamers.

Paramount+ Premium is also among the cheaper options for ad-free streaming services. Peacock's comes in at $10.99 per month, while Prime Video's is $11.98. Netflix's ad-free tier costs $17.99, while HBO Max's costs $18.49. Once again, Disney+ and Hulu are the most expensive, each coming in at $18.99 per month.

With the 2026 price hikes, Paramount+'s ad-supported tier will become more expensive than those of Peacock and Netflix, but it will still be among the cheaper options. The same goes for its Premium plan, which while still cost more than Peacock and Prime Video's ad-free tiers, but less than HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu's.

UPDATE: Nov. 11, 2025, 9:42 a.m. EST This article has been updated to include information about Paramount+'s price hikes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Play will warn Android users about apps that drain your battery

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 16:45

It's happened to all of us. You fully charge your smartphone battery because you know you'll be out for the whole day and, somehow, your battery dies. Your smartphone doesn't always run out of charge this quickly, so it can't be solely a battery-related issue. There has to be some other culprit.

Good news, Android users. Google is going to step in and help you find the perpetrators.

Google just announced the launch of a new beta vitals metric for Android app developers that will result in a visible warning in the Google Play store for end users if an app causes excessive battery drain.

Google's new “excessive partial wake locks” metric, co-created by Samsung, aims to deter app developers from creating battery-draining apps while also warning users.

Rapid battery drain is usually the result of third-party apps that use wake locks to prevent smartphones from entering sleep mode in order to run background processes on the device when the screen is off.

Google says excessive wake locks are a “heavy contributor to battery drain.” As such, the company has created a threshold of what is deemed acceptable and unacceptable for apps running in the background.

According to Google, the company "considers a user session excessive if it holds more than 2 cumulative hours of non-exempt wake locks in a 24 hour period." Google has exemptions for apps that offer "clear user benefits" and provides "audio playback or user-initiated data transfer" as examples that would not fall under its bad behavior threshold.

However, the company says the bad behavior threshold for most apps will be crossed "when 5% of an app’s user sessions over the last 28 days are excessive."

When this happens, Google will warn the app developer in their Android vitals overview dashboard.

This is how the Google Play warning label for battery draining apps will be displayed. Credit: Google

If an app developer doesn't deal with their excessive wake locks issue, then it will affect how users see the app. According to Google, apps that cross the bad behavior threshold will receive a warning label in the Google Play store.

"This app may use more battery than expected due to high background activity," reads the notice.

Furthermore, Android users may have trouble finding these apps at all as Google will also make these apps ineligible for some discovery sections in the Google Play store.

This new update from Google seems like a pretty clear win-win. It forces app developers to create better apps and helps preserve users' battery life.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Paramount+ is increasing its prices in January. Heres how much it will cost.

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 16:32

Paramount+ subscribers will be ringing in 2026 with a price increase.

During its Q3 2025 earnings report on Monday, the newly merged Paramount Skydance announced that it would be raising prices on both Paramount+'s ad-supported and ad-free plans, effective Jan. 15, 2026. The company will also be terminating free trials for any new users.

SEE ALSO: How much does Paramount+ cost per month?

The news comes as Paramount CEO David Ellison revealed plans to cut 1,600 employees in South America, in addition to the 1,000 employees already impacted by layoffs in October. It is just the latest in a series of price hikes from major streaming services, including Disney+ and HBO Max.

How much will Paramount+ cost after the price hikes?

Paramount+ currently offers two plans: one with ads and one without. The ad-supported tier, called Paramount+ Essential, currently costs $7.99 per month, or $59.99 per year. On Jan. 15, the monthly cost will go up $1 to become $8.99 per month, while the annual subscription will cost $89.99 per year.

With the annual subscription, Paramount+ subscribers will save $17.89 per year. That's less than half of the savings under the old plan, which came out to $35.89.

Paramount+'s ad-free tier, Paramount+ Premium, will also increase by $1, going from $12.99 per month to $13.99 per month. Come Jan. 15, the annual plan will cost $139.99, as opposed to $119.99. Subscribers who choose the new annual plan will ultimately save $27.89 per year, as opposed to the $35.89 savings under the old plan.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tis The Season to score the Lego Christmas Tree for under $30 on Amazon

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 15:32

SAVE 40%: As of Nov. 11, the Lego Christmas Tree (40573) is on sale for $26.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Christmas Tree (40573) $26.99 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $18.00   Get Deal

I'm already making my holiday gift list, and I'm trying to find something for my nephew that isn't just another video game. This Lego Christmas Tree set is the perfect find — it's a fun holiday project that's way more engaging, and it's on sale for a great price.

SEE ALSO: 10+ best Advent calendars that are on sale right now at Amazon

As of Nov. 11, the Lego Christmas Tree (40573) is on sale for $26.99 at Amazon, down from $44.99. That's a 40% discount that you can secure for a limited time.

What's great about this 784-piece set is that it's a 2-in-1 build. Your giftee can choose to build one large tree that stands over 11 inches tall, or two smaller trees (one nine-inch and one six-inch). It’s a great solo activity, and the finished trees, adorned with ornaments, candles, and a yellow star, make for a festive piece of decor for their room.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Marty Supreme trailer sees Timothée Chalamet on the ping pong hustle

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 15:00

Timothée Chalamet backspins, backhands, and topspins through 1950s American hustle in the latest trailer for A24's Marty Supreme.

Directed by Josh Safdie, the film sees the Dune/A Complete Unknown star in the titular role, a New York ping pong prodigy based on table tennis icon Marty Reisman. Barely scraping by and under pressure to provide, Marty smashes through underground tournaments and builds his legend (and cash stash) alongside his friend Wally (the film debut of Tyler Okonma aka Tyler, the Creator).

In the trailer, you'll also spy Gwyneth Paltrow as former movie star Kay Stone, who begins an affair with Marty and lays down some home truths about making money in this cold hard world. Marty Supreme also stars Odessa A'zion, Kevin O'Leary, Abel Ferrara, and Fran Drescher.

Marty Supreme hits cinemas Dec. 25.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Now You See Me: Now You Dont review: Magic, smart-mouthing, and generational conflict

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 15:00

You want to feel old? The 2013 hit Now You See Me has a third entry in its trilogy, and it’s all about youths versus the "olds." Sure, at its core, this heist franchise still showcases entertaining magicians using their sleight-of-hand skills to Robin Hood ill-gotten gains from the rich to give back to the poor, oppressed, and conned. But this time, the Horsemen (Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, and Woody Harrelson) are also riled by (shakes fist from front porch) the youths (Barbie's Ariana Greenblatt, The Holdovers' Dominic Sessa, and I Saw the TV Glow's Justice Smith). 

In a naked attempt to excite Gen Z and Gen Alpha about this franchise that fell fallow after the pitifully named sequel Now You See Me 2 in 2016, Now You See Me: Now You Don't weaves in this trio of new and younger magicians to keep the Horsemen's story fresh. But the execution of this youthful (and clichéd) makeover is awkwardly mixed. 

Now You See Me: Now You Don't sets up a sensational villain in Rosamund Pike. 

Credit: Katalin Vermes / Lionsgate

Now You See Me had Michael Caine bringing his storied snarl to the villainous role of a shady insurance magnate. He came back for the sloppy sequel, with Daniel Radcliffe playing his magic-obsessed, tech-bro nepo baby. Now You See Me: Now You Don't breaks from this corrupt family line to find another, and it’s even more villainous, as their corruption dates back to Nazi gold. 

Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn) brings her regal demeanor and cutting intensity to Veronika Vanderberg, a diamond dealer whose mines exploit workers while her business launders money for war lords, kingpins, and dictators worldwide. Naturally, she needs to be taken down a peg. Who better to do so than the Horsemen, who've already Fast and Furioused their way through a pair of wealthy, reckless villains to worldwide acclaim? There's just one problem: The Horsemen split up. So, Danny Atlas (Eisenberg) is teaming with a trio of Bushwick squatters for help. 

An opening sequence introduces this dynamic team (and a couple of celebrity impressions): Bosco (Sessa); an agile pickpocket with a flair for parkour named June (Greenblatt); and Charlie (Smith) a foster kid who shuns the spotlight but loves designing the high-tech hologram illusions. Together with Atlas, they'll chase down the priceless Heart Diamond to make the world a less economically extreme place. And yeah, along the way, they'll pick up a Horsemen (or four). 

Now You See Me: Now You Don't feels dated from the start. 

Credit: Katalin Vermes / Lionsgate

Want to show these kids are anti-establishment and ready for action? Cue June parkouring up the outside of a shuttered Bushwick factory to allow her brothers in magic entry to their secret lair. After ripping off smug crypto bros, Bosco will level Atlas-level snark at the man himself as he spills out his team’s backstories, which include fixing the world the "olds" broke. Between Bosco and Atlas, there's a sense that Now You See Me: Now You Don't might be attempting to pass the torch to the next generation of Horsemen. However, this kind of move has previously failed, in Mission: Impossible (sorry, Jeremy Renner), Indiana Jones (tough stuff, Shia LaBeouf), and Jurassic World (oof, Chris Pratt). 

Whatever the end game for these newcomers, Now You See Me: Now You Don't too often uses them to make tedious jokes about getting older and being vexed about slang and trends. Harrelson is subjected to most of the heavy lifting on this point, misusing Gen Z slang in a very news-anchor-capitalizing-on-6-7 way, or scoffing over the very idea of an alcoholic seltzer beverage. (As if Zima wasn't a whole thing long before these kids were born). 

Such lame attempts at generational conflict might be intended to create tension, or to explore the Horsemen's fear that they're (to steal from Lethal Weapon) "too old for this shit." But mostly, it's used as an excuse to not bother building out the younger characters in a compelling way. They are defined not so much by who they are, but how they compare to the Horsemen in craft, charisma, and tragic backstory. 

Now You See Me: Now You Don't is a jumble, not a puzzle. 

Credit: Katalin Vermes / Lionsgate

Bouncing between eight or so main characters, this sequel is so overcrowded with plot that exposition dumps are happening more often than the magic tricks. Those tricks, which make use of camera tricks and much, much CGI, are fleeting fun. But the bigger mystery is hardly a mystery at all. I'm sorry to say, I cracked the big twist about a third of the way through the film, despite all the jet-setting, disguises, subterfuge, and razzle-dazzle. 

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The script is so overcrowded that it feels like it was written by committee. And indeed it was. The screenplay credits Seth Grahame-Smith (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), Michael Lesslie (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes), and the Deadpool writing team of Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese. These different styles don't blend together like they might in a Horseman magic show; they collide to construct a sequel that is frustratingly expected. These screenwriters pull plot twists from the previous two films and stunt spectacles from 1951's Royal Wedding's ceiling dance (though some might credit its descendant action scene in Inception). Plot holes are littered throughout, while the big twist is telegraphed way too soon. So, even if the cast — new and returning — gives their all, the big finale feels like a letdown. 

Still, it's fun to see the Horsemen team up again. Wounded by Atlas' updated backstory, Eisenberg brings an edge of hurt into his cocky persona that plays well against the brashness of Bosco. Harrelson is ever the game jokester, even when the jokes he's given are achingly weak. Franco still crackles as a card-flinging con man, while Fisher is earnest and elegant — even revisiting the notoriously dangerous stunt from the first film. And without giving away cameos, there's more fun from other deeply weird and charismatic cohorts to be had too. 

Credit: Katalin Vermes / Lionsgate

To the credit of the new additions, Sessa, Smith, and Greenblatt stand up well, not only to the cozy ensemble from the previous films, but also to Pike, who plays her villainous Veronica like a snake with a vicious smile. Sure, these roles are achingly underwritten. But Sessa leans into swagger, which should serve him well in the Anthony Bourdain biopic Tony, which he's tackling next. Greenblatt brings moxie, as she did to Barbie and Borderlands. But it's Smith, who's shown a terrific range across movies like I Saw the TV Glow, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, who truly shines, offering a fresh showcase of his abilities as he plays comedy, drama, and even gives some well-timed smolder. 

Frankly, the star power of this movie alone might be enough for Now You See Me fans hungry for more hijinks and hilarity. That this sequel does nothing all that new or even surprising might not be a glitch, but a feature. Why challenge an audience when you can wrap them within the warm certainty that no matter how twisted economic equality is making the world for everyday men and Horsemen, a scrappy group of clever individuals can pull together to save the day. It's an attractive premise. And like the Fast and Furious franchise, Now You See Me; Now You Don't runs even more into superhero territory by creating impossible stunts and impossible outcomes. That's the joy of these films for sure. It's just a shame this one doesn't aim to shock and awe us with anything new or even challenging. 

Now You See Me: Now You Don't opens in theaters on Nov. 14. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

Toyota must be joking about the range of its first electric pickup

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 13:28

For a company that pioneered electric-petrol hybrids several decades ago, Toyota sure seems to have an odd disdain for the purely electric car.

Take its latest battery electric vehicle (BEV), for example, the new Toyota Hilux. On Monday, Toyota introduced the new vehicle, including a variant relying purely on electric power — a first for the company's popular pickup (the Hilux also comes in petrol, diesel, and hybrid versions).

At least the interior is fresh. Credit: Toyota

Regardless of the variant, the Hilux has a revamped look which (as always) emphasises strength and toughness. It's only available as a double cab variant, and it comes with electric power steering and all-wheel drive across the range. Inside, the main infotainment display is horizontally oriented and measures up to 12.3 inches, the same size as the display in front of the driver.

SEE ALSO: Toyota is recalling 2,700 electric bZ4X cars. Reason: Wheels may fall off.

It all sounds nice until you get to the battery and range. The electric version of the Hilux has a 59.2 kWh li-ion battery, with a WLTP driving range of about 149 miles, or 240 kilometers.

That, simply put, is painfully low, given that a competitor like Rivian's R1T pickup offers 270 to 420 miles of EPA range, depending on the battery. Bear in mind that Europe's WLTP testing is less stringent than the U.S. EPA standard, meaning that the Hilux will probably drop to sub-130 mile advertised EPA range.

A hydrogen fuel cell variant is scheduled to arrive in 2028. No word on range for that one. Credit: Toyota

Add to that the fact that Toyota's BEVs such as the bZ4X haven't had great real world range figures in testing, and you get an electric Hilux that probably won't take you very far, especially if you load it with stuff (which is, after all, what pickups are for).

Toyota says that the electric Hilux will go on sale starting Dec. 2025, but the price has not been announced. Hopefully, the company will introduce a variant with a larger battery, because this one is going to be a tough sell.

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