Mashable

Most people know the theory that an asteroid smashed into Earth — hitting what is now the Yucatán Peninsula — and killed off many of the dinosaurs about 66 million years ago. 

But that was not the only mass extinction for the planet — just the most well-known. Scientists believe at least five mass extinctions have occurred in the past 500 million years, and not all of them were caused by menacing space rocks. Perhaps two of them, one 372 million years ago and another 445 million years ago, were ice ages. 

A new study, based on a census of stars in the Milky Way, suggests those periods of severely cold climates may have begun with stars dying light-years away. 

"If a massive star were to explode as a supernova close to the Earth, the results would be devastating for life on Earth," said Nick Wright, an astrophysicist at Keele University in the United Kingdom, in a statement. "This research suggests that this may have already happened."

SEE ALSO: Hubble sees mini galaxies surrounding Andromeda are pretty wild A fossil of a type of brachiopod, Floweria chemungensis, went extinct in the late Devonian period. Credit: Andrew Bush / National Science Foundation

Previous research has yet to determine the cause for either the late Devonian or Ordovician mass extinctions, which occurred 372 and 445 million years ago, respectively. The Ordovician extinction is thought to have killed off about 60 percent of the invertebrate sea creatures at a time when most of Earth's species lived in the ocean; the late Devonian event eliminated 70 percent of all creatures and influenced sweeping changes in the kinds of fish that survived. 

Scientists have suspected these ice ages followed damage to the ozone layer. Crucially, the team working on the census says supernovas could have triggered the catastrophic changes in Earth's protective atmosphere. The rate of supernovas near Earth is consistent with the timing of both mass extinctions. The team's findings appear in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 

A supernova is a cataclysmic stellar death that leaves behind a black hole or neutron star. It is the biggest, brightest, and most violent type of explosion scientists have observed in the universe. 

These cosmic blasts are element factories, NASA says: They create carbon, for instance, the same chemical on which humans and much of life on Earth are based. They spread calcium and iron, the same stuff found in bones and blood, across interstellar space. This dispersal seeds new generations of stars and planets.

This is what astronomer Carl Sagan meant when he said we're made of "star stuff." The same substances composing our bodies were literally forged within the cores of stars, then flung through the cosmos when they died.

It's a great paradox then that supernovas could be both creators and destroyers of life, the authors observed. 

"Supernova explosions bring heavy chemical elements into the interstellar medium, which are then used to form new stars and planets," said Alexis Quintana, lead author, in a statement. "But if a planet, including the Earth, is located too close to this kind of event, this can have devastating effects."

A nearby supernova's blast of various forms of radiation could strip away the ozone layer. By "near," the experts mean within 65 light-years or so. Without the ozone, Earth would be exposed to harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun and acid rain. 

Betelgeuse, about 650 light-years away from Earth, is one of the brightest stars in the night sky. Credit: Alan Dyer / VWPics / Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Using models that estimate how stars evolve and emit light at different wavelengths, the team analyzed data from large sky surveys, including data from the European Space Agency's recently retired Gaia mission. The census involved nearly 25,000 so-called "OB stars" — very hot, massive stars — within 1,000 parsecs, or roughly 3,260 light-years, of the sun. These stars are so hot, they're at least double the sun's surface temperature. 

This census allowed the scientists to calculate the rate of supernovas in the local region of the galaxy and throughout the Milky Way as a whole. According to the team's calculations, about one supernova happens every 400 million years within close enough vicinity to Earth that its radiation could impact the atmosphere. 

The nearest stars that could blow within the next million years are thought to be Antares and Betelgeuse. If that gives you chills, don't worry: Both stars are more than 500 light-years away — far enough that their blasts wouldn't likely trigger an ice age.

At SXSW 2025, Will.i.am hyped up FYI.AI as the future of AI-powered messaging.

As part of that AI future, Will.i.am demoed the AI personas of his FYI.AI app at Qualcomm’s SXSW panel, "AI is the New UI," on Tuesday. Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor, Will.i.am claimed the goal of these personas was to make AI more relatable, giving it the "flavor and energy" of real people from different communities.

"This isn’t about replacing culture," Will.i.am said during the panel. "It’s about enhancing it, giving people AI that speaks to them in a way that feels natural."

For those unfamiliar, FYI.AI is an AI-powered productivity app for iOS and Android, built for creators. It helps organize projects, manage calendars, summarize group chats, make calls, send messages, and more — essentially an all-in-one digital assistant meant to replace all your other apps.

The AI personas are part of RAiDiO.FYI, a new FYI.AI feature that simulates a traditional radio experience with curated content and conversational AI. Think Spotify DJ, but with the ability to actually chat with the AI.

During the panel, Will.i.am introduced an AI persona named "Flowing with the vibes," meant to embody a young Black woman. Rather than a thoughtful representation, it felt overly scripted, dropping lines like, "You know I gotta keep it real with you, always bringing that authenticity," and "Chaaa, what's up my peeps!"

You can see so for yourself around the 39:30 mark on the video.

Qualcomm and Will.i.am clearly want to push the boundaries of AI personalization. The idea of AI that adapts to culture rather than imposing a corporate, one-size-fits-all approach is intriguing. 

Through his partnership with Qualcomm, Will.i.am is working to establish himself as a key player in AI, expanding his influence from collaborating with LG on XBOOM speakers to naming Jason Derulo as an FYI.AI ambassador.

This column reflects the opinion of the author.

There's a lot to enjoy with an Amazon Prime membership: a plentiful streaming service full of acclaimed originals, same-day shipping, and Grubhub+. But that's just a sampling of the extensive benefits for members. Prime members who also happen to be bookworms can maximize their monthly reading with the Amazon First Reads program.

Similar to Book of the Month, every month, Amazon First Reads drops a new collection of discounted titles. However, unlike Book of the Month, these books are totally free for Prime Members. Here's everything you need to know about Amazon First Reads.

What is Amazon First Reads?

Amazon First Reads is a monthly program in which eight editor-selected books are offered free to Prime members. Members are allowed to choose one book per month, which is then added to their library. Non-Prime members can still join in on the fun, but they have to pay $1.99 per book.

Featured Amazon First Reads books are totally free at checkout for Prime members. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon / Mashable composite

Some months, like Prime Day's July and Black Friday's November, offer two free books. And in others, you can select a free short story with your one free e-book.

To select your book, visit the Amazon First Reads home page to browse the options. As a Prime Member, you'll see the option to "read now for free " when you go to purchase the titles. Once you make your selection, it'll automatically be added to your Kindle library.

Which books are featured in Amazon First Reads?

Among the eight books selected each month, the book editors at Amazon provide a variety of genres for every reader. The books are typically new or soon-to-be-released books — many of the books are published under one of Amazon's publishing imprints, so they're exclusive to Amazon's shelves.

In addition to the eight full-length books offered each month, there's typically a short story available, too, exclusive to read through the Kindle Store. You'll find familiar names in the First Reads collections. Past authors include Abby Jimenez, Rebecca Yarros, Lee Child, Fredrik Backman, Alice Hoffman, and Dean Koontz.

Kindle Unlimited members are able to read most of the previous First Reads picks for free, so if there are multiple each month that you want to add to your digital bookshelf, consider a Kindle Unlimited membership.

Do you need a Kindle for Amazon First Reads?

All of the books selected are technically purchased through the Kindle Store. But does that mean you need a Kindle to read them?

Nope! No Kindle e-reader is necessary to read books collected through First Reads. All books purchased through the Kindle Store are available in the Kindle app, which can be read on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

However, if you're asking if you should get a Kindle, that's a different question. While a Kindle is not required to enjoy the bounty of the Kindle store, it is our favorite e-reader brand if you're in the market.

Kindle Paperwhite $159.99 at Amazon
Shop Now

In the seminal 1984 film Footloose, Kevin Bacon's character Ren delivers a stirring speech about how it's finally the town's time to dance. If you're West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez, however, the time to dance is never.

In perhaps one of the silliest examples of football guys being football guys, Rodriguez has banned his players from dancing on TikTok. Not from using or even posting on TikTok, mind you. Just dancing.

"They're going to be on it, so I'm not banning them from it," Rodriguez said Monday, via ESPN. "I'm just banning them from dancing on it. It's like, look, we try to have a hard edge or whatever, and you're in there in your tights dancing on TikTok, ain't quite the image of our program that I want."

SEE ALSO: The Trump campaign's take on Tim Walz's coaching days proves they don't know football

Let's just set aside how silly this is. (Very.) And how it's clearly based around Rodriguez's specific beliefs on what's "tough" or "manly." It's also probably bad for the team's success in an era where college athletes get paid and move from universities as they see fit. Because do you know which football players dance on TikTok? The best ones!

Travis Hunter, last year's Heisman Trophy winner — the prestigious award for the best player in college football — regularly dances on TikTok. Runner-up Ashton Jeanty? Ditto. Do you think good players will want to play at a place where something as simple as dancing on TikTok is banned? Obviously, it's not the biggest deal but it might be something that turns players off from the program — at least the really good ones who can play anywhere.

Rodriguez is free to make rules as he sees fit, and he said as much to reporters. But he's back at West Virginia nearly two decades after previously leading the Mountaineers to some of their best years. But banning TikTok dancing, of all things, might be a sign that he's stuck in the past.

Late last year, a YouTube video uncovering the shady affiliate tactics of PayPal's coupon Chrome extension, Honey, went viral.

The 23-minute video by YouTube creator MegaLag received more than 17 million views and spurred lawsuits against PayPal from YouTubers like Legal Eagle and GamersNexus.

As a result of the Honey expose, Google has now changed its Chrome extension policies concerning affiliate ads and marketing.

What is Honey?

First, as a refresher, Honey is a Chrome extension from PayPal that alerts users when it detects a coupon code relevant to their current e-commerce shopping cart. In exchange for providing the user with this coupon code, Honey enables PayPal's affiliate link on the user's computer so that PayPal receives credit for the customer's purchase. PayPal receives monetary compensation for every purchase made through their affiliate link from the e-commerce store.

SEE ALSO: YouTuber Marques Brownlee explains his part in the alleged Honey 'scam'

However, it appears that many Honey users were unaware of how the Chrome extension worked. MegaLag's video also highlighted that Honey inserted its affiliate link even if it had not discovered a relevant active coupon code. In addition, Honey would also replace an existing affiliate link, or where the shopper's purchase actually originated from, with its own in order to be credited for the sale.

While Honey users were incensed over Honey's affiliate link tactics, the move actually hurt content creators. YouTubers and other creators often recommend products, and their fans make their purchase through the creator's affiliate link to help support them. Affiliate sales can often make up a substantial portion of a creator's revenue. Honey was essentially stealing those sales from creators.

Google Chrome's new extension policies

Honey's tactics resulted in Google rolling out brand new affiliate ads policies for Chrome extensions.

According to the new policy, which is available on the Chrome for Developers website, "Affiliate links, codes, or cookies must only be included when the extension provides a direct and transparent user benefit related to the extension's core functionality. It is not permitted to inject affiliate links without related user action and without providing a tangible benefit to users."

To make it absolutely clear, Google even provided some examples that would be in violation of this policy, such as inserting an affiliate link when no coupon, cashback, or other discount is provided. In addition, Google says a user must take action for an extension to inject an affiliate code. The extension can't just insert the affiliate code without being manually prompted to do so by the user.

"Related user action is required before the inclusion of each affiliate code, link, or cookie," reads the next section of the policy.

This section clearly states that a Chrome extension must notify the user if it is replacing an existing affiliate link with its own. Any Chrome extension replacing an affiliate link without a user's knowledge violates Google's policies.

Looking through the policy, it appears to be a pretty targeted response to Honey's affiliate tactics. It also doesn't appear to affect the legitimate utility that Honey and other coupon — and cashback-related Chrome extensions — provide users.

SAVE $31.99: As of March 12, get the Sony Inzone wireless gaming earbuds for $168, down from their usual price of $199.99, That's a discount of 16% and their lowest price yet.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony Inzone wireless gaming earbuds $168 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $31.99 Get Deal

Not all gaming audio accessories have to be bulky over-ear headsets. Sony has a pair of earbuds specifically for gaming, and they're on sale for their lowest price ever.

As of March 12, get the Sony Inzone wireless gaming earbuds for $168 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $199.99. That's a discount of 16% and the lowest price we've tracked so far. This sale applies to both the black and white colors.

These buds offer active noise cancellation and 360 spatial audio, and you can use them on both PlayStation 5 and PC. They have onboard controls for volume, game/chat balance, mute, and music playback, all of which should make gaming with friends or just chatting a much more immersive affair. Plus, they have an AI-assisted microphone that helps extract noise from around you so everyone can hear you better.

These buds also last quite a while, with 12 hours of battery life and 24 hours with their included charging case. So you can get your game on without having to stop and switch to a different pair or juice them back up.

Ever since the Tesla Cybertruck launched, people have been putting the truck through its paces with hilarious, and often catastrophic, results. Tech YouTuber JerryRigEverything — mostly known for his smartphone durability test — put a Cybertruck through a different kind of test by loading the truck’s hitch up to its 11,000-pound tow limit to see if the truck could handle it. 

We won’t spoil the ending entirely, but based on the headline, you can probably guess how the test is going to go. In the video, Jerry has an excavator put 10,000 pounds of weight directly on the hitch of the Tesla to see if the Tesla can handle an improperly loaded trailer or the variances in weight that can happen when towing a trailer. The Tesla does not fare well. 

After the Tesla, Jerry performs an identical test on a Ram 1500. Not only does the Ram 1500 pass the test, but the excavator bounces the truck while keeping it under a 10,000-pound load to intentionally try and break the vehicle. Spoiler alert: It didn’t work. 

Jerry concludes that the gigacasting method for making car frames is great for Tesla’s other cars but may not be the best idea for the Cybertruck.

Apple has released update 18.3.2 for iOS and iPadOS, and it should be rolling out to compatible iPhones and iPads starting Wednesday. 

The latest update isn’t too big, so let’s get right into it. 

For the most part, Apple is going with the boilerplate update description. Cupertino says that the update “provides important bug fixes, security updates, and addresses an issue that may prevent playback of some streaming content.” Apple has a habit of not disclosing or discussing security issues until they’ve properly investigated and patched the issue, so whatever security updates were added are a mystery for now.

With that said, the update does bring a couple things of note. It adds a supplemental patch for a WebKit exploit that was originally fixed back in iOS 17.2. The bug allowed a specifically crafted website to break out of the Web Content sandbox and wreak havoc on devices. 

SEE ALSO: iOS 18.3 is here. 3 major changes to know

The other thing of note is that the update is turning Apple Intelligence back on by default, so users who don’t want to use it will have to go back into the settings and disable it again. This is a minor annoyance but one that iPhone and iPad owners will likely have to get used to with every update as users reported the same thing occurring after updating to iOS 18.3.1. 

Other than that, this is a pretty simple update. It’s still important to make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest OS to prevent any issues. 

In addition to iOS 18.3.2, Apple also released updates for Safari, along with macOS Sequoia 15.3.2 for Macs, visionOS 2.3.2 for the Apple Vision Pro, and tVOS 18.3.1 for Apple TV devices. 

Which iPhones and iPads are getting iOS 18.3.2?

Per Apple, the following devices should be receiving the update:

• Every iPhone from the iPhone XS generation to the latest iPhone 16

• iPad Pro 13-inch

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later

• iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later

• iPad Air 3rd generation and later

• iPad 7th generation and later

• iPad mini 5th generation and later
  

How do I install iOS 18.3.2?

It should be the same as any other update. If you don’t want to do it manually, you should receive a notification to update your phone or iPad and you just need to start the update from there. 

If you want to do it manually, hop into the Settings, then General. From there, tap Software Update and the update should appear. Tap the Update Now button to install the update. The device will reboot when it’s finished. 

Electric vehicles (EVs) have had a weird year so far. Thanks to Elon Musk, Tesla fell from grace. As the brand synonymous with EVs, that would seem to indicate that EVs are in trouble. As it turns out, nothing could be further from the truth.

Ars Technica, citing analysts at Rho Motion, reported that global EV sales had jumped up 30 percent compared to this time last year. Even in the U.S., sales were reportedly up 28 percent compared with this point last year. That might actually be because folks are trying to get ahead of an anti-EV administration.

"American drivers bought 30 percent more electric vehicles than they had by this time last year, making use of the final months of IRA tax breaks before the incentives are expected to be pulled later this year," Charles Lester, Rho Motion data manager, told Ars Technica.

It’s a continuation of an already hot start to 2025 for EVs. Rho Motion noted in a previous report that sales in January 2025 were higher than they were in January 2024 by about 18 percent overall. Europe and the U.S. saw the largest gains at 21 percent and 22 percent, respectively, with China continuing to put up decent growth as well.

There are some blips here and there. For example, France saw a 15 percent decrease in EV sales in January 2025 versus the same time last year. Rho Motion suggests that it’s due to a newly implemented weight tax on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that started this year. This likely led to a lot of people buying EVs in December before the tax went into effect. Meanwhile, Germany saw the biggest jump with a 40 percent growth in January 2025 versus the same time a year ago.

SEE ALSO: Trump and Musk hosted a Tesla ad at the White House

In terms of brands, Rho Motion didn’t mention which automakers were the big winners and big losers in their data. For 2024, Tesla led the way in EV sales in the U.S. and most of the rest of the world. BYD had the most sales globally, however, thanks to its success in China. 

Tesla remains one of the biggest players in the EV game despite all of the controversy surrounding the brand. 

There have been signs, however, that the company has been adversely affected by Musk’s prominent role in the U.S. government and right-wing politics. Early signs have shown Tesla sales falling precipitously. Used Teslas, meanwhile, are dropping in price alongside the company’s shares.  

EVs may be selling overall, but Tesla could still be in trouble.

Disney continues its roll of live-action remakes with Lilo & Stitch, coming to theaters May 23.

SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know about

Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), Lilo & Stitch once again tells the story of renegade alien Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders, who co-directed and voiced Stitch in the original film) who crash-lands in Hawaii. There, he'll find an unlikely friendship with human Lilo (newcomer Maia Kealoha).

Lilo & Stitch's first full trailer pays tribute to several of the original film's most well-known moments, including Ice Cream Man tragically losing his ice cream, and those always-memorable words, "Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten."

On top of re-introducing Lilo and Stitch, the trailer also introduces the rest of the film's cast of characters, including Lilo's sister Nani (Sydney Elizebeth Agudong), Nani's boyfriend David (Kaipo Dudoit), and social worker Cobra Bubbles (Courtney B. Vance). On the alien side, Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen play Jumba and Pleakley in their alien and human forms, and Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham voices the Grand Councilwoman. Tia Carrere and Amy Hill, the original voices of Nani and Lynne Hasagawa, return as new characters Mrs. Kekoa and Tūtū.

Catch them all in (live) action in the trailer above.

Lilo & Stitch hits theaters May 23.

TL;DR: Own Microsoft Visual Studio for life for just A$44 through 30 March and transform your development process with advanced tools.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for Windows AU$44 at the Mashable Shop
AU$790 Save AU$746 Get Deal

If you’re serious about coding, you need a serious tool to match your skills. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 is an integrated coding environment (IDE) built to help developers work smarter, not harder. This popular Microsoft tool offers a comprehensive suite of features to simplify coding, debugging, and deploying projects.

Own Microsoft Visual Studio for life for just A$44 (reg. A$790) through 30 March and transform your development process with advanced tools.

Designed for professionals, this platform supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks, making it a go-to for everything from web development to mobile app creation. Its integrated debugging tools allow you to spot and fix errors in real time, cutting down on frustration and saving you hours of work.

Collaboration is seamless, thanks to various built-in integrations, letting you work smoothly with your team. The intuitive interface and advanced organization tools help you handle even the most complex workflows with ease, so you can stay focused on what really matters — creating amazing applications.

This isn’t just a tool for writing code; it’s a full-scale development environment tailored to the needs of professionals. You’ll also enjoy live testing features, making it easy to catch bugs early and deliver polished results. Best of all, this is a lifetime device license, so there are no subscriptions or recurring fees.

Whether you’re an experienced developer or looking to take your skills to the next level, Visual Studio Professional 2022 is the ultimate companion for efficiency and precision.

Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for A$44 at the Mashable Shop through 30 March and elevate your coding game with tools built for success.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of March 12: OUR TOP PICK Apple AirTags (4-pack) $64.49 (save $34.51) Get Deal BEST SPEAKER DEAL Sonos Roam 2 $139 (save $40) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL JBL Live 770NC $117.45 (save $82.50) Get Deal BEST TABLET DEAL Amazon Fire 7 tablet $44.99 (save $15) Get Deal BEST SOUNDBAR DEAL Sonos Ray soundbar $179 (save $100) Get Deal

Amazon's Spring Sale is imminent, though no official date has been announced. That can only mean one thing: deals.

Ahead of the formal sale announcement, we're already seeing some pretty major discounts at the mega retailer on brands like Apple, Sonos, and Amazon itself. We rounded up a few of our favorites for you to get a jump start on shopping.

Here are our picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on March 12. If none of these are your cup of tea, be sure to check back tomorrow for a whole new batch.

Our top pick: Apple AirTags (4-pack) Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTags (4-pack) $64.49 at Amazon
$99 Save $34.51 Get Deal

Apple AirTags just keep dropping in price. The four-pack reached a record low of $67.99 two weeks ago, only to drop another $3 a few days later. Now, as of March 12, they've dropped once again to a new low of $64.49. That's 35% in savings. If you're an iPhone user who travels regularly or tends to lose things, AirTags are your best bet for keeping track of your belongings. Attach them to your luggage, purse, keys, backpack, instrument, etc. and as long as there's an Apple device nearby with FindMy turned off, you'll be able to see precisely where you are in proximity to your stuff.

Sonos Roam 2 Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Roam 2 $139 at Amazon
$179 Save $40 Get Deal

Mashable's Alex Perry called the first rendition of the Sonos Roam speaker "an endearing and great-sounding portable speaker that you can use in just about any way you want," and gave it the coveted Mashable Choice award. Now in its second iteration, we can only imagine its more impressive. It didn't fix what wasn't broken; it added small updates like a dedicated Bluetooth button, a new charging cable, and battery improvements. Usually $179, you can snag it on sale at Amazon for just $139 as of March 12. That's 22% in savings.

JBL Live 770NC Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Live 770NC $117.45 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $82.50 Get Deal

Noise-cancelling headphones don't have to cost a fortune. The JBL Live 770NC are a budget-friendly option on sale for only $117.45 at Amazon as of March 12. That's 41% off their usual cost. They're not the fanciest headphones on the market, but they still check all the necessary boxes: customizable sound through the JBL app, impressive battery life (up to 65 hours), comfortable design, reliability. While we haven't had a chance to review them, we have been impressed by JBL headphones and speakers in the past.

Amazon Fire 7 tablet Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire 7 tablet $44.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $15 Get Deal

Whether you're looking for a tablet for your teen or something ultra-portable to accompany your travels, Amazon's Fire 7 tablet is a solid pick. It's not the flashiest tablet around or anything. As Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel put it in her review, it's "deeply average." But its crazy low price point, expandable memory, and solid and compact build make it a great choice to toss in your carry-on without worry. It's usually $59.99 after a permanent price drop, but it's on sale for just $44.99 as of March 12. That's 25% off and just $5 shy of its best price ever.

Check out our full review of the Amazon Fire 7 tablet.

Sonos Ray Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ray soundbar $179 at Amazon
$279 Save $100 Get Deal

Most TV's sound systems don't quite live up to their impressive pictures. That's where soundbars come in. The Sonos Ray is a great way to bump up the audio without spending a fortune. It's on sale for just $179 (down from $279) at Amazon as of March 12. That's 36% in savings. It "delivers on the bottom line requirement of any speaker: true, quality sound," according to Mashable reviewer Han Schneider, hence why it's our favorite starter soundbar. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles as other soundbars, the price more than makes up for it.

Read our full review of the Sonos Ray.

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

SAVE $35: Amazon Prime members can buy the Anker Space A40 earbuds for just $44.99, down from the normal price of $79.99. That's a 44% discount that matches the lowest price we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Space A40 earbuds $44.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

Earbuds are no longer an optional tech accessory these days. Your favorite pair likely get hours of use each day between the morning podcast, the epic work playlist you've curated, and then tucking into bed to catch up on The White Lotus. If you're in need of a spare pair or have been searching for an affordable upgrade, check out this Amazon deal.

As of March 12, Amazon Prime members can buy the Anker Space A40 earbuds for just $44.99, marked down from the usual price of $79.99. That's a 44% discount that matches the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon. To snag this sale price that takes $35 off, select the blue or black colorways.

Getting up to 50 hours of playtime, the Anker Space A40 earbuds are a great budget-friendly option. Since we find earbuds to be pretty essential for daily life, it's smart to keep a pair on your nightstand, one at the office, and another pair for your backpack or purse.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best earbuds to buy in 2025 from Bose, Sony, and more

The Soundcore by Anker Space A40 earbuds include active noise cancellation, which not all affordable earbuds can claim. The brand also focused on comfort with the A40 earbuds with an ergonomic fit and lightweight design, weighing less than a sheet of paper. They also come with five ear tip sizes, making it pretty likely you'll find a great fit.

The Anker Space A40 earbuds also come with dual connection abilities, meaning you can stay connected to two devices at once via Bluetooth, allowing you to listen to a playlist on your phone but easily switch to a work call on your laptop.

Prime members are in for a treat with this deal on the Anker Space A40 earbuds. Matching the lowest price we've ever seen, snag these reliable earbuds for just $44.99 at Amazon.

TL;DR: Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League matchup between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid is undecided. Real Madrid won the first leg 2-1, but Diego Simeone's side will be confident of overturning that deficit in the second leg. It's going to be a tense affair between these fierce rivals.

If you want to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid?

Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on March 12. This fixture takes place at the Metropolitano Stadium.

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid for free

Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid on RTÉ Player by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Sign in to RTÉ Player

5. Watch Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Lille vs. Dortmund in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Lille vs. Dortmund in the Champions League is hanging in the balance. The first leg finished 1-1, and now the action heads to France as these two sides battle it out for spot in the quarter finals.

If you want to watch Lille vs. Dortmund in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Lille vs. Dortmund?

Lille vs. Dortmund in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on March 12. This fixture takes place at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

How to watch Lille vs. Dortmund for free

Lille vs. Dortmund is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Lille vs. Dortmund for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Lille vs. Dortmund for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Lille vs. Dortmund (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Lille vs. Dortmund in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $200: As of March 12, you can get the Sony XG300 portable Bluetooth speaker for $149.99, down from $349.99, at Best Buy.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony XG300 portable Bluetooth Speaker $149.99 at Beat Buy
$349.99 Save $200 Get Deal

Whenever the weather’s warm (or even when it’s not), having a good-sounding speaker is the ultimate flex. The only problem is that quality speakers typically cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

Luckily, we found a great deal on the Sony XG300 portable Bluetooth speaker at Best Buy. You can get it for $149.99, down from $349.99 — that’s a $200 discount.

SEE ALSO: The best speakers in 2025

This speaker is basically a miniature version of the Sony SRS-XG500 (I bought this speaker for my dad years ago, and it still rocks to this day). It’s IP67 waterproof and dustproof — I can attest to this; we play ours right on the beach.

It's got a 25-hour battery life, and you can get 70 minutes of playback after just a quick 10-minute charge. Bonus: it also works as a charging port for your other devices. Plus, you can hook it up to 100 compatible X-series wireless speakers to create a surround-sound experience.

This little speaker also features an LED ring light and customizable lighting effects, which makes it perfect for parties or just listening to music by a bonfire or in a dimly lit room.

Mystery lovers, get excited: Season 2 of Poker Face finally has a release date.

The second season of Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne's Columbo-style mystery is coming May 8, and Peacock has released a quick teaser showing off all the mayhem (and guest stars) you can expect.

SEE ALSO: How a line in the 'Poker Face' finale solves one of the show's very first mysteries

Following the Season 1 finale, human lie detector Charlie Cale (Lyonne) is on the run from the notorious Beatrix Hasp (Rhea Perlman), head of the Five Families crime syndicate. Once again, she finds herself cracking cases everywhere she goes, with suspects played by Wicked's Cynthia Erivo, John Mulaney, Katie Holmes, Giancarlo Esposito, Awkwafina, Cliff "Method Man" Smith, Justin Theroux, Taylor Schilling, Kumail Nanjiani, and Yellowjackets' Melanie Lynskey.

And that's only the guest stars they show in the teaser! Poker Face Season 2 also features (deep breath) Adrienne C. Moore, Alia Shawkat, Ben Marshall, B.J. Novak, Carol Kane, Corey Hawkins, David Alan Grier, David Krumholtz, Davionte "GaTa" Ganter, Ego Nwodim, Gaby Hoffmann, Geraldine Viswanathan, Haley Joel Osment, Jason Ritter, John Cho, Kathrine Narducci, Kevin Corrigan, Lauren Tom, Lili Taylor, Margo Martindale, Natasha Leggero, Patti Harrison, Richard Kind, Sam Richardson, Sherry Cola, Simon Helberg, and Simon Rex.

But who among these stars will be a victim, and who will be a murderer? We'll have to wait until May 8 to find out.

The first three episodes of Poker Face Season 2 premiere May 8 on Peacock, with new episodes weekly.

We have a president who calls himself a king, TikTok fashion creators are teaching their followers how to DIY chainmail bonnets, actors are stepping onto red carpets adorned in silver motifs reminiscent of medieval armor, and Pinterest has predicted a new trend for 2025: "castlecore."

Good enough: Welcome back, the Middle Ages.

The rise of castlecore

It's clear to anyone paying attention that one of the dominant aesthetics of early 2025 is "castlecore." Castlecore, also called medieval modern or future medieval, is a design trend — influencing typography, fashion, home design, and more — that combines medieval aesthetics like chainmail and stone architecture with modern comforts like air conditioning and vaccines.

We saw hints of this trend in 2018 when Zendaya wore a Joan of Arc-inspired armor look at the Met Gala. But now, castlecore is everywhere. A notable example of its resurgence is Chappell Roan’s "Roan of Arc" performance at the MTV VMAs, which brought medieval-inspired visuals back into the spotlight. 

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If you search for “chainmail” on TikTok or Instagram, you'll find thousands of DIY tutorials where users are showing how to create their own wearable chainmail — from tops and bonnets to accessories. According to Pinterest, "medieval" is having a "major moment" this year — searches for "Antique ruby ring" increased by 50 percent, for "castle house plans" by 45 percent, for "chainmail necklaces" by 45 percent, and, most telling, for "medieval core" by 110 percent. In its annual trends report, the platform noted, "In 2025, Gen Z and Millennials will take home decor inspiration from ancient castles, while fashion and accessories will be gothic-inspired. It’s a comeback of the highest order."

"My favorite part about this trend is that it spans across categories, so we’re going to see it primarily show up in home and fashion," Sydney Stanback, the global trends and insights lead at Pinterest, told Mashable. "We’re seeing things like vintage tapestries, rich dark tones, and natural materials in homes, while medieval silhouettes, chainmail, and antique jewelry are taking over in fashion."

This resurgence isn’t surprising, as fashion has long drawn inspiration from different historical periods. “But this aesthetic taps into the medieval period with its dark, gothic, and brooding visual language," Mia Jacobs, a youth fashion strategist at WGSN, a consumer trend forecasting company, told Mashable. "However, this resurgence isn’t bound by historical accuracy; instead, we’re seeing a convergence of references from multiple time periods reinterpreted through a contemporary lens."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Technofeudalism, neo-medievalism, and our harsh political reality

At first glance, this trend may seem like another sign of humanity’s crow-like fascination with shiny silver objects. But its rise comes at a unique time politically. As castlecore's popularity grows, so does the idea that we may be living in the age of technofeudalism and neo-medievalism. Technofeudalism is the idea that the lords and kings aren't politicians or members of a monarchy but are, instead, tech companies — and neo-medievalism describes a time in which societies are fragmenting, economies are unbalanced, and threats seem always present. Seem familiar?

Kathy Pham, a creator who made a video detailing the connections between neo-medievalism and castlecore, told Mashable that "it's interesting to see this version of medieval revival happening simultaneously with the decentralization of nations and states," Pham said, referring to Great Britain leaving the EU in 2020 and President Donald Trump's isolationist policies.

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In his book Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism, former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis argues that we are actually already living in a technofeudal state — and capitalism is a thing of the past. He says tech companies like Apple, Meta, and Amazon have changed the economy so much that we no longer exist in a capitalist society but have already begun transitioning into one that looks more like Europe’s medieval feudal system. If we combine his line of thinking with the rise of castlecore aesthetics, we aren't using medieval aesthetics to escape a capitalistic society; we're using it to escape a technofeudal one.

In an interview with Wired, Varoufakis argued that profit drives capitalism while rent drives feudalism — and we've moved from the former to the latter.

"My argument is that we have progressed forward to a new system, which has many of the characteristics of feudalism, but it is one step ahead of capitalism. To signal that, I added the word techno," he told the news outlet.

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While castlecore might seem like a fashion or pop culture trend, its timing is hard to ignore. Of course, we've seen medieval revivals in the 1970s and 1990s, but with the rise of social media as a tool for fashion and politics, it's much less colorful and, frankly, much more metal. And, as Pham recognizes, we're just "seeing a lot more chainmail, silver, armored accessories," at fashion shows, on red carpets, and online than previous revivals. We tend to romanticize the past when we crave escapism, but it also reflects our broader political and cultural climate.

Living in a neo-medieval world

In a video posted to Instagram Reels that’s garnered more than 50,000 likes, Pham points to a 2023 paper published by the RAND Corporation titled “U.S.-China Rivalry in a Neomedieval World,” which defines the neo-medieval era as "a historical period beginning around 2000 characterized by weakening states, fragmenting societies, unbalanced economies, pervasive threats, and the informalization of warfare."

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Timothy Heath, a co-author of the paper, told Vox, "The last 200 years in many ways stand out as an incredible anomaly in human history, and that the situation we’re in now actually has a lot more features in common with the pre-1800 world than the recent past.”

The wealth gap continues to widen, the racial wealth divide remains strong, the cost of living surges, wages stagnate, and American politics grow increasingly polarized, with little room for cooperation. Research from the Carnegie Endowment underscores that Americans are emotionally divided, not just ideologically. The rise of this romanticized medieval aesthetic could be our collective attempt to escape this reality. 

"For Gen Z, this aesthetic offers a sense of escapism from the ongoing polycrisis and the anxieties of the modern world as they find solace in historical fantasies," Jacobs said. Stanback also says the trend hinges on the younger generation, saying they've driven trend which "speaks to its online staying power."

Escapism, fantasy, and feudalism in pop culture

We see this with the historic rise of the romantasy genre, too. According to The Guardian, sales of science fiction and fantasy books increased by 41.3 percent between 2023 and 2024. These books are typically set in mystical times that resemble the medieval era. We're talking castles, armor, and kings and queens. (Of course, we are also talking dragons and fantasy). 

It's not just fantasy books. The enduring success of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon "continues to embed these aesthetics into mainstream culture," Jacobs said. “At a time when AI and hyper-futuristic aesthetics are accelerating at pace, there’s also a growing counter-movement where individuals are seeking out what’s real."

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Yet it coincides with another paradox: we are living under the thumb of royalty, be it President Donald Trump’s self-declared kingship on Truth Social or Jeff Bezos’s management of Amazon, which bears more resemblance to technofeudalism than capitalism, and his attempts to dismantle the efforts of the free press.

Neo-medievalism and technofeudalism don't exist in a vacuum, and soon after these economic and political systems re-entered our cultural consciousness, so did armored rings and chainmail bonnets.

"There's that quote that history doesn't repeat, but it rhymes," Pham said. "So there is this sense of rhythm and pattern recognition that I'm seeing across pop culture, but also within our social-political climate. I'm not confident in saying that they're directly connected, but it's interesting to see those two parallels."

We likely won't be building stone castles any time soon, but it seems we are recognizing that our world is becoming more unpredictable and unstable—and our attachments to this aesthetic suggest a longing for permanence.

Politics and aesthetics have long been inseparable. While Chappell Roan may not have worn her iconic chainmail look as a direct response to technofeudalism or neo-medievalism, can we really say that one exists without the other? Is the rise of medieval aesthetics simply escapism, or is it a product of our current political moment?

Castlecore may just be another fleeting trend, something to match our escapist fantasies. But whether we’re donning chainmail accessories or escaping into romantasy novels, aesthetics are never separate from politics. And in a world that increasingly resembles the Middle Ages, perhaps it’s no surprise that we’re dressing for the occasion.

TL;DR: Find a wide range of free online courses from MIT on edX.

A huge bank of free online courses from some of the biggest and best educational institutions in the world are just sitting on edX, waiting for you to enroll. It sounds too good to be true, but you could become a student of a famous school like MIT without spending anything.

You can find free lessons on useful topics like AI, Python programming, investing, and so much more with edX. There's a lot to consider, so we've got you started with a standout selection of free online courses from MIT.

These are the best free online courses from MIT this month:

• Becoming an Entrepreneur

• Cell Biology: Cell-Cell Interactions

• Cell Biology: Transport and Signaling

• Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis

• Circuits and Electronics 2: Amplification, Speed, and Delay

• Circuits and Electronics 3: Applications

• Data Analysis: Statistical Modeling and Computation in Applications

• Derivatives Markets: Advanced Modeling and Strategies

• Energy Economics and Policy

• Financial Accounting

• Financial Regulation: From the Global Financial Crisis to Fintech and the COVID Pandemic

• Foundations of Modern Finance

• Foundations of Modern Finance II

• Fundamentals of Manufacturing Processes

• Fundamentals of Statistics

• Genetics: Analysis and Applications

• Genetics: Population Genetics and Human Traits

• Genetics: The Fundamentals

• Introduction to Biology: The Secret of Life

• Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science

• Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python

• Learning Time Series with Interventions

• Machine Learning with Python: From Linear Models to Deep Learning

• Management in Engineering: Accounting and Planning

• Management in Engineering: Strategy and Leadership

• Mathematical Methods for Quantitative Finance

• Mechanics of Deformable Structures: Part 1

• Molecular Biology — Part 1: DNA Replication and Repair

• Molecular Biology — Part 2: Transcription and Transposition

• Molecular Biology — Part 3: RNA Processing and Translation

• Probability: The Science of Uncertainty and Data

• Structural Materials: Selection and Economics

• Supply Chain Analytics

• Supply Chain Dynamics

• Supply Chain Fundamentals

• Supply Chain Technology and Systems

• Sustainable Building Design

• Sustainable Energy

• Understanding the World Through Data

• Visualizing the Birth of Modern Tokyo

These free courses do not come with a shareable certificate of completion or graded assignments/exams, but that's the only catch. You can start learning at a pace that suits you, so there's no pressure to commit.

Find the best free online courses from MIT on edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: MIT MIT Online Courses Free at edX Get Deal

In the world of Severance — whether it's stories about Dieter Eagan or objects in the childhood home of Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette) — nothing is accidental.

The same can likely be said for Apple TV+'s short teaser for Season 2, episode 9, which shows a person cutting a boiled egg on a plate.

SEE ALSO: What is Cold Harbor? Everything we know about 'Severance's biggest mystery.

Here's a reminder of the clip:

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Seems fairly innocuous, right? Maybe some parallels between the egg cutting and Lumon's severance procedure?

Well, as @zoeonfilm pointed out on X, the clue may actually lie in the plate the egg is being placed on.

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"two women, in red and blue, grabbing the same man," they wrote. "two versions of the same person going after one man. i wonder where i’ve seen this before…"

Once you've seen it, it's difficult to unsee it. The design on the plate appears to show two identical women grabbing the same man. A reference to Mark S (Adam Scott) and his complicated relationship with Helly (Britt Lower)? It seems likely.

Is this just a throwaway Easter egg, though, or foreshadowing? Helena Eagan, Helly's Outie, already tricked Mark into having sex with her in episode 4, before "bumping into" his Outie at a restaurant in episode 6. What was her motivation for doing that? And what else might she have in store?

Severance Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV+, with a new episode every Friday.