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Netflix's 'Atlas' trailer sees Jennifer Lopez hunting AI Simu Liu

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 16:44

As Mashable's Amanda Yeo wrote of Netflix sci-fi thriller Atlas: "If AI wrote propaganda, this is probably what it would look like."

Keep that in the back of your mind as you watch the second trailer for the film, with Jennifer Lopez out front as the titular Atlas Shepherd.

A data analyst and agent with a grudge against AI, Atlas finds herself on a mission to retrieve a rogue robot (Simu Liu), one she's met before. As the film progresses, it seems our protagonist might be coming around to the idea of AI when she finds herself lost on an inhospitable ice planet with only an AI for company in her gigantic robot power armor.

From Rampage and San Andreas director Brad Peyton, and written by Leo Sardarian and Aron Eli Coleite, this seemingly action packed film has a big cast alongside Lopez and Liu, with Sterling K. Brown, Lana Parrilla, Mark Strong, Abraham Popoola, and Gregory James Cohan.

Atlas premieres May 24 on Netflix.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get serious about productivity on the go with 20% off a Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 16:29

SAVE $558.66: As of April 23, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 (Intel Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) is just $2,241.33 at Amazon. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 (Intel Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,241.33 at Amazon
$2,799.99 Save $558.66 Get Deal

Ready to buy a new laptop, but looking to think outside the box a bit beyond a vanilla Windows computer or a MacBook? A Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is another choice that might fit the bill, especially if you're the creative type. For professional artists or anyone who wants multiple ways to interact with your computer, this accessible and convenient laptop has several modes of use, including normal clamshell functionality, tablet mode, and an easel-like option that you can use a stylus to sketch on. It's an intriguing form factor that you might want to opt for – and you can get it for less than usual today if you head over to Amazon.

As of April 23, you can get the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 (Intel Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) for $2,241.33. That's $558.66 off its original price of $2,799.99, and a 20% discount.

This 14.4-inch convertible laptop boasts the powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, making it perfect for a variety of graphic-intensive tasks, from sketching up mockups to 3D models and more. It comes preinstalled with Nvidia Studio drivers and other creative-centric tools to help you bring your ideas to life. With its gorgeous touchscreen and 120Hz refresh rate, you'll have plenty of power to create – or just kick back, relax, and check out your favorite shows and movies.

Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon took the laptop for a test drive and found that it's great for artists or anyone who could benefit from its convertible display as well as "differently abled users who could take full advantage of the Surface Laptop Studio 2’s adaptive touch trackpad feature." While Gedeon didn't find that it beats the MacBook across the board, the aforementioned situations make it a fine contender for many users.

If you want to take a Microsoft Surface for a test drive, this one is a great pick.

Categories: IT General, Technology

It's not just you: X (Twitter) was down

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 16:08

If you tried to use X this morning (April 23) and saw something wonky, you're not alone.

The social media platform formerly known as Twitter was acting up all morning. For some users, it showed reposts as the manual RTs of yore. Other users couldn't update their home screen or trending topics but could see updates in specific people's profiles.

Some of you might consider this to be great (healthy) or you might consider it to be horrible (not healthy) or you might not think about it at all (very healthy). But no matter what, you weren't alone: Down Detector showed that loads of users were complaining about "problems" with using the platform with outages spiking at 9:56 a.m. ET. (Down Detector is owned by ZiffDavis, Mashable's parent company.)

Not to worry — after about an hour, the site is back up and running. X didn't post about the short outage.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted
Categories: IT General, Technology

Mercedes-Benz beats Tesla to selling Level 3 autonomous cars in the U.S.

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 15:41

Mercedes-Benz is bringing Level 3 autonomous vehicles to the U.S. — the first automaker to do so.

While Tesla calls its driver assistance system "Full Self-Driving," with CEO Elon Musk promising, and then failing to deliver, Level 4 or Level 5 autonomy, it is actually Mercedes-Benz that officially achieved the feat of getting a Level 3 car on a U.S. road.

SEE ALSO: Tesla cuts FSD price, ditches Enhanced Autopilot

The "Level" figures refer to SAE International's levels of driving automation. Level 2 and below refer to various driver support features, which can perform certain functions such as steer, accelerate, and brake, but the driver must constantly supervise them and intervene as needed.

Level 3, 4, and 5, refer to fully automated driving, but the differences between them are vast. A vehicle that has Level 3 automation can drive itself, but it might require the driver to take over. It only works under limited conditions, and will not operate unless all required conditions are met. Level 4 and Level 5, ideally, should never ask the driver to take over, with the difference being that Level 4 also works under certain limited conditions, whereas Level 5 means the car can drive itself in all conditions.

...if all conditions are met, the driver can take their eyes off the road, and let go of the steering wheel without the car nagging.

Mercedes-Benz's take on Level 3, available through a set of features call Drive Pilot, only works in clear weather, during the day, on some specific freeways in California and Nevada, and only when the car is traveling less than 40 miles per hour. Finally, it's only available in Merc's EQS and S-Class sedans. All of that may not sound terribly exciting, but what makes this different from other, similar systems, is that if all conditions are met, the driver can take their eyes off the road, and let go of the steering wheel without the car nagging. Tesla's Autopilot and FSD systems require the driver to react and take over in all scenarios, meaning they officially fall into the Level 2 category.

Mercedes-Benz announced this system last September, and started selling Level 3-enabled cars in the U.S. in December (the company previously launched the same system in Germany). Now, as Fortune noticed, at least one of those cars has actually been sold to a customer in California.

Mercedes is not alone in this effort, though it is the first to do it in the United States. Last year, BMW announced it would launch a Level 3-enabled car in March 2024, but only in Germany.

Tweet may have been deleted

Musk recently announced a "Robotaxi" event, scheduled for August 2024. Despite not being able to perfect its FSD system to the point of it being fully autonomous, the Tesla CEO keeps betting on a dream of robotaxis, meaning cars that can autonomously ferry passengers around. Those do exist - for example, Alphabet's Waymo and GM's Cruise have been offering a self-driving taxi service in San Francisco, with mixed results — but Musk seems to want to sell such cars to customers. In order to do so, he'll first have to leap over Mercedes' latest effort; notably, Mercedes's own CTO Markus Schäfer thinks that private-owned Level 4 cars could be a thing "by the end of the decade."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Sonos' new app has all your music on the Home screen

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 15:00

Sonos has heard you, its users, and it made its mobile app better.

That, at least, is the company's promise as it unveiled its new mobile app, as well as an all-new web app, on Tuesday.

The upcoming app refresh does away with tabs on the bottom of the screen, instead providing access to Sonos system controls, your music library, recently played items, and the search bar, all on the Home screen.

No more tabs. Credit: Sonos

I haven't been able to try the new app myself yet, but I've seen demos and it does look a bit easier and faster to use. There was nothing tragically wrong with the old (current) Sonos app, but it does often take a few unnecessary taps to get to the bit you need. Furthermore, some parts of the old app can look a bit empty, such as the System tab when you only have one Sonos speaker in your system.

SEE ALSO: Sonos Move 2 Review: Fantastic sound and a price to match

The new app is also a lot more customizable. Your content, services, and other parts of the app are represented as rows on the (scrollable) Home screen, and you can pin, move, edit, and rearrange them as you please.

Search has also become more intuitive, with the ability to personalize the results by designating a preferred service for Sonos to fetch results from.

Finally, swiping up from the bottom of the Home screen brings you an overview of your entire system, including an overview of what's playing where — pretty useful for folks with large, multi-room systems.

SEE ALSO: Sonos is getting into headphones next year, report claims

The company also launched a new web app, allowing users to play music and manage their Sonos system on a larger, desktop display.

Want to manage your Sonos ecosystem and music library on a bigger screen? The company now has a web app, too. Credit: Sonos

The new Sonos mobile app will become available on May 7. The web app, which will go live on the same date, will be available at www.sonos.com/web-app.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Look out Substack, Ghost will join the fediverse this year

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 13:56

Newsletter platform Ghost — a popular rival to the reigning Substack — has confirmed it is joining the fediverse later this year.

This means Ghost is joining the likes of Mastodon, Instagram Threads, Wordpress, Flipboard, and others, in the "federated universe", containing decentralized social networks. Ghost's founder John O’Nolan explained in a post on Threads that users have been requesting federation, and asked followers to give their input on how it would work.

Later, the company confirmed that it would federate on ActivityPub, a popular protocol to make open networks happen, in order "to become part of the world’s largest publishing network." In its announcement, Ghost said that users have had to participate in closed social networks — "at the mercy of algorithms" — and it is now time "to take back control" online.

SEE ALSO: What is the fediverse — and how might it affect creators?

"The open web is coming back, and with it returns diversity. You can both publish independently and grow faster than ever before with followers from all over the world and the web," reads the statement.

For these reasons, the fediverse has gained momentum in the past year, but it's not exactly commonplace yet. As Mashable's Christianna Silva explains, "The fediverse allows you to have an account on one service and post on other services." From Silva's report:

In less basic terms, it is a collection of interconnected servers, also called instances, that run software compatible with a set of open protocols. The primary goal of the fediverse is to allow users to communicate and interact with each other on different platforms and servers while retaining control over their data and identity because they aren't giving it all to one individual company.

Ghost said that readers and users will have more power when the platform is federated: they'll be able to like, follow and interact with people on other federated services, for example, and also follow publications and topics of interest from around the internet.

To put it more simply, the platform compared the power of open networks to that of email: "Email, the web’s original open protocol, is used by more people than any platform or social network that has been invented before or since; because it shares users rather than competing for them."

These efforts from Ghost may pay off in more ways than one: already, several Substack users have turned to Ghost as a result of the lack of moderation on the former. Some major publishers and creators are on Ghost, including Platformer, 404 Media, and Quillette. Now with federation, the reach and growth of publications on Ghost has the potential to be even greater, according to the platform.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 23

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 13:28

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 23 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 23

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, April 23, 2024:

Across"How's it goin'?"
  • The answer is sup.

Make a counterargument against
  • The answer is rebut.

"The Magic Flute" or "The Marriage of Figaro"
  • The answer is opera.

Hiked up on caffeine
  • The answer is wired.

Logger's tool
  • The answer is axe.

DownBrown pigment in vintage photos

The answer is sepia.

Rideshare option for a small group
  • The answer is UberX.

High-speed blender button
  • The answer is puree.

Column's crosser
  • The answer is tad.

Wee bit
  • The answer is row.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro: Every single thing we know so far

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 12:00

The Google Pixel 9 and Google Pixel 9 Pro are set to launch later this year, but the question is, how will they differ from the previous generation?

I don't know about you, but I want to see Google step it up with a new set of features that will blow competitors away. According to leaks and rumors, however, it appears that the Pixel 9 series will be playing "catch up" with some of the biggest players on the market.

I won't keep you in suspense for long, so here's the scuttlebutt we've been hearing about the Google Pixel 9 and Google Pixel 9 Pro.

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 9 is rumored to steal this iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 feature Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro release date

If the Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro follows Google's typical launch pattern, the next-generation devices will have a release date some time in October.

Google typically unveils its new-generation Pixel phones at its Made by Google event in the fall — and we doubt that will change with the Google Pixel 9 series.

For reference, here are the release dates for the previous device launches:

  • Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro - Oct. 4, 2023

  • Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro - Oct. 6, 2023

  • Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro - Oct. 19, 2023

The only time Google did not launch in October was in 2020, the year when the pandemic shook up the tech hardware industry. (Even Apple didn't launch their iPhone until October that year, even though they typically unveil their new handsets in September.)

Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro price

There aren't any credible rumors on pricing, however, Google already increased the price tags of both devices last year, bumping them by $100.

As such, we doubt that Google will instate yet another price hike for 2024. That being said, the expected price tags for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are the following:

  • Pixel 9 - $699

  • Pixel 9 Pro - $999

Interestingly, however, according to 91Mobiles, Google may consider bringing a third phone into the mix, offering a trio of devices similar to the Galaxy S24 series. The Pixel 9 Pro XL will reportedly be the most expensive tier of the Google Pixel 9 lineup.

Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro and a Pixel 9 Pro XL?

As mentioned, 91Mobiles claims that Google is launching a Pixel 9 Pro XL in addition to the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.

This wouldn't be the first time the Google introduced an "XL" phone into the mix. The last time we saw an "XL" device was the Pixel 5 series — and we haven't seen it since.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL will reportedly have the following specs:

  • 6.5-inch, QHD+, OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

  • Triple-camera setup

Interestingly, if these specs are accurate, Pixel 9 Pro XL will feature a slight reduction from the Pixel 8 Pro's 6.7-inch display.

You may be wondering, "What does it look like?" Funny story. So popular leaker @Onleaks, also known as Steve H.McFly on X, revealed what they thought was the Pixel 9 Pro on Jan. 24.

Tweet may have been deleted

As it turns out, the Pixel 9 Pro renders are actually the Pixel 9 Pro XL, according to clarification from @Onleaks via 91mobiles.

Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro design

Unlike the current generation, which has rounded edges, the Pixel 9 series will reportedly have flat edges, similar to the iPhone 15 and Galaxy S24 series.

Tweet may have been deleted

According to 91mobiles, here's what we know about the Pixel 9:

  • 6.03-inch display

  • 152.8 x 71.9 x 8.5mm

  • Comes in Black, similar to the rumored Pixel 9 Pro XL

The Pixel 9 Pro, on the other hand, will sport the following:

  • 6.1-inch display

  • 152.8 x 71.9 x 8.5mm

  • Comes in Blue

Interestingly, according to a leak from Rozekted, the Pixel 9 Pro still sports a temperature sensor, a feature Mashable's Alex Perry found to be quite useless while reviewing the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro camera

Both phones will sport a hole-punch selfie camera, just like their predecessors.

The Pixel's distinctive camera visor design is getting a change, too, apparently. Instead of a rectangular-esque visor extending from edge to edge, the new visor will have more of a pill-shaped design.

Tweet may have been deleted

The Pixel 9 will have a dual-camera rear setup. The Pixel 9 Pro, alongside the Pixel 9 Pro XL, will reportedly have a triple-camera setup. At the time of writing, details on the shooters' specs are sparse.

Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro specs

According to Rozetked and 91mobiles, you'll find the next-gen Tensor chip inside the Pixel 9 series, likely the Tensor G4 processor.

Per the former, the Pixel 9 Pro will sport 16GB of RAM, a step up from the Pixel 8 Pro's 12GB of memory. As more companies take deeper plunges into the world of AI, this isn't surprising. While running AI in the background, these devices are going to need all the memory they can get.

Other specs you'll reportedly find across the Pixel 9 series:

  • New Qi2 charging technology, which increases wireless charging up to 15W and offers better alignment (similar to MagSafe)

  • New "Adaptive Touch" feature, which lets you adjust the display's sensitivity based on your surroundings

  • Satellite connectivity via a Samsung modem upgrade

The next big Google event is Google I/O, but don't expect the search-engine tech giant to reveal any of the Pixel 9 devices there.

Instead, keep an eye out for the Google Pixel 8a. As mentioned, the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro (and perhaps a Pixel 9 Pro XL) are expected to drop some time in October.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel 8 Pro $799.00 at Amazon
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Categories: IT General, Technology

Jon Stewart hits out at the media's obsessive Trump trial coverage

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 11:45

Donald Trump's trial has been the focus of many hours of coverage over the past week — including on the Daily Show — and Jon Stewart isn't happy about it. In the clip above he takes particular issue with the rolling news coverage, which has been focussed on everything from Trump's car making its way to the court house to analysing Trump's facial expressions in courtroom art.

"At some point in this trial, something important and revelatory is going to happen, but none of us are going to notice because of the hours spent on his speculative facial ticks," Stewart says. "If the media tries to make us feel like the most mundane bullshit is earth-shattering, we won't believe you when it's really interesting. It's your classic boy-who-cried-Wolf Blitzer."

You can watch Jon Stewart's other recent monologues here.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to cancel your Netflix account

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 11:30

If you're looking to cancel your Netflix subscription and delete your account completely, you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find directions on how to delete your Netflix account on your desktop and on your phone.

How to delete your Netflix account on desktop Total Time
  • 2 min
What You Need
  • Laptop or computer
  • Netflix account

Step 1: Log in to your Netflix account.

You can do this through Netflix's website.

Step 2: Click on your profile icon, then click it again in the top right corner of the screen.

Credit: Screenshot: Belen Edwards / Netflix

Step 3: Select "Account" from the drop-down menu that appears.

This will take you to your account page.

Credit: Screenshot: Belen Edwards / Mashable

Step 4: Once there, click "Cancel Membership."

Credit: Screenshot: Belen Edwards / Netflix

Step 5: Click "Finish cancellation" to cancel your account.

Credit: Screenshot: Belen Edwards / Netflix

Your account will be canceled at the end of the current billing period, and your information will be automatically deleted 10 months after the account has been canceled.

If you choose to restart your account within 10 months after cancellation, you will still be able to access your old profile and viewing preferences.

If you want to delete your account immediately, contact privacy@netflix.com from the email address used for your Netflix account.

How to delete your Netflix account on your phone

You cannot delete your Netflix account directly in the app, but you can delete it from your phone's browser.

Total Time
  • 2 min
What You Need
  • iPhone
  • Netflix account

Step 1: Open the Netflix app and log into your account.

Step 2: Click on the menu in the top left corner of the screen.

It's the three horizontal lines.

Credit: Screenshot: Belen Edwards / Netflix

Step 3: Select "Account" from the drop-down menu that appears.

This will take you to your account page.

Credit: Screenshot: Belen Edwards / Mashable

Step 4: Once there, scroll past your membership details and click "Cancel Membership."

Credit: Screenshot: Belen Edwards / Mashable

Step 5: Click "Finish cancellation" to cancel your account.

Credit: Screenshot: Belen Edwards / Mashable

As with canceling on desktop, your account will be canceled at the end of the current billing period, and your information will be automatically deleted 10 months after the account has been canceled.

And, if you choose to restart your account within 10 months after cancellation, you will still be able to access your old profile and viewing preferences.

However, if you want to delete your account immediately, contact privacy@netflix.com from the email address used for your Netflix account.

On a roll with canceling your streaming services? Here's how to cancel Apple TV+.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NASA shows how Mars helicopter did the impossible, and then crashed

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 11:00

NASA hoped its Ingenuity helicopter would fly at least once. It took flight 72 times.

The historic craft — the first to ever make a powered, controlled flight on another planetflew distances as far as 2,315 feet across Mars' Jezero Crater, a basin that once teemed with water, likely creating a lake some 22 miles wide. It served as a reliable scout to the space agency's Perseverance rover, as these robots sleuthed the best places to look for potential evidence of past microbial life on the Red Planet.

The new NASA video below (one-minute long) shows how Ingenuity buzzed over Mars, crossing over rugged and hilly terrain before arriving at its final landing spot months ago. On flight 72, the experimental chopper crashed in a dried-up river valley.

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

"We never planned for such a long mission," Teddy Tzanetos, Ingenuity’s project manager, said at a media briefing. "We originally had a single logbook, hoping for one successful flight to be logged in that logbook. Eventually got to five [flights] and were extremely excited to proceed into our extended operations demonstration."

That smooth, sandy terrain was ultimately Ingenuity's demise. The helicopter navigated by using software to track the movement of objects, like rocks, below. But the sandy dunes were largely "featureless," NASA explained.

"The more featureless the terrain is, the harder it is for Ingenuity to successfully navigate across it," the space agency said in a statement. "The team believes that the relatively featureless terrain in this region was likely the root cause of the anomalous landing."

"We never planned for such a long mission."

A hard landing broke multiple rotors, which doomed any future flights. To take to the air, Ingenuity spun its four-foot rotor blades at a blazing 2,400 revolutions every minute. This was necessary to generate the lift needed for flight: The Martian atmosphere is quite thin, with a density about one percent of Earth's, so the rapid rotors must spin fast enough to move enough molecules under its rotors.

Tweet may have been deleted

NASA's Ingenuity flight was the beginning of the agency's aerial endeavors on other worlds. NASA is considering a Mars plane, and in four years will launch a "rotorcraft" — with eight spinning rotors — to Saturn's moon Titan, a world harboring tantalizing dunes and seas of methane.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Gemini, ChatGPT’s AI rival, tipped to get ‘real-time responses.’

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 11:00

Google's Gemini app for Android might soon show AI-generated responses in real-time.

The feature, spotted by Android expert AssembleDebug via PiunikaWeb, shows the ability to turn on "Real-time responses" in AI assistant's settings. So instead of waiting for a full response, Gemini will show its response as its processing.

Tweet may have been deleted

This is how Gemini works on desktop. When you ask the chatbot a question, Gemini answers as it's "typing" out the question. But currently, Android users have to wait for the fully processed response to publish. The response only takes a few seconds, but a faster perceived experience on mobile can be achieved by showing the response progressively, particularly for lengthy text.

Google announced Gemini for mobile in February as a standalone app for Android users. There isn't yet an iOS app, but iPhone users can still use Gemini through the Google app. With text and image generation, and integration with Google Assistant, Gemini is touted as an AI assistant on-the-go. Gemini had a rocky launch, which included inaccurately depicting Nazis as people of color. But the company is powering ahead with model improvements and new features.

This year has been all about on-device AI. Samsung has packed its smartphones with Galaxy AI, a collection of AI features like drafting messages, editing photos, and translation. Rumors are also swirling about Apple announcing generative AI features at this year's WWDC — and it might even be powered by Google Gemini according to reported discussions between the two tech giants.

Suffice to say, we can expect a lot more mobile generative AI features like real-time responses rolling out soon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Prepare for an emergency with this $69.99 battery jump starter

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 11:00

TL;DR: As of April 23, the TYPE S 12V Battery Jump Starter, which has integrated jumper cables, a USB-C cable, and a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad — is on sale for only $69.99 (reg. $119). 

A dead battery on your phone can be inconvenient. A dead battery in your car could be a whole lot worse depending on where you are. You might already have jumper cables in the trunk, but there's no guarantee another car is going to come around. Instead, you may be able to jump your car yourself and charge your phone right after all using the same device. 

The TYPE S 12V Jump Starter and Power Bank is a compact answer to a variety of low batteries. It has built-in jumper cables and can charge USB-C or Qi-compatible devices, and it still only costs $69.99 (reg. $119).

Great for camping, road trips, or emergency kits

It may not be much bigger than your phone, but this little gadget could be make a big difference in an emergency. The TYPE S has a built-in 8,000mAh power bank that you can use to jump-start a car battery or charge a variety of mobile devices. 

Use the integrated jumper cables to start engines up to 6.0L or diesel engines up to 3.0. Jumping your car can be intimidating at first, but the TYPE S has protection for over-discharge, polarity, low voltage, and reverse charging. Plus, you can always check the LCD screen for a step-by-step guide to jumping your car along with safety notifications. 

Need to signal another car on the road? Or maybe just find your phone at night? The TYPE S also has LEDs with multiple lighting presets. Use the flashlight to light the way or signal in an emergency with red hazard lights. 

Charging your phone is a little easier. Use the integrated USB-C cable for wired charging or put Qi-enabled devices on the wireless charging pad. 

Jump your car or charge your phone

Whether the battery is in your car or your phone, this portable power bank could be the difference between a little delay and a major disaster. 

For a limited time, get the TYPE S 122V Battery Jump Starter and Power Bank for $69.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: TYPE S TYPE S 12V 6.0L Battery Jump Starter with Built-In Cable, LCD Display & 8,000mAh Qi Power Bank (Black/USB-C) $69.99 at the Mashable Shop
$119.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Save with this Gillette body razor and 9 blade refills for $14.99

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 11:00

TL;DR: As of April 23, enjoy a smooth shave with this Gillette Body Razor that comes with nine refill blades — on sale for $14.99 for a limited time (reg. $24).

Same trusted brand, much lower price

Your body and your face aren't quite shaped the same, so it might be time for a razor to match. The Gillette Body Razor has three lubricating strips built into every cartridge to help keep your shave smooth, clean, and comfortable. The razor itself has an ergonomic handle with anti-slip grip for shower shaving. Regularly $24, you can score 40% off and get it for just $14.99.

Shave with a razor that's designed to hug your body. The Gillette Body Razor has a forward-pivoting head that moves with the contours of your skin. Even if you have thick body hair, the floating Powerglide® blades offer a quick and clean shave. And when one cartridge starts getting dull, you'll have another nearby. This Gillette bundle comes with nine refill razor cartridges. 

Keep in mind that these razors may get dull faster than the one you use for your face simply because there may be more of your body to shave. Good thing this set gives you plenty of spares! 

Shave 40% off the cost of this Gillette razor

Treat your body as well as you treat your face and get a razor that could help avoid bumps, cuts, and razor burn. 

Get the Gillette Body Razor and nine refill blade cartridges on sale for $14.99 (reg. $24). 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Gillette Gillette Body Razor + 9 Refill Blade Cartridges $14.99 at the Mashable Shop
$24.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Get gaming accessories for Xbox Series X or S for $40

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 11:00

TL;DR: As of April 23, you can get a Bionik Pro Kit+ for Xbox Series X/S with gaming accessories for just $39.99 (reg. $89).

Attention gamers! If you'd like to elevate your Xbox Series X/S play situation, this bundle might be for you. This Bionik Pro Kit+ features things to help you create a better experience when you're behind the console. It's also on sale for just $39.99, saving you 55% on the regular price of $89.

This pro kit is designed only for the Xbox Series X/S. Gain a competitive edge with the over-ear headset that keeps you immersed in your world of play. It features 50mm drivers for optimal sound and an integrated mic so you can chat and strategize with your fellow online players. This headset even has a cool RGB color accent.

You'll also get a dual-port charge base for your controllers so you can efficiently power them up. It also features back-lit indicators and an adjustable USB cord. The two included high-capacity rechargeable batteries have custom covers for a uniform look. 

The bundle also comes with a high-quality ten-foot LYNX cable reinforced with KEVLAR that's made to withstand over 30,000 bends. Using the ten-foot cable extender, you can extend the USB power from the console to the accessories. Please note that the actual controllers are not included.

This comprehensive package is designed to enhance your gaming experience and help you stay on top of your game without breaking the bank.

Pick up this Bionik Pro Kit+ featuring accessories for Xbox Series X/S for just $39.99 (reg. $89) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bionik Bionik® Pro Kit+ for Xbox Series X/S + Essential Gaming Accessories $39.99 at the Mashable Shop
$89.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Sit up straight and comfortably with this $39.97 back support

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 11:00

TL;DR: Through May 6, if you're trying to improve your posture or reduce back pain, try the BetterBack™ Luxe Posture Support featured on Shark Tank, on sale for $39.97 (reg. $59). 

Correcting your posture may sound a whole lot easier than it actually is. Whether you're sitting at your desk working or trying to keep your back straight, working on your posture is a constant thing, and a little help could be welcome. 

The BetterBack Luxe is a compact and ergonomic back support device that could help you improve your posture, reduce back pain, and sit comfortably almost anywhere. As simple as a posture support device sounds, the BetterBack is actually the culmination of some serious engineering, including memory foam made by NASA. That's how this Shark Tank feature could turn even the most uncomfortable stool into an ergonomic seat, but you can still get it for $39.97 (reg. $59). 

Make every chair ergonomic 

You don't need to balance a stack of books on your head to correct your posture. Turn your back on uncomfortable stools and brutal benches. With the BetterBack, you could turn virtually any seat into a comfortable, ergonomic chair

Between the webbing straps, memory foam padding, and slip-resistant knee pads, correcting your posture may actually be the most comfortable option. There's even a water-resistant outer shell that could come in handy if you're sweating on the bleachers watching the game. 

Comfort isn't the only thing the BetterBack has to offer. The manufacturers even say wearing the BetterBack for just 15 minutes a day can help retrain the body's default posture. Whether you're studying, working, gaming, or eating, this posture support has your back. 

Comfortable and portable back support

Don't take poor posture sitting down. 

Until May 6 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get the BetterBack™ Luxe Posture Support on sale for $39.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: BetterBack BetterBack™ Luxe Posture Support $39.97 at the Mashable Shop
$59.99 Save $20.02 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Voyager spacecraft gave us a scare. But NASA's bringing it back to life.

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 10:30

Our farthest-away spacecraft isn't finished yet.

NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft, at over 15 billion miles away and hurtling ever-deeper into the cosmos, beamed back crucial data about its health for the first time in five months. NASA released a photo of mission engineers celebrating the success of their software patch with raised arms and wide grins.

"After some inventive sleuthing, the mission team can — for the first time in five months — check the health and status of the most distant human-made object in existence," the space agency said in an online post.

SEE ALSO: NASA spacecraft keeps on going faster and faster and faster

The pioneering and beloved Voyager 1, however, isn't completely out of the woods. "The next step is to enable the spacecraft to begin returning science data again," NASA explained. Before the mishap, which began in November 2023, Voyager 1 was returning unprecedented data about the radiation in interstellar space and how far the sun's protective bubble of energy and particles extends into the cosmos. (Its sister craft, Voyager 2, at over 12 billion miles, continues to send back this information.)

"The science data that the Voyagers are returning gets more valuable the farther away from the Sun they go, so we are definitely interested in keeping as many science instruments operating as long as possible," Linda Spilker, Voyager’s project scientist, said last year.

Tweet may have been deleted NASA engineers working on a Voyager craft in 1976. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech

Though NASA has repeatedly fixed software glitches on the aging Voyager craft, each over a half-century-old now, the situation was prolonged enough to grow worrisome. Early this month, the space agency noted "corrupted memory" had indeed caused the interstellar probe to send back indecipherable information. One of the onboard computers, the flight data subsystem (FDS), had a single chip that no longer worked.

What's more, engineers couldn't just pop the hood. "Space is hard. Interstellar space is harder," NASA posted on X (formerly Twitter), in February. "Solving issues like this takes time – because it takes more than 22 hours for a message to travel from Earth to my twin Voyager 1 and another 22 hours for a response to make it back."

"Space is hard. Interstellar space is harder."

As the corrupted chip couldn't be replaced, NASA engineers sent a deep space signal to Voyager to store the chip's unique code in other chips, as "no single location is large enough to hold the section of code in its entirety." It worked.

What's next? Voyager engineers will similarly now move and test code responsible for the mission's science data.

Beyond inevitable software mishaps on old hardware (hardware that's also exposed to the hostile particles zipping through interstellar space, known galactic cosmic rays), the probes' greatest limiting factor is nuclear fuel. Supplies are running low; in the next few years, some scientific instruments will likely need to be powered down. It's possible that NASA can keep the Voyager craft communicating through the mid-2030s.

Yet even when communication ceases, the mission will carry on. Voyager craft carry "a kind of time capsule, intended to communicate a story of our world to extraterrestrials," the space agency explained. "The Voyager message is carried by a phonograph record, a 12-inch gold-plated copper disk containing sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth."

If anyone beyond Earth ever gets to listen, they'll be lucky: The records contain tunes from Chuck Berry.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Watcher apologises for paid subscription service, will continue to release free content

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 09:57

Watcher has finally addressed the massive backlash to its paid independent streaming platform. Unsurprisingly, it involves both an apology and a rehaul of how its subscription service will operate.

Adopting a much more muted tone than in their optimistic announcement last week, Watcher founders Steven Lim, Ryan Bergara, and Shane Madej, published a three-minute video apology on Monday. The digital production company has been the subject of significant criticism since Friday, when it announced that future content would be exclusive to its new paid streaming service. Furious fans lambasted the change, fuming at being charged for content that had been free for years. 

The news particularly stung considering that Watcher said some of the money would be used to fund a "spiritual successor" to Worth It, a show that involved CEO Lim eating ostentatiously expensive meals.

"Imagine having the nerve to ask people for $6/month so you can go eat a $800 steak and report back on how it tastes," Twitter/X user @traderraider57 posted.

"We messed up," Lim said in the new video, acknowledging the universal condemnation their announcement incited.

"We've been reading the things you've been saying, and we're sorry for the way we handled this as well as the way we communicated it," said Madej.

"We're sorry for how we originally delivered our goodbye message to YouTube," said Bergara. "It was insensitive. We didn't properly express how much we appreciate all of you."

SEE ALSO: Furious Watcher fans are blasting it as 'greedy' over paid subscription service

The trio also apologised for their "ignorance" regarding the impact of their pricing on fans. Watcher received significant criticism for stating that their $5.99 monthly fee was "low enough where anybody and everybody is able to afford it," with numerous people pointing out that it's a significant amount in other countries — and that even some Americans would struggle with this additional cost.

"If I wanted a mfer with a tesla to call me broke I would have just logged onto twitter," bayeis1501 commented on the original YouTube announcement.

"We regret stating and implying that it's a price anybody can afford, and we fully acknowledge that it is not," Lim said in Watcher's new video. "We didn't take the proper consideration for how this cost would affect you, and hope you know that we are taking this as a serious learning experience."

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted How is Watcher changing is paid subscription service? Credit: Watcher

While Watcher isn't scrapping its independent subscription service, it is making some significant changes in light of the overwhelmingly negative feedback it received.

Instead of only hosting future content on its paid subscription platform, Watcher will continue to upload it to YouTube for free. Paid Watcher subscribers will merely get these videos one month before they go live on YouTube, and without ads.

In light of these changes, Watcher is issuing refunds upon request for anyone who has already purchased a subscription to their new streaming service. So if you're happy to wait a month for new Watcher content rather than devour it as soon as it drops, you could save yourself $6 per month.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Watcher also addressed its Patreon subscribers. In conjunction with the news of Watcher's new streaming service, the company had announced it would change its Patreon benefits to focus on its podcasts. This upset many supporters who were subscribed to Watcher's Patreon, as they would no longer be getting what they had paid for.

The changes to Watcher's Patreon appear here to stay. However, Watcher announced that paid Patreon subscribers will now receive a free subscription code to its streaming platform. Patreon supporters can also apply for a refund if they'd already bought a subscription to Watcher's streaming service prior to this change.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

This new video has been much more well-received than the previous one, with people largely viewing Watcher's walkback as the right move. Even so, the whole fiasco has shaken at least a few fans' "parasocial trust" in Watcher's founders, which may take time to rebuild.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Why did Watcher launch an independent streaming platform? Credit: Mashable screenshot: Watcher

Bergara, Madej, and Lim ended the video by explaining why they thought launching an independent subscription service was the right move.

"We were finding it harder and harder to stay relevant to advertisers and the constantly changing YouTube landscape," said Bergara. "We didn't want to compromise our content to ensure they met advertising requirements. And we definitely did not want to lay people off that have brought Watcher to life behind the scenes. And we didn't want to bring Watcher to a close, which would have happened if we stayed solely on YouTube."

Watcher previously laid off a few employees in 2023, Lim having stated that "it was the right decision for the company and for them as well."

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Many viewers noted the obvious similarities between Watcher's apology and The Try Guys' similar video in 2022. The Try Guys are also former BuzzFeed employees who founded their own online production company after leaving, were eventually hit with controversy, then published a serious video addressing the issue in which three men sat on a couch and spoke directly to the camera. 

Though The Try Guys' scandal was much more serious than Watcher's current PR crisis, their similar history and staging had numerous people drawing parallels.

"The ex-buzzfeed employee to three guys on the apology couch pipeline is insane," zarishhassan5286 commented on Watcher's apology video.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted
Categories: IT General, Technology

Become a Better Networker

Havard Management Tip of the Day - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 06:01

Networking is not an innate talent. It’s a series of skills that anyone can develop, no matter your age, gender, career stage, or level of extroversion. To help you get out there and build professional connections, you can focus on developing: Cognitive flexibility. Researchers found that the ability to adapt your thinking in response to […]

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Categories: Management

Save 89% on a lifetime subscription to this AI-powered flight finder app

Mashable - Tue, 04/23/2024 - 06:00

TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to a OneAir Elite Plan is on sale for £64.68, saving you 89% on list price.

Planning a holiday can be stressful, so much so that once you're there it might feel more like a break from holiday planning than a break from everyday life. As stressful as it is, there are tools to help make it a little easier on you and a little easier on your wallet. OneAir is a unique flight finding service that uses AI to scan the internet for low-cost flights and other exclusive discounts. OneAir is an investment, so it’s normally a little pricey at over £600 for a lifetime Elite Plan, but you can get it on sale for only £64.68. 

You’re not imagining it. Airfare really has got more expensive, but that’s no reason to cancel the holiday. It just means it’s time to shop smarter using a OneAir Elite Plan, backed by supporters on WeFunder. 

Flight finding services aren’t new. There’s quite a lot of them, but what sets OneAir apart is how it searches the web for budget airfare. OneAir actually uses advanced AI to track millions of fares in real time. So it’s more than just a big search pulling up the lowest number and emailing it to you. OneAir even searches for Business, First, and Premium class flights.

OneAir also has a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. That means you don’t have to waste time booking on another site. It may not sound like a big time-saver, but if you’re trying to jump on a mistake fare (which happens when airlines occasionally set an uncharacteristically low price for a flight by accident) before an airline notices, every second counts. 

Hotel prices are also on the rise, but OneAir could help with that. Becoming a OneAir Elite Plan Holder allows you to shop at the OneClub shop. That’s where you might find lower prices on hotels, rental cars, and even whole activities.

Your ultimate holiday might still fit in your budget — it's time to pack a bag, just don’t forget to bring a good phone charger for those long international flights.

Prices may be on the rise, but you could still find a steal if you know where to look. Get a OneAir Elite Plan for life for £64.68. 

Opens in a new window Credit: OneAir OneAir Elite Plan (Lifetime Subscription) £64.68 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology
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